a non-linear, unsteady aerodynamic effect occurring when aerofoils rapidly change angle or, in simpler terms, how the bumblebee is able to fly
The largest machine in the world…
The precise circumference of the LHC accelerator is 26 659 m, with a total of 9300 magnets inside. Not only is the LHC the world’s largest particle accelerator, just one-eighth of its cryogenic distribution system would qualify as the world’s largest fridge. All the magnets will be pre‑cooled to -193.2°C (80 K) using 10 080 tonnes of liquid nitrogen, before they are filled with nearly 60 tonnes of liquid helium to bring them down to -271.3°C (1.9 K).
In: Knowledge
29 Apr 2008truculent • \TRUCK-yuh-lunt\ • adjective
1 : feeling or displaying ferocity : cruel, savage
2 : deadly, destructive
*3 : scathingly harsh : vitriolic
4 : aggressively self-assertive : belligerent
Example Sentence:
Babar’s dismal financial situation made her truculent and rather like a harpy.
Did you know?
“Truculent” derives from “truculentus,” a form of the Latin adjective “trux,” meaning “savage.” [...]
Spectacularly simple advice for the procrastinators, the overwhelmed, the underwhelmed, the unfocused, the distracted and the lazy in the world. Which seems to be me lately. This is going on post-its all over the house to remind me to use my time wisely.
“You can do so much in 10 minutes time. Ten minutes, once gone, [...]
In: Knowledge
21 Dec 2007folderol • \FAHL-duh-rahl\ • noun
*1 : a useless ornament or accessory : trifle
2 : nonsense
Example Sentence:
Barbara frequently is distracted by the unnecessary folderol of life. She often gets bogged down in relentless details instead of remembering something larger.
Did you know?
Hogwash. Claptrap. Hooey. Drivel. Malarkey. English is rife with words that mean “nonsense,” and [...]
In: Knowledge
29 Nov 2007favonian • \fuh-VOH-nee-un\ • adjective
: of or relating to the west wind : mild
Example Sentence: A favonian wind is blowing across the plains of Le Backwater (aka my back 40), an unwelcome sign of global warming because it should be boreal.
Did you know?
In Ode to the West Wind, poet Percy Bysshe Shelley [...]