Machærodus
(||Ma*chæ"ro*dus) Machairodus
(||Ma*chai"ro*dus) n. [NL., fr. Gr. ma`chaira dagger +
'odoy`s tooth.] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats, and having in the upper jaw
canine teeth of remarkable size and strength; — hence called saber-toothed tigers.
Machete
(||Ma*che"te) n. [Sp.] A large heavy knife resembling a broadsword, often two or three feet
in length, — used by the inhabitants of Spanish America as a hatchet to cut their way through thickets,
and for various other purposes. J. Stevens.
Machiavelian
(Mach`i*a*vel"ian) a. [From Machiavel, an Italian writer, secretary and historiographer to
the republic of Florence.] Of or pertaining to Machiavel, or to his supposed principles; politically cunning; characterized
by duplicity or bad faith; crafty.
Machiavelian
(Mach`i*a*vel"ian), n. One who adopts the principles of Machiavel; a cunning and unprincipled
politician.
Machiavelism
(Mach"i*a*vel*ism Mach`i*a*vel"ian*ism) n. [Cf. F. machiavélisme; It. machiavellismo.]
The supposed principles of Machiavel, or practice in conformity to them; political artifice, intended to
favor arbitrary power.
Machicolated
(Ma*chic"o*la`ted) a. [LL. machicolatus, p. p. of machicolare, machicollare. See Machicolation.]
Having machicolations. "Machicolated turrets." C. Kingsley.
Machicolation
(Mach`i*co*la"tion) n. [Cf. LL. machicolamentum, machacolladura, F. mâchicolis, mâchecoulis; perh.
fr. F. mèche match, combustible matter + OF. coulis, couleis, flowing, fr. OF. & F. couler to flow. Cf.
Match for making fire, and Cullis.]
1. (Mil. Arch.) An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of
a gallery or the roof of a portal, for shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking the base of
the walls. Also, the construction of such defenses, in general, when of this character. See Illusts. of
Battlement and Castle.
2. The act of discharging missiles or pouring burning or melted substances upon assailants through
such apertures.
Machicoulis
(||Ma`chi`cou`lis") n. [F. mâchicoulis.] (Mil. Arch.) Same as Machicolation.
Machinal
(Ma*chin"al) a. [L. machinalis: cf. F. machinal.] Of or pertaining to machines.
Machinate
(Mach"i*nate) v. i. [imp. & p. p. Machinated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Machinating ] [L. machinatus,
p. p. of machinari to devise, plot. See Machine.] To plan; to contrive; esp., to form a scheme with the
purpose of doing harm; to contrive artfully; to plot. "How long will you machinate!" Sandys.
Machinate
(Mach"i*nate) v. t. To contrive, as a plot; to plot; as, to machinate evil.
Machination
(Mach`i*na"tion) n. [L. machinatio: cf. F. machination.]
1. The act of machinating. Shak.
2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile or treacherous scheme; an artful design or plot.
Devilish machinations come to naught.
Milton.
His ingenious machinations had failed.
Macaulay. Machinator
(Mach"i*na`tor) n. [L.] One who machinates, or forms a scheme with evil designs; a plotter
or artful schemer. Glanvill. Sir W. Scott.
