| brachystaphyline | Having a short palate; having a palatomaxillary index above 85. Origin: brachy-+ G. Staphyle, uvula (05 Mar 2000) |
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| brachystochrone | <mathematics> A curve, in which a body, starting from a given point, and descending solely by the force of gravity, will reach another given point in a shorter time than it could by any other path. This curve of quickest descent, as it is sometimes called, is, in a vacuum, the same as the cycloid. Origin: Incorrect for brachistochrone, fr. Gr. Shortest (superl. Of short) + time: cf. F. Brachistochrone. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| brachysyndactyly | Abnormal shortness of fingers or toes combined with a webbing between the adjacent digits. Origin: brachy-+ syndactyly (05 Mar 2000) |
| brachytelephalangia | Abnormal shortness of the distal phalanges. Origin: brachy-+ G. Telos, end, + phalanx (05 Mar 2000) |
| brachytherapy | A type of radiation therapy is which radioactive materials are placed in direct contact with the tissue being treated. (16 Dec 1997) |
| brachytype | <chemical> A crystal of one species inclosed within one of another, as one of rutile inclosed in quartz. Origin: Endo- + Gr. Form. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| brachytypous | <chemical> Of a short form. Origin: Gr. Short + stamp, form. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| brachyura | <zoology> A group of decapod Crustacea, including the common crabs, characterised by a small and short abdomen, which is bent up beneath the large cephalo-thorax. [Also spelt Brachyoura] See Crab, and Illustration in Appendix. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Short + tail. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| brachyuranic | Having a palatomaxillary index above 115. Origin: brachy-+ G. Ouranos, the sky, roof of the mouth (05 Mar 2000) |
| brachyurous | <zoology> Of or pertaining to the Brachyura. Origin: Cf. F. Brachyure. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| bracing | In dentistry, resistance to horizontal components of masticatory force. See: component of force. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bracken poisoning | A disease of cattle caused by long-term, low-level consumption of the bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and characterised by haemorrhages or tumours in the bladder. Synonym: bracken poisoning. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bracken staggers | A condition occurring in horses as a result of eating bracken; characterised by locomotor incoordination; due to thiamin deficiency (bracken contains thiaminase). (05 Mar 2000) |
| bracket | <dentistry> A metal or ceramic part that is glued onto a tooth and serves as a means of fastening the arch wire. (08 Jan 1998) |
| brackish | Mixed with salt, briny. (09 Oct 1997) |