22-letter words containing o, c, t, f

non-constructive proof — (logic) (Or "existence proof") A proof that something exists that does not provide an example of that thing or a method for finding an example. (A constructive proof does provide such an example or method). For example, for any pair of finite real numbers n < 0 and p > 0 there exists a real number 0 < k < 1 such that f(k) = (1-k)*n + k*p = 0. A non-constructive proof might proceed by observing that as k changes continuously from 0 to 1, f(k) changes continuously from n to p and, since they lie either side of zero, f(k) must pass through zero for some intermediate value of k. This proof does not tell us what that value of k is, only that it exists.
nonspecific urethritis — nongonococcal urethritis.
nonspecular reflection — the diffuse reflection of sound or light waves
obstruction of justice — a criminal offence that involves attempting to obstruct the process of law
office of fair trading — a government department established in the UK in 1973, which acts as an economic regulator, responsible for ensuring fairness in consumer protection and competition law
on (or off) the track — keeping to (or straying from) the subject, objective, or goal
on the crest of a wave — If you say that you are on the crest of a wave, you mean that you are feeling very happy and confident because things are going well for you.
open source definition — (standard) (OSD) Definition of distribution terms for open source software, promoted by the Open Source Initiative.
other side of the coin — a piece of metal stamped and issued by the authority of a government for use as money.
out-of-body experience — a vivid feeling of being detached from one's body, usually involving observing it and its environment from nearby
out-of-pocket expenses — expenses which are unbudgeted and paid for in cash
outline specifications — preliminary specifications or plans on which later plans are based
partnerships for peace — a subsidiary organization of NATO, comprising former Warsaw Pact countries that wish to be allied with NATO but have not been granted full NATO membership: established in 1994
picture of dorian gray — a novel (1891) by Oscar Wilde.
portuguese east africa — former name of Mozambique (def 1).
portuguese west africa — a republic in SW Africa: formerly an overseas province of Portugal; gained independence Nov. 11, 1975. 481,226 sq. mi. (1,246,375 sq. km). Capital: Luanda.
positive reinforcement — encouragement
post office department — former name of United States Postal Service.
potassium ferricyanide — a bright-red, crystalline, water-soluble, poisonous solid, K 3 Fe(CN) 6 , used chiefly in the manufacture of pigments, as Prussian blue, and of paper, especially blueprint paper.
potassium ferrocyanide — a lemon-yellow, crystalline, water-soluble solid, K 4 Fe(CN) 6 ⋅3H 2 O, used chiefly in casehardening alloys having an iron base and in dyeing wool and silk.
propositional function — sentential function.
public domain software — public domain
pure food and drug act — a law passed in 1906 to remove harmful and misrepresented foods and drugs from the market and regulate the manufacture and sale of drugs and food involved in interstate trade.
put out of countenance — to cause to lose composure; embarrass; disconcert
radio direction finder — a navigational aid establishing a fix by means of the bearings of two known radio stations. Abbreviation: RDF.
range of accommodation — the range of distance over which an object can be accurately focused on the retina by accommodation of the eye.
rapid deployment force — a U.S. military organization consisting of one Marine division and four Army divisions, established in 1979 to respond quickly to any distant threat to national interests.
rejoice in the name of — If you say that a person or thing rejoices in the name of something, you mean that they have a silly or amusing name.
remote reference layer — (protocol) (RRL) Part of Java's Remote Method Invocation protocol. RRL exists in both the RMI client and server. It is used by the stub or skeleton protocol layer and uses the transport layer. RRL is reponsible for transport-independent functioning of RMI, such as connection management or unicast/multicast object invocation.
reproduction furniture — furniture that is made in an imitation or copy of a past style
request for technology — (RFT) The process established by the OSF to get proposals for new standards.
run interference (for) — to accompany (the ball carrier) in order to block opposing players
sales force automation — (business) (Sales Automation, SFA, SFFA, Sales & Field Force Automation) Software to support sales reps. The software gives sales representitives access to contacts, appointments and e-mail. It is likely to be integrated with Customer Relationship Management systems and Opportunity Management Systems.
sb can whistle for sth — If you say that someone can whistle for a particular thing, you mean that you are not willing or able to give it to them.
scientific creationism — the belief that the account of creation in the early chapters of Genesis is scientifically as well as religiously valid and that it can be supported by scientific evidence apart from scriptural authority.
second consonant shift — the consonant shift by which High German became differentiated from other Germanic languages.
set one's face against — impudence; boldness: to have the face to ask such a rude question.
short end of the stick — a branch or shoot of a tree or shrub that has been cut or broken off.
social differentiation — the distinction made between social groups and persons on the basis of biological, physiological, and sociocultural factors, as sex, age, or ethnicity, resulting in the assignment of roles and status within a society.
south african republic — former name of Transvaal.
speckle interferometry — a photographic technique for clarifying the telescopic images of a star by taking short exposures of the electronic images of the star's speckle pattern and extrapolating properties of the starlight to create a more accurate composite image.
speech from the throne — (in Britain and the dominions of the Commonwealth) the speech at the opening of each session of Parliament in which the Government outlines its legislative programme. It is read by the sovereign or his or her representative
stereospecific polymer — an organic polymer in which the steric arrangements of groups on asymmetric carbon atoms occur in a regular sequence
strait of juan de fuca — a strait between Vancouver Island (Canada) and NW Washington (US). Length: about 129 km (80 miles). Width: about 24 km (15 miles)
stratford de redcliffe — 1st Viscount (Stratford Canning) 1786–1880, English diplomat.
struggle for existence — the competition in nature among organisms of a population to maintain themselves in a given environment and to survive to reproduce others of their kind.
suffice it to say that — let us say no more than that; I shall just say that
take a fancy to sb/sth — If you take a fancy to someone or something, you start liking them, usually for no understandable reason.
take cognizance of sth — If you take cognizance of something, you take notice of it or acknowledge it.
take the mickey out of — to deflate (a person)

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