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Megan's law

(Encyclopedia)Megan's law, in the United States, a state or federal statute that requires the notification of public organizations and private citizens when a convicted sex offender has been released from prison an...

Aub, Max

(Encyclopedia)Aub, Max mäks oup [key], 1903–72, Spanish author, b. Paris. He was educated in Spain where he lived until 1942, when he emigrated to Mexico. His style combines realism with fantasy. He used the Spa...

Roman roads

(Encyclopedia)Roman roads, ancient system of highways linking Rome with its provinces. Their primary purpose was military, but they also were of great commercial importance and brought the distant provinces in touc...

Nehemiah, persons in the Bible

(Encyclopedia)Nehemiah nēˌəmīˈə [key], in the Bible. 1 Central figure of the Book of Nehemiah: see Ezra. 2 One who returned from the Exile. 3 Worker on the wall. ...

Pedaiah

(Encyclopedia)Pedaiah pēdāˈyə, pēˌdəīˈyə [key], in the Bible. 1 Manassite. 2 Grandfather of Jehoiakim. 3 Father of Zerubbabel. 4 Repairer of the wall. 5 Assistant of Ezra. 6 Benjamite. 7 One of Nehemiah's...

Ashley, Laura

(Encyclopedia)Ashley, Laura, 1925–85, British fashion designer and manufacturer. After serving in the Women's Royal Naval Service, she and her husband founded a company to produce silkscreened placemats, scarves,...

Kirkcudbright, town, Scotland

(Encyclopedia)Kirkcudbright kûrko͞oˈbrē [key], town (1991 pop. 3,406), Dumfries and Galloway, SW Scotland, at the head of the Dee estuary. It has granaries and creameries and is a market town and artists' colon...

Zadok

(Encyclopedia)Zadok zāˈdŏk [key], in the Bible. 1 Founder of a prominent priestly family. 2 One of David's men. 3 Grandfather of Jotham. 4 Sealer of the Covenant. 5 High priest. 6, 7 Builders of the wall. 8 Scri...

window

(Encyclopedia)window, in architecture, the casement or sash, fitted with glass, which closes an opening in the wall of a structure without excluding light and air. It may have a square, round, or pointed head; may ...

tracery

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Types of tracery tracery, bands or bars of stone, wood, or other material, either subdividing an opening or standing in relief against a wall and forming an ornamental pattern of solid members...

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