mesel 
meself (mez'el). n. [Early mod. E. also mesell, 
messel (rare, the word being prop. ME. only); < 
ME. mescl, mesell, a leper, < OF. mesel, mezel, mei- 
sel, masel, musel, mesea it, fern, tnescle, meselle, etc., 
a leper, leprous, < ML. misellus, a leper, lit. a 
wretched person, a wretch, < L. misellus, a 
wretch, a noun use of misfllus, wretched, unfor- 
tunate, dim. of miser, wretched : see miser 1 , of 
which mesel is thus ult. a dim . form , without dim . 
force. The word mesel became practically obso- 
lete before the middle of the 16th century, being 
supplanted by leper. It has been to some ex- 
tent confused by writers with measles (ME. me- 
seles, maseles): see measles. There is no author- 
ized form "measle or "measelry for mesel, meselry, 
such spellings being recent sophistications of 
the proper ME. spellings mesel, meselry, due to 
the confusion mentioned.] A leper. 
In that Flora Jordan, Naaman of Syrie bathed him, 
that was f ulle riche, but he was meselle ; and there anon 
he toke his hele. Mandemlle, Travels, p. 104. 
He that repreveth his neighebor, outher he repreveth 
hym by som harm of peyne that he hath on his body, as 
mesel, "croked harlot," or by sora synne that he dooth. 
Chaucer, Parson's Tale. 
Abaffeled up and down the town for a messel and a 
scoundrel. London Prodigal, ii. 4. (Nares.) 
meseledt, a. [Also meseld, mealed, mesled, mes- 
elled, messeled (after OF. meself, pp.) ; < mesel 
+ -ed$. Prob. confused with measled.] Lep- 
rous. 
Meseau [F.], a mesetted, scurvie, leaprous, lazarous per- 
son. Cotgraw. 
meselednesst, . [Also mcscldness, mezeMness; 
< meseled + -ness.] Leprosy. 
Meselerie [F.I, mesledness, leaprosie, scurvinesse. 
Cotgrave. 
mesel-houset, . [ME., < mesel + Aowsei.] A 
hospital for lepers. 
And to meselle houses of that same lond, 
Thre thousand marke onto thcr spense he fond. 
Rob. of Brunne, p. 136. 
mesellet, n. A Middle English form of measles. 
Cath.Ang.,p. 236. 
meselryt, . [ME. , also meselrie, mesylery, < OF. 
meselerie, mezelerie, maselcrie, muselcrie (ML. re- 
flex meselaria), leprosy, also a house for lepers, 
< mesel, a leper : see mesel.'] Leprosy. 
Payne is sent by the rightwys sonde of God, and by his 
suffrance, be it meselrie. or niaheym, or maladie. 
Chaucer, Parson's Tale. 
Mesembryanthemeae (me-seni''bri-an-the'me- 
e), . pi. [NL. (Feuzl, 1835), < Mesembryanthe- 
mum + -ea:.~] A tribe of dicotyledonous polypet- 
alous plants of the natural order Ficoidece, char- 
acterized by having leaves without stipules, 
and the tube of the calyx adherent to the ovary. 
It includes 2 genera, Mesembryanthemum, the type, and 
Tetragonia, and about 320 species, which, although having 
a wide range, abound principally in the southern part of 
Africa. The group was originally regarded as an order. 
Sometimes written Mesembryacece and Mesembryea. 
Mesembry anthemum (me - sem - bri - an ' the- 
mum), n. [NL. (Dillenius, 1719), prop. "Mescm- 
brianthemum, < Gr. /tecj/ftfipla, midday, the south 
(</ieaoq, middle, + foepa, day),+ &v6e/iov, a flow- 
er, < avSelv, bloom, < &v6of, a flower: see anther."] 
A large genus of dicotyledonous polypetalous 
plants of the natural order Ficoideic, the fig- 
marigold family, type of the tribe Mesembryan- 
theme<z. They are erect or prostrate fleshy herbs, some- 
times slightly woody, with thick fleshy liaves, and showy 
white, yellow, or rose-colored flowers in terminal or axil- 
lary clusters. The fruit is a capsule, which is hygroscopic, 
swelling out and opening in the rain, and so allowing the 
seeds to escape. The genus embraces some 300 species, 
reaching by far its greatest development in South Africa, 
a few species, mostly littoral, being scattered in the Ca- 
naries, the Mediterranean region, Australia, etc. A gen- 
eral name for the species is fitj-marigold, also midday- 
flower and pig's-face. M. crystallinmn is the toe-plant 
(which see). M. acinaciforme and M. edule of South Africa 
are called Hottentot fig. M. dolabnforme is the hatchet- 
leafed fig-marigold (see cut under dolabrifarm). See day's- 
chop, cat-chop, and figZ. 
mesembryo (me-sem'bri-6), n. [< Or. [teem;, mid- 
dle, + iiMJipvov, embryo : see embryo."] The bias- 
tula stage of the ova of metazoans, parallel with 
the adult colonies of such protozoans as Eudo- 
rina. JSyatt, f Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 1887. 
mesembryonic(me-sem-bri-on'ik),tf. [<.mesem- 
bryo(n-) + -ic.~] Of orpertainingtoamesembryo. 
mesencephalic (mes"en-se-fal'ik or -sef'a-lik), 
. [< mesencephalon + -ic.~\ Situated in the 
midst of the encephalon, as the midbrain; of or 
pertaining to the mesencephalon : as, the men- 
encephalic segment of the brain. 
mesencephalon (mes-en-sef'a-lon), n.; yil.mes- 
cncepliala (-la). [NL., < Or. p&MC, middle, + 
tyKtyoAof, brain: see enceplialon.] The mid- 
brain ; a segment of the encephalon consisting 
essentially of the corpora qua drigemina or optic 
3722 
lobes and the crura cerebri. See brain. Also 
mesencephal, mesocephalon. 
mesenchyma(mes-eng'ki-ma), H. [NL.] Same 
as mesenchyme. 
mesenchymal (mes-eng'ki-mal), a. [< mesen- 
chyme + -al.~\ Pertaining to, consisting of, or 
derived from mesenchyme ; mesenchymatous. 
The ordinary mesenchymal cells. 
Buck's Handbook ofMed. Sciences, III. 194. 
mesenchymatous (mes-eng-kim'a-tus), a. [< 
mesenchyma(t-) + -os.] Same as mesenchymal. 
The body-cavity contains mesenchymatous elements. 
Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc., Feb., 1886, p. 54. 
mesenchyme (mes'eng-Mm), n. [< NL. mesen- 
chyma, < Gr. /<to-of, middle, + iyxv^a, an in- 
fusion.] The tissue or substance of the meso- 
derm of some animals, as sponges. 
mesenna. musenna (me-, mu-sen'a), w. [Afri- 
can.] The bark of Aloizzw. anthelmintica. It 
is used as a tseniafuge. Also called bisenna, 
besenna. 
mesentera, n. Plural of meseiiteron. 
mesenteria, n. Plural of mesentermm. 
mesenterial (mez-en-te'ri-al), a. [< mesentery 
+ -a?.] Same as mesenteric. 
The low development of the mesenterial filament 
Micros. Science, XXVIII. 426. 
mesenteric (mez-en-ter'ik), a. [< mesentery + 
-jc.] Of or pertaining to a mesentery, in any 
sense: as, mesenteric attachment Mesenterlc 
artery, an artery which ramifies between the two layers of 
a mesentery. In man there are two large arteries of this 
name, superior and inferior, both branches of the abdomi- 
nal aorta. Mesenteric chamber, the space between any 
two mesenteries of an actinozoan. Mesenteric fever, fil- 
aments, ganglia, gland. See the nouns. Mesenteric 
lymphatic, a lacteal. Mesenteric septum. Same as 
mesentery, 2. Mesenteric vein, a vein which corresponds 
to a mesenteric artery. 
mesentericat (mes-en-ter'i-ka), n. [NL., < Gr. 
/leaevrtpiov, the mesentery: see mesentery."] In 
hot., the mycelium of certain fungi. 
mesenteriolum (mes-en-te-ri'o-lum), n. [NL., 
dim. of 'mesentermm, mesentery: see mesentery."] 
A duplicature of peritoneum connecting the ap- 
pendix vermiformis with the mesentery. 
mesenteritis (mes-en-te-ri'tis), n. [NL., < mes- 
entery + -itis.~] In pntliol., inflammation of the 
mesentery. 
mesenterium (mes-eu-te'ri-um), n. ; pi. mesente- 
ria (-a). [NL. : see mesentery.] A mesentery. 
mesenteron (mes-en'te-ron), . ; pi. mesentera 
(-ra). [NL., < Gr. [ifaevrepov, < fieaof, middle, + 
svrepov, intestine.] In embryol., the interior of 
the archenteron or primitive intestine ; the in- 
testinal cavity in an early stage, bounded by 
the hypoblast. 
After the formation of the mesoblast and the separation 
of a portion of the archenteron, the hypoblastic cavity is 
known as the mesenteron. Stand. Nat. Hist., I. 11. 
mesenterpnic (mes-en-te-ron'ik), a. [< mesen- 
teron + -ic."] Of or pertaining to the mesente- 
ron. 
mesentery (mez'en-ter-i), n. ; pi. mesenteries 
(-iz). [< NL. mesenterium, < Gr. ^eaevrepiov, the 
mesentery, lit. the middle intestine,< /neaof , Tmd- 
<lle, + vTpw, .intestine: see enteron."] l.lnanat., 
a fold or duplicature of peritoneum investing the 
intestine or other abdominal viscus wholly or 
in part, and serving to retain such viscus in its 
proper position in the abdominal cavity, it con- 
sists of two layers of peritoneum, separated in that part 
of their extent which is wrapped around the viscus, in the 
rest of their extent lying closely apposed, but still having 
between them the vessels, nerves, and lymphatics which 
go to the viscus, together with, usually, a quantity of fat. 
In man the mesentery of the intestine is connected by its 
root to the spinal column for a distance of about six inches, 
from the left side of the second lumbar vertebra to the 
right sacro-iliac synchondrosis ; its breadth, or the dis- 
tance from the vertebrae to the intestinal border, is about 
four inches. The term mesentery is sometimes restricted 
to the reflection of peritoneum which keeps the small in- 
testine in position, in which case the similar foldings about 
other viscera have special names, as mesoarium, mesocce- 
cum, mesocolon, mesoduodenum, mesogastrium, mesometry, 
meiorchmm, mesorecturn, mesovarium. See these words. 
Also memraic. 
2. In zool., some structure like a mesentery : a 
perivisceral or mesenteric septum, (a) in AMno- 
zoa, one of the several membranous partitions which radi- 
ate from the wall of the gastric sac to that of the body ver- 
tically across the somatic or perivisceral cavity, which is 
thus divided into a corresponding number of mesenteric 
chambers. (6) In sundry other invertebrates, as annelids, 
one of the membranous or muscular septa which may sub- 
divide the perivisceral cavity into several partly separate 
chambers. 
mesepimeral (mes-e-pim'e-ral), a. [< meni'pim- 
<T(I + -a?.] Of or pertaining to the mesepim- 
eron. 
mesepimeron (mes-e-pim'e-ron), n. ; pi. mese- 
pimera (-ra). [NL., < Gr. fitaof, middle, + NL. 
epimeron, q. v.] In en torn., the epimeron of the 
meshed 
mesothorax : the epimeral sclerite of the meso- 
pleuron. 
mesepisternum (mes-ep-i-ster'num), n.; pi. 
mesepisterna (-na). [NL., < Gr. /urop, middle, 
+ NL. episterntim, q. v.] In en torn., one of the 
mesothoracic episterna. 
meseraic, meseraical. Erroneous forms of 
mesaraic, mesai'aical. 
mesethmoid (mes-eth'moid), . and n, [< Gr. 
fitaof, middle, + E. ethmoid."] I. a. Of or per- 
taining to the mesethmoid. 
II. n. The middle ethmoidal bone ; the me- 
dian element of the compound ethmoid bone. 
It is the part called in human anatomy the lamina per- 
pendicularis, or perpendicular plate of the ethmoid, as dis- 
tinguished from the lateral masses of that bone, or the eth- 
moturbinals. See ethmoid. 
mesethmoidal (mes-eth-moi'dal), a. [< mes- 
ethmoid + -al."} Same as mesethmoid. 
mesh 1 (mesh), n. [Formerly also meash and 
mash, and dial, mask; < ME. maske, < AS. 
*masc, transposed max, also dim. nwscre (rare) 
= MD. masche, maesche, D. maas = MLG. masche 
= OHG. masca, MHG. G. masche = Icel. mb'skvi 
= Sw. maska = Dan. maske, a mesh, net. Cf. 
W. masg, a mesh, network, mesgl, a mesh ; Lith. 
mazgas, a knot, megsti, knot, weave nets.] 1. 
One of the clear spaces of a net or netting ; an 
opening in network of a size determined by 
the distance apart of the knots by which the 
crossing twines or threads are united ; also, a 
clear space between the threads or wires of a 
sieve. 
Or spreads his subtle nets from sight, 
With twinkling glasses, to betray 
The larks that in the meshes light. 
Dryden, tr. of Horace's Epodes, ii. 
2. Figuratively, network ; means of entangle- 
ment ; anything that serves to entangle or con- 
strain : often in the plural : as, the meshes of 
the law. 
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men 
Faster than gnats in cobwebs. 
Shale., M. of V.,iii. 2. 122. 
Breaking the mesh of the bramble fine. 
Whittier, Hogg Hegone, i. 
The home ties that make a web of infinite fineness and 
soft silken meshes around his heart. 
D. G. Mitchell, Reveries of a Bachelor, iv. 
3. pi. In lace and similar fabrics, the whole 
background, often formed of threads very irreg- 
ularly spaced. 4. In mach., the engagement 
of the teeth of gearing : as, the mesh of a toothed 
wheel with the teeth of a rack or with the cogs of 
another wheel. 5. A tool used in embroidery, 
knitting, etc., for the production of stitching of 
regular size, and sometimes having a groove to 
guide the scissors. Diet. Xeedleicork. 
mesh 1 (mesh), v. [Early mod. E. also meash 
(and "mash f ) ; < ME. masken, mesh ; from the 
noun: see mesnl, n. Cf. immesh."] I. trans. 
1. To make in meshes; form the meshes of. 
Within the loft are many tarry-flngered Penelopes mend- 
ing old nets and meshing new ones. 
Harper's Mag., LXV. 6. 
2. To catch in a net, as fish ; hence, to entangle ; 
entrap in meshes. 
The goodlyhed or beaute which that kynde 
In any other lady hadde yset 
Kan noght the mountance of a knot unbynde 
About his herte, of alle Cryseydes net ; 
He was so narwe ymasked and yknet. 
Chaucer, Troilus, Hi. 173H. 
Meashed in the breers. that erst was onely torne. 
Wyatt, The Louer that fled Loue. 
This fly is caught, is meshed already ; I will suck him, 
and lay him by. Beau, and Fl., Woman-Hater, iv. 2. 
3. To engage (the teeth of wheels or the teeth 
of a rack and pinion) with each other. 
II. intrans. 1. To make meshes or nets. 
Set-making. . . is a simpleand easily acquired ait. . . . 
A little practice in meshing is sufficient to develop won- 
derful dexterity of movement Encyc. Brit., XVII. 369. 
2. To become engaged, as the teeth of one 
wheel with those of another. 
A pitman consisting of two grooved bars connected by 
teeth with each other is combined with a gear wheel on a 
main shaft mexhing into the teeth. 
Sri. Amer., _\. 8.. LXI. 73. 
mesh 2 t, r. 1. An obsolete or dialectal form of 
niiixl^. florio. 
meshed (mesht),o. [< mcnh 1 + -? 2 .] Having 
meshes ; also, decorated witli a pattern of cross- 
ing lines, resembling the meshes of a net : as. 
meshed silk. 
Small meshed net about 18 inches deep. 
Mature, XL. 423. 
Meshed work, embroidery on netting, the original form 
of needle-point lace : common in the seventeenth cen- 
tury. 
