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Oasis
An oasis is an isolated patch of vegetation in a desert region.
Obeah
Obeah is a form of witchcraft practised in the Caribbean.
Oboe
The oboe is a musical instrument of the woodwind family.
Obsidian
Obsidian is volcanic glass.
Ocarina
The ocarina is a small wind instrument consisting of a pipe pierced with holes
for the fingers. They are usually made of terra-cotta, but sometimes of metal.
Occlusion
Occlusion is the property possessed by certain solids, notably some metals, of
retaining gases either within the solid or on the surface. There is no chemical
combination in the accepted sense.
Octli
see "Pulque"
Octroi
An octroi is a station at the entrance of a town or department for the
collection of local dues and tariffs within a country.
Ode
An ode is a short poem, frequently of irregular or complicated lyrical form,
usually written for some special occasion. The term was originally applied to
the choric songs of the Greek dramas, and also to the poems of Pindar, Sappho,
Horace etc.
Ohm
The ohm is the SI unit of electrical resistance. It was originally defined with
reference to the resistance of a column of mercury, but is now taken as the
resistance between two points when a potential difference of one volt between
them produces a current of one ampere.
Ohm's law
Ohm's law is that the steady current in a metal circuit is directly
proportional to the constant total electromotive force in the circuit, that is
e/i = r
Oil
Oil is a large group of viscid liquids which have a characteristic smooth and
sticky feel, are lighter than water, are inflammable and chemically neutral.
Old Maid
Old Maid is a card game for any number of players. A full deck of 52 cards is
used from which the Queen of Hearts has been removed and the remainder dealt.
Pairs are discarded and remaining cards are passed face down to the player to
the left who picks one at random. Play continues until all cards have been
played and one player is left holding the odd Queen (the Old Maid).
Olefines
Olefines are unsaturated hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series. They resemble
the parrafins but chemically they are more reactive. Methylene is an example of
a very reactive olefine.
Oleic acid
Oleic acid is a colourless, odourless liquid unsaturated acid with the formulae
C18H34O2. It is obtained from animal tallow and natural vegetable oils (olive
oil) in which it occurs as the glycerol ester. It is chiefly used in the
manufacture of soap, commercial oleates and cosmetics where it is used as a
moisturiser.
Oligarchy
Oligarchy is government by a limited number of persons, as distinct from
democracy (government by all classes) and monarchy (government by one person).
Oligocene
The Oligocene was the fifteenth geological period, 42,000,000 years ago.
Olpe
An olpe is a Greek oil-flask or small jug for storing oil.
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games originated at Olympia, in Elis, Peloponnesus and were said to
have been originated by Hercules in honour of the Olympian Zeus, and to have
been revived by Iphitus in 776 BC. Thereafter they were held every 4 years
without a break until 393. Today the Olympic Games are still held every 4 years
and are a general sporting contest held between supposedly amateur athletes of
all countries. In recent years the amateur status of many athletes from larger
and more industrial countries has become very dubious casting a shadow over the
spirit of the games.
Omber
Omber was a popular card game played in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was
played by three persons and with 40 cards.
Omega
Omega is the 24th and last letter of the Greek alphabet.
Omega-minus particle
In physics, an omega-minus particle is a baryon with strangeness -3, isotopic
spin 0, and negative charge.
Omni Page
OmniPage by the Caere Corporation is an optical character recognition program
capable of reading documents into a Macintosh II or Macintosh SE or PC running
Windows in word processing or TIFF format. OmniPage augments desktop publishing
systems by solving the input side of the desktop publishing, just as desktop
publishing programs and laser printers solve the output side. OmniPage scans in
documents and the results appear in a file for editing. This file can be preset
as a text file, a text file without returns, a MacWrite file (essentially
unformatted), or an Excel-compatible (tab-delimited) file, which can be read by
most spreadsheet and database programs. Additional file formats include
WordPerfect and Microsoft Word. Characters that cannot be read are replaced
with the tilde (~) character. You can then edit the scanned text in your
favorite application or using the programs Transitional Editor. On average,
OmniPage scans with an accuracy of 95% or better. The product removes graphics
so they do not interfere with text scanning. The graphics can be scanned into a
separate graphics file. OmniPage lets users choose only paragraphs they want,
and allows resequencing them before recognition takes place, saving editing
time. OmniDraft recognizes 8- or 9-pin dot-matrix draft text. OmniSpell is an
internal spellchecker, which corrects typical optical errors such as a "5" in
place of an "S" or a "cl" in place of a "d."
Omnibus
Omnibus (latin for 'for all') is the old term for a bus (public passenger
carrying vehicle). The first modern bus to make regular journeys was first
introduced in Paris in 1828 and introduced to London by Shillibeer in 1829 when
one carrying 22 passengers ran from Paddington to the Bank.
Omnis 5.0
Omnis 5 is a relational database package designed to be run under MS Windows.
This is a database package designed to make the the most of the graphical Front
end using Windows and allows you to create applications using a graphical
interface to make things easier to use for the end user. Within the package you
can design various datatabases and then using the applications generator you
can create a front end for this database using pictures and icons and you also
have full access to all the fonts that windows can handle. Alternatively you
may use the programming language that comes with this package to write the
applications yourself. Omnis 5 is compatible with Omnis running on the Apple
Mac so it is possible to create applications under the Mac version then use it
on the PC and vice versa. You may also run the two versions over a network and
have the version running the same applcation on the network sharing common
data. There is also a feature within Omnis to access CL/1 SQL server to
incorpoate SQL functions within an application. Omnis 5 is suited to developers
wanting to develop relational database applications with a graphical front end.
Also a good use for this package is developing multi user applications to
bridge between Mac and PC.
Omnis Quartz
Omnis Quartz is a database manager operating within the Windows environment.
This environment uses pull-down menus, scaleable fonts, scrollable lists,
dialog boxes, overlapping windows and most of the other elements common to this
graphical interface. These elements are used to make selections, assemble
sequences of commands from the set of Quartz programming commands and functions
and to define the look and functions of the database application, when
completed. End-users will interact with database applications through layout
windows. While the number of windows in a layout cannot be greater than twelve,
multiple windows may be opened at once. Only the uppermost window is active and
available for data entry. Layout windows can hold a maximum of 120 fields from
up to twelve files, with files being opened when a layout is chosen for data
entry. With most databases, any programming instructions are usually held
separately, often as text files. Omnis Quartz stores the programming
instructions - the sequences - as part of the menu structure. A sequence of
commands can be associated with every menu line - sequences can be up to 5K
long with a storage limit of 30K for each menu. Each of the menu lines has a
number and can also be assigned a name to appear on the menu line. When
"writing" an application, a window opens to show the sequences associated with
each line of the menu. Sequences may be called by other sequences or accessed
from push buttons or menu choices on entry layouts. Quartz comes into its own
for turnkey applications where the advantages of the Windows interface can be
fully exploited.
Ondograph
An ondograph is an instrument for graphically recording oscillatory variations,
as in alternating current.
One and Thirty
One and Thirty was a card game played in England in the 17th century. Each
player is dealt a three-card hand. Face cards count 10 points and pip cards
count face value. Players can draw further cards aiming to get as near 31 as
possible without going over that total.
One Hundred
One Hundred is a card game played with a normal deck of 52 cards for three to
six players. If there are seven or more players two decks are used. Each player
begins with three chips and the object of the game is to be the last player to
have any chips left.
Oneg Shabbat
Oneg Shabbat is a Jewish celebration in honour of the Sabbath that takes place
on Friday evening or Saturday afternoon and usually includes a programme of
songs, a lecture and refreshments.
Ontology
In philosophy, ontology is the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature
of being.
Oocyte
An oocyte is an immature female germ cell that gives rise to an ovum after two
meiotic divisions.
Oolong
Oolong is a kind of dark tea, grown in China, that is partly fermented before
being dried.
Oosphere
An oosphere is a large female gamete produced in the oogonia of algae and fungi.
Oospore
An oospore is a thick-walled sexual spore that develops from a fertilised
oosphere in some algae and fungi.
Ootheca
An ootheca is a capsule containing eggs that is produced by some insects and
molluscs.
Ootid
In Zoology, an ootid is an immature female gamete that develops into an ovum.
Opera
Opera is a stage entertainment consisting of a play sung to music in its
entirety, with no spoken dialogue at all. Opera originated in Italy around 1600
and has subsequently spread throughout the world.
Opera bouffe
An opera bouffe was a type of light or satirical opera common in France during
the 19th century.
Opera comique
An opera comique was a type of opera, not necessarily comic, current in France
during the 19th century and characterised by spoken dialogue. It originated in
satirical parodies of grand opera.
Operating System
In computing, an operating system (OS) is the foundation software of a machine
that schedules tasks, allocates storage, and presents a default interface to
the user between applications.
Ophicleide
The ophicleide was a brass musical instrument, now replaced by the brass tuba.
Opti-Net
In the days when CD ROMs were expensive, companies with a NetBIOS compatible
network and a CD ROM application could provide up to 100 network users
simultaneous access to one CD ROM drive with Opti-Net. Opti-Net was installed
on a network workstation and not on a network file server, so there was no
speed degradation of the network. The product was installed as a dedicated CD
ROM server or run as a TSR, with other applications running simultaneously.
Opti-Net supported up to 32 CD ROM drives attached to the CD ROM server. Each
CD ROM drive was accessed as a separate local drive.
Optophone
The optophone is an instrument invented by Fournier d'Albe, by means of which
the letters of ordinary print are caused to produce characteristic musical
sounds by being projected optically on to a screen composed of a number of
selnium cells connected to an AC electrical source of audio frequency, and to a
loud speaker.
Oratorio
An oratorio is a musical setting of religious incidents scored for an
orchestra, choir, or solo voices on a scale larger and more dramatic than a
cantata. The term originates from the 16th century when the first oratory was
performed in Rome.
Oratory
see "Oratorio"
Orbit
An orbit is the path or trajectory of a body through space. A force of
attraction or repulsion from a second body usually causes the path to be
curved. A familiar type of orbit occurs when one body revolves around a second,
strongly attracting body. In the solar system the force of gravity causes the
moon to orbit about the earth and the planets to orbit about the sun, whereas
in an atom electrical forces cause electrons to orbit about the nucleus. In
astronomy, the orbits resulting from gravitational forces are the subject of
the scientific field of celestial mechanics.
Ordeal
Ordeal is a primitive mode of trial of testing the guilt of an accused person
based upon the belief that heaven will protect the innocent and allow the
guilty to suffer. Methods employed include walking barefoot on hot coals,
dipping the hands into boiling water and carrying red hot irons.
Order of the Garter
The Order of the Garter is a dignitary awarded for chivalry. It was implemented
in 1349.
Ordovician
The Ordovician period was the fourth geological period, 375,000,000 years ago.
Orekhovo Klub Sport
see "Dynamo Moscow"
Org Plus
Org Plus is a computer flowcharter program with a single purpose - to help you
draw up and manage the personnel structure within your organisation. Because it
is dedicated to a single job, Org Plus offers a range of options that other
more generalist charting software can't.
Organic
In chemistry, the term organic refers to substances which occur naturally as
constituents of organised bodies.
Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of the compounds of carbon.
OrgPlus Advanced
OrgPlus Advanced by Banner Blue offers an easy way to create organisation
charts with your PC. The program reduces the time it takes to create and
maintain data for organization charts and helps keep your organisation chart
up-to-date. To create a chart, you begin with the top level and work down. You
can enter names, titles, and comments for each entry, and then define further
branching entries. The product automatically draws and spaces boxes, centres
text, and lays out the connecting lines. There are seven chart styles and eight
box styles to choose from. Each box can contain a name, title, four comments,
and six amount fields. You can customise charts on-screen and print sideways
without additional software. The product lets you create organisation charts
with up to 600 positions, if you have sufficient memory. After OrgPlus Advanced
automatically draws your chart, you can electronically cut and paste it on the
screen. Features include the ability to draw vertical and horizontal lines,
enhance text with bold, underline, or italics, add boxes and notes anywhere on
a chart, make chart titles larger, and move, copy, or delete blocks of
information.
Origami
Origami is the art of paper folding.
Orion
Orion is a constellation located on the celestial equator east of Taurus. It is
a rectangular configuration with three stars in line near its center. It is
represented on pictorial charts as the figure of Orion, the hunter in Greek
mythology, standing with uplifted club. Three bright stars represent his belt
and three fainter stars aligned south of the belt represent his sword.
Ormolu
Ormolu is an alloy of brass used in making candlesticks, small statues and
other articles. The composition is generally 58 per cent copper, 26 per cent
zinc and 16 per cent tin.
Ornithology
Ornithology is the scientific study of birds.
Orris Root
Orris root is the powdered root of Iris florentina, the common white flowered
iris. It was used in making perfume before the advent of synthetic scents.
Orthicon
An orthicon is a form of television camera tube in which the optical image to
be transmitted is projected on a photo-sensitive mosaic on the far side of a
transparent signal plate, a charge pattern thus being produced on the mosaic.
Ortho-Toluidine
Ortho-Toluidine is a form of toluidine used in the manufacture of rosaniline.
OS
see "Operating System"
OS/2
OS/2 was the anointed successor to MS-DOS for Intel 286 and 386 based micros.
Some say it was proof that IBM/Microsoft couldn't get it right the second time,
either. On January the 28th, 1991, Microsoft announced that it was dropping its
OS/2 development to concentrate on Windows, leaving the OS entirely in the
hands of IBM.
Osmiridium
Osmiridium (iridosmine) is a naturally occurring alloy of osmium and iridium.
Osmium
Osmium is a blue-white metal element with the symbol Os. It is volatile and
very poisonous.
Osmosis
In chemistry, osmosis is the passage of fluid from a less concentrated solution
to a more concentrated solution through a semipermeable membrane.
Otis
Otis is the world's largest manufacturer of elevators (lifts).
Otto of Roses
see "Attar"
Ottocento
Ottocento is a Tarot game for four players that comes from Bologna. Tarot games
have been played in that city for over 500 years, and the game of Ottocento as
currently played preserves distinct characteristics (both of the games and of
the pack of cards) which go back at least to the 16th century. Ottocento is a
point-trick game, with trumps. The cards have point values individually (as in
other Tarot games) but also score in combinations. There is no bidding, but
players can score by declaring card combinations held in their hands at the
start of play, as well as for combinations taken in tricks. There are four
players, two against two in fixed partnerships. Play is anticlockwise. The pack
is known as the Tarocco Bolognese - the version of the Tarot pack that has been
used at Bologna since the 16th century. This pack is produced and sold by the
main Italian playing-card manufacturers. It is somewhat similar to other
Italian-suited Tarot packs, but omits the two to the five of each plain suit,
and has other peculiarities found only at Bologna.
Ounce
The ounce is a unit of measurement of the avoirdupois scale equivalent to 16
drams or 28.350 grams.
Ounces
see "ounce"
Overcoil
In clock and watch making an overcoil is a fixed end of a spiral hairspring,
consisting of an upwardly and inwardly bent continuation of the outermost coil
of the spring and used to offset the asymmetry of the common spiral spring when
tight, which impairs isochronism.
Oxalic acid
Oxalic acid (acid of sugar) is a poison found in rhubarb.
Oxgang
see "Bovate"
Oxidation
Oxidation is the chemical combination of atoms with oxygen atoms to form
oxides. In metals, the process appears as rust, iron rust being iron oxide, a
molecule formed of iron atoms combined with oxygen atoms.
Oxide
In chemistry, an oxide is a compound of oxygen and some other element.
Oxidise
The term oxidise refers to the chemical reaction of oxidation.
Oxygen
Oxygen is an element that is found free as a colourless, odourless, tasteless
gas in the atmosphere, of which it constitutes 21%. It is found in water, most
rocksand minerals, and in numerous compounds; it is capable of combining with
all of the elements, except for the inert gases; it is active in physiological
processes and especially in combustive processes. It has the symbol O.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that stimulates the uterus in late pregnancy to initiate
and sustain labour.
Ozone
Ozone is a blue gas. The molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms.
