mesotympanic 
midst of (lie bones funning tlir tympanic pedi- 
cle ot' ;i lisli : syinpli'elie: correlated in Owen's 
nomenclature witli i/iint/ii/miiii; /i//yi////H/;wic. 
and /< ti/n/i><inic. 
II. ii. Tlic mrsnU iiipiuiie lione, now called 
the Hl/lll/lli-l-tii-. See C'llt Ulliler IMllllllll/lllllll-llti . 
The pteryKoitl uhuttiux ii|>on the hypotyiuponlc, be- 
tween this ainl the c|>itytnpanic are the inf*<ttifinpanic 
ami the pretympanlc. Owen, Anat. Vert (1886), I. 106. 
mesotype (mes'o-tip), M. [NL., < Gr. ficaof, mid- 
dle, + nVoc, impression, type: see toe.] In 
mini nil., a name early given to several miner- 
als of the zeolite group which are now recog- 
nized as distinct species. It included nutro- 
lite or soda-mesotype, scolecite or lime-meso- 
type, mesolite or lime-soda mesotypc, and also 
tnomsonite. 
mesovarian (mes-o-va'ri-an), it. [< uii'xnrariiiiH 
+ -an.] Of or pertaining to the mesovarimn. 
mesovarium (mes-o-va'ri-um), n. ; pi. mesovuria 
(-a). [NL., < Gr. pfaor, middle, + NL. orariiim, 
ovary : see ovary. Cf.meiwarium.] The mesen- 
tery of the ovary: a fold of peritoneum hold- 
ing the ovary in place, and representing in the 
female the mesorchium of the male. 
mesoventral (mes-o-ven'tral), a. [< Gr. ftcaof, 
middle, + E. rcntra/.] Median and ventral in 
position ; situated on the ventrimeson. 
mesoventrally (mes-o-ven'tral-i), adr. In a 
mesoventral position or direction ; ventrimesad. 
mesoxalate (me-sok'sa-lat), . [< mesoxal(ie) 
+ -wte 1 .] A combination of mesoxalic acid with 
a base. 
mesoxalic (mes-ok-sal'ik), a. [< Gr. firms, mid- 
dle, + E. O.TO/IC.] Of, pertaining to, or derived 
from oxalic acid: as, mesoxalic acid, C(OH)2 
(CO a H) 2 ,a crystalline solid which readily breaks 
up into carbonic oxid and oxalic acid. 
MesOZOa (mes-o-zo'H), H. pi. [NL., pi. of meso- 
zodn.j A provisional primary division of aiii- 
mals, considered intermediate between the 
Protozoa and the Metazoa, and based upon the 
characters of the Dicyemida alone. These ani- 
mals have no mesodenn, yet develop metazoic 
embryos by epiboly. Huxley, Anat. Invert., 
p. 578. 
Mesozoic (mes-6-zo'ik), . [< Gr. /teoos, middle, 
+ s<->'), life.] in geol., lying, as a part of the 
geological series so designated, between the 
Paleozoic and the Tertiary rocks. It is a synonym 
of Secondary as that term ia employed by geologists. The 
whole series of fossillferous rocks is divided into Paleo- 
zoic, Mesozoic or Secondary, and Caenozoic or Tertiary. 
The principal subdivisions of the Mesozoic are the Trias 
or THassic, the Jura or Jurassic, and the Cretaceous. (See 
these terms.) The Mesozoic is distinguished for the great 
development of the Jteptilia. and its period has hence been 
called the "Age of Reptiles." In the Mesozoic occur the 
flrst traces of mammals, of birds, and of fishes with bony 
skeletons, as well as the first palms and angfosperms. 
inesozoon (mes-o-zo'on), . [NL., < Gr. fitoof, 
middle, + Cv-w, animal.] One of the Mesozoa. 
Mespilus (mes'pi-lus), w. [NL. (Tournefort, 
1700), < L. mespilus, also mespila, mespilum, < 
Gr. ftiairuov, medlar-tree, a medlar, ftcairlfai, 
medlar-tree : see medlar.'] A genus of rosaceous 
plants of the tribe Pomeie, characterized by the 
bony endocarp of the fruit and the expanded 
mouth of the leafy calyx. They are shrnbsor small 
trees, which are more or less thorny when wild, and have 
undivided, nearly sessile leaves, and large white or pink- 
ish flowers, solitary nnd sessile on short leafy branches. 
The fruit is nearly globular or pear-shaped, and is crowned 
by a broad, hairy disk, from which the flve bony cells 
slightly protrude. The genus includes one (or perhaps 
two) species, found in various parts of Europe and western 
Asia. )I. Oermanica Is the common medlar, cultivated 
in many varieties for its fruit. See medlar. 
mespriset, . See mis/irix: 
mesquitH, [Also mesijnili-. imxkil. mi-skill. 
mescliit, uiexkeito: < Sp. i/n-x<iiiilii. iin'?<jttita,( AT. 
Htitxjid, a mosque : see mosque and masjid."] A 
mosque. 
The Mesquii (for many of them are Mahumetanea) is of 
liricke. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 461. 
This foresayd late prim-c Ismael lieth burled In a faire 
Menlril, with a sumptuous sepulchre in the same. 
UMuyt's Voyage*, I. 847. 
The very Mahometans . . . have their sepulchres near 
the Mt*keitn ; never in it. 
Bp. Hall, Works, V. 414. (Dana.) 
mesquit-, mesquite- (mes'ket or mes-ket'). . 
[Also iinii/iiiti-, mi.ikit, etc.: < Sp. an :</iiiti : of 
Mex. (?) origin.] 1. An important leguminous 
tree, or often shrub, /Yo.yo/./x juli tiara, grow- 
ing from Texas to southern California, and 
thence southward to Chili, it icachch :i height of 
30 or 40 feet, but is often scrubby, forming dense clumps 
of chaparral. T'luU-r the action of prairie tires it is re- 
illlceil to a low shrill' developing tlieti an cnornion-. ni:i*> 
of roots,loca]lykno\v n u ' >"/v< of L r reat value 
as fuel. Thr \\ooil i- litavv and very hard, almost imle- 
strnctit'le in contact with the Krounil; it is used for tlic 
3727 
beams and underpinnings of adobe houses, for posts and 
fencing, for fuel, and for furniture. It is of a brown or 
red color, handsome when polished, but difficult to work. 
The bean-like pods, before maturity, become pulpy and 
exceedingly rich In grape-sugar. They arc eaten by the 
Indians as well as by whites, and furnish a valuable f< nliler 
for horses. The shrub also exudes a gum reteniMiini 
gum arable, which In Texas and Mexico Is collecteil in 
considerable quantities for export. Also called hnney- 
mexpiit, honey-loeuit, honey-pod, and July-/tinrer. The 
Spanish name Is alffamtoa. 
2. Same as mesquit-grattx.- Screw-pod mesquit. 
a tree, Prompu ptioeteent, similar to /'. jvlifora. found 
from New Mexico to southern California, and In M> \i 
Ita pods are twisted into spiral cylinders, whence the above 
name, and that of terete-bran. They are ground Into meal 
and used as food by the Indiana, also serving as fodder. 
The Mexican name is tornitta. 
mesquit-bean (mes'ket-ben), M. The fruit of 
the inesquit-tree. 
mesquite 1 !, . See mesquit 1 . 
mesquite 2 , n. See mesquiP. 
mesquit-grass (mes'ket-gras), n. A grass, 
properly of the genus Jiouteloiia, growing on 
the plains east of the Rocky Mountains, and 
forming a rich wild pasturage. /;. oligoitachya Is 
the most useful species. i;ii<-til' dactjftinden, Included 
under the name, is sometimes distinguished as/o/M me- 
qtrit. Also called buffaln-yroM and i/rama-yraa. 
mesquit-gum (mes'ket-gum), n. See mesquif*. 
mesquit-tree (mes'ket-tre), M. Same MS mes- 
iiitifi. 
Mesropian (mes-ro'pi-an), a. [< Afesrob (see 
def. ) T -tan."] Of or pertaining to Mesrob or 
Miesrob (fifth century A. D.), patriarch of Ar- 
menia, a reputed founder of Armenian litera- 
ture, who devised the Armenian alphabet of 
thirty-six letters, to which after his time two 
more were added, and the Georgian alphabet 
of thirty-nine or forty letters, still in use. 
In 406 A. D. the Jfetropian alphabet was adopted by an 
edict of the Armenian king. 
Itaac Taylur, The Alphabet, II. 271. 
mess 1 (mes), H. [< ME. men, mess, mease, < OF. 
mes(F. mete a bad spelling), a portion of food, 
a dish, a course at table, = It. messo, in., also 
messa, t., a course at table,< ML. 'missum (found 
only as mestwm, after OF., a portion of land), 
prop. neut. of L. missus, sent, pp. of mittere, 
send: see mission. Cf. AS. sand, nond, early 
ME. sond. a mess, dish, lit. a sending: see send. 
The word mess (ME. m&) may have been partly 
confused in ME. with men, mese, a dinner: see 
ntese 1 .] 1. A supply or provision of anything 
to be eaten at one meal ; a quantity of food suf- 
ficient for one or more persons for a single oc- 
casion : as, a megs of peas for dinner ; a mess of 
oats for a horse. 
And he took and sent mes*e unto them from before him : 
but Benjamin's mew was live times so much as any of 
theirs. (ieu xllli. 34. 
Of herbs, and other country mMfls\ 
Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses. 
MOton, L'Allegro. 1. 85. 
TIs only a page that carols unseen, 
Crumbling your hounds their memet. 
Browning, Plppa Passes, it 
2. In tixhinii, the amount or number of fish ta- 
ken; the take or haul of fish. 
I got a rare IMS* of golden and silver and bright cupre- 
ous fishes. Thoreaii, Walden, p. 388. 
3. A number of persons who eat together at the 
same table; especially, a group of officers or 
men in the army or navy who regularly take 
their meals in company. 
Also the meyre of London, notable of dignyte, 
And of Quenehorow tbe metre, no thynge like in degre. 
At one metse they owght in no wise to sltt ne be. 
Babect Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 192. 
With your brode knyfe properly unclose the napkyn 
that the bread Is In, and set the bread all beneath the salt 
towards the seconde mesae. 
Leland, Collectanea, Inthronizatlon of Abp. Neville. 
That student was in luck who found himself in the same 
nun with Burke. Contemporary Ken., L. 30. 
4. A set of four ; any group of four persons or 
things: originally as a convenient subdivision 
of a numerous company at dinner, a practice 
still maintained in the London inns of court. 
message 
an a member of a mew ; take a meal with any 
other person : as, I will mess with you to-day. 
Xow that we are In harbour I mm here, because Mrs 
Trotter Is on board. Harryat, Peter Simple, T 
I told him to bring up the dinner, and we would mat 
on deck. Tlu Cv,,/n, .\ \ VI. 944. 
II. IniiiH. I. To supply with a mess: as, to 
/..< cattle. 2. To sort in messes for the table. 
as meat. 
mess- (me*), M. [A var. of mr.h-, which is a var. 
of nutxh 1 , a mixture: nee nuiw/ii. Cf. ww** 1 .] 
1. A disorderly mixture or jumble of things: 
a state of dirt and disorder: as, the house wan 
in a mi-**. [Colloq.] 
They make It a rule when they receive neither beer nor 
money from a house to make as great a mru as pnMlblr 
the next time they come. 
Mailhfir, I-ondon Labour and London Poor, II. 103. 
What a mttt they made of it I I had no place for the 
sole of my foot J. W. Palmer, After his Kind, p. 01. 
2. A situation of confusion, disorder, or em- 
barrassment; a muddle: an, to get one's self 
into a IHI-XX. 
Neither battle I see, nor arraying, nor king In Israel 
Only infinite jumble and mru and dislocation. 
dough, Bothie of Toberna-Vuolich, Ix. 
mess' 2 (mes), . t. [< nteMn'2, .] 1. To make n 
mess of ; disorder, soil, or dirty. 
It menu one's things so to pick them to piece*. 
C. Keade, Love me Little, i 
2. To muddle ; throw into confusion : as, he 
messes the whole business. [Prov. Eng. and 
U.S.] 
mess^t, An obsolete form of "< ""'. Mess 
John*, a domeatlc chaplain ; a priest or clergyman : con 
temptuous or Jocular. 
I should only stipulate that these new inett Johiu in 
robes and coroneU should keep some sort of bounds In 
the democratlck and levelling principles which are ex- 
pected from their titled pulpits. Burke, Rev. In France. 
An* syne Men John, beyond expression, 
Fell foul o' me. Burn*, To a Tailor. 
Syne for Mem Jnhn they quickly sent, 
Wha tied them to their hearts' content, 
And now she's Lady (jowrie. 
The Lam o Gotroe (modern version). 
mess-'t, interj. Mass. See by the maw, under 
There lacks a fourth thing to make up the 
Lattinfr, Sermons, v. 
You three fools lack'd me fool to make up the men. 
Shot., L. L. L., Ir. S. 207. 
Lower mess, those persons who formerly sat at table be- 
low the salt. See tail. 
Nor should there stand any great, cumbersome, uncut 
up pies at the nether end [of the table], filled with moss 
and stones, partly to make a show with, and partly to 
k-cp the Imrrr mat from eating. 
Beau, and FI., Woman-Hater. i. S. 
To lose the number of one's mess, see Intel . 
meSS 1 Ones), r. [< Mic.v.vl. /,.] I. in/run*. To 
slmre n mess: cat in cuiiipiiny with others or 
mess*!, >i. An obsolete form of 
messa dl voce (mes'sa de vo'che). [It., lit. a 
setting of the voice : messa, fern, of mexso, pp. of 
mettere, put. set; <N, of; race, voice.] In sinij- 
inij, the production of a single tone with a grad- 
ual change of force from soft to loud and then 
back to soft again; a combination of a slow 
crescendo with a slow diminuendo. 
message (mes'aj), . [< ME. mexsaye, massage. 
< F. message = Pr. metsatae = Sp. mensaje = 
Pg. mensaije, mensaijem = It. metnaggio, < ML. 
Hiixxntii'iiiii (also, after Rom., niixnafliiim, mes- 
sagium), a message, a notice sent, < L. mittere, 
pp. missus, send: see mission. Cf. misfire, of 
same origin and similar meaning; and m*.v'. of 
same origin. Hence messager, messenger.] I. 
A communication transmitted; a notice sent; 
information or opinion or advice communicated 
through a messenger or other agency : as, a ver- 
bal or written message ; a telegraphic message. 
And after this, blforn the hye herd 
He with a manly vois selth his inrgtaye. 
Chaucer, Squire's Tale, 1. 01. 
If case ye be of mettaije sent, know you the same through- 
out. /;.,'.< Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 104. 
Ehud said, I have a meaaije from God unto thee, 
Judges HI. 30. 
2. In U. S. politic*, an official communication of 
information, opinion, or advice from a chief ex- 
ecutive to a legislative body, or a formal state- 
ment of matters requiring legislative considera- 
tion or action, sent by tbe bands of a messenger : 
as, the President's or governor's message; an 
annual or a special message (that is, the mes- 
sage regularly presented at the opening of n 
annnal legislative session, or one relating to 
some special matter subsequently arising). 
The change from the address delivered In person, with 
its answer, to the meaaye sent by tbe private secretary, 
and no answer, was introduced by Mr. Jefferson and con* 
sidered a reform. T. a. Beaton, Thirty Years, II. 82. 
3t. A company of messengers ; an embassy. 
That we make vs a menage of men of astute. 
Duly to Delphon denoutly to wende. 
Datntdion of Troy (E. E. T. S.\ 1. 42. 
4t. A messenger. 
Thus scute the kynge hit mttuga thourgh all the londe. 
and a-noon as the! were fro hym deputed. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.X lii 
message* (mes'Sj), r. t. [< message, .] To de- 
liver in the manner of a messenger; announce. 
