pH ['pē-'āch] -n
- a measure of acidity and alkalinity of a solution that is a number on a scale on which a value of 7 represents neutrality and lower numbers indicate increasing acidity and higher numbers increasing alkalinity and on which each unit of change represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity and that is the negative logarithm of the effective hydrogen-ion concentration or hydrogen-ion activity in gram equivalents per liter of the solution
- the condition represented by a pH number
PH -abbr
- pinch hit
- public health
- Purple Heart
Phae·dra ['fē-drə] -n
- a daughter of Minos who marries Theseus and falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus
Pha·e·thon ['fā-ə-tən, -,thän] -n
- a son of Helios who drives his father's sun-chariot through the sky but loses control and is struck down by a thunderbolt of Zeus
pha·eton ['fā-ə-tən] -n
- any of various light four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicles
- touring car
phage ['fāj also 'fäzh] -n
- bacteriophage
phago·cyte ['fa-gə-,sīt] -n, adj
- a cell (as a white blood cell) that engulfs and consumes foreign material (as microorganisms) and debris
phago·cy·tize ['fa-gə-sə-,tīz, -,sī-] -vt
- phagocytose
phago·cy·tose [-sə-,tōs, -sī-, -,tōz] -vt
- to consume by phagocytosis
phago·cy·to·sis [,fa-gə-sə-'tō-səs, -sī-] -n, adj
- the engulfing and usu. the destruction of particulate matter by phagocytes
phal·ae·nop·sis [,fa-lə-'näp-səs] -n
- any of a genus ( Phalaenopsis) of ornamental epiphytic orchids of southeastern Asia and Australia having fleshy leaves and large showy flowers with broad lateral petals
pha·lange ['fā-,lanj, fə-', fā-'] -n
- phalanx
pha·lan·ge·al [,fā-lən-'jē-əl, ,fa-; fə-'lan-jē-, fā-] -adj
- of or relating to a phalanx or the phalanges
pha·lan·ger [fə-'lan-jər, 'fā-,] -n
- any of various small to medium-sized marsupial mammals (family Phalangeridae) of the Australian region that are chiefly arboreal and nocturnal and usu. densely furred
phal·an·stery ['fa-lən-,ster-ē] -n
- a Fourierist cooperative community
- a self-contained structure housing such a community
- something resembling a Fourierist phalanstery
pha·lanx ['fā-,laŋ(k)s, Brit usu 'fa-] -n
- a body of heavily armed infantry in ancient Greece formed in close deep ranks and files
- a body of troops in close array
- one of the digital bones of the hand or foot of a vertebrate
- a massed arrangement of persons, animals, or things
- a phalanx of armed guards
- an organized body of persons
phal·a·rope ['fa-lə-,rōp] -n
- any of a genus ( Phalaropus) of small shorebirds related to sandpipers but distinguished by their lobed toes and preference for swimming
phal·lic ['fa-lik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to phallicism
- of, relating to, or resembling a phallus
- relating to or being the stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory that follows the anal stage and during which a child becomes interested in his or her own sexual organs
phal·li·cism ['fa-lə-,si-zəm] -n
- the worship of the generative principle as symbolized by the phallus
phal·lo·cen·tric [,fa-lə-'sen-trik] -adj, n
- centered on or emphasizing the masculine point of view
phal·lo·crat·ic [,fa-lə-'kra-tik, -(,)lō-] -adj
- relating to, resulting from, or advocating masculine power and dominance
phal·lus ['fa-ləs] -n
- a symbol or representation of the penis
- penis
phan·er·o·gam ['fa-nə-rə-,gam, fə-'ner-ə-] -n
- a seed plant or flowering plant : spermatophyte
phan·er·o·phyte ['fa-nə-rə-,fīt, fə-'ner-ə-] -n
- a perennial plant that bears its perennating buds well above the surface of the ground
Phan·er·o·zo·ic [,fa-nə-rə-'zō-ik] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being an eon of geologic history that comprises the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic or the corresponding systems of rocks
phan·tasm ['fan-,ta-zəm] -n, adj
- : a product of fantasy: as
- delusive appearance : illusion
- ghost, specter
- a figment of the imagination
- a mental representation of a real object
phan·tas·ma [fan-'taz-mə] -n
- phantasm
phan·tas·ma·go·ria [(,)fan-,taz-mə-'gȯr-ē-ə] -n, adj
- an exhibition of optical effects and illusions
- a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined
- a scene that constantly changes
- a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage
phantasy ['fan-tə-sē, -zē] -n
(variant of fantasy)
- hallucination
- fancy
- the free play of creative imagination
- : a creation of the imaginative faculty whether expressed or merely conceived: as
- a fanciful design or invention
- a chimerical or fantastic notion
- fantasia
- imaginative fiction featuring esp. strange settings and grotesque characters called also fantasy fiction
- caprice
- the power or process of creating esp. unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need
- a mental image or a series of mental images (as a daydream) so created
- sexual fantasies of adolescence
- a coin usu. not intended for circulation as currency and often issued by a dubious authority (as a government-in-exile)
phan·tom ['fan-təm] -n, adv or adj
- something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition
- something elusive or visionary
- an object of continual dread or abhorrence
- the phantom of disease and want
- something existing in appearance only
- a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal
- she was a phantom of delight -- William Wordsworth
phantom -adj
- of the nature of, suggesting, or being a phantom : illusory
- fictitious, dummy
phantom limb -n
- an often painful sensation of the presence of a limb that has been amputated called also phantom pain
phar -abbr
- pharmacopoeia
- pharmacy
pha·raoh ['fer-(,)ō, 'fā-(,)rō] -n
- a ruler of ancient Egypt
- tyrant
pharaoh ant -n
- a small red ant ( Monomorium pharaonis) that is a common household pest
phar·a·on·ic [,fer-ā-'ä-nik] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a pharaoh or the pharaohs
- enormous in size or magnitude
- pharaonic construction projects
phar·i·sa·ic [,fa-rə-'sā-ik] -adj
- pharisaical
- of or relating to the Pharisees
phar·i·sa·ical [-'sā-ə-kəl] -adj, adv, n
- marked by hypocritical censorious self-righteousness
phar·i·sa·ism ['fa-rə-(,)sā-,i-zəm] -n
- the doctrines or practices of the Pharisees
- pharisaical character, spirit, or attitude : hypocrisy
phar·i·see ['fa-rə-(,)sē] -n
- a member of a Jewish sect of the intertestamental period noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law
- a pharisaical person
pharm -abbr
- pharmaceutical; pharmacist; pharmacy
phar·ma ['fär-mə] -n
- a pharmaceutical company
- large pharmaceutical companies as a group
phar·ma·ceu·ti·cal [,fär-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals
pharmaceutical -n
- a medicinal drug
phar·ma·cist ['fär-mə-sist] -n
- a person licensed to engage in pharmacy
pharmaco- -comb form
- medicine : drug
phar·ma·co·dy·nam·ics [,fär-mə-kō-dī-'na-miks, -də-] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, adv
- a branch of pharmacology dealing with the reactions between drugs and living systems
phar·ma·co·ge·net·ics [,fär-mə-kō-je-'ne-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- the study of how genetic differences among individuals cause varied responses to a drug
phar·ma·co·ge·no·mics [,fär-mə-kō-jē-'nō-miks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the science concerned with ways to compensate for genetic differences in patients which cause varied responses to a single drug
phar·ma·cog·no·sy [,fär-mə-'käg-nə-sē] -n, adj
- a branch of pharmacology dealing with medicinal substances of biological origin and esp. medicinal substances obtained from plants
phar·ma·co·ki·net·ics [-kō-kə-'ne-tiks, -kō-kī-] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the study of the bodily absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs
- the characteristic interactions of a drug and the body in terms of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
phar·ma·col·o·gy [,fär-mə-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology
- the properties and reactions of drugs esp. with relation to their therapeutic value
phar·ma·co·poe·ia [-kə-'pē-ə] -n, adj
- a book describing drugs, chemicals, and medicinal preparations
- one issued by an officially recognized authority and serving as a standard
- a collection or stock of drugs
phar·ma·co·ther·a·py [,fär-mə-kō-'ther-ə-pē] -n
- the treatment of disease and esp. mental illness with drugs
phar·ma·cy ['fär-mə-sē] -n
- the art, practice, or profession of preparing, preserving, compounding, and dispensing medical drugs
- a place where medicines are compounded or dispensed
- drugstore
- pharmacopoeia
PharmD -abbr
- doctor of pharmacy
pha·ryn·geal [,fa-rən-'jē-əl, fə-'rin-j(ē-)əl] -adj
- relating to or located or produced in the region of the pharynx
phar·yn·gi·tis [,fa-rən-'jī-təs] -n
- inflammation of the pharynx
phar·ynx ['fa-riŋ(k)s] -n
- the muscular tubular passage of the vertebrate digestive and respiratory tracts extending from the back of the nasal cavity and mouth to the esophagus
- a differentiated part of the alimentary canal in some invertebrates that may be thickened and muscular, eversible and toothed, or adapted as a suctorial organ
phase ['fāz] -n, adj
- a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes
- a distinguishable part in a course, development, or cycle
- the early phase s of her career
- an aspect or part (as of a problem) under consideration
- the point or stage in a period of uniform circular motion, harmonic motion, or the periodic changes of any magnitude varying according to a simple harmonic law to which the rotation, oscillation, or variation has advanced from its standard position or assumed instant of starting
- a homogeneous, physically distinct, and mechanically separable portion of matter present in a nonhomogeneous physicochemical system
- an individual or subgroup distinguishably different in appearance or behavior from the norm of the group to which it belongs
- the distinguishing peculiarity
- to adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
- to conduct or carry out by planned phases
- to introduce in stages usu. used with in
phasecontrast -adj
- of or employing the phase-contrast microscope
phasecontrast microscope -n
- a microscope that translates differences in phase of the light transmitted through or reflected by the object into differences of intensity in the image called also phase microscope
phase·down ['fāz-,dau̇n] -n
- a gradual reduction (as in operations or size) : a slowing down by phases
phase down -vt
- to reduce the size or amount of by phases
- to undergo reduction by phases
phase modulation -n
- modulation of the phase of a radio carrier wave by voice or other signal
phase·out ['fāz-,au̇t] -n
- a gradual stopping (as in operations or production) : a closing down by phases
phase out -vt
- to discontinue the practice, production, or use of by phases
- to stop production or operation by phases
phas·mid ['faz-məd] -n, adj
- any of an order (Phasmatodea syn. Phasmida) of large cylindrical or sometimes flattened chiefly tropical insects (as a walking stick) that have long legs, strictly phytophagous habits, and incomplete metamorphosis and that include forms resembling leaves or twigs
phat ['fat] -adj
- highly attractive or gratifying : excellent
- a phat beat moving through my body -- Tara Roberts
phat·ic ['fa-tik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being speech used for social or emotive purposes rather than for communicating information
PhB -abbr
- bachelor of philosophy
PhD -abbr
- doctor of philosophy
pheas·ant ['fe-zᵊnt] -n
- any of numerous large often long-tailed and brightly colored Old World gallinaceous birds ( Phasianusand related genera of the family Phasianidae) including many raised as ornamental or game birds
- any of various birds resembling a pheasant
phel·lem ['fe-,lem] -n
- a layer of usu. suberized cells produced outwardly by a phellogen
phel·lo·derm ['fe-lə-,dərm] -n
- a layer of parenchyma produced inwardly by a phellogen
phel·lo·gen ['fe-lə-jən] -n
- a secondary meristem that initiates phellem and phelloderm in the periderm of a stem or root called also cork cambium
phen- -comb form
- related to or derived from benzene
- containing phenyl
phe·na·caine ['fē-nə-,kān, 'fe-] -n
- a crystalline base C 18H 22N 2O 2or its hydrochloride used as a local anesthetic
phen·ac·e·tin [fi-'na-sə-tən] -n
- a white crystalline compound C 10H 13NO 2formerly used to ease pain or fever but withdrawn because of its serious side effects called also acetophenetidin
phen·a·kite ['fe-nə-,kīt, 'fē-] -n
- a hard glassy mineral that consists of a silicate of beryllium and occurs esp. in rhombohedral crystals
phen·an·threne [fə-'nan-,thrēn] -n
- a crystalline tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon C 14H 10of coal tar isomeric with anthracene
phen·a·zine ['fe-nə-,zēn] -n
- a yellowish crystalline base C 12H 8N 2used esp. in organic synthesis
phen·cy·cli·dine [(,)fen-'si-klə-,dēn, -'sī-, -dən] -n
- a piperidine derivative C 17H 25N used chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride esp. as a veterinary anesthetic and sometimes illicitly as a psychedelic drug called also angel dust PCP
phe·net·ic [fi-'ne-tik] -adj
- of or relating to taxonomic analysis that emphasizes the overall similarities of characteristics among biological taxa without regard to phylogenetic relationships
phe·net·ics [-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, n
- a system of biological classification based on phenetic methods
phenfen ['fen-,fen] -n
- fen-phen
phen·met·ra·zine [(,)fen-'me-trə-,zēn] -n
- a sympathomimetic stimulant C 11H 15NO used in the form of its hydrochloride as an appetite suppressant
phe·no·bar·bi·tal [,fē-nō-'bär-bə-,tȯl] -n
- a crystalline barbiturate C 12H 12N 2O 3used as a hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant
phe·no·bar·bi·tone [-bə-,tōn] -n
- phenobarbital
phe·no·copy ['fē-nə-,kä-pē] -n
- a phenotypic variation that is caused by unusual environmental conditions and resembles the normal expression of a genotype other than its own
phe·no·cryst [-,krist] -n, adj
- one of the prominent embedded crystals of a porphyry
phe·nol ['fē-,nōl, -,nȯl, fi-'] -n
- a corrosive poisonous crystalline acidic compound C 6H 5OH present in the tars of coal and wood that in dilute solution is used as a disinfectant
- any of various acidic compounds analogous to phenol and regarded as hydroxyl derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons
phe·no·late ['fē-nə-,lāt] -n
- phenoxide
phe·no·lat·ed ['fē-nə-,lā-təd] -adj
- treated, mixed, or impregnated with phenol
phe·no·lic [fi-'nō-lik, -'nä-] -adj
- of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phenol
- containing or derived from a phenol
- of, relating to, or being a phenolic
phenolic -n
- a usu. thermosetting resin or plastic made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and used esp. for molding and insulating and in coatings and adhesives called also phenolic resin
- phenol
phe·nol·o·gy [fi-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- a branch of science dealing with the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena (as bird migration or plant flowering)
- periodic biological phenomena that are correlated with climatic conditions
phe·nol·phtha·lein [,fē-nᵊl-'tha-lē-ən, -'tha-,lēn, -'thā-] -n
- a white or yellowish-white crystalline compound C 20H 14O 4used in analysis as an indicator because its solution is brilliant red in alkalies and is decolorized by acids and in medicine as a laxative
phenol red -n
- a red crystalline compound C 19H 14O 5S used esp. as an acid-base indicator
phe·nom ['fē-,näm, fi-'näm] -n
- phenomenon
- a person of phenomenal ability or promise
phe·nom·e·na [fi-'nä-mə-nə, -,nä] -n
- phenomenon
phe·nom·e·nal [fi-'nä-mə-nᵊl] -adj, adv
- : relating to or being a phenomenon: as
- known through the senses rather than through thought or intuition
- concerned with phenomena rather than with hypotheses
- extraordinary, remarkable
phe·nom·e·nal·ism [-nə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj, adv
- a theory that limits knowledge to phenomena only
- a theory that all knowledge is of phenomena and that what is construed to be perception of material objects is simply perception of sense-data
phe·nom·e·no·log·i·cal [fi-,nä-mə-nə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to phenomenology
- phenomenal
- of or relating to phenomenalism
phe·nom·e·nol·o·gy [fi-,nä-mə-'nä-lə-jē] -n
- the study of the development of human consciousness and self-awareness as a preface to or a part of philosophy
- a philosophical movement that describes the formal structure of the objects of awareness and of awareness itself in abstraction from any claims concerning existence
- the typological classification of a class of phenomena
- the phenomenology of religion
- an analysis produced by phenomenological investigation
phe·nom·e·non [fi-'nä-mə-,nän, -nən] -n
- an observable fact or event
- an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition
- a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon
- a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation
- a rare or significant fact or event
- an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence
phe·no·thi·a·zine [,fē-nō-'thī-ə-,zēn] -n
- a greenish-yellow crystalline compound C 12H 9NS used as an anthelmintic and insecticide esp. in veterinary practice
- any of various phenothiazine derivatives (as chlorpromazine) that are used as tranquilizing agents esp. in the treatment of schizophrenia
phe·no·type ['fē-nə-,tīp] -n, adj, adv
- the observable properties of an organism that are produced by the interaction of the genotype and the environment
phen·ox·ide [fi-'näk-,sīd] -n
- a salt of a phenol esp. in its capacity as a weak acid
phen·ter·mine ['fen-tər-,mēn] -n
- an anorectic drug C 10H 15N used in the form of its hydrochloride to treat obesity
phen·tol·amine [fen-'tä-lə-,mēn, -mən] -n
- an adrenergic blocking agent C 17H 19N 3O used esp. in the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension due to pheochromocytoma
phe·nyl ['fe-nᵊl, 'fē-] -n, adj
- a monovalent aryl radical C 6H 5 derived from benzene by removal of one hydrogen atom often used in combination
phe·nyl·al·a·nine [,fe-nᵊl-'a-lə-,nēn, ,fē-] -n
- an essential amino acid C 9H 11NO 2that is converted in the normal body to tyrosine
phen·yl·bu·ta·zone [,fe-nᵊl-'byü-tə-,zōn] -n
- a drug C 19H 20N 2O 2that is used for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties esp. in the treatment of arthritis, gout, and bursitis
phen·yl·eph·rine [-'e-,frēn, -frən] -n
- a sympathomimetic agent C 9H 13NO 2that is used in the form of its hydrochloride as a vasoconstrictor, a mydriatic, a nasal decongestant, and by injection to raise the blood pressure
phen·yl·eth·yl·amine [,fe-nᵊl-,e-thəl-'a-,mēn, ,fē-] -n
- a neurotransmitter C 8H 11N that is an amine resembling amphetamine in structure and pharmacological properties
- any of its derivatives
phe·nyl·ke·ton·uria [,fe-nᵊl-,kē-tᵊn-'u̇r-ē-ə, ,fē-, -'yu̇r-] -n, n or adj
- an inherited metabolic disorder caused by an enzyme deficiency resulting in accumulation of phenylalanine and its metabolites in the blood causing usu. severe mental retardation and seizures unless phenylalanine is restricted from the diet beginning at birth abbr. PKU
phen·yl·pro·pa·nol·amine [,fe-nᵊl-,prō-pə-'nȯ-lə-,mēn, ,fē-, -'nō-; -nȯ-'la-,mēn] -n
- a sympathomimetic drug C 9H 13NO used in the form of its hydrochloride esp. as a nasal and bronchial decongestant and as an appetite suppressant
phen·yl·thio·car·ba·mide [,fe-nᵊl-,thī-ō-'kär-bə-,mīd, ,fē-] -n
- a crystalline compound C 7H 8N 2S that is extremely bitter or tasteless depending on the presence or absence of a single dominant gene in the taster called also phenylthiourea PTC
phen·yl·thio·urea [-,thī-ō-yu̇-'rē-ə] -n
- phenylthiocarbamide
phe·nyt·o·in [fə-'ni-tə-wən] -n
- a crystalline anticonvulsant compound C 15H 12N 2O 2used in the form of its sodium salt in the treatment of epilepsy called also diphenylhydantoin
pheo·chro·mo·cy·to·ma [,fē-ə-,krō-mə-sə-'tō-mə, -sī-] -n
- a tumor that is derived from chromaffin cells and is usu. associated with paroxysmal or sustained hypertension
phe·re·sis [fə-'rē-səs] -n
- apheresis
pher·o·mone ['fer-ə-,mōn] -n, adj
- a chemical substance that is usu. produced by an animal and serves esp. as a stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses
phew [a voiceless bilabial fricative usu followed by a voiceless (y)ü or ᵫ sound; often read as 'f(y)ü] -interj
- used to express relief or fatigue
- used to express disgust at or as if at an unpleasant odor
phi ['fī] -n
- the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet
phi·al ['fī(-ə)l] -n
- vial
Phi Be·ta Kap·pa [,fī-,bā-tə-'ka-pə] -n
- a person winning high scholastic distinction in an American college or university and being elected to membership in a national honor society founded in 1776
Phil -abbr
- Philippians
phil- -comb form
- loving : having an affinity for
Phil·a·del·phia lawyer [,fi-lə-'del-fyə-, -fē-ə-] -n
- a lawyer knowledgeable in the most minute aspects of the law
Philadelphia pepper pot -n
- pepper pot
phil·a·del·phus [,fi-lə-'del-fəs] -n
- mock orange
phi·lan·der [fə-'lan-dər] -vi, n
- to have casual or illicit sex with a woman or with many women
- to be sexually unfaithful to one's wife
phil·an·throp·ic [,fi-lən-'thrä-pik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characterized by philanthropy : humanitarian
- dispensing or receiving aid from funds set aside for humanitarian purposes
phi·lan·thro·pist [fə-'lan(t)-thrə-pist] -n
- one who practices philanthropy
phi·lan·thro·poid [-,pȯid] -n
- a person who works for a philanthropic organization
phi·lan·thro·py [-pē] -n
- goodwill to fellowmen
- active effort to promote human welfare
- a philanthropic act or gift
- an organization distributing or supported by philanthropic funds
phi·lat·e·list [fə-'la-tə-list] -n
- a specialist in philately : one who collects or studies stamps
phi·lat·e·ly [fə-'la-tə-lē] -n, adj, adv
- the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps : stamp collecting
Phi·le·mon [fə-'lē-mən, fī-] -n
- a friend and probable convert of the apostle Paul
- a letter written by St. Paul to a Christian living in the area of Colossae and included as a book in the New Testament
- a poor aged Phrygian in Greek mythology who with his wife Baucis treats a disguised Zeus hospitably and is rewarded by him with a splendid temple
phil·har·mon·ic [,fi-lər-'mä-nik, -(,)lär-; ,fil-(,)här-] -n
- symphony orchestra
phil·hel·lene [(,)fil-'he-,lēn] -adj, n
- admiring Greece or the Greeks
Phi·lip·pi·ans [fə-'li-pē-ənz] -n pl but sing in constr
- a hortatory letter written by St. Paul to the Christians of Philippi and included as a book in the New Testament
phi·lip·pic [fə-'li-pik] -n
- a discourse or declamation full of bitter condemnation : tirade
Phil·ip·pine mahogany ['fi-lə-,pēn-] -n
- any of several Philippine dipterocarp timber trees (genera Shorea, Parashorea,and Pentacme) with wood resembling that of the true mahoganies
- its wood
phi·lis·tia [fə-'lis-tē-ə] -n
- the class or world of cultural philistines
Phi·lis·tine ['fi-lə-,stēn; fə-'lis-tən, -,tēn; 'fi-lə-stən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of ancient Philistia
- a person who is guided by materialism and is usu. disdainful of intellectual or artistic values
- one uninformed in a special area of knowledge
Phil·lips ['fi-ləps] -adj
- of, relating to, or being a screw having a head with a cross slot or the corresponding screwdriver
phil·lu·men·ist [fi-'lü-mə-nist] -n
- one who collects matchbooks or matchbox labels
Phi·loc·te·tes [fi-'läk-tə-,tēz, ,fi-läk-'tē-tēz] -n
- a Greek archer who uses the bow of Hercules to slay Paris at Troy
phil·o·den·dron [,fi-lə-'den-drən] -n
- any of various aroid plants (as of the genus Philodendron) that are cultivated for their showy foliage
phi·lol·o·gy [fə-'lä-lə-jē also fī-] -n, adj, adv
- the study of literature and of disciplines relevant to literature or to language as used in literature
- linguistics
- historical and comparative linguistics
- the study of human speech esp. as the vehicle of literature and as a field of study that sheds light on cultural history
Phil·o·mel ['fi-lə-,mel] -n
- nightingale
Phil·o·me·la [,fi-lə-'mē-lə] -n
- an Athenian princess in Greek mythology raped and deprived of her tongue by her brother-in-law Tereus, avenged by the killing of his son, and changed into a nightingale while fleeing from him
phil·o·pro·gen·i·tive [,fi-lə-prō-'je-nə-tiv] -adj, n
- tending to produce offspring : prolific
- of, relating to, or characterized by love of offspring
philos -abbr
- philosophy
phi·lo·sophe [,fē-lə-'zȯf] -n
- one of the deistic or materialistic writers and thinkers of the 18th century French Enlightenment
phi·los·o·pher [fə-'lä-s(ə-)fər] -n
- a person who seeks wisdom or enlightenment : scholar, thinker
- a student of philosophy
- a person whose philosophical perspective makes meeting trouble with equanimity easier
- an expounder of a theory in a particular area of experience
- one who philosophizes
philosopher's stone -n
- an imaginary stone, substance, or chemical preparation believed to have the power of transmuting baser metals into gold and sought by alchemists
- an elusive or imaginary key to success called also philosophers' stone
phil·o·soph·i·cal [,fi-lə-'sä-fi-kəl also -'zä-] -adj, adv
- of or relating to philosophers or philosophy
- based on philosophy
- characterized by the attitude of a philosopher
- calm or unflinching in the face of trouble, defeat, or loss
philosophical analysis -n
- analytic philosophy
phi·los·o·phise [fə-'lä-sə-,fīz] -vb, n
(variant of philosophize)
- to reason in the manner of a philosopher
- to expound a moralizing and often superficial philosophy
- to consider from or bring into conformity with a philosophical point of view
phi·los·o·phize [fə-'lä-sə-,fīz] -vb, n
- to reason in the manner of a philosopher
- to expound a moralizing and often superficial philosophy
- to consider from or bring into conformity with a philosophical point of view
phi·los·o·phy [fə-'lä-s(ə-)fē] -n
- all learning exclusive of technical precepts and practical arts
- the sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology
- the 4-year college course of a major seminary
- physical science
- ethics
- a discipline comprising as its core logic, aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology
- pursuit of wisdom
- a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means
- an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs
- a system of philosophical concepts
- a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought
- the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group
- calmness of temper and judgment befitting a philosopher
philosophy of life
- an overall vision of or attitude toward life and the purpose of life
- any of various philosophies that emphasize human life or life in general
phil·ter ['fil-tər] -n
- a potion credited with magical power
- a potion, drug, or charm held to have the power to arouse sexual passion
phil·tre ['fil-tər] -n
(variant of philter)
- a potion credited with magical power
- a potion, drug, or charm held to have the power to arouse sexual passion
phi phenomenon -n
- apparent motion resulting from an orderly sequence of stimuli (as lights flashed in rapid succession a short distance apart on a sign) without any actual motion being presented to the eye
phish·ing ['fi-shiŋ] -n
- a scam by which an e-mail user is duped into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly
phiz ['fiz] -n
- face
phleb- -comb form
- vein
phle·bi·tis [fli-'bī-təs] -n
- inflammation of a vein
phle·bol·o·gy [fli-'bä-lə-jē] -n
- a branch of medicine concerned with the veins
phle·bo·to·mus fever [fli-'bä-tə-məs-] -n
- sandfly fever
phle·bot·o·my [fli-'bä-tə-mē] -n
- the letting of blood for transfusion, diagnosis, or experiment, and esp. formerly in the treatment of disease called also venesection
Phleg·e·thon ['fle-gə-,thän] -n
- a river of fire in Hades
phlegm ['flem] -n, adj
- the one of the four humors in early physiology that was considered to be cold and moist and to cause sluggishness
- viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in the respiratory passages
- dull or apathetic coldness or indifference
- intrepid coolness or calm fortitude
phleg·mat·ic [fleg-'ma-tik] -adj, adv
- resembling, consisting of, or producing the humor phlegm
- having or showing a slow and stolid temperament
phlo·em ['flō-,em] -n
- a complex tissue in the vascular system of higher plants that consists mainly of sieve tubes and elongated parenchyma cells usu. with fibers and that functions in translocation and in support and storage
phloem necrosis -n
- a pathological state in a plant characterized by brown discoloration and disintegration of the phloem
- a fatal disease of the American elm caused by a phytoplasma transmitted by a leafhopper ( Scaphoideus luteolus)
phloem ray -n
- a vascular ray or part of a vascular ray that is located in phloem
phlo·gis·tic [flō-'jis-tik] -adj
- of or relating to phlogiston
- of or relating to inflammations and fevers
phlo·gis·ton [-tən] -n
- the hypothetical principle of fire regarded formerly as a material substance
phlog·o·pite ['flä-gə-,pīt] -n
- a usu. brown to red form of mica
phlox ['fläks] -n
- any of a genus ( Phloxof the family Polemoniaceae, the phlox family) of American annual or perennial herbs that have red, purple, white, or variegated flowers, a salverform corolla with the stamens on its tube, and a 3-valved capsular fruit
pH meter -n
- an apparatus for measuring the strength or the amount of acid present in a mixture or solution called also acidimeter
pho·bia ['fō-bē-ə] -n
- an exaggerated usu. inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
pho·bic ['fō-bik] -adj, n
- of, relating to, affected with, or constituting phobia
phoe·be ['fē-bē] -n
- any of a genus ( Sayornis) of the tyrant flycatcher family
- a flycatcher ( S. phoebe) of the eastern U.S. that has a slight crest and is plain grayish brown above and yellowish white below
Phoe·be ['fē-bē] -n
- artemis
Phoe·bus ['fē-bəs] -n
- apollo
- sun
Phoe·ni·cian [fi-'nē-shən, -'ni-] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of ancient Phoenicia
- the Semitic language of ancient Phoenicia
phoe·nix ['fē-niks] -n, adj
- a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period
- a person or thing likened to the phoenix
phon- -comb form
- sound : voice : speech
pho·nate ['fō-,nāt] -vi, n
- to produce vocal sounds and esp. speech
phone ['fōn] -n
- a speech sound considered as a physical event without regard to its place in the sound system of a language
- telephone
- earphone
- telephone
phone card -n
- a prepaid card used for making telephone calls
phonein ['fōn-,in] -n
- a call-in show (as on radio)
pho·ne·mat·ic [,fō-nē-'ma-tik] -adj
- phonemic
pho·neme ['fō-,nēm] -n
- any of the abstract units of the phonetic system of a language that correspond to a set of similar speech sounds (as the velar k of cooland the palatal k of keel) which are perceived to be a single distinctive sound in the language
pho·ne·mic [fə-'nē-mik, fō-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a phoneme
- constituting members of different phonemes (as n and m in English)
- distinctive
pho·ne·mics [-miks] -n pl but sing in constr, n
- a branch of linguistic analysis involving the study of phonemes
- the structure of a language in terms of phonemes
phone sex -n
- prerecorded sex-oriented telephone messages available to those who call a commercial service
- sex-oriented telephone conversations (as with an operator employed by a commercial service or with a lover)
phone tag -n
- telephone tag
pho·net·ic [fə-'ne-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to spoken language or speech sounds
- of or relating to the science of phonetics
- : representing the sounds and other phenomena of speech: as
- constituting an alteration of ordinary spelling that better represents the spoken language, that employs only characters of the regular alphabet, and that is used in a context of conventional spelling
- representing speech sounds by means of symbols that have one value only
- employing for speech sounds more than the minimum number of symbols necessary to represent the significant differences in a speaker's speech
phonetic alphabet -n
- a set of symbols (as the IPA) used for phonetic transcription
- any of various systems of identifying letters of the alphabet by means of code words in voice communication
pho·ne·ti·cian [,fō-nə-'ti-shən also ,fä-] -n
- a specialist in phonetics
pho·net·ics [fə-'ne-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr
- the system of speech sounds of a language or group of languages
- the study and systematic classification of the sounds made in spoken utterance
- the practical application of this science to language study
pho·nic ['fä-nik also 'fō-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or producing sound : acoustic
- of or relating to the sounds of speech
- of or relating to phonics
pho·nics ['fä-niks, 1 is also 'fō-] -n pl but sing in constr
- the science of sound : acoustics
- a method of teaching beginners to read and pronounce words by learning the phonetic value of letters, letter groups, and esp. syllables
pho·no ['fō-(,)nō] -n
- phonograph
pho·no·car·dio·gram [,fō-nə-'kär-dē-ə-,gram] -n
- a graphic representation of heart sounds made by means of a microphone, amplifier, and recording equipment
pho·no·car·di·og·ra·phy [-,kär-dē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- the process of producing a phonocardiogram
pho·no·gram ['fō-nə-,gram] -n
- a character or symbol used to represent a word, syllable, or phoneme
- a succession of orthographic letters that occurs with the same phonetic value in several words (as the ightof bright, fight,and flight)
pho·no·graph ['fō-nə-,graf] -n
- an instrument for reproducing sounds by means of the vibration of a stylus or needle following a spiral groove on a revolving disc or cylinder
pho·nog·ra·pher [fə-'nä-grə-fər, fō-] -n
- a specialist in phonography
pho·no·graph·ic [,fō-nə-'gra-fik, 1 is also ,fä-] -adj, adv
- of or relating to phonography
- of or relating to a phonograph
pho·nog·ra·phy [fə-'nä-grə-fē, fō-] -n
- spelling based on pronunciation
- a system of shorthand writing based on sound
pho·no·lite ['fō-nə-,līt] -n
- a gray or green volcanic rock consisting essentially of orthoclase and nepheline
pho·nol·o·gy [fə-'nä-lə-jē, fō-] -n, adj, adv
- the science of speech sounds including esp. the history and theory of sound changes in a language or in two or more related languages
- the phonetics and phonemics of a language at a particular time
pho·non ['fō-,nän] -n
- a quantum of vibrational energy (as in a crystal)
pho·no·tac·tics [,fō-nə-'tak-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj
- the area of phonology concerned with the analysis and description of the permitted sound sequences of a language
pho·ny ['fō-nē] -adj, adv, n
- : not genuine or real: as
- intended to deceive or mislead
- intended to defraud : counterfeit
- arousing suspicion : probably dishonest
- something phony about the story
- having no basis in fact : fictitious
- false, sham
- : making a false show: as
- hypocritical
- specious
- has a phony poetic elegance -- New Republic
phony -n
- one that is phony
- counterfeit, fake often used with up
- a paper phonied up on the spur of the moment -- William Faulkner
pho·nyba·lo·ney [-bə-'lō-nē] -adj
- phony
phoo·ey ['fü-ē] -interj
- used to express repudiation or disgust
pho·rate ['fȯr-,āt] -n
- a very toxic organophosphate systemic insecticide C 7H 17O 2PS 3
phos·gene ['fäz-,jēn] -n
- a colorless gas COCl 2of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant that has been used in chemical warfare
phosph- -comb form
- phosphorus
- phosphate
phos·pha·tase ['fäs-fə-,tās, -,tāz] -n
- : an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis and synthesis of organic esters of phosphoric acid and the transfer of phosphate groups to other compounds:
- alkaline phosphatase
- acid phosphatase
phos·phate ['fäs-,fāt] -n
- a salt or ester of a phosphoric acid
- the trivalent anion PO 4 3derived from phosphoric acid H 3PO 4
- an organic compound of phosphoric acid in which the acid group is bound to nitrogen or a carboxyl group in a way that permits useful energy to be released (as in metabolism)
- an effervescent drink of carbonated water with a small amount of phosphoric acid flavored with fruit syrup
- a phosphatic material used for fertilizers
phosphate rock -n
- a rock that consists largely of calcium phosphate usu. together with other minerals (as calcium carbonate), is used in making fertilizers, and is a source of phosphorus compounds
phos·phat·ic [fäs-'fa-tik, -'fā-] -adj
- of, relating to, or containing phosphoric acid or phosphates
phos·pha·tide ['fäs-fə-,tīd] -n, adj
- phospholipid
phos·pha·ti·dyl [,fäs-fə-'tī-dᵊl, fäs-'fa-tə-dᵊl] -n
- any of several monovalent groups (RCOO) 2C 3H 5OPO(OH) that are derived from phosphatidic acids
phos·pha·ti·dyl·cho·line [,fäs-fə-,tī-dᵊl-'kō-,lēn, (,)fäs-,fa-tə-dᵊl-] -n
- lecithin
phos·pha·ti·dyl·eth·a·nol·amine [-,e-thə-'nä-lə-,mēn, -'nō-] -n
- any of a group of phospholipids that occur esp. in blood plasma and the white matter of the central nervous system called also cephalin
phos·pha·tize ['fäs-fə-,tīz] -vt, n
- to treat with phosphoric acid or a phosphate
- to change to a phosphate or phosphates
phos·pha·tu·ria [,fäs-fə-'tu̇r-ē-ə, -'tyu̇r-] -n
- the excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine
phos·phene ['fäs-,fēn] -n
- a luminous impression due to excitation of the retina
phos·phide [-,fīd] -n
- a binary compound of phosphorus with a more electropositive element or group
phos·phine [-,fēn] -n
- any of various derivatives of phosphine analogous to amines but weaker as bases
- a colorless poisonous flammable gas PH 3that is a weaker base than ammonia and that is used esp. to fumigate stored grain
phos·phite [-,fīt] -n
- a salt or ester of phosphorous acid
phos·pho·cre·a·tine [,fäs-(,)fō-'krē-ə-,tēn] -n
- a compound C 4H 10N 3O 5P of creatine and phosphoric acid that is found esp. in vertebrate muscle where it is an energy source for muscle contraction
phos·pho·di·es·ter·ase [-dī-'es-tə-,rās, -,rāz] -n
- a phosphatase (as from snake venom) that acts on diesters (as some nucleotides) to hydrolyze only one of the two ester groups
phos·pho·enol·pyr·uvate [,fäs-,fō-ə-,nȯl-pī-'rü-,vāt, -,nōl-, -,pī(-ə)r-'yü-] -n
- a salt or ester of phosphoenolpyruvic acid
phos·pho·enol·pyr·uvic acid [-pī-'rü-vik-, -,pī(-ə)r-'yü-vik-] -n
- the phosphate H 2CC(OPO 3H 2)COOH of the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism
phos·pho·fruc·to·ki·nase [,fäs-(,)fō-,frək-tō-'kī-,nās, -,frük-, -,fru̇k-, -,nāz] -n
- an enzyme that functions in carbohydrate metabolism and esp. in glycolysis by catalyzing the transfer of a second phosphate (as from ATP) to fructose
phos·pho·glu·co·mu·tase [-,glü-kō-'myü-,tās, -,tāz] -n
- an enzyme found in all plant and animal cells that catalyzes the reversible isomerization of glucose-1-phosphate to glucose-6-phosphate
phos·pho·glyc·er·al·de·hyde [-,gli-sə-'ral-də-,hīd] -n
- a phosphate of glyceraldehyde C 3H 5O 3(H 2PO 3) that is formed esp. in anaerobic metabolism of carbohydrates by the splitting of a diphosphate of fructose
phos·pho·glyc·er·ate [,fäs-fō-'gli-sə-,rāt] -n
- a salt or ester of phosphoglyceric acid
phos·pho·gly·cer·ic acid [-gli-'ser-ik-] -n
- either of two isomeric acid phosphates C 3H 5O 3(OPO 3H 2) of glyceric acid that are formed as intermediates in photosynthesis and in carbohydrate metabolism
phos·pho·ki·nase [,fäs-fō-'kī-,nās, -,nāz] -n
- kinase
phos·pho·li·pase [-'lī-,pās, -,pāz] -n
- any of several enzymes that hydrolyze lecithins or phosphatidylethanolamines called also lecithinase
phos·pho·lip·id [-'li-pəd] -n
- any of numerous lipids (as lecithins and phosphatidylethanolamines) in which phosphoric acid as well as a fatty acid is esterified to glycerol and which are found in all living cells and in the bilayers of cell membranes
phos·pho·mono·es·ter·ase [-,mä-nō-'es-tə-,rās, -,rāz] -n
- a phosphatase that acts on monoesters
phos·pho·ni·um [fäs-'fō-nē-əm] -n
- a monovalent cation PH 4 analogous to ammonium and derived from phosphine
- an organic derivative of phosphonium (as (C 2H 5) 4P )
phos·pho·pro·tein [,fäs-fō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n
- any of various proteins (as casein) that contain combined phosphoric acid
phos·phor ['fäs-fər, -,fȯr] -n
- a phosphorescent substance
- a luminescent substance that emits light when excited by radiation (as electrons) and is used esp. in fluorescent lamps and cathode-ray tubes
phosphor bronze -n
- a bronze of great hardness, elasticity, and toughness that contains a small amount of phosphorus
phos·pho·resce [,fäs-fə-'res] -vi
- to exhibit phosphorescence
phos·pho·res·cence [-'re-sᵊn(t)s] -n
- luminescence that is caused by the absorption of radiations (as light or electrons) and continues for a noticeable time after these radiations have stopped
- an enduring luminescence without sensible heat
phos·pho·res·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj, adv
- exhibiting phosphorescence
phos·pho·ric [fäs-'fȯr-ik, -'fär-; 'fäs-f(ə-)rik] -adj
- of, relating to, or containing phosphorus esp. with a valence higher than in phosphorous compounds
phosphoric acid -n
- a syrupy or deliquescent tribasic acid H 3PO 4used esp. in preparing phosphates (as for fertilizers), in rust-proofing metals, and esp. formerly as a flavoring in soft drinks called also orthophosphoric acid
- a compound (as pyrophosphoric acid or metaphosphoric acid) consisting of phosphate groups linked directly to each other by oxygen
phos·pho·rite ['fäs-fə-,rīt] -n, adj
- a fibrous concretionary apatite
- phosphate rock
phos·pho·rol·y·sis [,fäs-fə-'rä-lə-səs] -n, adj
- a reversible reaction analogous to hydrolysis in which phosphoric acid functions in a manner similar to that of water with the formation of a phosphate (as glucose-1-phosphate in the breakdown of liver glycogen)
phos·pho·rous ['fäs-f(ə-)rəs; fäs-'fȯr-əs] -adj
- of, relating to, or containing phosphorus esp. with a valence lower than in phosphoric compounds
phosphorous acid -n
- a deliquescent crystalline acid H 3PO 3used esp. as a reducing agent and in making phosphites
phos·pho·rus ['fäs-f(ə-)rəs] -n
- a phosphorescent substance or body
- one that shines or glows in the dark
- a nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs widely esp. as phosphates
phos·pho·ryl ['fäs-fə-,ril] -n
- a usu. trivalent group PO
phos·phor·y·lase [fäs-'fȯr-ə-,lās, -,lāz] -n
- any of the enzymes that catalyze phosphorolysis with the formation of organic phosphates
phos·phor·y·late [-,lāt] -vt, adj
- to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
phos·phor·y·la·tion [,fäs-,fȯr-ə-'lā-shən] -n
- the process of phosphorylating a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic phosphate
- the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes
phot- -comb form
- light : radiant energy
- photograph : photographic
- photoelectric
pho·tic ['fō-tik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or involving light esp. in relation to organisms
- penetrated by light esp. of the sun
- the photic zone of the ocean
pho·to ['fō-(,)tō] -n
- photograph
photo -vb
- photograph
- photographic
pho·to·ag·ing [,fō-tō-'ā-jiŋ] -n
- the cumulative detrimental effects (as wrinkles or dark spots) on skin that result from long-term exposure to sunlight and esp. ultraviolet light
pho·to·au·to·tro·phic [,fō-tō-,ȯ-tə-'trō-fik] -adj, n, adv
- autotrophic and utilizing energy from light
- green plants are photoautotrophic
pho·to·bi·ol·o·gy [,fō-tō-(,)bī-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a branch of biology that deals with the effects on living organisms of radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·cath·ode [-'ka-,thōd] -n
- a cathode that emits electrons when exposed to radiant energy and esp. light
pho·to·cell ['fō-tə-,sel] -n
- photoelectric cell
pho·to·chem·i·cal [,fō-tō-'ke-mi-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or resulting from the chemical action of radiant energy and esp. light
- of or relating to photochemistry
pho·to·chem·is·try [-'ke-mə-strē] -n
- a branch of chemistry that deals with the effect of radiant energy in producing chemical changes
- photochemical properties
- the photochemistry of gases
- photochemical processes
pho·to·chro·mic [,fō-tə-'krō-mik] -adj, n
- capable of changing color on exposure to radiant energy (as light)
- of, relating to, or utilizing the change of color shown by a photochromic substance
pho·to·co·ag·u·la·tion [-kō-,a-gyə-'lā-shən] -n
- a surgical process of coagulating tissue by means of a precisely oriented high-energy light source (as a laser)
pho·to·com·pose [,fō-tō-kəm-'pōz] -vt, n
- to set (as reading matter) by photocomposition
pho·to·com·po·si·tion [-,käm-pə-'zi-shən] -n
- composition of text directly on film or photosensitive paper for reproduction
pho·to·con·duc·tive [-kən-'dək-tiv] -adj
- having, involving, or operating by photoconductivity
pho·to·con·duc·tiv·i·ty [-,kän-,dək-'ti-və-tē, -kən-] -n
- electrical conductivity that is affected by exposure to electromagnetic radiation (as light)
pho·to·copy ['fō-tə-,kä-pē] -n
- a copy of usu. printed material made with a process in which an image is formed by the action of light usu. on an electrically charged surface
photocopy -vt, n
- to make a photocopy of
- to make a photocopy
pho·to·cur·rent ['fō-tō-,kər-ənt, -,kə-rənt] -n
- a stream of electrons produced by photoelectric or photovoltaic effects
pho·to·de·com·po·si·tion [-,dē-,käm-pə-'zi-shən] -n
- photolysis
pho·to·de·grad·able [-di-'grā-də-bəl] -adj
- chemically degradable by the action of light
pho·to·de·tec·tor [-di-'tek-tər] -n
- any of various devices for detecting and measuring the intensity of radiant energy through photoelectric action
pho·to·di·ode [-'dī-,ōd] -n
- a photoelectric semiconductor device for detecting and often measuring radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·dis·in·te·gra·tion [-dis-,in-tə-'grā-shən] -n, vt
- disintegration of the nucleus of an atom caused by absorption of radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·dis·so·ci·a·tion [-di-,sō-sē-'ā-shən, -shē-] -n, vb
- dissociation of the molecules of a substance (as water) caused by absorption of radiant energy
pho·to·du·pli·ca·tion [-,dü-plə-'kā-shən, -,dyü-] -n, vb
- the process of making photocopies
pho·to·dy·nam·ic [-(,)dī-'na-mik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or having the property of intensifying or inducing a toxic reaction to light (as in the destruction of cancer cells stained with a light-sensitive dye) in a living system
pho·to·elec·tric [,fō-tō-i-'lek-trik] -adj, adv
- involving, relating to, or utilizing any of various electrical effects due to the interaction of radiation (as light) with matter
photoelectric cell -n
- an electronic device whose electrical properties are modified by the action of light
photoelectric effect -n
- the emission of free electrons from a metal surface when light strikes it
pho·to·elec·tron [,fō-tō-i-'lek-,trän] -n, adj
- an electron released in photoemission
pho·to·emis·sion [-i-'mi-shən] -n, adj
- the release of electrons from a usu. solid material (as a metal) by means of energy supplied by incidence of radiation and esp. light
pho·to·en·grave [-in-'grāv] -vt, n
- to make a photoengraving of
pho·to·en·grav·ing -n
- a photomechanical process for making linecuts and halftone cuts by photographing an image on a metal plate and then etching
- a plate made by photoengraving
- a print made from such a plate
pho·toes·say ['fō-tō-,e-,sā] -n
- a group of photographs (as in a book or magazine) arranged to explore a theme or tell a story
pho·to·ex·ci·ta·tion [,fō-tō-,ek-,sī-'tā-shən, -,ek-sə-] -n, adj
- the process of exciting the atoms or molecules of a substance by the absorption of radiant energy
photo finish -n
- a race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to be examined to determine the winner
- a close contest
pho·to·fin·ish·er [,fō-tō-'fi-ni-shər] -n
- one that develops and prints photographic film commercially
pho·to·flash ['fō-tō-,flash] -n
- flash
pho·to·flood [-,fləd] -n
- an electric lamp that provides intense sustained illumination for taking photographs
pho·tog [fə-'täg] -n
- one who takes photographs : photographer
pho·to·ge·nic [,fō-tə-'je-nik, -'jē-] -adj, adv
- produced or precipitated by light
- producing or generating light : phosphorescent
- suitable for being photographed esp. because of visual appeal
pho·to·ge·ol·o·gy [,fō-tō-jē-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- a branch of geology concerned with the identification and study of geological features through the study of aerial or orbital photographs
pho·to·gram ['fō-tə-,gram] -n
- a shadowlike photograph made by placing objects between light-sensitive paper and a light source
pho·to·gram·me·try [,fō-tə-'gra-mə-trē] -n, adj
- the science of making reliable measurements by the use of photographs and esp. aerial photographs (as in surveying)
pho·to·graph ['fō-tə-,graf] -n
- a picture or likeness obtained by photography
photograph -vt
- to take a photograph of
- to take a photograph
- to appear as an image in a photograph
- an actress who photograph s well
pho·tog·ra·pher [fə-'tä-grə-fər] -n
- one who practices photography
- one who makes a business of taking photographs
pho·to·graph·ic [,fō-tə-'gra-fik] -adj, adv
- relating to, obtained by, or used in photography
- representing nature and human beings with the exactness of a photograph
- capable of retaining vivid impressions
pho·tog·ra·phy [fə-'tä-grə-fē] -n
- the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and esp. light on a sensitive surface (as film or a CCD chip)
pho·to·gra·vure [,fō-tə-grə-'vyu̇r] -n
- a process for printing from an intaglio plate prepared by photographic methods
pho·to·in·duced [,fō-tō-in-'düst, -'dyüst] -adj, n
- induced by the action of light
pho·to·in·ter·pre·ta·tion [-in-,tər-prə-'tā-shən, -pə-] -n
- the science of identifying and describing objects in photographs
pho·to·ion·i·za·tion [-,ī-ə-nə-'zā-shən] -n, vt
- ionization (as in the ionosphere) of a molecule or atom caused by absorption of radiant energy
pho·to·jour·nal·ism [,fō-tō-'jər-nə-,li-zəm] -n, adj
- journalism in which written copy is subordinate to pictorial usu. photographic presentation of news stories or in which a high proportion of pictorial presentation is used
- news photography
pho·to·ki·ne·sis [-kə-'nē-səs, -kī-] -n, adj
- motion or activity induced by light
pho·to·li·thog·ra·phy [-li-'thä-grə-fē] -n, n or vt, adj, adv
- lithography in which photographically prepared plates are used
- a process involving the photographic transfer of a pattern to a surface for etching (as in producing an integrated circuit)
pho·tol·y·sis [fō-'tä-lə-səs] -n, adj, adv
- chemical decomposition by the action of radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·lyze ['fō-tə-,līz] -vt, adj
- to cause to undergo photolysis
pho·to·map ['fō-tō-,map] -n, vb
- a photograph which is taken vertically from above (as from an airplane) and upon which a grid and data pertinent to maps have been added
pho·to·mask [-,mask] -n
- mask
pho·to·me·chan·i·cal [,fō-tō-mi-'ka-ni-kəl] -adj, adv
- relating to or involving any of various processes for producing printed matter from a photographically prepared surface
pho·tom·e·ter [fō-'tä-mə-tər] -n
- an instrument for measuring luminous intensity, luminous flux, illumination, or brightness
pho·to·met·ric [,fō-tə-'me-trik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to photometry or the photometer
pho·tom·e·try [fō-'tä-mə-trē] -n
- a branch of science that deals with measurement of the intensity of light
- the practice of using a photometer
pho·to·mi·cro·graph [,fō-tə-'mī-krə-,graf] -n, adj
- a photograph of a microscope image
pho·to·mon·tage [-män-'täzh, -mōⁿ(n)-] -n
- montage using photographic images
- a picture made by photomontage
pho·to·mor·pho·gen·e·sis [,fō-tə-,mȯr-fə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj
- plant morphogenesis controlled by radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·mo·sa·ic [-mō-'zā-ik] -n
- an image composed of many smaller photographs
- mosaic
pho·to·mul·ti·pli·er tube [,fō-tō-'məl-tə-,plī(-ə)r-] -n
- a vacuum tube that detects light esp. from dim sources through the use of photoemission and successive instances of secondary emission to produce enough electrons to generate a useful current called also photomultiplier
pho·to·mu·ral [-'myu̇r-əl] -n
- an enlarged photograph usu. several yards long used on walls esp. as decoration
pho·ton ['fō-,tän] -n, adj
- a unit of intensity of light at the retina equal to the illumination received per square millimeter of a pupillary area from a surface having a brightness of one candle per square meter
- a quantum of electromagnetic radiation
pho·to·neg·a·tive [,fō-tō-'ne-gə-tiv] -adj
- exhibiting negative phototropism or phototaxis
pho·ton·ics [fō-'tä-niks] -n pl but sing in constr
- a branch of physics that deals with the properties and applications of photons esp. as a medium for transmitting information
pho·to·nu·cle·ar [,fō-tō-'nü-klē-ər, -'nyü-, ÷-kyə-lər] -adj
- relating to or caused by the incidence of radiant energy (as gamma rays) on atomic nuclei
pho·tooff·set [-'ȯf-,set] -n
- offset printing from photolithographic plates
photo op [-'äp] -n
- photo opportunity
photo opportunity -n
- a situation or event that lends itself to and is often arranged expressly for the taking of pictures that give favorable publicity to the individuals photographed
pho·to·ox·i·da·tion [-,äk-sə-'dā-shən] -n, adj, vb
- oxidation under the influence of radiant energy (as light)
pho·to·pe·ri·od [-'pir-ē-əd] -n, adj, adv
- a recurring cycle of light and dark periods of constant length
- photophase
pho·to·pe·ri·od·ism [-'pir-ē-ə-,di-zəm] -n
- a plant or animal's response or capacity to respond to photoperiod
pho·to·phase ['fō-tə-,fāz] -n
- light reaction
- the light period of a photoperiodic cycle of light and dark
pho·to·pho·bia [,fō-tə-'fō-bē-ə] -n
- intolerance to light
- painful sensitiveness to strong light
pho·to·pho·bic [-'fō-bik] -adj
- shunning or avoiding light
- growing best under reduced illumination
- of or relating to photophobia
pho·to·phore ['fō-tə-,fȯr] -n
- a light-emitting organ
- one of the luminous spots on various marine mostly deep-sea fishes
pho·to·phos·phor·y·la·tion ['fō-tō-,fäs-,fȯr-ə-'lā-shən] -n
- the synthesis of ATP from ADP and phosphate that occurs in a plant using radiant energy absorbed during photosynthesis
phot·opic [fōt-'ō-pik, -'ä-pik] -adj
- relating to or being vision in bright light with light-adapted eyes that is mediated by the cones of the retina
pho·to·play ['fō-tō-,plā] -n
- motion picture
pho·to·po·la·rim·e·ter [,fō-tō-,pō-lə-'ri-mə-tər] -n
- an instrument used to measure the intensity and polarization of reflected light (as from clouds enveloping a planet)
pho·to·poly·mer [,fō-tō-'pä-lə-mər] -n
- a photosensitive plastic used esp. in the manufacture of printing plates
pho·to·pos·i·tive [-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -adj
- exhibiting positive phototropism or phototaxis
pho·to·prod·uct [-'prä-(,)dəkt] -n
- a product of a photochemical reaction
pho·to·re·ac·tion [-rē-'ak-shən] -n
- a photochemical reaction
pho·to·re·ac·ti·va·tion [-rē-,ak-tə-'vā-shən] -n, adj
- repair of DNA (as of a bacterium) esp. by a light-dependent enzymatic reaction after damage by ultraviolet irradiation
pho·tore·al·ism [,fō-tō-'rē-ə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- realism in painting characterized by extremely meticulous depiction of detail
pho·to·re·cep·tion [-ri-'sep-shən] -n, adj
- perception of waves in the range of visible light
- vision
pho·to·re·cep·tor [-'sep-tər] -n
- a receptor for light stimuli
pho·to·re·con·nais·sance [-ri-'kä-nə-zən(t)s also -sən(t)s] -n
- reconnaissance in which aerial photographs are taken
pho·to·re·duc·tion [-ri-'dək-shən] -n, vt
- chemical reduction under the influence of radiant energy (as light) : photochemical reduction
pho·to·re·frac·tive ker·a·tec·to·my [,fō-tō-ri-,frak-tiv-,ker-ə-'tek-tə-mē] -n
- surgical removal of part of the corneal surface using an excimer laser in order to correct for myopia
pho·to·re·pro·duc·tion [-,rē-prə-'dək-shən] -n
- reproduction by photographic means
- photocopy
pho·to·re·sist ['fō-tō-ri-,zist, ,fō-tō-ri-'] -n
- a photosensitive resin that loses its resistance to chemical etching when exposed to radiation and is used esp. in the transference of a circuit pattern to a semiconductor chip during the production of an integrated circuit
pho·to·res·pi·ra·tion [,fō-tō-,res-pə-'rā-shən] -n
- a light-dependent process in some higher plants resulting in the oxidation of glycolic acid and release of carbon dioxide that under some environmental conditions (as high temperature) tends to inhibit photosynthesis
pho·to·sen·si·tive [-'sen(t)-s(ə-)tiv] -adj, n
- sensitive to the action of radiant energy
- being or caused by an abnormal reaction to sunlight
pho·to·sen·si·ti·za·tion [-,sen(t)-s(ə-)tə-'zā-shən] -n
- the process of photosensitizing
- the condition of being photosensitized
- the development of an abnormal capacity to react to sunlight typically by edematous swelling and dermatitis
pho·to·sen·si·tize [-'sen(t)-sə-,tīz] -vt, n
- to sensitize to the influence of radiant energy and esp. light
pho·to·set ['fō-tō-,set] -vt, n
- photocompose
pho·to·shop ['fō-(,)tō-,shäp] -vt
- to alter (as a digital image) with computer software
pho·to·sphere ['fō-tə-,sfir] -n, adj
- a sphere of light or radiance
- the luminous surface layer of the sun or a star
pho·to·stat ['fō-tə-,stat] -n
- a device for making a photographic copy of graphic matter
- a copy made by this device
photostat -vt
- to copy by a photostat
pho·to·stat·ic [,fō-tə-'sta-tik] -adj
- of, made by, or using a photostat
pho·to·syn·thate [,fō-tō-'sin-,thāt] -n
- a product of photosynthesis
pho·to·syn·the·sis [-'sin(t)-thə-səs] -n, vi, adj, adv
- synthesis of chemical compounds with the aid of radiant energy and esp. light
- formation of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (as water) in the chlorophyll-containing tissues of plants exposed to light
pho·to·sys·tem ['fō-tō-,sis-təm] -n
- : either of two photochemical reaction centers consisting chiefly of photosynthetic pigments complexed with protein and occurring in chloroplasts:
- one that absorbs light with a wavelength of about 700 nanometers called also photosystem I
- one that absorbs light with a wavelength of about 680 nanometers called also photosystem II
pho·to·tac·tic [,fō-tō-'tak-tik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or exhibiting phototaxis
pho·to·tax·is [-'tak-səs] -n
- a taxis in which light is the directive factor
pho·to·te·leg·ra·phy [-tə-'le-grə-fē] -n
- facsimile
pho·to·ther·a·py [,fō-tō-'ther-ə-pē] -n
- light therapy
pho·to·tox·ic [-'täk-sik] -adj, n
- rendering the skin susceptible to damage (as sunburn or blisters) upon exposure to light and esp. ultraviolet light
- induced by a phototoxic substance
pho·to·tran·sis·tor [-tran-'zis-tər, -tran(t)-'sis-] -n
- a photoconductive semiconductor device used esp. as a photodetector
pho·to·tro·pic [,fō-tə-'trō-pik, -'trä-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or capable of phototropism
pho·tot·ro·pism [fō-'tä-trə-,pi-zəm] -n
- a tropism in which light is the orienting stimulus
pho·to·tube ['fō-tō-,tüb, -,tyüb] -n
- an electron tube having a photoemissive cathode whose released electrons are drawn to the anode by reason of its positive potential
pho·to·type·set·ting [,fō-tō-'tīp-,se-tiŋ] -n
- photocomposition
- photocomposition done on a keyboard or tape-operated composing machine
pho·to·vol·ta·ic [-väl-'tā-ik, -vōl-] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances (as two different semiconductors)
phr -abbr
- phrase
phrag·mi·tes [frag-'mī-,tēz] -n
- any of a genus ( Phragmites) of widely distributed reeds with tall stems and large showy panicles resembling plumes
phrag·mo·plast ['frag-mō-,plast] -n
- the enlarged barrel-shaped spindle that is characteristic of the later stages of plant mitosis and within which the cell plate forms
phras·al ['frā-zəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or consisting of a phrase
phrase ['frāz] -n
- a characteristic manner or style of expression : diction
- a brief expression
- catchphrase
- word
- a short musical thought typically two to four measures long closing with a cadence
- a word or group of words forming a syntactic constituent with a single grammatical function
- a series of dance movements comprising a section of a pattern
- to express in words or in appropriate or telling terms
- to designate by a descriptive word or phrase
- to divide into melodic phrases
phrase book -n
- a book containing idiomatic expressions of a foreign language and their translation
phrase·mak·er ['frāz-,mā-kər] -n
- one who coins impressive phrases
- one given to making fine-sounding but often hollow and meaningless phrases
phrase·mon·ger [-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n
- phrasemaker
phra·se·o·log·i·cal [,frā-zē-ə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj
- expressed in formal often sententious phrases
- marked by frequently insincere use of such phrases
- of or relating to phraseology
phra·se·ol·o·gist [,frā-zē-'ä-lə-jist, frā-'zä-] -n
- one who uses sententious or insincere phrases
phra·se·ol·o·gy [-jē] -n
- a manner of organizing words and phrases into longer elements : style
- choice of words
phrasing -n
- style of expression : phraseology
- the act, method, or result of grouping notes into musical phrases
phra·try ['frā-trē] -n
- a kinship group forming a subdivision of a Greek phyle
- a tribal subdivision
- an exogamous group typically comprising several totemic clans
phreak ['frēk] -n
- phreaker
phreak·er ['frē-kər] -n
- one who gains illegal access to the telephone system
phre·at·ic [frē-'a-tik] -adj
- of, relating to, or being groundwater
- of, relating to, or being an explosion caused by steam derived from groundwater
phre·at·o·phyte [frē-'a-tə-,fīt] -n, adj
- a deep-rooted plant that obtains its water from the water table or the layer of soil just above it
phre·net·ic [fri-'ne-tik] -adj, adv, n
(variant of frenetic)
- frenzied, frantic
phren·ic ['fre-nik] -adj
- of or relating to the diaphragm
- of or relating to the mind
phre·nol·o·gy [fri-'nä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- the study of the conformation of the skull based on the belief that it is indicative of mental faculties and character
phren·sy ['fren-zē] -n
(variant of frenzy)
- a temporary madness
- a violent mental or emotional agitation
- intense usu. wild and often disorderly compulsive or agitated activity
Phry·gian ['fri-j(ē-)ən] -n, adj
- a native or inhabitant of ancient Phrygia
- the extinct Indo-European language of the Phrygians
phthal·ate ['tha-,lāt] -n
- any of various salts or esters of phthalic acid used esp. as plasticizers and in solvents
phthal·ic acid ['tha-lik-] -n
- any of three isomeric acids C 8H 6O 4obtained by oxidation of various benzene derivatives
phthalic anhydride -n
- a crystalline cyclic acid anhydride C 8H 4O 3used esp. in making alkyd resins
phtha·lo·cy·a·nine [,tha-lō-'sī-ə-,nēn, ,thā-] -n
- a bright greenish-blue crystalline compound C 32H 18N 8
- any of several metal derivatives that are brilliant fast blue to green dyes or pigments
phthis·ic ['ti-zik] -n, adj
- phthisis
phthi·sis ['thī-səs, 'tī-, 'thi-, 'ti-] -n
- a progressively wasting or consumptive condition
- pulmonary tuberculosis
phyco- -comb form
- algae
phy·co·cy·a·nin [,fī-kō-'sī-ə-nən] -n
- any of various bluish-green protein pigments in the cells of cyanobacteria
phy·co·er·y·thrin [-'er-i-thrən] -n
- any of the red protein pigments in the cells of red algae
phy·col·o·gy [fī-'kä-lə-jē] -n, adj
- the study or science of algae called also algology
phy·co·my·cete [,fī-kō-'mī-,sēt, -,mī-'sēt] -n, adj
- any of a large class (Phycomycetes) of lower fungi that are in many respects similar to algae and are now often assigned to subdivisions (as Mastigomycotina and Zygomycota)
phyl- -comb form
- tribe : race : phylum
phy·lac·tery [fə-'lak-t(ə-)rē] -n
- either of two small square leather boxes containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and traditionally worn on the left arm and on the head by observant Jewish men and esp. adherents of Orthodox Judaism during morning weekday prayers
- amulet
phy·le ['fī-(,)lē] -n
- the largest political subdivision among the ancient Athenians
phy·let·ic [fī-'le-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to evolutionary change in a single line of descent without branching
phyll- -comb form
- leaf
phyl·la·ry ['fi-lə-rē] -n
- one of the involucral bracts subtending the flower head of a composite plant
phyl·lo ['fē-(,)lō, 'fī-] -n
- extremely thin dough that is layered to produce a flaky pastry
phyl·lo·clade ['fi-lə-,klād] -n
- a flattened stem or branch (as a joint of a cactus) that functions as a leaf
phyl·lode ['fi-,lōd] -n
- a flat expanded petiole that replaces the blade of a foliage leaf, fulfills the same functions, and is analogous to a cladophyll
phyl·lome ['fi-,lōm] -n
- a plant part that is a leaf or is phylogenetically derived from a leaf
phyl·lo·tac·tic [,fi-lə-'tak-tik] -adj
- of or relating to phyllotaxis
phyl·lo·tax·is [,fi-lə-'tak-səs] -n
- the arrangement of leaves on a stem and in relation to one another
- the study of phyllotaxis and of the laws that govern it
phyl·lox·e·ra [,fi-,läk-'sir-ə, fə-'läk-sə-rə] -n
- any of several plant lice (family Phylloxeridae)
- one ( Daktulosphaira vitifoliaesyn. Viteus vitifoliae) orig. of No. America but introduced into Europe and elsewhere that produces galls on the leaves and roots of grape vines and is a serious pest esp. of vinifera grapes in wine-producing regions
phy·lo·ge·net·ic [,fī-lō-jə-'ne-tik] -adj, adv
- of or relating to phylogeny
- based on natural evolutionary relationships
- acquired in the course of phylogenetic development : racial
phy·log·e·ny [fī-'lä-jə-nē] -n
- the evolutionary history of a kind of organism
- the evolution of a genetically related group of organisms as distinguished from the development of the individual organism
- the history or course of the development of something (as a word or custom)
phy·lum ['fī-ləm] -n
- a direct line of descent within a group
- a group that constitutes or has the unity of a phylum
- a primary category in biological taxonomy esp. of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom
- a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock
phys -abbr
- physical
- physics
phys ed ['fiz-'ed] -n
- physical education
physi- -comb form
- nature
- physical
phys·iat·rist [,fi-zē-'a-trist] -n
- a physician who specializes in physiatry
phys·iat·ry [,fi-zē-'a-trē, fə-'zī-ə-trē] -n
- physical medicine and rehabilitation
phys·ic ['fi-zik] -n
- the art or practice of healing disease
- the practice or profession of medicine
- a medicinal agent or preparation
- purgative
- natural science
physic -vt
- to treat with or administer medicine to
- purge
- heal, cure
phys·i·cal ['fi-zi-kəl] -adj, adv, n
- of or relating to natural science
- of or relating to physics
- characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics
- having material existence : perceptible esp. through the senses and subject to the laws of nature
- everything physical is measurable by weight, motion, and resistance -- Thomas De Quincey
- of or relating to material things
- of or relating to the body
- concerned or preoccupied with the body and its needs : carnal
- sexual
- characterized by esp. rugged and forceful physical activity : rough
physical -n
- physical examination
physical anthropology -n
- anthropology concerned with the comparative study of human evolution, variation, and classification esp. through measurement and observation
physical education -n
- instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenic exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management of athletic games
physical examination -n
- an examination of the bodily functions and condition of an individual
physical geography -n
- geography that deals with the exterior physical features and changes of the earth
phys·i·cal·ism ['fi-zi-kə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- a thesis that the descriptive terms of scientific language are reducible to terms which refer to spatiotemporal things or events or to their properties
phys·i·cal·i·ty [,fi-zə-'ka-lə-tē] -n
- intensely physical orientation : predominance of the physical usu. at the expense of the mental, spiritual, or social
- a physical aspect or quality
phys·i·cal·ize ['fi-zi-kə-,līz] -vt
- to give physical form or expression to
- her gestures physicalized her major points
physical medicine and rehabilitation -n
- a medical specialty concerned with treating disabling disorders and injuries by physical means (as by the use of electrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, or pharmaceutical pain control) called also physiatry physical medicine
physical science -n
- any of the natural sciences (as physics, chemistry, and astronomy) that deal primarily with nonliving materials
physical therapy -n
- the treatment of disease, injury, or disability by physical and mechanical means (as massage, regulated exercise, water, light, heat, and electricity)
phy·si·cian [fə-'zi-shən] -n
- a person skilled in the art of healing
- one educated, clinically experienced, and licensed to practice medicine as usu. distinguished from surgery
- one exerting a remedial or salutary influence
physician assistant -n
- a person certified to provide basic medical services usu. under the supervision of a licensed physician called also PA physician's assistant
physicianassisted suicide -n
- suicide by a patient facilitated by means (as a drug prescription) or by information (as an indication of a lethal dosage) provided by a physician aware of the patient's intent
physician's assistant -n
- a person certified to provide basic medical services usu. under the supervision of a licensed physician called also PA physician assistant
phys·i·cist ['fi-zə-sist, 'fiz-sist] -n
- a specialist in physics
- a person skilled in natural science
phys·i·co·chem·i·cal [,fi-zi-kō-'ke-mi-kəl] -adj, adv
- being physical and chemical
- of or relating to chemistry that deals with the physicochemical properties of substances
phys·ics ['fi-ziks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr
- a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions
- the physical processes and phenomena of a particular system
- the physical properties and composition of something
phys·io·crat ['fi-zē-ə-,krat] -n, adj
- a member of a school of political economists founded in 18th century France and characterized chiefly by a belief that government policy should not interfere with the operation of natural economic laws and that land is the source of all wealth
phys·i·og·nom·ic [,fi-zē-ə(g)-'nä-mik] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or characteristic of physiognomy or the physiognomy
phys·i·og·no·my [,fi-zē-'ä(g)-nə-mē] -n
- the art of discovering temperament and character from outward appearance
- the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression
- external aspect
- inner character or quality revealed outwardly
phys·i·og·ra·phy [,fi-zē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj
- physical geography
physiol -abbr
- physiologist; physiology
phys·i·o·log·i·cal [,fi-zē-ə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to physiology
- characteristic of or appropriate to an organism's healthy or normal functioning
- the sodium level was physiological
- differing in, involving, or affecting physiological factors
- a physiological strain of bacteria
physiological psychology -n
- a branch of psychology that deals with the effects of normal and pathological physiological processes on mental life called also psychophysiology
physiological saline -n
- a solution of a salt or salts that is essentially isotonic with tissue fluids or blood
phys·i·ol·o·gy [,fi-zē-'ä-lə-jē] -n
- a branch of biology that deals with the functions and activities of life or of living matter (as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical phenomena involved
- the organic processes and phenomena of an organism or any of its parts or of a particular bodily process
phys·io·pa·thol·o·gy ['fi-zē-ō-pə-'thä-lə-jē, -pa-] -n, adj
- a branch of biology or medicine that combines physiology and pathology esp. in the study of altered bodily function in disease
phys·io·ther·a·py [,fi-zē-ō-'ther-ə-pē] -n
- physical therapy
phy·sique [fə-'zēk] -n
- the form or structure of a person's body : bodily makeup
phy·so·stig·mine [,fī-sə-'stig-,mēn] -n
- a crystalline tasteless alkaloid C 15H 21N 3O 2from the Calabar bean that is used in medicine esp. in the form of its salicylate for its anticholinesterase activity
phyt- -comb form
- plant
phy·tane ['fī-,tān] -n
- an isoprenoid hydrocarbon C 20H 42that is found esp. associated with fossilized plant remains from the Precambrian and later eras
phy·to·alex·in [,fī-tō-ə-'lek-sən] -n
- any of various antimicrobial chemical substances produced by plants to combat infection by a pathogen (as a fungus)
phy·to·chem·i·cal [-'ke-mi-kəl] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being phytochemistry
phytochemical -n
- a chemical compound (as beta-carotene) occurring naturally in plants
phy·to·chem·is·try [-'ke-mə-strē] -n
- the chemistry of plants, plant processes, and plant products
phy·to·chrome ['fī-tə-,krōm] -n
- any of a group of proteins bound to light-absorbing pigments in many plants that play a role in initiating floral and developmental processes when activated by red or near-infrared radiation
phy·to·es·tro·gen [,fī-tō-'es-trə-jən] -n
- a chemical compound (as genistein) that occurs naturally in plants and has estrogenic properties
phy·to·fla·gel·late [,fī-tō-'fla-jə-lət, -,lāt; -flə-'je-] -n
- any of various organisms (as dinoflagellates) that are considered a subclass (Phytomastigophora syn. Phytomastigina) usu. of algae by botanists and of protozoans by zoologists and that have many characteristics in common with typical algae
phy·to·ge·og·ra·phy [,fī-tō-jē-'ä-grə-fē] -n, adj, adv
- the biogeography of plants
phy·to·he·mag·glu·ti·nin [-,hē-mə-'glü-tə-nən] -n
- a proteinaceous hemagglutinin of plant origin used esp. to induce mitosis (as in lymphocytes)
phy·to·hor·mone [-'hȯr-,mōn] -n
- plant hormone
phy·to·lith ['fī-tə-,lith] -n
- a microscopic siliceous particle that is formed by a plant and that is highly resistant to decomposition
- ancient vegetation revealed by phytolith s
phy·ton ['fī-,tän] -n, adj
- a structural unit of a plant consisting of a leaf and its associated portion of stem
- the smallest part of a stem, root, or leaf that when severed may grow into a new plant
phy·to·nu·tri·ent [,fī-tō-'nü-trē-ənt, -'nyü-] -n
- a bioactive plant-derived compound (as resveratrol) associated with positive health effects
phy·to·path·o·gen [,fī-tō-'pa-thə-jən] -n, adj
- an organism parasitic on a plant host
phy·to·pa·thol·o·gy [-pə-'thä-lə-jē, -pa-] -n, adj
- plant pathology
phy·toph·a·gous [fī-'tä-fə-gəs] -adj
- feeding on plants
phy·to·plank·ter [,fī-tō-'plaŋ(k)-tər] -n
- a planktonic plant
phy·to·plank·ton [-'plaŋ(k)-tən, -,tän] -n, adj
- planktonic plant life
phy·to·plas·ma [,fī-tə-'plaz-mə] -n
- any of a group of bacteria that are related to mycoplasmas, cause plant diseases (as aster yellows) by infecting phloem tissue, are transmitted esp. by homopteran insect vectors, and have proved extremely difficult to grow in artificial media called also mycoplasma-like organism
phy·to·so·ci·ol·o·gy [-,sō-sē-'ä-lə-jē, -shē-] -n, adj
- a branch of ecology concerned esp. with the structure, composition, and interrelationships of plant communities
phy·tos·ter·ol [fī-'täs-tə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n
- any of various sterols derived from plants
phy·to·tox·ic [,fī-tə-'täk-sik] -adj, n
- poisonous to plants