| dedans | Origin: F] A division, at one end of a tennis court, for spectators. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| dedentition | An obsolete term denoting loss of teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| dedifferentiate | <cell biology> A mature cell returning to a less mature state. See: differentiate, undifferentiated. (16 Dec 1997) |
| dedifferentiation | <cell biology> Loss of differentiated characteristics. In plants, most cells, including the highly differentiated haploid microspores (immature pollen cells) of angiosperms, can lose their differentiatiated features and give rise to a whole plant. In animals this is less certain and there is still controversy as to whether the undifferentiated cells of the blastema that forms at the end of an amputated amphibian limb (for example) are derived by dedifferentiation or by proliferation of uncommitted cells. Neither is it clear whether dedifferentiation in animal cells might just be the temporary loss of phenotypic characters, with retention of the determination to a particular cell type. (18 Nov 1997) |
| dedolation | A slicing wound made by a sharp instrument grazing the surface. Origin: L. De-dolo, pp. -atus, to hew away (05 Mar 2000) |
| deductibles and coinsurance | Cost-sharing mechanisms that provide for payment by the insured of some portion of covered expenses. Deductibles are the amounts paid by the insured under a health insurance contract before benefits become payable; coinsurance is the provision under which the insured pays part of the medical bill, usually according to a fixed percentage, when benefits become payable. (12 Dec 1998) |
| deduction | The logical derivation of a conclusion from certain premises. The conclusion will be true if the premises are true and the deductive argument is valid. Compare: induction . (05 Mar 2000) |
| deductor | <zoology> The pilot whale or blackfish. Origin: L, a guide. See Deduce. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| deduplication | <biology> The division of that which is morphologically one organ into two or more, as the division of an organ of a plant into a pair or cluster. Origin: Pref. De- + duplication. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |