(Encyclopedia) TuscanyTuscanytŭsˈkənē [key], Ital. Toscana, region (1991 pop. 3,538,619), 8,876 sq mi (22,989 sq km), N central Italy, bordering on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west and including the…
(Encyclopedia) EsteEsteĕsˈtā [key], Italian noble family, rulers of Ferrara (1240–1597) and of Modena (1288–1796) and celebrated patrons of the arts during the Renaissance. Probably of Lombard origin…
Notable Scientists: Physical Sciences
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(Encyclopedia) MediciMedicimĕˈdĭchē, Ital. māˈdēchē [key], Italian family that directed the destinies of Florence from the 15th cent. until 1737. Of obscure origin, they rose to immense wealth as…
(Encyclopedia) CortesCorteskôrˈtĕz, Span. kōrˈtās [key], representative assembly in Spain. The institution originated (12th–13th cent.) in various Spanish regions with the Christian reconquest; until…
(Encyclopedia) Abdul-Jabbar, KareemAbdul-Jabbar, Kareemkərēmˈ ăbˈd&oobreve;l jəbärˈ [key], 1947–, American basketball player, b. New York City as Ferdinand Lewis (Lew) Alcindor. At 7 ft 2 in. (…
(Encyclopedia) higher criticism, name given to a type of biblical criticism distinguished from textual or lower criticism. It seeks to interpret text of the Bible free from confessional and dogmatic…
(Encyclopedia) Abravanel or Abarbanel, IsaacAbravanel or Abarbanel, Isaacəbräˈvənĕl, –bärbə– [key], 1437–1508, Jewish theologian, biblical commentator, and financier, b. Lisbon. He served as…
(Encyclopedia) Gallas, Matthias, Graf vonGallas, Matthias, Graf vonmätēˈäs gräf fən gälˈäs [key], 1584–1647, imperial general in the Thirty Years War. He served under Tilly, commander of the Catholic…