| poise | In the CGS system, the unit of viscosity equal to 1 dyne-second per square centimeter and to 0.1 pascal-second. Origin: J. Poiseuille (05 Mar 2000) |
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| poiser | <zoology> The balancer of dipterous insects. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Poiseuille's law | In laminar flow, the volume of a homogeneous fluid passing per unit time through a capillary tube is directly proportional to the pressure difference between its ends and to the fourth power of its internal radius, and inversely proportional to its length and to the viscosity of the fluid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Poiseuille's space | The layer of the bloodstream in the capillary vessels, next to the wall of the vessel, that flows slowly and transports the white blood cells along the layer wall, while in the centre the flow is rapid and transports the red blood cells. Synonym: plasma layer, Poiseuille's space, sluggish layer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Poiseuille's viscosity coefficient | An expression of the viscosity as determined by the capillary tube method; the coefficient η = (πPr4t/8vl), where P is the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the tube, r the radius of the tube, l its length, and v the volume of liquid delivered in the time t. If volume is in cm3, time is in seconds, and l and r are in cm, then n will be in poise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Poiseuille, Jean Leonard Marie | <person> French physiologist and physicist, 1797-1869. See: poise, Poiseuille's viscosity coefficient, Poiseuille's law, Poiseuille's space. (05 Mar 2000) |
| poison | 1. Any agent which, when introduced into the animal organism, is capable of producing a morbid, noxious, or deadly effect upon it; as, morphine is a deadly poison; the poison of pestilential diseases. 2. That which taints or destroys moral purity or health; as, the poison of evil example; the poison of sin. Poison ash. <botany> A poisonous shrub of the genus Rhus (R. Venenata); also called poison ash, poison dogwood, and poison elder. It has pinnate leaves on graceful and slender common petioles, and usually grows in swampy places. Both this plant and the poison ivy (Rhus Toxicodendron) have clusters of smooth greenish white berries, while the red-fruited species of this genus are harmless. The tree (Rhus vernicifera) which yields the celebrated Japan lacquer is almost identical with the poison sumac, and is also very poisonous. The juice of the poison sumac also forms a lacquer similar to that of Japan. Synonym: Venom, virus, bane, pest, malignity. Poison, Venom. Poison usually denotes something received into the system by the mouth, breath, etc. Venom is something discharged from animals and received by means of a wound, as by the bite or sting of serpents, scorpions, etc. Hence, venom specifically implies some malignity of nature or purpose. Origin: F. Poison, in Old French also, a potion, fr. L. Potio a drink, draught, potion, a poisonous draught, fr. Potare to drink. See Potable, and cf. Potion. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| poison control centres | Facilities which provide information concerning poisons and treatment of poisoning in emergencies. (12 Dec 1998) |
| poison ivy | <botany> A plant that causes a marked allergic (contact) dermatitis in the majority of individuals. (27 Sep 1997) |
| poison oak | Poison oak is a form of contact dermatitis or inflammation of the skin resulting from chemicals produced from the poison oak plant contacting the skin. The chemicals cause an immune reaction producing redness, itching and blistering of the skin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| poisoning | <radiobiology> Buildup of ash and impurities in a fusion plasma tends to reduce the quality of the plasma and reduce the fusion output, this sort of process is sometimes called poisioning the reactor or the plasma. See: ash, impurities. (09 Oct 1997) |
| poisonous | Characterised by, having the characteristics of, or containing a poison. Synonym: toxic, toxicant, toxiferous, venenous. (05 Mar 2000) |
| poisons | Substances which, when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, or when applied to, injected into, or developed within the body in relatively small amounts may, by their chemical action, cause damage to structure or disturbance of function. (12 Dec 1998) |
| poisson distribution | <epidemiology> The distribution which arises when parasites are distributed at random amongst hosts. (05 Dec 1998) |
| Poisson, Simeon Denis | <person> French mathematician, 1781-1840. See: Poisson distribution, Poisson-Pearson formula. (05 Mar 2000) |