| mercurous |
of, pertaining to, or containing mercury with a chemical valence of one. |
| mercury |
a chemical element that has eighty protons in each nucleus and that occurs as a dense silvery liquid at room temperature, used in thermometers, electrical devices, and reflecting surfaces, and as a catalyst; quicksilver. (symbol: Hg). [5 definitions] |
| mercury-vapor lamp |
a lamp in which light is produced by an electric discharge through vaporized mercury. |
| mercy |
compassionate or lenient treatment of someone over whom one has some power, as through the administration of justice. [4 definitions] |
| mercy killing |
see "euthanasia." |
| -mere |
segment; part. |
| mere |
being neither more nor better than what is specified. |
| merely |
only; simply; nothing more than. |
| merengue |
a fast ballroom dance that originated in the Dominican Republic and in which each partner characteristically holds one leg stiff while dancing. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. [2 definitions] |
| merganser |
any of various large diving ducks that have a narrow bill with a hooked tip and serrated edges, and usu. a crest on the head. |
| merge |
to combine or unite. [5 definitions] |
| merger |
the consolidation of two or more businesses into one, or the legal transfer of the assets of one corporation to another. |
| meridian |
a great circle circumscribing the earth and passing through both poles, or either half of such a circle from one pole to the other. [7 definitions] |
| meringue |
egg whites beaten stiff with sugar and sometimes flavoring, used to form a pastry shell or as a topping on other baked foods. |
| merino |
a breed of sheep originating in Spain. [2 definitions] |
| merit |
worth or high quality. [5 definitions] |
| meritless |
combined form of merit. |
| meritocracy |
a system in which people attain power, influence, and wealth because of their intellectual abilities rather than because of their class status or family lineage. |
| meritorious |
having merit; worthy of praise or reward. |
| merit system |
a system in which people are hired or promoted to civil service positions on the basis of the results of competitive examinations. |