| target patient | In group therapy, the patient being analyzed in turn by another member patient. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| target plasma | <radiobiology> Plasma used to trap a neutral atom beam. A background plasma of sufficiently high density and temperature can ionize neutral atoms more effectively than the Lorentz process (where v cross B creates effective electric field). (09 Oct 1997) |
| target regulation | <physiology> General term for an interaction between neurons and their targets by which target derived signals influence the differentiation of the innervating neurons. (18 Nov 1997) |
| target response | In conditioning, any behaviour or specific response chosen by the experimenter; its frequency is intended to increase or decrease by the judicious pairing with it of a reinforcer when it occurs. Synonym: target behaviour, target response. (05 Mar 2000) |
| adrenal weight factor | A postulated substance of adenohypophysial origin responsible for maintenance of the weight of the adrenal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| apothecaries' weight | An obsolescent system of weights based upon the weight of a grain of wheat. Has been used for centuries in weighing medicines and precious metals (Troy measure). Some drugs which have been available for long periods are still often designated as grains (e.g., 5 grains of aspirin, 1/2 grain of codeine, 1/100 grain nitroglycerin). This weight system has been largely superseded by the metric system (based on grams). One grain is the equivalent of 64.8 milligrams. One scruple contains 20 grains; one dram contains 60 grains; one apothecary ounce contains 8 drams (480 grains); one apothecary pound contains 12 ounces (5760 grains). (05 Mar 2000) |
| atomic weight | <chemistry> The average weight of an atom of an element, i.e. The total mass of protons and neutrons in an atom. (09 Oct 1997) |
| birth weight | In humans, the first weight of an infant obtained within less than the first 60 completed minutes after birth; a full-size infant is one weighing 2500 g or more; a low birth weight is less than 2500 g. (05 Mar 2000) |
| body-weight ratio | Body weight (in grams) divided by stature (in centimeters). (05 Mar 2000) |
| gram-atomic weight | Atomic weight expressed in grams. Compare: mole. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Clark's weight rule | An obsolete rule for an approximate child's dose, obtained by dividing the child's weight in pounds by 150 and multiplying the result by the adult dose. (05 Mar 2000) |
| weight | 1. The quality of being heavy; that property of bodies by which they tend toward the center of the earth; the effect of gravitative force, especially when expressed in certain units or standards, as pounds, grams, etc. Weight differs from gravity in being the effect of gravity, or the downward pressure of a body under the influence of gravity; hence, it constitutes a measure of the force of gravity, and being the resultant of all the forces exerted by gravity upon the different particles of the body, it is proportional to the quantity of matter in the body. 2. The quantity of heaviness; comparative tendency to the center of the earth; the quantity of matter as estimated by the balance, or expressed numerically with reference to some standard unit; as, a mass of stone having the weight of five hundred pounds. "For sorrow, like a heavy-hanging bell, once set on ringing, with his own weight goes." (Shak) 3. Hence, pressure; burden; as, the weight of care or business. "The weight of this said time." "For the public all this weight he bears." (Milton) "[He] who singly bore the world's sad weight." (Keble) 4. Importance; power; influence; efficacy; consequence; moment; impressiveness; as, a consideration of vast weight. "In such a point of weight, so near mine honor." (Shak) 5. A scale, or graduated standard, of heaviness; a mode of estimating weight; as, avoirdupois weight; troy weight; apothecaries' weight. 6. A ponderous mass; something heavy; as, a clock weight; a paper weight. "A man leapeth better with weights in his hands." (Bacon) 7. A definite mass of iron, lead, brass, or other metal, to be used for ascertaining the weight of other bodies; as, an ounce weight. 8. <mechanics> The resistance against which a machine acts, as opposed to the power which moves it. <chemistry> See Atomic, and cf. Element. Dead weight, Feather weight, Heavy weight, Light weight, etc. See Dead, Feather, etc. <astronomy> Weight of observation, a number expressing the most probable relative value of each observation in determining the result of a series of observations of the same kind. Synonym: Ponderousness, gravity, heaviness, pressure, burden, load, importance, power, influence, efficacy, consequence, moment, impressiveness. Origin: OE. Weght, wight, AS. Gewiht; akin to D. Gewigt, G. Gewicht, Icel. Vaett, Sw. Vigt, Dan. Vaegt. See Weigh. 1. To load with a weight or weights; to load down; to make heavy; to attach weights to; as, to weight a horse or a jockey at a race; to weight a whip handle. "The arrows of satire, . . . Weighted with sense." (Coleridge) 2. <astronomy> To assign a weight to; to express by a number the probable accuracy of, as an observation. See Weight of observations, under Weight. Origin: Weighted; Weighting. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| weight-bearing | The physical state of supporting an applied load. This often refers to the weight-bearing bones or joints that support the body's weight, especially those in the spine, hip, knee, and foot. (12 Dec 1998) |
| weight gain | Increase in body weight over existing weight. (12 Dec 1998) |
| weight lifting | A sport in which weights are lifted competitively or as an exercise. (12 Dec 1998) |