Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, February 18, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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arcanum
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining the ColonA colon ( : ) is used after an independent clause to add information that helps illustrate or clarify what it says. It is most commonly used to introduce a list, but it can also introduce what else? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Ethelred the UnreadyEthelred was about 10 years old when his half-brother, the King of England, was murdered—possibly by Ethelred's advisors. He took the throne in 978 CE and reigned for nearly 40 tumultuous years. Danes began attacking the coast of England while he was still a teen. He failed to mount an organized defense against them, and his later massacre of a Danish settlement provoked more attacks. Though often translated as "unready," Ethelred's epithet, "Unraed," may have in fact been a pun meaning what? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Republic of The Gambia Gains Independence from the UK (1965)Entirely surrounded by Senegal except for an outlet to the Atlantic, the Republic of The Gambia is a West African nation that consists of a relatively narrow strip of land that spans both banks of the Gambia River and follows the river's path inland for about 300 mi (480 km). In 1588, the territory was sold to English merchants by the Portuguese. In 1843, it became a British colony. In 1965, it gained independence, and in 1982, it joined with Senegal to form a confederation by what name? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Hans Asperger (1906)Asperger was an Austrian psychiatrist who, in 1944, published the first definition of what is now known as Asperger syndrome. Calling it "autistic psychopathy," he described a disorder characterized by severe impairment of social skills and restricted interests and behaviors, features that he himself appears to have exhibited as a child. Despite his patients' handicaps, Asperger believed that they would someday make valuable contributions to society. Which of his patients won a Nobel Prize? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 The fortunes of war more than any other are liable to frequent fluctuations.Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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housewarming (party)— A party thrown to celebrate when someone moves into a new apartment, flat, or house. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Al Bustan International Festival of Music and the Arts (2024)The Al Bustan International Festival of Beirut, Lebanon, annually presents a program of music dance, marionettes, and theater. While chamber music dominates the program, the festival also includes works of opera, orchestral music, and choral music. Each year, the festival offers more than 30 performances over the five-week festival period in February and March. During the festival, participating artists offer master classes and workshops at the National Conservatoire in Beirut and other institutions throughout Lebanon. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: heelssparable - A headless nail used for soles and heels of shoes. More... recalcitrant - Comes from Latin recalcitrare, "kick out with the heels," from calx, "heel." More... heel - The crusty ends of a loaf of bread are its heels. More... Dog Star - Named for its appearing to follow at the heels of Orion the hunter. More... | |