Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Haskovo

(Encyclopedia)Haskovo khäsˈkōvōˌ [key], city, S Bulgaria, in an agricultural region noted for its tobacco. ...

ozone

(Encyclopedia)ozone ōˈzōn [key], an allotropic form of the chemical element oxygen (see allotropy). Pure ozone is an unstable, faintly bluish gas with a characteristic fresh, penetrating odor. The gas has a dens...

isomorphism

(Encyclopedia)isomorphism īˌsəmôrˈfĭzəm [key], of minerals, similarity of crystal structure between two or more distinct substances. Sodium nitrate and calcium sulfate are isomorphous, as are the sulfates of...

grease

(Encyclopedia)grease, mixture of lubricant and thickener. It is used to reduce friction between surfaces from which oils would leak away or cause damage by dripping, or where lubrication must be assured for extende...

toxin-antitoxin

(Encyclopedia)toxin-antitoxin, mixture of a poisonous substance, or toxin, with an antitoxin, or antibody, in such proportion that a large percentage of the toxin is neutralized by the antitoxin. Although formerly ...

rennet

(Encyclopedia)rennet, substance containing rennin, an enzyme having the property of clotting, or curdling, milk. It is used in the making of cheese and junket. Rennet is obtained from the stomachs of young mammals ...

Dewar flask

(Encyclopedia)Dewar flask [for Sir James Dewar], container after which the common thermos bottle is patterned. It consists of two flasks, one placed inside the other, with a vacuum between. The vacuum prevents the ...

ecstasy

(Encyclopedia)ecstasy, either of two drugs used for their euphoric effects. The original ecstasy, a so-called designer drug, also known as MDMA, is an analog of methamphetamine (see amphetamine). The other drug is ...

emanation, in philosophy

(Encyclopedia)emanation ĕmənāˈshən [key] [Lat.,=flowing from], cosmological concept that explains the creation of the world by a series of radiations, or emanations, originating in the godhead. It is character...

ferric sulfate

(Encyclopedia)ferric sulfate or iron (III) sulfate, chemical compound, Fe2(SO4)3, a yellow rhombic crystalline hygroscopic water-soluble salt that decomposes when heated to a temperature of 480℃. The enneahydrate...