| fingerprint | 1. An impression of the inked bulb of the distal phalanx of a finger, showing the configuration of the surface ridges, used as a means of identification. See: dermatoglyphics, Galton's system of classification of fingerprints. 2. Term, sometimes used informally, referring to any analytical method capable of making fine distinctions between similar compounds or gel patterns; e.g., the pattern of an infrared absorption curve or of a two-dimensional paper chromatograph. 3. In genetics, the analysis of DNA fragments to determine the identity of an individual or the paternity of a child. Synonym: genetic fingerprint. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| fingerprint dystrophy | A condition wherein fine parallel lines in a fingerprint configuration area are seen in the basal epithelial layer and basement membrane of the corneal epithelium. See: map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| fingerprinting | The basic principle of the technique is to digest a large molecule with a sequence specific hydrolase to produce moderate size fragments that can then be run on an electrophoresis gel. Provided the hydrolase only cleaves at specific sites (e.g. Between particular amino acids or bases) then the fragments should be characteristic of that molecule. The technique can be used to distinguish strains of virus or to differentiate between similar but nonidentical proteins (peptide mapping). Not to be confused with footprinting. (18 Nov 1997) |
| fingersucking | Sucking of the finger. This is one of the most common manipulations of the body found in young children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| fingrigo | Origin: So called in Jamaica. <botany> A prickly, climbing shrub of the genus Pisonia. The fruit is a kind of berry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| finical | Affectedly fine; overnice; unduly particular; fastidious. "Finical taste." "The gross style consists in giving no detail, the finical in giving nothing else." (Hazlitt) Synonym: Finical, Spruce, Foppish. These words are applied to persons who are studiously desirous to cultivate finery of appearance. One who is spruce is elaborately nice in dress; one who is finical shows his affectation in language and manner as well as in dress; one who is foppish distinguishes himself by going to the extreme of the fashion in the cut of his clothes, by the tawdriness of his ornaments, and by the ostentation of his manner. "A finical gentleman clips his words and screws his body into as small a compass as possible, to give himself the air of a delicate person; a spruce gentleman strives not to have a fold wrong in his frill or cravat, nor a hair of his head to lie amiss; a foppish gentleman seeks . . . To render himself distinguished for finery." Fin"ically, Fin"icalness. Origin: From Fine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| fining | 1. The act of imposing a fin. 2. <chemistry> The process of fining or refining; clarification; also, the conversion of cast iron into suitable for puddling, in a hearth or charcoal fire. 3. That which is used to refine; especially, a preparation of isinglass, gelatin, etc, for clarifying beer. Fining pot, a vessel in which metals are refined. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| finish | 1. To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end to; to make an end of; to terminate. "And heroically hath finished A life heroic." (Milton) 2. To bestow the last required labour upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labour upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish. Synonym: To end, terminate, close, conclude, complete, accomplish, perfect. Origin: F. Finir (with a stem finiss- in several forms, whence E. -ish: see -ish),fr. L. Finire to limit, finish, end, fr. Finis boundary, limit, end; perh. For fidnis, and akin findere to cleave, E. Fissure. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| finishing | Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for use. Finishing coat. The rolls of a train which receive the bar from roughing rolls, and reduce it to its finished shape. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| finishing bur | A bur with numerous fine cutting blades placed close together; used to contour metallic restorations. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finite larmor radius | (FLR) In many plasma theories the size of the Larmor radius (or gyroradius) is assumed to be negligibly small, or infinitesimal. Different effects occur when the size of the Larmor radius is finite and needs to be considered. (09 Oct 1997) |
| Fink, R | <person> 20th century U.S. Anatomist. See: Fink-Heimer stain. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Fink-Heimer stain | <technique> A method used for histologic demonstration of degenerating nerve fibres and terminals of the central nervous system (black on a yellow background). (05 Mar 2000) |
| Finkeldey, Wilhelm | <person> 20th century German pathologist. See: Warthin-Finkeldey cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| finless | <zoology> Destitute of fins. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |