masquerade (qu as k)

i. & t. [MASQUER ADE, 8. ] A. Intransitive : II. Technically : ma 1. Physics: The quantity of matter which a body contains. This is not nece arily the same as its volume, but is precisely proportioned to its weight, the a umption being made that weight arises from a greater quantity of matter being compre ed into a limited space. Two bodies are said to have equal ma es if when placed in opposite scales in vacuo they exactly balance each other. The ma of the unit of volume in any body of equal density throughout is the measure of this density. If m equal the ma of a body, v its volume, and dits density, then m = vd . The C. G. S. unit of ma is the quantity of matter in a gram. While weight varies with latitude and other circumstances, ma is invariable. [AVOIRDUPOIS.] 2. Bot . ( pl .): Collections of anything in unusual quantity, as the pollen ma es in Orchid aceæ and Asclepiadacese. (1) Measures of ma : A grain, an ounce, a pound, a ton. (2) The ma es : The great or main body of the people; especially the great body of the working cla es; the populace. "His exertions in the cause of the ma es."-Hannay: Singleton Fontenoy , bk. i., ch. v.