Mollusca 
sense have led tin' "i-niiii now giMM-rally recognized am! as 
bore defined. II !< regarded as a phylum whose main 
divisions arc classes. These main groups itrc, in one series 
of headless mollnsks, .liv/'('"'" '"' l-'i'"<'''i'lnila, the single 
rl.t^- \ :u iiiiv]\ <-:i]|nl <'ii//,-liit'>-i-<t, Lftinrllitiraiu-hialn , i:tnt,,. 
kraiu-hiir, t'i-l''.-<i/K>it'i, Corntopooa, and by other names of 
hivalvrs; anil, in another scries, Cepkaloplwn, Odonlo- 
phttra, orGVatMpAofW, the four classes Qtutfropoda, Scaphn- 
jfotla, l'trr<>t/<t, ami < ''j>lml"it<Mta. But from amonu' the 
gastropods arc to he taken the chitons (together with 
Xeumcnia ami Clurt<Hlennu\ (n:\asnHtutervpnda is used In 
a very broad scnsr ; and some authors also dissociate the 
htit'Topods :is a class. .See further under the uliovu tech- 
nical 11:11111 s. 
molluscan ( -lus'kan), ". and w. [< L. iinil- 
luxriiK. sol't XL. iitiiltHxriini, a niollusk). + -n.] 
I. a. Soft -bodied; pertaining to the Hollnxra 
in any sense, or having their ehiinicters; mol- 
luscoid; malacoKoic : a?-, a miilliixcaii type. 
II. it. Amollusk; iiKhell-tish; any member of 
the Mulliixca, Mn/liixciiii/ni. in- MiiliiriwMi. 
molluscoid (mo-lus'koid), a. and n. [< NL. nuil- 
lii.ti-iim, mollusk, + Or. cliof, form.] I. it. 1. Like 
a inollu.sk; rnolluscan or molluscous. 2. Spe- 
cifically, as much like a mollusk aH a braehiopod 
or a moss-animal is; pertaining to the Mullii--- 
coidi, or having their characters. 
II. n. An animal of the group MoUiwniilia 
in any sense. 
Molluscoida (mol-tts-koi'da), n.jil. [NL.: see 
MoBujeofat,] Same as Molliiscoiilin. 
molluscoidal (mol-us-koi'dal), a. [< molluscoid 
+ -/.] Same as niolluitrtiid. 
molluscoidan (mol-us-koi'dan), n. and n. Same 
as itiollnxt'oitt. 
Molluscoidea (mol-us-koi'de-ii), n.pl. [NL.,< 
Mollnxcii + -oulea.'] A subkingdom or branch 
of the animal kingdom related to the Mottimca 
proper, constituted by Henri Milne-Edwards 
in 1844 for certain animals which had before 
been included in Sfnllitxca. (a) At first embracing 
the classes of bruchiopods, polyzoans or bryozoans, and 
tunlcates or ascidians. (6) Restricted to the tunicates and 
polyzoans. (c) Restricted to the brachiopods and polyto- 
ans. (d) Further restricted to the brachiopods alone. 
molluscoidean (mol-us-koi'de-an), a. and . I. 
a. Same as mollnscoid, 2. 
II. H. Same as molluscoid. 
Molluscoides (mol-us-koi'dez), w. i>l. [NL., < 
Molluxca + -oides.] The original form of the 
word Molluscoida or Molluscoidtu, H. Milne- 
Kilir/inh, 1844. 
molluscous (mo-lus'kus), a. [< molt link + -ou#.] 
Same as mollmtean : as, molluscous softness or 
flabbiness. 
A moUttscoug man, too suddenly ejected from his long- 
accustomed groove, where, like a toad Imbedded In the 
rock, he had made his niche exactly fitting to his own 
shape, presents a wretched picture of helplessness mid 
shiftiness. Saturday Ken. 
molluscum (mo-lus'kum), . [NL., neut. of L. 
molluneiiii, soft : see molliutk.'] In pathol., a tenn 
applied to certain soft cutaneous tumors of slow 
growth without constitutional symptoms Mol- 
luscum adenosum. Same as iiwlluscitm epitJieliale. 
Molluscum alblnosum. Same as tnttlltr*cu>n lifrroguttt. 
Molluscum bodies, peculiar round or oval bodies, 
sharply defined and of a fatty appearance, seen under the 
microscope among the content* of the tubercles of mol- 
luscum epitheliale. Molluscum contaglOBum. Same 
as mnllwiciim tjritlielialr. KoUuBCum epitheliale, an 
epidermic growth in the form of papules and tubercles 
from the size of a pinhead to that of a pea, or rarely larger, 
palish and waxy in appearance, and containing molluscum 
bodies. It has been said on questionable evidence to be 
contagious. Molluscum flbrosum, an affection of the 
skin consisting of sessile, painless, soft or sometimes firm 
fibromata, from the size of a pea to that of an egg or larger. 
Molluscum non-contaglosum or pendulum. Same 
as mottiamm JHnromm. Molluscum sebaceum or ses- 
sile. Same as mollitxcum epitheliale. Molluscum sim- 
plex. Same aa molluxciun, Jibrouin. 
mollusk, mollusc (mol'usk), . [< F. mollusqm 
= Sp. moliisco = Pg. It. motluneo, < NL. mollnti- 
rinii. a mollusk (ef. L. molluseum, a fungus 
which grows on the maple-tree ; uiollusca, a nut 
with a thin shell), neut. of L. mollum-nx, soft, 
< mollis, soft: see moll 3 .'] A soft-bodied ani- 
mal, usually with an external shell; a member 
of the Molluxca in any sense. See Mollnncn. 
Articulated mollusks, a former name of De Blalnvllle s 
Malriit<izaria, comprising the cirrlpeds and the chitons, 
unnaturally associated. See \ewatupwla, Pol;/plaxiphttra. 
Hemal mollusks, those mollusks (and supposed mol- 
luscoids) whose intestine has a hemal flexure, as the het- 
eropods, many gastropods, etc. Neural mollusks, those 
mollusks and molliisi-oiiU whose intestine has a neural flex- 
ure. They are the cephalopoda, pteropods, pulmonates, and 
lamellibranchs, together with brachlopods and polyzoans. 
molluskigerous (mol-us-kij'e-rus), . [Prop. 
"molliivciiii-niiix; < NL. molliixfiini. a mollusk. 
+ L. yen IT. carry: sec -yer.-iieruitii.'] Having or 
bearing mollusks : >[>ecilieally apjilieil by Hux- 
ley to the elongated tubular sacs occasionally 
found attached by one end to an intestinal ves- 
sel of an echiuoderni, Si/H<ipt(i<li>jitiita, audcon- 
3825 
lainingthe ova or embryos of the molluscan 
parasite l-.tilin-n n<-li mifillnli.t. 
moll-washer (mol'wosh'er), 11. The washer or 
wagtail, a liinl. Also culled ninlly irunli-ilisli, 
etc. [Local, Kng.] 
moil-Wire (mol'wir), H. A pickpocket who 
r<ibs women only. [Thieves' slang.] 
Molly 1 (mol'i), n. [Dim. of Mull, or yar. of the 
orig. J/nn/ : see -1/D//1.] 1. A familiar form of 
the feminine name Alary. 2. [I.e.; pi. 
(-iz).] The wagtail, a bird : as. the yellow mnlli/ 
(the yellow wagtail); tlic umlly wash-<lish (the 
pied wagtail). [Local, Eng.] 
molly- (mol'i), H.; pi. miillie* (-iz). [Abbr. of 
mollymitick, mnlUmiick.'] The mallemuck or 
fulmar, l-'ii/niiini* glaeialin. See fulmar-. 
molly :< (mol'i), n. ; pi. mollies(-iz). [Hind, mnff.] 
In India, a gardener or one of the caste of gar- 
deners. Also mallec. 
Our garden Is nearly washed away, and our mnlli/, or 
gardener, duet not present us with our morning boumiet. 
W. H. ItuntU, Diary In India, II. 1J1. 
mollycoddle (uiol'i-kod-1), . [Also mullcmlil/, .- 
< Mollyl, Mm, + cwhlle*.] One who lacks reso- 
lution, energy, or hardihood; an effeminate 
man: used in derision or contempt. 
He [Fielding] couldn't do otherwise than laugh at the 
puny cockney bookseller, pouring out endless volumes of 
sentimental twaddle, and hold him up to scorn aa a ituM- 
foddle and a milksop. 
Thackeray. Knglish Humorists, Hogarth, Smollett, and 
(Fielding. 
molly cottontail. Bee cottontail. 
Molly Maguire (mol'i ma-^wir'). [A name as- 
sumed (from Molly, a familiar form of the femi- 
nine name Mary, and Maguire, a common Irish 
surname) by the members of the organization 
(def. 1), in allusion to the woman's dress they 
wore as a disguise. There is no evidence that 
the name referred orig. to a particular person 
named Molly 3tagmre^\ 1 . A member of a law- 
less secret association in Ireland, organized 
with the object of defeating and terrorizing 
agents and process-servers, and others engaged 
in the business of evicting tenants. 
These Jfotft/ Maguires were generally stout active young 
men, dressed up in women's clothes, with faces blackened 
or otherwise disguised. ... In this state they used sud- 
denly to surprise the unfortunate grlppers, keepers, or 
process-servers, and either duck them in bog-holes or 
beat them in the most unmerciful manner, so that the 
Molly Mayitire9 became the terror of all our officials. 
W. S. Trench, Realities of Irish Life, vl. 
Hence 2. A member of a secret organization 
in the mining regions of Pennsylvania, noto- 
rious for the commission of various crimes, 
including murderous attacks upon the owners, 
officers, or agents of mines, until their sup- 
pression by tue execution of several of their 
leaders, about 1877. 
mollymawk (mol'i-mak), n. A variant of 
mallemuck. 
molly-pufft (mol'i-puf), . A gambling decoy. 
Thou molly-puf.' were it not justice to kick thy guts 
out? Shirley, The Wedding, iv. 8. 
Moloch (mo'lok), . [Also sometimes Moleclt ; 
< LL. Moloch, < Or. MoZdj, Mo?^, < Heb. mtltkli 
(usually with the article) (also Milkom, Malkdm, 
> Gr. MeXjd//, E. Milcom) ; cf. melekh (= Ar. 
melik, king, < mftlakli, reign, part, molekh, reign- 
ing).] 1. The chief god of tne Pbenicians, fre- 
quently mentioned in Scripture as the god of 
the Ammonites, whose worship consisted chiefly 
of human sacrifices, ordeals by fire, mutilation, 
etc. : also identified with the god of the Cartha- 
ginians called by classical writers Kronos or 
Saturn. Hence the word has now become a designation 
of any baneful influence to which everything is sacrificed. 
And they built the high places of Baal, ... to cause 
their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire 
unto Maifch ; which I commanded them not. 
Jer. xxxll. 36. 
First Moloch, horrid king, besmear'd with blood 
Of human sacrifice, and parents' tears. 
MOton, P. L, L S82. 
It was a very Muloch of a baby, on whose Insatiate altar 
the whole existence of this particular young brother was 
offered up a daily sacrifice. Dicktnt, The Haunted Man, 1 1 . 
2. [NL.] The typical genus of Molochinte. 
There is but one species, M. harrichu of Australia, one of 
the most repulsive, though in reality one of the most harm- 
less, of reptiles, the horns on the head and the numerous 
spines on the body giving it a formidable aspect. 
3. [/. <.] A lizard of this genus: as, the spiny 
moloi-li. 
Molochinae (mol-o-ki'ne), . i>l. [NL.,< Moloch 
+ -/.] A subfamily of agamoid lizards hav- 
ing a depressed body, a very small mouth, and 
the upper teeth directed horizontally inward. 
The body Is beset with large spines, especially on the 
head, giving an ugly and formidable appearance to an 
entirely harmless creature. 
Molothrus 
molochine (mol'ii-kin). (/. :unl n. I, ,i. Of or 
pertaining to the Mnlm-lium-. 
II. n. Atnoloch. 
Molochize mo'lok-i/.), i-. I. ; pret. and pp. ./- 
l,-l,i-<il, ppr. .\/nliH-hi:ini/. [< Mnlnrh + -lie.'] 
To sacrifice or immolate an to Moloch. [Rare.] 
I think that they would Xitochiir them (their hablet) too, 
To have the heaven* clear. TVnnyom, Harold, I. 1. 
moloid (mol'oid), a. and . I. a. Of or per- 
taining to the Moloidea. 
II. . A member of the family Molidtr. 
Moloidea (mo-loi'.ie-a), . pi. [NL., < Mola + 
-oiiliii.} Iii (Jill's ichthyological system, a 
superfamily of gymnodont plectognath fishes, 
founded upon the single family Molida-. The 
mnl, .ills are without pelvis or rlbt; they have the body 
truncated behind, the caudal region aborted, and the jaws 
without median sutures. See Molidae. 
Molokan (mol-o-kiin'), .; pi. Mulokani (-e). 
| li'nss. tiinliikanu, < imtlvko, milk: see milk.) A 
member of a Russian sect living chiefly in south- 
eastern Russia. They condemn Image-worship, fart- 
Ing, and episcopacy, and accept the Bible as the only rule 
of faith and conduct. They hold their religion* service* 
In private houses, and have a simple church organization. 
Their name is derived from their reputed practice of drink- 
ing milk on fast-days a departure from the custom of the 
Orthodox Church. Alto written Xalatan. 
The Molotani are Russian sectarians clottly resem- 
bling Scotch Presbyterian*. D. X. Wallace, Russia, p. 157. 
molompi (mo-lom'pi). n. [Native name.] The 
African rosewood. See rosewood. 
molopes (mo-16'pez), n. pi. [NL., < Gr. /iu>M<p 
(jiulum-), th'e mark of a stnpe, a weal.] In 
patltol., same as ribices. 
moloBSO (mo-los'), n. [< i". molonne = Sp. mo- 
li>so, < L. molosmiK, a foot so called: see molot- 
.viw.] Same as molosfuc, 1. 
molossi, ii. Plural of molonsun, 1. 
Molossian (mo-los'i-an), a. and M. [< L. Mo- 
lossia, < Gr. JAofoaaia, the country of the Mo- 
lossi, < MO?XXT<TO>, Molossian, pi. Mo)j>aaoi, L. 
Molossi, the Molossians.] I. a. Relating or 
belonging to the Molossians, orMolossi, a tritx' 
of ancient Epirus, in northern Greece. 
II. . 1. One of the Molossian tribe. 2. 
[/. <.] One of the Moloxvidie. 
molossic (mo-los'ik), a. [< Moloxsu* + -ie.] 
In pro*. , being or pertaining to a molossus. 
Molossidae (mo-los'i-<le), H. pi. [NL.,< Molositux 
+ -id<e.~\ The Molossina; regarded as a family 
composed of the genera Mtilosniis, Xyctinomux, 
and Chiromelex; the bulldog bats, or mastiff batf. 
Molossinae (mol-o-si'ne), H. )>l. [NL., < Molox- 
siix + -in<f.] A subfamily of bats of the family 
Emballonuridt? ; the molossoid or bulldog bats: 
so called from the physiognomy, a peculiar ex- 
pression being conferred by the thick pendulous 
chops, like a bulldog's. They have large feet, with 
the first toe, or first and also the fifth, much larger than 
the rest, the feet free from the wing-membranes, which 
fold under the forearm, a retract lie Interfemoral membrane 
sheathing and sliding along the tall, and a single pair of 
large upper incisors. In all the genera, excepting Jfyvta- 
etna, the long tail Is produced far beyond the tnterfemora! 
membrane. Leading genera are Mvlomu, Chiromclet, and 
molossine (mo-los'in), a. and H. [< Molossvn 
+ -iwel.] I. n. Pertaining to the Molossinte, 
or having their characters; molossoid. 
II. it. A bulldog bat ; a molossoid. 
molossoid (mo-los oid), a. and 11. [< Molossx* 
+ -oid.] I. n'. Molossine, in a wide sense ; per- 
taining to or resembling the Molositince. 
II. w. A member of the Molwttrinir ; a molos- 
soid bat. 
Molossus (mo-los'us), H. [In def. 1, L. molo*- 
KHII, a metrical foot, < Gr. /iotooa6f, a metrical 
foot of three long syllables, < MoXotraof, .Molos- 
sian. In def. 2, NL., < L. Molossiut, a Molossian 
hound, < Gr. Mo/'waiV, Molossian: see Molof- 
xian.'] 1. [/. f. ; pi. molossi (-i).] In c lassical 
j>ros., a foot of three long syllables. 2. In 
mammal., the typical and leading genus of Mn- 
lOMxiiitr. There are numerous species, inhabiting tropi- 
cal and subtropical America, as If. glavcimu, H. oMcvrvo, 
etc. These bulldog bat* have the tall long and exserted, 
thick pendulous lips, prominent nostrils, large rounded 
ears, the Incisors one above and one or two below ou each 
tide, and the premolars two below and one or two above 
on each side. 
3. In conch., a genus of mollusks. Montforf, 
1808. 
Molothrus (mol'o-thnis), M. [NL. (Swainson, 
1831), said by the namer to come from Gr. 
" *fi6>o0ix>f, qui non vocatus alieuas a'des in- 
trat." an unbidden guest, appar. an error for 
Molobrus (as given by J.Cabams), < Gr. iio/.o/3/tif, 
a greedy fellow.] A genus of American oscine 
passerine birds of the family Icteridte and sub- 
family J/7tet'n<r, parasitic in habit ; the cow- 
