| aethiops mineral | <chemistry> Same as Ethiops mineral. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| mineral | 1. An inorganic species or substance occurring in nature, having a definite chemical composition and usually a distinct crystalline form. Rocks, except certain glassy igneous forms, are either simple minerals or aggregates of minerals. 2. A mine. 3. Anything which is neither animal nor vegetable, as in the most general classification of things into three kingdoms (animal, vegetable, and mineral). Origin: F. Mineral, LL. Minerale, fr. Minera mine. See Mine. 1. Of or pertaining to minerals; consisting of a mineral or of minerals; as, a mineral substance. 2. Impregnated with minerals; as, mineral waters. <chemistry> Mineral acids, a salt of a mineral acid. Mineral tallow, a familiar name for hatchettite, from its fatty or spermaceti-like appearance. Mineral water. See Water. Mineral wax. See Ozocerite. Mineral wool, a fibrous wool-like material, made by blowing a powerful jet of air or steam through melted slag. It is a poor conductor of heat. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mineral fibres | Long, pliable, cohesive natural or manufactured filaments of various lengths. They form the structure of some minerals. The medical significance lies in their potential ability to cause various types of pneumoconiosis (e.g., asbestosis) after occupational or environmental exposure. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mineral oil | <chemical> A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It is used as laxative, lubricant, ointment base, and emollient. Pharmacological action: cathartic, emollients, ointment bases. Chemical name: Hydrocarbon oils (12 Dec 1998) |
| mineral soil | <ecology> Any soil consisting primarily of mineral (sand, silt and clay) material, rather than organic matter. (12 Jan 1998) |
| mineral water | Water that contains appreciable amounts of certain salts, which give it therapeutic properties. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mineral waters | Water naturally or artificially infused with mineral salts or gases (carbon dioxide). (12 Dec 1998) |
| mineral wax | A wax derived from petroleum. Synonym: mineral wax. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basal metabolism | <biochemistry, biology> Heat production, or its measurement, of an organism at the lowest level of cell chemistry in an inactive, awake, fasting state. It may be determined directly by means of a calorimeter or indirectly by calculating the heat production from an analysis of the end products of oxidation within the organism or from the amount of oxygen utilised. (27 Jun 1999) |
| calcium metabolism | A set of biochemical processes which act to keep the level of calcium in the blood at a constant level, with enough around to build bones and teeth. (09 Oct 1997) |
| calcium metabolism disorders | Disorders in the processing of calcium in the body: its absorption, transport, storage, and utilization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| carbohydrate metabolism | <biochemistry> The breakdown of starches and sugars into smaller units that can be used by the body for energy. (27 Sep 1997) |
| respiratory metabolism | The exchange of respiratory gases in the lungs, oxidation of foodstuffs in the tissues, and production of carbon dioxide and water. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metabolism | <biochemistry> The sum of all the physical and chemical processes by which living organised substance is produced and maintained (anabolism) and also the transformation by which energy is made available for the uses of the organism (catabolism). Origin: Gr. Metaballein = to turn about, change, alter (18 Nov 1997) |
| phosphorus metabolism disorders | Disorders in the processing of phosphorus in the body: its absorption, transport, storage, and utilization. (12 Dec 1998) |