personality disorder: …accentuation of one or more personality traits to the point that the trait significantly impairs an individual’s social or occupational functioning. Personality disorders are not, strictly speaking, illnesses, since they need not involve the disruption of emotional, intellectual, or perceptual functioning. In many cases, an individual with a personality disorder…

character writer, any writer who produced a type of character sketch that was popular in 17th-century England and France. Their writings stemmed from a series of character sketches that the Greek philosopher and teacher Theophrastus (fl. c. 372 bc) had written, possibly as part of a larger work and

writing: Types of writing systems: …marks, forms, or structures called characters or graphs that are related to some structure in the linguistic system. Roughly speaking, if a character represents a meaningful unit, such as a morpheme or a word, the orthography is called a logographic writing system; if it represents a syllable, it is called…

shorthand: History and development of shorthand: ) Bright’s system was called Characterie: an Arte of Shorte, Swifte, and Secrete Writing by Character.

pulsar: Period changes: This so-called characteristic, or timing, age can be in close agreement with the actual age. For example, the Crab Pulsar, which was formed during a supernova explosion observed in 1054 ce, has a characteristic age of 1,240 years; however, pulsar J0205+6449, which was formed during a supernova…

mechanics: Coupled oscillators: …frequencies, are known as the normal modes of the system.

history of logic: Leibniz: …a “universally characteristic language” (lingua characteristica universalis) that would, first, notationally represent concepts by displaying the more basic concepts of which they were composed, and second, naturally represent (in the manner of graphs or pictures, “iconically”) the concept in a way that could be easily grasped by readers, no…

character piece, relatively brief musical composition, usually for piano, expressive of a specific mood or nonmusical idea. Closely associated with the Romantic movement, especially in Germany, 19th-century character pieces often bore titles citing their inspiration from literature (such as Robert

eigenvalue, one of a set of discrete values of a parameter, k, in an equation of the form Pψ = kψ, in which P is a linear operator (that is, a symbol denoting a linear operation to be performed), for which there are solutions satisfying given boundary conditions. The symbol ψ (psi) represents an

linear algebra: Eigenvectors: When studying linear transformations, it is extremely useful to find nonzero vectors whose direction is left unchanged by the transformation. These are called eigenvectors (also known as characteristic vectors). If v is an eigenvector for the linear transformation T, then T(v) = λv for…

X-ray: Production of X-rays: This “characteristic radiation” results from the excitation of the target atoms by collisions with the fast-moving electrons. Most commonly, a collision first causes a tightly bound inner-shell electron to be ejected from the atom; a loosely bound outer-shell electron then falls into the inner shell to…

history of logic: Leibniz: …a “universally characteristic language” (lingua characteristica universalis) that would, first, notationally represent concepts by displaying the more basic concepts of which they were composed, and second, naturally represent (in the manner of graphs or pictures, “iconically”) the concept in a way that could be easily grasped by readers, no…

aesthetics: The origins of modern aesthetics: …conducive to our good (Characteristiks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, 1711). Taste is a kind of balanced discernment, whereby a person recognizes that which is congenial to his sentiments and therefore an object of pleasurable contemplation. Following Locke, Shaftesbury laid much emphasis on the association of ideas as a…

aesthetics: The origins of modern aesthetics: …conducive to our good (Characteristiks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, 1711). Taste is a kind of balanced discernment, whereby a person recognizes that which is congenial to his sentiments and therefore an object of pleasurable contemplation. Following Locke, Shaftesbury laid much emphasis on the association of ideas as a…

Johann Gottlieb Fichte: Years in Berlin: …Zeitalters (1806; lectures delivered 1804–05; The Characteristics of the Present Age), analyzing the Enlightenment and defining its place in the historical evolution of the general human consciousness but also indicating its defects and looking forward to belief in the divine order of the universe as the highest aspect of the…

coal mining: Preparation steps: …steps need to be considered: characterization, liberation, separation, and disposition.

Joseph Hall: …a book of characters, with Characters of Vertues and Vices (1608). As a moral philosopher he achieved a European reputation for his Christianization of Stoicism.

Joseph Hall: …a book of characters, with Characters of Vertues and Vices (1608). As a moral philosopher he achieved a European reputation for his Christianization of Stoicism.

Jean de La Bruyère: …moeurs de ce siècle (1688; The Characters, or the Manners of the Age, with The Characters of Theophrastus), which is considered to be one of the masterpieces of French literature.

charactonym, a name of a fictional character that suggests a distinctive trait of that character. Examples of charactonyms include Mistress Quickly and Sir Toby

charade, originally a kind of riddle, probably invented in France during the 18th century, in which a word or phrase is divined by guessing and combining its different syllables, each of which is described independently by the giver of the charade. Charades may be given in prose or verse. The

Charade, American romantic comedy caper film, released in 1963, that is a classic of the genre. It was directed by Stanley Donen and features the elegant romantic pairing of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Grant played a charming international man of mystery who meets the beautiful Regina Lampert

Janette Turner Hospital: The protagonist of Charades (1988) seeks answers to both personal and metaphysical dilemmas. Like her previous novels, The Last Magician (1992) offers a diversity of ideas along with the mystery at its plot’s centre. Oyster (1996) is an eerie and complex novel about an underground community willing to…

charade, originally a kind of riddle, probably invented in France during the 18th century, in which a word or phrase is divined by guessing and combining its different syllables, each of which is described independently by the giver of the charade. Charades may be given in prose or verse. The

shorebird, any member of the suborder Charadrii (order Charadriiformes) that is commonly found on sea beaches or inland mudflats; in Britain they are called waders, or wading birds. Shorebirds include the avocet, courser, lapwing, oystercatcher, phalarope, plover, pratincole, sandpiper, and snipe

charadriiform: Annotated classification: Family Charadriidae (plovers, lapwings) Small to medium-sized birds. Mostly with bold (but often concealing) plumage patterns of solid blacks, gray, browns, and white; many with one or two chest bands. Some with wattles and wing spurs. Bill usually short, with a swollen tip. Legs moderately long…

charadriiform, (order Charadriiformes), any member of the large group of birds that includes the sandpipers, plovers, gulls, auks, and their relatives. These birds form an important and familiar segment of the avifauna of the world’s coasts and inland waterways, of the Arctic regions, and of the

charadriiform, (order Charadriiformes), any member of the large group of birds that includes the sandpipers, plovers, gulls, auks, and their relatives. These birds form an important and familiar segment of the avifauna of the world’s coasts and inland waterways, of the Arctic regions, and of the

Charadrius, bird genus of the family Charadriidae, including certain species known as killdeer and plover

killdeer, (Charadrius, sometimes Oxyechus, vociferus), American bird that frequents grassy mud flats, pastures, and fields. It belongs to the plover family of shorebirds (Charadriidae, order Charadriiformes). The killdeer’s name is suggestive of its loud insistent whistle. The bird is about 25

moidams of the Ahom dynasty: Charaideo, the royal necropolis: In 1268 ce Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha (also known as Sukapha), the first Ahom king, was buried in Charaideo (pronounced locally as sorai-deo), a place some 20 miles (30 km) from modern-day Sivasagar. The name Charaideo is derived from the Tai Ahom words…

Charaka Samhita: …ancient Indian medicine credited to Charaka, who was a practitioner of the traditional system of Indian medicine known as Ayurveda. Charaka is thought to have flourished between the 2nd century bce and 2nd century ce.

Charaka Samhita, comprehensive text on ancient Indian medicine credited to Charaka, who was a practitioner of the traditional system of Indian medicine known as Ayurveda. Charaka is thought to have flourished between the 2nd century bce and 2nd century ce. The Charaka Samhita as it exists today is

Wilhelm Reich: In Charakteranalyse (1933; Character Analysis), Reich called attention to the use of character structure as a protective armour to keep the individual from discovering his own underlying neuroses. He believed that repressed feelings were also manifested as muscular tension and that this mental and physical armour could be…

Theophrastus: His notable Charaktēres (many English translations) consists of 30 brief and vigorous character sketches delineating moral types derived from studies that Aristotle had made for ethical and rhetorical purposes; this work later formed the basis for the masterpiece of Jean de La Bruyère, Les Caractères . .…

Friedrich Nicolai: His Charakterischen Anekdoten von Friedrich II (1788–92), an account of events in the court of Frederick II the Great, has some historical value. His romances are forgotten, although Das Leben und die Meinungen des Magisters Sebaldus Nothanker (1773–76; “The Life and Opinions of Master Sebaldus Nothanker”)…

character piece, relatively brief musical composition, usually for piano, expressive of a specific mood or nonmusical idea. Closely associated with the Romantic movement, especially in Germany, 19th-century character pieces often bore titles citing their inspiration from literature (such as Robert

stonewort, (order Charales), order of green algae (class Charophyceae) comprising six genera. Most stoneworts occur in fresh water and generally are submerged and attached to the muddy bottoms of fresh or brackish rivers and lakes. Stoneworts are of little direct importance to humans. However, many

Caran, Hindu caste of hereditary genealogists, bards, and storytellers located in Gujarat state in western India, historically associated with the Rajput caste of Rajasthan. Many of their customs are similar to those of their northern Indian counterparts, the Bhaṭs; both groups had a reputation of

Latin American music: Characteristic instruments: …area, for example, the common charango is a lutelike or guitarlike instrument of five courses of multiple strings, frequently with a body made of an armadillo shell; it sounds quite differently among Indians, who use thin metal strings, and mestizos, who use nylon strings. The Spanish classical guitar and the…

hashish, hallucinogenic drug preparation derived from the resin secreted by the flowering tops of cultivated female plants of the genus Cannabis. More loosely, in Arabic-speaking countries the term may denote a preparation made from any of various parts of cannabis plants—such as the leaves or

cynodont: The oldest known form, Charassognathus gracilis, which was discovered in South African rocks dating to the Permian’s Wuchiapingian Age (259.5 million to 254.1 million years ago), was described in 2007. Cynodonts survived until the middle of the Cretaceous Period, and the last known forms—members of the family Tritylodontidae (which…

history of Mesopotamia: The Seleucid period: …cities, such as Furat and Charax, grew rich on the maritime trade with India; Charax became the main entrepôt for trade after the fall of the Seleucids. In the north there was no principal city, but several towns, such as Arbela (modern Irbīl) and Nisibis (modern Nusaybin), later became important…

vitrain, macroscopically distinguishable component, or lithotype, of coal characterized by a brilliant black, glossy lustre and composed primarily of the maceral group vitrinite, derived from the bark tissue of large plants. It occurs in narrow, sometimes markedly uniform bands that are rarely more

fusain, macroscopically distinguishable component, or lithotype, of coal that is commonly found in silvery-black layers only a few millimetres thick and occasionally in thicker lenses. It is extremely soft and crumbles readily into a fine, sootlike powder. Fusain is composed mainly of fusinite

durain, macroscopically distinguishable component, or lithotype, of coal characterized by a hard, granular texture and composed of the maceral groups exinite and inertinite as well as relatively large amounts of inorganic minerals. Durain occurs as thick, lenticular bands, usually dull black to

clarain, macroscopically distinguishable component, or lithotype, of coal that is characterized by alternating bright and dull black laminae. The brightest layers are composed chiefly of the maceral vitrinite and the duller layers of the other maceral groups exinite and inertinite. Clarain exhibits

Charbonnages de France, state-owned French coal-mining and processing company. Headquarters are in Paris. The company grew out of a general trend following World War II in which many postwar European governments became actively involved in economic planning and state investment in industry. Coal

Jean Charbonneau was a French-Canadian poet who was the primary force behind the founding of the Montreal Literary School (1895), a group of symbolists and aesthetes who reacted against the traditional Canadian themes of patriotism and local colour and, following the French Parnassians, espoused

Sacagawea: …gave birth to a son, Jean Baptiste.

Robert Charbonneau was a French Canadian novelist and literary critic, well known for promoting the autonomy of Quebec literature. Charbonneau received a diploma in journalism from the University of Montreal in 1934. During his teens he had joined Jeune Canada (“Young Canada”), a Quebec nationalist

Lewis and Clark Expedition: Expedition from May 14, 1804, to October 16, 1805: …newly hired interpreters—a French Canadian, Toussaint Charbonneau, and his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, who had given birth to a boy, Jean Baptiste, that February. The departure scene was described by Lewis in his journal:

Carbonari: …a similar movement called the Charbonnerie had taken root in France. It participated in outbreaks in 1821, and Lafayette himself condescended to be its head. An international organization called the Charbonnerie Démocratique Universelle continued to operate for a few years after 1830 under the leadership of Filippo Buonarroti (1761–1837), but…

Charolais: …breeds and dairy cows; the Charbray, a mixture of Charolais and Brahman, is a notable example.

dam: The Romans: …Roman dams in southwestern Spain, Proserpina and Cornalbo, are still in use, while the reservoirs of others have filled with silt. The Proserpina Dam, 12 metres (40 feet) high, features a masonry-faced core wall of concrete backed by earth that is strengthened by buttresses supporting the downstream face. The Cornalbo…

Sucre, judicial capital of Bolivia. (La Paz is the country’s administrative capital.) Sucre lies in a fertile valley crossed by the Cachimayo River, at an elevation of 9,153 feet (2,790 metres) above sea level. It was founded in 1539 by the conquistador Pedro de Anzúrez on the site of a Charcas

Bolivia: Early period: …Andean area, known then as Charcas or Upper Peru, was one of the wealthiest and most densely populated centers of the Spanish empire. Its mines were supplied with mitas (conscripted groups) of Indigenous laborers from throughout the Andes, and by the mid-17th century Potosí’s population had reached some 160,000—a size…

charcoal, impure form of graphitic carbon, obtained as a residue when carbonaceous material is partially burned, or heated with limited access of air. Coke, carbon black, and soot may be regarded as forms of charcoal; other forms often are designated by the name of the materials, such as wood,

Susan Musgrave: Fiction and essays: …reflected in her first novel, The Charcoal Burners (1980); her second, The Dancing Chicken (1987), is a darkly satiric novel with highly eccentric characters. The Dancing Chicken was followed by Cargo of Orchids (2000) and Given (2012). She also wrote several children’s books: Gullband (1974), a series of poems; Hag’s…

charcoal drawing, use of charred sticks of wood to make finished drawings and preliminary studies. The main characteristic of charcoal as a medium is that, unless it is fixed by the application of some form of gum or resin, it is impermanent, easily erased or smudged. This characteristic determined

Walter Mosley: …series included Rose Gold (2014), Charcoal Joe (2016), and Blood Grove (2021).

neurogenic arthropathy, condition characterized by the destruction of a stress-bearing joint, with development of new bone around the joint. Eventually the affected individual is unable to use the joint but experiences little or no pain or discomfort. The condition accompanies damage to the nervous

neurogenic arthropathy, condition characterized by the destruction of a stress-bearing joint, with development of new bone around the joint. Eventually the affected individual is unable to use the joint but experiences little or no pain or discomfort. The condition accompanies damage to the nervous

Jean-Baptiste-Étienne-Auguste Charcot was a French explorer and oceanographer who carried out extensive charting in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula. The son of the distinguished neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, the young Charcot himself studied medicine and worked at the Hospital of Paris

Jean-Martin Charcot was the founder (with Guillaume Duchenne) of modern neurology and one of France’s greatest medical teachers and clinicians. Charcot took his M.D. at the University of Paris in 1853 and three years later was appointed physician of the Central Hospital bureau. He then became a

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a group of inherited nerve diseases characterized by slowly progressive weakness and wasting of the muscles of the lower parts of the extremities. In Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), the myelin sheath that surrounds motor and sensory nerves gradually deteriorates, blocking

charcuterie, French term that refers to prepared meats, such as sausage, ham, bacon, and pâté. So-called charcuterie boards have become popular as appetizers or party snacks in the United States in recent years. Strictly speaking, these should contain only French meat products, but the term has

Khartsyzsk, city, eastern Ukraine. It is located on the Krynychne-Ilovaysk rail line in an upland area about 15 miles (25 km) east of Donetsk. Khartsyzsk was founded in 1869 and raised to city status in 1938. Its industry has been mainly metallurgically based (wire and cable drawing, tubes and

chard, (Beta vulgaris), one of the four cultivated forms of the plant Beta vulgaris of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), grown for its edible leaves and leafstalks. Fresh chard is highly perishable and difficult to ship to distant markets. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, while

Jean Chardin was a French traveler to the Middle East and India. A jeweler’s son with an excellent education, Chardin traveled with a Lyon merchant to Persia and India in 1665. At Eṣfahān, Persia, he enjoyed the patronage of the shah, ʿAbbās II. On returning to France (1670), he published an

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin was a French painter of still lifes and domestic scenes remarkable for their intimate realism and tranquil atmosphere and the luminous quality of their paint. For his still lifes, he chose humble objects (The Buffet, 1728) and for his genre paintings modest events

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher and paleontologist known for his theory that man is evolving, mentally and socially, toward a final spiritual unity. Blending science and Christianity, he declared that the human epic resembles “nothing so much as a way of the Cross.” Various

Jean Chardin was a French traveler to the Middle East and India. A jeweler’s son with an excellent education, Chardin traveled with a Lyon merchant to Persia and India in 1665. At Eṣfahān, Persia, he enjoyed the patronage of the shah, ʿAbbās II. On returning to France (1670), he published an

Chablis: …wine of France, made from chardonnay grapes grown in strictly delimited areas surrounding the village of Chablis and along the Serein River in the district of Yonne in northern Burgundy. Chablis is noted for its distinctively dry, full-bodied, somewhat acidic character and a rather austere aroma described in wine terminology…

Hilaire Bernigaud, count de Chardonnet: …made synthetic fibre, sometimes called Chardonnet silk to distinguish it from other forms of rayon.

Hilaire Bernigaud, count de Chardonnet: …made synthetic fibre, sometimes called Chardonnet silk to distinguish it from other forms of rayon.

Hilaire Bernigaud, count de Chardonnet was a French chemist and industrialist who first developed and manufactured rayon. Trained as a civil engineer after completing scientific studies under Louis Pasteur, Chardonnet began to develop an artificial fibre in 1878. Obtaining a patent in 1884 on a

Hilaire Bernigaud, count de Chardonnet was a French chemist and industrialist who first developed and manufactured rayon. Trained as a civil engineer after completing scientific studies under Louis Pasteur, Chardonnet began to develop an artificial fibre in 1878. Obtaining a patent in 1884 on a

Lebap, oblast (province), southeastern Turkmenistan. It lies along the middle reaches of the Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River), with the Karakum Desert on the left bank and the Kyzylkum and Sundukli deserts on the right. It is largely flat, but in the extreme southeast the spurs of the Gissar

Türkmenabat, city and administrative centre, Lebap oblast (province), Turkmenistan, on the Amu Darya (ancient Oxus River). The second largest city in Turkmenistan, it was founded as a Russian military settlement when the Transcaspian Railway reached the Amu Darya in 1886. It is now a rail junction

Poitou-Charentes: …the western départements of Vienne, Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Deux-Sèvres. In 2016 the Poitou-Charentes région was joined with the régions of Aquitaine and Limousin to form the new administrative entity of Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Charente River, river in western France, about 225 miles (360 km) long, rising near Rochechouart in the Limousin uplands (Haute-Vienne département), on the margin of the Massif Central, and flowing generally westward to the Bay of Biscay. Taking a northwesterly course to Civray (Vienne

Poitou-Charentes: of Vienne, Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Deux-Sèvres. In 2016 the Poitou-Charentes région was joined with the régions of Aquitaine and Limousin to form the new administrative entity of Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Poitou-Charentes: of Vienne, Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Deux-Sèvres. In 2016 the Poitou-Charentes région was joined with the régions of Aquitaine and Limousin to form the new administrative entity of Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Charenton-le-Pont, town, a southeastern suburb of Paris, in Val-de-Marne département, Île-de-France région, north-central France, at the confluence of the Seine and Marne rivers immediately southwest of the Bois (forest) de Vincennes and its pont (“bridge”). An old inner, industrial area,

Chares was an Athenian general and mercenary commander. In 357 bc Chares regained for Athens the Thracian Chersonese from the Thracian king Cersobleptes. During the Social War (Athens against her allies, 357–355), he commanded the Athenian forces; in 356 he was joined by Iphicrates and Timotheus

Chares of Lindos was an ancient Greek sculptor who created the Colossus of Rhodes, usually counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. A pupil of the sculptor Lysippus, Chares fashioned for the Rhodians a colossal bronze statue of the sun god Helios, the cost of which was defrayed by selling

Jean Charest is a Canadian politician who was the premier of Quebec (2003–12). Charest earned a law degree from the University of Sherbrooke and was called to the Quebec bar in 1980. He practiced criminal law in Sherbrooke before entering politics. In 1984 he was elected to the federal House of

Jean Charest is a Canadian politician who was the premier of Quebec (2003–12). Charest earned a law degree from the University of Sherbrooke and was called to the Quebec bar in 1980. He practiced criminal law in Sherbrooke before entering politics. In 1984 he was elected to the federal House of

François-Athanase Charette de La Contrie was a leader of the French royalist counterrevolutionary forces during the Wars of the Vendée (1793–96). A naval officer and landowner near Nantes, he joined the revolt that began in that region in March 1793 against the government of the revolutionary

heredity: Structure and composition of DNA: …it was found by biochemist Erwin Chargaff that the amount of A is always equal to T, and the amount of G is always equal to C.

electric charge, basic property of matter carried by some elementary particles that governs how the particles are affected by an electric or magnetic field. Electric charge, which can be positive or negative, occurs in discrete natural units and is neither created nor destroyed. Electric charges

crime: Trial procedure: …key courtroom figure, establish the charges, which in turn may determine whether the accused appears before a lower court (dealing with misdemeanors) or a higher court (dealing with felonies). The accused is offered bail in most cases but is not released unless he deposits with the court either cash or…

heraldry: The charges on the field: The field is said to be “charged” with an object. Heraldic objects are of a large and increasing variety; as more arms are devised, new objects appear as charges—telescopes, aircraft, rolls of newsprint, and so on. Charges have been divided into…

plea bargaining: Types of plea bargains: In charge bargaining, the defendant agrees to plead guilty to reduced charges (e.g., aggravated assault rather than attempted murder).

credit card, small plastic card containing a means of identification, such as a signature or picture, that authorizes the person named on it to charge goods or services to an account, for which the cardholder is billed periodically. The use of credit cards originated in the United States during the

electricity: Conductors, insulators, and semiconductors: …the availability and mobility of charge carriers within the materials. The copper wire in Figure 12, for example, has many extremely mobile carriers; each copper atom has approximately one free electron, which is highly mobile because of its small mass. An electrolyte, such as a saltwater solution, is not as…

charge conjugation, in particle physics, an operation that replaces particles with antiparticles (and vice versa) in equations describing subatomic particles. The name charge conjugation arises because a given particle and its antiparticle generally carry opposite electric charge. The positive

charge conjugation, in particle physics, an operation that replaces particles with antiparticles (and vice versa) in equations describing subatomic particles. The name charge conjugation arises because a given particle and its antiparticle generally carry opposite electric charge. The positive

charge conservation, in physics, constancy of the total electric charge in the universe or in any specific chemical or nuclear reaction. The total charge in any closed system never changes, at least within the limits of the most precise observation. In classical terms, this law implies that the