Word of the Day, August 3, 2022

[ ] August 3, 2022 Word of the Day [vibrissa]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) Any of the long stiff hairs that project from the snout or brow of most mammals, as the whiskers of a cat. Synonyms: [whisker]( [sensory hair]( Usage: The mouse's vibrissae alerted it to the presence of a predator. Missing Idiom Contest The Free Dictionary has the largest collection of English idioms in the world. But we're always looking for more to add, and we want your help! Every so often we hear from users who have looked up an idiom on The Free Dictionary that it was not found in the database. Maybe it was some expression they heard at work, or some phrase they grew up hearing their grandmother say. If you know an idiom that isn't already defined on The Free Dictionary, [send it to us]( and you might win $150 USD. Complete English Grammar Rules [Complete English Grammar Rules] An Amazon Best Seller! Finally, all the rules of English grammar, all in one book, explained in simple terms. ✔ 500+ pages of proper grammar instruction—2X more information than the leading grammar book! ✔ Hundreds of quizzes and thousands of example sentences. [Buy now](as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=farlex-el-20) Idiom of the Day [with no frills]( — With no extraneous details or embellishments. Not fancy, decorous, or elaborate. Simple. [More...]( Article of the Day The Tepee [Discuss]( The tepee was once a typical dwelling of Native North Americans of the Great Plains. Such structures usually consisted of conically arranged tent poles over which skins, often bison hide and occasionally elaborately decorated, would be tightly stretched. These dwellings provided strong shelter against the weather yet could also be easily dismantled and loaded onto pack animals when a tribe was on the move, making them ideal for nomadic hunters. How does a teepee differ from a wigwam? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson First Conditional [Discuss]( First conditional sentences contain a conditional verb in the simple present tense in the "if clause," and a future tense verb preceded by the auxiliary verb "will" in the main clause. What are first conditional sentences used to explain? [More...]( This Day in History Niger Gains Independence from France (1960) [Discuss]( In 1885, the Conference of Berlin placed Niger under French control, and, in 1922, the territory became a separate colony within French West Africa. During that time, France did little to develop Niger's economy or educational system. The French constitution of 1946 granted Niger its own assembly, which stimulated national political activity and spurred the formation of Niger's first important political organization. In 1960, Niger achieved independence. Who was the country's first president? [More...]( Today's Birthday Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia (1770) [Discuss]( Friedrich Wilhelm III ruled Prussia from 1797 to 1840 and was well intentioned but weak and vacillating. Despite attempts at neutrality, he was drawn into the Napoleonic Wars between France and a shifting alliance of European powers. Defeated by the French in 1806, he allied with Russia, and his troops were instrumental in Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. Prussia's prestige declined during his reign, and he was quite unpopular. What happened when his wife visited Napoleon on Prussia's behalf? [More...]( Today's Holiday Nebuta Matsuri [Discuss]( Nebuta Matsuri, the main festival of [Aomori Prefecture]( in Japan, features processions of huge, elaborately painted papier-mâché figures called nebuta. In the [capital city of Aomori]( the nebuta figures, up to 49 feet wide and 26 feet high, depict ferociously scowling [samurai]( warriors. Illuminated from within by candles, they glow as they are carried through the streets at nightfall. Spectators wear hats made of flowers and dance in the streets. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( Wisdom is a sacred communion. [Victor Hugo]( (1802-1885) Mobile apps from TheFreeDictionary.com [The Free Dictionary Classic Free App] The classic free version, downloaded more than 6 million times! - Multiple dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauruses in one place. - 14 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Greek, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, and Russian. - Online translations of English into more than 40 languages, plus dozens of other translation options. 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