MOUND. Partially curve the hands and, with backs up, bring them alongside each other in front of body; separate the hands in downward curves, to right with right hand, to left with left.
MOUNTAIN. Push up the closed hand as in bluff, but raised higher; then make the sign for HARD. Use both hands to represent a mountainous country.
MOUNTAIN LION. Make the signs for CAT, for LONG TAIL, and for JUMP.
MOURN (meaning: cutting off the hair and crying). With extended separated right 2 hand make as though to cut off hair horizontally just below ears; then make the sign for CRY.
MOUSE. To represent height hold the right flat hand close to ground, and partially closing same hand imitate its movements in running; then make sign for NIGHT, and with right thumb and index nibble at left index.
MOVE (meaning: to move camp). Make sign for TEEPEE: then lower hands from this position as though taking down the lodge poles; then make the signs for WORK, for PACK, and GO.
MUCH. Make the sign for MANY.
MUD. With left compressed, catch or hold right compressed hand and drag down over same; then reverse and repeat (imitating an animal pulling its feet out of the mud); point to ground. For soft in any other sense, use signs for HARD and NO.
MULE. Hold extended hands alongside of ears, palms to front, fingers pointing upwards; by wrist action move hands forward and back to represent their motion.
MUST. Make the sign for PUSH. (Used as a command.)
MY or MINE. Make the sign for POSSESSION.
MYSTERIOUS or WONDERFUL. Make the sign for MEDICINE.
N
NAME. In asking the name of a person the Indian method would be to make the signs QUESTION, YOU, CALLED--"What are you called?" meaning: "What are you named?"
NARROW. Make the sign for FEW.
NAVAJO--Indian (meaning: makes striped blankets): Make the signs for WORK, BLANKET and STRIPED.
NEAR. Make the sign for CLOSE.
NEEDLE. Make the sign for SEW.
NEGRO (meaning: black white man). Make sign for WHITE MAN, and sign for BLACK.
NEW. Make the signs for OLD, NO, and GOOD.
NEWSPAPER. Hold the flat hands side by side, palm up; then move hands apart as though spread out, and sign LOOK. To this I have known an Indian to add the signs WRITING and TALK.
NEXT YEAR. You must indicate the season. If in winter you wish to say, "next summer," make signs for WINTER, for FINISHED, and for GRASS. Showing summer, high grass. If in Summer you wish to say, "next Winter," make signs for AUTUMN, for FINISHED, and for WINTER.
NEZ PERCE-Indian (meaning: pierced noses). Hold right index slightly under and to right of nose, then push index across to left below the nose.
NIGHT (meaning: earth covered over). Extend flat hands in front of body, ten inches apart, backs up, right hand a little higher; move right hand to left and left to right turning hands a trifle by wrist action.
N0. Hold extended flat right hand, back up, in front of body, fingers pointing to left and front; swing the hand to right and front while turning hand so that thumb is up and back downwards, then return to first position.
NOON. With right thumb and index forming incomplete circle one inch between tips, show position of sun overhead.
NOTIFY. Make the sign for TALK.
NOW. Bring extended index finger of right hand about 8 inches in front of face, and without stopping carry it quickly several inches to front, stopping with a rebound.
NUMBERS. See COUNT.
O
OATH. In early times there were several ways of imposing this obligation. Pointing to the zenith and the earth was an oath with many tribes. An ancient oath, with eyes and hands (flat) upraised, meant "God see my hands, they are clean." Holding up the right hand is now understood by all Indians, and is called "The white man's way."
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