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Herbert of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron

(Encyclopedia)Herbert of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron, 1583–1648, English philosopher, poet, and diplomat; elder brother of George Herbert, the metaphysical poet. He was ambassador to France (1619–24) an...

Otranto

(Encyclopedia)Otranto ôˈträntō [key], town (1991 pop. 5,114), in Apulia, extreme S Italy, on the Strait of Otranto, which links the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It is a small fishing port and a seaside resort. Ori...

style, in literature

(Encyclopedia)style, in literature, the mysterious yet recognizable result of a successful blending of form with content. Generally speaking, all the arts reflect one of two stylistic tendencies: the classical or t...

Neuhof, Theodor, Baron von

(Encyclopedia)Neuhof, Theodor, Baron von tāˈōdôrˈ bärōnˈ fən noiˈhōf [key], 1694–1756, German adventurer, b. Metz, France. After a career as a soldier and diplomat, he was persuaded by Corsicans rebell...

Dedham

(Encyclopedia)Dedham dĕdˈəm [key], town (2020 pop. 25,364), seat of Norfolk co., E Mass., on the Charles...

Alcaeus

(Encyclopedia)Alcaeus ălsēˈəs [key], c.620–c.580 b.c., Greek lyric poet of Lesbos. An aristocrat, he was often embroiled in political battles with the ruling tyrants. He wrote drinking songs, hymns, love song...

Du Deffand, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise

(Encyclopedia)Du Deffand, Marie de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise märēˈ də vēshēˈ-shäNrôNˈ märkēzˈ dü dĕfäNˈ [key], 1697–1780, French woman of letters, whose salon was frequented (1753–80) by the lea...

Celtes, Conradus Protucius

(Encyclopedia)Celtes, Conradus Protucius kônˈrät pĭkˈəl [key], 1459–1508, German scholar and humanist. He traveled widely, lectured at several universities, became librarian to Maximilian I, and founded var...

ode

(Encyclopedia)ode, elaborate and stately lyric poem of some length. The ode dates back to the Greek choral songs that were sung and danced at public events and celebrations. The Greek odes of Pindar, which were mod...

Maecenas

(Encyclopedia)Maecenas (Caius Maecenas) mĭsēˈnəs, mē– [key], d. 8 b.c., Roman statesman and patron of letters. He was born (between 74 b.c. and 64 b.c.) into a wealthy family and was a trusted adviser of Oct...