| EC | <abbreviation> Enzyme Commission of the International Union of Biochemistry, used in conjunction with a unique number to define a specific enzyme in the Enzyme Commission's list [Enzyme Nomenclature], (1984); e.g., EC 1.1.1.1 defines an alcohol dehydrogenase; EC 2.6.1.1 defines aspartate aminotransferase, popularly known as glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT). (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ecardines | <zoology> An order of Brachiopoda; the Lyopomata. See Brachiopoda. Origin: NL, fr. L. E out, without + cardo a hinge. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ecarteur | A type of retractor. Origin: Fr. Ecarter, to separate (05 Mar 2000) |
| ecaudate | 1. <botany> Without a tail or spur. 2. <zoology> Tailless. Origin: Pref. E- + caudate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ecballium | <botany> A genus of cucurbitaceous plants consisting of the single species Ecballium agreste (or Elaterium), the squirting cucumber. Its fruit, when ripe, bursts and violently ejects its seeds, together with a mucilaginous juice, from which elaterium, a powerful cathartic medicine, is prepared. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. See Ecbole. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ECBO virus | Former name for early isolates of bovine enteroviruses. Synonym: enteric cytopathogenic bovine orphan virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ecbolic | <medicine> A drug, as ergot, which by exciting uterine contractions promotes the expulsion of the contents of the uterus. See: Ecbole. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ecboline | <chemistry> An alkaloid constituting the active principle of ergot; so named from its power of producing abortion. Origin: Gr. A throwing out; out + to throw. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| eccentric | 1. Deviating or departing from the center, or from the line of a circle; as, an eccentric or elliptical orbit; pertaining to deviation from the center or from true circular motion. 2. Not having the same center; said of circles, ellipses, spheres, etc, which, though coinciding, either in whole or in part, as to area or volume, have not the same center; opposed to concentric. 3. <machinery> Pertaining to an eccentric; as, the eccentric rod in a steam engine. 4. Not coincident as to motive or end. "His own ends, which must needs be often eccentric to those of his master." (Bacon) 5. Deviating from stated methods, usual practice, or established forms or laws; deviating from an appointed sphere or way; departing from the usual course; irregular; anomalous; odd; as, eccentric conduct. "This brave and eccentric young man." "He shines eccentric, like a comet's blaze." (Savage) Eccentric anomaly. <astronomy> The whole apparatus, strap, and other parts, by which the motion of an eccentric is transmitted, as in the steam engine. A cogwheel set to turn about an eccentric axis used to give variable rotation. Eccentric hook or gab, a hook-shaped journal box on the end of an eccentric rod, opposite the strap. Eccentric rod, the rod that connects as eccentric strap with any part to be acted upon by the eccentric. Eccentric sheave, or Eccentric pulley, an eccentric. Eccentric strap, the ring, operating as a journal box, that encircles and receives motion from an eccentric; called also eccentric hoop. Synonym: Irregular, anomalous, singular, odd, peculiar, erratic, idiosyncratic, strange, whimsical. Origin: F. Excentrique, formerly also spelled eccentrique, fr. LL. Eccentros out of the center, eccentric, Gr.; out of + center. See Ex-, and Center, and cf. Excentral. 1. A circle not having the same center as another contained in some measure within the first. 2. One who, or that which, deviates from regularity; an anomalous or irregular person or thing. 3. <astronomy> In the Ptolemaic system, the supposed circular orbit of a planet about the earth, but with the earth not in its center. A circle described about the center of an elliptical orbit, with half the major axis for radius. 4. <machinery> A disk or wheel so arranged upon a shaft that the center of the wheel and that of the shaft do not coincide. It is used for operating valves in steam engines, and for other purposes. The motion derived is precisely that of a crank having the same throw. Back eccentric, the eccentric that reverses or backs the valve gear and the engine. Fore eccentric, the eccentric that imparts a forward motion to the valve gear and the engine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| eccentric amputation | Amputation with the scar of the stump off-centre. Synonym: excentric amputation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eccentric fixation | A monocular condition in which the line of sight connects the object and an extrafoveal retinal area. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eccentric hypertrophy | Thickening of the wall of the heart or other cavity, with dilation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eccentric implantation | Implantation in which the blastocyst lies in a uterine crypt, as in the mouse, rat, and hamster. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eccentric occlusion | Any occlusion other than centric. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eccentric position | Any relation of the mandible to the maxillae other than centric relation. Synonym: eccentric position. (05 Mar 2000) |