The Meta-Encyclopedia

Single-source entries: O (24)

These 13 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Organzine, Oriel, Oriental Society.

Organzine

a silk thread of several singles twisted together; thrown silk.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Oriel

or ORIOL, a projecting window, mostly of a triagonal or pentagonal form, and divided by mullions and transoms into different bays and other proportions.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Oriental Society

AMERICAN. A learned society formed in 1842 for the purpose of promoting Oriental research in America. The society is chartered under the laws of Massachusetts and its constitution provides that one meeting in every three years must be held within the confines of that state. The meetings are held annually and are featured by discussions on Oriental history and philology. The "Journal" published by the Society contains much valuable material for the student of the Orient. The library of the society is at Yale University. Some of the leading educators of America have been presidents of this society, among them being Theodore Dwight Woolsey, W. D. Whitney, President Hadley of Yale University, Daniel Coit Gilman, and Crawford H. Toy. In 1920 the enrollment of the society numbered about 350 members.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orientation

in anthropology, practices concerning the posture of the dead in their graves, and the living in their temples. In architecture, the placing or building of a church so that its chancel is toward the E., or that part of the E. in which the sun rises on the day of the patron saint. In biology, a term applied to the means by which animals, when taken from home, are able to trace their way back. In surveying, the act of determining the direction of the side of a triangle, or the direction of a chain of triangles.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Oriente

a province of Cuba. It has an area of 15,227 square miles. Pop. about 625,000.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Oriflamme

or ORIFLAMB, the ancient royal banner of France; origi- Vol. VII-Cyc the nally the banner of the abbey of St. that Denis, near Paris, which received many in important grants from the early French and in kings gs.. Its color was purple with a tinge of azure, and gold. It became the banner of the monarchy in the reign of Philip I.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orihuela

a city of Spain in the province of Alicante. It is on the Segura River. The city contains a cathedral and a bishop's palace. It is the center of an important agricultural region. There are also manufactories of silk, linen goods, hats, flour, and oil. Pop. about 35,000.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orillon

a curved projection formed by the face of a bastion overlapping the end of the flank, intended to protect it from oblique fire. Also an earthen mound faced with brick.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orion

in mythology, a celebrated Greek giant and hero, and the reputed son of Hyrieus of Hyria, in Bœotia. So ed through the deepest seas he was still a head and shoulders above the water; and when he walked on dry land, his stature reached the clouds. After his death he was placed with his hound in heaven, where, to this day, the following constellation bears his name. In astronomy, one of the ancient constellations found by by Ptolemy. The equinoctial passes nearly through its center, and it is situated in the Southern Hemisphere with respect to the equator. Four of the seven stars constituting the constellation are situated in the middle of it, in a straight line. Two of these are of the first magnitude, namely Betelguese or Beltegeux, in the right shoulder, and Rigel in the left foot. In the middle of the square are three stars of the second magnitude, which form what is called the belt of Orion. The constellations which surround Orion are Eridamus, Canis Major, Gemini, Auriga and Taurus. Near the sword-scabbard is a remarkable nebula, and within the constellation are thousands of small stars, which are only visible by powerful telescopes.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orissa

a maritime province, of Hindustan; on the Bay of Bengal; constituted by the British in 1912 out of the state of Bengal, area, 13,743 square miles, pop. about 5,210,000 and the native states of Bihur and Orissa, area, 28,648 miles. Pop. about 5,200,000. The surface along the shore is in general low and sandy, and in the interior wild and rugged. The inhabitants are composed chiefly of Oorias, the conquerors of the country, and of wild hill tribes. The largest river is the Mahanadi. The chief towns are Cattack, Puri or Juggernauth, and Balasore.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orithyia

Daughter of Erechtheus, king of Athens , and of Praxithea, who was seized by Boreas , and carried off to Thrace, where she became the mother of Cleopatra , Chione, Zetes, and Calais. 2026 Editor's Note: The name Orithyia refers to multiple figures in Greek mythology: a Nereid daughter of Nereus, an Amazon queen, and the Athenian princess abducted by Boreas. Her daughter Chione cast her infant son into the sea to conceal him from her father Boreas's wrath. (Ed: BR 2026-06-02)

Only in 1000 Classical Characters

Orizaba

city of the Mexican state of Vera Cruz; 82 miles W. S. W. of Vera Cruz city, and 181 E. S. E. of Mexico; in a fertile garden country, 4,030 feet above the sea; contains an extensive cotton factory, paper and corn mills, and railway shops. The volcano of Orizaba, 25 miles N., is a noble pyramid rising to an elevation of 17,876 feet, or, according to Heilprin's measurements, 18,205 feet. Its last severe eruption was in 1566. Pop. about 40,000.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia

Orlando

a city of Florida, the county-seat of Orange co. It is a popular winter resort and is noted for its hunting and fishing. It is the center of an important fruit-growing region. Pop. (1910) 3,894; (1920) 9,282. ORLÉANS (or-lā-an'), a France, capital of the department of the Loiret; on the Loire; 68 miles S. W. of Paris. It has some handsome public squares, Gothic cathedral notable uildings. tery, and woolen goods articles lois of manufacture. erected Orléans into peerage in favor of his son continued to give the title prince of the blood royal. In 1426 the city susta ned a siege against the English, and was relieved by the Maid of Orléans (loan of Arc), whose statue in bronze stands in one of the public squares. It was taken and retaken more than once in the Franco-German War in the latter part of 1870. Pop. about 75,000.

Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia