| tannins | Any of a broad group of plant-derived phenolic compounds characterised by their ability to precipitate proteins. Some are more toxic than others, depending on their source. Those derived from nutgalls are believed to be carcinogens, while those found in tea and coffee may be virtually nontoxic. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| tannylacetate | An astringent used for treatment of diarrhoea. Synonym: diacetyltannic acid, tannylacetate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tanrec | <zoology> Same as Tenrec. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tansy | 1. <botany> Any plant of the composite genus Tanacetum. The common tansy (T. Vulgare) has finely divided leaves, a strong aromatic odour, and a very bitter taste. It is used for medicinal and culinary purposes. 2. A dish common in the seventeenth century, made of eggs, sugar, rose water, cream, and the juice of herbs, baked with butter in a shallow dish. <botany> Double tansy, a plant (Sisymbrium canescens) of the Mustard family, with tansylike leaves. Origin: OE. Tansaye, F. Tanaise; cf. It. & Sp. Tanaceto, NL. Tanacetum, Pg. Atanasia, athanasia, Gr. 'aqanasia immortality, fr. 'aqanatos immortal; 'a priv. + qanatos death. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tant | <zoology> A small scarlet arachnid. Origin: Cf. Taint tincture. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalate | <chemistry> A salt of tantalic acid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalic | <chemistry> Of or pertaining to tantalum; derived from, or containing, tantalum; specifically, designating any one of a series of acids analogous to nitric acid and the polyacid compounds of phosphorus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalism | A punishment like that of Tantalus; a teasing or tormenting by the hope or near approach of good which is not attainable; tantalization. "Is not such a provision like tantalism to this people?" (Josiah Quincy) See: Tantalize. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalite | <chemical> A heavy mineral of an iron-black colour and submetallic luster. It is essentially a tantalate of iron. Origin: Cf. F. Tantalite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalum | <chemistry> A rare nonmetallic element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also tantalium. Origin: NL. So named on account of the perplexity and difficulty encounterd by its discoverer (Ekeberg) in isolating it. See Tantalus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantalum bronchography | Historically, bronchography using insufflated metallic tantalum powder. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tantalus | 1. A Phrygian king who was punished in the lower world by being placed in the midst of a lake whose waters reached to his chin but receded whenever he attempted to allay his thirst, while over his head hung branches laden with choice fruit which likewise receded whenever he stretched out his hand to grasp them. 2. <ornithology> A genus of wading birds comprising the wood ibises. <physics> Tantalus's cup, a philosophical toy, consisting of a cup, within which is the figure of a man, and within the figure a siphon, the longer arm of which passes down through the bottom of the cup, and allows the escape of any liquid that may be poured in, when it reaches as high as the bend of the siphon, which is just below the level of the mouth of the figure in the cup. Origin: L, from Gr. Tantalos. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantamount | To be tantamount or equivalent; to amount. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tantrum | A fit of bad temper, especially in children. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tanycyte | A variety of ependymal cell found principally in the walls of the third ventricle of the brain; the tanycyte's may have branched or unbranched processes, some of which end on capillaries or neurons. (05 Mar 2000) |