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Lowell Observatory

(Encyclopedia)Lowell Observatory, astronomical observatory located in Flagstaff, Ariz.; it was founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell, the American astronomer who popularized the idea that Mars might support intelligen...

privateering

(Encyclopedia)privateering, former usage of war permitting privately owned and operated war vessels (privateers) under commission of a belligerent government to capture enemy shipping. Private ownership distinguish...

Dionysius the Elder

(Encyclopedia)Dionysius the Elder, c.430–367 b.c., tyrant of Syracuse. Of humble origin, he entered politics as a supporter of the poorer classes. Having prompted (400 b.c.) a measure to elect truly democratic ge...

Duguay-Trouin, René

(Encyclopedia)Duguay-Trouin, René rənāˈ dügāˈ-tro͞oăNˈ [key], 1673–1736, French privateer and naval officer. A member of a Breton family of shipowners, he became (1689) a privateer and was given command...

Dunfermline

(Encyclopedia)Dunfermline dŭnförmˈlĭn, dŭm– [key], city, Fife, E central Scotland, on the Firth of Forth. It is a ...

Cochin

(Encyclopedia)Cochin kōˌchĭnˈ [key], former princely state, 1,493 sq mi (3,867 sq km), SW India, on the ...

Ewing, Sir James Alfred

(Encyclopedia)Ewing, Sir James Alfred yo͞oˈĭng [key], 1855–1935, Scottish engineer and physicist. As professor at Tokyo (1878–83), Dundee (1883–90), and Cambridge (1890–1903), he helped establish program...

Antsiranana

(Encyclopedia)Antsiranana dē-āˈgō-swärˈĕs [key], town, N Madagascar, on Antsiranana Bay. The bay, an arm of the Indian Ocean, is one of the world's finest natural harbors; its lo...

Halsey, William Frederick, Jr.

(Encyclopedia)Halsey, William Frederick, Jr. (Bull Halsey) hôlˈsē [key], 1882–1959, American admiral, b. Elizabeth, N.J., grad. Annapolis, 1904. In World War II he led (Jan., 1942) a spectacular carrier raid a...

Hamilton, Emma, Lady

(Encyclopedia)Hamilton, Emma, Lady, 1765?–1815, mistress of the British naval hero Horatio Nelson. Born Emma Lyon, she became the mistress of Charles Greville, then of Sir William Hamilton, ambassador to Naples, ...