| mira | <astronomy> A remarkable variable star in the constellation Cetus (<omicron/ Ceti). Origin: NL, from L. Mirus wonderful. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| mirabilis | <botany> A genus of plants. See Four-o'clock. Origin: L, wonderful. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mirabilite | <chemical> Native sodium sulphate; Glauber's salt. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| miracidium | The ciliated first-stage larva of a trematode that emerges from the egg and must penetrate into the tissues of an appropriate intermediate host snail if it is to continue its life cycle; followed by development into a mother sporocyst and by production of a number of offspring of successive larval generations. See: sporocyst. Origin: G. Meirakidion, boy (05 Mar 2000) |
| mirage | An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated. The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while the real object may or may not be in sight. When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the sky. The fata Morgana and looming are species of mirage. "By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in the ether, Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless air." (Longfellow) Origin: F, fr. Mirer to look at carefully, to aim, se mirer to look at one's self in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected, LL. Mirare to look at. See Mirror. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Mirchamp's sign | <clinical sign> A premonitory symptom of mumps; if a strongly flavored substance is placed on the tongue a painful reflex secretion of saliva occurs in the gland that is the seat of the incipient affection. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mire | Synonymous with any peat-accumulating wetland. (09 Oct 1997) |
| mirex | <chemical> An organochlorine insecticide that is carcinogenic. Pharmacological action: insecticide, organochlorine, carcinogens. Chemical name: 1,3,4-Metheno-1H-cyclobuta(cd)pentalene, 1,1a,2,2,3,3a,4,5,5,5a,5b,6-dodecachlorooctahydro- (12 Dec 1998) |
| Mirizzi | P.L., 20th century Argentinian physician. See: Mirizzi's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mirizzi syndrome | <radiology> Incomplete obstruction of congenital heart disease, inflammation due to stone lodged in cystic duct or gall bladder neck (12 Dec 1998) |
| Mirizzi's syndrome | <syndrome> Benign obstruction of the hepatic ducts due to spasm and/or fibrous scarring of surrounding connective tissue; often associated with a stone in the cystic duct and chronic cholecystitis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mirnov oscillations | <physics> Fluctuations in the poloidal magnetic field (of a toroidal magnetic confinement system) which rotate in the electron diamagnetic drift direction at a speed comparable to the electron diagmagnetic drift velocity and with frequencies due to 5-20 kHz. Mirnov oscillations arise from tearing modes. Poloidal magnetic probes used to measure the poloidal field in order to diagnose Mirnov oscillations (and other magnetohydrodynamic phenomena) are often called Mirnov coils or Mirnov loops. See: relevant entries. (09 Oct 1997) |
| mirror | 1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light. "And in her hand she held a mirror bright, Wherein her face she often viewed fair." (Spenser) 2. That which gives a true representation, or in which a true image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar. "She is mirour of all courtesy." (Chaucer) "O goddess, heavenly bright, Mirror of grace and majesty divine." (Spenser) 3. <zoology> See Speculum. <zoology> Mirror carp, a domesticated variety of the carp, having only three or fur rows of very large scales side. Mirror plate. A flat glass mirror without a frame. Flat glass used for making mirrors. Mirror writing, a manner or form of backward writing, making manuscript resembling in slant and order of letters the reflection of ordinary writing in a mirror. The substitution of this manner of writing for the common manner is a symptom of some kinds of nervous disease. Origin: OE. Mirour, F. Miroir, OF. Also mireor, fr. (assumed) LL. Miratorium, fr. Mirare to look at, L. Mirari to wonder. See Marvel, and cf. Miracle, Mirador. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mirror effect | <physics> A charged particle travelling into an increasing magnetic field will (if the field becomes strong enough) reverse direction and be reflected back. This is a direct result of the adiabatic invariance of the magnetic moment. Plasmas can be confined by devices which utilise this effect. The effect also occurs in some toroidal plasmas, since the toroidal magnetic field is stronger on the inboard side than on the outboard side, in this case it gives rise to so-called neoclassical effects. The strength of the mirror is determined by the mirror ratio. (09 Oct 1997) |
| mirror image | A representation of an object or part thereof as its reflected image in a glass mirror. (05 Mar 2000) |