Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

asphyxia
Impaired breathing.
artificial pacemaker
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aspirate
To suck in. For example, a person may
aspirate by accidentally drawing material from 
the stomach into the lungs, and a physician can
aspirate fluid from a joint. See also 
arthrocentesis;
aspiration.
aspiration 1
Removal of a sample of fluid and
cells through a needle.
2
The accidental sucking
of food, fluid, vomit, or other foreign material into
the lungs.
aspiration, joint
See 
arthrocentesis.
aspiration pneumonia
Inflammation of the
lungs due to aspiration.
aspirin
Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsali-
cylic acid, now the common name for this anti-
inflammatory pain reliever.
assay 1
An analysis done to determine the pres-
ence and amount of a substance. An assay may be
done, for example, to determine the level of thyroid
hormones in the blood.
2
An analysis done to
determine the biologic or pharmacologic potency of
a drug. For example, an assay may be done of a vac-
cine to determine its potency.
3
As a verb, to try or
attempt. For example, “She assayed this operation
for the first time and was understandably nervous.”
4
The act of analyzing a mixture for one or more of
its components.
5
The act of judging the value or
worth of something.
assistant, physician
See 
physician assistant.
assisted living
A type of long-term care facility
for elderly or disabled people who are able to get
around on their own but who may need help with
some activities of daily living or simply prefer the
convenience of having their meals in a central cafe-
teria and having nursing staff on call.