M roof(Arch.), a kind of roof formed by the junction of two common roofs with a valley between them, so that the section resembles the letter M.

Ma
(Ma) n. [Cf. Mamma.]

1. A child's word for mother.

2. [Hind.] In Oriental countries, a respectful form of address given to a woman; mother. Balfour

Ma
(||Ma), conj. [It.] (Mus.) But; — used in cautionary phrases; as, "Vivace, ma non troppo presto" Moore

Maa
(Maa) n. [See New a gull.] (Zoöl.) The common European gull (Larus canus); — called also mar. See New, a gull.

Maad
(Maad) obs. p. p. of Make. Made. Chaucer.

Maalin
(Maa"lin) n. (Zoöl.) (a) The sparrow hawk. (b) The kestrel.

Ma'am
(Ma'am) n. Madam; my lady; — a colloquial contraction of madam often used in direct address, and sometimes as an appellation.

Maara shell
(Ma"a*ra shell`) (Zoöl.) A large, pearly, spiral, marine shell from the Pacific Islands. It is used as an ornament.

Maasha
(||Ma*ash"a) n. An East Indian coin, of about one tenth of the weight of a rupee.

Maat
(Maat) a. [See Mate, a.] Dejected; sorrowful; downcast. [Obs.] "So piteous and so maat." Chaucer.

Mab
(Mab) n. [Cf. W. mad a male child, a boy.]

1. A slattern. [Prov. Eng.]

M to Machine

M
(M)

1. M, the thirteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a vocal consonant, and from the manner of its formation, is called the labio-nasal consonant. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 178-180, 242.

The letter M came into English from the Greek, through the Latin, the form of the Greek letter being further derived from the Phœnician, and ultimately, it is believed, from the Egyptian. Etymologically M is related to n, in lime, linden; emmet, ant; also to b.

M is readily followed by b and p. the position of the lips in the formation of both letters being the same. The relation of b and m is the same as that of d and t to n. and that of g and k to ng.

2. As a numeral, M stands for one thousand, both in English and Latin.

M
(M), n.

1. (Print.) A quadrat, the face or top of which is a perfect square; also, the size of such a square in any given size of type, used as the unit of measurement for that type: 500 m's of pica would be a piece of matter whose length and breadth in pica m's multiplied together produce that number. [Written also em.]

2. (law) A brand or stigma, having the shape of an M, formerly impressed on one convicted of manslaughter and admitted to the benefit of clergy.


  By PanEris using Melati.

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