| difference | 1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty? "Differencies of administration, but the same Lord." (1 Cor. Xii. 5) 2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. "What was the difference? It was a contention in public." (Shak) "Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could." (T. Ellwood) 3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ;; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute. "The marks and differences of sovereignty." (Davies) 4. Choice; preference. "That now be chooseth with vile difference To be a beast, and lack intelligence." (Spenser) 5. An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency. 6. <logic> The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia. 7. <mathematics> The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other. Ascensional difference. See Ascensional. Synonym: Distinction, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, variation, diversity, variety, contrariety, disagreement, variance, contest, contention, dispute, controversy, debate, quarrel, wrangle, strife. Origin: F. Difference, L. Differentia. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| difference equation | <epidemiology> The mathematical formulation corresponding to a discrete time model. (05 Dec 1998) |
| light difference | The difference in light sensitivity of the two eyes. Synonym: brightness difference threshold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| colloidal silicon dioxide | A submicroscopic fumed silica prepared by the vapor-phase hydrolysis of a silicon compound; used as a tablet diluent and as a suspending and thickening agent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hydrogen dioxide | <chemical> Hydrogen peroxide is produced by vertebrate phagocytes and is used in bacterial killing (the myeloperoxidase halide system). (05 May 1997) |
| silicon dioxide | <chemical> Silica. Transparent, tasteless crystals found in nature as agate, amethyst, chalcedony, cristobalite, flint, sand, quartz, and tridymite. The compound is insoluble in water or acids except hydrofluoric acid. Chemical name: Silica (12 Dec 1998) |
| nitrogen dioxide | <chemical> Nitrogen oxide (no2). A highly poisonous gas. Exposure produces inflammation of lungs that may only cause slight pain or pass unnoticed, but resulting oedema several days later may cause death. It is a major atmospheric pollutant that is able to absorb uv light that does not reach the earth's surface. Pharmacological action: oxidants, photochemical, poisons. Chemical name: Nitrogen oxide (NO2) (12 Dec 1998) |
| sulfur dioxide | <chemical> A highly toxic, colourless, nonflammable gas. It is used as a pharmaceutical aid and antioxidant. It is also an environmental air pollutant. Pharmacological action: air pollutants, environmental, antioxidants, pharmaceutic aid. Chemical name: Sulfur dioxide (12 Dec 1998) |
| dioxide | <chemistry> An oxide containing two atoms of oxygen in each molecule; binoxide. An oxide containing but one atom or equivalent of oxygen to two of a metal; a suboxide. Carbon dioxide. See Carbonic acid, under Carbonic. Origin: Pref. Di- + oxide. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| thorium dioxide | <chemical> Thorium oxide (tho2). A radiographic contrast agent that was used in the early 1930s through about 1954. High rates of mortality have been linked to its use and it has been shown to cause liver cancer. Pharmacological action: carcinogens. Chemical name: Thorium oxide (ThO2) (12 Dec 1998) |
| titanium dioxide | TiO2;contains not less than 99.0% and not more than 100.5% of TiO2, calculated on the dry basis; used in creams and powders as a protectant against external irritations and solar rays. (05 Mar 2000) |
| 1,4-diethylene dioxide | 1,4-dioxane;a colourless liquid used as a solvent for cellulose esters and in histology as a drying agent. Synonym: 1,4-diethylene dioxide. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anomeric carbon | The reducing carbon of a sugar; C-1 of an aldose, C-2 of a 2-ketose. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carbon | <chemistry, element> Sixth element (Z=6) in the periodic table, has 6 protons, often described as the basis of life on earth because of its chemical properties, has potential for use with silicon as a low-activation structural material for fusion reactors, in the form silicon carbide. Carbon tiles are often used in plasma-facing components because its low Z makes carbon a relatively nice impurity. It is also useful as a neutron moderator. See: low-activation materials, plasma-facing components. Abbreviation: C (13 Nov 1997) |
| carbon-11 | A cyclotron-produced, positron-emitting radioisotope of carbon with a half-life of 20.3 minutes; used in positron-emitting tomography. (05 Mar 2000) |