(Encyclopedia) microwave oven, device that uses microwaves to rapidly cook food. The microwaves cause water molecules in the food to vibrate, producing heat, which is distributed through the food by…
(Encyclopedia) MidasMidasmīˈdəs [key], in Greek mythology, king of Phrygia. Because he befriended Silenus, the oldest of the satyrs, Dionysus granted him the power to turn everything into gold by…
(Encyclopedia) mass-luminosity relation, in astronomy, law stating that the luminosity of a star is proportional to some power of the mass of the star. More massive stars are in general more luminous…
(Encyclopedia) Muscle Shoals, town (1990 pop. 9,611), Colbert co., NW Ala., on the Tennessee River opposite Florence; inc. 1923. Chemicals, truck trailers, and nuts, screws, and bolts are…
(Encyclopedia) Muhammad Zahir ShahMuhammad Zahir Shahməhămˈəd [key]Muhammad Zahir Shahzäˈhĕr shä [key], 1914–2007, last king of Afghanistan. In 1933 he became king after his father, Muhammad Nadir…
(Encyclopedia) Holness, Andrew, 1972–, Jamaican politician, prime minister of Jamaica (2011–12, 2016–). A member of the Jamaica Labor party (JLP), Holness served (1996–2000) as special assistant to…
(Encyclopedia) amphictyonyamphictyonyămfĭkˈtēōˌnē, –ŏˌnē, –ənēˌ [key], in ancient Greece, a league connected with maintaining a temple or shrine. There were a number of these, but by far the most…
(Encyclopedia) despotism, government by an absolute ruler unchecked by effective constitutional limits to his power. In Greek usage, a despot was ruler of a household and master of its slaves. The…
(Encyclopedia) CumaeCumaeky&oomacr;ˈmē [key], ancient city of Campania, Italy, near Naples. According to Strabo, it was the earliest Greek colony in Italy or Sicily, and it seems to have been…
(Encyclopedia) actinometeractinometerăkˌtənŏmˈətər [key], instrument used to measure the heating power of radiation. Actinometers are used chiefly in meteorology to measure solar radiation as…
