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Oyono, Ferdinand Léopold

(Encyclopedia)Oyono, Ferdinand Léopold ōyōˈnō, ōˌyōnōˈ [key], 1929–2010, Cameroonian statesman and novelist writing in French. After studying in Africa and in Paris at the Law School and the National Sc...

papillon

(Encyclopedia)papillon păpˈəlŏnˌ [key], breed of toy dog whose origins are obscure but whose widespread existence in Europe is attested to as early as the 17th cent. It stands from 8 to 11 in. (20.3–27.9 cm)...

elk

(Encyclopedia)elk, name applied to several large members of the deer family. It most properly designates the largest member of the family, Alces alces, found in the northern regions of Eurasia and North America. In...

Batu Khan

(Encyclopedia)Batu Khan bäˈto͞o kän [key], d. 1255, Mongol leader; a grandson of Jenghiz Khan. In 1235 Batu became commander of the Mongol army assigned to the conquest of Europe; his chief general was Subutai....

snuff

(Encyclopedia)snuff, preparation of pulverized tobacco used by sniffing it into the nostrils, chewing it, or placing it between the gums and the cheek. The blended tobacco from which it is made is often aged for tw...

Marshall, Thomas Riley

(Encyclopedia)Marshall, Thomas Riley, 1854–1925, U.S. Vice President (1913–21), b. North Manchester, Ind. A lawyer in Columbia City, Ind., he was Democratic governor of the state (1909–13) and sponsored much ...

Cockaigne, Land of

(Encyclopedia)Cockaigne or Cockayne, Land of both: kŏkānˈ [key], legendary country described in medieval tales, where delicacies of food and drink were to be had for the taking. The Land of Cockaygne is a 13th-c...

Gorky, suburb of Moscow, Russia

(Encyclopedia)Gorky lyĕˈnyĭnskəyə [key], suburb of Moscow, central European Russia. The country home of Lenin, who died there, is now a memorial museum. ...

Socoh

(Encyclopedia)Socoh sōˈkō [key], in the Bible. 1 Town, SW ancient Palestine, SW of Bethlehem. It is also spelled Shochoh, Shoco, Shocho, Socho, and Sochoh. 2 Town, in the hill country of Judah, SW of Hebron. 3 T...

Acosta, Joaquín

(Encyclopedia)Acosta, Joaquín hwäkēnˈ äkōˈstä [key], 1800–1852, Colombian historian and scientist. He served under Simón Bolívar in the revolution against Spanish rule and held various political positio...