Maakin. See Malkin.
Mace. See Note to quotation.
'This is a style still used by the lower classes in North Wiltshire to tradesmen and sons of farmers. Thus at Ogbourne St. George, a brickmaker whose name is Davis, is called "Mace Davis," and sons of farmers are called "Mace John," or "Mace Thomas," the surname being sometimes added and sometimes not.'—Wilts Arch. Mag. vol. i. p. 338.
This seems a misapprehension. The word used is simply Mais' (before a consonant), a shortened form of 'Maister.' 'Mais' John' is short for Maister John. Before a vowel it would be Mais'r or Maistr'—as 'Maistr' Etherd' [Edward].—N.W.
'Mas was formerly a common contraction for master, e.g. "Mas John," and is used by Ben Jonson and other Elizabethan writers. See Nares, s.v. Mas.'—Smythe-Palmer.
*Mad. Of land, spoilt, damaged, as by sudden heat after much rain (Lisle's Husbandry).—Obsolete.
Madde. *(1) Asperula odorata, L., Sweet Woodruff.—N.W. (Lyneham.) (2) Anthemis Cotula, L., Stinking Camomile.—N. & S.W.
Madell (a broad), Medal, &c. The game of 'Merrills' or 'Nine Men's Morris.' Also known as Puzzle-Pound. Several varieties of Madell are played in Wilts, known respectively as Eleven-penny (strictly The Merrills), Nine-penny, Six-penny, and Three-penny, according to the number of pieces used. 'Eleven-penny' is played with eleven pieces each side, instead of nine, the game being in other respects identical with 'Nine Men's Morris' as described in Strutt's Sports and Pastimes. The players move alternately, and the general principle is to get three pieces together in a line anywhere on the dots or holes, while at the same time preventing your adversary from making a line. 'Nine-penny,' 'Six-penny,' and 'Three-penny' differ only in the number of men each side and the form of the board (see diagrams). The 'board' is scratched or chalked out on paving-stones, drawn on the slate, cut deep into the turf on the downs, or the top of the corn-bin (with holes instead of dots), in short, made anywhere and anyhow. The 'men' or 'pieces' may be anything available, sticks being played against stones, beans against oats, &c.—N.W. (Devizes, &c.)
