General Glossary (About the EoE)

Latin dictionary developed by Egidio Forcellini in the 18th century. Source: Marcus Gossler, CC-BY-SA

General Glossary

Published: October 2, 2013, 9:39 am
C Michael Hogan
Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

This general glossary compiles definitions of specialized terms used throughout the Encyclopedia of Earth. Each term listed below has had a blue link created to allow authors to link to the given term in any article without having the reader leave the page. The terms below are words or phrases for which an entire article on the Encylopedia of Earth is not necessarily envisioned:

• Allohexaploidcells holding six copies of each chromosome: Cells holding six copies of each chromosome
• AnuranAn amphibian that has limbs but no tail (includes all frogs and toads): An amphibian that has limbs but no tail (includes all frogs and toads)
• ArheicRegion which generates no significant surface water runoff: Region that generates no significant surface water runoff
• Atomic numberThe number of protons in the nucleus of a given atom: The number of protons in the nucleus of a given atom
• BenthopelagicOrganisms inhabiting the lower portion of the water column in surface waters.: Organisms inhabiting the lower portion of the water column in surface waters.
• CalcareousSoils which are high in limestone content: Soils which are high in limestone content.
• CatchmentCatchment is the entire area of a hydrological drainage basin.: The entire area of a hydrological drainage basin
• CirqueAn amphitheatre-shaped valley head, formed by glacial erosion: An amphitheatre-shaped valley head, formed by glacial erosion
• DemersalAn organism living at the bottom of a surface water system.: An organism living at the bottom of a surface water system
• DiadromousFish that migrate between seawater and freshwater: Fish that migrate between seawater and freshwater
• DiploidCells holding two copies of each chromosome: Cells holding two copies of each chromosome
• Distributarystream channel that branches off from a river mainstem: Stream channel that branches off from a river mainstem
• EndothermicA process or reaction that absorbs energy, most often as heat: A process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat
• ExothermicA process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat, light or sound : A process or reaction that releases energy, most often as heat, light or sound
• Fossorialan animal that engages in burrowing or living underground: An animal that engages in burrowing or living underground
• IntactThe condition of an ecological habitat being an undisturbed or natural environment: The condition of an ecological habitat being an undisturbed or natural environment
• LateriteA soil type rich in aluminum and iron, found in wet tropical zones: A soil type rich in aluminum and iron, found in wet tropical zones
• LenticSurface waters which are essentially still, such as lakes, ponds or puddles: Surface waters which are essentially still, such as lakes, ponds or puddles
• LoticSurface waters which are in motion, such as springs, streams, rivers; Surface waters which are in motion, such as springs, streams, rivers
• Mesichabitat characterized by moderate soil moisture: Habitat characterized by moderate soil moisture
• Noble gasAny of the elements with complete electron shells: helium, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, radon: Any of the elements with complete electron shells: helium, neon, argon, xenon, krypton, radon
• Post-glacial reboundRise of a land mass previously depressed by massive glacier in a prior ice age: Rise of a land mass previously depressed by massive glacier in a prior ice age
• PotamodromousFish that migrate within a river system: Fish that migrate within a river system
• Siliceoussoils which are crystalline in nature, chiefly silica, and typically acidic: Soils which are crystalline in nature, chiefly silica, and typically acidic
• TetraploidCells holding four copies of chromosomes: Cells holding four copies of each chromosome
• ThermokarstIrregular surace landforms resulting from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost: Irregular surace landforms resulting from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost
• UltramaficRock that is elevated in iron and magnesium content, and low in potassium: Rock that is elevated in iron and magnesium, and low in potassium
• Versanta region of land sloping in one general direction: A region of land sloping in one general direction.
• VicarianceFormation of a physical barrier that splits a biological taxon range, blocking gene flow or dispersal: Formation of a physical barrier that splits a biological taxon range, blocking gene flow or dispersal
• Wind pruningA process whereby trees have an asymetric form due to persistant high winds from a predominant direction: A process where trees have an asymmetric form due to persistant high winds from a predominant direction
• XericArid land receiving less than 25 centimeters of rainfall annually: Arid land receiving less than 25 centimeters of rainfall annually

Notes:

Authors wishing to add to this list should:

• Determine that the term has not been previously added to the glossary under a similar name
• Make sure the glossary term has been properly added to at least one article

Citation

Hogan, C. (2013). General Glossary. Retrieved from http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/General_Glossary_(About_the_EoE)