Definition: (noun) A jumble; a hodgepodge.
Synonyms: patchwork, melange, ragbag.
Usage: Inside the chest, he found a gaudy gallimaufry of old dresses, feathers, and sequins.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A jumble; a hodgepodge.
Synonyms: patchwork, melange, ragbag.
Usage: Inside the chest, he found a gaudy gallimaufry of old dresses, feathers, and sequins.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Apgar Score is a system of evaluating a newborn’s physical condition, generally done at one and five minutes after birth, where a value from 0 to 2 is assigned to each of five criteria: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimuli, and skin color. The values are summed up and the resulting score ranges from 0 to 10. Scores below 3 are generally regarded as critically low, with 4 to 7 fairly low, and over 7 generally normal. What does the acronym APGAR stand for? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Serpico is a retired New York City police officer who is most famous for being the first officer in US history to testify about widespread police corruption. Just months before he testified in 1971, he was shot in the face during a drug bust under suspicious circumstances, leading some to believe that corrupt officers had set him up. Shortly thereafter, Serpico, a film based on his life and starring Al Pacino, was released. When asked why he testified, what did Serpico respond? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The International Union of American Republics (now called the Pan American Union)—general secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS)—designated April 14 as Pan American Day in 1930. Although each member country holds its own celebration, it is at the Pan American Union building in Washington, DC, that one of the largest observances takes place. Students from all over the Western Hemisphere travel to Washington where, against a backdrop of flags in the courtyard of the House of the Americas, they perform folk songs and dances. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The kinetoscope is an early motion picture exhibition device that creates the illusion of movement by conveying a filmstrip of sequential images over a light source with a high-speed shutter. The first public kinetoscope parlor was opened in New York City in 1894 and introduced the basic approach that would become the standard for all cinematic projection before the advent of video. The venue had 10 machines, each showing a different short movie. How much did it cost to view all 10 films? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) An agreement, as between lovers, to meet at a certain time and place.
Synonyms: assignation, rendezvous.
Usage: They tried to keep their weekly meetings a secret, but soon neighbors began to whisper about their trysts.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Amazon.com is the largest and one of the most widely known e-commerce shopping sites on the Web. The company was founded as an online bookstore by Jeff Bezos in 1995. It soon diversified its product lines, adding DVDs, electronics, furniture, and more. Its initial “slow growth” business plan was effective: when the Internet “bubble” burst and many e-companies went out of business, Amazon persevered. Why was the company sued by Barnes & Noble and Walmart in the late 1990s? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Born Robert LeRoy Parker, Butch Cassidy was a notorious outlaw who began robbing trains and cattle rustling in the mid-1880s. By 1900, he had partnered with Harry Longabaugh—the “Sundance Kid,” whose nickname was derived from the name of a town where he had once been imprisoned. They became the foremost members of the Wild Bunch, a notorious group of bank and train robbers. The two evaded US authorities by escaping to South America, where they continued their criminal pursuits. How did they die? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Songkran is the traditional New Year in Thailand and a public holiday. The celebration actually lasts for three days in mid-April, and takes the form of religious ceremonies, as well as public festivities. Merit-making ceremonies are held at Buddhist temples, water is sprinkled on Buddhist images, and captive birds and fish are freed. Water splashing on the streets is also a part of the festivities, especially among young people. The celebration is held with special élan in Chiang Mai with beauty contests, parades, dancing, and, of course, water splashing. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Named for the enclosed park where it took place, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred in India on April 13, 1919, when British troops under the command of General Reginald Dyer opened fire without warning on a crowd of roughly 10,000 Indians protesting the arrest of two Indian National Congress leaders. At least 379 demonstrators were killed and another 1,200 were wounded during the barrage, which is said to have lasted 10 minutes. Who was killed 21 years later in retribution for the massacre? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary