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Glossary of Terms (as used in the lessons) M is for . . . |
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| McCormick reaper | The first mechanical reaper developed by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. The first reapers cut sheaves of grain and lay them on the ground. Later versions of the machine reaped (cut) and tied the sheaves of grain in one operation. |
| magnesium | A mineral essential to a healthy diet which aids in bone growth and energy metabolism and strengthens teeth. Magnesium is found in wheat bran, whole grains, raw leafy green vegetables, nuts (especially almonds and cashews), soybeans, bananas, apricots and spices. |
| mammal | Any of various warm-blooded vertebrate animals of the class Mammalia, including humans, characterized by a covering of hair on the skin and, in the female, milk-producing mammary glands for nourishing the young. |
| mandibles | Insect mouth parts used for holding or biting food. |
| mandrake | A Eurasian plant with purplish flowers and a branched root thought to resemble the human body used in dyes. |
| mannerism | A special way of doing something. |
| manure | Animal dung, compost or other decomposed organic material used to fertilize soil. |
| Massachuset | A large tribe of Algonquian-speaking Indians native to the area on or near Massachusetts Bay. |
| maverick | An unbranded or orphaned range coal or colt, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it; a horse or steer that has escaped from the herd. |
| meat | The flesh of an animal that can be eaten. |
| mechanical arts | Interpreting and explaining the art of mechanics. |
| medieval | Relating or belonging to the Middle Ages. |
| Mesonet | Computer network in Oklahoma which monitors environmental and climatic conditions and provides the information to farmers and others who need to keep track of the weather. |
| metamorphosis | A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. |
| meteorologist | A person who studies the processes related to weather. |
| microorganism | An animal or plant too small to be seen without a microscope. |
| migrate | To move from one region and settle in another. |
| milk | A white liquid produced by cows to feed their offspring or, in the case of dairy cows, used to produce dairy products. |
| milking machine | Mechanical device to draw milk from the udders of a dairy animal by use of a vacuum. |
| milking parlor | A room in a dairy especially arranged and equipped so dairy cows can be separated and milked using mechanical milking equipment. |
| mill | A building quipped with machinery for grinding grain into flour or meal. |
| millet | A grass cultivated in Eurasia for its seed and in North America for hay. |
| millstone | One of a pair of cylindrical stones used in a mill for grinding grain. |
| mineral | A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable, inorganic matter. |
| miso | A paste used for soup stock made with fermented soybeans and rice. |
| mohair | The hair of an Angora goat or rabbit used to make yarns and fabrics. |
| molting |
Shedding an outer covering, such as feathers or skin, which is replaced by new growth. |
| monitor | To test or sample on a regular or ongoing basis. |
| monocropping | Growing only one crop. |
| monoculture | Cultivation of a single crop, such as wheat or cotton, to the exclusion of other possible land uses. |
| monounsaturated fat | Fat that is two hydrogen atoms short of saturation, common in vegetable oils and liquid at room temperature. |
| mordant | A substance used to fix colors in the dyeing process. |
| Morrill Act | Law introduced by Vermont Congressman Justin Morrill and signed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln granting federal land to the states for establishment of colleges to teach agriculture and the mechanical arts. |
| mortar | A vessel in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle. |
| moss | Any of various green, usually small, nonvascular plants. |
| mottes | Isolated, small clumps of trees or shrubs in a grassy area. |
| mud | Wet, sticky, soft earth. |
| mule | A sterile hybrid of a male ass and a female horse. |
| mung bean | The seed of a plant grown in Oklahoma for use as animal feed and eaten most often by humans in the form of bean sprouts. |
| muscle | A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting and relaxing to effect bodily movement. |
| mushroom | Any of various fleshy fungi, characteristically having an umbrella-shaped cap borne on a stalk. |
| muskmelon | Any of several varieties of the melon, such as the cantaloupe, having fruit characterized by a pitted rind and flesh with a musky aroma. |
| muslin | Any of various sturdy, plain-weave cotton fabrics, used especially for sheets. |
| mustard seed | The pungent seeds of a plant native to Eurasia used in making a condiment, suitable for sprouting. |
| mutton | The flesh of fully grown sheep used for food. |
| Myriapod | Any of several arthropods, such as the centipede, having segmented bodies and many legs. |
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