| pithode | The nuclear spindle in karyokinesis. Origin: G. Pithodes, like a jar, fr. Pithos, earthenware wine-jar, + eidos, resemblance (05 Mar 2000) |
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| pithy | 1. Consisting wholly, or in part, of pith; abounding in pith; as, a pithy stem; a pithy fruit. 2. Having nervous energy; forceful; cogent. "This pithy speech prevailed, and all agreed." (Dryden) "In all these Goodman Fact was very short, but pithy. <zoology>" (Addison) Pithy gall, a large, rough, furrowed, oblong gall, formed on blackberry canes by a small gallfly (Diastrophus nebulosus). Origin: Pithier; Pithiest. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pitiful | 1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind; merciful; sympathetic. "The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." (James v. 11) 2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion. "A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible." (Spenser) 3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable; paltry; contemptible; despicable. "That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition in the fool that uses it." (Shak) Synonym: Despicable, mean, paltry. See Contemptible. Pit"ifully, Pit"ifulness. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pitiless | 1. Destitute of pity; hard-hearted; merciless; as, a pitilessmaster; pitiless elements. 2. Exciting no pity; as, a pitiless condition. Pit"ilessly, Pit"ilessness. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Pitot tube | A stationary L-shaped tube inserted in a fluid stream, with its opening upstream, and used for measuring the velocity of fluid movement at that point in terms of the pressure developed in the tube by the fluid impinging on it, compared to a second tube opening laterally or downstream. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pitot's tube | <physics> A bent tube used to determine the velocity of running water, by placing the curved end under water, and observing the height to which the fluid rises in the tube; a kind of current meter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Pitot, Henri | <person> French engineer, 1695-1771. See: Pitot tube. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Pitres' area | Prefrontal cortex of the cerebral hemisphere. See: frontal cortex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Pitres' sign | <clinical sign> Diminished sensation in the testes and scrotum in tabes dorsalis. Synonym: haphalgesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Pitres, Jean | <person> French physician, 1848-1927. See: Pitres' area, Pitres' sign. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Pitressin | <protein> A peptide hormone released from the posterior pituitary lobe but synthesised in the hypothalamus. There are 2 forms, differing only in the amino acid at position 8: arginine vasopressin is widespread, while lysine vasopressin is found in pigs. Has antidiuretic and vasopressor actions. Used in the treatment of diabetes insipidus. (18 Nov 1997) |
| pitta | <ornithology> Any one of a large group of bright-coloured clamatorial birds belonging to Pitta, and allied genera of the family Pittidae. most of the species are varied with three or more colours, such as blue, green, crimson, yellow, purple, and black. They are called also ground thrushes, and Old World ant thrushes; but they are not related to the true thrushes. The pittas are most abundant in the East Indies, but some inhabit Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. They live mostly upon the ground, and feed upon insects of various kinds. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pittacal | <chemistry> A dark blue substance obtained from wood tar. It consists of hydrocarbons which when oxidized form the orange-yellow eupittonic compounds, the salts of which are dark blue. Origin: Gr, pitch + beautiful: cf. F. Pittacale. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pitted | 1. Marked with little pits, as in smallpox. See Pit. 2. <botany> Having minute thin spots; as, pitted ducts in the vascular parts of vegetable tissue. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| pitted keratolysis | Noninflammatory Gram-positive bacterial infection of the plantar surfaces producing small depressions in the stratum corneum, associated frequently with humidity and hyperhidrosis. Synonym: keratolysis plantare sulcatum. (05 Mar 2000) |