A substance that is a product of ordinary metabolism and not produced for a specific purpose, but acts like a hormone in modifying the activity of some distant organ, as in the case of carbon dioxi...

plural of melanism

The burning part of a candle wick, or the black, burnt remains of a wick (which must be periodically removed). / (obsolete) Leavings in a glass after drinking; heeltaps. / (slang) A murder.

A permanent crisis.