Columbia Encyclopedia

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hedge

(Encyclopedia)hedge, ornamental or protective barrier composed of shrubs or small trees growing in close rows. The plants may be allowed to grow naturally or may be trimmed to various heights and shapes (see topiar...

scar

(Encyclopedia)scar, fibrous connective tissue that forms at the site of injury or disease in any tissue of the body. Scar tissue may replace injured skin and underlying muscle, damaged heart muscle, or diseased are...

government

(Encyclopedia)government, system of social control under which the right to make laws, and the right to enforce them, is vested in a particular group in society. There are many classifications of government. Accord...

African swine fever

(Encyclopedia)African swine fever (ASF), highly contagious, deadly viral disease of swine. Its acute form, which is typically fatal, is characterized by high fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and redness in the sk...

Manilius, Marcus

(Encyclopedia)Manilius, Marcus mənĭlˈēəs [key], fl. a.d. 10, Roman poet. Of his didactic poem on astrology, the Astronomica, five books remain. These may or may not have constituted the whole work. ...

domicile

(Encyclopedia)domicile dŏmˈəsīlˌ [key], one's legal residence. This may or may not be the place where one actually resides at any one time. The domicile is the permanent home to which one is presumed to have t...

bunion

(Encyclopedia)bunion, swelling or thickening around the first joint of the big toe. The toe is forced inward and compresses the other toes. The fluid-filled sac, or bursa, in the toe joint becomes inflamed (a condi...

Anah

(Encyclopedia)Anah āˈnə [key], in the Bible, name appearing several times in the genealogy of Esau's family. Three persons may be distinguished, but if the genealogy refers to tribes rather than to persons, Anah...

Wildwood

(Encyclopedia)Wildwood, city (1990 pop. 4,484), Cape May co., SE N.J., on an island off Cape May; settled 1882, inc. as a city 1911. It has large commercial fisheries and is a popular summer seaside resort with man...

pimple

(Encyclopedia)pimple, small pointed elevation of the skin that may or may not contain pus. The formation of pimples is frequently associated with infection, irritation, or overactivity of the sebaceous and sweat gl...