Alfred University
a coeducational (non-sectarian) institution in Alfred, N. Y.; organized in 1836; reported in 1919: Professors and instructors, 40; students, 400. President, Booth C. Davis, Ph. D.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: A (37)
These 12 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Alfred University, Alfridarya, Alge.
Alfridarya
A science resembling astrology, which lays down that all the planets, in turn influence the life of man, each one governing a certain number of years.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Alge
the general name for the seaweeds and similar plants, mostly growing in salt and fresh water. Vast masses of gulf-weed float in the Atlantic Ocean over an area called the Sargasso Sea. Some kinds are used for food, and others for making iodine and soda.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Algeciras
or ALGEZIRAS ( al - hethe - ras), a seaport on Gibraltar Bay, province of Cadiz, Spain; anciently known as Portus Albus. It was the first landing place of the Moors, who held it from 713 till 1344, when Alfonso XI. of Castile obtained possession of it after 20 months' siege. The city was entirely destroyed, remaining in ruins till 1760. In 1801 two engagements took place near Algeciras, between the English and the allied French and Spanish fleets. Here the important Morocco conference met in 1906. See MOROCCO.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Alger
RUSSELL ALEXANDER, an American merchant, capitalist, and politician, born in Lafayette, O., Feb. 27, 1836. He served in the Civil War, rising from a captaincy to the rank of brevet Major-General of Volunteers. He was Governor of Michigan from 1885 to 1887; a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1888; Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (1889-1890); and became Secretary of War in President McKinley's Cabinet in 1897. Almost from the beginning of the Spanish-American War of 1898 he was the object of much public censure for shortcomings in his department, and finally resigned in 1899. He became U. S. Senator in 1902. He died Jan. 4, 1907.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Alger (HORATIO an American writer)
HORATIO, an American writer of juvenile books, born at Revere, Mass., Jan. 13, 1834; graduated from Harvard in 1852, settled in New York in 1866, and became interested in the condition of self-supporting boys, described in his series of more than 50 books, including "Ragged Dick," "Tattered Tom," "Luck and Pluck," which became very popular. He died in Natick, Mass., July 18, 1899.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Algin
a jellylike substance found in marine alge. It was discovered in 1881 by E. C. C. Stanford, of Glasgow. If the leaflike thalli of a laminaria are immersed in water containing a little carbonate of soda, the whole cellular ant becomes broken up in fabric of the plant the course of 24 hours, forming a thick ho gelatinous mass containing about 2 per cent. of algin. This mass, after being cautiously heated, is filtered through coarse linen. The properties of algin in the soluble form are those of a very viscous gum, drying up to a transparent elastic film. As a size or dressing for textile fabrics, algin goes further and does more work than starch or any of ary gums, and has the advanthe ordinary tage of being easily rendered insoluble Algin makes an excellent in water. thickening for soups, and, with the addition of a little gelatine or isinglass, is serviceable for jellies. The insoluble form of algin, in the dry state, resembles horn, and can be turned and It is a by-product of the polished. manufacture of iodine and is used in the preparation of photographic paper.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Algol
a fixed star in Medusa's head, in the constellation Perseus. Technically of 2½ magnitude, it really varies from the 2d to the 4th magnitude in 3½ hours, remaining thus for about 20 minutes. In 3½ hours more it is again of the 2d magnitude, at which it continues for 2 days and 13 hours, after which the same series of changes takes place again.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Algonkian
or ALGONQUIAN, an Indian linguistic stock, originally the most extensive in North America. It extends southward from Labrador to Pamlico Sound, N. C., and westward from Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains, comprising about 40 tribes, each with a separate language and numerous dialects. with the English, Constant wars French, and Dutch colonists depleted their numbers. Filled at first with the idea of freeing the soil from the whites, they afterward degenerated into mere mercenaries, fighting on either side for revenge or gain. After the War of 1812, in which they took the side of the British, the United States Government resolved to send them as far W. as possible. After 1840, few of them remained E. of the Mississippi. War and disease have thinned their number, until only 37,000 remain in the United States, and 63,000 in Canada. The chief occupations of the Algonkians were hunting, fishing and corn raising.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Algonquin
al-gon'kwin, an important and widely spread family of North American Indian tribes. At the time of the discovery of America the Algonquin Indians extended from Labrador to what is now Mason and Dixon's line , and westward, somewhat irregularly, as far as the Rocky Mountains . A further account may be found under the headings of the various tribes, as the Delaware, Chippewa, and Blackfeet Indians. Powhatan, Philip, Tecumseh, Pontiac, and Black Hawk were Algonquins. About 35,000 Algonquins are left in the United States , and about 60,000 in Canada. See Indians 2026 Editor's Note: The Algonquian languages gave American English a whole vocabulary — moose, raccoon, opossum, moccasin, powwow, hickory, toboggan. The peoples endure, several now revitalizing tongues that had nearly died, and 'Algonquin' also named the New York hotel of the famous literary Round Table . (Ed: BR 2026-06-30)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Alhambra
a city of California, in Los Angeles co. It is on the Southern Pacific and Santa Fé and the Pacific Electric Interurban railroads. It has several private schools and the San Gabriel Mission church, founded in 1771. The city is residential, but has some industries tries . Pop. (1910) 5,021; (1920) 9,096.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ali Baba
a'le ba'ba, the central character in the famous Arabian tale of The Forty Thieves. He overhears the robbers' password of "Open Sesame," and uses it in their absence to enter their famous cave and despoil it of treasure. Having found who took their treasure, the robbers vowed vengeance, and had themselves conveyed in empty covered jars and set down in Ali Baba's court; but his faithful slave, Morgiana, overheard their conversation and killed them, one and all, by pouring hot oil into the jars in which they were concealed. See Arabian Nights; Sesame 2026 Editor's Note: Like Aladdin, 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' was not in the original Arabic Nights — the French translator Galland added it around 1710. Its magic words, ' Open Sesame ,' have become the universal phrase for a password or an effortless entry, borrowed even by modern technology. (Ed: BR 2026-06-24)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia