| abdomen |
the part of the body between the chest and the hips. The abdomen contains the stomach, intestines, and liver. [2 definitions] |
| abduct |
to draw or cause to move away from the main axis of the body. (Cf. adduct.) [1/2 definitions] |
| abduction |
of a muscle, the act or process of drawing away from the main axis of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| ablation |
surgical removal of any part of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| ablative2 |
of or pertaining to ablation, the surgical removal of a part of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| abscess |
a sore that forms within the tissues of the body and is filled with pus. Abscesses can be caused by an infection. |
| acidosis |
an abnormally high acidity of body tissues and fluids. |
| act |
a law passed by a governing body. [1/14 definitions] |
| acupressure |
a process or technique intended to relieve pain or cure disease by the application of pressure with the hands to specific parts of the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| acupuncture |
the practice of relieving pain or curing a disease by putting needles into certain parts of the body. Acupuncture is a traditional way to treat disease in China. |
| adaptation |
a particular change in the body of a living thing that helps the animal or plant to survive under new conditions. An adaptation happens over a very long time. [1/4 definitions] |
| adduct |
to move or pull (a body part such as a muscle) toward the main axis. (Cf. abduct.) |
| adhesion |
an abnormal growing together of separate body tissues. [1/4 definitions] |
| aerobic |
able to work the heart and lungs to help the body use oxygen better. |
| aerobics |
(used with a singular or plural verb) a form of exercise that works the heart and lungs to help the body use oxygen better. Running, swimming, biking, or dance are forms of aerobics. |
| agony |
great or intense pain and suffering in the mind or body, usually over a long period of time. |
| AIDS |
a disease that stops the body from being able to protect itself from other diseases. AIDS is spread through body fluids. |
| Ainu |
a member of an aboriginal people native to the northernmost islands of Japan, noted for their ample body hair. [1/3 definitions] |
| air mass |
a body of air that covers a wide area and has little horizontal variation in temperature, pressure, or moisture. |
| air sac |
an air-filled space or cavity in a living organism, esp. any of the ends of certain bronchial tubes in a bird's body that connect with the larger body cavity and assist in breathing. |
| akimbo |
with hand on hip and elbow pointed away from the body. |