See Also: hackles(dictionary)

phosphatase (iou) and hackles (oh)


phosphatase (iou)



phosphatase noun. E20.
[from PHOSPHATE + -ASE.]
Biochemistry. An enzyme which catalyses the synthesis or hydrolysis of an ester of phosphoric acid.
Comb.: phosphatase test a test applied to dairy products to find whether they have been adequately pasteurized.

hackles (oh)



[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Probably from an unrecorded Old English hacule 'small hook']
sb's hackles rise
if someone's hackles rise, they begin to feel very angry, because someone's behaviour or attitude offends them
ĦĦLaura heard his remark, and felt her hackles rising.
raise sb's hackles
(=make someone angry)
ĦĦHis tactless remarks were enough to raise anyone's hackles.
the long feathers or hairs on the back of the neck of some animals and birds, which stand up straight when they are in danger