| pattern | 1. Anything proposed for imitation; an archetype; an exemplar; that which is to be, or is worthy to be, copied or imitated; as, a pattern of a machine. "I will be the pattern of all patience." (Shak) 2. A part showing the figure or quality of the whole; a specimen; a sample; an example; an instance. "He compares the pattern with the whole piece." (Swift) 3. Stuff sufficient for a garment; as, a dress pattern. 4. Figure or style of decoration; design; as, wall paper of a beautiful pattern. 5. Something made after a model; a copy. "The patterns of things in the heavens." (Heb. Ix. 23) 6. Anything cut or formed to serve as a guide to cutting or forming objects; as, a dressmaker's pattern. 7. A full-sized model around which a mold of sand is made, to receive the melted metal. It is usually made of wood and in several parts, so as to be removed from the mold without injuring it. A definable characteristic relationship between the members of any set of objects or actions; also, the set having a definable relationship between its members. Thus: the distribution of bomb or shell impacts on a target area, or of bullet holes in a target; a set of traits or actions that appear to be consistent throughout the members of a group or over time within a group, as behavioral pattern, traffic pattern, dress pattern Pattern box, chain, or cylinder, devices, in a loom, for presenting several shuttles to the picker in the proper succession for forming the figure. Pattern card. A set of samples on a card. A count-wheel. Origin: OE. Patron, F. Patron, a patron, also, a pattern. See Patron. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| pattern formation | <cell biology> One of the classic problems in developmental biology is the way in which complex patterns are formed from an apparently uniform field of cells. Various hypotheses have been put forward and there is now evidence for the existence of gradients of diffusible substances (morphogens) specifying the differentiative pathway that should be followed according to the concentration of the morphogen around the cell. (18 Nov 1997) |
| pattern recognition | In information retrieval, machine-sensing or identification of visible patterns (shapes, forms, and configurations). (harrod's librarians' glossary, 7th ed) (12 Dec 1998) |
| pattern recognition, visual | Visually perceived characters, shapes, displays, or designs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pattern sensitive epilepsy | A form of reflex epilepsy precipitated by viewing certain patterns. (05 Mar 2000) |
| patulin | <chemical> 4-hydroxy-4h-furo(3,2-c)pyran-2(6h)-one. A mycotoxin produced by several species of aspergillus and penicillium. It is found in unfermented apple and grape juice and field crops. It has antibiotic properties and has been shown to be carcinogenic and mutagenic and causes chromosome damage in biological systems. Pharmacological action: antineoplastic agent, carcinogens, mutagens. Chemical name: 4H-Furo(3,2-c)pyran-2(6H)-one, 4-hydroxy- (12 Dec 1998) |
| patulous | Synonym: patent. Origin: L. Patulus, fr. Pateo, to lie open (05 Mar 2000) |