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.
Melodrama
Aiton's Encyclopedia: properly, a form of drama in which speech and song, or instrumental music, alternate. As commonly used, a melodrama is a sensational play full of unnatural situations and exaggerated sentiment. The music is of minor importance, often accompanying only the more pathetic passages. In opera, the term melodrama is sometimes used to designate such parts as are spoken instead of sung by the actors, but to a musical accompaniment. See Drama ; Comedy ; Tragedy
Collier's New Encyclopedia: originally a dramatic piece in which the interest was heightened by the character of the vocal or instrumental music accompanying certain situations. The melodrama is of French invention; the subjects are generally of a romantic character, illustrated with picturesque costumes and scenery, and having serious and sensational incidents.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Melpomene
Aiton's Encyclopedia: mel-pom'e-ne, in Greek mythology, one of the nine muses. Tragedy was her special province. She was represented in art with a mask in her hand. An antique statue of Melpomene is in the Louvre at Paris. Though it is thirteen feet high it is carved from a single block of marble. The figure is fully draped, and the left hand holds a bearded, open-mouthed mask. See Muses
Collier's New Encyclopedia: one of the nine muses who presided over tragedy. She is represented as having the form and face of a woman still young, with a commanding mien, and richly dressed. On her feet are the cothurnus; in one hand she holds a poniard and in the other a tragic mask.
1000 Classical Characters: One of the Muses, daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne . She presided over tragedy. She is generally represented as a young woman wearing a buskin and holding a dagger in her hand.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Melting Point
The Encyclopedia of Founding: The exact amount of heat at which metals and other substances become fused and lose their identity. (See FUSIBILITY.) The following gives the melting-points of the simple metals mentioned, but the melting-points of alloys are invariably below those of the simple metals composing them. (See FUSIBLE ALLOYS.) Cast iron melts at 3477 degrees; wrought iron, 3981; steel, 2501; gold, 2587; silver, 1250; copper, 2550; tin, 420; zinc, 741; brass, 1897; lead, 617; aluminum, and 700 degrees.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: that point of the thermometer at which a substance becomes fused. a town of
Covered by The Encyclopedia of Founding and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Menander
Collier's New Encyclopedia: one of the most celebrated of the Greek comic poets; born in Athens in 342 b. c. He composed 108 comedies; but there are only a few fragments remaining of them. Menander was the disciple of Theophrastus, and, like him, excelled in the delineation of character. He was also the friend of Epicurus, whose philosophy he adopted. He is said to have drowned himself 291 B. C. on account of the success of his rival Philemon.
1000 Classical Characters: A celebrated comic poet of Athens , educated under Theophrastus . He was universally esteemed by the Greeks. He wrote 108 comedies, of which only a few fragments remain. 2026 Editor's Note: While the text notes that only fragments of his 108 comedies remain, a nearly complete version of the play Dyskolos was rediscovered in the 20th century. This recovery from the Bodmer Papyri allowed for the first modern performance of a Menander work in its original Greek. Before these papyrus finds in Egypt, his influence was primarily known through Latin adaptations by playwrights like Terence and Plautus. (Ed: BR 2026-06-20)
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Mentor
Aiton's Encyclopedia: in Greek legend, the son of Alcimus and a faithful friend of Ulysses. He is mentioned frequently in the Odyssey. When Ulysses went to the Trojan war his domestic affairs were left in the care of Mentor. He took charge of the education of Telemachus, Ulysses' son. When Telemachus started in search of his father, Minerva assumed the form of Mentor and accompanied him, acting as counselor in times of difficulty or danger. The French writer, Fenelon, in The Adventures of Telemachus, develops the character of Mentor to such an extent that the word has come to be used metaphorically to designate a faithful monitor who is ever at hand to warn or advise.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: 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.
1000 Classical Characters: A faithful friend of Ulysses , the guide and instructor of his son Telemachus . The term Mentor has become proverbial as applied to anyone who is an educator of youth.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Merino
Aiton's Encyclopedia: me-re'no, an important breed of sheep. It is supposed to have originated in Asia Minor , but it reached its highest development and received its name in Spain. The ram in particular has strong limbs, spiral, drooping horns, and a wrinkled neck. The merino fleece is long, soft, and twisted. The fibre is noted for its silky fineness. Merinos have been distributed all over the world. They now constitute a large part of the flocks of Australia, and have been introduced widely into the United States . The heavy fleece, docility, and ability to thrive on coarse food and to withstand cold weather have made the merino a favorite on the ranges. See Sheep
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a Spanish breed of the domestic sheep. It is extremely important commercially, on account of the excellence of its wool, which is closeset, soft, spirally twisted, and short. A fine French woolen material is made from the wool of the merino sheep.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Merops
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the typical genus of the family Meropidæ. The bill moderate or long, arched, acuminate, margins entire; tongue narrow, horny at apex; tarsi short; tibiæ denuded above the heel; wings long, tail with two middle feathers elongate. Twenty-one species are known. M. apiaster is common in the S. of Europe and in Africa. The back is redbrown, the throat yellow with a black margin, breast and belly greenish-blue. It feeds on insects, especially wasps and bees, which it captures on the wing, like swallows.
1000 Classical Characters: A king of the island of Cos, who married Clymene, one of the Oceanides. He was changed into an eagle, and placed among the constellations.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters