| Term |
Definition |
M
|
|
| Macro- |
Giant; Large. |
| Macrofurry |
A larger than normal furry, usually a giant Furry. |
| Mage |
A magic user - usually a male with plenty of power, skill and experience. |
| Magi (Singular) Magus (Plural) |
From ancient Persian (Now Iraq), "Magician". The most well known are the Three Wise Men who came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. Some stories have adopted this title for their magicians. |
| Magic |
A supernatural power that allows one to do unexplainable things. According to one credo, "Any science that is sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic". Alternatively, "Any magic that is sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from science" |
| Man-Bat |
A DC Comics character. Although the origins have been altered in retelling, the Man-Bat is a researcher who invented a way to turn himself into a giant human bat creature. Initially evil - or going on instinct, the Man-Bat usually came up against Batman. Retelling the tale and redefining the character has happened over the years, as the Man-Bat has been cast as a hero, and as a creature out to create a race of bat-people. |
| Man-Wolf |
A Marvel comics character - John Jameson, the astronaut-son of J.Jonah Jameson (One of Spider-Man's vocal haters) stole a ruby-like gemstone from NASA, which affixed itself to his throat and turned him into a savage white werewolf-like being during the full moon which was dubbed "Man-Wolf". After a number of adventures where his condition worstened, he found the alien artifact was turning him into the "Stargod" of another dimension called "Other Realm" where he would retain his human intelligence. Returning to Earth the ruby was eventually removed, although he periodically turns into the Man-Wolf when the character appears (usually in a bit role). |
| Manga |
Japanese comic books, as opposed to animation. Many Japanese cartoons start off as comics though. When reading them on the web, you should note that Japanese comics are "reversed" - what is the front page on an American comic book is the back page of a Japanese comic book. Translators either flip them (and you get reversed logos and type in the background) or try to use them as is, although sometimes they forget about switching "right" and "left" in the translated copy. |
| Manimal |
1. A television show of the 1980's featuring a man that could transform himself into an animal via an arcane sort of meditation. 2. Sometimes an alternative term for "Furry" (Usually used by people unaware of the TV show) |
| Manip |
Shorthand for Photomanipulation. See Photomanipulation. |
| Masque |
A Marvel comics character who has the ability to reshape people into other forms, mainly to disguise them. Originally part of the Morlock group of mutants, his powers later expanded and he could alter inorganic materials as well. |
| Martian Manhunter |
A DC Comics superhero also known as J'onn J'onz or John Jones in his human disguise. While he has powers similar to Superman, he can also turn invisible, change his shape, and change his body density, and is telepathic, common features among Martians in the DC Universe. The race's primary weakness is to fire. Most of the Martians were killed in an epidemic, although a few - mainly hostile "White" Martians have survived. His uniform, as it is, is blue truncks, boots, and a cape with a red "X" across his chest. His skin color is green. He is usually seen in association with the Justice League. |
| Mask |
An article of clothing used to hide the face. Masks are most often used for costumes (see Suits) by those really getting into character. Some masks illustrate a transformation quality, notably masks created by Native American of the Pacific Northwest region, for use in ceremonies and story tellings about characters who are transformed into animals and back. Some of these masks are hinged, so that the animal's face will split apart to reveal a human face inside. In some stories, masks have actual transformative qualities. See also, Mask, The. |
| Mask, The |
A comic book character created by Mike Richardson, and generally published by Dark Horse Comics. Also the subject of a movie and cartoon series. The Mask itself is an ancient, powerful magical artifact of obscure origins. When worn, it merges to the wearer's face, and turns them into something like a living cartoon, which allows them to morph themselves as they desire, and summon any props needed. The consistent change though is that the wearer's head turns green, with large eyes and teeth, and mayhem usually follows them. The Mask itself is apparently sentient, although its actions can be controlled to some degree by the wearer. |
| MB |
Shorthand for Multiple Breasts |
| Medusa |
The most well known of the three Gorgons of Greek and Roman Mythology, whose gaze could turn anyone to stone, Medusa differed from her sisters in one way; she was mortal, and as such, was slain by the hero Perseus. Even in death, Medusa had the power to change those who gazed on her face to stone, and so her head was placed on the Goddess Athene's shield. See Gorgons. |
| Meerfrau |
A German term for Mermaid. |
| Meltdown |
In transformational terms, a meltdown is when a subject is changed from a solid to a liquid state. There are many versions of this transformation out there. The most well known is the character "Odo" from "Star Trek- Deep Space Nine" who is a shapeshifter and has to spend some of his time in a liquid state each day. Meltdowns also happen to subjects made of plastic or ice when exposed to heat, and on rarer occasions, when doused with water, as the "Wicked Witch of the West" in the "Wizard of Oz" |
| Mer- |
Pertaining to Mermaids and other creatures that are fish like below the waist. |
| Mermaids / Mermen |
A creature that is human from the waist up, and has a fish tail from the waist down. Mermaids at least have found a niche in popular culture over the centuries, spawned perhaps by travel worn sailors seeking female companionship during their long voyages. Although most mermaids of the past centuries have been featured as enchantresses ready to drag enthralled men to their doom, in more recent stories portray them as seeking to join the surface world and walk on legs. This trick is done in one of two ways: either a barter with a sorceress (as in "The Little Mermaid") or by drying off, which causes their fish tail to change into legs (as in "Splash"). In the latter case, water returns them to their fishy form. Mermaids are sometimes portrayed as water elementals as well. Although mermaids receive the most attention, some folklore makes mention of mermen. For the most part though, Mermen appear to be a more recent concept, much like the centauress, born out of the belief that the species needs both genders to survive. |
| Merrow |
An Irish term for Mermaids. |
| Merrymaid |
A Cornish (southwest England) term for Mermaid. |
| Meta/ Metahuman |
A term coined by DC Comics to designate some of their superpowered characters, rather than the term "Mutant" used by Marvel comics. See Mutant. |
| Metal Men, The |
A group of shapeshifting robot heroes who appeared in DC Comics in the 1960's, gaining their own comic that lasted into the 1970's. The original team members are Gold, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Platinum, and Tin, each of whom has the respective abilities of their metal type- which they would characteristically brag about. Platinum, and a later addition, "Nameless" were the only two "female" members of the team. Aside from their inherent metal qualities, they were able to stretch and reshape themselves much like Plastic Man can. In the late 1990's a mini-series revealed that the Metal Men actually housed the minds of humans due to an accident caused by their creator, Doctor Magnus. In that same mini-series, Gold was killed, and Doc Magnus placed his mind into a Metal Man type robot. The characters reappear now and then in minor roles. |
| Metamorph |
A term that is sometimes applied to shape shifters. |
| Metamorpho |
A DC Comics hero who could change his body into any chemical element, as well as reshape it like Plastic Man. |
| Metamorphose |
Transform. |
| Metamorphosis |
1. A collection of stories by the Roman author Ovid which largely dealt with transformation tales. 2. The technical term used to describe the physical change in a creature, such as a tadpole turning into a frog as it matures. |
| Microfurry |
A much smaller than normal Furry. |
| Midas, King |
A well known figure in Greek mythology, Midas was king of Pessinus, capital of Phrygia in Asia Minor (now known as Turkey). He was granted the transformational power of turning whatever he touched into gold by one of the gods, usually Dionysus. Of course, everything he touched turned to gold, including food and his daughter. Midas asked for the power to be removed, and in the orginal tale, he was told to bathe in the Pactous River to wash away his golden touch. The river itself is rich with gold in real life, the myth being one way of explaining why, framed in a common Greek motif of tragedy and short sightedness. A less known tale of Midas follows, where he offered his opinion in a musical contest between Pan and Apollo where Apollo was ruled the winner. The insulted Apollo changed Mida's ears into donkey ears as a punishment. |
| Midget |
A small person, AKA "Little People". |
| Mimic |
1. A Marvel Comics character who could duplicate or "Mimic" other mutant's abilities, often taking on some of their physical characteristics. The original was killed off some time ago, although he has reappeared from time to time. 2. A generic tern for an entity that can duplicate other people or objects. |
| Mind Transfer |
A commonly used transformation of sorts, where a person trades places with another person, animal or entity. The reason why it is used so often (especially on TV) is that it merely requires the actors to change their mode of acting to emulate to person they are 'supposed' to be. Mind transfers are also used in stories when a person is dying, where their consciousness is either put into a computer or a new body, sometimes a clone of the original. |
| Minotaur |
1. Literally the "Bull of Minos". In classic mythology, a carnivorous beast with the head of a bull and the body of a man. This monster, which resided in the Labyrinth on Crete under the Palace of Knossos. The beast was eventually slain by the hero Theseus. While the beast may have been fiction, the Palace of Knossos does exist, and its ruins may be visited today. 2. Any humanoid with a bull's or cow's head (may be applied to male or female morphs.). |
| Mirror |
A reflective surface. Because of their unique, and until recently, expensive status, mirrors have been granted a variety of magical powers, usually resembling that of a video surveillance system or spy network. The classic examples of this are the Magic Mirror in Snow White, and Prester John's Mirror. Magic mirrors sometimes have some transformative qualities granted to them as well, usually reversing a person's personality, or creating a duplicate. Taking a cue from funhouse mirrors, which in the real world create the illusion of people being fat or thin, some comic books have used mirror like devices to twist and alter their heroes. Certain supernatural beings, such as vampires and ghosts are reputed not to have reflections in mirrors. |
| Molting |
A transformation process used by animals when they shed hair, fur, horns, etc for a new coat. It is taken to the extreme by crustaceans (crabs and lobsters) which shed their old shell in order to grow larger. A Marvel Comics heroine named "Husk" uses a similar method to activate her power, as she peels her skin off to reveal a more suitable form for the crisis facing her. |
| -Mon |
Shorthand in Japanese for "Monster". The most common variety are "Pokemon" (Pocket Monsters) and "Digimon" (Digital Monsters) |
| Monkey King, The |
Also known as Sun Wukong, the Money King is a trickster in a collection of Chinese folktales, often known as "Monkey" or "Journey to the West". In addition to being mischevious, the Monkey King has transformation powers, great strength, invulnerability, the ability to fly, and immortality. The first part of the tales deals with the mischief he causes, until he caught and imprisoned by the Budda for stealing and eating the Peaches of Immortality. He is freed in the second part of the tales where he is put in the service of a Chinese Monk on a mission to India to bring Buddist scriptures back to China. Although the tales are violent by modern Western standards, they have been adopted to animation, notably in the animated series "Dragonball" where the main character Goku shares many of The Monkey King's more noble aspects. Another series "Monkey Magic" does a more literal conversion of the tales. |
| Monster |
A person or creature that deviates significantly from the accepted idea of "normal". Hence, a giant is not neccessarily a monster, unless it is running amok. The term is most often applied to very unfamiliar things. |
| Moon |
An astronomical body that orbits the Earth, and whose influence causes tides, and is connected to other regular occurrences. For three nights every 28 days, a full moon occurs, which is often used as a trigger for werewolves and other werecreature transformations. Moonless nights are also cause for dread, as certain light-hating creatures are known to prowl according to some stories. The solstices (June 21 and December 21) and equinox (in March and September) have an ancient association to mystic rituals, notably December 21, the shortest day of the year. To offset these pagan rituals, Christmas was located on December 25 to give Christianity a competing holiday which helped eliminate the pagan religions. |
| Moreau |
1. A character in "The Island of Dr. Moreau" who was a brilliant mad scientist who turned animals into humans - and gave humans animal features. The first well known fictional example of bioengineering, and its hazards. 2. A less used generic term for a bioengineered animal. |
| Morph |
1. Short for Anthromorph. 2. Shape shifting or a shapeshifter. 3. The name of a shape shifting character featured in Marvel Comics. |
| Morphic |
Short for Anthromorphic. A being or thing described with a cross of human and animal characteristics. |
| MtF |
Shorthand for Male to Female Transformation. See also GC, TG, FtM. |
| MUCK |
An interactive social online role playing game. Many are centered around a general topic. |
| Muirruhgach |
An Irish term for Mermaid. |
| Mundane |
1. Term used by Furries for someone who is not a Furry fan. 2. Term used in Piers Anthony's Xanth series for a non-magical person. 3. A "Normal, Boring" person. |
| Mutagen |
1. A substance that causes one to mutate. 2. In the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" mythos, a liquid that causes people to change into a humanoid animal based on the last animal they were around or physically touched. |
| Mutant / Mutation |
An individual(s) who are different than the accepted norm of their species. This can be minor, where a misplaced gene causes hair to be grown all over the body (which may be the source of werewolf legends) to a major physical change. It is commonly used in Marvel Comics for their "X-Men" superheroes who have an "Extra" gene that gives them powers. |
| Mystique |
A Marvel Comics villianess who is a mutant shapeshifter, and apparently the mother of the Marvel Comics hero Nightcrawler. |
