Daily Content Archive
(as of Thursday, December 17, 2020)| Word of the Day | |||||||
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titivate
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| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
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Conjunctive Adverbs for Weak ContrastThere are two types of contrast that we can illustrate using conjunctive adverbs. One, known as "weak contrast," is when two clauses are opposing but are not complete opposites. For this type of contrast, we are limited to using only the weaker of the contrasting conjunctive adverbs. What are they? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
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 KohlAncient Egyptians used kohl eyeliner for cosmetic as well as medical reasons, believing that it protected the eyes from the Sun. It remains popular in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East today. Though homemade preparations are made from soot, commercial kohl products often contain galena—also known as lead sulfide—and have the potential to expose users to lead. Many Indian parents line their babies' eyes with kohl or apply a dot of it behind their babies' ears to protect them from what? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
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 The Wright Brothers Make Their Famous Flight (1903)Both excellent mechanics, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright built and repaired bicycles before turning their attention to flying machines. They spent years designing and testing gliders and also built a powerful four-cylinder engine and an efficient propeller. In 1903, after several failed attempts, the brothers succeeded in making the first controlled, sustained flights in a power-driven airplane. How long did the first, history-making flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, last? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
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 Sir Humphry Davy (1778)Davy was an English chemist and one of the greatest exponents of the scientific method. His discovery of the anesthetic effect of nitrous oxide was a major contribution to surgery. He did early research on voltaic cells and batteries, tanning, electrolysis, and mineral analysis, and was the first to systematically apply chemical principles to farming. His research on mine explosions and his invention of the safety lamp brought him great prestige. Davy also proved that diamond is a form of what? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
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 Fear is sharp-sighted, and can see things underground, and much more in the skies.Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
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lock (someone) up and throw away the key— To incarcerate someone in prison forever or indefinitely. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
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 Wright Brothers Day (2020)It was on the morning of December 17, 1903, that Wilbur and Orville Wright became the first men to fly and control a powered heavier-than-air machine. Events on December 17 traditionally include a "flyover" by military aircraft and a special ceremony held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a 425-acre area that features a 60-foot granite pylon on top of Kill Devil Hill, where the Wright Brothers' camp was located. The flyover takes place at precisely 10:35 a.m., the time of the original flight in 1903. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
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Today's topic: riggingrig, rigging - A ship's rig is the arrangement of masts, sails, etc.; the rigging is the system of ropes or chains supporting these. More... spread-eagle - First described a navy man who was lashed to the rigging for flogging. More... furniture - The furniture of a ship is its apparel, including the sails, rigging, and anchor; to apparel, in early use, meant "make ready or fit." More... tight ship - Literally one in which ropes and rigging are tied and taut. More... | |