A-factor

Biotechnology. a bioregulator produced by Streptomyces griseus and other Streptomyces species; used to induce morphological differentiation and the production of streptomycin in mutant strains that lack this bioregulator.

capital

Architecture. the topmost member of a column or pilaster, crowning the shaft and carrying the entablature.

cantilever

Architecture. any structural member that projects from a vertical support. Building Engineering. a beam or member built in or held down by weight fixed at one end while hanging freely at the other end

camber arch

Architecture. a flat arch having a slightly curved intrados and flat or slightly curved extrados.

cap molding

Architecture. 1. molding at the top of a dado.molding at the top of a dado. 2. ornamental molding above the casing of a door or window.ornamental molding above the casing of a door or window.

cable

Mechanical Devices. a rope, fiber, or heavy steel gauge wire that is used for support, lifting, hauling, and other load-supporting functions. Telecommunications. 1. see COAXIAL CABLE.see COAXIAL CABLE. 2. see CABLE TELEVISION.see CABLE TELEVISION. Electricity. a group of electrical conductors bound together and insulated from each other within a protective sheath. Architecture. a convex molding set within a flute of a column or pilaster

Bauhaus

Bauhaus   Architecture.  1. a German school of art, architecture, and design founded by Walter Gropius; its members applied traditional functional craftsmanship to modern industrial materials and techniques.a German school of art, architecture, and design founded by Walter Gropius; its members applied traditional functional craftsmanship to modern industrial materials and techniques. 2. relating to or in the style of this school.relating to or in the style of this school.

bas-relief

bas-relief    Architecture. carving or scupture in which the figures project only slightly from the background and are not undercut

bas-relief

bas-relief    Architecture. carving or scupture in which the figures project only slightly from the background and are not undercut

basilica

basilica    Architecture.  1. in ancient Rome, a large oblong building used as a court of justice, usually lit by a clerestory and having double colonnades and a semicircular apse.in ancient Rome, a large oblong building used as a court of justice, usually lit by a clerestory and having double colonnades and a semicircular apse. 2. a similar building used as a Christian church.a similar building used as a Christian church.

basilica

basilica    Architecture.  1. in ancient Rome, a large oblong building used as a court of justice, usually lit by a clerestory and having double colonnades and a semicircular apse.in ancient Rome, a large oblong building used as a court of justice, usually lit by a clerestory and having double colonnades and a semicircular apse. 2. a similar building used as a Christian church.a similar building used as a Christian church.

ball flower

ball flower   Architecture. an ornament resembling a ball enclosed within the three or four petals of a flower, usually set at regular intervals along a hollow molding

Baroque

Baroque   Architecture. the predominant style in 17th-century European architecture and design, characterized by its elaborate use of curved surfaces, sculpturing, decoration, and color.

baldachin

baldachin   Textiles. a fabric of silk brocade interwoven with gold or silver threads.  Architecture. a permanent canopy suspended above a throne or altar, usually supported by pillars and surrounded by a railing.

bahut

bahut [bä´hoot´] Architecture.  1. a low wall that rises above the cornice of a building and carries the roof.a low wall that rises above the cornice of a building and carries the roof. 2. the rounded upper course of masonry on a parapet wall.the rounded upper course of masonry on a parapet wall.

bahut

bahut  Architecture.  1. a low wall that rises above the cornice of a building and carries the roof.a low wall that rises above the cornice of a building and carries the roof. 2. the rounded upper course of masonry on a parapet wall.the rounded upper course of masonry on a parapet wall.

accolade

accolade   Architecture. a decorative molding in the form of two ogee curves meeting above a window or doorway.

apsidal

apsidal   Astronomy. describing the apsides of an orbit.  Architecture. of or relating to the apse of a church.

arc doubleau

arc doubleau  Architecture. a massive arch used to support a vault across a wide space

astragal

astragal   Architecture. a small, semicircular molding, often decorated with a string of beads.  Building Engineering. a vertical molding along the edge of one of a pair of doors or windows, covering the joint between them and serving as a weather seal

apse

apse   Architecture. a semicircular or polygonal end of a building, especially the east end of a church designed to house the altar.  Astronomy. an apsis.

apophyge

apophyge   Architecture. a small section at the top or bottom of a column where the shaft curves out to meet the capital or base.

anteroom

anteroom   Architecture. a small room serving as an entrance or waiting area for a larger room

architectonic

architectonic   Geology. of or relating to forces that determine the structure of a landform.  Architecture. of or conforming to the technical principles of architecture.

araeostyle

araeostyle   Architecture. an intercolumniation of four or more diameters. Also,areostyle.

antefix

antefix   Architecture. an ornament used to conceal the ends of the joint tiles on a roof. Also, ANTIFIX

anteport

anteport   Architecture. an outer gate or door

architect

architect   Architecture. a licensed professional trained in the art of designing buildings and overseeing their construction.

anta

anta   Architecture. a pilaster formed by thickening a wall at its terminus.

acanthus

acanthus   Botany.  1. any of several prickly herbs native to the Mediterranean region.any of several prickly herbs native to the Mediterranean region. 2. Acanthus. the genus that includes these plants.Acanthus. the genus that includes these plants.  Architecture. the sculptured ornamentation characteristic of Corinthian capitals, consisting of a stylized representation of acanthus leaves

attic

attic   Architecture. in classical architecture, a low story built above a cornice.  Building Engineering. the space immediately below a roof, located wholly or partly within the roof frame; a garret.

angle rib

angle rib   Architecture.  1. one of the diagonal ribs that divide the rectangles of a Gothic vaulting and form the main element of its structure.one of the diagonal ribs that divide the rectangles of a Gothic vaulting and form the main element of its structure. 2. in decorative work, molding that ornaments an angle.in decorative work, molding that ornaments an angle.

artificial sky

artificial sky   Architecture. a device used to study or display an architectural model under daylight conditions.

angle modillion

angle modillion   Architecture. a modillion at the corner of a cornice.

abacus

abacus   Mathematics. a counting frame used to aid in arithmetic computation by manually sliding markers on rods or wires or in grooves. Two forms are especially common, both with markers divided into two sections: the biquinary Chinese hsuan-pan, in which each wire has two markers in the upper section and five in the lower, and the Japanese soroban, in which the upper section has one marker per wire and the lower has four per wire.  Architecture. a slab that forms the uppermost section or division of the capital of a column

angle capital

angle capital   Architecture. the capital of a corner column, especially an Ionic capital modified to project equally on both sides of the corner.

armature

armature   Architecture. the structural iron bars used to frame tracery or to reinforce building features such as slender columns or hanging canopies.  Electromagnetism. the movable part in an electromagnetic mechanical device, such as the winding in which the electromotive force is induced in an electric motor.

angle buttress

angle buttress   Architecture. either of a pair of buttresses set at right angles to each other, forming the corner of a building.

Annulated shaft

annulated shaft or annulated column   Architecture. a column made up of a cluster of shafts banded, at intervals, by rings

ancon

ancon   Architecture. a scrolled bracket or console that supports a cornice above a door or window.

anchorage

anchorage

an object to which something is fastened; specific uses include: Navigation. an area used by a vessel to anchor. Architecture. a device used to attach one object to another, especially the lower members of a building to the foundation. Civil Engineering. a device that holds tendons in a pre- or post-tensioned concrete member. Building Engineering. see ANCHOR BLOCK. Medicine. 1. in tissue cell culture, the attachment of proliferating cells to a solid surface.in tissue cell culture, the attachment of proliferating cells to a solid surface. 2. in dentistry, a tooth or an implanted tooth substitute to which a fixed or removable partial denture, crown, or restorative material is secured.in dentistry, a tooth or an implanted tooth substitute to which a fixed or removable partial denture, crown, or restorative material is secured. 3. in orthodontia, the resistance offered by an anatomical part that is used to effect movement of a tooth.in orthodontia, the resistance offered by an
anatomical part that is used to effect movement of a tooth. Surgery. the surgical fixation of loose or prolapsed abdominal tissue.

amphistyle

amphistyle

Architecture. 1. having columns in porticoes either at both ends or at both sides and across the length of both sides or ends.having columns in porticoes either at both ends or at both sides and across the length of both sides or ends. 2. a classical temple or other building having this style. Also, amphistylar.a classical temple or other building having this style.

angled stair

angled stair   Architecture. a stair whose successive flights are set at an angle other than 180° to one another.

amphiprostyle

amphiprostyle

Architecture. 1. having columns at the front and back but not on the sides.having columns at the front and back but not on the sides. 2. a building in this style. Also, amphiprostylar.a building in this style. Also, amphiprostylar

aspect

aspect   Architecture. the direction that a building faces in relation to the points of the compass.  Astronomy. the apparent position of any heavenly body with respect to another.  Ecology.  1. the extent to which a site is exposed to environmental factors.the extent to which a site is exposed to environmental factors. 2. a seasonal change in the physical appearance of a species.a seasonal change in the physical appearance of a species. 3. the direction the slope of a hill or mountain faces; e.g., north-facing aspect.the direction the slope of a hill or mountain faces; e.g., north-facing aspect

ambulatory

ambulatory

Zoology. able to move, especially to walk, from one place to another; not stationary. Medicine. 1. of a patient, able to walk; not confined to a bed, stretcher, wheelchair, and so on.of a patient, able to walk; not confined to a bed, stretcher, wheelchair, and so on. 2. of or relating to health services for patients who are not confined to a bed.of or relating to health services for patients who are not confined to a bed. Architecture. 1. an aisle around the apse of a church.an aisle around the apse of a church. 2. a walkway within a cloister.a walkway within a cloister.

arcade

arcade   Invertebrate Zoology. a type of cell found in the pharynx of nematodes, joined to similar cells by an arching structure.  Architecture.  1. a row of arches supported by columns.a row of arches supported by columns. 2. a covered walkway lined with such arches on one or both sides.a covered walkway lined with such arches on one or both sides.

alure

alure [al´yoor]

Architecture. a passage or gallery, especially behind a castle parapet, around a church roof, or along a cloister

altar

altar

Architecture. a raised structure, such as a table or slab, used in religious rites.

atrium

atrium   Architecture.  1. an open courtyard within a house.an open courtyard within a house. 2. a multistoried court or hall within a hotel or other building, usually having a skylight.a multistoried court or hall within a hotel or other building, usually having a skylight.  Medicine. a chamber that gives entrance to another structure or organ; usually used alone to refer to an atrium of the heart.

allège

allège

Architecture. a thinned portion of a wall, especially the area beneath a window

acroterion

acroterion [ak´r ter´ än]

Architecture. 1. a pedestal at the peak or corners of a pediment, used to support a statue or other ornament.a pedestal at the peak or corners of a pediment, used to support a statue or other ornament. 2. an entire ornamental element that includes such a pedestal. Also, acroterium .an entire ornamental element that includes such a pedestal. Also, acroterium .

alignment

alignment

the fact of being in line or bringing into line; specific uses include: Cartography. the correct location, direction, and character of a line or feature on a map in relation to other lines or features. Architecture. the position of a building or one of its elements on a site. Engineering. 1. a line of adjustment through two or more points.a line of adjustment through two or more points. 2. the fixing of points on the ground for the laying out of a railroad, wall, canal, and so on.the fixing of points on the ground for the laying out of a railroad, wall, canal, and so on. Electronics. 1. the process of varying the parameters of a tuned circuit to achieve the desired frequency response.the process of varying the parameters of a tuned circuit to achieve the desired frequency response. 2. the process of adjusting the synchronization of different components of an electrical system.the process of adjusting the synchronization of different components of an electrical system. Mining
Engineering. the planned direction of a tunnel or other construction. Nuclear Physics.

alette

alette

Architecture. 1. a wing of a building.a wing of a building. 2. the wing on either side of an engaged column, often serving as the abutment of an arch.the wing on either side of an engaged column, often serving as the abutment of an arch. 3. a doorjamb.a doorjamb.

alcove

alcove

Architecture. 1. a small, recessed space opening into a larger room.a small, recessed space opening into a larger room. 2. an arched opening in a wall; a niche.an arched opening in a wall; a niche. Geology. a large, deep niche formed by a spring or stream in a steep face of rock.

aisle

aisle

Architecture. 1. a passage between sections of seats, as in a church or auditorium. Also, aisleway.a passage between sections of seats, as in a church or auditorium. Also, aisleway. 2. the sections flanking a church nave, usually separated from it by columns.the sections flanking a church nave, usually separated from it by columns.

amortizement

amortizement

Architecture. the sloping top of a buttress, pillar, or other such projecting feature

aileron

aileron [ál rän]

Aviation. 1. one of a pair of hinged control surfaces located near the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft. Ailerons work as differential pairs, creating opposing lifting forces on opposite sides of the aircraft to produce a rolling motion about the craft's longitudinal axis.one of a pair of hinged control surfaces located near the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft. Ailerons work as differential pairs, creating opposing lifting forces on opposite sides of the aircraft to produce a rolling motion about the craft's longitudinal axis. 2. of or relating to ailerons, especially to their function of controlling roll. Used to form compounds such asaileron angle, aileron balance,andaileron control.of or relating to ailerons, especially to their function of controlling roll. Used to form compounds such asaileron angle, aileron balance,andaileron control. Architecture. a half gable, as at the end of a penthouse roof. (From a French word meaning "little wing.")

agora

agora

Architecture. a public meeting place, especially the main marketplace of an ancient Greek city.

Arris

arris Architecture. an edge at the intersection of two planes or curves, especially in moldings or between two flutes of a Doric column. Also, aris. Geology.

architrave

architrave   Architecture.  1. the lowest section of an entablature, resting directly on the capitals of two or more columns.the lowest section of an entablature, resting directly on the capitals of two or more columns. 2. a set of decorative moldings around a doorway, window, or other opening.a set of decorative moldings around a doorway, window, or other opening.

Aaron's rod

Aaron's rod   Botany. a popular term for various plants with tall flowering stems, such as a type of goldenrod.  Architecture. a rounded ornamental molding that is decorated with a single entwined serpent and sometimes leaves and vines. (From the Biblical account of the miraculous rod used by the high priest Aaron, which he was able to change into a serpent.)

angle bracket

angle bracket   Architecture.  1. a bracket in an angle or corner of a molded cornice.a bracket in an angle or corner of a molded cornice. 2. a bracket set at an angle other than perpendicular to the wall from which it projects.a bracket set at an angle other than perpendicular to the wall from which it projects.

acute arch

acute arch

Architecture. a narrow arch with a sharply pointed apex. Also, LANCET ARCH

amphitheater

amphitheater
Architecture. 1. an oval, circular, or semicircular auditorium with tiers of seats rising from a central open area.an oval, circular, or semicircular auditorium with tiers of seats rising from a central open area. 2. an outdoor theater in this style, especially in ancient Greece.an outdoor theater in this style, especially in ancient Greece. Geology. a landform suggesting an amphitheater, having a relatively flat floor surrounding by steeply sloping sides.

abutment

abutment

Architecture. the part of a structure that directly receives thrust or pressure, as from an arch, vault, or strut. Building Engineering. an intersection between a roof surface and a wall rising above it. Mining Engineering. 1. any point or surface constructed to absorb thrust.any point or surface constructed to absorb thrust. 2. the structural portion of a furnace that is able to withstand the thrust of an arch.the structural portion of a furnace that is able to withstand the thrust of an arch.

acropolis

acropolis

Architecture. 1. the fortified upper part of an ancient Greek city, usually containing temples and other public buildings.the fortified upper part of an ancient Greek city, usually containing temples and other public buildings. 2. Acropolis. a noted example of this in Athens.Acropolis. a noted example of this in Athens. 3. any elevated urban area containing public buildings.any elevated urban area containing public buildings.