October 14, 2007
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of creating an image, called an impression, by inking a prepared plate or woodblock and pressing it against another material. Invented in China in the 5th century, the woodcut was both the earliest printmaking method and the first process that allowed printmakers to produce multiple copies of a text or artwork. Later, techniques involving engraved or etched metal plates were developed. What is the reductionist approach to applying multiple colors to an impression?October 13, 2007
mince
DEFINITION: (verb) To moderate or restrain (words) for the sake of politeness and decorum; euphemize.
SYNONYMS: moderate, soften.
USAGE: She begged him not to mince words and to tell her exactly what had happened.
Migraine Pill May Help Alcoholics Quit Drinking
Results of a study financed by Johnson & Johnson Inc.'s Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, makers of the migraine medication Topamax, suggest that the drug may also be effective in the treatment of alcohol addiction. The study followed 371 heavy drinkers for 14 weeks. By the end of the study, 15% of the participants taking the drug had quit drinking for at least 7 weeks. Only 3% in the placebo group had done the same. Topamax works by inhibiting dopamine, a neurotransmitter commonly associated with the brain's pleasure system, and appears to curb the craving for alcohol.Kata
Kata, meaning ‘form,' describes the patterned body positioning and movement exercises practiced in a number of traditional Japanese art forms. Kata are often an essential part of martial arts training and involve varying degrees of difficulty. While critics claim that such rote practice does not translate usefully into real-world situations, proponents believe these choreographed forms create a basis for future martial arts learning. What other Japanese arts make use of such forms?October 12, 2007
ruralism
DEFINITION: (noun) A rural idiom or expression.
SYNONYMS: rusticism.
USAGE: He was a country poet whose verses were filled with ruralisms.
Columbus Makes Landfall in the Caribbean
Believing that Asia could be reached by traveling westward, Columbus' 3-ship expedition set sail from Palos, Spain in 1492. After a stop at the Canary Islands, Columbus sailed due west, turning in a more southerly direction after about 4 weeks at sea. Shortly thereafter, Columbus quelled a small mutiny and, on October 12, landed at an island in the Bahamas. Columbus also explored nearby Cuba and Hispaniola before returning to Spain. How many ships set sail with his second expedition?Dark Matter
Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to make up more than 90% of the mass of the universe but is not readily visible because it neither emits nor absorbs light. Its existence could explain gravitational anomalies observed in the motion and distribution of galaxies. In 1993, astronomers identified part of the dark matter in the form of stray planets and brown dwarfs, and, possibly, stars that have failed to ignite. What acronym is used to refer to this hot, dark matter?October 11, 2007
inveterate
DEFINITION: (adjective) Persisting in an ingrained habit.
SYNONYMS: chronic, confirmed, habitual.
USAGE: He was an inveterate gambler, though a poor loser.
Humphrey DeForest Bogart
Bogart, posthumously named the Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute, was an Academy Award winning actor whose accomplishments in the film industry are recognized worldwide. Though Bogart began acting in theater, he is best known for his work in films like The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. He became an international cult figure through his roles as a tough, romantic loner, appearing in 75 feature motion pictures. How many times was Bogart married?October 10, 2007
rapier
DEFINITION: (noun) A straight sword with a narrow blade and two edges.
SYNONYMS: tuck.
USAGE: Strickland employed not the rapier of sarcasm but the bludgeon of invective.
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