Home › M › Melting Point – Mesa

Melting Point – Mesa

Melting Point

that point of the thermometer at which a substance becomes fused.

Mensuration

that branch of applied geometry which gives the rules for finding the lengths of lines, the areas of surfaces, and the volumes of solids. In medicine the term denotes a means for exploring the state of the thoracic and other cavities.

MENTAL DEFECTIVES. See IN- SANITY.

Mentor

in Greek legend, the faithful friend of Ulysses, who intrusted to him the care of his domestic affairs during his absence in the war against Troy. The education of the young Telemachus fell to his charge, and the wise and prudent counsel which he gave the youth has given to his name its metaphorical significance.

Mercantile Law

that department of law which pertains to or is characteristic of commercial transactions. See LAW.

Mercator

GERARD (mer-kä'tor), a Flemish mathematician and geographer; born in Rupelmonde, Belgium, Mar. MERCIA 5, 1512. He is distinguished especially for the method of laying down charts and maps which goes by his name. He died in Duisburg, Prussia, Dec. 2, 1594.

Mercedes

a town in Argentina, 36 miles from Buenos Ayres. Situated in the midst of a great sheep-raising section; it is a flourishing town of the province of Buenos Ayres. Pop. about 50,000.

Mercedes

capital of department of Soriano, Uruguay, on Rio Negro, 150 miles N. W. of Montevideo. Is a great resort for visitors and invalids. Has large trade in wool and cattle products.

Pop. about 16,000.

Merovingians

or MERWINGS, the 1st dynasty of Frankish kings in Gaul. The name is derived from Merwig or Merovech, king of the Western or Salian Franks from 448 to 457. His grandson Clovis established the fortunes of the dynasty which gave way to the Carlovingians in 752.

Merrill

County-seat of Lincoln co., Wis., 18 miles N. W. of Wausau, on Wisconsin and Prairie rivers, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad. Has handsome public buildings and parks.

Center of region rich in timber. Has large sash and shoe factories. Pop. (1910) 8,689; (1920) 8,068.

Merseburg

a town of Prussia on the Saale. Henry the Fowler in 934 gained his great victory over the Hungarians near Merseburg, which suffered much in the Peasants' War and in the Thirty Years' War. Pop. about 23,000.

Meru

in Hindu mythology, a fabulous mountain in the center of the world, 80,000 leagues high. It is the most sacred of all mythical mountains, and the abode of Vishnu.

Mesa

a high plane or table-land; more especially a table-land of small extent rising abruptly from a surrounding plain; a term frequently used in that part of the United States bordering on Mexico.