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

mamma --- 1579, reduplication of *ma-, nearly universal among the I.E. languages (cf. Gk. mamme "mother, grandmother," L. mamma, Pers. mama, Rus., Lith. mama "mother," Ger. Muhme "mother's sister," Fr. mamen, Welsh mam "mother"). Probably a natural sound in baby-talk, perhaps imitative of sound made while sucking. In educated usage, the stress is always on the last syllable. In terms of recorded usage in Eng., mum is from 1823, mummy 1839, momma 1884, mom 1894, and mommy 1902.

mammal --- 1826, Anglicized form of Mod.L. Mammalia (1773), coined 1758 by Linnaeus for the class of mammals, from neut. pl. of L.L. mammalis "of the breast," from L. mamma "breast," perhaps cognate with mamma.

mammary --- 1682, from Fr. mammaire, from L. mamma "breast," probably from the child's word for "mother."

mammon --- personification of wealth, 1362, from L.L. mammona, from Gk. mammonas, from Aramaic mamona, mamon "riches, gain," left untranslated in Gk. N.T. (e.g. Matt. vi.24, Luke xvi.9-13) retained in the Vulgate, and regarded mistakenly by medieval Christians as the name of a demon.

mammoth --- 1706, from Rus. mammot', probably from Ostyak (a Finno-Ugric language of northern Russia, cf. Finnish maa "earth"). Because the remains were dug from the earth, the animal was believed to root like a mole. The adj. is 1802 in Amer.Eng., in reference to the beasts' enormous size.

mammy --- black woman having the care of white children, 1837, Southern U.S. dialect, variant of mamma.

mamzer --- bastard, 1562, from L.L. mamzer, from Heb. mamzer, left untranslated in Deut. xxiii.2 in the Vulgate.

man (n.) --- O.E. man, mann "human being, person," from P.Gmc. *manwaz (cf. O.S., O.H.G. man, Ger. Mann, O.N. maðr, Goth. manna "man"), from PIE base *man- (cf. Skt. manuh, Avestan manu-, O.C.S. mozi, Rus. muzh "man, male"). Sometimes connected to root *men- "to think" (see mind), which would make the ground sense of man "one who has intelligence," but not all linguists accept this. Plural men (Ger. Männer) shows effects of i-mutation. Sense of "adult male" is late (c.1000); O.E. used wer and wif to distinguish the sexes, but wer began to disappear late 13c. and was replaced by man. Universal sense of the word remains in mankind (from O.E. mancynn, from cynn "kin") and in manslaughter (q.v.). Similarly, L. had homo "human being" and vir "adult male human being," but they merged in V.L., with homo extended to both senses. A like evolution took place in Slavic languages, and in some of them the word has narrowed to mean "husband." PIE had two stems: *uiHro "freeman" (cf. Skt. vira-, Lith. vyras, L. vir, O.Ir. fer, Goth. wair) and *hner "man," a title more of honor than *uiHro (cf. Skt. nar-, Armenian ayr, Welsh ner, Gk. aner). The chess pieces so called from c.1400. As an interjection of surprise or emphasis, first recorded c.1400, but especially popular from early 20c. Man-about-town is from 1734; the Man "the boss" is from 1918. Men's Liberation first attested 1970.

man (v.) --- c.1122, "to furnish (a fort, ship, etc.) with a company of men," from man (n.). Meaning "to take up a designated position on a ship" is first recorded 1697.

manacle --- c.1340, "a fetter for the hand," from O.Fr. manicle, from L. manicula "handle," lit. "little hand," dim. of manicæ "long sleeves of a tunic, manacles," from manus "hand" (see manual). The verb is attested from c.1306.

manage --- 1561, probably from It. maneggiare "to handle," esp. "to control a horse," from L. manus "hand" (see manual). Influenced by Fr. manège "horsemanship" (earliest Eng. sense was of handling horses), which also was from the Italian. Extended to other objects or business from 1579. Slang sense of "get by" first recorded 1655.

management --- 1598, "act of managing," from manage (q.v.). Meaning "governing body" (originally of a theater) is from 1739. Manager is 1588 in the sense of "one who manages;" specific sense of "one who conducts a house of business or public institution" is from 1705.

mañana --- Sp., "tomorrow," from cras manñana, lit. "tomorrow early," from V.L. *maneana "early," from L. mane "in the morning," from PIE *ma- "good" (cf. mature, matins), with notion of "occurring at a good time, timely, early."

manatee --- 1555, from Sp. manati (1535), from Carib manati "breast, udder." Often associated with L. manatus "having hands," because the flippers resemble hands.

Manchester --- Mameceastre (1086), from Mamucio (4c.), the original Celtic name, perhaps from *mamm "breast, breast-like hill" + O.E. ceaster "Roman town."

Manchu --- 1655, member of Tungusic race of Manchuria, which conquered China in 1644 and remained its ruling class until the Revolution of 1912. From Manchu, lit. "pure," name of the tribe descended from the Nu-chen Tartars.

manciple --- officer or servant who purchases provisions for a college, monastery, etc., c.1225, from L. mancipium, from manus "hand" (see manual) + root of capere "to take" (see capable).

-mancy --- combining form meaning "divination by means of," from O.Fr. -mancie, from L.L. -mantia, from Gk. manteia "oracle, divination," from mantis "seer, prophet, soothsayer," related to mania "madness, frenzy" (see mania).

mandala --- 1859, from Skt. mandala "disc, circle."

mandamus --- 1535, "writ from a superior court to an inferior one, specifying that something be done," (1378 in Anglo-Fr.), from L., lit. "we order," first person pl. pres. indicative of mandare "to order" (see mandate).

mandarin --- Chinese official, 1589, via Port. mandarim or Du. mandorijn from Malay mantri, from Hindi mantri "councilor, minister of state," from Skt. mantri, nom. of mantrin- "advisor," from mantra "counsel," from PIE base *men- "to think" (see mind). Form infl. in Port. by mandar "to command, order." Used generically for the several grades of Chinese officials; sense of "chief dialect of Chinese" (spoken by officials and educated people) is from 1604. The type of small, deep-colored orange so called from 1771, from resemblance of its color to that of robes worn by mandarins.

mandate (n.) --- 1501, from L. mandatum "commission, order," noun use of neut. pp. of mandare "to order, commit to one's charge," lit. "to give into one's hand," probably from manus "hand" (see manual) + dare "to give" (see date (1)). Political sense of "approval of policy supposedly conferred by voters to winners of an election" is from 1796. Mandatory is attested 1576, "of the nature of a mandate;" sense of "obligatory because commanded" is from 1818.

mandate (v.) --- to delegate authority, permit to act on behalf of a group, 1958, from mandate (n.). Used earlier in the context of the League of Nations, "to authorize a power to control a certain territory for some purpose" (1919).

mandible --- 1548, "jaw, jawbone," from L.L. mandibula "jaw," from L. mandere "to chew." Of insect mouth parts from 1826.

mandolin --- 1707, from Fr. mandoline, from It. mandolino, dim. of mandola, a larger kind of mandolin, altered from L.L. pandura "three-stringed lute," from Gk. pandoura.

mandrake --- c.1150, from M.L. mandragora, from L. mandragoras, from Gk. mandragoras, probably from a non-I.E. word. Folk etymology associated the second element with dragoun and substituted native drake in its place. The forked root is thought to resemble a human form and is said to shriek when pulled from the ground.

mandrill --- large baboon, 1744, perhaps ultimately from an African language, but formed into Eng. components man + drill "baboon," which is of W.African origin. The earliest reference reports the name is what the animal was "called by the white men in this country" (Sierra Leone).

mane --- O.E. manu "mane," related to mene "necklace," from P.Gmc. *mano (cf. O.N. mön, O.Fris. mana, M.Du. manen, Ger. Mähne "mane"), perhaps from PIE *men- "to stand out, project" (cf. L. eminere "to stand out," mons "mountain," Skt. manya "nape of the neck," L. monile "necklace," O.Ir. muin "neck," Welsh mwnwgl "neck," mwng "mane").

maneuver --- 1479, "hand-labor," from M.Fr. manoeuvre "manipulation, maneuver," from O.Fr. maneuvre "manual labor" (13c.), from M.L. manuopera, from manuoperare "work with the hands," from L. manu operari, from manu, abl. of manus "hand" (see manual) + operari (see operation). The military sense of "planned movement of troops or warship" is attested from 1758; general meaning "artful plan, adroit movement" is from 1774. The verb is first attested 1777.

manga --- Japanese comic books or graphic novels, c.1984, from Jap., "cartoon, caricature," lit. "involuntary pictures." Term said to have been coined 1814 by artist Katsushika Hokusai to "convey a sense of free-flowing composition and quirky style." See anime.

manganese --- 1676, from Fr. manganèse (16c.), from It. manganese, alt. of M.L. magnesia (see magnesia).

mange --- skin disease of animals, c.1400, from M.Fr. manjue "the itch," lit. "the eating," from stem of O.Fr. mangier (Fr. manger) "to eat," from L.L. manducare "to chew, eat," from manducus "glutton," from L. mandere "to chew." Mangy is attested from 1526.

manger --- c.1315, from O.Fr. mangeure (Fr. mangeoire), from mangier "to eat" (see mange) + -oire, common suffix for implements and receptacles.

mangle --- c.1400, from Anglo-Fr. mangler, freq. of O.Fr. mangoner "cut to pieces," of uncertain origin, perhaps connected with O.Fr. mahaignier "to maim, mutilate, wound" (see maim). Meaning "to mispronounce (words), garble" is from 1533.

mango --- 1582, from Port. manga, from Malay mangga, from Tamil mankay, from man "mango tree" + kay "fruit." Mango trees were brought from Timor to British gardens in Jamaica and St. Vincent 1793 by Capt. Bligh on his second voyage.

mangonel --- military engine for hurling stones, 1297, from O.Fr., dim. of M.L. mangonum, from V.L. *manganum "machine," from Gk. manganon "any means of tricking or bewitching," from PIE *mang- "to embellish, dress, trim" (cf. O.Pruss. manga "whore," M.Ir. meng "craft, deception"). Attested from c.1194 in Anglo-L.

mangrove --- 1613, from Sp. mangle, mangue (1535), perhaps from Carib or Arawakan. Second syllable is from influence of grove. A Malay origin also has been proposed, but it is difficult to explain how it came to be used for an American plant.

manhandle --- 1457, "wield a tool," from man (n.) + handle (v.). Nautical meaning "to move by force of men" (without levers or tackle) is attested from 1867, but despite the late date it is probably the source of the slang meaning "to handle roughly" (1865).

Manhattan --- main island of New York City, from Du., from a native name, perhaps representing a Delaware (Algonquian) source akin to Munsee munahan "island." Bright favors Munsee /e:nta menahahte:nk/ "where one gathers bows." As the name of a cocktail made of vermouth, whiskey, and a dash of bitters, it is attested from 1890 (in Manhattan cocktail).

man-hole --- hole through which a person may pass, 1793, from man (n.) + hole.

mania --- c.1400, "mental derangement characterized by excitement and delusion," from L.L. mania "insanity, madness," from Gk. mania "madness," related to mainesthai "to rage, go mad," mantis "seer," menos "passion, spirit," all from PIE *men- "to think, to have one's mind aroused, rage, be furious" (see mind (n.)). Sense of "fad, craze" is 1689, from Fr. manie. Used since 1500s (in imitation of Gk.) as the second element in compounds expressing particular types of madness (cf. nymphomania, 1775; kleptomania, 1830; megalomania, 1890).

maniac (adj.) --- 1604, from Fr. maniaque, from L.L. maniacus, from Gk. maniakos, from mania (see mania). The noun is attested from 1763, from the adj.

manic (adj.) --- 1902, from mania (q.v.) + -ic. The clinical term manic depressive also is from 1902, but manic depression is first attested 1958.

Manichaeism --- 1556, "the religion of the Manichees," (c.1380) a Gnostic Christian sect named for its founder, Mani (L. Manichæus), c.215-275, Syriac-speaking apostle from a Jesus cult in Mesopotamia in 240s, who taught a universal religion. Vegetarian and visionary, they saw "particles of light and goodness" trapped in evil matter and regarded Satan as co-eternal with God. The universe was a scene of struggle between good and evil. The sect was characterized by dualism and a double-standard of perfectionist "elects" and a larger group of fellow travelers who would require several reincarnations before their particles of light would be liberated.

manicure --- 1880, "one who professionally treats hands and fingernails," from Fr. manicure, lit. "the care of the hands," from L. manus "hand" (see manual) + cura "care." Meaning "treatment and care of the hands and fingernails" is attested from 1887. The verb is from 1889.

manifest (adj.) --- c.1374, "clearly revealed," from L. manifestus "caught in the act, plainly apprehensible, clear, evident," from manus "hand" (see manual) + -festus "struck" (cf. second element of infest). The noun sense of "ship's cargo" is from 1706. The verb sense of "to show plainly" is c.1374, from L. manifestare. In the spiritualism sense, manifestation is attested from 1853.

manifesto --- 1644, from It. manifesto "public declaration explaining past actions and announcing the motive for forthcoming ones," originally "proof," from L. manifestus (see manifest).

manifold --- O.E. monigfald (Anglian), manigfeald (W.Saxon), "varied in appearance," from manig "many" + -feald "fold." A common Gmc. compound (cf. O.Fris. manichfald, M.Du. menichvout, Swed. mångfalt, Goth. managfalþs), perhaps a loan-translation of L. multiplex (see multiply). Retains the original pronunciation of many. The noun in the mechanical sense of "pipe or chamber with several outlets" is from 1884; originally as manifold pipe (1857), in ref. to a type of musical instrument mentioned in the O.T.

manikin --- 1570, "jointed figure used by artists," from Du. manneken, lit. "little man," dim. of man (n.).

Manila --- 1697, capital of the Philippines, gave its name to manilla hemp (1814), original source of manilla paper (1873).

manipulation --- c.1730, "a method of digging ore," from Fr. manipulation, from manipule "handful" (a pharmacists' measure), from L. manipulus "handful, sheaf," from manus "hand" (see manual) + root of plere "to fill" (see plenary). Sense of "skillful handling of objects" is first recorded 1826; extended 1828 to "handling of persons" as well as objects. Manipulative is from 1836; manipulate is from 1831.

manly --- c.1200, "human," from man (n.). Sense of "possessing virtues proper to a male person" is from c.1225. Meaning "masculine" is attested from c.1375.

man-made --- c.1718, from man (n.) + made.

manna --- O.E. borrowing from L.L. manna, from Gk. manna, from Heb. man, probably lit. "substance exuded by the tamarisk tree," but used in Gk. and L. specifically with ref. to the substance miraculously supplied to the Children of Israel during their wandering in the Wilderness (Ex. xvi.15). Meaning "spiritual nourishment" is attested from 1382.

mannequin --- 1902, "model to display clothes," from Fr. mannequin, from Du. manneken (see manikin). A Fr. form of the same word that yielded Eng. manikin.

manner --- c.1175, from Anglo-Fr. manere, from O.Fr. maniere (Fr. manière), from V.L. *manaria, from fem. of L. manuarius "belonging to the hand," from manus "hand" (see manual). Most figurative meanings derive from the original sense of "method of handling;" which was extended when the word was used to translate L. modus "method." To the manner born ("Hamlet" I iv.15) is generally used incorrectly, and means "destined by birth to be subject to the custom." Manners "external behavior in social intercourse" is attested from c.1385.

mannerism --- excessive use of distinctive methods in art or literature, 1803, from manner. Meaning "an instance of mannerism, habitual peculiarity" is from 1819. Mannerist in this sense is attested from 1695.

mano a mano --- 1970s, from Sp., lit. "hand-to-hand."

man-of-war --- c.1390, "a soldier," from man (n.) + war. Meaning "vessel equipped for warfare" is from 1484. Man in the sense of "a ship" is attested from 1473 in comb. forms (e.g. merchantman). The sea creature known as the Portuguese man-of-war (1707) is so called for its sail-like crest.

manor --- c.1290, "mansion, habitation, country residence, principal house of an estate," from Anglo-Fr. maner, from O.Fr. manoir "manor," noun use of maneir "to dwell," from L. manere "to stay, abide." As a unit of territorial division in Britain and some American colonies (usually "land held in demesne by a lord, with tenants") it is attested from 1538.

mansard --- 1734, from Fr. mansarde, short for toit à la mansarde, named for Fr. architect Nicholas François Mansart (1598-1666).

mansion --- c.1340, "the chief residence of a lord," from O.Fr. mansion, from L. mansionem (nom. mansio) "a staying, a remaining, night quarters, station," from manere "to stay, abide," from PIE *men- "to remain, wait for" (cf. Gk. menein "to remain," Pers. mandan "to remain"). Sense of "any large and stately house" is from 1512.

manslaughter --- c.1300, from O.E. mannslæht (Anglian), mannslieht (W.Saxon), from man (q.v.) + slæht, slieht "act of killing." Etymologically identical with homicide, but in legal use usually distinguished from murder and restricted to "simple homicide."

mansuetude --- tameness, gentleness, mildness, c.1386, from L. mansuetudo "tameness," from mansuetus, pp. of mansuescere "to tame," lit. "to accustom to the hand," from manus "hand" (see manual) + suescere "to accustom, habituate," from PIE *swdh-sko-, from base *s(w)e- (see idiom).

manta --- very large ray, also called devilfish, 1760, from Sp. manta "blanket" (1748 in this sense, specifically in ref. to a type of wrap or cloak worn by Spaniards), from L. mantellum "cloak." The ray so called "for being broad and long like a quilt" [Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, "A Voyage to South America"].

mantel --- 1489, "short, loose, sleeveless cloak," variant of mantle (q.v.). Sense of "movable shelter for soldiers besieging a fort" is from 1524. Meaning "timber or stone supporting masonry above a fireplace" first recorded 1519, a shortened form of M.E. mantiltre "mantletree" (1482). Mantelpiece is from 1686.

manticore --- c.1300, from L. manticora, from Gk. mantikhoras, corruption of martikhoras, said to be from an O.Pers. word for "man eater," cf. martiya- "man" + root of khvar- "to eat." Fabulous monster with the body of a lion, head of a man, porcupine quills, and tail or sting of a scorpion.

mantis --- 1658, "type of insect that holds its forelegs in a praying position" (esp. the praying mantis, Mantis religiosa), from Gk. mantis, lit. "one who divines, a seer, prophet," from mainesthai "be inspired," related to menos "passion, spirit" (see mania). The insect so called for its way of holding the forelimbs as if in prayer. Also used in Gk. for some sort of grasshopper (Theocritus).

mantissa --- decimal part of a logarithm, 1641, from L. mantisa "a worthless addition, makeweight," probably from a Gaulish word introduced into L. via Etruscan (cf. O.Ir. meit, Welsh maint "size").

mantle --- O.E. mentel "loose, sleeveless cloak," from L. mantellum "cloak," perhaps from a Celtic source. Reinforced and altered 12c. by O.Fr. mantel (Fr. manteau), from the L. source. Allusive use for "symbol of literary authority or artistic pre-eminence" is from Elijah's mantle [2 Kings ii.13]. As a layer of the earth between the crust and core (though not originally distinguished from the core) it is attested from 1940. The verb meaning "to wrap as in a mantle" is attested from c.1450.

mantra --- 1808, "that part of the Vedas which contains hymns," from Skt. mantra-s "sacred message or text, charm, spell, counsel," lit. "instrument of thought," related to manyate "thinks." Sense of "special word used for meditation" is first recorded in Eng. 1956.

mantua --- loose gown worn by women 17c.-18c., 1678, from Fr. manteau "cloak, mantle," from O.Fr. mantel (see mantle); form infl. in Eng. by Mantua, name of a city in Italy. Mantua-maker (1694) became the general early 19c. term for "dressmaker."

manual (adj.) --- 1406, from L. manualis "of or belonging to the hand," from manus "hand, strength, power over, armed force, handwriting," from PIE *men- "hand, to take in one's hand" (cf. O.E. mund "hand, protection, guardian," Ger. Vormund "guardian," Gk. mane "hand"). The noun is attested from 1431 and originally meant "service book used by a priest," from O.Fr. manuel, from L.L. manuale "case or cover of a book, handbook," neut. of L. manualis. Meaning "a concise handbook" of any sort is from 1533.

Manuel --- masc. proper name, short for Emmanuel (q.v.).

manufacture (n.) --- 1567, "something made by hand," from M.Fr. manufacture, from M.L. *manufactura, from L. manu, abl. of manus "hand" (see manual) + factura "a working," from pp. stem of facere "to perform" (see factitious). Sense of "process of manufacturing" first recorded 1605. The verb is attested from 1683.

manumission --- 1432, from L. manumissionem (nom. manumissio) "freeing of a slave," noun of action from manumittere "to set free," from manu mittere "release from control," from manu, abl. of manus "power of a master," lit. "hand" (see manual) + mittere "let go, release."

manure (v.) --- c.1400, "to cultivate land," also "to hold property," from Anglo-Fr. meynoverer, from O.Fr. manouvrer "to work with the hands," from M.L. manuoperare, from L. manu operari, from manu, abl. of manus "hand" (see manual) + operari "to work, operate" (see operation). Sense of "work the earth" led to "put dung on the soil" (1599) and to the current noun meaning "dung spread as fertilizer," which is first attested 1549. Until late 18c., however, the verb still was used in a fig. sense of "to cultivate the mind, train the mental powers."

manuscript --- 1597, from M.L. manuscriptum, from L. manu scriptus "written by hand," from manu, abl. of manus "hand" (see manual) + scriptus, pp. of scribere "to write" (see script). Abbreviation is MS, plural MSS.

Manx --- 1859, earlier Manks (1630), metathesized from Maniske (1572) "of the Isle of Man," from O.N. *manskr, from Man (from O.Ir. Manu "Isle of Man") + suffix -iskr "ish." Manx cat first attested 1859.

many --- O.E. monig, manig, from P.Gmc. *managaz (cf. O.S. manag, Swed. mången, O.Fris. manich, Du. menig, Ger. manch, Goth. manags), from PIE *monogho- (cf. O.C.S. munogu "much, many," O.Ir. menicc, Welsh mynych "frequent"). Pronunciation altered by influence of any (see manifold)

Mao (adj.) --- simple style of clothing based on dress in Communist China, 1967, from Fr., from name of Mao Tse-tung (1893-1976), Chinese communist leader.

Maori --- Polynesian inhabitant of New Zealand, 1843, native name, said to mean "of the usual kind."

map --- 1527, shortening of M.E. mapemounde "map of the world" (c.1380), from M.L. mappa mundi "map of the world," first element from L. mappa "napkin, cloth" (on which maps were drawn), said by Quintilian to be of Punic origin (cf. Talmudic Heb. mappa, contraction of menafa "a fluttering banner") + L. mundi "of the world," from mundus "universe, world" (see mundane). The verb map is first attested 1586; to put (something) on the map "bring it to wide attention" is from 1913.

maple --- c.1366, from O.E. mapultreow "maple tree," related to O.N. möpurr, O.S. mapulder, M.L.G. mapeldorn, from P.Gmc. *maplo-. There also was a P.Gmc. *matlo- (cf. O.H.G. mazzaltra, Ger. maszholder), but the connection and origins are mysterious. The maple leaf is mentioned as the emblem of Canada from 1860.

maquis --- 1858, from Fr., "undergrowth, shrub," esp. in ref. to the dense scrub of certain Mediterranean coastal regions, long the haunts of outlaws and fugitives, from It. macchia "spot," from L. macula "spot, stain;" the landscapes from their mottled appearance. Used figuratively of Fr. resistance in World War II (1944).