Mandragora (Oth. iii. 3, A. and C. i. v), the mandrake, a strong narcotic or soporific.
Mandrake (R and J. iv. 3, 2 H. IV. i. 2, iii. 2, 2 H. VI. iii. 2). From its root being forked, and bearing some resemblance to the legs and thighs of a man, some superstition was attached to it, such as its groaning when pulled out of the ground, and causing madness or death to the person who pulled it.
Mankind (W. T. ii. 3, Cor. iv. 2), masculine (of a woman).
Manner. "Taken with the manner" (L. L. L. i. 1, 1 H. IV. ii. 4), to be caught in the fact, with the stolen goods upon him. It was a law-phrase, the proper term being mainour, from manier, Fr., derived from main.
Manningtree-ox (1 H. IV. ii. 4). This town in Essex used to hold fairs, by the tenure of exhibiting stage-plays; and there were great festivities there at Whitsun-ales and other festal times, at which probably—for we have no account of it—oxen used to be roasted whole, etc.
Mantuan (L. L. L. iv. 2), a Carmelite friar of the 15th century, who wrote several works, among which were Latin Eclogues, in imitation of those of Virgil. This last was a school-book in our poet's time; and the words quoted are the beginning of the first Eclogue.
Marchpane (R. and J. i. v), a confection of almonds, sugar, and flour pounded, blended, and baked, so as to form a kind of biscuit. The name occurs in most European languages, but its origin is uncertain.
Mare. "Riding the wild mare" (2 H. IV. ii. 4) is playing at the game of see-saw or weighdy-buckety—bascule, Fr.
Marian. "Maid Marian" (1 H. IV. iii. 3) was in the ballads the bride of Robin Hood. She was a character in the morris-dances, and was frequently represented by a man, but more usually by a woman of ill life.
Martlemas, i.e. Martinmas (2 H. IV. ii. 2), Nov. 11, St. Martin's day, the beginning of winter, the decline of the year.