| the usual major subdivision of a family or subfamily in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of more than one species |
| the close external resemblance of an organism to some different organism, such that it benefits from mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable |
agar a·gar (ā'gär', ä'gär') or a·gar-a·gar (ā'gär-ā'gär', ä'gär-ä'-)
n.
A gelatinous material derived from marine algae, used as a base for bacterial culture media and as a stabilizer and thickener in food.
A culture medium containing this material.
| agar (ā'gär', ä'gär') Pronunciation Key
A gelatinous material obtained from marine algae, especially seaweed, used as a medium for growing bacterial cultures in the laboratory and as a thickener and stabilizer in food products. |
agar
in the Old Testament (Gen. 16:1-16; 21:8-21), Abraham's concubine and the mother of his son Ishmael. Purchased in Egypt, she served as a maid to Abraham's childless wife, Sarah, who gave her to Abraham to conceive an heir. When Hagar became pregnant, her meek manner changed to arrogance; with Abraham's reluctant permission, Sarah treated her so harshly that she fled into the wilderness. There, by a spring of water, she was found by an angel of the Lord, who told her to return home and promised her that she would have many descendants through a son, Ishmael; he would grow up to be a "wild ass of a man," in constant struggle with all other men. Hagar returned home to bear her child
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