Mēsta.— A name taken by some Chaptēgāras (carpenters) in South Canara.
Mēstri.——A title of Semmāns and other Tamil classes. The Pānān tailors are said to be also called Mēstris. Concerning the word mēstri, or maistry, Yule and Burnell write as follows.*[1] "This word, a corruption of the Portuguese Mestre, has spread into the vernaculars all over India, and is in constant Anglo-Indian use. Properly a foreman, a master-worker. In W. and S. India maistry, as used in the household, generally means the cook or the tailor."
Mettu Kamsali.— A synonym of Ojali blacksmith. Mettu means shoes or sandals.
Mhāllo. — A name for Konkani barbers.
Midathala (locust). — An exogamous sept of Bōya and Mādiga.
Middala or Meddala (storeyed house). — An exogamous sept of Padma Sālē.
Midichi (locust). — A gōtra of Kurni.
Mīla.— The Mīlas are a fishing caste in Ganjam and Vizagapatam, for the following note on whom I am indebted to Mr. C. Hayavadana Rao. The name Mīlavāndlu, by which they are commonly known, means fishermen. They also call themselves Ōdavāndlu, because they go out to sea, fishing from boats (ōda). When they become wealthy, they style themselves Ōda Balijas. The caste is divided into numerous exogamous septs, among which are dhōni (boat), and tōta (garden). The custom of mēnarikam, according to which a man should marry his maternal uncle's daughter, is in force, and a man may also marry his sister's daughter. Girls are generally married after puberty. Gold jewellery is
- ↑ • Hobson-Jobson.
