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incantation

(Encyclopedia)incantation, set formula, spoken or sung, for the purpose of working magic. An incantation is normally an invocation to beneficent supernatural spirits for aid, protection, or inspiration. It may also...

Azmaveth

(Encyclopedia)Azmaveth ăzmāˈvĕth [key], in the Bible. 1 One of David's mighty men. 2 David's treasurer, perhaps the same as 1. 3 Father of two of David's warriors. He may be the same as 1 or 2, or the name may ...

Miranda v. Arizona

(Encyclopedia)Miranda v. Arizona, U.S. Supreme Court case (1966) in the area of due process of law (see Fourteenth Amendment). The decision reversed an Arizona court's conviction of Ernesto Miranda on kidnapping an...

urinalysis

(Encyclopedia)urinalysis yo͝orˌənălˈĭsĭs [key], clinical examination of urine for the purpose of medical diagnosis. Urine is initially examined for such characteristics as color, odor, and specific gravity. ...

Storting

(Encyclopedia)Storting stôrˈtĭng [key], national parliament of Norway, dating from 1814. Its members are elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term, and representation is proportional. The Stortin...

ringbone

(Encyclopedia)ringbone, bony outgrowth on the front and sides of the pastern bones of a horse's foot, resulting from inflammation or faulty conformation of the bones. The outgrowths increase with sprains and other ...

norovirus

(Encyclopedia)norovirus or Norwalk virus, highly contagious viral disease caused by infection with an RNA virus of the genus Norovirus. The virus causes acute gastroenteritis, usually one to two days after infectio...

nimbus, in art

(Encyclopedia)nimbus nĭmˈbəs [key], in art, the luminous disk or circle or other indication of light around the head of a sacred personage. It was used in Buddhist and other Asian art and by the early Greeks and...

lupus

(Encyclopedia)lupus lo͞oˈpəs [key], noninfectious chronic disease in which antibodies in an individual's immune system attack the body's own substances. In lupus, known medically as lupus erythematosus, antibodi...

bark cloth

(Encyclopedia)bark cloth, primitive fabric made in tropical and subtropical countries from the soft inner bark of certain trees. It has been made and used in parts of Africa and India, the Malay Peninsula, Samoa, t...