Definition: (adjective) Of the most contemptible kind.
Synonyms: abject, low-down, scummy, miserable, low.
Usage: It was a scurvy trick to play on a helpless old lady, but he was desperate for money and therefore went along with the plan to swindle her out of her life savings.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
The famous thought experiment known as Schrödinger’s cat implies that a cat in a box can be both dead and alive at the same time — a bizarre phenomenon that is a consequence of quantum mechanics. Now, physicists at the University of Exeter in England … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
England’s King James II may have been deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, but he was not without supporters. These supporters, the Jacobites, spent the next six decades unsuccessfully fighting to restore him—and, later, his descendants—to the throne. Their final major attempt, the Forty-five Rebellion, began auspiciously for the House of Stuart, with a victory at Prestonpans, Scotland. The battle was won in mere minutes. How many casualties did the government troops suffer in that time? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
McAdam was a Scottish engineer who invented a process called “macadamization.” After noting the poor condition of the highways near his estate, he recommended that roads be raised above the adjacent ground for good drainage and then covered, first with large stones then with small stones, and bound with fine gravel. It was perhaps the greatest advance in road construction since Roman times and became known as “tarmac,” short for “tarmacadam.” What was the first macadam road in North America? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In the Old Testament, the proper name of God is revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. Known as the Tetragrammaton—Greek for “four-letter word”—it consists of four Hebrew consonants: yod, he, vav, and he. These are variously transliterated as JHVH, JHWH, YHWH, or YHVH. Although contention still exists today, many scholars accept the pronunciation as either “Yahweh” Or “Jehovah.” The name is regarded by Jews as ineffable—too sacred to be pronounced. When reading, what substitute is used? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Having the character of, or characteristic of, a traitor.
Synonyms: traitorous, treasonous, unfaithful.
Usage: They succeeded in overtaking the party of which they were in quest, but concealed their faithless desertion of Scott; alleging that he had died of disease.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
Babies in the U.S. are being injured in infant walkers at a rate of more than five per day, a new study finds. While the number of injuries has dropped significantly over the last three decades, there are still far too many, researchers say. Between … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
By the time Cunard’s RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, often referred to simply as the QE2, ocean liner was built, airplanes had already largely supplanted ships for transatlantic travel. Thus, the vessel needed to be more efficient and versatile than her predecessors in the fleet. During her 39 years in service, she completed 806 transatlantic crossings, ferrying 2.5 million passengers across nearly six million miles of ocean. During what war was she pressed into service as a troop carrier? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Autumn Festival marks the start of the city’s cultural season, encompassing film, photography and other contemporary arts on an international scale. Most of the theater presentations are experimental, and they have included productions from the United States, West Berlin, Denmark, Poland, and the former U.S.S.R. Composers whose works have been performed there include Pierre Boulez, György Ligeti, John Cage and Iannis Zenakis, and it has featured the New York Philharmonic, the London Sinfonietta and the Orchestre de Paris. Events are held in locations throughout Paris. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
After breaking her wrist as a young girl, Kenny developed an interest in medicine and eventually became a nurse. While treating polio victims in her native Australia, she devised a treatment using hot compresses and passive exercise that differed drastically from the usual approach of immobilization. Kenny later brought her controversial treatment to the US, where it was initially met with skepticism but was ultimately accepted. What actor attributes his recovery from polio to these treatments? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary