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The idea of creating a weapon by attaching a sharp end to a long shaft is an old one—the first spears date back to the Stone Age. Over the centuries, pole weapons have taken many different forms, from the European fauchard to the Chinese guan dao to the Japanese naginata. Masses of soldiers carrying pole weapons were recognized as effective military units early in the history of organized warfare. What infantry weapon resembled a kitchen knife? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A figure of a man used as a supporting pillar.
Synonyms: atlas.
Usage: The portico of the Hermitage Museum in Russia features ten enormous telamones carved from granite.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The first time he encountered a tiger shark in the water, marine ecologist Neil Hammerschlag was in the Bahamas conducting research. His team was on a boat and hadn’t seen many sharks, so when someone yelled, “Tiger shark!” he grabbed his snorkel … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Battle of Fromelles was fought in France during World War I between Germany and a combined force of British and Australian troops. More than 1,500 British and 5,500 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Germany, which suffered 1,500 casualties. The Australian War Memorial describes the battle as “the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.” The Allies had planned to launch the attack sooner, but were delayed by what? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
On July 19, 1947, Aung San and six of his cabinet members, including his older brother, were assassinated during an Executive Council meeting. His political adversary, U Saw, was found guilty of participating in the assassinations and was later executed for his part in the killings. July 19 has been declared Martyr’s Day, a national holiday on which the people of Myanmar remember their slain leader Aung San. On this day, the country holds a moment of silence, and a ceremony is held as family members of Aung San and the other assassinated cabinet members lay wreaths on their tombs. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Degas was a French painter and sculptor. After copying the Old Masters and becoming a skilled draftsman, he was introduced to Impressionism by Édouard Manet. He then gave up his academic aspirations to pursue art exclusively. Many of his works depict the fast-paced city life of Paris, particularly the ballet, theater, circus, track, and cafés, and feature non-traditional compositions influenced by Japanese prints and photography. Which of his works was criticized for its “appalling ugliness”? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
With a name meaning “killers of monarchs,” the Monarchomachs were originally members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France who opposed absolute monarchy at the end of the 16th century. Born out of the wars between Catholics and Protestants, the Monarchomachs promoted a theory of tyrannicide—the killing or assassination of tyrants for the common good—in their advocacy of popular sovereignty. What separated their political vision from the modern conception of democracy? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
You, who are blessed with shade as well as light, you, who are gifted with two eyes, endowed with a knowledge of perspective, and charmed with the enjoyment of various colors, you, who can actually see…the Three Dimensions—how shall I make clear to you the extreme difficulty which we in Flatland experience in recognizing one another’s configuration? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A person who dissents from some established policy.
Synonyms: objector, dissident, protester, contestant.
Usage: With the exception of one or two dissenters, the members agreed to the proposition.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
What you’re looking at is a slice of the entire universe, a web of galaxies billions of light years away. You’re also looking into the past, since the further into the distance you look, the longer it took that light to reach your eyes. It all seems a lot smaller … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary