types:
phenomenon
any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning
chelation
(medicine) the process of removing a heavy metal from the bloodstream by means of a chelate as in treating lead or mercury poisoning
dealignment
a process whereby voters are moved toward nonpartisanship thus weakening the structure of political parties
degeneration,
devolution
the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
development,
evolution
a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)
economic process
any process affecting the production and development and management of material wealth
industrial process
a systematic series of mechanical or chemical operations that produce or manufacture something
iteration,
looping
(computer science) executing the same set of instructions a given number of times or until a specified result is obtained
iteration,
loop
(computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated
photography
the process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces
processing
preparing or putting through a prescribed procedure
reversible process
any process in which a system can be made to pass through the same states in the reverse order when the process is reversed
sensitisation,
sensitization
(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)
variation
the process of varying or being varied
empowerment
the process of gaining confidence, strength, and the capacity for self-determination
radiation
the spread of a group of organisms into new habitats
levitation
the phenomenon of a person or thing rising into the air by apparently supernatural means
chance,
fortune,
hazard,
luck
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
fortune,
luck
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that leads to a favorable outcome
pulsation
a periodically recurring phenomenon that alternately increases and decreases some quantity
absorption
(physics) the process in which incident radiated energy is retained without reflection or transmission on passing through a medium
accession
a process of increasing by addition (as to a collection or group)
accretion
(geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment
accretion
(biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles
accretion
(astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases
Acheson process
an industrial process for making graphite by heating a mixture of coke and clay
acidification
the process of becoming acid or being converted into an acid
adiabatic process
(thermodynamics) any process that occurs without gain or loss of heat
aeration
the process of exposing to air (so as to purify)
agglutination
a clumping of bacteria or red cells when held together by antibodies (agglutinins)
anaglyphy
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
anovulation
the absence of ovulation due to immaturity or post-maturity or pregnancy or oral contraceptive pills or dysfunction of the ovary
antisepsis,
asepsis
the process of inhibiting the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
assibilation
the development of a consonant phoneme into a sibilant
attack
the onset of a corrosive or destructive process (as by a chemical agent)
autoregulation
(physiology) processes that maintain a generally constant physiological state in a cell or organism
Bessemer process
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
blowing
processing that involves blowing a gas
capture
any process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle
capture
a process whereby a star or planet holds an object in its gravitational field
carbon cycle
the organic circulation of carbon from the atmosphere into organisms and back again
centrifugation
the process of separating substances of different densities by the use of a centrifuge
chromatography
a process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency
concretion
the formation of stonelike objects within a body organ (e.g., the kidneys)
condensation
the process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state
convection
(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere
crossing over,
crossover
the interchange of sections between pairing homologous chromosomes during the prophase of meiosis
cyanide process
an industrial process for extracting gold and silver by treating ore with a sodium cyanide solution
data processing
(computer science) a series of operations on data by a computer in order to retrieve or transform or classify information
decay,
decline
a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
decay
the process of gradually becoming inferior
deepening
a process of becoming deeper and more profound
deflation
a contraction of economic activity resulting in a decline of prices
demand
the ability and desire to purchase goods and services
desorption
changing from an adsorbed state on a surface to a gaseous or liquid state
diffusion
(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
digestion
the organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed into the body
digital photography
a photographic method that stores the image digitally for later reproduction
disinflation
a reduction of prices intended to improve the balance of payments
drift
the gradual departure from an intended course due to external influences (as a ship or plane)
dry plate,
dry plate process
a former photographic method that used a glass plate coated with a light-sensitive gelatinous emulsion
eburnation
a change that occurs in degenerative joint disease in which bone is converted into a dense smooth substance resembling ivory
ecchymosis
the escape of blood from ruptured blood vessels into the surrounding tissue to form a purple or black-and-blue spot on the skin
economic growth
steady growth in the productive capacity of the economy (and so a growth of national income)
effacement
shortening of the uterine cervix and thinning of its walls as it is dilated during labor
electrostatic precipitation
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
erythropoiesis
the process of producing red blood cells by the stem cells in the bone marrow
ecesis,
establishment
(ecology) the process by which a plant or animal becomes established in a new habitat
eutrophication
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
expression
(genetics) the process of expressing a gene
extinction
the reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation
extraction
the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means
extravasation
the process of exuding or passing out of a vessel into surrounding tissues; said of blood or lymph or urine
feedback
the process in which part of the output of a system is returned to its input in order to regulate its further output
filtration
the process whereby fluids pass through a filter or a filtering medium
flocculation
the process of flocculating; forming woolly cloudlike aggregations
flow
any uninterrupted stream or discharge
formation
natural process that causes something to form
fossilisation,
fossilization
the process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age; the process of being turned to stone
gastrulation
the process in which a gastrula develops from a blastula by the inward migration of cells
glycogenesis
the formation in animals of glycogen from glucose
growth
a progression from simpler to more complex forms
Haber process,
Haber-Bosch process
an industrial process for producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen by combining them under high pressure in the presence of an iron catalyst
heredity
the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next
humification
the process of the formation of humus from plant remains
implantation,
nidation
(embryology) the organic process whereby a fertilized egg becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus of placental mammals
inhibition
(physiology) the process whereby nerves can retard or prevent the functioning of an organ or part
involution
reduction in size of an organ or part (as in the return of the uterus to normal size after childbirth)
ion exchange
a process in which ions are exchanged between a solution and an insoluble (usually resinous) solid; widely used in industrial processing
ionisation,
ionization
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
cytokinesis
organic process consisting of the division of the cytoplasm of a cell following karyokinesis bringing about the separation into two daughter cells
karyokinesis
organic process consisting of the division of the nucleus of a cell during mitosis or meiosis
lymphopoiesis
the formation of lymphocytes in the bone marrow and lymph nodes and thymus and spleen
market forces
the interaction of supply and demand that shapes a market economy
nitrogen cycle
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
nitrogen fixation
the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by soil bacteria and its release for plant use on the death of the bacteria
nuclear reaction
(physics) a process that alters the energy or structure or composition of atomic nuclei
nutrition
(physiology) the organic process of nourishing or being nourished; the processes by which an organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and maintenance
obsolescence
the process of becoming outdated; falling into disuse
ossification
the process of becoming rigidly fixed in a conventional pattern of thought or behavior
ovulation
the expulsion of an ovum from the ovary (usually midway in the menstrual cycle)
oxygenation
the process of providing or combining or treating with oxygen
perennation
the process of living through a number of years (as a perennial plant)
powder method,
powder photography,
powder technique
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
precession of the equinoxes
a slow westward shift of the equinoxes along the plane of the ecliptic caused by precession of the Earth's axis of rotation
preservation
a process that saves organic substances from decay
proliferation
a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number of deadly weapons)
quellung,
quellung reaction
the swelling of the capsule surrounding a microorganism after reaction with an antibody; the basis of certain tests for identifying microorganisms
radiography,
skiagraphy
the process of making a radiograph; producing an image on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light
regeneration
(biology) growth anew of lost tissue or destroyed parts or organs
regulation
(embryology) the ability of an early embryo to continue normal development after its structure has been somehow damaged or altered
relaxation
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
release
a process that liberates or discharges something
replication
(genetics) the process whereby DNA makes a copy of itself before cell division
reabsorption,
resorption
the organic process in which the substance of some differentiated structure that has been produced by the body undergoes lysis and assimilation
saltation
(geology) the leaping movement of sand or soil particles as they are transported in a fluid medium over an uneven surface
scanning
the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
scattering
the physical process in which particles are deflected haphazardly as a result of collisions
segregation
(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes
sericulture
raising silkworms in order to obtain raw silk
sink
(technology) a process that acts to absorb or remove energy or a substance from a system
slippage
a decrease of transmitted power in a mechanical system caused by slipping
soak,
soakage,
soaking
the process of becoming softened and saturated as a consequence of being immersed in water (or other liquid)
social process
a process involved in the formation of groups of persons
Solvay process
an industrial process for producing sodium carbonate from sodium chloride and ammonia and carbon dioxide
sorption
the process in which one substance takes up or holds another (by either absorption or adsorption)
source
(technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system
spiral
a continuously accelerating change in the economy
stimulation
(physiology) the effect of a stimulus (on nerves or organs etc.)
ecological succession,
succession
(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
summation
(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
supply
offering goods and services for sale
symphysis
a growing together of parts or structures
synapsis
the side by side pairing of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes at the start of meiosis
synergism,
synergy
the working together of two things (muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects
synezesis,
synizesis
the contraction of chromatin towards one side of the nucleus during the prophase of meiosis
transcription
(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
transduction
the process whereby a transducer accepts energy in one form and gives back related energy in a different form
transduction
(genetics) the process of transfering genetic material from one cell to another by a plasmid or bacteriophage
translation
(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm
transpiration
the emission of water vapor from the leaves of plants
transpiration
the passage of gases through fine tubes because of differences in pressure or temperature
tumefaction
the process of tumefying; the organic process whereby tissue becomes swollen by the accumulation of fluid within it
ulceration
the process of ulcer formation; the process of becoming ulcerated
uptake
a process of taking up or using up or consuming
video digitizing
the process of capturing and converting and storing video images for use by a computer
vulcanisation,
vulcanization
process of treating rubber or rubberlike materials with sulphur at great heat to improve elasticity and strength or to harden them
macular degeneration
eye disease caused by degeneration of the cells of the macula lutea and results in blurred vision; can cause blindness