8-letter words starting with m
- malaphor — (rare neologism) An idiom blend: an error in which two similar figures of speech are merged, producing a nonsensical result.
- malaprop — Mrs. a character in Sheridan's The Rivals (1775), noted for her misapplication of words.
- malarial — Pathology. any of a group of diseases, usually intermittent or remittent, characterized by attacks of chills, fever, and sweating: formerly supposed to be due to swamp exhalations but now known to be caused by a parasitic protozoan, which is transferred to the human bloodstream by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles and which occupies and destroys red blood cells.
- malarian — (dated) Relating to malaria; malarial.
- malarkey — speech or writing designed to obscure, mislead, or impress; bunkum: The claims were just a lot of malarkey.
- malaroma — an unpleasant smell
- malawian — Formerly Nyasaland. a republic in SE Africa, on the W and S shores of Lake Malawi: formerly a British protectorate and part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland; gained independence July 6, 1964; a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 49,177 sq. mi. (127,368 sq. km). Capital: Lilongwe.
- malaxage — the act of kneading or softening unbaked pottery clay
- malaxate — To soften, especially by kneading with the hands.
- malayali — a speaker of the Malayalam language
- malaysia — a constitutional monarchy in SE Asia: a federation, comprising the former British territories of Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak: member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 126,310 sq. mi. (327,143 sq. km). Capital: Kuala Lumpur.
- maldives — a republic in the Indian Ocean, SW of India, consisting of about 2000 islands: British protectorate 1887–1965. 115 sq. mi. (298 sq. km). Capital: Male.
- male cow — a bull.
- malecite — a member of a North American Indian people of southern and western New Brunswick and northern Maine.
- maledict — accursed.
- malefice — a wicked deed or enchantment
- malegaon — a city in NW Maharashtra state in W India.
- malemute — Alaskan malamute.
- maleness — a person bearing an X and Y chromosome pair in the cell nuclei and normally having a penis, scrotum, and testicles, and developing hair on the face at adolescence; a boy or man.
- malenkov — Georgi Maximilianovich [gyi-awr-gyee muh-ksyi-myi-lyah-nuh-vyich] /gyɪˈɔr gyi mə ksyɪ myɪˈlyɑ nə vyɪtʃ/ (Show IPA), 1902–88, Russian political leader: premier of the Soviet Union 1953–55.
- malevich — Kasimir [kaz-uh mir] /ˈkæz əmɪr/ (Show IPA), 1878–1935, Russian painter: founder of suprematism.
- malgrado — in spite of
- malherbe — François de (frɑ̃swa də). 1555–1628, French poet and critic. He advocated the classical ideals of clarity and concision of meaning
- malibran — Maria Felicita [Spanish mah-ree-ah fe-lee-thee-tah] /Spanish mɑˈri ɑ ˌfɛ liˈθi tɑ/ (Show IPA), 1808–36, Spanish opera singer, born in France.
- maligned — to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
- maligner — to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
- malignly — In a malign manner.
- malihini — a newcomer to Hawaii.
- malinger — to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty, avoid work, etc.
- maliseet — Malecite.
- malisons — Plural form of malison.
- malistic — Of, or pertaining to, malism.
- mall rat — See example at rat (def 5).
- mallards — Plural form of mallard.
- mallarme — Stéphane [stey-fan] /steɪˈfan/ (Show IPA), 1842–98, French poet.
- malleate — to beat or shape with a hammer, as in metalworking.
- malleoli — the bony protuberance on either side of the ankle, at the lower end of the fibula or of the tibia.
- mallorca — Majorca.
- malodour — Alternative spelling of malodor.
- malonate — (organic chemistry) Any salt or ester of malonic acid.
- malpighi — Marcello [mahr-chel-law] /mɑrˈtʃɛl lɔ/ (Show IPA), 1628–94, Italian anatomist.
- malthene — petrolene.
- maltings — Plural form of malting.
- maltreat — to treat or handle badly, cruelly, or roughly; abuse: to maltreat a prisoner.
- maltster — a maker of or dealer in malt.
- maltworm — a heavy drinker
- malunion — (anatomy) Bad or incorrect union (of parts of the body).
- malvasia — a sweet grape from which malmsey wine is made.
- malvinas — a female given name.
- mamaliga — a porridge of cornmeal, orig. of Romania