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motif, in literature

(Encyclopedia)motif mōtēfˈ [key], in literature, term that denotes the recurrent presence of certain character types, objects, settings, or situations in diverse genres and periods of folklore and literature. Ex...

motif, in music

(Encyclopedia)motif, in music: see motive.

mule, in zoology

(Encyclopedia)mule, hybrid offspring of a male donkey (see ass) and a female horse, bred as a work animal. The name is also sometimes applied to the hinny, the offspring of a male horse and female donkey; hinnies a...

mule, in manufacturing

(Encyclopedia)mule, in manufacturing: see spinning. ...

Hercules, in astronomy

(Encyclopedia)Hercules hûrˈkyəlēzˌ [key], in astronomy, northern constellation located between Lyra and Corona Borealis. It is traditionally depicted as the hero Hercules in a kneeling position. There are no v...

harrow, in agriculture

(Encyclopedia)harrow, farm implement, consisting of a wooden or metal framework bearing metal disks, teeth, or sharp projecting points, called tines, which is dragged over plowed land to pulverize the clods of eart...

horn, in music

(Encyclopedia)horn, in symphonic and chamber music: see French horn. ...

horn, in zoology

(Encyclopedia)horn, in zoology, one of a pair of structures projecting from the head of a hoofed animal, used chiefly as a weapon. In cattle, sheep, Old World antelopes, and related animals the horns are permanent ...

halo, in art

(Encyclopedia)halo, in art: see nimbus.

halo, in meteorology

(Encyclopedia)halo, in meteorology, short-lived circles or arcs, and less commonly spikes and crosses, of colored or whitish light surrounding the moon or sun or in clouds as seen from above. A halo occurs when the...