Explanatory Notes for the Medical Dictionary Sense Division

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SENSE DIVISION
A boldface colon is used in this dictionary to introduce a definition:

pul.mo.nary . . . adjective : relating to, functioning like, associated with, or carried on by the lungs

It is also used to separate two or more definitions of a single sense:

¹quack . . . noun : a pretender to medical skill : an ignorant or dishonest practitioner

Boldface Arabic numerals separate the senses of a word that has more than one sense:

nerve. . . noun 1 : any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs . . . 2 nerves plural : a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability 3 : the sensitive pulp of a tooth

Boldface lowercase letters separate the subsenses of a word:

¹dose . . . noun 1 a : the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time b : the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed 2 : a gonorrheal infection

Lightface numerals in parentheses indicate a further division of subsenses:

ra.di.a.tion . . . noun . . . 2 a : . . . b (1) : the process of emitting radiant energy . . . (2) : the combined process of emission, transmission, and absorption of radiant energy

A lightface colon following a definition and immediately preceding two or more subsenses indicates that the subsenses are subsumed by the preceding definition:

mac.u.la . . . noun . . . 2 : an anatomical structure having the form of a spot differentiated from surrounding tissues: as a : MACULA ACUSTICA b : MACULA LUTEA

extensor ret.i.nac.u.lum . . . noun 1 : either of two fibrous bands of fascia crossing the front of the ankle: a : a lower band . . . b : an upper band . . .

The word as may or may not follow the lightface colon. Its presence (as at macula) indicates that the following subsenses are typical or significant examples. Its absence (as at extensor retinaculum) indicates that the subsenses which follow are exhaustive.

Sometimes a particular semantic relationship between senses is suggested by the use of one of four italic sense dividers: especially, specifically, also, or broadly. The sense divider especially is used to introduce the most common meaning subsumed in the more general preceding definition. The sense divider specifically is used to introduce a common but highly restricted meaning subsumed in the more general preceding definition. The sense divider also is used to introduce a meaning that is closely related to but may be considered less important than the preceding sense. The sense divider broadly is used to introduce an extended or wider meaning of the preceding definition.

ORDER OF SENSES
The order of senses within an entry is historical: the sense known to have been first used in English is entered first. This is not to be taken to mean, however, that each sense of a multisense word developed from the immediately preceding sense. It is altogether possible that sense 1 of a word has given rise to sense 2 and sense 2 to sense 3, but frequently sense 2 and sense 3 may have arisen independently of one another from sense 1.

Information coming between the entry word and the first definition of a multisense word applies to all senses and subsenses. Information applicable only to some senses or subsenses is given between the appropriate boldface numeral or letter and the symbolic colon.

bur . . . noun 1 usually burr

chla.myd.ia . . . noun 1 capitalized ... 2 plural -i.ae

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