| precuneate | Relating to the precuneus. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| precuneus | A division of the medial surface of each cerebral hemisphere between the cuneus and the paracentral lobule; it lies above the subparietal sulcus and is bounded anteriorly by the marginal part of the cingulate sulcus and posteriorly by the parietooccipital sulcus. Synonym: lobulus quadratus, quadrate lobe, quadrate lobule. Origin: pre-+ L. Cuneus, a wedge (05 Mar 2000) |
| precursor | Something that precedes. 1. <biochemistry> In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. 2. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. Origin: L. Praecursor = a forerunner (18 Nov 1997) |
| precursory cartilage | A cartilage that is normally replaced by bone, to form a part of the skeleton. Synonym: ossifying cartilage, precursory cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
| predacean | <zoology> A carnivorous animal. Origin: L. Praeda prey. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| predation | <zoology> A type of organism interaction where one species feeds on another species (or rarely, on a member of the same species). In general, the predator species that does the feeding benefits from this relationship, while the prey species which gets eaten is harmed by the relationship. (31 Dec 1997) |
| predator | <epidemiology> An animal that kills its prey and then feeds on it to subsist until the next kill. (05 Dec 1998) |
| predatory | 1. Characterised by plundering; practicing rapine; plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a predatory party. "A predatory war." 2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits. "Exercise . . . Maketh the spirits more hot and predatory." (Bacon) 3. <zoology> Living by preying upon other animals; carnivorous. Origin: L. Praedatorius, fr. Praedari to plunder, fr. Praeda prey. See Prey. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| predatory behaviour | Instinctual behaviour pattern in which food is obtained by killing and consuming other species. (12 Dec 1998) |
| predecidual | Relating to the premenstrual or secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| predentin | The organic fibrillar matrix of the dentin before its calcification. (05 Mar 2000) |
| predestination | 1. The act of predestinating. "Predestination had overruled their will." (Milton) 2. The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all events; especially, the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery. See Calvinism. Origin: L. Praedestinatio: cf. F. Predestination. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| prediabetes | A state of potential diabetes mellitus, with normal glucose tolerance but with an increased risk of developing diabetes; (e.g., family history). (05 Mar 2000) |
| prediastole | The interval in the cardiac rhythm immediately preceding diastole. Synonym: late systole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| prediastolic | <physiology> Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic friction sound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |