| quantum sufficiat | See: q.s. Origin: L. However much is enough (05 Mar 2000) |
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| quantum theory | The theory that the radiation and absorption of energy take place in definite quantities called quanta (e) which vary in size and are defined by the equation e=hv in which h is planck's constant and v is the frequency of the radiation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| quantum vis | See: q.v.. Origin: L. However much you wish (05 Mar 2000) |
| quantum yield | The number of photons required for the formation of one oxygen molecule in photosynthesis. Varies from 8-14 depending on the system used to measure it. (18 Nov 1997) |
| quaquaversal | 1. Turning or dipping in any or every direction. 2. <geology> Dipping toward all points of the compass round a center, as beds of lava round a crater. Origin: L. Quaqua wheresoever, whithersoever + versus, p. P. Of vertere to turn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Quaranfil virus | An ungrouped arbovirus isolated from human blood and from herons. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quarantine | The limitation on the freedom of movement of an individual, to prevent spread of a disease to other members of a population. (09 Oct 1997) |
| quarantine period | The time during which an infected individual or an area is kept isolated, avoiding contact with uninfected individuals; can be any specified period of time, varying with the disease in question. The term is derived from the Italian word for forty, since the period of isolation of individuals suspected of plague in the Middle Ages was forty days. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quark | An elementary subatomic particle that composes a hadron. There areseveral flavours of quarks: Up (found innormal matter), down (also found in normalmatter), Charm or Charmed, Bottom or Beauty, Top or Truth (09 Oct 1997) |
| quarl | <zoology> A medusa, or jellyfish. "The jellied quarl that flings at once a thousand streaming stings." (J. R. Drake) Origin: Cf. G. Qualle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| quart | 1. A measure of fluid capacity; the fourth part of a gallon; the equivalent of 0.9468 liter. An imperial quart contains about 20% more than the ordinary quart, or 1.1359 liters. 2. A dry measure holding a little more than the fluid measure. Origin: L. Quartus, fourth (05 Mar 2000) |
| quartan | A cyclic fever in which 72 hours elapse between attacks. (09 Oct 1997) |
| quartan fever | A malarial fever with paroxysms that recur every 72 hours or every fourth day, reckoning the day of the paroxysm as the first; due to the schizogony and release of merozoites from infected cells, with invasion of new red blood corpuscles by Plasmodium malariae. Synonym: quartan fever, quartan malaria. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quartan malaria | A malarial fever with paroxysms that recur every 72 hours or every fourth day, reckoning the day of the paroxysm as the first; due to the schizogony and release of merozoites from infected cells, with invasion of new red blood corpuscles by Plasmodium malariae. Synonym: quartan fever, quartan malaria. (05 Mar 2000) |
| quartan parasite | A protozoan parasite that occurs primarily in subtropical and temperate areas. It is the causal agent of quartan malaria. As the parasite grows it exhibits little ameboid activity. (12 Dec 1998) |