Closed LowA low pressure area with a distinct center of cyclonic circulation which can be completely encircled by one or more isobars or height contour lines.
Closed UniverseA universe where the geometry of space closes upon itself like the surface of a sphere.
Closed-Loop BiomassAs defined by the Comprehensive National Energy Act of 1992 (or the Energy Policy Act; EPAct): any organic matter from a plant which is planted for the…
Closed-loop cooling systemAlso known as a wet closed-cycle cooling system, a system that circulates water between a steam condenser and a cooling tower to cool steam condensate at…
Closed-Loop Geothermal Heat Pump SystemsClosed-loop (also known as "indirect") systems circulate a solution of water and antifreeze through a series of sealed loops of piping.
CloudA claim to the title of a property that, if valid, would prevent a purchaser from obtaining a clear title.
Cloud amountCloud amount (cover) That portion of the sky cover which is attributed to clouds.
cloud base heightFor a given cloud or cloud layer, the lowest level of the atmosphere where cloud properties are detectable.
Cloud CeilingSame as Ceiling; the height of the cloud base for the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer.
Cloud Condensation NucleiSmall particles in the air on which water vapor condenses and forms cloud droplets.
cloud condensation nucleusA particle, either liquid or solid, upon which water condenses to form cloud droplets.
cloud coverThe amount of the sky obscured by clouds when observed at a particular location.
cloud deckThe top of a cloud layer, usually viewed from an aircraft.
cloud fractionFraction of sky covered by clouds, observed directly or derived from SW irradiance.
cloud ice waterThe concentration (mass/vol) of ice water particles in a cloud.
Cloud LayerAn array of clouds whose bases are at approximately the same level.
cloud liquid waterThe concentration (mass/vol) of liquid water droplets in a cloud.
Cloud MovementThe direction toward which a cloud is moving
Cloud StreetsRows of cumulus or cumulus-type clouds aligned parallel to the low-level flow. Cloud streets sometimes can be seen from the ground, but are seen best on…
Cloud TagsRagged, detached cloud fragments; fractus or scud.
cloud top heightFor a given cloud or cloud layer, the highest level of the atmosphere where cloud properties are detectable.
CloudyWhen 7/8ths or more of the sky is covered by clouds.
Clovis ComplexCharacteristic of Paleoindian finds located near Clovis, New Mexico, such as specific fluted points.
clusterClusters are fixed length blocks of bytes that store data for Microsoft operating systems.
Cluster DevelopmentA pattern of development in which industrial and commercial facilities, and homes are grouped together on parcels of land in order to leave parts of the…
Co-BenefitThe benefits of policies that are implemented for various reasons at the same time – including climate change mitigation – acknowledging that most…
co-cloningThe unintentional cloning of DNA fragments, along with the desired one, that can occur when the source of DNA being cloned is not sufficiently purified.
Co-control benefitThe additional benefit derived from an environmental policy that is designed to control one type of pollution, while reducing the emissions of other…
co-cultureA mixture of two or more different kinds of cells that are grown together.
co-dominanceWhere both alleles are expressed in the heterozygous state, so that the phenotype reflects a contribution from both alleles.
co-evolutionThe evolution of complementary adaptations in two species brought about by the selection pressure that each exerts on the other.
co-factorAn organic molecule or inorganic ion necessary for the normal catalytic activity of an enzyme. Synonym: co-enzyme.
co-fermentationThe simultaneous growth of two micro-organisms in one bioreactor.
co-firingThe use of a mixture of two fuels within the same combustion chamber.
co-generationThe technology of producing electric energy and another form of useful energy (usually thermal) for industrial, commercial, or domestic heating or cooling…
co-integrateA chimeric DNA molecule formed by the incorporation at a single site of two different DNA molecules.
co-integrate vector systemA two plasmid system for plant transgenesis. One plasmid is engineered to carry a T-DNA segment incorporating the gene(s) to be introduced.
co-linearity1. A general relationship in which the units in one molecule occur in the same sequence as the units in another molecule which they specify; e.g.
co-repressorAn effector molecule that forms a complex with a repressor and turns off the expression of a gene or set of genes.
co-segregationThe joint inheritance of two characters, usually the result of genetic linkage.
co-suppressionA natural gene silencing phenomenon, which probably evolved as part of plants' defence against viral attack, but which has become important in the context…
co-transfectionThe procedure by which a baculovirus and a transfer vector are simultaneously introduced into insect cells in culture.
co-transformationA protocol for producing transgenesis, in which host (plant or animal) cells are transformed simultaneously with two different plasmids, one of which…
CoalA black or brownish black solid, combustible substance formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without access to air.
Coal cokeA hard, porous product made from baking bituminous coal in ovens at temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coal gasificationConversion of solid coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG) or a gaseous mixture that can be burned as a fuel.
Coal liquefactionConversion of solid coal to a liquid fuel such as synthetic crude oil or methanol.
Coal Mine MethaneCoal mine methane is the subset of CBM that is released from the coal seams during the process of coal mining.
Coalbed methaneA methane-rich gas, similar to natural gas, produced from in-situ coal through drilled wells that are typically completed open-hole, as opposed to the…
CoalescenceThe process by which water droplets in a cloud collide and come together to form raindrops.
Coarse gravel protectionGravel generally placed in a layer upon a finished surface to protect the finished surface from deterioration or erosion.
Coastal FloodingFlooding that occurs from storms where water is driven onto land from an adjacent body of water.
Coastal Planning AreasDistinct geographic locations subject to site-specific, ongoing management and/or regulatory planning within legally defined, fixed boundaries that…
Coastal WatersIn the Great Lakes region, the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States consisting of the Great Lakes, their connecting waters…
Coastal Waters Forecast (CWF)The marine forecast for areas, including bays, harbors, and sounds, from a line approximating the mean high water mark (average height of high water over…
Coastal Zone Management ActNational law encouraging states to develop coastal management programs. The act establishes a method for the federal government to approve states´ plans…
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides funding for implementation and sets standards (including prevention of non-point…
Coastal/Lakeshore Flood AdvisoryMinor flooding is possible (i.e., over and above normal high tide levels. Coastal/Lakeshore Flood Advisories are issued using the Coastal/Lakeshore Hazard…
Coastal/Lakeshore Flood WarningFlooding that will pose a serious threat to life and property is occurring, imminent or highly likely.
Coastal/Lakeshore Flood WatchFlooding with significant impacts is possible. Coastal/Lakeshore Flood Watches are issued using the Coastal/Lakeshore Hazard Message (CFW) product.
Coastal/Lakeshore Flooding(i) (Oceanic) Coastal Flooding is the inundation of land areas adjacent to bodies of salt water connected to the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, or Gulf of…
Coaster gateA rectangular gate similar in construction and appearance to the tractor gate except sealing is accomplished in much the same way as a ring seal gate.
Coat protein (capsid)The coating of a protein that enclosed the nucleic acid core of a virus.
CoatingThe protective material applied to the outer surface of a material, frequently metalwork.
Cobble (cobblestone)A rock fragment, usually rounded or semirounded, with an average dimension between 3 to 12 inches; will pass a 12-inch screen, but not a 3-inch screen.
CodesLegal documents that regulate construction to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people.
Codex Alimentarius CommissionAn international regulatory body (part of FAO) responsible for the definition of a set of international food standards.
codingLitigation Support: Automated or human process through which documents are examined and evaluated using predetermined codes, and the results of those…
coding sequenceThat portion of a gene which directly specifies the amino acid sequence of its product.
coding strandThe strand of a DNA double helix that contains the same base sequence (after substituting U for T) found in the mRNA molecule resulting from transcription…
CodominanceSituation in which two different alleles for a genetic trait are both expressed. See also: autosomal dominant, recessive gene
CodonA group of three nucleotides that specifies addition of one of the 20 amino acids during translation of an mRNA into a polypeptide.
codon optimizationAn experimental strategy in which codons within a cloned gene - ones not generally used by the host cell translation system - are changed by in vitro…
Coefficient of consolidationA coefficient that relates the change in excess pore pressure with time to the excess pore pressure diffusion in the soil mass in terms of soil mass and…