| tapinocephaly | A condition of flat head in which the skull has a vertical index below 72; similar to chamecephaly. Origin: G. Tapeinos, low, + kephale, head (05 Mar 2000) |
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| tapioca | A starch from the root of Janipha manihot and other species of J. (family Euphorbiaceae), plants of tropical America; an easily digested starch, free of irritant properties. Synonym: cassava starch. Origin: Braz. Tipioca (05 Mar 2000) |
| tapir | <zoology> Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to Tapirus, Elasmognathus, and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use. The best-known species are the Indian tapir (Tapirus Indicus), native of the East Indies and Malacca, which is black with a broad band of white around the middle, and the common American tapir (T. Americanus), which, when adult, is dull brown. Several others species inhabit the Andes and Central America. <zoology> Tapir tiger, the wallah. Origin: Braz. Tapy'ra: cf. F. Tapir. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tapir mouth | Protrusion of the lips due to weakness of the orbicularis oris muscles; seen with some dystrophies. Synonym: bouche de tapir. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tapiroid | <zoology> Allied to the tapir, or the Tapir family. Origin: Tapir. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tapoa tafa | <zoology> A small carnivorous marsupial (Phascogale penicillata) having long, soft fur, and a very long tail with a tuft of long hairs at the end. Synonym: brush-tailed phascogale. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tapotement | A massage movement consisting in striking with the side of the hand, usually with partly flexed fingers. Synonym: tapping. Origin: Fr. Fr. Tapoter, to tap (05 Mar 2000) |
| tapper | <zoology> The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor). Synonym: tapperer, tabberer, little wood pie, barred woodpecker, wood tapper, hickwall, and pump borer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tappester | A female tapster. See: Tapster. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tapping | Synonym: tapotement. Synonym: paracentesis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| taproot | The main, descending root of a plant that has a single, dominant main stem. (09 Oct 1997) |
| tapster | One whose business is to tap or draw ale or other liquor. Origin: AS. Taeppestre a female tapster. See Tap a plug, pipe, and -ster. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |