ker

n. Same as Ceramics. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. ke`ramos tile + graph + ic. ] Suitable to be written upon; capable of being written upon, as a slate; -- said especially of a certain kind of globe. Scudamore. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mus.) A kind of long trumpet, used among the Persians. Moore (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Cerargyrite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Physiol. Chem.) A nitrogenous substance free from phosphorus, supposed to be present in the brain; a body closely related to cerebrin. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. ke`ras horn. ] Resembling horn; horny; corneous. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn. ] (Physiol. Chem.) A sulfur-containing fibrous protein constituting the main structural protein of hard epidermal tissues, such as horn, hair, feathers, nails, claws, hoofs, and the like. It is an insoluble substance, and, unlike elastin, is not dissolved even by gastric or pancreatic juice. By decomposition with sulphuric acid it yields leucine and tyrosine plus various other acid-stable amino acids. The amino acid composition varies, but it usually has a high percentage of cystine, which stabilizes and insolubilizes the protein by forming intrachain linkages. A softer form of keratin is present in the epidermis and whalebone. Called also epidermose. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ke`ras, -atos, horn + -itis. ] (Med.) Inflammation of the cornea. [ 1913 Webster ]