-ism, -ismus

1. The manner or disposition of a humorist; humorousness.
2. In medicine, humor refers to a fluid (or semifluid) substance.

As such, the aqueous humor is the fluid normally present in the front and rear chambers of the eye.

The humors were part of an ancient theory that held that health came from balance between the bodily liquids. These liquids were termed humors. Disease arose when imbalance occurred between the humors.

The humors were:

• Phlegm (water).
• Blood
• Gall (black bile thought to be secreted by the kidneys and spleen).
• Choler (yellow bile secreted by the liver).

The humoral theory (also called humoralism was devised well before Hippocrates (c.460-c.375 BC). It was not definitively demolished until Rudolf Virchow published his formative book, Cellularpathologie, in 1858, which laid out the cellular basis of pathology.

Pathology now rests on a cellular and molecular foundation. The humors have been dispelled, except for the aqueous humor (and its related elements).

Poisoning from the ingestion of water containing lead.

From Saturnus, the planet, an alchemists' term for lead.

1. All seismically induced water-level fluctuations other than tsunamis.
2. Applies to seismically induced fluctuations in wells, streams, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.
3. Groundwater level changes in response to earthquake activity.
4. The role of water in the generation of intraplate seismicity.

When a massive undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean generated deadly tsunamis December, 2005, some groundwater monitoring wells recorded the catastrophic event in the United States.

The growth or directional response or turning of an organism toward or away from water or moisture.

Orientation, or movement, in response to humidity or moisture.

1. The belief that all material objects are made up of matter, which is only potential, and form, which makes the object an actuality.
2. The theory that every physical object is composed of two principles, an unchanging prime matter and a form deprived of actuality with every substantial change of the object.
3. A metaphysical view according to which every natural body consists of two intrinsic principles, one potential (namely, primary matter) and one actual (namely, substantial form); the permanent principle is matter, the actual principle is form.

An outdated term, the ability of a supernatural being to enter and affect matter: Nancy found out in her book that hylopathy could also relate to a disease that could be affected or changed by a spirit in a person's body.

1. The belief that God and the material world are the same.
2. The doctrine that God and matter or the material universe are identical or united as one; material pantheism.

The theory that matter is endowed with life, or that life is merely a property of matter.

The philosophical doctrine that matter possess life, and matter and life cannot be separated from each other: Hylozoism is a belief that dates back to the Milesian school of pre-Socratic philosophers, and the term itself was created in 1678 by Ralph Cudworth, an English philosopher.

1. Any condition caused by the exposure of the body to excessive ambient pressures, including adverse effects on body fluids, tissues, and cavities.
2. A condition resulting from exposure to ambient gas pressure, or atmospheric pressures, exceeding the pressures within the body.

1. The use of hyperbole or exaggeration.
2. An instance of hyperbole or an exaggerated statement.

The somatic (body as opposed to the mind) condition resulting from excessive secretion of a hormone or hormones.

Excessive criticism; criticism that is unduly severe or about minute (trivial) matters.