Search the Dictionary

The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he calle…

The decomposition of complex substances, within the organism, into simpler ones suitable only for excretion, with evolution of energy, -- a normal nutritional process the reverse of assimilation; downward metabolism. The breaking down of already existing chemical compounds into simpler ones, sometimes called disassimil…

Change of form by chemical agency; decomposition; resolution. The dissolution of the compound. South.

ble of being distilled; especially, capable of being distilled without chemical change or decomposition; as, alcohol is distillable; olive oil is not distillable.

mes considered the cause of the decay; but it is more probable that the real cause is the decomposition of the wood itself. D. C. Eaton. Called also sap rot, and, in the United States, powder post. Hebert. -- Dry stove, a hothouse adapted to preserving the plants of arid climates. Brande & C. -- Dry vat, a vat, baske…

n nitroglycerin, being less liable to explosion from moderate shocks, or from spontaneous decomposition.

A resinous substance formed in the decomposition of cholic acid of bile; -- so called because it is difficult to solve.

A colorless, crystalline, nitrogenous base, obtained by the decomposition of cocaine.

on the surface, or throughout, to a whitish, mealy, or crystalline powder, from a gradual decomposition, esp. from the loss of water, on simple exposure to the air; as, Glauber's salts, and many others, effloresce.

The act or process of chemical decomposition, by the action of electricity; as, the electrolysis of silver or nickel for plating; the electrolysis of water.

A compound decomposable, or subjected to decomposition, by an electric current.

The peculiar smell and taste arising from products of decomposition of animal or vegetable substances when burnt in close vessels.

ized ferment (contained in this extract and in other vegetable juices), which effects the decomposition of certain glucosides.

A colorless oil (quickly becoming brown), with a pleasant odor, obtained by the decomposition of ericolin.

4H6.(OH)4, of a sweet, cooling taste, extracted from certain lichens, and obtained by the decomposition of erythrin; -- called also erythrol, erythroglucin, erythromannite, pseudorcin, cobalt bloom, and under the name phycite obtained from the alga Protococcus vulgaris. It is a tetrabasic alcohol, corresponding to glyc…

An unfermentable sugar, obtained as an uncrystallizable sirup by the decomposition of melitose; also obtained from a Tasmanian eucalyptus, -- whence its name.

To split into scales, especially to become converted into scales at the result of heat or decomposition.

A white, albuminous, fibrous substance, formed in the coagulation of the blood either by decomposition of fibrinogen, or from the union of fibrinogen and paraglobulin which exist separately in the blood. It is insoluble in water, but is readily digestible in gastric and pancreatic juice.

which has lost its goodness and acquired an ashy hue in consequence of heat generated by decomposition.

ic acid (Chem.), a yellow crystalline substance, resembling alizarin, and obtained by the decomposition of frangulin.