(Encyclopedia) graphitegraphitegrăfˈīt [key], an allotropic form of carbon, known also as plumbago and black lead. It is dark gray or black, crystalline (often in the form of slippery scales), greasy…
(Encyclopedia) jewelweed, common name for the Balsaminaceae, a family of widely distributed annual and perennial herbs. The principal genus is Impatiens, so named because of the sudden bursting of…
(Encyclopedia) kapokkapokkāˈpŏk, kăpˈək [key], name for a tropical tree of the family Bombacaceae (bombax family) and for the fiber (floss) obtained from the seeds in the ripened pods. The floss has…
Where did the name Earl Grey come from? by David Johnson In prehistoric China tea was probably used as a relish and as a medicine. Tea was first brewed as a medicine around 2700 B.C. in the…
(Encyclopedia) Pali canonPali canonpäˈlē [key], sacred literature of Buddhism. The texts in the Pali canon are the earliest Buddhist sources, and for Theravada Buddhists, who claim to conserve the…
(Encyclopedia) Tamil NaduTamil Nadutămˈəl näˈd&oomacr; [key], formerly MadrasTamil Nadumədrăsˈ, mədräsˈ [key], state (2001 provisional pop. 62,110,839), 50,180 sq mi (129,966 sq km), SE India, on…
(Encyclopedia) myna or mynahmynahboth: mīˈnə [key], common name for any of a number of species of Asian starlings found chiefly in India and Sri Lanka, some of which are known for vocal mimicry. Most…
(Encyclopedia) Coomaraswamy, Ananda KentishCoomaraswamy, Ananda Kentishäˌnəndäˈ kĕnˈtĭsh k&oobreve;mäˌrəswäˈmē [key], 1877–1947, art historian, b. Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Raised in London by an…
(Encyclopedia) clove, name for a small evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata) of the family Myrtaceae (myrtle family) and for its unopened flower bud, an important spice. The…
The following table lists the current and historical female political leaders of the countries of the world, according to country name, woman's name, political title, and years in power, including…
