| Barr, Yvonne | <person> English virologist, *1932. See: Epstein-Barr virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| barracouata | 1. <zoology> A voracious pikelike, marine fish, of the genus Sphyraena, sometimes used as food. That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyraena spet (or S. Vulgaris); a southern species is S. Picuda; the Californian is S. Argentea. 2. <zoology> A large edible fresh water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Barraquer Roviralta, Luis | <person> Spanish physician, 1855-1928. See: Barraquer's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barraquer's disease | A condition characterised by a complete loss of the subcutaneous fat of the upper part of the torso, the arms, neck, and face, sometimes with an increase of fat in the tissues about and below the pelvis. Synonym: Barraquer's disease, lipodystrophia progessiva superior, partial lipoatrophy, Simons' disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barraquer's method | Zonulysis Dissolution of the zonula ciliaris by enzymes (alpha-chymotrypsin) to facilitate surgical removal of a cataract. Synonym: Barraquer's method. Origin: zonule + G. Lysis, dissolution (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barraquer, Hignacio | <person> Spanish ophthalmologist, 1884-1965. See: Barraquer's method. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barre's sign | <clinical sign> if the hemiplegic is placed in the prone position with the limbs flexed at the knees, he is unable to maintain the flexed position on the side of the lesion but extends the leg. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Barre, Jean | <person> French neurologist, *1880. See: Barre's sign, Guillain-Barre reflex, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barred owl | <zoology> A large American owl (Syrnium nebulosum); so called from the transverse bars of a dark brown colour on the breast. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrel | 1. A round vessel or cask, of greater length than breadth, and bulging in the middle, made of staves bound with hoops, and having flat ends or heads. 2. The quantity which constitutes a full barrel. This varies for different articles and also in different places for the same article, being regulated by custom or by law. A barrel of wine is 31 1/2 gallons; a barrel of flour is 196 pounds. 3. A solid drum, or a hollow cylinder or case; as, the barrel of a windlass; the barrel of a watch, within which the spring is coiled. 4. A metallic tube, as of a gun, from which a projectile is discharged. 5. A jar. 6. <zoology> The hollow basal part of a feather. <anatomy> Barrel bulk, the tympanum, or tympanic cavity. Barrel organ, an instrument for producing music by the action of a revolving cylinder. Barrel vault. See Vault. Origin: OE. Barel, F. Baril, prob. Fr. Barre bar. Cf. Barricade. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrel chest | A chest permanently resembling the shape of a barrel, i.e., with increased anteroposterior diameter, roughly equaling the lateral diameter; usually with some degree of kyphosis; seen in cases of emphysema. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barrel distortion | <microscopy> A distortion, or aberration. (05 Aug 1998) |
| barrel of oil equivalent | A unit of energy equal to the amount of energy contained in a barrel of crude oil. Approximately 5.78 million Btu or 1,700 kWh. A barrel is a liquid measure equal to 42 gallons. (05 Dec 1998) |
| barren | 1. A tract of barren land. 2. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile. 1. Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; aid of women and female animals. "She was barren of children." (Bp. Hall) 2. Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; rile. "Barren mountain tracts." 3. Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty. "Brilliant but barren reveries." (Prescott) "Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter." (Swift) 4. Mentally dull; stupid. Barren flower, a flower which has only stamens without a pistil, or which as neither stamens nor pistils. <geography> Barren Grounds, a vast tract in British America northward of the forest regions. <zoology> Barren Ground bear, a small reindeer (Rangifer Groenlandicus) peculiar to the Barren Grounds and Greenland. Origin: OE. Barein, OF. Brehaing, em. Brehaigne, baraigne, F. Brehaigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. Brekha, markha, sterile; LL. Brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. Barau, baru, fasting. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrenly | Unfruitfully; unproductively. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |