| Quant's sign | <clinical sign> A T-shaped depression in the occipital bone occurring in many cases of rickets, especially in infants lying constantly in bed with pressure on the occiput. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| quanta | Plural of quantum. Origin: L. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantal mitosis | A controversial concept in cellular differentiation proposed by H. Holtzer and defined by him as a mitosis that yields daughter cells with metabolic options very different from those of the mother cell as opposed to proliferative mitoses in which the daughter cells are identical to the mother cell. Implicit in this is the idea that the changes in cell determination that occur during development take place at these special quantal mitoses. (18 Nov 1997) |
| quantasome | <cell biology> Smallest structural unit of photosynthesis, a particulate component of the thylakoid membrane containing chlorophyll and cytochromes. Origin: Gr. Soma = body (18 Nov 1997) |
| quantic | <mathematics> A homogeneous algebraic function of two or more variables, in general containing only positive integral powers of the variables, and called quadric, cubic, quartic, etc, according as it is of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or a higher degree. These are further called binary, ternary, quaternary, etc, according as they contain two, three, four, or more variables; thus, the quantic is a binary cubic. Origin: L. Quantus how much. See Quantity. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| quantify | To express as a numerical amount. (09 Oct 1997) |
| quantile | Division of a distribution into equal, ordered subgroups; deciles are tenths, quartiles are quarters, quintiles are fifths, terciles are thirds, centiles are hundredths. Origin: L. Quantum, how much, + -ilis, adj. Suffix (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantitative | Denoting or expressible as quantity, relating to the proportionate quantities or to the amount of the constituents of a compound. Origin: L. Quantitativus (18 Nov 1997) |
| quantitative alteration | In electric irritability, a gradual loss of contractility in a muscle in response to static, faradic, and galvanic currents successively. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantitative analysis | Determination of the amount, as well as the nature, of each of the elements composing a substance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantitative genetics | The formal study of measurable genetic traits, traditionally but not necessarily confined to galtonian genetics. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantitative hypertrophy | <pathology> The abnormal multiplication or increase in the number of normal cells in normal arrangement in a tissue. Compare: hypertrophy. Origin: Gr. Plasis = formation (18 Nov 1997) |
| quantitative perimetry | A plotting of the visual field in isopters of equal retinal sensitivity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantitative trait | A characteristic showing quantitative inheritance such as skin pigmentation in man. (12 Dec 1998) |
| quantity | Origin: F. Quantite, L. Quantitas, fr. Quantus bow great, how much, akin to quam bow, E. How, who. See Who. 1. The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question "How much?"; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size. Hence, in specific uses: The relative duration of a tone. 2. <mathematics> That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially, anything to which mathematical processes are applicable. Quantity is discrete when it is applied to separate objects, as in number; continuous, when the parts are connected, either in succession, as in time, motion, etc, or in extension, as by the dimensions of space, viz, length, breadth, and thickness. 3. A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities. "The quantity of extensive and curious information which he had picked up during many months of desultory, but not unprofitable, study." (Macaulay) Quantity of estate, quantities whose values are sought. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |