A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

mar --- O.E. merran (Anglian), mierran (W.Saxon) "waste, spoil," from P.Gmc. *marzjanan (cf. O.Fris. meria, O.H.G. marren "to hinder, obstruct," Goth. marzjan "to hinder, offend"), considered by some philologists to be from PIE base *mers- "to trouble, confuse" (cf. Skt. mrsyate "forgets, neglects," Lith. mirszati "to forget").

maraca --- gourd rattle used as a percussion instrument, 1824, from Port., from Brazilian native name.

maranatha --- 1382, from Gk. maranatha, untranslated Sem. word in the Bible (I Cor. xvi.22), where it follows Gk. anathema, and therefore has been taken as part of a phrase and used as "a curse." Usually assumed to be from Aramaic maran atha "Our Lord has come," which would make the common usage erroneous (cf. OED entry), but possibly it is a false transliteration of Heb. mohoram atta "you are put under the ban," which would make more sense in the context.

maraschino --- 1791, "cherry liqueur," from It. maraschino, "strong, sweet liqueur made from juice of the marasca," a bitter black cherry, aphetic of amarasca, from amaro "bitter," from L. amarus "sour," from PIE base *om- "raw, bitter." Maraschino cherry, one preserved in real or imitation maraschino, first recorded 1820.

marasmus --- 1656, Mod.L., "wasting away of the body," from Gk. marasmos "a wasting away, withering, decay," from marainein "to quench, weaken, wither," from PIE base *mer- "to rub away, harm" (cf. Skt. mrnati "crushes, bruises").

Maratha --- state in s.w. India, also in ref. to the Scytho-Dravidian race living there, 1763 (Mharatta), from Skt. Maharastra, lit. "great country," from maha- "great" + rastra "kingdom," from raj "to rule."

marathon --- 1896, marathon race, from story of Gk. hero Pheidippides, who ran the 26 miles and 385 yards to Athens from the Plains of Marathon to tell of the allied Greek victory there over Persian army, 490 B.C.E. The original story (Herodotus) is that he ran from Athens to Sparta to seek aid, which arrived too late to participate in the battle. Introduced as an athletic event in the 1896 revival of the Olympic Games, based on a later, less likely story, and quickly extended to mean "any very long event or activity."

maraud --- 1698 (implied in marauder), from Fr. marauder, from M.Fr. maraud "rascal," probably from Fr. dial. maraud "tomcat," echoic of its cry. A word popularized during the Thirty Years War (cf. Sp. merodear, Ger. marodiren "to maraud," marodebruder "straggler, deserter") by punning assoc. with Count Mérode, imperialist general, whose troops were notoriously ill-disciplined.

marble --- c.1200, by dissimilation from O.Fr. marbre, from L. marmor, from or cognate with Gk. marmaros "marble, gleaming stone," of unknown origin, perhaps originally an adj. meaning "sparkling," which would connect it with marmairein "to shine." The L. word was taken directly into O.E. as marma. Meaning "little balls of marble used in a children's game" is attested from 1694; the game of marbles is first recorded by that name in 1709, but is probably older (it was known in 13c. Ger. as tribekugeln) and was originally played with small balls of polished marble or alabaster, later clay; the modern glass ones with the colored swirl date from 1840s. Meaning "mental faculties, common sense" is from 1927, Amer.Eng. slang, perhaps from earlier slang marbles "furniture, personal effects, 'the goods' " (1864), a corrupt translation of Fr. meubles (pl.) "furniture." Marble cake is attested from 1871.

March --- c.1200, from Anglo-Fr. marche, from O.Fr. marz, from L. Martius (mensis) "(month) of Mars," from Mars (gen. Martis). Replaced O.E. hreðmonaþ, of uncertain meaning, perhaps from hræd "quick, nimble, ready, active, alert, prompt." For March hare, proverbial type of madness, see mad.

march (n.) --- (obs.) "boundary," c.1290 (in ref. to the borderlands beside Wales, rendering O.E. Mercia), from O.Fr. marche "boundary, frontier," from Frank. *marka (cf. O.H.G. marchon "to mark out, delimit," Ger. Mark "boundary;" see mark (1)).

march (v.) --- c.1410, from M.Fr. marcher "to march, walk," from O.Fr. marchier "to stride, march," originally "to trample," perhaps from Frank. *markon (from source of obsolete M.E. march (n.) "borderland," (see march (n.)). Or possibly from Gallo-Roman *marcare, from L. marcus "hammer," via notion of "tramping the feet." Noun meaning "act of marching" is from 1590. The musical sense first attested 1572, from notion of "rhythmic drumbeat" for marching. Marching band is attested from 1955.

Märchen --- 1871, "Ger. fairy or folk tale," from Ger., "a story or tale," from M.H.G. merechyn "short verse narrative," from O.H.G. mari "news, tale," from PGmc. *mærjo- "renowned, famous, illustrious" (cf. O.E. mære) + dim. suffix -chen.

Marcia --- fem. proper name, from L. Marcia, fem. of Marcius, a Roman gens, related to Marcus (q.v.).

Marcionite --- 1540, early Christian sect, named for Gnostic Marcion of Sinope (c.140), who denied any connection between the Old Testament and the New. They contrasted the barbaric and incompetent creator in the Old Testament, who favored bandits and terrorists, with the "higher god" of Christ. They also emphasized virginity and rejection of marriage. They flourished, especially in the East, until late 4c.

Marcomanni --- name of a Teutonic tribe, from L. Marcomanni, from P.Gmc., lit. "men of the border," cf. O.H.G. mark, O.E. mearc "border," see march (n.). For second element, see man.

Marcus --- masc. proper name, from L. Marcus, related to Mars, Roman god of war.

Mardi gras --- 1699, from Fr., lit. "fat Tuesday," from mardi "Tuesday" (from L. Martis diem "day of the planet Mars") + gras "fat," from L. crassus, "thick." Day of eating and merrymaking before the fasting season of Lent.

mare (1) --- female horse, O.E. mere (Mercian), myre (W.Saxon), fem. of O.E. mearh "horse," from P.Gmc. *markhjon (cf. O.S. meriha, O.N. merr, O.Fris. merrie, Ger. Mähre "mare"), said to be of Gaulish origin (cf. Ir. and Gael. marc, Welsh march, Bret. marh "horse"). No known cognates beyond Gmc. and Celtic. As the name of a throw in wrestling, it is attested from 1602. Mare's nest "illusory discovery, excitement over something which does not exist" is from 1619.

mare (2) --- broad, dark areas of the moon, 1765, from L. mare "sea" (see marine), applied to lunar features by Galileo and used in 17c. Latin works. They originally were thought to be actual seas.

Margaret --- fem. proper name (c.1300), from O.Fr. Margaret (Fr. Marguerite), from L.L. Margarita, fem. name, lit. "pearl," from Gk. margarites (lithos) "pearl," of unknown origin, probably from an oriental language, cf. Skt. manjari "cluster of flowers," also said by Indian linguists to mean "pearl," cognate with manju "beautiful." Arabic marjan probably is from Gk., via Syraic marganitha. The word was widely perverted in Gmc. by folk-etymology, cf. O.E. meregrot, which has been altered to mean lit. "sea-pebble."

margarine --- 1836 (margarin), a chemical term, "fatty substance obtained from animal and vegetable oil," from Fr. margarine, coined by Chevreul (1813) from (acide) margarique "margaric (acid)," lit. "pearly," from Gk. margarites (see Margaret). So called for the luster of the crystals. Now discarded as a chemical term, but preserved in margarine "butter substitute" (1873), invented 1869 by Fr. scientist Hippolyte Mège-Mouries and made in part from edible fats and oils.

Margarita --- cocktail made with tequila, 1965, from the fem. proper name, the Sp. form of Margaret. Earlier "a Spanish wine" (1920).

margin --- 1362, "space between a block of text and the edge of a page," from L. margo (gen. marginis) "edge," from PIE *mereg- "edge, boundary" (see mark (1)). General sense of "boundary space" is from 1382. Meaning "comfort allowance, cushion" is from 1851; margin of safety first recorded 1888. Stock market sense of "sum deposited with a broker to cover risk of loss" is from 1848. Marginal (1576) originally meant "written on the margin," from M.L. marginalis, from L. margo; sense of "of little effect or importance" first recorded 1887.

margrave --- military governor of a Ger. border province, 1551, from M.Du. markgrave, from O.H.G. marcgravo; second element from graf "count, earl" (O.H.G. gravo, gravjo; for first element see mark (1)).

mariachi --- Mexican strolling musical band, 1941, from Mex.Sp., from Fr. mariage "marriage" (see marriage), so called because such music was provided at wedding celebrations.

Marian --- fem. proper name, collateral form of Marion, a dim. of Fr. Marie (see Mary), but mistaken in Eng. for a compound of Mary and Anne, and thus sometimes written Marianne.

Marian (adj.) --- of Mary, 1701, referring to the Virgin; also (1608) in ref. to the reign of Mary Queen of England (1553-8); and (1902) to Mary Queen of Scots (1542-87).

marigold --- 1373, marygolde, from Mary (probably a reference to the Virgin) + gold, for color. The O.E. name for the flower was simply golde.

marijuana --- 1918, alt. by influence of Sp. proper name Maria Juana "Mary Jane" from mariguan (1894), from Mex.Sp. marihuana, of uncertain origin.

marimba --- 1704, from an African language, probably Bantu (cf. Kimbundu and Swahili marimba, malimba "xylophone-like instrument").

marina --- 1805, "a promenade by the sea," from Sp. or It. marina "shore, coast," from L. marinus (see marine). Meaning "dock or basin with moorings for yachts and small craft" is 1935, Amer.Eng.

marinade --- 1704, from Fr. marinade "spiced vinegar or brine for pickling," from mariner (see marinate).

marinate --- c.1645, from Fr. mariner "to pickle in (sea) brine," from O.Fr. marin (adj.) "of the sea," from L. marinus (see marine).

marine (adj.) --- c.1420, from M.Fr. marin (fem. marine), from O.Fr. marin, from L. marinus (fem. marina) "of the sea," from mare (gen. maris) "sea," from PIE *mori-/*mari- "body of water, lake." Cognate with O.E. mere "sea, lake, pool, pond," from P.Gmc. *mari. Noun meaning "soldier who serves on a ship" is from 1672, from Fr. marine, from the O.Fr. adj. The noun mariner (c.1290) is earlier and for long was more common than sailor.

marionette --- puppet worked by strings, c.1620, lit. "little little Mary," from Fr. marionette, dim. of Marion, dim. of Marie "Mary."

marital --- 1603, from Fr. maritale, from L. maritalis "of or belonging to married people," from maritus "married man, husband" (see marry).

maritime --- 1550, from M.Fr. maritime, from L. maritimus "of the sea," from mare (gen. maris) "sea" + L. ending -timus, originally a superl. suffix (cf. intimus "inmost," ultimus "last"), here denoting "close association with."

marjoram --- 1373, from O.Fr. majorane (13c.), from M.L. maiorana, of uncertain origin, probably ult. from India (cf. Skt. maruva- "marjoram"), with form infl. by L. major "greater."

Mark --- masc. proper name, variant of Marcus (q.v.).

mark (1) --- trace, impression, O.E. mearc (W.Saxon), merc (Mercian) "boundary, sign, limit, mark," from P.Gmc. *marko (cf. O.N. merki "boundary, sign," mörk "forest," which often marked a frontier; O.Fris. merke, Goth. marka "boundary, frontier," Du. merk "mark, brand," Ger. Mark "boundary, boundary land"), from PIE *mereg- "edge, boundary" (cf. L. margo "margin," O.Ir. mruig "borderland"). The primary sense is probably "boundary," which had evolved by O.E. through "sign of a boundary," "sign in general," "impression or trace forming a sign." Meaning "any visible trace or impression" first recorded c.1200. Sense of "line drawn to indicate starting point of a race" (e.g. on your marks ...) first attested 1887. The M.E. sense of "target" (c.1205) is the notion in marksman (1660) and slang sense "victim of a swindle" (1883). The notion of "sign, token" is behind the meaning "numerical award given by a teacher" (1829). The verb is O.E. mearcian (W.Saxon), merciga (Anglian) "to trace out boundaries," from P.Gmc. *markojanan. Both noun and verb infl. by Scand. cognates. Mark time (1833) is from military drill. Mark-up "amount added by a retailer to cover overhead and provide profit" is from 1920. Marked man "one who is watched with hostile intent" is from 1833.

mark (2) --- unit of money or weight, late O.E. marc, a unit of weight (chiefly for gold or silver) equal to about eight ounces, probably from O.N. mörk "unit of weight," cognate with Ger. Mark, ult. a derivative of mark (1), perhaps in sense of "imprinted weight or coin." Used from 18c. in ref. to various continental coinages, esp. the silver coin of Germany first issued 1875.

market --- c.1154, "a meeting at a fixed time for buying and selling livestock and provisions," from O.N.Fr. market (O.Fr. marchiet, Fr. marché), from L. mercatus "trading, trade, market" (cf. It. mercato, Sp. mercado), from pp. of mercari "to trade, deal in, buy," from merx (gen. mercis) "wares, merchandise," from Italic root *merk-, possibly from Etruscan, referring to various aspects of economics. Meaning "public building or space where markets are held" first attested c.1250. Sense of "sales, as controlled by supply and demand" is from 1689. The verb is 1635, from the noun. Market value (1691) first attested in writings of John Locke.

marl --- clayey soil used for fertilizer, 1372, from O.Fr. marle (Fr. marne), from L.L. marglia, dim. of marga, which is said by Pliny to be a Gaulish word, but modern Celt. cognates are considered to be borrowed from Eng. or Fr.

marlin --- large marine game-fish, 1917, shortening of marlinspike "pointed iron tool used by sailors to separate strands of rope" (1626), from M.Du. marlijn "small cord," from marlen "to fasten or secure (a sail)," probably freq. of M.Du. maren "to tie, moor." The fish was so called from the shape of its elongated upper jaw.

marmalade --- 1480, from M.Fr. marmelade, from Port. marmelada "quince jelly, marmalade," from marmelo "quince," by dissimilation from L. melimelum "sweet apple," originally "fruit of an apple tree grafted onto quince," from Gk. melimelon, from meli "honey" + melon "apple." Extended 17c. to "preserve made from citrus fruit."

marmoreal --- resembling marble, 1798, from L. marmoreus "of marble," from marmor (see marble).

marmoset --- small monkey, 1398, from O.Fr. marmouset "grotesque figurine" (1280), perhaps a variant of marmot "monkey, little child," from marmonner "to mutter, mumble," probably of imitative origin.

Maronite --- 1511, from L.L. Maronita, from Maron, name of the founder; a sect of Syrian Christians (4c.), originally Monothelites, subsequently (1216) united with the Catholic Church.

maroon (n.) --- 1594, "large sweet chestnut of southern Europe," from Fr. marron "chestnut," from dialect of Lyons, ult. from a word in a pre-Roman language, perhaps Ligurian; or from Gk. maraon "sweet chestnut." Sense of "very dark reddish-brown color" is first recorded 1791, from Fr. couleur marron.

maroon (v.) --- put ashore on a desolate island or coast, 1724 (implied in marooning), from maron (n.) "fugitive black slave in the jungles of W.Indies and Dutch Guyana" (1626), from Fr. marron, said to be a corruption of Sp. cimmaron "wild, untamed," from O.Sp. cimarra "thicket," probably from cima "summit, top" (from L. cyma "sprout"), with a notion of living wild in the mountains.

marque --- seizure by way of reprisal, 1447, in letters of marque "official permission to capture enemy merchant ships," from Anglo-Fr. mark (1354), from O.Prov. marca "reprisal," from marcar "seize as a pledge, mark," probably from a Gmc. source (cf. O.H.G. marchon "delimit, mark;" see mark (1)), but the sense evolution is difficult.

marquee --- 1690, "large tent," from Fr. marquise (mistaken in Eng. as a plural) "linen canopy placed over an officer's tent to distinguish it from others'," lit. fem. of marquis, perhaps indicating "a place suitable for a marquis." Sense of "canopy over the entrance to a hotel or theater, etc." first recorded 1934 in Amer.Eng.

marquis --- c.1300, title of nobility, from O.Fr. marchis, lit. "ruler of a border area," from O.Fr. marche "frontier," from M.L. marca "frontier, frontier territory" (see march (n.)). Originally the ruler of border territories in various European nations (e.g. It. marchese, Sp. marqués); later a mere title of rank, below duke and above count.

Marrano --- Jew or Moor converted to Christianity, 1583, from Sp., lit. "pig, swine," an expression of contempt, from Arabic muharram "forbidden thing" (eating of pork is forbidden by Muslim and Jewish religious law), from haruma "was forbidden" (see harem).

marriage --- 1297, from O.Fr. mariage (12c.), from V.L. *maritaticum, from L. maritatus, pp. of maritatre "to wed, marry, give in marriage" (see marry).

marrow --- O.E. mearg "marrow," earlier mærh, from P.Gmc. *mazga- (cf. O.N. mergr, Du. merg, Ger. Marh "marrow"), from PIE *mozgho- "marrow, brains" (cf. Skt. majjan-, Avestan mazga- "marrow," O.C.S. mozgu, Lith. smagenes "brain"). Fig. sense of "inmost or central part" is attested from c.1400.

marrowsky --- 1863, said to derive from the proper name of a Polish count. "A deformed language in which the initial consonants of contiguous words are transposed" [OED]. Cf. spoonerism.

marry (interj.) --- a common oath in the Middle Ages, c.1350, now obsolete, a corruption of the name of the Virgin Mary.

marry (v.) --- 1297, from O.Fr. marier, from L. maritare "to wed, marry, give in marriage," from maritus "married man, husband," of uncertain origin, perhaps ult. from "provided with a *mari," a young woman, from PIE base *meri- "young wife," akin to *meryo- "young man" (cf. Skt. marya- "young man, suitor"). Said from 1530 of the priest, etc., who performs the rite.

Mars --- Roman god of war (1374), also "bright red planet" (c.1385), late M.E., from L. Mars (stem Mart-), the Roman god of war, apparently from earlier Mavors, related to Oscan Mamers. He also had agricultural attributes, and may ultimately have been a Spring-Dionysus. The planet no doubt was so called for its blood-like color.

Marsala --- 1806, kind of wine, named for seaport town on the west coast of Sicily, which is said to be from Arabic Mirsa-llahi, lit. "the Port of God."

Marsellaise --- Fr. national republican song, 1826, from fem. of adj. Marseillais "of Marseilles." The tune originally was "War Song for the Rhine Army," composed by royalist officer Capt. Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle; current name is because it was sung enthusiastically by soldiers from Marseilles advancing on the Tuileries, Aug. 10, 1792.

marsh --- O.E. mersc, merisc, from W.Gmc. *marisko (cf. Du. mars, Ger. Marsch), probably from P.Gmc. *mari- "sea" (see mere (n.)).

marshal --- 1218, from O.Fr. mareschal, originally "stable officer, horse tender, groom" (Frankish L. mariscaluis) from Frank. *marhskalk, lit. "horse-servant" (cf. O.H.G. marahscalc "groom"), from P.Gmc. *markhaz "horse" (see mare (1)) + *skalkaz "servant" (cf. Du. schalk "rogue, wag," Goth. skalks "servant"). Cognate with O.E. horsþegn. For development history, cf. constable. The verb "to arrange for fighting" is from 1587.

Marshall plan --- 1947, named for its initiator, George C. Marshall (1880-1959), U.S. Secretary of State 1947-49.

marshmallow --- O.E. mersc-mealwe "kind of mallow plant (Althea officinalis) which grows near salt marshes." The confection was originally (1884) made from paste from the roots of this plant. The Gk. word for the plant, althaea, is from althein "to heal."

marsupial --- 1696, from Mod.L. marsupialis "having a pouch," coined from L.L. marsupium "pouch, purse," L. marsuppium, from Gk. marsipion, dim. of marsipos "pouch," of foreign, possibly oriental, origin.

mart --- market, 1436, from M.Du. marct, from L. mercatus "trade" (see market).

marten --- c.1250, "skin or fur of the marten," from O.Fr. martrine, noun use of fem. adj. martrin "of or pertaining to the marten," from martre "marten," from Frank. *martar, from P.Gmc. *marthuz (cf. O.S. marthrin "of or pertaining to the marten," O.Fris. merth, O.E. mearþ, O.N. mörðr "marten"), probably from PIE *martu- "bride," perhaps on some fancied resemblance, or else a Gmc. euphemism for the real name of the animal, which may have been taboo. In M.E. the animal itself was called marter, directly from O.Fr. martre, but marten took over this sense in Eng. c.1400.

Martha --- fem. proper name, from Aramaic Maretha, lit. "lady, mistress," fem. of mar, mara "lord, master." Martha's Vineyard discovered 1602 by Gabriel Archer and apparently named by him, but the identity of the Martha so honored is unknown now.

martial --- c.1374, from L. martialis "of Mars or war," from Mars (gen. Martis), Roman god of war. Martial law first recorded 1533. Martial arts, 1933, translates Japanese bujutsu.

Martian --- c.1386, marcien "of the planet Mars" (originally in reference to astrological influence), from L. Martius "pertaining to the planet Mars," from Mars (gen. Martis). The noun meaning "an inhabitant of the planet Mars" is attested from 1883.

martin --- kind of swallow-like bird (Chelidon urbica), 1589, from Scot. martoune (c.1450), from M.Fr. martin, from the masc. proper name in some sense. Writers in 17c. said it was named for St. Martin of Tours (d. 397 C.E.), whose festival day (Martinmas) is Nov. 11, about the time the birds depart.

Martin --- masc. proper name, from L. Martinus, derivative of Mars (gen. Martis), Roman god of war.

martinet --- 1676, "system of strict discipline," reputedly from the name of Col. Jean Martinet a drillmaster of the Fr. army during the reign of Louis XIV. The meaning "an officer who is a stickler for strict discipline" is first attested 1779.

martini --- 1894, probably from Martini and Rossi, It. firm that makes vermouth (an ingredient of the drink). Another theory holds that it is a corruption of Martinez, California, town where the drink was said to have originated.

martyr --- O.E., from L.L., from Gk. martyr, earlier martys (gen. martyros) in Christian use "martyr," lit. "witness," probably related to mermera "care, trouble," from mermairein "be anxious or thoughtful," from PIE *(s)mrtu- (cf. Skt. smarati "remember," L. memor "mindful;" see memory). Adopted directly into most Gmc. languages, but O.N. substituted native formation pislarvattr, lit. "torture-witness." Martyr complex "exaggerated desire for self-sacrifice" is attested from 1931.

marvel (n.) --- c.1300, "miracle," also "wonderful story or legend," from O.Fr. merveille "a wonder," from V.L. *miribilia, alt. from L. mirabilia "wonderful things," from neut. pl. of mirabilis "strange or wonderful," from mirari "to wonder at," from mirus "wonderful" (see smile). A neut. pl. treated in V.L. as a fem. sing. The verb is attested from c.1300. Marvelous (c.1300) is O.Fr. merveillos, from merveille. Weakened sense of "splendid, very nice" is from 1924.

Marxist (n.) --- 1886, "devotee of the teachings of Marx," from Fr. marxiste, from Karl Marx (1818-83), Ger. political theorist. The adj. is attested from 1897, as is Marxism. The adj. Marxian (1940) sometimes is used (e.g. by Groucho) to distinguish the U.S. comedic team from the Ger. political philosopher.

Mary --- fem. proper name, O.E. Maria, Marie, "mother of Jesus," from L. Maria, from Gk. Mariam, Maria, from Aram. Maryam, from Heb. Miryam, sister of Moses (Ex. xv.), of unknown origin, said to mean lit. "rebellion." Nursery rhyme "Mary had a Little Lamb" written early 1830 by Sarah Josepha Hale of Boston; published Sept. 1830 in "Juvenile Miscellany," a popular magazine for children. Mary Jane is 1921 as the proprietary name of a kind of low-heeled shoe worn chiefly by young girls, 1928 as slang for marijuana.

Maryland --- named for Henrietta Maria (1609-69), wife of English King Charles I.

marzipan --- 1901 (in modern use; earlier march payne, 1494, from Fr. or Du.), from Ger. Marzipan, from It. marzapane, "candy box," in M.L. "small box," earlier, "coin bearing image of seated Christ." One suggestion is that this is from Arabic mawthaban "king who sits still." Nobody seems to quite accept this, but nobody has a better idea.