| starch equivalent | The amount of oxygen consumed in the combustion of a given weight of fat as compared with that consumed in the combustion of an equal weight of starch; the figure is about 2.38, that for starch being taken as 1. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| starch gum | <chemistry> A translucent, gummy, amorphous substance, nearly tasteless and odorless, used as a substitute for gum, for sizing, etc, and obtained from starch by the action of heat, acids, or diastase. It is of somewhat variable composition, containing several carbohydrates which change easily to their respective varieties of sugar. It is so named from its rotating the plane of polarization to the right; called also British gum, Alsace gum, gommelin, leiocome, etc. See Achroodextrin, and Erythrodextrin. Origin: Cf. F. Dextrine, G. Dextrin. See Dexter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| starch sugar | See: d-glucose. (05 Mar 2000) |
| starch synthase | <enzyme> An enzyme that catalyses the transfer of glucose from adpglucose to glucose-containing polysaccharides in 1,4-alpha-linkages. Chemical name: ADPglucose:1,4-alpha-D-glucan 4-alpha-D-glucosyltransferase Registry number: EC 2.4.1.21 (12 Dec 1998) |
| starch-eating | A morbid craving for starch. Synonym: starch-eating. Origin: amylo-+ G. Phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| starch-iodine test | A test for sweating in which iodine in oil is painted on the skin, followed by dusting with a starch powder which turns blue-black in the presence of iodine and moisture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| starchwort | <botany> The cuckoopint, the tubers of which yield a fine quality of starch. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| starcraft | <study> In its etymological signification, the science of the stars; among the ancients, synonymous with astronomy; subsequently, the art of judging of the influences of the stars upon human affairs, and of foretelling events by their position and aspects. Astrology was much in vogue during the Middle Ages, and became the parent of modern astronomy, as alchemy did of chemistry. It was divided into two kinds: judicial astrology, which assumed to foretell the fate and acts of nations and individuals, and natural astrology, which undertook to predict events of inanimate nature, such as changes of the weather, etc. Origin: F. Astrologie, L. Astrologia, fr. Gr, fr. Astronomer, astrologer; star + discourse, to speak. See Star. (04 Mar 1998) |
| stare | 1. To look with fixed eyes wide open, as through fear, wonder, surprise, impudence, etc.; to fasten an earnest and prolonged gaze on some object. 2. To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, colour, or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colours. 3. To stand out; to project; to bristle. Synonym: To gaze, to look earnestly. (26 Nov 1998) |
| starfinch | <zoology> The European redstart. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| starfire tokamak | <radiobiology> A conceptual design study of a modular tokamak reactor that operates in a steady-state condition while using conventional power-generating systems. (09 Oct 1997) |
| starfish | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of echinoderms belonging to the class Asterioidea, in which the body is star-shaped and usually has five rays, though the number of rays varies from five to forty or more. The rays are often long, but are sometimes so short as to appear only as angles to the disklike body. The ophiuroids are also sometimes called starfishes. See Brittle star, and Ophiuroidea. Synonym: sea star, five-finger, and stellerid. (26 Nov 1998) |
| Stargardt's disease | Fundus flavimaculatus initiated with atrophic macular lesions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Stargardt, Karl | <person> German ophthalmologist, 1875-1927. See: Stargardt's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| stargaser | 1. One who gazes at the stars; an astrologer; sometimes, in derision or contempt, an astronomer. 2. <zoology> Any one of several species of spiny-rayed marine fishes belonging to Uranoscopus, Astroscopus, and allied genera, of the family Uranoscopidae. The common species of the Eastern United States are Astroscopus anoplus, and Astroscopus guttatus. So called from the position of the eyes, which look directly upward. (26 Nov 1998) |