| debye shielding | <radiobiology> if a positive (or negative) charge is inserted into a plasma, it will change the local charge distribution by attracting (repelling) electrons. The net result is an additional negative (positive) charge density which cancels the effect of the initial charge at distances large compared to the Debye length. (There is a corresponding effect of shielding by the ions, which, for various and subtle reasons, usually is less important.) (13 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| debye sphere | <radiobiology> Sphere around a charged test particle whose radius is equal to the Debye length. (09 Oct 1997) |
| deca- | <prefix> Prefix used in the SI and metric systems to signify 10. Also spelled deka-. Origin: G. Deka, ten (05 Mar 2000) |
| decacerata | <zoology> The division of Cephalopoda which includes the squids, cuttlefishes, and others having ten arms or tentacles. Synonym: Decapoda. Alternative forms: Decacera. See: Dibranchiata. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Deka ten + keras a horn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| decade | A group or division of ten; especially, a period of ten years; a decennium; as, a decade of years or days; a decade of soldiers; the second decade of Livy. Alternative forms: decad] "During this notable decade of years." (Gladstone) Origin: F. Decade, L. Decas, -adis, fr. Gr, fr. Ten. See Ten. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| decadron | <drug> Steroid analogue (glucocorticoid), used as an anti-inflammatory drug. (18 Nov 1997) |
| decagon | <geometry> A plane figure having ten sides and ten angles; any figure having ten angles. A regular decagon is one that has all its sides and angles equal. Origin: Pref. Deca- + Gr. A corner or angle: cf. F. Decagone. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| decagram | Ten grams. (05 Mar 2000) |
| decagynia | <botany> A Linnaean order of plants characterised by having ten styles. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Ten + a woman, a female. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| decahedron | Origin: Pref. Deca- + Gr. 'edra a seat, a base, fr. 'ezesthai to sit: cf. F. Decaedre. <geometry> A solid figure or body inclosed by ten plane surfaces. Alternative forms:, less correctly, decaedron. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| decalcification | <dentistry> The loss of calcium from your teeth. This weakens your teeth and makes them more susceptible to decay (08 Jan 1998) |
| decalcification, pathologic | The loss of calcium salts from bones and teeth. Bacteria may be responsible for this occurrence in teeth. Old age may be a factor contributing to calcium loss, as is the presence of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| decalcify | To remove lime or calcium salts, especially from bones or teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| decalcifying | Denoting an agent, measure, or process that causes decalcification. (05 Mar 2000) |
| decalcomania | The art or process of transferring pictures and designs to china, glass, marble, etc, and permanently fixing them thereto. Origin: F. Decalcomanie. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |