B

/bi/

Definitions of B

1. noun

   the 2nd letter of the Roman alphabet
   synonyms: b

   type of:

   alphabetic character, letter, letter of the alphabet

   the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech
2. noun

   the blood group whose red cells carry the B antigen
   synonyms: group B, type B

   type of:

   blood group, blood type

   human blood cells (usually just the red blood cells) that have the same antigens
3. noun

   originally thought to be a single vitamin but now separated into several B vitamins
   synonyms: B complex, B vitamin, B-complex vitamin, vitamin B, vitamin B complex

   types:

   choline

   a B-complex vitamin that is a constituent of lecithin; essential in the metabolism of fat

   inositol

   an optically inactive alcohol that is a component of the vitamin B complex

   pantothen, pantothenic acid

   a vitamin of the vitamin B complex that performs an important role in the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates and certain amino acids; occurs in many foods

   aneurin, antiberiberi factor, thiamin, thiamine, vitamin B1

   a B vitamin that prevents beriberi; maintains appetite and growth

   antipernicious anemia factor, cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12

   a B vitamin that is used to treat pernicious anemia

   hepatoflavin, lactoflavin, ovoflavin, riboflavin, vitamin B2, vitamin G

   a B vitamin that prevents skin lesions and weight loss

   adermin, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, pyridoxine, vitamin B6

   a B vitamin that is essential for metabolism of amino acids and starch

   folacin, folate, folic acid, pteroylglutamic acid, pteroylmonoglutamic acid, vitamin Bc, vitamin M

   a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth and reproduction

   niacin, nicotinic acid

   a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract

   biotin, vitamin H

   a B vitamin that aids in body growth

   type of:

   water-soluble vitamin

   any vitamin that is soluble in water
4. noun

   a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels
   synonyms: Bel

   type of:

   sound unit

   any acoustic unit of measurement
5. noun

   a trivalent metalloid element; occurs both in a hard black crystal and in the form of a yellow or brown powder
   synonyms: atomic number 5, boron

   type of:

   chemical element, element

   any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
6. noun

   aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
   synonyms: bacillus

   types:

   Bacillus anthracis, anthrax bacillus

   a species of bacillus that causes anthrax in humans and in animals (cattle and swine and sheep and rabbits and mice and guinea pigs); can be used a bioweapon

   Bacillus globigii, Bacillus subtilis, grass bacillus, hay bacillus

   a species of bacillus found in soil and decomposing organic matter; some strains produce antibiotics

   Yersinia pestis

   a bacillus bacterium that causes the plague; aerosolized bacteria can be used as a bioweapon

   type of:

   eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria

   a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella