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phthalates

(Encyclopedia)phthalates, family of chemical compounds made from alcohols and phthalic anhydride, C6H4(CO)2O. Oily, colorless, odorless liquids that do not evaporate readily, they are used primarily to make polyvin...

Persephone

(Encyclopedia)Persephone prōsûrˈpənē [key], in Greek and Roman religion and mythology, goddess of fertility and queen of the underworld. She was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. When she was still a beautiful...

Hernández Alvarado, Juan Orlando

(Encyclopedia)Hernández Alvarado, Juan Orlando, 1968–, Honduran political leader, president of Honduras (2014–21). A member of the co...

Maradona, Diego Armando

(Encyclopedia)Maradona, Diego Armando, 1960–2020, Argentinian soccer star. A strong forward with spectacular abilities, superb dribbling skills, and great personal flair, he began his career as a teenager playing...

meprobamate

(Encyclopedia)meprobamate məprōˈbəmātˌ [key], tranquilizing drug that acts as a depressant of the central nervous system and is commonly used in the treatment of anxiety and sometimes schizophrenia. Although ...

Sharpless, Karl Barry

(Encyclopedia)Sharpless, Karl Barry, 1941–, American chemist, b. Philadelphia, Ph.D. Stanford, 1968. Sharpless was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1970–77 and 1980–90) and at Stanfor...

cold, common

(Encyclopedia)cold, common, acute viral infection of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, often involving the sinuses. The typical sore throat, sneezing, and fatigue may be accompanied by body aches, headac...

staphylococcus

(Encyclopedia)staphylococcus stăfˌələkŏkˈəs [key], any of the pathogenic bacteria, parasitic to humans, that belong to the genus Staphylococcus. The spherical bacterial cells (cocci) typically occur in irreg...

amobarbital

(Encyclopedia)amobarbital ămˌōbärˈbĭtäl [key], drug that acts as a nervous system depressant. See barbiturate. ...

mescaline

(Encyclopedia)mescaline mĕsˈkələn [key], perception-altering substance found in peyote. See hallucinogenic drug. ...