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astrakhan, pelt and fabric

(Encyclopedia)astrakhan ăsˈtrəkən [key] [from Astrakhan], pelt of the newborn Persian lamb, used like fur in garments, and also the woolen fabric woven to resemble real astrakhan. The cloth is woven on a cotton...

Stern, Andrew L.

(Encyclopedia)Stern, Andrew L., 1950–, American labor leader, b. West Orange, N.J., grad., Univ. of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1971). A charismatic and frequently controversial reformer, he became a significant figure i...

Africa

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Africa ăfˈrĭkə [key], second largest continent (2015 est. pop. 1,194,370,000), c.11,677,240 sq mi (30,244,050 sq km) including adjacent islands. Broad to the north (c.4,600 mi/7,400 km wide...

Delaware and Raritan Canal

(Encyclopedia)Delaware and Raritan Canal rârˈĭtən [key], abandoned canal, 45 mi (72 km) long, between Bordentown and New Brunswick, N.J., connecting the Delaware and the Raritan rivers; opened in 1834. Once an ...

Fury and Hecla Strait

(Encyclopedia)Fury and Hecla Strait hĕkˈlə [key], narrow channel, c.100 mi (160 km) long and from 10 to 15 mi (16–24 km) wide, N Canada, between Baffin Island and Melville Peninsula. It connects Foxe Basin wit...

Weymouth and Melcombe Regis

(Encyclopedia)Weymouth and Melcombe Regis wāˈməth, mĕlˈkəm rēˈjĭs [key], town (1991 pop. 38,384), Dorset, SW England, on Weymouth Bay. It is a port and a resort town with wide beaches. The port was active ...

Murray, John, 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl

(Encyclopedia)Murray, John, 2d marquess and 1st duke of Atholl ăthˈəl [key], 1660–1724, Scottish nobleman; son of the 2d earl and 1st marquess. A supporter of William III, he held high government posts in Scot...

Hamilton, James Hamilton, 3d marquess and 1st duke of

(Encyclopedia)Hamilton, James Hamilton, 3d marquess and 1st duke of, 1606–49, Scottish nobleman; grandson of John Hamilton, 1st marquess of Hamilton. He succeeded (1625) his father as marquess of Hamilton and ear...

Oxford and Asquith, Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st earl of

(Encyclopedia)Oxford and Asquith, Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st earl of, 1852–1928, British statesman. Of a middle-class family, he attended Oxford, became a barrister in London in 1876, and was elected to Parliamen...

International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

(Encyclopedia)International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), formerly World Conservation Union, international organization founded in 1948 to encourage the preservation of wildlife...