| affinity labeling | <technique> A method for tagging molecules, such as enzymes, so that they can be more easily detected and studied. The method works by substituting a synthetic substance which is similar to the substance that the enzyme normally bonds with. (09 Feb 1998) |
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| affinity labels | Analogs of those substrates or compounds which bind naturally at the active sites of proteins, enzymes, antibodies, steroids, or physiological receptors. These analogs form a stable covalent bond at the binding site, thereby acting as inhibitors of the proteins or steroids. (12 Dec 1998) |
| affinity tag | <biochemistry, molecular biology> A short amino acid sequence, usually engineered onto the N- or C-terminus of a protein, to make its purification easier. (14 Nov 1997) |
| affinous | Pertaining to a marriage in which the partners are related, not by consanguinity, but through another marriage. Origin: L. Affinis, related by marriage, fr. Ad, to + finis, limit (05 Mar 2000) |
| affirmation | 1. Confirmation of anything established; ratification; as, the affirmation of a law. 2. The act of affirming or asserting as true; assertion; opposed to negation or denial. 3. That which is asserted; an assertion; a positive tatement; an averment; as, an affirmation, by the vender, of title to property sold, or of its quality. 4. A solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury, by persons who conscientiously decline taking an oath, which declaration is in law equivalent to an oath. Origin: L. Affirmatio: cf. F. Affirmation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| affirmative | 1. Confirmative; ratifying; as, an act affirmative of common law. 2. That affirms; asserting that the fact is so; declaratory of what exists; answering "yes" to a question; opposed to negative; as, an affirmative answer; an affirmative vote. 3. Positive; dogmatic. "Lysicles was a little by the affirmative air of Crito." (Berkeley) 4. <logic> Expressing the agreement of the two terms of a proposition. 5. <mathematics> Positive; a term applied to quantities which are to be added, and opposed to negative, or such as are to be subtracted. Origin: L. Affirmativus: cf. F. Affirmatif. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| affix | 1. To subjoin, annex, or add at the close or end; to append to; to fix to any part of; as, to affix a syllable to a word; to affix a seal to an instrument; to affix one's name to a writing. 2. To fix or fasten in any way; to attach physically. "Should they [caterpillars] affix them to the leaves of a plant improper for their food." (Ray) 3. To attach, unite, or connect with; as, names affixed to ideas, or ideas affixed to things; to affix a stigma to a person; to affix ridicule or blame to any one. 4. To fix or fasten figuratively; with on or upon; as, eyes affixed upon the ground. Synonym: To attach, subjoin, connect, annex, unite. Origin: LL. Affixare, L. Affixus, p. P. Of affigere to fasten to; ad + figere to fasten: cf. OE. Affichen, F. Afficher, ultimately fr. L. Affigere. See Fix. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afflation | A blowing or breathing on; inspiration. Origin: L. Afflatus, p. P. Of afflare to blow or breathe on; ad + flare to blow. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afflatus | 1. A breath or blast of wind. 2. A divine impartation of knowledge; supernatural impulse; inspiration. "A poet writing against his genius will be like a prophet without his afflatus." (Spence) Origin: L, fr. Afflare. See Afflation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afflictive | Giving pain; causing continued or repeated pain or grief; distressing. "Jove's afflictive hand." "Spreads slow disease, and darts afflictive pain." (Prior) Origin: Cf. F. Afflictif. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| affluent | 1. Flowing to; flowing abundantly. "Affluent blood." 2. Abundant; copious; plenteous; hence, wealthy; abounding in goods or riches. "Language . . . Affluent in expression." (H. Reed) "Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which human vows at smoking shrines implore." (Prior) Origin: Cf. F. Affluent, L. Affluens, -entis, p. Pr. See Affluence. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afflux | A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of blood to the head. Origin: L. Affluxum, p. P. Of affluere: cf. F. Afflux. See Affluence. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| affluxion | A flowing towards; that which flows to; as, an afflux of blood to the head. Origin: L. Affluxum, p. P. Of affluere: cf. F. Afflux. See Affluence. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afford | 1. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish. 2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age. "His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers." (Addison) "The quiet lanes . . . Afford calmer retreats." (Gilpin) 3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity. 4. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough. "The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits." (Hamilton) "He could afford to suffer With those whom he saw suffer." (Wordsworth) Origin: OE. Aforthen, AS. Geforian, forian, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. For forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well defined sense. See Forth. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| afforestation | The act of converting into forest or woodland. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |