(Encyclopedia) VestaVestavĕsˈtə [key], in astronomy, the fourth asteroid to be discovered. It was found in 1807 by H. Olbers. It is the third largest asteroid in size, with a diameter of c.326 mi (…
(Encyclopedia) VesuviusVesuviusvəs&oomacr;ˈvēəs [key], Ital. Vesuvio, active volcano, S Italy, on the eastern shore of the Bay of Naples, SE of Naples. The only other active volcano on the…
(Encyclopedia) civil commitment or involuntary commitment, process by which a court determines whether or not to order an individual to receive treatment or care or be confined. A person may be…
(Encyclopedia) Vaca de Castro, CristóbalVaca de Castro, Cristóbalkrēstōˈbäl väˈkä ᵺā käˈstrō [key], fl. 1540–45, Spanish colonial administrator in Peru. A judge of the royal audiencia at Valladolid,…
(Encyclopedia) Quincy, Josiah, 1772–1864, American political leader and college president, b. Braintree, Mass.; son of Josiah Quincy (1744–75). After studying law, Quincy became interested in…
(Encyclopedia) Hertzog, James Barry MunnikHertzog, James Barry Munnikhûrtˈsŏg, hĕrtˈsôkh [key], 1866–1942, South African military and political leader. Before the South African War, in which he…
Talley, André Leon
(Encyclopedia) Talley, André Leon, 1948-2022, American fashion journalist and consultant, b. Washington, D.C.; North Carolina Central Univ. (B.A., 1970…
(Encyclopedia) volcano, vents or fissures in the earth's crust through which gases, molten rock, or lava, and solid fragments are discharged. Their study is called volcanology. The term volcano is…
(Encyclopedia) MontserratMontserratmŏntsərătˈ [key], British dependency and island (2015 est. pop. 5,000), 38 sq mi (98 sq km), West Indies, one of the Leeward Islands. It is a rugged, scenic island…
(Encyclopedia) cluster munitions or cluster bombs, air-dropped or ground-launched weapons that open in mid-air and scatter dozens, hundreds, or thousands of smaller submunitions (or bomblets) over a…
