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life preserver

(Encyclopedia)life preserver, a personal flotation device (PFD) intended to keep the wearer afloat, particularly in case of shipwreck. A Type I PFD will keep even unconscious people afloat in a face–up position; ...

Martin, Saint, c.316–397, bishop of Tours

(Encyclopedia)Martin, Saint, c.316–397, bishop of Tours. Born a heathen in Pannonia (in modern Hungary), the son of a soldier, he became a convert and refused to fight Christians. He went (c.360) to St. Hilary of...

Hoadly, Benjamin

(Encyclopedia)Hoadly, Benjamin hōdˈlē [key], 1676–1761, English prelate, center of the Bangorian Controversy within the Church of England. He was a leader in the Low Church group. In 1715 he was appointed bish...

Harden, Maximilian

(Encyclopedia)Harden, Maximilian mäkˌsēmēˈlyän härˈdən [key], 1861–1927, German journalist, whose real name was Witkowski. One of the leading publicists of his time, he was an admirer of Bismarck. After ...

Frémont, Jessie Benton

(Encyclopedia)Frémont, Jessie Benton frēˈmŏnt [key], 1824–1902, American author, b. Lexington, Va.; daughter of Thomas H. Benton and wife of John Charles Frémont. Her elopement with the dashing Frémont caus...

Ginkel, Godart van, 1st earl of Athlone

(Encyclopedia)Ginkel, Godart van, 1st earl of Athlone gōˈdärt vän gĭngˈkəl [key], 1644–1703, Dutch general in the service of William III of England. He accompanied (1688) William to England and took part i...

Gelasius I, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Gelasius I, Saint jĭlāˈshēəs [key], d. 496, pope (492–96); successor of St. Felix III (also known as Felix II). He was a firm upholder of the papal supremacy in a dispute with Anastasius, the B...

Flacius Illyricus, Matthias

(Encyclopedia)Flacius Illyricus, Matthias məthīˈəs flāˈshəs ĭlĭrˈĭkəs [key], 1520–75, German Lutheran reformer, whose original name was Matthias Vlachich or Francowich, b. Istria. After studying for t...

Francia, José Gaspar Rodríguez

(Encyclopedia)Francia, José Gaspar Rodríguez hōsāˈ gäspärˈ rōᵺrēˈgās fränˈsyä [key], 1766–1840, dictator of Paraguay and creator of its national independence, known as El Supremo. Incorruptible a...

Antiope

(Encyclopedia)Antiope ăntīˈəpē [key], in Greek mythology. 1 Theban princess, daughter of Nycteus. She was seduced by Zeus and bore him twin sons, Zethus and Amphion. Fleeing to Sicyon to escape the wrath of he...

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