12-letter words containing a, m, t, u
- name capture — (reduction) In beta reduction, when a term containing a free occurrence of a variable v is substituted into another term where v is bound the free v becomes spuriously bound or "captured". E.g. (\ x . \ y . x y) y --> \ y . y y (WRONG) This problem arises because two distinct variables have the same name. The most common solution is to rename the bound variable using alpha conversion: (\ x . \ y' . x y') y --> \ y' . y y' Another solution is to use de Bruijn notation. Note that the argument expression, y, contained a free variable. The whole expression above must therefore be notionally contained within the body of some lambda abstraction which binds y. If we never reduce inside the body of a lambda abstraction (as in reduction to weak head normal form) then name capture cannot occur.
- nanocomputer — (architecture) /nan'oh-k*m-pyoo'tr/ A computer with molecular-sized switching elements. Designs for mechanical nanocomputers which use single-molecule sliding rods for their logic have been proposed. The controller for a nanobot would be a nanocomputer. Some nanocomputers can also be called quantum computers because quantum physics plays a major role in calculations. Richard P. Feynman is still cited today for his work in this area.
- neuroanatomy — the branch of anatomy dealing with the nervous system.
- nimbostratus — a cloud of a class characterized by a formless layer that is almost uniformly dark gray; a rain cloud of the layer type, of low altitude, usually below 8000 feet (2440 meters).
- noctambulant — of, relating to, or given to sleepwalking.
- noctambulism — somnambulism.
- noctambulist — somnambulism.
- noctambulous — of, relating to, or given to sleepwalking.
- nomenclature — a set or system of names or terms, as those used in a particular science or art, by an individual or community, etc.
- nomenklatura — a select list or class of people from which appointees for top-level government positions are drawn, especially from a Communist Party.
- non-ruminant — any even-toed, hoofed mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, being comprised of cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing quadrupeds, and including, besides domestic cattle, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, camels, and chevrotains.
- nonautomated — not automated or operated by machines
- nonautomatic — not automatic, operated by hand and not machines
- nonclemature — Misspelling of nomenclature.
- normal fault — gravity fault.
- northumbrian — of or relating to Northumbria, Northumberland, or the inhabitants or dialect of either.
- not-a-number — (mathematics) (NaN) An IEEE floating point representation for the result of a numerical operation which cannot return a valid number value. A NaN can result from multiplying an infinity by a zero, or from subtracting one infinity from another [what else?]. NaN is encoded as a special bit pattern [what pattern?] which would otherwise represent a floating-point number. It is used to signal error returns where other mechanisms are not convenient, e.g. a hardware floating-point unit and to allow errors to propagate through a calculation. Similar bit patterns represent positive and negative overflow and underflow and the positive and negative infinities resulting from division by zero.
- nudum pactum — a simple contract or promise involving no legal considerations.
- number plate — vehicle's registration panel
- numerability — the fact of having the ability to be counted
- numismatical — Alternative form of numismatic.
- numismatists — Plural form of numismatist.
- nuptial mass — a special mass said at a wedding.
- nutmeg state — Connecticut (used as a nickname).
- oamaru stone — a kind of limestone, of building quality, found at Oamaru on South Island, New Zealand
- obambulation — (obsolete) Wandering about; a casual outing.
- obscurantism — opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.
- odontomatous — relating to an odontoma
- opium addict — someone who is addicted to the dried juice extracted from the unripe seed capsules of the opium poppy
- ornithogalum — any plant of the genus Ornithogalum
- oto-manguean — a family of American Indian languages spoken in central and southern Mexico, including Mixtec, Zapotec, and Otomi.
- out-marriage — a marriage to someone outside one's ethnic group
- outmaneuvers — Third-person singular simple present indicative form of outmaneuver.
- outmanoeuvre — British. outmaneuver.
- outmigration — to leave a region, community, etc., to move or settle into a different part of one's country or home territory: People are no longer out-migrating from the South in such large numbers.
- outplacement — counseling and assistance in finding a new job, provided by a company for an employee who has been or is about to be dismissed.
- oval kumquat — a spineless shrub or small citrus tree, Fortunella margarita, of China, having oval-shaped, orange-yellow fruit with sweet and acid flesh.
- overmaturity — (of a tree or forest) the state of having ceased to grow or have commercial value
- paludamentum — a cloak worn by officials and military officers of ancient Rome, especially during wartime.
- perambulator — baby carriage.
- perichaetium — a leafy cluster (bracts) around the base of the reproductive organs of some plants, predominantly mosses
- periostracum — the external, chitinlike covering of the shell of certain mollusks that protects the limy portion from acids.
- permaculture — a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture or horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem.
- perpetualism — a belief in the permanence of a given thing; the belief that a given thing (e.g. the world, a political system) will last forever
- pharmaceutic — pertaining to pharmacy or pharmacists.
- plate armour — armour made of thin metal plates, which superseded mail during the 14th century
- plymouth bay — a small, well-protected bay on the coast of Massachusetts; the first permanent European settlement in New England; founded by the Pilgrim Fathers.
- pneumaticity — the condition of being pneumatic
- pneumatocyst — the cavity of a pneumatophore.
- pneumatology — Theology. doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit. the belief in intermediary spirits between humans and God.