Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

autogiro

(Encyclopedia)autogiro jīˈrəplān [key], type of aircraft supported in the air by a horizontally mounted airfoil similar to that of a helicopter but unpowered. Invented by the Spaniard Juan de la Cierva, it was ...

O'Donnell, Leopoldo

(Encyclopedia)O'Donnell, Leopoldo lāōpōlˈdō ōᵺōˈnĕl [key], 1809–67, Spanish general and statesman; member of a branch of the Irish O'Donnells of Tyrconnel. He fought successfully for Isabella II agains...

Montreal

(Encyclopedia)Montreal môNrāälˈ [key], city (1991 pop. 1,017,666), S Que., Canada, on Montreal island, surrounded by St. Lawrence River and Rivière des Prairies. Montreal is the second largest metropolitan are...

Magellan, Ferdinand

(Encyclopedia)Magellan, Ferdinand məjelˈən [key], Port. Fernão de Magalhães, Span. Fernando de Magallanes, c.1480–1521, Portuguese navigator who sailed for Portugal and Spain. Born of a noble family, he was ...

Uncompahgre Peak

(Encyclopedia)Uncompahgre Peak, 14,309 ft (4,361 m) high, SW Colo., in the San Juan Mts. of the Rockies and NE of Ouray.

Illia, Arturo

(Encyclopedia)Illia, Arturo ärto͞oˈrō ēlˈyä [key], 1900–1983, president of Argentina (1963–66). A country physician, he entered politics after 1930, and from 1948 to 1952 he was one of the few non-Perón...

Wichita, indigenous people of North America

(Encyclopedia)Wichita wĭchˈĭtô [key], Native North Americans whose language belongs to the Caddoan branch of the Hokan-Siouan linguistic stock (see Native American languages). They formerly occupied central Kan...

Greytown

(Encyclopedia)Greytown: see San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua. ...

Browse by Subject