(Encyclopedia) AliAliälēˈ [key] (Ali ibn Abu Talib), 598?–661, 4th caliph (656–61). The debate over his right to the caliphate caused a major split in Islam into Sunni and Shiite branches, and he is…
(Encyclopedia) DianaDianadīănˈə [key], in Roman religion, goddess of the moon, forests, animals, and women in childbirth. She was probably originally a forest goddess and a special patroness of women…
(Encyclopedia) Diane de FranceDiane de Francedyän də fräNs [key], 1538–1619, duchess of Angoulême; illegitimate daughter of King Henry II of France. She was legitimized in 1547. She was married to…
(Encyclopedia) Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiersdyän də [key]Diane de Poitierspwätyāˈ [key], 1499–1566, duchess of Valentinois, mistress of King Henry II of France. Noted for her beauty, Diane, who…
(Encyclopedia) diapensiadiapensiadīəpĕnˈsēə [key], common name for the Diapensiaceae, a family of low evergreen shrubs native to cool and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species that…
(Encyclopedia)
CE5
Diaphragm
diaphragmdiaphragmdīˈəfrămˌ [key], term used to describe any of several large muscles, found in humans and other mammals, which separate two adjacent regions of the…
(Encyclopedia) diarrheadiarrheadīərēˈə [key], frequent discharge of watery feces from the intestines, sometimes containing blood and mucus. It can be caused by excessive indulgence in alcohol or…
(Encyclopedia) diary [Lat.,=day], a daily record of events and observations. As distinguished from memoir (an account of events placed in perspective by the author long after they have occurred), the…
