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As usual, Wikipedia has it right: "The antifreeze <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze_%28coolant%29> capabilities of ethylene glycol have made it an important component of vitrification <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryopreservation#Vitrification> (anticrystallization) mixtures .." Perhaps we should call it anticrystallization? George On 11/15/2012 09:15 PM, James Stroud wrote: > On Nov 15, 2012, at 10:59 AM, Tim Gruene wrote: >> I have heard this discussion before and reminds me of people claiming >> strawberries were nuts - which botanically may be correct, but would >> still not make me complain about strawberries in a fruit cake I >> ordered at a restaurant. >> >> My Pengiun English Dictionary states (amongst other explanations) >> freeze: "to make extremely cold", > > Tim's comment strikes at the heart of the problem. > > I think the scientific community should decide a few points. > > 1. What is the approved language and dialect for science? > 2. Within this dialect, what should be the authoritative dictionary? > 3. Will we allow use of definitions that are not the primary definition (second, third, fourth). > 4. Will we allow the use of homonyms? > 5. If not, which homonyms should prevail? > > These are all very important questions if we completely disregard context in writing. > > James > -- Prof. George M. Sheldrick FRS Dept. Structural Chemistry, University of Goettingen, Tammannstr. 4, D37077 Goettingen, Germany Tel. +49-551-39-3021 or -3068 Fax. +49-551-39-22582