biology, a layer of tissue.
_Strontium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Sr.
_Style._ A narrowed extension of the ovary which supports the stigma.
_Subalpine._ Living or growing just below the alpine zone.
_Sublimation._ The direct change from the solid to the gaseous state.
_Sulphur._ A solid non-metallic element. Symbol: S. It occurs native
and in many compounds.
_Superstition._ Irrational fear of or credulity about the unknown. To
the ignorant person, almost everything is unknown. Particular forms of
superstition are transmitted from generation to generation and from
group to group. Superstitions which masquerade as science are not
unknown.
_Symbol._ A letter, word, or other thing which represents an object
or quantity or idea. The symbol is frequently an abbreviation. In
chemistry, it is the Latin name of the element which is abbreviated to
form the symbol.
_Synclinal._ Dipping toward a common line or point.
_Synthetic._ Produced outside the living organism. Artificial. Making
more complex.
_Tantalum._ A metallic element. Symbol: Ta.
_Tellurium._ A rare non-metallic element. Symbol: Te.
_Temperature._ Degree, not total amount, of heat.
_Tendon._ A cord or band of tissue connecting a muscle with another
part.
_Terbium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Tb.
_Tertiary._ Relating to the third in a series, as of organic compounds.
Relating to the geological period before the Quaternary.
_Thallium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Tl.
_Thallophyte._ One of a phylum (Thallophyta) of simple plants including
fungi and lichens.
_Thallus._ A simple plant body without root, stem, or leaves.
_Theology._ The “science” of religion, especially Christian religion,
and of God, according to lexicographers and other writers. Newman
argues very well that if there is a miracle-working God whom we can
understand by studying the Bible and the traditions of the Catholic
Church, then theology is an essential branch of science. I do not see
how any man who grants his premises can fail to agree with him.
_Theory._ A generalization which has not been absolutely proved.
Sometimes one that stands between a hypothesis and a law, not so
certain as the latter, more certain than the former. However, phrases
continue, often when their meaning has changed, and it seems that
“Theory of Evolution” may be used when the Fundamentalists have already
accepted it. Also scientific principles in general. Sound theory and
proper practice are not enemies.
_Thermo-._ In compounds, heat, temperature. As, thermodynamics: the
science of the relation between heat and mechanical work.
_Thorax._ The part of the trunk between the neck and the tail or the
abdomen.
_Tin._ A metallic element. Symbol: Sn. Most objects which we say, in
ordinary language, are made of tin, are made of tin plate.
_Tincture._ The alcoholic solution of a drug.
_Titanium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Ti.
_Triassic._ Relating to the geological division between the Permian and
the Jurassic.
_Typhoon._ A violent hurricane.
_Ulotrichi._ The wooly-haired races of mankind.
_Ultra-violet rays._ Invisible rays of the spectrum beyond the violet
rays.
_Ungulate._ One of a group (Ungulata) of mammals having horns and hoofs.
_Uranium._ A metallic element. Symbol: U. Uranium is radioactive.
_Vacuum._ A space which does not contain matter. A vacuum, in a
laboratory, is a space which has been exhausted of matter to a great
extent; for scientists have not been able to produce a perfect vacuum.
_Value._ The amount of other commodities for which a thing can be
exchanged in the open market.
_Valve._ The membranous part of an organ which permits the flow of a
liquid in one direction only.
_Vanadium._ A metallic element. Symbol: V.
_Vapor._ A gas, especially one which exists at ordinary temperatures in
liquid or solid form.
_Velocity._ Rate of motion.
_Vertebrate._ Having a spinal column, belonging to the class of
Vertebrata.
_Vitalism._ The theory that there is a special force in living
beings, distinct from the ordinary physical and chemical forces. Few
scientists are vitalists, although many preachers are, and a number of
philosophers as well.
_Vitamines._ Organic substances found in various foods and apparently
necessary to human life. Their exact chemical constitution remains
unknown.
_Volt._ The unit of electromotive force. The pressure which produces a
current of one ampere when applied to a conductor with a resistance of
one ohm.
_Volume._ The space a body occupies.
_Wave._ A disturbance of the particles of a fluid medium as in the
transmission of sound, heat, and light.
_Weight._ The force with which the earth attracts a body. See Mass.
_Work._ The expenditure of force in overcoming force or producing a
molecular change. Futile efforts do not constitute work.
_Xenon._ A gaseous element. Symbol: X.
_X-Ray._ See Röntgen ray.
_Xylogy._ The study of the structure of wood.
_Yttrium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Y or Yt.
_Zinc._ A metallic element. Symbol: Zn.
_Zirconium._ A metallic element. Symbol: Zr.
_Zoöchemistry._ The study of the constituents of animal bodies.
_Zoölogy._ The science of animals.
_Zygote._ A cell formed by the joining of a male and a female cell,
capable of developing into a new individual.
_Zymosis._ Fermentation.
_Zymurgy._ The chemistry of fermentation processes.
Transcriber’s Notes:
Italics are shown thus: _sloping_.
Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.
Perceived typographical errors have been changed.