Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) Charles Martel märtĕlˈ [key] [O.Fr.,=Charles the Hammer], 688?–741, Frankish ruler, illegitimate son of Pepin of Heristal and grandfather of Charlemagne. After the death of his father (714) he se...

(Encyclopedia) short circuit, abnormal connection of low resistance between two points of a circuit that usually causes a high, potentially damaging current to flow. To protect against damage, devices such as a fuse...

(Encyclopedia) Zacharias or Zachary, Saint zăkərīˈəs, zăkˈərē [key], pope (741–52), a Calabrian Greek; successor of St. Gregory III. He was the first pope after Gregory the Great not to seek confirmation ...

(Encyclopedia) Short Parliament: see English civil war. ...

(Encyclopedia) Louis I or Louis the Pious, Fr. Louis le Pieux or Louis le Débonnaire, 778–840, emperor of the West (814–40), son and successor of Charlemagne. He was crowned king of Aquitaine in 781 and co-empe...

(Encyclopedia) Bertrada bĕrträˈdə [key], d. 783, Frankish queen, wife of Pepin the Short and mother of Charlemagne. She tried without success to reconcile Charlemagne and his brother Carloman. Also called Bertha...

(Encyclopedia) Carolingians kărəlĭnˈjēənz [key], dynasty of Frankish rulers, founded in the 7th cent. by Pepin of Landen, who, as mayor of the palace, ruled the East Frankish Kingdom of Austrasia for Dagobert ...

(Encyclopedia) Senigallia sānēgälˈlyä [key], city (1991 pop. 41,144), in the Marche, central Italy, on the Adriatic Sea. It is a port, a seaside resort, and an industrial center. Manufactures include textiles, ...

(Encyclopedia) Desiderius dēsĭdērˈēəs [key], d. after 774, last Lombard king in Italy (756–74). The duke of Tuscany, he was chosen king with the support of the pope and of Pepin the Short, who was king of th...

(Encyclopedia) dedicated short-range communication (DSRC): see radio-frequency identification. ...