| whip-poor-will | <zoology> An American bird (Antrostomus vociferus) allied to the nighthawk and goatsucker; so called in imitation of the peculiar notes which it utters in the evening. Alternative forms: whippowil. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| whip-tom-kelly | <zoology> A vireo (Vireo altiloquus) native of the West Indies and Florida. Synonym: black-whiskered vireo. Origin: So called in imitation of its notes. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| whiplash injuries | Hyperextension injury to the neck, often the result of being struck from behind by a fast-moving vehicle, in an automobile accident. (12 Dec 1998) |
| whiplash injury | Popular term for hyperextension-hyperflexion injury. (05 Mar 2000) |
| whipparee | <zoology> A large sting ray (Dasybatis, or Trygon, Sayi) native of the Southern United States. It is destitute of large spines on the body and tail. A large sting ray (Rhinoptera bonasus, or R. Quadriloba) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. Its snout appears to be four-lobed when viewed in front, whence it is also called cow-nosed ray. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| whipple disease | <radiology> Bacterial: Tropheryma whipplei, treatment: antibiotics, hallmark: macrophages in lamina propria stain PAS-positive Findings: thick small bowel folds, dilated lumen, pebble-like surface due to increased villi Differential diagnosis: (infiltrative diseases), sprue, lymphoma, amyloid, EG (12 Dec 1998) |
| Whipple's disease | <gastroenterology> A rare disorder of intestinal malabsorption that occurs as the result of the intestine. Treatment is with antibiotics. (27 Sep 1997) |
| Whipple's operation | Excision of all or part of the pancreas together with the duodenum. Synonym: Whipple's operation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Whipple, Allen | <person> U.S. Surgeon, 1881-1963. See: Whipple's operation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Whipple, George | <person> U.S. Pathologist and Nobel laureate, 1878-1976. See: Whipple's disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| whippletree | 1. The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces, or tugs, of a harness are fastened, and by which a carriage, a plow, or other implement or vehicle, is drawn; a whiffletree; a swingletree; a singletree. See Singletree. "[People] cut their own whippletree in the woodlot." (Emerson) 2. <botany> The cornel tree. See: Whip, and cf. Whiffletree. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| whipstitch | 1. A tailor; so called in contempt. 2. Anything hastily put or stitched together; hence, a hasty composition. 3. <agriculture> The act or process of whipstitching. <agriculture> To rafter; to plow in ridges, as land. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| whipworm | <zoology> A nematode worm (Trichocephalus dispar) often found parasitic in the human intestine. Its body is thickened posteriorly, but is very long and threadlike anteriorly. Origin: So called from its shape. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| whipworm infection | <gastroenterology> An infection of the large intestine by Trichuris trichiura. It may be the most common helminthic infection found in Americans returning from subtropical and tropical areas. Children and the mentally retarded have the highest rate of infection due to a general lack of sanitary habits. The worms are 30-50 mm in length and attach themselves to the mucosa of the large intestine. Adult worms may live 4-8 years. Treatment is with mebendazole. (27 Sep 1997) |
| whirl | 1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity; to make to revolve. "He whirls his sword around without delay." (Dryden) 2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving motion; to snatch; to harry. "See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels, That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood." (Milton) "The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into folly." (Tennyson) Origin: OE. Whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf. Icel. & Sw. Hvirfla, Dan. Hvirvle; akin to D. Wervelen, G. Wirbeln, freq. Of the verb seen in Icel. Hverfa to turn. See Wharf, and cf. Warble, Whorl. 1. To be turned round rapidly; to move round with velocity; to revolve or rotate with great speed; to gyrate. "The whirling year vainly my dizzy eyes pursue." "The wooden engine flies and whirls about." (Dryden) 2. To move hastily or swiftly. "But whirled away to shun his hateful sight." (Dryden) 1. A turning with rapidity or velocity; rapid rotation or circumvolution; quick gyration; rapid or confusing motion; as, the whirl of a top; the whirl of a wheel. "In no breathless whirl." "The rapid . . . Whirl of things here below interrupt not the inviolable rest and calmness of the noble beings above." (South) 2. Anything that moves with a whirling motion. "He saw Falmouth under gray, iron skies, and whirls of March dust." (Carlyle) 3. A revolving hook used in twisting, as the hooked spindle of a rope machine, to which the threads to be twisted are attached. 4. <botany> A whorl. See Whorl. Origin: Cf. Dan. Hvirvel, Sw. Hvirfvel, Icel. Hvirfill the crown of the head, G. Wirbel whirl, crown of the head, D. Wervel. See Whirl. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |