\r\n\r\nNational Science Foundation\r\nan independent U.S. Government agency established in 1950, with a mission "To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense."\r\n\r\n\r\na good place to find the meanings of words\r\nhttp://dast.nlanr.net/Glossary.html#N