| water purification | Any of several processes in which undesirable impurities in water are removed or neutralised; for example, chlorination, filtration, primary treatment, ion exchange, and distillation. It includes treatment of waste water to provide potable and hygiene water in a controlled or closed environment as well as provision of public drinking water supplies. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| water purslane | <botany> See Purslane. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water qualm | <medicine> See Water brash, under Brash. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water rabbit | <zoology> See Water hare. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water radish | <botany> A coarse yellow-flowered plant (Nasturtium amphibium) related to the water cress and to the horse-radish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water rail | <zoology> Any one of numerous species of rails of the genus Rallus, as the common European species (Rallus aquaticus). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water rat | 1. <zoology> The water vole. See Vole. The muskrat. The beaver rat. See Beaver. 2. A thief on the water; a pirate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water rattler | <zoology> The diamond rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus); so called from its preference for damp places near water. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water rocket | 1. <botany> A cruciferous plant (Nasturtium sylvestre) with small yellow flowers. 2. A kind of firework to be discharged in the water. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water sapphire | <chemical> A deep blue variety of iolite, sometimes used as a gem. Synonym: saphir d'eau. Origin: Equiv. To F. Saphir d'eau. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water scorpion | <zoology> See Nepa. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water shield | <botany> An aquatic American plant (Brasenia peltata) having floating oval leaves, and the covered with a clear jelly. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water shrew | <zoology> Any one of several species of shrews having fringed feet and capable of swimming actively. The two common European species (Crossopus fodiens, and C. Ciliatus) are the best known. The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew (Neosorex palustris), is rarely seen, owing to its nocturnal habits. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water snail | 1. <zoology> Any aquatic pulmonate gastropod belonging to Planorbis, Limnaea, and allied genera; a pond snail. 2. <mechanics> The Archimedean screw. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| water snake | <zoology> A common North American colubrine snake (Tropidonotus sipedon) which lives chiefly in the water. Any species of snakes of the family Homalopsidae, all of which are aquatic in their habits. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |