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potassium nitrate

(Encyclopedia)potassium nitrate, chemical compound, KNO3, occurring as colorless, prismatic crystals or as a white powder; it is found pure in nature as the mineral saltpeter, or niter. (The name saltpeter is also ...

Orontes

(Encyclopedia)Orontes ōrŏnˈtēs [key], Arab. Nahr al-Asi, river, c.250 mi (400 km) long, rising in the northern part of the Al Biqa valley, Lebanon, and flowing generally N through Syria, then W into S Turkey an...

stonefly

(Encyclopedia)stonefly, any insect of the order Plecoptera. North American species, of which there are more than 200, are yellowish, greenish, or brownish in the adult stage and have transparent wings, usually two ...

West Highland white terrier

(Encyclopedia)West Highland white terrier, breed of sturdy, compact terrier developed in Scotland in the early 19th cent. It stands about 11 in. (27.9 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 13 to 20 lb (5.9–9.1...

Campbell, Donald Malcolm

(Encyclopedia)Campbell, Donald Malcolm, 1921–67, British automobile and boat racer. The son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, from whom he inherited his passion for assaulting speed records and his mechanical inclinations...

gelatin

(Encyclopedia)gelatin or animal jelly, foodstuff obtained from connective tissue (found in hoofs, bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage) of vertebrate animals by the action of boiling water or dilute acid. It is...

gills, in biology

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Gills of a fish: Side view (A) and ventral view (B) gills, external respiratory organs of most aquatic animals. In fishes the gills are located in gill chambers at the rear of the mouth (phary...

hydrogen chloride

(Encyclopedia)hydrogen chloride, chemical compound, HCl, a colorless, poisonous gas with an unpleasant, acrid odor. It is very soluble in water and readily soluble in alcohol and ether. It fumes in moist air. It is...

hydroxide

(Encyclopedia)hydroxide hīdrŏkˈsīd [key], chemical compound that contains the hydroxyl (−OH) radical. The term refers especially to inorganic compounds. Organic compounds that have the hydroxyl radical as a f...

windsurfing

(Encyclopedia)windsurfing, also called boardsailing or sailboarding, water sport that employs a board-and-sail device and combines elements of sailing and surfing. The sailboard was first developed in 1964 by boate...