Statistical Terms Glossary

The science of measuring and charting the depths of water bodies to determine the topography of a lake bed or sea floor.

From 1,000m down to around 4,000m (13,123 ft). By this depth the ocean is almost entirely dark (with only the occasional bioluminescent organism, such as lanternfish). There are no living plants, and most animals survive by consuming the snow of detritus falling from the zones above, or (like the marine hatchet fish) by preying upon others. Giant squid (as well as smaller squids and dumbo octopi) live at this depth, and here they are hunted by deep-diving sperm whales. From Greek βαθύς (baths), deep.

Injuries sustained by a child as a result of repeated mistreatment or beating.

A variety of symptoms caused deliberate and repeated demonstrable injuries from her partner, the minimal injury being severe bruising.

Vaccination through injection given to infants in the first month of life to protect against tuberculosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, affecting primarily the respiratory system and spread by coughing and sneezing.

A prolonged period of falling prices.

Type of future contract speculating on the spread between different delivery months of the same instrument in the futures market. It is profitable if the underlying security or commodity falls in price.

A bond whose title is to bearer (i.e. it is presumed to be owned by its holder). The same as coupon bond.

A form of depository receipt issued in bearer rather than registered form.

Market where the majority of the instruments is in bearer form.

A note whose title is to the bearer (e.i., it is presumed to be owned by its holder).

A security whose title is to the bearer (e.i., it is presumed to be owned by its holder).

Meaning “spade of the sea”, this term refers to dried sea cucumbers after gutting and boiling and in some cases after salting and smoking.

Available beds in room and hospital halls, which are occupied by patients for at least 24 continuous hours for receiving medical care.

Is a day during which a person is confined to a bed and in which the patient stays overnight in a hospital. Day cases (patients admitted for a medical procedure or surgery in the morning and released before the evening) should be excluded.

Any area equal to or greater than (4) m2 (four square meters and over), surrounded by walls, ceiling and easy to isolate users from the others, used to sleep one person or more members of the household. The balconies (Frendat) repelling if the bedroom area equal to or more than four square meters, and used for the purpose of sleep.

A beef cattle feedlot is an enclosure where cattle are kept. Feedlots are a potential hazard to the environment as they cause water pollution, and degradation of the lands and plants receiving polluted water.

The Beijing Platform for Action is a landmark document that came out of the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, convened in Beijing, China in September, 1995. Member States, in dialogue with a vast mass of women and men representing civil society from around the world, reviewed past progress and new requirements to accelerate the global march towards gender equality and the empowerment of women. The articulation of their understanding and agreement was contained in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The Declaration embodies the commitment of the international community to the advancement of women and to the implementation of the Platform for Action, ensuring that a gender perspective is reflected in all policies and programs at the national, regional and international levels. The Platform for Action sets out measures for national and international action in critical areas of concern for the advancement of women for the five years leading up to 2000.

A security that seems to lead a market movement or economic trend.

A step cut into the hillside to develop a horizontal cultivable strip.

A standard, or point of reference, against which things can be compared, assessed, measured or judged.

In the quality improvement lexicon, a benchmark is a best in class achievement. This achievement then becomes the reference point or recognized standard of excellence against which similar processes are measured.