(Encyclopedia) milkwort, common name for the Polygalaceae, a family including herbs, shrubs, and trees found in all parts of the world except New Zealand and the polar regions. Several milkworts (…
(Encyclopedia) Morgan horse, breed of American light horse descended from a single progenitor—the famous Justin Morgan. Morgans are used as all-purpose light horses and are very popular on cattle…
(Encyclopedia) Ash Wednesday, in the Western Church, the first day of Lent, being the seventh Wednesday before Easter. On this day ashes are placed on the foreheads of the faithful to remind them of…
(Encyclopedia) Munch, Andreas PederMunch, Andreas Pederändrāˈäs pāˈdər m&oomacr;ngk [key], 1810–63, Norwegian historian and philologist. A principal figure in the Norwegian literary revival, he…
(Encyclopedia) Hercules'-club, common name for several small, thorny trees, chiefly the devil's-walking-stick of the family Aralaceae (ginseng family) and the prickly ash of the family Rutaceae (…
(Encyclopedia) herpesvirus, any of the family (Herpesviridae) of common DNA-containing viruses, many of which are associated with human disease. See cytomegalovirus; Epstein-Barr virus; herpes…
(Encyclopedia) graining, process of painting by which natural wood grain is imitated. It was common practice in the late 19th cent. to grain cheap, soft woods to give them the appearance of rare,…
(Encyclopedia) frog's-bit, common name for members of the Hydrocharitaceae, a family of aquatic herbs found in warm fresh- and saltwaters throughout the world. Most species grow partially or…
(Encyclopedia) alodalodăˈlŏd [key]. In feudal tenure, lands held without obligation to any suzerain (overlord) were termed held in alod. Alodial lands existed in England and on the Continent. They…
(Encyclopedia) DEET or N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, C12H17ON, nearly odorless, colorless to clear yellow oily liquid that boils at 111℃. DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use as an…
