beta decay n the radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus accompanying the emission of an electron. It involves unit change of atomic number but none in mass number,
(Also called)
beta transformation, process
additive process
n a photographic process in which the desired colours are produced by adding together appropriate proportions of three primary colours
Compare →
subtractive process
Ben Day process
n (Printing) a method of adding texture, shading, or detail to line drawings by overlaying a transparent sheet of dots or any other pattern during platemaking
(C20: named after Benjamin Day (1838--1916), American printer)
Bessemer process
n
1 (formerly) a process for producing steel by blowing air through molten pig iron at about 1250°C in a Bessemer converter: silicon, manganese, and phosphorus impurities are removed and the carbon content is controlled
2 a similar process for removing sulphur and iron from copper matte
(C19: named after Sir Henry Bessemer (1813--98), English engineer)
Bosch process
n an industrial process for manufacturing hydrogen by the catalytic reduction of steam with carbon monoxide
(C20: named after Carl Bosch)
business process re-engineering
n restructuring an organization by means of a radical reassessment of its core processes and predominant competencies, (Abbrev)
BPR
carbon process , printing
n a photographic process for producing positive prints by exposing sensitized carbon tissue to light passing through a negative. Washing removes the unexposed gelatine leaving the pigmented image in the exposed insoluble gelatine
cyanide process
n a process for recovering gold and silver from ores by treatment with a weak solution of sodium cyanide, (Also called)
cyaniding
diagonal process
n (Maths, logic) a form of argument in which a new member of a set is constructed from a list of its known members by making the nth term of the new member differ from the nth term of the nth member. The new member is thus different from every member of the list
due process of law
n the administration of justice in accordance with established rules and principles
Haber process
n an industrial process for producing ammonia by reacting atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen at about 200 atmospheres (2x107 pascals) and 500°C in the presence of a catalyst, usually iron
(named after Fritz Haber (1868--1934), German chemist)
jury process
n the writ used to summon jurors
Mond process (German)
n a process for obtaining nickel by heating the ore in carbon monoxide to produce nickel carbonyl vapour, which is then decomposed at a higher temperature to yield the metal
(C19: named after Ludwig Mond (1839--1909), German chemist and industrialist)
odontoid process
n (Anatomy) the toothlike upward projection at the back of the second vertebra of the neck
open-hearth process
n a process for making steel using an open-hearth furnace
photogelatine process
n another name for →
collotype →
1
planar process
n a method of producing diffused junctions in semiconductor devices. A pattern of holes is etched into an oxide layer formed on a silicon substrate, into which impurities are diffused through the holes
process [1]
n
1 a series of actions that produce a change or development
the process of digestion
2 a method of doing or producing something
a a summons, writ, etc., commanding a person to appear in court
b the whole proceedings in an action at law
6 a natural outgrowth or projection of a part, organ, or organism
7 a distinct subtask of a computer system which can be regarded as proceeding in parallel with other subtasks of the system
8 modifier relating to the general preparation of a printing forme or plate by the use, at some stage, of photography
9 modifier denoting a film, film scene, shot, etc., made by techniques that produce unusual optical effects
vb tr
10 to subject to a routine procedure; handle
11 to treat or prepare by a special method, esp. to treat (food) in order to preserve it
to process cheese
a to institute legal proceedings against
a to develop, rinse, fix, wash, and dry (exposed film, etc.)
b to produce final prints or slides from (undeveloped film)
14 (Computing) to perform mathematical and logical operations on (data) according to programmed instructions in order to obtain the required information
15 to prepare (food) using a food processor
(C14: from Old French procès, from Latin processus an advancing, from procedere to proceed)
process [2]
vb intr to proceed in or as if in a procession
(C19: back formation from procession)
process camera
n (Printing) a large camera used in the photographic processes involved in the printing industry
process colour
n (Printing) any of the four colours (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) used in process printing
process engineering
n the branch of engineering concerned with industrial processes, esp. continuous ones, such as the production of petrochemicals
♦
process engineer n
process printing
n a method of making reproductions of a coloured picture, usually by using four halftone plates for different coloured inks
process-server
n a sheriff's officer who serves legal documents such as writs for appearance in court
pterygoid process
n (Anatomy) either of two long bony plates extending downwards from each side of the sphenoid bone within the skull
(C18 pterygoid, from Greek pterugoeides, from pterux wing; see -oid)
screen process
n a method of printing using a fine mesh of silk, nylon, etc., treated with an impermeable coating except in the areas through which ink is subsequently forced onto the paper behind, (Also called)
silk-screen printing
Solvay process
n an industrial process for manufacturing sodium carbonate. Carbon dioxide is passed into a solution of sodium chloride saturated with ammonia. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated and heated to form the carbonate
(C19: named after Ernest Solvay (1838--1922), Belgian chemist who invented it)
subtractive process
n a photographic process in which all but the desired colours are removed by passing the illuminating light through subtractive filters
Compare →
additive process
thermite process
n another name for →
aluminothermy
transverse process
n (Anatomy) either of the projections that arise from either side of a vertebra and provide articulation for the ribs
unit process
n (Chemical engineering) any of a number of standard operations, such as filtration or distillation, that are widely used in various chemical industries
zygomatic process
n a slender bony process of the temporal bone that forms part of the zygomatic arch