Uruguay: Civilian government: …left-wing groups led by Vázquez—the Progressive Encounter–Broad Front (Encuentro Progresista–Frente Amplio; EP–FA)—won a majority in both houses of the General Assembly for the first time. During his term, Vázquez was credited with improving an economy that had been beset by years of negative growth; financing social programs; and investigating disappearances,…

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agency of the U.S. government that sets and enforces national pollution-control standards. In 1970, in response to the welter of confusing, often ineffective environmental protection laws enacted by states and communities, Pres. Richard Nixon created the EPA

human nutrition: Meat, fish, and eggs: …essential long-chain fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid.

Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), landmark U.S. legislation mandating equal pay for equal work, in a measure to end gender-based disparity. The National War Labor Board first advocated equal pay for equal work in 1942, and an equal pay act was proposed in 1945. Eighteen years later, on June 10, 1963,

African art: Ife and Yoruba: Typical of Ekiti is the Epa cult, which is connected with both the ancestors and agriculture. The mask proper, roughly globular, has highly stylized features that vary little; but the superstructure, which may be 4 feet (120 cm) or more in height, is often of very great complexity—for example, a…

calendar: The date of Easter: Called the epact—the word is derived from the Greek epagein, meaning “to intercalate”—this was again a system of numbers concerned with the Moon’s phases, but now indicating the age of the Moon on the first day of the year, from which the age of the Moon on…

Papillon, breed of toy dog known from the 16th century, when it was called a dwarf spaniel. A fashionable dog, it was favored by Madame de Pompadour and Marie-Antoinette, and it appeared in paintings by some of the Old Masters. The name Papillon (French: “Butterfly”) was given to the breed in the

Epaminondas was a Theban statesman and military tactician and leader who was largely responsible for breaking the military dominance of Sparta and for altering permanently the balance of power among the Greek states. He defeated a Spartan army at Leutra (371 bc) and led successful expeditions into

Epanagoge, (Greek: “Introduction”), legal code compiled c. 879, during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Basil I, intended as the introduction to a comprehensive collection of laws to be published in Greek. Its chief importance lies in its exposition of the theory of the separation of the powers

epanalepsis, the repetition of a word or phrase after intervening language, as in the first line of Algernon Charles Swinburne’s

anaphora, (Greek: “a carrying up or back”), a literary or oratorical device involving the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several sentences or clauses, as in the well-known passage from the Old Testament (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2) that begins: Anaphora (sometimes called epanaphora) is

Pylos: This Epano Englianos palace, together with dependent despoiled tombs, appears to match closely the dignity and position of the royal seat as described by Homer. Transcending the Pylos locational controversy, however, was the discovery at Epano Englianos of hundreds of inscribed clay tablets baked hard by…

Io: …form and gave birth to Epaphus.

eparch, the leading Byzantine government official from the 6th to the 11th century, entrusted with the authority to maintain public order and safety in Constantinople (modern Istanbul), the Byzantine capital. Called the “father of the city,” he ranked just beneath the emperor in importance. His

ancient Iran: The Old Elamite period: …a new dynasty, that of Eparti. The third king of this line, Shirukdukh, was active in various military coalitions against the rising power of Babylon, but Hammurabi was not to be denied, and Elam was crushed in 1764 bc. The Old Babylon kingdom, however, fell into rapid decline following the…

dance: Basic characteristics: …positioning of the shoulders, called épaulement, gives a sculpted, three-dimensional quality to the dancer’s positions.

oriole: …forms of icterids are the epaulet oriole (I. cayanensis) and the troupial (I. icterus).

Pterostyrax: …of which are called the epaulette tree, are cultivated in other regions as ornamentals. The genus is characterized by alternate stalked leaves and fragrant white flowers borne in large clusters. The five petals are separate. The fleshy fruit has one or two seeds. P. hispidus grows to about 15 m…

Old World fruit bat: …of the family are the epauletted fruit bats (Epomophorus), in which the male has tufts of pale hair on the shoulders, and the hammer-headed fruit bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus), which has a large, blunt muzzle and pendulous lips.

muscle: Jawed fishes: …muscle is known as the epaxial musculature, and the ventral block, the hypaxial. The epaxial block runs from the back of the skull to the end of the tail, while the hypaxial block is not present any farther forward than the pectoral (shoulder) girdle (because of the presence of the…

European Union: Creation of the European Economic Community: …Political Cooperation (EPC; renamed the Common Foreign and Security Policy by the Maastricht Treaty), consisting of regular meetings of the foreign ministers of each country, was established to coordinate foreign policy. In 1975 the European Regional Development Fund was created to address regional economic disparities and to provide additional resources…

Epcot, theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Florida, that features many attractions centred on the advancement of technology. As Walt Disney initially imagined it, Epcot was to be a self-contained city that would incorporate the newest technologies. Following Disney’s death in

Epcot, theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Florida, that features many attractions centred on the advancement of technology. As Walt Disney initially imagined it, Epcot was to be a self-contained city that would incorporate the newest technologies. Following Disney’s death in

Environmental Protection Agency: …saw the development of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), which allowed local communities to know the nature of the toxic chemicals produced by industries in their areas and assisted communities in developing emergency plans to deal with hazardous substance releases and exposures.

major industrial polymers: Ethylene-propylene copolymers: …the latter as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer). The copolymers contain approximately 60 percent by weight ethylene. A pronounced advantage of EPDM is that the residual carbon-carbon double bond (i.e., the double bond that remains after polymerization) is attached to the polymer chain rather than being made part of it. Carbon-carbon…

Epe, town and port, Lagos state, southwestern Nigeria; it lies on the north bank of the coastal Lagos Lagoon and has road connections to Ijebu-Ode and Ikorodu. A traditional settlement of the Ijebu people (a subgroup of the Yoruba), it was established by the mid-18th century as the chief port

electronic product environmental assessment tool (EPEAT), online evaluation and procurement tool that helps consumers select environmentally friendly electronic products. It sets environmental criteria for examining desktop computers, laptops, computer monitors, printers, workstations, thin

épée, blunted sword developed in the 19th century for use in fencing practice and competition. The épée was patterned after the épée du combat, the standard dueling sword of its day. Sporting competitions were designed to simulate what would happen in a real sword fight, with no regard for the

sign language: Inability to speak: …educator of poor deaf children, Charles-Michel, abbé de l’Epée, developed a system for spelling out French words with a manual alphabet and expressing whole concepts with simple signs. From l’Epée’s system developed French Sign Language (FSL), still in use in France today and the precursor of American Sign Language (ASL)…

orb weaver, any spider of the family Araneidae (Argiopidae or Epeiridae) of the order Araneida, a large and widely distributed group noted for their orb-shaped webs. More than 2,840 species in some 167 genera are known. Notable among them are the garden spiders (subfamily Argiopinae), which are

epeirogeny, in geology, broad regional upwarp of the cratonic (stable interior) portions of continents. In contrast to orogeny (q.v.), epeirogeny takes place over broad, nonlinear areas, is relatively slow, and results in only mild deformation. Phenomena accompanying epeirogeny include the

Trojan horse: The horse was built by Epeius, a master carpenter and pugilist. The Greeks, pretending to desert the war, sailed to the nearby island of Tenedos, leaving behind Sinon, who persuaded the Trojans that the horse was an offering to Athena (goddess of war) that would make Troy impregnable. Despite the…

ependymal cell, type of neuronal support cell (neuroglia) that forms the epithelial lining of the ventricles (cavities) in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. Ependymal cells also give rise to the epithelial layer that surrounds the choroid plexus, a network of blood vessels located

glioma: …the axons of nerves); and ependymomas, which originate with ependymal cells, a type of neuroglia that lines the ventricles of the brain and spinal cord. Glioblastoma (glioblastoma multiforme) is the most frequently occurring and the most aggressive primary brain tumour. Other gliomas are of variable malignancy.

epergne, dining table centrepiece—usually of silver—that generally sits on four feet supporting a central bowl and four or more dishes held by radiating branches and used to serve pickles, fruits, nuts, sweetmeats, and other small items. Occasionally, epergnes have additional holders for candles,

Prešov, town, eastern Slovakia, on the Torysa River. First mentioned in documents in 1247, it became a royal free town in 1374. Prešov is now a state historic town; its medieval oval marketplace, Renaissance burgher houses, and three churches representing Gothic, 16th-century Baroque, and

Épernay, town, Marne département, Grand Est région, northeastern France. It lies on the left bank of the Marne River, 17 miles (27 km) south-southwest of Reims. The archbishops of Reims held it from the 5th to the 10th century, and it then passed to the counts of Champagne and in 1642 to the duke

Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, duke d’Épernon was one of the most powerful new magnates in French politics at the turn of the 17th century. Of obscure nobility, La Valette rose to prominence as a favourite of Henry III, who created him duke and peer of France in 1582. He and Anne de Joyeuse

Taurt, goddess of ancient Egypt, the benevolent protectress of fertility and childbirth, associated also with the nursing of infants. She was depicted as having the head of a hippopotamus standing upright (sometimes with the breasts of a woman), the tail of a crocodile, and the claws of a lion. Her

2010 Haiti earthquake: The earthquake: …tectonic plate eastward along the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden (EPG) strike-slip fault system. However, when no surface deformation was observed, the rupturing of the main strand of the fault system was ruled out as a cause. The EPG fault system makes up a transform boundary that separates the Gonâve microplate—the fragment of…

bat, in a measurement system, ancient Hebrew unit of liquid and dry capacity. Estimated at 37 litres (about 6.5 gallons) and approximately equivalent to the Greek metrētēs, the bat contained 10 omers, 1 omer being the quantity (based on tradition) of manna allotted to each Israelite for every day

ephebus, in ancient Greece, any male who had attained the age of puberty. In Athens it acquired a technical sense, referring to young men aged 18–20. From about 335 bc they underwent two years of military training under the supervision of an elected kosmetes and 10 sōphronistai (“chasteners”). At

ephebus, in ancient Greece, any male who had attained the age of puberty. In Athens it acquired a technical sense, referring to young men aged 18–20. From about 335 bc they underwent two years of military training under the supervision of an elected kosmetes and 10 sōphronistai (“chasteners”). At

pedophilia: …ages 11 and 14) and ephebophilia (sexual preference for late-stage adolescents, typically ages 15 and 16). In many countries an individual who is convicted in a court of law of child sexual abuse (see child abuse), which involves sexual abuse of a prepubescent or postpubescent individual up to age 18,…

ephebus, in ancient Greece, any male who had attained the age of puberty. In Athens it acquired a technical sense, referring to young men aged 18–20. From about 335 bc they underwent two years of military training under the supervision of an elected kosmetes and 10 sōphronistai (“chasteners”). At

ephedra, (genus Ephedra), genus of 65 species of gymnosperm shrubs of the family Ephedraceae. Ephedra is an evolutionally isolated group and is the only genus in the order Ephedrales (division Gnetophyta). Species are distributed in dry regions in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. In the

ephedra, (genus Ephedra), genus of 65 species of gymnosperm shrubs of the family Ephedraceae. Ephedra is an evolutionally isolated group and is the only genus in the order Ephedrales (division Gnetophyta). Species are distributed in dry regions in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres. In the

ephedra: Major species and uses: nevadensis), rough joint fir (E. aspera), and Torrey’s Mormon tea (E. torreyana). The plants have been used by indigenous peoples and were used by pioneers as sources of food and medicinals, and stem fragments of species in the southwestern United States and Mexico are used in…

ephedra: Major species and uses: The joint pine of the eastern Mediterranean region is E. fragilis.

ephedra: Major species and uses: Various Asian plants, particularly ma huang (Ephedra sinica), have been used as sources of the drug ephedrine. Ephedra has been a common herbal medicine in China for thousands of years, and several species are important in Ayurvedic medicine. Ephedrine is prescribed for colds, to break a fever and induce…

ephedra: Major species and uses: aspera), and Torrey’s Mormon tea (E. torreyana). The plants have been used by indigenous peoples and were used by pioneers as sources of food and medicinals, and stem fragments of species in the southwestern United States and Mexico are used in a tealike preparation known variously as…

ephedra: Major species and uses: …firs and Mormon tea, including green Mormon tea (E. viridis), California joint fir (E. californica), Nevada joint fir (E. nevadensis), rough joint fir (E. aspera), and Torrey’s Mormon tea (E. torreyana). The plants have been used by indigenous peoples and were used by pioneers as sources of food and medicinals,…

ephedra: Major species and uses: Various Asian plants, particularly ma huang (Ephedra sinica), have been used as sources of the drug ephedrine. Ephedra has been a common herbal medicine in China for thousands of years, and several species are important in Ayurvedic medicine. Ephedrine is prescribed for colds, to break a fever and induce…

gnetophyte: Annotated classification: …and brightly coloured; 1 family, Ephedraceae; 1 genus, Ephedra, with 65 species. Order Gnetales Mostly vines, but a few trees; large flat leaves that have reticulate venation; seeds may be brightly coloured; 1 family, Gnetaceae; 1 genus, Gnetum, with about 30 species.

gnetophyte: Annotated classification: Order Ephedrales Shrubs to small trees; small leaves with 2 or 3 veins; mature cones often become fleshy and brightly coloured; 1 family, Ephedraceae; 1 genus, Ephedra, with 65 species. Order Gnetales Mostly vines, but a few trees; large flat leaves that have reticulate venation; seeds

ephedrine, alkaloid used as a decongestant drug. It is obtainable from plants of the genus Ephedra, particularly the Chinese species E. sinica, and it has been used in China for more than 5,000 years to treat asthma and hay fever. It is effective when administered orally, and its effects persist

freckle, a small, brownish, well-circumscribed, stainlike spot on the skin occurring most frequently in red- or sandy-haired individuals. In genetically predisposed individuals who have been exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight, production of the pigment melanin increases in the pigment

freckle, a small, brownish, well-circumscribed, stainlike spot on the skin occurring most frequently in red- or sandy-haired individuals. In genetically predisposed individuals who have been exposed to the ultraviolet radiation of sunlight, production of the pigment melanin increases in the pigment

ephemeral, in botany, any short-lived plant, usually one that has one or more generations per year, growing only during favourable periods (as when adequate moisture is available) and passing the unfavourable periods in the form of seeds. The seed coats of some species contain a growth inhibitor

biology: Swammerdam’s innovative techniques: …that he produced his classic Ephemeri vita (“Life of the Ephemera”) in 1675, a book about the life of the mayfly noteworthy for its extremely detailed illustrations. Sometime after his death at age 43, Swammerdam’s works were published collectively as the Bijbel der Natuure (1737; “Bible of Nature”), which is…

commentarii: …system of records known as ephemerides.

ephemeris, table giving the positions of one or more celestial bodies, often published with supplementary information. Ephemerides were constructed as early as the 4th century bc and are still essential today to the astronomer and navigator. Modern ephemerides are calculated when a theory

navigation: Almanacs and tables: …of the heavenly bodies was Ephemerides, compiled by the German astronomer Regiomontanus and published by him in Nürnberg in 1474. This work also set forth the principle of determining longitude by the method of lunar distances—that is, the angular displacement of the Moon from other celestial objects. This method, which…

ephemeris, table giving the positions of one or more celestial bodies, often published with supplementary information. Ephemerides were constructed as early as the 4th century bc and are still essential today to the astronomer and navigator. Modern ephemerides are calculated when a theory

Dictys Cretensis: …and this fantastic work, the Ephemeris belli Trojani, together with a similar but pro-Trojan account by Dares Phrygius, was a major sourcebook for medieval handlings of the Trojan story.

Ephemeris Time, (ET), the first dynamical time scale in history; it was defined by the International Astronomical Union in the 1950s and was superseded by Barycentric Dynamical Time in 1984. (See dynamical time.) Ephemeris Time could be obtained by observing the orbital position of any planet or

bryophyte: Ecology and habitats: …Schistostega), leaf surfaces (the moss Ephemeropsis and the liverwort genus Metzgeria and many species of the liverwort family Lejeuneaceae), salt pans (the liverwort Carrpos), bases of quartz pebbles (the moss Aschisma), and copper-rich substrata (the moss Scopelophila).

mayfly, (order Ephemeroptera), any member of a group of insects known for their extremely short adult life spans and emergence in large numbers in the summer months. Worldwide, more than 2,500 species of mayflies have been described, about 700 of them in the United States and Canada. Other common

bryophyte: General features: …mm in size (the moss Ephemerum). Leaflike structures, known as phyllids, are arranged in rows of two or three or more around a shoot or may be irregularly arranged (e.g., the liverwort Takakia). The shoot may or may not appear flattened. The phyllids are usually attached by an expanded base…

Letter of Paul to the Ephesians, tenth book of the New Testament, once thought to have been composed by St. Paul the Apostle in prison but more likely the work of one of his disciples. The words “in Ephesus” are lacking in the earliest manuscripts and citations, and the author probably wrote the

Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Selƈuk in western Turkey. In Roman times it was situated on the northern slopes of the hills Coressus and Pion and south of the Cayster (Küçükmenderes) River, the silt from which has since

flour moth, (Ephestia kuehniella), species of moth in the subfamily Phycitinae (family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera) that is a cosmopolitan pest of cereal products and other stored foods. Sometimes also called Anagasta kuehniella, the flour moth requires vitamins A and B and the larvae cannot live

Ephesus, the most important Greek city in Ionian Asia Minor, the ruins of which lie near the modern village of Selƈuk in western Turkey. In Roman times it was situated on the northern slopes of the hills Coressus and Pion and south of the Cayster (Küçükmenderes) River, the silt from which has since

councils of Ephesus, three assemblies held in Asia Minor to resolve problems of the early Christian church. In 190 Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus, convened a synod to establish the 14th of Nisan (the date of the Jewish Passover) as the official date of Easter. Pope Victor I, preferring a Sunday as

Thermopylae: …pass by the Greek traitor Ephialtes, outflanked them. Sending the majority of his troops to safety, Leonidas remained to delay the Persians with 300 Spartans, their helots, and 1,100 Boeotians, all of whom died in battle. Although the Persians won at Thermopylae and conquered central Greece, they suffered considerable losses…

Ephialtes was a leader of the radical democrats at Athens in the 460s, who by his reforms prepared the way for the final development of Athenian democracy. His hostility toward Sparta and his advocacy of power for the Athenian common people made him the enemy of the pro-Spartan politician Cimon,

spadefish, (family Ephippidae), any of about 17 species of marine fishes (order Perciformes), predominantly tropical though also found in temperate regions. In appearance the spadefishes are deep-bodied and laterally compressed, with five or six vertical black bands on a silvery body. The vertical

stork: The saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), or saddlebill, is a colourful stork of tropical Africa. More than 120 cm (4 feet) tall, its legs and neck are exceptionally long and thin. The slightly upturned bill is red, crossed by a broad black band surmounted in front of…

ephod, part of the ceremonial dress of the high priest of ancient Israel described in the Old Testament (Ex. 28:6–8; 39:2–5). It was worn outside the robe and probably kept in place by a girdle and by shoulder pieces, from which hung the breast piece (or pouch) containing the sacred lots

ephor, (Greek ephoros), title of the highest Spartan magistrates, five in number, who with the kings formed the main executive wing of the state. In antiquity, time periods were recorded by the names of the ephors on a list that dated back to 754 bc. The origins of the ephorate are uncertain,

ephor, (Greek ephoros), title of the highest Spartan magistrates, five in number, who with the kings formed the main executive wing of the state. In antiquity, time periods were recorded by the names of the ephors on a list that dated back to 754 bc. The origins of the ephorate are uncertain,

Ephorus was a Greek historian, the author of the first universal history, who, despite his defects, was esteemed in Classical times and is considered the best of the historians writing in his period. According to uncertain tradition, Ephorus was the pupil of Isocrates, whose school rivaled Plato’s

Saint Ephraem Syrus ; Western feast day June 9, Eastern feast day January 28) was a Christian theologian, poet, hymnist, and doctor of the church who, as doctrinal consultant to Eastern churchmen, composed numerous theological-biblical commentaries and polemical works that, in witnessing to the

Ephraim, one of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after one of the younger sons of Joseph, himself a son of Jacob. After the death of Moses, Joshua, an Ephraimite, led the Israelites into the

Saint Ephraem Syrus ; Western feast day June 9, Eastern feast day January 28) was a Christian theologian, poet, hymnist, and doctor of the church who, as doctrinal consultant to Eastern churchmen, composed numerous theological-biblical commentaries and polemical works that, in witnessing to the

Ephrata, city, seat (1909) of Grant county, central Washington, U.S., near the south end of Grand Coulee Dam. Settled in 1882 by ranchers who raised horses, the community was named in 1892, probably for the biblical city. The surrounding farmland was developed by irrigation, first with water from

Ephrata Community, U.S. Protestant monastic settlement, an offshoot of the Germantown Dunkers, founded in 1732 by Johann Conrad Beissel on Cocalico Creek in Lancaster County, Pa.; the present town of Ephrata grew up around it. Beissel and his followers observed the sabbath on the seventh day and

Nora Ephron was an American author, playwright, screenwriter, and film director who was known for creating romantic comedies that feature biting wit and strong female characters. Ephron was the eldest daughter of Hollywood screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron, who based two of their Broadway

Nora Ephron was an American author, playwright, screenwriter, and film director who was known for creating romantic comedies that feature biting wit and strong female characters. Ephron was the eldest daughter of Hollywood screenwriters Henry and Phoebe Ephron, who based two of their Broadway

Hephthalite, member of a people important in the history of India and Persia during the 5th and 6th centuries ce. According to Chinese chronicles, they were originally a tribe living to the north of the Great Wall and were known as Hoa or Hoadun. Elsewhere they were called White Huns or Hunas. They

shore fly, (family Ephydridae), any member of a family of insects in the fly order, Diptera, that are small, dark coloured, and commonly found in great numbers around ponds, streams, and the seashore. Most larvae are aquatic, and some species can tolerate highly saline or alkaline waters—such as

jellyfish: …upper end, with each such ephyra growing into an adult. The adults are either male or female, but in some species they change their sex as they age. In many species, normal fusion of egg and sperm results in an embryo that is brooded in the gut of the adult…

jellyfish: …upper end, with each such ephyra growing into an adult. The adults are either male or female, but in some species they change their sex as they age. In many species, normal fusion of egg and sperm results in an embryo that is brooded in the gut of the adult…

Épi, island of Vanuatu, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is volcanic in origin and is 27 miles (43 km) long and 11 miles (18 km) wide, with an area of 171 square miles (444 square km). It rises to 2,733 feet (833 metres). Although Épi is fertile, its copra plantations have deteriorated through

spider crab: >Epialtus.

animal development: Reptiles, birds, and mammals: …into an upper layer, the epiblast, and a lower layer, the hypoblast. These layers do not represent ectoderm and endoderm, respectively, since almost all the cells that form the embryo are contained in the epiblast. Future mesodermal and endodermal cells sink down into the interior, leaving only the ectodermal material…

animal development: Amphioxus, echinoderms, and amphibians: …in a movement known as epiboly.

bivalve: Ecology and habitats: …of their older representatives are endobyssate (that is, anchored to material within a burrow or dugout), exposing their evolutionary history. Most of these two classes occupy a wide diversity of subhabitats, with simple reproductive strategies, external fertilization, and planktonic larvae to effect wide dispersion. They apportion the shallow-water marine domain…

Upton Sinclair: …the 1930s, Sinclair organized the EPIC (End Poverty in California) socialist reform movement and registered as a Democrat. His 1934 bid for the governorship of California—he ran on the EPIC platform, which featured proposals for state-administered economic relief and reforms throughout a number of societal institutions—was his most successful political…

Beyoncé: Acting career and soundtracks: …forest queen in the animated Epic (2013).