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Rahab

(Encyclopedia)Rahab rāˈhăb [key], in the Bible. 1 Prostitute of Jericho whose protection of Joshua's two spies saved her and her family from destruction. She may be the same woman mentioned in the Gospel genealo...

Franklin, Aretha

(Encyclopedia)Franklin, Aretha, 1942–2018, American singer and pianist, b. Memphis. The daughter of the well-known minister C. L. Franklin, she began singing in the choir of his Detroit Baptist church, where she ...

Dorcas

(Encyclopedia)Dorcas tăbˈĭthə [key] [Gr. Dorcas and Aramaic Tabitha=gazelle], in the Acts of the Apostles, Christian woman of Joppa whom St. Peter raised from the dead. She made clothes for the poor. ...

evil eye

(Encyclopedia)evil eye, principally Sicilian and Mesoamerican superstition, although it is known in other cultures. According to the Native American version, a person who stares fixedly at a pregnant woman or a chi...

Besnard, Paul Albert

(Encyclopedia)Besnard, Paul Albert pôl älbĕrˈ bānärˈ [key], 1849–1934, French painter, studied with Legros and Cabanel and in Italy. He enjoyed many official honors and was the last important academic pain...

Skövde

(Encyclopedia)Skövde skövˈdə [key], city (1990 pop. 30,540), Skaraborg co., S Sweden, midway between lakes Vänern and Vättern. During the Middle Ages many pilgrims visited the shrine of St. Elin (Helen) of Sk...

Tarpeia

(Encyclopedia)Tarpeia tärpēˈyə [key], in Roman legend, a Roman woman who betrayed her city to the Sabines for what they wore on their left arms (their gold bracelets). As they entered Rome they crushed her unde...

Becque, Henry François

(Encyclopedia)Becque, Henry François äNrēˈ fräNswäˈ bĕk [key], 1837–99, French dramatist. His plays, which portrayed Parisian life in realistic detail, influenced French naturalistic drama. Among them are...

Ederle, Gertrude Caroline

(Encyclopedia)Ederle, Gertrude Caroline āˈdərlē [key], 1905–2003, American swimmer, b. New York City. Ederle won three medals in the 1924 Olympic games. On Aug. 6, 1926, she became the first woman to swim the...

Connolly, Maureen

(Encyclopedia)Connolly, Maureen, 1934–69, American tennis player, b. San Diego, Calif. She became, at 16, the youngest player to win the U.S. national singles. She successfully defended the U.S. title (1952, 1953...