15,000 words and phrases from more than 50 languages and their

M
mabap [Hind], lit., mother-father; parents; fig., benefactor; as, sahib
mabap hai, "the sahib is my father and my mother" (i.e., my benefactor,
standing as it were in loco parentis): India.
maboule [Fr], a fool: Fr. mil. slang.
macabre [Fr], grimly or grotesquely suggestive of death; gruesome;
now naturalized in English, but in French used only in the phrase
danse macabre, dance of death.
macédoine [Fr], a dish of mixed fruit or vegetables; fig., medley;
hodgepodge.
ma chère [Fr; fern.], my dear. Cf. MON CHER.
machete [Sp], a heavy swordlike knife used in Spanish America.
machhli [Hind; pr. much'lï], fish: India.
Macht ist Recht [Ger], might is right.
macte! [L], well done! bravo! good luck attend thee! —macte animo!,
lit., be increased in courage; courage! —macte virtu te!, lit., be
increased in virtue; go on and prosper!
madame [Fr; pi. mesdames], lit., my lady; married woman; a title or
form of address equivalent to madam or Mrs.: abbr. Mme., pi. Mmes.
Mädchen [Ger; sing. & pi.], maiden; maid; girl.
madeleine [Fr], a rich cake made of flour, sugar, eggs, brandy, and
grated lemon peel: cookery.
mademoiselle [Fr; pi. mesdemoiselles], unmarried woman; a title or
form of address equivalent to Miss: abbr. Mlle., pi. Mlles.
madère [Fr], Madeira wine; Madeira.
madrasa [Ar], Muslim school or college.
madre [It & Sp], mother.
maestosamente [It], majestically; with dignity: music.
maestoso [It], majestical; grandiose (abbr. maes.): music.
maestro [It; pi. maestri], lit., master; eminent musical composer, teacher,
or conductor.
Mafia [It], secret terrorist and crime organization especially in Sicily
and the U.S.
mafioso [It], member of the Mafia.
ma foi! [Fr], my faith! upon my word! indeed!
magasin [Fr], store; shop; warehouse. —grand magasin, department
store.
maggiore fretta, minore atto [It], more haste, less speed.
magister [L], master. —Magister Artium, Master of Arts. —magister
ceremoniarum, master of ceremonies. —magister dixit, the master
has said so. —magister ludi, master of the games (in honor of the
gods).
197