| polycardia | <clinical sign> The excessive rapidity in the action of the heart, the term is usually applied to a heart rate above 100 per minute and may be qualified as atrial, junctional (nodal) or ventricular and as paroxysmal. Origin: Gr. Kardia = heart (18 Nov 1997) |
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| polycarpellary | <botany> Composed of several or numerous carpels; said of such fruits as the orange. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polycarpous | <botany> Bearing fruit repeatedly, or year after year. Having several pistils in one flower. Origin: Poly- + Gr. Fruit. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polycation | <biochemistry, chemistry> Macromolecule with many positively charged groups. at physiological pH the most commonly used in cell biology is poly L lysine, this is often used to coat surfaces thereby increasing the adhesion of cells (which have net negative surface charge). See: cationised ferritin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| polycentric | Having several centres. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polychaeta | <zoology> One of the two principal groups of Chaetopoda. It includes those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of setae. Origin: NL, from Gr. Many + hair. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polycheiria | Polychiria Presence of supernumerary hands. Origin: poly-+ G. Cheir, hand (05 Mar 2000) |
| polychloride | <chemistry> A chloride containing more than one atom of chlorine in the molecule. Origin: Poly- + chloride. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polychlorinated biphenyl | Biphenyl in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms attached to ring carbons are replaced by chlorine atoms; a probable human carcingogen and teratogen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| polychlorinated biphenyls | Biphenyl compounds which are extensively chlorinated. Many of these compounds are toxic environmental pollutants. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polychloroterphenyl compounds | Compounds consisting of three benzene rings linked to each other in either ortho, meta or para positions and substituted with chlorine atoms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polychondritis | A widespread disease of cartilage. Origin: poly-+ G. Chondros, cartilage, + -itis, inflammation (05 Mar 2000) |
| polychondritis, relapsing | An acquired disease of unknown aetiology, chronic course, and tendency to recur. It is characterised by inflammation and degeneration of cartilage and can result in deformities such as floppy ear and saddle nose. Loss of cartilage in the respiratory tract can lead to respiratory obstruction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polychrest | <medicine> A medicine that serves for many uses, or that cures many diseases. <medicine> Polychrest salt, potassium sulphate, specifically obtained by fusing niter with sulphur. Origin: Gr. Useful for many purposes; many + useful, fr. To use: cf. F. Polychreste. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| polychroite | <chemistry> The colouring matter of saffron; formerly so called because of the change of colour on treatment with certain acids. Synonym: crocin, and safranin. Origin: Poly- + Gr. Colour: cf. F. Polychroite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |