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n. (Astron.) an optical system used in some telescopes since the 1980's which rapidly changes the shape of the primary reflecting mirror to adjust for distortions of light which are caused by atmospheric turbulence. By reducing the distortions caused by the atmosphere, telescopes fitted with such optics can achieve a higher resolving power than normal telescopes with static mirrors. [ PJC ]

n. pl., but sing. or pl. in usage 1. physical exercises performed in a sustained and strenuous fashion designed to cause a temporary increase in respiration rate and heart rate, such a running, swimming, walking, or calisthenics. Calisthenic sessions in groups, performed by following a leader in moving to a rhythmic musical accompaniment, are a popular form of aerobics. [ PJC. ]

2. a system of physical conditioning relying largely on aerobics exercises. [ PJC. ]

n. [ Aëro- + dynamics: cf. F. aérodynamique. ] The science which treats of the air and other gaseous bodies under the action of force, and of their mechanical effects. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science of equilibrium and motion of air or an aëriform fluid, including aërodynamics and aërostatics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The science or art of ascending and sailing in the air, as by means of a balloon; aërial navigation; ballooning. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science that treats of the equilibrium of elastic fluids, or that of bodies sustained in them. Hence it includes aëronautics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aero- + therapeutics. ] (Med.) Treatment of disease by the use of air or other gases. AS [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Aëro- + Gr. &unr_; shaken, &unr_; to shake. ] (Aëronautics) The science of gliding and soaring flight. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The science of athletic combats, or contests in public games. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science of the distribution and management of land. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science of representing spoken sounds by letters. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a character set that includes letters and digits and punctuation marks. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. The science of reflected light, now called catoptrics. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The science of reflected sounds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Opt.) That part of optics which treats of the refraction of light; -- commonly called dioptrics. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The art of carving in low relief, embossing, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. Mystical interpretations or studies, esp. of the Scriptures. L. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science of analysis. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. } [ Gr. 'a`nqrwpos man + &unr_; usage, law, rule. ] The science of the laws of the development of the human organism in relation to other organisms and to environment. -- An`thro*po*nom"ic*al a. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

n. That branch of theology which defends the Holy Scriptures, and sets forth the evidence of their divine authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science of architecture. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; virtue. ] The ethical theory which excludes all relations between virtue and happiness; the science of virtue; -- contrasted with eudemonics. J. Grote. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The theory and practice of navigation through the upper atmosphere or outer space; the science of travel beyond the Earth's atmosphere. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. [ Astro- + physics. ] (Astron.) The science treating of the physical characteristics of the stars and other heavenly bodies, their chemical constitution, light, heat, atmospheres, etc. It is a branch of astronomy. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Its observations were traditionally made with the spectroscope, bolometer, etc., usually in connection with the telescope. In modern times, radiotelescopes, infrared telescopes, X-ray and gamma ray detectors and neutrino detection equipment located deep underground are all put into service to observe and test theories about astronomical phenomena. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. 1. the concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodies. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The art of training by athletic exercises; the games and sports of athletes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Ciwil Law) A collection of the Novels or New Constitutions of Justinian, by an anonymous author; -- so called on account of its authenticity. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. training patients in self-induced relaxation.
Syn. -- autogenic therapy, autogenic training [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. F. balistique. See Ballista. ] The science or art of hurling missile weapons by the use of an engine. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The science treating the motion of projectiles in flight, especially when they are in free fall within the earth's gravitational field. [ PJC ]

3. The study of the characteristics of a cartridge fired from a firearm, and of the processes occurring during the discharge of a firearm. [ PJC ]

4. The division within a police department which studies the characteristics of cartridges fired from a firearm; the ballistics department. The characteristics of the weapons and bullets fired may be used as evidence in criminal investigations. [ PJC ]

n. pl. 1. a statement of fundamental facts or principles.
Syn. -- ABC, ABC's, ABCs, rudiments. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. principles from which other truths can be derived; as, let's get down to basics.
Syn. -- fundamentals, fundamental principle, basic principle, bedrock. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. bi`os life + E. dynamics. ] 1. (Biol.) The doctrine of vital forces or energy. [ archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The branch of biology which treats of the active vital phenomena of organisms; -- opposed to biostatics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Gr. bi`os life + &unr_;. See Statics. ] (Biol.) The physical phenomena of organized bodies, in opposition to their organic or vital phenomena. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. bi`os life + E. statistics. ] (Biol.) Vital statistics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. use of data (e. g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations esp within an evolutionary framework.
Syn. -- biosystematy. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

prop. n. [ From physicists S. N. Bose, and Albert Einstein. ] (Physics) A law of statistical mechanics which is obeyed by a system of particles when interchange of two particles does not change the wave function. Contrasted to Fermi-Dirac statistics. See also boson. [ PJC ]

n. the study of the operation of factors causing degeneration in the type of offspring produced.
Syn. -- dysgenics. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. The science, art, or practice of healthful exercise of the body and limbs, to promote strength, gracefulness, and general fitness; light gymnastics.
Syn. -- calisthenics, calisthenic exercise, callisthenic exercise. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

{ a., n. } See Calisthenic, Calisthenics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. caméralistique, G. kameralistik, fr. L. camera vault, LL., chamber, treasury. ] The science of finance or public revenue. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science which treats of catadioptric phenomena, or of the used of catadioptric instruments. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. [ Gr. &unr_; to exchange; kata` wholly + &unr_; to change. ] The science of exchanges, a branch of political economy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. cata + phonic: cf. F. cataphonique. ] (Physics) That branch of acoustics which treats of reflected sounds; catacoustics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science or practice of instructing by questions and answers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. catoptrique. See Catropric. ] (Physics) That part of optics which explains the properties and phenomena of reflected light, and particularly that which is reflected from mirrors or polished bodies; -- formerly called anacamptics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Ceramic. ] 1. The art of making things of baked clay; as pottery, tiles, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. Work formed of clay in whole or in part, and baked; as, vases, urns, etc. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; thunder and lightning. ] That branch of physics which treats of heat and electricity. R. Park. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Gr. &unr_; (sc. &unr_; art): cf. F. céroplastique. ] The art of modeling in wax. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Chars-a-banc [ F. ] A long, light, open vehicle, with benches or seats running lengthwise. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; 9sc. &unr_;) the art of traffic, fr. &unr_; goods, money, fr. &unr_; to use. ] The science of wealth; the science, or a branch of the science, of political economy. [ 1913 Webster ]