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Word List 16 (metamorphosis - midcourse)

(2023-03-25 08:54:55) 下一個

- metamorphosis n. 1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery. 2. A marked

  change in appearance, character, condition, or function. 3. Biology A change

  in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the

  embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a

  maggot into an adult fly and a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in

  amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog. 4. Pathology A usually

  degenerative change in the structure of a particular body tissue.

 

- metasomatism also metasomatosis n. The process by which the chemical

  composition of a rock is changed by interaction with fluids; replacement of

  one mineral by another without melting.

 

- metastasis n. 1. Pathology Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms or

  cancerous cells from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the

  body, usually by way of the blood vessels or lymphatics. 2. A secondary

  cancerous growth formed by transmission of cancerous cells from a primary

  growth located elsewhere in the body.

 

- metastasize intr.v. 1. To be transmitted by metastasis. 2. To be changed or

  transformed, especially dangerously: "a need for love that would metastasize

  into an insatiable craving for attention" (Michiko Kakutani). 3. To spread,

  especially destructively.

 

- metate n. A stone block with a shallow concave surface, used with a mano for

  grinding corn or other grains.

 

- mete1 tr.v. 1. To distribute by or as if by measure; allot: mete out justice.

  2. Archaic To measure.

 

- mete2 n. A boundary line; a limit.

 

- metempsychosis n. Reincarnation.

 

- meteor n. A bright trail or streak that appears in the sky where a meteoroid

  is heated to incandescence by friction with the earth's atmosphere. Also

  called falling star, meteor burst, shooting star.

 

- meteoric adj. 1. Of, relating to, or formed by a meteoroid. 2. Of or relating

  to the earth's atmosphere. 3. Similar to a meteor in speed, brilliance, or

  brevity: a meteoric rise to fame.

 

- meter maid n. A woman member of a police traffic control department who issues

  tickets for parking violations.

 

- metestrus n. The period of sexual inactivity that follows estrus.

 

- meth n. Slang Methamphetamine.

 

- methamphetamine n. An amine derivative of amphetamine, C10H15N, used in the

  form of its crystalline hydrochloride as a central nervous system stimulant,

  both medically and illicitly.

 

- methane n. An odorless, colorless, flammable gas, CH4, the major constituent

  of natural gas, that is used as a fuel and is an important source of hydrogen

  and a wide variety of organic compounds.

 

- Methodist n. 1. A member of an evangelical Protestant church founded on the

  principles of John and Charles Wesley in England in the early 18th century and

  characterized by active concern with social welfare and public morals.

 

- metier n. 1. An occupation, a trade, or a profession. 2. Work or activity for

  which a person is particularly suited; one's specialty. See synonyms at

  forte1.

 

- metis n. 1. A person of mixed racial ancestry.

 

- metonymy n. A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for 

  another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for

  the U.S. government or of the sword for military power.

 

- metoo or me-too adj. Informal Using principles, practices, or designs copied

  from and closely similar to those of a rival: "Ready availability of

  inexpensive components has created an age of metoo hardware in everything from

  mainframes to personal computers" (Business Week).

 

- mew1 n. 1. A cage for hawks, especially when molting. 2. A secret place; a

  hideaway. 3. mews a. A group of buildings originally containing private

  stables, often converted into residential apartments. b. A small street,

  alley, or courtyard on which such buildings stand. v. -tr. To confine in or as

  if in a cage. -intr. To molt. Used of a hawk.

 

- mezuzah n. A small piece of parchment inscribed with the biblical passages

  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 and marked with the word Shaddai, a name of the

  Almighty that is rolled up in a container and affixed by many Jewish

  households to their door frames in conformity with Jewish law and as a sign of

  their faith.

 

- mezzaluna n. A curved steel blade, often with a vertical handle at each end,

  used to chop food.

 

- miasma n. 1. A noxious atmosphere or influence: "The family affection, the

  family expectations, seemed to permeate the atmosphere ... like a coiling

  miasma" (Louis Auchincloss). 2a. A poisonous atmosphere formerly thought to

  rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease. b. A thick vaporous

  atmosphere or emanation: wreathed in a miasma of cigarette smoke.

 

- Michael n. The guardian angel of the Jews in the Hebrew Scriptures.

 

- Michaelmas n. 1. A Christian feast observed in honor of the archangel Michael.

  2. September 29, the day on which this feast is observed.

 

- Mickey Mouse adj. Slang 1a. Unimportant; trivial: "It's a Mickey Mouse

  operation compared to what goes on in Lyons or Paris" (Jack Higgins). b.

  Irritatingly petty: the school's Mickey Mouse requirements for graduation. 2.

  Intellectually unchallenging; simple: His Mickey Mouse assignments soon bored

  the students. 3. Melodramatic or sentimental. Used especially of popular

  music.

 

- mickey n. 1. Informal A roasted potato. 2. Canadian Slang A small bottle of

  liquor, shaped to fit in a pocket. 3. also Mickey Slang A Mickey Finn.

  --idiom: take the mickey out of Chiefly British To tease or mock (someone).

 

- microcredit n. The business or policy of making microloans to impoverished

  entrepreneurs. Also called microlending.

 

- microdot n. A copy or photograph reduced to an extremely small size for ease

  of transport and purposes of security.

 

- microsleep n. A period of sleep that lasts up to a few seconds, usually

  experienced by people who have narcolepsy or are severely deprived of sleep.

 

- midcourse n. 1. The part of a missile flight between the end of the launching

  phase and reentry, during which corrective maneuvers are made.

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7grizzly 回複 悄悄話 I didn't mean to belittle by "30 lbs+ heavier ..." Maybe this was a bad analogy but I am often pitched against bigger guys on the jiu-jitsu mat. They move slower, have less cardio, and easily create spaces for me to escape. The point is that each person has his/her strength.
7grizzly 回複 悄悄話 回複 '暖冬cool夏' 的評論 : As I appreciate your reading and thoughts. From my physical exercise experiences, I know comparing with others is futile. Come on the jiu-jitsu mat and face a 30 lbs+ heavier and 30 years younger opponent, e.g., if you don't believe me :-)
暖冬cool夏 回複 悄悄話 Thanks for continuously sharing the word list:)
I like your comments a lot, always insightful and at a higher level. I still see the difference between you and me. But I am comparing with my old self:))
7grizzly 回複 悄悄話 回複 '暖冬cool夏' 的評論 : Thank you, , for reading and your thoughtful comments. I'm very happy that you enjoy some of the words here.

I liked the metaphoric use of "metastasize" and "miasma."

The metate is an amazing tool that has survived industrialization as a manual
method to grind lime-treated corn to, e.g., make tortilla.

"Mickey Mouse" as an adj. is indeed very useful.

"meteoric," besides relating to meteriods, also refers to the earth atmosphere.
And in the latter sense, we have "meterologist."

For us, "metoo" invokes different images than what the dictionary says here but
the current popular meaning, which we came to know first, has morphed from the past and could pass as a fad.
暖冬cool夏 回複 悄悄話 I found this list particular interesting:) The firs word, the prefix of which is "meta" (meaning, above, among and beyond) reminds of Meta-- a new name for Facebook. I like the expression "a meteoric rise to fame", and the adjective meanings of "Mickey Mouse".
I guess this dictionary is old when it comes to list the meanings of "me-too". The newest meaning is a bit different, isn't it? Thanks for continue share the word list, my friend. It is interesting and informative!
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