| pollutant | An undesired contaminant that results in pollution. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| pollute | 1. To make foul, impure, or unclean; to defile; to taint; to soil; to desecrate; used of physical or moral defilement. "The land was polluted with blood.", "Wickedness . . . Hath polluted the whole earth." 2. To violate sexually; to debauch; to dishonor. 3. To render ceremonially unclean; to disqualify or unfit for sacred use or service, or for social intercourse. "Neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die." (Num. Xviii. 32) "They have polluted themselves with blood." (Lam. Iv. 14) Synonym: To defile, soil, contaminate, corrupt, taint, vitiate, debauch, dishonor, ravish. Origin: L. Pollutus, p. P. Of polluere to defile, to pollute, from a prep. Appearing only in comp. + luere to wash. See Position, Lave. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pollution | <ecology> The changing of a natural environment, either by natural or artificial means, so that the environment becomes harmful to the living things normally found in it. most often this refers to the input of toxic chemicals into the environment. (09 Oct 1997) |
| pollux | 1. <astronomy> A fixed star of the second magnitude, in the constellation Gemini. Cf. 3d Castor. 2. <chemical> Same as Pollucite. Origin: L, the twin brother of castor; also, the constellation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polocyte | Synonym: polar body. Origin: G. Polos, pole, + kytos, cell (05 Mar 2000) |
| poloidal divertor | <radiobiology> A divertor which takes a bundle of poloidal field lines, forming a separatrix in the poloidal magnetic field which creates separate plasma regions (which can then have different physical parameters, since transport is reduced across the separatrix where q is infinity). (09 Oct 1997) |
| poloidal field | <physics> In toroidal devices, the magnetic field that encircles the plasma axis. (i.e., loops around the torus the short way.) (09 Oct 1997) |
| poloidal field coil | <radiobiology> In toroidal devices (e.g., tokamaks), the sets of windings which are (typically) aligned along the plasma axis and produce poloidal fields. These include ohmic heating, shaping, vertical, equilibrium, and divertor windings. (09 Oct 1997) |
| polonium | <chemical> Polonium. A radioactive element that is a member of the chalcogen family. It has the atomic symbol po, atomic number 84, and the atomic weight of the isotope with the longest half-life (209po) is 208.98. It decays by alpha-emission. Chemical name: Polonium (12 Dec 1998) |
| poloxalene | <chemical> Methyloxirane polymer with oxirane. A copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene ether glycol. It is a non-ionic polyol surface-active agent used medically as a faecal softener and in cattle for prevention of bloat. Pharmacological action: cathartic, disinfectants, fibrinolytic agent, surface-active agent. Chemical name: Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane (12 Dec 1998) |
| poloxalkol | <chemical> Methyloxirane polymer with oxirane. A copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene ether glycol. It is a non-ionic polyol surface-active agent used medically as a faecal softener and in cattle for prevention of bloat. Pharmacological action: cathartic, disinfectants, fibrinolytic agent, surface-active agent. Chemical name: Oxirane, methyl-, polymer with oxirane (12 Dec 1998) |
| polster | A bulge of smooth muscle cells, as in the penile arteries and veins, formerly thought to regulate blood flow. Origin: G. Cushion, bolster (05 Mar 2000) |
| poluria | <medicine> A persistently excessive flow of watery urine, with low specific gravity and without the presence of either albumin or sugar. It is generally accompanied with more or less thirst. Origin: NL. See Poly-, and Urine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polus | Synonym: pole. Origin: L. Pole (05 Mar 2000) |
| polus anterior bulbi oculi | The centre of the corneal curvature of the eye. Synonym: polus anterior bulbi oculi. (05 Mar 2000) |