ExpertGlossary terms starting with B

2,026 terms

block A repetition/replication of the Early, Mid and Late Seral Treatment plots and a Control plot. See Repetition/replication.
block buffering A method of making input and output efficient by passing one "block" at a time. By default, Perl does block buffering to disk files.
block character See end-of-transmission-block character.
block check In the processing or transmission of digital data, an error-control procedure that is used to determine whether a block of data is structured according to…
Block Check Character (BCC) The result of a transmission verification algorithm accumulated over a transmission block, and normally appended at the end, e.g., CRC, LRC.
Block Cipher A symmetric key cryptographic algorithm that transforms a block of information at a time using a cryptographic key.
Block Cipher Algorithm A family of functions and their inverses that is parameterized by a cryptographic key; the function maps bit strings of a fixed length to bit strings of…
block code An error detection and/or correction code in which the encoded block consists of N symbols, containing K information symbols (K<N) and N-K redundant check…
Block Data A group of data records that are manipulated together as a unit, such as database records.
block device A storage device that supports reading and (optionally) writing data in fixed-size blocks, sectors, or clusters.
block device mapping A mapping structure for every AMI and instance that specifies the block devices attached to the instance.
block diagram A diagram of a system, a computer, or a device in which the principal parts are represented by suitably annotated geometrical figures to show both the…
block distortion In the received image in video systems, distortion characterized by the appearance of an underlying block encoding structure.
block dropping A process by which one or more of the less significant bits of all the samples stored in a packet are dropped to alleviate congestion. [T1.509-1995]
block efficiency In a block, the ratio of the number of user information bits to the total number of bits.
Block Enhancement Plan (BEP) The BEP documents Ballistic Missile Defense System technology development objectives and defines the steps necessary to achieve those objectives.
block error A block within which at least one bit error occurs when the block is transferred from the source to the destination within the time slot assigned.
Block Group (BG) A cluster of census blocks having the same first digit of their four-digit identifying numbers within a census tract.
Block Holder The Service Provider to which a thousands-block (NXX-X) has been assigned for use.
block length The number of data units, such as bits, bytes, characters, or records, in a block.
Block Level Analysis A method used to break a page down into multiple points on the web graph by breaking its pages down into smaller blocks.
Block Manager The individual selected to exercise management over a development Block. BMDS Block management includes decision points at which activities will be…
block parity The designation of one or more bits in a block as parity bits used to force the block into a selected parity, either odd or even.
Block phrase A custom word or phrase that the administrator sets for the Content Filter agent to prevent e-mail messages that contain specific words or phrases from…
Block Plan A drawing of a building’s foot print within an entire block in simplified, non-detailed form
Block trade When at least 10,000 shares of stock or bonds valued at $200,000 or more are bought or sold in a single transaction, it is called a block trade.
block transfer The process, initiated by a single action, of transferring one or more blocks of data.
block transfer attempt A coordinated sequence of user and telecommunication system activities undertaken to effect transfer of an individual block from a source user to a…
block transfer efficiency The average ratio of user information bits to total bits in successfully transferred blocks.
block transfer failure Failure to deliver a block successfully. Note: The principal block transfer failure outcomes are: lost block, misdelivered block, and added block.
block transfer rate The number of successful block transfers during a performance measurement period divided by the duration of the period.
block transfer time The average value of the duration of a successful block transfer attempt. Note: A block transfer attempt is successful if (a) the transmitted block is…
block-error probability The expected block-error ratio.
block-error ratio The ratio of the number of incorrectly received blocks to the total number of blocks transferred.
Block-faulted (mountains) Landforms formed by the movement (uplift and tilting) of large crustal blocks during an extensional episode.
block-loss probability The ratio of the number of lost blocks to the total number of block transfer attempts during a specified period.
block-misdelivery probability The ratio of the number of misdelivered blocks to the total number of block transfer attempts during a specified period.
block-numeric A records classification system that assigns number ranges to subjects (e.g., the Dewey Decimal system)
Blocked Call A blocked call is said to have occurred when a call presented to a telecommunications Service Provider (SP) facility cannot be completed due to Blocking.
Blocked Flow Flow approaching a mountain barrier that is too weak or too stable to be carried over the barrier.
Blocking The sticking together or adhesion of successive windings in a tape pack. Blocking can result from (1) deterioration of the binder, (2) storage of tape…
blocking criterion In telephone traffic engineering, a criterion that specifies the maximum number of calls or service demands that fail to receive immediate service.
blocking factor In a tape backup operation, the number of tape blocks that are transferred in each write operation.
blocking formula A specific probability distribution function intended to model calling patterns of users who fail to find available facilities.
blocking network In telecommunications, a network that has fewer transmission paths than would be required if all users were to communicate simultaneously.
Blockloading Providing a consistent amount of electrical power in a stated period of time.
Blog Blogs, also referred to as Web logs, are frequent, chronological Web publications consisting of links and postings.
Blog Comment Spam Either manually or automatically (via a software program) adding low value or no value comments to other sites. Automated blog spam: Nice post!
Blogger Blogger is a free blog platform owned by Google. It allows you to publish sites on a subdomain off of Blogspot.com, or to FTP content to your own domain.
Blogroll Link list on a blog, usually linking to other blogs owned by the same company or friends of that blogger.
blood A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma.
Blood borne pathogens pathogenic microorganisms in blood or other body fluids that can cause disease in people.
blood cell count A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called CBC and complete blood count.
Blood Cell Separator A machine, used in apheresis, which distinguishes the small fraction of stem cells in the blood from all other blood cells, so that the stem cells may be…
blood chemistry study A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances made in the body.
blood clot A mass of blood that forms when blood platelets, proteins, and cells stick together.
blood glucose The main sugar that the body makes from the food we eat. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to provide energy to all of the body’s living cells.
Blood Glucose Monitoring Testing the blood or urine of a person with diabetes to help maintain the amount of glucose in the blood within reasonable limits.
blood poisoning Disease caused by the spread of bacteria and their toxins in the bloodstream. Also called septicemia and toxemia.
blood pressure (blud PREH-sher) The force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the…
blood stasis (blud STAY-sis) In traditional Chinese medicine, a condition described as slowing or pooling of blood, which may cause pain or other symptoms.
blood sugar See blood glucose.
blood thinner A drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming. Also called anticoagulant.
blood transfusion The administration of blood or blood products into a blood vessel.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (blud yoo-REE-uh NY-truh-jen) Nitrogen in the blood that comes from urea (a substance formed by the breakdown of protein in the liver).
blood vessel A tube through which the blood circulates in the body. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.
blood-brain barrier A network of blood vessels with closely spaced cells that makes it difficult for potentially toxic substances (such as anticancer drugs) to penetrate the…
blood-brain barrier disruption The use of drugs to create openings between cells in the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a protective network of blood vessels and tissue…
Bloodstain transfer resulting when liquid blood comes into contact with a surface.
Bloom filter Compression scheme used by the Replica Location Service (RLS) that is intended to reduce the size of soft state updates between Local Replica Catalogs…
blot As a verb, to transfer DNA, RNA or protein to an immobilizing matrix. As a noun, the immobilizing matrix carrying DNA, RNA or protein.
Blowdown Periodic removal of water from an evaporative cooling system (also known as a wet closed-cycle cooling system) to control the buildup of impurities and…
Blowdown waste See Blowdown
Blowdown water See Blowdown
Blower The device in an air conditioner that distributes the filtered air from the return duct over the cooling coil/heat exchanger.
Blower Door A device used by energy auditors to pressurize a building to locate places of air leakage and energy loss.
Blowing A descriptor used to amplify observed weather phenomena whenever the phenomena are raised to a height of 6 feet or more above the ground
Blowing Dust or Sand Strong winds over dry ground, that has little or no vegetation, can lift particles of dust or sand into the air.
Blowing Snow Blowing snow is wind-driven snow that reduces surface visibility. Blowing snow can be falling snow or snow that has already accumulated but is picked up…
Blowing Snow Advisory Issued when wind driven snow reduces surface visibility, possibly, hampering traveling.
Blown In Insulation (see also Loose Fill) An insulation product composed of loose fibers or fiber pellets that are blown into building cavities or attics using special pneumatic equipment.
Blown motor Major engine failure. For instance, when a connecting rod goes through the engine block. Usually produces a lot of smoke and steam.
Blowout A wind-eroded section of a sand dune caused by a disturbance or removal of the vegetation.
Blue chip stock Blue chip stock is the common stock of a large, well-regarded US company. The companies in that informal category are collectively known as blue chips…
Blue Forces Those forces used in a friendly role during exercises.
Blue Light Stand alone network development program
blue noise In a spectrum of frequencies, a region in which the spectral density, i.e., power per hertz, is proportional to the frequency.
Blue sky laws Blue sky laws require companies that sell stock, mutual funds, and other financial products to register new issues with the appropriate public agency.
Blue tops Grade stakes whose tops indicate finish grade level.
Blue Watch or Blue Box [Slang], a severe thunderstorm watch.
blue-screening See chroma keying.
bluebird skies A term used to describe bright, sunny, blue sky conditions that often make catching fish tough.
Bluegill Common name for Lepomis macrochirus (Rafinesque), also called bream. Bluegill are stocked in ponds in combination with redear sunfish and largemouth bass.
bluegill or bluegills A common species of sunfish. Not synonymous with sunfish or panfish.
Bluetooth A low-power, short-range, rf technology that allows the connection of intelligent communications devices or appliances in a household or an office in a…
blunt end The end of a double-stranded DNA molecule in which neither strand extends beyond the other. Synonym: flush end.
blunt-end cut To cut a double-stranded DNA with a restriction endonuclease which generates blunt ends . Synonym: flush-end cut.
blunt-end ligation The joining of two blunt-ended double-stranded DNA molecules.
blurring In television and video systems, a global distortion over the entire image, characterized by reduced sharpness of edges and limited spatial detail. [T1.
Blustery Same as Breezy; 15 to 25 mph winds.