Definition: (noun) A brief light sleep.
Synonyms: catnap, forty winks, nap.
Usage: Carey had retired as usual after dinner for a little snooze in the drawing-room, but he was in an irritable mood and could not sleep.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, has celebrated the annual Heidi Festival since the 1960s. Founded in 1845 by immigrants from the Swiss canton of Glaurus, the town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, continued to attract Swiss immigrants over the years. Today it celebrates its cultural heritage in its yearly Volksfest and Heidi Festival. The Heidi Festival revolves around four performances of Heidi, Johanna Spyri’s well-known play about a young Swiss shepherdess. The festival also includes opportunities to enjoy Swiss music, food, and dancing. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Crows are highly intelligent birds that can easily be tamed, yet they are regarded by Western cultures as harbingers of doom because of their dark plumage, unnerving calls, and the fact that they have been known to loiter around battlefields, feed on corpses, and destroy grain crops. They are smart enough to recognize individual humans and can hold grudges against specific people. Due to their sensitivity to it, crows are a good indicator of the spread of what virus that also attacks humans? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (verb) To hold (someone) as if spellbound.
Synonyms: spellbind, bewitch.
Usage: She was mesmerized by the snake’s intricate, colorful scales and could not help but take an inadvisable step toward it.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
An ancient spring agricultural festival in Korea, the Tano Festival started as a planting ritual and a time to pray for a good harvest. Festivities in the countryside include swinging contests for girls, while boys and men take part in ssirum, native Korean wrestling, a sport that can be dated to 400 CE. Today ssirum matches are nationally televised. In the east coast town of Kangnung, the festival goes on for nearly a week. Activities include a mask dance-drama of ancient tradition and shaman kut, ritualistic ceremonies combining theatrics with music and dance. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Earth is believed to be 4.5 to 5 billion years old and was probably formed along with the rest of the solar system when a dusty nebula coalesced into distinct planetary bodies. Since its creation, Earth has endured numerous transformations and catastrophes, geological and biological alike. Though life on the planet arose roughly 3.5 billion years ago, humans appeared only relatively recently. What planet may have long ago collided with Earth, ejecting enough material into space to form the Moon? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (verb) Suggest that someone is guilty.
Synonyms: inculpate, imply.
Usage: Every paper which would incriminate him was destroyed before he left the house.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) (Of clothing) custom-made.
Synonyms: tailored, made-to-order.
Usage: The cost of a bespoke suit is prohibitive, but if I am to interview for an executive position, I had better look the part.
Source: The Free Dictionary
In general terms, encaenia refers to the festivities celebrating the founding of a city or the dedication of a church. But in Oxford, England, Encaenia Day—sometimes referred to as Commemoration Day—is the day at the end of the summer term when the founders and benefactors of Oxford University are commemorated and honorary degrees are awarded to distinguished men and women. The ceremonies take place in the Sheldonian Theatre, built between 1664-68, which offers an exceptional view from its cupola of Oxford’s spires and gargoyles. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Tafl games were a family of popular board games that spread with the Vikings throughout northern Europe from about 400 CE and were widely played until the introduction of chess in the 12th century. Played on a checkered board, the games featured two uneven teams of pieces—a larger one that attacked and a smaller one that defended. The rules of these games, though largely lost, have been pieced together using literary sources from various historical periods. What was the objective of these games? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary