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secretary bird

(Encyclopedia)secretary bird, common name for a long-legged African bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, related to the hawk and about 4 ft (122 cm) tall. Its crest of black feathers suggested the quill pens behind the ...

pokeweed

(Encyclopedia)pokeweed or pokeberry, tall, bushy perennial herb (Phytolacca americana) native to North America but cultivated and naturalized in Europe. The long clusters of white flowers are followed by purplish b...

cattail

(Encyclopedia)cattail or reed mace, any plant of the genus Typha, perennial herbs found in almost all open marshes. The cattail (also called club rush) has long narrow leaves, sometimes used for weaving chair seats...

Machen, Arthur

(Encyclopedia)Machen, Arthur măkˈən [key], 1863–1947, British author, b. Wales. He wrote a series of semiautobiographical fantasies, notably The Hill of Dreams (1907) and Far Off Things (1922), and tales of ho...

Colman, Ronald

(Encyclopedia)Colman, Ronald, 1891–1958, British stage and film actor. Dignified in demeanor and voice, Colman created an image of kindness, humor, erudition, and romantic appeal. His films include the silent Ste...

Babel

(Encyclopedia)Babel bāˈbəl [key] [Heb.,=confused], in the Bible, place where Noah's descendants (who spoke one language) tried to build a tower reaching up to heaven to make a name for themselves. For this presu...

Ribeiro, Bernardim

(Encyclopedia)Ribeiro, Bernardim bərnərdēmˈ rēbāˈro͝o [key], 1482?–1552?, Portuguese poet. Ribeiro was a figure at the Lisbon court and is said to have gone mad after an unhappy love affair. Saudades, or ...

Sacré-Cœur

(Encyclopedia)Sacré-Cœur säkrā-körˈ [key], basilica in Paris, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is a famous landmark atop the Montmartre, from which it dominates the city. Built (1875–1914) by subs...

Bamburgh

(Encyclopedia)Bamburgh bămˈbərə [key], village, Northumberland, NE England, on the North Sea. It was the capital of ancient Bernicia and for a time of Northumbria. In the 6th cent. a castle was erected above a ...

pampas grass

(Encyclopedia)pampas grass, any species of the genus Cortaderia, tall South American plants of the family Poaceae (grass family) cultivated in warm climates for ornament. The common pampas grass (C. argentea or sel...