A microscope that uses the change of phase when light is transmitted or reflected from a transparent or reflective specimen to form an image; used especially to study living cells.

The use of a device or procedure to prevent conception as a result of sexual activity.

(chemistry, physics) the progressive decrease in the radii of atoms of the lanthanide elements as the atomic number increases; evident in various physical properties of the elements and their compounds

A machine that is complicated and precarious. / (figuratively, derogatory or ironic) Any object.

(law) An agreement in which an offeror's offer can be accepted only by the performance of an act by the offeree; a "promise for a performance".

A programmable electronic device used in industrial automation to provide logic and sequencing controls for machinery.

(computing) A character which does not have a direct visual appearance as a glyph, but rather causes some other action to occur, such as a transition to a new line.

Able to be controlled; subject to regulation or command.

(business) Any factor that can be controlled.

(computing, Internet) A networking protocol, almost always layered on top of the Internet Protocol, that provides reliable, connection based communications.