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spermaceti
(Encyclopedia) spermacetispermacetispûrˈməsēˈtē [key], solid waxy substance, white, odorless, and tasteless, separated from the oils obtained from the sperm whale (see sperm oil) and other marine…bayberry
(Encyclopedia) bayberry, common name for the Myricaceae, a family of trees and shrubs with aromatic foliage, found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions. The waxy gray “berries” of the North…paraffin
(Encyclopedia) paraffin, white, more-or-less translucent, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid. It melts between 47℃ and 65℃ and is insoluble in water but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters.…mealybug
(Encyclopedia) mealybug, common name for certain unarmored scale insects that exude a granular white secretion, giving them a mealy appearance. Many are common greenhouse and crop pests. Adult…turquoise
(Encyclopedia) turquoise, hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper, Al2(OH)3PO4·H2O+Cu, used as a gem. It occurs rarely in crystal form, but is usually cryptocrystalline. Turquoise is opaque and has…cork, in botany
(Encyclopedia) cork, protective, waterproof outer covering of the stems and roots of woody plants. Cork is a specialized secondary tissue produced by the cork cambium of the plant (see meristem, bark…Indian pipe
(Encyclopedia) Indian pipe, common name for the genus Monotropa and for the family Monotropaceae, low flowering plants of north temperate zones. They are chlorophylless saprophytes with a funguslike…chalcedony
(Encyclopedia) chalcedonychalcedonykălsĕdˈənē [key] [from Chalcedon], form of quartz the crystals of which are so minute that its crystalline structure cannot be seen except with the aid of a…cretinism
(Encyclopedia) cretinismcretinismkrēˈtənĭzˌəm [key], condition produced in infants and children due to lack of thyroid hormone. It usually results from a congenital defect (e.g., absence of the…catatonia
(Encyclopedia) catatoniacatatoniakătˌətōˈnēə [key], mental state generally characterized by statuesque posturing, muscular immobility, mutism, and apparent stupor. The muscles are held in a pliant…Trending
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