Wrestling
. See Athletics
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Single-source entries: W (42)
Each of these 12 subjects appears in only one of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. None is long enough to carry a page by itself, so they are gathered here by letter. Anything that grows moves out to a page of its own.
Writing
. See Alphabet ; Hieroglyphics ; Pen ; Paper ; Papyrus ; Book , etc.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wryneck
a climbing bird allied to the woodpeckers. It takes its name from the peculiar manner in which it customarily twists the neck and turns the head or eye. There are several species. The common wryneck of Europe has toes like those of the woodpecker, two pointing forward and two pointing backward. The bill is straight and hard, suitable for rapping on the bark of trees. The tongue is long, and is capable of being extended to snap up insects. The wryneck nests in Northern Europe and migrates to southern climes for the winter. In England it goes by a number of common names, as cuckoo's fool, long-tongue, emmet hunter, cuckoo's messenger, and the like. Although a climber and in other respects quite like the woodpecker the wryneck does not use its tail as a prop.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wu Ting-Fang
a Chinese diplomatist; born in Hsin-hui, district of Kwangtung, China; studied Chinese literature and classics together with English in Canton, and took a law course in England in 1874-1877. On his return to China he directed the construction of the first railroad in his native land; was the first secretary of the Chinese commission to negotiate with Japan in 1895; and was afterward a plenipotentiary to ratify the treaty. He was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States, Peru, and Spain in May, 1897. While residing in Washington he became very popular. In 1900 the degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the University of Pennsylvania. He was the author of numerous articles on China in American magazines. He took a prominent part in the revolution which overthrew the Manchu dynasty, and was active in the political movements of the following years.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wyandotte
a city of Michigan, in Wayne co., on the Detroit river and on the Michigan Southern, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Grand Trunk, and the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton railroads. It is an important industrial center and has manufactures of chemicals, salt, iron, steel ships, trunks, lumber, gasoline engines, automobiles, etc. There are a public library and a hospital. Pop. (1910) 8,287; (1920) 13,851.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wyandotte Cave
a natural cavern. It is an underground washout in the limestone rock of Crawford County, Indiana. Its passages have been explored for a distance of twenty-three miles. One chamber is 200 feet high and 300 broad. This cave ranks next to Mammoth Cave in size and interest. See Mammoth Cave
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wyatt, Sir Thomas
Sir Thomas (1503-1542), an English poet. He was born at Kent. He was graduated from Cambridge in 1518. After traveling on the continent he returned to England where he was well received at court owing to the influence of his father, who had been in favor with Henry VII and was none the less so with Henry VIII. Wyatt's wit and poetic gifts, his polished manners and many accomplishments, made him well fitted to succeed. He was, moreover, a man of skill in the management of affairs, as well as of the strictest integrity. He was intrusted with several diplomatic missions by Henry VIII and was knighted by him in 1536. Wyatt was a student of foreign literature and had cultivated the art of verse making from his youth. His name is associated with that of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, in connection with the sonnet, a form of poetry which these two poets are said to have brought to England from Italy. Wyatt's poems were not published during his lifetime. In Tottel's Miscellany, published in 1557, ninety-six poems are assigned to him. Thirty-one sonnets by Wyatt are extant.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wych Hazel
a shrub or small tree native to eastern North America . See Witch Hazel
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wycherly, William
William (1640-1716), an English dramatist. He was a native of Shropshire. He was educated in France and at Oxford University, expecting to practice law. He gave little attention to his profession, however, being fond of a gay life of fashion. His first comedy, Love in a Wood, was published in 1671. Others were The Gentleman Dancing-master, The Country Wife, and The Plain Dealer. In 1680 he married a countess who died and left him her property. He got into trouble about the title and was imprisoned for seven years. James II released him finally, paying his debts and bestowing a pension on him because of his comedy, The Plain Dealer, which greatly pleased the monarch. Wycherly lost his pension at the time of the Revolution, and, although he received an inheritance from his father, he was in constant difficulties until a few days before his death, when he married a young woman with a small fortune. While Wycherly's comedies won him considerable fame, they are so low and vulgar as to be now considered almost unreadable.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Wycombe
a market town of Buckinghamshire, England; on the Wye; 25 miles E. S. E. of Oxford and 29 W. N. W. of London. Called variously Chipping (or Chepping), Wycombe and High Wycombe, it was the seat of a Saxon fortress, Desborough Castle, some remains of which may be seen, and has a fine cruciform parish church (1273-1522; restored 1874-1888) with a tower 96 feet high, a guildhall (1757-1859), etc. Wycombe was governed rned by a mayor in Henry III.'s time, but first incorporated by Henry VI.; the municipal boundary was extended in 1880. Pop. about 20,000.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wye
a river of South Wales, which, rising from Montgomeryshire, near the Severn's source, and flowing generally through Hereford, and between Gloucester and Monmouth, enters the Severn at Chepstow, 123 miles below its head. Rapid and rockbound as far as Hay, the Wye grows gentler as it gathers volume, but throughout is singularly beautiful, making innumerable horseshoe curves between wooded banks, and passing by Maeslough, Clifford, Gooderich, and Chepstow Castles, Hereford Cathedral, and Tintern Abbey.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Wyman
WALTER an American surgeon; born in St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 17, 1848; was graduated at Amherst College in 1870, and at the St. Louis Medical College in 1873; was made assistant surgeon in the United States Hospital Service in 1876, and became chief medical purveyor of the quarantine division in 1888; was appointed supervising surgeon-general of the United States Marine Hospital Service in 1891. Under his Ho management was one of the finest laboratories in the world, where diseases were constantly being scientifically investigated. He was an earnest advocate for the sanitation of ports not only in the United States but in the West Indies and South America, holding that if this were enforced yellow fever would be entirely eradicated from the Western Hemisphere. He was also interested in purifying water supplies; in the study of leprosy and tuberculosis; etc. On his recommendation the Government set apart a large tract of land in New Mexico for a hospital whence all consumptive patients in the United States marine hospitals could be transferred. He died in 1911.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia