Glossary
Terms starting with B
312 definitions · page 3 of 6.
- Bidders Choice
- A method of sale whereby the successful high bidder wins the right to choose a property or properties from a grouping of similar or like-kind properties. After the high bidder's selection, the property is deleted from the group, and the second round of…
- BIENNIAL REPORT
- The report formerly issued by the California Energy Commission to the Governor and the Legislature every odd-numbered year assessing California's energy industry. (See also Commission reports page.) The Biennial Report is supported by four policy documents…
- Big Bang
- the giant explosion that is theorized to have created the universe 10 billion to 20 billion years ago
- Big Bang Theory
- A particle that has integer intrinsic angular momentum (spin) measured in units of h-bar (spin =0, 1, 2, ...). All particles are either fermions or bosons. The particles associated with all the fundamental interactions (forces) and composite particles with…
- Big Screen TV Set
- Any set with a screen size of 27 inches or larger. Considered a requirement for a home theatre system.
- bike tards
- A close-fitting, one-piece garment from the top of the torso to the hem of the shorts.
- BILATERAL CONTRACT
- A two-party agreement for the purchase and the sale of energy products and services.
- billion
- 1,000,000,000 (in American usage)
- bimodal distribution
- A statistical distribution having two modes.
- Binary
- This is a basic system of numbering using ones and zeros.
- Binary
- Data represented in binary format uses only two digits - 0 and 1.
- binary fission
- The process in which a parent cell splits into two daughter cells of approximately equal size. Simple cell division in single-celled organisms.
- binary mode
- FTP client mode used to transfer binary files (multimedia files, executables and other data files). Not suitable for transferring normal text files.
- binary star
- a system of two stars that orbit a common center of gravity; also known as a double star
- BINDER
- An agreement that may accompany an earnest money deposit for the purchase of real property as evidence of the purchaser's good faith and intent to complete the transaction.
- BINDER
- Temporary authorization of coverage issued prior to the actual insurance policy.
- binoculars
- a small, usually hand-held instrument with two tubes that is used to magnify the view of astronomical objects; the two numbers used to describe the binoculars refer to its magnification and its aperture in millimeters, respectively
- binomial expansion
- The terms generated when a binomial expression [eg. (p+q)] is raised to a particular power n [eg. (p+q)^n].
- binomial theorem
- The theorem that gives the terms of the expansion of a binomial expression [eg. (p+q)] raised to a particular power n [eg. (p+q)^n].
- biochemical genetics
- The study of the relationships between genes and enzymes, specifically the role of genes in controlling the steps in biochemical pathways.
- BIOCONVERSION
- Processes that use plants or micro-organisms to change one form of energy into another. For example, an experimental process uses algae to convert solar energy into gas that could be used for fuel.
- BIODIESEL
- a biodegradable transportation fuel for use in diesel engines that is produced through the transesterfication of organically- derived oils or fats. It may be used either as a replacement for or as a component of diesel fuel.
- biolistic
- A method (biological ballistics) of transfecting cells by bombarding them with microprojectiles coated with DNA.
- biological species concept
- Organisms are classified in the same species if they are potentially capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
- BIOMASS
- Energy resources derived from organic matter. These include wood, agricultural waste and other living-cell material that can be burned to produce heat energy. They also include algae, sewage and other organic substances that may be used to make energy…
- biome
- a major life zone containing interrelated plants and animals adapted to a particular climate and soil, which covers a large geographical area.
- BIOS
- Stands for Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS gives the computer a little built-in starter kit to run the rest of softwares from floppy disks (FDD) and hard disks (HDD). The BIOS is responsible for booting the computer by providing a basic set of…
- BIOSPHERE
- The zone at and adjacent to the earth's surface where all life exists; all living organisms of the earth.
- biparental zygote
- A Chlamydomonas zygote that contains chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from both parents, such cells generally are rare since normally cpDNA is inherited uniparentally from the mt+ mating type parent. These rare biparental zygotes allowed mapping of chloroplast genes…
- Bird's-eye chillies
- These small, tapered red or green chillies are extremely pungent and very, very hot! Although they're sometimes called Thai chillies, they're Mexican in origin. They're often used in Chinese and South-east Asian cooking.
- Birthstones
- Each month has a particular gemstone associated with it, called a birthstone.
- Biscotti
- These hard Italian biscuits are traditionally made with hazelnut and aniseed but are now flavoured with a wide variety of nuts, lemon or orange rind. They're hard and crunchy because they're twice-cooked ('bis' is Italian for twice and 'cotti' for cooked)…
- Bisque
- A rich, creamy soup, usually made with lobster or crayfish, wine, brandy, spices and cream.
- Bit
- (Binary DigIT) the smallest unit of information, comprising of either a 1 or 0.
- Bit Depth
- Also referred to as Pixel Depth or Color Depth. Bit (Binary-Digit) Depth describes the number of bits used to define each pixel in an image to determine its color range. The greater the Bit Depth, the greater number of tones (grey scale or color) are…
- Bit rate
- The speed at which bits are transmitted over a communication link. Expressed in bits per second (bps).
- Bitstream Digital to Analog Conversion
- The most accurate method of digital to analog conversion. It converts information on a bit by bit basis.
- BITUMINOUS COAL
- Soft coal containing large amounts of carbon. It has a luminous flame and produces a great deal of smoke.
- bivalent
- Structure, formed during prophase of meiosis 1, consisting of synapsed homologous chromosomes. Equivalent to a tetrad of chromatids.
- Blachan
- A pungent, dark-brown dried shrimp paste. It's an essential ingredient in South-east Asian cooking, particularly Thailand, and is used in very small amounts in soups and curries. It's sold in tins or jars, or as hard slabs or cakes. Available in Asian shops…
- Black bream
- The black bream is a dark grey sea fish with tough scales that need to be removed before cooking. It isn't a hugely popular fish so is relatively inexpensive, but it has sweet firm flesh and is delicious eaten whole after being stuffed and baked, or as…
- Black butter
- This is a classic accompaniment to fish, particularly skate and plaice. It is made by browning butter in a pan and adding lemon juice and parsley. In French it is known as 'beurre noir'.
- black hole
- a region of space where gravity is so powerful that not even light can escape; black holes can form either from the death of high-mass stars or in the cores of galaxies
- black holes
- regions of space where gravity is so powerful not even light can escape; black holes can form either from the death of high-mass stars or in the cores of galaxies
- Black pepper
- Black pepper comes from a climbing vine, the fruits of which - small round berries - ripen from green to red and finally to brown. Black peppercorns are actually berries that are picked when they're just turning red. They're then dried whole before being…
- BLACKOUT
- A power loss affecting many electricity consumers over a large geographical area for a significant period of time.
- Blanch
- The process of plunging food, frequently vegetables, into and out of boiling water for just a few seconds or minutes. Blanching preserves the colour and texture of food, and can be used to get rid of strong flavours (such as older garlic cloves). Blanching…
- BLANKET INSURANCE
- Coverage for more than one type of property at one location or one type of property at more than one location. Example: chain stores.
- BLANKET LOAN
- A mortgage covering more than one parcel of real estate, providing for each parcel's partial release from the mortgage lien upon repayment of a definite portion of the debt.
- Blanquette
- A stew of white meat (veal, lamb or poultry) cooked in white stock or water with aromatic flavourings. The cooking liquor is thickened to make a sauce after the meat is cooked and finished with egg yolks and cream. Blanquettes are also made with fish and…
- blastoderm
- In an insect embryo, the layer of cells that completely surrounds an internal mass of yolk.
- blastomere
- One of the cells formed by division of the fertilized egg making up the blastula.
- blastopore
- The embryonic structure present during gastrulation and formed by invagination of the endoderm.
- blastula
- An early developmental stage of vertebrate embryos formed by cleavage of the fertilized egg, in which the embryo consists of a single layer of cells surrounding a cavity (the blastocoel).
- blazar
- a high-energy, variable type of quasar which astronmers believe has a jet of material aimed in our direction that causes it to appear more energetic than other quasars
- blazer
- A long-sleeved sports jacket with lapels.
- Bleeder
- A horse that bleeds internally or through the nostrils during or after a workout.
- blending inheritance
- A discredited model of inheritance suggesting that the characteristics of an individual result from the smooth blending of fluid like influences from its parents.
- Blind baking
- A method of preparing a pastry case before adding the filling, in order to prevent the bottom becoming soggy and undercooked. The pastry is first baked with a lining weighted with beans. You can use dried beans (haricot beans are good) or you can buy ceramic…
- Blini
- A Russian type of pancake, traditionally made from buckwheat flour and served with caviar. They make a great party dish served with soured cream and smoked salmon. Make batches of them as they freeze well.