Libation

Libation Libation Libation By Maeve Maddox A cutesy use of the word libation is becoming popular with restaurateurs. I heard a radio spot for a local eatery of no particular elegance advertising â€Å"food and libations.† Pinterest has a category called â€Å"Elegant Food and Libations,† and numerous restaurants advertising on the web offer libations. One of them has made sure that potential customers know the meaning of the L word by posting the anticipated question and its answer on its home page: What are Libations? â€Å"They are drinks!† Until the 17th century, when some classically educated young gentleman thought it would be funny to call wine intended to be drunk by his guests â€Å"libations,† the word’s standard use was to refer to an ancient religious practice. libation: noun. The pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a god; the liquid so poured out; a drink-offering. Libation is from the Latin verb libare, â€Å"to libate, to pour out in honor of a god.† The usual liquid to pour out in the context of honoring a god or one’s ancestors is wine or some other alcoholic drink, although a libation can be any liquid. Water is poured out by Buddhists. In ancient Rome, milk was poured out to the goddess of childbirth. In addition to being offered to deities, libations were poured out in honor of one’s ancestors. Relatives visiting a Roman necropolis might pour a libation directly onto a grave, or into pipes installed for the purpose. The practice of pouring an offering of liquid onto the ground, an altar, an amulet, or a sacrificial animal has been a part of religious practice in all parts of the world. It continues into modern times in various religious and cultural contexts. A Cuban custom is to spill a drop or two of rum, while saying â€Å"para los santos (for the saints).† A similar custom exists in the Philippines, where someone opening a bottle of rum will spill a capful, saying â€Å"para sa yawa (for the Devil).† The following rap lyrics refer to a libation practice called â€Å"tipping,† in which malt liquor is spilled on the ground in memory of the dead: â€Å"Pour out a little liquor† Pour out a little liquor for your homies 2Pak Going down the drain I’d like to keep stepping But I can’t get past the pain, I tip my 40 to your memory Take a drink and I start to think DRS Gangsta Lean Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a UK Business LetterHow to Play HQ Words: Cheats, Tips and TricksEducational vs. Educative

Black Inventors and Their Patent Numbers

Black Inventors and Their Patent Numbers There have been many famous African American Inventors who have altered history due to their advancements to fields such as education, science, agriculture, and communication. There are over twenty African American inventors listed below including the unique patent number(s) assigned to their  inventions. William B Abrams #450,550, 4/14/1891Abrams developed the Hame Attachments Part for a draft horses collar. This is  a curved hinge worn on any side of the mouth of a horse or other working animal, such as a cow or pig, that holds the mouth bit to better help the animal in the field.   Elijah Abron #7,037,564, 5/2/2006Abron created substrate sheets with a removable strip that helped to bind papers together. Christopher P. Adams #5,641,658, 6/24/1997Adams put together a method for performing amplification of nucleic acid with two primers bound to a single solid support. This is useful in several ways, for example, for  hybridization assays. James S Adams #1,356,329, 10/19/1920Adams allowed for airplane propelling means.  This created the opportunity for blades to rotate parallel to airflow, in order to lessen a possible drag, if an engine failure were to occur. George Edward Alcorn #4,172,004, 10/23/1979Alcorn developed a method for forming dense dry etched multi-level metallurgy with non-overlapped vias.#4,201,800, 5/6/1980Alcorn also created a hardened photoresist master image mask process.#4,289,834, 9/15/1981Alcorn is responsible for developing a dense dry etched multi-level metallurgy with non-overlapped vias.#4,472,728, 9/18/1984In this patent, Alcorn created an imaging X-ray spectrometer.#4,543,442, 9/24/1985Alcorn developed the GaAs Schottky barrier photo-responsive device and method of fabrication.#4,618,380, 10/21/1986Another patent by Alcorn included the method of fabricating an imaging X-ray spectrometer. Nathaniel Alexander #997,108, 7/4/1911Nathaniel Alexander created the first folding chair for use in churches, school, and group gatherings. Ralph W Alexander #256,610, 4/18/1882This method of planting allowed each hill of two, three or four seeds to be the same distance. This cultivated rows in various directions and also kept a field weedless. Winser Edward Alexander #3,541,333, 11/17/1970Alexander developed a system for enhancing fine detail in thermal photographs; his research furthered expertise in the area of digital signal processing. Charles William Allen #613,436, 11/1/1898Allen created the self-leveling table. This allows for table stabilization and prevents wobbling. Floyd Allen #3,919,642, 11/11/1975Allen provided a low-cost telemeter for monitoring a battery and DC voltage converter power supply. James B. Allen #551,105, 12/10/1895Allen developed a clothes-line support. Modern-Day clothesline support is often adjustable and keeps lines secure to prevent sagging and dipping. James Matthew Allen #2,085,624, 6/29/1937Allen put together a remote control apparatus designed for radio receiving sets. John H Allen #4,303,938, 12/1/1981Allen created a pattern generator for simulating image generation. John S Allen #1,093,096, 4/14/1914Allen developed a package-tie  to strap and secure packages. Robert T Allen #3,071,243, 1/1/1963Allen is responsible for the vertical coin counting tube patent. Tanya R Allen #5,325,543, 7/5/1994Allen developed the undergarment with a pocket for releasably securing an absorbent pad. Virgie M. Ammons #3,908,633, 9/30/1975Ammons invented the fireplace damper actuating tool. Alexander P Ashbourne #163,962, 6/1/1875Ashbourne put together a process for preparing coconut.#170,460, 11/30/1875Ashbourne also developed a biscuit cutter.#194,287, 8/21/1877Along with preparation, Ashbourne developed a process of treating coconut.#230,518, 7/27/1880Ashbourne is responsible for the refining coconut oil patent. Moses T. Asom #5,386,126, 1/31/1995Asom developed semiconductor devices based on optical transitions between quasibound energy levels. Marc Auguste #7,083,512, 8/1/2006Auguste invented a coin and token organizing, holding and dispensing apparatus.