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isomorphism

(Encyclopedia)isomorphism īˌsəmôrˈfĭzəm [key], of minerals, similarity of crystal structure between two or more distinct substances. Sodium nitrate and calcium sulfate are isomorphous, as are the sulfates of...

most-favored-nation clause

(Encyclopedia)most-favored-nation clause (MFN), provision in a commercial treaty binding the signatories to extend trading benefits equal to those accorded any third state. The clause ensures equal commercial oppor...

seas, freedom of the

(Encyclopedia)seas, freedom of the, in international law, the principle that outside its territorial waters (see waters, territorial) a state may not claim sovereignty over the seas, except with respect to its own ...

Du Châtelet-Lomont, Gabrielle Émilie le Tonnelier de Breteuil, marquise

(Encyclopedia)Du Châtelet-Lomont, Gabrielle Émilie le Tonnelier de Breteuil, marquise gäbrēĕlˈ āmēlēˈ lə tōnəlyāˈ də brətöˈyə märkēzˈ dü shätəlāˈ-lōmōNˈ [key], 1706–49, French mathe...

Seine

(Encyclopedia)Seine sān, Fr. sĕn [key], Lat. Sequana, river, c.480 mi (770 km) long, rising in the Langres Plateau and flowing generally NW through N France. It passes Troyes, Melun, and Paris, whence it meanders...

Barrès, Maurice

(Encyclopedia)Barrès, Maurice môrēsˈ bärĕsˈ [key], 1862–1923, French novelist and nationalist politician. As an advocate of the supremacy of the individual self, he wrote the trilogy of novels Le Culte du ...

Triolet, Elsa

(Encyclopedia)Triolet, Elsa (Elsa Blick) ĕlsäˈ trēôlĕˈ [key], c.1896–1970, Russian-French author, b. Moscow. In 1928 she married the French writer Louis Aragon. Her novels often combine a sweeping Russian ...

Noailles, Anna Élisabeth de Brancovan, comtesse de

(Encyclopedia)Noailles, Anna Élisabeth de Brancovan, comtesse de də nōīˈyə [key], 1876–1933, French poet, daughter of a noble Romanian family. She was renowned for the brilliant gatherings at her home. Her...

Velay

(Encyclopedia)Velay vəlāˈ [key], region, E central France, in the Massif Central and partly in Haute-Loire dept. Partly volcanic in origin, the region has many high arid plateaus, some of startling beauty. Le Pu...

Supervielle, Jules

(Encyclopedia)Supervielle, Jules zhül süpĕrvyĕlˈ [key], 1884–1960, French author, b. Uruguay. His life was divided between Montevideo, where he was born, and Paris, where he was educated. The freshness and o...