Wave Length
the distance, in all kinds of wave motion, from crest to crest of successive waves. In the wave motion of light these distances are almost inconceivably minute. The wave in the visible part of the spectrum ranges from about 33608 inches in the red end to about sed inches in the violet. In the yellow part of the spectrum, where it is brightest (in sunlight) the wave is about 30 inches. When we remember that light travels through space with a velocity of about 186,000 miles per second , if we wish to get some faint idea of the almost inconceivable frequency of the vibrations, multiply the denominators of the above fractions by the number of inches in 186,000 miles. We shall find that the extreme red light vibrates about 400,000,000,000,000 times, the yellow light about 510,000,000,000,000 times and the extreme violet light about 800,- 000,000,000,000 times per second. The difference of color is simply a difference of wave length and frequency, for, so far as known, they all travel with the same velocity. There are heat rays, or vibrations, which are invisible to the eye, of much greater wave length and less frequency. These are below the visible red in the spectrum. There is no difference between the radiations that we call by the different names of heat, light, and chemical (or actinic) rays except in the wave lengths and frequency of their vibrations.
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Waverley
or 'Tis Sixty Years Since, a novel by Walter Scott published in 1814. This was Scott's first novel. He had become famous through his poems, but, believing that he had done his work in that direction, he attempted a novel. As he was doubtful of its reception he published anonymously. Although success was immediate Scott preferred to keep his secret and published several novels, "By the author of Waverley," before his name was given to the public. Waverley is a tale of the insurrection in the Stuart interest led by Charles Edward in 1745.
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Wavre
town in the Belgian province of Brabant, 15 miles S. E. of Brussels; pop. about 10,000. Here on June 18, 1815, there was a fiercely contested battle between the Prussians under Thielmann and the French under Grouchy, in which the Prussians successfully prevented the French from joining Napoleon at Waterloo. See WATERLOO, BATTLE OF.
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Way
in law, either the right which one or more persons have passing over the land of another, or the space over which such right is exercisable. Ways are of various kinds; as a footway, for persons passing on foot only; a horseway, for persons passing on horseback; a driftway, for driving cattle; a carriage way, for driving carriages and other vehicles.
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Waycross
a city of Georgia, the county-seat of Ware so. It is on the Atlantic Coast Line, the Waycross and Southern, the Waycross and Western, and the Atlanta, Birmingham, and Atlantic railroads. Its industries include the manufacture of lumber and turpentine, and it has repair shops, cotton gins, etc. It is the seat of the Piedmont Academy, King's Daughters Hospital, Y. M. C. A. buildings, and other public buildings. Pop. (1910) 14,485; (1920) 18,068.
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Wayland
THE SMITH, a hero of German saga; was originally a kind of demi-god in popular mythology, with of identity with Greek Hephæstus and Dedalus. He was son of the sea giant Wade, a nephew of King Wilkinus, and was first bound apprentice to the famous smith Mimir. Then he was carried across the sea to the dwarfs, whom he soon surpassed in their own science. He dwelt a long time in Ulfdaler along with his two brothers, Eigil, the best archer, and Slagfidr, and here they met three swan maidens, with whom they lived for seven years, till these flew away to follow battles as Walkyries. Afterward Wayland came to King Nidung, who cut the sinews of his feet and put him in prison, for which he revenged himself by putting the king's two sons to death, and violating his daughter Baduhild, who afterward gave birth to Wittich. Wayland then flew away in a feather robe, which he himself manufactured, and which his brother Eigil had tried first, only to be precipitated to the ground. The legend is often alluded to in Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon, English, and German poems, and even old French poems tell of Galant the smith. Wayland Smith's cave, a two-chambered megalithic monument, near the White Horse in Berkshire, England, is immortalized in "Kenilworth."
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Wayland Smith
A famous character in German mythological romance and father of Weltich, whom he trained in the art of warfare and sent to the Court of Dietrich in Bern. To him he gave the sword Miming and told him of a mermaid, his ancestress, to whom he was to apply when in difficulty. He is also referred to in the Sigfried story, being in company with a smith named Mimi, when Sigfried joins the smithy. His workmanship is praised in the Beowulf Saga and he is mentioned there and elsewhere as a maker of impregnable armour. He is the supernatural smith of the Teutonic peoples, and is comparable to Vulcan in Roman, and to Hephaistos in Greek mythology.
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Wealth
welth, all objects possessing value, that is to say, exchangeable for other valuables. The wealth of the world is so great as to mean little when expressed in figures. The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world. Statistics are wanting for Asia. Per Countries. Total wealth. person. United States $116,000,000,000 $1,123 United Kingdom 62,200,000,000 1,442 France 42,800,000,000 1,257 Germany 42,000,000,000 709 Russia 35,000,000,000 296 Austria-Hungary 20,000,000,000 499 Italy 13,000,000,000 485 Spain 5,400,000,000 548 Scandinavia 7,000,000,000 700 Belgium 6,800,000,000 739 Portugal 2,500,000,000 Switzerland 2,400,000,000 Wealth of Nations. See Smith ; Adam
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Weasel
a small animal of the marten family. There are a dozen or fifteen species. The least weasel, an inhabitant of the country northwest of Hudson Bay , is the smallest carnivorous animal known. The common weasel is brown in summer and white in winter, save that the tip of the tail is black. As a foe of the poultry yard the weasel is worse than a mink. The body is so slender that the little murderer can go through any hole that will admit its flat, wicked head. It does not hesitate to seize chickens, ducks, and rabbits by the throat, and will kill seemingly for the ferocious love of killing. In favor of the weasel it may be said that a pair will clear buildings of rats and mice. See Ermine
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