macerate: Cause to grow thin or weak. Latin “macerare”=to soak, render weak, mortify flesh < ?Greek “massein”=to knead.
maceration: Stirring grape skins with wine during fermentation to extract color/tannin. Latin “macerare”=to soak < Greek “massein”=to knead.
macrocosm: Everything; the universe. From Greek “makro”=large, long + “kosmos”=order, universe.
mad: Mentally ill, crazy, or insane. Old English “gemaed”=deranged < “gemaedden”=to make insane.
madam: Polite form of address to a woman. Old French “ma”=my + “dame”=lady < Latin “domina”=mistress, feminine of “dominus”=master.
madrich: Guide, leader, or supervisor, especially in Israel. Hebrew “madrik”=guide, leader < “derek”=path or route.
madrigal: 16th century Italian part-song for several voices. From Latin “matricalis”=maternal < “matrix”=womb < “mater”=mother
maelstrom: A powerful whirlpool; C17th mythic whirlpool west of Norway. Early Modern Dutch “malen” to grind, whirl around + “stroom”=stream.
magic: Use of supernatural force to control nature. Old French “magique” < Latin “magicus” < Greek “magos”=magician < Old Persian “magus.”
magnesium: Silver-white alkaline metal, atomic #12. Latin “magnesia” < Greek “Magnesia Lithos”=the Magnesian Stone, a magnet from Magnesia.
magophony: Massacre of priests or magi. Greek “magophonia” < “magos”=priest, wise man + “phonos”=slaughter.”
maguro: The tuna fish. C17th Japanese “maguro” < “me”=eye + “guro”=combining form of “kuro”=black.
maid: Female domestic servant. Old English “magden”=virgin, unmarried woman < Germanic *”magadinom”=young womanhood.
mai-tai: Cocktail based on light rum, with curacao and fruit juices. Probably from Tahitian “maitai”=good, nice. c.f. Hawaiian “maikai”
malady: An illness; serious problem that needs remedy. Old French “maladie”=sickness < Latin “male habitus” < “male”=bad + “habere”=to have
malaise: Feeling of non-specific discomfort, often from mild illness. From French “mal”=bad + “aise”=ease. Literally ill at ease.
malaria: High-fever causing disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Italian “malaria” < Latin “malus”=bad + “aria”-air. Lit. “bad air.”
maledicent: Someone given to speaking evil of others; slanderer. Latin “maledicere”=to insult < “male”=badly + “dicere”=to speak.
malefice: Sorcery; black magic; wicked enchantment. Old French “malefice”=evil deed < Latin “mal-”=bad or ill + “ficus”=doing.
malign: To speak ill of, to utter slander. Old French “maligner” < Latin “malignus” < “malus”=evil + “gnus” (base of “gignere”= to beget.
mallard: A common wild duck, the male having green head purple-brown body. Old French “maillart”=wild drake < “madle”=male.
malversation: Corrupt behavior while in public office. Middle French “malverser”=act corruptly < Latin “malus”=bad + “vertare”=to turn.
mammothrept: A spoiled child; immature person. Greek “mammothreptos” < “mammi”=grandma + “trepein”=to bring up. So “brought up by granny.”
mancation: Mutilation or maiming. Latin “mancare”=to mutilate < “mancus”=having a useless hand < “manus”=hand.
mancession: A recession that affects men more than women. Portmanteau of “man” and “recession.
mandolin: 8-stringed lute-like instrument with round back. Italian “mandolino” < Latin “pandura” < ult. Persian “tanbur.”
mandylion: A head-cloth believed to display the impression of Christ’s face. Greek “mandilion”=cloth, hand towel.
manger: Long open trough for animals to eat from. Old French “maguere”=crib, manger < “mangier”=to eat < Latin “mandere”=to chew.
mangonel: Military engine for throwing stones and missiles. Old French “mangonel” < Latin “manganum” < Greek “manganon”=engine of war, axis.
manicure: Treatment for the hand, usually cutting of nails. From Latin “manus”=hand + “cura”=care. Lit. care of the hands.
manifest: Clearly revealed; obvious. Anglo-Norman “manifeste”=proven < Latin “manufestus” < “manus”=hand + “-festus”=uncertain origin.
manscaping: Male grooming. Thought to originate 2003 on TV Show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” Portmanteau of “man”+”landscaping.”
manse: Principal house of an estate; house occupied by a Presbyterian minister. Latin “mansus”=house < “manere”=to dwell.
mantel: Piece of wood/stone over a fireplace. Middle English “mantilltree”< Old French “mantel”=wood/stone covering< Latin “mantellum”=cloak
manticore: Beast with lion’s body and human head. Latin < Greek “mantikhoras” < unattested Old Persian “*martya-xvara”=man-eater.
mantis: Insect with spiky forelegs folded like hands in prayer. Greek “mantis”=prophet. Mantes were used to tell the future.
mantle: A shawl or cloak; an important job. Old English “mentel” < Latin “mantellum”=cloak.
maquette: A sculptor’s small preliminary wax or clay model, or sketch. Italian “macchietta”=sketch < Latin “macula”=a spot.
maracas: Hollow balls with handles,shaken to make a sound. Portuguese “maraca” < Tupi “mbaraka” < “mara”=noise + “aka”=chief.
marble: Hard, shiny rock used for statues, buildings or surfaces. From Greek “marmaros”=shining stone, possibly < “marmairein”=to sparkle.
marginalia: Notes and similar material written in the margin of a book. Anglo-Norman “margin” < Latin “margin”=edge, border.
marry: Take as an intimate life partner by a formal exchange of promises. From Latin “maritare”=to wed < “maritus”=husband.
martellate: To attack or subdue with a hammer. Italian “martellarer”=to hammer < Latin “martellus”=hammer.
martial: Having an aggressive, warrior’s nature. From Latin “Mars”=god of war + “al”=related to. Astrological trait of those born under Mars.
martyr: Person who is killed or suffers for a religion or cause. Greek “matur, matus”=witness.
mascot: Object believed to bring good luck. French “mascotte” < Occitan “mascoto”=spell < “masca”=witch.
masticate: Reduce food to a pulp by chewing. Latin “masticare”=to chew < Greek “mastikan”=to grind teeth < “mastax”=the jaw.
masturbate: Self-stimulation of the genitals for pleasure. Although disputed by some, likely from Latin “manus”=hand + “stuprare”=to defile.
matador: Bullfighter whose task is to kill the bull. Spanish “matador”=killer < Latin “matare”=to kill < “mattus”=sad.
mausoleum: Stately, grand, imposing tomb. Greek eponym from king Mausolus of Caria (c4th BCE) who had such a tomb.
maven: Knowledgeable enthusiast; expert. Yiddish “meyvn”=expert, connoisseur < Hebrew “mebin”=teacher < “hebin”=to understand, teach.
maverick: Non-conformist, independent. From c19th US politician Sam Maverick, whose wandering unbranded animals were called “mavericks.”
mawashi: Type of loincloth worn by sumo wrestler. Japanese “mawaru”=to go around; related to “maru”=circle.
mazar: A Muslim tomb. Urdu “mazar” < Arabic “mazar”=place which one visits < “zara”=to visit.
maze: Complex mass of passages. Sense taken from original meaning=state of mental confusion. Possibly shortened from “amaze”=to stun/stupify
mazuma: Cash, money. Yiddish “mezumen”=cash < Hebrew “mĕzummānīm”=ready money < “zumman”=be prepared < “zĕmān” appointed time.
meander: To move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course. From Greek “Maeandros”=name of a winding Turkish river.
meat: Animal tissue used for food. From Old English “mete”=food or specific food item.
medal: Flat, coin-shaped piece of medal awarded to a winner in a contest. Latin “medalia”=half a denarius < “medialis”=middle/half.
medicine: A compound or preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease. Latin “medicus”=a medic < “mederi”=to heal.
medium: Person claiming to speak messages from the dead (1853). From Latin “medius”=middle.
medley: A combination, jumble, or mixture of things. Old French “medlee/mellee”=conflict, quarrel < Latin “misculare”=to mix.
meet: Come into conjunction with, as in a conference or gathering. From Old English (weak verb form) “metan”=come together.
melancholy: Feeling of sadness, gloom, or irritation. From Greek “melankolia” < “melan”=black + “koli”=bile; literally full of black bile.
memento: Object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event. Latin “memento”=instruction to remember!
memory: Recollection of things past. From Anglo-French “memoire” < Latin “memoria”=mindful, remembering.
mendacity: Untruthfulness; habitual lying. Latin “mendax”=lying <”mendum”=blemish + “-ity”=suffix meaning “condition of.”
mendicant: Someone who begs or member of a specific order of monks. From Latin “mendicare”=to beg + “ant”=one who performs an action.
menoporsche: Male mid-life crisis marked by desire to buy sports cars. From Old English “man”=person + “porsche”=make of sports car
mentor: Guide or adviser. From Greek name “Mentor,” character in Homer’s “Odyssey” who is an incarnation of Athena and guides Telemachus.
mercaptans: Unpleasantly sulfur smell found in defective wines. Latin “mer” < “mercurius”=mercury + “captare”=to take, seize.
mercurial: Having feelings that change rapidly. From Latin “Mercurius”=god Mercury. Astrological traits of people born under Mercury.
meretrix: A prostitute; woman who sells herself for sex. Old English “meretryx” < Latin “merere”=to earn money + “-trix”=feminine marker.
merlot: Variety of black grapes used to make a fruity red wine. French “merlot” < “merle”=blackbird, allusion to the grapes’ color.
merry: Cheerful and lively. Old English “myrige”=pleasing < same base as Sanskrit “muhur”=suddenly.
meshuga: Mad, crazy, or stupid. Yiddish “meshuge” < Hebrew “mĕšugga”=to be made mad. c.f. German “meschugge”=crazy.
messenger: Person who carries a message. Old French “messager”=message carrier < Latin “missaticum”=message or errand.
messiah: Promised deliverer of the Jewish nation or any liberator. Greek “Messias” < Aramaic “mesiha” < Hebrew “masiah” < “masah”=to anoint.
metal: Material that is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile. Old French “metal” < Latin “metallum”=mine or quarry.
metaphor: Description of something using different thing but suggest the thing has similar qualities. Greek “meta”=change + “fora”=carry.
mete: To give out in measured amounts. From Old English (strong verb form) “metan”=to measure.
meteor: Material that falls to earth and burns as a bright light. Latin “meteorum” < Greek “meteorous”=lofty, high.
meticulous: Very careful about small details. From French “méticuleux”=overscrupulous < Middle French “meticuleux”=fearful or timid.
metro: Belonging to a big city. Short for “metropolitan” < Latin “metropolitanus” < Greek “metropolis” < “meter”=mother + “polis”=city.
microcosm: Representation of a world in miniature. From Middle French “microcosme” < Greek “mikro”=small + “kosmos”=order, universe.
midget: a sand fly (1865) or slang for person of short stature (1869). From Old English “mygg”=gnat + Old French diminutive suffix “-et.”
migraine: Severe headache on one side of the head. From Latin “hemicrania”< Greek “hemikrania” = “hemi”=half + “kranion”=skull.
migraine: Severe pains in the head with nausea and vomiting. From Greek “hemi”=half + “kranion”=skull.
Milan: Italian city. Latin “Mediolanum” < “medius”=middle + “lana”=fleece. From myth of a wooly pig appearing in the city as an omen!
milk: To draw milk from a cow or other teated animal. Old English “melcan”=to give milk, suckle < Indo-European *”melg-”=milk.
milliner: Maker of hats, usually women’s. Originally “seller of goods from Milan” < Italian “Milano”=capital of Lombardy region of Italy.
mimbo: Unintelligent male. Portmanteau of “male” + “bimbo.”
mingent: Discharging urine. Latin “mingens” < “mingere”=to urinate.
minim: Type of musical note; two crotchets. Middle English “mynym” < Latin “minima”=smallest, least, or youngest.
minion: Slavish follower; petty official. From Middle French “mignon”=King’s favorite (often male) < Old French “mignon”=delicate or pretty
minotaur: Beast with human body and bull’s head. Greek “minotauros” < “Minos”=King of Crete + “tauros”=bull.
minute: A unit of time equal to one sixtieth of an hour. From Middle Latin “pars minuta prima”=first small part (sixtieth of a circle).
miracle: An event believed to have a supernatural cause. Latin “miraculum”=object of wonder < “mirari”=to wonder < “mirus”=wonderful.
misandry: Hatred of men. Rarely used. From Greek “misein”=to hate + “andros”=man.
misanthropy: Hatred of all people. From Greek “misanthropos”=hatred of mankind < “misein”=to hate + “anthropos”=man/mankind.
misanthropy: hatred/dislike of people/mankind: From Greek “miso”=to hate + “anthropos”=human.
misogyny: A hatred of women. From Greek “misogynes”=woman-hater < “misein”=to hate + “gyne”=woman.
misqueme: To displease or offend. Old English “mis-”=wrong(ly) + “queem”=act in a manner acceptable to.
missal: Book of Catholic mass services for a year. Anglo-Norman “messel” < Latin “missalis”=related to the Mass < “missa”=Mass.
missile: Object forcibly propelled at a target, by hand or device. Latin “missilis” < “mittere”=to send + “-ile”=adjective suffix.
missive: A letter, especially a long, official one. Latin “missivus” < past participial “miss- < “mittere”=to send.
misspell: to spell incorrectly, as in “reknown” for “renown.” From Old English “missa”=wrong + O.E. “spellian”=tell/speak.
mistletoe: White-berried parasitic plant that grows on broadleaf trees. Old English “misteltan < Germanic “mist”=dung+Old English “tan”=twig
mitigate: Make less harsh or severe. From Latin “mitigare”=to alleviate, relieve < “mitis”=gentle + “agare”=do, make, carry on.
Mjollnir: Thor’s Hammer. Weapon of the Norse god of thunder. Created by two dark elves as a challenge. From Old Norse “mylja”=crush.
mob: (a) Disorderly crowd (1688); (b) criminal gang (1917). Shortened form of Latin “mobile vulgus”=vulgar, common people.
mock: Tease in a scornful, contemptuous way. Middle English “mocque” < Old French “moquer”=to deride.
modest: Unassuming in the estimation of one’s abilities or achievements. Middle French “modeste” < Latin “modestus”=restrained.
modesty: Being moderate in the estimation of one’s abilities. Middle French “modestie” < Latin “modestia”=mildness, self-effacement.
mogul: a powerful, influential person. From Persian “mughal”=mongol i.e. descendant of the powerful, conquering Mongol empire.
mojito: Cuban cocktail of white rum, lime, and mint. From Cuban Spanish “mojo”=to moisten or soak < 1513 “en mojo”=in soak < “mojar”=to wet
molasses: Thick, brown, uncrystallized syrup drained from raw sugar. Portuguese “melaco” < Latin “mellacium” < “mel”=honey.
molly: 18th century word for a lower class girl or gay man from earlier “Moll”= “Mary” < Latin/Greek “Maria” < Aramaic “Miryam”
molrowing: Act of making merry with prostitutes. From “moll”=c19th slang for prostitute + “rowing”=to mix or stir up (c17th).
monarch: Sovereign head of a state; king, queen, or emperor. Latin “monarcha” < Greek “monarkhes” < “monos”=alone + “arkhein”=to rule.
Monday: Day of the week. From Old English “monandag”=day of the moon < “mona”=moon + “dag”=day.
money: Medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes. Old French “moneie” < Latin “Moneta”=goddess in whose temple money was minted
money: Medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes. Old French “moneie” < Latin “Moneta”=goddess in whose temple money was minted.
money: Objects or tokens used as a medium of exchange. Old French “monee” < Latin “moneta”=goddess in whose temple at Rome money was coined.
monitor: (a) One who reminds or checks; (b) A screen displaying computer output (1931). From Latin “monere”=admonish/warn/advise.
monologue: Prolonged talk or speech by a single person. Middle French “monologue”=speech in a play < Greek “mono”=one + “logos”=word/speech.
monopoly: Exclusive control of the trade in a commodity, product, or service. Latin “monopolium” < Greek “mono”=sole + “polein”=to sell.
month: Unit of time approximately one cycle of the moon’s phases – about 30 days. From Old English “monath”=month. c.f. OE “mona”=moon.
moob: Man breasts; fatty chest that look like women’s breasts. Portmanteau of “man” and “boob.” Literally a “man boob.”
moon: A natural satellite of any planet. Old English “mona” < Proto-Indo-European “*menses”=month.
moose: Large deer-like animal with large antlers, found in N. America and N. Europe. From Algonquian “moos”=he strips off.
moot: Open for debate; having no answer. Old English “mot”=meeting, assembly. Usage tip: “a moot point” NOT “a mute point.”
morbific: Causing disease. Middle French “morbifique” < Latin “morbificus” < “morbus”=disease + “-ficus”=making/doing.
mormo: Female monster that bites children. Greek “mormo” < “mirmico-”=related to ants.
morning: Part of day from dawn to midday. Contraction of Old English “morgen” + suffix “ing” following pattern of “evening.”
morosoph: A wise fool, a jester. Middle French “morosophe”=wise fool < Greek “morosophos”=foolishly wise < “moros”=foolish + “sophos”=wise.
mosquito: Small bloodsucking flying insect. Spanish “mosquito” < Latin “musca” = a fly.
mossad: Israeli government’s foreign intelligence agency, created1951. From Modern Hebrew “mosad”=institution < Biblical Hebrew “foundation”
mother: Female parent of a human being. From Old English “modar”=mother, parallel to Latin “mater,” Ancient Greek “miter,” Sanskrit “matr.”
mourn: To be sad after a death; to grieve at a death. From Old English “mornon”=to be sorrowful or troubled.
mouse: Small rodent with a pointed nose, long tail and found in houses or fields. From Old english “mus”=small rodent or muscle.
mousse: Dessert made from cream, eggs, and fruit or chocolate. From Old French “mousse”=froth < Latin “mulsus”=mixed with honey.
mozzarella: White, mild Italian made by spinning and cutting buffalo milk. From Italian “mozzare”=to cut off + “-ella”=little
mucus: Slimy substance secreted in the nose to protect airway. From Latin “mucus”=slime; similar to Greek “muksa”=mucus (Gk. “muctis”=nose)
muesli: Mixture of cereals (oats, fruit, nuts, etc.) eaten with milk at breakfast. German “mus”=stew, stewed fruit + “li”=diminutive
muktuk: The skin and outer blubber of a whale, used as food by the Inuit. Inuit “maktak”=whaleskin with blubber attached.
mulch: To spread rotted plant material on land to insulate the soil. Low German “mullsch”=soft, rotten.
mulct: To punish someone by issuing a fine; to tax. Anglo-Norman “multer” < Latin “mulctare”=to issue a penalty < “multa”=a fine.
mumbo-jumbo: Meaningless ritual or speech. From Mandinka “maamajomboo”=masked dancer < a god/spirit worshiped by some West African peoples.
mundle: Stick or wooden utensil used for stirring. Old Icelandic “möndull”=handle < “mund”=hand.
murder: Collection of crows, by association of crows with violent death. From Anglo-Saxon “morthor” or “morthur”=the act of killing.
murklins: In the dark. Old Saxon adjective “mirki”=dark, without light + “-lings”=Old English suffix to make adverbs from adjectives.
murmell: To complain of, lament over, or bemoan. Old French “mormeler”=to murmer < Latin “murmurare”=to make a low continuous sound.
murmuration: A continuous muttering of low, quiet sounds. Middle French “murmurer” < Latin “murmuration” < “murmurare”=to mumble, mutter.
mussitate: To mutter, mumble. Latin “mussare”=to mutter + “-itate”=suffix used to intensify a word i.e. to mutter a lot!
muster: A collection or assembly, usually troops. Old French “moustrer” < Latin “monstrare”=to show.
mute: Without speech; to make quiet. Old French “muet” < Latin “mutus”=lacking the power of speech.
mutiny: To rebel against authority, especially in the army or navy. French “mutin”=mutineer < based on Latin “movere”=to move.
mutton: Flesh of old sheep used as food. Old French “mouton’ < Latin “multo”=sheep, ram. Probably Celtic origin c.f. Old Irish “molt”=ram.
myriad: Countless number of things. Latin “myriades”=multiples of ten thousand < Greek “murios”=countless < “muroi”=ten thousand.
myrmidon: Loyal follower. Original Myrmidons were Achilles’ bodyguards. In myth they were ants turned into men. From “mymex”=ant.
myrrh: Scented resin from trees in the Near East. Old English “murra” < Latin “myrhha” < Greek “murra” < Arabic “murr”=bitter.
myth: Traditional fictional story, usually with supernatural beings. Latin “mythus” < Greek “mythos”=speech, fiction, or narrative.
