Search

Search results

Displaying 441 - 450

Labuan

(Encyclopedia) LabuanLabuanləb&oomacr;ˈən, läˌb&oomacr;änˈ [key], island (1991 pop. 54,307), 38 sq mi (98 sq km), a federal territory of Malaysia, off Sabah, N Borneo, in the South China Sea…

depilatory

(Encyclopedia) depilatorydepilatorydĭpĭlˈətôrˌē [key], substance used to remove hair. In preparing hides for tanning, lime is the chief depilatory. For the removal of superfluous hair from the human…

cutting

(Encyclopedia) cutting, in horticulture, part of a plant stem, leaf, or root cut off and used for producing a new plant. It is a convenient and inexpensive method of propagation, not possible for all…

cutworm

(Encyclopedia) cutworm, name for the larvae of many moths of the family Noctuidae (owlet moths). These larvae, or caterpillars, feed at night on the stems and roots of young plants, often cutting…

John IV, king of Portugal

(Encyclopedia) John IV, 1604–56, king of Portugal (1640–56). He succeeded as duke of Braganza in 1630. Descended from Manuel I and in illegitimate line from John I, he had the strongest claim to the…

Jenkins's Ear, War of

(Encyclopedia) Jenkins's Ear, War of, 1739–41, struggle between England and Spain. It grew out of the commercial rivalry of the two powers and led to involvement in the larger War of the Austrian…

Jervis, John, earl of St. Vincent

(Encyclopedia) Jervis, John, earl of St. VincentJervis, John, earl of St. Vincentjärˈvĭs, jûrˈ– [key], 1735–1823, British admiral. His most famous action as commander of the Mediterranean fleet was…

scalping

(Encyclopedia) scalping, taking the scalp of an enemy. The custom, comparable to head-hunting, was formerly practiced in Europe and Asia (Herodotus describes its practice by the Scythians, for…

Scapa Flow

(Encyclopedia) Scapa FlowScapa Flowskăpˈə [key], area of water, 15 mi (24 km) long and 8 mi (12.9 km) wide, in the Orkney Islands, off N Scotland. It is bounded by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay,…

Sikorski, Władysław

(Encyclopedia) Sikorski, WładysławSikorski, Władysławvlädĭˈswäf shēkôrˈskē [key], 1881–1943, Polish general and politician. He fought in World War I and later (1922–25) held various cabinet posts.…