English to English Dictionary

Actinidia

A genus of woody vines native to temperate eastern Asia, widely cultivated for their edible fruit, such as the kiwifruit and hardy kiwi.

Actinomorphic

Possessing radial symmetry, such as a flower that can be divided into identical halves through three or more planes passing through the axis.

Actinotherapy

The treatment of disease by means of radiation, especially ultraviolet light or other luminous rays.

Active-state receptor

A cellular receptor conformation that is functionally primed or fully activated to bind downstream signaling molecules and elicit a biological response.

Actuary

A professional who calculates insurance and pension risks and premiums using probability, mathematics, and statistics.

Acumen

The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain.

Acumination

The act of sharpening or the state of being pointed or tapering to a sharp point.

Acyltransferase

An enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acyl group from one molecule to another.

Adenomatous

Relating to, characteristic of, or of the nature of an adenoma (a benign tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue).

Adige

The second-longest river in Italy, flowing from the Alps into the Adriatic Sea.

Adjutancy

The rank, position, or office of an adjutant in a military organization.

Adrenergic

Relating to or denoting nerve cells in which adrenaline, noradrenaline, or a similar substance acts as a neurotransmitter.