| mira | <astronomy> A remarkable variable star in the constellation Cetus (<omicron/ Ceti). Origin: NL, from L. Mirus wonderful. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| mirabilis | <botany> A genus of plants. See Four-o'clock. Origin: L, wonderful. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mirabilite | <chemical> Native sodium sulphate; Glauber's salt. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| miracidium | The ciliated first-stage larva of a trematode that emerges from the egg and must penetrate into the tissues of an appropriate intermediate host snail if it is to continue its life cycle; followed by development into a mother sporocyst and by production of a number of offspring of successive larval generations. See: sporocyst. Origin: G. Meirakidion, boy (05 Mar 2000) |
| mirage | An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated. The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while the real object may or may not be in sight. When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the sky. The fata Morgana and looming are species of mirage. "By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in the ether, Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless air." (Longfellow) Origin: F, fr. Mirer to look at carefully, to aim, se mirer to look at one's self in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected, LL. Mirare to look at. See Mirror. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |