Mordaunt, Fr. The catch for the tongue of the buckle of a belt.
Moresco-Spanish, or Saracenic Textiles wrought in Spain, are remarkable for an ingenious imitation of gold, produced by shreds of gilded parchment cut up into narrow flat strips and woven with the silk.
Moresque or Moresco-Spanish Architecture is the work of Moorish workmen, executed for their Christian masters in Spain. The most remarkable examples are in the city of Toledo (described by Street, Gothic Architecture in Spain).
Morion. A head-piece of the 16th century, introduced by the Spaniards, who had copied it from the Moors, to the rest of Europe about 1550. It was worn as late as the reign of Charles I. There were peaked morions, coming to a point at the top; and high combed morions, surmounted by a kind of crest or ridge.
Moriones, R. (1) Idiots, dwarfs, or deformed persons, used as slaves, to afford amusement in the houses of the great. (2) A dark-brown gem; perhaps the smoky topaz.
Morisco, O. E. (See Morris Dance.)
Moristan, Arab. A hospital.
Morne, Mornette. The head of a blunted tilting-lance, the point being turned back.
Morning Star, O. E. A club called also a Holy Water Sprinkler (q.v.).
Morris Dance, O. E. (or Moorish). A very ancient dance, of masked and costumed performers, with bells, &c.