More than one of these 7 encyclopedias carries each of the following subjects — but every one of them treats it in a sentence or two and then moves on. They are gathered here so the different accounts can sit side by side.
Babbitt Metal
The Encyclopedia of Founding: To make this composition, melt copper 4; then add gradually tin 12, antimony 8, and a further addition of tin 12. When about 4 or 5 pounds of the final addition of tin has been added the heat may be reduced to a dull red, and the remainder added. Or, the copper, tin, and antimony may be melted first in separate crucibles; then poured together into one vessel and the final addition of tin introduced. The above is a hardening. For lining take 1 pound of hardening and melt it along with 2 pounds of tin, which produces the lining metal for use. It will be seen that the resultant mixture contains: copper 4, tin 96, antimony 8. Banca-tin and the best quality of copper and antimony is to be employed when it is desired to make good antifriction metal. See ANTIFRICTION METALS; ALUMINUM.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a soft metal resulting from alloying together certain proportions of copper, tin, and antimony the , used with a view of obviating, as far as possible, friction in the bearings of jour nais, nals, cranks, axles, etc. Invented by Isaac Babbitt.
Covered by The Encyclopedia of Founding and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bacchante
1000 Classical Characters: Belesis or Belesys. A Chaldean priest at Babylon, who is said, in conjunction with Arbaces, the Mede, to have overthrown the old Assyrian empire. Belesis afterwards received the satrapy of Babylon from Arbaces.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a person taking part in revels in honor of Bacchus.
Covered by 1000 Classical Characters and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bachelor
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a term applied anciently to a person in the first or probationary stage of knighthood who had not yet raised his standard in the field. It also denotes a person who has taken the first degree in the liberal arts and sciences, or in di divinity, law, or medicine, at a college or university; or a man of any age who has not been married. A knight bachelor is one who has been raised to the dignity of a knight without being made a member of any of the orders of chivalry such as the Garter or the Thistle.
An Encyclopaedia of Occultism: The name given to his satanic majesty, when he appeared in the guise of a great he-goat, for the purpose of love intercourse with the witches.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Bagatelle
Aiton's Encyclopedia: literally a small bag or bundle, hence a trifle or thing of no importance. In literature the term is used to denote a plaything or a matter of little consequence. The game called bagatelle is played on a table with nine holes arranged at one end in the form of a diamond. Billiard balls are played up the table with a cue into these holes. The player who is most skillful in lodging his balls in the holes of greatest value wins. 2026 Editor's Note: The bagatelle table, with its pins and holes, is the direct ancestor of the pinball machine and Japan's pachinko parlors — the spring-launched ball is its legacy. In music, a 'bagatelle' is a short, light piece; Beethoven wrote several, one of which, 'Für Elise,' became among the most recognized tunes in the world. (Ed: BR 2026-06-19)
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a game played on a long, flat board, covered with cloth like a billiard-table, with spherical balls and a cue, or mace. At the end of the board are nine cups, or sockets, of just sufficient size to receive the balls. These sockets are arranged in the form of a regular octagon. The chief aim of the players is to put the balls in the sockets which are numbered.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Baize
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a coarse woolen fabric, with a close nap on one side. Baize is dyed usually red or green. It is used for linings, desk covers, curtains, and to fill screens and screen doors. Baker, The, and The Baker's Wife, names popularly given to Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette, because they gave bread to the starving mob at Versailles, October 6, 1789. See French Revolution Scenes in the Badlands 2026 Editor's Note: Baize found its lasting home on the games table: the green cloth of every billiard, snooker, poker and blackjack table is baize, its nap subtly steering the roll of the balls. It also gave English the ' green baize door ,' the padded door that once separated a grand house's servants from their masters. (Ed: BR 2026-06-05)
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a sort of coarse woolen fabric with a rough nap, now generally used for linings, and mostly green or red in color.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Balaklava
Aiton's Encyclopedia: bal-a-kla'va, a small fishing port in the Crimea, eight miles southeast of Sebastopol. A small British army had effected a landing here and was attacked by a superior Russian force, October 25, 1854. The Russians were beaten off and held at bay. The "charge of the light brigade" celebrated by Tennyson was a most unfortunate but brilliant incident of the day. "Somebody blundered," but in obedience to the command, six hundred men cut their way to the Russian guns, seeing plainly that they were literally riding "into the jaws of death." One hundred and fifty survived the memorable charge. See Sebastopol ; Crimea 2026 Editor's Note: Balaclava gave the world two lasting t hing s from one bloody day: Tennyson's ' Charge of the Light Brigade ,' immortalizing the suicidal cavalry attack ordered by blunder, and the 'balaclava' — the knitted head-and-face covering British soldiers wore against the Crimean cold, now the mask of skiers, soldiers and robbers alike. The 'thin red line' was coined here too. (Ed: BR 2026-06-19)
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a small seaport in the Crimea, 8 miles S. S. E. of of Sebastopol, consisting for the most_part of houses perched upon heights. In the Crimean War it was captured by the British, and a heroically fought battle took place here (Oct. 25, 1854), ending in the repulse of the Russians by the British. The charge of the Light Brigade was part of this battle.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Balbriggan
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a name given to unbleached knitted underwear and hosiery. Balbriggan is a town in Ireland, where, in 1845, a family named Smythe started the manufacture of this class of knitted goods. An attempt was made some years ago to prevent the use of the name by other firms. The name continues, however, in general use. See Knitting
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a watering place in County Dublin, Ireland, 21 miles N. by E. of Dublin. It is a seat of linen, cotton, calico, and stocking manufactures Many women are employed in embroider ing muslin. The term "Balbriggan" is now used to describe certain varieties of cotton-knit goods.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia