| Amberg, Emil | <person> U.S. Otologist, 1868-1948. See: Amberg's lateral sinus line. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ambergris | A substance of the consistence of wax, found floating in the Indian Ocean and other parts of the tropics, and also as a morbid secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), which is believed to be in all cases its true origin. In colour it is white, ash-gray, yellow, or black, and often variegated like marble. The floating masses are sometimes from sixty to two hundred and twenty-five pounds in weight. It is wholly volatilized as a white vapor at 212 deg Fahrenheit, and is highly valued in perfumery. Origin: F. Ambre gris, i. E, gray amber; F. Gris gray, which is of German origin: cf. OS. Gris, G. Greis, gray-haired. See Amber. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ambi- | Around; on all (both) sides; both, double; corresponds to G. Amphi-. See: ambo-. Origin: L., around, about, akin to ambo, both (05 Mar 2000) |
| ambident anion | <chemistry> A group of atoms that carry an overall negative charge and which can donate electrons to electron acceptors such as metal atoms. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ambident ligand | <chemistry> A ligand that can donate electrons through two or more atoms on their molecule. (05 Feb 1998) |
| ambidexterity | <neurology> The ability to use both hands with equal ease. (05 Feb 1998) |
| ambidextrism | <neurology> The ability to use both hands with equal ease. (05 Feb 1998) |
| ambidextrous | Having equal facility in the use of both hands. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ambient | <ecology> Describes the surrounding environment (especially temperature and pressure) of an object or experiment, in particular an environment which affects the object or experiment but is not affected by it. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ambient air quality | The condition of the air in the surrounding environment. (05 Dec 1998) |
| ambient behaviour | <psychology> The movement of an organism away from a certain type of stimulus, such as electric shock. Compare: appetitive behaviour. Synonym: ambient behaviour. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ambient cistern | <anatomy, vein> An expansion of the subarachnoid space extending forward between the corpus callosum and the thalamus; it encloses the internal cerebral veins which caudally join to form the vena magna cerebri (Galen's vein). Synonym: ambient cistern, Bichat's canal, Bichat's foramen, cistern of great vein of cerebrum, cisterna ambiens, cisterna superioris, cisterna venae magnae cerebri, superior cistern. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ambigenous | Of two kinds. <botany> Partaking of two natures, as the perianth of some endogenous plants, where the outer surface is calycine, and the inner petaloid. Origin: L. Ambo both + genus kind. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ambiguity | Origin: L. Ambiguitas, fr. Ambiguus: cf. F. Ambiguite. The quality or state of being ambiguous; doubtfulness or uncertainty, particularly as to the signification of language, arising from its admitting of more than one meaning; an equivocal word or expression. "No shadow of ambiguity can rest upon the course to be pursued." (I. Taylor) "The words are of single signification, without any ambiguity." (South) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ambiguous | Doubtful or uncertain, particularly in respect to signification; capable of being understood in either of two or more possible senses; equivocal; as, an ambiguous course; an ambiguous expression. "What have been thy answers? What but dark, Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding?" (Milton) Synonym: Doubtful, dubious, uncertain, unsettled, indistinct, indeterminate, indefinite. See Equivocal. Origin: L. Ambiguus, fr. Ambigere to wander about, waver; amb- + agere to drive. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |