More than one of these 7 encyclopedias carries each of the following subjects — but every one of them treats it in a sentence or two and then moves on. They are gathered here so the different accounts can sit side by side.
Mac
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a prefix used extensively in Scotch names; as MacGregor, MacDonald, etc. It corresponds with son in surnames of Teutonic origin, Fitz in those of Romance origin, Ap or Ab in Welsh surnames, and O in Irish. MACABER (ma-kä'bur) DANCE, or DANSE DES MORTS, a name given to a certain class of allegorical representations, illustrative of the universal power of death, dating from the 14th century, and long a favorite subject of painting and poetry, in which persons of all ranks and ages were represented as dancing together with the skeleton form of Death, which led them to the grave.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: or Mc, a Gaelic prefix signifying son. Macaulay is equivalent to son-of-Aulay, or Aulayson, as the name would appear in a Teutonic language. The prefix is borne chiefly by natives of Scotland and Ireland and their descendants. In Scotland it indicates Highland ancestry. In Ireland a popular rhyme runs: By Mac and O you always know True Irishmen, they say: For if they lack both O and Mac, No Irishmen are they.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Macdonald
Aiton's Encyclopedia: Flora, a Scottish supporter of Charles Edward, the young Pretender. After his defeat at the battle of Culloden, April, 1746, every effort was made by the British authorities to effect his capture. He took refuge with the Macdonalds. He was a man of small stature and genteel, attractive appearance. Flora dressed him in women's clothing and passed him off as her maidservant. She succeeded in this way in conveying him to the Isle of Skye. Here he was concealed for a time, and succeeded finally in escaping to France. She was but twenty-four years old at this time. Later she married a clansman, Allen Macdonald. In 1775 she removed with her husband to Fayetteville, North Carolina . Oddly enough, during the Revolutionary War the Macdonalds took the side of King George. Allen became a brigadier-general under Cornwallis. Their five sons held office. At the conclusion of the war the family found it advisable to return to Scotland. During her lifetime, Flora kept as one of her choicest household treasures a linen sheet on which Prince Charlie had slept. On her deathbed she directed that it should be used as her winding-sheet.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: FLORA, aged the Bush Street Theater in Francisco, Cal., in 1869. In 1884, both way and he died his mind and body gave , Pa. in an insane asylum in Philadelphia , Nov. 8, 1885.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Macduff
Aiton's Encyclopedia: mak-duff, Earl of Fife, a Scottish hero of the eleventh century. He was the principal agent in overthrowing Macbeth, the usurper; and in restoring Malcolm Canmore, son of Duncan, to the throne of Scotland. He was granted many privileges as a reward for his deed. Among them, a sanctuary or place of refuge was assigned him to which he and his successors might flee in case of committing unpremeditated murder. This sanctuary was a cross erected in the pass of Strathearn. The Cross Macduff, as it was called, stood for five hundred years, and the pedestal still remains. Shakespeare has introduced Macduff into his play of Macbeth. He is represented as of a rather mild disposition, but, aroused almost to madness by the slaughter of his wife and children, he meets Macbeth, fights with him, and kills him.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a Scotch hero, thane, or Earl of Fife; commemorated in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth."
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Mace
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a spice, the dried aril or covering of the seed of the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), this covering being a fleshy netlike envelope somewhat resembling the husk of a filbert. When fresh it is of a beautiful crimson hue. It is extremely fragrant and aromatic, and is chiefly used in cooking or in pickles.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Nutmeg
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Maclaren
Aiton's Encyclopedia: Ian. See Watson ; Dr. John
Collier's New Encyclopedia: IAN. See WATSON, JOHN.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Magic Square
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a series of consecutive numbers from one upward written in a square table so constructed that the sum of any row crosswise or up and down shall be the same as that of any other column. The numbers one to nine and one to sixteen may be written in magic squares whose constant sum is fifteen and thirty-four, respectively: The difficulty of arrangement is increased by shifting the columns until the sums of the diagonal rows also come within rules. The numbers 1 to 25; 1 to 36; 1 to 49; 1 to 64, etc., may all be arranged in magic squares. The numbers 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 16, 22, 24, 25, 27, 33, 35, 36, 38, 44, and 46 may be arranged in four-square columns whose constant sum is 98. The Arabians, to whose invention we owe advance in algebra and arithmetic, constructed these squares and appear to have worn them superstitiously as amulets or writings of magic power to ward off evil influences.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a square figure formed by a series of numbers in mathematical proportion, so disposed in parallel and equal rows that the sum of the numbers in each row or line, taken perpendicularly, horizontally, or diagonally, are equal.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Magpie
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a noisy, chattering bird of the crow family, closely allied to the jay. The common magpie of Europe, found also in Asia and America, is lustrous black, with green, purple, and violet sheen. The upper part of the breast and a portion of each wing is white. The adult is from fifteen to twenty inches in total length, of which a good half must be allowed to a diamond or trowel-shaped tail. The magpie is full of mimicry and audacity. It builds a bulky nest, usually in shrubbery, and is noted for the theft of numerous small articles to which it takes a fancy, giving rise in English households to serious inconvenience. Servants have not infrequently been accused of stealing tableware and jewelry which had in reality been purloined by some thievish old magpie. See Jay ; Jackdaw; Crow
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a well-known bird of the family Corvidæ. It is the Corvus pica of Linnæus, Pica caudata, melanoleuca, or rustica of later ornithologists. It is an extremely beautiful bird, the pure white of its scapulars and inner web of the flight feathers contrasting vividly with the deep glossy black of the body and wings, while the long tail is lustrous with green, bronze, and purple reflections.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia