Month: January 2019

Iron Sights

An iron sight is a system of aligned markers used to assist the eye in making alignments or directional observations when one is aiming a firearm or crossbow. Unlike scopes, iron sights do not make use of lenses. They are instead typically composed of two component sights: the front sight, which is a post, bead, or ring, and the rear sight, which is either open (a notch) or closed (an aperture). On many firearms, the rear sight is adjustable to account for what factors? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Day of the Three Archbishops

In Greece during the 11th century there was a controversy over which of the three archbishops—Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, or John Chrysostom—was the greatest saint of the Greek Orthodox Church. In 1081, Bishop John of Galatia reported that the three saints had appeared to him in a vision to say that they were equal in the eyes of God; their equality is celebrated on this day. Greek schools hold special exercises in honor of the saints, who supported the classical Greek tradition at a time when many were opposed to all non-Christian literature. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Magnets

A magnet is defined as any material capable of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field outside itself. Magnets are essential for the generation of electric power and are used in motors, generators, information storage, ATM cards, TVs, and numerous other applications. By the end of the 19th century, all known elements and many compounds had been tested for magnetism, and all were found to have some magnetic property. However, only three elements exhibit ferromagnetism. What are they? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Pas d’Armes

Pas d’Armes was a knightly chivalric phenomenon that evolved in the late 14th century and remained popular through the 15th century. It involved a knight or group of knights laying claim to a traveled spot, such as a bridge or city gate, and declaring that any other knight who wished to pass must first fight—or be disgraced. A traveling knight who was not adequately armed could be provided with weapons. If a passing knight chose not to fight, what would he leave behind as a sign of humiliation? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

National Cowboy Poetry Gathering

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a celebration of the old tradition of cowboy poetry in the buckaroo town of Elko, Nevada. The gathering, which began in 1985 with about 50 working cowboys, has become a six-day affair in the last week of January that now includes folk-music concerts, western dances, exhibits of cowboy gear, and workshops not only on writing but also on such topics as horse-hair braiding and photography. Poetry remains the heart of the festival, and the poets—all working ranch people—include men, women, and children. Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Laying on of Hands

In a number of faiths and spiritual practices, the act of laying hands on a person’s head is used to confer spiritual blessing. In Christianity, the practice is used as both a symbolic and formal method of invoking the Holy Spirit during baptisms, healing services, blessings, and ordinations of priests and other church officers, along with a variety of other church sacraments and holy ceremonies. Laying on of hands was also practiced by European kings and was believed to cure what disease? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary