Soft Second LoanA second mortgage whose payment is forgiven or is deferred until resale of the property.
soft sectoringOn magnetic disks, magnetic drums, and optical disks, the identification of sector boundaries by using recorded information.
soft tissueRefers to muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.
soft tissue sarcoma(â¦TIH-shoo sar-KOH-muh) A cancer that begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body.
SoftwareCoded instructions (programs) that make a computer do useful work.
Software ApplicationA program, that instructs a computer to perform a specific set of instructions or execute a process.
Software ArchitectureThe implementation of solutions to the problems in the domain. It becomes a model for constructing applications and mapping requirements from the domain…
software defined radioA radio consisting of a receiver and/or a transmitter, where each has the following properties, respectively: (a) the received signal is digitized and…
Software DeveloperDevelops software for the purposes of (1) formatting electronic tax return information according to IRS specifications, and/or (2) transmitting electronic…
Software Development Cycle(1) The period of time that begins with the decision to develop a software product and ends when the product is delivered.
Software DocumentationTechnical data or information, including computer listings and printouts, in human-readable form, that describe or specify the design or details, explain…
software engineering(1) A discipline whose objectives are to define, create, and apply a welldefined methodology that addresses a software life cycle of planning…
Software Life CycleThe period of time that begins when a software product is conceived and ends when the software is no longer available for use.
software packageA package that consists of (a) one or more computer programs and possibly related material such as utility programs or tutorial programs, recorded on a…
software piracyThe unauthorized use, copying, or distribution of software products. [2382-pt.8]
Software ProvisioningInstalling, configuring, and making software available for applications and users.
software reuseThe ability to reuse software components in different contexts. Object-oriented languages help to promote reuse by their support of encapsulation.
Software SupportThe sum of all activities that take place to ensure that implemented and fielded software continues to fully support the operational mission of the system.
Software Test EnvironmentA set of automated tools, firmware devices, and hardware necessary to test software.
software toolSoftware, such as a computer program, routine, subroutine, program block, or program module, that can be used to develop, test, analyze, or maintain a…
software VPNA software appliance-based VPN connection over the Internet.
Software-As-A-Service or SaaSA system of internet-based software delivery in which the developer of the software provides operational support and maintenance for the software provided…
Software-Based Fault IsolationA method of isolating application modules into distinct fault domains enforced by software.
softwoodGenerally, one of the botanical groups of trees that in most cases have needle-like or scale-like leaves; the conifers; also the wood produced by such…
SOHA declaration from a client computer that asserts the computer's health status.
SoHRThe validation of a statement of health (SoH) that a system health validator (SHV) produces and sends to the NAP administration server.
SOIThe Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) has been developed to monitor the Southern Oscillation using the difference between sea level pressures at Darwin…
SOIFSee System Operation and Integration Functions.
SoilSediments or other unconsolidated accumulations of solid particles produced by the physical and chemical disintegration of rocks, and which may or may not…
soil ameliorationThe improvement of poor soils. Includes the fungal and bacterial break down of plant organic matter, to form humus; the release of minerals - such as…
Soil CarbonA major component of the terrestrial biosphere pool in the carbon cycle. The amount of carbon in the soil is a function of the historical vegetative cover…
Soil cementA mixture of water, cement, and natural soil, usually processed in a tumble and mixed to a specific consistency, then placed in lifts and rolled to…
Soil classificationSystematic arrangement of soils into classes of one or more categories or levels of classification for a specific objective.
Soil compactionCompression of the soil which results in reduced soil pore space (the spaces between soil particles), decreased movement of water and air into and within…
Soil conservationProtection of soil against physical loss by erosion and chemical deterioration by the application of management and land-use methods that safeguard the…
Soil Conservation ServiceThe former name of a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, renamed the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Soil Conservation Service (SCS)The Soil Conservation Service, now known as the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Services).
Soil depositionA general term for the accumulation of sediments by either physical or chemical sedimentation.
Soil horizonA layer of soil developed in response to localized chemical and physical processes resulting from the activities of soil organisms, the addition of…
Soil horizon mixingSoil horizon mixing occurs when soil is disturbed by activities such as excavation.
Solar Access or RightsThe legal issues related to protecting or ensuring access to sunlight to operate a solar energy system, or use solar energy for heating and cooling.
Solar Air HeaterA type of solar thermal system where air is heated in a collector and either transferred directly to the interior space or to a storage medium, such as a…
Solar Altitude AngleThe angle between a line from a point on the earth's surface to the center of the solar disc, and a line extending horizontally from the point.
Solar ArrayA group of solar collectors or solar modules connected together.
Solar AzimuthThe angle between the sun's apparent position in the sky and true south, as measured on a horizontal plane.
Solar CellA solar photovoltaic device with a specified area.
Solar CollectorA device used to collect, absorb, and transfer solar energy to a working fluid.
Solar collector arrayThat portion of the solar energy facility containing components that track and capture sunlight and convert it to other useful forms of energy, typically…
Solar ConstantThe average amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth's upper atmosphere on a surface perpendicular to the sun's rays; equal to 1353 Watts per…
Solar CoolingThe use of solar thermal energy or solar electricity to power a cooling appliance.
Solar CoordinatesIn solar-terrestrial terms, Central Meridian Distance (CMD). The angular distance in solar longitude measured from the central meridian
Solar CycleAn approximately 11-year pattern in the number of sunspots, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares, and other solar activity.
Solar DeclinationThe apparent angle of the sun north or south of the earth's equatorial plane. The earth's rotation on its axis causes a daily change in the declination.
Solar DistillationThe process of distilling (purifying) water using solar energy. Water can be placed in an air tight solar collector with a sloped glazing material, and as…
Solar EclipseThe passing of the Moon between the Sun and Earth. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks all light from the solar disk, allowing us to see the solar…
Solar energyElectromagnetic energy transmitted from the sun (solar radiation). The amount that reaches the earth is equal to one billionth of total solar energy…
Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI)A federally funded institute, created by the Solar Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1974, that conducted research and development of…
Solar energy technologyAny engineered method for harnessing, storing, and using the Sun's energy.
Solar Energy Zone (SEZ)Lands identified by the BLM as best-suited for large-scale production of solar energy.
Solar FilmA window glazing coating, usually tinted bronze or gray, used to reduce building cooling loads, glare, and fabric fading.
Solar FlareAn explosive release of electromagnetic radiation and huge quantities of charged particles from a small area of the solar surface.
Solar FractionThe percentage of a building's seasonal energy requirements that can be met by a solar energy device(s) or system(s).
Solar FurnaceA device that achieves very high temperatures by the use of reflectors to focus and concentrate sunlight onto a small receiver.
Solar GainThe amount of energy that a building absorbs due to solar energy striking its exterior and conducting to the interior or passing through windows and being…
Solar IrradiationThe amount of solar radiation, both direct and diffuse, received at any location.
solar keratosisA precancerous condition of thick, scaly patches of skin. Also called actinic keratosis and senile keratosis.
Solar MassA term used for materials used to absorb and store solar energy.
Solar MaximumThe month(s) during the 11-year solar cycle when the number of Sunspots reaches a maximum.
Solar MinimumThe month(s) during the 11-year solar cycle when the number of Sunspots is lowest.
Solar Module (Panel)A solar photovoltaic device that produces a specified power output under defined test conditions, usually composed of groups of solar cells connected in…
Solar NoonThe time of the day, at a specific location, when the sun reaches its highest, apparent point in the sky; equal to true or due, geographic south.
Solar OneA solar thermal electric central receiver power plant ("power tower") located in Barstow, California, and completed in 1981.
Solar PondA body of water that contains brackish (highly saline) water that forms layers of differing salinity (stratifies) that absorb and trap solar energy.
Solar Power (or Energy)Use of sunlight, or solar energy, to heat and light buildings, generate electricity (using solar photovoltaic systems - PV cells/panels), heat hot water…
Solar Power SatelliteA solar power station investigated by NASA that entailed a satellite in geosynchronous orbit that would consist of a very large array of solar…
Solar RadiationA general term for the visible and near visible (ultraviolet and near-infrared) electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun.
Solar Sector Boundary (SSB)In solar-terrestrial terms, the apparent solar origin, or base, of the interplanetary sector boundary marked by the larger-scale polarity inversion lines.
Solar SimulatorAn apparatus that replicates the solar spectrum, and used for testing solar energy conversion devices.
Solar Space HeaterA solar energy system designed to provide heat to individual rooms in a building.
Solar Spectral Irradiance (SSI)The amount of radiant energy of a particular wavelength that falls on a surface in a given amount of time.
Solar SpectrumThe total distribution of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the sun. The different regions of the solar spectrum are described by their wavelength…
Solar SystemThe Sun and the family of objects that orbit it. The Solar System includes things like planets, moons, comets and asteroids, and a mysterious form of…
Solar Thermal Electric SystemsSolar energy conversion technologies that convert solar energy to electricity, by heating a working fluid to power a turbine that drives a generator.
Solar Thermal Parabolic DishesA solar thermal technology that uses a modular mirror system that approximates a parabola and incorporates two-axis tracking to focus the sunlight onto…
Solar Thermal SystemsSolar energy systems that collect or absorb solar energy for useful purposes. Can be used to generate high temperature heat (for electricity production…