Mucronate, -d, mū′kro-nāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) terminating in a short and sharp point.—n. Mū′cro, a spine-like process.—adj. Mucron′ūlate, very mucronate. [L. mucronātus—mucro, mucronis, a sharp point.]
Mucus, mū′kus, n. the slimy fluid from the nose: the viscous fluid secreted by the mucous membrane of animals.—adjs. Mūcif′erous; Mūcif′ic; Mū′ciform.—n. Mū′cigen, a substance secreted by the cells of mucous membrane, converted into mucin.—adjs. Mūcig′enous, Mūcip′arous, secreting mucus.—n. Mū′cilage, the solution of a gum in water: the gum extracted from plants.—adj. Mucilag′inous, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage: slimy.—n. Mū′cin, an alkaline glutinous fluid forming the chief constituent of mucus.—adjs. Mūciv′orous, feeding on the juices of plants; Mū′coid, like mucus; Mūcopū′rulent, pertaining to mucus and pus.—n. Mucos′ity.—adjs. Muco′so-sac′charine, partaking of the properties of mucilage and sugar; Mū′cous, like mucus: slimy: viscous; Mū′culent, like mucus.—Mucous membrane (see Membrane). [L., cf. L. mungĕre, wipe away.]
Mud, mud, n. wet soft earth.—v.t. to bury in mud: to dirty: to stir the sediment in, as in liquors; to bury in mud.—v.i. to go under the mud like the eel.—ns. Mud′-bath, a kind of mud connected with some mineral springs into which the patient plunges himself; Mud′-boat, -scow, a boat for carrying away the mud dredged from a river, &c.; Mud′-cone, a mud-volcano.—adv. Mud′dily.—n. Mud′diness.—adj. Mud′dy, foul with mud: containing mud: covered with mud: confused: stupid.—v.t. to dirty: to render dull:—pa.t. and pa.p. mud′died.—adjs. Mud′dy-head′ed, having a muddy or dull head or understanding; Mud′dy-mett′led (Shak.), dull-spirited: spiritless.—ns. Mud′-fish, a fish which burrows in the mud; Mud′-flat, a muddy strip of shore submerged at high tide; Mud′-guard, the dash-board of a carriage; Mud′-hole, a place full of mud: an orifice in the bottom of a boiler where the sediment is collected; Mud′-lark, a man who cleans public sewers or who picks up a living along the banks of tidal rivers: a street-arab; Mud′-wall, a wall composed of mud, or one in which mud is used in place of mortar: the bee-eater. [Old Low Ger. mudde, Dut. modder.]
Muddle, mud′l, v.t. to render muddy or foul, as water: to confuse, esp. with liquor: to waste, squander, misuse.—v.i. to potter about.—n. confusion, mess: mental confusion, bewilderment.—n. Mudd′lehead, a blockhead.—adv. Muddlehead′edly.—n. Muddlehead′edness. [Freq. of mud.]
Mudir, mōō′dēr, n. governor of an Egyptian province.
Muezzin, mū-ez′in, n. the Mohammedan official attached to a mosque, whose duty it is to announce the hours of prayer.—Also Mued′din. [Ar.]
Muff, muf, n. a warm, soft cover for the hands in winter, usually of fur or dressed skins.—n. Muffettee′, a small muff worn over the wrist. [Prob. from Dut. mof; cf. Ger. muff, a muff.]
Muff, muf, n. a stupid fellow.—v.t. and v.i. to perform awkwardly, spoil: to act clumsily, esp. in letting a ball slip out of the hands. [Prob. related to Dut. muffen, to dote; Ger. muffen, to sulk.]
Muffin, muf′in, n. a soft, light, spongy cake, eaten hot with butter: a small plate: one who dangles after a young woman: a poor ball-player.—ns. Muff′in-cap, a round flat cap for men; Muffineer′, a dish for keeping muffins hot: a metal cruet for sprinkling salt or sugar on muffins.
Muffle, muf′l, n. the thick naked upper lip and nose, as of a ruminant. [Ger.]