Children's Illustrated Dictionary.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

marsupial

marsupial

marsupials noun

one of a group of mammals

that carry their babies in

pouches. Kangaroos and

koalas are marsupials (see

mammal on page 124).

N say mar-soo-pee-al

masculine

adjective

of, or like, men or boys.

N say mas-kul-lin

N opposite feminine

mask

masks noun

something that hides

or protects the face.

party

mask

mask verb

mass

masses noun

a very large number of people

or things.

A mass of

bees gathered

around the hive.

mast

masts noun

an upright pole that holds

the sails on a boat or ship

(see boat on page 31).

mat

mats noun

a covering for a floor or to put

under dishes on a table.

match

matches matching matched verb

to be similar to,

or to go well with,

something else.

His pants

matched his

hat and scarf.

matching adjective

match

matches noun

1 a sports competition

between two people or teams.

A tennis match.

2 a small stick of wood

or cardboard that you strike

against a rough surface

to make a flame.

mate

mates mating mated verb

to join together as males and

females to produce babies.

Many animals mate in

the spring and have their

babies in the summer.

mate noun

mathematics

noun

the study of numbers,

quantities, shapes, and sizes.

Mathematics is often

shortened to “math.”

Symbols that are used

in mathematics.

mathematical adjective

matter

noun

1 any substance that takes

up space and has weight,

such as solids, liquids,

and gases.

Everything is made up

of matter.

2 a subject that needs to be

discussed or decided.

It was an urgent matter.

mattress

mattresses noun

a soft, thick pad that you lie

on in a bed.

mature

adjective

fully grown or developed.

mature verb

maturity noun

maximum

noun

the greatest possible amount.

This box holds a maximum

of 12 pencils.

N opposite minimum

may

might verb

1 to ask or have permission

to do something.

May I go now?

2 to suggest that something

is possible.

It may rain later.

N always used with another verb

mayonnaise

noun

a creamy sauce made from

eggs, vegetable

oil, and vinegar

and eaten

with salads.

N say may-uh-nayz

maze

mazes noun

a system of paths in which it

is difficult

to find

your way

around.

meadow

meadows noun

a field of grass, often with

wild flowers growing in it.

N say med-oh

material

materials noun

1 cloth. 2 things that are used to

make or do something.

woven material building materials