| alma mater | A college or seminary where one is educated. Origin: L, fostering mother. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| almacantar | <astronomy> Same as Almucantar. A recently invented instrument for observing the heavenly bodies as they cross a given almacantar circle. See Almucantar. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| almanacs | Publications, usually annual, containing a calendar for the coming year, the times of such events and phenomena as anniversaries, sunrises, sunsets, phases of the moon, tides, meteorological, and other statistical information and related topics. Almanacs are also annual reference books of useful and interesting facts relating to countries of the world, sports, entertainment, population groups, etc. Works containing a calendar of days, weeks, and months, together with information such as astronomical data, various statistics, etc. (12 Dec 1998) |
| almandine | <chemical> The common red variety of garnet. Origin: LL. Almandina, alamandina, for L. Alabandina a precious stone, named after Alabanda, a town in Caria, where it was first and chiefly found: cf. F. Almandine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Almeida's disease | <microbiology> A chronic fungal infection caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It is characterised by primary pulmonary lesions with dissemination to many visceral organs. Common findings include ulcerative granuloma lesions to the buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheek) and nasal mucosa that extend to the surrounding skin. Generalised lymphangitis is also typical. More commonly seen in South America and the tropics. (15 Nov 1997) |
| Almeida, Floriano Paulo de | <person> Brazilian physician, *1898. See: Almeida's disease, Lutz-Splendore-Almeida disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Almen's test for blood | Glacial acetic acid, gum guaiac solution, and hydrogen peroxide are added to an aqueous suspension of the suspected stain; if occult blood or blood pigment is present, a blue colour develops. Synonym: guaiac test, Schonbein's test, van Deen's test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Almen, August Teodor | <person> Swedish physiologist, 1833-1903. See: Almen's test for blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| almendron | The lofty Brazil-nut tree. Origin: Sp, fr. Almendra almond. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| almitrine | <chemical> 6-(4-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)-1-piperazinyl)-n,n'-di-2-propenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine. A respiratory stimulant that enhances respiration by acting as an agonist of peripheral chemoreceptors located on the carotid bodies. The drug increases arterial oxygen tension while decreasing arterial carbon dioxide tension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It may also prove useful in the treatment of nocturnal oxygen desaturation without impairing the quality of sleep. Pharmacological action: respiratory system agents. Chemical name: 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4-diamine, 6-(4-(bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)-1-piperazinyl)-N,N'-di-2-propenyl- (12 Dec 1998) |
| almond | 1. The fruit of the almond tree. The different kinds, as bitter, sweet, thin-shelled, thick-shelled almonds, and Jordan almonds, are the products of different varieties of the one species, Amygdalus communis, a native of the Mediterranean region and western Asia. 2. The tree bears the fruit; almond tree. 3. Anything shaped like an almond. <anatomy> Specifically: One of the tonsils. Almond oil, fixed oil expressed from sweet or bitter almonds. Oil of bitter almonds, a poisonous volatile oil obtained from bitter almonds by maceration and distillation; benzoic aldehyde. Imitation oil of bitter almonds, nitrobenzene. <botany> Almond tree, a willow which has leaves that are of a light green on both sides; almond-leaved willow (Salix amygdalina). Origin: OE. Almande, almaunde, alemaunde, F. Amande, L. Amygdala, fr. Gr., cf. Sp. Almendra. Cf. Amygdalate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| almond nucleus | Almond-shaped group of basal nuclei anterior to the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle of the brain, within the temporal lobe. The amygdala is part of the limbic system. (12 Dec 1998) |
| almond oil | A fixed oil expressed from sweet almonds, the kernels of varieties of Prunus amygdalus; used in ointments. Bitter almond oil, a volatile oil from the dried ripe kernels of bitter almonds and from other kernels containing amygdalin; it contains between 2 and 4% of hydrocyanic acid and 95% of benzaldehyde. (05 Mar 2000) |
| almshouses | Privately endowed or public charities or institutions receiving and supporting the aged or infirm poor. They sometimes functioned as centres of health care before the establishment of formal hospitals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| almsman | Fem. Almswoman. 1. A recipient of alms. 2. A giver of alms. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |