Glossary · Nouns · A
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TermTypeDefinitionClassificationsUpdated
Asteroid BeltnounMWEthe region of interplanetary space between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids are foundverified
Asthenopianouna tiredness of the eyes caused by prolonged close work by a person with an uncorrected vision problemverified
Astigmatismnoun(optics) defect in an optical system in which light rays from a single point fail to converge in a single focal pointverified
Astigmianoun(optics) defect in an optical system in which light rays from a single point fail to converge in a single focal pointverified
Astilbenounany plant of the genus Astilbe having compound leaves and showy panicles of tiny colorful flowersverified
Astragalnounthe bone in the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle jointverified
Astragalusnounthe bone in the ankle that articulates with the leg bones to form the ankle jointverified
Astringencynounthe ability to contract or draw together soft body tissues to check blood flow or restrict secretion of fluidsverified
Astrobiologynounthe branch of biology concerned with the effects of outer space on living organisms and the search for extraterrestrial lifeverified
Astrodomenouna transparent dome on top of an airplane where the navigator can make celestial observationsverified
Astrodynamicsnounthe branch of astronomy that studies the motion of natural and artificial bodies in spaceverified
Astrologernounsomeone who predicts the future by the positions of the planets and sun and Moonverified
Astrologistnounsomeone who predicts the future by the positions of the planets and sun and Moonverified
Astrologynouna pseudoscience claiming divination by the positions of the planets and sun and moonverified
Astrometrynounthe branch of astronomy that deals with the measurement of the position and motion of celestial bodiesverified
Astronomical TelescopenounMWEany telescope designed to collect and record electromagnetic radiation from cosmic sourcesverified
Astronomical YearnounMWEthe time for the earth to make one revolution around the sun, measured between two vernal equinoxesverified
Astronomynounthe branch of physics that studies celestial bodies and the universe as a wholeverified
Astronomy SatellitenounMWEa satellite equipped with a telescope to observe infrared radiationverified
Astrophysicsnounthe branch of astronomy concerned with the physical and chemical properties of celestial bodiesverified
Asymmetric CryptographynounMWEPublic-key cryptography; A modern branch of cryptography in which the algorithms employ a pair of keys (a public key and a private key) and use a different component of the pair for different steps of the algorithm.Capability
Asymmetric keynounMWEA cipher technique in which different cryptographic keys are used to encrypt and decrypt a message Scope Note: See Public key encryption.CredentialRestricted
Asymmetric WarfarenounMWEAsymmetric warfare is the fact that a small investment, properly leveraged, can yield incredible results.Threat
Asynchronous data replicationnounMWEA process for copying data from one source to another while the application processing continues; an acknowledgement of the receipt of data at the copy location is not required for processing to continue. Consequently, the content of databases stored in alternate facilities may differ from those at the original storage site, and copies of data may not contain current information at the time of a disruption in processing as a result of the time (in fractions of a second) required to transmit the data over a communications network to the alternate facility. This technology is typically used to transfer data over greater distances than that allowed with synchronous data replication.Process
Asynchronous OperationnounMWEoperations that occur without a regular or predictable time relation to other eventsverified
Asynchronous transfer modenounMWEThe method of transmitting bits of data one after another with a start bit and a stop bit to mark the beginning and end of each data unit. Can also mean automated teller machine.Network
Asynergianounabsence of coordination of organs or body parts that usually work together harmoniouslyverified
Asynergynounabsence of coordination of organs or body parts that usually work together harmoniouslyverified
Ataractic DrugnounMWEa drug used to reduce stress or tension without reducing mental clarityverified
Atavistnounan organism that has the characteristics of a more primitive type of that organismverified
Ateleiosisnouna form of infantilism characterized by physical underdevelopment but normal intelligenceverified
Ateliosisnouna form of infantilism characterized by physical underdevelopment but normal intelligenceverified
Atenololnounan oral beta blocker (trade name Tenormin) used in treating hypertension and anginaverified
Ateria Gastrica DextranounMWEa branch of the hepatic artery that supplies the pyloric portion of the stomach on the lesser curvatureverified
Atherogenesisnounthe formation of atheromas on the walls of the arteries as in atherosclerosisverified
Atherosclerosisnouna stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls, thus narrowing the arteriesverified
Athetosisnouna continuous succession of slow, writhing, involuntary movements of the hands and feet and other body partsverified
Athletic SupporternounMWEa support for the genitals worn by men engaging in strenuous exerciseverified