Search the Dictionary

c., and obtained from starch by the action of heat, acids, or diastase. It is of somewhat variable composition, containing several carbohydrates which change easily to their respective varieties of sugar. It is so named from its rotating the plane of polarization to the right; -- called also British gum, Alsace gum, go…

-- Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself, when these increments are made indefinitely small. -- Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected…

us function (Math.), a function which for certain values or between certain values of the variable does not vary continuously as the variable increases. The discontinuity may, for example, consist of an abrupt change in the value of the function, or an abrupt change in its law of variation, or the function may become i…

The eliminant of the n partial differentials of any homogenous function of n variables. See Eliminant.

The Baltic or variable cod (Gadus callarias), by some believed to be the young of the common codfish.

, as in the steam engine. (b) A cogwheel set to turn about an eccentric axis used to give variable rotation. -- Eccentric hook or gab, a hook-shaped journal box on the end of an eccentric rod, opposite the strap. -- Eccentric rod, the rod that connects as eccentric strap with any part to be acted upon by the eccentri…

The result of eliminating n variables between n homogeneous equations of any degree; -- called also resultant.

Uniform in action or intensity; not variable or changing; -- said of the feelings or temper.

Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal movement. "An equal temper." Dryden.

Increasing by equal increments; as, an equicrescent variable.

A disease of the skin, in which a diffused inflammation forms rose-colored patches of variable size.

Pertaining to exponents; involving variable exponents; as, an exponential expression; exponential calculus; an exponential function. Exponential curve, a curve whose nature is defined by means of an exponential equation. -- Exponential equation, an equation which contains an exponential quantity, or in which the unkno…

One of the variables of a quantic as distinguished from a coefficient.

ion F(x) by successively imparting a constant increment or decrement h to the independent variable. Thus the product F(x).F(x + h).F(x + 2h) . . . F[x + (n-1)h] is called a factorial term, and its several factors take the name of factorials. Brande & C.

Full of fits; irregularly variable; impulsive and unstable. After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well. Shak. -- Fit"ful*ly, adv. -- Fit"ful*ness, n. The victorius trumpet peal Dies fitfully away. Macaulay.

A variable quantity, considered as increasing or diminishing; - - called, in the modern calculus, the function or integral.

Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable. The flux nature of all things here. Barrow.

The infinitely small increase or decrease of a variable or flowing quantity in a certain infinitely small and constant period of time; the rate of variation of a fluent; an incerement; a differential. (b) pl.

Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fluxion or fluxions; variable; inconstant. The merely human,the temporary and fluxional. Coleridge. Fluxional structure (Geol.), fluidal structure.

means of its inertia, where the power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome, is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining press. See Fly wheel (below).