M
MULTIPLICATION - MYTHICAL
MULTIPLICATION - nouns
• DECUPLATION † multiplication by ten, increase tenfold ...1690
• OCTUPLICATION † multiplication by eight ...1674
• OFFCOME † the product of multiplication ...1542
• QUINQUIPLICATION † multiplication by five ...Bk1678
• QUINTUPLATION †* multiplication by five ...1684
• QUINTUPLICATION * the act of multiplying by five ...1674
MULTIPLIED - adjectives
• DECUPLATE † multiplied by ten ...1690
• QUINCUPLE †* fivefold; multiplied by five; consisting of five things or parts ...1774
MULTIPLY - verbs
• DECUPLATE to increase or multiply by ten ...1690
• DECUPLE to increase or multiply by ten ...1674
• QUINQUIPLICATE †* to multiply by five...Bk1656
MULTIPLY - verbs
• CENTUPLICATE to multiply or increase a hundred times ...c1645
• OCTUPLE to make eight times as much, to increase eightfold ...1837
• MANIFOLD * to make manifold, to multiply ...c1000
• QUADRUPLICATE to multiply by four; to make four times as many or as great ...1661
• QUADRUPLIFY †* to multiply by four; to make four times as great ...1578
MULTITUDE - nouns
• ANGERIE a crowd, a multitude ...1866 Sc.
• ARGERIE a crowd, a multitude ...Bk1898 Sc.
• FARE † a number of persons prepared for a journey; a troop, a multitude ...1297
• HEAP a great company, esp. of persons; a multitude ...971
• MAIN-HEAD the chief in point of number; the multitude ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MANY, THE the great body of people; the multitude ...1526
• MANYHEDE † multitude ...a1300
• MANZY a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MENYIE a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MENZIE a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OCEANS a large amount or quantity; an abundance, multitude, more than enough ...L16
• SCALD a multitude; a great number; a good deal ...1893 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCARNOCH a number, a multitude ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCRAE a crowd, multitude, swarm ...1899 Sc.
• SIGHT a large quantity; a great many; a multitude ...1390 UK
• SKRAE a crowd, multitude, swarm ...1899 Sc.
• UITANY a great mass, swarm, multitude, esp. of small objects ...1929 Sc.
• UMBERMENT † number, multitude ...1550-3
• VERMIN a large quantity or number; a swarm, a crowd, multitude ...1745 Sc.
MUMBLE - verbs
• DRUMBLE † to talk, mutter, or mumble in a sleepy, monotonous manner ...1579 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
י EAT ONE'S WORDS to speak incoherently; to mumble ...1968 Amer. dial.
• FLUMMER † to repeat indistinctly, to mumble ...1533
• HEE-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM AND HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HUM AND HAW to speak hesitatingly; to stammer; to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...1632
• MAFFLE † to mumble; to speak indistinctly, to stammer ...1387 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MAMBLE † to mumble or mutter; to chatter ...c1275
• MAMMOCK to mumble ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MAUNDER to talk idly and incoherently; to mumble; to grumble; to threaten in an undertone; to muse, to ponder ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MIFFLE AFTER to mumble about or concerning ...1893 Eng. dial.
• NATTLE to nibble, to chew awkwardly; to mumble in a toothless fashion ...1825 Sc.
• PALTER † to speak indistinctly or idly; to say or recite in an indistinct tone; to mumble, to mutter, to babble ...1538
• PHUMPHER to speak through the nose; to mumble ...1987 Amer. dial. (Yiddish 'fonfen')
• RABBIT ON to chatter; to grumble; to mumble; to complain ...1941 sl.
• SUP UP † to utter indistinctly, to mutter, to mumble ...1581
• WABBLE to stammer out, to blurt or mumble in a halting or indistinct way ...1920 Sc.
• YAFFLE to talk indistinctly; to mumble, as a toothless person ...1847 Eng. dial.
MUMBLING - adjectives
• GAVELLOUS drawling in speech; mumbling, lisping, indistinct ...1903 Sc.
• TONGUE-TACKIT mumbling, indistinct in speech, inarticulate ...1923 Sc.
MUMBLING - nouns
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
MUMMER - nouns, person
(an actor in a traditional masked mime, especially of a type associated with Christmas and popular in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries)
• FANTASTIC a mummer ...1899 Amer. dial.
• FANTASTICAL a mummer ...1838 Amer. dial.
• MASKER a mummer, a guiser ...1848 Eng. dial.
MUMMY - nouns
• SKELET †* a mummy ...1603
MUMPS - nouns
• BRANK the mumps ...Bk1911 Sc.
• SCLAFFERT † the swellings round the jaws caused by mumps ...1808 Sc.
MUNCH - nouns
• RAMSH a munch, a single act of chewing coarse or rank food, as raw vegetables ...1825 Sc.
MUNCH - verbs
• GROUZE to devour or munch with a crunching sound ...1624 Eng. dial.
• GROWZE to devour or munch with a crunching sound ...1624 Eng. dial.
• MANCH to chew; to eat; to munch ...1829 Eng. dial.
• MAUNGE † to munch, to chew, to masticate; to eat greedily ...1362 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• RAMSH to eat voraciously and noisily; to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
• RANSH to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
• RAUNCH to eat or devour greedily; to munch, to gnaw; to tear up ...1777 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• RAUNGE to eat or devour greedily; to munch, to gnaw ...1777 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• RUNSH to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
MURDER, MURDERING - nouns
• ABERE-MURDER † plain or downright murder, as distinguished from manslaughter ...1706
• ACCIDENT a murder that cannot be proved as such ...1964 US sl.
• ALIICIDE murder ...1868 nonce word
• BANE † murder, death, destruction ...c1175
• CARNIFICE †* butchery, murder, torture ...1657
• CEMENT KIMONO a block of cement in which gangsters have concealed the body of a murdered person ...1952 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT OVERCOAT a block of cement in which gangsters have concealed the body of a murdered person ...1969 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT OVERSHOES a block of cement used by gangsters to weigh down the feet of a murdered person before disposal in a body of water ...1962 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT SHOES a block of cement used by gangsters to weigh down the feet of a murdered person before disposal in a body of water ...1975 Amer. sl.
• CONTRACT an arrangement to have someone murdered by a professional killer ...1930s Amer. sl.
• HIT LIST a list of persons to be murdered or assassinated ...1976 Amer. sl.
• MANQUELLING † manslaughter, homicide, murder ...c1380
• MANSLAUGHT † manslaughter, murder, homicide ...c897
• MAN-SLAYING the act of killing a man; homicide; murder ...c1380
• MASSACRE † a cruel or peculiarly atrocious murder ...1589
• MURDER BAG a bag made of hide and containing all such equipment as is necessary in the investigation of a murder ...20C Scotland Yard usage
• MURDER ONE first-degree murder ...1971 US sl.
• MURTH † murder, slaughter ...c893
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN a homicide ...1940s sl.
• ONE EIGHTYSEVEN a homicide ...1940s sl.
• RAP the identification of somebody as a murder target ...1910s sl.
• SASSINATION * murder ...1623
• SNUFF a murder ...1930s
• SNUFFING a killing, esp. a murder ...1970s Amer. sl.
• TAG a planned murder ...1982 US sl.
• TORCH the murder of a fellow inmate by tossing a Molotov cocktail or petrol bomb into the cell ..1960s US prison sl.
• TRUCIDATION * a cruel killing or murdering; humorous use: slaughter ...1623
MURDER - nouns, person
• MAN OF BLOOD a one who is laden with bloodguiltiness ...1382
MURDER - verbs
• BE JAMMED to meet with a violent death, by accident, murder, or hanging ...1811 sl.
• CANCEL SOMEONE OUT to murder someone ...1990s sl.
• CANCEL SOMEONE'S TICKET to murder, to assassinate ...1960s sl.
• CAP to kill, to murder, to shoot dead ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• CARRY THE MAIL to commit a murder for hire ...1971 US sl.
• CLIP to murder, to execute ...US sl.
• CONTRUCIDATE † to wound, murder, or kill; to assassinate ...1656
• CROKE to die; to murder ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• DOOM to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• DOOM OUT to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• FAKE OUT AND OUT to kill; to murder ...E19 sl.
• GIVE THE AXE to kill, to murder ...1897 Amer. sl.
• GUZZLE to seize by the throat, esp. with an armlock; to strangle; to choke violently; to throttle; broadly, to murder ...1885 Amer. sl.
• KNOCK OFF THE HOOKS to kill, to murder ...M19 sl.
• MAKE AWAY WITH to kill, to destroy, to murder ...1892 Sc.
• MAKE ONE to commit a murder ...2000s sl.
• MAKE ONE'S BONES to arrange and carry out one's first contracted murder ...1950s US criminals' sl.
• MANQUELL †* to murder ...a1548
• OFF to kill or murder; to destroy ...1930 sl., orig. US Black
• O.J. to murder ...1990s US Black sl.
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN to murder; hence, gang slogan used by the Crips of Los Angeles B187, i.e. 'we kill Bloods' ...1990s US Black gang sl.
• ONE EIGHTYSEVEN to murder; hence, gang slogan used by the Crips of Los Angeles B187, i.e. 'we kill Bloods' ...1990s US Black gang sl.
• PUT OFF to kill; to murder ...1990s Aust. sl.
• PUT ONE'S HEAD OUT to murder ...2000s US Black gang sl.
• QUIET DOWN to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• SASSINATE * to assassinate, to murder ...1656
• SCHOLICK to seriously injure; to murder ...1898 Eng. dial.
• SCRAG to kill deliberately; to murder someone ...1930 US sl.
• SHOVE OFF to murder ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• SHUT UP SOMEONE'S SHOP to kill someone; to murder someone ...L19 sl.
• SNUFF to murder, to kill ...1930s sl.
• SNUFF SOMEONE'S CANDLE to kill, to murder ...L19 sl.
• TAKE to murder ...1930 UK criminals' sl.
• TAKE FOR A RIDE to assassinate, usually by taking the victim out in a car and killing them at some stage, then dumping the body far from one's base ...1927 US criminals' sl.
• TAKE OFF to slaughter, murder ...1897 Sc.
• TAKE SOMEONE OFF THE CALENDAR to kill, to murder ...1980s US sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE OFF THE COUNT to murder, to kill ...1980s sl.
• WACK SOMEONE OUT to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
• WHACK SOMEONE OUT to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
• ZOTZ to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
MURDER - phrases
• MURDER BAGS ARE OUT, THE a murder is being investigated ...20C Scotland Yard usage
MURDERED - adjectives
• ELIMINATED killed, murdered ...E20 US criminals' sl.
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN murdered, dead ...1990s US sl.
• SILENT murdered ...1725 sl.
• UPSTATE murdered ...2003 US sl.
MURDERED - verbs
• MOB to be murdered on the instructions of a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• MOB IT to be murdered on the instructions of a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• TAKE IT FROM THE HEAD to be murdered ...1990s US gang sl.
• TAKE THE CHECKERS to be murdered ...1934 US criminals' sl.
MURDERER - nouns, person
• BANE † a slayer or murderer; one who causes the death or destruction of another ...a800
• BANEMAN a murderer ...1870 arch.
• BANESMAN a murderer ...1870 arch.
• CAIN a murderer ...ME
• GUZZLER one who strangles or throttles; a murderer ...L19 sl.
• MACTATOR †* a killer or murderer ...1656
• MAGISTRICIDE a murderer of one's master or teacher ...1670 nonce word
• MANQUELLE †* a murderer ...c1250
• MANQUELLER † a manslayer, a murderer ...c1290 obs. exc. arch.
• MANSLAUGHT † a murderer ...a1300
• MANSLAYER one who kills a man; a homicide; a murderer; occasionally, one who commits manslaughter ...a1300
• MULLER a murderer ...1979 Brit. sl.
• MULLIER a murderer ...20C Brit. market-traders' sl.
MURDEROUS - adjectives
• CARNAL † bloody, murderous ...1594
• DEAD-DOING † 'doing to death'; causing death; killing, murderous; destructive, fatal, mortal ... 1590
• DEATH-DOING doing to death, killing, murderous ...a1652
• HOMICIDIOUS * pert. to homicide; tending to or resulting in homicide; man-slaying; murderous ...1632
• MASSACROUS † pertaining to massacre; cruelly murderous ...1593
• RED-HANDED murderous, applied to one who has shed blood ...1898 Sc.
• SICARIOUS * murderous ...1811
MURDEROUS - nouns
• SULLEVATION † insurrection; a murderous intention ...1611
• SULLIVATION † insurrection; a murderous intention ...1605
MURKY - adjectives
• CALIGINOUS misty, dim, murky; obscure, dark ...1548 now arch.
• TROUBLY † of air, etc.: misty, murky, cloudy, not clear ...c1380
MURMUR - nouns
• BURBLE a murmurous flow of words ...1898
• WAFF of sounds: a soft strain; a faint echo; a murmur ...1832 Sc.
MURMUR - verbs
• BURBLE to speak murmurously ...1891
• CHANNER to mutter, grumble, murmur, fret, complain; to scold, not noisily, but constantly; to chide ...c1375 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CRAKE to whimper, or plaintively ask for a thing over and over again; to murmur, to complain, to fret ....1871 Eng. dial.
• CURMUR to make a low murmuring or purring sound ...1831
• DEMURMURATE † to murmur, to mutter ...1641
• GRUMBLE IN THE GIZZARD to be annoyed, but to keep one's feelings to oneself; to be secretly displeased; to complain and be dissatisfied or discontented; to murmur or repine ...1785 Eng. dial.
• JANGLE to speak angrily, harshly, or discordantly; to grumble, to murmur, to contend, to dispute, to wrangle, to squabble ...a1300 arch.
• MORK †* to complain, to murmur ...c888
• NURN † to complain, to murmur ...B1900
• ORP to fret, to grumble, to murmur discontentedly, to complain in a peevish, nagging manner ...1725 Sc.
• RANE to repeat constantly the same thing; to murmur monotonously; to rhyme ...1899 Sc.
• YAMMER to murmur, to complain; to grumble ...1774 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MURMURING - adjectives
• MUSSITANT † speaking in an undertone, muttering, murmuring ...1681
• MUTTEROUS †* full of muttering sound, murmuring, buzzing ...1582
MURMURING - nouns
• ADMURMURATION † a murmuring at ...1731
• CRAKE a murmuring, a grumbling ...1838 Eng. dial.
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
• OBMURMURATION † a murmuring against something ...1604
MUSCLE, MUSCULAR - adjectives
• ABBED having well-defined abdominal muscles ...2002 UK sl.
• BEEFY heavy and muscular; hardy ...1889
• BUFF strong, muscular, healthy ...1980s sl.
• HEFTY weighty; muscular ...1871 sl.
• HUNKY attractive; muscular ...1972 US sl.
• HUSKY said of a man who is big, vigorous, and muscular ...1869 sl., orig. US
• JACKED muscular ...2000s US college sl.
• LACERTOSE † having large muscles; muscular ...c1400
• LACERTOUS † having large muscles; muscular ...1541
• RENKY large and well-made; athletic, muscular ...1684 Eng. dial.
• WELL-DEVELOPED pert. to a man with fully developed or large genitals, slim hips, broad shoulders, and a muscular body
MUSCLE - nouns
• ABS the abdominal muscles ...1956 US sl.
• CHARLEY any minor stiffness or pain of the joints or muscles; a Charley horse ...20C Amer. sl.
• CRICK a painful muscle spasm or cramp, esp. in the neck or back ...15C colloq.
• FLESH-STRING † a muscle ...1587
• LACERT † a muscle ...c1386
• QUADS the quadriceps muscles ...1984 US sl.
MUSCLE - verbs
• CRICK to cause a crick in the neck, back, etc. ...15C colloq.
• GET VEINS in bodybuilding: to achieve definition, or well-developed and sculpted muscles ...1984 US sl.
MUSCULAR - adjectives
• NERVOUS * sinewy, muscular; vigorous, strong; ...1413
• STACKED muscular ...2002 US sl.
MUSCULAR - nouns, person
• AMAZON a very tall or muscular person of either sex ...1960s US campus sl.
• ANIMAL an athletic or muscular man, esp. a bodyguard or hired thug ...1921 Amer. sl.
• BEEFCAKE a muscular man ...1949 sl., orig. US
• BUNK an oafish, dull, if muscular person ...1910s US sl.
• HE-HUCKLEBERRY a 'he-man'; a well-built, muscular man, esp. one who is ostentatiously so ...1933 Amer. dial.
• MUSCLE a muscular man employed to intimidate others with violence, or threats of violence ...1942 sl., orig. US
• NO-NECK a muscular, stupid man ...Aust. sl.
• NUGGET a short, thickset or muscular person ...c1890 Aust. colloq.
MUSE, MUSING - adjectives
• COGITABUND * deep in thought; thoughtful, meditating, musing ...1649
MUSE - verbs
• DERN to muse, to think ...B1900 Sc.
• MAUNDER to talk idly and incoherently; to mumble; to grumble; to threaten in an undertone; to muse, to ponder ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEASE to be absent-minded, to muse ...1877 Eng. dial.
MUSEUM - nouns
• CABINET † a room devoted to the display of works of art; a museum, picture-gallery, etc. ...1676 obs. or arch.
MUSHROOM - nouns (also see TOADSTOOL)
• CAMPERNOYLE † a mushroom or toadstool ...1527
• CATFACE mushrooms that grow out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1966 Amer. dial.
• CAT STOOL a mushroom that grows out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S BREAD a mushroom that grows on woodland stumps and trees and logs ...1907 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S FOOTSTOOL large, round mushroom ...1950 Amer. dial.
• MUSHYROOM a mushroom ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• FAIRY RING a circle of mushrooms; one of the mushrooms in a circle ...1895 Amer. dial.
• FAIRY TABLE the common mushroom Agaricus campestris, and other fungi ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FAIRY UMBRELLA a mushroom ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MOOSH mushrooms ...1990s sl.
• MUSH mushrooms ...1990s sl.
• ONE-FOOT MEAT an edible fungus ...1950s W. Indies sl.
• S AND M sausage and mushrooms ...1996 US sl.
• TAIL the stalk of a mushroom ...1613 Eng. dial.
• TOAD a mushroom or toadstool ...1968 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG HOUSE a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG STOOL a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD'S BREAD † a fungus, a mushroom, a toadstool ...1624
• TOAD'S UMBRELLA a mushroom or toadstool ...1941 Amer. dial.
• TOAD UMBRELLA a mushroom or toadstool ...1986 Amer. dial.
• TREE FROG a mushroom that grows out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1969 Amer. dial.
• TREE TOAD a mushroom or toadstool ...1968 Amer. dial.
• WOODPECKER OF MARS the Amanita Muscaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom ...M20 US drugs sl.
MUSIC, MUSICAL - adjectives
• CANOROUS singing, melodious, musical; resonant, ringing ...1646
• CRANKIN' excellent; esp. in music ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DANCEY of music: suitable for dancing to ...E20 colloq.
• DINKY of music: pleasant, easy-listening ...1976 UK sl.
• EFFEMINATE † of music, odours, etc.: soft, voluptuous ...1674
• FUNKED OUT in the style of the music and clothes promoted by the funk banks of the 1970s, esp. George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic ...1990s sl.
• FUNKY said of a nitty-gritty truly felt blues mood in jazz, and therefore in the people who produce this art form ...1950s sl., orig. US
• HARMONIAC † relating to harmony, or to the cultivation of music ...1771 nonce word
• HARMONICAL † 1. of musical notes: harmonious, sweet-sounding, tuneful ...a1500
† 2. belonging to or relating to music; musical ...1603
• LACED of music: mixed ...2000s sl.
• LAID-BACK of popular music: soothing ...1969 US colloq.
• NEW SCHOOL in rap music: anything recent or new ...1990s sl.
• OFF THE DOME of rap lyrics: spontaneous, composed as one goes along ...1980s US Black sl.
• OFF THE HOOK in rap music: wonderful; exciting; impressive ...1996 Amer. sl.
• OFF THE TOP OF THE DOME of rap lyrics: spontaneous, composing lyrics as you go along; usually as 'coming (or going) off the top of the dome' ...1980s US Black sl.
• OLD SCHOOL in rap music: used of anything pertaining to the early days of the musical styles, esp. the work of such performers as Grandmaster Flash, or Afrika Bambaataa ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• OLD SKOOL in rap music: used of anything pertaining to the early days of the musical styles, esp. the work of such performers as Grandmaster Flash, or Afrika Bambaataa ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• ORGANIC † pert. to musical instruments; instrumental ...1811
• ORGANICAL † performed on an instrument, instrumental ...1521
• ORPHEAN of or relating to Orpheus, as musician and singer, who was said to move rocks and trees by the strains of his lyre; hence: melodious, musical, entrancing
• ROCKY characteristic of rock music; featuring loud distorted guitars and a strong rhythm ...L20
• ROOTSY of music: traditional, ethnic; not commercialized ...L20 colloq.
• ROOTY-TOOT of music, esp. early jazz: noisy and lively ...L20 sl., chiefly US
• TRANCEY of trance music ...1998 UK sl.
• UNAIRABLE † not capable of forming good music ...a1619
• WANTON † of colour, music: gay, lively ...1583
MUSIC - adverbs
• FALSE † of music: out of tune, incorrectly ...1591 obs. or arch.
MUSIC - nouns
• ABUSAK elevator music ...20C teen & high school sl.
• ACID JAZZ a kind of popular dance music incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and hip hop ...1999 sl.
• ACID ROCK a type of rock music associated with the taking of hallucinogenic drugs ...1966 sl.
• AIREL musical tones of whatever kind ...Bk1898 Sc.
• AMYL HOUSE a dance music genre ...1996 UK sl.
• BABY SCRATCH the most basic technique of manipulating a vinyl record to create new music ...2002 US sl.
• BALLISTICS vivid, forcefully delivered rap lyrics ...1991 US rap music usage
• BOOGIE boogie-woogie ...M20
• BOOGIE-WOOGIE a percussive style of playing blues, esp. on piano, with a repetitive bass figure ...E20
• CANT † singing, musical sound ...1501
• CHITLIN(S) CIRCUIT the bars, lounges, clubs, etc. at which Black artists perform before a hit recording opens the door to major White outlets ...1974 Amer. music industry usage
• CLINKER a wrong musical note, a discord; an error in performance, a blunder ...M20 N. Amer. sl.
• DADROCK 1990s rock music that sounds like music from a generation earlier ...1999 UK sl.
• DARKSIDE a category of rave music ...2002 UK sl.
• DIDDLE a jingle of music, as of a fiddle ...1806 Sc.
• DIDDLING keeping time to music with the feet ...1835 Sc.
• EAR CANDY light, undemanding pop music ...1984 Amer. sl.
• EAR-SPORTS entertainments of song or music ...1870 Amer.
• FAKE BOOK a book of chords used by musicians who improvise off the basic chords ...1970 US sl.
• FANGS musical ability ...1958 US sl.
• FOOTBALL a simple musical accompaniment used when a performer is ad libbing ...1973 US sl.
• FREAK ROCK a musical style allegedly influenced by, and purporting to recreate the sensations of, LSD and other similar psychedelics ...1960s sl.
• FUNK the 'soul' quality in Black music; the melancholy mood of the blues ...1950s US sl.
• GANGSTA RAP a rap music genre characterized by explicit sex and violence which, it is claimed, reflects Black urban existence ...1992 US sl.
• GARAGE BAND an amateur rock group with a basic, three-chord approach to music ...1977 US sl.
• GET OFF in swing music: an improvised solo ...20C sl.
• GIG a playing date or engagement, esp. a one-night job ...1905 Amer. jazz musicians' usage
• G-RAP a rap music genre characterized by explicit sex and violence which, it is claimed, reflects Black urban existence ...1992 US sl.
• GRUNGE a form of rock music, epitomized by the work of the Seattle band Nirvana, but first used in relation to the New York Dolls, c1973; also, the fashion style that developed out of the rock music (1980s) ...1970s sl.
• HAIRCUT BAND a band that is mocked for being more interested in style than music ...1980s sl.
• HARPING-GLEE † harp music ...a1300
• HOUSE a kind of dance music derived from soul, rock, and jazz, with a strong percussive bear, originally a Black Chicago style ...1980s Amer. sl.
• JAM BAND a musical band known for long improvisations ...1981 US
• JANGLE a musical session ...1938 Amer. dial.
• JIVE ON THE BOX music on the radio ...1943 Amer. sl.
• KICKER MUSIC country and western music ...1986 Amer. dial.
• MEET a session in which musicians collectively improve; a jam session ...1957 US sl.
• OLD-FOGEYISM (derogatory) a term for a blues singer's style; a blues style with strong African and Delta roots ...1900s US Black sl.
• OPUSCLE * a small work, esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1658
• OPUSCULE a small work; esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1656
• OPUSCULUM a small work; esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1654
• PHAT FLAVOR good music ...Bk1998 teen sl.
• PHILADELPHIA MAFIA recording artists, record producers, and radio personalities based in Philadelphia in the late 1950s ...1982 US sl.
• QUO VADIS unfashionable or unpopular music ...2003 UK sl.
• RAMA-LAMA rock 'n' roll music ...2001 UK sl.
• RAP a style of music with singing or chanting of the lyrics against a heavy bass line, usually produced by a drum
• RAPPING performing rap music ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• RIFF a rhythmic musical phrase played repeatedly; used in jazz and rock ...1935 US sl.
• RIFFAGE rhythmic style(s) of rock music ...2002 UK sl.
• ROARATORIO an oratorio ...1785 sl.
• ROCKABILLY a type of popular music originating in the southeastern US, combining elements of rock and roll and hillbilly music; also a performer or devotee of this music ...M20 orig.
• ROCKABOOGIE a type of popular music combining elements of rock and roll and boogie-woogie ...M20
• ROCKISM the theory that traditional rock music is a more authentic form of popular music than pop music ...E20
• SALON MUSIC (sometimes derogatory) light classical music intended esp. for domestic entertaining
• SKA a rhythmic musical style that evolved into reggae ...1993 Jamaica
• SKIFFLE a music genre, a sort of poor man's rock 'n' roll, played on homemade or low budget instruments; popular in the late 1950s ...1957 UK
• SOUNDS music; good music ...1950s Amer. sl.
• SPOTS the music symbols on sheet music ...1920s US Black sl.
• STACK in rock music: an assemblage of loudspeakers ...1996 UK sl.
• TEERY-LARRY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TEERY-LEERY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TERRY-LERRY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TIN PAN ALLEY the centre of the music business, esp. that area where music writers, lyricists and song pluggers have their offices ...L19 sl., orig.
• TIRRA-LIRRA a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TONATION †* the act of toning or producing musical tones; the tones or notes so produced ...1728
• TYRA-LYRA a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TRANSFORMER a stuttering type of manipulation of a record to create a musical effect ...2002 sl.
• TUNE THE OLD COW DIED OF any discordant music ...1898
• VERSIONING a technique in hip-hop music of blending different periods and styles of recorded music ...2000 US sl.
• WOW an intrusive wavering sound from a record player, usually caused by uneven running of the turntable ...1930s Amer. sl.
MUSIC, MUSICIAN - nouns, person
• ALLIGATOR an active devotee of swing and jive music, dancing, and speech ...1930s Amer. jive talk usage
• AXMAN a musician, esp. a guitarist ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• BANDER one of a band of musicians ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BARD a strolling musician or minstrel ...1449 Sc.
• B-BOY a rap music devotee (B = Beat) ...20C teen & high school sl.
• B-GIRL a Black female teenager, focused on rap music and the ghetto street lifestyle ...1980s US Black sl.
• BOSHMEN fiddlers, or musicians in general ...Bk1890 sl.
• BOTTLER an itinerant musician's travelling companion ...1996 Irish sl.
• BOX-BEATER a piano player ...1915 Amer. sl.
• CALAMIST † one who plays upon a reed; a piper ...1656 obs.
• CALLITHUMP a band or member of a band that makes discordant so-called music by playing a number of instruments, either in an unlikely combination or conjured up from unlikely objects, such as washboards, tin kettles, etc. ...M19 US sl.
• CALLITHUMPIAN a band or member of a band that makes discordant so-called music by playing a number of instruments, either in an unlikely combination or conjured up from unlikely objects, such as washboards, tin kettles, etc. ...M19 US sl.
• DEATH-HEAD a fan of Goth music ...1990s sl.
• FAGOTTIST a performer on the bassoon ...1886
• FATS a jazz musician ...1910s sl., orig. US Black
• FRONTMAN the leader of most prominent member of a group of musicians
• FUNKATEER one who likes funk music ...1950s sl., orig. US Black
• GANGSTA RAPPER a rap artist, who reflects on the Black urban experience in an explicitly sexual and violent manner ...1990 US sl.
• HARMONIAN †* one versed in harmony or music; a musician ...1603
• HARMONICIAN † one versed in harmony or musical theory ...1760
• MUSICAL MOKE a Black minstrel who plays a number of different instruments in succession ...1895 Amer. sl.
• MUSICKER a musician ...Amer. dial.
• MUSO 1. (derogatory) a musician, esp. a pop musician, regarded as being overconcerned with technique rather than musical content or expression ...Brit. sl.
2. any musician, esp. a professional one ...Aust. sl.
• MUTHAH used by fans of heavy-metal music to refer to each other or their heroes ...sl.
• MUTIE a daring exponent, a devotee ...Brit. surfers' & rock music fans usage
• JAZZ BABY a person, esp. an attractive young woman, who is a fan of jazz music ...1919 Amer. sl.
• JAZZBO a man who is a jazz enthusiast; a jazz musician ...1921 Amer. dial.
• METALHEAD a fan of heavy metal music ...1980s sl., orig. US teen
• MICKEY a second-rate, commercial band playing uninspired music ...1940s US sl.
• MUSO a musician, esp. a professional one ...1967 Aust. sl.
• PAL a studio musician ...1982 US sl.
• PANATIC a devoted, die-hard fan of steelband music ...1988 Trinidad and Tobago
• PUNK an adherent of a youth sub-culture first coalescing in 1976 around punk rock music ...1970s sl.
• PUNKETTE a young female punk rocker ...sl.
• QUAVER a musician ...c1860 sl.
• RAPPER a practitioner or devotee of rap music ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• RAPTAVIST a politically active rap artist ...1980s US Black sl.
• ROCKABILLY a type of popular music originating in the southeastern US, combining elements of rock and roll and hillbilly music; also a performer or devotee of this music ...M20 orig.
• ROCKER a person who performs, dances to, or enjoys rock music; spec., one associated with long hair, leather jackets, and motorcycles ...M20
• ROCKIST an adherent or supporter of rockism (see noun) ...L20
• ROCKSTER a performer of rock music ...M20
• SENDER one who pleases or delights, esp. a pop musician ...1935 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• SIGHTSMAN one who reads or performs music at sight ...1776
• THRUMMER 1. a contemptible musician ...Bk1905 Sc.
2. an itinerant musician ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TIMER †* one who is skilled in time or measure; a musician ...c1500
• TIMIST one who keeps correct time in music ...1765
• VAMPER one who improvises music, especially accompaniments accompaniments on the pianoforte ...1884
• WAITS † 1. a small body of wind instrumentalists maintained by a city or town at the public charge; they played for the daily diversion of the councillors, on ceremonial and festive occasions, and as a town or city band they entertained the citizens, walking the streets, often by night or in the early morning ...1298
2. a band of musicians and singers who walk the streets by night at the approach of Christmas and the New Year playing and singing carols and other seasonable music for gratuities ...1773
• ZOID a fan of punk rock and its attendant styles ...1980s US campus sl.
MUSIC - nouns, person, other
• BAND RAT a woman who associates herself with musicians usually offering sex in return for proxy celebrity ...1940s sl.
MUSIC, INSTRUMENT - nouns
• AFRICAN HARP a banjo ...1930s US sl.
• AGONY BOX 1. a piano ...1900s US sl.
2. a ukulele ...2000s sl.
• AGONY PIPE a clarinet ...1930s US sl.
• AIREL an old name for a flute; properly applied to a pipe made from a reed ...Bk1898 Sc. obs.
• AIR GUITAR an imaginary instrument played by would-be guitar heroes ...sl.
• AX a musical instrument, esp. an electric guitar; orig. used in jazz circles for any instrument, particularly a saxophone or trumpet, instruments on which 'chops' (musical figures) are played ...1955 US jazz sl.
• AXE a musical instrument, esp. an electric guitar; orig. used in jazz circles for any instrument, particularly a saxophone or trumpet, instruments on which 'chops' (musical figures) are played ...1955 US jazz sl.
• BAGS † bagpipes ...c1275 poetic
• BANGER a banjo ...1951 Amer. dial.
• BANJA a banjo ...1941 Amer. dial.
• BANJER a banjo ...1905 Amer. dial.
• BANJOLIN a musical instrument combining the characteristics of the banjo and mandolin, used in ragtime music ...1889
• BANJULELE a stringed musical instrument of a type between a banjo and a ukulele ...1925
• BELLY FIDDLE a guitar ...20C US Black sl.
• BEME † a trumpet ...a800
• BONE a trombone ...1918 US sl.
• BOSH a fiddle ...1859 sl.
• BOX 1. a piano ...1908 Amer. sl.
2. a guitar ...1911 Amer. sl.
3. a banjo ...1936 Amer. sl.
4. an accordion or concertina ...1980 Amer. sl.
• BREATH HARP a harmonica ...1946 Amer. dial.
• BUNGER a banjo ...1951 Amer. dial.
• CORN-ON-THE-COB a harmonica ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAGO'S PIANO an accordion ...20C US sl.
• DEVIL'S MUSIC BOX the fiddle ...1949 Amer. dial.
• FAGOTTO a bassoon ...1724
• FIDDLE-BOX a fiddle, a violin ...1928 Amer. dial.
• GOBSTICK a clarinet ...sl.
• GRUNT HORN a tuba ...1926 US sl.
• GRUNT IRON a tuba ...1935 US sl.
• GUTBUCKET a washtub bass ...1964 Amer. sl.
• HARKAUDIENCE an accordion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HARMONICUM a harmonica ...1916 Amer. dial.
• HARMONISTER a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• HARP a harmonica ...1887 Amer. dial.
• HARPSICAL † a corrupt version of 'harpsichord' ...1616
• HARPSICON † a corrupt version of 'harpsichord' ...1633
• HARMONIA a harmonica ...1973 Amer. dial.
• HARMONIC a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• HAUTBOY an oboe ...1575
• HAWBOY a hautboy; an oboe ...1889 Eng. dial.
• HEWGAG a toy musical instrument, in which a piece of parchment, etc., is vibrated by blowing ...M19 US
• HOBOY an oboe ...1575
• LAP ORGAN an accordion ...1892 Amer. dial.
• LICORICE STICK a clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.
• LIQUORICE STICK a clarinet ...c1945 Brit. sl.
• MACHINE a trumpet ...1983 UK sl.
• MARROWBONES castanets, bones; performers on the castanets ...1893 Eng. dial.
• MOUTH STEINWAY a harmonica ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• NACKER a drum ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• ORGAN † applied vaguely to various musical instruments, esp. wind instruments ...c1000
• ORGANOGRAPHY † a description of instruments ...1559
• ORGANY †* an organ; a musical instrument ...1377
• RIBIBE † a stringed instrument like a rebeck or guitar ...c1425
• SAWBOX a cello ...1930s sl., orig. US Black
• SAX a saxophone ...1920s sl.
• SAXA a saxophone ...1930s Aust. sl.
• SAY-CORDI BOX a guitar; 'six-cord box' ...1940s sl.
• SINEW † a string in a musical instrument ...1591
• SKINS drums ...1926 UK sl.
• SLOP a saxophone (because of the saliva that collects in it) ...1940s US Black sl.
• SLUSH PUMP a trombone (because of the spittle that tends to collect in the slide) ...1930s US sl.
• SMALL PIPE an alto saxophone ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAMBERBASE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBER DE BASE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOUR a drum; the bass drum ...1484
• TAMBOURBASQUE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOUR DE BASQUE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOURET † a small drum ...1776
• TEETH ORGAN a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TIMBREL a musical instrument of percussion; a tambourine or the like that could be help up in the hand ...1500-20
• TIMP †* a tambourine ...c1205
• TING-A-LING in music: a triangle ...1941 Amer. dial.
• TOOTLE-TE-TOOTLE a piece of continuous tootling, the sound made by blowing a horn or other wind instrument ...1855
• TRAPS drums and other items of percussion collectively ...1903 US musicians' sl.
• UKE a ukulele ...1915 sl., orig. US
• WAITS † wind instruments, either hautboys (oboes), flutes, or shawms (forerunner of the oboe) ...1530
• WOBBLE BOARD a simple musical instrument made of a sheet of still material that is wobbled rhythmically ...1957 Aust. sl.
• WOODPILE a xylophone ...1945 US sl.
MUSIC, INSTRUMENT - nouns, person
• BORER a drummer ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ELBOW BENDER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FIDDLESTER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIT-BOXER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIT-FIDDLER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GITTER PLINKER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICORICE-STICKER one who plays the clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.
• MARROW-BONES castanets, bones; performers on the castanets ...1893 Eng. dial.
• PLINK-PLONKER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PLUNKER BOY a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROSIN SNIFFER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SCRAPER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SKIN BEATER a drummer ...1947 US sl.
• SKINSMAN a drummer ...1983 UK sl.
• SQUEAKER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TIMBESTER a female performer on the 'timbrel' (see nouns) ...a1366
• TIMBRELLER a performer on the 'timbrel' (see nouns)...1833
• TIMBRER †* a timbrel-player (see nouns) ...c1425
• WINDJAMMER a trumpeter; a bandsman ...World War I Amer. sl.
MUSIC - verbs
• BEME † to blow on a trumpet ...c1000
• BRING THE NOISE to have a wild party or good time; to play music ...1972 Amer. sl.
• CALAMIZE † to pipe or sing ...1656
• CARVE in jazz: to outplay another musician in a competition of solos ...1883 US sl.
• CRANK to turn up the volume of music to very loud ...1994 US sl.
• DIDDLE to dance with short, quick steps; to dance like a dwarf; also, to keep time to music with the feet ...1733 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DROP to sing or perform rap music; to release a musical recording; to select and play a record ...L20 sl.
• FAKE to improvise, to play music by ear ...c1920 Can. dance-bands' usage
• JAZZ to play or dance to jazz music ...1917 Amer. sl.
• RAG to play or dance to ragtime music ...1900s US sl.
• RIFF to repeatedly play a rhythmic musical figure, usually on a piano or guitar ...1955 US sl.
• ROCK A BEAT to play music ...1990s US Black sl.
• ROCK OUT to perform rock music loudly and vigorously, to enjoy oneself enthusiastically esp. by dancing to rock music ...colloq.
• SEE in jazz: to read music ...1930s US Black sl.
• SEND to arouse emotionally; to be deeply moved by music ...1900s US Black sl.
• SPREAD ONE'S JENK to have a good time; to sing or enjoy music ..1920s US Black sl.
• PAT to tap or stamp one's foot or clap one's hands in time to music or dancing; to beat time ...1848 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
• TALK GREASY to rap smoothly and stylishly ...2000s US Black sl.
• THARM to play on a stringed instrument ...1863 Sc.
• THRUM to strum, to play on a musical instrument; to drum, to make a drumming nose; to hum, to croon, to drone ...1865 Sc.
• THRUMBLE †* to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar or harp, by plucking the strings; to strum ...1685
• TIMBRE † to play on the 'timbrel' (see nouns) ...c1400
• TIMBREL to play upon a 'timbrel' (see nouns); to accompany with a 'timbrel' or similar instrument ...1629
• TIRL † to pluck at; to pluck at the strings of a harp or the like so as to cause them to sound ...c1470
• TOOTLE-TOO to produce a succession of modulated notes on a wind instrument ...1857
• UP to play music ...1950s US Black sl.
• VAMP to accompany a singer by ear; to improvise or play on a musical instrument ...1851 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• WARBLE † 1. to manipulate the strings of a musical instrument in playing ...1578
2. of a stringed instrument: to give forth melodious sounds ...1620
MUSICAL - nouns
• THRUM a drumming noise; a musical sound; a hum ...1818 Sc.
MUSICAL CHAIRS - nouns
• BOSTON EXCHANGE the game of musical chairs ...1969 Amer. dial.
• CHAIR WALK the game of musical chairs ...1966 Amer. dial.
• CHANGING CHAIRS the game of musical chairs ...1965 Amer. dial.
MUSIC HALL - nouns
• ARTFUL FOX a theatrical box ...1882 music-hall rhyming sl.
• DARKIES a variety of late-night music-halls and bars on or near the Strand, London, usually situated below ground level ...M19 sl.
• GAFF a cheap music hall or theatre ...L18 sl.
• PENNY GAFF a cheap theatre or music-hall ...1812 UK sl.
MUSIC HALL - verbs
• CRACK THE MONICA to ring the bell to summon a performer to reappear ...c1860 music-halls' sl.
• GAFF to play or perform in a music hall ...M19 sl.
MUSING - adjectives
• COGITABUNDOUS deep in thought, thoughtful, meditating, musing ...1627
MUSKRAT - nouns
• BOTTOM CAT the muskrat ...1970 Amer. dial.
• MARSH HARE a muskrat ...1947 Amer. dial.
• MARSH RAT a muskrat ...1967 Amer. dial.
• RAT a muskrat ...1832 Amer. dial.
• TILE RAT the muskrat ...1969 Amer. dial.
• TRAPPER'S RAT a muskrat ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TRAPPING RAT a muskrat ...1966 Amer. dial.
• WATER RAT a muskrat ...1835 Amer. dial.
MUSKY - adjectives
• MOSCHATE having a musky smell ...1820
MUSLIM - nouns, person
• HALAL (derogatory) a Muslim, esp. a Pakistani immigrant ...1990s sl.
MUSSEL - nouns
• BANK a bed of oysters, mussels, etc. ...1719
MUSSEL - verbs
• WORM to remove the beard of an oyster or mussel ...1859 UK sl.
MUST - nouns
• OLD must, mould ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MUSTARD - nouns
• BABY mustard ...1935 US Military Academy usage
• BABY SHIT mustard ...1972 US sl.
MUSTINESS - nouns
• VINEW † mould, mouldiness, mustiness ...1538
MUSTY - adjectives
• FADY damp, musty; covered with perspiration ...1790 Eng. dial.
• RAFTY † damp, musty, fusty ...1655 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• VINNY mouldy, mildewed, musty; esp. used of bread or cheese ...1796 Eng. dial.
MUSTY - verbs
• FINEW † to become mouldy or musty ...c1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• OLD musty, rotten; fetid ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MUTE - adjectives
• OBMUTESCENT remaining mute ...1876
• TONGUE-TACKIT tongue-tied; having an impediment in speech; dumb, mute ...1825 Sc.
MUTE - nouns
• OBMUTESCENCE a becoming (wilfully) mute, speechless, or dumb; the act of obstinately remaining mute ...1646
MUTE - verbs
• DAMPER to mute, to quiet ...1979 US sl.
MUTILATE - verbs
• BELIM † to cut off a limb or the limbs; to dismember, to mutilate; to disfigure ...c1205
• HAGGLE to mangle with repeated irregular cuts or cutting blows; to cut clumsily with uneven jagged edges; to hack, to mangle, to mutilate; to bungle ...1599
• HAMBLE † to mutilate, maim; to cut away; specifically, to cut off the balls of the feet of dogs, so as to render them unfit for hunting ...a1050 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MANG to break in pieces, to mutilate, to maim, to injure ...1825 Sc.
• MANK † to maim, to mangle, to mutilate; to make defective; to impair, to spoil ...a1400-50 obs. exc. Sc.
• MARTYR † 1. to mutilate, to spoil a thing ...c1450
† 2. to inflict wounds or disfiguring blows upon; to mutilate; also, to disfigure the face with weeping ...1590 obs. exc. Sc.
• MARTYRIZE † to disfigure or mutilate by the infliction of wounds or blows ...1635
• MASSACRE † to mutilate, to mangle ...1589
• TO-HENE † to mutilate by stoning ...c1200
MUTILATED - adjectives
• HAGGLED mangled, hacked, mutilated ...1894 Sc.
• MANK † maimed, mutilated, defective ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• MARRED disfigured, mutilated, damaged ...1870
• MARTYRED † tormented, mutilated ...1580
MUTILATION - nouns
• MANCATION † maiming, mutilation ...1727
MUTINY - adjectives
• MALCONTENT discontented, dissatisfied; inclined to rebellion or mutiny; restless and disaffected ...1586
MUTINY - verbs
• FACTION † to act in a factious or rebellious spirit; to intrigue; to mutiny ...1609
MUTTER - verbs
• BARBETTE †* to make inarticulate sounds; to mutter ...c1480
• CHANNER to mutter, grumble, murmur, fret, complain; to scold, not noisily, but constantly; to chide ...c1375 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CUDDLE-MUDDLE to speak in a secret, muttering voice ...Sc.
• DEMURMURATE † to murmur, to mutter ...1641
• DRUMBLE † to talk, mutter, or mumble in a sleepy, monotonous manner ...1579 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HARK to speak in one's ear; to whisper or mutter ...1583 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HEE-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM AND HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HUM AND HAW to speak hesitatingly; to stammer; to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...1632
• MAMBLE † to mumble or mutter; to chatter ...c1275
• MAMMER to stammer or mutter ...Eng. dial.
• MUSSITATE † to mutter; to speak through the teeth ...1626
• NEDEUM to mutter curses to oneself ...Bk1905 Sc.
• PAITER to mutter; to talk incessantly; to be talkative ...1896 Sc.
• PALTER † to speak indistinctly or idly; to say or recite in an indistinct tone; to mumble, to mutter, to babble ...1538
• RADOTE †* to mutter disconnectedly ...1595-6 Sc.
• SUP UP † to utter indistinctly, to mutter, to mumble ...1581
MUTTERING - adjectives
• MUSSITANT † speaking in an undertone, muttering, murmuring ...1681
• MUTTEROUS †* full of muttering sound, murmuring, buzzing ...1582
• PAITTERING chattering, muttering ...1895 Sc.
MUTTERING - nouns
• MAMMERING † a stammering, a muttering ...c1425
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
• RADOTAGE disconnected mutterings ...1828 Sc.
MUTTON - nouns
• AUSSIE STEAK mutton ...1947 US sl.
• DOOR AND HINGE the neck and breast of mutton ...L19
• HAND a shoulder of mutton ...1673
• HOCKEY STICK a mutton chop ...1940s NZ sl.
• HOG-SAFF mutton from a sheep that has died a natural death ...1892 Eng. dial.
• PARK-PALINGS a neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• PARK-RAILINGS a neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• RACK a rib of mutton ...1870 colloq.
• UNCLE SAM a cut of lamb ...20C rhyming sl.
• VENISON OUT OF TUP PARK mutton ...L17 sl.
• WABBLER a boiled leg of mutton ...19C sl.
• WAISTCOAT PIECE the breast and neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• WOBBLER a boiled leg of mutton ...19C sl.
MUTTON - nouns, person
• MUTTON-MONGER †* a great eater of mutton; a butcher, a seller of mutton ...1649 sl.
MUTUAL - nouns
• BACK-SCRATCHING the performance of mutual services; always with the suggestion of doubt as to the legitimacy of the transactions ...1897 colloq.
MUTUALLY - adverbs
• SAM † together; mutually ...a1300
• SAMEN † together; mutually ...c975
MUZZLE - verbs
• CAPISTRATE †* to halter, to muzzle, to tie ...1656
MYSTERIOUS - adjectives
• ONDALI † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• OONLY † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• ORACULAR of mysterious portent; ominous, portentous ...1820
• SIBYLLINE oracular, occult, mysterious ...1817
• UNCANNIE weird, mysterious, ominous, spooky, eerie, esp. of things ...1819 Sc.
• UNCANNY partaking of a supernatural character; mysterious, weird, uncomfortably strange or unfamiliar ...1843 orig. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WEIRDSOME uncanny, mysterious ...1885
MYSTERIOUS, MYSTERY - nouns
• DEEPSHIP †* a profound secret or mystery ...a1225
• FILLILU a mysterious thing ...1952 Amer. dial. jocular
• GALLITRAP any mysterious circle or figure ...1892 Eng. dial.
• WHODUNIT a story about the solving of a mystery, esp. a murder ...1930 sl.
• WHODUNNIT a story about the solving of a mystery, esp. a murder ...1930 sl.
MYSTERY - phrases
• MURDER IS OUT, THE the mystery is solved ...18C colloq.
MYSTIFY - verbs
• BLAICK to puzzle, to mystify, to baffle ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLAIK to puzzle, to mystify, to baffle ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BUMFOOZLE to humbug, to mystify, to bewilder ...19C Eng. & Amer. dial.
• CABOBBLE to mystify, to puzzle, to confuse ...1880 Eng. dial.
• MAZE to amaze, to astonish; to bewilder, to puzzle, to mystify ...1836 Eng. dial.
• METAGROBOLIZE to puzzle, to mystify; to puzzle out ...1653 humorous
• SPIFLICATE to deal with in such a way as to confound or overcome completely; to astonish, to mystify, to surprise ...1785 humorous or colloq.
MYTH - adjectives
• FABULOSE † fond of fables, myths, or enigmas ...1677
MYTH, MYTHICAL - nouns (also see IMAGINARY)
• FABULOSITY of a composition or narrative: fabulous or mythical character; fictitiousness ...1603
• RING-TAIL DEVIL a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1968 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED PAINTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1828 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED ROARER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1830 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SCREAMER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; a loud-mouthed boaster; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1959 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SNORTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1950 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SQUEALER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1837 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED TOOTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1941 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL PEELER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1913 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL ROARER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1832 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL SNORTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1859 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL SQUEALER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1898 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL TOOTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1909 Amer. dial.
• SIDEHILL GOUGER a mythical animal whose legs are shorter on one side than the other from years of grazing on a hillside ...1975 US sl.
• SIDEHILL WINDER a mythical animal whose legs are shorter on one side than the other from years of grazing on a hillside ...1975 US sl.
• WITHERLICK an imaginary or mythical animal ...1900 Amer. dial.
• DECUPLATION † multiplication by ten, increase tenfold ...1690
• OCTUPLICATION † multiplication by eight ...1674
• OFFCOME † the product of multiplication ...1542
• QUINQUIPLICATION † multiplication by five ...Bk1678
• QUINTUPLATION †* multiplication by five ...1684
• QUINTUPLICATION * the act of multiplying by five ...1674
MULTIPLIED - adjectives
• DECUPLATE † multiplied by ten ...1690
• QUINCUPLE †* fivefold; multiplied by five; consisting of five things or parts ...1774
MULTIPLY - verbs
• DECUPLATE to increase or multiply by ten ...1690
• DECUPLE to increase or multiply by ten ...1674
• QUINQUIPLICATE †* to multiply by five...Bk1656
MULTIPLY - verbs
• CENTUPLICATE to multiply or increase a hundred times ...c1645
• OCTUPLE to make eight times as much, to increase eightfold ...1837
• MANIFOLD * to make manifold, to multiply ...c1000
• QUADRUPLICATE to multiply by four; to make four times as many or as great ...1661
• QUADRUPLIFY †* to multiply by four; to make four times as great ...1578
MULTITUDE - nouns
• ANGERIE a crowd, a multitude ...1866 Sc.
• ARGERIE a crowd, a multitude ...Bk1898 Sc.
• FARE † a number of persons prepared for a journey; a troop, a multitude ...1297
• HEAP a great company, esp. of persons; a multitude ...971
• MAIN-HEAD the chief in point of number; the multitude ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MANY, THE the great body of people; the multitude ...1526
• MANYHEDE † multitude ...a1300
• MANZY a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MENYIE a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MENZIE a crowd, a throng, a multitude; a number; used both of persons and things ...1598 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• OCEANS a large amount or quantity; an abundance, multitude, more than enough ...L16
• SCALD a multitude; a great number; a good deal ...1893 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCARNOCH a number, a multitude ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCRAE a crowd, multitude, swarm ...1899 Sc.
• SIGHT a large quantity; a great many; a multitude ...1390 UK
• SKRAE a crowd, multitude, swarm ...1899 Sc.
• UITANY a great mass, swarm, multitude, esp. of small objects ...1929 Sc.
• UMBERMENT † number, multitude ...1550-3
• VERMIN a large quantity or number; a swarm, a crowd, multitude ...1745 Sc.
MUMBLE - verbs
• DRUMBLE † to talk, mutter, or mumble in a sleepy, monotonous manner ...1579 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
י EAT ONE'S WORDS to speak incoherently; to mumble ...1968 Amer. dial.
• FLUMMER † to repeat indistinctly, to mumble ...1533
• HEE-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM AND HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HUM AND HAW to speak hesitatingly; to stammer; to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...1632
• MAFFLE † to mumble; to speak indistinctly, to stammer ...1387 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MAMBLE † to mumble or mutter; to chatter ...c1275
• MAMMOCK to mumble ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MAUNDER to talk idly and incoherently; to mumble; to grumble; to threaten in an undertone; to muse, to ponder ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MIFFLE AFTER to mumble about or concerning ...1893 Eng. dial.
• NATTLE to nibble, to chew awkwardly; to mumble in a toothless fashion ...1825 Sc.
• PALTER † to speak indistinctly or idly; to say or recite in an indistinct tone; to mumble, to mutter, to babble ...1538
• PHUMPHER to speak through the nose; to mumble ...1987 Amer. dial. (Yiddish 'fonfen')
• RABBIT ON to chatter; to grumble; to mumble; to complain ...1941 sl.
• SUP UP † to utter indistinctly, to mutter, to mumble ...1581
• WABBLE to stammer out, to blurt or mumble in a halting or indistinct way ...1920 Sc.
• YAFFLE to talk indistinctly; to mumble, as a toothless person ...1847 Eng. dial.
MUMBLING - adjectives
• GAVELLOUS drawling in speech; mumbling, lisping, indistinct ...1903 Sc.
• TONGUE-TACKIT mumbling, indistinct in speech, inarticulate ...1923 Sc.
MUMBLING - nouns
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
MUMMER - nouns, person
(an actor in a traditional masked mime, especially of a type associated with Christmas and popular in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries)
• FANTASTIC a mummer ...1899 Amer. dial.
• FANTASTICAL a mummer ...1838 Amer. dial.
• MASKER a mummer, a guiser ...1848 Eng. dial.
MUMMY - nouns
• SKELET †* a mummy ...1603
MUMPS - nouns
• BRANK the mumps ...Bk1911 Sc.
• SCLAFFERT † the swellings round the jaws caused by mumps ...1808 Sc.
MUNCH - nouns
• RAMSH a munch, a single act of chewing coarse or rank food, as raw vegetables ...1825 Sc.
MUNCH - verbs
• GROUZE to devour or munch with a crunching sound ...1624 Eng. dial.
• GROWZE to devour or munch with a crunching sound ...1624 Eng. dial.
• MANCH to chew; to eat; to munch ...1829 Eng. dial.
• MAUNGE † to munch, to chew, to masticate; to eat greedily ...1362 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• RAMSH to eat voraciously and noisily; to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
• RANSH to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
• RAUNCH to eat or devour greedily; to munch, to gnaw; to tear up ...1777 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• RAUNGE to eat or devour greedily; to munch, to gnaw ...1777 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• RUNSH to munch and chew vigorously with much noise; to crunch with the teeth ...1825 Sc.
MURDER, MURDERING - nouns
• ABERE-MURDER † plain or downright murder, as distinguished from manslaughter ...1706
• ACCIDENT a murder that cannot be proved as such ...1964 US sl.
• ALIICIDE murder ...1868 nonce word
• BANE † murder, death, destruction ...c1175
• CARNIFICE †* butchery, murder, torture ...1657
• CEMENT KIMONO a block of cement in which gangsters have concealed the body of a murdered person ...1952 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT OVERCOAT a block of cement in which gangsters have concealed the body of a murdered person ...1969 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT OVERSHOES a block of cement used by gangsters to weigh down the feet of a murdered person before disposal in a body of water ...1962 Amer. sl.
• CEMENT SHOES a block of cement used by gangsters to weigh down the feet of a murdered person before disposal in a body of water ...1975 Amer. sl.
• CONTRACT an arrangement to have someone murdered by a professional killer ...1930s Amer. sl.
• HIT LIST a list of persons to be murdered or assassinated ...1976 Amer. sl.
• MANQUELLING † manslaughter, homicide, murder ...c1380
• MANSLAUGHT † manslaughter, murder, homicide ...c897
• MAN-SLAYING the act of killing a man; homicide; murder ...c1380
• MASSACRE † a cruel or peculiarly atrocious murder ...1589
• MURDER BAG a bag made of hide and containing all such equipment as is necessary in the investigation of a murder ...20C Scotland Yard usage
• MURDER ONE first-degree murder ...1971 US sl.
• MURTH † murder, slaughter ...c893
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN a homicide ...1940s sl.
• ONE EIGHTYSEVEN a homicide ...1940s sl.
• RAP the identification of somebody as a murder target ...1910s sl.
• SASSINATION * murder ...1623
• SNUFF a murder ...1930s
• SNUFFING a killing, esp. a murder ...1970s Amer. sl.
• TAG a planned murder ...1982 US sl.
• TORCH the murder of a fellow inmate by tossing a Molotov cocktail or petrol bomb into the cell ..1960s US prison sl.
• TRUCIDATION * a cruel killing or murdering; humorous use: slaughter ...1623
MURDER - nouns, person
• MAN OF BLOOD a one who is laden with bloodguiltiness ...1382
MURDER - verbs
• BE JAMMED to meet with a violent death, by accident, murder, or hanging ...1811 sl.
• CANCEL SOMEONE OUT to murder someone ...1990s sl.
• CANCEL SOMEONE'S TICKET to murder, to assassinate ...1960s sl.
• CAP to kill, to murder, to shoot dead ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• CARRY THE MAIL to commit a murder for hire ...1971 US sl.
• CLIP to murder, to execute ...US sl.
• CONTRUCIDATE † to wound, murder, or kill; to assassinate ...1656
• CROKE to die; to murder ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• DOOM to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• DOOM OUT to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• FAKE OUT AND OUT to kill; to murder ...E19 sl.
• GIVE THE AXE to kill, to murder ...1897 Amer. sl.
• GUZZLE to seize by the throat, esp. with an armlock; to strangle; to choke violently; to throttle; broadly, to murder ...1885 Amer. sl.
• KNOCK OFF THE HOOKS to kill, to murder ...M19 sl.
• MAKE AWAY WITH to kill, to destroy, to murder ...1892 Sc.
• MAKE ONE to commit a murder ...2000s sl.
• MAKE ONE'S BONES to arrange and carry out one's first contracted murder ...1950s US criminals' sl.
• MANQUELL †* to murder ...a1548
• OFF to kill or murder; to destroy ...1930 sl., orig. US Black
• O.J. to murder ...1990s US Black sl.
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN to murder; hence, gang slogan used by the Crips of Los Angeles B187, i.e. 'we kill Bloods' ...1990s US Black gang sl.
• ONE EIGHTYSEVEN to murder; hence, gang slogan used by the Crips of Los Angeles B187, i.e. 'we kill Bloods' ...1990s US Black gang sl.
• PUT OFF to kill; to murder ...1990s Aust. sl.
• PUT ONE'S HEAD OUT to murder ...2000s US Black gang sl.
• QUIET DOWN to kill, to murder ...1970s US sl.
• SASSINATE * to assassinate, to murder ...1656
• SCHOLICK to seriously injure; to murder ...1898 Eng. dial.
• SCRAG to kill deliberately; to murder someone ...1930 US sl.
• SHOVE OFF to murder ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• SHUT UP SOMEONE'S SHOP to kill someone; to murder someone ...L19 sl.
• SNUFF to murder, to kill ...1930s sl.
• SNUFF SOMEONE'S CANDLE to kill, to murder ...L19 sl.
• TAKE to murder ...1930 UK criminals' sl.
• TAKE FOR A RIDE to assassinate, usually by taking the victim out in a car and killing them at some stage, then dumping the body far from one's base ...1927 US criminals' sl.
• TAKE OFF to slaughter, murder ...1897 Sc.
• TAKE SOMEONE OFF THE CALENDAR to kill, to murder ...1980s US sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE OFF THE COUNT to murder, to kill ...1980s sl.
• WACK SOMEONE OUT to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
• WHACK SOMEONE OUT to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
• ZOTZ to kill, to murder ...20C sl.
MURDER - phrases
• MURDER BAGS ARE OUT, THE a murder is being investigated ...20C Scotland Yard usage
MURDERED - adjectives
• ELIMINATED killed, murdered ...E20 US criminals' sl.
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN murdered, dead ...1990s US sl.
• SILENT murdered ...1725 sl.
• UPSTATE murdered ...2003 US sl.
MURDERED - verbs
• MOB to be murdered on the instructions of a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• MOB IT to be murdered on the instructions of a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• TAKE IT FROM THE HEAD to be murdered ...1990s US gang sl.
• TAKE THE CHECKERS to be murdered ...1934 US criminals' sl.
MURDERER - nouns, person
• BANE † a slayer or murderer; one who causes the death or destruction of another ...a800
• BANEMAN a murderer ...1870 arch.
• BANESMAN a murderer ...1870 arch.
• CAIN a murderer ...ME
• GUZZLER one who strangles or throttles; a murderer ...L19 sl.
• MACTATOR †* a killer or murderer ...1656
• MAGISTRICIDE a murderer of one's master or teacher ...1670 nonce word
• MANQUELLE †* a murderer ...c1250
• MANQUELLER † a manslayer, a murderer ...c1290 obs. exc. arch.
• MANSLAUGHT † a murderer ...a1300
• MANSLAYER one who kills a man; a homicide; a murderer; occasionally, one who commits manslaughter ...a1300
• MULLER a murderer ...1979 Brit. sl.
• MULLIER a murderer ...20C Brit. market-traders' sl.
MURDEROUS - adjectives
• CARNAL † bloody, murderous ...1594
• DEAD-DOING † 'doing to death'; causing death; killing, murderous; destructive, fatal, mortal ... 1590
• DEATH-DOING doing to death, killing, murderous ...a1652
• HOMICIDIOUS * pert. to homicide; tending to or resulting in homicide; man-slaying; murderous ...1632
• MASSACROUS † pertaining to massacre; cruelly murderous ...1593
• RED-HANDED murderous, applied to one who has shed blood ...1898 Sc.
• SICARIOUS * murderous ...1811
MURDEROUS - nouns
• SULLEVATION † insurrection; a murderous intention ...1611
• SULLIVATION † insurrection; a murderous intention ...1605
MURKY - adjectives
• CALIGINOUS misty, dim, murky; obscure, dark ...1548 now arch.
• TROUBLY † of air, etc.: misty, murky, cloudy, not clear ...c1380
MURMUR - nouns
• BURBLE a murmurous flow of words ...1898
• WAFF of sounds: a soft strain; a faint echo; a murmur ...1832 Sc.
MURMUR - verbs
• BURBLE to speak murmurously ...1891
• CHANNER to mutter, grumble, murmur, fret, complain; to scold, not noisily, but constantly; to chide ...c1375 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CRAKE to whimper, or plaintively ask for a thing over and over again; to murmur, to complain, to fret ....1871 Eng. dial.
• CURMUR to make a low murmuring or purring sound ...1831
• DEMURMURATE † to murmur, to mutter ...1641
• GRUMBLE IN THE GIZZARD to be annoyed, but to keep one's feelings to oneself; to be secretly displeased; to complain and be dissatisfied or discontented; to murmur or repine ...1785 Eng. dial.
• JANGLE to speak angrily, harshly, or discordantly; to grumble, to murmur, to contend, to dispute, to wrangle, to squabble ...a1300 arch.
• MORK †* to complain, to murmur ...c888
• NURN † to complain, to murmur ...B1900
• ORP to fret, to grumble, to murmur discontentedly, to complain in a peevish, nagging manner ...1725 Sc.
• RANE to repeat constantly the same thing; to murmur monotonously; to rhyme ...1899 Sc.
• YAMMER to murmur, to complain; to grumble ...1774 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MURMURING - adjectives
• MUSSITANT † speaking in an undertone, muttering, murmuring ...1681
• MUTTEROUS †* full of muttering sound, murmuring, buzzing ...1582
MURMURING - nouns
• ADMURMURATION † a murmuring at ...1731
• CRAKE a murmuring, a grumbling ...1838 Eng. dial.
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
• OBMURMURATION † a murmuring against something ...1604
MUSCLE, MUSCULAR - adjectives
• ABBED having well-defined abdominal muscles ...2002 UK sl.
• BEEFY heavy and muscular; hardy ...1889
• BUFF strong, muscular, healthy ...1980s sl.
• HEFTY weighty; muscular ...1871 sl.
• HUNKY attractive; muscular ...1972 US sl.
• HUSKY said of a man who is big, vigorous, and muscular ...1869 sl., orig. US
• JACKED muscular ...2000s US college sl.
• LACERTOSE † having large muscles; muscular ...c1400
• LACERTOUS † having large muscles; muscular ...1541
• RENKY large and well-made; athletic, muscular ...1684 Eng. dial.
• WELL-DEVELOPED pert. to a man with fully developed or large genitals, slim hips, broad shoulders, and a muscular body
MUSCLE - nouns
• ABS the abdominal muscles ...1956 US sl.
• CHARLEY any minor stiffness or pain of the joints or muscles; a Charley horse ...20C Amer. sl.
• CRICK a painful muscle spasm or cramp, esp. in the neck or back ...15C colloq.
• FLESH-STRING † a muscle ...1587
• LACERT † a muscle ...c1386
• QUADS the quadriceps muscles ...1984 US sl.
MUSCLE - verbs
• CRICK to cause a crick in the neck, back, etc. ...15C colloq.
• GET VEINS in bodybuilding: to achieve definition, or well-developed and sculpted muscles ...1984 US sl.
MUSCULAR - adjectives
• NERVOUS * sinewy, muscular; vigorous, strong; ...1413
• STACKED muscular ...2002 US sl.
MUSCULAR - nouns, person
• AMAZON a very tall or muscular person of either sex ...1960s US campus sl.
• ANIMAL an athletic or muscular man, esp. a bodyguard or hired thug ...1921 Amer. sl.
• BEEFCAKE a muscular man ...1949 sl., orig. US
• BUNK an oafish, dull, if muscular person ...1910s US sl.
• HE-HUCKLEBERRY a 'he-man'; a well-built, muscular man, esp. one who is ostentatiously so ...1933 Amer. dial.
• MUSCLE a muscular man employed to intimidate others with violence, or threats of violence ...1942 sl., orig. US
• NO-NECK a muscular, stupid man ...Aust. sl.
• NUGGET a short, thickset or muscular person ...c1890 Aust. colloq.
MUSE, MUSING - adjectives
• COGITABUND * deep in thought; thoughtful, meditating, musing ...1649
MUSE - verbs
• DERN to muse, to think ...B1900 Sc.
• MAUNDER to talk idly and incoherently; to mumble; to grumble; to threaten in an undertone; to muse, to ponder ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEASE to be absent-minded, to muse ...1877 Eng. dial.
MUSEUM - nouns
• CABINET † a room devoted to the display of works of art; a museum, picture-gallery, etc. ...1676 obs. or arch.
MUSHROOM - nouns (also see TOADSTOOL)
• CAMPERNOYLE † a mushroom or toadstool ...1527
• CATFACE mushrooms that grow out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1966 Amer. dial.
• CAT STOOL a mushroom that grows out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1968 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S BREAD a mushroom that grows on woodland stumps and trees and logs ...1907 Amer. dial.
• DEVIL'S FOOTSTOOL large, round mushroom ...1950 Amer. dial.
• MUSHYROOM a mushroom ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• FAIRY RING a circle of mushrooms; one of the mushrooms in a circle ...1895 Amer. dial.
• FAIRY TABLE the common mushroom Agaricus campestris, and other fungi ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FAIRY UMBRELLA a mushroom ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MOOSH mushrooms ...1990s sl.
• MUSH mushrooms ...1990s sl.
• ONE-FOOT MEAT an edible fungus ...1950s W. Indies sl.
• S AND M sausage and mushrooms ...1996 US sl.
• TAIL the stalk of a mushroom ...1613 Eng. dial.
• TOAD a mushroom or toadstool ...1968 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG HOUSE a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD-FROG STOOL a mushroom or toadstool ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TOAD'S BREAD † a fungus, a mushroom, a toadstool ...1624
• TOAD'S UMBRELLA a mushroom or toadstool ...1941 Amer. dial.
• TOAD UMBRELLA a mushroom or toadstool ...1986 Amer. dial.
• TREE FROG a mushroom that grows out like brackets from the sides of trees ...1969 Amer. dial.
• TREE TOAD a mushroom or toadstool ...1968 Amer. dial.
• WOODPECKER OF MARS the Amanita Muscaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom ...M20 US drugs sl.
MUSIC, MUSICAL - adjectives
• CANOROUS singing, melodious, musical; resonant, ringing ...1646
• CRANKIN' excellent; esp. in music ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DANCEY of music: suitable for dancing to ...E20 colloq.
• DINKY of music: pleasant, easy-listening ...1976 UK sl.
• EFFEMINATE † of music, odours, etc.: soft, voluptuous ...1674
• FUNKED OUT in the style of the music and clothes promoted by the funk banks of the 1970s, esp. George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic ...1990s sl.
• FUNKY said of a nitty-gritty truly felt blues mood in jazz, and therefore in the people who produce this art form ...1950s sl., orig. US
• HARMONIAC † relating to harmony, or to the cultivation of music ...1771 nonce word
• HARMONICAL † 1. of musical notes: harmonious, sweet-sounding, tuneful ...a1500
† 2. belonging to or relating to music; musical ...1603
• LACED of music: mixed ...2000s sl.
• LAID-BACK of popular music: soothing ...1969 US colloq.
• NEW SCHOOL in rap music: anything recent or new ...1990s sl.
• OFF THE DOME of rap lyrics: spontaneous, composed as one goes along ...1980s US Black sl.
• OFF THE HOOK in rap music: wonderful; exciting; impressive ...1996 Amer. sl.
• OFF THE TOP OF THE DOME of rap lyrics: spontaneous, composing lyrics as you go along; usually as 'coming (or going) off the top of the dome' ...1980s US Black sl.
• OLD SCHOOL in rap music: used of anything pertaining to the early days of the musical styles, esp. the work of such performers as Grandmaster Flash, or Afrika Bambaataa ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• OLD SKOOL in rap music: used of anything pertaining to the early days of the musical styles, esp. the work of such performers as Grandmaster Flash, or Afrika Bambaataa ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• ORGANIC † pert. to musical instruments; instrumental ...1811
• ORGANICAL † performed on an instrument, instrumental ...1521
• ORPHEAN of or relating to Orpheus, as musician and singer, who was said to move rocks and trees by the strains of his lyre; hence: melodious, musical, entrancing
• ROCKY characteristic of rock music; featuring loud distorted guitars and a strong rhythm ...L20
• ROOTSY of music: traditional, ethnic; not commercialized ...L20 colloq.
• ROOTY-TOOT of music, esp. early jazz: noisy and lively ...L20 sl., chiefly US
• TRANCEY of trance music ...1998 UK sl.
• UNAIRABLE † not capable of forming good music ...a1619
• WANTON † of colour, music: gay, lively ...1583
MUSIC - adverbs
• FALSE † of music: out of tune, incorrectly ...1591 obs. or arch.
MUSIC - nouns
• ABUSAK elevator music ...20C teen & high school sl.
• ACID JAZZ a kind of popular dance music incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and hip hop ...1999 sl.
• ACID ROCK a type of rock music associated with the taking of hallucinogenic drugs ...1966 sl.
• AIREL musical tones of whatever kind ...Bk1898 Sc.
• AMYL HOUSE a dance music genre ...1996 UK sl.
• BABY SCRATCH the most basic technique of manipulating a vinyl record to create new music ...2002 US sl.
• BALLISTICS vivid, forcefully delivered rap lyrics ...1991 US rap music usage
• BOOGIE boogie-woogie ...M20
• BOOGIE-WOOGIE a percussive style of playing blues, esp. on piano, with a repetitive bass figure ...E20
• CANT † singing, musical sound ...1501
• CHITLIN(S) CIRCUIT the bars, lounges, clubs, etc. at which Black artists perform before a hit recording opens the door to major White outlets ...1974 Amer. music industry usage
• CLINKER a wrong musical note, a discord; an error in performance, a blunder ...M20 N. Amer. sl.
• DADROCK 1990s rock music that sounds like music from a generation earlier ...1999 UK sl.
• DARKSIDE a category of rave music ...2002 UK sl.
• DIDDLE a jingle of music, as of a fiddle ...1806 Sc.
• DIDDLING keeping time to music with the feet ...1835 Sc.
• EAR CANDY light, undemanding pop music ...1984 Amer. sl.
• EAR-SPORTS entertainments of song or music ...1870 Amer.
• FAKE BOOK a book of chords used by musicians who improvise off the basic chords ...1970 US sl.
• FANGS musical ability ...1958 US sl.
• FOOTBALL a simple musical accompaniment used when a performer is ad libbing ...1973 US sl.
• FREAK ROCK a musical style allegedly influenced by, and purporting to recreate the sensations of, LSD and other similar psychedelics ...1960s sl.
• FUNK the 'soul' quality in Black music; the melancholy mood of the blues ...1950s US sl.
• GANGSTA RAP a rap music genre characterized by explicit sex and violence which, it is claimed, reflects Black urban existence ...1992 US sl.
• GARAGE BAND an amateur rock group with a basic, three-chord approach to music ...1977 US sl.
• GET OFF in swing music: an improvised solo ...20C sl.
• GIG a playing date or engagement, esp. a one-night job ...1905 Amer. jazz musicians' usage
• G-RAP a rap music genre characterized by explicit sex and violence which, it is claimed, reflects Black urban existence ...1992 US sl.
• GRUNGE a form of rock music, epitomized by the work of the Seattle band Nirvana, but first used in relation to the New York Dolls, c1973; also, the fashion style that developed out of the rock music (1980s) ...1970s sl.
• HAIRCUT BAND a band that is mocked for being more interested in style than music ...1980s sl.
• HARPING-GLEE † harp music ...a1300
• HOUSE a kind of dance music derived from soul, rock, and jazz, with a strong percussive bear, originally a Black Chicago style ...1980s Amer. sl.
• JAM BAND a musical band known for long improvisations ...1981 US
• JANGLE a musical session ...1938 Amer. dial.
• JIVE ON THE BOX music on the radio ...1943 Amer. sl.
• KICKER MUSIC country and western music ...1986 Amer. dial.
• MEET a session in which musicians collectively improve; a jam session ...1957 US sl.
• OLD-FOGEYISM (derogatory) a term for a blues singer's style; a blues style with strong African and Delta roots ...1900s US Black sl.
• OPUSCLE * a small work, esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1658
• OPUSCULE a small work; esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1656
• OPUSCULUM a small work; esp. a literary or musical work of small size ...1654
• PHAT FLAVOR good music ...Bk1998 teen sl.
• PHILADELPHIA MAFIA recording artists, record producers, and radio personalities based in Philadelphia in the late 1950s ...1982 US sl.
• QUO VADIS unfashionable or unpopular music ...2003 UK sl.
• RAMA-LAMA rock 'n' roll music ...2001 UK sl.
• RAP a style of music with singing or chanting of the lyrics against a heavy bass line, usually produced by a drum
• RAPPING performing rap music ...1980s sl., orig. US Black
• RIFF a rhythmic musical phrase played repeatedly; used in jazz and rock ...1935 US sl.
• RIFFAGE rhythmic style(s) of rock music ...2002 UK sl.
• ROARATORIO an oratorio ...1785 sl.
• ROCKABILLY a type of popular music originating in the southeastern US, combining elements of rock and roll and hillbilly music; also a performer or devotee of this music ...M20 orig.
• ROCKABOOGIE a type of popular music combining elements of rock and roll and boogie-woogie ...M20
• ROCKISM the theory that traditional rock music is a more authentic form of popular music than pop music ...E20
• SALON MUSIC (sometimes derogatory) light classical music intended esp. for domestic entertaining
• SKA a rhythmic musical style that evolved into reggae ...1993 Jamaica
• SKIFFLE a music genre, a sort of poor man's rock 'n' roll, played on homemade or low budget instruments; popular in the late 1950s ...1957 UK
• SOUNDS music; good music ...1950s Amer. sl.
• SPOTS the music symbols on sheet music ...1920s US Black sl.
• STACK in rock music: an assemblage of loudspeakers ...1996 UK sl.
• TEERY-LARRY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TEERY-LEERY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TERRY-LERRY a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TIN PAN ALLEY the centre of the music business, esp. that area where music writers, lyricists and song pluggers have their offices ...L19 sl., orig.
• TIRRA-LIRRA a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TONATION †* the act of toning or producing musical tones; the tones or notes so produced ...1728
• TYRA-LYRA a representation of the note of the skylark, or of a similar sound uttered as an exclamation or delight or gaiety; an imitation of a musical sound ...1611
• TRANSFORMER a stuttering type of manipulation of a record to create a musical effect ...2002 sl.
• TUNE THE OLD COW DIED OF any discordant music ...1898
• VERSIONING a technique in hip-hop music of blending different periods and styles of recorded music ...2000 US sl.
• WOW an intrusive wavering sound from a record player, usually caused by uneven running of the turntable ...1930s Amer. sl.
MUSIC, MUSICIAN - nouns, person
• ALLIGATOR an active devotee of swing and jive music, dancing, and speech ...1930s Amer. jive talk usage
• AXMAN a musician, esp. a guitarist ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• BANDER one of a band of musicians ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BARD a strolling musician or minstrel ...1449 Sc.
• B-BOY a rap music devotee (B = Beat) ...20C teen & high school sl.
• B-GIRL a Black female teenager, focused on rap music and the ghetto street lifestyle ...1980s US Black sl.
• BOSHMEN fiddlers, or musicians in general ...Bk1890 sl.
• BOTTLER an itinerant musician's travelling companion ...1996 Irish sl.
• BOX-BEATER a piano player ...1915 Amer. sl.
• CALAMIST † one who plays upon a reed; a piper ...1656 obs.
• CALLITHUMP a band or member of a band that makes discordant so-called music by playing a number of instruments, either in an unlikely combination or conjured up from unlikely objects, such as washboards, tin kettles, etc. ...M19 US sl.
• CALLITHUMPIAN a band or member of a band that makes discordant so-called music by playing a number of instruments, either in an unlikely combination or conjured up from unlikely objects, such as washboards, tin kettles, etc. ...M19 US sl.
• DEATH-HEAD a fan of Goth music ...1990s sl.
• FAGOTTIST a performer on the bassoon ...1886
• FATS a jazz musician ...1910s sl., orig. US Black
• FRONTMAN the leader of most prominent member of a group of musicians
• FUNKATEER one who likes funk music ...1950s sl., orig. US Black
• GANGSTA RAPPER a rap artist, who reflects on the Black urban experience in an explicitly sexual and violent manner ...1990 US sl.
• HARMONIAN †* one versed in harmony or music; a musician ...1603
• HARMONICIAN † one versed in harmony or musical theory ...1760
• MUSICAL MOKE a Black minstrel who plays a number of different instruments in succession ...1895 Amer. sl.
• MUSICKER a musician ...Amer. dial.
• MUSO 1. (derogatory) a musician, esp. a pop musician, regarded as being overconcerned with technique rather than musical content or expression ...Brit. sl.
2. any musician, esp. a professional one ...Aust. sl.
• MUTHAH used by fans of heavy-metal music to refer to each other or their heroes ...sl.
• MUTIE a daring exponent, a devotee ...Brit. surfers' & rock music fans usage
• JAZZ BABY a person, esp. an attractive young woman, who is a fan of jazz music ...1919 Amer. sl.
• JAZZBO a man who is a jazz enthusiast; a jazz musician ...1921 Amer. dial.
• METALHEAD a fan of heavy metal music ...1980s sl., orig. US teen
• MICKEY a second-rate, commercial band playing uninspired music ...1940s US sl.
• MUSO a musician, esp. a professional one ...1967 Aust. sl.
• PAL a studio musician ...1982 US sl.
• PANATIC a devoted, die-hard fan of steelband music ...1988 Trinidad and Tobago
• PUNK an adherent of a youth sub-culture first coalescing in 1976 around punk rock music ...1970s sl.
• PUNKETTE a young female punk rocker ...sl.
• QUAVER a musician ...c1860 sl.
• RAPPER a practitioner or devotee of rap music ...1970s sl., orig. US Black
• RAPTAVIST a politically active rap artist ...1980s US Black sl.
• ROCKABILLY a type of popular music originating in the southeastern US, combining elements of rock and roll and hillbilly music; also a performer or devotee of this music ...M20 orig.
• ROCKER a person who performs, dances to, or enjoys rock music; spec., one associated with long hair, leather jackets, and motorcycles ...M20
• ROCKIST an adherent or supporter of rockism (see noun) ...L20
• ROCKSTER a performer of rock music ...M20
• SENDER one who pleases or delights, esp. a pop musician ...1935 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• SIGHTSMAN one who reads or performs music at sight ...1776
• THRUMMER 1. a contemptible musician ...Bk1905 Sc.
2. an itinerant musician ...Bk1905 Sc.
• TIMER †* one who is skilled in time or measure; a musician ...c1500
• TIMIST one who keeps correct time in music ...1765
• VAMPER one who improvises music, especially accompaniments accompaniments on the pianoforte ...1884
• WAITS † 1. a small body of wind instrumentalists maintained by a city or town at the public charge; they played for the daily diversion of the councillors, on ceremonial and festive occasions, and as a town or city band they entertained the citizens, walking the streets, often by night or in the early morning ...1298
2. a band of musicians and singers who walk the streets by night at the approach of Christmas and the New Year playing and singing carols and other seasonable music for gratuities ...1773
• ZOID a fan of punk rock and its attendant styles ...1980s US campus sl.
MUSIC - nouns, person, other
• BAND RAT a woman who associates herself with musicians usually offering sex in return for proxy celebrity ...1940s sl.
MUSIC, INSTRUMENT - nouns
• AFRICAN HARP a banjo ...1930s US sl.
• AGONY BOX 1. a piano ...1900s US sl.
2. a ukulele ...2000s sl.
• AGONY PIPE a clarinet ...1930s US sl.
• AIREL an old name for a flute; properly applied to a pipe made from a reed ...Bk1898 Sc. obs.
• AIR GUITAR an imaginary instrument played by would-be guitar heroes ...sl.
• AX a musical instrument, esp. an electric guitar; orig. used in jazz circles for any instrument, particularly a saxophone or trumpet, instruments on which 'chops' (musical figures) are played ...1955 US jazz sl.
• AXE a musical instrument, esp. an electric guitar; orig. used in jazz circles for any instrument, particularly a saxophone or trumpet, instruments on which 'chops' (musical figures) are played ...1955 US jazz sl.
• BAGS † bagpipes ...c1275 poetic
• BANGER a banjo ...1951 Amer. dial.
• BANJA a banjo ...1941 Amer. dial.
• BANJER a banjo ...1905 Amer. dial.
• BANJOLIN a musical instrument combining the characteristics of the banjo and mandolin, used in ragtime music ...1889
• BANJULELE a stringed musical instrument of a type between a banjo and a ukulele ...1925
• BELLY FIDDLE a guitar ...20C US Black sl.
• BEME † a trumpet ...a800
• BONE a trombone ...1918 US sl.
• BOSH a fiddle ...1859 sl.
• BOX 1. a piano ...1908 Amer. sl.
2. a guitar ...1911 Amer. sl.
3. a banjo ...1936 Amer. sl.
4. an accordion or concertina ...1980 Amer. sl.
• BREATH HARP a harmonica ...1946 Amer. dial.
• BUNGER a banjo ...1951 Amer. dial.
• CORN-ON-THE-COB a harmonica ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DAGO'S PIANO an accordion ...20C US sl.
• DEVIL'S MUSIC BOX the fiddle ...1949 Amer. dial.
• FAGOTTO a bassoon ...1724
• FIDDLE-BOX a fiddle, a violin ...1928 Amer. dial.
• GOBSTICK a clarinet ...sl.
• GRUNT HORN a tuba ...1926 US sl.
• GRUNT IRON a tuba ...1935 US sl.
• GUTBUCKET a washtub bass ...1964 Amer. sl.
• HARKAUDIENCE an accordion ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HARMONICUM a harmonica ...1916 Amer. dial.
• HARMONISTER a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• HARP a harmonica ...1887 Amer. dial.
• HARPSICAL † a corrupt version of 'harpsichord' ...1616
• HARPSICON † a corrupt version of 'harpsichord' ...1633
• HARMONIA a harmonica ...1973 Amer. dial.
• HARMONIC a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• HAUTBOY an oboe ...1575
• HAWBOY a hautboy; an oboe ...1889 Eng. dial.
• HEWGAG a toy musical instrument, in which a piece of parchment, etc., is vibrated by blowing ...M19 US
• HOBOY an oboe ...1575
• LAP ORGAN an accordion ...1892 Amer. dial.
• LICORICE STICK a clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.
• LIQUORICE STICK a clarinet ...c1945 Brit. sl.
• MACHINE a trumpet ...1983 UK sl.
• MARROWBONES castanets, bones; performers on the castanets ...1893 Eng. dial.
• MOUTH STEINWAY a harmonica ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• NACKER a drum ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• ORGAN † applied vaguely to various musical instruments, esp. wind instruments ...c1000
• ORGANOGRAPHY † a description of instruments ...1559
• ORGANY †* an organ; a musical instrument ...1377
• RIBIBE † a stringed instrument like a rebeck or guitar ...c1425
• SAWBOX a cello ...1930s sl., orig. US Black
• SAX a saxophone ...1920s sl.
• SAXA a saxophone ...1930s Aust. sl.
• SAY-CORDI BOX a guitar; 'six-cord box' ...1940s sl.
• SINEW † a string in a musical instrument ...1591
• SKINS drums ...1926 UK sl.
• SLOP a saxophone (because of the saliva that collects in it) ...1940s US Black sl.
• SLUSH PUMP a trombone (because of the spittle that tends to collect in the slide) ...1930s US sl.
• SMALL PIPE an alto saxophone ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAMBERBASE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBER DE BASE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOUR a drum; the bass drum ...1484
• TAMBOURBASQUE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOUR DE BASQUE a tambourine ...1688
• TAMBOURET † a small drum ...1776
• TEETH ORGAN a harmonica ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TIMBREL a musical instrument of percussion; a tambourine or the like that could be help up in the hand ...1500-20
• TIMP †* a tambourine ...c1205
• TING-A-LING in music: a triangle ...1941 Amer. dial.
• TOOTLE-TE-TOOTLE a piece of continuous tootling, the sound made by blowing a horn or other wind instrument ...1855
• TRAPS drums and other items of percussion collectively ...1903 US musicians' sl.
• UKE a ukulele ...1915 sl., orig. US
• WAITS † wind instruments, either hautboys (oboes), flutes, or shawms (forerunner of the oboe) ...1530
• WOBBLE BOARD a simple musical instrument made of a sheet of still material that is wobbled rhythmically ...1957 Aust. sl.
• WOODPILE a xylophone ...1945 US sl.
MUSIC, INSTRUMENT - nouns, person
• BORER a drummer ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ELBOW BENDER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• FIDDLESTER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIT-BOXER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GIT-FIDDLER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• GITTER PLINKER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• LICORICE-STICKER one who plays the clarinet ...1935 US jazz sl.
• MARROW-BONES castanets, bones; performers on the castanets ...1893 Eng. dial.
• PLINK-PLONKER a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PLUNKER BOY a guitar player ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROSIN SNIFFER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SCRAPER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SKIN BEATER a drummer ...1947 US sl.
• SKINSMAN a drummer ...1983 UK sl.
• SQUEAKER a violinist ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• TIMBESTER a female performer on the 'timbrel' (see nouns) ...a1366
• TIMBRELLER a performer on the 'timbrel' (see nouns)...1833
• TIMBRER †* a timbrel-player (see nouns) ...c1425
• WINDJAMMER a trumpeter; a bandsman ...World War I Amer. sl.
MUSIC - verbs
• BEME † to blow on a trumpet ...c1000
• BRING THE NOISE to have a wild party or good time; to play music ...1972 Amer. sl.
• CALAMIZE † to pipe or sing ...1656
• CARVE in jazz: to outplay another musician in a competition of solos ...1883 US sl.
• CRANK to turn up the volume of music to very loud ...1994 US sl.
• DIDDLE to dance with short, quick steps; to dance like a dwarf; also, to keep time to music with the feet ...1733 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DROP to sing or perform rap music; to release a musical recording; to select and play a record ...L20 sl.
• FAKE to improvise, to play music by ear ...c1920 Can. dance-bands' usage
• JAZZ to play or dance to jazz music ...1917 Amer. sl.
• RAG to play or dance to ragtime music ...1900s US sl.
• RIFF to repeatedly play a rhythmic musical figure, usually on a piano or guitar ...1955 US sl.
• ROCK A BEAT to play music ...1990s US Black sl.
• ROCK OUT to perform rock music loudly and vigorously, to enjoy oneself enthusiastically esp. by dancing to rock music ...colloq.
• SEE in jazz: to read music ...1930s US Black sl.
• SEND to arouse emotionally; to be deeply moved by music ...1900s US Black sl.
• SPREAD ONE'S JENK to have a good time; to sing or enjoy music ..1920s US Black sl.
• PAT to tap or stamp one's foot or clap one's hands in time to music or dancing; to beat time ...1848 Amer. dial., chiefly Black usage
• TALK GREASY to rap smoothly and stylishly ...2000s US Black sl.
• THARM to play on a stringed instrument ...1863 Sc.
• THRUM to strum, to play on a musical instrument; to drum, to make a drumming nose; to hum, to croon, to drone ...1865 Sc.
• THRUMBLE †* to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar or harp, by plucking the strings; to strum ...1685
• TIMBRE † to play on the 'timbrel' (see nouns) ...c1400
• TIMBREL to play upon a 'timbrel' (see nouns); to accompany with a 'timbrel' or similar instrument ...1629
• TIRL † to pluck at; to pluck at the strings of a harp or the like so as to cause them to sound ...c1470
• TOOTLE-TOO to produce a succession of modulated notes on a wind instrument ...1857
• UP to play music ...1950s US Black sl.
• VAMP to accompany a singer by ear; to improvise or play on a musical instrument ...1851 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• WARBLE † 1. to manipulate the strings of a musical instrument in playing ...1578
2. of a stringed instrument: to give forth melodious sounds ...1620
MUSICAL - nouns
• THRUM a drumming noise; a musical sound; a hum ...1818 Sc.
MUSICAL CHAIRS - nouns
• BOSTON EXCHANGE the game of musical chairs ...1969 Amer. dial.
• CHAIR WALK the game of musical chairs ...1966 Amer. dial.
• CHANGING CHAIRS the game of musical chairs ...1965 Amer. dial.
MUSIC HALL - nouns
• ARTFUL FOX a theatrical box ...1882 music-hall rhyming sl.
• DARKIES a variety of late-night music-halls and bars on or near the Strand, London, usually situated below ground level ...M19 sl.
• GAFF a cheap music hall or theatre ...L18 sl.
• PENNY GAFF a cheap theatre or music-hall ...1812 UK sl.
MUSIC HALL - verbs
• CRACK THE MONICA to ring the bell to summon a performer to reappear ...c1860 music-halls' sl.
• GAFF to play or perform in a music hall ...M19 sl.
MUSING - adjectives
• COGITABUNDOUS deep in thought, thoughtful, meditating, musing ...1627
MUSKRAT - nouns
• BOTTOM CAT the muskrat ...1970 Amer. dial.
• MARSH HARE a muskrat ...1947 Amer. dial.
• MARSH RAT a muskrat ...1967 Amer. dial.
• RAT a muskrat ...1832 Amer. dial.
• TILE RAT the muskrat ...1969 Amer. dial.
• TRAPPER'S RAT a muskrat ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TRAPPING RAT a muskrat ...1966 Amer. dial.
• WATER RAT a muskrat ...1835 Amer. dial.
MUSKY - adjectives
• MOSCHATE having a musky smell ...1820
MUSLIM - nouns, person
• HALAL (derogatory) a Muslim, esp. a Pakistani immigrant ...1990s sl.
MUSSEL - nouns
• BANK a bed of oysters, mussels, etc. ...1719
MUSSEL - verbs
• WORM to remove the beard of an oyster or mussel ...1859 UK sl.
MUST - nouns
• OLD must, mould ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MUSTARD - nouns
• BABY mustard ...1935 US Military Academy usage
• BABY SHIT mustard ...1972 US sl.
MUSTINESS - nouns
• VINEW † mould, mouldiness, mustiness ...1538
MUSTY - adjectives
• FADY damp, musty; covered with perspiration ...1790 Eng. dial.
• RAFTY † damp, musty, fusty ...1655 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• VINNY mouldy, mildewed, musty; esp. used of bread or cheese ...1796 Eng. dial.
MUSTY - verbs
• FINEW † to become mouldy or musty ...c1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• OLD musty, rotten; fetid ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MUTE - adjectives
• OBMUTESCENT remaining mute ...1876
• TONGUE-TACKIT tongue-tied; having an impediment in speech; dumb, mute ...1825 Sc.
MUTE - nouns
• OBMUTESCENCE a becoming (wilfully) mute, speechless, or dumb; the act of obstinately remaining mute ...1646
MUTE - verbs
• DAMPER to mute, to quiet ...1979 US sl.
MUTILATE - verbs
• BELIM † to cut off a limb or the limbs; to dismember, to mutilate; to disfigure ...c1205
• HAGGLE to mangle with repeated irregular cuts or cutting blows; to cut clumsily with uneven jagged edges; to hack, to mangle, to mutilate; to bungle ...1599
• HAMBLE † to mutilate, maim; to cut away; specifically, to cut off the balls of the feet of dogs, so as to render them unfit for hunting ...a1050 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MANG to break in pieces, to mutilate, to maim, to injure ...1825 Sc.
• MANK † to maim, to mangle, to mutilate; to make defective; to impair, to spoil ...a1400-50 obs. exc. Sc.
• MARTYR † 1. to mutilate, to spoil a thing ...c1450
† 2. to inflict wounds or disfiguring blows upon; to mutilate; also, to disfigure the face with weeping ...1590 obs. exc. Sc.
• MARTYRIZE † to disfigure or mutilate by the infliction of wounds or blows ...1635
• MASSACRE † to mutilate, to mangle ...1589
• TO-HENE † to mutilate by stoning ...c1200
MUTILATED - adjectives
• HAGGLED mangled, hacked, mutilated ...1894 Sc.
• MANK † maimed, mutilated, defective ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• MARRED disfigured, mutilated, damaged ...1870
• MARTYRED † tormented, mutilated ...1580
MUTILATION - nouns
• MANCATION † maiming, mutilation ...1727
MUTINY - adjectives
• MALCONTENT discontented, dissatisfied; inclined to rebellion or mutiny; restless and disaffected ...1586
MUTINY - verbs
• FACTION † to act in a factious or rebellious spirit; to intrigue; to mutiny ...1609
MUTTER - verbs
• BARBETTE †* to make inarticulate sounds; to mutter ...c1480
• CHANNER to mutter, grumble, murmur, fret, complain; to scold, not noisily, but constantly; to chide ...c1375 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CUDDLE-MUDDLE to speak in a secret, muttering voice ...Sc.
• DEMURMURATE † to murmur, to mutter ...1641
• DRUMBLE † to talk, mutter, or mumble in a sleepy, monotonous manner ...1579 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HARK to speak in one's ear; to whisper or mutter ...1583 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• HEE-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM AND HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HEM-HAW to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...L15 sl.
• HUM AND HAW to speak hesitatingly; to stammer; to mutter, to mumble, to be indecisive ...1632
• MAMBLE † to mumble or mutter; to chatter ...c1275
• MAMMER to stammer or mutter ...Eng. dial.
• MUSSITATE † to mutter; to speak through the teeth ...1626
• NEDEUM to mutter curses to oneself ...Bk1905 Sc.
• PAITER to mutter; to talk incessantly; to be talkative ...1896 Sc.
• PALTER † to speak indistinctly or idly; to say or recite in an indistinct tone; to mumble, to mutter, to babble ...1538
• RADOTE †* to mutter disconnectedly ...1595-6 Sc.
• SUP UP † to utter indistinctly, to mutter, to mumble ...1581
MUTTERING - adjectives
• MUSSITANT † speaking in an undertone, muttering, murmuring ...1681
• MUTTEROUS †* full of muttering sound, murmuring, buzzing ...1582
• PAITTERING chattering, muttering ...1895 Sc.
MUTTERING - nouns
• MAMMERING † a stammering, a muttering ...c1425
• MUSSITATION a speaking in a low tone; a grumbling, mumbling, muttering, murmuring ...1649
• RADOTAGE disconnected mutterings ...1828 Sc.
MUTTON - nouns
• AUSSIE STEAK mutton ...1947 US sl.
• DOOR AND HINGE the neck and breast of mutton ...L19
• HAND a shoulder of mutton ...1673
• HOCKEY STICK a mutton chop ...1940s NZ sl.
• HOG-SAFF mutton from a sheep that has died a natural death ...1892 Eng. dial.
• PARK-PALINGS a neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• PARK-RAILINGS a neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• RACK a rib of mutton ...1870 colloq.
• UNCLE SAM a cut of lamb ...20C rhyming sl.
• VENISON OUT OF TUP PARK mutton ...L17 sl.
• WABBLER a boiled leg of mutton ...19C sl.
• WAISTCOAT PIECE the breast and neck of mutton ...L19 sl.
• WOBBLER a boiled leg of mutton ...19C sl.
MUTTON - nouns, person
• MUTTON-MONGER †* a great eater of mutton; a butcher, a seller of mutton ...1649 sl.
MUTUAL - nouns
• BACK-SCRATCHING the performance of mutual services; always with the suggestion of doubt as to the legitimacy of the transactions ...1897 colloq.
MUTUALLY - adverbs
• SAM † together; mutually ...a1300
• SAMEN † together; mutually ...c975
MUZZLE - verbs
• CAPISTRATE †* to halter, to muzzle, to tie ...1656
MYSTERIOUS - adjectives
• ONDALI † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• OONLY † strange, odd, mysterious, peculiar, comical ...a1838 Sc.
• ORACULAR of mysterious portent; ominous, portentous ...1820
• SIBYLLINE oracular, occult, mysterious ...1817
• UNCANNIE weird, mysterious, ominous, spooky, eerie, esp. of things ...1819 Sc.
• UNCANNY partaking of a supernatural character; mysterious, weird, uncomfortably strange or unfamiliar ...1843 orig. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WEIRDSOME uncanny, mysterious ...1885
MYSTERIOUS, MYSTERY - nouns
• DEEPSHIP †* a profound secret or mystery ...a1225
• FILLILU a mysterious thing ...1952 Amer. dial. jocular
• GALLITRAP any mysterious circle or figure ...1892 Eng. dial.
• WHODUNIT a story about the solving of a mystery, esp. a murder ...1930 sl.
• WHODUNNIT a story about the solving of a mystery, esp. a murder ...1930 sl.
MYSTERY - phrases
• MURDER IS OUT, THE the mystery is solved ...18C colloq.
MYSTIFY - verbs
• BLAICK to puzzle, to mystify, to baffle ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLAIK to puzzle, to mystify, to baffle ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BUMFOOZLE to humbug, to mystify, to bewilder ...19C Eng. & Amer. dial.
• CABOBBLE to mystify, to puzzle, to confuse ...1880 Eng. dial.
• MAZE to amaze, to astonish; to bewilder, to puzzle, to mystify ...1836 Eng. dial.
• METAGROBOLIZE to puzzle, to mystify; to puzzle out ...1653 humorous
• SPIFLICATE to deal with in such a way as to confound or overcome completely; to astonish, to mystify, to surprise ...1785 humorous or colloq.
MYTH - adjectives
• FABULOSE † fond of fables, myths, or enigmas ...1677
MYTH, MYTHICAL - nouns (also see IMAGINARY)
• FABULOSITY of a composition or narrative: fabulous or mythical character; fictitiousness ...1603
• RING-TAIL DEVIL a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1968 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED PAINTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1828 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED ROARER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1830 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SCREAMER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; a loud-mouthed boaster; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1959 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SNORTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1950 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED SQUEALER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1837 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAILED TOOTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1941 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL PEELER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1913 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL ROARER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1832 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL SNORTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1859 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL SQUEALER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1898 Amer. dial.
• RING-TAIL TOOTER a ferocious mythical animal; hence, a powerful, violent, or wild person; an extraordinary example of its kind ...1909 Amer. dial.
• SIDEHILL GOUGER a mythical animal whose legs are shorter on one side than the other from years of grazing on a hillside ...1975 US sl.
• SIDEHILL WINDER a mythical animal whose legs are shorter on one side than the other from years of grazing on a hillside ...1975 US sl.
• WITHERLICK an imaginary or mythical animal ...1900 Amer. dial.