| massa | Synonym: mass. Origin: L. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| massa intermedia | The variable connection between the two thalamic masses across the third ventricle; absent in about 20% of human brains. Synonym: adhesio interthalamica, commissura cinerea, commissura grisea, intermediate mass, massa intermedia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| massa lateralis atlantis | The thick lateral part of the atlas on each side that articulates above with the occipital condyle and below with the axis. Synonym: massa lateralis atlantis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| massacre | 1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St. Bartholomew's Day. 2. Murder. Synonym: Massacre, Butchery, Carnage. Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the slain. "I'll find a day to massacre them all, And raze their faction and their family." (Shak) "If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds, Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries." (Shak) "Such a scent I draw Of carnage, prey innumerable !" (Milton) Origin: F, fr. LL. Mazacrium; cf. Prov. G. Metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. Metzger a butcher, and LG. Matsken to cut, hew, OHG. Meizan to cut, Goth. Maitan. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| massage | The systematic therapeutic friction, stroking and kneading of the body. Origin: Fr., Gr. Massein = to knead (18 Nov 1997) |
| massasauga | <zoology> The black rattlesnake (Crotalus, or Caudisona, tergemina), found in the Mississippi Valley. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |