Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

pharming

(Encyclopedia)pharming färˈmĭng [key], the use of genetically altered livestock, such as cows, goats, pigs, and chickens, to produce medically useful products. In pharming, researchers first create hybrid genes ...

bone

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Bone bone, hard tissue that forms the skeleton of the body in vertebrate animals. In the very young, the skeleton is composed largely of cartilage and is therefore pliable, reducing the incide...

chronic fatigue syndrome

(Encyclopedia)chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), collection of persistent, debilitating symptoms, the most notable of which is severe, lasting fatigue. It is also known as systemic ex...

amphetamine

(Encyclopedia)amphetamine ămfĕtˈəmēn [key], any one of a group of drugs that are powerful central nervous system stimulants. Amphetamines have stimulating effects opposite to the effects of depressants such as...

first aid

(Encyclopedia)first aid, immediate and temporary treatment of a victim of sudden illness or injury while awaiting the arrival of medical aid. Proper early measures may be instrumental in saving life and ensuring a ...

Commonwealth games

(Encyclopedia)Commonwealth games, series of amateur athletic meets held among citizens of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Originated (1930) as the British Empire games, the series is held every four years...

Dacron

(Encyclopedia)Dacron dāˈkrŏn, dăkˈrŏn [key], trademark for a polyester fiber. Dacron is a condensation polymer obtained from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Its properties include high tensile strength...

astrobleme

(Encyclopedia)astrobleme ăsˈtrōblēmˌ [key], large, circular structure ranging from c.1⁄2 mi to 40 mi (.8–64 km) in diameter. Astroblemes are found at numerous places on the earth's surface, e.g., Meteor, o...

Brusilov, Aleksey Alekseyevich

(Encyclopedia)Brusilov, Aleksey Alekseyevich əlyĭksyāˈ əlyĭksyāˈəvĭch bro͞osēˈləf [key], 1853–1926, Russian general. As a commander in World War I, he won victories in Galicia. In 1916 he organized ...

Trevithick, Richard

(Encyclopedia)Trevithick, Richard trĕvˈĭthĭk [key], 1771–1833, British engineer and inventor, b. Cornwall. He is known as the father of locomotive power because of his invention (1800) of the high-pressure st...