| Jaboulay, Mathieu | <person> French surgeon, 1860-1913. See: Jaboulay pyloroplasty, Jaboulay's amputation. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| jacamar | <ornithology> Any one of numerous species of tropical American birds of the genus Galbula and allied genera. They are allied to the kingfishers, but climb on tree trunks like nuthatches, and feed upon insects. Their colours are often brilliant. Origin: F. Jacamar, Braz. Jacamarica; cf. Sp. Jacamar. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jacana | <ornithology> Any of several wading birds belonging to the genus Jacana and several allied genera, all of which have spurs on the wings. They are able to run about over floating water weeds by means of their very long, spreading toes. Called also surgeon bird. The most common South American species is Jacana spinosa. The East Indian or pheasant jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus) is remarkable for having four very long, curved, middle tail feathers. Origin: Cf. Sp. Jacania. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jacaranda | <botany> The native Brazilian name for certain leguminous trees, which produce the beautiful woods called king wood, tiger wood, and violet wood. A genus of bignoniaceous Brazilian trees with showy trumpet-shaped flowers. Origin: Braz.; cf. Sp. & Pg. Jacaranda. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jacare | <zoology> A cayman. See Yacare. Origin: Pg. Jacare; of Brazilian origin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Jaccard coefficient | <zoology> An association coefficient used in numerical taxonomy, it is the proportion of characters that match, excluding those that both organisms lack. (12 Jan 1998) |
| jacchus | <zoology> The common marmoset (Hapale vulgaris). Formerly, the name was also applied to other species of the same genus. Origin: NL, fr. L. Jacchus a mystic name of Bacchus, Gr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Jaccoud's arthritis | A rare form of chronic arthritis, reported to occur after attacks of acute rheumatic fever, characterised by an unusual form of bone erosion of the metacarpal heads and by ulnar deviation of the fingers; it resembles rheumatoid arthritis, but with less overt inflammation, and rheumatoid factor is absent. Synonym: Jaccoud's arthropathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Jaccoud's arthropathy | A rare form of chronic arthritis, reported to occur after attacks of acute rheumatic fever, characterised by an unusual form of bone erosion of the metacarpal heads and by ulnar deviation of the fingers; it resembles rheumatoid arthritis, but with less overt inflammation, and rheumatoid factor is absent. Synonym: Jaccoud's arthropathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Jaccoud, Francois Sigismond | <person> French physician, 1830-1913. See: Jaccoud's arthritis, Jaccoud's arthropathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| jack | <marine biology> Young salmon, usually a male, that matures precociously. (12 Jan 1998) |
| jackal | 1. <zoology> Any one of several species of carnivorous animals inhabiting Africa and Asia, related to the dog and wolf. They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion, and are noted for their piercing and dismal howling. The common species of Southern Asia (Canis aureus) is yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders, haunches, and legs. The common African species (C. Anthus) is darker in colour. 2. One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought to kill game which lions appropriated. Origin: Pers. Shaghal: cf. OF. Jackal, F. Chacal; cf. Skr. Cogala. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jackass | 1. The male ass; a donkey. 2. A conceited dolt; a perverse blockhead. Jackass bark See Laughing. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jackdaw | <zoology> See Daw. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| jacket | 1. A short upper garment, extending downward to the hips; a short coat without skirts. 2. An outer covering for anything, especially. A covering of some nonconducting material such as wood or felt, used to prevent radiation of heat, as from a steam boiler, cylinder, pipe, etc. 3. In ordnance, a strengthening band surrounding and reenforcing the tube in which the charge is fired. 4. A garment resembling a waistcoat lined with cork, to serve as a life preserver; called also cork jacket. Blue jacket. See Blue. Steam jacket, a space filled with steam between an inner and an outer cylinder, or between a casing and a receptacle, as a kettle. To dust one's jacket, to give one a beating. Origin: F. Jaquette, dim. Of jaque. See Jack. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |