| earth wax | A natural mixture of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight; a substitute for beeswax, also used in dentistry for impressions. Synonym: cerin, cerosin, earth wax, mineral wax, purified ozokerite. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| fuller's earth | An amorphous variety of kaolin of varying composition, containing an aluminum magnesium silicate. The name is derived from an ancient process of cleansing or "fulling" wool to remove the oil and dirt particles with a water slurry of earth or clay. A refined clay sometimes used as a dusting powder or applied moistened with water as a form of poultice. Currently refers to any clay that can be used for the purpose of decolorizing in oil refining. Used as decoloriser for oils and other liquids, filtering medium, filler for rubber, and in agricultural formulations. Origin: fr. Fulling, an old process of cleaning wool, with earth or clay (05 Mar 2000) |
| active metal | <chemistry> Any very reactive metal, such as magnesium or sodium, most are located in the first two columns of the periodic table. (15 Jan 1998) |
| alkali metal | <chemistry> Any of the highly reactive metals (such as sodium or potassium) found in the first column of the periodic table, these metals act as bases. (13 Nov 1997) |
| Babbitt metal | An alloy of antimony, copper, and tin; used occasionally in dentistry. (05 Mar 2000) |
| base metal | A metal that is readily oxidised; e.g., iron, copper. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bell metal | A hard alloy or bronze, consisting usually of about three parts of copper to one of tin; used for making bells. Bell metal ore, a sulphide of tin, copper, and iron; the mineral stannite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| central metal ion | <chemistry> The metal ion to which the ligands are attached at the centre of a coordination complex. (09 Oct 1997) |
| void metal composite | A porous metal structure that enables tissue growth within the openings to establish long-term attachment between prosthesis and tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| respiratory metal | A metal present in certain respiratory pigments; e.g., iron, manganese, copper, vanadium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ceramo-metal casting | A casting made of alloys containing or excluding precious metals, to which dental porcelain can be fused. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metal | 1. <chemistry> An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc. Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc, and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc. 2. Ore from which a metal is derived; so called by miners. 3. A mine from which ores are taken. "Slaves . . . And persons condemned to metals." (Jer. Taylor) 4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper. "Not till God make men of some other metal than earth." (Shak) 5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle. The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. 6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads. 7. The effective power or calibre of guns carried by a vessel of war. 8. Glass in a state of fusion. 9. The rails of a railroad. <mathematics> Base metal, an alloy resembling brass, consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; also called Prince Rupert's metal. Origin: F. Metal, L. Metallum metal, mine, Gr. Mine; cf. Gr. To search after. Cf. Mettle, Medal. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| metal base | A metallic portion of a denture base forming a part of the wall of the basal surface of the denture; it serves as a base for the attachment of the plastic (resin) part of the denture and the teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| metal ceramic alloys | The fusion of ceramics (porcelain) to an alloy of two or more metals for use in restorative and prosthodontic dentistry. Examples of metal alloys employed include cobalt-chromium, gold-palladium, gold-platinum-palladium, and nickel-based alloys. (12 Dec 1998) |
| metal fume fever | An occupational disease, characterised by malaria-like symptoms, due to inhalation of particles and fumes of metallic oxides. Fumes are formed by evaporation at very high temperature and condensation in air into fine particles. Synonym: brass founder's ague, foundryman's fever, metal fume fever, zinc fume fever. (05 Mar 2000) |