| memory span | The maximum number of items recalled after a single presentation (auditory or visual). (05 Mar 2000) |
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| span | 1. <anatomy> The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom. 2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time. "Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let me bound." (Pope) "Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy." (Farquhar) 3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports. 4. A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used. 5. A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in colour, form, and action. Span blocks, a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Origin: AS. Spann; akin to D. Span, OHG. Spanna, G. Spanne, Icel. Sponn. See Span. (17 Mar 1998) |
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| affect memory | The emotional element recurring whenever a significant experience is recalled. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterograde memory | Memory for that which occurred after an event such as a brain injury. (05 Mar 2000) |
| remote memory | Memory for events of long ago as opposed to recent events. (05 Mar 2000) |
| retrograde memory | Memory for that which occurred before an event such as a brain injury. (05 Mar 2000) |
| memory | Complex mental function having four distinct phases: (1) memorizing or learning, (2) retention, (3) recall, and (4) recognition. Clinically, it is usually subdivided into immediate, recent, and remote memory. (12 Dec 1998) |
| memory cell | <immunology> Cells of the immune system that do not respond immediately when it first encounters an antigen but facilitates the more rapid secondary response when the antigen is encountered on a subsequent occasion. The long lasting immune memory is humoral and resides in B-cells, although it appears that persistence of the antigen may be essential. T-cell memory is shorter. (14 Oct 1997) |
| memory disorder | Disturbances in registering an impression, in the retention of an acquired impression or in the recall of an impression. (12 Dec 1998) |
| memory loop | An electronic device for retrieving data that had been stored and/or displayed upon the oscilloscope at an earlier time; used for reviewing electrical events immediately preceding a specific disturbance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| memory T-cell | A T-cell that bears receptors for a specific foreign antigen encountered during a prior infection or vaccination. After an infection or a vaccination, some of the T-cells that participated in the response remain as memory T-cells, which can rapidly mobilize and clone themselves should the same antigen be re-encountered during a second infection at a later time. (09 Oct 1997) |
| memory trace | See: engram. (05 Mar 2000) |
| screen memory | In psychoanalysis, a consciously tolerable memory that unwittingly serves as a cover for another associated memory which would be emotionally painful if recalled. (05 Mar 2000) |
| selective memory | <psychology> Reception or retrieval of only some of the events in an experience. (05 Mar 2000) |
| senile memory | Memory that is good for remote events, often in contrast to current events; characteristically seen in aged or demented persons. (05 Mar 2000) |
| short-term memory | <psychology> Temporary storage of information for a few seconds to hours, as opposed to long-term memory which refers to material stored for days, years, or a lifetime. (12 Dec 1998) |