Moor (?), n. [F. More, Maure, L. Maurus a Moor, a Mauritanian, an inhabitant of Mauritania, Gr. ; cf. black, dark. Cf. Morris a dance, Morocco.]
1.
One of a mixed race inhabiting Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, and Tripoli, chiefly along the coast and in towns.
2. Hist.
Any individual of the swarthy races of Africa or Asia which have adopted the Mohammedan religion.
"In Spanish history the terms
Moors, Saracens, and Arabs are synonymous."
Internat. Cyc.
© Webster 1913.
Moor, n. [OE. mor, AS. mor moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See Mere a lake.]
1.
An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy, and abounding in peat; a heath.
In her girlish age she kept sheep on the moor.
Carew.
2.
A game preserve consisting of moorland.
Moor buzzard Zool., the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.] -- Moor coal Geol., a friable variety of lignite. -- Moor cock Zool., the male of the moor fowl or red grouse of Europe. -- Moor coot. Zool. See Gallinule. -- Moor fowl. Zool. (a) The European ptarmigan, or red grouse (Lagopus Scoticus). (b) The European heath grouse. See under Heath. -- Moor game. Zool. Same as Moor fowl (above). -- Moor grass Bot., a tufted perennial grass (Sesleria caerulea), found in mountain pastures of Europe. -- Moor hawk Zool., the marsh harrier. -- Moor hen. Zool. (a) The female of the moor fowl. (b) A gallinule, esp. the European species. See Gallinule. (c) An Australian rail (Tribonyx ventralis). -- Moor monkey Zool., the black macaque of Borneo (Macacus maurus). -- Moor titling Zool., the European stonechat (Pratinocola rubicola).
© Webster 1913.
Moor (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Mooring.] [Prob. fr. D. marren to tie, fasten, or moor a ship. See Mar.]
1. Naut.
To fix or secure, as a vessel, in a particular place by casting anchor, or by fastening with cables or chains; as, the vessel was moored in the stream; they moored the boat to the wharf.
2.
Fig.: To secure, or fix firmly.
Brougham.
© Webster 1913.
Moor, v. i.
To cast anchor; to become fast.
On oozy ground his galleys moor.
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.