Definition: (verb) To cause to expand by or as if by internal pressure; dilate.
Synonyms: dilate.
Usage: It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent.
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Month: May 2023
Leopold and Loeb Murder Teen in Thrill Killing (1924)
Now famously known as Leopold and Loeb, Nathan Leopold, Jr., and Richard Loeb were two University of Chicago students who murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in 1924 as part of an elaborate plan to commit the “perfect crime.” Although the duo attempted to conceal or destroy all evidence linking them to the crime, a pair of Leopold’s eyeglasses was found near the scene, and the two later confessed. Spared the death penalty, they were instead sentenced to life in prison plus how many years? Discuss
Albrecht Dürer (1471)
Dürer, a painter and printmaker, was one of the most influential artists of the German school as well as the first German artist to achieve substantial international renown. He was a superb draftsman and painter but is perhaps best known for the vast number of woodcuts and engravings he made throughout his career, which combine meticulous craftsmanship with rich detail. His work has influenced generations of printmakers and draftsmen. What are some of his most famous pieces? Discuss
admit defeat
To yield to the opposition or accept that one is wrong in some pursuit. Watch the video
Jacaranda
The Jacaranda is a tropical American tree or shrub that has pinnately compound, opposite leaves and panicles of pale purple flowers with funnel-shaped corollas. Several species are widely grown as ornamental plants throughout the subtropical regions of the world and are valued for their intense flower displays. What city in South Africa is popularly known as the Jacaranda City? Discuss
graver
The Battle of Hamburger Hill Ends (1969)
Fought over a period of 10 days in 1969, the Battle of Hamburger Hill was the last major US ground assault of the Vietnam War. Attacks on the heavily fortified hill were primarily carried out by infantry using small arms fire, with fighting akin to WWI trench warfare. The site was of little strategic value, and the high number of casualties that resulted from capturing it sparked controversy and led to dramatic changes in US strategy. How did the hill get its name? Discuss
Honoré de Balzac (1799)
Ranking among the great masters of the novel, Balzac was a French writer regarded as one of the founders of realism in literature. His magnum opus was a vast collection of novels and short stories collectively titled La Comédie humaine—The Human Comedy—which presents a panorama of the French society of his time, picturing in precise detail characters from every class and every profession. Balzac’s work habits are legendary. How long was he said to write during a single stretch? Discuss
act of congress
That which is extremely difficult to achieve or requires a large amount of effort or patience to enact. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. Watch the video
Caviar
Caviar is the roe, or eggs, of various species of sturgeon processed as a piquant table delicacy. Due to its high price, it is synonymous in Western culture with luxury and wealth. The best-known caviar comes from the countries on the Black and Caspian seas and the rivers that flow into them. In 2006, however, declines in sturgeon species led to a suspension of the international trade in nearly all caviar from wild Caspian sturgeon. Caviar should be served with utensils made from what material? Discuss