physical process

any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

(medicine) the process of removing a heavy metal from the bloodstream by means of a chelate as in treating lead or mercury poisoning

a process whereby voters are moved toward nonpartisanship thus weakening the structure of political parties

a process of becoming smaller or shorter

the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality

a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)

any process affecting the production and development and management of material wealth

the process of enclosing (as in a capsule)

(computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer

a process in which human beings are involved

a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important

a systematic series of mechanical or chemical operations that produce or manufacture something

any process that is not reversible

(computer science) executing the same set of instructions a given number of times or until a specified result is obtained

(computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated

a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)

process or manner of functioning or operating

a process occurring in living organisms

the process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces

preparing or putting through a prescribed procedure

any process in which a system can be made to pass through the same states in the reverse order when the process is reversed

(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)

any process serving to define the shape of something

the process of varying or being varied

(statistics) correlated variation

the spread of a group of organisms into new habitats

all phenomena that are not artificial

the phenomenon of a person or thing rising into the air by apparently supernatural means

after death the soul begins a new cycle of existence in another human body

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome

a periodically recurring phenomenon that alternately increases and decreases some quantity

(physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium

a process of increasing by addition (as to a collection or group)

an increase by natural growth or addition

(geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment

(biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles

(astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases

an industrial process for making graphite by heating a mixture of coke and clay

the process of becoming acid or being converted into an acid

the process of adapting to something (such as environmental conditions)

(thermodynamics) any process that occurs without gain or loss of heat

the process of exposing to air (so as to purify)

a clumping of bacteria or red cells when held together by antibodies (agglutinins)

the organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age

the process of producing pictures in contrasting colors that appear three-dimensional when superimposed and viewed through spectacles with one red and one green lens

the absence of ovulation due to immaturity or post-maturity or pregnancy or oral contraceptive pills or dysfunction of the ovary

the process of preventing redeposition

the process of inhibiting the growth and multiplication of microorganisms

the development of a consonant phoneme into a sibilant

the process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion

the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)

process for producing permanent prints in a carbon pigment

(physiology) processes that maintain a generally constant physiological state in a cell or organism

inhibition of the growth of bacteria

the serial execution of computer programs

an industrial process for making steel using a Bessemer converter to blast air through molten iron and thus burning the excess carbon and impurities; the first successful method of making steel in quantity at low cost

the organic process of bearing flowers

processing that involves blowing a gas

an organic process that takes place in the body

any process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle

a process whereby a star or planet holds an object in its gravitational field

the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again

breakdown in living organisms of more complex substances into simpler ones together with release of energy

the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form daughter cells

the process of separating substances of different densities by the use of a centrifuge

(chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved

a process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency

the formation of stonelike objects within a body organ (e.g., the kidneys)

the process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state

(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere

the interchange of sections between pairing homologous chromosomes during the prophase of meiosis

the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid

an industrial process for extracting gold and silver by treating ore with a sodium cyanide solution

(computer science) a series of operations on data by a computer in order to retrieve or transform or classify information

a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current

the process of gradually becoming inferior

change toward something smaller or lower

a process of becoming deeper and more profound

a contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices

the loss of foliage

the process of removing magnetization

the ability and desire to purchase goods and services

the loss of the mineral content of bone tissue

the process of reducing sensitivity

changing from an adsorbed state on a surface to a gaseous or liquid state

processing a photosensitive material in order to make an image visible

(physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentration

the organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed into the body

a photographic method that stores the image digitally for later reproduction

a reduction of prices intended to improve the balance of payments

separation into component parts

the process of purifying a liquid by boiling it and condensing its vapors

the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)

a former photographic method that used a glass plate coated with a light-sensitive gelatinous emulsion

a change that occurs in degenerative joint disease in which bone is converted into a dense smooth substance resembling ivory

the escape of blood from ruptured blood vessels into the surrounding tissue to form a purple or black-and-blue spot on the skin

steady growth in the productive capacity of the economy (and so a growth of national income)

shortening of the uterine cervix and thinning of its walls as it is dilated during labor

the process of bubbling as gas escapes

the motion of charged particles in a colloid under the influence of an electric field; particles with a positive charge go to the cathode and negative to the anode

a process that removes suspended dust particles from a gas by applying a high voltage electrostatic charge to the particles and collecting them on charged plates

the process of producing red blood cells by the stem cells in the bone marrow

(ecology) the process by which a plant or animal becomes established in a new habitat

excessive nutrients in a lake or other body of water, usually caused by runoff of nutrients (animal waste, fertilizers, sewage) from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life; the decomposition of the plants depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of animal life

(biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms

(genetics) the process of expressing a gene

the reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation

the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means

the process of exuding or passing out of a vessel into surrounding tissues; said of blood or lymph or urine

the process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input in order to regulate its further output

the process whereby fluids pass through a filter or a filtering medium

the process of flocculating; forming woolly cloudlike aggregations

any uninterrupted stream or discharge

natural process that causes something to form

the process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age; the process of being turned to stone

a process that uses heat to separate a substance into its components

the process in which a gastrula develops from a blastula by the inward migration of cells

(geology) a natural process whereby geological features are modified

growth to a global or worldwide scale

the formation in animals of glycogen from glucose

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

a progression from simpler to more complex forms

an industrial process for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen by combining them under high pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst

the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization

the formation of blood cells in the living body (especially in the bone marrow)

the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next

the process of the formation of humus from plant remains

the suppression of a gene by the effect of an unrelated gene

(embryology) the organic process whereby a fertilized egg becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus of placental mammals

the process of rendering inactive

a general and progressive increase in prices

(physiology) the process whereby nerves can retard or prevent the functioning of an organ or part

the folding in of an outer layer so as to form a pocket in the surface

reduction in size of an organ or part (as in the return of the uterus to normal size after childbirth)

a process in which ions are exchanged between a solution and an insoluble (usually resinous) solid; widely used in industrial processing

the process of ionizing; the formation of ions by separating atoms or molecules or radicals or by adding or subtracting electrons from atoms by strong electric fields in a gas

organic process consisting of the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following karyokinesis bringing about the separation into two daughter cells

organic process consisting of the division of the nucleus of a cell during mitosis or meiosis

organic process by which keratin is deposited in cells and the cells become horny (as in nails and hair)

in all plants and animals: a series of enzymatic reactions in mitochondria involving oxidative metabolism of acetyl compounds to produce high-energy phosphate compounds that are the source of cellular energy

the process of leaching

a process involved in human language

the formation of lymphocytes in the bone marrow and lymph nodes and thymus and spleen

the process by which a bacterium acquires a phage that becomes integrated into its genome

the process that makes a substance magnetic (temporarily or permanently)

the interaction of supply and demand that shapes a market economy

the process of coming into being; becoming reality

coming to full development; becoming mature

the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life

the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals

a multiplicative increase

the execution of two or more computer programs by a single computer

a decrease in width

the circulation of nitrogen; nitrates from the soil are absorbed by plants which are eaten by animals that die and decay returning the nitrogen back to the soil

the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for plant use on the death of the bacteria

failure of normal development to occur

(physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei

(physiology) the organic process of nourishing or being nourished; the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and maintenance

the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date

the process of becoming cloudy or opaque

the process of organ formation

the process of oscillating between states

the developmental process of bone formation

the process of becoming rigidly fixed in a conventional pattern of thought or behavior

the expulsion of an ovum from the ovary (usually midway in the menstrual cycle)

an enzymatic process in cell metabolism that synthesizes ATP from ADP

the process of providing or combining or treating with oxygen

the transformation of a gamma-ray photon into an electron and a positron when the photon passes close to an atomic nucleus

the process of giving birth

an organic process occurring as a consequence of disease

the process of living through a number of years (as a perennial plant)

a change from one state (solid or liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition

the process whereby printing surfaces (plates or cylinders) are produced by photographic methods

increase in the number of people who inhabit a territory or state

a process for identifying minerals or crystals; a small rod is coated with a powdered form of the substance and subjected to suitably modified X-rays; the pattern of diffracted rings is used for identification

a slow westward shift of the equinoxes along the plane of the ecliptic caused by precession of the Earth's axis of rotation

a process that saves organic substances from decay

a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number of deadly weapons)

a process that is assumed to occur in psychoanalytic theory

a rapid and abundant increase

the swelling of the capsule surrounding a microorganism after reaction with an antibody; the basis of certain tests for identifying microorganisms

the process of showing signs of life

the process of making a radiograph; producing an image on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light

the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)

(biology) growth anew of lost tissue or destroyed parts or organs

(embryology) the ability of an early embryo to continue normal development after its structure has been somehow damaged or altered

(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers

a process that liberates or discharges something

(genetics) the process whereby DNA makes a copy of itself before cell division

the process of generating offspring

the organic process in which the substance of some differentiated structure that has been produced by the body undergoes lysis and assimilation

acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time

(geology) the leaping movement of sand or soil particles as they are transported in a fluid medium over an uneven surface

the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer

the physical process in which particles are deflected haphazardly as a result of collisions

the organic process of synthesizing and releasing some substance

(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes

raising silkworms in order to obtain raw silk

the process whereby something is shed

(technology) a process that acts to absorb or remove energy or a substance from a system

a decrease of transmitted power in a mechanical system caused by slipping

the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)

a process involved in the formation of groups of persons

the process of becoming softer

an industrial process for producing sodium carbonate from sodium chloride and ammonia and carbon dioxide

the process in which one substance takes up or holds another (by either absorption or adsorption)

(technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system

a continuously accelerating change in the economy

the process of becoming stiff or rigid

(physiology) the effect of a stimulus (on nerves or organs etc.)

(ecology) the gradual and orderly process of change in an ecosystem brought about by the progressive replacement of one community by another until a stable climax is established

(physiology) the process whereby multiple stimuli can produce a response (in a muscle or nerve or other part) that one stimulus alone does not produce

offering goods and services for sale

a natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to the environment

a growing together of parts or structures

the side by side pairing of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes at the start of meiosis

the working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects

the contraction of chromatin towards one side of the nucleus during the prophase of meiosis

a process whereby the degree of hotness of a body (or medium) changes

(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA; the process whereby a base sequence of messenger RNA is synthesized on a template of complementary DNA

the process whereby a transducer accepts energy in one form and gives back related energy in a different form

(genetics) the process of transfering genetic material from one cell to another by a plasmid or bacteriophage

(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm

the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape

(genetics) an exchange of chromosome parts

the transport of dissolved material within a plant

the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants

the passage of gases through fine tubes because of differences in pressure or temperature

the process of tumefying; the organic process whereby tissue becomes swollen by the accumulation of fluid within it

the process of ulcer formation; the process of becoming ulcerated

a developmental process

a process of taking up or using up or consuming

the organic process whereby body tissue becomes vascular and develops capillaries

the formation of vesicles in or beneath the skin

the process of capturing and converting and storing video images for use by a computer

the process of becoming vitreous

process of treating rubber or rubberlike materials with sulphur at great heat to improve elasticity and strength or to harden them

the process of wasting

an increase in width

eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness