The American Heritage Science DictionaryAmerican Heritage Dictionary The American Heritage(R) Science Dictionary defines the working vocabulary of the sciences in language that general readers can read and enjoy. Clearly written and richly illustrated, the dictionary covers all the major fields of science, from the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to the applied realms of medicine, ecology, and computer science. Each entry is written in an easy-to-understand style, and many entries are accompanied by instructive photographs and drawings. Important scientific concepts, such as relativity, genetic sequencing, and plate tectonics, are further explained in notes accompanying the entries. The dictionary also includes biographical entries that describe the achievements of great scientists, from ancients like Archimedes and Aristotle to modern scientists like Rosalyn Yalow and Roger Sperry. With cross-references linking related entries and informative tables and charts, The American Heritage(R) Science Dictionary is the perfect reference book for people looking to improve their science literacy, complete homework assignments, or understand breakthroughs reported in the headlines. - 8,500 entries in all areas of science - Over 350 photographs and drawings - 320 biographies of notable scientists - 175 notes on key scientific concepts - Useful tables and charts |
Contents
Timeline of Scientific Discovery | 689 |
CONTENTS | xv |
RÍO DEL NORTE I | 8 |
X | 39 |
JOSIAH GREGG from Commerce of the Prairies 47 | 47 |
WILLIAM LANGEWIESCHE from Cutting for Sign 54 | 54 |
CHARLES BOWDEN from Down by the River 60 | 60 |
CECILIA BALLÍ Ciudad de la Muerte 69 | 69 |
STEPHEN HARRIGAN Highway One from Comanche Midnight | 175 |
LARRY MCMURTRY from Lonesome Dove 183 | 183 |
ELMER KELTON from The Time It Never Rained 194 | 194 |
TOM MILLER Confessions of a Parrot Trooper from On the Border 203 | 203 |
JOHN DAVIDSON from The Long Road North 219 | 219 |
MARÍA EUGENIA GUERRA Nothing to Declare 231 | 231 |
LA FRONTERA 242 | 245 |
ROLANDO HINOJOSA from A Sense of Place 251 | 251 |
JOHN GRAVES Big River 95 | 95 |
JOHN REED from Insurgent Mexico | 111 |
ROBERT DRAPER Soldiers of Misfortune 117 | 117 |
ROBERT T HILL from Running the Cañons of the Rio Grande 139 | 139 |
WOODY GUTHRIE from Seeds of Man 150 | 150 |
JOHN SPONG Sand Trap 156 | 156 |
JAMES CARLOS BLAKE from In the Rogue Blood 262 | 273 |
AMÉRICO PAREDES from George Washington Gómez 279 | 279 |
OSCAR CASARES Domingo from Brownsville 303 | 313 |
Contributors 321 | 321 |
Acknowledgments and Credits 333 | 333 |
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Common terms and phrases
Adjective algae amino acid angle animals atmosphere Atomic number atomic weight bacteria blood body boiling point bone called carbon carpels caused celestial cells characterized Chemical formula chromosomes color colorless Compare compound consisting containing device disease Earth electric charge electromagnetic electrons element energy especially example flower fluid force fungi galaxies gametes gametophyte gene genetic genus gland gravity heat hormone humans hydrogen igneous rock infection layer light liquid magnetic field mammals mass measure meiosis melting point membrane ment metal mineral mitosis molecules neutrons Nobel Prize nuclear nucleus object occurs ocean orbit organic compounds organisms oxygen Periodic Table photosynthesis physical physicist plants Plural pressure produced protein protons quantum quark radiation radioactive reaction region Relating result rock rotation salt solar star structure subatomic particle substance surface symbol temperature theory tion tissue tube unit usually valence various vertebrates waves