floating ground
A reference point for electric potential in a circuit which is not connected to the actual earth ground.
Entries starting with F
411 entries.
floating-point unit
A microprocessor that performs floating-point arithmetic. In older models of computer the FPU was not integrated into the central processing unit, but rather as a coprocessor if included at all.
flog
To overexploit (land), as by overgrazing, overstocking, etc.
flong
A mould, especially one made from papier-mâché, used to create a stereotype.
flood test
nounConstruction
the procedure in which a controlled amount of water is temporarily retained over a horizontal surface to determine the effectiveness of the waterproofing system.
flooder
A channel or device for carrying and controlling water used in flood irrigation.
floor
A horizontal, flat ore body; the rock underlying a stratified or nearly horizontal deposit.
floor it
To depress the accelerator to the maximum extent.
floor plan
A layout representation of where the major functional blocks of an integrated circuit will be physically placed.
floorplanning
The act of designing a floor plan (electronic circuit design).
floppy disk
A removable disk used for storing digital data, measuring between 2 and 8 inches diagonally and storing between 80 KB and 240 MB.
floppy disk drive
A floppy drive; a disk drive for floppy disks.
flotation
A process of separating minerals by agitating a mixture with water and detergents etc; selected substances being carried to the surface in air bubbles.
flotation collar
A shirt collar construction method where the interlining is cut to match the collar shape and stitched around the edges to shirt fabric.
flotsam and jetsam
The remains of a shipwreck still floating in the water.
flounce
A strip of decorative material, usually pleated, attached along one edge; a ruffle.
flouncy
adjectiveManufacturing
Of a garment, etc.: having a flounce (“strip of decorative material, usually pleated, attached along one edge”) or flounces; gathered and pleated.
flower
Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.
flower crown
A crown made of brightly colored flowers.
flowering
The period of time during which a plant is in flower.
flox
To add fluorine to liquid-oxygen rocket fuel.
FLPP
Initialism of Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.
fluid flywheel
A type of coupling for transmitting power from the engine of a vehicle to the transmission, using a torque converter.
fluid mechanics
The branch of mechanics dealing with gases and liquids, either at rest or in motion.
flush
To fill underground spaces, especially in coal mines, with material carried by water, which, after drainage, constitutes a compact mass.
flush cast
adjectiveMetallurgy
Cast in such a way as to sit flush, fitting smoothly with the surroundings.
flutter
nounManufacturing
One or more objects or phenomena that flutter, that move as if fluttering, that appear to be fluttering or that cause fluttering; something fluttery.
fluxonium
A superconducting artificial atom modelled from Josephson junctions
fly
A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power printing press for doing the same work.
fly-in
nounConstruction
A method of application for roll materials by which the dry sheet is set into the bitumen or adhesive applied to the roof surface.
flyboy
A man employed to clear the printed copies from the printing press.
flying meet
nounRail equipment
The carefully-timed situation in which two opposing trains on a nominally single-track line meet at a siding and are able to pass each other without stopping, because they have reached the siding simultaneously.
flyweight
A weight that moves outward depending on centrifugal force.
flywheel
A rotating mass used to maintain the speed of a machine within certain limits while the machine receives or releases energy at a varying rate, or as a form of energy storage.
FMNP
Initialism of full mobile number portability.
fo
Abbreviation of folio, page and book size (10"-12.5" x 15"-20").
foal
A young boy who assisted the headsman by pushing or pulling the tub.
foam
A collection of small bubbles formed by mixing an extinguishing agent with water, used to cover and extinguish fires.
focal depth
The field of view of a camera that is in sharp focus.
focal plane
Any plane perpendicular to the axis of a lens or mirror.
focal point
A focus; a point at which rays of light or other radiation converge.
focalization
The act or practice of putting into focus.
focus
A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge.
fodder radish
The daikon, particularly when grown for animal fodder rather than for human consumption.
fog lamp
nounAutomotive
A bright red lamp (normally one of a pair) at the rear of a motor car that can be switched on during foggy weather so as to avoid collisions from cars approaching from behind
fog light
nounAutomotive
One of a pair of lights, mounted at the front of a car, below the headlights, usually white or yellow in colour, for increased visibility ahead in foggy driving conditions.
fog out
To ventilate a space by breaking open a window to let smoke out.
fog signal
nounRail equipment
A small explosive charge (detonator) which can be placed on a railway line in fog, to be detonated by a train passing over it as a warning signal to the driver.
FOH
nameRail equipment
The station code of Fortress Hill in Hong Kong.
foil
Clipping of aerofoil/airfoil.
folio
A page number. The even folios are on the left-hand pages and the odd folios on the right-hand pages.
fondu
The graded shift from one color into another.
foot
The part of a sewing machine which presses downward on the fabric, and may also serve to move it forward.
foot stick
A bevelled piece of furniture placed against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place.
foothole
A hole into which the foot can be wedged to aid in climbing; a foothold.
footplate
nounConstruction
A timber in a wood frame that distributes a concentrated load.
footrim
The usually circular ring at the base of a ceramic vessel that supports it on a surface and may display markings of provenance.
footstick
A sloped or beveled piece of wood or metal placed against the foot of a page that is being typeset, and locked in place by quoins.
footwall
The under wall of an enclosed vein.
footwheel
Any wheel worked by means of the foot.