Encyclopedian Dictionary: June 2013

Monocotyledonae

Monocotyledonae "The monocots. Flower parts are usually in threes; leaf venation is usually parallel; true secondary growth is not present; there is one cotyledon; vascular bundles in the stem are scattered; the pollen is basically monocolpate. There are about 60,000 species." Biology of Plants, p. 660, Appendix C, ©1970, Worth Publishers, Inc., Peter H. Raven, Helena Curtis, Stanford University Taxonomic...

Chrysophyceae

Chrysophyceae "Golden algae. A diverse group of organisms including flagellated, amoeboid, and nonmotile forms, some naked and others with a cell wall that may be ornamented with siliceous scales. At least 1,000 species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Chromista Subkingdom Chromista Division Chrysophyta – golden-brown algae Class Chrysophyceae Direct Children: Genus Pelagococcus Order Chromalinales Order Chrysamoebidales Order Chrysapiales Order Chrysocapsales Order Chrysosphaerales Order Dictyochales Order Ochromonadales Order Phaeothamniales Order Rhizochrysidales Order Thallochrysidales References Biology...

Bacillariophyceae ( Class )

Bacillariophyceae "Diatoms. Chrysophyta with double siliceous shells, the two halves of which fit together like a pillbox. They are sometimes motile by the secretion of mucilage fibrils along a specialized groove, the raphe. There are many extinct and 5,000 to 9,000 living species." Biology of Plants, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., Stanford University, Peter H. Raven and Helena Curtis, ©1971 Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Chromista Subkingdom Chromista Division Bacillariophyta – diatoms,...

Chrysophyta ( Golden-Brown Algae )

Chrysophyta This group usually has one or two golden-brown chloroplasts (chlorophyll-containing bodies). The cells are surrounded by membranes or have walls containing a small amount of silica and most are motile. Some species are found in salt water but the majority are located in lakes, pools and ditches. Synura uvella "Golden algae and diatoms. Autotrophic organisms with chlorophylls a...

eaglet

Pronunciation key ( ē′glit ) ea•glet n. [Fr. aiglette dim. of aigle]. A hatchling or juvenile eagle. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Chordata – chordates Subphylum Vertebrata – vertebrates Class Aves – Birds Order Accipitriformes – Hawks Family Accipitridae Vigors, 1824 – Eagles, Hawks, Kites References Webster's New World Dictionary...

Plantae ( Kingdom )

Plantae "Multicellular eucaryotes and related unicellular forms. Principal mode of nutrition by photosynthesis, but a number of plants have secondarily lost this capacity. Their photosynthetic pigment is chlorophyll a with chlorophyll b and a number of carotenoids serving as accessory pigments. The cell walls contain cellulose as a matrix. They are primarily nonmotile organisms attached to a substrate....

Animalia ( Kingdom )

Animalia "Eucaryotic multicellular organisms. Their principal mode of nutrition is by ingestion. Many animals are motile, and they generally lack the rigid cell walls characterized by plants. Considerable cellular migration and reorganization of tissues often occuring during the course of embryology. Their reproduction is primarily sexual, with male and female diploid organisms producing haploid...

Fungi ( Kingdom )

Pronunciation key ( fun′jī ) fun•gi n. [L. fungosus spongy < a mushroom, fungus; altered after fungus]. Alternative plural of fungus. "Eucaryotic unicellular or multinucleate organisms in which the nuclei occur in a basically continuous mycelium; this mycelium becomes septate in certain groups and at certain stages of the life cycle. They are heterotrophic, with nutrition by absorption....

Chromista ( Kingdom and Subkingdom )

chromista n. [The name Chromista means "colored"]. They are photosynthetic, but chromists are not closely related to plants, or other algae. In difference to plants, the Chromista have chlorophyll c, and do not store energy in the form of starch. Photosynthetic chromists often carry various pigments in addition to chlorophyll, which are not found in plants. It is these pigments which give them...

Protista ( Kingdom )

Pronunciation key ( prō-tis′tə ) [< Gr. prōtistos first < prōtos first]. pro•tist n. (prō′tist). A single cell organism. pro•tist•a n. A scientific classification, kingdom. pro•tist•an (prō-tis′tən) adj. Of the protists or belonging to protists. n., a protist. pro•tis•tic (prō-tis′tik) adj. of the protists. "Eucaryotic unicellular organisms in which the cells are sometimes aggregated into filaments or other superficially multi-cellular bodies. Their modes of nutrition include ingestion,...

Monera ( Kingdom )

Monera "Procaryotic cells which lack a nuclear envelope, plastids and mitochondria, and 9-plus-2 flagella. Monera are unicellular but sometimes aggregate into filaments or other superficially multi-cellular bodies. Their predominant mode of nutrition is absorption, but some groups are photosynthetic or chemosynthetic. Reproduction is primarily asexual, by fission or budding, but portions of DNA molecules...

earthstar ( Basidiomycetes )

Pronunciation key ( ũrth′stär′ ) earth•star n. Fungus species. Its external covering splits into a form that bears resemblance to a star. The traditional name for this class of fungi were the Gasteromycetes, Taxonomic Serial No.: 14095 which notes, "The Dictionary of Fungi (1995) says, of Gasteromycetes, "The polyphyletic nature of the group makes it inappropriate to maintain in a natural...

Dzungaria ( China )

Pronunciation key ( zoon-gar′i-ə ) Dzun•ga•ri•a n. District located in northern Sinkiang, China. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dz.

dz. dozen. dozens. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dyn.

dyn. dynamics. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Dy

Dy In chemistry, dysprosium. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

DX, D.X.

DX, D.X. in radio. distance. distant. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dwt.

dwt. [denarius weight.] pennyweight. pennyweights. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D/W

D/W dock warrant. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D.V.S.

D.V.S. Doctor of Veterinary Surgeon. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©19...

D.V.

D.V. Deo volente [L.] God willing. Douay Version (of the Bible). References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Dutchman's-pipe ( Aristolochia )

Pronunciation key ( duch′mənz-pīp′ ) Dutch•man's-pipe n. [from the similarity between the curved flowers and a pipe bowl]. A woody vine with U-shaped flowers. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Streptophyta – land plants Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes Subdivision Spermatophytina...

duckbill platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus )

Pronunciation key ( duk′bil′) duck•bill n. Small (about 1.5 ft. length), egg-laying water mammal with webbed feet and a beaver-like tail and a bill similar to a duck's. Also called platypus. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Chordata – chordates Subphylum Vertebrata – vertebrates Class Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758 – mammals Subclass Prototheria Gill,...

D.T.'s

Pronunciation key ( dē′tēz′ ) [Slang]. delirium tremens. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

d.t.

Pronunciation key ( dē′tēz′ ) d.t., D.T. delirium tremens. double time. D.T.'s, delirium tremens. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D.S.T.

D.S.T. Daylight Saving Time. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Ds, d.s., DS.

Ds, d.s., DS. Ds, in chemistry, dysprosium. d.s. daylight saving. in commerce, days after sight. D.S., d.s., dal segno, [It.] (repeat) from this sign. D.S., Doctor of Science. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

drumfish ( Sciaenidae )

Pronunciation key ( drum′fish ) drum•fish n. [pl. DRUMFISH, DRUMFISHES (-iz) see FISH]. A variety of saltwater and freshwater fishes that make a drumming noise. Taxonomic Hierarchy Redfish, Puppy Drum, Drum, Channel Bass (Sciaenops ocellatus) Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Chordata – chordates Subphylum Vertebrata – vertebrates Superclass Osteichthyes – bony fishes Class Actinopterygii...

dracaena ( dragon tree or dragon palm )

Pronunciation key ( drə-sē′nə ) dra•cae•na n. [Mod. L. < Gr. drakaina she-dragon; see DRAGON]. One of several related tropical shrubs and trees found in the Eastern hemisphere. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Streptophyta – land plants Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants, tracheophytes Subdivision Spermatophytina...

Dr.

Dr. Doctor. Drive. (Designates a street name). References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dpt.

dpt. department. deponent. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D.P.

D.P. displaced person. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

john dory fish ( Zenopsis conchifera )

Pronunciation key ( dôr′i )( dō′ri ) do•ry n. [pl. DORIES (-iz) or (-riz)] [Fr. dorée, lit. gilt; fem. of doré, pp. of dorer; LL. deaurare, to gild; L. de-, intens. + aurare, to gild < aurum gold]. Salt water fish, small in size with golden tint and edible known by the common name, "john dory" and scientific name Zenopsis conchifera. Any relative to this species such as the wall-eyed pike. Taxonomic...

doting, doty, dotty, dotage, dotard, dote

dotage dotard dote doting dotty doty Pronunciation key ( dōt′ij ) dot•age n. [ME. < dotien, doten to dote]. Characteristically feeble-minded and childish due to old age; senility. An excessively foolish affection. Doting. « go back Pronunciation key ( dō′tẽrd ) do•tard n. [ME. < dotien, doten to dote; cf. DODDERED]. One in their dotage. A foolishly doddering old person. « go back Pronunciation key ( dōt ) dote v.i.. [DOTED (-id), DOTING]. [ME. dotien,...

Dodo ( Raphus cucullatus )

Pronunciation key ( dō′dō ) Do•do [pl DODOS, DODOES (-dōz)]. n. [Port. doudo lit., stupid or foolish]. A large bird which is now extinct, having a large hooked bill, short neck and legs and had only rudimentary wings which were useless for flight. Formerly its native habitat was located in Mauritius. Taxonomic Hierarchy Standing height of 2 ft. Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Chordata...

D.N.B.

D.N.B. Dictionary of National Biography. British. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D. Mus.

D. Mus. Doctor of Music. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

DM., dm.

DM., dm. Deutschemark. decimeter. decimeters. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dlvy.

dlvy. delivery. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D.L.S.

D.L.S. Doctor of Library Science. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

D/L, dl.

D/L, dl. D/L, demand loan. dl., decileter, deciliters. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dkl.

dkg.

dkm.

dk.

Djokjakarta

Pronunciation key ( jk′yä-kär′tä ) Djok•ja•kar•ta n. A city in Java, in Indonesia. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Djakarta

Pronunciation key ( jä-kär′tä ) Dja•kar•ta n. The capital of Indonesia in Java. Jakarta. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

Diptera

Pronunciation key ( dip′tẽr-ə ) Dip•ter•a n.pl.. [Mod. L. < Gr. dipteros; see DIPTEROUS]. Classification of insects which includes gnats, houseflies, mosquitos and soforth, characterized by having only one pair of membranous wings. Taxonomic Hierarchy A gnat is classified in the order Diptera. Kingdom Animalia – Animal, animals Phylum Arthropoda – arthropods Subphylum Hexapoda...

dicotyledon, dicotyledonous, dicotyledonae, dicotyledoneae, dicotyledones

Pronunciation key ( dī′kot-ʼl-e′dʼn ) ( dī-kot′ʼl-ē'dʼn ) di•cot•y•le•don n. A plant that produces two seed leaves (cotyledons). Any plant that is classed among one of the two subclasses of seed plants characteristically having two embryos with two cotyledons as most shrubs and deciduous trees. Terms once used to classify species become outdated and are replaced as classification systems...

diclinous and diclinism

Pronunciation key ( dī′kli-nəs ) ( dī-klī′nəs ) di•cli•nous adj. [< di + Gr. klinē bed; + ous]. The characteristic of having stamens and pistils located in separate flowers. Flowers which contain exclusively stamens or, exclusively pistils inside them. di•cli•nism (dī′kli-nizʼm) n. Characteristically diclinous. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dhurna

Pronunciation key ( dũr′nä ) dhur•na n. dharna. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

d.h.

d.h. das heisst, [German], that is specifically, i.e. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dg.

D/F, D.F.

D/F, D.F. D/F, in radio, direction-finding. D.F. Dean of the Faculty Defensor Fidei, [L.] Defender of the Faith. Districto Federal, [Port.] Federal District. Distrito Federal, [Sp.], Federal District (in Mexico). References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language (College Edition) ©1...

dextrorse

Pronunciation key ( dek′strôrs ) ( dek-strôrs′ ) dex•trorse adj. [L. dextrorsum or dextrovorsum, toward the right < dexter, right + versus or vorsus, pp. of vertere or vortere, to turn]. Dextrorse Vine (Morning Glory) in botany a vine which twines upwards in a right direction, opposed to sinistrorse which follows a left direction. References Webster's New World Dictionary of the American...

Devilfish ( Manta birostris )

Pronunciation key ( dev′ʼl-fish′ ) dev•il•fish [pl. DEVILFISH, DEVILFISHES (-iz); see FISH] n. The largest among the rays. Known as the Atlantic manta, or giant devil ray (Manta birostris). It's common name is due to the horn-like appearance when the pectoral fins are rolled up. A large cephalopod, especially the octopus. Taxonomic Hierarchy approximate 20 ft. width Kingdom Animalia...

Deadly Nightshade, ( Genus Solanum ), the belladonna

deadly nightshade The belladonna. A poisonous plant but parts of which are used in medicine. Taxonomic Hierarchy Kingdom Plantae – Vegetal, plants Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants Infrakingdom Streptophyta – land plants Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants Subdivision Spermatophytina – spermatophytes, seed plants Infradivision Angiospermae – flowering plants, angiosperms Class Magnoliopsida Superorder Asteranae Order Solanales Family Solanaceae...