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Mexican art and architecture

(Encyclopedia)Mexican art and architecture, works of art and structures produced in the area that is now the country of Mexico. Such arts were already highly developed in the ancient civilizations flourishing befor...

Jannes and Jambres

(Encyclopedia)Jannes and Jambres jănˈēz, jămˈbrēz [key], in the Bible, opponents of Moses. Tradition gave these names to Pharaoh's magicians. One of the Pseudepigrapha bears their name. ...

corns and calluses

(Encyclopedia)corns and calluses, thickenings of the outer layer of skin where there is irritation or constant pressure. Corns are cone-shaped with their points protruding into the dermis, or inner layer of skin. T...

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 ...

personal watercraft

(Encyclopedia)personal watercraft (PWC), a lightweight vessel usually less than 16 ft (5 m) long that uses an inboard water jet pump, powered by an internal-combustion engine, as its primary source of propulsion. T...

Bearden, Romare

(Encyclopedia)Bearden, Romare rōmâr bĭrˈdən [key], 1911–88, American painter and collagist, b. Charlotte, N.C. Bearden grew up in Harlem and studied at New York Univ. and the Art Students League, New York Ci...

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...

Jawara, Sir Dawda Kairaba

(Encyclopedia)Jawara, Sir Dawda Kairaba douˈdə kīräˈbə jäwärˈə [key], 1924–2019, president of Gambia (1970–94). A veterinarian, he became active in politics in 1960 and leader of the People's Progress...