Webster's Unabridged Dictionary - Letter M - Page 40
Metacarpal (a.) (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the metacarpus.
Metacarpal (n.) A metacarpal bone.
Metacarpal (a.) Of or relating to the metacarpus; "metacarpal bones."
Metacarpal (n.) Any bone of the hand between the wrist and fingers [syn: metacarpal, metacarpal bone].
Metacarpus (n.) (Anat.) That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See Illust. of Artiodactyla. Metacenter
Metacarpus (n.) The part of the hand between the carpus and phalanges.
Metacenter (n.) Alt. of -tre.
-tre (n.) (Hydrostatics) The point of intersection of a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
Note: When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.
Metacenter (n.) (Shipbuilding) The point of intersection between two vertical lines, one line through the center of buoyancy of the hull of a ship in equilibrium and the other line through the center of buoyancy of the hull when the ship is inclined to one side; the distance of this intersection above the center of gravity is an indication of the stability of the ship [syn: metacenter, metacentre].
Metacetone (n.) (Chem.) A colorless liquid of an agreeable odor, C6H10O, obtained by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; -- so called because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of acetone.
Metachloral (n.) (Chem.) A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral.
Metachronism (n.) An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time.
Metachrosis (n.) (Biol.) The power of changing color at will by the expansion of special pigment cells, under nerve influence, as seen in many reptiles, fishes, etc. -- Cope.
Metacinnabarite (n.) (Min.) Sulphide of mercury in isometric form and black in color.
Metacism (n.) A defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use of it.
Metacrolein (n.) (Chem.) A polymeric modification of acrolein obtained by heating it with caustic potash. It is a crystalline substance having an aromatic odor.
Metacromion (n.) [NL.] (Anat.) A process projecting backward and downward from the acromion of the scapula of some mammals.
Metadiscoidal (a.) (Anat.) Discoidal by derivation; -- applied especially to the placenta of man and apes, because it is supposed to have been derived from a diffused placenta.
Metagastric (a.) (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the two posterior gastric lobes of the carapace of crabs.
Metage (n.) Measurement, especially of coal. -- De Foe.
Metage (n.) Charge for, or price of, measuring. -- Simmonds.
Metagenesis (n.) (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species undergoes in a series of successively produced individuals, extending from the one developed from the ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual means, either directly or through intervening sexless generations. Opposed to monogenesis. See Alternate generation, under Generation.
Metagenesis (n.) (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; -- in distinction from heterogamy.
Metagenesis (n.) Alternation of sexual and asexual generations [syn: metagenesis, digenesis].
Metagenetic (a.) (Biol.) Of or pertaining to metagenesis.
Metagenic (a.) (Biol.) Metagenetic.
Metagnathous (a.) (Zool.) Cross-billed; -- said of certain birds, as the crossbill.
Metagrammatism (n.) Anagrammatism.
Metagraphic (a.) By or pertaining to metagraphy.
Metagraphy (n.) The art or act of rendering the letters of the alphabet of one language into the possible equivalents of another; transliteration. -- Stormonth.
Metal (n.) (Chem. An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.
Metal (n.) Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners. -- Raymond.
Metal (n.) A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.]
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. -- Jer. Taylor.
Metal (n.) The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than earth. -- Shak.
Metal (n.) Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. -- Shak.
Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. -- Skeat.
Metal (n.) The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.
Metal (n.) The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Metal (n.) Glass in a state of fusion. -- Knight.
Metal (n.) pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.]
Base metal (Chem.), Any one of the metals, as iron, lead, etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value, as compared with gold or silver.
Fusible metal (Metal.), A very fusible alloy, usually consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium.
Heavy metals (Chem.), The metallic elements not included in the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury, platinum, lead, silver, etc.
Light metals (Chem.), The metallic elements of the alkali and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the earths, as aluminium.
Muntz metal, An alloy for sheathing and other purposes, consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from the inventor.
Prince's metal (Old Chem.), An alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; -- also called Prince Rupert's metal.
Metal (n.) [ C or U ] (B1) 金屬；合金 A chemical element, such as iron or gold, or a mixture of such elements, such as steel, that is generally hard and strong, and through which electricity and heat can travel.
// Metal, paper, and glass can be recycled.
// Silver, gold, and platinum are precious metals.
// The wooden beam is reinforced with a metal plate.
Metaled (imp. & p. p.) of Metal.
Metalled () of Metal.
Metaling (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Metal.
Metalling () of Metal.
Metal (v. t.) To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.
Metal (a.) Containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal; "a metallic compound"; "metallic luster"; "the strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"- Ambrose Bierce [syn: metallic, metal(a)] [ant: nonmetal, nonmetallic].
Metal (n.) Any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc. [syn: metallic element, metal].
Metal (n.) Mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten; "brass is an alloy of zinc and copper" [syn: alloy, metal].
Metal (v.) Cover with metal.
METAL, () Machine Evaluation and Translation Language (Siemens)
METAL, () Macro Expansion Template
Attribute Language (TAL, ZPT, ZOPE)
METAL, () Mega-Extensive Telecommunications Applications Language. BBS
language for PRODOS 8 on Apple II.
METAL, () The syntax-definition formalism of the Mentor system.
Metal specifications are compiled to specifications for a scanner/parser generator such as Lex/Yacc. "Metal: A Formalism to Specify Formalisms", G. Kahn et al, Sci Comp Prog 3:151-188 (1983).
Metalammonium (n.) (Chem.) A hypothetical radical derived from ammonium by the substitution of metallic atoms in place of hydrogen.
Metalbumin (n.) (Physiol. Chem.) A form of albumin found in ascitic and certain serous fluids. It is sometimes regarded as a mixture of albumin and mucin.
Metaldehyde (n.) (Chem.) A white crystalline substance isomeric with, and obtained from, acetic aldehyde by polymerization, and reconvertible into the same.
Metalepses (n. pl. ) of Metalepsis.
Metalepsis (n.) (Rhet.) The continuation of a trope in one word through a succession of significations, or the union of two or more tropes of a different kind in one word.
Metalepsy (n.) (Chem.) Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]
Metaleptic (a.) Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.
Metaleptic (a.) Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle.
Metaleptic (a.) (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, concerned in, or occurring by, metalepsy.
Metaleptical (a.) Metaleptic. -- Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly, adv.
Metallic (a.) 金屬的，含金屬的，產生金屬的 Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal; resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic alloy.
Metallic (a.) (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted with a nonmetal or metalloid; conductive of electricity; basic; forming positive ions in solution; antacid.
Metallic iron, Iron in the state of the metal, as distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron.
Metallic paper, Paper covered with a thin solution of lime, whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter or brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced.
Metallic tinking (Med.), A sound heard in the chest, when a cavity communicating with the air passages contains both air and liquid.
Metallic (a.) Containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal; "a metallic compound"; "metallic luster"; "the strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"- Ambrose Bierce [syn: {metallic}, {metal(a)}] [ant: {nonmetal}, {nonmetallic}].
Metallic (n.) A fabric made of a yarn that is partly or entirely of metal.
Metallic (n.) A yarn made partly or entirely of metal.
Metallic (a.) （聲音、外形或味道）有金屬特性的，像金屬的，金屬似的 A metallic sound, appearance, or taste is like metal.
// A dull, metallic sound.
// Beer from a can often has a metallic taste.
// Our new car is metallic blue.
Metallic (a.) 含金屬的 Consisting of, or partly consisting of, metal.
// Brass is a metallic alloy of copper and zinc.
Metallical (a.) See Metallic. [Obs.]
Metallicly (adv.) In a metallic manner; by metallic means.
Metallifacture (n.) The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.] -- R. Park.
Metalliferous (a.) Producing metals; yielding metals.
Metalliform (a.) Having the form or structure of a metal.
Metalline (a.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a metal; metallic; as, metalline properties.
Metalline (a.) Impregnated with metallic salts; chalybeate; as, metalline water. [R.]
Metalline (n.) (Chem.) A substance of variable composition, but resembling a soft, dark-colored metal, used in the bearings of machines for obviating friction, and as a substitute for lubricants.
Metallist (n.) A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals.
Metallization (n.) The act or process of metallizing. [R.]
Metallized (imp. & p. p.) of Metallize.
Metallizing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Metallize.
Metallize (v. t.) To impart metallic properties to; to impregnate with a metal. [R.]
Metallize (v.) Coat with metal [syn: metalize, metallize].
Metallochrome (n.) A coloring produced by the deposition of some metallic compound; specifically, the prismatic tints produced by depositing a film of peroxide of lead on polished steel by electricity.
Metallochromy (n.) The art or process of coloring metals.
Metallograph (n.) A print made by metallography.
Metallographic (a.) Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.
Metallographist (n.) One who writes on the subject of metals.
Metallography (n.) The science or art of metals and metal working; also, a treatise on metals.
Metallography (n.) A method of transferring impressions of the grain of wood to metallic surfaces by chemical action. -- Knight.
Metallography (n.) A substitute for lithography, in which metallic plates are used instead of stone. -- Knight.
Metalloid (n.) Formerly, the metallic base of a fixed alkali, or alkaline earth; -- applied by Sir H. Davy to sodium, potassium, and some other metallic substances whose metallic character was supposed to be not well defined.
Metalloid (n.) Now, one of several elementary substances which in the free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds possess or produce acid, rather than basic, properties; a nonmetal; as, boron, carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, bromine, etc., are metalloids.
Metalloid (a.) Having the appearance of a metal.
Metalloid (a.) (Chem.) Having the properties of a nonmetal; nonmetallic; acid; negative.
Metalloid (a.) Of or being a nonmetallic element that has some of the
properties of metal; "arsenic is a metalloid element"
Metalloidal (a.) Metalloid.
Metalorganic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of certain metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc methyl, sodium ethyl, etc.; now usually organometallic. [Written also metallorganic.]
Metallorganic (a.) Metalorganic.
Metallotherapy (n.) (Med.) Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the surface of the body. Metallurgic
Metallurgic (a.) Alt. of Metallurgical.
Metallurgical (a.) Of or pertaining to metallurgy.
Metallurgic (a.) Of or relating to metallurgy; "metallurgical engineer" [syn: metallurgical, metallurgic].
Metallurgist (n.) One who works in metals, or prepares them for use; one who is skilled in metallurgy.
Metallurgist (n.) An engineer trained in the extraction and refining and alloying and fabrication of metals [syn: metallurgist, metallurgical engineer].
Metallurgy (n.) The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting, refining, and parting them; sometimes, in a narrower sense, only the process of extracting metals from their ores.
Metallurgy (n.) The science and technology of metals.
Metalmen (n. pl. ) of Metalman.
Metalman (n.) A worker in metals.
Metalogical (a.) Beyond the scope or province of logic.
Compare: Organometallic
Organometallic (a.) (Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of certain metallic elements bound to organic radicals; such as, methylmercury, zinc methyl, sodium ethyl, etc.; formerly refered to as metalorganic.
Organon
Metalorganic (a.)
(Chem.) Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds of certain
metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc methyl, sodium ethyl, etc.;
now usually organometallic. [Written also metallorganic.]
Metamer (n.) (Chem.) Any one of several metameric forms of the same substance, or of different substances having the same composition; as, xylene has three metamers, viz., orthoxylene, metaxylene, and paraxylene ; an isomer.
Metamere (n.) (Biol.) One of successive or homodynamous parts in animals and plants; one of a series of similar parts that follow one another in a vertebrate or articulate animal, as in an earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust. of Loeven's larva.
Metamere (n.) One of a series of similar body segments into which some animals are divided longitudinally [syn: metamere, somite].
Compare: Isomeric
Isomeric (a.) (Chem.) Having the same chemical composition and molecular weight; having the same number of atoms of each kind in the molecule; -- said of chemical compounds with known chemical composition. This property used to be called metameric to distinguish it from other forms of isomerism.
Note: Formerly the term isomeric applied also to comopounds having the same percentage chemical composition, even if the number of atoms in a molecule differed. In the 1913 dictionary isomeric was defined as: "Having the same percentage composition; -- said of two or more different substances which contain the same ingredients in the same proportions by weight, often used with with. Specif.:
(a) Polymeric; i. e., having the same elements united in the same proportion by weight, but with different molecular weights; as, acetylene and benzine are isomeric (polymeric) with each other in this sense. See Polymeric.
(b) Metameric; i. e., having the same elements united in the same proportions by weight, and with the same molecular weight, but with a different structure or arrangement of the ultimate parts; as, ethyl alcohol and methyl ether are isomeric (metameric) with each other in this sense. See Metameric."
Metameric (a.) (Chem.) Having the same molecular formula, but possessing a different bonding structure and different properties; as, methyl ether and ethyl alcohol are metameric compounds. See Isomeric.
Note: The existence of metameric compounds is due to different arrangements of the same atoms in the molecule.
Metameric (a.) (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation; as, metameric segmentation.
Metameric (a.) Having the body divided into successive metameres or segments, as in earthworms or lobsters [syn: metameric, segmental, segmented].
Metamerically (adv.) In a metameric manner.
Metamerism (n.) (Biol.) The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.
Metamerism (n.) (Chem.) The state or quality of being metameric; isomerism due to different bonding patterns in two substances having the same molecular formula. Contrasted with steroisomerism or optical isomerism. Also, the relation or condition of metameric compounds.
Metamorphic (a.) Subject to change; changeable; variable.
Metamorphic (a.) Causing a change of structure.
Metamorphic (a.) (Geol.) Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since their original deposition; -- especially applied to the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called metamorphic rocks.
Metamorphic (a.) Of or relating to metamorphosis (especially of rocks); "metamorphic stage"; "marble is a metamorphic rock that takes a high polish" [syn: metamorphic, metamorphous]
Metamorphic (a.) Characterized by metamorphosis or change in physical form or substance [ant: nonmetamorphic].
Metamorphism (n.) (Geol.) 變性；變形；變質 The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by which the material of rock masses has been more or less recrystallized by heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of sedimentary limestone to marble. -- Murchison.
Metamorphism (n.) Change in the structure of rock by natural agencies such as pressure or heat or introduction of new chemical substances.
Metamorphist (n.) (Eccl.) One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the Deity when he ascended.
Metamorphize (v. t.) To metamorphose.