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Phelps, Michael Fred

(Encyclopedia)Phelps, Michael Fred, 1985–, American swimmer, b. Baltimore. One of the world's greatest competitive swimmers, Phelps became (2001) the youngest world record holder (in the 200-m butterfly) at 15 an...

Jerome, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Jerome, Saint jərōmˈ, jĕrˈəm [key], c.347–420?, Christian scholar, Father of the Church, Doctor of the Church. He was born in Stridon on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia of Christian parent...

Talmud

(Encyclopedia)Talmud tălˈməd [key] [Aramaic from Heb.,=learning], in Judaism, vast compilation of the Oral Law with rabbinical elucidations, elaborations, and commentaries, in contradistinction to the Scriptures...

Moser-Pröll, Annemarie

(Encyclopedia)Moser-Pröll, Annemarie, 1953–, Austrian skier. One of the world's greatest Alpine skiers, Moser-Pröll dominated women's skiing in the 1970s, and her 62 World Cup wins from 1970 through 1980 set th...

oriole

(Encyclopedia)oriole, common name applied to various perching birds of the Old (family Oriolidae) and New (family Icteridae) Worlds. The European orioles are allied to the crows, while the American orioles, of the ...

Maier, Hermann

(Encyclopedia)Maier, Hermann hĕrˈmänˌ mīˈər [key], 1972–, Austrian skier. Sent home from a ski academy in his teens by a physical condition, he was a bricklayer before winning a place on the Austrian World...

Ohno, Apolo Anton

(Encyclopedia)Ohno, Apolo Anton, 1982–, American speedskater, b. Seattle, Wash. Ohno began his speedskating career in 1995 and by 1997 was America's best short-track skater. In 1999 he became the youngest U.S. sk...

McCormick, Robert Rutherford

(Encyclopedia)McCormick, Robert Rutherford, 1880–1955, American journalist, b. Chicago. He held local public offices, was admitted (1907) to the bar, and practiced law in Chicago. He worked with his brother, Jose...

Schmeling, Max

(Encyclopedia)Schmeling, Max (Maximilian Schmeling), 1905–2005, German boxer. He debuted as a professional fighter in 1924 and came to the United States in 1928. Two years later the methodical slugger beat heavyw...

Baykal

(Encyclopedia)Baykal or Baikal both: bīkälˈ [key], lake, 12,160 sq mi (31,494 sq km), SE Siberian Russia. It is the largest freshwater lake of Eurasia, with a width up to 50 mi (80 km) and a length of c.395 mi (...