| IANC | <abbreviation> International Anatomical Nomenclature Committee. See: Nomina Anatomica. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ianthina | <marine biology> Any gastropod of the genus Ianthina, of which various species are found living in mid ocean; called also purple shell, and violet snail. It floats at the surface by means of a raft, which it constructs by forming and uniting together air bubbles of hardened mucus. The Tyrian purple of the ancients was obtained in part from mollusks of this genus. Alternative forms: janthina. Origin: NL, fr. L. Ianthinus violet-blue, Gr.; violet + flower. (19 Mar 1998) |
| Book, Ian | <person> Swedish geneticist, *1915. See: Book syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
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