Word origins

• monothalamousWhose spikelets are all similar.
• mormoA bugbear or invented monster.
• morosisidiocy; fatuity; stupidity
• -morphshape, form, structure
• -morphichaving a specific shape or form
• morpho-shape, form, or morphology.
• morphoticConnected with, or becoming an integral part of, a living unit or of the morphological framework.
• -morphyShaped or formed.
• motor causeSynonym of efficient cause
• MouseionAn ancient institution said to have been founded by Ptolemy I Soter (c. 369–282 BCE) as a place for music, poetry and philosophy, including the Library of Alexandria.
• muographyAn imaging technique that makes use of muons.
• muronSynonym of chrism.
• my-Relating to muscle
• MycaleA mountain on the west coast of central Anatolia in Turkey.
• -myceteUsed to form words used for categorising fungi based on their evolutionary origin, life history, growth form, or ecological preferences.
• mycetefungus
• mycetismPoisoning caused by mushrooms.
• -mycinUsed to form names of antibiotics produced by Streptomyces strains.
• mycomelic acidA complex nitrogenous acid of the alloxan group, obtained as a honey-yellow powder and forming gelatinous solutions.
• mycterismA subtle or scornful jibe.
• mydaleineA ptomaine obtained from putrid flesh and herring brines.
• mydatoxinA poisonous amido acid, C₆H₁₃NO₂, originally obtained from decaying horseflesh and similar in action to curare.
• mydausThe teledu.
• myelo-Bone marrow.
• myelonThe spinal cord.
• myiasisThe infestation of a living vertebrate by maggots.
• mylodonAny of the extinct genus †Mylodon of giant ground sloths of Patagonia.
• myloniteAny rock that has undergone modifications due to dynamic recrystallization following plastic flow; a schist created by crushed or ground rock.
• myo-Muscle.
• myomancyDivination by interpreting rats or mice. Their cries were believed to indicate the presence of evil.
• myophanmyoneme
• myopsisThe appearance of muscae volitantes.
• myriarchThe commander of a Mongolian tomen.
• myrioramaA picture made up of several smaller pictures, drawn upon separate cards so that they can be combined in many different ways, thus producing a great variety of scenes or landscapes.
• myriotrochidAny holothurian of the family Myriotrochidae
• myrmeco-ant
• myronicfragrant, perfumed
• myso-dirt, filth
• mystacalOf or pertaining to the upper lip, or moustache.
• mystagogicOf or relating to mystagogy.
• mysteriosophyDoctrine and knowledge pertaining to secrets and mystery
• mytacismA speech disorder manifesting as an abnormal repetition of the sound /m/ or replacement of consonants with m-like sounds.
• mytho-myth
• mythologemA basic core element, motif or theme of a myth.
• mythoplasmthe subject of a myth; the material covered in a given myth.
• mythopoeiaCreation of any myth.
• mythopoeistA mythmaker.
• mythopoesisCreation of myth.
• myxo-mucus.
• myxopodA rhizopod or moneran.
• myxovirusAny of a group of RNA viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae and Paramyxoviridae families.
• myzopodidAny member of the family Myzopodidae of bats; Madagascar sucker-footed bat.
• nannandriumA small male filament in certain green algae.
• nanomeliaAn extreme form of micromelia.
• nanophanerophyteAny phanerophyte between about 10 and 80 inches in height
• naologyThe study of ecclesiastical or sacred buildings.
• narco-Pertaining to stupor, sleep, or a state of unconsciousness.
• NarsesA male given name of historical usage.
• -nastPressed, closed.
• -nastyrelating to a nastic change
• NaucratisA city in Ancient Egypt, the only permanent Greek colony there.
• nauropometerAn instrument for measuring a ship's heeling or inclination at sea.
• nauscopyThe supposed ability to detect incoming ships, before they come into visual range, by studying certain atmospheric effects.
• -nautForms nouns meaning voyager or traveller
• nautiformShaped like the hull of a ship.
• NeæraA woman of great pulchritude.
• neanicRelating to youth or the early stages.
• nebulatedClouded with indistinct colour markings.
• necro-Death or dead tissue.
• necronymThe name of a person who has died.
• necrophageAn animal that eats dead and decaying flesh.
• necto-swimming, nektonic
• nectopodA limb adapted for swimming in certain molluscs.
• neleidAny member of the Neleidae, the descendants of Neleus.
• -nemaCharacteristic of, pertaining to, or possessing a filiform structure.
• nemaliteA variety of brucite, occurring in slender fibers which are elastic and easily separated, having a color of white with a shade of yellow and a highly silky luster.
• nemat-Characteristic of, pertaining to, or possessing a filiform structure.
• nematheciumA kind of fructification on certain red algae, consisting of an external mass of filaments that separate into tetraspores.
• NemertesOne of the nereids.
• nenikikamenWe have won (the cry of Pheidippides after reaching Athens from Marathon).
• neo-contemporary
• neochlorophyllA former name for chlorophyll a.
• NeodamodeA helot who was freed from the Spartan army after serving as a hoplite.
• neogaeanOf or relating to the New World, or Western Hemisphere.
• neokorosThe guardian of a temple in Ancient Greece
• neologistOne who coins a new word or new words.
• neonismA word or phrase which has recently been coined; a new word or phrase, a neologism.
• neoterismAn innovation or novelty
• neoteristA neologist (someone who introduces new words)
• neoterizeTo neologize, to coin as a new word.
• nephalismThe practice of abstaining completely from the drinking of alcohol; teetotalism
• nephalistOne who practises nephalism; a teetotaller
• NepheleA cloud nymph who figured prominently in the story of Phrixus and Helle.
• nepheligenousProducing clouds of smoke.
• nepheliteSynonym of nepheline.
• nephelococcygiaThe act of seeking and finding shapes in clouds.
• nephelometryThe measurement of the concentration of a solution, suspension or dispersion based upon its light-scattering properties.
• nepheloscopeAn instrument for demonstrating cloud formation by compression of moist air.
• nepho-cloud
• nephricRelating to or connected with a kidney.