German–English dictionary

Meeresstraße

A narrow body of water between two land masses.

Meeresteufel

Any large bottom-dwelling anglerfish of the genus Lophius, such as Lophius piscatorius, of the Atlantic, having a large head and mouth.

Meeresufer

The coastal land bordering a sea or an ocean.

Meergans

(North American) Any of several wild geese, of the genus Branta, that breed in the Arctic, but especially the brent goose, Branta bernicla.

Meerjungfrau

A mythological creature with a woman's head and upper body, and a tail of a fish.

Meerkatze

A member of the genus Cercopithecus of Old World monkeys, of sub-Saharan Africa, principally forests.

Meerohr

(North America, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore) An edible univalve mollusc of the genus Haliotis, having a shell lined with mother-of-pearl. [mid 19th c.]

Meerschwalbe

Any of various seabirds of the subfamily Sterninae (of the family Laridae) that are similar to gulls but are smaller and have a forked tail.

Meerungeheuer

(Bible, mythological creature) A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, either imaginary or real, described as the most dangerous and powerful creature in the ocean.

Meerwasser

The sea or ocean; the water of the sea.

mega-

In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by one million (106).

Megabyte

(computing, formal) One million (106, or 1,000,000) bytes or 1,000 kilobytes.

Megafon

A portable, usually hand-held, funnel-shaped device that is used to amplify a person’s natural voice toward a targeted direction.

Megalith

A large stone slab making up a prehistoric monument, or part of such a monument.

Megalithbau

A prehistoric monument made up of one or more large stones.

Megalithbauwerk

A prehistoric monument made up of one or more large stones.

megaloman

Of, exhibiting, or affected with megalomania.

Megalopolis

A large conurbation, where two or more large cities have sprawled outward to meet, forming something larger than a normal metropolis.

Megäre

(Greek god) One of the Furies, Erinyes in Greek mythology, the cause of jealousy and envy, who punishes people who commit crimes, especially marital infidelity.

Mehl

Powder obtained by grinding or milling cereal grains, especially wheat, or other foodstuffs such as soybeans and potatoes, and used to bake bread, cakes, and pastry.

Mehlbanane

The fruit of the plant, usually cooked before eating and used like potatoes.

Mehlbeere

Any of various small deciduous trees or shrubs of genus Sorbus, belonging to the rose family, with pinnate leaves, corymbs of white flowers, and usually with orange-red berries.

Mehlschwalbe

A migratory bird of the species Delichon urbicum, breeding in Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia.

Mehlschwitze

A mixture of fat (usually butter) and flour used to thicken sauces and stews.

Mehlsuppe

A thin, watery porridge, formerly eaten primarily by the poor and the ill.

Mehltau

(plant disease) A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.

mehr

Used to form the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs. [from 13thc.]

mehr oder minder wiederholen

(transitive) To repeat with minor variation.

mehr oder weniger

Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.

mehr und mehr

(modal) Indicates that the statement is becoming progressively more true.

mehr-

Many; pertaining to many things.

Mehrarbeitszuschlag

(uncountable) The rate of pay, usually higher, for work done outside of or in addition to regular hours.

Mehraufwand

(uncountable) Any cost or expenditure (monetary, time, effort or otherwise) incurred in a project or activity, which does not directly contribute to its progress or outcome.

mehrdeutig

Open to multiple interpretations.

Mehrdeutigkeit

(countable) An instance of this state: words or statements that are open to more than one interpretation, explanation or meaning, especially if that meaning cannot be determined from the context.

Mehrehe

(often, especially in common use) Synonym of polygyny (“marriage of a man to more than one wife, the practice of having several wives at the same time”).

mehrere

Having more than one element, part, component, or function, having more than one instance, occurring more than once, usually contrary to expectations (can be followed by a singular).

mehrfach

Having more than one element, part, component, or function, having more than one instance, occurring more than once, usually contrary to expectations (can be followed by a singular).

mehrfach wiederholen

(transitive) To say or do (something) repeatedly.

Mehrfachbeschäftigung

The act of, or a period of, working on the side (at a secondary job), often in the evening or during the night, either openly or secretly.

Mehrheit

More than half (50%) of some group.

mehrjährig

(botany) Of a plant: active throughout the year, or having a life cycle of more than two growing seasons.

mehrmals

Done several times or in repetition.

mehrschichtig

Composed of elements; not simple.

mehrsprachig

(of a person) Able to communicate in a number of languages.

Mehrstimmigkeit

(music) Musical texture consisting of several independent melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice (monophony) or music with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).

Mehrstufe

(grammar) The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing two entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the comparative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -er or the word more (e.g. bigger, more fully); the comparative of equality, by adding the word as (e.g. as big, as fully); the comparative of inferiority, by adding the word less (e.g. less big, less fully).

mehrteilig

Composed of elements; not simple.

mehrweg-

Able to be used again; especially after salvaging or special treatment or processing

Mehrzahl

(grammar, uncountable) The plural number. In English, referring to more or less than one of something.

Mehrzahl-

Consisting of or containing more than one of something.

meiden

(transitive) To keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from.

Meier

(historical) A chief administrator of a medieval manor.

Meierei

A place, often on a farm, where milk is processed and turned into products such as butter and cheese.

Meile

An ancient Roman unit of itinerant distance of 1000 paces (mille passus, hence also "mile" from Latin mille, "1000"). Indirectly standardized to 5000 Roman feet by Agrippa in 29 BC. In modern times, Agrippa's Imperial Roman mile is empirically estimated to have been around 1481 meters (1620 yards, 4860 English feet, 0.92 English miles); compared with a modern mile, which is 5280 feet.

Meilenstein

(figurative, also, attributive) A major event or discovery.

Meiler

(nuclear physics) A device which uses atomic energy to produce heat.

mein

That or those belonging to me.

mein Fehler

(colloquial, idiomatic) My fault; mea culpa.

mein Herr

A respectful term of address to an adult male (often older), especially if his name or proper title is unknown.

mein Junge

(dated) A familiar form of address for a boy. [1833]

meine

Belonging to me.

meine Dame

A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound.

meine Güte

(minced oath, euphemism) A mild expression of surprise or enthusiasm.

meine Herren

(chiefly, _, historical) A man of gentle but not noble birth, particularly a man of means (originally ownership of property) who does not work for a living but has no official status in a peerage; (UK, _, law) an armigerous man ranking below a knight.

meine Schuld

An instance of mea culpa; an apology.

Meineid

(legal) The deliberate giving of false or misleading testimony under oath.

Meineid begehen

(intransitive, or, reflexive) To commit perjury; to break an oath.

Meineidige

someone who has committed perjury by lying under oath

meinen

(transitive) Of a person (or animal etc): to intend to express, to imply, to hint at, to allude.

meiner Meinung nach

(informal, internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of in my opinion.

meines Erachtens

(informal, internet slang, text messaging) Initialism of in my opinion.

meinesgleichen

(sometimes as the likes of) Someone similar to a given person, or something similar to a given object; a comparative; a type; a sort.

meins

That or those belonging to me.

Meinung

Opinion; conception; sentiment; idea.

Meinungsumfrage

(countable) A seeking or solicitation of donations, information, opinions, support, etc.

Meinungsverschiedenheit

A debate or discussion of opposing opinions; (generally) strife.

Meiose

(usually, uncountable, cytology) Cell division of a diploid cell into four haploid cells, which develop to produce gametes.

Meise

A small passerine bird (songbird) of the genus Parus or the family Paridae.

Meißel

A cutting tool used to remove parts of stone, wood or metal by pushing or pounding the back when the sharp edge is against the material. It consists of a slim, oblong block of metal with a sharp wedge or bevel formed on one end and sometimes a handle at the other end; there are hand tool versions (the original type) and versions as bits for power tools.

meißeln

(intransitive) To use a chisel.

meistens

On most occasions; usually.

Meister

One fully skilled or well versed in anything; a proficient

Meister Graubein

Any of several related canines that resemble Canis lupus in appearance, especially those of the genus Canis.

meisterhaft

Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.

Meisterin

Someone who is chosen to represent a group of people in a contest.

Meisterleistung

A relatively rare or difficult accomplishment.

meisterlich

Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.

meistern

(transitive) To become the master of; to subject to one's will, control, or authority; to conquer; to overpower; to subdue.

Meisterschaft

power of control, direction or disposal; mastery.

Meisterstück

A relatively rare or difficult accomplishment.

Meisterwerk

A great or important work of literature, music or art, a masterpiece.

Meiststufe

(grammar) The degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb used when comparing three or more entities in terms of a certain property or a certain way of doing something. In English, the superlative of superiority is formed by adding the suffix -est or the word most (e.g. tiniest, most fully); the superlative of inferiority, by adding the word least (e.g. least big, least fully).

Mekka

A large city, the provincial capital of Mecca Province in the in the Hejaz region, Saudi Arabia, the holiest place in Islam, location of the sacred Ka'ba, and to which Muslims are required to make a hajj at least once in their lifetime, if possible.

Mekong

A river in southeastern Asia that flows about 4,183 km (2,600 miles) from Tibet to the South China Sea in Vietnam.

Melancholie

A gripping listlessness or melancholia caused by boredom; depression.

melancholisch

Suffering from gloom; melancholy; dejected.

Melanie

A en given name.

Melanin

(biochemistry) Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.

Melanine

(biochemistry) Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.

Melanom

(oncology, disease) A dark-pigmented, usually malignant tumor arising from a melanocyte and occurring most commonly in the skin.

Melanzani

(North America, AU, NZ, Philippines) The plant Solanum melongena or its edible fruit; an aubergine.

Melasse

A thick, sweet syrup drained from sugarcane, especially (North America) the still thicker and sweeter syrup produced by boiling down raw molasses.

Melbourne

The capital city of Victoria, Australia and former capital of Australia (1901–1927).

melden

(ambitransitive, card games) To announce (one's goal), before starting play.

melden (einer Autorität)

(intransitive, informal, with on) To inform an authority of another's misdemeanours.

Meldung

A piece of nonfiction writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, encyclopedia, etc.

melieren

(transitive) To dye (part of the hair) a different color than the rest.

meliert

Colored in patches; spotted.

Melioration

An improvement.

meliorisieren

To improve something by adding features.

Melissa

A en given name.

Melisse

A perennial herb, of species Melissa officinalis, of southern Europe; used as a flavouring in ice cream etc.

melk

(dated, of a mammal) Currently producing milk for its offspring.

Melken

The act by which any animal is milked.

Melker

A person who milks.

Melkerin

(dated) A woman who works in a dairy.

Melkkuh

(by extension) Someone or something which is a dependable source of appreciable amounts of money.

Melodie

A sequence of notes that makes up a musical phrase.

Melodienfolge

(music) A collection of related songs played or mixed together as a single piece. [from 17thc.]

Melodienreigen

(music) A collection of related songs played or mixed together as a single piece. [from 17thc.]

Melodiepfeife

The pipe of a bagpipe on which the melody is played.

melodiös

Having a pleasant melody or sound; tuneful.

melodisch

Sweet, especially when describing voice or tones; melodious.

Melodrama

(countable) A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.

melodramatisch

Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a melodrama; unnatural in situation or action.

Melone

A hard round black felt hat with a narrow brim, formerly worn by men.

Melonen

(usually, in the plural, slang) The breasts.

Meltau

(uncountable) A sweet, sticky substance deposited on leaves and other plant parts by insects (especially aphids and scale insects) feeding on plant sap, or by fungi.

Mem

(originally) Any unit of (originally cultural) information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another in a comparable way to the transmission of genes.

Membran

(mechanics) A flexible membrane separating two chambers and fixed around its periphery that distends into one or other chamber as the difference in the pressure in the chambers varies.

Membrane

(anatomy, zootomy) A flexible enclosing or separating tissue forming a plane or film and separating two environments.

Meme

(Internet) Media, usually humorous, which is copied and circulated online with slight adaptations, such as basic pictures, video templates, etc. [from 1993]

Memento mori

An emblematic object or personal ornament, such as a skull, used as a reminder of one's mortality.

Memme

(slang, mildly, derogatory) A weak, ineffectual, cowardly, or timid person.

Memo

A short note; a memorandum.

Memoblock

A kind of cushion for writing upon, or for blotting, especially one formed of many flat sheets of writing paper; now especially such a block of paper sheets as used to write on.

Memoiren

A biography; a book describing the experiences of a subject from personal knowledge of the subject or from sources with personal knowledge of the subject.

Memorabilien

(originally, US) Objects that are connected to or remind their owner of past events. [from 1855]

Memorierungshilfe

Something (especially a series of ideas, letters, words, etc.) used to help in remembering a thing; a memory aid.

Memphis

A city of ancient Egypt.

Menagerie

A collection of live wild animals as an exhibition historically associated with the aristocracy and considered a precursor of modern zoos.

Menarche

The onset of menstruation; a girl's first period.

Menelaos

(Greek mythology) The king of Mycenaean Sparta, the husband of Helen of Troy, the brother of Agamemnon, and the leader of the Spartan contingent of the Greek army during the Trojan War.

Menge

The total, aggregate or sum of material (not applicable to discrete numbers or units or items in standard English).

Mengenring

(analysis, measure theory) A family of sets that is closed under finite unions and set-theoretic differences.

Mengzi

Chinese philosopher, follower of Confucius (?372 - 289 B.C.E., or 385 - 303/302 B.C.E.)

Menhir

(archaeology) A single tall standing stone as a monument, especially one dating to prehistoric times.

Meningitis

(pathology) Inflammation of the meninges, characterized by headache, neck stiffness and photophobia and also fever, chills, vomiting and myalgia.

menno

Expressing anger, annoyance or frustration.