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chemistry |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 10. (Mus.) a Produced by natural organs, as those of the human throat, in distinction from instrumental music. b Of or pertaining to a key which has neither a flat nor a sharp for its signature, as the key of C major. c Applied to an air or modulation of harmony which moves by easy and smooth transitions, digressing but little from the original key. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). {Natural day}, the space of twenty-four hours. --Chaucer. {Natural fats}, {Natural gas}, etc See under {Fat}, {Gas}. etc {Natural Harmony} (Mus.), the harmony of the triad or common chord. {Natural history}, in its broadest sense a history or description of nature as a whole, incuding the sciences of {botany}, {zo["o]logy}, {geology}, {mineralogy}, {paleontology}, {chemistry}, and {physics}. In recent usage the term is often restricted to the sciences of botany and zo["o]logy collectively, and sometimes to the science of zoology alone. {Natural law}, that instinctive sense of justice and of right and wrong which is native in mankind, as distinguished from specifically revealed divine law, and formulated human law. {Natural modulation} (Mus.), transition from one key to its relative keys. {Natural order}. (Nat. Hist.) See under {order}. {Natural person}. (Law) See under {person}, n. {Natural philosophy}, originally, the study of nature in general; in modern usage, that branch of physical science, commonly called {physics}, which treats of the phenomena and laws of matter and considers those effects only which are unaccompanied by any change of a chemical nature; -- contrasted with mental and moral philosophy. {Natural scale} (Mus.), a scale which is written without flats or sharps. Model would be a preferable term, as less likely to mislead, the so-called artificial scales (scales represented by the use of flats and sharps) being equally natural with the so-called natural scale {Natural science}, natural history, in its broadest sense -- used especially in contradistinction to mental or moral science. {Natural selection} (Biol.), a supposed operation of natural laws analogous, in its operation and results, to designed selection in breeding plants and animals, and resulting in the survival of the fittest. The theory of natural selection supposes that this has been brought about mainly by gradual changes of environment which have led to corresponding changes of structure, and that those forms which have become so modified as to be best adapted to the changed environment have tended to survive and leave similarly adapted descendants, while those less perfectly adapted have tended to die out though lack of fitness for the environment, thus resulting in the survival of the fittest. See {Darwinism}. {Natural system} (Bot. & Zo["o]l.), a classification based upon real affinities, as shown in the structure of all parts of the organisms, and by their embryology. It should be borne in mind that the natural system of botany is natural only in the constitution of its genera, tribes, orders etc., and in its grand divisions. --Gray. {Natural theology}, or {Natural religion}, that part of theological science which treats of those evidences of the existence and attributes of the Supreme Being which are exhibited in nature; -- distinguished from revealed religion. See Quotation under {Natural}, a., 3. {Natural vowel}, the vowel sound heard in urn, furl, sir, her etc.; -- so called as being uttered in the easiest open position of the mouth organs. See {Neutral vowel}, under {Neutral} and Guide to Pronunciation, [sect] 17. Syn: See {Native}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Chemistry \Chem"is*try\ (k[e^]m"[i^]s*tr[y^]; 277), n. [From {Chemist}. See {Alchemy}.] 1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See {Atom}, {Molecule}. Note: Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified. 2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo. 3. A treatise on chemistry. Note: This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography. {Inorganic chemistry}, that which treats of inorganic or mineral substances. {Organic chemistry}, that which treats of the substances which form the structure of organized beings and their products, whether animal or vegetable; -- called also {chemistry of the carbon compounds}. There is no fundamental difference between organic and inorganic chemistry. {Physiological chemistry}, the chemistry of the organs and tissues of the body, and of the various physiological processes incident to life. {Practical chemistry}, or {Applied chemistry}, that which treats of the modes of manufacturing the products of chemistry that are useful in the arts, of their applications to economical purposes, and of the conditions essential to their best use {Pure chemistry}, the consideration of the facts and theories of chemistry in their purely scientific relations, without necessary reference to their practical applications or mere utility. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: chemistry n 1: the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions [syn: {chemical science}] 2: the way two individuals relate to each other "their chemistry was wrong from the beginning -- they hated each other" [syn: {interpersonal chemistry}]
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