| staircase | A flight of stairs with their supporting framework, casing, balusters, etc. "To make a complete staircase is a curious piece of architecture." (Sir H. Wotton) Staircase shell. <zoology> Any scalaria, or wentletrap. Any species of Solarium, or perspective shell. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| staircase phenomenon | A phenomenon in cardiac muscle first observed by H.P. Bowditch; if a number of stimuli of the same intensity are sent into the muscle after a quiescent period, the first few contractions of the series show a successive increase in amplitude (strength). Synonym: staircase phenomenon. Origin: Ger. Treppe, staircase (05 Mar 2000) |