Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Abruptly pinnate

    Abruptly pinnate

    A pinnate leaf without an odd terminal leaflet; same as paripinnate (the latter preferred)  

  • Abrupt

    Suddenly, not gradually; the meaning ‘truncated’ given in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (Anonymous, 2007) I have not seen used. Suddenly terminating ; as.  

  • Abortive

    Imperfectly developed, not grown to its normal size or function. Imperfect or rudimentary (the stamen, plate). Preventing the completion of something. When we talk about treatment that alleviates the symptoms of a disorder, we are referring to therapeutic interventions that aim to mitigate the manifestations and discomfort associated with the condition.  

  • Abortion

    Termination, partway through their development, of parts that are usually present; usually of flowers or fruits. An imperfect formation, or the non-formation, of some part. The intentional removal (induced) or the spontaneous (natural) expulsion of the fetus or embryo from the uterus before it can survive on its own. Termination of a pregnancy before the…

  • Abnormal

    Abnormal

    Deviating from the rule for that particular taxon; for example, 5 stamens instead of the normal 4. In psychological terms, any mental or behavioral activity that deviates from culturally scientifically determined norms. Contrary to the usual order of things. In psychology, psychological deviation from the norm or usual; behavior that is detrimental to the person…

  • Abiotic

    Not involving living organisms. Not viable.  

  • Abbreviated

    Shortened.  

  • Abaxial

    Abaxial

    The side of an organ that faces away from the axis that bears it; for example, the lower surface of a leaf. Away from the axis, referring to the surface of an organ that is furthest from the axis in bud.      

  • A-

    Prefix signifying lack of, as in achlorophyllose, lacking chlorophyll.  

  • Style

    The part of the female structure of a flower that connects the stigma and the ovary. The part of the gynoecium between the ovary and the stigma, often slender and sometimes lacking when the stigma sits on the ovary. The form in which a product is made, e.g., whole, half, etc. The stem of the…

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