B.

14 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Gastropoda \Gas*trop"o*da\, n. pl., [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, stomach
     + -poda.] (Zool.)
     One of the classes of Mollusca, of great extent. It includes
     most of the marine spiral shells, and the land and
     fresh-water snails. They generally creep by means of a flat,
     muscular disk, or foot, on the ventral side of the body. The


     head usually bears one or two pairs of tentacles. See
     {Mollusca}. [Written also {Gasteropoda}.]
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The Gastropoda are divided into three subclasses; viz.:
           ({a}) The Streptoneura or Dioecia, including the
           Pectinibranchiata, Rhipidoglossa, Docoglossa, and
           Heteropoda. ({b}) The Euthyneura, including the
           Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia. ({c}) The Amphineura,
           including the Polyplacophora and Aplacophora.
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Infinitive \In*fin"i*tive\, n. [L. infinitivus: cf. F.
     infinitif. See {Infinite}.]
     Unlimited; not bounded or restricted; undefined.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Infinitive mood} (Gram.), that form of the verb which merely
        names the action, and performs the office of a verbal
        noun. Some grammarians make two forms in English: ({a})
        The simple form, as, speak, go, hear, before which to is
        commonly placed, as, to speak; to go; to hear. ({b}) The
        form of the imperfect participle, called the infinitive in
        -ing; as, going is as easy as standing.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: With the auxiliary verbs may, can, must, might, could,
           would, and should, the simple infinitive is expressed
           without to; as, you may speak; they must hear, etc. The
           infinitive usually omits to with the verbs let, dare,
           do, bid, make, see, hear, need, etc.; as, let me go;
           you dare not tell; make him work; hear him talk, etc.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In Anglo-Saxon, the simple infinitive was not preceded
           by to (the sign of modern simple infinitive), but it
           had a dative form (sometimes called the gerundial
           infinitive) which was preceded by to, and was chiefly
           employed in expressing purpose. See {Gerund}, 2.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The gerundial ending (-anne) not only took the same
           form as the simple infinitive (-an), but it was
           confounded with the present participle in -ende, or
           -inde (later -inge).
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Labial \La"bi*al\, n.
     1. (Phonetics) A letter or character representing an
        articulation or sound formed or uttered chiefly with the
        lips, as {b}, {p}, {w}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Mus.) An organ pipe that is furnished with lips; a flue
        pipe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) One of the scales which border the mouth of a fish
        or reptile.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Legate \Leg"ate\ (l[e^]g"[asl]t), n. [OE. legat, L. legatus, fr.
     legare to send with a commission or charge, to depute, fr.
     lex, legis, law: cf. F. l['e]gat, It. legato. See {Legal}.]
     1. An ambassador or envoy.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An ecclesiastic representing the pope and invested with
        the authority of the Holy See.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Legates are of three kinds: ({a}) Legates a latere, now
           always cardinals. They are called ordinary or
           extraordinary legates, the former governing provinces,
           and the latter class being sent to foreign countries on
           extraordinary occasions. ({b}) Legati missi, who
           correspond to the ambassadors of temporal governments.
           ({c}) Legati nati, or legates by virtue of their
           office, as the archbishops of Salzburg and Prague.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Rom. Hist.)
        (a) An official assistant given to a general or to the
            governor of a province.
        (b) Under the emperors, a governor sent to a province.
            [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Libration \Li*bra"tion\ (l[-i]*br[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [L. libratio:
     cf. F. libration.]
     1. The act or state of librating. --Jer. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Astron.) A real or apparent libratory motion, like that
        of a balance before coming to rest.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Libration of the moon}, any one of those small periodical
        changes in the position of the moon's surface relatively
        to the earth, in consequence of which narrow portions at
        opposite limbs become visible or invisible alternately. It
        receives different names according to the manner in which
        it takes place; as: {(a)} Libration in longitude, that
        which, depending on the place of the moon in its elliptic
        orbit, causes small portions near the eastern and western
        borders alternately to appear and disappear each month.
        ({b}) Libration in latitude, that which depends on the
        varying position of the moon's axis in respect to the
        spectator, causing the alternate appearance and
        disappearance of either pole. ({c}) Diurnal or parallactic
        libration, that which brings into view on the upper limb,
        at rising and setting, some parts not in the average
        visible hemisphere.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Monkey \Mon"key\, n.; pl. {Monkeys}. [Cf. OIt. monicchio, It.
     monnino, dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr.
     fr. madonna. See {Madonna}.]
     1. (Zool.)
        (a) In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana,
            including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
        (b) Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs.
        (c) Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such
            as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of
            apes and baboons.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The monkeys are often divided into three groups: ({a})
           {Catarrhines}, or {Simidae}. These have an oblong head,
           with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have
           no tail, as the apes. All these are natives of the Old
           World. ({b}) {Platyrhines}, or {Cebidae}. These have a
           round head, with a broad nasal septum, so that the
           nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail
           is often prehensile, and the thumb is short and not
           opposable. These are natives of the New World. ({c})
           {Strepsorhines}, or {Lemuroidea}. These have a pointed
           head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern
           Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a
        mischievous child.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This is the monkey's own giving out; she is
              persuaded I will marry her.           --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very
        heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on
        the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the
        falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Monkey boat}. (Naut.)
        (a) A small boat used in docks.
        (b) A half-decked boat used on the River Thames.
  
     {Monkey block} (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a
        swivel. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
  
     {Monkey flower} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Mimulus}; -- so
        called from the appearance of its gaping corolla. --Gray.
  
     {Monkey gaff} (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast
        for the better display of signals at sea.
  
     {Monkey jacket}, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by
        sailors.
  
     {Monkey rail} (Naut.), a second and lighter rail raised about
        six inches above the quarter rail of a ship.
  
     {Monkey shine}, monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.]
  
     {Monkey trick}, a mischievous prank. --Saintsbury.
  
     {Monkey wheel}. See {Gin block}, under 5th {Gin}.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Motion \Mo"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to
     move. See {Move}.]
     1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position;
        movement; the passing of a body from one place or position
        to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed
        to {rest}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace
              attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Power of, or capacity for, motion.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Devoid of sense and motion.           --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of
        the planets is from west to east.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              In our proper motion we ascend.       --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Change in the relative position of the parts of anything;
        action of a machine with respect to the relative movement
        of its parts.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its
              motion.                               --Dr. H. More.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or
        impulse to any action; internal activity.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his
              heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from
              God.                                  --South.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress;
        esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly;
        as, a motion to adjourn.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in
        open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule
        directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant.
        --Mozley & W.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in
        the same part or in groups of parts.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The independent motions of different parts sounding
              together constitute counterpoint.     --Grove.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale.
           Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite
           directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique
           motion is that when one part is stationary while
           another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when
           parts move in the same direction.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              What motion's this? the model of Nineveh? --Beau. &
                                                    Fl.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.
  
     {Simple motions} are: ({a}) straight translation, which, if
        of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. ({b})
        Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or
        reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called
        oscillating. ({c}) Helical, which, if of indefinite
        duration, must be reciprocating.
  
     {Compound motion} consists of combinations of any of the
        simple motions.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Center of motion}, {Harmonic motion}, etc. See under
        {Center}, {Harmonic}, etc.
  
     {Motion block} (Steam Engine), a crosshead.
  
     {Perpetual motion} (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to
        be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces
        independently of any action from without. According to the
        law of conservation of energy, such perpetual motion is
        impossible, and no device has yet been built that is
        capable of perpetual motion.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     Syn: See {Movement}.
          [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Respiration \Res`pi*ra"tion\ (r?s`p?*r?"sh?n), n. [L.
     respiratio: cf. F. respiration. See {Respire}.]
     1. The act of respiring or breathing again, or catching one's
        breath.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Relief from toil or suffering: rest. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Till the day
              Appear of respiration to the just
              And vengeance to the wicked.          --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Interval; intermission. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Physiol.) The act of resping or breathing; the act of
        taking in and giving out air; the aggregate of those
        processes bu which oxygen is introduced into the system,
        and carbon dioxide, or carbonic acid, removed.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Respiration in the higher animals is divided into:
           ({a}) Internal respiration, or the interchange of
           oxygen and carbonic acid between the cells of the body
           and the bathing them, which in one sense is a process
           of nutrition. ({b}) External respiration, or the
           gaseous interchange taking place in the special
           respiratory organs, the lungs. This constitutes
           respiration proper. --Gamgee.
           [1913 Webster] In the respiration of plants oxygen is
           likewise absorbed and carbonic acid exhaled, but in the
           light this process is obscured by another process which
           goes on with more vigor, in which the plant inhales and
           absorbs carbonic acid and exhales free oxygen.
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Mute \Mute\, n.
     1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability,
        unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically:
        (a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from
            early life, is unable to use articulate language; a
            deaf-mute.
        (b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
        (c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to
            speak.
        (d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is
            selected for his place because he can not speak.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent
        letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech
        formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the
        passage of the breath; as, {p}, {b}, {d}, {k}, {t}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other
        material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect
        position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument,
        in order to deaden or soften the tone.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  B \B\ (b[=e])
     is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to
     Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 196, 220.) It is etymologically
     related to p, v, f, w, and m, letters representing sounds
     having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng.
     bursar and purser; Eng. bear and Lat. ferre; Eng. silver and
     Ger. silber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven,
     Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr."epta`,
     Sanskrit saptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from the
     Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small b was formed by
     gradual change from the capital B.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In (Music), B is the nominal of the seventh tone in the
           model major scale (the scale of C major), or of the
           second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A
           minor). B[flat] stands for B flat, the tone a half
           step, or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands
           for our B[flat], while our B natural is called H
           (pronounced h[aum]).
           [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ferment \Fer"ment\, n. [L. fermentum ferment (in senses 1 & 2),
     perh. for fervimentum, fr. fervere to be boiling hot, boil,
     ferment: cf. F. ferment. Cf. 1st {Barm}, {Fervent}.]
     1. That which causes fermentation, as yeast, barm, or
        fermenting beer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Ferments are of two kinds: ({a}) Formed or organized
           ferments. ({b}) Unorganized or structureless ferments.
           The latter are now called {enzymes} and were formerly
           called {soluble ferments} or {chemical ferments}.
           Ferments of the first class are as a rule simple
           microscopic vegetable organisms, and the fermentations
           which they engender are due to their growth and
           development; as, the {acetic ferment}, the {butyric
           ferment}, etc. See {Fermentation}. Ferments of the
           second class, on the other hand, are chemical
           substances; as a rule they are proteins soluble in
           glycerin and precipitated by alcohol. In action they
           are catalytic and, mainly, hydrolytic. Good examples
           are pepsin of the dastric juice, ptyalin of the salvia,
           and disease of malt. Before 1960 the term "ferment" to
           mean "enzyme" fell out of use. Enzymes are now known to
           be {globular protein}s, capable of catalyzing a wide
           variety of chemical reactions, not merely hydrolytic.
           The full set of enzymes causing production of ethyl
           alcohol from sugar has been identified and individually
           purified and studied. See {enzyme}.
           [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     2. Intestine motion; heat; tumult; agitation.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Subdue and cool the ferment of desire. --Rogers.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              the nation is in a ferment.           --Walpole.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A gentle internal motion of the constituent parts of a
        fluid; fermentation. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Down to the lowest lees the ferment ran. --Thomson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {ferment oils}, volatile oils produced by the fermentation of
        plants, and not originally contained in them. These were
        the quintessences of the alchemists. --Ure.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  B
       n 1: the blood group whose red cells carry the B antigen [syn: {type
            B}, {group B}]
       2: aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often
          occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
          [syn: {Bacillus}, {Bacilli}]
       3: originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated
          into several B vitamins [syn: {B-complex vitamin}, {B
          complex}, {vitamin B complex}, {vitamin B}, {B vitamin}]
       4: a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black
          crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder [syn:
          {boron}, {atomic number 5}]
       5: a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels
          [syn: {bel}]
       6: (physics) a unit of nuclear cross section; the effective
          circular area that one particle presents to another as a
          target for an encounter [syn: {barn}]
       7: the 2nd letter of the Roman alphabet

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  B
       
          1. {byte}.
       
          2.  A systems language written by {Ken Thompson} in
          1970 mostly for his own use under {Unix} on the {PDP-11}.  B
          was later improved by Kerninghan(?) and Ritchie to produce
          {C}.  B was used as the systems language on {Honeywell}'s
          {GCOS-3}.
       
          B was, according to Ken, greatly influenced by {BCPL}, but the
          name B had nothing to do with BCPL.  B was in fact a revision
          of an earlier language, {bon}, named after Ken Thompson's
          wife, Bonnie.
       
          ["The Programming Language B", S.C. Johnson & B.W. Kernighan,
          CS TR 8, Bell Labs (Jan 1973)].
       
          [Features?  Differences from C?]
       
          (1997-02-02)
       
          3.  A simple interactive programming language by
          Lambert Meertens and Steven Pemberton.  B was the predecessor
          of {ABC}.
       
          {(ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/languages/B.tar.Z)}.
       
          ["Draft Proposal for the B Language", Lambert Meertens, CWI,
          Amsterdam, 1981].
       
          4.  A specification language by
          Jean-Raymond Abrial of {B Core UK}, Magdalen Centre, Oxford
          Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GA.  B is related to {Z} and
          supports development of {C} code from specifications.  B has
          been used in major {safety-critical system} specifications in
          Europe, and is currently attracting increasing interest in
          industry.  It has robust, commercially available tool support
          for specification, design, proof and code generation.
       
          E-mail: .
       
          (1995-04-24)
       
       

From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (27 SEP 03) [foldoc]:

  b
       
          {bit} or maybe {byte} (B).
       
          (1996-11-03)