Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, April 26, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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PrepositionsPrepositions are used to express the relationship of a noun or pronoun (or another grammatical element functioning as a noun) to the rest of the sentence. How do prepositions differ from infinitives? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 RetrovirusesA retrovirus is a type of RNA virus that reproduces itself by transcribing its DNA into the genetic material of the host cell. These viruses are therefore used as vectors by genetic engineers to import foreign DNA into certain cells. Retroviruses sometimes destroy the cells whose DNA they alter, as with HIV, and sometimes cause them to become cancerous, as with the viruses that cause certain leukemias. What enables retroviruses to rapidly develop resistance to antiviral drugs? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 Syria Ends Occupation of Lebanon (2005)In 1976, with his country embroiled in a deadly civil war, the Lebanese president turned to Syria for assistance. At his request, Syrian forces entered Lebanon. Despite their 29-year presence, the Syrians were unable to secure lasting stability. By 2005, Syrian influence in Lebanese government had provoked protests, which intensified after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, and Syrian troops finally withdrew in April. When did the two countries re-establish diplomatic relations? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix (1798)Considered the foremost painter of the Romantic movement in France, Delacroix is known for his dramatic interpretations of scenes from mythology, literature, and political, religious, and literary history and for his sensuous use of color. His most influential work is 1830's revolution-themed Liberty Leading the People, which likely inspired the design of the Statue of Liberty. During a trip to Morocco, he painted many scenes of North African life. Why did he struggle to find subjects? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better for the world if they talked more and did less.W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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have the guts (to do something)— To have enough courage, conviction, or resolve (to do something). More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Akshya Tritiya (2020)The Hindu observance of Akshya Tritiya in India combines fasting and festivities. Akshya means "exempt from decay," and the devotions performed on this day are believed to last forever. Hindus fast and worship Vishnu, along with his consort Lakshmi, with holy Ganges water, tulsi or basil leaves, incense, flowers, lamps, and new clothes. Bathing in the Ganges River is a popular way to demonstrate one's devotion. Svetambara Jains also fast on this day, commemorating the fast observed by the first Tirthankara, who was given some sugar cane juice to break his fast. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: mysteriousarcane - Meaning "hidden, secret; mysterious, abstruse," it is from Latin arcere, "shut up," from arca, "chest." More... god moves in a mysterious way, the worse for wear, variety is the spice of life - "God moves in a mysterious way" originated with poet William Cowper—as did the phrases "the worse for wear" and "variety is the spice of life." More... handwriting on the wall, writing on the wall - Handwriting on the wall (or writing on the wall) comes from the Bible (Daniel 5:5-31), in which the prophet interprets some mysterious writing that a disembodied hand has inscribed on the palace wall, telling King Belshazzar that he will be overthrown. More... fluence - To put the fluence on is to use one's mysterious, magical, or hypnotic power. More... | |