American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2

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Author: Noah Webster

M

M is the thirteenth letter of the English Alphabet, and a labial articulation, formed by a compression of the lips. It is called a semi-vowel, as the articulation or compression of the lips is accompanied with a humming sound through the nose, which constitutes a difference between this letter and b. Its sound is uniform; as in man, time, rim.

M is a numeral letter, and among the ancients stood for a thousand; a use which is retained by the moderns. With a dash or stroke over it, it stands for a thousand times a thousand, or a million.

As an abbreviation, M stands for Marcus, Martius, Manlius or Mutius.

A.M. or M.A. stands for artium magister, master of arts; M.D. for medicinoe doctor, doctor of medicine; A.M. for anno mundi, the year of the world; MS, for manuscript; MSS, for manuscripts.

In astronomical tables, M stands for meridian, meridional, or mid-day.

In medical prescriptions, M stands for maniple, or handful, or misce, mix, or mixtura, a mixture.

In the late British Pharmacopaeias it signifies mensura, by measure.

In law, M is a brand or stigma impressed on one convicted of manslaughter, and admitted to the benefit of clergy.

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Chicago: Noah Webster Jr., "M," American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2 in An American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2 (New York: S. Converse, 1828), Original Sources, accessed May 8, 2024, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IGVQNAUZJTC9EJU.

MLA: Webster, Noah, Jr. "M." American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2, in An American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2, New York, S. Converse, 1828, Original Sources. 8 May. 2024. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IGVQNAUZJTC9EJU.

Harvard: Webster, N, 'M' in American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2. cited in 1828, An American Dictionary of the English Language, Vol. 2, S. Converse, New York. Original Sources, retrieved 8 May 2024, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=IGVQNAUZJTC9EJU.