16-letter words containing o, a, r, s, m
- knapsack problem — the problem of determining which numbers from a given collection of numbers have been added together to yield a specific sum: used in cryptography to encipher (and sometimes decipher) messages.
- latissimus dorsi — a broad, flat muscle on each side of the midback, the action of which draws the arm backward and downward and rotates the front of the arm toward the body.
- law of parsimony — a principle according to which an explanation of a thing or event is made with the fewest possible assumptions.
- leasehold reform — reform of the law relating to leasehold property
- lourenco marques — former name of Maputo.
- macpherson strut — an automobile suspension-system component that consists of a strut combined with a spring and shock absorber and connects the wheel to the frame of the vehicle.
- macro-linguistic — a field of study concerned with language in its broadest sense and including cultural and behavioral features associated with language.
- macroinstruction — macro (def 5).
- macrolinguistics — a field of study concerned with language in its broadest sense and including cultural and behavioral features associated with language.
- macrorestriction — In physical gene mapping, the digestion of DNA of high molecular weight with a restriction enzyme having a low number of restriction sites.
- magnesiochromite — (mineral) A chromite species with the formula MgCr2O4.
- magnetochemistry — the study of magnetic and chemical phenomena in their relation to one another.
- magnetoreceptors — Plural form of magnetoreceptor.
- magnetoresistive — Of or pertaining to magnetoresistance.
- magnetostriction — a change in dimensions exhibited by ferromagnetic materials when subjected to a magnetic field.
- magnetostrictive — Of or pertaining to magnetostriction.
- mail-order house — a retail firm that conducts its business by receiving orders and shipping its merchandise through the mail and that supplies its customers with catalogs, circulars, etc.
- malacostracology — (obsolete) carcinology, the study of crustaceans.
- malchus-porphyry — (Malchus) a.d. c233–c304, Greek philosopher.
- man of few words — man who speaks very little
- man on horseback — a military leader who presents himself as the savior of the country during a period of crisis and either assumes or threatens to assume dictatorial powers.
- manganese bronze — an alloy that is about 55 percent copper, 40 percent zinc, and up to 3.5 percent manganese.
- mangrove snapper — gray snapper.
- manhood suffrage — the right of adult male citizens to vote
- manic depression — bipolar disorder.
- maremma sheepdog — a large strongly-built sheepdog of a breed with a long, slightly wavy, white coat
- margin of safety — therapeutic index.
- marginal costing — a method of cost accounting and decision making used for internal reporting in which only marginal costs are charged to cost units and fixed costs are treated as a lump sum
- marine biologist — scientist who studies sea life
- marriage customs — the acts that are traditionally done in connection with a marriage
- marseille prolog — (language) One of the two main dialects of Prolog, the other being Edinburgh Prolog. The difference is largely syntax. The original Marseille Interpreter (1973) was written in Fortran.
- marsh cinquefoil — a variety of cinquefoil, Potentilla palustris, that grows in marshy areas
- marsupialization — (surgery) The surgical technique of cutting a slit into a cyst and suturing its edges to form a continuous surface from the exterior to the interior of the cyst, allowing it to drain freely.
- mass destruction — devastation on a large scale
- mass observation — the study of the social habits of people through observation, interviews, etc
- matter of course — an event or result that is natural or inevitable
- matter-of-course — occurring or proceeding in or as if in the logical, natural, or customary course of things; expected or inevitable.
- matthew of paris — c1200–59, English chronicler.
- measured daywork — a system of wage payment, usually determined by work-study techniques, whereby the wage of an employee is fixed on the understanding that a specific level of work performance will be maintained
- mechanochemistry — the field of chemistry that deals with the direct conversion of chemical into mechanical energy.
- mechanoreceptors — Plural form of mechanoreceptor.
- medieval cornish — the Cornish language of the Middle Ages, usually dated from the 14th century to 1600.
- medieval history — the branch of history dealing with the Middle Ages
- meet one's maker — to die
- megacorporations — Plural form of megacorporation.
- megakaryoblastic — (cytology) Of or pertaining to a megakaryoblast.
- megasporogenesis — the formation and development of megaspores.
- memorial service — ceremony held in commemoration
- menstrual period — the bleeding from the womb that occurs approximately monthly in nonpregnant women of reproductive age
- mercator sailing — sailing according to rhumb lines, which appear as straight lines on a Mercator chart.