Definition: (noun) The part of the respiratory tract between the pharynx and the trachea, having walls of cartilage and muscle and containing the vocal cords enveloped in folds of mucous membrane.
Synonyms: voice box.
Usage: By cunning operations on tongue, throat, larynx, and nasal cavities a man's whole enunciation and manner of speech could be changed.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
This year, a 30-second Super Bowl ad costs as much as $5 million, up from last year’s $4.5 million. It’s a spectacular amount of money for so little airtime, but dozens of companies have no problem forking over the cash. After all, a Super Bowl spot is … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In 1891, gold was discovered on a cattle ranch in Cripple Creek, Colorado, creating one of the richest camps of a major gold-producing area. Two years later, the Western Federation of Miners (WFM) was established by the merger of several local miners’ unions in the Rocky Mountain states. In 1894, the WFM led a five-month strike in Cripple Creek, resulting in a victory for the miners. The strike began when mine owners attempted to lengthen the work day—with no increase in pay—to how many hours? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
When Dickens was a boy, his father was placed in debtors’ prison. As a result, he was withdrawn from school and forced to work in a factory—an experience that deeply influenced his future writings. Now regarded as one of the world’s most popular, prolific, and skilled novelists, Dickens began his literary career as a reporter, developing an encyclopedic knowledge of London and the ability to vividly describe people and everyday life. Under what pen name did Dickens initially publish his work? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Born in the year of the dragon, Bruce Lee grew to become one of the most influential martial artists of the 20th century. His action films sparked the first major surge of interest in Chinese martial arts in the West. Though Lee spent countless hours training and improving his physique, he was also a philosopher and avid reader. He collapsed while working on his final film Enter the Dragon and died a short time later. To what has Lee’s sudden death been attributed? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A painted or carved screen placed above and behind an altar or communion table.
Synonyms: altarpiece.
Usage: The artist is best known for the reredos he painted for the church in his hometown.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
As a scientist fascinated by microbes, Julie Horvath wants to know as much as possible about what’s living on her skin. So when she and a few colleagues swabbed their armpits and bellybuttons and let the bacteria incubate for a couple days, she was … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In 1958, a British European Airways airliner carrying the Manchester United soccer team along with a number of staff members, supporters, and journalists crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Germany’s Munich-Riem airport. Twenty-three of the 44 passengers on board died in the disaster. There was speculation that the club would have to fold, but the threadbare team completed the season, and a rebuilt Manchester United won the European cup in what year? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Homstrom is a Swiss festival celebrating the end of winter. In many ways, it is reminiscent of the February 1 mid-winter festival observed by the ancient Celts, known as Imbolc. One tradition associated with the day is the burning of a straw man who symbolizes Old Man Winter. It is occasionally observed by Swiss-American communities in February. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Braun, a saleswoman in the shop of Adolf Hitler’s photographer, became Hitler’s mistress in the 1930s. Although she lived in homes provided by Hitler throughout their courtship—first in a house in Munich and later in his Berchtesgaden chalet—he never allowed her to be seen in public with him. In 1945, with the Allies drawing ever closer, she joined him in Berlin against his orders. In recognition of her loyalty, he married her in a civil ceremony in their bunker. What happened the next day? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary