Today's Highlights
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meditate
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Defining the ColonA colon ( : ) is used after an independent clause to add information that helps illustrate or clarify what it says. It is most commonly used to introduce a list, but it can also introduce what else? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 ArgyriaMinimally toxic to humans and known for its antibiotic properties, silver has historically been used in a variety of medical and industrial applications. However, prolonged exposure to silver can result in argyria, a permanent slate-gray or bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs. Though the condition is not harmful, it is irreversible and, in some cases, very noticeable. What American politician took on a bluish tint after consuming a homemade silver concoction? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Leiden University Library Opens in the Netherlands (1587)The city of Leiden played a prominent role in the revolt that would create an independent Dutch nation. In 1575—a year after Leiden had survived a siege by the Spanish—Prince William the Silent founded a university in the city. Today, Leiden University is the oldest in the Netherlands. Its library, once housed in a single room, is now home to a monumental collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and letters—some of which are centuries old and very rare. What was the library's first book? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 John Evelyn (1620)From 1631 until his death in 1706, Evelyn kept a diary that is today an invaluable source of information on 17th-century British social, cultural, and political life. He corresponded frequently with Samuel Pepys, another now-famous diarist of the time. Living as a wealthy country gentleman in Deptford, he wrote about 30 books on various subjects including reforestation, vegetarianism, and numismatics. In 1661, he wrote the Fumifugium, believed to be the first book written on what topic? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches as to conceive how others can be in want.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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in the sticks— In the countryside, especially in a rustic or particularly unsophisticated area. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Thadingyut (2020)For Buddhists, the period from the full moon day of the 11th lunar month until the full moon day of the 12th lunar month marks the end of Vassa and the beginning of the Kathin, or pilgrimage season. This is a time when Buddhists make pilgrimages to various temples, bringing food and gifts—particularly new robes—to the monks. In Myanmar, Thadingyut is the day on which the Buddha completed his preaching of the Abhidhamma, or "philosophy." In Laos, it is called Boun Ok Vatsa, or the Festival of the Waters, as it is a popular time for pirogue (canoe) races. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: introductioninlay card - A pamphlet accompanying a CD, film, etc., giving an introduction. More... isagoge - An introduction to a field of study. More... front matter - Things in the beginning of a book like an introduction and table of contents. More... propaedeutic - A subject or course of study that is an introduction to more advanced study or to an art or science. More... | |
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| Mismatch | |
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