Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, October 12, 2017)| Word of the Day | |||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Gender in NounsThere are some instances in which nouns are declined to show masculine or feminine gender. How is a noun made feminine? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 DunesDunes are mounds or ridges of wind-blown sand that form in arid regions and along coasts, areas where there is plenty of sand, strong winds, low rainfall, and some vegetation or obstructions to trap the sand. The shape of a dune—crescent, linear, star, dome, or parabolic, to name a few—is dictated by the prevailing wind pattern. Dunes that are not stabilized by vegetation often migrate, driven by the wind, and may cause damage as they move. What are some techniques for halting their migration? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Iron Lung Used for the First Time (1928)Invented by engineer Philip Drinker, an iron lung is a device that can produce artificial respiration for extended periods of time. It consists of an airtight metal tank that encloses nearly the entire body and forces the lungs to inhale and exhale by regulating changes in air pressure. Developed for the treatment of coal gas poisoning and first used to save an unconscious child in respiratory failure, the device was eventually most widely used for the treatment of what disease? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Luciano Pavarotti (1935)Originally a schoolteacher, Pavarotti only began his vocal training in his 20s but nevertheless became one of the most successful tenors of all time. He made his professional debut in 1961 and then debuted at La Scala in 1965 and the Metropolitan Opera in 1968. A popular favorite, Pavarotti was noted for the rich and ringing clarity of his voice as well as for his immense personal charm. At the peak of his career, his concerts drew hundreds of thousands of attendees. Where did he last perform? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 To note an artist's limitations is but to define his talent. A reporter can write equally well about everything that is presented to his view, but a creative writer can do his best only with what lies within the range and character of his deepest sympathies.Willa Cather (1873-1947) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have the feel of (something)— To have a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to be familiar with something. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Feast of the Virgin of the Pillar (2023)According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. James the Apostle when he was in Saragossa (Zaragoza), Spain. She spoke to him from the top of a pillar, which he interpreted as a sign that he should build a chapel where the column stood. The Feast of the Virgin of the Pillar is observed with special masses and processions, such as the Gigantes—giant cardboard and canvas figures representing Spanish kings and queens or famous literary and historical figures—and the cabezudos, or "big heads"—grotesque puppets with huge heads. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: repeatrecap, recapitulate - Recap is short for recapitulate, literally "repeat the headings." More... trackway - A path formed by the repeated treading of animals or people. More... frequent - From Latin frequens, "crowded" or "regularly repeated." More... spam - As in e-mail, it gets its name from the Monty Python sketch in which the word is repeated many times. More... | |