See Also: brine(medicine)
brine(dictionary)
brine(dictionary)
brine shrimp(encyclopedia)

irreducible (iou) and brine (medicine)


irreducible (iou)



irreducible adjective. M17.
[from IR-2 + REDUCIBLE.]
Unable to be brought to or to a desired form, state, condition, etc. M17.
H. Hallam The fashions of dress and amusements are generally capricious and irreducible to rule.
b. spec. Unable to be reduced to a simpler or more intelligible form; unable to be resolved into elements or brought under any recognized principle. M19.
Medicine. Esp. of a hernia: whose contents cannot be returned to the normal position by Other than surgical treatment. M19.
Unable to be reduced to a smaller number or amount; the fewest or smallest possible. M19.
R. D. Laing The irreducible elements of psychotherapy are a therapist, a patient, and a regular..time and place.
Unable to be reduced to submission; invincible, insuperable. M19.
,irreduci'bility noun L18.
irreducibleness noun E19.
irreducibly adverb M19.

brine (medicine)


brine


1. Water saturated or strongly inpregnated with salt; pickle; hence, any strong saline solution; also, the saline residue or strong mother liquor resulting from the evaporation of natural or artificial waters.

2. The ocean; the water of an ocean, sea, or salt lake. "Not long beneath the whelming brine . . . He lay." (Cowper)

3. Tears; so called from their saltness.

<medicine> "What a deal of brine Hath washed thy sallow cheecks for Rosaline!" (Shak) Brine fly, brine which drops from granulated salt in drying, and is preserved to be boiled again.

Origin: AS. Bryne a burning, salt liquor, brine, fr. Brinnan, brynnan, to burn. See Burn.

Source: Websters Dictionary