| immersion liquid | <microscopy> Any liquid occupying the space between the object and microscope objective. Such a liquid is usually required by objectives of 3-mm focal length or less. For best results (i.e., resolution) the liquid should be used between the condenser and the microscope slide. Immersion objectives for transmitted light are designed for use with either oil, glycerin, or water, the refractive index of the liquid and the coverslip (if any) being the determining factor. The liquid and the front lens of the objective should ideally coincide in index and in dispersion value. See: homogeneous immersion objective (05 Aug 1998) |
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| full liquid diet | A diet consisting only of liquids but including cream soups, ice cream, and milk. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liquid | 1. A substance whose parts change their relative position on the slightest pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the state of liquidity; a fluid that is not aeriform. Liquid and fluid are terms often used synonymously, but fluid has the broader signification. All liquids are fluids, but many fluids, as air and the gases, are not liquids. 2. A letter which has a smooth, flowing sound, or which flows smoothly after a mute; as, l and r, in bla, bra. M and n also are called liquids. Liquid measure, a measure, or system of measuring, for liquids, by the gallon, quart, pint, gill, etc. 1. Flowing freely like water; fluid; not solid. "Yes, though he go upon the plane and liquid water which will receive no step." (Tyndale) 2. <physics> Being in such a state that the component parts move among themselves, but do not tend to separate from each other as the particles of gases and vapors do; neither solid nor aeriform; as, liquid mercury, in distinction from mercury solidified or in a state of vapor. 3. Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt transitions or harsh tones. "Liquid melody." 4. Pronounced without any jar or harshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid letters. 5. Fluid and transparent; as, the liquid air. 6. Clear; definite in terms or amount. "Though the debt should be entirely liquid." Liquid glass. See Soluble glass, under Glass. Origin: L. Liquidus, fr. Liquere to be fluid or liquid; cf. Skr. Ri to ooze, drop, li to melt. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| liquid air | Air that, by means of intense cold and pressure, has been liquefied. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liquid extract | Pharmacopeial liquid preparation of vegetable drugs, made by percolation, containing alcohol as a solvent or as a preservative, or both, and so made that each milliliter contains the therapeutic constituents of 1 g of the standard drug that it represents. Synonym: liquid extract. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liquid glucose | A pharmaceutic aid consisting of dextrose, dextrins, maltose, and water, obtained by the incomplete hydrolysis of starch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liquid human serum | The pool of fluids separated from blood withdrawn from human subjects and allowed to clot in the absence of any anticoagulant; not more than 10 separate donations are pooled; the contributions from donors of A, O, and either B or AB groups are represented in approximately the ratio 9:9:2. (05 Mar 2000) |
| liquid hydrocarbon | One of a very large group of chemical compounds composed only of carbon and hydrogen. The largest source of hydrocarbons is petroleum. (05 Dec 1998) |
| liquid metal | <radiobiology> Metal which has been heated past its melting point and can be used as a working fluid for pumping heat out from a powerplant. Liquid metal used as coolant in a system where significant magnetic fields exist, it behaves differently due to magnetohydrodynamic effects, these cause pressure which resists fluid circulation, suppression of turbulence, and altered flow patterns compared to non-magnetic liquid metal systems. (09 Oct 1997) |
| liquid-metal fast-breeder reactor | <physics> Fission breeder reactor concept using liquid-metal coolant and breeding additional fuel off fast neutrons. See: breeder reactor. (09 Oct 1997) |
| liquid paraffin | <chemical> A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It is used as laxative, lubricant, ointment base, and emollient. Pharmacological action: cathartic, emollients, ointment bases. Chemical name: Hydrocarbon oils (12 Dec 1998) |
| liquid petroleum | <chemical> A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It is used as laxative, lubricant, ointment base, and emollient. Pharmacological action: cathartic, emollients, ointment bases. Chemical name: Hydrocarbon oils (12 Dec 1998) |
| liquid pitch | Obtained by the destructive distillation of the wood of Pinus palustris and other species of Pinus; used internally as an expectorant, and externally in the treatment of skin diseases. Synonym: liquid pitch. (05 Mar 2000) |
| paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria | <haematology> A rare blood disorder caused by antibodies which destroy red blood cells upon exposure to the cold. The antibodies are formed against a specific blood group and are triggered by the cold. The cause is unknown but the disease has been associated with syphilis and some viral infections. Serum haemoglobin and urine haemoglobin are increased during the attacks. The disease is chronic and treatment is difficult. Some cases resolve spontaneously without treatment. Origin: Gr. Ouron = urine (27 Sep 1997) |
| rose cold | Allergic rhinitis occurring in the spring and early summer. (05 Mar 2000) |