Diet
. See Food ; Adulteration
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: D (52)
These 10 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Diet, Differential Calculus, Differential Thermometer.
Diet (Meeting or assembly)
a meeting or assembly of delegates or dignitaries convened and held from day to day for legislative, ecclesiastical, political, or administrative purposes; specifically, the legislative assemblies of the former German Empire, provincial assemblies of Austria-Hungary, the Cantons of Switzerland, etc. The Diet of the German Empire was composed of three colleges: one of electors, one of princes, and one of imperial towns, and began with the edict of Charles IV. in 1356. The best known meetings were those at Nuremberg, 1467, Worms, 1521 (at which Luther was excommunicated), Spires, 1529, and Augsburg, 1530.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Differential Calculus
that branch of mathematics which has for its object the explanation of the method of deriving one determinate function from another by the process of differentiation. If in any determinate function of one variable we give to the variable a constant increment, and find the corresponding increment of the function, and then divide the increment of the function by the increment of the variable, we shall find a ratio which will in general be dependent upon the increment of the variable. If now we pass to the limit of this ratio, by making the increment of the variable equal to 0, we shall in general obtain a function of the original variable, which is called the differential coefficient of the function. If this be multiplied by the differential of the variable, the result is called the differential of the function. Any function of a single variable will have one, and only one, differential coefficient, and consequently it will have but one differential of the same order. The differential calculus consists of two parts. The first embraces the science of the differential calculus, and explains the methods of finding the differentials and successive differentials of all determinate functions. The second treats of the application of the differential calculus to the other branches of mathematics, as algebra, analytical geometry, etc. See CALCUJUS.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Differential Thermometer
an instrument for determining very minute differences of temperature. Leslie's differential thermometer consists of two glass bulbs containing air connected by a bent tube containing some sulphuric acid, the movement of which (as the air expands and contracts) serves to indicate any slight difference of temperature between the two bulbs.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Diffraction
a term applied to certain phenomena connected with the modification that rays of light undergo in passing close to the edge of an opaque body. Thus when a beam of direct sunlight is admitted into dark room a through a narrow slit, and falls upon a screen placed to receive it, there appears a line of white light bordered by colored fringes; these fringes are produced by diffraction.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Diffusion
a word having several applications. (1) The act of diffusing or spreading about of a liquid, fluid, etc.; (2) a spreading or diffusing abroad of a matter; (3) the state of being spread or dispersed widely; (4) the act of spreading, extending or propagating widely, as the diffusion of knowledge; (5) copiousness, exuberance of style, prolixity, verbosity. Diffusion of gases is the passing of one gas into the space occupied by another. The name given to that phenomenon by which the composition of the atmosphere is kept uniform, or nearly so. Gases diffuse into one another according to a fixed law, that is, inversely as the square root of their densities. Diffusion of heat is a term applied to those modes by which the equilibrium of heat is effected-viz., conduction, radiation, and convention. Diffusion of liquids: When two liquids that are capable of mixing are put in contact they gradually diffuse one into the other, notwithstanding the action of gravity.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Digamma
the name given to a letter in the oldest Greek alphabet, which early fell into disuse, being retained longest in the Æolian dialect. It is considered to have had the power of the English w or v, and is frequently represented in Latin by u (v): thus, Gr. oikos Lat. vicus, Eng. wick; Gr. oinos Lat. vinum, Eng. wine. See ALPHABET.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Digby
a small seaport of Nova Scotia, on St. Mary's Bay, reputed for its curing of a variety of small herrings or pilchards ("Nova Scotia sprats").
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Digby
KENELM HENRY, an English antiquarian; born in 1800, the youngest son of the dean of Clonfert, gradu-h ated from Trinity, Cambridge, in 1819, and in 1822 published "The Broad Stone of Honour" "that noble manual for gentlemen," as Julius Hare called it. It was much altered in the 1828 and subsequent editions, its author having meanwhile turned Catholic. He died in London, March 22, 1880. Of 14 other works (32 vols. 1831-1874) eight were poetry.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Digby (SIR KENELM an English natural)
SIR KENELM, an English natural philospher; born in Gayhurst, near Newport Pagnell, July 11, 1603. His father, Sir Everard Digby ( 1581- aperture 1606) in 1592 came into a large estate, enters but seven years later turned Catholic, through and was hanged as a Gunpowder conspir- the ator. A "Life" of him appeared in 1896. Kenelm himself was bred a Catholic, but in 1618, after a half-year in Spain, entered Gloucester Hall, Oxford (now Worcester College). At Madrid he fell in with Prince Charles, and, following him back to England was knighted, and entered his service. In 1625 he secretly married "that celebrated beautie and courtezane," Venetia Stanley (1600- 1633). With two privateers he sailed in 1628 to the Mediterranean, and on June 11 vanquished a French and Venetian squadron on Scanderoon. On his beloved wife's death he withdrew to Gresham College, and there passed two hermitlike years, diverting himself with chemistry. Meanwhile he had turned Protestant, but, in 1636 he announced to Laud his reconversion; and his tortuous conduct during the Great Rebellion was dictated, it seems, by his zeal for Catholicism. He was imprisoned by the Parliament (1642-1643), and had his estate confiscated; was at Rome (1645-1647), f and thrice revisited England (1649-1651- 1654), entering into close relations with Cromwell. At the Restoration, however, he retained his office of chancellor to Queen Henrietta Maria. He was one of the first members of the Royal Society (1663), and died June 11, 1665.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia