| galactotherapy | Treatment of disease by means of an exclusive or nearly exclusive milk diet. Synonym: lactotherapy. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| galacturonan | A polysaccharide that yields galacturonic acid on hydrolysis; a constituent of some pectins. (05 Mar 2000) |
| galago | Origin: Native name. <zoology> A genus of African lemurs, including numerous species. The grand galago (Galago crassicaudata) is about the size of a cat; the mouse galago (G. Murinus)is about the size of a mouse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| galangal | The pungent aromatic rhizome or tuber of certain East Indian or Chinese species of Alpinia (A. Galanga and A. Officinarum) and of the Kaempferia Galanga), all of the Ginger family. Origin: OE. Galingale, OF. Galingal, garingal, F. Galanga (cf. Sp. Galanga), prob. Fr. Ar. Khalanjn. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| galanin | <protein> Neuropeptide (29 amino acids) isolated from the upper small intestine of pig but subsequently found throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Regulates gut motility and the activity of endocrine pancreas. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Galant | Nikolay Fedorovich, Russian hygienist, *1893. See: Galant's reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Galant's reflex | A deep abdominal reflex in which there is a contraction of the abdominal muscles on tapping the anterior superior iliac spine. Synonym: lower abdominal periosteal reflex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| galanthamine | <chemical> A cholinesterase inhibitor. It has been used to reverse the muscular effects of gallamine and tubocurarine and has been studied as a treatment for alzheimer's disease and other central nervous system disorders. Pharmacological action: cholinesterase inhibitor, nootropic agents, parasympathomimetic. Chemical name: Galanthamine (12 Dec 1998) |
| galapee tree | <botany> The West Indian Sciadophyllum Brownei, a tree with very large digitate leaves. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| galaptin | <protein> Soluble lectins of around 130-140 residues secreted by vertebrates. Developmentally regulated:seem to be important in differentiation of tissues. Larger, related lectin is known as MAC 2 antigen, CBP 35 or IgE binding protein. (18 Nov 1997) |
| Galassi's pupillary phenomenon | A constriction of both pupils when an effort is made to close eyelids forcibly held apart. A variant of the pupil response to near vision. Synonym: Galassi's pupillary phenomenon, Gifford's reflex, lid-closure reaction, orbicularis phenomenon, orbicularis pupillary reflex, Piltz sign, Westphal's pupillary reflex, Westphal-Piltz phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| galaxy | Origin: F. Galaxie, L. Galaxias, fr. Gr. (sc. Circle), fr, milk; akin to L. Lac. CF. Lacteal. 1. <astronomy> The Milky Way; that luminous tract, or belt, which is seen at night stretching across the heavens, and which is composed of innumerable stars, so distant and blended as to be distinguishable only with the telescope. The term has recently been used for remote clusters of stars. 2. A splendid assemblage of persons or things. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| galbanum | A gum resin exuding from the stems of certain Asiatic umbelliferous plants, mostly species of Ferula. The Bubon Galbanum of South Africa furnishes an inferior kind of galbanum. It has an acrid, bitter taste, a strong, unpleasant smell, and is used for medical purposes, also in the arts, as in the manufacture of varnish. Origin: L. Galbanum, Gr, prob. From Heb. Klekb'nh: cf. F. Galbanum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| gale | 1. A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests. Gales have a velocity of from about eighteen ("moderate") to about eighty ("very heavy") miles an our. 2. A moderate current of air; a breeze. "A little gale will soon disperse that cloud." (Shak) "And winds of gentlest gale Arabian odors fanned From their soft wings." (Milton) 3. A state of excitement, passion, or hilarity. "The ladies, laughing heartily, were fast getting into what, in new England, is sometimes called a gale." (Brooke (Eastford)) Topgallant gale, one in which a ship may carry her topgallant sails. Origin: Prob. Of Scand. Origin; cf. Dan. Gal furious, Icel. Galinn, cf. Icel. Gala to sing, AS. Galan to sing, Icel. Galdr song, witchcraft, AS. Galdor charm, sorcery, E. Nightingale; also, Icel. Gjla gust of wind, gola breeze. Cf. Yell. <botany> A plant of the genus Myrica, growing in wet places, and strongly resembling the bayberry. The sweet gale (Myrica Gale) is found both in Europe and in America. Origin: AS. Gagel, akin to D. Gagel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| gale-opithecus | <zoology> A genus of flying Insectivora, formerly called flying lemurs. See Colugo. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. A weasel + an ape. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |