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.
Tithonus
Collier's New Encyclopedia: in Greek mythology, a son, or nephew, of Laomedon, King of Troy. He was beloved by Eos ( Aurora, Morning), who importuned Zeus to make him immortal. Her prayer was granted, but she had neglected to ask for continual youth, and in time her lover took on all the signs of extreme age. Tithonus's prayer to the gods to be relieved of the burden of old age was answered by his being metamorphosed into a grasshopper.
1000 Classical Characters: Son of Laomedon and Strymo, and brother of Priam. By the prayers of Eos ( Aurora ), who loved him, he obtained from the gods immortality, but not eternal youth, in consequence of which he completely shrank together in his old age; whence a decrepit old man was proverbially called 2026 Editor's Note: Eos 's love for mortal men was explained in Greek tradition as a curse from Aphrodite, who punished the goddess with passion after Eos slept with Ares. This divine compulsion shaped her pursuit of Tithonus and his tragic fate of aging without death. (Ed: BR 2026-06-11)
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and 1000 Classical Characters
Toga
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the principal outer garment and characteristic national dress of the ancient Romans, who were hence designated as emphatically the Gens Togata TOGA ("the toga-wearing nation"), while the Greek pallium distinguished foreigners. The right of wearing it was the exclusive privilege of citizens, its use being forbidden to Peregrini and slaves. It was, moreover, the garb of peace, in contradistinction to the sagum of the soldier. When the young Roman was egarded as fit to enter on the business of life (at what age this was is uncertain, probably it depended on circumstances), he threw off the toga prætexta, and assumed the toga virilis. The toga prætexta was also the official dress of the higher magistrates. The toga picta, an embroidered robe, was worn by a general in his triumphal procession. Candidates for any office wore a toga candida-that is a toga which had been artificially whitened by the application of chalk or other similar substance; so arrayed they were styled candidati (whence our word candidate). Mourners wore a toga pulla of naturally black wool.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: the principal outer garment of a Roman citizen. See Clothing
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tokay
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a town of Hungary, at the confluence of the Bodrog, with the Theiss; 113 miles N. E. by E. of Budapest. It derives its celebrity from its being the entrepôt for the sale of the famous sweet wine of the same name, made in the hilly tract called the Heyaltya, extending 25 or 30 miles N. W. from the town. When new, Tokay wines are of a brownish-yellow muddy color, which, when very old, changes to a greenish tint. The best qualities are extremely rich and luscious, but cloying. The finest and oldest varieties of Tokay bring large prices. Inferior Hungarian wines are frequently sold under this name, and many French and German imitations are also in the market. Pop. about 5,500.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: to-ka', a town in upper Hungary. It lies on the hot southern slopes of the Carpathians. The vicinity is noted for its vineyards. The famous Tokay wine is sweet and heavily scented. The district produces 1,550,000 gallons of wine yearly. The vintage is celebrated by an annual festival. The Tokay grape of American markets is an oval grape of a purplish color raised in California. It was introduced at an early date by the Spanish missionaries.
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tomb
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a monument erected over a grave, in order to mark the resting place, and preserve the memory, of the , and among the deceased. In early ages Eastern nations, it sometimes became the practice to place the remains of the dead in excavated sepulchers, whose interior was often decorated with painting or otherwise. Where the usage was to burn the dead their bones and ashes were placed in urns in these receptacles. Some of the most remarkable rock tombs were those of Egypt. The rocks tombs of Persia and Lycia have imposing architectural façades. In the earlier centuries of Christianity the burial of the dead in churches was prohibited. The first step which led to its adoption was the custom of erecting churches over the graves of martyrs; then followed the permission of kings and emperors to be buried in the church porch. The most important tombs of the Middle Ages are generally within churches or cloisters. The earlier examples consist of a simple stone coffin, or sarcophagus, often with a low gabled lid and a sculptured cross. An altar tomb, or tomb in the form of a table, followed; and in the 13th century a species of tomb was introduced, consisting of a sarcophagus, on which rests a recumbent figure of the deceased, the whole being surmounted by a canopy, often of exquisite symmetry and richness.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Pyramid ; Mausoleum ; Catacombs ; Cemetery Tom Brown's School Days. See Hughes ; Thomas
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Tornado
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a whirlwind, usually coming on suddenly, continuing but a brief period, and covering only a small area. It is generally accompanied by rain, lightning, and thunder. It is of the same type of storm as a cyclone, but more local, covering a smaller area, and generally less violent, though still sufficiently so to be highly dangerous. The term tornado is used specifically of rotating or spiral storms in the South Indian Ocean, and those on the coasts of Africa and North America.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: . See Whirlwind ; Cyclone
Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia
Touchstone
American Watchmaker and Jeweler: A piece of black basaltic rock, obtained chiefly from Silesia and used for testing the quality of gold. The piece of gold, or metal to be tested, is drawn upon the surface of the touchstone, and the streak left is treated with nitric acid. Nitric acid eats away the streak, if it is brass or any similar alloy, while if gold only the alloy in the gold is attacked. Testing needles of known alloy are then rubbed on the surface of the touchstone, and treated with the acid, and a comparison made. See Testing Needles.
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a clown in Shakespeare's As You Like It . Touchstone is a fool by profession, but he is a wise fool, and a favorite character. He mocks the evils and follies of court life, as they are suggested in contrast with the free life of the forest. He weds Audrey, the country maid. Touchstone is a rare fellow. He is a mixture of the ancient cynic philosopher, with the modern buffoon, and turns folly into wit and wit into folly, just as the fit takes him.--Hazlitt.
Covered by American Watchmaker and Jeweler and Aiton's Encyclopedia