Dacoity
In the Penal Code, dacoity is defined as organised banditry by 5 or more persons. The word derives from the Hindustani word for a robber, dakait.
Dada
The dada is an artistic and literary movement founded in 1915 in Zurich.
Daguerreotype
Daguerreotype was the earliest process of photographic reproduction, and was so called after its inventor Louis Daguerre. A copper plate, polished and silvered, was sensitised by exposure to iodine vapour, and so coated with a fine layer of silver iodide. It was then exposed in a camera, like modern photographic film, but with a longer exposure time. It was afterwards removed and treated with mercury vapour, the mercury attaching itself to those areas which had been most exposed to light and settling there in a density proportionate to the strength of the light.
Dahabiyeh
A dahabiyeh is a broad, shallow-draught vessel with a sharp prow and sails used for conveying passengers on the Nile.
Daily Express
The Daily Express is a tabloid newspaper which was founded in 1900 by Pearson. At the time it strongly supported Chamberlain's tariff reform policy, and today is known for its strongly nationalist right-wing ideas.
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a tabloid newspaper. It was founded in 1896 and was the first halfpenny London morning newspaper.
Daily Mirror
The Daily Mirror is a tabloid newspaper. It was founded in 1903 chiefly as a journal for women, and modified in 1904 as a general illustrated newspaper. Today it is known as a sensationalist tabloid supporting the Labour party.
Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a broadsheet newspaper which was established in 1855 as a 2d paper by Colonel Sleigh. Several months later it was bought by Levy who reduced the price to 1d. It was a Liberal supporting paper until 1878, then from 1886 it was unionist and raised funds for needy causes. Today it is nicknamed the ''Torygraph'' from its strong support of the Conservative party.
Dak
Dakin's Solution
Dalmatic
Dam
Damask
Damaskeening
Dammar Gum
Dance
Dane-geld
Dark Ages
Dark Room
Darlington Pair
Data
Daturine
Davis cup
Day
Daylight Saving Time
dBM
Ddt
De Haeretico Comburendo
Debusscope
Decahydro-naphthalene
Decalin
Decathlon
Deceleration
December
Decennalia
Decibel
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Indulgence
Declaration of Paris
Decoy
Defamation
Defence of the Realm Acts
Deimos
Dekatron
Deliquescence
Deliquescent
Delta
Delta Metal
Delta Rays
Denaturant
Density
Dentil
Dentistry
Denudation
Deodand
Depilatory
Deposition
Derating
Dermatitis
Derrick
Desiccator
Desk
Devonian
Dew
Dextrin
Diadem
Dialect
Diallyl barbituric acid
Dialogue
Dialysis
Diastase
Diathermy
Diazo Compounds
Dichroic Mirror
Dichrooscope
Didjeridu
Die-casting
Dielectric
Dietetics
Dietheroscope
Diethyl-barbituric acid
Dieu et mon droit
Diffusionism
Diflunisal
Digamma
Digestion
Digitalis
Dihydroxysuccinic acid
Dilatometer
Dimethyl-xanthine
Dimethylmethane diethylsulphone
Dimity
Dimorphism
Dinghy
Diode
Diphenyl
Diphtheria
Dipole aerial
Dipsomania
Diptych
Dipyridamole
Disinfectant
Disopyramide
Disorderly House
Displacement
Dissection
Distaff
Distributor
Diuretic
Dixie
Doctor Wind
Dog Days
Domesday Book
Dominoes
Doomsday book
Doppler effect
DORA
Down's syndrome
Dragon's Blood
Dram
Draughts
Dredger
Drill
Dropsy
Dry Ice
Dry Joint
Dry Rot
Dry-dock
Dulcimer
Duma
Dungeon
Duralumin
Duress
Dutch East India Company
Dutch West India Company
DWIM
Dye
Dyke
Dynamics
Dynamite
Dynamometer
Dyne
Dyspepsia
Dysprosium
E Layer
Earnest
Earth
Earth Metal
Easel
Easement
East India Company
Eaves
Ebonite
Ebony
Ecarte
Echinus
Echo Sounding
Eclampsia
Eclipse
Ecology
Ecstasy
Eczema
EDAAS
Eddy Current
Effervescence
Effort
Egg
Eisteddfod
Ejectment
Electric current
Electrode
Electrum
Elegit
Elegy
Element
Elephantiasis
Eleusinian Mysteries
Elgin marbles
Ell
Emanation
Emancipation Act
Embalming
Embassy
Ember Days
Embezzlement
Emblements
Embolic gangrene
Embossing
Embracery
Embrasure
Embroidery
Embryo
Embryology
Emetine
Emigration
Eminent Domain
Emphysema
Empire
Empire Day
Empiricism
Employment Exchange
Empyema
Emulsion
Encephalitis Lethargica
Encyclical
Encyclopaedia
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Endosperm
Endowment Insurance
Energy
English
Engraving
Enigmarelle
Enjambement
Enneastyle
Ensign
Entail
Entente Cordiale
Enteric Fever
Enteritis
Enterokinase
Entomology
Entree
Entrepot Trade
Enzyme
Eocene
Eocene System
Eosin
Epaulette
Ephod
Epic
Epidemic
Epigram
Epigraph
Epigraphy
Epilogue
Episcopacy
Epistaxis
Epitaph
Epithalamium
Epithany
Epsom Salts
Erbium
Erg
Ergonomics
Ergosterol
Erratics
Erse
Erysipelas
Erythrityl Tetranitrate
Escalator
Eschatology
Escheat
Espalier
Essay
Essential Oil
Estate
Ester
Estuary
Etching
Ethane
Ethanoic acid
Ethanol
Ethene
Ether
Ethereal oil
Ethernet
Ethnology
Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl fluid
Ethylene
Ethylene Glycol
Etruscan Language
Etymology
Eucaine
Euchre
Eudiometer
Eugenics
Euphonium
Eurhythmics
Europium
Evil May Day
Evipan
Excellency
Exchequer
Exchequer Court
Excise
Exequatur
Extensometer
Extradition
Dak was the east Indian postal service. Properly a dak was a relay of men carrying letters, despatches and the like.
Dakin's Solution is a disinfectant solution containing sodium hydrochlorite, rendered neutral by the addition of boric acid as a buffer. The disinfectant action of the solution is very rapid, but it has the disadvantage of being unstable and does not keep for more than about a week.
A dalmatic is a sleeveless embroidered vestment worn by deacons in the Roman Church and the High Church section of the Anglican Church during the celebration of High Mass and at processions.
A dam is a structure constructed to hold back water and provide controlled flow for irrigation, storage and generation of electricity.
Damask is a material of silk, linen, etc., with a raised of flat pattern woven into it, and shading alternately light and dark, according to the angle of view. The name derives from Damascus where in the 12th century silk fabrics of a similar pattern were made.
Damaskeening is the process of ornamenting iron and steel with designs produced by inlaying or encrusting with another metal such as gold or silver, by etching and the like.
Dammar Gum is a naturally occurring gum obtained from coniferous trees that grow in the East Indies and Philippines. Dammar gum is soluble in turpentine and is employed in varnish and lacquers.
Dance is a rhythmic movement of the body usually performed to music.
Dane-geld (Danegeld, Danegelt) was a tribute paid to the Danes to stop their ravages in England. It was first raised by Ethelred II in 991, and again in 1003; and was levied after the expulsion of the Danes to pay fleets for clearing the seas of them. The tax was suppressed by Edward the Confessor in 1051; revibed by William I in 1068; and formed part of the revenue of the crown, until it was abolished by Stephen in 1136. The tax was levied on every hide of land (as much as one plough could plough) at a rate first of 1 shilling and later as much as 7 shillings.
The Dark Ages were the five or six centuries following the fall of the west Roman Empire, after the civilisation of Rome, based on unity and inter-communication had been destroyed by repeated barbarian invasions.
A dark room is a specially darkened studio used for photographic work. As much of the material used in photography is sensitive to light, many operations must be conducted in darkness.
A Darlington Pair is an electronic circuit using two transistors with the collectors connected together and the emitter of the first directly coupled to the base of the second. This configuration gives very high gains equal to the gains of the two individual transistors multiplied together.
Data is information, especially that stored in a computer.
Daturine is the poisonous alkaloid found in the thorn-apple.
The Davis cup is a tennis tournament.
A day is the time taken for the earth to rotate once on its axis. Astronomically a day is reckoned to begin at noon; for civil purposes, at midnight.
Daylight Saving Time is a device for the better utilisation of daylight by a temporary abandonment of sun-time in summer. It was first suggested in 1907 by William Willett, and implemented in 1916 in order to procure economy in light and fuel as an Act which provided that all clocks be put forward one hour for a period of about 5.5 months during the summer in England. This emergency measure was perpetuated by an Act of 1925, and adopted by many other European countries.
dBM is an identifier meaning ''decibels referred to one milliwatt,'' the common reference point for power levels in telecommunications circuits.
Ddt is an insecticide discovered in 1939 by Paul Muller.
De Haeretico Comburendo was a statute of 1401 against the Lollards. By it, a heretic convicted before a spiritual tribunal and refusing to recant was to be burned.
The debusscope is an instrument somewhat similar to a kaleidoscope, useful for devising patterns for calico-printers. It was invented in France around 1860.
Decahydro-naphthalene is naphthalene which has been completely reduced by catalytic hydrogenation. It is a colourless liquid with a pleasant odour and the formulae C10H18 used as a solvent and cleaning-agent.
Decalin was a commercial name for Decahydro-naphthalene.
The decathlon is a 2 day Olympic athletic event.
Deceleration is the rate at which a moving body decreases in velocity.
December is the twelth month of the year. It was originally the Roman tenth month of the year, hence the name from the Latin decem meaning ten. The British commenced their year on the 25th of December until the reign of William I.
Decennalia were festivals instituted by Augustus in 17 BC, and celebrated by Roman emperors every ten years of their reign with sacrifices, games and largesses.
The decibel is the unit of measurement of sound intensity.
In electronics, the decibel is a unit of measurement representing the logarithmic a ratio of two voltages, currents or power levels; used in telecommunications to express transmission loss or gain; defined as one-tenth of a Bel, hence the appropriate notation is dB, shown here.
The Declaration of Independence was made in 1776 by the 13 English colonies in North America breaking away from all allegiance to the British Crown. The Declaration was mainly the work of Thomas Jefferson. Already in December 1775 the Congress had declared itself independent of the English parliament and by this declaration had repudiated allegiance to the Crown.
The Declaration of Indulgence in 1687 was a proclamation by James II repealing all religious tests and penal laws against Roman Catholics and Dissenters. The Declaration was republished in 1688 and ordered to be read in the churches. Their refusal to do this led to the trial of the Seven Bishops, who were acquitted.
The Declaration of Paris in 1856 adopted with the Treaty of Paris to establish four principles of international law: 1) Privateering to be abolished; 2) the neutral flag might cover enemy goods except contraband of war; 3) neutral goods, except contraband of war, not to be subject to capture under an enemy's flag; 4) blockades, to be binding, must be effective, i.e. maintained by a sufficient force.
Strictly speaking, a decoy is either a tame or artificial duck, so placed as to lure wild ducks within gunshot range. The term is widely applied to any means by which a person or animal is lured into a trap.
In law, defamation is a false statement tending to expose another person to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or to injure him in his trade or profession. Mere insult is not sufficient.
The Defence of the Realm Acts (DORA) were a series of Acts passed during and after the Great War in Britain conferring on the King in Council the power to take extra-ordinary measures for the defence of the realm. Perhaps the most unpopular Act was the limitation of the times during which intoxicants could be sold, commonly known as the licensing hours and not relaxed until the 1990s.
Deimos is one of the two moons of mars.
A dekatron is a gas-filled cold-cathode electron tube, having a central anode and ten effective cathodes, used in electronic counting circuits.
A substance is deliquescent when it has an affinity for water strong enough to absorb it from the atmosphere in large quantities. Typically deliquescent salts are calcium chloride and ammonium nitrate.
see "Deliquescence"
Delta is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet. In geography, a delta is an alluvial triangular deposit formed at diverging mouths of a river.
Delta Metal is a variety of brass containing 55 percent copper, 41 percent zinc and 4 percent various other metals.
Delta rays are a stream of electrons moving at a relatively low velocity.
A denaturant is a substance added to intoxicating liquids such as alcohol, so that while they are rendered unfit to drink are still usable in industry. However, the theory behind their use fails to appreciate the desperation of some alcoholics, and the drinking of methylated spirits despite being made more dangerous by the addition of toxic denaturants, is still just as widespread, but with even more injury occurring to those who consume it.
Density is the mass of a substance in relation to its volume, and usually expressed as the weight in grams of 1 cubic centimetre. Since volume enters into this dimension, and volume varies with temperature, it is essential that the temperature at which the measurement was taken is revealed when stating the density of a substance.
In architecture, a dentil is one of a series of small square projecting blocks in the moulding of a cornice. They were originally employed as a decorative representation of the beam-ends of a wooden roof, the term has been extended to apply to objects made of wood.
Dentistry is a branch of medical science concerned with the care of the teeth, and including the treatment of unsound teeth, the prevention of dental diseases and the manufacture of artificial teeth. Although practised in ancient Egypt, it was not until the 19th century that dentistry became a subject for serious scientific research and considered a branch of medicine.
Denudation is a geological term for the wearing away of the earth's surface by the various agents - rain, frost, rivers, glaciers and ocean waves, each agent exhibiting a different kind of erosion.
In old English law, deodand was a term denoting anything which had caused the death of a person, accidentally or otherwise, and was thereupon forfeited to the crown to be put to some good use.
A depilatory is a substance which has the power to remove hair other than by cutting it. The term is generally applied to cosmetic hair removers.
In geology, deposition is a term applied to the laying-down of material by the various agents, such as wind, rivers, lakes, oceans and glaciers, each deposit exhibiting distinct characteristics.
Derating is a scheme to encourage agriculture and industry by relieving them of a portion or the whole rates normally payable. the principle was introduced by Winston Churchill in the Budget of 1928 and incorporated in the Local Government (Derating) Act of 1929. The Act relieved agricultural land of the whole, and productive industry of three-quarters, of rates previously levied, and substituted therefor a lump sum government grant, distributed among the local authorities. The effect of derating was obscured by the subsequent industrial depression.
Dermatitis is a term applied to many kinds of inflammation of the skin.
A derrick is a lofty, portable, crane-like structure used on land and water for lifting enormous loads. They were invented in 1857 by Bishop for raising sunken vessels.
A desiccator is an apparatus used mainly in the laboratory, by which substances can be thoroughly freed from water.
A desk is a flat or sloping table used for reading, writing or drawing, with or without legs. In the Middle Ages a plank was generally used.
The Devonian was the sixth geological period, 300,000,000 years ago. It marked the evolution of the insects and amphibians.
Dew is a precipitation in the form of moisture that collects on the ground after the temperature of the ground has fallen below the dew point temperature of the air in contact with the ground.
Dextrin is a sticky mixture of water-soluble products, an intermediate stage in the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. It was formerly marketed as an adhesive under the name of "British Gum".
A diadem was a head-band worn by the Romans instead of a crown.
A dialect is a characteristic manner of speech confined to a particular locality and differing, to a greater or lesser extent, from the standard speech of the country. The distinction between dialect and language is one of expediency rather than science.
Diallyl barbituric acid is a colourless crystalline organic compound used in medicine as a soporific.
Dialogue is a form of literature consisting of a conversation between two or more characters and so having considerable affinities with drama.
Dialysis is a method of chemical analysis, depending upon the different degrees of diffusibility of substances in liquids. It was discovered by Thomas Graham in 1861.
Diastase is a substance which occurs in saliva and in the secretions of the pancreas. It is an enzyme which has the power to break down starch with the formation of sugars.
Diathermy is a therapeutic treatment in which heat is produced in body tissues by passing high-frequency electric currents through them.
Diazo Compounds are a group of organic compounds characterised by the presence of the group -N2-. They are prepared by means of the diazo reaction, which consists in treating a primary aromatic amine with nitrous acid. Salts of this type are used in the production of dyestuffs.
A Dichroic mirror is a mirror consisting of a glass plate on which is deposited a very thin film of metal. It will transmit light of a particular colour, but reflects light of other colours.
The dichrooscope is an optical apparatus invented by professor Dove of Berlin in 1860 for representing the interferences, spectra in coloured lights, polarisation of light etc.
A didjeridu is a musical wind instrument developed by the Australian aborigines.
Die-casting is a method of casting metals by forcing them under pressure into moulds of a strong and permanent character capable of repeated use. Die-casting is said to have originated with the advent of printing, which necessitated the production of sharply cast types in large numbers.
Dielectric is the name given to an electric insulating material.
Dietetics is the study of food in relation to the promotion and maintenance of health. Despite the attempts of some authors to claim it is a new science, it has been known and practised for centuries, and the term dietetics precedes the Second World War.
The dietheroscope is an appartus for godesy and teaching optics. It was invented by Luvini of Tunis in 1876.
see "Veronal"
Dieu et mon droit (God and my right) is the motto of the English royal family. It was first assumed as a motto by Henry VI.
Diffusionism is the theory that human culture was spread by degrees by outward expansion from a single source, as opposed to the view that cultures are developed independently and are only diffused when a particular people develops a more or less permanent type of culture which is well in advance of that of neighbouring peoples and becomes impressed upon the latter.
Diflunisal is a drug used to treat mild to moderate pain and osteoarthritis It has the possible side effects of: dizziness, insomnia, headache, ringing in the ears, nausea, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, excess wind, rash and itching.
Digamma was an ancient Greek letter, which was already obsolete in classical times, and so called because its form resembled a double gamma. It was pronounced like an English w.
Digestion is the process of absorbing and distributing substances from ingested food to the body.
Digitalis is a drug derived from foxglove that increases heart efficiency.
see "Tartaric Acid"
A dilatometer is an apparatus used to measure changes in volume of solids. The solid is placed in a glass bulb with a capillary tube, and the bulb and part of the tube are filled with a liquid which is without action on the solid. By observing the liquid's position in the tube, changes in the volume of the solid may be measured.
see "Theobromine"
see "Sulphonal"
Dimity is a strong cotton material with raised patterns, usually white, used for curtains and especially bed-curtains during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Dimorphism is a special case of polymorphism; the state when the same substance can appear in two different crystalline forms. Ice for example can exist as ordinary light ice, or if frozen below minus 20 degrees and subjected to high pressure forms dense ice which is heavier than water.
A dinghy is a small Indian river-boat. The term was adopted for the small row-boat attached to a larger vessel for general purposes and today is used to describe any small row-boat.
A diode is a thermionic valve with two electrodes, or a semi-conductor equivalent. It presents a high resistance one way around and a low resistance the other.
Diphenyl is an alternative name for Phenyl benzene.
Diphtheria is a disease produced by the Klebs-Loeffler bacillus. Diphtheria is unusual in that after infection it does not spread in the body, but the bacillus remains at the site of its primary invasion. This site may be the fauces in front of the throat, or the larynx. Very occasionally the bacillus gains access to a wound and gives rise to "wound diphtheria". In any case, the disease multiplies and produces a membrane which in the case of the laryngeal type may produce death by mechanical blockage of the air passage. The chief danger however lies in the toxins discharged by the bacillus which enter the blood system and affect the muscles in particular, giving rise to a danger of heart-attacks.
A dipole aerial is an aerial consisting of two straight conductors mounted in line, the connection being made to the two inner ends.
Dipsomania is the technical term for alcoholism, produced by taking large quantities of alcohol over a long period of time.
A diptych was a two-leaved tablet of metal, ivory or other material used by the Greeks and Romans. In the early Christian church it was customary to inscribe the names of deceased bishops on diptychs. This practise was extended to include other distinguished persons who had deserved well of the church, and from it arose the calendars and martyrologies of a later period.
Dipyridamole is a coronary vasodilator drug used to reduce the frequency and intensity of angina attacks and prevents blood clots after heart surgery.
A disinfectant is a substance applied to the outside of the body, or to non-living material in order to kill any micro-organisms which may be present.
Disopyramide is an antiarrhythmic drug used to correct heart rhythm disorders which it does by delaying nerve impulses to the heart to regulate the heartbeat.
In law, a Disorderly House is a house where persons meet for unlawful purposes, such as a brothel or gaming-house.
Displacement is the size of a ship as measured by the actual weight of water which it displaces when afloat.
Dissection is the process of cutting away and separating parts of a body, whereby its formation and the relationships of its parts can be observed.
A distaff is a staff to which flax or any substance to be spun, is fastened.
In a car, the distributor distributes electrical pulses to the spark plugs.
A diuretic is a medicine which increases the flow of urine by acting on the kidneys either directly or secondarily through the blood or nervous system.
The term Dixie refers to the southern states of the USA.
The Doctor Wind is a prevailing daytime breeze which blows onto the island of Jamaica from the sea.
The dog days are the hottest part of the year in Europe, being part of July and August. Formerly the dog days were specifically the period during which Sirius, the dog-star, rises approximately with the sun.
The domesday book is a record of the survey conducted in England in 1086 by officials of William the conqueror in order to assess taxes etc.
Dominoes is a game played with 28 rectangular spotted tiles. It originated in Italy in the 18th century.
see "domesday book"
The Doppler effect is a change in observed wavelength due to relative motion between the source and observer.
see "Defence of the Realm Acts"
Down's syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality.
Dragon's Blood is a red resin obtained from the fruits of several East Indian trees. The material is a solid, soluble in alcohol and fatty oils, and used in the manufacture of furniture polishes, for staining marble and in some forms of printing.
The dram is a unit of the avoirdupois scale equivalent to 1.772 grams.
Draughts is a game played by two people on a board of 64 alternate black and white squares. Each player has twelve pieces, one set are black and the other red.
A dredger is a ship used for picking up rubbish from waterways and removing materials from beneath the surface of the water.
A drill is a machine for boring holes in rock, metal or wood etc. Drill bits were greatly improved from the invention in the 18th century of the twist drill, consisting of a rod of steel with a deep channel cut into it in a spiral, and the end ground off at an obtuse angle to give two cutting edges and a very short point.
Dropsy is an accumulation of serous fluid in the body cavities or tissues. Serum is normally exuded through the walls of the small blood-vessels, part of it being absorbed by the veins and lymphatic vessels and returned to the blood. Dropsy arises when the serum is not absorbed sufficiently or is exuded in abnormal quantities, and is therefore more a symptom of some other disturbance than a disease in itself.
Dry Ice is a commercial name for solidified carbon dioxide, often used as a coolant. It is called dry ice because as it melts, it gives off a gas rather than a liquid, and so appears dry.
In electrical terms, a dry joint is a soldered joint which, due to insufficient heating or lack of sufficient flux during the soldering operation, the solder has not adhered to the metals to be joined, thus producing a joint which is weak mechanically and of high electrical resistance.
Dry Rot is a name given to the fungus Merulius lacrymans which attacks wood in houses. The name derives from the dry appearance of the wood after decay.
A dry-dock is a dock from which the water may be emptied to allow of convenient and expeditious ship-repairs.
The dulcimer was a musical instrument consisting of a resonance-board over which wires were stretched, these being struck by hammers held by the performer.
The Duma was the lower House of the Russian Imperial Parliament. It was created in 1905 by the Constitution granted by Tsar Nicholas II, and replaced in 1917 by the Soviet system.
A dungeon is an underground prison, originally in the keep of a Norman castle.
Duralumin is an alloy of aluminium, copper and magnesium, with traces of other metals. Typically duralumin is comprised of 94.4 percent aluminium, 4.5 percent copper, 0.95 percent magnesium and 0.76 percent manganese. If properly tempered it has an extremely high tensile strength and is used in aircraft construction.
In law, duress is the unlawful constraint or compulsion of a person by physical action or threats.
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company formed in 1595 and granted a monopoly of trade in the Pacific and Indian Ocean in 1602. It was dissolved in 1798 and its territories taken over by the Dutch Government.
The Dutch West India Company was a chartered company granted a monopoly of trade in the Atlantic Ocean with America and Africa by the Dutch Government in 1621.
DWIM is an acronym for Do What I Mean. It is a term used in artificial intelligence for computer self-correcting of errors.
A dye is a substance applied to material, usually a textile, for decorative purposes, to give it a colour different from that which it originally possessed.
A dyke (dike) is a ditch or earthworks. The term is most often applied to earthworks built to reclaim land from the sea or rivers.
Dynamics is the branch of mechanics which consists of the study of the motion of matter and its causes.
Dynamite is an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine which has been absorbed into some inert material such as kieselguhr, sawdust or wood pulp. Dynamite was invented by Nobel in 1867.
A dynamometer is an apparatus for measuring power, or the rate of doing work.
Dyne is the unit of force. One dyne is that force which, acting on a mass of one gramme, imparts to it an acceleration of one centimetre per second per second.
Dyspepsia (Indigestion) is a disturbance of the natural processes of digestion, due sometimes to organic disease involving the alimentary canal, but usually to errors in diet or to nervous causes.
Dysprosium is a rare metal element with the symbol Dy.
The E Layer (Kennelly-Heaviside Layer) is a region of ionized gas in the ionos here, which reflects practically all incident medium frequency radiation, absorbing very little.
An earnest is a small sum of money or token given to bind a bargain between two parties.
The earth is the third planet from the sun.
The Earth Metals are the metals which in combination with oxygen form alkaline earths. They are calcium, strontium and barium and are never found in an uncombined condition, but oxidise rapidly into lime, strontia and baryta, the alkaline earths.
An easel is a stand or support for an artist's canvas.
Easement is a privilege without profit, i.e. a right attached to one piece of land which allows the owner of the land to use the land of another in a particular manner.
The East India Company was an incorporated company trading with India and the East Indies. East India Companies were founded in the 17th and 18th centuries by many European countries, the most important being the English East India Company with a close rival in the Dutch East India Company. The English company obtained from Queen Elizabeth I a charter in 1600 conferring the monopoly of trade with the East Indies.
Eaves are the edges of a roof projecting beyond the walls.
Ebonite is a hard product obtained by fully vulcanising rubber with more than 20 percent of its weight of sulphur. Ebonite is very resistant to corrosion and as an excellent insulator was employed in the electrical industry.
Ebony is the heart-wood of various species of Diospyros, trees of the order Ebenacea. It is a heavy, deep black wood used in piano keys and inlaying.
Ecarte is a card game for two players, first played in Paris in the 19th century. A deck of 32 cards is used, all the cards below 7 being removed. The ace ranks between the 10 and the jack. Spectators are allowed to bet on the game.
An echinus is the rounded moulding in the capital of a Doric column.
Echo Sounding is measurement of the depth of the ocean by directing a sonic or ultrasonic pressure wave vertically downward and determining the time taken before the echo is received.
Eclampsia is the name given to the sudden convulsive seizures sometimes occuring in pregnant women as a result of Bright's disease.
An eclipse is the passage of a celestial body through the shadow of another.
Ecology is the study of the relationship between plants and the places in which they grow. The term is becoming used to describe the opposition to man-made pollution and destruction of nature, hence an ecologist today is thought of more as an environmental campaigner than a botanist.
Ecstasy is an illegal drug synthesised from nutmeg oil and that reduces serotonin in the brain.
Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease.
EDAAS is an expert system that uses its knowledge of both the Toxic Substances Control Act (USA) and criteria for classifying information as confidential to help information specialists decide which information about the manufacturing and distribution of toxic chemicals must be released to the public and which information may be withheld for proprietary purposes. EDAAS was developed for the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA using FORTRAN.
Eddy currents (Foucault currents) are electric currents induced in a conductor by a varying magnetic field, for instance, in the core of an inductor or transformer.
Effervescence is the rapid escape of gas from a liquid, usually due to chemical action.
Effort is strenuous exertion.
An egg is a body specially developed in the females of animals which when impregnated by a male sperm develops into the young of the animal.
Eisteddfod is a Bardic Congress held periodically in Wales for the encouragement and development of Welsh music and literature. Its origins date back to pre-Christian times, though the first recorded Eisteddfod was held in the 6th century.
Ejectment was a common law action, abolished in 1852, to recover possession of land and damages for the wrongful withholding of it.
Electric current is the movement of electric charge. In a conductor the current consists of a drift of electrons towards the positive pole of the applied electric field. In an electrolyte or in a gas it consists of the migration of positive ions towards the negative electrode and of negative ions and/or electrons towards the positive electrode.
An electrode is a conductor by which an electric current enters or leaves an electrolyte or an electron tube. The positive electrode is called the anode and the negative electrode is called the cathode.
Electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver. The gold content varies but is usually around 65 - 80 percent. Other metals, such as copper, bismuth or palladium are also sometimes present. In Ancient Greece the term electrum was given to an alloy of gold and silver containing 80 percent gold.
Elegit is a legal writ ordering the seizure of a debtor's land in order to satisfy a judgment debt.
Elegy is a form of poetry of a mournful and reflective character, particularly a mourning song for a departed friend.
An element is a substance that cannot be split chemically into simpler substances.
Elephantiasis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the fibrous connective tissue, leading to excessive swelling of the leg, scrotum, arm or breast and more rarely other parts of the body. It is caused by the parasitic worm Filaria which blocks the lymph vessels, and at the same time causes irritation of the skin.
The Eleusinian Mysteries were Greek initiation ceremonies connected with the worship of Demeter, believed to have been first performed at Eleusis.
The Elgin marbles are a collection of ancient Greek sculptures assembled by the 7th earl of Elgin and brought to England in 1812
The ell was an English unit of measurement equal to 45 inches.
Emanation is a theological doctrine which regards individuals as outpourings of the divine essence. It denies the personality of both God and man.
The Emancipation Act abolished slavery throughout the British colonies on August 28th 1833. 20 million pounds was paid as compensation to slave-owners.
Embalming is the preparation of dead bodies so that they will not decay. The ancient Egyptians were especially expert and manny mummies are still preserved.
An embassy is an ambassador's residence.
Ember Days are the Wednsday, Friday and Saturday following September 14th, December 13th, the first Sunday of Lent and Whitsunday, set apart in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England for prayer, especially for those about to be ordained.
In law, embezzlement is the theft by a clerk or servant of money or goods received by him on behalf of his employer. It differs from larceny in that the original receiving of the property was lawful.
Emblements is the right of an agricultural tenant, whose lease lapses before harvest, to enter the land and gather crops.
see "Gangrene"
Embossing is the art of producing a design on paper, cardboard, metal, leather &c., by forcing or stamping out appropriate portions of the under-side to give a raised effect.
In law, embracery is the misdemeanour of attempting to influence a juryman to favour one side< otherwise than by evidence and argument given in open court. A juryman allowing himself to be corrupted is equally guilty of embracery.
Embrasures are the spaces or openings between two merlons (solid portions) of a battlement.
Embroidery is the art of ornamenting woven fabric into designs in needle-work. Embroidery differs from tapestry in that the design is stitched on the top of a woven material, whereas in tapestry the design is woven into it.
An embryo is the offspring of an animal before it has been born or emerged from its egg.
Embryology is the study of the development of embryos of animals and plants, from egg-cells or ova. Since the ova of most organisms do not develope before fertilisation, the study of embryology begins with fertilisation, and follows the subsequent changes of the fertilised ovum, and the conditios influencing its development.
Emetine is an alkaloid obtained from the dried roots of Psychotria ipecacuanha, a Brazilian plant. Emetine is a white powder employed in the treatment of amoebic dysentery and also as an anthelmintic.
Emigration is the departure from one's native country in order to take up permanent residence in another.
Eminent Domain is the right of the State to use private property for public purposes, particularly in war-time.
Emphysema is an abnormal presence of air in certain parts of the body. Generally however the term is restricted to a peculiar affection of the lungs, exhibited in two forms, vesicular emphysema, dilation or rupture of the air-sacs, and interlobular emphysema, infiltration of air into the connective tissue beneath the pleura.
An Empire is a large state or federation of states extending over a wide geographical area, and usually developed by the absorption of other peoples and countries. Empires are nearly always built up by the virile conquering and colonising expansion of a single State, but subsequently the individual provinces gradually attain independence.
Empire Day was an annual festival inaugurated in 1902 to celebrate on May 24th the achievement of the British Empire.
Empiricism is the theory that personal experience is the source of all knowledge and that the mind was originally an absolute blank. The theory originated with Heraclitus and was characteristic of Greek speculative thought.
The British government established an office called the Employment Exchange in 1909 for the purpose of introducing unemployed men to vacancies notified by employers. In 1912 the office took on the additional role of administering unemployment insurance. Today, the office is known as the Department of Employment and the Employment Exchanges are called Job Centres.
Empyema is a pathological term describing a collection of pus in a cavity, especially applied to pus in the pleural cavity of the lung.
An emulsion is an extremely fine dispersion of a liquid throughout another liquid with which it is immiscible. Industrial emulsions include margerine, and paint. Within the natural world, the most common emulsion is blood.
Encephalitis Lethargica is a disease believed to be due to a virus infection of the brain. The onset is sudden and takes the form of a chill. After a short period of recovery there is usually some disturbance of vision associated with palsy of the eye muscles. This is followed by muscular weakness and sudden mood swings followed by lethargy and possible death.
An encyclical is a circular letter on ecclesiastic affairs addressed by the Pope to all the clergy and faithful of the Roman Catholic Church.
The word Encyclopaedia (Encyclopedia) was first defined in Sir Thomas Elyot's Latin Dictionary (1538) as "that lernynge whiche comprehendeth all lyberall science and studies." It was first used as the title of a book by Johann Heinrich Alsted in 1608, by which time it had acquired its modern meaning of a book covering every branch of human knowledge. The term is also, however, applied to a work confined to some particular branch of knowledge. The distinction between an encyclopaedia and a dictionary is that the former explains subjects and the latter explains words.
The Encyclopaedia Britannica was first published as three volumes in 1771, and the second enlarged edition was published in 1778 and has been republished ever since to become one of the most famous encyclopaedias of all time.
Endosperm is the nutritive tissue in plant seeds which feeds the growing embryo.
Endowment Insurance is a form of insurance whereby, in return for regular contributions, a fixed sum is payable at death or at a certain age when the insured person ceases to pay premiums.
In physics, the term energy refers to an object's capacity to do work. This capacity is related to the strength of the flow of electrons in the object, or, in the case of potential energy, the amount of energy stored in the object. Thus, a powerful object such as the sun expels an enormous flow of electrons as solar energy, and a single atom of hydrogen contains the pathetic energy of a single electron orbiting its nucleus.
English is a term used to denote someone or something from England.
Engraving is the art of cutting a design on a hard substance, such as wood or metal.
Enigmarelle was the first robot. It was an automaton constructed of 365 different parts, and actuated by electricity. The figure rode a bicycle, wrote its name on a blackboard and performed other tasks similar to a human being. Enigmarelle was exhibited at the London Hippodrome in June 1905.
Enjambement is the arranging of sentences and clauses in verse so that their ends do not coincide with the ends of the lines. It was introduced in order to give fluency and ease to verses.
An Enneastyle is a Greek temple or other building having nine columns at the front.
An ensign is a flag or banner used in the Army and Navy. The British naval ensign is red, white or blue, with a small Union Jack in the upper corner. The red ensign is flown by the Merchant fleet, the blue by the Royal Navy Reserve and the white, which includes a red St George's cross by the Royal Navy.
Entail is a system of land tenure which was introduced by the statute De Donis in 1285, and by which the holder has only a life interest in the land, which passes on his death to his heirs.
The Entente Cordiale was the semi-formal alliance between England and France before the Great War. The alliance was first sought by France in 1903 seeking that in the event of a conflict with Germany, England would be at least neutral. In 1904 an agreement was signed whereby France had a free hand in Morocco and England a free hand in Egypt.
Enteric Fever is a term for typhoid fever and paratyphoid indicative of the intestinal lesions met with in that disease.
Enteritis is a convenient term for disorders of the bowel in which there is inflammation of the lining of the bowel wall. Varieties of enteritis include; dysentry, mucous colitis, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever.
Enterokinase is a hormone manufactured in the wall of the intestine and causes the pancreas to secrete when it is received.
Entomology is the branch of zoology dealing with insects. It was started as a science in 1705 by the publication of Ray's ''Methodus Insectorum''.
An entree is a complete dish consisting of meat, poultry or fish with vegetable and a sauce. It is served before the ''roast'' course in a formal menu and may be either hot or cold.
Entrepot Trade is the trade in one centre in the goods of other countries.
An enzyme is a biological catalyst that is not itself destroyed in the conversion process. Enzymes convert organic compounds into simpler substances and are formed by micro-organisms and cells.
The Eocene was the fourteenth geological period, 50,000,000 years ago.
The Eocene System is the oldest of the four geological systems into which the Tertiary era is divided.
Eosin is the potassium or sodium salt of tetrabromo-flourescein. It is a red substance which possesses brilliant flourescence in alkaline solution. It is used in acid solution as a red dye for wool and silk and is also used in red ink.
An epaulette is an ornamental fringed tab or badge worn on the shoulder as a distinguishing mark of rank. A gold epaulette was worn by Britsh Naval officers in 1759 following the French adoption in 1759. Epaulettes were used on both army and navy uniforms during the 19th century, but were abandoned by the British Army in 1855.
Ephod was a term applied to some part of the dress of Jewish high-priests, and used in the Old Testament where it appears to have several meaninings.
An epic is a poetical narrative of heroic achievments. It is largely dramatic in character, but embraces a greater area and admits many incidents, each of which might serve as a dramatic plot. In an epic the personality of the narrator is made much more obvious than is that of the author of a drama.
An epidemic is a disease which affects a large number of people in a particular locality at one time. As a rule it is infectious, but may affect its victims independantly. Epidemics were frequent in the Middle Ages before sanitation and considered inevitable.
An epigram is a short witty or poignant poem used as an inscription on a tomb, monument or altar.
An epigraph is an inscription carved on a stone, statue or coin.
Epigraphy is the study of ancient inscriptions incised on some hard material, such as wood, stone or metal, as distinct from palaeography which is the study of ancient manuscripts written on papyrus, parchment or a similar material.
Epilogue is a term usually applied in English literature to a speech or short poem addressed to the spectators by one of the actors at the close of a play. It may also be the additional chapter of a book, after the tale proper has finished.
Episcopacy is a form of Church government whereby churches are grouped together in dioceses under the authority of a bishop.
Epistaxis is a technical term for bleeding from the nose.
An epitaph is a short composition in verse or prose, nominally for the tomb of a deceased person and generally setting forth his or her virtues and the survivors' regrets.
An epithalamium is a nuptual song at marriages.
Epithany is a church festival held on January 6th. It was originally held to commemorate the baptism of Jesus, but now some churches celebrate it as the visit of the three wise men to Jesus.
Epsom Salts is the popular name for hydrated magnesium sulphate, MgSO4.7H2O. It is used medicinally as a cathartic, and is also used for weighting textiles.
Erbium is a metal element with the symbol Er.
Erg is the c.g.s. unit of work or energy, equal to the work done when a force of one dyne acts through a distance of one centimetre.
Ergonomics is a discipline treating the consideration of human factors in design of the working environment and its components; intended to promote productivity and safety in the tools people work with.
Ergosterol is a naturally occuring higher alcohol which upon irradition with ultra-violet light changes into Vitamin D.
Erratics are rocks transported by the action of ice during the Quaternary Glacial Period, often for considerable distances. They help in determining the extent of the ice-sheets and the direction of their movement.
Erse is a variant of the word Irish and is a designation given to the ancient Celtic languages of the Scottish Highlands and Ireland, but more usually confined to that of Ireland.
Erysipelas is a contagious disease due to the invasion of the tissues by the streptococcus germ, producing fever and a local redness of the skin. The inflammation of the skin may spread to deeper tissues, producing widespread necrosis and other complications occuring such as pneumonia, nephritis or meningitis.
Erythrityl Tetranitrate is an anti-anginal drug used to reduce the frequency and severity of angina attacks.
An escalator is a moving stairway used to transport passengers between two different levels, such as floors of a building or the street and the platforms of an underground station. The first escalator was designed and patented by Seeburger and subsequently developed by the Otis Elevator Comapny in the USA and by Waygood-Otis Ltd in Britain. The escalator was first demonstrated to the public at the Paris Exhibition in 1900.
Eschatology is the study of the doctrines of the life hereafter and of the expected second coming of Jesus.
In feudal tenure, escheat is a reversion of land to the lord, for want of a tenant qualified to perform the services.
An espalier is a wooden framework on which fruit-trees or creepers are trained.
Essay is a literary term which was originally applied to a draft or rough copy, and hence, by the modesty of the author, to an unpretentious but complete composition. It is now used to mean a prose composition of moderate length, limited to a single subject.
The essential oils (ethereal oils, volatile oils) are a group of naturally occuring pleasant-smelling liquids of vegetable origin.
An estate is a portion of land in the possession of a single person or corporation.
Ester is an organic compound formed by the reaction between alcohol and acid with the elimination of water.
In geography, an estuary is the broad mouth of a river which is affected by the tides, or more strictly, the region where sea and fresh water meet.
Etching is a process of putting a drawing or design onto a surface, usually metal, by corroding or scratching away the top surface so as to form the lines of the design.
Ethane is a paraffin hydrocarbon.
Ethanoic acid is an organic fatty acid.
Ethanol is the chemical name for alcohol.
Ethene is an alkene hydrocarbon gas.
Ether is an anaesthetic. It has the formulae (c2h5)2o.
see "Essential Oil"
Ethernet was originally the trade name for a LAN developed by Xerox Corporation and later supported by Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel Corporation and Hewlett-Packard. It is now standardised as IEEE specification 802.3 .
Ethnology is the science dealing with the inter-relatedness of the human family in terms of the physical appearance, customs, culture, art, economics etc.
Ethyl Acetate (acetic ether) is a colourless liquid with a characteristic fruity odour prepared by the esterification of ethyl alcohol with acetic acid. It is used as a solvent and as a flavouring agent.
Ethyl fluid is a mixture consisting principally of tetra-ethyl lead which was formerly added to petrol as an anti-knocking agent.
Ethylene is a gaseous hydrocarbon with the formulae C2H4. It contains one double bond and is the simplest example of an unsaturated compound.
Ethylene Glycol is a sweet syrupy liquid miscible with water and employed as an anti-freeze mixture in motor-car radiators and also as a solvent.
The Etruscan language was spoken by the people of ancient Eturia which corresponds to the modern Tuscany.
Etymology is the science of the origin and relationship of words.
Eucaine is a synthetic local anaesthetic with a chemical structure similar to that of cocaine.
Euchre is a card game usually for 2, 3 or 4 players played with a piquest pack of 32 cards, omitting all below 7, and with an extra card or joker used which ranks as the highest trump.
An eudiometer is a chemical apparatus introduced by Priestley consisting of a raduated glass tube with one end closed. By submerging the open end of the tube under water and introducing a known volume of gas, the change in volume that occurs in the reaction between the two gases can be measured. The eudiometer was first used in the estimation of the amount of oxygen in the air.
Eugenics is the science of selective breeding to control physical and mental characteristics.
The euphonium is a musical instrument of the saxhorn family. The bass saxhorn in B flat used in brass and military bands.
Eurhythmics is a system of mental and physical culture invented by Jacques Dalcroze, based on the interpretation of music by means of rhythmical movements of the body and limbs. A carefully graded series of exercises aims at producing an intellectual appreciation of rhythm, combined with perfect physical control, enabling the head and limbs to be moved independently of one another, and so to express several separate rhythms simultaneously.
Europium is a rare metal element with the symbol Eu.
Evil May Day was the 1st of May, 1517 when apprentices rioted in London, directing their aggression against foreigners, particularly the French. The rioters were headed by Lincoln, who, with fifteen others was hanged. 400 more rioters were bound with ropes and halters around their necks and carried to Westminster, where they cried ''mercy mercy'' and were all pardoned by the king, Henry VIII.
Evipan is an anaesthetic which was discovered in the 1930s. It is the sodium salt of N-methyl-cyclo-hexenyl-methyl-barbituric acid and was administered by intravenous injection providing surgical anaesthesia for around 20 minutes.
Excellency is a title of honour. It was first assumed by Charlemagne in the 9th century. Today it is applied to all ambassadors.
The exchequer (or Treasury) is a government department dealing with State finance. It was introduced by the Normans.
The Exchequer Court was established during the reign of Henry I to deal with questions of finance. It later took upon itself judicial business. The equity business of the Exchequer was transferred to the Court of Chancery in 1842, and in 1873 became the Exchequer division of the High Court of Justice.
Excise is a tax on the production of goods. It was first levied in Britain in 1643 on wines, beers, tobacco etc. to raise funds to support the army against Charles I.
An exequatur is a document issued by the Head of a State, granting recognition to a foreign consul appointed thereto.
An extensometer is an apparatus employed for measuring the strain produced in material when stressed.
Extradition is the delivery of a person accused or convicted of a crime to the State on whose territory the crime was committed, by the State on whose territory the criminal happens to be.