| barology | <study> The science of weight or gravity. Origin: Gr. Baros = weight. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| baromacrometer | <medicine> An instrument for ascertaining the weight and length of a newborn infant. Origin: Gr. Weight + long. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barometer | An instrument that measures the pressure of the atmosphere. (09 Oct 1997) |
| barometric pressure | The absolute pressure of the ambient atmosphere, varying with weather, altitude, etc.; expressed in millibars (meteorology) or mm Hg or torr (respiratory physiology); at sea level, one atmosphere (atm, 760 mm Hg or torr) is equivalent to: 14.69595 lb/sq in, 1013.25 millibars, 1013.25 × 106 dynes/cm2, and, in SI units, 101,325 pascals (Pa). Synonym: atmospheric pressure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| barometrograph | A form of barometer so constructed as to inscribe of itself upon paper a record of the variations of atmospheric pressure. Origin: Gr. Weight + measure + -graph. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barometz | <botany> The woolly-skinned rhizoma or rootstock of a fern (Dicksonia barometz), which, when specially prepared and inverted, somewhat resembles a lamb. Synonym: Scythian lamb. Origin: Cf. Russ. Baranets' clubmoss. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| baron | 1. A title or degree of nobility; originally, the possessor of a fief, who had feudal tenants under him; in modern times, in France and Germany, a nobleman next in rank below a count; in England, a nobleman of the lowest grade in the House of Lords, being next below a viscount. "The tenants in chief from the Crown, who held lands of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled Barons; and it is to them, and not to the members of the lowest grade of the nobility (to whom the title at the present time belongs), that reference is made when we read of the Barons of the early days of England's history . . . . Barons are addressed as 'My Lord,' and are styled 'Right Honorable.' All their sons and daughters 'Honorable.'" 2. A husband; as, baron and feme, husband and wife. Baron of beef, two sirloins not cut asunder at the backbone. Barons of the Cinque Ports, formerly members of the House of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for each port. Baron of the exchequer, the judges of the Court of Exchequer, one of the three ancient courts of England, now abolished. Origin: OE. Baron, barun, OF. Baron, accus. Of ber, F. Baron, prob. Fr. OHG. Baro (not found) bearer, akin to E. Bear to support; cf. O. Frisian bere, LL. Baro, It. Barone, Sp. Varon. From the meaning bearer (of burdens) seem to have come the senses strong man, man (in distinction from woman), which is the oldest meaning in French, and lastly, nobleman. Cf. L. Baro, simpleton. See Bear to support. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barony | Origin: OF. Baronie, F. Baronnie, LL. Baronia. See Baron. 1. The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron. 2. In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly to the English hundred, and supposed to have been originally the district of a native chief. There are 252 of these baronies. In Scotland, an extensive freehold. It may be held by a commoner. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| barophile | A microorganism which grows best (or can only grow) in high-pressure environments, such as deep-sea environments. (09 Oct 1997) |
| barophilic | Thriving under high environmental pressure; applied to microorganisms. Origin: G. Baros, weight, + phileo, to love (05 Mar 2000) |
| baroreceptor | A pressure receptor in the wall of the atrium of the heart, vena cava, aortic arch and carotid sinus that is sensitive to stretching of the wall which occurs with increased pressure. (27 Sep 1997) |
| baroreceptor nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A nerve composed of afferent fibres the endings of which are sensitive to increases in mechanical pressure; the term specifically refers to sensory nerve's innervating the walls of hollow organs. Synonym: baroreceptor nerve. (05 Mar 2000) |
| baroreflex | A negative feedback system which buffers short-term changes in blood pressure. Increased pressure stretches blood vessels which activates pressoreceptors (baroreceptors) in the vessel walls. The net response of the central nervous system is a reduction of central sympathetic outflow. This reduces blood pressure both by decreasing peripheral vascular resistance and by lowering cardiac output. Because the baroreceptors are tonically active, the baroreflex can compensate rapidly for both increases and decreases in blood pressure. (12 Dec 1998) |
| baroscope | <instrument> Any instrument showing the changes in the weight of the atmosphere; also, less appropriately, any instrument that indicates -or foreshadows changes of the weather, as a deep vial of liquid holding in suspension some substance which rises and falls with atmospheric changes. Origin: Gr. Weight + -scope: cf. F. Baroscope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| baroscopical | Pertaining to, or determined by, the baroscope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |