These 14 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Anableps, Anacharsis, Anacortes.
a genus of abdominal fishes, of the order malacopterygii abdominales, belonging to the family cyprinidæ (carps). Their eyes greatly project, and, moreover, seem, but only seem, as if divided into two; hence the species is called anableps tetrophthalmus. It is found in the rivers of Guiana.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
A Scythian philosopher B. C. 592, who, on account of his wisdom, temperance, and knowledge, has been called one of the seven wise men. He has rendered himself famous among the Ancients by his writings, his poems on war, the laws of the Scythians, etc.
Only in 1000 Classical Characters
a city of Washington, in Skagit co., about 90 miles N. of Seat tle. It is on the Great Northern railroad, and is a port of call for boats of the Inland Navigation Co., the Pacific Coast Steamship Co., the Alaska Pacific S. S. Co., and the Island Navigation Co. The city has important industries, including lumber mills, salmon canneries, box factories, shipyards, etc. There are two parks and a library. Pop. (1910) 4,168; (1920) 5,284.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
in surgery, an agent used to produce unconsciousness during an operation. The anaesthetics used chiefly are chloroform, ether, and nitrous oxide or laughing gas. The use of anaesthetics may be said to date from 1800, when Sir Humphry Davy recommended the employment of nitrous oxide to render patients insensible to the pain of operation. Cocaine injected into the flesh is used to produce local numbness to the pain in a part that is to undergo an operation so slight as not to warrant the use of an anaesthetic. In 1910 Dr. Jonnesco of Bucharest, Roumania, visited the United States and demonstrated the use of stovaine and strychnine as a substitute for cocaine. This eminent surgeon performed serious operations without first producing unconsciousness. See Surgery ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Cocaine 2026 Editor's Note: Public surgical anesthesia really began in 1846, when ether was first demonstrated at Massachusetts General Hospital — the 'Ether Dome' is preserved there. Before it, surgery was speed-butchery on a conscious patient; after it, the whole of modern surgery became possible. Today's anesthetics are far safer than the chloroform this lists. (Ed: BR 2026-06-26)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
a town of Italy, on a hill, 40 miles E. S. E. of Rome. The an old seat of a bishop since 487, it has , but much modernized cathedral, and was the birthplace of four popes-Innocent III., Gregory IX., Alexander IV., and city of the Boniface VIII. The chief Hernici, it was a place of importance during the whole period of Roman history. Vergil calls it "wealthy Anagnia." Pop. about 10,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a transposition of the letters of a word, phrase, or sentence, so as to give a new meaning. Thus, by way of anagram, woe may be derived from owe; Galenus may be changed to angelus; Florence Nightingale to "Flit on, cheering angel"; Sir Robert Peel to "terrible poser"; French Revolution to "Violence, run forth"; James Stuart to "A just master," etc. See Palindrome 2026 Editor's Note: Anagrams once guarded scientific priority: Galileo announced Saturn's rings, and Hooke his law of springs, as scrambled Latin anagrams — staking a claim while keeping the discovery secret until they could prove it. Today the game survives in Scrabble tiles and puzzle pages. (Ed: BR 2026-07-20)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
city of California, in S. E. of Los Orange co., about 27 miles Angeles. It is on the Southern Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé railroads. The center of an important growing country, it has also imfruitportant trade interests in oil, oranges, Pop. (1910) farm and dairy products. 5,526. 2,628; (1920)
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
An obscure demon, bearer of ill news. He was worshipped at Sepharvaün, a town of the Assyrians. He always reveals himself in the figure of a quail. His name, we are told, signifies a "good king," and some authorities declare that this demon is the moon, as Andramelech is the sun.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Leonardus describes this as "a necromantic stone, whose virtue is to call up evil spirits and ghosts." Anania, or Agnany ( Jean d'): A lawyer of the fifteenth century, who wrote four books, entitled, De Naturà Dæmonum, (On the Nature of Demons), and a treatise on Magic and Witchcraft , neither of which works are well known. He died in Italy in 1458.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
an-an-i'as, in Bible history, a Jewish Christian at Jerusalem, who, with his wife, Sapphira, was struck dead for misrepresenting the amount of their gifts to the Apostle Peter, Acts v: 1-11. 2026 Editor's Note: Ananias became American slang for a liar — Theodore Roosevelt was fond of consigning opponents to the 'Ananias Club' — a usage now largely faded but common in this entry's day. (Ed: BR 2026-06-18)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
A Kabbalistic word made up from the initial letters of the prayer: Antidotum Nazareni Auferat Necene Intoxicationis; Sanctificet Alimenta, Poculaque Trinitas Alma. When written on virgin parchment, it is a powerful talisman to protect against disease.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
an important seaport and fortified town in Russian Circassia, on the Black Sea, a station of the Russian navy.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
One of the demons charged with the guardianship of subterranean treasure, which he carries about from one place to another, to hide them from men. It is he who, with his companions Gaziel and Fécor, shakes the foundations of houses, raises the tempests, rings the bells at midnight, causes spectres to appear, and inspires a thousand terrors.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
a noted English work by Robert Burton, published in 1621. There are three parts: 1. The causes and symptoms of melancholy. 2. Its cure. 3. Erotic and religious melancholy. This book is the very curious life work of a visionary, and somewhat humorous, bookworm. It is "an enormous medley of ideas, musical, medical, practical, poetical, mathematical, philosophical; every page garnished with Latin, Greek, or French, from rare and unknown authors." The Anatomy of Melancholy has been republished and abridged many times. At the present day it is little read, but frequently quoted. See Burton QUOTATIONS. Naught so sweet as melancholy. Rob Peter, and pay Paul. Penny wise, pound foolish. Set a beggar on horseback and he will ride a gallop. What can't be cured must be endured. Matches are made in heaven. Make a virtue of necessity. 2026 Editor's Note: Burton's sprawling book never died: Samuel Johnson said it was the only volume that got him out of bed early, and Keats and Lamb adored it. Modern readers prize it as an astonis hing ly humane early study of what we now call clinical depression, three centuries before psychiatry. (Ed: BR 2026-07-15)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia