~ 1 [ mɛ: ]
■ noun the female of a horse or other equine animal.
Origin
OE mearh 'horse', mere '~', from a Gmc base.
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~ 2 [ 'mα:reɪ , -ri ]
■ noun ( plural maria 'mα:rɪə ) Astronomy a large, level basalt plain on the surface of the moon, appearing dark by contrast with highland areas.
Origin
C19: special use of L. ~ 'sea'; these areas were once thought to be seas.