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cordage

(Encyclopedia)cordage kôrˈdĭj [key], collective name for rope and other flexible lines. It is used for such purposes as wrapping, hauling, lifting, and power transmission. Early man used strips of hide, animal h...

phthalates

(Encyclopedia)phthalates, family of chemical compounds made from alcohols and phthalic anhydride, C6H4(CO)2O. Oily, colorless, odorless liquids that do not evaporate readily, they are used primarily to make polyvin...

polyethylene

(Encyclopedia)polyethylene pŏlˌēĕthˈəlēn [key], widely used plastic. It is a polymer of ethylene, CH2=CH2, having the formula (–CH2–CH2–)n, and is produced at high pressures and temperatures in the pre...

Washington, cities, United States

(Encyclopedia)Washington. 1 City (1990 pop. 10,838), seat of Daviess co., SW Ind.; settled 1805, inc. as a city 1871. Turkey processing and farming are the chief economic activities, and there is light manufacturin...

Yonkers

(Encyclopedia)Yonkers yŏnˈkərz [key], city (1990 pop. 188,082), Westchester co., SE N.Y., on the east bank of the Hudson, in a hilly region just N of the Bronx (New York City); inc. 1855. Manufactures include ch...

Nacka

(Encyclopedia)Nacka näˈkä [key], city (1994 est. pop. 69,120), Stockholm co., E Sweden, on the Baltic Sea, a suburb of Stockholm. It has radio and television stations and shipyards. Manufactures include steam tu...

Hilversum

(Encyclopedia)Hilversum hĭlˈvərsəm [key], city, North Holland prov., central Netherlands. It is the center of ...

Cousteau, Jacques Yves

(Encyclopedia)Cousteau, Jacques Yves zhäk ēv ko͞ostōˈ [key], 1910–97, French oceanographer and naval officer. In 1943, with Émil Gagnan, he invented the self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba)...

equal-time rule

(Encyclopedia)equal-time rule, a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires equal air time for all major candidates competing for political office. It was preceded by the fairness doctrine, abolished in 1...

Yap

(Encyclopedia)Yap yăp, yäp [key], state (1990 pop. 10,886), c.47 sq mi (121 sq km), in the W Caroline Islands, W Pacific. One of four states comprising the Federated States of Micronesia, the island group was for...