Columbia Encyclopedia

(Encyclopedia) pun, use of words, usually humorous, based on (a) the several meanings of one word, (b) a similarity of meaning between words that are pronounced the same, or (c) the difference in meanings between tw...

(Encyclopedia) veronica vərŏnˈĭkə [key] [Lat., probably connected with Greek Berenice], relic preserved in St. Peter's Church, Rome. It is said to be a veil that a woman used to wipe the face of Jesus as he was...

(Encyclopedia) Tenerani, Pietro pyĕˈtrō tānāräˈnē [key], c.1789–1869, Italian sculptor. He studied with both Canova and Thorvaldsen. Of his many works on classical and Christian subjects, the best known in...

(Encyclopedia) Porta, Giacomo della jäˈkōmō dĕlˈlä pôrˈtä [key], c.1540–1602, Italian architect and sculptor. After working with Vignola and Michelangelo, he completed several important works designed or...

(Encyclopedia) Freehold, borough (2020 pop. 35,369), seat of Monmouth co., E central N.J.; settled c.1650, called Monmouth Courthouse (1715–1801), inc. as a town 186...

(Encyclopedia) Amnesty International (AI,) human-rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of...

(Encyclopedia) Gryphius, Andreas ändrāˈäs grüˈfēo͝os [key], 1616–64, German poet-dramatist, originally named Andreas Greif. He wrote in Latin, new High German, and Silesian dialect. Among his many sonnets,...

(Encyclopedia) Palma, Jacopo yäˈkōpō pälˈmä [key], c.1480–1528, Venetian painter, called Palma Vecchio. He formed his style under the influence of Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and Giorgione and ranks as one of...

(Encyclopedia) Masolino da Panicale mäzōlēˈnō dä pänēkäˈlā [key], 1383–c.1447, Florentine painter of the early Renaissance, whose real name was Tommaso di Cristoforo Fini. His versatile painting incorpo...

(Encyclopedia) Bramante, Donato dōnäˈtō brämänˈtā [key], 1444–1514, Italian Renaissance architect and painter, b. near Urbino. His buildings in Rome are considered the most characteristic examples of High ...