| irreversible colloid | A colloid that is not again soluble in water after having been dried at ordinary temperature. Synonym: unstable colloid. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| irreversible hydrocolloid | A hydrocolloid whose physical state is changed by an irreversible chemical reaction when water is added to a powder and an insoluble substance is formed. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irreversible process | <chemistry> Any real process, when a system undergoes the changes State 1 - greater than State 2 - greater than State 1 by any real pathway, the universe is different that before the cyclic process took place in the system. (09 Jan 1998) |
| irreversible reaction | A reaction or response by the tissues to a pathogenic agent characterised by a permanent pathologic change. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irreversible shock | Shock that has progressed beyond the stage when it will respond to transfusion or other form of treatment, and recovery is impossible. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irrigate | 1. To water; to wet; to moisten with running or dropping water; to bedew. 2. <agriculture> To water, as land, by causing a stream to flow upon, over, or through it, as in artificial channels. Origin: L. Irrigatus, p. P. Of irrigare to irrigate: ir- in + rigare to water; prob. Akin to E. Rain. See Rain. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| irrigation | Washing by a stream of water or other fluid. Origin: L. Irrigatio, rigare = to carry water (18 Nov 1997) |
| irrigator | An appliance used in irrigation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irritability | 1. The state or quality of being irritable; quick excitability; petulance; fretfulness; as, irritability of temper. 2. <physiology> A natural susceptibility, characteristic of all living organisms, tissues, and cells, to the influence of certain stimuli, response being manifested in a variety of ways, as that quality in plants by which they exhibit motion under suitable stimulation; especially, the property which living muscle processes, of responding either to a direct stimulus of its substance, or to the stimulating influence of its nerve fibres, the response being indicated by a change of form, or contraction; contractility. 3. <medicine> A condition of morbid excitability of an organ or part of the body; undue susceptibility to the influence of stimuli. See Irritation. Origin: L. Irritabilitas: cf. F. Irritabilite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| irritable | 1. Capable of being irriated. 2. Very susceptible of anger or passion; easily inflamed or exasperated; as, an irritable temper. "Vicious, old, and irritable." (Tennyson) 3. <physiology> Endowed with irritability; susceptible of irritation; capable of being excited to action by the application of certain stimuli. 4. <medicine> Susceptible of irritation; unduly sensitive to irritants or stimuli. See Irritation. Synonym: Excitable, irascible, touchy, fretful, peevish. Origin: L. Irritabilis: cf. F. Irritable. See Irritate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| irritable bowel disease | <disease> A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable bowel syndrome | <syndrome> A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable breast | Swelling and induration of the breast, not due to a neoplasm, and usually of comparatively brief duration. (05 Mar 2000) |
| irritable colon | A functional bowel disorder characterised by recurrent crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Invasive gastrointestinal diagnostics are often unrevealing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| irritable heart | An obsolete term for neurocirculatory asthenia. (05 Mar 2000) |