A Dictionary of Science [antikvár]

Foreword to the igS^ Edition IN revising a dictionary of this size and scope, inevitably the problem must be not what to put in but what to leave out. This revision has been made with two criteria in mind: first, to keep the original flavour of Uvarov's work, particularly in the case of entries that needed to be rewritten, and second, to include only those new words that have come into use in the last decade which are of predominantly scientific rather than technological usage. From the rapidly expanding field of electronics, for example, only the more fundamental words have been included - the Penguin Dictionary of Electronics provides a more comprehensive coverage of the technological aspects of the subject. Nevertheless, most of the basic terms used in solid state and microwave physics will be found in this edition. Probably the largest number of new entries relate to nuclear physics and what may be loosely called space science (including artificial satellites, radio astronomy and cosmology), for it is in these fields that progress has been most rapid in the last ten years. On the chemical side less radical revision has been necessary, though the dictionary has been brought up to date where necessary (e.g. synthetic rubbers and plastics, transuranic elements, chelation compounds, etc). The earlier editions of this dictionary have dealt primarily with the pure sciences of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and astronomy. However, it was felt that, in view of the widespread interest in the advances that are currently being made in biochemistry, molecular biology, and biophysics, this edition should include a smattering of the key words used in these disciplines. Further and fuller treatment of these words will usually be found in the Penguin Dictionary of Biology. The network of cross-references has been maintained throughout this edition, and cross-references are indicated in the text by the use of italics. Italics have not been used, however, for the elements, as the dictionary lists all the elements (including transuranic elements). Trade names are marked with an asterisk. Finally, it is necessary to add that during the course of this revision too many reference books and indulgent colleagues have been consulted to permit individual acknowledgements to be made. A.I.