"The watermark in paper is produced by bending the wires of the mold, or by wires bent into the shape
of the required letter or device, and sewed to the surface of the mold; — it has the effect of making the
paper thinner in places. The old makers employed watermarks of an eccentric kind. Those of Caxton
and other early printers were an oxhead and star, a collared dog's head, a crown, a shield, a jug, etc.
A fool's cap and bells, employed as a watermark, gave the name to foolscap paper; a postman's horn,
such as was formerly in use, gave the name to post paper." Tomlinson.
3. (Naut.) See Water line, 2. [R.]
Water meadow
(Wa"ter mead"ow) (Agric.) A meadow, or piece of low, flat land, capable of being kept
in a state of fertility by being overflowed with water from some adjoining river or stream.
Water measure
(Wa"ter meas"ure) A measure formerly used for articles brought by water, as coals,
oysters, etc. The water-measure bushel was three gallons larger than the Winchester bushel. Cowell.
Water measurer
(Wa"ter meas"ur*er) (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of water; the skater. See
Skater, n., 2.
Watermelon
(Wa"ter*mel`on) n. (Bot.) The very large ovoid or roundish fruit of a cucurbitaceous plant
(Citrullus vulgaris) of many varieties; also, the plant itself. The fruit sometimes weighs many pounds; its
pulp is usually pink in color, and full of a sweet watery juice. It is a native of tropical Africa, but is now
cultivated in many countries. See Illust. of Melon.
Water meter
(Wa"ter me"ter) A contrivance for measuring a supply of water delivered or received for
any purpose, as from a street main.
Water milfoil
(Wa"ter mil"foil) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Myriophyllum, aquatic herbs with whorled
leaves, the submersed ones pinnately parted into capillary divisions.
Water mill
(Wa"ter mill`) A mill whose machinery is moved by water; — distinguished from a windmill,
and a steam mill.
Water mint
(Wa"ter mint`) A kind of mint (Mentha aquatica) growing in wet places, and sometimes having
a perfume resembling bergamot.
Water mite
(Wa"ter mite`) (Zoöl.) Any of numerous species of aquatic mites belonging to Hydrachna
and allied genera of the family Hydrachnidæ, usually having the legs fringed and adapted for swimming.
They are often red or red and black in color, and while young are parasites of fresh-water insects and
mussels. Called also water tick, and water spider.
Water moccasin
(Wa"ter moc"ca*sin) (Zoöl.) A venomous North American snake (Ancistrodon piscivorus)
allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a rattle. It lives in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of
fishes. Called also water snake, water adder, water viper.
Water mole
(Wa"ter mole`) (Zoöl.) (a) The shrew mole. See under Shrew. (b) The duck mole. See
under Duck.
Water monitor
(Wa"ter mon"i*tor) (Zoöl.) A very large lizard (Varanaus salvator) native of India. It frequents
the borders of streams and swims actively. It becomes five or six feet long. Called also two-banded
monitor, and kabaragoya. The name is also applied to other aquatic monitors.
Water motor
(Wa"ter mo"tor)
1. A water engine.
2. A water wheel; especially, a small water wheel driven by water from a street main.
