Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

osprey

(Encyclopedia)osprey ŏsˈprē [key], common name for a fish-eating bird of prey found near water in most parts of the world. The osprey, or fish hawk, Pandion haliaetus, has brown upperparts and a grayish white he...

Warm Springs

(Encyclopedia)Warm Springs, resort, Meriwether co., W Ga. The salutary properties of the water springing from Pine Mt. were known to Native Americans, and white settlers learned of them in the late 18th cent. By th...

refrigeration

(Encyclopedia)CE5 Compression system of refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portabl...

coral reefs

(Encyclopedia)coral reefs, limestone formations produced by living organisms, found in shallow, tropical marine waters. In most reefs, the predominant organisms are stony corals, colonial cnidarians that secrete an...

public health

(Encyclopedia)public health, field of medicine and hygiene dealing with the prevention of disease and the promotion of health by government agencies. In the United States, public health authorities are engaged in m...

Jamestown, town, St. Helena

(Encyclopedia)Jamestown, town, port, and capital (1998 pop. 864) of Saint Helena, in the S Atlantic. Once a busy coaling station on the East India route, it lost its importance after the opening of the Suez Canal, ...

filtration

(Encyclopedia)filtration: see sewerage; water supply. ...

Tipperary , town, Republic of Ireland

(Encyclopedia)Tipperary, town (1991 pop. 4,963), seat of Co. Tipperary, S central Republic of Ireland. The center of a rich agricultural region, it is a farm market. Linoleum, mineral water, condensed milk, and glo...

Yarra

(Encyclopedia)Yarra, river, 115 mi (185 km) long, rising in the Great Dividing Range, S Victoria, Australia, and flowing generally westward through Melbourne to Port Phillip Bay. It is important to the water supply...

Vermont, University of

(Encyclopedia)Vermont, University of, officially named the Univ. of Vermont and State Agricultural College, at Burlington; land-grant and state supported; chartered 1791, opened 1800. The university has a state agr...