Blast
1. (Science: biology, suffix) a suffix or terminal formative, used principally in biological terms, and signifying growth or formation. An immature precursor cell of the type indicated by the preceding word, for example; bioblast, epiblast, mesoblast, etc.
2. A violent gust of wind. A forcible stream of air from an orifice, as from a bellows, the mouth, etc. Hence: The continuous blowing to which one charge of ore or metal is subjected in a furnace; as, to melt so many tons of iron at a blast.
3. The terms hot blast and cold blast are employed to designate whether the current is heated or not heated before entering the furnace. A blast furnace is said to be in blast while it is in operation, and out of blast when not in use.
4. (Science: veterinary) a flatulent disease of sheep.
See: blast cell, blastema.
Origin: g. Blastos, germ
Dictionary > Blast
You will also like...
![Plant meristem](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Plant-Meristems-and-Growth-253x168.jpg)
Plant Meristems and Growth
In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells ..
![Freshwater Ecology](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Freshwater-Ecology-300x168.jpg)
Freshwater Ecology
Freshwater ecology focuses on the relations of aquatic organisms to their freshwater habitats. There are two forms of co..
![sponge](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Primitive-Animals-252x168.jpg)
Primitive Animals
Life, as we know it today, is presumed to have started in the sea and many of them were likely eukaryotic animal-like or..
![squirrel](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Animal-Water-Regulation-300x168.jpg)
Animal Water Regulation
Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understa..
![Genetics and Evolution](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Genetics-and-Evolution-300x168.jpg)
Genetics and Evolution
Humans are diploid creatures. This means that for every chromosome in the body, there is another one to match it. Howeve..
![New Zealand - Biodiversity fauna](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/New-Zealand-Biodiversity-fauna-300x168.jpg)
New Zealand’s Biodiversity
Find out more about New Zealand's unique biodiversity by exploring a range of different ecosystems and the key role of s..