Muslin, originally esteemed for the beauty with which gold was woven in its warp, took its name from the city of Mousull in Turkey in Asia.
Musquet. A long heavy match-lock gun, introduced from Spain in the Dutch wars of the 16th century, which eventually displaced the harquebus. (See Snaphaunce and Wheel-lock.)
Musquet-rest. A staff with a forked head required to support the musquet. It was trailed by a string from the wrist.
Mustarde Villars, O. E. Either (1) a kind of cloth, probably so named from Moustier de Villiers, near Harfleur; or else (2) (as Stowe says) “a colour, now out of use.” Mustard was a favourite colour for liveries and official dresses in the 15th century.
Mutatio, R. Literally, change. The Romans gave the name of mutationes to the posthouses for relays of horses established along the high roads for the service of the state.
Mutch, O. E. An old woman’s close cap. (Fairholt.)
Mute, Fr. This term, derived from the Latin muta, is employed by ancient authors as a synonym for belfry, turret, or bell-tower.
Mutule, Arch. In a general sense, any stone or wooden projection which stands out beyond the surface of a wall, such as a rafter, for instance. In a more restricted sense, it denotes an architectural ornament characteristic of the Doric order, consisting of a square block placed at equal intervals above the triglyphs and metopes in a Doric cornice. In the Corinthian order mutules are replaced by modillions.
Mynchery, A.S. A nunnery. The word survives in local dialects, and is applied to the ruins; e. g. of the ancient mynchery at Littlemore, near Oxford.
Myrtle Crown for bloodless victors. The myrtle was sacred to Venus. It flourished on the sea-coast of Italy and Greece. The wood is very hard, and is used for furniture, marquetry, and turning. Another myrtle wood from Van Diemen’s Land is beautifully veined for cabinet-work.