Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MECH'AN-IZE, v.t.

To subject to contrivance, art, or skill; to form by contrivance or design.

MECH'AN-IZ-ED, pp.

Made by art, design, or skill.

MECH'AN-IZ-ING, ppr.

Forming by art or skill.

ME-CHAN-OG'RA-PHIST, n.

An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of any works of art.

ME-CHAN-OG'RA-PHY, n. [Gr. μηχανη, a machine, and γραφω, to write or engrave.]

The art of multiplying copies of a writing or any work of art, by the use of a machine. Elmes.

MECH'LIN, n.

A species of lace, made at Mechlin.

ME-CHO'A-CAN, n.

White jalap, the root of an American species of Convolvulus, from Mechoacan, in Mexico; a purgative of slow operation, but safe. Encyc.

MEC'ON-ATE, n.

A salt consisting of meconic acid and a base.

ME-CON'IC, a. [Gr. μηκων, a poppy.]

Meconic acid is an acid contained in opium.

ME-CON'I-NA, or MEC'O-NIN, n. [Gr. μηκων, a poppy.]

A proximate principle, and, as is supposed, one of the active principles of opium. It is composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, without any nitrogen. It is not an alkaloid, but may yet prove to be an acid, to the suspicion of which, its composition would lead.

MEC'O-NITE, n.

A small sandstone; ammite. Coxe. Da Costa.

ME-CO'NI-UM, n. [Gr. μηκωνιον, from μηκων, poppy.]

1. The inspissated juice of the poppy, which has the virtues of opium in a feeble degree. Coxe. Encyc.
2. The first fæces of infants. Coxe.

MED'AL, n. [Fr. medaille; It. medaglia; Sp. medalla; Arm. metallinn; from L. metallum, metal. Qu. Ar. مَطَلَ matala, to beat or extend by beating. Class Md, No. 45.]

An ancient coin, or a piece of metal in the form of a coin, stamped with some figure or device to preserve the portrait of some distinguished person, or the memory of an illustrious action or event.

MED'AL-IST, n.

A person that is skilled or curious in medals. Johnson.

ME-DAL'LIC, a.

Pertaining to a medal or to medals. Addison.

ME-DAL'LION, n. [Fr.; from medal.]

1. A large antique stamp or medal.
2. The representation of a medallion.
3. In architecture, any circular tablet on which are presented imbossed figures or bustos. Elmes.

MED'AL-UR-GY, n. [Medal and εργον, work.]

The art of striking medals and other coins.

MED'DLE, v.i. [D. middelen, to mediate; G. mittler, middle, and mediator; Sw. medlare; Dan. midler, a mediator. Qu. Sw. meddela, Dan. meddeler, to communicate or participate; med, with, and dela, deeler, to deal. Meddle seems to be connected with medley, a mixture. Chaucer and Spenser use medle, to mix, and the G. mittler is evidently from mitte, mittel, middle, which seems to be connected with mit, with. In W. mid signifies an inclosure. Perhaps all these words may belong to one family.]

1. To have to do; to take part; to interpose and act in the concerns of others, or in affairs in which one's interposition is not necessary; often with the sense of intrusion or officiousness. I have thus far been an upright judge, not meddling with the design nor disposition. – Dryden. What hast thou to do to meddle with the affairs of my family? – Arbuthnot. Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt? – 2 Kings xiv.
2. To have to do; to touch; to handle. Meddle not with edge-tools, is an admonition to children. When the object is specified, meddle is properly followed by with or in; usually by the former. The civil lawyers – have meddled in a matter that belongs not to them. – Locke.

MED'DLE, v.t.

To mix; to mingle. He meddled his talk with many a tear. [Obs.] – Spenser

MED'DLED, pp.

Mingled; mixed.

MED'DLER, n.

One that meddles; one that interferes or busies himself with things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a busy body. – Bacon.

MED'DLE-SOME, a.

Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; officiously intrusive.

MED'DLE-SOME-NESS, n.

Officious interposition in the affairs of others. – Barrow.

MED'DLING, ppr.

1. Having to do; touching; handling; officiously interposing in other men's concerns.
2. adj. Officious; busy in other men's affairs; as, a meddling neighbor.

MED'DLING-LY, adv.

Officiously; interferingly.