📖 M — The English dictionary · page 23

memorise — Everyday, meaning 1: To memorise something is to learn it so well that you can remember it exactly without looking.↗ Example: I memorised my seven times table.↗ · We have to memorise a poem for the assembly.↗ · She memorised her lines for the school play.↗ · Try to memorise your home phone number.↗ · He memorised the way to the park.↗ · Children memorise the Lord's Prayer in Sunday school.↗

memory — Everyday, meaning 1: Memory is the ability of your brain to keep and remember things.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A memory is something you remember from the past.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: A computer's memory is the part where it stores information.↗ Example: I have a good memory for faces.↗ · One of my best memories is our trip to the beach.↗ · Say the poem from memory.↗ · The phone's memory is full.↗ · Sleep helps your memory work better.↗ · The bench was put there in memory of our old teacher.↗ · My earliest memory is of my baby sister.↗ · Elephants are said to have great memories.↗ · The memory of a good deed lives.↗ · I thought I would make an end of them, I would make their memory cease from among men; (Torah DEU.32.26, JPS 1917)↗ · TO THE MEMORY OF MY SISTER (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))↗ · The memory of the righteous shall be for a blessing; but the name of the wicked shall rot.↗ (Writings PRO.10.7, JPS 1917)↗ · Let them be before the LORD continually, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth.↗ (Writings PSA.109.15, JPS 1917)↗ · The dead live not, the shades rise not; to that end hast Thou punished and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.↗ (Prophets ISA.26.14, JPS 1917)↗

men — Everyday, meaning 1: Plural of «man»: adult male people.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: People in general, in old-fashioned writing: «all men are created equal» (now many people prefer «people» or «everyone»).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Soldiers or workers under a leader: «the captain and his men».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: Pieces in some board games: «chessmen», «the men in draughts».↗ Example: Two men were fixing the road outside school.↗ · The men's race starts at ten o'clock.↗ · The captain led his men across the river.↗ · «All men are created equal» is a famous line from 1776.↗ · My dad plays in a men's football team on Sundays.↗ · In draughts, each player starts with twelve men.↗ · Men and women can both be nurses, pilots and engineers.↗ · If 2 men can build a wall in 6 days, 4 men might do it in 3 days.↗

menace — Everyday, meaning 1: A menace is a threat of harm or danger.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A menace is also a person or thing that is dangerous or annoying.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (verb) To menace is to threaten someone with harm.↗ Example: The wolf was a menace to the village.↗ · He spoke with a menace in his voice.↗ · The giant menaced the children with his club.↗

menacing — Everyday, meaning 1: Seeming likely to cause harm; threatening: «a menacing look».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) Threatening or putting someone or something in danger.↗ Example: The dog gave a menacing growl.↗ · Menacing clouds gathered over the hills.↗ · The Mole saw menacing faces in the Wild Wood.↗ · The bully gave him a menacing look.↗ · The weasels came forward with menacing sticks.↗ · A menacing silence fell over the room.↗ · The cleric wrapped himself into himself, and became lean and menacing.↗

menagerie — Everyday, meaning 1: A collection of wild or unusual animals kept to be shown to people, especially in the past (an early kind of zoo).↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (informal) A mixed group of many different animals, or of strange and different people or things.↗ Example: The Tower of London once had a royal menagerie with lions.↗ · Our house is a menagerie: two dogs, a cat, three rabbits and a snake.↗ · The circus travelled with a menagerie of wild animals.↗ · Grandma's garden is a menagerie of birds and squirrels.↗ · The story is about a strange menagerie of creatures in a magic wood.↗ · A menagerie was an early kind of zoo.↗ · The class pets became a little menagerie.↗ · The play had a menagerie of odd characters.↗ · In vain the Giant showed me his menagerie, which was entirely composed of children who would not work!↗

mend — Everyday, meaning 1: To repair something that is broken, torn or not working.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To get better after an illness or injury; to heal.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: To make a situation or friendship better: «mend a friendship».↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (noun) A place where something has been repaired.↗ Example: Grandma mended the hole in my sock.↗ · Dad mended my bike tyre.↗ · My broken arm is mending well.↗ · She's on the mend after the flu.↗ · They said sorry to mend their friendship.↗ · Can you mend this toy?↗ · You can see the mend in the old jumper.↗ · Those who would mend others, should first mend themselves.↗ · And they delivered it into the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD; and the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD gave it to mend and repair the house; (Writings 2CH.34.10, JPS 1917)↗

mendicant — Everyday, meaning 1: A beggar, someone who lives by asking others for food or money.↗ Example: An old mendicant knocked at the door and asked for bread.↗ · The prince dressed as a mendicant.↗ · The mendicant wore torn rags.↗

menial — Everyday, meaning 1: Of work that is dull, low and needs no special skill, such as cleaning and scrubbing; a servant who does such work.↗ Example: She had to do the menial work of the house every day.↗ · Cleaning the grate was a menial task.↗ · The king's menials swept the hall.↗

meningitis — Everyday, meaning 1: Meningitis is a serious illness in which the thin layers around the brain and spinal cord become swollen, usually because of an infection.↗ Example: Meningitis is a very serious illness.↗ · The doctor checked the baby for meningitis.↗ · A stiff neck and a high fever can be signs of meningitis.↗ · Vaccines protect against some kinds of meningitis.↗ · Press a glass on the rash; if it does not fade, get help fast.↗ · He made a full recovery from meningitis.↗

menopause — Everyday, meaning 1: The time in a woman's life, usually in middle age, when her monthly periods stop for good and she can no longer have babies.↗ Example: The menopause is a normal part of growing older for women.↗ · Mum said she is going through the menopause.↗ · During the menopause, some women feel very hot suddenly.↗ · Our health lesson explained puberty and the menopause.↗ · The menopause usually happens in middle age.↗ · It is kind to be patient with people going through big body changes like the menopause.↗

menorah — Everyday, meaning 1: A candle holder with branches, used in the Jewish religion.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: The nine-branched one, lit during the festival of Hanukkah (also called a hanukkiah).↗ Everyday, meaning 3: The seven-branched one, an old symbol of Judaism.↗ Example: The family lit the menorah for Hanukkah.↗ · A Hanukkah menorah has nine branches.↗ · Each night of Hanukkah, one more candle is lit.↗ · The menorah stood in the window.↗ · We learned about the menorah in RE.↗ · The seven-branched menorah is a symbol of Israel.↗

menstruation — Everyday, meaning 1: (science, health) The natural monthly bleeding from the womb (uterus) through the vagina that happens to girls and women, usually from puberty until about age 50; it is also called «having a period».↗ Example: Menstruation is a normal part of puberty.↗ · Our health lesson explained menstruation and the menstrual cycle.↗ · Menstruation usually happens about once a month.↗ · Most people call menstruation «having a period».↗ · Some girls start menstruation at nine, others at fifteen – both are normal.↗ · The school nurse has pads for anyone who needs them.↗ · Menstruation stops during pregnancy.↗ · It's fine to ask a parent or the school nurse questions about menstruation.↗

mental — Everyday, meaning 1: Mental means to do with the mind, like thinking, remembering and feelings.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: Mental maths is working out sums in your head without writing.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: Mental health is how well your mind and feelings are doing.↗ Everyday, meaning 4: (slang, UK, Ireland, Australia) Mental can mean crazy, wild or amazing.↗ e.g. "That ride was mental!"↗ Everyday, meaning 5: (slang, offensive) "Mental" was used as an unkind word for someone with a mental illness; do not use it that way.↗ Example: We did twenty mental maths questions.↗ · Work it out mentally: what is 25 plus 17?↗ · Exercise is good for your mental health.↗ · She made a mental note to buy milk.↗ · I have a clear mental picture of the beach.↗ · That roller coaster was mental!↗ · Dad went mental when the dog ate his sandwich.↗ · Talking about worries helps your mental health.↗ · Laughing is an infallible sign of the highest degree of mental development.↗

mentality — Everyday, meaning 1: The usual way a person or group thinks and feels about things; their attitude: «a winning mentality».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (formal) A person's mind or thinking ability.↗ Example: Our coach says we need a winning mentality.↗ · A growth mentality means believing you can learn hard things.↗ · Mob mentality made the crowd start pushing.↗ · Grandma has a «waste not, want not» mentality.↗ · Her positive mentality helped her finish the race.↗ · The team changed its mentality after the half-time talk.↗ · Copying everyone else is called a herd mentality.↗ · An «us versus them» mentality can lead to bullying.↗

mentally — Everyday, meaning 1: Mentally means in your mind or thoughts, not on paper or with your body: «work it out mentally».↗ Everyday, meaning 2: About the health of the mind: «mentally healthy».↗ Example: Can you add 25 and 37 mentally?↗ · She was mentally tired after the exam.↗ · Athletes prepare mentally before a race.↗ · Count the coins mentally, then check.↗ · Being mentally healthy is as important as being fit.↗ · He mentally noted where he left his bike.↗

menthol — Everyday, meaning 1: Menthol is a substance from mint oil that gives a cool, fresh feeling and smell.↗ Example: Menthol makes my throat feel cool.↗ · Cough sweets often contain menthol.↗ · The chest rub smells strongly of menthol.↗ · Menthol comes from mint plants.↗ · This toothpaste has menthol in it.↗ · Menthol tricks your skin into feeling cold.↗

mention — Everyday, meaning 1: To say or write something about someone or something briefly, without giving lots of details.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A mention is a short reference to someone or something: the book got a mention on the radio.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: "Don't mention it" is a polite reply to "thank you".↗ Example: Did she mention where she was going?↗ · My name was mentioned in assembly!↗ · "Thanks for helping." "↗ Don't mention it."↗ · The story mentions a secret door in chapter 3.↗ · Please mention to your parents that the trip is on Friday.↗ · He got an honourable mention in the art competition.↗ · The house was huge, not to mention the garden.↗ · The question mentions three apples and two pears.↗ · He wished she had not mentioned letters.↗ · Then spoke the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying: 'I make mention of my faults this day: (Torah GEN.41.9, JPS 1917)↗ · And in all things that I have said unto you take ye heed; and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.↗ (Torah EXO.23.13, JPS 1917)↗ · But have me in thy remembrance when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.↗ (Torah GEN.40.14, JPS 1917)↗ · these mentioned by name were princes in their families; and their fathers' houses increased greatly.↗ (Writings 1CH.4.38, JPS 1917)↗ · For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride; (Prophets EZK.16.56, JPS 1917)↗ · No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.↗ (Writings JOB.28.18, JPS 1917)↗

mentor — Everyday, meaning 1: An experienced and trusted person who helps and advises a younger or less experienced person over time.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: (verb) To help and guide someone in this way.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (a name, Greek myth) Mentor was Odysseus's friend, who helped his son Telemachus – this is where the word comes from.↗ Example: My mentor in Year 6 helped me settle into school.↗ · Our coach mentors the younger players.↗ · In many stories, the hero has a wise old mentor.↗ · She became a reading mentor for the infants.↗ · A good mentor listens and gives honest advice.↗ · The new teacher was mentored by an experienced colleague.↗ · In the Odyssey, Mentor gave advice to young Telemachus.↗ · Being a mentor helped him learn too.↗

menu — Everyday, meaning 1: A menu is a list of the food and drinks you can choose in a café or restaurant.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: A menu is the food planned for a meal or a day.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: On a computer or phone, a menu is a list of choices on the screen.↗ Example: Can we see the menu, please?↗ · Fish and chips is on the menu today.↗ · The kids' menu has pizza and pasta.↗ · The school lunch menu changes every week.↗ · Click the menu and choose "Save".↗ · Using the menu, work out the cost of two burgers and a drink.↗ · Go back to the main menu to start the game.↗

meow — Everyday, meaning 1: A meow is the soft crying sound a cat makes.↗ Everyday, meaning 2: To meow is to make this sound.↗ Everyday, meaning 3: (slang) People sometimes say "meow" after someone makes a catty, spiteful remark, as a joke.↗ Example: The kitten meowed until I gave it some milk.↗ · "Meow!" said the cat, rubbing against my legs.↗ · We heard a sad meow from under the shed.↗ · Our cat meows at the door every morning to be let out.↗ · In music class we sang a song with lots of meows in it.↗ · (slang) "Your hair looks like a bird's nest." "↗ Ooh, meow!"↗