Pages 178-237 - Project Read

2004 Scripps National Spelling Bee Consolidated Word List: Words Appearing Frequently
meteoroidal
adj
/ TmGZGESrOidFl /
Gk + Ecf
of or relating to meteors in orbit
around the Sun.
The many craters on the Moon are
the result of meteoroidal
bombardment.
methodical
meticulosity
n
/ mDTtikyESlBsEZG /
L + Ecf
the quality or state of being
extremely painstaking in the
consideration or treatment of
details.
The gallery visitor marveled at the
artist’s meticulosity in depicting
details so realistically.
metonymy
n
/ mDStBnEmG /
Gk
a figure of speech that consists in
using the name of one thing for that
of something else with which it is
associated (as in “spent the evening
reading Shakespeare”).
The metonymy “threads” for
clothes has recently come back into
popular slang.
metoposcopy
n
/ TmeZESpBskEpG /
Gk
the art of reading character or
telling fortunes from the markings
of the forehead.
Gerald has a high, bumpy forehead
that would provide a truly
interesting study in metoposcopy.
metronome
n
/ SmetrETnPm /
Gk
an instrument that emits an audible
repetitive tap regulated to mark
rhythm (as for music or marching).
Martina used a metronome to
hypnotize her cat.
mettwurst
meuniere
meuse
mezzanine
n
/ SmezFnTGn /
L > It > F
the lowest balcony in a theater.
Melinda says that she enjoys the
view from the mezzanine better
than the view from the orchestra.
miasma
n
/ mISazmE /
Gk > L
[Note: Could be confused with
miasm.] a vaporous exhalation (as
of a marshy region or of rotting
matter) formerly believed to
contain a substance causing
disease.
Eloise couldn’t wait to escape from
the miasma that had settled over
the entire swamp.
Micawber
n
/ mDSkObE(r) /
E literary name
[has near homonym: macabre] an
improvident person who lives in
expectation of an upturn in his
fortunes.
Jenny was careful not to live like a
Micawber just because she
expected to receive a fellowship.
microcosm
n
/ SmIkrETkBzEm /
Gk
a miniature universe.
Kate could spend hours watching
the microcosm of her ant farm.
microfiche
n
/ SmIkrPTfGsh /
F
a sheet of film containing several
rows of photographic records on a
reduced scale that are enlarged for
reading or viewing.
Norma examined a microfiche of
old newspaper pages while doing
research at the library.
Page 201 of 349
micrograph
n
/ SmIkrETgraf /
Gk + Gk
a graphic reproduction of the image
of an object formed by a
microscope.
The biology teacher showed the
class a micrograph of a plant cell.
micrurgy
n
/ SmI(T)krErjG /
Gk > ISV
the practice of using minute tools in
a magnified field.
Lorraine’s excellence at micrurgy
helped her greatly with her model
making.
midgetism
n
/ SmijDZTizEm /
E + Ecf
the state of being an unusually
small creature or thing.
In the art of bonsai, midgetism is
highly valued.
midinette
n
/ TmidFnSet /
F
a Parisian shopgirl.
In the novel, Marie was a midinette
who worked as a seamstress during
the 1890s.
midriff
n
/ SmiTdrif /
E
the midregion of the human torso;
especially : its external ventral
aspect.
According to the dress code, any
student coming to school with an
exposed midriff will be sent home.
mien
n
/ SmGn /
L > F > E
[has homonym: mean] the air or
bearing of a person.
Fame and fortune did not alter
Cindy’s humble mien.