Coeur de Lion
kur de li'on, lion-hearted, a name given to Richard I of England, because of his courage. See Richard
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: C (108)
These 16 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Coeur de Lion, Coffee Bug, Coffer Fish.
Coffee Bug
an insect of the coccus family, very destructive in coffee plantations.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffee-House
a house of entertainment where persons are supplied with coffee and other refreshments. Formerly the chief resort of every class for purposes of conversation and information. It was the central meeting-place of politicians, literary men, etc. Constantinople is believed to have been the first European capital in which coffee-houses were instituted, the year of their establishment there being A. D. 1554. In 1650 the first one in England was opened in Oxford. They were suppressed by Charles II. in 1675, but were soon again allowed to be re-opened.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffer Fish
a peculiar genus of bony fishes in the small order Plectognathi, and in the family Sclerodermi, which also includes the file-fishes. The body is inclosed in a firm box formed of hexagonal bony scales fitted into one another like a mosaic. The best known form is O. quadricornis from the tropical Atlantic.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffeyville
a city of Kansas, in Montgomery co. It is on the Missouri Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern railroads, and on the Verdigris river. Its industries include planing and flour mills, railroad shops, oil refineries, glass factory, packing plant, brick works, etc. Pop. (1910) 12,687; (1920) 13,452.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffin
Levi, a noted American abolitionist. He was born near Newgarden, North Carolina , in 1798, and died in Avondale, Ohio, in 1877. His father was a farmer. Young Coffin removed to Ohio and engaged in farming. He took an active interest in the colored people, and was one of the most persistent and prominent of those who helped runaway slaves on the way to Canada, being known, in fact, as the "president of the underground railway." See Underground Railway 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Coffin
CHARLES CARLETON, an American novelist and lecturer; born in Boscawen, N. H., July 26, 1823; began life as a civil engineer; afterward gave his attention to telegraphy. In 1851 he began to write for the Boston papers; and during the Civil War and the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was war correspondent for the "Boston Journal," writing over the signature of "Carleton." His books include: "Days and Nights on the Battle-Field" (1864); "Our New Way Round the World" (1869); "Story of Liberty" (1878); "Life of Garfield" (1883); (1883); and "The Drum-Beat of the Nation" (1887), the first volume of a series. He died in Brookline, Mass., March 2, 1896.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffin (Box or chest in which corpses)
the box or chest in which corpses are inclosed before being committed to the ground. Coffins were in use in Egypt at a remote period of antiquity. Some of the Egyptian coffins were wood. There were fine sarcophagi of stone, and in Mesopotamia of clay. Cedar was used in Athens for inclosing the remains of heroes, and marble and stone among the Romans.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffin (II)
WILLIAM ANDERSON, an American painter, born in Allegheny, Pa., in 1855. He studied art in the United States and in Paris. In 1882 he opened a studio in New York, where his pictures immediately attracted attention. He was a frequent exhibitor at the Paris Salon, at the National Academy, and other art galleries. He received many prizes for excellence in artistic work. From 1886 to 1891 he served as art critic for the New York "Evening Post," and he filled the same position for the New York "Sun" from 1896 to 1900. He was Director of Fine Arts for the Buffalo Exposition in 1901 and served in many responsible positions on art commissions in the United States and foreign countries.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coffin Nails
In Devonshire it is said that a ring made from three nails or screws that have been used to fasten a coffin, and dug up in a churchyard, will act as a charm against convulsions and fits of every kind.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Coghlan
ROSE, an actress; sister to the above; born in Peterboro, England, in 1853. She rose from humble rôles in England to be leading lady, making her American début in 1872. From 1880 to 1889 she was Wallack's leading lady, and since 1893 has been identified with important productions.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Coghlan
CHARLES FRANCIS, an American actor; born in Paris, France, in 1841. He was educated for the bar in London, but went on the stage, making his American début in 1880 as Captain Absolute in "The Rivals." He took leading parts for many years at Wallack's and supporting eminent actors. He wrote "Jocelyn," "Lady Barter," and other plays. He died in Galveston, Texas, Nov. 27, 1899.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cognizance
in Heraldry, a badge in the more restricted sense of that term. (kon-yos-chente), COGNOSCENTI persons professing a critical knowledge of works of art, and of a somewhat more pretentious character than amateurs.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cognomen
the hereditary family name such as Cicero, Cato, etc.) among the ancient Romans. The other two names generally borne by every well-born Roman, viz. the prænomen and nomen (as in Marcus Tullius Cicero), served to denote the individual (Marcus), and the gens (Tullius) or clan to which his family belonged.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cognovit
in the law of England, the defendant's written confession that the plaintiff's cause against him is just and true. By this confession before or after issue, the defendant suffers judgment to be entered against him without trial, in which case the judgment is called judgment by confession.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cohan
GEORGE M(ICHAEL), an American actor and playwright, born in Providence, R. I., in 1878. His first appearance on the stage was made at the age of 9. He appeared in vaudeville with other members of his family for many years. In 1904 he appeared as a star in "Little Johnny Jones," and later in "George Washington, Jr." He was the author of many successful comedies, including "The Yankee Prince" (1909); "Seven Keys to Baldpate" (1913); "Hit-the-Trail Holliday" (1915). He was also a composer of many popular songs, including "Over There," for the writing of which he received a prize of $25,000. This song became extremely popular with the American soldiers and civilians during the ( World War.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia