| early seral species | <plant biology> Shrubs, such as ceanothus, and hardwoods, usually in tree form, such as red alder, bitter cherry and big leaf maple. These species start growing in natural succession soon after a disturbance (fire or logging). (05 Dec 1998) |
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| early stage breast cancer | <oncology> Cancer is confined to the breast and has not spread to other sites in the body. (16 Dec 1997) |
| early syphilis | Primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis, before any tertiary manifestations have appeared. (05 Mar 2000) |
| early-phase response | Prompt onset of symptoms following an antigenic stimulus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| earn | To long; to yearn. "And ever as he rode, his heart did earn To prove his puissance in battle brave." (Spenser) See: 4th Yearn. <zoology> See Ern. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earnest | 1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers. "An earnest advocate to plead for him." (Shak) 2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention. 3. Serious; important. "They whom earnest lets do often hinder." (Hooker) Synonym: Eager, warm, zealous, ardent, animated, importunate, fervent, sincere, serious, hearty, urgent. See Eager. 1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come. "Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Cor. I. 22) "And from his coffers Received the golden earnest of our death." (Shak) 2. Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Earnest money, money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale. Synonym: Earnest, Pledge. These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph. Origin: Prob. Corrupted fr. F. Arrhes, L. Arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. Ravn; or perh. Fr. W. Ernes, akin to Gael. Earlas, perh. Fr. L. Arra. Cf. Arles, Earles penny. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earth | 1. <astronomy> Planet that is the third in order from the sun. It is one of the four inner or terrestrial planets of the solar system. 2. The softer inorganic matter composing part of the surface of the globe, in distinction from the firm rock; soil of all kinds, including gravel, clay, loam, and the like; sometimes, soil favorable to the growth of plants; the visible surface of the globe; the ground; as, loose earth; rich earth. "Give him a little earth for charity." (Shak) 3. <chemistry> Any earthy-looking metallic oxide, as alumina, glucina, zirconia, yttria, and thoria. A similar oxide, having a slight alkaline reaction, as lime, magnesia, strontia, baryta. 4. Earth is used either adjectively or in combination to form compound words; as, earth apple or earth-apple; earth metal or earth-metal; earth closet or earth-closet. Adamic earth, Bitter earth, Bog earth, Chian earth, etc. See Adamic, Bitter, etc. Alkaline earths. See Alkaline. Earth apple. Origin: AS. Eore; akin to OS. Ertha, OFries. Irthe, D. Aarde, OHG. Erda, G. Erde, Icel. Jor, Sw. & Dan. Jord, Goth. Airpa, OHG. Ero, Gr, adv, to earth, and perh. To E. Ear to plow. Source: Websters Dictionary (25 Jun 1999) |
| earth flax | <chemical> A variety of asbestus. See Amianthus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earth wax | A natural mixture of hydrocarbons of high molecular weight; a substitute for beeswax, also used in dentistry for impressions. Synonym: cerin, cerosin, earth wax, mineral wax, purified ozokerite. (05 Mar 2000) |
| earth-eating | Geophagismgeophagy The practice of eating dirt or clay. Synonym: dirt-eating, earth-eating. Origin: Geo-+ G. Phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| earth-tongue | <botany> A fungus of the genus Geoglossum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthboard | <agriculture> The part of a plow, or other implement, that turns over the earth; the moldboard. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthen-hearted | Hard-hearted; sordid; gross. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthly | 1. Pertaining to the earth; belonging to this world, or to man's existence on the earth; not heavenly or spiritual; carnal; worldly; as, earthly joys; earthly flowers; earthly praise. "This earthly load Of death, called life." (Milton) "Whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil. Iii. 19) 2. Of all things on earth; possible; conceivable. "What earthly benefit can be the result?" (Pope) 3. Made of earth; earthy. Synonym: Gross, material, sordid, mean, base, vile, low, unsubstantial, temporary, corrupt, groveling. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| earthmad | <zoology> The earthworm. "The earthmads and all the sorts of worms . . . Are without eyes." (Holland) Origin: Earth + mad an earthworm. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |