Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

128 results found

Andros, Sir Edmund

(Encyclopedia)Andros, Sir Edmund ănˈdrŏs [key], 1637–1714, British colonial governor in America, b. Guernsey. As governor of New York (1674–81) he was bitterly criticized for his high-handed methods, and he ...

Paasikivi, Juho Kusti

(Encyclopedia)Paasikivi, Juho Kusti yo͝oˈhō ko͝osˈtē päˈsĭkĭvˌē [key], 1870–1956, president of Finland (1946–56). He entered the Finnish parliament in 1907 and was minister of finance in 1908–9. A...

machine

(Encyclopedia)machine, arrangement of moving and stationary mechanical parts used to perform some useful work or to provide transportation. From a historical perspective, many of the first machines were the result ...

picric acid

(Encyclopedia)picric acid trīˌnīˌtrōfēˈnōl [key], C6H2(NO2)3OH, a toxic yellow crystalline solid that melts at 122℃ and is soluble in most organic solvents. Picric acid is a derivative of phenol. It react...

steering system

(Encyclopedia)steering system, in automobiles, steering wheel, gears, linkages, and other components used to control the direction of a vehicle's motion. Because of friction between the front tires and the road, es...

sagebrush

(Encyclopedia)sagebrush, name for several species of Artemisia, deciduous shrubs of the family Asteraceae (aster family), particularly abundant in arid regions of W North America. The common sagebrush (A. tridentat...

transmission

(Encyclopedia)transmission, in automobiles, system of parts connecting the engine to the wheels. Suitable torque, or turning force, is generated by the engine only within a narrow range of engine speeds, i.e., rate...

Charles I, emperor of Austria

(Encyclopedia)Charles I, 1887–1922, last emperor of Austria and, as Charles IV, king of Hungary (1916–18); son of Archduke Otto and grandnephew and successor of Emperor Francis Joseph. He married Zita of Bourbo...

fluorescence

(Encyclopedia)fluorescence flo͝orĕsˈəns [key], luminescence in which light of a visible color is emitted from a substance under stimulation or excitation by light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation or ...

Austin, Stephen Fuller

(Encyclopedia)Austin, Stephen Fuller, 1793–1836, American leader of colonization in Texas, known as the Father of Texas, b. Wythe co., Va.; son of Moses Austin. He grew up in Missouri, studied at Transylvania Uni...

Browse by Subject