Vocabulary: words definition and meanings

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

- to remove the sacred character of
- transfer (a building) from sacred to secular use. (secularism)
- the act of removing a religious blessing from something that had been previously consecrated. (deconsecration or secularization)

Deflocculation

Reversal of coagulation or flocculation, i.e., the dispersion of aggregates to form a stable colloidal suspension or emulsion.

Delayed-release Dosage Form

Pharmaceutical preparation that releases the drug(s) at a time other than promptly after administration.

Deliquescence

Process that occurs when the vapor pressure of the saturated aqueous solution of a substance is less than the vapor pressure of water in the ambient air.

Deliquescent

Substance that absorbs sufficient moisture from the atmosphere to dissolve itself.

Depot

Deposit of a drug in a body created by injection or by a similar mode of introduction to form a source of slow release.

Detergency

Property, which serves as basis for the process whereby surfactants are used for the removal of foreign matter from surfaces (including dirt from clothes or body surfaces).

Detergent

Surfactant (or a mixture containing one or more surfactants) having cleaning properties in dilute solutions (soaps are surfactants and detergents) .

Disperse System

Dosage form in which the active ingredient is insoluble in the carrier; includes aerosols (solids or liquids in gas), suspensions (solids in liquids), emulsions (liquids in liquids), and foams (gas in liquid), or ointments/creams (solid in solid or in semi-solid, or liquid in solid).

Divided Granule

Formulation in which individual doses of a granulated dosage form are separated (e.g., gelatin capsules).

Divided Powder

Powder formulation in which individual doses of a powdered dosage form are separately wrapped (e.g., sachets, envelopes, or gelatin capsules).

Detergency

Property, which serves as basis for the process whereby surfactants are used for the removal of foreign matter from surfaces (including dirt from clothes or body surfaces).
See also detergents, solubilizing, surface-active agent, surfactant.

Detergent

Surfactant (or a mixture containing one or more surfactants) having cleaning properties in dilute solutions (soaps are surfactants and detergents) .

Disperse System

Divided Granule

Formulation in which individual doses of a granulated dosage form are separated (e.g., gelatin capsules).

Divided Powder

Powder formulation in which individual doses of a powdered dosage form are separately wrapped (e.g., sachets, envelopes, or gelatin capsules).

Dosage Form

Formulated preparation of molecules/drugs that are rarely if ever suitable for administration to patients without additives.

Dosage Regimen

Dose and dosing interval of a drug.

Drug

Biologically active substance, which when biodistributed in the body is expected to modify one or more of its functions.

Drug Delivery System

Sophisticated dosage form, which, by its construction, is able to modify/control the availability of the drug substance to the body by temporal or spatial considerations.