Alphabet An alphabet is a complete standardized set of letter — basic written symbols — each of which roughly represents a phoneme of a spoken language, either as it exists now or as it may have been in the past. There are other writing system such as logosyllabic writing, in which each symbol represents a morpheme, or word or a syllable or places the word within a category, and syllabary, in which each symbol represents a syllable.
	Alphonse Bertillon Alphonse Bertillon was a France law enforcement officer and biometrics researcher, who created anthropometry, an identification system based on physical measurements. Anthropometry was the first scientific system police used to identify criminals. Until this time, criminals could only be identified based on eyewitness accounts, which are known to be unreliable.
	Alpine The term alpine refers to the mountain range of the Alps. Alpine may also refer to: * Alpine climate and Climate of the Alps * Alpine flora * Alpine * Alpine , French manufacturer of cars * Simca 1307, compact car * Sunbeam Alpine, sports car
	Alpine Bearberry Alpine Bearberry is a procumbent shrub 10-30 cm high. Leaves are clearly toothed and the edges are not downturned. They often turn red in autumn and are not winter green, but dead leaves can persist on stems for several years. Berries dark purple to black. Flowers are white. Distribution: circumpolar, at high latitudes, from Scotland east across Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, Canada and Greenland; southern limits in Europe in the Pyrenees and the Alps, in Asia to the Altay Mountains, and in North Americ
	Alpine Salamander The Alpine Salamander is a shiny black salamander. It is found in the Central Alps and Eastern Alps, at altitudes above 700 metres. Adult Alpine Salamanders are approximately 9 to 14 centimetre in length. Their life expectancy is at least ten years. It is an Ovoviviparity Amphibia, giving birth to two live young.
	Alpinia Alpinia is a rather large genus of plants, with more than 230 species from the Ginger family. DNA sequence-based methods have shown that this genus is polyphyletic. It is represented by six clades distributed across the tribe Alpinieae, that do not correspond to Smith's classification of the genus.
	Alpinia zerumbet Alpinia zerumbet is a People's Republic of China perennial plant of the ginger family.
	Alpinist Alpinist is a quarterly United States magazine focused on mountaineering ascents worldwide. It is based out of Jackson, Wyoming and was founded in 2002. Alpinist won the Maggie Award for Best Overall Design/Consumer Category from the Western Publication Association for Alpinist's Autumn issue in 2005 and the Maggie Award for the Best Quarterly/Consumer Division in April 2004 for its Winter 20032004 issue.
	Alprazolam Alprazolam is a short-acting drug in the benzodiazepine class used to treat anxiety disorders and as an adjunctive treatment for depression. Alprazolam was invented by Pfizer and is marketed under the trade name Xanax. Its patent expired in September 1993.
	Alps The Alps is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east, through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west. The word "Alps" was taken via French language from Latin Alpes , which may be influenced by the Latin words albus or altus , or a Celtic languages word.
	Als Als is a Denmark island in the Baltic Sea. It lies east of the Jutland peninsula of Denmark at the town of Snderborg, and north of the Germany coast at Schleswig. The island covers an area of 321 square kilometre, and has a total population of ca.
	Alsace Alsace is one of 26 french rgions, located on the eastern border of France, on the west bank of the Upper Rhine, adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. Alsace was part of the Holy Roman Empire and is still inhabited by people speaking a dialect of Upper German.
	Alstonia Alstonia is a widespread genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the dogbane family. It was named by Robert Brown in 1811, after Charles Alston, Professor of botany at Edinburgh from 1716-1760. The type species Alstonia scholaris R.Br. was originally named Echites scholaris by Carolus Linnaeus in 1767.
	Alstroemeria Alstroemeria, commonly called the Peruvian Lily or Lily of the Incas, is a South American genus of about 50 species of flowering plants, mainly from cool, mountainous regions in the Andes. It was named after the Sweden baron Clas Alstrmer by his close friend Carolus Linnaeus.
	Alstroemeriaceae Alstroemeriaceae is the botanical name of a family of flowering plants. Such a family has been recognized by relatively few taxonomists. The APG II system, of 2003, does recognize such a family and places it in the order Liliales, in the clade monocots. It will then consist of three or four genera, totalling up to about two hundred species.
	Altair Altair is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the list of brightest stars in the nighttime sky, at visual magnitude 0.77. Altair is a vertex of the Summer Triangle. It is an "A" type or Stellar classification located 17 light years away from Earth , one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye.
	Altar An altar is any structure upon which sacrifices or other offerings are offered for religious purposes.
	Altarpiece An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is then called a diptych, triptych or polyptych.
	Altay Mountains The Altai is a mountain range in central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together, and where the great rivers Irtysh, Ob River and Yenisei have their sources. Altay Mountains are known as Turks' homeland. The northwest end of the range is at 52 N and between 84 and 90 E , and extends southeast from there to about 45 N 99 E, where it gradually becomes lower and merges into the high plateaux of the Gobi Desert.
	Alter ego An alter ego is another self, a second personality or persona within a person. The term is commonly used in Literary criticism and comparison to describe characters who are psychologically identical.
	Alteration In music alteration, an example of chromaticism, is the use of a neighboring pitch in the chromatic scale in place of its diatonic neighbor such as in an altered chord. This should not be confused with borrowing, in which pitches or chords from the parallel key are used in place of those of the original key.
	Alternanthera Alternanthera is a genus of about 80 herbaceous plants from the Amaranth family. A few are aquatic plants. They are cosmopolitan, growing in tropical America and Australia. They are mostly spreading or crawling stoloniferous plants with soft stems, sometimes used as ground cover.
	Alternating current An alternating current is an electrical current whose Magnitude and direction vary cyclically, as opposed to direct current, whose direction remains constant. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave, as this results in the most efficient transmission of energy.
	Alternation of generations Alternation of generations is a reproductive cycle of certain vascular plants, fungi, and protists. The term is a bit confusing for people familiar only with the life cycle of a typical animal. A more understandable name would be "alternation of phases of a single generation" because we usually consider a generation of a species to encompass one complete Biological life cycle.
	Alternator cs:Alterntor es:Alternador it:Alternatore pl:Alternator pt:Alternador
	Althea Gibson Althea Gibson was an United States sportswoman who, on August 22, 1950, became the first African-American woman to be a competitor on the world tennis tour. She is sometimes referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of tennis" for breaking the "Racial segregation".
	Altimeter An altimeter is an active instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. The traditional altimeter found in most aircraft works by measuring the air pressure from a static port. Air pressure decreases with an increase of altitude — about one Bar per 27 feet close to sea level.
	Alto In music, an alto or contralto is a singer with a vocal range somewhere between a tenor and a mezzo-soprano. The term is used to refer to the lowest female singing voice, or one of the highest male voices. A typical alto will have a range from around the F below middle C to the E a tenth above middle C; at the bottom of their range, altos sound almost like tenors.
	Altocumulus cloud An Altocumulus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches, the individual elements being larger and darker than those of cirrocumulus and smaller than those of stratocumulus. These clouds are of medium altitude, about 8000-20,000 ft.
	Altostratus cloud Altostratus is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by a generally uniform gray sheet or layer, lighter in color than nimbostratus cloud and darker than cirrostratus cloud. Means "high spread out." Compare also with lower altitude stratus clouds.
	Alum Alum [aluminium potassium sulfate], in chemistry, is a term given to the crystallized double sulfates of the typical formula M+2SO4M3+2324H2O, where M+ is the sign of an alkali metal , and M3+ denotes one of the trivalent metal ions .
	Aluminium Aluminium or aluminum is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery and ductile member of the poor metal group of chemical elements. Aluminium is found primarily as the ore bauxite and is remarkable for its resistance to corrosion and its light weight.
	Aluminium bronze Aluminium bronze is a type of bronze in which aluminium is the main alloying metal added to copper. A variety of aluminium bronzes of differing compositions have found industrial use, with most ranging from 5% to 11% aluminium by weight, the remaining mass being copper; other alloying agents such as iron, nickel, manganese, and silicon are also sometimes added to aluminium bronzes.
	Aluminium chloride Aluminium chloride is a chemical compound of aluminium and chlorine. The solid has a low melting and boiling point, and is Covalent bond. It sublimation at 178 celsius. Molten AlCl3 conductance electricity poorly,N.
	Aluminium foil Aluminium foil is aluminium prepared in thin sheets. As a result of this, the Foil is extremely pliable, and can be bent or wrapped around objects with ease. Aluminium foil is sometimes known as al-foil or alu-foil. It is also often called tinfoil, although it is not made from tin, or as silver paper although it is not made from silver; or in North America, as Reynolds wrap after Reynolds Metals Company, the leading manufacturer when it was introduced on the American market.
	Aluminium hydroxide Aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)3, is the most stable form of aluminium in normal conditions. As found in nature it is known as the mineral gibbsite. Closely related are aluminium oxide hydroxide, AlO(OH), and aluminium oxide, Al2O3, differing only by loss of water.
	Alvar Aalto Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto was a Finland architect and designer. He is generally known as Alvar Aalto. Alvar Aalto's work includes architecture, furniture and glassware. Aalto was noted for his humanistic approach and for being one of the first and the most influential architects of Scandinavian modernism, so much so that he is sometimes known as the "Father of Modernism" in Scandinavia - though a closer examination of the historical facts reveals how Aalto closely followed and had personal c
	Alveolar consonant Alveolar consonants are articulated with the tongue against or close to the superior alveolar ridge, which is called that because it contains the alveoli of the superior teeth. Alveolar consonants may be articulated with the tip of the tongue, as in English, or with the flat of the tongue just above the tip, as in French and Spanish.
	Alvin Ailey Alvin Ailey, Jr. was an African American modern dance and choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ailey was born to his 17-year-old mother, Lula Cooper, in Rogers, Texas. Alvin developed an early interest in art. In 1943 Alvin and his mother moved to Los Angeles.
	Alyssum Alyssum is a genus of about 100-170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. The genus comprises annual plant and perennial plant herbaceous plants or small shrubs, growing to 10-100 cm tall, with oblong-oval leaves and yellow or white flowers.
	Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychology symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common cause of dementia. The most striking early symptom is short term memory loss , which usually manifests as minor forgetfulness that becomes steadily more pronounced with illness progression, with relative preservation of older memories.
	Amanita There are about 600 species of agarics in the genus Amanita, which contains some of the most toxic known mushrooms. This genus is responsible for 95% of the fatalities resulting from mushroom poisoning, with the death cap accounting for 50% on its own. The most potent toxin present in these mushrooms is alpha-amanitin.
	Amanita caesarea Amanita caesarea, is an edible mushroom in Family Amanitaceae, native to southern Europe. The common name comes from its being a favorite of Rome emperors. Other names include Aminite de Csar, Oronge, or Kaiserling. This mushroom has a tawny cap with a yellow stem and gills.
	Amanita muscaria Amanita muscaria is a basidiomycete mushroom of the genus Amanita. A. muscaria var. muscaria, var. flavivolvata, and var. formosa are commonly called fly agaric or toadstool. It is one of the most recogisable mushroom images and widely used in popular culture.
	Amaranth The amaranths comprise the genus Amaranthus, a widely distributed genus of short-lived herbs, occurring mostly in temperate and tropical regions. Although there remains some confusion over the detailed taxonomy, there are about 60 Amaranthus species. Several of them are cultivated as leaf vegetables, cereals, or ornamental plants.
	Amaranthaceae The flowering plant family Amaranthaceae, the Amaranth family, contains about 160 genera and 2,400 species. Most of these species are herbs or shrubs; very few are trees or climbers. This is a widespread and cosmopolitan family found mostly in subtropical and tropical regions, although many species belong in cool temperate regions.
	Amaranthus caudatus Amaranthus caudatus is a species of annual flowering plant. It goes by common names such as Loves-lies-bleeding, Pendant amaranth, tassel flower, foxtail amaranth, and Quilete. Many parts of the plants, including the leaves and seeds, are edible, and are frequently used as a source of food in India and South America.
	Amaranthus cruentus Amaranthus cruentus is a common species of flowering plant that yields the nutritious staple amaranth grain. It is one of three Amaranthus species cultivated as a grain source, the other two being Amaranthus hypochondriacus and Amaranthus caudatus.
	Amaretto The term amaretto refers to a sweet liqueur made from a basic infusion almonds or the almond-like kernels from the stones of drupe, as well as a related biscotto. Both originate in Italy, where major brands are still produced today. Origin Etymology
	Amaryllidaceae Amaryllidaceae is the botanical name of a family of flowering plants. Such a family has not been universally recognized by taxonomists. The APG II system, 2003, does not recognize such a family, as such, but allows it to be segregated from the family Alliaceae, as an optional segregate.
	Amaterasu Amaterasu, Amaterasu-o-mi-kami or Ohiru-menomuchi-no-kami is in Japanese mythology, a Solar deity, and perhaps the most important Shintoism deity . She was born from the left eye of Izanagi as he purified himself in a river, and went on to become the ruler of the Higher Celestial Plane and was also considered to be directly linked in lineage to the Imperial Household of Japan and the Emperor, who were considered Descendants of the Kami themselves.
	Amazing "Amazing" is a song by United States singer Madonna from her 2000 in music album Music.
	Amazon River The Amazon River or River Amazon; Spanish language: Ro Amazonas, Portuguese language: Rio Amazonas) of South America is the second longest, most voluminous river on earth, having a greater total flow than the next six largest rivers combined. Accordingly, it is sometimes known as The River Sea.
	Amazons In Greek mythology, the Amazons were either an ancient legendary nation of female warriors or a land dominated by women at the outer edges of their known world. The legends appear to have a nugget of factual basis in warrior women among the Scythians, but classical Greeks never ceased to be astounded at such role-reversals.
	Amber Amber is a fossil resin much used for the manufacture of ornamental objects. Although not mineralized it is sometimes considered and used as a gemstone. Most of the world's amber is in the range of 30–90 million years old. Semi-fossilized resin or sub-fossil amber is called copal.
	Ambergris Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish color, with the shades being variegated like marble. It possesses a peculiar sweet, earthy odour not unlike isopropyl alcohol. Now largely replaced by synthetics, it is occasionally still used as a fixative in perfumery.
	Ambloplites Ambloplites Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1820, is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is A. rupestris, the rock bass, and the species of this genus are known collectively as the rock basses.
	Amblygonite Amblygonite is a fluorophosphate mineral, AlPO4, composed of lithium, sodium, aluminium, phosphate, fluoride and hydroxide. The mineral occurs in pegmatite deposites and is easily mistaken for albite and other feldspars. Its density, cleavage and flame test for lithium are diagnostic.
	Ambrose Saint Ambrose, , Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milan, was one of the most eminent bishops of the 4th century. Together with Augustine of Hippo, Jerome, and Gregory I, he is counted as one of the four doctors of the Church of antique church history.
	Ambrose Bierce Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce was an United States satire, critic, poet, short story writer, editing, and journalist.His clear unsentimental style has kept him popular when many of his contemporaries have become obscure. His dark, sardonic views and vehemence as a critic, earned him the nickname Bitter Bierce.
	Ambrosia artemisiifolia Common Ragweed is the most widespread plant of the genus Ragweed in North America. It is also known as Annual Ragweed, Bitterweed, Blackweed, and American Wormwood. Common Ragweed grows to about one meter in height. It is a strong allergen to many people with hay fever.
	Ambrosia trifida Ambrosia trifida, variously called Great Ragweed, Giant Ragweed, Bitterweed, Bloodweed, is a perennial plant in the aster family, native throughout much of North America. Its flowers are green and are pollenated by wind rather than by insects, and the pollen is one of the main causes of late summer hay fever.
	Ambulance An ambulance is a vehicle designated for the transport of sick or injured person.
	Ambystomatidae Ambystomatidae is a family of salamanders belonging to the order Caudata in the class Amphibia. It traditionally contains one genus, Ambystoma, or Mole Salamanders, containing 31 species. The genera Dicamptodon and Rhyacotriton were formerly included in this family, but are now usually placed into their own families Dicamptodontidae and Rhyacotritonidae.
	Amedeo Avogadro Count Lorenzo Romano Amedeo Carlo Avogadro di Quaregna e Cerreto was an Italy chemist, most noted for his contributions to the theory of molarity and molecular weight.
	Amelia Earhart Amelia Mary Earhart, daughter of Edwin and Amy Earhart, was an United States aviator and noted early female pilot who mysteriously disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during a circumnavigational flight in 1937.
	American Alligator The American Alligator is one of the two living species of Alligator, a genus within the family Alligatoridae. The American Alligator is native only to the Southeastern United States United States, where it inhabits wetlands that frequently overlap with human-populated areas.
	American Badger The American Badger, Taxidea taxus, is a North American badger, somewhat similar in appearance to the European Badger. It is found in the western and central United States, northern Mexico and central Canada. This animal prefers dry open areas with deep soils that are easy to dig, such as prairie regions.
	American Beech Not to be confused with American Beach The American Beech Fagus grandifolia is a species of beech native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States.
	American Bison The American Bison is a Bovidae mammal that is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America, and one of the largest wild cattles in the world. With their huge bulk, wood bison, which are the largest subspecies in North America, are only surpassed in size by the massive Gaur and wild water buffalo, both of which are found mainly in India.