magnificence, liberality of expenditure combined with good taste. Massinger, Renegado, ii. 4 (Vitelli); Duke of Milan, iii. 1 (Charles). Cp. Chaucer, C. T. I. 736.
magnificent, munificent, liberal. Massinger, Emp. of the East, ii. 1 (Theodosius); Parl. of Love, iv. 1 (Dinant).
maid, a name given to the thornback and skate, when young. A Woman never vexed, in Hazlitt’s Dodsley, xii. 112; Drayton, Pol. xxv. 104; Gay, Trivia, ii. 292. In prov. use in Ireland and various parts of England, see EDD.
mail, in hawking, to tie or wrap up a hawk with a girdle or kerchief, to secure her. Beaumont and Fl., Philaster, v. 4 (Captain); Fletcher and Rowley, Maid in the Mill, iii. 3 (Gerasto). See NED. (s.v. Mail, vb.3 2).
main, in the game of hazard, a number (from five to nine inclusive) called by the caster before the dice are thrown; 1 Hen. IV, iv. 1. 47; mains, throws at dice; Marston, What you Will, iv. 1 (Quadratus). See NED. (s.v. Main, sb.3 1).
mainprize, suretyship, acceptance of suretyship. Butler, Hud. iii. 1. 60; Heywood, Eng. Traveller, iv. 1 (Reignald); ‘Mainprise, the receiving a man into friendly custody, that otherwise is or might be committed to prison, upon security given for his forthcoming at a day assigned’, Cowell, Interpreter (ed. 1637). Anglo-F. maynprys (Rough List).
maiordomo, ‘major-domo’, the chief officer or servant of a princely or wealthy household. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, bk. iii, c. 4 (ed. Arber, 158). Span. mayordomo, a steward (Stevens).
maistry, a competitive feat of strength or skill. Sir T. Elyot, Governour, bk. i, c. 17, § 4; masteries, Bacon, Essay 19, § 3.
make, a companion, husband, wife. Spenser, F. Q. i. 7. 7; iii. 11. 2. Hence makeless, widowed, Shak., Sonnet 9. ME. make, a mate, equal, match; a wedded companion, husband or wife (Chaucer). Still in use in these senses in Scotland, also in England in many parts from the north to Glouc. OE. gemaca.
makeless, matchless, incomparable, Mirror for Mag, Buckingham, st. 13.