Daily Content Archive
(as of Tuesday, February 23, 2016)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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smattering
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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ModifiersModifiers are, quite simply, any word or group of words that modifies (describes or elaborates upon) another element in a sentence. Modifiers can either be adjectives or what other part of speech? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 ThalesThales of Miletus, one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, was a pre-Socratic philosopher and scientist. He is traditionally considered the first Western philosopher and a founder of geometry and abstract astronomy. As a philosophical materialist, Thales theorized that water was the first principle of all things. He speculated that the Earth floated on water, and so proposed an explanation for earthquakes. A capable astronomer, Thales is said to have predicted what celestial phenomenon in 585 BCE? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Cato Street Conspiracy: Plot to Kill British Cabinet Ministers Foiled (1820)In 1816, Arthur Thistlewood, a member of the revolutionary Spencean Society in London, organized a public meeting at Spa Fields, at which a revolution was to be started. However, the meeting was easily dispersed, and Thistlewood was arrested and narrowly escaped conviction for treason. Undeterred, Thistlewood later plotted the assassination of cabinet members. The government, apprised of the conspiracy, surprised the plotters at their arsenal in a Cato Street loft. What became of Thistlewood? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Pope Paul II (1417)Born in Venice as Pietro Barbo, Pope Paul II was the successor of Pope Pius II, and the nephew of Pope Eugene IV. A Renaissance pope, he patronized printing, beautified and improved Rome, and collected antiquities. Like Pius II, he was involved in struggles with the Bohemian George of Podebrad, who was the leader of the Utraquists, or the moderate Hussites, in the wars between Hussites and Catholics. Paul excommunicated George in 1466. Who succeeded Paul II as pope? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 There is an old-time toast which is golden for its beauty. "When you ascend the hill of prosperity may you not meet a friend."Mark Twain (1835-1910) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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yardarm to yardarm— outdated Really close together. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 St. Polycarp's Day (2019)St. Polycarp (c. 69-c. 155) was a disciple of St. John the Evangelist. He became bishop of Smyrna in 96 and, when the persecution of Christians was ordered by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, he was condemned to be burned at the stake. But according to legend, the fire formed an arch over his head and his body was left unharmed. When a spear was plunged into his heart, so much blood poured out that it quenched the flames. It was the martyrdom of St. Polycarp that gave rise to one of Christianity's richest traditions: the annual commemoration of the anniversary of a saint's death. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: inncaravanserai - A type of inn in Eastern countries where caravans are put up. More... harbergery - An inn or place of entertainment. More... inn - Etymologically a place "in" which people live or stay, from Proto-Germanic innam. More... | |