Boron
in chemistry, a triatomic element, symbol B. Atomic weight, 11. It occurs in nature combined in the form of boracic acid B(OH), and its salts. Boron is obtained by fusing boric trioxide B2O3 with sodium. It is a tasteless, inodorous, brown powder, a nonconductor of electricity; it is slightly soluble in water, permanent in the air; burnt in chlorine gas it forms boron chloride BCl3, a volatile, fusing liquid, boiling at 18.23, sp. gr. 1.35; it is decomposed by water into boric acid and hydrochloric acid.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Borough
originally a fortified town. In England, a corporate town or township; a town with a properly organized municipal government. If it sends a representative or representatives to Parliament it is a parliamentary borough, if not, it is only a municipal borough. The qualifications for voters in both classes of boroughs are the same. In all boroughs a mayor is chosen annually, and a certain number of aldermen and councilors periodically, the burgesses or voters electing the councilors, and the councilors electing the mayor and aldermen. Mayor, aldermen, and councilors form the council. In the United States, an incorporated town or village, or division of a large city. Under a ruling of the United States Board on Geographic Names, this word, Babylonia, the site of which is marked by when forming a part of a place word, is now abbreviated to boro, as Hillsboro.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Borromean Islands
a group of four small islands on the W. side of Lago Maggiore, northern Italy. They are situated in the W. arm of the lake, and are named after the ancient family of Borromeo. Vitaliano, Count Borromeo, about 1671, caused soil to be carried to them, built terraces, and converted them into beautiful gardens. The two most celebrated are Isola Bella and Isola Madre. On the W. side of Isola Bella, which rises above the water in 10 successive terraces, stands a palace of the Borromeo family, containing many admirable paintings and other works of art. Isola Madre is laid out in the same terraced style, and is crowned by a now dilapidated palace. The Isola de' Pescatori is inhabited by about 200 fishermen.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Borromeo
CARLO, COUNT, a celebrated Roman Catholic saint and cardinal, born at Arona, on Lago Maggiore, in 1538. In 1560 he was successively appointed by his uncle, Pius IV., apostolical prothonotary, refenda refendary, cardinal, and Archbishop of Milan. The reopening and the results of the Council of Trent, so advantageous to the papal authority, were chiefly effected by the great influence of Borromeo, which was felt during the whole sitting of the council. He improved the discipline of the clergy, founded schools, libraries, hospitals, and was indefatigable in doing good. He died in Milan, in 1584. Immediately after his death miracles were said to be wrought at his tomb, and his canonization took place in 1610. His nephew, COUNT FEDERIGO BORROMEO, also cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, equally distinguished for the sanctity of his life and the benevolence of his character, was born at Milan in 1564, and died in 1631. founder of the He is celebrated as the Ambrosian Library.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Borrow
GEORGE, an English philologist, born in East Dereham, Norfolk, February, 1803. His linguistic talents are shown in "Targum; or, Metrical Translations from Thirty Languages" (St. Petersburg, 1835), and "Romano Lavo-Lil, or Word Book of the Romany" (1874). The other chief of his works are "The Zincali, or Gypsies of Spain" (London, 1841); "The Bible in Spain" (1843); "Lavengro" (1851); "The Romany Rye," its sequel (1857); "Wild Wales" (1862); and "Dictionary of the Gypsy Language' (1874). He died in Oulton, Suffolk, July 30, 1881.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bors, Bohors or Boort
One of King Arthur's knights. He was associated with Sir Galahad and Lancelot in their search for the Holy Grail. He is the hero of many magical adventures, one of which we relate. During the quest for the Holy Grail, a damsel offers him her love, which he refuses; and she, with twelve other damsels, thereupon threatens to throw herself from a tower. Bors, though of a kindly disposition, thinks they had better lose their souls than his. They fall from the tower, Bors crosses himself, and the whole vanishes, being a deceit of the devil. After the quest is ended Bors comes to Camelot; he relates his adventures, which it is said were written down and kept in the Abbey of Salisbury.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Borsippa
a very ancient city of the ruins Birs Nimrud.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bort
A collective name for diamonds of inferior quality, especially such as have a radiating crystalization, so that they will not take a polish. These are crushed to form diamond powder, or diamond dust, which is used for cutting and polishing diamonds and other precious stones; also the steel work of watches, and other instruments of precision.
Only in American Watchmaker and Jeweler
Bosch Bok
the bush buck, a name given to several South African species of antelope.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bosch Vark
the bush hog or bush pig of South Africa (choiropotamus africanus), one of the swine family, about 5 feet long, and with very large and strong tusks. The Kaffirs esteem its flesh as a luxury, and its tusks as personal ornaments.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Boscobel
a locality in Shropshire, England, remarkable historically as the hiding place of Charles II. for some days after the battle of Worcester, Sept. 3, 1651. At one time he was compelled to conceal himself among the branches of an oak in Boscobel Wood. The royal oak, which now stands at Boscobel, is said to have grown from an acorn of this very tree.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Bosher
KATE LANGLEY, an American novelist; born in Norfolk, Va., in 1865. She wrote in a humorous vein and with an appeal to wholesome sentiment that has won great popularity for her work. Her publications include "Mary Cary" (1910); "Miss Gibbie Gault" (1911); "The Man in Lonely Land" (1912); and "The House of Happiness" (1913).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Boshes
That part of a cupola immediately above the tuyeres. In large cupolas and blast-furnaces this part is gradually contracted from the widest part to the hearth, and the bricks used for this purpose are distinguished as bosh-bricks. See CUPOLA; WATER-BOSHES.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Bosna-Serai
or SARAJEVO, the capital of the province of Bosnia, on the Migliazza, 570 miles W. N. W. of Constantinople. It contains a palace, built by Mohammed II., to which the city owes its name. It was formerly surrounded with walls, but its only defense now is a citadel, built on a rocky height at a short distance E. from the town. Bosna-Serai is the chief mart in the province, the center of the commercial relations between Turkey, Dalmatia, Croatia, and south Germany, and has, in consequence, considerable trade, with various manua factures. Pop. about 52,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia