| oblong pit of arytenoid cartilage | A broad shallow depression on the anterolateral surface of the arytenoid cartilage, for attachment of the thyroarytenoid muscle. Synonym: fovea oblonga cartilaginis arytenoideae, oblong pit of arytenoid cartilage. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| oblongata | <anatomy> The medulla oblongata. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| oblongum | Origin: NL. See Oblong. <geometry> A prolate spheroid; a figure described by the revolution of an ellipse about its greater axis. Cf. Oblatum, and see Ellipsoid of revolution, under Ellipsoid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| obnubilation | A clouded mental state. Origin: L. Ob-nubilo, to becloud, obscure, fr. Nubes, cloud (05 Mar 2000) |
| obole | <pharmacology> A weight of twelve grains; or, according to some, of ten grains, or half a scruple. Alternative forms: obol. Origin: Cf.F. Obole. See Obolus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| obomegoid | <zoology> Obversely omegoid. Origin: Pref. Ob- + omegoid. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| obovate | <botany> Inversely ovate; ovate with the narrow end downward; as, an obovate leaf. Origin: Pref. Ob- + ovate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| OBS | <syndrome> A constellation of behavioural or psychological signs and symptoms including problems with attention, concentration, memory, confusion, anxiety, and depression caused by transient or permanent dysfunction of the brain. Synonym: acute organic brain syndrome, OBS, organic mental syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| obscure | 1. Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim. "His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness." (Prov. Xx. 20) 2. Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed. "The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night." (Shak) "The obscure corners of the earth." (Sir J. Davies) 3. Not noticeable; humble; mean. "O base and obscure vulgar." . "An obscure person." 4. Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription. 5. Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects. <optics> Obscure rays, those rays which are not luminous or visible, and which in the spectrum are beyond the limits of the visible portion. Synonym: Dark, dim, darksome, dusky, shadowy, misty, abstruse, intricate, difficult, mysterious, retired, unnoticed, unknown, humble, mean, indistinct. Origin: L. Obscurus, orig, covered; ob- (see Ob-) + a root probably meaning, to cover; cf. L. Scutum shield, Skr. Sku to cover: cf.F. Obscur. Cf.Sky. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| observance | 1. The act or practice of observing or noticing with attention; a heeding or keeping with care; performance; usually with a sense of strictness and fidelity; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties. "It is a custom More honored in the breach than the observance." (Shak) 2. An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom. "At dances These young folk kept their observances." (Chaucer) "Use all the observance of civility." (Shak) "Some represent to themselves the whole of religion as consisting in a few easy observances." (Rogers) "O I that wasted time to tend upon her, To compass her with sweet observances!" (Tennyson) 3. Servile attention; sycophancy. "Salads and flesh, such as their haste could get, Served with observance." (Chapman) "This is not atheism, But court observance." (Beau. & Fl) Synonym: Observance, Observation. These words are discriminated by the two distinct senses of observe. To observe means (1) to keep strictly, as, to observe a fast day, and hence, observance denotes the keeping or heeding with strictness, (2) to consider attentively, or to remark, and hence, observation denotes either the act of observing, or some remark made as the result thereof. We do not say the observation of Sunday, though the word was formerly so used. The Pharisees were curious in external observances, the astronomers are curious in celestial observations. "Love rigid honesty, And strict observance of impartial laws." (Roscommon) Origin: F.observance, L. Observantia. See Observant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| observant | 1. One who observes forms and rules. 2. A sycophantic servant. "Silly ducking observants, That stretch their duties nicely." (Shak) 3. An Observantine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| observantine | One of a branch of the Order of Franciscans, who profess to adhere more strictly than the Conventuals to the intention of the founder, especially as to poverty; called also Observants. Origin: Fr. Observantin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| observation | An act or the faculty of observing or taking notice: an act of seeing or fixing the mind upon something, an act of recognising and noting measurement of some magnitude with suitable instruments. (18 Nov 1997) |
| observer | One who perceives, notices, or watches; in behavioural research with humans, the investigator or his/her surrogate. Origin: L. Observo, to watch Nonparticipant observer, an investigator who studies a group of subjects engaged in certain activities but does not directly participate in these activities, presumably being able to study them more objectively. Participant observer, an investigator who while studying the activities of a group of subjects also participates in their activities, presumably being able to gain more detailed, relevant information but with less objectivity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| observer variation | The failure by the observer to measure or identify a phenomenon accurately, which results in an error. Sources for this may be due to the observer's missing an abnormality, or to faulty technique resulting in incorrect test measurement, or to misinterpretation of the data. Two varieties are inter-observer variation (the amount observers vary from one another when reporting on the same material) and intra-observer variation (the amount one observer varies between observations when reporting more than once on the same material). (12 Dec 1998) |