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Dacron

(Encyclopedia)Dacron dāˈkrŏn, dăkˈrŏn [key], trademark for a polyester fiber. Dacron is a condensation polymer obtained from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Its properties include high tensile strength...

Serengeti National Park

(Encyclopedia)Serengeti National Park, c.5,700 sq mi (14,800 sq km), NE Tanzania, est. 1941. The internationally famous park attracts large numbers of tourists to see the world's largest concentrations of wildebees...

prune

(Encyclopedia)prune, popular name for a dried plum. Fruits of the many varieties of Prunus domestica, which are firm-fleshed and dry easily without removal of the stone, are gathered after falling from the tree, di...

neem tree

(Encyclopedia)neem tree or margosa tree, a fast-growing broad-leaved evergreen, Azadirachta indica, native to India and Myanmar. Its extracts have been used for centuries in Asia as pesticides, toothpaste, medicine...

Agua Azul

(Encyclopedia)Agua Azul, series of waterfalls and pools on the Xanil River in Chiapas state, S Mexico, SW of Palenque in the Cascadas de Agua Azul Natural Park. The waters of the Agua Azul are noted for their brill...

Bien Hoa

(Encyclopedia)Bien Hoa bēĕnˈ wä [key], city, Vietnam, c.20 mi (30 km) NE of Ho Chi Minh City. It is famous ...

Brown, Walter Folger

(Encyclopedia)Brown, Walter Folger fōlˈjər [key], 1869–1961, American cabinet officer, b. Massillon, Ohio. A lawyer of Toledo, Ohio, he became prominent in Republican politics and was (1927–29) Assistant Sec...

kite, in zoology

(Encyclopedia)kite, in zoology, common name for a bird of the family Accipitridae, which also includes the hawk. Kites are found near water and marshes in warm parts of the world. They prey chiefly on reptiles, fro...

Japan, Sea of

(Encyclopedia)Japan, Sea of, or East Sea, enclosed arm of the Pacific Ocean, c.405,000 sq mi (1,048,950 sq km), located between Japan and the Asian mainland, connecting with the East China Sea, the Pacific Ocean, a...

Colbert, Claudette

(Encyclopedia)Colbert, Claudette klōdĕtˈ kôlbĕrˈ [key], 1903–96, American movie actress, b. Paris as Lily Chauchoin. Known for her rosy cheeks, velvet voice, hearty laugh, and curly bangs, Colbert distingui...