Bioplasmic - Birdseed

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Bioplasmic (bī�plăzmĭk), a. Pertaining to, or consisting of, bioplasm.
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Bioplast (-plăst), n. [Gr. bios life + plassein to form.] (Biol.) A tiny mass of bioplasm, in itself a living unit and having formative power, as a living white blood corpuscle; bioblast.
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Bioplastic (bī�plăstĭk), a. (Biol.) Bioplasmic.
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{ Biopsychic (?), Biopsychical (?) }, a.} [Gr. bios life + psychic, -cal.] Pertaining to psychical phenomena in their relation to the living organism or to the general phenomena of life.
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bioreactor (�), n. an apparatus in which a suspension of microorganisms in a liquid are used to perform chemical reactions, as in synthesis of pharmaceutical agents or the conversion of harmful waste to less harmful substances. The reactor consists of a vessel to contain the suspension of microorganisms, plus a variety of attached devices used to control the reaction.
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bioremediation (�), n. the branch of biotechnology that uses biological processes to overcome environmental problems.
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Biorgan (�), n. [Gr. bios life + E. organ.] (Biol.) A physiological organ; a living organ; an organ endowed with function; -- distinguished from idorgan.
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Bioscope (?), n. [Gr. bios life + -scope.] 1. A view of life; that which gives such a view.
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Bagman's Bioscope: Various Views of Men and Manners. [Book Title.] W. Bayley (1824).
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2. An animated picture machine for screen projection; a cinematograph (which see); an archaic term replaced by . [archaic]
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3. a South African movie theater.
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Biostatics (�), n. [Gr. bios life + �. See .] (Biol.) The physical phenomena of organized bodies, in opposition to their organic or vital phenomena.
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Biostatistics (�), n. [Gr. bios life + E. statistics.] (Biol.) Vital statistics.
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biosynthesis n. 1. production of a chemical compound by a living organism.
Syn. -- biogenesis.
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2. the production of chemical substances by use of reagents or enzymes derived from living organisms, in reactions modeled on those observed in living organisms.
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biosynthetic adj. of or pertaining to biosynthesis.
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biosystematic adj. of or pertaining to biosystematics.
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biosystematics n. use of data (e. g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations esp within an evolutionary framework.
Syn. -- biosystematy.
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biosystematy n. use of data (e. g. cytogenetic or biochemical) to assess taxonomic relations especially within an evolutionary framework.
Syn. -- biosystematics.
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biota n. (bīōtȧ), all the plant and animal life of a particular region.
Syn. -- biology.
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Biotaxy (�), n. [Gr. bios life + � arrangement.] (Biol.) The classification of living organisms according to their structural character; taxonomy.
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biotechnology n. same as .
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Biotic (�), a. [Gr. biwtikos pert. to life.] 1. (Biol.) Relating to life; as, the biotic principle.
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2. produced by or caused by living things.
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biotin n. a B vitamin (C10H16N2O3S) that aids in body growth; -- called also vitamin H and coenzyme R. It functions as a coenzyme in many carboxylation reactions. Biotin binds tightly to the substance avidin, found in raw egg-whites. Rats or chick on a diet high in raw egg-white may develop skin lesions and retarded growth, which can be prevented by adding biotin to the diet. [MI11]
Syn. -- .
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Biotite (�), n. [From Biot, a French naturalist.] (Min.) Mica containing iron and magnesia, generally of a black or dark green color; -- a common constituent of crystalline rocks. See .
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biotope n. a region uniform in its environmental conditions and in the types of plants and animals living in it.
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biotype n. 1. a group of organisms sharing the same genotype.
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2. the genotype shared by a .
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biotypic adj. of or pertaining to a biotype.
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biovular adj. derived from two separate ferilized ova; -- of twins; as, fraternal twins are biovular. Antonym of identical.
Syn. -- fraternal.
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Bipalmate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + palmate.] (Bot.) Palmately branched, with the branches again palmated.
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Biparietal (�), a. [Pref. bi- + parietal.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the diameter of the cranium, from one parietal fossa to the other.
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Biparous (�), a. [L. bis twice + parere to bring forth.] Bringing forth two at a birth.
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Bipartible (�), a. [Cf. F. bipartible. See .] Capable of being divided into two parts.
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Bipartient (�), a. [L. bis twice + partiens, p. pr. of partire to divide.] Dividing into two parts. -- n. A number that divides another into two equal parts without a remainder.
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Bipartile (�), a. Divisible into two parts.
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Bipartite (�), a. [L. bipartitus, p. p. of bipartire; bis twice + partire. See .] 1. Being in two parts; having two correspondent parts, as a legal contract or writing, one for each party; shared by two; as, a bipartite treaty.
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2. Divided into two parts almost to the base, as a leaf; consisting of two parts or subdivisions. Gray.
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Bipartition (�), n. The act of dividing into two parts, or of making two correspondent parts, or the state of being so divided.
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{ Bipectinate (�), Bipectinated (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + pectinate.] (Biol.) Having two margins toothed like a comb.
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Biped (�), n. [L. bipes; bis twice + pes, pedis, �oot: cf. F. bipède.] A two-footed animal, as man.
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Biped, a. Having two feet; two-footed.
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By which the man, when heavenly life was ceased,
Became a helpless, naked, biped beast. Byrom.
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Bipedal (�), a. [L. bipedalis: cf. F. bipédal. See , n.] 1. Having two feet; biped.
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2. Pertaining to a biped.
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Bipeltate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + peltate.] Having a shell or covering like a double shield.
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{ Bipennate (�), Bipennated (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + pennate: cf. L. bipennis. Cf. .] Having two wings. “Bipennated insects.” Derham.
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Bipennis (�), n. [L.] An ax with an edge or blade on each side of the handle.
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Bipetalous (�), a. [Pref. bi- + petalous.] (Bot.) Having two petals.
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Bipinnaria (�), n. [NL., fr. L. bis twice + pinna feather.] (Zoöl.) The larva of certain starfishes as developed in the free-swimming stage.
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{ Bipinnate (�), Bipinnated (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + pinnate; cf. F. bipinné. Cf. .] Twice pinnate.
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Bipinnatifid (�), a. [Pref. bi- + pinnatifid.] (Bot.) Doubly pinnatifid.
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A bipinnatifid leaf is a pinnatifid leaf having its segments or divisions also pinnatifid. The primary divisions are pinnæ and the secondary pinnules.
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Biplane (?), n. [Pref. bi- + plane.] (Aëronautics) An aëroplane with two main supporting surfaces one above the other.
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Biplane, a. (Aëronautics) Having, or consisting of, two superposed planes, aërocurves, or the like; of or pertaining to a biplane; as, a biplane rudder.
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Biplicate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + plicate.] Twice folded together. Henslow.
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Biplicity (�), n. The state of being twice folded; reduplication. [R.] Bailey.
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Bipolar (�), a. [Pref. bi- + polar. Cf. .] Doubly polar; having two poles; as, a bipolar cell or corpuscle.
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Bipolarity (�), n. Bipolar quality.
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{ Bipont (�), Bipontine } (�), a. (Bibliog.) Relating to books printed at Deuxponts, or Bipontium (Zweibrücken), in Bavaria.
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Biprism (?), n. [Pref. bi- + prism.] 1. A prism whose refracting angle is very nearly 180 degrees.
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2. A combination of two short rectangular glass prisms cemented together at their diagonal faces so as to form a cube; -- called also optical cube. It is used in one form of photometer.
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Bipunctate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + punctate.] Having two punctures, or spots.
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Bipunctual (�), a. Having two points.
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Bipupillate (�), a. [Pref. bi- + pupil (of the eye).] (Zoöl.) Having an eyelike spot on the wing, with two dots within it of a different color, as in some butterflies.
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Bipyramidal (�), a. [Pref. bi- + pyramidal.] Consisting of two pyramids placed base to base; having a pyramid at each of the extremities of a prism, as in quartz crystals.
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Biquadrate (�), n. [Pref. bi- + quadrate.] (Math.) The fourth power, or the square of the square. Thus 4x4=16, the square of 4, and 16x16=256, the biquadrate of 4.
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Biquadratic (�), a. [Pref. bi- + quadratic: cf. F. biquadratique.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to the biquadrate, or fourth power.
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Coloq. Biquadratic equation (Alg.), an equation of the fourth degree, or an equation in some term of which the unknown quantity is raised to the fourth power. -- Coloq. Biquadratic root of a number , the square root of the square root of that number. Thus the square root of 81 is 9, and the square root of 9 is 3, which is the biquadratic root of 81. Hutton.
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Biquadratic, n. (Math.) (a) A biquadrate. (b) A biquadratic equation.
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Biquintile (�), n. [Pref. bi- + quintile: cf. F. biquintile.] (Astron.) An aspect of the planets when they are distant from each other by twice the fifth part of a great circle -- that is, twice 72 degrees.
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biracial adj. consisting of, combining two races. a biracial committee
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biradial adj. showing both bilateral and radial symmetry. some sea anemones are biradial.
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{ Biradiate (�), Biradiated (�), } a. [Pref. bi- + radiate.] Having two rays; as, a biradiate fin.
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Biramous (�), a. [Pref. bi- + ramous.] (Biol.) Having, or consisting of, two branches.
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Birch (bẽrch), n.; pl. Birches (-ĕz). [OE. birche, birk, AS. birce, beorc; akin to Icel. björk, Sw. björk, Dan. birk, D. berk, OHG. piricha, MHG. birche, birke, G. birke, Russ. bereza, Pol. brzoza, Serv. breza, Skr. bhūrja. √254. Cf. 1st .] 1. A tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula; as, the white or common birch (Betula alba) (also called silver birch and lady birch); the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa); the paper or canoe birch (Betula papyracea); the yellow birch (Betula lutea); the black or cherry birch (Betula lenta).
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2. The wood or timber of the birch.
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3. A birch twig or birch twigs, used for flogging.
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☞ The twigs of the common European birch (B. alba), being tough and slender, were formerly much used for rods in schools. They were also made into brooms.
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The threatening twigs of birch. Shak.
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4. A birch-bark canoe.
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Coloq. Birch of Jamaica , a species (Bursera gummifera) of turpentine tree. -- Coloq. Birch partridge . (Zoöl.) See . -- Coloq. Birch wine , wine made of the spring sap of the birch. -- Coloq. Oil of birch . (a) An oil obtained from the bark of the common European birch (Betula alba), and used in the preparation of genuine (and sometimes of the imitation) Russia leather, to which it gives its peculiar odor. (b) An oil prepared from the black birch (Betula lenta), said to be identical with the oil of wintergreen, for which it is largely sold.
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Birch, a. Of or pertaining to the birch; birchen.
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Birch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Birched (bẽrcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Birching.] To whip with a birch rod or twig; to flog.
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birchbark n. a canoe made with the bark of a birch tree.
Syn. -- birchbark canoe.
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Birchen (bẽrch'n), a. Of or relating to birch.
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He passed where Newark's stately tower
Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower. Sir W. Scott.
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Bird (bẽrd), n. [OE. brid, bred, bird, young bird, bird, AS. bridd young bird. √92.] 1. Orig., a chicken; the young of a fowl; a young eaglet; a nestling; and hence, a feathered flying animal (see 2).
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That ungentle gull, the cuckoo's bird. Shak.
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The brydds [birds] of the aier have nestes. Tyndale (Matt. viii. 20).
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2. (Zoöl.) A warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate provided with wings. See .
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3. Specifically, among sportsmen, a game bird.
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4. Fig.: A girl; a maiden.
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And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry. Campbell.
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Coloq. Arabian bird , the phenix. -- Coloq. Bird of Jove , the eagle. -- Coloq. Bird of Juno , the peacock. -- Coloq. Bird louse (Zoöl.), a wingless insect of the group Mallophaga, of which the genera and species are very numerous and mostly parasitic upon birds. -- Bird mite (Zoöl.), a small mite (genera Dermanyssus, Dermaleichus and allies) parasitic upon birds. The species are numerous. -- Coloq. Bird of passage , a migratory bird. -- Coloq. Bird spider (Zoöl.), a very large South American spider (Mygale avicularia). It is said sometimes to capture and kill small birds. -- Coloq. Bird tick (Zoöl.), a dipterous insect parasitic upon birds (genus Ornithomyia, and allies), usually winged.
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Bird (bẽrd), v. i. 1. To catch or shoot birds.
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2. Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve. [R.] B. Jonson.
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3. to watch birds, especially in their natural habitats, for enjoyment; to birdwatch.
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birdbath n. an ornamental basin (usually in a garden) for birds to bathe in.
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Birdbolt (�), n. A short blunt arrow for killing birds without piercing them. Hence: Anything which smites without penetrating. Shak.
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birdbrain n. 1. a person with confused ideas; incapable of serious thought.
Syn. -- addle-head, loon.
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{ Bird cage, bird-cage, or Birdcage } (�), n. A cage for confining birds.
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Birdcall (�), n. 1. A sound made in imitation of the note or cry of a bird for the purpose of decoying the bird or its mate.
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2. An instrument of any kind, as a whistle, used in making the sound of a birdcall.
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Birdcatcher (�), n. One whose employment it is to catch birds; a fowler.
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Birdcatching, n. The art, act, or occupation or catching birds or wild fowls.
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Bird cherry (�). (Bot.) A shrub (Prunus Padus ) found in Northern and Central Europe. It bears small black cherries.
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Birder (-ẽr), n. 1. A birdcatcher.
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2. a .
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Bird-eyed (�), a. Quick-sighted; catching a glance as one goes.
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Bird fancier (�). 1. One who takes pleasure in rearing or collecting rare or curious birds.
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2. One who has for sale the various kinds of birds which are kept in cages.
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Birdie (�), n. A pretty or dear little bird; -- a pet name. Tennyson.
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Birdikin (�), n. A young bird. Thackeray.
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Birding, n. Birdcatching or fowling. Shak.
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Coloq. Birding piece , a fowling piece. Shak.
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Birdlet, n. A little bird; a nestling.
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Birdlike (�), a. Resembling a bird.
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Birdlime (�), n. [Bird + lime viscous substance.] An extremely adhesive viscid substance, usually made of the middle bark of the holly, by boiling, fermenting, and cleansing it. When a twig is smeared with this substance it will hold small birds which may light upon it. Hence: Anything which insnares.
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Not birdlime or Idean pitch produce
A more tenacious mass of clammy juice. Dryden.
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☞ Birdlime is also made from mistletoe, elder, etc.
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Birdlime, v. t. To smear with birdlime; to catch with birdlime; to insnare.
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When the heart is thus birdlimed, then it cleaves to everything it meets with. Coodwin.
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Birdling, n. A little bird; a nestling.
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Birdman (�), n. A fowler or birdcatcher.
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Bird of paradise (�). (Zoöl.) The name of several very beautiful birds of the genus Paradisea and allied genera, inhabiting New Guinea and the adjacent islands. The males have brilliant colors, elegant plumes, and often remarkable tail feathers.
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☞ The Great emerald (Paradisea apoda) and the Lesser emerald (Paradisea minor) furnish many of the plumes used as ornaments by ladies; the Red bird of paradise is Paradisea rubra or Paradisea sanguinea; the Golden bird of paradise is Parotia aurea or Parotia sexsetacea; the King bird of paradise is Cincinnurus regius.
The name is also applied to the longer-billed birds of another related group (Epimachinæ) from the same region. The Twelve-wired bird of paradise (Seleucides alba) is one of these. See , and Note under .
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bird-on-the-wing n. a common trailing perennial milkwort of eastern North America (Polygala paucifolia), having leaves like wintergreen and usually rosy-purple flowers with winged sepals.
Syn. -- flowering wintergreen, gaywings, gay-wings, fringed polygala.
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Bird pepper (�). A species of capsicum (Capsicum baccatum), whose small, conical, coral-red fruit is among the most piquant of all red peppers.
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Birdman (?), n. An aviator; airman. [Colloq.]
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Bird's-beak (�), n. (Arch.) A molding whose section is thought to resemble a beak.
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Birdseed (�), n. Canary seed, hemp, millet or other small seeds used for feeding caged birds.
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Bird's-eye (�), a. 1. Seen from above, as if by a flying bird; embraced at a glance; hence, general; not minute, or entering into details; as, a bird's-eye view.
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2. Marked with spots resembling bird's eyes; as, bird's-eye diaper; bird's-eye maple.
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Bird's-eye, n. (Bot.) A plant with a small bright flower, as the Adonis or pheasant's eye, the mealy primrose (Primula farinosa), and species of Veronica, Geranium, etc.
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Bird's-eye maple (�). See under .
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Bird's-foot (�), n. (Bot.) A papilionaceous plant, the Ornithopus, having a curved, cylindrical pod tipped with a short, clawlike point.
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Coloq. Bird's-foot trefoil . (Bot.) (a) A genus of plants (Lotus) with clawlike pods. Lotus corniculatas, with yellow flowers, is very common in Great Britain. (b) the related plant, Trigonella ornithopodioides, is also European.
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Bird's-mouth (�), n. (Arch.) An interior angle or notch cut across a piece of timber, for the reception of the edge of another, as that in a rafter to be laid on a plate; -- commonly called crow's-foot in the United States.
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{ Bird's nest, or Bird's-nest } (�), n. 1. The nest in which a bird lays eggs and hatches her young.
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2. (Cookery) The nest of a small swallow (Collocalia nidifica and several allied species), of China and the neighboring countries, which is mixed with soups.
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☞ The nests are found in caverns and fissures of cliffs on rocky coasts, and are composed in part of algæ. They are of the size of a goose egg, and in substance resemble isinglass. See Illust. under .
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