(Encyclopedia) marcasitemarcasitemärˈkəsīt [key] or white iron pyrites, a mineral closely resembling and having the same chemical composition (FeS2) as pyrite. It differs from pyrite in that it is…
(Encyclopedia) kneecap (patella), saucer-shaped bone at the front of the knee joint; it protects the ends of the femur, or thighbone, and the tibia, the large bone of the foreleg. The kneecap is…
(Encyclopedia) MuslimMuslimmŭzˈlĭm [key] [Arab.,=one who surrenders (himself to God), an agent form of the verb of which Islam is a verbal noun], one who has embraced Islam, a follower of Muhammad.…
(Encyclopedia) globeflower, common name for any plant of the genus Trollius of the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family), hardy perennials of north temperate meadows and swamps. Their blossoms are…
(Encyclopedia) furze, any plant of the genus Ulex of the family Leguminosae (pulse family), low, densely branched shrubs with spiny leaves (when present) and fragrant yellow blossoms. U. europaeus,…
(Encyclopedia) Dewar flask [for Sir James Dewar], container after which the common thermos bottle is patterned. It consists of two flasks, one placed inside the other, with a vacuum between. The…
(Encyclopedia) divining rod or dowser, stick used in searching for underground water or minerals. This form of divination is still in common use in many parts of the world. The instrument is…
(Encyclopedia) Curragh, theCurragh, thekûrˈəkh [key], undulating plain or common, 4,885 acres (1,977 hectares), Co. Kildare, E Republic of Ireland. It has been a military camp since 1646. The Curragh…
(Encyclopedia) Cortissoz, RoyalCortissoz, Royalkôrtēˈsōz [key], 1869–1948, American critic and lecturer on art. He was the New York Herald Tribune art critic from 1891 and was noted for his lectures…
(Encyclopedia) pondweed, common name for the family Potamogetonaceae, and for weedy aquatic herbs of the genus Potamogeton, of which about 50 known species inhabit North American ponds and slow…
