Glossary
Terms starting with A
493 definitions · page 6 of 9.
- aphelion
- the point farthest from the sun in an object’s orbit
- apochromatic lens
- a lens with three or more elements that reduces chromatic aberration even more than an achromatic lens
- apogee
- the point in a satellite’s orbit when it is farthest from Earth
- Apollo
- 1. the U.S. space program that sent astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and '70s2. an asteroid with a perihelion less than 1.017 AU (and thus comes within the orbit of Earth)
- apparent field of view
- the angular diameter of the circle of light that the eye sees through an eyepiece
- apparent magnitude
- the measure of the brightness of an object as seen from Earth
- apparition
- the period of time during which a particular celestial object can be seen
- AppleScript
- It is an English-like language used to write script files which can automate the actions of the computer and the applications which run on it.
- AppleShare
- This is Apple's network system. It is to the Macintosh what FTP is to the PC.
- Applet
- Most often refers to a small Java program designed to run in a Web browser. Java applets run in a sandbox, so they can't perform unauthorized functions like file reading or opening Net connections to other computer from your computer.
- AppleTalk
- A protocol suite developed by Apple Computer in the early 1980s, was developed in conjunction with the Macintosh computer. AppleTalk's purpose was to allow multiple users to share resources, such as files and printers. The devices that supply these resources…
- APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
- California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 4: Energy Conservation, Article 4: Appliance Efficiency Standards. Appliance Efficiency Standards regulate the minimum performance requirements for appliances sold in California and apply to…
- APPLIANCE SATURATION
- A percentage telling what proportion of all households in a given geographical area have a certain appliance.
- Applicant
- Person who wants something for him/herself and makes a request for it (asks for it). The request is usually in writing.
- APPLICANT
- Applicant means any person who submits an application for certification pursuant to the provisions of this division, including, but not limited to, any person who explores for or develops geothermal resources.
- APPLICATION
- Application means any request for certification of any site and related facility filed in accordance with the procedures established pursuant to this division. An applicant for a geothermal powerplant and related facilities may propose more than one site and…
- Apply for a Visa
- Make a request for a visa
- appoggiatura
- A strong-beat dissonance that resolves to a consonance; used as an expressive device in much tonal music.
- Appointment Package
- The letter and documents that tell an applicant of the date of the immigrant visa interview. It includes forms that the applicant must complete before the interview and instructions for how to get everything ready for the interview.
- APPORTIONMENT
- The dividing of a loss proportionately among two or more insurers that cover the same loss.
- APPRAISAL
- An estimate of the quantity, quality or value of something. The process through which conclusions of property value are obtained; also refers to the report that sets forth the process of estimation and conclusion of value.
- APPRAISAL
- A survey to determine a property’s insurable value, or the amount of a loss.
- APPRECIATION
- An increase in the worth or value of a property due to economic or related causes, which may prove to be either temporary or permanent; opposite of depreciation.
- Apprentice
- Also referred to as a bug boy. An apprentice is a jockey who is just getting started in the sport. The apprentice is allowed to carry less weight that a veteran rider. After the rider wins a certain number of races, he loses his bug. The apprentice is…
- Approval Notice
- A Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) immigration form, (Notice of Action, Form I-797) that says that BCIS has approved a petition.
- APPURTENANCE
- A right, privilege or improvement belonging to, and passing with, the land.
- APPURTENANT EASEMENT
- An easement that is annexed to the ownership of one parcel and allows the owner the use of the neighbor's land.
- apraxia
- inability to make a voluntary movement in spite of being able to demonstrate normal muscle function.
- Arabica beans
- a kind of coffee bean which produces superior quality coffees which possess the best flavor and aromatic characteristics.
- ARBITRATION
- Procedure in which an insurance company and the insured or a vendor agree to settle a claim dispute by accepting a decision made by a third party.
- Arborio rice
- Arborio is the classic risotto rice from the north Italian region of Piedmont. It's probably the best all-rounder for cooking. This medium- to long-grain rice can absorb a lot of cooking liquid yet still retain a good 'bite' when fully cooked.
- Arbroath smokie
- 'Smokies' are whole wood-smoked haddock with the backbone still intact. They're still produced in small family smokehouses in the east coast fishing town of Arbroath in Scotland. Good for poaching, grilling, making fishcakes and pies, and used in kedgeree…
- archeoastronomy
- the study of physical artifacts with astronomical connections
- Archie
- An online database of anonymous ftp sites and their contents. It allows to search the ftp repositories using file name queries.
- Archive
- Archives are large files containing valuable data. Archives are often compressed to save space.
- Archive site
- A server that contains archives. It can be accessed by FTP, E-mail or HTTP.
- arcminute
- a unit of angular size equal to 1/60 of a degree; abbreviated by 'Arcminutes are used to measure of the separation between two sky objects or the angular size of an object.
- arcsecond
- a unit of angular size equal to 1/3,600 of a degree (or 1/60 of an arcminute); abbreviated by "Arcseconds are used to measure of the separation between two sky objects or the angular size of an object.
- AREA LOAD
- The total amount of electricity being used at a given point in time by all consumers in a utility's service territory.
- Arg
- Arginine (an amino acid).
- Argan oil
- Believed to be one of the rarest oils in the world, argan oil comes from the nuts of the argan tree which is indigenous to Morocco. Argan trees used to cover much of North Africa but they're now greatly reduced in numbers, hence the high price of argan oil…
- aria
- In opera or oratorio, a set piece, usually for a single performer, that expresses a character's emotion about a particular situation.
- arioso
- A singing style between aria and recitative.
- Arithetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- The core component of a computers Central Processing Unit (CPU). ALU is the mathematical circuitry that performs necessary arithmetical and logical operations on binary data.
- Arithmetic Logic Unit
- ALU is a generic term for a functional unit in a computer. It is the part of the CPU that performs arithmetical and logical operations on data.
- ARJ
- One of the most popular compression formats.
- ARPA
- (Advanced Research Projects Agency) US governmental organization responsible for creating the ancestor of today's Internet.
- ARPAnet
- Network created by ARPA in 1969.
- arpeggio
- A chord whose individual notes are played successively rather than simultaneously.
- arrangement
- An orchestration of a skeletal score or a reorchestration of a finished composition.
- Arrival-Departure Card
- Also known as Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record. The Department of Homeland Security U.S immigration inspector at port-of-entry gives foreign visitors (all non-U.S citzens) an Arrival-Departure Record, (a small white card) when they enter the United…
- Arrowroot
- A starch extract of the root of a tropical plant native to the Americas called maranta. Arrowroot is used for thickening sauces, juices and syrups; when heated the starch turns to jelly and so thickens the liquid. Its great advantage over cornflour is that…
- ars nova
- The "new art" of fourteenth-century France; refers to the stylistic innovations, especially rhythmic, of composers around 1320.
- ARSON
- The deliberate setting of a fire.
- art song
- A song focusing on artistic rather than popular expression.
- artery
- a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.
- Artichoke
- Confusingly, three different, unrelated plants are all known by this name. The globe artichoke is related to the thistle. Its leaves are edible, as is the bottom part of the flower, called the heart (which you can also buy tinned or frozen). Globe artichokes…
- articular cartilage
- covers the ends of bones and allows the distribution of compressive loads over the cross section of bones; provides frictionless and wear-resistant surface for joint movement.
- articulation
- The manner in which adjacent notes of a melody are connected or separated.
- articulation disorder
- inability to correctly produce speech sounds (phonemes) because of imprecise placement, timing, pressure, speed, or flow of movement of the lips, tongue, and/or throat.