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Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - Contents
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    MICROSCOPE — MILLSTONE

    MICROSCOPE, n. [Gr. small, and to view.] An optical instrument consisting of lenses or mirrors, which magnify objects, and thus render visible minute objects which cannot be seen by the naked eye, or enlarge the apparent magnitude of small visible bodies, so as to enable us to examine their texture or construction.

    MICROSCOPIC, MICROSCOPICAL, a. Made by the aid of a microscope; as microscopic observation.

    1. Assisted by a microscope.NWAD MICROSCOPIC.2

    Evading even the microscopic eye.NWAD MICROSCOPIC.3

    2. Resembling a microscope; capable of seeing small objects.NWAD MICROSCOPIC.4

    Why has not man a microscopic eye?NWAD MICROSCOPIC.5

    3. Very small; visible only by the aid of a microscope; as a microscopic insect.NWAD MICROSCOPIC.6

    MICROSCOPICALLY, adv. By the microscope; with minute inspection.

    MICTURITION, n. [L. micturio.] The act of making water, or passing the urine.

    MID, a. [L. medius.]

    1. Middle; at equal distance from extremes; as the mid hour of night.NWAD MID.2

    2. Intervening.NWAD MID.3

    No more the mounting larks, while Daphne sings,NWAD MID.4

    Shall, lifting in mid air, suspend their wings.NWAD MID.5

    MIDA, n. [Gr.] A worm, or the beanfly.

    MID-AGE, n. The middle of life, or persons of that age.

    MID-COURSE, n. The middle of the course or way.

    MID-DAY, a. Being at noon; meridional; as the mid-day sun.

    MID-DAY, n. The middle of the day; noon.

    MIDDEST, a. superl. of mid.

    Among the middest crowd. [Not used.]NWAD MIDDEST.2

    MIDDLE, a. mid’l. [L. medius.]

    1. Equally distant from the extremes; as the middle point of a line or circle; the middle station of life. The middle path or course is most safe.NWAD MIDDLE.2

    2. Intermediate; intervening.NWAD MIDDLE.3

    Will, seeking good, finds many middle ends.NWAD MIDDLE.4

    Middle ages, the ages or period of time about equally distant from the decline of the Roman empire and the revival of letters in Europe, or from the eighth to the fifteenth century of the christian era.NWAD MIDDLE.5

    MIDDLE, n. The point or part equally distant from the extremities.

    See, there come people down by the middle of the land. Judges 9:37.NWAD MIDDLE.7

    1. The time that passes, or events that happen between the beginning and the end.NWAD MIDDLE.8

    MIDDLE-AGED, a. Being about the middle of the ordinary age of man. A middle-aged man is so called from the age of thirty five or forty to forty five or fifty.

    MIDDLE-EARTH, n. The world.

    MIDDLEMOST, a. Being in the middle, or nearest the middle of a number of things that are near the middle. If a thing is in the middle, it cannot be more so, and in this sense the word is improper. But when two or more things are near the middle, one may be nearer than another.

    MIDDLING, a. Of middle rank, state, size or quality; about equally distant from the extremes; moderate. Thus we speak of people of the middling class or sort, neither high nor low; of a man of middling capacity or understanding; a man of middling size; fruit of a middling quality.

    MIDGE, n. A gnat or flea. [Not used.]

    MID-HEAVEN, n. The middle of the sky or heaven.

    MIDLAND, a. Being in the interior country; distant from the coast or sea shore; as midland towns or inhabitants.

    1. Surrounded by the sea; mediterranean.NWAD MIDLAND.2

    And on the midland sea the French had aw’d.NWAD MIDLAND.3

    MIDLEG, n. Middle of the leg.

    MIDMOST, a. Middle; as the midmost battles.

    MIDNIGHT, n. The middle of the night; twelve o’clock at night.

    MIDNIGHT, a. Being in the middle of the night; as midnight studies.

    1. Dark as midnight; very dark; as midnight gloom.NWAD MIDNIGHT.3

    MIDRIFF, n. In anatomy, the diaphragm; the muscle which divides the trunk into two cavities, the thorax and abdomen.

    MIDSEA, n. The Mediterranean sea.

    MIDSHIP, a. Being or belonging to the middle of a ship; as a midship beam.

    MIDSHIPMAN, n. In ships of war, a kind of naval cadet, whose business is to second the orders of the superior officers and assist in the necessary business of the ship, particularly in managing the sails, that he may be trained to a knowledge of the machinery, discipline and operations of ships of war, and qualified for naval service.

    MIDSHIPS, adv. In the middle of a ship; properly amidships.

    MIDST, n. [contracted from middest, the superlative of mid.]

    The middle.NWAD MIDST.2

    There is nothing said or done in the midst of the play, which might not have been placed in the beginning.NWAD MIDST.3

    The phrase, in the midst, often signifies involved in, surrounded or overwhelmed by, or in the thickest part, or in the depths of; as in the midst of afflictions, troubles or cares; in the midst of our contemplations; in the midst of the battle; in the midst of pagan darkness and error; in the midst of gospel light; in the midst of the ocean; in the midst of civil dissensions.NWAD MIDST.4

    From the midst, from the middle, or from among. Deuteronomy 18:15.NWAD MIDST.5

    MIDST, adv. In the middle.

    On earth, join all ye creatures to extolNWAD MIDST.7

    Him first, Him last, Him midst, and without end.NWAD MIDST.8

    MIDSTREAM, n. The middle of the stream.

    MIDSUMMER, n. The middle of summer; the summer solstice, about the 21st of June.

    MIDWARD, adv. Midst. [Not in use.]

    MIDWAY, n. The middle of the way or distance.

    Paths indirect, or in the midway faint.NWAD MIDWAY.2

    MIDWAY, a. Being in the middle of the way or distance; as the midway air.

    MIDWAY, adv. In the middle of the way or distance; half way.

    She met his glance midway.NWAD MIDWAY.5

    MIDWIFE, n. [supposed by Junius and Skinner to be meedwife, a woman that has a reward. This is probably a mistake. The word is a compound of mid, with, and wif, a woman; in analogy with the L. obstetrix, from obsto, obstiti, to stand before. L. cum, with, and madre, mother, which is precisely analogous to midwife.]

    A woman that assists other women in childbirth.NWAD MIDWIFE.2

    MIDWIFE, v.i. To perform the office of midwife.

    MIDWIFE, v.t. To assist in childbirth.

    MIDWIFERY, n. The art or practice of assisting women in childbirth; obstetrics.

    1. Assistance at childbirth.NWAD MIDWIFERY.2

    2. Help or cooperation in production.NWAD MIDWIFERY.3

    MID-WINTER, n. The middle of winter, or the winter solstice, December 21. As the severity of winter in North America falls in January and February, the word ordinarily denotes this period, or some weeks after the winter solstice.

    MIEMITE, n. Granular miemite is a sub-variety of magnesian limestone, first found at Miemo, in Tuscany. It occurs massive, or crystallized in flat, double, three-sided pyramids. Its color is light green or greenish white.

    MIEN, n. Look; air; manner; external appearance; carriage; as a lofty mien; a majestic mien.

    MIFF, n. A slight degree of resentment. [Colloquial.]

    MIFFED, a. Slightly offended.

    MIGHT, n. pret. of may. Had power or liberty. He might go, or might have gone.

    1. It sometimes denotes was possible, implying ignorance of the fact in the speaker. Orders might have been given for the purpose.NWAD MIGHT.2

    MIGHT, n.

    1. Strength; force; power; primarily and chiefly, bodily strength or physical power; as, to work or strive with all one’s might.NWAD MIGHT.4

    There small be no might in thy hand. Deuteronomy 28:32.NWAD MIGHT.5

    2. Political power or great achievements.NWAD MIGHT.6

    The acts of David--with all his reign and his might. 1 Chronicles 29:30; 1 Kings 15:23.NWAD MIGHT.7

    3. National strength; physical power or military force.NWAD MIGHT.8

    We have no might against this great company that cometh against us. 2 Chronicles 20:12.NWAD MIGHT.9

    4. Valor with bodily strength; military prowess; as men of might. 1 Chronicles 12:8.NWAD MIGHT.10

    5. Ability; strength or application of means.NWAD MIGHT.11

    I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God-- 1 Chronicles 29:2.NWAD MIGHT.12

    6. Strength or force of purpose.NWAD MIGHT.13

    Like him was no king that turned to the Lord with all his might. 2 Kings 23:25.NWAD MIGHT.14

    7. Strength of affection.NWAD MIGHT.15

    Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5.NWAD MIGHT.16

    8. Strength of light; splendor; effulgence.NWAD MIGHT.17

    Let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. Judges 5:31.NWAD MIGHT.18

    Shakespeare applied the word to an oath. “An oath of mickle might.” This application is obsolete. We now use strength or force; as the strength or force of an oath or covenant.NWAD MIGHT.19

    With might and main, with the utmost strength or bodily exertion; a tautological phrase, as both words are from the same root, and mean the same thing.NWAD MIGHT.20

    MIGHTILY, adv. [from mighty.] With great power, force of strength; vigorously; as, to strive mightily.

    1. Vehemently; with great earnestness.NWAD MIGHTILY.2

    Cry mightily to God. Jonah 3:8.NWAD MIGHTILY.3

    2. Powerfully; with great energy.NWAD MIGHTILY.4

    Whereto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Colossians 1:29.NWAD MIGHTILY.5

    3. With great strength of argument.NWAD MIGHTILY.6

    He mightily convinced the Jews. Acts 18:28.NWAD MIGHTILY.7

    4. With great or irresistible force; greatly; extensively.NWAD MIGHTILY.8

    So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Acts 19:20.NWAD MIGHTILY.9

    5. With strong means of defense.NWAD MIGHTILY.10

    Fortify the power mightily. Nahum 2:1.NWAD MIGHTILY.11

    6. Greatly; to a great degree; very much.NWAD MIGHTILY.12

    I was mightily pleased with a story applicable to this piece of philosophy.NWAD MIGHTILY.13

    [Admissible in colloquial and familiar language.]NWAD MIGHTILY.14

    MIGHTINESS, n. Power; greatness; highth of dignity.

    How soon this mightiness meets misery!NWAD MIGHTINESS.2

    1. A title of dignity; as their High Mightinesses.NWAD MIGHTINESS.3

    MIGHTY, a. Having great bodily strength or physical power; very strong or vigorous; as a mighty arm.

    1. Very strong; valiant; bold; as a mighty man of valor. Judges 6:12.NWAD MIGHTY.2

    2. Very powerful; having great command.NWAD MIGHTY.3

    Cush begat Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. Genesis 10:8.NWAD MIGHTY.4

    3. Very strong in numbers; as a mighty nation. Genesis 18:18.NWAD MIGHTY.5

    4. Very strong or great in corporeal power; very able.NWAD MIGHTY.6

    Wo to them that are mighty to drink wine. Isaiah 5:22.NWAD MIGHTY.7

    5. Violent; very loud; as mighty thunderings. Exodus 9:28; Psalm 68:33.NWAD MIGHTY.8

    6. Vehement; rushing with violence; as a mighty wind or tempest. Exodus 10:19; Revelation 6:13.NWAD MIGHTY.9

    7. Very great; vast; as mighty waters. Nehemiah 9:11.NWAD MIGHTY.10

    8. Very great or strong; as mighty power. 2 Chronicles 26:13.NWAD MIGHTY.11

    9. Very forcible; efficacious; as, great is truth and mighty.NWAD MIGHTY.12

    10. Very great or eminent in intellect or acquirements; as the mighty Scaliger and Selden.NWAD MIGHTY.13

    11. Great; wonderful; performed with great power; as mighty works. Matthew 11:20.NWAD MIGHTY.14

    12. Very severe and distressing; as a mighty famine. Luke 15:14.NWAD MIGHTY.15

    13. Very great, large or populous; as a mighty city. Revelation 18:10.NWAD MIGHTY.16

    14. Important; momentous.NWAD MIGHTY.17

    I’ll sing of heroes and of kings,NWAD MIGHTY.18

    In mighty numbers mighty things.NWAD MIGHTY.19

    MIGHTY, adv. In a great degree; very; as might wise; mighty thoughtful. [Colloquial.]

    MIGNIARD, a. Soft; dainty; delicate; pretty.

    MIGNONETTE, MIGONET, n. An annual flower or plant of the genus Reseda, having the scent of raspberries.

    MIGRATE, v.i. [L. migro.] To pass or remove from one country or from one state to another, with a view to permanent residence, or residence of some continuance. The first settlers of New England migrated first to Holland, and afterwards to America. Some species of fowls migrate in autumn to a warmer climate for a temporary residence. To change residence in the same city or state is not to migrate.

    1. To pass or remove from one region or district to another for a temporary residence; as, the Tartars migrate for the sake of finding pasturage.NWAD MIGRATE.2

    MIGRATING, ppr. Removing from one state to another for a permanent residence. The people of the eastern states are continually migrating to the western states.

    MIGRATION, n. [L. migratio.] The act of removing from one kingdom or state to another, for the purpose of permanent residence, or a residence of some continuance.

    1. Change of place; removal; as the migration of the center of gravity.NWAD MIGRATION.2

    MIGRATORY, a. Removing or accustomed to remove from one state or country to another for permanent residence.

    1. Roving; wandering; occasionally removing for pasturage; as the migratory Tartars.NWAD MIGRATORY.2

    2. Passing from one climate to another; as fowls.NWAD MIGRATORY.3

    MILCH, a. Giving milk; as a milch cow. It is now applied only to beasts.

    MILD, a. [The primary sense is soft or smooth, L. mollis, Eng. mellow.]

    1. Soft; gently and pleasantly affecting the senses; not violent; as a mild air; a mild sun; a mild temperature; a mild light.NWAD MILD.2

    The rosy morn resigns her lightNWAD MILD.3

    And milder glory to the noon.NWAD MILD.4

    And with a milder gleam refreshed the sight.NWAD MILD.5

    2. Not acrid, pungent, corrosive or drastic; operating gently; not acrimonious; demulcent; mollifying; lenitive; assuasive; as a mild liquor; a mild cataplasm; a mild cathartic or emetic.NWAD MILD.6

    3. Tender and gentle in temper or disposition; kind; compassionate; merciful; clement; indulgent; not severe or cruel.NWAD MILD.7

    It teaches us to adore him as a mild and merciful Being.NWAD MILD.8

    4. Not fierce, rough or angry; as mild words.NWAD MILD.9

    5. Placid; not fierce; not stern; not frowning; as a mild look or aspect.NWAD MILD.10

    6. Not sharp, tart, sour or bitter; moderately sweet or pleasant to the taste; as mild fruit.NWAD MILD.11

    7. Calm; tranquil. When passion subsides the temper becomes mild.NWAD MILD.12

    8. Moderate; not violent or intense; as a mild heat.NWAD MILD.13

    MILDEW, n. [L. melligo, from mel, honey.]

    1. Honey dew; a thick, clammy, sweet juice, found on the leaves of plants, which is said to injure the plants by corroding them, or otherwise preventing them from coming to perfection.NWAD MILDEW.2

    2. Spots on cloth or paper caused by moisture.NWAD MILDEW.3

    MILDEW, v.t. To taint with mildew.

    MILDEWED, pp. Tainted or injured by mildew.

    MILDEWING, ppr. Tainting with mildew.

    MILDLY, adv. Softly; gently; tenderly; not roughly or violently; moderately; as, to speak mildly; to burn mildly; to operate mildly.

    MILDNESS, n. Softness; gentleness; as the mildness of words or speech; mildness of voice.

    1. Tenderness; mercy; clemency; as mildness of temper.NWAD MILDNESS.2

    2. Gentleness of operation; as the mildness of a medicine.NWAD MILDNESS.3

    3. Softness; the quality that affects the senses pleasantly; as the mildness of fruit or of liquors.NWAD MILDNESS.4

    4. Temperateness; moderate state; as the mildness of weather.NWAD MILDNESS.5

    MILD-SPIRITED, a. Having a mild temper.

    MILE, n. [L. mille passus, a thousand paces; passus being dropped in common usage.] A measure of length or distance, containing eight furlongs, 320 rods, poles or perches, 1760 yards, 5280 feet, or 80 chains. The Roman mile was a thousand paces, equal to 1600 yards English measure.

    MILEAGE, n. Fees paid for travel by the mile.

    MILESTONE, n. A stone set to mark the distance or space of a mile.

    MILFOIL, n. [L. millefolium, a thousand leaves.]

    A plant of the genus Achillea; yarrow.NWAD MILFOIL.2

    MILIARY, a. [L. milium, millet.]

    1. Resembling millet seeds; as a miliary eruption; miliary glands. The miliary glands are the sebaceous glands of the skin.NWAD MILIARY.2

    2. Accompanied with an eruption like millet seeds; as a miliary fever.NWAD MILIARY.3

    MILICE, for militia, is not in use.

    MILIOLITE, n. Fossil remains of the Miliola, a genus of univalve shells.

    MILITANCY, n. Warfare. [Little used.]

    MILITANT, a. [L. militans, milito, to fight.]

    1. Fighting; combating; serving as a soldier.NWAD MILITANT.2

    2. The church militant, is the christian church on earth, which is supposed to be engaged in a constant warfare against its enemies; thus distinguished from the church triumphant, or in heaven.NWAD MILITANT.3

    MILITARILY, adv. In a soldierly manner.

    MILITARY, a. [L. militaris, from miles, a soldier; milito, to fight.]

    1. Pertaining to soldiers or to arms; as a military parade or appearance; military discipline.NWAD MILITARY.2

    2. Engaged in the service of soldiers or arms; as a military man.NWAD MILITARY.3

    3. Warlike; becoming a soldier; as military virtue; military bravery.NWAD MILITARY.4

    4. Derived from the services or exploits of a soldier; as military renown.NWAD MILITARY.5

    5. Conformable to the customs or rules of armies or militia. The conduct of the officer was not military.NWAD MILITARY.6

    6. Performed or made by soldiers; as a military election.NWAD MILITARY.7

    Military tenure, a tenure of land, on condition of performing military service.NWAD MILITARY.8

    MILITARY, n. The whole body of soldiers; soldiery; militia; an army.

    MILITATE, v.i. [L. milito.] To militate against, is to oppose; to be or to act in opposition.

    Paley writes, to militate with; but in America, against is generally used.NWAD MILITATE.2

    MILITIA, n. [L. from miles, a soldier; Gr. war, to fight, combat, contention. The primary sense of fighting is to strive, struggle, drive, or to strike, to beat, Eng. moil, L. molior; Heb. to labor or toil.] The body of soldiers in a state enrolled for discipline, but not engaged in actual service except in emergencies; as distinguished from regular troops, whose sole occupation is war or military service. The militia of a country are the able bodied men organized into companies, regiments and brigades, with officers of all grades, and required by law to attend military exercises on certain days only, but at other times left to pursue their usual occupations.

    MILK, n.

    1. A white fluid or liquor, secreted by certain glands in female animals, and drawn from the breasts for the nourishment of their young.NWAD MILK.2

    2. The white juice of certain plants.NWAD MILK.3

    3. Emulsion made by bruising seeds.NWAD MILK.4

    MILK, v.t. [L. mulgeo.]

    1. To draw or press milk from the breasts by the hand, as, to milk a cow.NWAD MILK.6

    2. To suck. [Not used.]NWAD MILK.7

    MILKEN, a. Consisting of milk. [Not used.]

    MILKER, n. One that milks.

    MILK-FEVER, n. A fever which accompanies the first flowing of milk in females after childbirth.

    MILK-HEDGE, n. A shrub growing on the Coromandel coast, containing a milky juice.

    MILKINESS, n. Qualities like those of milk; softness.

    MILK-LIVERED, a. Cowardly; timorous.

    MILKMAID, n. A woman that milks or is employed in the dairy.

    MILKMAN, n. A man that sells milk or carries milk to market.

    MILKPAIL, n. A pail which receives the milk drawn from cows.

    MILKPAN, n. A pan in which milk is set.

    MILKPORRIDGE, MILKPOTTAGE, n. A species of food composed of milk or milk and water, boiled with meal or flour.

    MILKSCORE, n. An account of milk sold or purchased in small quantities, scored or marked.

    MILKSOP, n. A soft, effeminate, feeble-minded man.

    MILK-THISTLE, n. A plant of the genus Carduus.

    MILKTOOTH, n. The fore tooth of a foal, which is cast within two or three years.

    MILK-TREFOIL, n. A plant, the cytisus.

    MILK-VETCH, n. A plant of the genus Astragalus.

    MILK-WORT, n. A plant of the genus Euphorbia; spurge.

    MILK-WEED, n. A plant, the Asclepias Syriaca.

    MILKWHITE, a. White as milk.

    MILKWOMAN, n. A woman that sells milk.

    MILKY, a. Made of milk.

    1. Resembling milk; as milky sap or juice.NWAD MILKY.2

    2. Yielding milk; as milky mothers.NWAD MILKY.3

    3. Soft; mild; gentle; timorous; as a milky heart.NWAD MILKY.4

    MILKY-WAY, n. The galaxy; a broad luminous path or circle in the heavens, supposed to be the blended light of innumerable fixed stars, which are not distinguishable with ordinary telescopes.

    MILL, n. [L. mille, a thousand.] A money of account of the United States, value the tenth of a cent, or the thousandth of a dollar.

    MILL, n. [L. mola, molo, mel, honey, mollis; Eng. mellow, mild, mold, meal.]

    1. A complicated engine or machine for grinding and reducing to fine particles, grain, fruit or other substance, or for performing other operations by means of wheels and a circular motion; as a grist-mill for grain; a coffee-mill; a cider-mill; a bark-mill. The original purpose of mills was to comminute grain for food, but the word mill is now extended to engines or machines moved by water, wind or steam, for carrying on many other operations. We have oil-mills, saw-mills, slitting-mills, bark-mills, fulling-mills, etc.NWAD MILL.3

    2. The house or building that contains the machinery for grinding, etc.NWAD MILL.4

    MILL, v.t. To grind; to comminute; to reduce to fine particles or to small pieces.

    1. To beat up chocolate.NWAD MILL.6

    2. To stamp coin.NWAD MILL.7

    3. To full, as cloth.NWAD MILL.8

    MILLCOG, n. The cog of a mill wheel.

    MILLDAM, n. A dam or mound to obstruct a water course, and raise the water to an altitude sufficient to turn a mill wheel.

    MILLHORSE, n. A horse that turns a mill.

    MILLPOND, n. A pond or reservoir of water raised for driving a mill wheel.

    MILLRACE, n. The current of water that drives a mill wheel, or the canal in which it is conveyed.

    MILL-SIXPENCE, n. An old English coin first milled in 1561.

    MILLSTONE, n. A stone used for grinding grain.

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