12-letter words containing p, e, r, m, a
- 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.
- name-dropper — a person who indulges in name-dropping.
- 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.
- new paradigm — a set of beliefs that replaces another set which is believed no longer to apply
- newspaperdom — The realm or sphere of newspaper publishing or journalism.
- newspaperism — anything characteristic of newspapers, esp a word or phrase used only by journalists
- newspaperman — a person employed by a newspaper or wire service as a reporter, writer, editor, etc.
- newspapermen — a person employed by a newspaper or wire service as a reporter, writer, editor, etc.
- nonempirical — derived from or guided by experience or experiment.
- nonpermanent — existing perpetually; everlasting, especially without significant change.
- nonpermeable — capable of being permeated.
- normed space — any vector space on which a norm is defined.
- norway maple — a European maple, Acer platanoides, having bright-green leaves, grown as a shade tree in the U.S.
- number opera — an opera in which the arias, ensembles, recitatives, and other sections are clearly separated from one another.
- number plate — vehicle's registration panel
- oligospermia — (medicine) Low volume of semen.
- open primary — a direct primary election in which voters need not meet a test of party membership.
- operationism — the doctrine that the meaning of a scientific term, concept, or proposition consists of the operation or operations performed in defining or demonstrating it.
- optometrical — the practice or profession of examining the eyes, by means of suitable instruments or appliances, for defects in vision and eye disorders in order to prescribe corrective lenses or other appropriate treatment.
- overemphasis — excessive or undue emphasis.
- overemphatic — excessive or undue emphasis.
- overtime pay — a higher than normal rate of pay, for work done as overtime
- pachydermous — any of the thick-skinned, nonruminant ungulates, as the elephant, hippopotamus, and rhinoceros.
- paedomorphic — showing signs of paedomorphism
- pakeha māori — (in the 19th century) a European who adopted the Māori way of life
- palm warbler — a North American wood warbler, Dendroica palmarum, brown above and whitish or yellowish below.
- pamperedness — the state of being pampered
- pan-american — of, relating to, or representing all the countries or people of North, Central, and South America.
- panspermatic — relating to panspermia
- papier-mache — a substance made of pulped paper or paper pulp mixed with glue and other materials or of layers of paper glued and pressed together, molded when moist to form various articles, and becoming hard and strong when dry.
- pappenheimer — a heavy rapier of the 17th century, having a swept guard with two perforated plates.
- para-medical — related to the medical profession in a secondary or supplementary capacity.
- parade armor — ornamented armor worn only for ceremonial purposes.
- paralipomena — Chronicles.
- parallel sml — ["Parallel SML: A Functional Language and its Implementation in Dactl", Kevin Hammond, Pitman Press 1990].
- paramagnetic — a body or substance that, placed in a magnetic field, possesses magnetization in direct proportion to the field strength; a substance in which the magnetic moments of the atoms are not aligned.
- parameterise — to describe (a phenomenon, problem, curve, surface, etc.) by the use of parameters.
- parameterize — to describe (a phenomenon, problem, curve, surface, etc.) by the use of parameters.
- paramorphine — thebaine.
- parasitaemia — the condition of having parasites in the blood
- parathormone — a hormone secreted by the parathyroids, important in the control of the calcium-phosphorus balance of the body
- parchmentize — to treat (paper or the like) so that it resembles parchment.
- parent metal — the metal of components that are being welded by a molten filler metal
- parlour game — A parlour game is a game that is played indoors by families or at parties, for example a guessing game.
- parma violet — a variety of the sweet violet, Viola odorata, that is the source of an essential oil used in perfumery.
- paroemiology — the study of proverbs
- part payment — partial payment; a payment that is not the full price
- pastry cream — a creamy custard, often flavoured, used as a filling for éclairs, flans, etc
- patternmaker — a person who makes patterns, as for clothing or metal castings.
- payment card — A payment card is a plastic card which you use like a credit card, but which takes the money directly from your bank account.