| exploratory | Relating to, or with a view to, exploration. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| exploratory behaviour | The tendency to explore or investigate a novel environment. It is considered a motivation not clearly distinguishable from curiosity. (12 Dec 1998) |
| exploratory drive | The drive typical of toddlers and some animals to investigate the unfamiliar or unknown. (05 Mar 2000) |
| explorer | <dentistry> A hook-like fine pointed instrument used in examining the teeth. (08 Jan 1998) |
| exploring electrode | An electrode placed on or near an excitable tissue; in unipolar electrocardiography, the electrode is placed on the chest in the region of the heart and paired with an indifferent electrode. (05 Mar 2000) |
| exploring needle | A strong needle with a longitudinal groove, which is thrust into a tumour or cavity to determine the presence of fluid, the latter escaping externally along the groove. (05 Mar 2000) |
| explosion | 1. The act of exploding; detonation; a chemical action which causes the sudden formation of a great volume of expanded gas; as, the explosion of gunpowder, of fire damp,etc. 2. A bursting with violence and loud noise, because of internal pressure; as, the explosion of a gun, a bomb, a steam boiler, etc. 3. A violent outburst of feeling, manifested by excited language, action, etc.; as, an explosion of wrath. "A formidable explosion of high-church fanaticism." (Macaulay) Origin: L. Explosio a driving off by clapping: cf. F. Explosion explosion. See Explode. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| explosive | 1. An explosive agent; a compound or mixture susceptible of a rapid chemical reaction, as gunpowder, or nitro-glycerine. 2. A sound produced by an explosive impulse of the breath; one of consonants p, b, t, d, k, g, which are sounded with a sort of explosive power of voice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| explosive decompression | Sudden severe expansion of gases due to a reduction in ambient pressure. Synonym: explosive decompression. (05 Mar 2000) |
| explosive speech | Loud, sudden speech related to injury of the nervous system. Synonym: logospasm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| exponent | 1. <mathematics> A number, letter, or any quantity written on the right hand of and above another quantity, and denoting how many times the latter is repeated as a factor to produce the power indicated. Thus a^2 denotes the second power, and a^n the xth power, of a (2 and x being the exponents). A fractional exponent, or index, is used to denote the root of a quantity. Thus, a^1/3 denotes the third or cube root of a. 2. One who, or that which, stands as an index or representative; as, the leader of a party is the exponent of its principles. Exponent of a ratio, the quotient arising when the antecedent is divided by the consequent; thus, 6 is the exponent of the ratio of 30 to 5. Origin: L. Exponens, -entis, p. Pr. Of exponere to put out, set forth, expose. See Expound. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| exponential | Pertaining to exponents; involving variable exponents; as, an exponential expression; exponential calculus; an exponential function. Exponential curve, a curve whose nature is defined by means of an exponential equation. Exponential equation, an equation which contains an exponential quantity, or in which the unknown quantity enters as an exponent. <mathematics> Exponential quantity, a quantity whose exponent is unknown or variable, as a^x. Exponential series, a series derived from the development of exponential equations or quantities. Origin: Cf. F. Exponentiel. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| exponential decay | <epidemiology> A decline in which the rate of decay is always proportional to the amount of material remaining; the constant of proportionality is the rate constant. (05 Dec 1998) |
| exponential distribution | The time until failure of a process at constant hazard. (05 Mar 2000) |
| exponential growth | <biology> A rate of growth of an organism, a part of an organism, or a population of organisms which, when graphed, produces an exponential or logarithmic curve. Such a rate occurs, for example: during the exponential growth phase, when a population of bacterial (or other) cells divide at a constant rate so that the total number of cells doubles with each division. (09 Oct 1997) |