-ics, -tics [-ac after i]

The physics of cellular activity.

The characteristics of a human population or part of it; especially its size, growth, density, distribution, and statistics regarding birth, marriage, disease, and death (requires a plural verb).

The branch of ethics dealing with right action and the nature of duty, without regard to the goodness or value of motives or the desirability of the ends of any act.

1. The configurations of the characteristic ridge patterns of the volar surfaces of the skin; in the hand, the distal segment of each digit has three types of configurations: whorl, loop, and arch.
2. The science or study of skin markings or patterns; especially, those of the fingers, hands, and feet; also, such skin markings themselves.
3. The science of skin patterns, especially fingerprints.

Someone who specializes in the field or study of the treatment of skin diseases.

The study of the whorls and loops and arches in the fingertips and on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet: "There are criminologists who specialize in dermoglyphics in order to have greater accuracy with their criminal investigations."

Regarding the science of refracted sounds; diaphonic: Carson was an expert in diacoustic music in churches and and was researching the qualities of surfaces that refracted or diverted sounds in different directions.

1. The art of identifying illnesses or disorders in patients through diagnosis or procedures for diagnosis; takes a singular verb.
2. That part of medicine which has to do with ascertaining the nature of diseases by means of their symptoms or signs.

The name given to those remedies that promote perspiration.

The application of "intelligent" technology to make a home more comfortable and convenient.

There is still no consensus as to the etymology of domotics. One definition says it means: blending of Latin domus, "house", with robotics.

Additional sources (www.domotics.com, www.answers.com; and others) state: "The term domotics is a contraction of the words domus (Latin = home or house) and informatics (= the science concerned with the collection, transmission, storage, processing, and display of information)."

Some of the applications under the heading of domotics are sensors that automatically adjust lighting levels to meet the personal preferences of family members.

Other sensors may be adjusted to water plants according their need, or to vary the ventilation to make best use of outdoor climate conditions.

If there were a fire or break-in, the domotics would be able to call emergency services and explain in detail what is needed.

Some experts have described clever refrigerators that can read the wireless tags on food, determine when items are getting low and automatically reorder them. “Intelligent” washing machines will decide how much cleaning the garments should have.

What happens when more than one person is in the room and each one has a different preference?

Currently the most simple systems require that each person must wear a marker, such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, while the more sophisticated ones detect movement, body heat, and other individual characteristics.

Again, how will even the most sophisticated systems handle multiple preferences from a family or social group?

Pertaining to something which is influenced in a strong, significant, and extreme way: Greg had to take drastic measures in saving money so he could continue making payments for his car. © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. The branch of mechanics that is concerned with the effects of forces on the motion of a body or system of bodies; especially, of forces that do not originate within the system itself.
2. The forces which tend to produce activity and change in any situation or sphere of existence.
3. In music, the different levels of loudness and softness in a piece of music or the variation in the intensity or volume of musical sound, and the way in which a performer reproduces them during a performance.

The science dealing with the factors operating to produce biological, and especially genetic, deterioration in the offspring of animals.

The branch of economics concerned with the application of mathematical economics to economic data by the use of statistical methods.

The study or the social science of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and with the theory and management of economies or economic systems which include material goods and financial resources.