Search the Dictionary

epresents investment of capital in the means of carrying on a business, but not including material worked upon or finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or a railroad.

The viscous material of an animal or vegetable cell, out of which the various tissues are formed by a process of differentiation; protoplasm.

A piece of DNA, usually circular, functioning as part of the genetic material of a cell, not integrated with the chromosome and replicating independently of the chromosome, but transferred, like the chromosome, to subsequent generations. In bacteria, plasmids often carry the genes for antibiotic resistance; they are ex…

The albuminous material composing the body of a cytode.

harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking plaster.

Of the nature of plaster. The stone . . . is a poor plastery material. Clough.

tic exudation (Med.), an exudation thrown out upon a wounded surface and constituting the material of repair by which the process of healing is effected. -- Plastic foods. (Physiol.) See the second Note under Food. -- Plastic force. (Physiol.) See under Force. -- Plastic operation, an operation in plastic surgery.…

The art of forming figures in any plastic material.

A trimming for the front of a woman's dress, made of a different material, and narrowing from the shoulders to the waist.

The material of which a plug or stopple is made.

A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling feathers. His high plume, that nodded o'er his head. Dryden.

e act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.

he resistance, and the setting up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which tend materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that passing through the cell.

Management or administration based on temporal or material interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor; hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning; stratagem.

raphic stones. -- Polishing wheel, a wheel or disk coated with, or composed of, abrading material, for polishing a surface.

hilosophy which treats of the sources, and methods of production and preservation, of the material wealth and prosperity of nations.

a bridge formed with pontoons. -- Pontoon train, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.

Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or goods; needy; indigent.

d powder, -- used principally to ignite the priming in proving guns, and as an incendiary material in shells.

Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or manner. The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical. Evelyn. We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some delightful intermissions. Milton. Low, pragm…