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libel and slander

(Encyclopedia)libel and slander, in law, types of defamation. In common law, written defamation was libel and spoken defamation was slander. Today, however, there are no such clear definitions. Permanent forms of d...

Buckhaven and Methil

(Encyclopedia)Buckhaven and Methil mĕthˈĭl [key], township, Fife, E Scotland, on the Firth of Forth. A former coal ...

Damon and Pythias

(Encyclopedia)Damon and Pythias dāˈmən, pĭthˈēəs [key], two youths whose loyalty to each other symbolizes true friendship. Pythias, a Pythagorean, condemned to death for plotting against Dionysius I of Syrac...

Urim and Thummim

(Encyclopedia)Urim and Thummim yo͞oˈrĭm, thŭmˈĭm [key], in the Bible, name of sacred instruments used for casting lots. The meaning of the two names is uncertain, as is the nature of the lots. They were in so...

pepsin

(Encyclopedia)pepsin, enzyme produced in the mucosal lining of the stomach that acts to degrade protein. Pepsin is one of three principal protein-degrading, or proteolytic, enzymes in the digestive system, the othe...

liver

(Encyclopedia)liver, largest glandular organ of the body, weighing about 3 lb (1.36 kg). It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of th...

glycine

(Encyclopedia)CE5 glycine glīˈsēn [key], organic compound, one of the 20 amino acids commonly found in animal proteins. Glycine is the only one of these amino acids that is not optically active, i.e., it does...

marque and reprisal

(Encyclopedia)marque and reprisal: see privateering. ...

Daphnis and Chloë

(Encyclopedia)Daphnis and Chloë: see Longus.

Jammu and Kashmir

(Encyclopedia)Jammu and Kashmir: see Kashmir.