| polarizing power | <chemistry> Means that a charged species such as a proton can attract negatively charged electrons which causes a shift in the orbital. The higher the positive charge and the smaller the smaller the size, the greater the polarizing power of the species. (09 Jan 1998) |
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| power | 1. Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength, force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm. The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual invested with authority; an institution, or government, which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe; hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity. 2. <psychology> The exertion of a strong influence or control over others in a variety of settings; administrative, social, academic, etc. Mental or moral ability to act; one of the faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as, the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing, fearing, hoping, etc. 3. <mechanics> The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an engine of twenty horse power. Applied force; force producing motion or pressure; as, the power applied at one and of a lever to lift a weight at the other end. 4. <unit> The English unit of power used most commonly is the horse power. See Horse power. 5. <mathematics> The product arising from the multiplication of a number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and a cube is third power, of a number. 6. <optics> The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and usually in the microscope, the number of times it multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it multiplies the apparent surface. 7. Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the winds and waves, electricity and magnetism, gravitation, etc, or of animal and intelligent beings; and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity. 8. <geometry> Power of a point (relative to a given curve), the result of substituting the coordinates of any point in that expression which being put equal to zero forms the equation of the curve; as, x^2 + y^2 - 100 is the power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x^2 + y^2 - 100 = 0. Origin: OE. Pouer, poer, OF. Poeir, pooir, F. Pouvoir, n. & v, fr. LL. Potere, for L. Posse, potesse, to be able, to have power. See Possible, Potent, and cf. Posse comitatus. Source: Websters Dictionary (04 Jul 1999) |
| power failure | Synonym: pump failure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| power injector | An injector for rapid contrast medium injection in angiography or computed tomography. (05 Mar 2000) |
| power plants | Units that convert some form of energy into electrical energy, such as hydroelectric or steam-generating stations, diesel-electric engines in locomotives, or nuclear power plants. (12 Dec 1998) |
| power point | In dentistry, the vertical dimension at which the greatest masticatory force may be registered. (05 Mar 2000) |
| power source | Devices that supply energy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| pulsed power | <radiobiology> The technology of using electrical energy stores for producing multi-terawatt (10^12 Watts or higher) pulses of electrical power for inertial confinement fusion, nuclear weapon effects simulation, and directed energy weapons. High efficiency and cost effectiveness make it desirable technology for large energy experiments. (09 Oct 1997) |
| hydroelectric power | The generation of electricity using falling water. (05 Dec 1998) |
| stopping power | <radiobiology> The average rate of energy loss of a charged particle per unit thickness of a material or per unit mass of material traversed. (16 Dec 1997) |
| independent power producer | A power production facility that is not part of a regulated utility. (05 Dec 1998) |
| firm power | (firm energy) Power which is guaranteed by the supplier to be available at all times during a period covered by a commitment. That portion of a customer's energy load for which service is assured by the utility provider. (05 Dec 1998) |
| adolescent round back | Osteochondrosis of the vertebral epiphyses in children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| back | 1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements. 2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent. 3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action. Back charges, charges brought forward after an account has been made up. Back filling, the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front. Back stream, a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy. To take the back track, to retrace one's steps; to retreat. 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster. 2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge. "[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave Into the clouds." (Milton) 3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail. "Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this, Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss." (Donne) 4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney. 5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village. 6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw. 7. A support or resource in reserve. "This project Should have a back or second, that might hold, if this should blast in proof." (Shak) 8. The keel and keelson of a ship. 9. <chemical> The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage. 10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing. "A bak to walken inne by daylight." (Chaucer) Behind one's back, when one is absent; without one's knowledge; as, to ridicule a person behind his back. Full back, Half back, Quarter back, players stationed behind those in the front line. To be or lie on one's back, to be helpless. To put, or get, one's back up, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked). To see the back of, to get rid of. To turn the back, to go away; to flee. To turn the back on one, to forsake or neglect him. Origin: As baec, bac; akin to Icel, Sw, & LG. Bak, Dan. Bag; cf. OHG. Bahho ham, Skr. Bhaj to turn, OSlav. Bg flight. Cf. Bacon. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| back-action plugger | An instrument for condensing gold foil or amalgam in areas that cannot be reached directly. (05 Mar 2000) |