| barrel of oil equivalent | A unit of energy equal to the amount of energy contained in a barrel of crude oil. Approximately 5.78 million Btu or 1,700 kWh. A barrel is a liquid measure equal to 42 gallons. (05 Dec 1998) |
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| barren | 1. A tract of barren land. 2. Elevated lands or plains on which grow small trees, but not timber; as, pine barrens; oak barrens. They are not necessarily sterile, and are often fertile. 1. Incapable of producing offspring; producing no young; sterile; aid of women and female animals. "She was barren of children." (Bp. Hall) 2. Not producing vegetation, or useful vegetation; rile. "Barren mountain tracts." 3. Unproductive; fruitless; unprofitable; empty. "Brilliant but barren reveries." (Prescott) "Some schemes will appear barren of hints and matter." (Swift) 4. Mentally dull; stupid. Barren flower, a flower which has only stamens without a pistil, or which as neither stamens nor pistils. <geography> Barren Grounds, a vast tract in British America northward of the forest regions. <zoology> Barren Ground bear, a small reindeer (Rangifer Groenlandicus) peculiar to the Barren Grounds and Greenland. Origin: OE. Barein, OF. Brehaing, em. Brehaigne, baraigne, F. Brehaigne; of uncertain origin; cf. Arm. Brekha, markha, sterile; LL. Brana a sterile mare, principally in Aquitanian and Spanish documents; Bisc. Barau, baru, fasting. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrenly | Unfruitfully; unproductively. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrenwort | <botany> An herbaceous plant of the Barberry family (Epimedium alpinum), having leaves that are bitter and said to be sudorific. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barret | A kind of cap formerly worn by soldiers; called also barret cap. Also, the flat cap worn by Roman Catholic ecclesiastics. Origin: F. Barrette, LL. Barretum a cap. See Berretta, and cf. Biretta. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Barrett | Norman R., British physician, *1903. See: adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus, Barrett's oesophagus, Barrett's epithelium, Barrett's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barrett oesophagus | <radiology> Replacement of squamous epithelium with columnar metaplasia in lower oesophagus, incidence: 2-10% of patients with reflux oesophagitis, associated with adenocarcinoma in 8-10% findings: large deep ulceration with or without stricture at distal/mid oesophagus, fine reticular pattern, commonly reflux, columnar epithelium secretes Tc-99m pertechnetate (12 Dec 1998) |
| Barrett's epithelium | Columnar oesophageal epithelium seen in Barrett's syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barrett's oesophagus | A disorder in which the lining of the oesophagus undergoes cellular changes in response to chronic irritation and inflammation of reflux oesophagitis. This condition is more common in men than women. The patient with Barrett's oesophagus is at an increased risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus. Symptoms are similar to those of reflux oesophagitis and include heartburn, difficulty swallowing and pain relief with antiacid use or eating. The diagnosis of Barrett's is made by a biopsy of the oesophageal mucosa through a endoscope. Treatment includes control of reflux disease, weight reduction and avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, fatty foods and lying flat after eating. Close follow-up is recommended to be certain the individual does not develop cancer of the oesophagus. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Barrett's syndrome | <syndrome> Chronic peptic ulceration of the lower oesophagus, which is lined by columnar epithelium, resembling the mucosa of the gastric cardia, acquired as a result of long-standing chronic oesophagitis; oesophageal stricture with reflux, and adenocarcinoma, also have been reported. Synonym: Barrett's oesophagus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barricade | 1. A fortification, made in haste, of trees, earth, palisades, wagons, or anything that will obstruct the progress or attack of an enemy. It is usually an obstruction formed in streets to block an enemy's access. 2. Any bar, obstruction, or means of defense. "Such a barricade as would greatly annoy, or absolutely stop, the currents of the atmosphere." (Derham) Origin: F. Barricade, fr. Sp. Barricada, orig. A barring up with casks; fr. Barrica cask, perh. Fr. LL. Barra bar. See Bar, and cf. Barrel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrier | An obstruction. (18 Nov 1997) |
| barrier contraceptive | A mechanical device designed to prevent spermatozoa from penetrating the cervical os; usually used in combination with a spermicidal agent, i.e., vaginal diaphragm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barrigudo | <zoology> A large, dark-coloured, South American monkey, of the genus Lagothrix, having a long prehensile tail. Origin: Native name, fr. Sp. Barrigudo big-bellied. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barrow | A hog, especially. A male hog castrated. Origin: OE. Barow, bargh, AS. Bearg, bearh; akin to Icel. Borgr, OHG. Barh, barug, G. Barch. 95. 1. A large mound of earth or stones over the remains of the dead; a tumulus. 2. <chemical> A heap of rubbish, attle, etc. Origin: OE. Bergh, AS. Beorg, beorh, hill, sepulchral mound; akin to G. Berg mountain, Goth. Bairgahei hill, hilly country, and perh. To Skr. Bhant high, OIr. Brigh mountain. Cf. Berg, Berry a mound, and Borough an incorporated town. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |