| alarmone | <molecular biology> An unusual small dinucleotides signal molecule produced by bacteria under stress that induces an alteration of metabolism. Many metabolic responses may be altered by a single alarmone. The moleculaes contain multiple phosphate groups between the two nucleotides. (13 Oct 1997) |
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| alaryngeal speech | A form of speech achieved after laryngectomy by using either an external vibratory source or the pharyngoesophageal segment as an internal vibratory source. Tracheoesophageal speech may be produced after laryngectomy by surgically diverting exhaled air to the pharynx by a permanently constructed tracheoesophageal fistula. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alastrim | A mild form of smallpox caused by a less virulent strain of the virus. Synonym: Cuban itch, Kaffir pox, milkpox, pseudosmallpox, pseudovariola, variola minor, West Indian smallpox, whitepox. Origin: Pg. Alastrar, to scatter over (05 Mar 2000) |
| alaternus | <botany> An ornamental evergreen shrub (Rhamnus alaternus) belonging to the buckthorns. Origin: L. Ala wing + terni three each. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alb | A vestment of white linen, reaching to the feet, an enveloping the person; in the Roman Catholic church, worn by those in holy orders when officiating at mass. It was formerly worn, at least by clerics, in daily life. <prefix> Alb-. Latin root form for the colour white. Origin: OE. Albe, LL. Alba, fr. L. Albus white. Cf. Album and Aube. (12 Dec 1998) |
| alba | Synonym: white matter. Origin: fem. Of L. Albus, white (05 Mar 2000) |
| albacore | <zoology> See Albicore. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| alban | <chemistry> A white crystalline resinous substance extracted from gutta-percha by the action of alcohol or ether. Origin: L. Albus white. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Albarran y Dominguez' tubules | Minute submucosal glands or branching tubules in the subcervical region of the prostate gland, emptying for the most part into the posterior portion of the urethra. Synonym: Albarran y Dominguez' tubules. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Albarran y Dominguez, Joaquin | <person> Cuban urologist, 1860-1912. See: Albarran's glands, Albarran's test, Albarran y Dominguez' tubules. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Albarran's glands | Minute submucosal glands or branching tubules in the subcervical region of the prostate gland, emptying for the most part into the posterior portion of the urethra. Synonym: Albarran y Dominguez' tubules. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Albarran's test | A test for renal insufficiency wherein the drinking of large quantities of water will cause a proportionate increase in the volume of urine if the kidneys are sound, but not if the epithelium of the secreting tubules is damaged. Synonym: polyuria test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| albatross | <ornithology> A web-footed bird, of the genus Diomedea, of which there are several species. They are the largest of sea birds, capable of long-continued flight, and are often seen at great distances from the land. They are found chiefly in the southern hemisphere. Origin: Corrupt. Fr. Pg. Alcatraz cormorant, albatross, or Sp. Alcatraz a pelican: cf. Pg. Alcatruz, Sp. Arcaduz, a bucket, fr. Ar. Al-qadus the bucket, fr. Gr. Kados, a water vessel. So an Arabic term for pelican is water-carrier, as a bird carrying water in its pouch. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| albedo | <astronomy> The ratio which the light reflected from an unpolished surface bears to the total light falling upon that surface. Origin: L, fr. Albus white. (04 Mar 1998) |
| albedo retinae | An obsolete term for a white area of the retina due to oedema or infarction. (05 Mar 2000) |