Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, April 30, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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comely
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Noun ClausesA noun clause is a type of dependent clause that is able to function grammatically like a noun in a sentence. What words most commonly begin a noun clause? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Cyrano de BergeracCyrano de Bergerac is an 1897 play by Edmond Rostand whose title character was inspired by a 17th-century writer with an exceptionally large nose. Rostand's play, written entirely in rhymed couplets, relates the tale of Cyrano, a soldier and poet, who falls in love with the beautiful Roxane. Rather than woo Roxane himself, the large-nosed Cyrano provides his handsome friend, Christian, with the dialogue to win her heart. What word did this play introduce into the English language? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Brightest Supernova in Recorded History Appears in Night Sky (1006)Around 1,000 years ago, observers in China, Egypt, Iraq, Japan, and Switzerland recorded a new object in the sky. It was hard to miss. Scientists now believe SN 1006 was the brightest supernova in recorded human history. It was described by ancient astronomers as being low on the horizon but shining about half or a quarter as bright as the Moon. It could sometimes be seen during daylight hours and may have been bright enough to read by at night. How far was it from Earth? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Mary II of England (1662)Despite the conversion of her father, King James II, to Roman Catholicism, Mary was raised Protestant, a fact that would become important in her later life. In 1688, English nobles opposed to James's pro-Catholic policies overthrew him and selected Mary and her husband, William of Orange, to rule in his place. Mary enjoyed great popularity as co-ruler of England, but her personal life was full of hardship. What were some of the major sources of unhappiness in her life? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Man's desire for the approval of his fellows is so strong, his dread of their censure so violent, that he himself has brought his enemy within his gates; and it keeps watch over him, vigilant always in the interests of its master to crush any half-formed desire to break away from the herd.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have (one's) heart on (one's) sleeve— To openly display or make known one's emotions or sentiments. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Tucson International Mariachi Conference (2021)Mariachi is traditional Mexican folk music performed by a small group of musicians who typically sing and play some combination of the following instruments: guitar, vihuela (a small guitar-like instrument), guitarrón (a larger bass-like instrument), violin, and trumpet. Since the early 1980s, Mexican music enthusiasts have gathered in Arizona every April for the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Attendees take part in cultural workshops, enjoy performances by top mariachi bands, and join in the fun at the Fiesta de Garibaldi, an outdoor street festival. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: poetryfound poem - A passage within prose that unintentionally reads like poetry. More... stich - A line of poetry. More... free verse - Poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter. More... metrophobia - The fear of poetry. More... | |