Glossary of ringing terms – M

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Words or phrases underlined are defined within the glossary. Where it assists with clarity, a definition is annotated to indicate a part of speech. (n) = noun, (vb) = verb, (adj) = adjective, (adv) = adverb. Section references refer to sections within The Tower Handbook.  

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M

Abbreviation for middle, a calling position.

 Magic block 

A block constructed using a neat idea to achieve something new.
 (1) - First used with Stedman Triples, where five blocks using a particular calling contain the same rows as ten B-blocks, this being a critical step in achieving a bobs-only extent.
 (2) - Later used with spliced Treble dodging Minor, where an extent was achieved without using calls by using a different frontwork depending on the bell making 5ths at the half-lead and a different backwork depending on the bell making 2nds at the lead, with the changes made when passing the Treble.

Maiden bell

A bell that has not been tuned following casting, and by implication acceptably in tune.

Major

The stage name for methods with eight working bells

Make

(eg 'make 3rds' or just '3rds') Ring two blows in (eg 3rds) place and continue with whatever follows. In a right place method you reverse direction after the place. In a wrong place method you may continue in the same direction. See figure 15.2-4

Make the bob

Make the place which distinguishes the bob from a plain lead. eg 'make the bob' means fourths in Plain Bob based methods, or two from the back in Stedman, Double Norwich etc.

Make the single

Make the place which distinguishes the single from a bob, eg 'make the single' means thirds in Plain Bob based methods (between hunting down and up), one from the back in Stedman and long thirds in Grandsire.

Marlin spike

A tapered metal tool used to separate the strands of rope when splicing. Also spelt marlinspike. See also fid.

Master

Ringing master

Max

Maximus

Maximus

The stage name for methods with twelve working bells

MEB

Multi-extent block

Meeting

(1) 'Ringing meeting'. Gathering of ringers from different towers for the purpose of collective practice. Normally organised by a guild, association or branch.
(2) 'Business meeting'. Formal activity as part of above to conduct business.

Method

(1) A specific sequence of changes all of the same Stage, or a process to generate such a sequence. See the CC Framework for Method Ringing.
 Most methods are:
- Treble dominated - so the sequence repeats N-1 times where N is the stage of the method. In twin hunt methods this is N-2.
- Symmetrical - so the repeating unit folds back on itself, ie the second half lead is a mirror image of the first. In twin hunt methods, the point of symmetry is moved by one row, at least in the plain course.
(2) (Now obsolete) A method that is not a principle. Common usage has always treated a principle as a type of method and the official definition is now in line with this.

Method group

Group of methods that share the same lead order. Each group is allocated a letter, as described here, but are also referred to in terms of a well known method within the group, eg 'Cambridge Group'.

Method name 

The specific part of the title by which a method is known, ie excluding those parts that relate to structure, classification or stage. Eg the 'name' of 'Norwich Surprise Minor' is 'Norwich'.

Method ringing

A general term to describe continuous change ringing as opposed to call change ringing. See also scientific.

Method title 

The full description that identifies a method, consisting of the method name, stage and any classification terms.

Middle

(1) The calling position where the observation bell (normally the tenor) is two below the highest working position at the lead head. See also definition 3 below.
(2) The calling position that affects the three bells one later in the coursing order than a Home. This is identical to the definition above for even bell methods, but not for odd bell methods where there are differences of opinion. It is advisable to check which is intended. See also Wrong.
(3) 'In the middle'. Work away from the back or front, particularly in Minor where it refers to work in 3-4.

Mini ring

A ring of small bells. There is no agreed definition of how small. The Mini Ring Directory defines a mini ring as either one in private ownership with a tenor weighing under ~2.5 cwt or one in public ownership with a tenor weighing under ~1cwt (some weigh only a few pounds). Some mini rings are portable.

Minimus

The stage name for methods with four working bells.

Minor

The stage name for methods with six working bells.

Miss

Absence of a dodge in a portion of blue line which mainly consists of treble dodging. See also run through.

Miscall

Miss out, add in or mis-time, a call when conducting.

 Monocyclic 

A method where the working bells are all part of a single cycle. See also Isocyclic, Differential.

Moulding wires

Lines cast into a bell, running round it. In medieval times they were made by wires used to hold the pattern together but they have continued as decorative features.

Mouth

Flared open end of bell.

Movement

(of a tower or bell frame) All towers sway very slightly in response to the forces of swinging bells, but when the movement is excessive, or when the bell frame moves within the tower, the bells are difficult to ring, unpredictably dropping (or occasionally) rising.

Muffle

A pad (usually leather) fitted to a clapper to soften the sound when it strikes the bell. See half muffle).

 Multi-bob peal 

A peal in which bobs are called in great number – at most leads or sixes.

Multi-extent block

A touch starting and ending with rounds in which every possible row occurs the same number of times.

Music

The presence and nature of musical rows in a composition. eg 'There is not much music in it', 'It is very musical', 'What sort of music does it produce?'.

Musical

A row which sounds pleasing. Composers differ in their interpretation. Most accept: named rows, near misses, CRUs, runs off the front or back and wraps, (where a run spans two rows) as musical.

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