| frailty | Origin: OE. Frelete, freilte, OF. Frailete, fr. L. Fragilitas. See Frail, and cf. Fragility. 1. The condition quality of being frail, physically, mentally, or morally, frailness; infirmity; weakness of resolution; liableness to be deceived or seduced. "God knows our frailty, [and] pities our weakness." (Locke) 2. A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of infirmity. Synonym: Frailness, fragility, imperfection, failing. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| fraise | 1. A defense consisting of pointed stakes driven into the ramparts in a horizontal or inclined position. 2. <mechanics> A fluted reamer for enlarging holes in stone; a small milling cutter. Origin: F. Fraise, orig, a ruff, cf. F. Frise frieze, E. Frieze a coarse stuff. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Fraley syndrome | <syndrome> Dilation of the upper pole renal calices due to stenosis of the upper infundibulum, usually caused by compression from vessels supplying the upper and middle segments of the kidney. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Fraley, Elwin | <person> U.S. Urologist, *1934. See: Fraley syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| frambaesia | <medicine> The yaws. See Yaws. Origin: F. & NL, fr. F. Framboise raspberry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| frambesia tropica | Synonym: yaws. Origin: Fr. Framboise, raspberry (05 Mar 2000) |
| frambesiform | Resembling the lesion of frambesia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| frambesiform syphilid | Lesions that appear granulomatous and crusted, resembling those of yaws. Synonym: frambesiform syphilid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| frambesioma | Synonym: mother yaw. Origin: frambesia + -oma, tumour (05 Mar 2000) |
| frame | 1. To construct by fitting and uniting the several parts of the skeleton of any structure; specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting parts of one member to fit parts of another. See Dovetail, Halve, v. T, Miter, Tenon, Tooth, Tusk, Scarf, and Splice. 2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false. "How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years." (I. Watts) 3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform. "And frame my face to all occasions." (Shak) "We may in some measure frame our minds for the reception of happiness." (Landor) "The human mind is framed to be influenced." (I. Taylor) 1. Anything composed of parts fitted and united together; a fabric; a structure; especially, the constructional system, whether of timber or metal, that gives to a building, vessel, etc, its model and strength; the skeleton of a structure. "These are thy glorius works, Parent of good, Almighty! thine this universal frame." (Milton) 2. The bodily structure; physical constitution; make or build of a person. "Some bloody passion shakes your very frame." (Shak) "No frames could be strong enough to endure it." (Prescott) 3. A kind of open case or structure made for admitting, inclosing, or supporting things, as that which incloses or contains a window, door, picture, etc.; that on which anything is held or stretched; as: The skeleton structure which supports the boiler and machinery of a locomotive upon its wheels. A molding box or flask, which being filled with sand serves as a mold for castings. 4. <machinery> A term applied, especially in England, to certain machines built upon or within framework; as, a stocking frame; lace frame; spinning frame, etc. 5. Form; shape; proportion; scheme; structure; constitution; system; as, a frameof government. "She that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother." (Shak) "Put your discourse into some frame." (Shak) 6. Particular state or disposition, as of the mind; humor; temper; mood; as, to be always in a happy frame. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| frameshift | <molecular biology> A shift in the reading frame used to translate the base sequence of DNA or mRNA. It is caused by the addition or deletion of one or more of the bases, resulting in an alternative peptide being formed. (17 Dec 1997) |
| frameshift mutagen | <molecular biology> A mutagen, such as an acridine derivative, that causes a frameshift mutation; codons (base triplets) are read out of phase and different amino acids are made. (05 Mar 2000) |
| frameshift mutation | <molecular biology> A type of mutation that results from insertion or deletion of a single nucleotide into, or from, an open reading frame in the normal DNA sequence. Normally, the genetic code is read in the wrong frame, three nucleotides at a time, and the entire sequence downstream of the mutation, is translated into a polypeptide with a garbled amino acid sequence from the mutated codon onwards. These mutations may be induced by certain types of mutagens or may occur spontaneously and usually result in the generation, downstream, of nonsense, chain termination codons. Synonym: addition mutation, addition-deletion mutation, deletion mutation, reading-frameshift mutation. (21 Jun 2000) |
| frameshifting, ribosomal | A directed change in translational reading frame that allows the production of a single protein from two or more overlapping genes. The process is programmed by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA and is sometimes also affected by the secondary or tertiary mRNA structure. It has been described mainly in viruses (especially retroviruses), retrotransposons, and bacterial insertion elements but also in some cellular genes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| framework | <dentistry> The skeletal prosthesis (usually metal) around which and to which are attached the remaining portions of the prosthesis to produce the finished appliance (partial denture). (05 Mar 2000) |