Daily Content Archive
(as of Friday, September 25, 2015)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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glossa
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Ambitransitive VerbsSome action verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, depending on the context of the sentence or what information the speaker wishes to include. These are sometimes known as "ambitransitive verbs." What are some examples of ambitransitive verbs? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 Congenital Heart DefectsA congenital heart defect (CHD) is a flaw in the structure of the heart and great vessels of a newborn. Most CHDs either obstruct blood flow to the heart or nearby vessels or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. Though such defects occur in less than 1% of the population, they are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. There are 8 defects that comprise the bulk of all CHDs, with ventricular septal defects presenting most commonly. What is the septum? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Maze Prison Escape (1983)Maze Prison was a high-security prison in Northern Ireland that housed incarcerated members of the Irish Republican Army during the Troubles. In 1983, the Maze suffered the biggest jailbreak in British history. Using smuggled guns and knives, 38 prisoners overpowered prison guards and hijacked a food truck. One prison officer died during the escape and several others were wounded. Although half of the escapees were soon recaptured, the remaining 19 got away. What happened to them? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Shel Silverstein (1932)Silverstein was an American cartoonist, children's author, poet, songwriter, and playwright. Often compared to Dr. Seuss, he wrote and illustrated innovative books of verse for children, including Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and The Giving Tree. His quirky verse, which touches on common childhood anxieties and wishes, is credited with helping youngsters develop an appreciation for poetry. What hit song, performed by Johnny Cash, was written by Silverstein? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Alas! all music jars when the soul's out of tune.Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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(one's) nerves are shot— One is mentally or emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, or overwrought. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 James Dean Festival (2020)James Dean (1931–1955), the legendary film actor and star of Rebel Without a Cause, remains the subject of adulation even decades after his early death. The star's hometown of Fairmount, Indiana, contributes to the ongoing tribute by dedicating an annual four-day festival to the icon. Thousands of fans survey Dean memorabilia and his personal items. Additional events include free showings of the star's most celebrated films, a James Dean look-alike contest, fashion shows, and a trivia contest. Another tradition, the James Dean Car Show, has existed since 1980. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: purposesall intents and purposes - A redundant phrase, created for emphasis. More... blamestorming - An intense discussion for the purposes of placing blame or assigning responsibility for a misdeed or failure. More... celebrant, celebrator, reveler - Celebrants take part in religious ceremonies; celebrators or revelers gather for purposes of revelry. More... teleology - The study of design in nature; the word's basic meaning is "the study of ends or purposes"—attempts to understand the purpose of a natural occurrence by looking at its results. More... | |