Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

benediction

(Encyclopedia)benediction [Lat.,=blessing], solemn blessing usually administered in the name of God by a priest or a minister. The temple worship at Jerusalem had fixed forms of benedictions, and Christians have al...

Wright, Patience Lovell

(Encyclopedia)Wright, Patience Lovell, 1725–86, American sculptor, b. Bordentown, N.J., mother of Joseph Wright. Her portraits, modeled in wax, were the earliest recorded attempts at sculptural expression in the ...

Boyd, Ernest

(Encyclopedia)Boyd, Ernest, 1887–1946, American critic and author, b. Dubin, Ireland. In the British consular service, he resigned in 1920 and settled in New York City, where he became an important literary figur...

United States Merchant Marine Academy

(Encyclopedia)United States Merchant Marine Academy, at Kings Point, N.Y.; for the training of merchant marine officers; established 1936, opened 1943. The academy became coeducational in 1974. Candidates must be b...

Sedalia

(Encyclopedia)Sedalia sĭdāˈlyə [key], city (1990 pop. 19,800), seat of Pettis co., W central Mo.; inc. 1864. An agricultural shipping and distribution center as well as a regional service and shopping center, S...

Carr, Edward Hallett

(Encyclopedia)Carr, Edward Hallett, 1892–1982, English political scientist and historian. Educated at Cambridge, he was in the diplomatic service until 1936, professor of international relations (1936–47) at Un...

Porbandar

(Encyclopedia)Porbandar pōrˈbəndər [key], town (1991 pop. 116,546), Gujurat state, W central India, on the Arabian Sea. Porbandar trades with Persian Gulf and East African ports, has airline service and major h...

Cortelyou, George Bruce

(Encyclopedia)Cortelyou, George Bruce kôrˈtəlyo͞o [key], 1862–1940, American public official and business executive, b. New York City. He taught school, and after learning stenography, he became secretary to ...

Decapolis

(Encyclopedia)Decapolis dēkăpˈəlĭs [key] [Gr.,=ten cities], confederacy of 10 ancient cities, all E of the Jordan, except Scythopolis. The others were (according to Pliny) Dion, Pella, Gadara, Hippos, Gerasa, ...

Cicero, Quintus Tullius

(Encyclopedia)Cicero, Quintus Tullius, c.102 b.c.–43 b.c., Roman general; brother of Cicero the orator. After service in Asia he accompanied Julius Caesar to Britain (55 b.c.); wintered in Gaul (54 b.c.), where h...

Browse by Subject