| X-ray crystallography | |
| —n | |
| the study and practice of determining the structure of a crystal by passing a beam of X-rays through it and observing and analysing the diffraction pattern produced | |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| x-ray crystallography
The study of molecular structure by examining diffraction patterns made by x-rays beamed through a crystalline form of the molecules. X-ray crystallography is used extensively in biochemistry to examine the molecular structure of such molecules as proteins and DNA. |