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Arachne

(Encyclopedia)Arachne ərăkˈnē [key], in Greek mythology, a Lydian woman who challenged Athena to a trial of skill in weaving. When Arachne won, the goddess forced Arachne to hang herself. Athena then turned Ara...

Franklin, Aretha

(Encyclopedia)Franklin, Aretha, 1942–2018, American singer and pianist, b. Memphis. The daughter of the well-known minister C. L. Franklin, she began singing in the choir of his Detroit Baptist church, where she ...

Becque, Henry François

(Encyclopedia)Becque, Henry François äNrēˈ fräNswäˈ bĕk [key], 1837–99, French dramatist. His plays, which portrayed Parisian life in realistic detail, influenced French naturalistic drama. Among them are...

Tarpeia

(Encyclopedia)Tarpeia tärpēˈyə [key], in Roman legend, a Roman woman who betrayed her city to the Sabines for what they wore on their left arms (their gold bracelets). As they entered Rome they crushed her unde...

evil eye

(Encyclopedia)evil eye, principally Sicilian and Mesoamerican superstition, although it is known in other cultures. According to the Native American version, a person who stares fixedly at a pregnant woman or a chi...

Dorcas

(Encyclopedia)Dorcas tăbˈĭthə [key] [Gr. Dorcas and Aramaic Tabitha=gazelle], in the Acts of the Apostles, Christian woman of Joppa whom St. Peter raised from the dead. She made clothes for the poor. ...

Skövde

(Encyclopedia)Skövde skövˈdə [key], city (1990 pop. 30,540), Skaraborg co., S Sweden, midway between lakes Vänern and Vättern. During the Middle Ages many pilgrims visited the shrine of St. Elin (Helen) of Sk...

Besnard, Paul Albert

(Encyclopedia)Besnard, Paul Albert pôl älbĕrˈ bānärˈ [key], 1849–1934, French painter, studied with Legros and Cabanel and in Italy. He enjoyed many official honors and was the last important academic pain...

Lillie, Beatrice

(Encyclopedia)Lillie, Beatrice (Lady Peel), 1898–1989, British comedienne, b. Toronto, Ont. as Constance Munston. Lillie first performed in London in 1914 and in New York in 1924. She won an international reputat...

Sablé, Madeleine de Souvré, marquise de

(Encyclopedia)Sablé, Madeleine de Souvré, marquise de mädəlĕnˈ də so͞ovrāˈ, märkēzˈ də säblāˈ [key], 1599–1678, French woman of letters. Her salon was in vogue after the decline of the salon at t...