General Information (A-C)

General Information (A-C)


Ab

Ab is the 11 month of the Jewish civil year.

Aba

An aba is a sack like garment worn by Arabs.

Abacus

An abacus is a counting frame.

Abaft

Abaft means towards the rear of a ship.

Abbey

An abbey is a body of monks or a monastic building.

Abbreviate

Abbreviate means make shorter.

Abbreviation

An abbreviation is a short form of a word or words.

Abdicate

Abdicate means to renounce one's thrown.

Abdomen

The abdomen is the part of a creature's body between diaphragm and pelvis.

Abduct

Abduct means to take away by force or fraud.

Abecedarian

The Abecedarian were the followers of Storck, a 16th century German Anabaptist. They were so called because they rejected all wordly knowledge including learning the alphabet.

Aberration

Aberration is another word for error.

Ablution

Ablution is ceremonial washing.

Abnormal

Abnormal means deviating from normal.

Abode

Abode is a place where something lives.

Abomasum

An abomasum is the fourth stomach of a ruminant.

Abort

Abort means to terminate early.

Abortion

Abortion is the expulsion of the foetus from the uterus.

Aboulia

In psychology aboulia is the loss of will.

Abracadabra

Abbracadabra is a qabbalistic magic word.

Abrasion

An abrasion is a sore place on the skin caused by rubbing.

Abridge

Abridge means to shorten by condensing.

Abscess

An abscess is a pus filled infection of an animal.

Abseil

In mountaineering abseil means to descend using a rope.

Absinth

Absinth is a strong alcoholic drink containing from 60 to 80 percent alcohol. It contains wormwood oil which gives it its distinctive taste, but also toxic qualities.

Abstract

Abstract means theoretical rather than practical.

Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate at which a moving body increases in velocity.

Accelerator

An accelerator is a device for increasing speed.

Accelerometer

An accelerometer is an apparatus, either mechanical or electromechanical, for measuring acceleration or deceleration - that is, the rate of increase or decrease in the velocity of a moving object. Accelerometers are used to measure the efficiency of the braking systems on road and rail vehicles; those used in aircraft and spacecraft can determine accelerations in several directions simultaneously. There are also accelerometers for detecting vibrations in machinery.

Accent

An accent is a local mode of pronunciation in speech.

Accolade

An accolade is a gentle blow on the shoulders with the flat of a sword given by a Sovereign or his representative in conferring knighthood to the recipient.

Accomplice

An accomplice is someone associated with somebody else in the commiting of a crime.

Accordion

An accordion is a small portable musical instrument with a keyboard and bellows. It was invented by Damian in 1829.

Accounts

Accounts are a statement of income and expenditure.

Accumulator

In electrical terms, an accumulator stores electrical energy.

Ace

An ace is a playing card with one pip. In tennis terms an ace is a non-returnable serve.

Acetal

Acetal is a colourless liquid formed by oxidation of alcohol.

Acetic acid

Acetic acid is an organic acid with the formulae ch3cooh.

Acetone

Acetone is a colourless liquid with the formulae ch2coch3.

Acetylene

Acetylene is a highly inflammable gas of the hydrocarbon family used for welding and cutting metals.

Achor

Achor is (was?) a disease of infants, in which the head, face and breast become incrusted with thin, yellowish or greenish scabs.

Acid

An acid is a chemical compound that reacts with metals to form salts by releasing hydrogen.

ACK

In telecommunications, ACK is the "acknowledge" character in many data codes; used most commonly for an affirmative response of correct receipt.

Aclinic

The aclinic is a magnetic equator.

Acne

Acne is a skin eruption due to inflammation of the sebaceous glands.

Aconitine

Aconitine is a poisonous alkaloid derived from aconite.

Acoustic

The term acoustic refers to hearing.

Acoustics

see "acoustic"

Acre

An acre is a measurement of land area being 4840 square yards.

Acridine

Acridine is an organic compound with the formulae c13h9n used in dyes and drugs.

Acriflavine

Acriflavine is an antiseptic powder.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a disease due to over activity of the pituitary gland results in excessive bone growth, especially the skull.

Acronym

An acronym is a word formed from the initials of other words.

Acrophobia

Acrophobia is the fear of high places.

Acropolis

The acropolis was the citadel of ancient Greek cities.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a synthetic fibre derived from acrylic acid.

Actinide

An actinide is an element with an atomic number between 89 and 103.

Actinium

Actinium is a radioactive element.

Actinometer

An actinometer is an instrument for measuring heat radiation.

Adaptive Equalization

Adaptive Equalization is a telecommunications term refering to the equalization of received digital signals capable of adjustment during actual transmission.

Adhesive

An adhesive is a sticky substance.

Adipocere

Adipocere is a substance in dead bodies formed by decomposition of fatty acids when exposed to moisture.

Adit

An adit is the horizontal entrance to a mine.

Admiralty

The admiralty was the board of state charged with the provision, organisation and control of the royal navy. It was founded by Henry VIII and amalgamated in 1964 into the ministry of defence.

Adobe

An adobe is a Mexican house made of clay bricks.

Adult

An adult is a fully grown being.

Adytum

An adytum is the inner most part of a temple.

Adze

An adze is a carpenter's tool for cutting away the surface of wood.

Aeon

An aeon is an immeasurable period.

Aerial

An aerial is a receiving or radiating device used in radio communications.

Aerodrome

An aerodrome is a place where aircraft are based.

Afrikaans

Afrikaans is a language used in the Republic of South Africa.

Agar

Agar is a laxative substance obtained from seaweed.

Agenda

An agenda is a list of tasks.

Aggry Beads

Aggry Beads are glass beads prized by West African natives as ornaments and having magical and medicinal powers.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces.

Air

The air is a mixture of gasses enveloping the earth.

Aircraft

An aircraft is a flying machine, a vessel which flies through the air rather than floats on water or travels along a road or rail.

Aisle

An aisle is a passage between rows of seats.

Albugo

Albugo is an affection of the eye, consisting of a white opacity in the cornea.

Alchemy

Alchemy was the medieval forerunner to chemistry.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a volatile liquid derived from hydrocarbons.

Alcoholic

see "alcohol"

Aldehyde

Aldehyde is a chemistry term applied to the compounds of alcohol intermediate between the alcohols and the acids.

Ale

Ale is an alcoholic drink made from malt and hops.

Aleurometer

An aleurometer is a device used in bread making for measuring the quality of wheaten flour.

Algebra

Algebra is a division of mathematics dealing with relations.

Algerbraic

see "algebra"

Algol

Algol is an algerbraic computer language.

Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of rules.

Alkali

An alkali is a chemical substance.

Alkaloid

The alkaloids are nitrogenous organic substances.

Alkane

The alkanes are the paraffin series of hydrocarbons.

Alkanes

see "alkane"

Alkene

An alkene is a member of the ethylene series of hydrocarbons.

Alkyl

Alkyl refers to a substance which is derived from or related to the paraffin series of hydrocarbons.

Allergy

An allergy is a hypersensitivity of body tissue to a substance.

Alley

An alley is a narrow street.

Allies

The Allies were various countries that fought the Axis forces in the Second World War.

Alloy

An alloy is a mixture of a metal and other metals or non-metals.

Alluvium

Alluvium is river transported deposits of mud, sand and gravel which accumulate to form distinctive features such as levees, flood plains and deltas.

Alpha

Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.

Alphabet

An alphabet is an ordered series of letters used in language.

Altar

An altar is a block used for making offerings to a deity.

Althing

The althing is the parliament of Iceland, it was created in 930 and is the oldest parliamentary assembly in the world.

Altimeter

An altimeter is a device measuring altitude.

Altitude

Altitude is height above mean sea level.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a light-weight silvery metal element.

Ambaree

Ambaree is a fibre similar to jute and largely used in India. It is obtained from Hibiscus cannabinus.

Amber

Amber is fossilised resin.

Ambergris

Ambergris is a substance derived from the intestine of the sperm whale and used in perfume.

Ambidextrous

Ambidextrous is having the facility to use the left hand as effectively as the right.

Amenorrhoea

Amenorrhoea is a medical condition being the absence or suspension of mensturation.

Amice

An amice is a white linen vestment worn by Roman Catholic and many Anglican priests when officiating at Mass or Holy Eucharist.

Amino acid

Amino acids are fundamental constituents of all proteins.

Amino acids

see "amino acid"

Ammeter

An ammeter is a device for measuring electrical current.

Ammonia

Ammonia is a colourless gas. Formulae nh3.

Ammonium

Ammonium is the basic radical of ammonium salts. It is comprised of one atom of nitrogen and four atoms of hydrogen.

Amp

see "ampere"

Ampere

The ampere is the fundamental unit of measurement of electrical current.

Amphetamine

Amphetamine is a drug that induces sleeplessness.

Amphitheatre

An amphitheatre is a circular or ovular arena surrounded by tiers of seats.

Amplitude

Amplitude refers to magnitude or size. It is the voltage or power of an electronic signal.

Amplitude Modulation

Amplitude Modulation is modifying a "carrier" signal by varying its instantaneous power to represent the information it carries. Most commonly called "AM".

Anabaptist

The Anabaptists were a 16th century Christian sect, so called because they rejected infant baptism in reference of adult baptism. They were a fanatical sect led by Nicholas Storck who intended reorganisation of German society based upon civil and political equality.

Anabaptists

see "Anabaptist"

Anaemia

Anaemia is the medical condition of lacking red blood cells.

Analgesic

An analgesic is a pain reliever.

Anchor

An anchor is a heavy implement used for securing boats at sea.

Andante

Andante is a musical term denoting a movement somewhat slow, graceful, distinct and soothing.

Anemometer

An anemometer is a device for measuring wind speed.

Angiosperm

An angiosperm is a flowering plant in which the seeds are enclosed within an ovary which ripens into a fruit.

Angst

Angst is an emotional state of anxiety without a specific cause.

Aniline

Aniline (Phenylamine) is an oily liquid made by the reduction of nitro-benzene and used in the manufacture of chemicals, dyes and drugs.

Anker

The anker was a measurement used in Britain and Germany for beer, spirits and the like. It was equivalent to 8.5 gallons.

ANSI

ANSI is the American National Standards Institute. The official repository of standards for the USA.

Anthrax

Anthrax is a disease of sheep and cattle transmittable to humans.

Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans as animals.

Antibiotic

An antibiotic is a substance that inhibits the growth of micro organisms.

Antidote

An antidote is a drug used to counteract poison.

Antiseptic

An antiseptic is a substance which counteracts blood or tissue poisoning caused by bacteria (sepsis).

Antonine Wall

The Antonine Wall was a Roman line of fortification built around 142-200 AD as the Roman Empire's North West frontier between the Clyde and Forth in Scotland.

Anvil

An anvil is a block used by metal smiths.

Anxiolytic

An anxiolytic is a drug used to reduce anxiety.

Apartheid

Apartheid is the plicy of racial segregation of people. It was first established in South Africa in 1948 restricting the rights of nonwhites and establishing blacks only homelands.

Aperture

In photography, an aperture is an opening through which light passes through the lens to strike the film.

Aphasia

Aphasia is difficulty in reading, writing and speaking due to brain damage.

Aphelion

The aphelion is the point at which an object travelling around the sun in an elliptical orbit is at its furthest from the sun.

Apogee

Apogee is an astronomical term refering to the position in the orbit of the Moon which is farthest from the Earth. Opposite to Perigee.

Apollo Asteroid

The Apollo Asteroids are a group of small asteroids whose orbits cross that of the earth. They were first discovered in 1932 and then lost until 1973.

Apollo Project

The Apollo Project was the US space project to land a person on the moon. It was achieved by Apollo 11 in July 1969.

Applique

Applique is a type of embroidery used to create pictures or patterns by applying pieces of material to a background fabric.

Aquatint

Aquatint is a method of print-making which was popular in the 18th century.

Aqueduct

An aqueduct is a channel in which water flows by gravity.

Archeozoic

The archeozoic period was the first geological period. It was characterized by an absence of animal life and extensive volcanic activity.

Arcnet

Arcnet is a LAN architecture developed by Datapoint Corporation featuring low cost for connection of groups of (Async) terminals to a (mini) computer within a premises.

Argon

Argon is an inert gaseous element found in the air.

Aries

Aries is one of the signs of the zodiac. Represented by the ram.

Armature

An armature is a part of an electrical motor or dynamo.

Armour

Armour is a protective covering.

Arms

Arms is a military term referring to weapons.

Army

An army is an organised fighting force.

Arroba

Arroba was a Spanish unit of weight equal to about 25 lbs. It was also used in South and Central America, where it was equivalent to about 32 lbs.

Arsenal

An arsenal is a place for storing weapons.

Arshin

Arshin is a Russian unit of measurement equivalent to 28 inches.

Ascii

Ascii is the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. The most common code used for asynchronous data transmission by minicomputers and personal computers. Derived from the TWX code of the Bell Model 28 teleprinter, expanded to use all possible character combinations. ASCII consists of 7 information bits with an 8th parity bit for error checking; numerous variations exist, for example use of the 8th bit in personal computers to extend the code with a number of graphics, special language characters and diacritical marks. Many common carrier data services cannot transmit the 8th bit needed to use that common PC extension of ASCII's alphabet.

Ascorbic acid

see "Vitamin c"

Ash wednesday

Ash wednesday is the first day of lent, the seventh wednesday before easter.

Asphalt

Asphalt is a material used for road coverings.

Aspirin

Aspirin is an analgesic.

Assay

Assay is the testing of an alloy or an ore to determine the proportion of a given metal. An assay officer is someone who certifies the fineness of gold, silver and platinum.

Astern

Astern is a nautical term meaning behind the ship.

Asteroid

An asteroid is a minor planetary body.

Asthma

Asthma is a disease characterized by breathing difficulties.

Astrology

Astrology is the science of the relationship between events and the stars.

Astronomy

Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies.

Asynchronous

Asynchronous refers to occurring without central control or in an unpredictable time interval between successive elements; the typical mode of telegraphy, minicomputers and personal computers; requires s transmission of "start" and "stop" bits to provide decoding synchronization at the receiver.

Athletics

Athletics is the sport of physical games.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is the gaseous envelope surrounding a planet, such as that which surrounds the earth which is comprised of nitrogen, oxygen, argon carbon dioxide, helium, water vapour and other gases.

Atom

An atom is a body too small to be divided into individual parts.

Atoms

see "atom"

Atrium

The atrium was the entrance hall to a Roman house.

Atropine

Atropine is the poisonous alkaloid found in deadly nightshade.

Attenuation

Attenuation is a term denoting a decrease in power between that transmitted and that received due to loss through equipment, lines, or other transmission devices. Usually expressed as a ratio in dB (decibels). - Synonym: Loss; Antonym: Gain

Avoirdupois

The avoirdupois scale is a measurement of weight.

Axe

An axe is a metal tool for chopping and cleaving.

Babel

The tower of Babel was built by the people of Babylon in an attempt to reach heaven.

Baccarat

Baccarat is a gambling card game.

Backgammon

Backgammon is an old board game also called tric trac, tavla or tables.

Badmington

Badmington is a game played on a court divided in half by a 30 inch deep net five feet above the ground.

Bagpipe

The bagpipe is a Scottish musical instrument.

Bakelite

Bakelite is a strong synthetic material resistant to heat and chemicals.

Balalaika

A balalaika is a stringed Russian musical instrument.

Baldric

A baldric is a belt used to support a sword or bugle.

Ballad

A ballad is a narrative song.

Ballistics

Ballistics is the theory of missile projection.

Balloon

A balloon is a bag filled with gas.

Ballot

A ballot is a method of secret voting.

Banjo

A banjo is a stringed musical instrument.

Barge

A barge is a type of long narrow flat bottomed boat.

Barometer

A barometer is a device for measuring air pressure.

Baron

Baron is an English peerage title.

Barque

A barque is a type of masted sailing ship.

Barquentine

A barquentine is a 3 mast sailing ship.

Barrel

A barrel is a dry and liquid measurement that varies with substance.

Basalt

Basalt is the name given to lava. It is high in ferrous and magnesian silicates.

Baseball

Baseball is the national game of USA.

Basket

A basket is a woven container.

Bassoon

A bassoon is a woodwind musical instrument.

Baud

Baud is a unit of computer etc signaling speed. The speed in Baud is the number of discrete conditions or signal elements per second. If each signal event represents only one bit condition, then Baud is the same as bits per second. Baud does not equal bits per second.

Bauhaus

Bauhaus is a German institution for training architects, artists and industrial designers founded in 1919 at Weimer.

BBS

A BBS (Bulletin Board System) is a communicating computer equipped so as to provide informational messages, file storage and transfer and a degree of message exchange to dial-up data terminal or personal computer users.

BCD

BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) is a binary-coded notation in which each decimal digit of a number is expressed in binary form; Example: 23 decimal is 10111 in binary, and 0010 0011 in BCD.

Beaufort scale

The beaufort scale measures wind speed at sea.

Beer

Beer is a drink of fermented hops, malt and barley.

Bellows

Bellows are apparatus for creating a draught.

Belt

A belt is a flat strip of material worn around the waist.

Benedictine

Benedictine is a green liqueur.

Benzine

Benzine is a distillate of petroleum used in dry cleaning.

Beryllium

Beryllium is an alkaline metal element.

Bessemer converter

The bessemer converter is a process for making cheap steel. Basicaly, impurities are removed from the pig iron by blasting air through the molten metal and adding lime to remove phosphorus from the metal. The process takes about twenty minutes.

Bezique

Bezique is a card game using some of two packs of cards.

Bhang

Bhang is an Indian drink prepared from the leave and shoots of the hemp (cannabis) plant.

Bicycle

A bicycle is a two wheeled vehicle.

Bikini

The Bikini is a two-piece item of women's swimwear. It was invented in 1946 by a French designer and was called the "bikini" after the atom bomb test at bikini atol, the premise being that the bikini was as small as an atom, and the results were explosive! When first revealed, no professional model could be found to model such a revealing item of clothing, and so a cabaret dancer was hired to model the first bikini.

Billiards

Billiards is a game played with two white balls and one red ball and a cue on a slate bed table. One of the white balls has two black spots on it, this ball is called the spot-ball and is used to start the game.

Bise

The bise is a dry north wind prevalent in Switzerland and southern France.

Bitter

Bitter is a taste sensation caused by stimulation of the gustatory nerve.

Bitters

Bitters is an alcoholic beverage of sugar herbs and alcohol.

Bitumen

Bitumen is a natural inflammable pitchy hydrocarbon.

Black Feet

The Black Feet are a north American Indian tribe.

Blackhead

A blackhead is dirt blocking a pore that often causes acne.

Blanket

A blanket is an extensive covering. Often a warm bed covering.

Bloom

A bloom is a lump of puddled iron, which leaves the furnace in a rough state, to be subsequently rolled into bars or whatever.

Bloomer Costume

The Bloomer costume was a style of dress adopted around 1849 by Mrs Bloomer of New York. It consisted of a jacket with close sleeves, a skirt reaching a little below the knee, and a pair of Turkish pantaloons secured by bands around the ankles.

Blue peter

The blue peter is a flag flown by ships as they are about to sail.

Bluefish

The bluefish is a fish found off the east coast of north America.

Boat

A boat is transport for conveyance across water.

Bog

Bog is the name given to soft spongy land.

Bohea

Bohea is an inferior kind of black tea.

Bolero

The bolero is a spanish dance of the ballet class for couples or a single female dancer.

Bolt-ropes

Bolt-ropes were ropes used to strengthen the sails of a ship.

Bombardier

A bombardier an artillery soldier, originally a bombardier was an artillery soldier whose duties were connected with mortars and howitzers, but now is the lowest non-commissioned officer of artillery.

Bootikin

A bootikin was a wood and iron boot used in torture to extract confessions from the victim. Wooden wedges were hammered between the leg and the boot with a mallet so as to crush the victims bone.

Bootstrap Loader

A Bootstrap Loader is a computer input routine in which preset operations are placed into a computer that enable it to get into operation whenever a reset condition occurs; in electronic PBXs this may be called Automatic Program Loading or a similar term; in personal computers it is the sequence that searches predetermined disks for a Command Interpreter program, then a Configure System file; finally an Autoexecution Batch file.

Boric acid

Boric acid is an acid of borax found naturally.

Boron

Boron is an element found in borax.

Bowline

The bowline is a non-slip knot.

Bran

Bran is the outer covering of wheat grains.

Brandy

Brandy is an alcoholic beverage of distiled wine.

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Brig

A brig is a two masted sailing ship.

Brigantine

A brigantine is a 2 mast sailing ship.

Bromine

Bromine is a non-metallic element.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucous membrane.

Bronze

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.

Buckram

Buckram was a coarse textile fabric stiffened with glue and used in garments to give them and to keep them in the form intended.

Buckskin

Buckskin is a soft form of leather.

Bude Light

The bude light was a very bright gas lamp invented by Mr Gurney who lived in Bude, Cornwall. The bude lamp fed a stream of oxygen into the flame of an argand-lamp or gas-burner.

Buff

Buff is the stout velvety dull-yellow leather of buffalo or ox hide.

Buff Leather

Buff leather is a type of leather made from the skin of buffalo and other oxen. It is dressed with oil and used for making bandoliers, belts, pouches and gloves amongst other items.

Bugle

A bugle is a brass musical instrument.

Bulimia

Bulimia is a disorder in which the patient has a morbidly voracious appetite. It is certainly not a new disorder, for it was known of in 1906.

Bulkhead

A bulkhead is an upright partition dividing watertight compartments of a ship.

Bullion

Bullion is gold or silver in bars, plates or other masses which has not been minted

Bum-boat

A bum-boat is a small boat used to sell produce to ships lying at a distance from the shore

Bunion

A bunion is an inflamed swelling on the foot, especially at the joint of the great toe.

Burl

A burl is a knot. The term is used in veneering to refer to an overgrown knot in the wood.

Burnt Sienna

Burnt Sienna is the popular name for Terra di Sienna, a brown ferruginous ochre used in painting, and obtained from Italy. Before being used as a pigment it is calcined, and hence the name Burnt Sienna.

Busby

A busby is a headdress worn by British army hussars.

Bushel

The bushel is a unit of capacity measurement equivalen to 4 pecks, 8 gallons or 3.637 dekalitres.

Bushels

see "Bushel"

Butane

Butane is an alkane inflammable gas by product of petroleum.

Butte

A butte is an isolated abrupt flat-topped hill found in the west USA.

Buttress

A buttress in architecture is a pier built against the exterior of a wall.

Cabala

see "Qabbala"

Caballa

see "Qabbala"

Cabbala

see "Qabbala"

Caber

A caber is a roughly trimmed young pine-trunk used in Scottish highland games (tossing the caber).

cable

In nautical terms, a cable is 183 metres.

cadmium

Cadmium is a metal element.

Calciferol

see "Vitamin D"

Calcium

Calcium is a metal element. It is an alkaline metal.

Calends

Calends was the first day of the Roman calendar month.

Calf

A calf is a young bovine animal, especially a young cow.

Calipers

Calipers are an instrument for measuring dimensions of circular solids.

Calorie

Calorie is the metric unit of measurement of heat.

Cam miles

Cam miles is a perennial dwarf herb of the order compositae.

Cambrian

The Cambrian period was the third geological period, 450,000,000 years ago.

Camelot

Camelot was the castle of Arthur.

Cameo

A cameo is a small relief carving.

Camouflage

Camouflage is colours or structures which allow an animal to blend in with its surroundings.

Canal

A canal is an artificial open water channel.

Cancer

Cancer is a disease of malignant tumours, what causes it is unknown, however experiments in the 1950s revealed a connection between concious belief and cancer, that is patients who had cancerous tumours removed and believed themselves to be free of the cancer were less likely to suffer re-emergence of the cancer than patients who believed the cancer would re-occur.

Candelabrum

A candelabrum is a large candlestick.

Candle

A candle is a wax cylinder enclosing a wick. It is burnt to provide light.

Capricorn

Capricorn is a sign of the zodiac symbolised by a goat.

Capstan

A capstan is a revolving barrel with a vertical axis powered by people. It is used for winding cable. On sailing ships the capstan is used to raise and lower the anchor.

Carat

Carat is the unit of measurement of gold purity.

Carbide

see "carbides"

Carbides

A carbide is a compound of carbon and another element.

Carbohydrate

A carbohydrate is a complex chemical compound. Consisting of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. In foods it forms sugars and starch.

Carbolic acid

Carbolic acid is a strong poison distiled from coal tar.

Carbon

Carbon is a non-metallic element. Contained in all life forms.

Carbonate

A carbonate is a salt formed by the union of carbon dioxide with a base element.

Carboniferous

The Carboniferous was the seventh geological period, 250,000,000 years ago. This era marked the formation of the coal beds.

Carborundum

Carborundum is silicon carbide and is extremely hard.

Carboy

A carboy is a large globular wicker-covered glass bottle used for holding acid or other corrosive liquids.

Carburettor

A carburettor is a device for charging air with a hydrocarbon.

Caries

Caries is a disease resulting from inflammation of bony tissue.

Carmine

Carmine is a red colouring derived from the cochineal insect.

carotene

see "vitamin a"

Carpet

Carpet is a thick fabric, often made of wool, used for covering a floor. It is made by knotting short lengths of yarn to to the warp threads during weaving.

Carron oil

Carron oil is a mixture of linseed oil and lime water which was formerly used for treating burns. It was first used at the Carron ironworks near Falkirk.

Cart

A cart is a strong two or four wheeled vehicle used in farming and for carrying heavy goods.

Cartel

A cartel is a written agreement for the exchange or ransom of prisoners.

Carton

A carton is a light box or case for holding goods.

Cartouche

In architecture, a cartouche is a scroll ornament.

Cartridge-paper

Cartridge-paper is a thick paper. It is so named because it was originally used to make soldiers' cartridges.

Caruncle

A caruncle is a small hard outgrowth formed on the seeds of certain plants, such as the castor oil plant.

Caryopsis

Caryopsis is a botanical term for a one-seeded indehiscent fruit with pericarp fused to the seed-coat, as in wheat and barley.

Casareep

Casareep is the concentrated juice of the roots of the cassava flavoured with aromatics and boiled to remove the toxins. It is then used as a relish in soups and other dishes. It is the basis of the Jamaican dish "pepper-pot". Casareep is also a powerful antiseptic and was used for preserving meat in tropical countries.

Cascara

Cascara is an extract of the bark of the Californian buckthorn used as a laxative or cathartic.

Case-hardening

Case-hardening is a process whereby iron objects have their outside layer converted to steel. The object is put in a box containig carbon and is heated until red hot. Then it is immeresed in cold water where upon a layer of steel forms on the object.

Casein

Casein is a protein found in milk.

Cassock

A cassock is a long close fitting tunic, buttoning up to the neck and reaching down to the feet, worn by the clergy.

Castanet

Castanets are small concave shells of ivory or hard wood used by the Spaniards and Moors to make a rattling sound to accompany dancing. A pair of castanets are held in the palm of the hand and struck with the middle finger.

Caste

Caste is an Indian hereditary class system with members socially equal, united in religion and usually following the same trade. A member of one caste has no social intercourse with a member of any other caste except their own.

Castor

Castor is a reddish-brown bitter substance obtained from the anal glands of the beaver and used in perfume and medicine.

Castor oil

Castor oil is a pale yellow nauseous acrid oil obtained from the seeds of the Castor oil plant and used as a purgative and lubricant.

Catacomb

Catacombs are subterranean cemetries.

Catalase

In chemistry, a catalase is any of various enzymes capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide.

Catalepsy

Catalepsy is a disease characterized by seizures or trances which last for hours or days with a suspension of sensation and conciousness.

Catalyst

A catalyst is a substance which facilitates a reaction, without being consumed by the reaction itself. It is a term generally used in chemistry, although it is equally applicable in applied Psychology, such as in the role of an antagonist or provacteur.

Catarrh

Catarrh is the inflammation of a mucous membrane, particularly that of the nose, throat or bronchial tubes, causing an increased flow of mucus.

Catboat

A catboat is a sailing boat with a single mast set well forward and rigged with one sail.

Catcher

A catcher is a fielder who stands behind the batter in baseball.

Catgut

Catgut is the dried and twisted intestines of sheep or horses used for making the strings of musical instruments and tennis rackets and for sutures in surgery.

Cathetometer

A cathetometer is a device for measuring small differences in height.

Cathode

A cathode is a negative electrical pole or terminal.

Caudle

Caudle is a warm, thin spiced gruel made with wine and sugar which was given to invalids and women after childbirth.

Caul

A caul is a woman's close-fitting cap or hair net.

Cauldron

A cauldron is a large boiling vessel, usually of a deep basin shape with a hoop handle and a removable lid.

Causeway

A causeway is a raised road across a low or wet piece of land.

Cautery

A cautery is a heated metal instrument used for burning or searing organic tissue.

Cavalcade

A cavalcade is a procession of riders on horse-back.

Cave

A cave is a deep hollow place under ground.

Cavendish

Cavendish is softened tobacco which has been sweetened with molasses and then pressed into cakes.

CBI

The CBI is the British organisation of employers.

CCIR

The CCIR (Comite Consultatif Internationale des Radio), is a major constituent of the International Telecommunications Union, issuing both Radio Regulations and Recommendations for all uses of radio transmission.

CCITT

The CCITT (Comite Consultatif Internationale des Telephones et Telegraphes), is a major constituent of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that sets standards for the operation of telecommunications services across international boundaries. Many CCITT standards are adopted for use domestically.

Ceilidh

A ceilidh is a Gaelic festival of singing and dancing held in Scotland and Ireland.

Celluloid

Celluloid is a hard, unstable synthetic substance once used for films.

Cellulose

Cellulose is the cellular tissue of plants. Used as cotton and paper.

Cement

Cement is a mixture of chalk and clay used for building.

Cental

The cental was a weight of 100 pounds legal in Britain since 1879.

Cerium

Cerium is a rare metal element.

Chain

The chain is a unit of the imperial scale of measurement of length equivalent to 22 yards or 20.168 metres. A chain is comprised of 100 links, each 7.92 inches long.

Chains

see "chain"

Chalder

Chalder was a Scottish dry measure containing 16 bolls, equivalent to 12 imperial quarters.

Chaldron

The chaldron is an old English unit of capacity measurement equivalent to 36 bushels.

Chalice

A chalice is a ceremonial cup.

Charcoal

Charcoal is an amorphous form of carbon formed by charring wood.

Chariot

A chariot was a two wheeled vehicle used in ancient warfare.

Chauvinism

Chauvanism is fanatical devotion to a cause, especially patrotism. The term comes from Nicholas Chauvin who was a soldier so enthusiastically devoted to Napoleon that his comrades ridiculed him.

Cheese

Cheese is a food made by condensing milk fat and casein.

Chemistry

Chemistry is the science of the composition of substances.

Cheng

The cheng is a chinese musical instrument. It is comprised of a series of tubes with free reeds. Its introduction into Europe led to the development of the accordion and harmonium.

Chenille

Chenille is an ornamental fabric made by weaving or twisting together warp-like threads with a weft the loose ends of which protrude all round in the form of a pile.

Chess

Chess is a game of skill played on a chequered board.

Chicken pox

Chicken pox is an infectious disease of children and adults.

Chicle

Chicle is a gum-like substance obtained from the bully tree and used for making chewing gum.

Chilli

Chilli is a spice, being either the pod or powder of capsicum.

Chintz

Originally, chintz was a painted or stained calico imported from India.

Chlorate

A chlorate is a salt formed by the reaction of chloric acid and metal.

Chlorates

see "chlorate"

Chloric acid

Chloric acid is a oxyacid of chlorine. It is a powerful oxidising agent.

Chlorine

Chlorine is a gaseous element.

Chloroform

Chloroform (trichloRomethane) once used as an anaesthetic.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is the green colouring matter of plant leaves.

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease caused by a micro organism.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a steroid alcohol present in animal cells and body fluids.

Chromium

Chromium is a metal element.

Cider

Cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice.

Citric acid

Citric acid is found in citrus fruits. It has the formulae c6h807.

Clarinet

A clarinet is a woodwind musical instrument.

Clarion

A clarion is a musical instrument of the trumpet family.

Clipper

A clipper is a sharp bowed fast sailing vessel.

Cloak

A cloak is a loose fitting, usually sleeveless outer garment.

Clog

A clog is a wooden soled, leather uppered boot.

Cloisonne

Cloisonne is a form of decorative enamel.

Cloud

A cloud is a mist formed above the ground by floating water particles.

Clove hitch

The clove hitch is a knot.

Coal

Coal is a solid combustible material of vegetable origin occurring in a fossilised state.

Coal-tar

Coal-tar is a thick black viscous liquid produced by the destructive distillation of coal. Coal-tar yields benzene, creosote, paraffin, aniline and dyes.

Coaster

A coaster is a ship which carries cargo around a country's coast.

Coaxial Cable

A coaxial cable is a cable in which one conductor surrounds the other. The electromagnetic wave travels between the grounded outer shield and the central conductor. Coaxials can carry much wider bandwidth and higher frequencies than twisted wire pair, while suffering less interference problems due to the grounded outer conductor. Where the maximum frequency capable on twisted pair wiring is about 16 megahertz and then only for short distances, coaxial cable readily carries several hundred megahertz for 300 metres.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a metal element.

Cocaine

Cocaine is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of the coca plant.

Codeine

Codeine is an alkaloid derived from opium used as a pain killer.

Coke

Coke is charred coal.

Colchicine

Colchicine is an alkaloid derived from meadow saffron.

Colic

Colic is severe abdominal griping pains.

Colitis

Colitis is inflammation of the colon.

Collier

A collier is a medium-sized bulk carrier ship normally operated on coastal and short-sea routes.

Coma

A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness.

Comet

A comet is a small body orbiting the sun on an elliptical path with a long tail of dust and ice.

Compass

A compass is an instrument for finding direction.

Compiler

A compiler is a computer program that translates high level language code into machine language code. It was invented by grace murray hopper in 1951.

Compound

A compound is a substance made of two or more elements.

Computer

A computer is a programmable electronic device.

Concertina

A concertina is a wind musical instrument comprised of bellows and two keyboards.

Concrete

Concrete is a building material of cement, sand, stone and water.

Conia

Conia is the volatile alkaloid poison found in hemlock.

CONSIGHT

CONSIGHT is an industrial machine vision object-recognition system which uses lighting effects to produce silhouette-like images.

Constant

In mathematics a constant is a fixed value.

Constantan

Constantan is an alloy of copper and nickel.

Constellation

A constellation, in astronomy, is a divisional area of the sky.

Constipation

Constipation is irregular and insufficient evacuation of the bowels.

Constituency

A constituency is a body of electors.

Contralto

In music, contralto is the highest voice of a male adult, or the lowest of a woman or boy. It is also known as Alto or counter-tenor.

Corbillon cup

The corbillon cup is a table tennis tournament.

Cordovan

Cordovan is a fine leather which took its name from the Spanish city of Cordova where it was manufactured in large quantities.

Corduroy

Corduroy is a thick cotton material corded, or ribbed on one surface.

Corned Beef

Beef meat which has been "corned", that is soaked in water with salt and a little potassium nitrate, for about 10 days.

Cosmology

Cosmology is the study of the structure of the universe.

Crack

Crack is the crystalline form of cocaine.

CRC

CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) is a powerful error checking method for data and digital communications. The transmitting terminal computes a numeric value representative of the number of marking bits in the associated block of data and sends that value to the receiver, where the number is recomputed to compare against the block as received. Depending on the number of bits in the CRC numeric value the error trapping efficiency ranges from about 97 % at CRC-6 to 99.997% at CRC-32. Values of CRC-8 and CRC-16 are adequate for most data message block sizes, while CRC-32 is needed mainly for very long blocks of tens of thousands of characters.

Cretaceous

The Cretaceous was the eleventh geological period, 95,000,000 years ago. The first marsupials evolved.

Croup

Croup is the inflammation of the larynx.

Crwth

The crwth was a Welsh form of violin with 6 strings. 4 of the strings were played with a bow, the other 2 being plucked by the fingers.

Cupro nickel

Cupro nickel is an alloy of copper and nickel

Curare

Curare is a poison derived from the bark of a south American tree.

Curtis cup

The curtis cup is an international golf tournament.

CWT

see "Hundredweight"

Cyanide

Cyanide is a salt of hydrocyanic acid. Notably potassium cyanide.

Cyclone

A cyclone is an area of low atmospheric pressure.

Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder.

Cytochrome

Cytochrome is a type of protein.