Eurotunnel See Channel Tunnel
eurypterid \yu-'rip-t3-rad\ Member of an extinct order (Eurypterida) of arthropods, similar in body plan to the horseshoe crab, that lived c. 505-245 million years ago. Frequently referred to as giant scorpions, most eurypterids were small, although Pterygotus buffaloenis, a species from the Silurian period, was the largest arthropod ever known, reaching a length of about 10 ft (3 m). The eurypterids lived in brackish waters. Some were predators; others were probably bottom-dwelling scavengers.
eurythmics \yu-'rith-miks\ Method of musical training for young chil¬ dren. Eurythmics was developed by Swiss musician Emile Jaques-Dalcroze in the early years of the 20th century. It called for movements of the arms
and legs in specific ways in response to changing rhythms and pitches. The initial aim was to encourage a physical response to music in the young, in the hope that it would educate them musically. Very popular in the early 20th century, it has declined in recent decades.
Eusebius of Caesarea \yu-'se-be-9s...,se-z9- , re-3\ (fl. 4th century, Caesarea Palestinae, Palestine) Bishop and historian of early Christianity. Baptized and ordained at Caesarea in Palestine, he may have been impris¬ oned during the Roman persecutions. His fame rests on his Ecclesiasti¬ cal History (312-324), which preserves portions of works no longer extant. He became bishop of Caesarea c. 313. Accused of Arianism, he was excommunicated in 325 but was soon exonerated by the Council of Nicaea. He was a staunch supporter of Constantine I’s attempts to unify and standardize Christian doctrine, and his writings include the Life of Constantine.
euthanasia Vyii-tho-'na-zhoV or mercy killing Painless killing of a person who has a painful, incurable disease or incapacitating disorder. Most legal systems consider it murder, though in many jurisdictions a physician may lawfully decide not to prolong the patient’s life or may give drugs to relieve pain even if they shorten the patient’s life. Associa¬ tions promoting legal euthanasia exist in many countries. The legalization movement has gained ground with advancing medical technology, which has been used to prolong the lives of patients who are enduring extreme suffering or who are comatose or unable to communicate their wishes. Euthanasia was legalized in The Netherlands in 2001 and in Belgium in 2002. In 1997 Oregon became the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize physician-assisted suicide.
Euthymides Vyu-'thi-mo-.dezV (fl. c. 515-500 bc, Athens, Greece) Greek vase painter. He was a contemporary of Euphronius. His signature has been found on eight extant vases, six that he signed as a painter and two as a potter. A proponent of red-figure pottery, he was noted for his mastery of foreshortening and studies in movement. The amphora now in Munich’s Antiquities Museum showing foreshortened figures in three- quarter view is an outstanding example of his draftsmanship.
eutrophication Vyu-.tro-fo-'ka-shonV Gradual increase in the concen¬ tration of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other plant nutrients in an aging aquatic ecosystem such as a lake. The productivity or fertility of such an ecosystem increases as the amount of organic material that can be bro¬ ken down into nutrients increases. This material enters the ecosystem mainly through runoff that carries debris. Water blooms often develop on the surface, preventing the light penetration and oxygen absorption nec¬ essary for underwater life. See also water pollution.
Evagoras \i-'va-g3-ros\ (d. 374 bc) King of Salamis, Cyprus (c. 410- 374). He pursued a policy of friendship with Athens and the promotion of Hellenism. He secured Persian aid for Athens against Sparta. With help from Athens and Egypt, he extended his rule over most of Cyprus and part of Anatolia. Relations with Persia later became hostile, and he was defeated by Persia in 381. Though he remained king of Salamis in name, he was in fact a vassal of Persia. He was assassinated by a eunuch.
evangelicalism X.e-.van-'je-li-ko-.li-zomX Protestant movement that stresses conversion experiences, the Bible as the only basis for faith, and evangelism at home and abroad. The religious revival that occurred in Europe and America during the 18th century was generally referred to as the evangelical revival. It included Pietism in Europe, Methodism in Brit¬ ain, and the Great Awakening in America. In London in 1846, the Evan¬ gelical Alliance was organized by evangelical Christians from several denominations and countries. In the U.S., the movement grew, in part, because of the popularity of preachers such as Billy Graham, the creation of institutions such as Wheaton College, the publishing of the periodical Christianity Today , and the founding of professional organizations and associations, such as the National Association of Evangelicals (1942). Developing a sense of international and interdenominational unity, evan¬ gelicals formed the World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) in 1951. More than 110 regional and national organizations and some 110 million people are affiliated with the WEF, now headquartered in Singapore. See Chris¬ tian fundamentalism; Pentecostausm.
Evans, Sir Arthur (John) (b. July 8, 1851, Nash Mills, Hertfordshire, Eng.—d. July 11, 1941, Youlbury, near Oxford, Oxfordshire) British archaeologist. Son of the archaeologist Sir John Evans, he served as a curator (1884-1908) at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. Beginning in 1899 he devoted several decades to excavating the ruins of the ancient city of
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Knossos in Crete, uncovering evidence of a sophisticated Bronze Age civilization that he named Minoan. His work, one of archaeology’s major achievements, greatly advanced the study of European and eastern Medi¬ terranean prehistory. He published his definitive account in The Palace of Minos , 4 vol. (1921-36).
Evans, Bill orig. William John Evans (b. Aug. 16, 1929, Plainfield, N.J., U.S.—d. Sept. 15, 1980, New York, N.Y.) U.S. pianist and com¬ poser, one of the most influential musicians in modern jazz. Evans was classically trained and influenced by pianists Bud Powell, Horace Silver, and Lennie Tristano. His subtle harmonies and lyrical melodic sensitivity were particularly well suited to modal improvisation, demonstrated on the landmark Miles Davis recording Kind of Blue (1959). As leader of his own trio, Evans established near-telepathic communication with his fellow musicians, creating music of rare depth and introspection. His best-known composition is “Waltz for Debby.”
Evans, Dame Edith (Mary) (b. Feb. 8, 1888, London, Eng.—d. Oct. 14, 1976, Cranbrook, Kent) British actress. She made her stage debut as Cressida in William Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida (1912) and joined the Old Vic company in 1925.
One of the finest actresses of the 20th century, she appeared in London and on Broadway in plays by Shakes¬ peare, George Bernard Shaw, and Noel Coward. She played Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest on stage and screen (1952). Her other films include Look Back in Anger (1959), Tom Jones (1963), The Chalk Garden (1964), and The Whisperers
(1967).
Evans, Frederick H(enry) (b.
June 26, 1853, London, Eng.—d.
June 24, 1943, London) British pho¬ tographer. He first attracted attention as a popular London bookseller and champion of the work of George Bernard Shaw and Aubrey Beardsley. Around 1890 he began to photograph English and French cathedrals, and from 1898 he devoted himself exclusively to photography. His belief that only static views of idealized beauty were worth photographing clashed with the early 20th-century tendency to photograph fleeting images, but his architectural photographs are considered among the world’s finest.
Evans, George Henry (b. March 25, 1805, Bromyard, Herefordshire, Eng.—d. Feb. 2, 1856, Granville, N.J., U.S.) British-born U.S. newspa¬ per editor and social reformer. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1820. In 1829 he founded the Working Man’s Advocate, the first major U.S. labour news¬ paper, and cofounded the Workingmen's Party. He organized the National Reform Association to lobby Congress for free homesteads in the West, arguing that the availability of free land would draw away excess work¬ ers from the East and keep wages high for those who remained (see Homestead Movement). His efforts led to the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862. He also fought for the abolition of slavery and advocated equal rights for women.