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microphone

(Encyclopedia)microphone, device for converting sound into electrical energy, used in radio broadcasting, recording, and sound amplifying systems. Its basic component is a diaphragm that responds to the pressure or...

asthma

(Encyclopedia)asthma ăzˈmə, ăsˈ– [key], chronic inflammatory respiratory disease characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tight feeling in the chest. A cough producing sticky...

Medina Sidonia, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, duque de

(Encyclopedia)Medina Sidonia, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, duque de älōnˈsō pāˈrĕth thā go͞othmänˈ do͞oˈkā ᵺā māᵺēˈnä sēᵺōˈnyä [key], 1550–1615, Spanish nobleman and commander in chief o...

John Birch Society

(Encyclopedia)John Birch Society, ultraconservative, anti-Communist organization in the United States. It was founded in Dec., 1958, by manufacturer Robert Welch, headquartered in Belmont, Mass., and named after Jo...

Nasheed, Mohamed

(Encyclopedia)Nasheed, Mohamed mōhäˈmĕd näshēdˈ [key], 1967–, Maldivian political leader. A journalist, he often ran afoul of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and was imprisoned several times. “Anni” was...

antibody

(Encyclopedia)antibody, protein produced by the immune system (see immunity) in response to the presence in the body of antigens: foreign proteins or polysaccharides such as bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses, or ...

Godolphin, Sidney Godolphin, 1st earl of

(Encyclopedia)Godolphin, Sidney Godolphin, 1st earl of gədŏlˈfĭn [key], 1645–1712, English statesman. He early established a lasting friendship with John Churchill (later duke of Marlborough), and their polit...

imagists

(Encyclopedia)imagists, group of English and American poets writing from 1909 to about 1917, who were united by their revolt against the exuberant imagery and diffuse sentimentality of 19th-century poetry. Influenc...

Hyades, in astronomy

(Encyclopedia)Hyades hīˈədēz [key], in astronomy, open star cluster in the constellation Taurus, located immediately to the right of the bright star Aldebaran. The cluster is about 130 light-years from the eart...