2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is Martian exists on or relates to the planet Mars. □ The Martian atmosphere contains only tiny amounts of water.
mar|tin /mɑː r t I n/ (martins ) N‑COUNT A martin is a small bird with a forked tail.
mar|ti|net /mɑː r t I ne t/ (martinets ) N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a martinet , you are criticizing them because they are very strict and demand that people obey their rules and orders. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He's a retired Lieutenant Colonel and a bit of a martinet.
mar|tyr /mɑː r tə r / (martyrs , martyring , martyred )
1 N‑COUNT A martyr is someone who is killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs, and is admired and respected by people who share those beliefs. □ [+ to ] …a glorious martyr to the cause of liberty. □ …a Christian martyr.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is martyred , they are killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs. □ [be V -ed] St Pancras was martyred in 304 AD. □ [V -ed] …whether its martyred leader is released or not.
3 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a martyr , you disapprove of the fact that they pretend to suffer, or exaggerate their suffering, in order to get sympathy or praise from other people. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ When are you going to quit acting like a martyr?
4 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a martyr to something, you mean that they suffer as a result of it. □ [+ to ] Ellsworth was a martyr to his sense of honour and responsibility.
5 → see also martyred
mar|tyr|dom /mɑː r tə r dəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone suffers martyrdom , they are killed or made to suffer greatly because of their religious or political beliefs. □ [+ of ] …the martyrdom of Bishop Feliciano. □ He suffered martyrdom by stoning.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you describe someone's behaviour as martyrdom , you are critical of them because they are exaggerating their suffering in order to gain sympathy or praise. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She sat picking at her small plate of rice salad with an air of martyrdom.
mar|tyred /mɑː r tə r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as martyred , you mean that they often exaggerate their suffering in order to gain sympathy or praise. [LITERARY , DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'As usual,' muttered his martyred wife. □ …with a lot of sighs, moans and a martyred air.
mar|vel /mɑː r v ə l/ (marvels , marvelling , marvelled ) in AM, use marveling , marveled 1 VERB If you marvel at something, you express your great surprise, wonder, or admiration. □ [V + at ] Her fellow members marveled at her seemingly infinite energy. □ [V ] Sara and I read the story and marveled. □ [V with quote] 'That's the weirdest thing I've ever seen,' marveled Carl. □ [V that] He marvelled that a man in such intense pain could be so coherent.
2 N‑COUNT You can describe something or someone as a marvel to indicate that you think that they are wonderful. □ [+ of ] The whale, like the dolphin, has become a symbol of the marvels of creation.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Marvels are things that people have done, or that have happened, which are very unexpected or surprising. □ He's done marvels with the team.
mar|vel|lous /mɑː r vələs/ in AM, use marvelous ADJ If you describe someone or something as marvellous , you are emphasizing that they are very good. □ He certainly is a marvellous actor. □ He looked marvellous. ● mar|vel|lous|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ He always painted marvellously.
Marx|ism /mɑː r ks I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Marxism is a political philosophy based on the writings of Karl Marx which stresses the importance of the struggle between different social classes.
Marx|ist /mɑː r ks I st/ (Marxists )
1 ADJ Marxist means based on Marxism or relating to Marxism. □ …a Marxist state. □ …Marxist ideology.
2 N‑COUNT A Marxist is a person who believes in Marxism or who is a member of a Marxist party.
mar|zi|pan /mɑː r zipæn/ N‑UNCOUNT Marzipan is a paste made of almonds, sugar, and egg which is sometimes put on top of cakes.
masc. Masc. is a written abbreviation of masculine .
mas|cara /mæskɑː rə, [AM ] -kæ r-/ (mascaras ) N‑VAR Mascara is a substance used as make-up to make eyelashes darker. □ …water-resistant mascaras.
mas|car|pone /mæskə r poʊ ni/ N‑UNCOUNT Mascarpone is a soft white cheese traditionally made in Italy. It is used to make desserts.
mas|cot /mæ skɒt/ (mascots ) N‑COUNT A mascot is an animal, toy, or symbol which is associated with a particular organization or event, and which is thought to bring good luck. □ [+ of ] …the official mascot of the Commonwealth Games.
mas|cu|line /mæ skjʊl I n/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Masculine qualities and things relate to or are considered typical of men, in contrast to women. □ …masculine characteristics like a husky voice and facial hair. □ …masculine pride.
2 ADJ If you say that someone or something is masculine , you mean that they have qualities such as strength or confidence which are considered typical of men. □ …her aggressive, masculine image. □ The Duke's study was very masculine, with deep red wall-covering and dark oak shelving.