| pillow | 1. Anything used to support the head of a person when reposing; especially, a sack or case filled with feathers, down, hair, or other soft material. "[Resty sloth] finds the down pillow hard." (Shak) 2. <machinery> A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block. 3. A block under the inner end of a bowsprit. 4. A kind of plain, coarse fustian. Lace pillow, a cushion used in making hand-wrought lace. Pillow bier [OE. Pilwebere; cf. LG. Bure a pillowcase], a pillowcase; pillow slip. <machinery> Pillow block, a block, or standard, for supporting a journal, as of a shaft. It is usually bolted to the frame or foundation of a machine, and is often furnished with journal boxes, and a movable cover, or cap, for tightening the bearings by means of bolts; called also pillar block, or plumber block. Pillow lace, handmade lace wrought with bobbins upon a lace pillow. Pillow of a plow, a crosspiece of wood which serves to raise or lower the beam. Pillow sham, an ornamental covering laid over a pillow when not in use. Pillow slip, a pillowcase. Origin: OE. Pilwe, AS. Pyle, fr. L. Pilvinus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| Frejka pillow splint | A pillow splint used for abduction and flexion of the femurs in treatment of congenital hip dysplasia or dislocation in infants. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mask | 1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask. 2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge. 3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show. "This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask." (Milton) 4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters. 5. A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like; called also mascaron. 6. In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere. A screen for a battery. 7. <zoology> The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ. Mask house, a house for masquerades. Origin: F. Masque, LL. Masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. & Pg. Mascara, It. Maschera; all fr. Ar. Maskharat buffoon, fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr. Sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. Masque, Masquerade. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mask of pregnancy | <medicine> A dark discolouration of the skin, usually local; as, Addison's melasma, or Addison's disease. Melasmic. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Black spot. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mask shell | <zoology> Any spiral marine shell of the genus Persona, having a curiously twisted aperture. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Hutchinson's mask | The sensation experienced in tabetic neurosyphilis as if the face were covered with a mask or with cobwebs. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shadow mask | <microscopy> Also Aperture mask. In colour video monitors, a finely perforated or striped metal plate that is located between the three electron guns and the phosphor screen. The mask ensures that the electron beams carrying the R, G, and B signals land on the corresponding phosphors at every point in the picture. (05 Aug 1998) |
| nonrebreathing mask | A mask fitted with both an inhalation valve and an exhalation valve so that all exhaled gas is vented to the external atmosphere and inhaled gas comes only from a reservoir connected to the mask. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ecchymotic mask | A dusky discoloration of the head and neck occurring when the trunk has been subjected to sudden and extreme compression, as in traumatic asphyxia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tropical mask | A bronze-coloured pigmentation, probably produced by hormone imbalance, occurring in gradually increasing areas on the face, neck, and chest in persons exposed continuously to the tropical sun; similar to chloasma of the temperate zone, but intensified because of strong sunlight. Synonym: tropical mask. (05 Mar 2000) |
| laryngeal mask | A tubular oropharyngeal airway with an inflatable rim at the distal end that when inflated creates an airtight seal immediately above the larynx. (05 Mar 2000) |
| luetic mask | A dirty brownish yellow pigmentation, blotchy in character, resembling that of chloasma, occurring on the forehead, temples, and sometimes the cheeks in patients with tertiary syphilis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adult | A living organism which has attained full growth or maturity. Origin: L. Adultus = grown up (18 Nov 1997) |
| adult lactase deficiency | Onset of lactase deficiency, with resulting milk intolerance and malabsorption, in adulthood. Inherited forms may not be manifested until adulthood; any process that damages the intestinal lining cells can cause lactase deficiency in adults. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adult medulloepithelioma | <tumour> Malignant hyperplasia of ciliary epithelium with frequent involvement of the pigmented layer. Synonym: adult medulloepithelioma. (05 Mar 2000) |