| altitude |
in astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body, measured from the horizon. [1/4 definitions] |
| amino acid |
any of the organic acids necessary to build proteins and sustain life, some of which cannot be synthesized in the body and so must be consumed in the diet. |
| amyloid |
a result of the degeneration of body tissue, occurring in the form of a hard waxy protein deposit. [1/3 definitions] |
| amyloidosis |
a condition characterized by deposition of amyloid in the body. |
| anabolism |
the process in living organisms by which complex structures are synthesized from simple ones, as body tissues from food. |
| analeptic |
of medication, restoring strength to the body after a disease or after the effects of sedatives. [2 definitions] |
| anatomical peculiarity |
a physical trait or characteristic of one's body that is considered unusual or abnormal. |
| anchor |
a heavy device, connected by a cable to a boat or ship, that is dropped to the bottom of a body of water to restrict the vessel's motion. [1/7 definitions] |
| anesthetic |
a drug that causes anesthesia in the whole body or in a localized area. [1/2 definitions] |
| angle of incidence |
the angle that the line of movement of a body or of radiation, meeting a surface, makes with a line that is at right angles to the surface at the point of meeting. |
| angular |
having a bony structure, as a person's body. [1/3 definitions] |
| angulation |
in skiing, a body position in which the knees and upper body lean into the hill while weight is placed on the downhill ski. [1/3 definitions] |
| animism |
the belief that spiritual beings or souls can exist without a body to house them. [1/3 definitions] |
| anthropometry |
a branch of anthropology concerned with comparative measurements of the human body, among individuals or groups. |
| antigen |
any of various substances that, when introduced into a living body, causes the production of antibodies. |
| antihistamine |
any of various drugs used to treat allergies and colds by inhibiting the effects of histamine production in the body. |
| anti-inflammatory |
acting to reduce inflammation within the body. [1/2 definitions] |
| antitoxin |
an antibody formed in the body to counteract a specific biological poison. [1/2 definitions] |
| aorta |
the main artery carrying blood from the left side of the heart to the arteries of all the rest of the body except the lungs. |
| appendage |
a limb or other body part attached to the main trunk of the body. [1/3 definitions] |
| apron |
a garment covering all or part of the front of the body, usu. worn to protect the wearer's clothing. [1/3 definitions] |