Mois Romains, Fr. a term used in Germany, to signify a particular tax or contribution, which the emperors had a right to demand on urgent occasions. This tax grew out of an old custom which originally prevailed when the emperors went to Rome to be crowned, and which served to defray their expences thither. Thus when the tax was required, it was called for as a contribution of so many Roman months; implying a certain sum for so many.
MOISSON, Fr. Harvest. This word is used in various senses by the French, particularly in two of a poetical and figurative kind, viz. Il a vu cinquante moissons; he has lived fifty years, literally, has seen fifty harvests.
Moisson de lauriers, Fr. a succession of victories, &c. literally a harvest of laurels.
Moisson de gloire, is taken in the same sense.
MOISSONNER des lauriers, Fr. To reap laurels.
Moissonner les hommes, Fr. To kill off, &c. To mow down men.
MOLLER, Fr. Literally means to wax soft. It is used figuratively among the French to signify, in a military sense, the yielding or giving way of armed men, viz. les troupes mollisent, the troops gave way.
MOLLESSE, Fr. in a figurative sense, signifies want of firmness or resolution. Je crains la mollesse de vos conseils; I mistrust the pliant tendency of your advice or counsel.
MONDE, Fr. in a military sense, means men or soldiers, viz.
Ce capitaine n’avoit que la moitié de son monde; such a captain had only half his complement of men.