These 13 listings are so strange that each appears in only one of the 7 encyclopedias we compared. They include such classics as Polka, Poll Tax, Pollack.
a well known dance, the music to which is in ½ time, with the third quaver accented. There are three steps in each bar, the fourth beat is always a rest, the three steps performed on the three first beats of every bar.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a tax levied per head in proportion to the rank or fortune of the individual; a capitation tax. This tax was first levied in England in 1377 and 1380, to defray the expenses of the French War; its collection in 1381 led to the insurrection of Wat Tyler. In the United States a poll tax (varying from 25 cents to $3 annually) is levied in some of the States, in addition to the taxes on property. In some States its payment is a necessary prerequisite for voting.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Gadus pollachius, a common fish on British coasts, belonging to the cod, haddock, and whiting genus. It is about the size of the coal-fish, is active in habit, and is frequently caught. The lower jaw projects beyond the upper, and there is no barbel. In Scotland and in some parts of Ireland it is called lythe.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
or POWAN, Coregonus pollan, from the Irish Lakes, somewhat resembling a herring (Clupea harengus), but with a remarkably short head and deep body.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a tree cut back nearly to the trunk so as to produce a great number of spreading branches. In many parts of Europe, especially France and Holland, pollarding is a common practice. The roadways are lined with pollarded willows, poplars, and other trees. The branches are cut off yearly and at regular intervals. The trunks present an unsightly, stubby appearance, but appear to be sound and rugged. Judging from their size, many of these hoary old pollards are centuries old. The shoots of the willow pollards are much used in basketry. The branches of other pollards are cut chiefly into stove length and tied up into bundles called faggots and are sold as firewood. In Paris, for instance, a bundle of small twigs made into a faggot perhaps eighteen inches in length and ten inches in diameter is worth twenty cents at retail. Pollards are of common occurrence in basket-making countries, but otherwise are seldom seen excepting in countries where fuel is very high. See Willow
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
the name given to a tree the head of which has been lopped off about 8 or 10 feet from the ground, in order to induce it to send out bushy shoots, which are cut periodically for basket making, fuel, fencing, or other purposes.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
ALBERT FREDERIC, an English historian and writer; born in 1869, and educated at Oxford University. From January, 1893, until 1901 he was the assistant editor of the "Dictionary of National Biography," serving at the same time on the faculties of Victoria University, Manchester, and in Cambridge University. In 1916 he became Creighton Lecturer in the University of London, a position which he now holds. His best known historical work is his "Reign of Henry VII.," from contemporary sources, 3 volumes, published in 1913.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
. See Fertilization
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
in botany, the pulverulent or other substance which fills the cells of the ANTHER (q. v.). It consists of minute granules varying in size and inclosing a fluid containing molecular matter. It is the male element in a plant, corresponding to the seminal fluid in animals, and is designed to fertilize the seed. In entomology, pollen collected from plants and carried on the outer surface of the tibiæ of bees. Mixed with honey, it becomes the food of the larvæ.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
The operation of mixing metal by vigorous stirring with a rod of iron or pole of wood. Wood-polling is more effective especially when the wood is green, as it yields its juices in a gaseous form which causes the metal to bubble freely, and the operation is accelerated wonderfully. See COPPER.
Only in The Encyclopedia of Founding
CAIUS ASINIUS, a Roman soldier; born in Rome, 76 b. c.. He sided with Cæsar in the civil war fought at Pharsalia, and commanded in Spain against Sextus Pompeius, but was defeated. He sided with the triumvirs against the oligarchic senate, and was appointed by Antony to settle the veterans on the lands assigned them in Transpadane Gaul. It was now that he saved the property of the poet Vergil at Mantua from confiscation. After Antony and Octavian had quarreled, it was Pollio who effected their temporary reconciliation at Brundusium (40). This year he was consul, when Vergil's fourth eclogue was addressed to him. The year after he went to Greece as legate of Antony, and defeated the Parthini, a people of Illyria. This was the period of Vergil's eighth eclogue, also addressed to Pollio. Thereafter he withdrew altogether from political life, and survived till A. D. 4. Pollio was the first to establish a public library at Rome, and was the patron of Vergil, Horace, and other poets. His own orations, tragedies and history have perished.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Robert (1778-1827), the author of The Course of Time. His father was a small farmer in the parish of Renfrewshire, Scotland. Young Robert was trained at the University of Glasgow for the ministry of the Presbyterian church. While yet a student he wrote tales of the Covenanters and a poem designed to cover the entire spiritual life and destiny of man. This was his celebrated Course of Time. He survived its publication but six months, dying at the early age of twenty-nine. The poem on which his reputation rests is written from the Presbyterian point of view, and in its time had a great vogue. That he understood hypocrisy well may be seen from the following quotations: He was a man Who stole the livery of the court of Heaven To serve the Devil in. With one hand he put A penny in the urn of poverty, And with the other took a shilling out.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
an equestrian game, which may be shortly described as hockey on horseback. It is of Oriental origin and of high antiquity; indeed, it has been claimed that it can be traced back to 600 b. c. Polo was first played by Europeans in 1863 in Calcutta. Almost the same game exists in Tibet; while native equestrian games more or less closely resembling polo are played in Japan and other parts of the East. Since 1871 many polo clubs have been started in Great Britain and, since 1876, in the United States, as well as wherever Britons are found in the East. The principal British club which makes the rules of the game, is at Hurlingham, near London.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia