On the cover: Photornicrograph of crystals of vitamin B,. (Dennis Kunkel, University of Hawall) Included in this Dictionary are definitions which have been published previously in the following works: P. B. Jordain, Condensed Computer Encyclopedia, Copyright 0 1%9 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. J. Markus, Electronics and Nucleonics Dictionary, 4th ed., Copyright 0 1960, 1966, 1978 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. J. Quick, Arrists'and Iflustrators'Encyclopedia, Copyright 0 1969 by McGraw-Hill. Inc. All rights reserved. Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 3d ed., Copyright 0 1956.1972 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. T. Baumeister and L. S. Marks, eds., Standard Handbookfor Mechanical Engineers, 7th ed., Copyright 0 1958,1967 by McGraw-Hill, Inc. All rights reserved. In addition, material has been drawn fimm the following references: R. E. Huschke, Glossary of Meteorology, American Meteorological Society, 1959; U.S. Air Force Glossary of Slandaralked Terms, AF Manual 11-1, vol. 1. 1972; Communications-Electronics Terminology, AF Manual 11-1, vol. 3,1970; W. H. Allen. ed., Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use, Ist cd., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1965; J. M. Gilliland, Solar-Terrestrial Physics: A Glossary of Terms andAbbreviations, Royal Aircraft Establishment Tech nical Report 67158,1967; Glossary qfAir Traffic Control Terms, Federal Aviation Agency; A Glossary qfRange Terminology, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, National Bureau of Standards, AD 467-424; A DOD Glossary of Mapping, Charting and Geodetic Terms, I st ed., Department of Defense, 1967; P. W. Thrush, comp. and ed., A Dictionary ofMining. Mineral, and Related Terms, Bureau of Mines, 1968; Nuclear Terms: A Glossary, 2d ed., Atomic Energy Commission; F. Casey, ed., Comipilation of Terms in Infornustion Sciences Technology, Federal Council for Science and Technology, 1970; Glossary ofStinfo Terminology, Office of Aerospace Research. U.S. Air Force, 1963; Naval Dictionary ofElectronic, Technical. and Imperative Term, Bureau of Naval Person net, 1962; ADP Glossary, Department of the Navy, NAVSO P-3097. McGRAW-HILL DICTIONARY OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TERMS, Fifth Edition CopyrightD 1994,1989,1984,1978,1976,1974 by McGraw-Hill. Inc. Ali rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976. no pan of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in my form or by my means, or stated in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. 67890 DOWA)OW 03 02 01 00 ISBN 0-07-042333-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McGraw-Hill dictionary of scientific and technical terms Sybil P. Parker. editor in chief..-5Lh ed. p. cm. ISBN 0-07-0423334 I.Science-Dictionaries. 2-Technology-Dictionaries. 1. Parker, Sybil P. Q123.M34 1993 503-dc2O 93-34772 CIP INTERNATIONAL EDITION Copyright 0 1994. Exclusive rights by McGraw-Hill. Inc. for manufacture and export. This book cannot be re exported front the country to which it is consigned by McGraw-Hill.'Me International Edition is not available in North America. When ordering this title, use ISBN 0-07-113584-7.Page: Previous 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007