Pie Plant
. See Rhubarb
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: P (63)
These 14 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Pie Plant, Pier, Pierides.
Pied Piper of Hamelin, The
The, a magician of medieval legend. The town of Hamelin was infested with rats. For a certain sum of money the piper agreed to rid the town of the pests. He played on his pipe and the rats all followed him to the river and were drowned. Then the citizens, thinking themselves safe now the rats were gone, refused to pay the price agreed upon. The piper took his pipe again and this time the children of the town followed him. On they went out of the town to a hill which opened, received them, and closed again. The children were gone forever. Browning's poem, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, published in 1842, is based on this story.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Pier
a detached pillar or wall supporting the ends of adjoining trusses or spans, or the springers of adjacent arches. Also an upright projecting portion of wall, similar to a pilaster, throwing the intervening sunken portions into panel. Also a buttress. Also from the a mole or jetty extending out land into the water, adapted to form a landing place for for passengers or merchandise from ships which float in the deep water alongside the pier or wharf.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pierides
A name given to the Muses, because they were born in Pieria, or, as some say, because they were supposed to be the daughters of Pierus, a king of Macedonia, who settled in Boeotia . 2026 Editor's Note: While the name Pierides is often used as an epithet for the Muses , it also refers to a distinct group of nine sisters in Greek mythology. These sisters, the daughters of King Pierus, famously challenged the Muses to a musical contest and were transformed into birds following their defeat. The Muses themselves were eventually standardized as nine goddesses representing specific arts and sciences, such as Calliope and Terpsichore . (Ed: BR 2026-07-09)
Only in 1000 Classical Characters
Pierpont
JOHN, an Litchfield, Conn., April 6, American poet; born in L 1785. He became a Unitarian clergyman and served as chaplain in the Civil War. Among his works is "Airs of Palestine, and Other Poems" (1840). One of his best known poems is "Warren's Address at the Battle of Bunker Hill." He died in Medford, Mass., Aug. 27, 1866.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pierre
a city of South Dakota, the capital of the State and the county-seat of Hughes co. It is on the Missouri river and on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. The city has a State library, a government school for Indians, the State capitol, library, a handsome Federal Building, hospitals and schools. It is an extensive stock raising and farming community. The city is supplied with natural gas.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pierrepont
EDWARDS, an American diplomatist; born in North Haven, Conn., March 4, 1817; was graduated at Yale in 1837, and at its Law School in 1840; became a member of the Ohio bar. He was elected a judge of the Superior Court of New York in 1857; was appointed a colleague of Gen. John A. Dix to try the prisoners of war confined in various prisons and forts of the country in 1862. He was one of the counsel for John H. Surrat, indicted for complicity in the murder of President Lincoln; in 1875 became attorney - general of the United States in Grant's administration; and in the following year was appointed United States minister to Great Britain. He tried many famous cases during his professional career, and was noted as an orator. He died in New York City, March 6, 1892.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pierrot
a comic character on the French stage, dressed like the harlequin, and playing the part of a cunning but cowardly rogue. Also the modern pierrot of the stage who whitens his face, wears a while loose suit with large black plush buttons down the front of the coat, and a black skull cap. He is often the hero of poetic or pastoral love dramas. PIETÀ, in painting and sculpture, a representation of the Virgin, embracing the dead Christ. In St. Peter's at Rome is a Pietà by Michael Angelo.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pietermaritzburg
or MARITZ- BURG, capital of the province of NATAL (q. v.). It occupies a fine situation near the Umgeni river, 54 miles N. of Durban. It is the seat of government, headquarters of the military, and its municipal affairs are managed by a mayor and town council. It takes its name from its founders, the Boer leaders Pieter Retief and Gert Maritz. There is railway connection with Durban, and also to the borders of the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal. Pop. about 35,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pietist
a member of a party of reformers in the Lutheran Church in the 17th century. The leader of the movement, an Alsatian, Philip Jacob Spener (1635-1705), when pastor in Frankfort , in 1670, was in the habit of holding private gatherings in which the Scriptures were explained practically rather than dogmatically, and, this movement spreading, Spener published a work, "Three Desirable Things of Religion," in which he deplored the incessant preaching of dogma, and formulated the opinion that a virtuous life was of more importance than a correct creed. After Spener's death the executive interfered, and proscribed the open profession of Pietism, so that its professors had no opportunity of forming a new sect.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pietra Dura
a species of inlaid work composed of hard stones, such as agate, jasper, chalcedony, carnelian, and lapislazuli, set in a slab of marble, generally black. PIGEON. See CARRIER PIGEON.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Pig
. See Hog
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Pig-iron
Iron in the form of an oblong bar, so called from having been run from a central or main channel designated the sow, which connects with the tap-hole of the blast-furnace, and may be directed to any part of the sand floor of the casting-house, the pigs being branches from the same. According to the fracture, pig iron is classified as gray, mottled, and white iron. See CAST-IRON; GRADES OF PIG-IRON.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
Pig-iron Barrow
A vehicle for hauling pig iron, usually made high in the front to prevent the pigs from slipping forward on the wheel, and with a flat tray for ease in loading and unloading. Barrows for this purpose and for the transfer of heavy castings are now made by specialists having the front, and tray made from bent-iron strips set edgewise and securely fastened together, which presents a platform firm and almost indestructible. These barrows can be furnished by the dealers with either one or two wheels attached.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding