These 13 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Plaice, Plain, Plain Song.
Pleuronectes platessa, a fish well known in northern Europe. It ranges from the coast of France to Iceland, frequenting sandy banks, sometimes met with on mud banks. in great repute as a food fish, as its flesh is soft and watery.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
an expanse of low-lying territory as distinguished from a table-land plateau. Speaking broadly, the or Western Hemisphere is the region of plains, and the Eastern of table-lands. Also, a nickname for the level floor of the hall in which the first French National Convention was held in 1792. By metonomy it was applied also to the Girondist party whose seats were there.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cantus planus, the most ancient and simple form of church music, consisting of easy progressions in one of the church modes, suitable for use by priests or a congregation; it is opposed to cantus figuratus, or figurate song, containing more ornate progressions of a later period. When counterpoint was introduced, it was customary to compose parts above or below a portion of ancient plain song, hence, the term plain song is often synonymous with Canto into fermo, or the fixed melody to which counterpoint is added. The term as used in these days includes roughly, ancient chants, inflections, and melodies of the church. Called also plain chant and sometimes plain singing. Also the simple, plain notes of an air without ornament or variation. one PLAINTIFF, ks. It is not who enters or lodges a complaint in a court of law; one who commences a suit in law against another; opposed to defendant.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a city in Union co., N. J., on the Central of New Jersey railroad; 24 miles W. of New York. It is a suburban place of residence for New York business men. It contains private schools, public library, Muhlenberg Hos Hospital, street railroad and electric light plants, banks, and weekly newspapers. It has manufactories of hats, clothing, silk and cotton goods, machinery, printing presses, etc. Pop. (1910) 20,550; (1920) 27,700.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a town of Connecticut It includes several vilin Windham co. lages. It is on the Quinebaug and Moosup rivers and on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad. In the town are public libraries, and in the village is the Plainfield Academy, one of the oldest institutions of the kind in New England. There are cotton and woolen mills and yarn factories, foundries and other industries. Pop. (1910) 6,719; (1920) 7,926.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
properly a map, representation, or delineation of a building, machine, etc., on a plane surface. More exactly, the plan of a building is a horizontal section supposed to be taken on the level of the floor through the solid walls, columns, etc., so as to show their various thicknesses and situations, the dimensions of the several spaces or rooms, the position of the doors, etc. The term is also commonly extended to a map or representation of a projected or finished work on a plane surface; as, the plan of a town, of a harbor, etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a sub-order of Turbellaria, flat, soft-bodied, hermaphrodite animals, of ovoid or elliptic form; their integument with vibratile cilia and and cells; the former used in locomotion. They have a proboscis, and two pigment spots serving for eyes. a piece of board
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
in joinery, a carpenter's cutting and surface smoothing tool, of which there are many varieties, named from some peculiarity of construction or purpose. In geometry, a surface such that, if any two points be taken at pleasure and joined by a straight line, that line will lie wholly in the surface. A plane is supposed to extend indefinitely in all directions, the term is also frequently used, especially in astronomy, to denote an ideal surface supposed to cut or pass through a solid body, or in various directions; as, the plane of the ecliptic, the plane of a planet's orbit.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
the deepest portion of the Pacific Ocean, situated near the Philippine Islands. It is the deepest water yet sounded anywhere, reaching 32,114 feet, or slightly over six miles. It was discovered in 1912.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
In the theosophical scheme the number of these spirits is seven. They are emanations from the Absolute, and are the agents by which the Absolute effects all his changes in the Universe.
Only in An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
a theory advanced by Chamberlin and Moulton to explain the origin of the solar system consistently with what has more recently been discovered of the prevalent forms and forces still apparently at work in the outer universe. According to this theory the solar system was evolved from a great spiral nebula similar to the thousands upon thousands of such nebulæ that the telescope has brought to light in recent years. The elements of the nebula were fine particles of solid or liquid matter called planetesimals, out of which, as they traveled in their orbits around a central mass, were formed larger and larger aggregates of matter, namely, the future earth and other planets, while the central mass became the sun as we know it. According to this hypothesis, meteors are portions of matter still being gathered in from the original disruption of the sun or giant star out of which was formed the original nebula. Other applications of the theory have to do with the internal heat of the earth, the formation of the atmosphere, and the origin of the earth's oceans. The theory is consistent with many of the facts brought to light by geological investigations as well as with astronomical discoveries.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
MORTON F., an American financier. He was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1852, and when 16 went as clerk with an express company at Memphis, Tenn., later finding a position in railroad work. From 1884 he was connected with the Plant System of railroads, becoming vice-president. He cooperated in its merging with the Atlantic Coast Line of which he became a director, as likewise of the Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisiana Railway. Apart from his railroad interests, he was prominent in banking affairs, and owned several yachts, in which sport he found relaxation. He died in 1918.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
plan-taj'e-net. See Broom Plantain. See Banana ; Manila Plaster of Paris, a well known white, powdery cement. It is made by heating gypsum, a sort of chalky limestone, in a kiln or retort. It was made largely in the vicinity of Paris, from which circumstance the name is derived. When mixed with water it soon hardens or sets like mortar or cement, but it is as cleanly as chalk and is free from caustic properties. It expands slightly in setting, and for that reason is an excellent material for making casts and reproductions of coins, cameos, medallions and statues. It is too soft for durability, but it may be hardened by an addition of alum, borax, or alcohol to the mixture. The surface of the outer coat may be hardened by painting or by dipping in melted paraffin. The material called stucco is formed by mixing glue with the plaster. See Gypsum ; Chalk ; Lime
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia