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abracadabra

(Encyclopedia)abracadabra ăbˌrəkədăbˈrə [key], magical formula used by the Gnostics (see Gnosticism) to invoke the aid of benevolent spirits to ward off disease and affliction. It is supposed to be derived f...

Nashoba

(Encyclopedia)Nashoba năshōˈbə [key], former community, Shelby co., SW Tenn., on the Wolf River just E of Memphis. It was established (1825) by Frances Wright and others, influenced by the model of New Harmony,...

lymphoma

(Encyclopedia)lymphoma, a cancer of the tissue of the lymphatic system. There are two categories of lymphomas. One type is termed Hodgkin's disease, the other, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (see lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's). ...

Leloir, Luis Federico

(Encyclopedia)Leloir, Luis Federico, 1906–87, Argentine biochemist, b. France, M.D. Univ. of Buenos Aires, 1932, Ph.D. Leloir was a researcher at the Univ. of Buenos Aires from 1932 to 1943. He then taught briefl...

Shafter, William Rufus

(Encyclopedia)Shafter, William Rufus, 1835–1906, American general, b. Galesburg, Mich. He served in the Union army during the Civil War and in 1867 joined the regular army, rising to become brigadier general (189...

Vineland

(Encyclopedia)Vineland, city (1990 pop. 54,780), Cumberland co., S N.J., in a poultry and fruit area; settled 1861, inc. 1952 when combined with Landis township. The growing city has cooperative markets, large glas...

diphtheria

(Encyclopedia)diphtheria dĭfthērˈēə [key], acute contagious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (Klebs-Loffler bacillus) bacteria that have been infected by a bacteriophage. It begins as a soreness o...

emphysema

(Encyclopedia)emphysema ĕmfĭsēˈmə [key], pathological or physiological enlargement or overdistention of the air sacs of the lungs. A major cause of pulmonary insufficiency in chronic cigarette smokers, emphyse...

antioxidant

(Encyclopedia)antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antio...

Health and Human Services, United States Department of

(Encyclopedia)Health and Human Services, United States Department of, federal executive department charged with administering government health programs. Successor to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfar...