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.
Merrimac
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a river rising among the White Mountains of New Hampshire, flowing S. into Massachusetts, and falling into the Atlantic Ocean near Newburyport, after a course of 150 miles; it has numerous falls, affording immense water power, and is navigable to Haverhill. The principal manufacturing towns on its banks are Manchester, Nashua, and Concord in New Hampshire, and . Lowell and Lawrence in Massachusetts
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Monitor
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Mersey
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a river of England, rising on the borders of the counties of Chester, Derby, and York, and after a S. W. course of 60 miles, in which it receives the waters of the Goyt, Irwell, Bollin, Weaver, and other tributaries, it empties into the Irish Sea, by a large estuary at Liverpool. It is navigable as far as Manchester, 31 miles.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Liverpool
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Metempsychosis
Collier's New Encyclopedia: transmigration; the passage of the soul from one body to another.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Transmigration Of Souls
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Metis
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the first wife of Jupiter, whom he was said to have devoured, after which Minerva was formed within his head. METONIC (-ton'-) CYCLE, the cycle of the moon, a period of 19 solar years, after which the new and full moon fall on the same days of the year as they did 19 years before. This cycle was the invention of Meton, a celebrated Athenian philosopher, who flourished about 432 B. C. The Metonic cycle contained 235 lunar months, or 6,940 days.
1000 Classical Characters: The personification of prudence, described as a daughter of Oceanus and Tethys, and the first wife of Zeus ( Jupiter ). Afraid lest she should give birth to a child wiser * and IOOO CLASSICAL CHARACTERS more powerful than himself, Zeus deceived her when she was pregnant, and swallowed her, and, after a time, the goddess Minerva sprang from his head.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Middle Ages
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a term rather indefinitely used with reference to different nations. Hallam applies it to the period from the invasion of France by Clovis, A. D. 486, to the invasion of Naples by Charles VIII., in 1495. In England it may be considered as representing the interval between the Saxon invasion, A. D. 449, and the accession of Henry VII., 1485. Generally it may be considered as the period of time connecting what are called the ancient and modern periods of history, and extending from the decline of the Roman empire till the revival of letters in Europe. The epithet of the Dark Ages was frequently applied to the earlier portion of the period.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a somewhat old-fashioned term applied to the period of history extending from the "fall" of the Roman Empire to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453. It embraces from ten to eleven centuries. The early period is known also as the Dark Ages , the last part as the Renaissance. Important topics of the period are Islam, Feudalism and Chivalry, the Papacy, Monasticism, the Crusades, the Turks, Free Cities , etc. Recent writers distribute medieval history. They divide the world's history into ancient and modern. Ancient history is held to close with the death of Charlemagne.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Mignonette
Aiton's Encyclopedia: min-yun-et', a genus of half a hundred fragrant plants, chiefly herbs of the Mediterranean region. Florists have made a more showy flower out of the common garden plant, but at the expense of fragrance. It is claimed that mignonette grown in neglected, gravelly, waste places has a more delicate fragrance than a hothouse plant. The name is French for "little darling." See Perfume
Collier's New Encyclopedia: Reseda odorata, a well-known and highly fragrant flower, indigenous in northern and northeastern Africa. There is an Egyptian variety called tree mignonette.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Mildew
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a morbid appearance produced on plants by the ravages of parasitical fungi or other cause, or the parasitical fungus itself which produces the morbid appearance. Such fungi are always minute, and sometimes microscopic. Some attack plants internally, and then force their way to the surface. Other mildews are produced by fungi which grow on the surface of plants, as on cababbages, roses, and hops. These fungi, growing on the surface of leaves, fruits, etc., do not establish themselves till the plant on which they grow has become unhealthy from other causes.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Fungi
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Miletus
Collier's New Encyclopedia: in ancient geography, a city of Asia Minor on the confines of Caria, south of the mouth of the river Meander. Under the Ionians it became great in commerce, with 75 colonies. The Lydian Empire attempted its conquest, and it was forced to acknowledge the rule of Cresus and pay tribute. Persian domination caused a revolt 500 B. C. The city was captured 494 B. C. and the population massacred, or transported. For a time Miletus was under the Athenians, then cast off the yoke. It withstood Alexander the Great 354 B. C., and though prospering under the Romans, never recovered from the Persian subjugation. St. Paul visited the city A. D. 56. It finally became a Turkish possession.
1000 Classical Characters: One of the greatest cities of Asia Minor, belonged territorially to Caria and politically to Ionia , being the southmost of the twelve cities of the Ionian confederacy. 2026 Editor's Note: Miletus was the southernmost of the twelve cities that formed the Ionian League, which shared a sanctuary and festival at Panionion. Beyond its territorial and political role, the city became a major center of intellectual innovation. Miletus served as the home of the Milesian school with thinkers such as Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, laying the foundation for early Greek philosophy and scientific inquiry. (Ed: BR 2026-06-24)
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Millimeter
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a French lineal meas. ure equal to the thousandth part of a meter, or .03937 of an English inch. MILLING. See FLOUR MILL. an
American Watchmaker and Jeweler: A lineal measure based on the thousandth part of a meter, or about one-twenty-fifth of an inch. It is used principally by French watchmakers.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and American Watchmaker and Jeweler
Milo
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a variety of durra grown in dry and semi-arid regions for forage. Like the other durras and the kafirs, milo is an African sorghum. The Colorado Agricultural College reports that 100 pounds of milo seed is equivalent to 90 pounds of corn for fattening steers. When cut in the bloom the plant makes excellent forage, especially if fed with alfalfa, linseed, or cottonseed meal. It is said that 25,000,000 acres in Colorado alone are adapted to the growth of milo. See Kafir 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22)
1000 Classical Characters: A celebrated athlete of Crotona in Italy. He is said to have carried on his shoulders a bullock for a considerable distance, and to have killed it with a blow from his fist, and eaten it in one day. In his old age he attempted to pull up a tree by the roots, which, when half-cleft, re-united, and, his hands remaining imprisoned in the tree, he was eaten by wild beasts, about 500 years before the Christian era.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters