| maximum | 1. The greatest possible or actual effect or quantity. 2. The acme of a disease or process. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| maximum breathing capacity | The volume of air breathed when an individual breathes as deeply and as quickly as possible for a given time (e.g., 15 sec.). Synonym: maximum breathing capacity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum occipital point | The point on the squama of the occipital bone farthest from the glabella. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum permissible dose | <radiobiology> Defined by the International Commission on Radiological Protection as the greatest dose of radiation which, in the light of present knowledge, is not expected to cause detectable bodily injury to a person at any time during his lifetime. This dose has been reduced with each Commission report. The MPD is given in terms of acute or chronic exposure of the whole body or of organs, systems, or regions of the body, and differs for persons who are occupationally exposed versus the public at large. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum permissible exposure level | The highest level of exposure to a substance, usually noxious, in the environment or during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, that a body can tolerate without injury. (12 Dec 1998) |
| maximum temperature | In bacteriology, denoting a temperature above which growth will not take place. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum urea clearance | The urea clearance when the urine flow exceeds 2 ml/min; normal value is about 75 ml blood/min per 1.73 m2 body surface area. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum velocity | The maximum rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction that can be achieved by progressively increasing the substrate concentration at a given enzyme concentration; in cases of substrate inhibition, Vmax is an extrapolated value in the absence of such inhibition; Cf.: Michaelis-Menten equation. The maximum initial rate of shortening of a myocardial fibre that can be obtained under zero load; used to evaluate the contractility of the fibre. (05 Mar 2000) |
| maximum voluntary ventilation | The volume of air breathed when an individual breathes as deeply and as quickly as possible for a given time (e.g., 15 sec.). Synonym: maximum breathing capacity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tubular maximum | transport maximum |
| night | Origin: OE. Night, niht, AS. Neaht, niht; akin to D. Nacht, OS. & OHG. Naht, G. Nacht, Icel. Ntt, Sw. Natt, Dan. Nat, Goth. Nachts, Lith. Naktis, Russ. Noche, W. Nos, Ir. Nochd, L. Nox, noctis, gr, Skr. Nakta, nakti. Cf. Equinox, Nocturnal. 1. That part of the natural day when the sun is beneath the horizon, or the time from sunset to sunrise; especially, the time between dusk and dawn, when there is no light of the sun, but only moonlight, starlight, or artificial light. "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night." (Gen. I. 5) 2. Hence: Darkness; obscurity; concealment. "Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night." (Pope) Intellectual and moral darkness; ignorance. A state of affliction; adversity; as, a dreary night of sorrow. The period after the close of life; death. "She closed her eyes in everlasting night." (Dryden) A lifeless or unenlivened period, as when nature seems to sleep. "Sad winter's night". Night is sometimes used, especially. With participles, in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, night-blooming, night-born, night-warbling, etc. Night by night, Night after night, nightly; many nights. "So help me God, as I have watched the night, Ay, night by night, in studying good for England." (Shak) Night bird. <medicine> A bird of ill omen that cries in the night; especially, the bittern. Night rule. A tumult, or frolic, in the night; as if a corruption, of night revel. Such conduct as generally rules, or prevails, at night. "What night rule now about this haunted grove?" (Shak) Night sight. <medicine> See Nyctolopia. Night snap, a night thief. Night soil, human excrement; so called because in cities it is collected by night and carried away for manure. Night spell, a charm against accidents at night. <zoology> Night swallow, the sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis); called also night singer. Night watch. A period in the night, as distinguished by the change of watch. A watch, or guard, to aford protection in the night. Night watcher, one who watches in the night; especially, one who watches with evil designs. Night witch. Same as Night hag, above. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| night blindness | Failure or imperfection of vision at night or in dim light, with good vision only on bright days. (12 Dec 1998) |
| night-blooming | Blooming in the night. Night-blooming cereus. <botany> See Note under Cereus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| night care | Institutional night care of patients. (12 Dec 1998) |
| night hospital | A special facility, or an arrangement within a hospital setting, providing treatment and lodging at night for patients able to work in the community during the day. Compare: day hospital. (05 Mar 2000) |