| maggot | 1. <zoology> The footless larva of any fly. See Larval. 2. A whim; an odd fancy. Origin: W. Macai, pl. Maceiod, magiod, a worn or grub; cf. Magu to bread. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| maghet | <botany> A name for daisies and camomiles of several kinds. Origin: Cf. Fl. Maghet maid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magic | A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces in nature attained by a study of occult science, including enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, incantation, etc. "An appearance made by some magic." (Chaucer) Celestial magic, a supposed supernatural power which gave to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the planets an influence over men. Natural magic, the art of employing the powers of nature to produce effects apparently supernatural. Superstitious, or Geotic, magic, the invocation of devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit or express agreement between them and human beings. Synonym: Sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, conjuration, enchantment. Origin: OE. Magique, L. Magice, Gr. (sc), fr. See Magic, and Magi. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magical | 1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and the producing of effects by their agency. 2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or sorcery. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power; imposing or startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic square or circle. "The painter's magic skill." (Cowper) Although with certain words magic is used more than magical, as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand, we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc. But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not magic, is used; as, the effect was magical. Magic circle, a series of concentric circles containing the numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat similar properties to the magic square. <zoology> Magic humming bird, a Mexican humming bird (Iache magica), having white downy thing tufts. Magic lantern. See Lantern. Magic square, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series, according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical, geometrical, or harmonical progression. Magic wand, a wand used by a magician in performing feats of magic. Origin: L. Magicus, Gr, fr., cf. F. Magique. See Magi. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magician | One skilled in magic; one who practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a conjurer. Origin: F. Magicien. See Magic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magisterial | 1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in authority; having the manner of a magister; official; commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing; dictatorial; dogmatic. "When magisterial duties from his home Her father called." (Glover) "We are not magisterial in opinions, nor, dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man." (Sir T. Browne) "Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment." (L'Estrange) 2. <chemistry> Pertaining to, produced by, or of the nature of, magistery. See Magistery. Synonym: Authoritative, stately, august, pompous, dignified, lofty, commanding, imperious, lordly, proud, haughty, domineering, despotic, dogmatical, arrogant. Magisterial, Dogmatical, Arrogant. One who is magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of superiority. Those who have long been teachers sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which borders too much on the magisterial, and may be unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant. Origin: L. Magisterius magisterial. See Master. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magistery | 1. Mastery; powerful medical influence; renowned efficacy; a sovereign remedy. 2. A magisterial injunction. 3. <chemistry> A precipitate; a fine substance deposited by precipitation; applied in old chemistry to certain white precipitates from metallic solutions; as, magistery of bismuth. Origin: L. Magisterium the office of a chief, president, director, tutor. See Magistrate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magistral | 1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial; authoritative; dogmatic. 2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister, especially. By a doctor; hence, effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral sirup. "Some magistral opiate." 3. <pharmacology> Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special case; opposed to officinal, and said of prescriptions and medicines. Magistral line, the guiding line, or outline, or outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It is usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or the top line of the escarp in permanent fortifications. Origin: L. Magistralis: cf. F. Magistral. See Magistrate. 1. <medicine> A sovereign medicine or remedy. 2. A magistral line. 3. <chemistry> Powdered copper pyrites used in the amalgamation of ores of silver, as at the Spanish mines of Mexico and South America. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magma | 1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the state of a thin paste. 2. <medicine> A thick residuum obtained from certain substances after the fluid parts are expressed from them; the grounds which remain after treating a substance with any menstruum, as water or alcohol. A salve or confection of thick consistency. 3. <geology> The molten matter within the earth, the source of the material of lava flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc. The glassy base of an eruptive rock. 4. <chemistry> The amorphous or homogenous matrix or ground mass, as distinguished from well-defined crystals; as, the magma of porphyry. Origin: L, fr. Gr, fr. To squeeze, knead. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Magnan | Valentin J.J., Paris psychiatrist, 1835-1916. See: Magnan's trombone movement, Magnan's sign. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Magnan's sign | <clinical sign> Paresthesia in the psychosis of cocaine addicts, who imagine they have a foreign body, in the shape of a powder or fine sand, under the skin, and that it is constantly changing its position. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Magnan's trombone movement | An involuntary forward and back movement of the tongue when it is drawn out of the mouth; may be seen in several basal ganglia disorders. (05 Mar 2000) |
| magnanimous | 1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised above what is low, mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and courageous spirit; as, a magnanimous character; a magnanimous conqueror. "Be magnanimous in the enterprise." (Shak) "To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to law down Far more magnanimousan to assume." (Milton) 2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of soul; honorable; noble; not selfish. "Both strived for death; magnanimous debate." (Stirling) "There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity." (Washington) Origin: L. Magnanimus; magnus great + animus mind. See Magnate, and Animus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magnesia | <chemistry> A light earthy white substance, consisting of magnesium oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium hydrate or carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly alkaline reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid laxative. See Magnesium. Magnesia alba [L. <medicine> A bulky white amorphous substance, consisting of a hydrous basic carbonate of magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic. Origin: L. Magnesia, fem. Of Magnesius of the country Magnesia, Gr. A magnet. Cf. Magnet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| magnesia and alumina oral suspension | A mixture of magnesium hydroxide and variable amounts of aluminum oxide; used as an antacid. (05 Mar 2000) |