19-letter words containing p, a, r, l
- differential backup — (operating system) A kind of backup that copies all files that have changed since the last full backup. Each differential backup will include all files in previous differential backups since the full backup so to restore a version of a file, you only need to search the full backup and the relevant differential backup. Some systems support differential backup by associating an "Archive" flag with each file and setting this flag whenever the file is modified to indicate that it should be included in the next backup. A differential backup does not change this flag, whereas an incremental backup resets it.
- digital linear tape — (storage) (DLT) A kind of magnetic tape drive originally developed by DEC and now marketed by Quantum. DLT drives implement the Digital Lempel Ziv 1 (DLZ1) compression algorithm in a combination of hardware and firmware. They use a popular chip by Stac (now hi/fn) to do the string searching. Counting, sorting and Huffman coding are done in firmware (with hardware support for the Huffman algorithm?). In April 1997 DLT drives can transfer 5 megabytes per second and can store 35 gigabytes on a single cartridge. Compression might roughly double these figures.
- digital photography — the taking or manipulation of photographs that are stored as data files on a computer.
- directional coupler — (communications) (tap) A passive device used in cable systems to divide and combine radio frequency signals. A directional coupler has at least three ports: line in, line out, and the tap. The signal passes between line in and line out ports with loss referred to as the insertion loss. A small portion of the signal power applied to the line in port passes to the tap port. A signal applied to the tap port is passed to the line in port less the tap attenuation value. The tap signals are isolated from the line out port to prevent reflections. A signal applied to the line out port passes to the line in port and is isolated from the tap port. Some devices provide more than one tap output line (multi-taps).
- disaster capitalism — the practice (by a government, regime, etc) of taking advantage of a major disaster to adopt liberal economic policies that the population would be less likely to accept under normal circumstances
- disciplinary action — punishment or caution
- dispersion relation — the relationship between the angular frequency (ω;) of a wave and the magnitude of its wave vector (k). Thus the wave's speed is ω/k
- displaced homemaker — a woman recently divorced, separated, or widowed after many years as a homemaker.
- display advertising — display ads taken collectively.
- diversional therapy — the structured use of leisure time in recreation and play as a form of or supplement to conventional therapy
- dry-bulk cargo ship — a ship that carries an unpackaged dry cargo such as coal or grain; bulk carrier
- early purple orchid — a Eurasian orchid, Orchis mascula, with purplish-crimson flowers and stems marked with blackish-purple spots
- ecatepec de morelos — a city in S central Mexico, a suburb of Mexico City: on a 12th-century Aztec site.
- echoencephalography — a device that employs reflected ultrasonic waves to examine the position of brain structures.
- electrocardiographs — Plural form of electrocardiograph.
- electrocardiography — The measurement of electrical activity in the heart and the recording of such activity as a visual trace (on paper or on an oscilloscope screen), using electrodes placed on the skin of the limbs and chest.
- electrode potential — the potential difference developed when an electrode of an element is placed in a solution containing ions of that element
- electron micrograph — a photograph or image of a specimen taken using an electron microscope
- electronic graphics — (on television) the production of graphic designs and text by electronic means
- electropalatography — the study of the movements of the tongue during speech using touch-sensitive electrodes in the mouth linked to a computer
- electrophoretically — By means of electrophoresis.
- electrophotographic — Of or pertaining to electrophotography.
- electrotherapeutics — (medicine) the use of electricity in therapeutics.
- elementary particle — any of several entities, such as electrons, neutrons, or protons, that are less complex than atoms and are regarded as the constituents of all matter
- employment tribunal — (in England, Scotland, and Wales) a tribunal that rules on disputes between employers and employees regarding unfair dismissal, redundancy, etc
- entitlement program — a government program providing defined sectors of the population with social benefits
- equal opportunities — Equal opportunities refers to the policy of giving everyone the same opportunities for employment, pay and promotion, without discriminating against particular groups.
- european parliament — law: assembly in Strasbourg
- evaporative cooling — a method of reducing temperature that uses evaporation
- exophthalmic goiter — a disease of unknown cause characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, overproduction of the thyroid hormone, and abnormal protrusion of the eyeballs
- exophthalmic goitre — a form of hyperthyroidism characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, protrusion of the eyeballs, increased basal metabolic rate, and weight loss
- expressionistically — In an expressionistic manner.
- family practitioner — medical specialization in general practice, requiring training beyond that of general practice and leading to board certification.
- female impersonator — a male performer who dresses as and impersonates women.
- first person plural — a grammatical category of pronouns and verbs used by the speaker to refer to or talk about himself together with others
- flowering raspberry — a shrub, Rubus ordoratus, of eastern North America, having loose clusters of showy purplish or rose-purple flowers and inedible, dry, red fruit.
- fluophosphoric acid — fluorophosphoric acid.
- fluoride toothpaste — toothpaste containing a small amount of fluoride as protection against tooth decay
- focal plane shutter — an opaque shield in a camera, lying in the focal plane of the lens, that, when tripped, admits light to expose the film or plate for a predetermined period, usually a fraction of a second
- focal-plane shutter — a camera shutter situated directly in front of the film.
- fractal compression — (algorithm) A technique for encoding images using fractals.
- free alongside ship — (of a shipment of goods) delivered to the dock without charge to the buyer, but excluding the cost of loading onto the vessel
- from pillar to post — an upright shaft or structure, of stone, brick, or other material, relatively slender in proportion to its height, and of any shape in section, used as a building support, or standing alone, as for a monument: Gothic pillars; a pillar to commemorate Columbus.
- general partnership — a partnership in which each of the partners is fully liable for the firm's debts.
- general post office — (in the U.S. postal system) the main post office of a city, county, etc., that also has branch post offices. Abbreviation: G.P.O., GPO.
- gentleman-pensioner — (formerly) a gentleman-at-arms.
- geocentric parallax — the apparent displacement of an observed object due to a change in the position of the observer.
- germander speedwell — a speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys, having blue flowers.
- grasshopper warbler — a Eurasian warbler Locustella naevia
- gregorian telescope — a telescope similar in design to the Cassegrainian telescope but less widely used.