mao

n. Stands for monoamine oxidase. It is a type of chemical in your body that helps break down certain signals in the brain.

n. Abbreviation for monoamine oxidase. An enzyme involved in the degradation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine; often discussed in the context of antidepressant medication.

“The doctor explained how the new medicine affects the MAO in his brain.”

“The patient was cautioned against consuming aged cheeses while taking MAO inhibitors due to the risk of a hypertensive crisis.”

Technical

n. a card game where the rules are not told to new players, who must learn them by playing.

n. a shedding-type card game characterized by a rule prohibiting the explanation of its mechanics to new participants.

“We spent the whole night playing Mao and trying to guess the rules.”

“The game of Mao often leads to frustration for beginners because the only rule they are told is that no rules may be explained.”

Informal

n. a famous Chinese leader who was the head of the Communist Party of China.

n. a reference to Mao Zedong, the Chinese communist revolutionary who became the founding father of the People's Republic of China.

“In history class, we studied the life and influence of Mao.”

“The political theories of Mao had a profound impact on the development of twentieth-century revolutionary movements across the globe.”