Definition: (noun) A deserted or abandoned child of unknown parentage.
Synonyms: abandoned infant.
Usage: No one knew why an envelope containing images of a mountainous landscape had been tucked in the folds of the foundling's blanket.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
Scientists have found a way to power an experimental kind of electronic skin using solar energy in a further step towards the development of prosthetic limbs or robots with a sense of touch. Teams around the world are working to develop flexible versions of synthetic … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
After a tumultuous childhood, reform school, and a stint in the US Marines, McQueen studied acting in New York, earning money on the weekends by racing motorcycles. He gained attention on Broadway and went on to star as a cool, stoic loner in many films, including The Great Escape and Papillon. In Bullitt‘s famous car chase scene, he even did some of the stunt driving. When he was 18 years old, McQueen saved the lives of five fellow Marines in the Arctic. How? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Kayan are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group known for their unusual tradition of body modification, which consists of coiling lengths of brass around women’s necks. The coils are first applied to young girls when they are approximately five years old, and each coil is replaced with a longer one as the weight of the brass pushes the collar bone down and compresses the rib cage. Contrary to popular belief, the neck vertebrae are not actually lengthened. Can wearers remove the rings entirely? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Causing harm or injury.
Synonyms: damaging, detrimental, prejudicial.
Usage: The reporter's coverage resulted in prejudicious publicity for the defendant.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
A protein in spider venom may help protect the brain from injury after a stroke, according to research. Scientists found a single dose of the protein Hi1a worked on lab rats. They said it showed “great promise as a future stroke treatment” but had not … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Margaret was queen consort of King Henry VI of England and ruled during her husband’s frequent bouts of mental illness. With the king insane and childless, Richard, duke of York, was poised to inherit the throne. However, in 1453, Margaret gave birth to a son. The convoluted struggle over who would be king resulted in the War of the Roses, which, by 1471, had left most of those involved dead—except for Margaret. In May of that year, she led an army at the battle of Tewkesbury. Who won? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Accidentally introduced into the US in the 1930s from its native S America, the red imported fire ant (RIFA) is an invasive ant species that has since spread to Asia and Australia. These resilient, aggressive pests possess a painful sting and build mounds that can destroy crops. US officials estimate that the ants cause more than $5 billion in damages annually. While RIFA stings are rarely life-threatening to humans, the insects are responsible for at least 80 deaths. What causes them to swarm? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A person given to clowning and joking.
Synonyms: merry andrew, clown, goof, goofball.
Usage: At a country fair there was a buffoon who made all the people laugh by imitating the cries of various animals.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
A primitive Amazonian tribe appears to have the best heart health in the world, living a simple existence that inadvertently provides them extraordinary protection against heart disease, researchers report. The Tsimane people of Bolivia lead an active … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary