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Abimelech

(Encyclopedia) AbimelechAbimelechəbĭmˈəlĕk [key], in the Bible. 1 Name or title of a king of Gerar who had various dealings with Abraham and Isaac. 2 See Ahimelech (1.) 3 Son of Gideon. He murdered…

Hyatt, John Wesley

(Encyclopedia) Hyatt, John Wesley, 1837–1920, American inventor, b. Starkey, N.Y. He is known especially for his development of celluloid; with his brothers, he began its manufacture in 1872. He also…

Pluto, in Greek religion and mythology

(Encyclopedia) Pluto, in Greek religion and mythology, god of the underworld, son of Kronos and Rhea; also called Hades. After the fall of the Titans, Pluto and his brothers Zeus and Poseidon divided…

Banu Musa

(Encyclopedia) Banu MusaBanu Musabän&oomacr;ˈ m&oomacr;säˈ [key], family of Arab mathematicians and astronomers of the 9th cent. a.d. The name means “sons of Musa” and refers to the three…

Bent, William

(Encyclopedia) Bent, William, 1809–69, American frontiersman, b. St. Louis. One of the younger brothers of Charles Bent, he was for many years the manager of Bent's Fort, while Charles Bent lived…

Alfonso II, king of Portugal

(Encyclopedia) Alfonso II (Alfonso the Fat), 1185–1223, king of Portugal (1211–23), son and successor of Sancho I. His reign was spent in struggles with the church and his brothers and sisters, to…

Aegisthus

(Encyclopedia) AegisthusAegisthusējĭsˈthəs [key], in Greek mythology, according to most legends the incestuous offspring of Thyestes and his daughter Pelopia. At Thyestes' behest Aegisthus revenged…

Hopkins, Johns

(Encyclopedia) Hopkins, Johns, 1795–1873, American financier and philanthropist, founder of Johns Hopkins Univ., b. Anne Arundel co., Md. In 1819 he founded his own commission firm, later known as…

Bauhin, Gaspard

(Encyclopedia) Bauhin, GaspardBauhin, Gaspardgäspärˈ bōăNˈ [key], 1560–1624, Swiss botanist and doctor of medicine, of French descent. His early classification of plants by genus and species in his…

Aesop's Fables: Introduction

Introduction Aesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his fame is all the more deserved because he never deserved it. The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at…