D \D\ (d[=e])
1. The fourth letter of the English alphabet, and a vocal
consonant. The English letter is from Latin, which is from
Greek, which took it from Ph[oe]nician, the probable
ultimate origin being Egyptian. It is related most nearly
to t and th; as, Eng. deep, G. tief; Eng. daughter, G.
tochter, Gr. qyga`thr, Skr. duhitr. See Guide to
Pronunciation, [root]178, 179, 229.
2. (Mus.) The nominal of the second tone in the model major
scale (that in C), or of the fourth tone in the relative
minor scale of C (that in A minor), or of the key tone in
the relative minor of F.
3. As a numeral D stands for 500. in this use it is not the
initial of any word, or even strictly a letter, but one
half of the sign ? (or ? ) the original Tuscan numeral for
1000.
Dab \Dab\ (d[a^]b), n. [Perh. corrupted fr. adept.]
A skillful hand; a dabster; an expert. [Colloq.]
One excels at a plan or the titlepage, another works
away at the body of the book, and the third is a dab at
an index. --Goldsmith.
Dab \Dab\, n. [Perh. so named from its quickness in diving
beneath the sand. Cf. {Dabchick}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name given to several species of flounders, esp. to the
European species, {Pleuronectes limanda}. The American rough
dab is {Hippoglossoides platessoides}.
Dab \Dab\ (d[a^]b), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dabbed} (d[a^]bd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dabbing}.] [OE. dabben to strice; akin to OD.
dabben to pinch, knead, fumble, dabble, and perh. to G.
tappen to grope.]
1. To strike or touch gently, as with a soft or moist
substance; to tap; hence, to besmear with a dabber.
A sore should . . . be wiped . . . only by dabbing
it over with fine lint. --S. Sharp.
2. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or
thrust. ``To dab him in the neck.'' --Sir T. More.
Dab \Dab\, n.
1. A gentle blow with the hand or some soft substance; a
sudden blow or hit; a peck.
A scratch of her claw, a dab of her beak.
--Hawthorne.
2. A small mass of anything soft or moist.
Dabb \Dabb\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large, spine-tailed lizard ({Uromastix spinipes}), found in
Egypt, Arabia, and Palestine; -- called also {dhobb}, and
{dhabb}.
Dabber \Dab"ber\, n.
That with which one dabs; hence, a pad or other device used
by printers, engravers, etc., as for dabbing type or engraved
plates with ink.
Dabble \Dab"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dabbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dabbling}.] [Freq. of dab: cf. OD. dabbelen.]
To wet by little dips or strokes; to spatter; to sprinkle; to
moisten; to wet. ``Bright hair dabbled in blood.'' --Shak.
Dabble \Dab"ble\, v. i.
1. To play in water, as with the hands; to paddle or splash
in mud or water.
Where the duck dabbles 'mid the rustling sedge.
--Wordsworth.
2. To work in slight or superficial manner; to do in a small
way; to tamper; to meddle. ``Dabbling here and there with
the text.'' --Atterbury.
During the ferst year at Dumfries, Burns for the
ferst time began to dabble in politics. --J. C.
Shairp.
Dabbler \Dab"bler\, n.
1. One who dabbles.
2. One who dips slightly into anything; a superficial
meddler. ``our dabblers in politics.'' --Swift.
Dabblingly \Dab"bling*ly\, adv.
In a dabbling manner.
Dabchick \Dab"chick`\, n. [For dabchick. See {Dap}, {Dip}, cf.
{Dipchick}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small water bird ({Podilymbus podiceps}), allied to the
grebes, remarkable for its quickness in diving; -- called
also {dapchick}, {dobchick}, {dipchick}, {didapper},
{dobber}, {devil-diver}, {hell-diver}, and {pied-billed
grebe}.
Daboia \Da*boi"a\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large and highly venomous Asiatic viper ({Daboia
xanthica}).
Dabster \Dab"ster\, n. [Cf. {Dab} an expert.]
One who is skilled; a master of his business; a proficient;
an adept. [Colloq.]
Note: Sometimes improperly used for dabbler; as, ``I am but a
dabster with gentle art.''
Dacapo \Da`ca"po\ [It., from [the] head or beginning.] (Mus.)
From the beginning; a direction to return to, and end with,
the first strain; -- indicated by the letters D. C. Also, the
strain so repeated.
Dace \Dace\, n. [Written also dare, dart, fr. F. dard dase,
dart, of German origin. Dace is for an older darce, fr. an
OF. nom. darz. See {Dart} a javelin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small European cyprinoid fish ({Squalius leuciscus} or
{Leuciscus vulgaris}); -- called also {dare}.
Note: In America the name is given to several related fishes
of the genera {Squalius}, {Minnilus}, etc. The
black-nosed dace is {Rhinichthys atronasus} the horned
dace is {Semotilus corporalis}. For red dace, see
{Redfin}.
Dachshund \Dachs"hund`\, n. [G., from dachs badger + hund dog.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a breed of small dogs with short crooked legs, and
long body; -- called also {badger dog}. There are two kinds,
the rough-haired and the smooth-haired.
Dacian \Da"cian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Dacia or the Dacians. -- n. A native of
ancient Dacia.
Dacoit \Da*coit"\ (d[.a]*koit"), n. [Hind. [dsdot]akait,
[dsdot][=a]k[=a]yat.]
One of a class of robbers, in India, who act in gangs.
Dacoity \Da*coit"y\, n.
The practice of gang robbery in India; robbery committed by
dacoits.
Dacotahs \Da*co"tahs\, n. pl.; sing. {Dacotan}. (Ethnol.)
Same as {Dacotas}. --Longfellow.
Dactyl \Dac"tyl\, n. [L. dactylus, Gr. da`ktylos a finger, a
dactyl. Cf. {Digit}.]
1. (Pros.) A poetical foot of three sylables (--- [crescent]
[crescent]), one long followed by two short, or one
accented followed by two unaccented; as, L.
t["e]gm[i^]n[e^], E. mer\b6ciful; -- so called from the
similarity of its arrangement to that of the joints of a
finger. [Written also {dactyle}.]
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A finger or toe; a digit.
(b) The claw or terminal joint of a leg of an insect or
crustacean.
Dactylar \Dac"tyl*ar\, a.
1. Pertaining to dactyl; dactylic.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to a finger or toe, or to the
claw of an insect crustacean.
Dactylet \Dac"tyl*et\, n. [Dactyl + ?et.]
A dactyl. [Obs.]
Dactylic \Dac*tyl"ic\, a. [L. dactylicus, Gr. ?, fr. ?.]
Pertaining to, consisting chiefly or wholly of, dactyls; as,
dactylic verses.
Dactylic \Dac*tyl"ic\, n.
1. A line consisting chiefly or wholly of dactyls; as, these
lines are dactylics.
2. pl. Dactylic meters.
Dactylioglyph \Dac*tyl"i*o*glyph\, n. [Gr. ? an engraver of
gems; dakty`lios finger ring (fr. da`ktylos finger) +
gly`fein to engrave.] (Fine Arts)
(a) An engraver of gems for rings and other ornaments.
(b) The inscription of the engraver's name on a finger
ring or gem.
Dactylioglyphi \Dac*tyl`i*og"ly*phi\, n.
The art or process of gem engraving.
Dactyliography \Dac*tyl`i*og"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. dakty`lios finger
ring + -graphy.] (Fine Arts)
(a) The art of writing or engraving upon gems.
(b) In general, the literature or history of the art.
Dactyliology \Dac*tyl`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. dakty`lios finger ring
+ -logy.] (Fine Arts)
(a) That branch of arch[ae]ology which has to do with gem
engraving.
(b) That branch of arch[ae]ology which has to do with finger
rings.
Dactyliomancy \Dac*tyl"i*o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. dakty`lios +
-mancy.]
Divination by means of finger rings.
Dactylist \Dac"tyl*ist\, n.
A writer of dactylic verse.
Dactylitis \Dac`tyl*i"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. da`ktylos finger +
-itis.] (Med.)
An inflammatory affection of the fingers. --Gross.
Dactylology \Dac`tyl*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. da`ktylos finger +
-logy.]
The art of communicating ideas by certain movements and
positions of the fingers; -- a method of conversing practiced
by the deaf and dumb.
Note: There are two different manual alphabets, the one-hand
alphabet (which was perfected by Abb['e] de l'Ep['e]e,
who died in 1789), and the two-hand alphabet. The
latter was probably based on the manual alphabet
published by George Dalgarus of Aberdeen, in 1680. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Dactylomancy \Dac*tyl"o*man`cy\, n.
Dactyliomancy. [R.] --Am. Cyc.
Dactylonomy \Dac`tyl*on"o*my\, n. [Gr. da`ktylos finger + no`mos
law, distribution.]
The art of numbering or counting by the fingers.
Dactylopterous \Dac`tyl*op"ter*ous\, a. [Gr. da`ktylos finger +
? wing, fin.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the inferior rays of the pectoral fins partially or
entirely free, as in the gurnards.
Dactylotheca \Dac`ty*lo*the"ca\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. da`ktylos
finger, toe + ? case, box.] (Zo["o]l.)
The scaly covering of the toes, as in birds.
Dactylozooid \Dac`tyl*o*zo"oid\, n. [Gr. da`ktylos finger + E.
zooid.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of zooid of Siphonophora which has an elongated or
even vermiform body, with one tentacle, but no mouth. See
{Siphonophora}.
Dad \Dad\, n. [Prob. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. daid, Gael.
daidein, W. tad, OL. ?, ?, Skr. t[=a]ta.]
Father; -- a word sometimes used by children.
I was never so bethumped withwords, Since I first
called my brother's father dad. --Shak.
Dadle \Dad"le\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Daddled}, p. pr. & vb. n.
{Daddling}.] [Prob. freq. of dade.]
To toddle; to walk unsteadily, like a child or an old man;
hence, to do anything slowly or feebly.
Daddock \Dad"dock\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. dad a large piece.]
The rotten body of a tree. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Daddy \Dad"dy\, n.
Diminutive of {Dad}. --Dryden.
Daddy longlegs \Dad"dy long"legs`\
1. (Zo["o]l.) An arachnidan of the genus {Phalangium}, and
allied genera, having a small body and four pairs of long
legs; -- called also {harvestman}, {carter}, and
{grandfather longlegs}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A name applied to many species of dipterous
insects of the genus {Tipula}, and allied genera, with
slender bodies, and very long, slender legs; the crane
fly; -- called also {father longlegs}.
Dade \Dade\, v. t. [Of. uncertain origin. Cf. {Dandle},
{Daddle}.]
To hold up by leading strings or by the hand, as a child
while he toddles. [Obs.]
Little children when they learn to go By painful
mothers daded to and fro. --Drayton.
Dade \Dade\, v. i.
To walk unsteadily, as a child in leading strings, or just
learning to walk; to move slowly. [Obs.]
No sooner taught to dade, but from their mother trip.
--Drayton.
Dado \Da"do\, n.; pl. {Dadoes}. [It. dado die, cube, pedestal;
of the same origin as E. die, n. See {Die}, n.] (Arch.)
(a) That part of a pedestal included between the base and the
cornice (or surbase); the die. See Illust. of {Column}.
Hence:
(b) In any wall, that part of the basement included between
the base and the base course. See {Base course}, under
{Base}.
(c) In interior decoration, the lower part of the wall of an
apartment when adorned with moldings, or otherwise
specially decorated.
Daedal \D[ae]"dal\, Daedalian \D[ae]*dal"ian\, a. [L. daedalus
cunningly wrought, fr. Gr. ?; cf. ? to work cunningly. The
word also alludes to the mythical D[ae]dalus (Gr. ?, lit.,
the cunning worker).]
1. Cunningly or ingeniously formed or working; skillful;
artistic; ingenious.
Our bodies decked in our d[ae]dalian arms.
--Chapman.
The d[ae]dal hand of Nature. --J. Philips.
The doth the d[ae]dal earth throw forth to thee, Out
of her fruitful, abundant flowers. --Spenser.
2. Crafty; deceitful. [R.] --Keats.
Daedalous \D[ae]d"a*lous\, a. (Bot.)
Having a variously cut or incised margin; -- said of leaves.
Daemon \D[ae]"mon\, n., Daemonic \D[ae]*mon"ic\, a.
See {Demon}, {Demonic}.
Daff \Daff\, v. t. [Cf. {Doff}.]
To cast aside; to put off; to doff. [Obs.]
Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my child.
--Shak.
Daff \Daff\, n. [See {Daft}.]
A stupid, blockish fellow; a numskull. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Daff \Daff\ (d[.a]f), v. i.
To act foolishly; to be foolish or sportive; to toy. [Scot.]
--Jamieson.
Daff \Daff\, v. t.
To daunt. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
Daffodil \Daf"fo*dil\ (d[a^]f"f[-o]*d[i^]l), n. [OE. affodylle,
prop., the asphodel, fr. LL. affodillus (cf. D. affodille or
OF. asphodile, aphodille, F. asphod[`e]le), L. asphodelus,
fr. Gr. 'asfo`delos. The initial d in English is not
satisfactorily explained. See {Asphodel}.] (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the genus {Asphodelus}.
(b) A plant of the genus {Narcissus} ({N. Pseudo-narcissus}).
It has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a
yellow hue. Called also {daffodilly}, {daffadilly},
{daffadowndilly}, {daffydowndilly}, etc.
With damask roses and daffadillies set. --Spenser.
Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies, And
cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies.
--Spenser.
A college gown That clad her like an April
daffodilly. --Tennyson
And chance-sown daffodil. --Whittier.
Daft \Daft\ (d[.a]ft), a. [OE. daft, deft, deft, stupid; prob.
the same word as E. deft. See {Deft}.]
1. Stupid; foolish; idiotic; also, delirious; insane; as, he
has gone daft.
Let us think no more of this daft business --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Gay; playful; frolicsome. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Daftness \Daft"ness\, n.
The quality of being daft.
Dag \Dag\ (d[a^]g), n. [Cf. F. dague, LL. daga, D. dagge (fr.
French); all prob. fr. Celtic; Cf. Gael. dag a pistol, Armor.
dag dagger, W. dager, dagr, Ir. daigear. Cf. {Dagger}.]
1. A dagger; a poniard. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. A large pistol formerly used. [Obs.]
The Spaniards discharged their dags, and hurt some.
--Foxe.
A sort of pistol, called dag, was used about the
same time as hand guns and harquebuts. --Grose.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The unbranched antler of a young deer.
Dag \Dag\, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. dagg, Icel. d["o]gg.
[root]71. See {Dew}.]
A misty shower; dew. [Obs.]
Dag \Dag\, n. [OE. dagge (cf. {Dagger}); or cf. AS. d[=a]g what
is dangling.]
A loose end; a dangling shred.
Daglocks, clotted locks hanging in dags or jags at a
sheep's tail. --Wedgwood.
Dag \Dag\, v. t. [1, from {Dag} dew. 2, from {Dag} a loose end.]
1. To daggle or bemire. [Prov. Eng.] --Johnson.
2. To cut into jags or points; to slash; as, to dag a
garment. [Obs.] --Wright.
Dag \Dag\, v. i.
To be misty; to drizzle. [Prov. Eng.]
Dagger \Dag"ger\ (-g[~e]r), n. [Cf. OE. daggen to pierce, F.
daguer. See {Dag} a dagger.]
1. A short weapon used for stabbing. This is the general
term: cf. {Poniard}, {Stiletto}, {Bowie knife}, {Dirk},
{Misericorde}, {Anlace}.
2. (Print.) A mark of reference in the form of a dagger
[[dagger]]. It is the second in order when more than one
reference occurs on a page; -- called also {obelisk}.
{Dagger moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus {Apatalea}.
The larv[ae] are often destructive to the foliage of fruit
trees, etc.
{Dagger of lath}, the wooden weapon given to the Vice in the
old Moralities. --Shak.
{Double dagger}, a mark of reference [[dag]] which comes next
in order after the dagger.
{To look, or speak}, {daggers}, to look or speak fiercely or
reproachfully.
Dagger \Dag"ger\, v. t.
To pierce with a dagger; to stab. [Obs.]
Dagger \Dag"ger\, n. [Perh. from diagonal.]
A timber placed diagonally in a ship's frame. --Knight.
Dagges \Dagges\ (d[a^]gz), n. pl. [OE. See {Dag} a loose end.]
An ornamental cutting of the edges of garments, introduced
about a. d. 1346, according to the Chronicles of St Albans.
[Obs.] --Halliwell.
Daggle \Dag"gle\ (d[a^]g"g'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daggled}
(-g'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Daggling} (-gl[i^]ng).] [Freq. of
dag, v. t., 1.]
To trail, so as to wet or befoul; to make wet and limp; to
moisten.
The warrior's very plume, I say, Was daggled by the
dashing spray. --Sir W.
Scott.
Daggle \Dag"gle\, v. i.
To run, go, or trail one's self through water, mud, or slush;
to draggle.
Nor, like a puppy [have I] daggled through the town.
--Pope.
Daggle-tail \Dag"gle-tail`\ (d[a^]g"g'l-t[=a]l`), Daggle-tailed
\Dag"gle-tailed`\ (-t[=a]ld`), a.
Having the lower ends of garments defiled by trailing in mire
or filth; draggle-tailed.
Daggle-tail \Dag"gle-tail`\ (-t[=a]l`), n.
A slovenly woman; a slattern; a draggle-tail.
Daglock \Dag"lock`\ (-l[o^]k`), n. [Dag a loose end + lock.]
A dirty or clotted lock of wool on a sheep; a taglock.
Dago \Da"go\ (d[=a]"g[-o]), n.; pl. {Dagos} (-g[=o]z). [Cf. Sp.
Diego, E. James.]
A nickname given to a person of Spanish (or, by extension,
Portuguese or Italian) descent. [U. S.]
Dagoba \Da*go"ba\ (d[.a]*g[=o]"b[.a]), n. [Singhalese
d[=a]goba.]
A dome-shaped structure built over relics of Buddha or some
Buddhist saint. [East Indies]
Dagon \Da"gon\ (d[=a]"g[o^]n), [Heb. D[=a]gon, fr. dag a fish:
cf. Gr. Dagw`n.]
The national god of the Philistines, represented with the
face and hands and upper part of a man, and the tail of a
fish. --W. Smith.
This day a solemn feast the people hold To Dagon, their
sea idol. --Milton.
They brought it into the house of Dagon. --1 Sam. v. 2.
Dagon \Dag"on\ (d[a^]g"[o^]n), n. [See {Dag} a loose end.]
A slip or piece. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dagswain \Dag"swain`\, n. [From {Dag} a loose end?]
A coarse woolen fabric made of daglocks, or the refuse of
wool. ``Under coverlets made of dagswain.'' --Holinshed.
Dag-tailed \Dag"-tailed`\, a. [Dag a loose end + tail.]
Daggle-tailed; having the tail clogged with daglocks.
``Dag-tailed sheep.'' --Bp. Hall.
Daguerrean \Da*guer"re*an\ (d[.a]*g[e^]r"[i^]*an), Daguerreian
\Da*guerre"i*an\, a.
Pertaining to Daguerre, or to his invention of the
daguerreotype.
Daguerreotype \Da*guerre"o*type\ (d[.a]*g[e^]r"[-o]*t[imac]p),
n. [From Daguerre the inventor + -type.]
1. An early variety of photograph, produced on a silver
plate, or copper plate covered with silver, and rendered
sensitive by the action of iodine, or iodine and bromine,
on which, after exposure in the camera, the latent image
is developed by the vapor of mercury.
2. The process of taking such pictures.
Daguerreotype \Da*guerre"o*type\ (d[.a]*g[e^]r"[-o]*t[imac]p),
v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daguerreotyped} (-t[imac]pt); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Daguerreotyping} (-t[imac]`p[i^]ng).]
1. To produce or represent by the daguerreotype process, as a
picture.
2. To impress with great distinctness; to imprint; to imitate
exactly.
Daguerreotyper \Da*guerre"o*ty`per\, Daguerreotypist
\Da*guerre"o*ty`pist\, n.
One who takes daguerreotypes.
Daguerreotypy \Da*guerre"o*ty`py\, n.
The art or process of producing pictures by method of
Daguerre.
Dahabeah \Da`ha*be"ah\ (d[aum]`h[.a]*b[=e]"[.a]), n. [Ar.]
A Nile boat constructed on the model of a floating house,
having large lateen sails.
Dahlia \Dah"lia\ (d[aum]l"y[.a] or d[=a]l"y[.a]; 277, 106), n.;
pl. {Dahlias}. [Named after Andrew Dahl a Swedish botanist.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants native to Mexico and Central America, of
the order Composit[ae]; also, any plant or flower of the
genus. The numerous varieties of cultivated dahlias bear
conspicuous flowers which differ in color.
Dahlin \Dah"lin\ (d[aum]"l[i^]n), n. [From {Dahlia}.] (Chem.)
A variety of starch extracted from the dahlia; -- called also
{inulin}. See {Inulin}.
Dailiness \Dai"li*ness\, n.
Daily occurence. [R.]
Daily \Dai"ly\ (d[=a]"l[y^]), a. [AS. d[ae]gl[=i]c; d[ae]g day +
-l[=i]c like. See {Day}.]
Happening, or belonging to, each successive day; diurnal; as,
daily labor; a daily bulletin.
Give us this day our daily bread. --Matt. vi.
11.
Bunyan has told us . . . that in New England his dream
was the daily subject of the conversation of thousands.
--Macaulay.
Syn: {Daily}, {Diurnal}.
Usage: Daily is Anglo-Saxon, and diurnal is Latin. The former
is used in reference to the ordinary concerns of life;
as, daily wants, daily cares, daily employments. The
latter is appropriated chiefly by astronomers to what
belongs to the astronomical day; as, the diurnal
revolution of the earth.
Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed, which declares his dignity, And the
regard of Heaven on all his ways. --Milton.
Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound
Within the visible diurnal sphere. --Milton.
Daily \Dai"ly\, n.; pl. {Dailies}.
A publication which appears regularly every day; as, the
morning dailies.
Daily \Dai"ly\, adv.
Every day; day by day; as, a thing happens daily.
Daimio \Dai"mi*o\, n.; pl. {Daimios}. [Jap., fr. Chin. tai ming
great name.]
The title of the feudal nobles of Japan.
The daimios, or territorial nobles, resided in Yedo and
were divided into four classes. --Am. Cyc.
Daint \Daint\, n. [See {Dainty}, n.]
Something of exquisite taste; a dainty. [Obs.] -- a. Dainty.
[Obs.]
To cherish him with diets daint. --Spenser.
Daintify \Dain"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daintified}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Daintifying}.] [Dainty + -fy.]
To render dainty, delicate, or fastidious. ``Daintified
emotion.'' --Sat. rev.
Daintily \Dain"ti*ly\, adv.
In a dainty manner; nicely; scrupulously; fastidiously;
deliciously; prettily.
Daintiness \Dain"ti*ness\, n.
The quality of being dainty; nicety; niceness; elegance;
delicacy; deliciousness; fastidiousness; squeamishness.
The daintiness and niceness of our captains --Hakluyt.
More notorious for the daintiness of the provision . .
. than for the massiveness of the dish. --Hakewill.
The duke exeeded in the daintiness of his leg and foot,
and the earl in the fine shape of his hands, --Sir H.
Wotton.
Daintrel \Dain"trel\, n. [From daint or dainty; cf. OF.
daintier.]
Adelicacy. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Dainty \Dain"ty\, n.; pl. {Dainties}. [OE. deinie, dainte,
deintie, deyntee, OF. deinti['e] delicacy, orig., dignity,
honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus worthy. See {Deign}, and
cf. {Dignity}.]
1. Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in
anything. [Obs.]
I ne told no deyntee of her love. --Chaucer.
2. That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.
That precious nectar may the taste renew Of Eden's
dainties, by our parents lost. --Beau. & Fl.
3. A term of fondness. [Poetic] --B. Jonson.
Syn: {Dainty}, {Delicacy}.
Usage: These words are here compared as denoting articles of
food. The term delicacy as applied to a nice article
of any kind, and hence to articles of food which are
particularly attractive. Dainty is stronger, and
denotes some exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may
be provided with all the delicacies of the season, and
its table richly covered with dainties.
These delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks and the melody
of birds. --Milton.
[A table] furnished plenteously with bread, And
dainties, remnants of the last regale. --Cowper.
Dainty \Dain"ty\, a. [Compar. {Daintier}; superl. {Daintiest}.]
1. Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]
Full many a deynt['e] horse had he in stable.
--Chaucer.
Note: Hence the proverb ``dainty maketh dearth,'' i. e.,
rarity makes a thing dear or precious.
2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
Dainty bits Make rich the ribs. --Shak.
3. Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding;
well-formed; neat; tender.
Those dainty limbs which nature lent For gentle
usage and soft delicacy. --Milton.
I would be the girdle. About her dainty, dainty
waist. --Tennyson.
4. Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please;
fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.
Thew were a fine and dainty people. --Bacon.
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift
away. --Shak.
{To make dainty}, to assume or affect delicacy or
fastidiousness. [Obs.]
Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all Will now deny
to dance? She that makes dainty, She, I'll swear,
hath corns. --Shak.
Dairy \Dai"ry\ (d[=a]"r[y^]), n.; pl. {Dairies} (-r[i^]z). [OE.
deierie, from deie, daie, maid; of Scand. origin; cf. Icel.
deigja maid, dairymaid, Sw. deja, orig., a baking maid, fr.
Icel. deig. [root]66. See {Dough}.]
1. The place, room, or house where milk is kept, and
converted into butter or cheese.
What stores my dairies and my folds contain.
--Dryden.
2. That department of farming which is concerned in the
production of milk, and its conversion into butter and
cheese.
Grounds were turned much in England either to
feeding or dairy; and this advanced the trade of
English butter. --Temple.
3. A dairy farm. [R.]
Note: Dairy is much used adjectively or in combination; as,
dairy farm, dairy countries, dairy house or dairyhouse,
dairyroom, dairywork, etc.
Dairying \Dai"ry*ing\, n.
The business of conducting a dairy.
Dairymaid \Dai"ry*maid`\, n.
A female servant whose business is the care of the dairy.
Dairyman \Dai"ry*man\, n.; pl. {Dairymen}.
A man who keeps or takes care of a dairy.
Dairywoman \Dai"ry*wom`an\, n.; pl. {Dairywomen}.
A woman who attends to a dairy.
Dais \Da"is\ (d[=a]"[i^]s), n. [OE. deis, des, table, dais, OF.
deis table, F. dais a canopy, L. discus a quoit, a dish (from
the shape), LL., table, fr. Gr. ? a quoit, a dish. See
{Dish}.]
1. The high or principal table, at the end of a hall, at
which the chief guests were seated; also, the chief seat
at the high table. [Obs.]
2. A platform slightly raised above the floor of a hall or
large room, giving distinction to the table and seats
placed upon it for the chief guests.
3. A canopy over the seat of a person of dignity. [Obs.]
--Shiply.
Daisied \Dai"sied\, a.
Full of daisies; adorned with daisies. ``The daisied green.''
--Langhorne.
The grass all deep and daisied. --G. Eliot.
Daisy \Dai"sy\, n.; pl. {Daisies}. [OE. dayesye, AS.
d[ae]ges?eage day's eye, daisy. See {Day}, and {Eye}.] (Bot.)
(a) A genus of low herbs ({Bellis}), belonging to the family
Composit[ae]. The common English and classical daisy is
{B. prennis}, which has a yellow disk and white or
pinkish rays.
(b) The whiteweed ({Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum}), the plant
commonly called {daisy} in North America; -- called also
{oxeye daisy}. See {Whiteweed}.
Note: The word daisy is also used for composite plants of
other genera, as {Erigeron}, or fleabane.
{Michaelmas daisy} (Bot.), any plant of the genus Aster, of
which there are many species.
{Oxeye daisy} (Bot.), the whiteweed. See {Daisy}
(b) .
Dak \Dak\ (d[add]k or d[aum]k), n. [Hind. [dsdot][=a]k.]
Post; mail; also, the mail or postal arrangements; -- spelt
also {dawk}, and {dauk}. [India]
{Dak boat}, a mail boat. --Percy Smith.
{Dak bungalow}, a traveler's rest-house at the end of a dak
stage.
{To travel by dak}, to travel by relays of palanquins or
other carriage, as fast as the post along a road.
Daker \Da"ker\, Dakir \Da"kir\, n. [See {Dicker}.] (O. Eng. &
Scots Law)
A measure of certain commodities by number, usually ten or
twelve, but sometimes twenty; as, a daker of hides consisted
of ten skins; a daker of gloves of ten pairs. --Burrill.
Daker hen \Da"ker hen`\ [Perh. fr. W. crecial the daker hen;
crec a sharp noise (creg harsh, hoarse, crechian to scream) +
iar hen; or cf. D. duiken to dive, plunge.] (Zo["o]l.)
The corncrake or land rail.
Dakoit \Da*koit"\, n., Dakoity \Da*koit"y\, n.
See {Dacoit}, {Dacoity}.
Dakota group \Da*ko"ta group`\ (Geol.)
A subdivision at the base of the cretaceous formation in
Western North America; -- so named from the region where the
strata were first studied.
Dakotas \Da*ko"tas\, n. pl.; sing. {Dacota}. (Ethnol.)
An extensive race or stock of Indians, including many tribes,
mostly dwelling west of the Mississippi River; -- also, in
part, called {Sioux}. [Written also {Dacotahs}.]
Dal \Dal\, n. [Hind.]
Split pulse, esp. of {Cajanus Indicus}. [East Indies]
Dale \Dale\, n. [AS. d[ae]l; akin to LG., D., Sw., Dan., OS., &
Goth. dal, Icel. dalr, OHG. tal, G. thal, and perth. to Gr. ?
a rotunda, Skr. dh[=a]ra depth. Cf. {Dell}.]
1. A low place between hills; a vale or valley.
Where mountaines rise, umbrageous dales descend.
--Thomson.
2. A trough or spout to carry off water, as from a pump.
--Knight.
Dalesman \Dales"man\, n.; pl. {Dalesmen}.
One living in a dale; -- a term applied particularly to the
inhabitants of the valleys in the north of England, Norway,
etc. --Macaulay.
Dalf \Dalf\,
imp. of {Delve}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dalliance \Dal"li*ance\, n. [From {Dally}.]
1. The act of dallying, trifling, or fondling; interchange of
caresses; wanton play.
Look thou be true, do not give dalliance Too mnch
the rein. --Shak.
O, the dalliance and the wit, The flattery and the
strife! --Tennyson.
2. Delay or procrastination. --Shak.
3. Entertaining discourse. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dallier \Dal"li*er\, n.
One who fondles; a trifler; as, dalliers with pleasant words.
--Asham.
Dallop \Dal"lop\, n. [Etymol. unknown.]
A tuft or clump. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Dally \Dal"ly\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dallied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dallying}.] [OE. ?alien, dailien; cf. Icel. pylja to talk,
G. dallen, dalen, dahlen, to trifle, talk nonsense, OSw. tule
a droll or funny man; or AS. dol foolish, E. dull.]
1. To waste time in effeminate or voluptuous pleasures, or in
idleness; to fool away time; to delay unnecessarily; to
tarry; to trifle.
We have trifled too long already; it is madness to
dally any longer. --Calamy.
We have put off God, and dallied with his grace.
--Barrow.
2. To interchange caresses, especially with one of the
opposite sex; to use fondling; to wanton; to sport.
Not dallying with a brace of courtesans. --Shak.
Our aerie . . . dallies with the wind. --Shak.
Dally \Dal"ly\, v. t.
To delay unnecessarily; to while away.
Dallying off the time with often skirmishes. --Knolles.
Dalmania \Dal*ma"ni*a\, n. [From Dalman, the geologist.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of trilobites, of many species, common in the Upper
Silurian and Devonian rocks.
Dalmanites \Dal`ma*ni"tes\, n.
Same as {Dalmania}.
Dalmatian \Dal*ma"tian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Dalmatia.
{Dalmatian dog} (Zo["o]l.), a carriage dog, shaped like a
pointer, and having black or bluish spots on a white
ground; the coach dog.
Dalmatica \Dal*mat"i*ca\, n., Dalmatic \Dal*mat"ic\, n.[LL.
dalmatica: cf. F. dalmatique.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) A vestment with wide sleeves, and with two
stripes, worn at Mass by deacons, and by bishops at
pontifical Mass; -- imitated from a dress originally worn
in Dalmatia.
2. A robe worn on state ocasions, as by English kings at
their coronation.
Dal segno \Dal` se"gno\ [It., from the sign.] (Mus.)
A direction to go back to the sign ? and repeat from thence
to the close. See {Segno}.
Daltonian \Dal*to"ni*an\, n.
One afflicted with color blindness.
Daltonism \Dal"ton*ism\, n.
Inability to perceive or distinguish certain colors, esp.
red; color blindness. It has various forms and degrees. So
called from the chemist Dalton, who had this infirmity.
--Nichol.
Dam \Dam\, n. [OE. dame mistress, lady; also, mother, dam. See
{Dame}.]
1. A female parent; -- used of beasts, especially of
quadrupeds; sometimes applied in contempt to a human
mother.
Our sire and dam, now confined to horses, are a
relic of this age (13th century) . . . .Dame is used
of a hen; we now make a great difference between
dame and dam. --T. L. K.
Oliphant.
The dam runs lowing up end down, Looking the way her
harmless young one went. --Shak.
2. A kind or crowned piece in the game of draughts.
Dam \Dam\, n. [Akin to OLG., D., & Dan. dam, G. & Sw. damm,
Icel. dammr, and AS. fordemman to stop up, Goth.
Fa['u]rdammjan.]
1. A barrier to prevent the flow of a liquid; esp., a bank of
earth, or wall of any kind, as of masonry or wood, built
across a water course, to confine and keep back flowing
water.
2. (Metal.) A firebrick wall, or a stone, which forms the
front of the hearth of a blast furnace.
{Dam plate} (Blast Furnace), an iron plate in front of the
dam, to strengthen it.
Dam \Dam\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dammed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Damming}.]
1. To obstruct or restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine
by constructing a dam, as a stream of water; -- generally
used with in or up.
I'll have the current in this place dammed up.
--Shak.
A weight of earth that dams in the water.
--Mortimer.
2. To shut up; to stop up; to close; to restrain.
The strait pass was dammed With dead men hurt
behind, and cowards. --Shak.
{To dam out}, to keep out by means of a dam.
Damage \Dam"age\, n. [OF. damage, domage, F. dommage, fr.
assumed LL. damnaticum, from L. damnum damage. See {Damn}.]
1. Injury or harm to person, property, or reputation; an
inflicted loss of value; detriment; hurt; mischief.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
cutteth off the feet and drinketh damage. --Prov.
xxvi. 6.
Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of
a friend to tell them of them, to the great damage
both of their fame and fortune. --Bacon.
2. pl. (Law) The estimated reparation in money for detriment
or injury sustained; a compensation, recompense, or
satisfaction to one party, for a wrong or injury actually
done to him by another.
Note: In common-law action, the jury are the proper judges of
damages.
{Consequential damage}. See under {Consequential}.
{Exemplary damages} (Law), damages imposed by way of example
to others.
{Nominal damages} (Law), those given for a violation of a
right where no actual loss has accrued.
{Vindictive damages}, those given specially for the
punishment of the wrongdoer.
Syn: Mischief; injury; harm; hurt; detriment; evil; ill. See
{Mischief}.
Damage \Dam"age\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Damages}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Damaging}.] [Cf. OF. damagier, domagier. See {Damage}, n.]
To ocassion damage to the soudness, goodness, or value of; to
hurt; to injure; to impair.
He . . . came up to the English admiral and gave him a
broadside, with which he killed many of his men and
damaged the ship. --Clarendon.
Damage \Dam"age\, v. i.
To receive damage or harm; to be injured or impaired in
soudness or value; as. some colors in ?oth damage in
sunlight.
Damageable \Dam"age*a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. dammageable, for sense
2.]
1. Capable of being injured or impaired; liable to, or
susceptible of, damage; as, a damageable cargo.
2. Hurtful; pernicious. [R.]
That it be not demageable unto your royal majesty.
--Hakluit.
Damage feasant \Dam"age fea`sant\ [OF. damage + F. faisant
doing, p. pr. See {Feasible}.] (Law)
Doing injury; trespassing, as cattle. --Blackstone.
Daman \Da"man\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small herbivorous mammal of the genus {Hyrax}. The species
found in Palestine and Syria is {Hyrax Syriacus}; that of
Northern Africa is {H. Brucei}; -- called also {ashkoko},
{dassy}, and {rock rabbit}. See {Cony}, and {Hyrax}.
Damar \Dam"ar\, n.
See {Dammar}.
Damascene \Dam"as*cene\, a. [L. Damascenus of Damascus, fr.
Damascus the city, Gr. ?. See {Damask}, and cf. {Damaskeen},
{Damaskin}, {Damson}.]
Of or relating to Damascus.
Damascene \Dam"as*cene\, n.
A kind of plume, now called {damson}. See {Damson}.
Damascene \Dam"as*cene\, v. t.
Same as {Damask}, or {Damaskeen}, v. t. ``Damascened armor.''
--Beaconsfield. ``Cast and damascened steel.'' --Ure.
Damascus \Da*mas"cus\, n. [L.]
A city of Syria.
{Damascus blade}, a sword or scimiter, made chiefly at
Damascus, having a variegated appearance of watering, and
proverbial for excellence.
{Damascus iron}, or {Damascus twist}, metal formed of thin
bars or wires of iron and steel elaborately twisted and
welded together; used for making gun barrels, etc., of
high quality, in which the surface, when polished and
acted upon by acid, has a damask appearance.
{Damascus steel}. See {Damask steel}, under {Damask}, a.
Damask \Dam"ask\ (d[a^]m"ask), n. [From the city Damascus, L.
Damascus, Gr. Damasko`s, Heb. Dammesq, Ar. Daemeshq; cf. Heb.
d'meseq damask; cf. It. damasco, Sp. damasco, F. damas. Cf.
{Damascene}, {Damass['E]}.]
1. Damask silk; silk woven with an elaborate pattern of
flowers and the like. ``A bed of ancient damask.'' --W.
Irving.
2. Linen so woven that a pattern in produced by the different
directions of the thread, without contrast of color.
3. A heavy woolen or worsted stuff with a pattern woven in
the same way as the linen damask; -- made for furniture
covering and hangings.
4. Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar markings or
``water'' of such steel.
5. A deep pink or rose color. --Fairfax.
Damask \Dam"ask\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or originating at, the city of Damascus;
resembling the products or manufactures of Damascus.
2. Having the color of the damask rose.
But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on
her damask cheek. --Shak.
{Damask color}, a deep rose-color like that of the damask
rose.
{Damask plum}, a small dark-colored plum, generally called
damson.
{Damask rose} (Bot.), a large, pink, hardy, and very fragrant
variety of rose ({Rosa damascena}) from Damascus. ``Damask
roses have not been known in England above one hundred
years.'' --Bacon.
{Damask steel}, or {Damascus steel}, steel of the kind
originally made at Damascus, famous for its hardness, and
its beautiful texture, ornamented with waving lines;
especially, that which is inlaid with damaskeening; --
formerly much valued for sword blades, from its great
flexibility and tenacity.
Damask \Dam"ask\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Damasked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Damasking}.]
To decorate in a way peculiar to Damascus or attributed to
Damascus; particularly:
(a) with flowers and rich designs, as silk;
(b) with inlaid lines of gold, etc., or with a peculiar
marking or ``water,'' as metal. See {Damaskeen}.
Mingled metal damasked o'er with gold. --Dryde?.
On the soft, downy bank, damasked with flowers.
--Milton.
Damaskeen \Dam"as*keen`\, Damasken \Dam"as*ken\, v. t. [F.
damaschinare. See {Damascene}, v.]
To decorate, as iron, steel, etc., with a peculiar marking or
``water'' produced in the process of manufacture, or with
designs produced by inlaying or incrusting with another
metal, as silver or gold, or by etching, etc., to damask.
Damaskeening is is partly mosaic work, partly
engraving, and partly carving. --Ure.
Damaskin \Dam"as*kin\, n. [Cf. F. damasquin, adj., It.
damaschino, Sp. damasquino. See {Damaskeen}.]
A sword of Damask steel.
No old Toledo blades or damaskins. --Howell ?.
Damass'e \Da*mas*s['e]"\, a. [F. damass['e], fr. damas. See
{Damask}.]
Woven like damask. -- n. A damass['e] fabric, esp. one of
linen.
Damassin \Dam"as*sin\ (d[a^]m"as*s[i^]n), n. [F., fr. damas. See
{Damask}.]
A kind of modified damask or brocade.
Dambonite \Dam"bo*nite\ (-b[-o]*n[imac]t), n. [Cf. F.
dambonite.] (Chem.)
A white, crystalline, sugary substance obtained from an
African caoutchouc.
Dambose \Dam"bose\ (d[a^]m"b[=o]s), n. (Chem.)
A crystalline variety of fruit sugar obtained from dambonite.
Dame \Dame\ (d[=a]m), n. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina
mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to
domare to tame, subdue. See {Tame}, and cf. {Dam} a mother,
{Dan}, {Danger}, {Dungeon}, {Dominie}, {Don}, n., {Duenna}.]
1. A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in
authority; especially, a lady.
Then shall these lords do vex me half so much, As
that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. --Shak.
2. The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress
of a common school; as, a dame's school.
In the dame's classes at the village school.
--Emerson.
3. A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
4. A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Damewort \Dame"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A cruciferrous plant ({Hesperis matronalis}), remarkable for
its fragrance, especially toward the close of the day; --
called also {rocket} and {dame's violet}. --Loudon.
Damiana \Da`mi*a"na\, n. [NL.; of uncertain origin.] (Med.)
A Mexican drug, used as an aphrodisiac.
Note: There are several varieties derived from different
plants, esp. from a species of {Turnera} and from
{Bigelovia veneta}. --Wood & Bache.
Damianist \Da"mi*an*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Damian, patriarch of Alexandria in the 6th
century, who held heretical opinions on the doctrine of the
Holy Trinity.
Dammar \Dam"mar\, Dammara \Dam"ma*ra\, n. [Jav. & Malay. damar.]
An oleoresin used in making varnishes; dammar gum; dammara
resin. It is obtained from certain resin trees indigenous to
the East Indies, esp. {Shorea robusta} and the dammar pine.
{Dammar pine}, (Bot.), a tree of the Moluccas ({Agathis, or
Dammara, orientalis}), yielding dammar.
Dammara \Dam"ma*ra\, n. (Bot.)
A large tree of the order {Conifer[ae]}, indigenous to the
East Indies and Australasia; -- called also {Agathis}. There
are several species.
Damn \Damn\ (d[a^]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Damned} (d[a^]md or
d[a^]m"n[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Damning} (d[a^]m"[i^]ng or
d[a^]m"n[i^]ng).] [OE. damnen dampnen (with excrescent p),
OF. damner, dampner, F. damner, fr. L. damnare, damnatum, to
condemn, fr. damnum damage, a fine, penalty. Cf. {Condemn},
{Damage}.]
1. To condemn; to declare guilty; to doom; to adjudge to
punishment; to sentence; to censure.
He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn him.
--Shak.
2. (Theol.) To doom to punishment in the future world; to
consign to perdition; to curse.
3. To condemn as bad or displeasing, by open expression, as
by denuciation, hissing, hooting, etc.
You are not so arrant a critic as to damn them [the
works of modern poets] . . . without hearing.
--Pope.
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, And
without sneering teach the rest to sneer. --Pope.
Note: Damn is sometimes used interjectionally, imperatively,
and intensively.
Damn \Damn\, v. i.
To invoke damnation; to curse. ``While I inwardly damn.''
--Goldsmith.
Damnability \Dam`na*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being damnable; damnableness. --Sir T. More.
Damnable \Dam"na*ble\, a. [L. damnabilis, fr. damnare: cf. F.
damnable. See {Damn}.]
1. Liable to damnation; deserving, or for which one deserves,
to be damned; of a damning nature.
A creature unprepared unmeet for death, And to
transport him in the mind he is, Were damnable.
--Shak.
2. Odious; pernicious; detestable.
Begin, murderer; . . . leave thy damnable faces.
--Shak.
Damnableness \Dam"na*ble*ness\, n.
The state or quality of deserving damnation; execrableness.
The damnableness of this most execrable impiety.
--Prynne.
Damnably \Dam"na*bly\, adv.
1. In a manner to incur severe censure, condemnation, or
punishment.
2. Odiously; detestably; excessively. [Low]
Damnation \Dam*na"tion\, n. [F. damnation, L. damnatio, fr.
damnare. See {Damn}.]
1. The state of being damned; condemnation; openly expressed
disapprobation.
2. (Theol.) Condemnation to everlasting punishment in the
future state, or the punishment itself.
How can ye escape the damnation of hell? --Matt.
xxiii. 33.
Wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation. --Shak.
3. A sin deserving of everlasting punishment. [R.]
The deep damnation of his taking-off. --Shak.
Damnatory \Dam"na*to*ry\ (d[a^]m"n[.a]*t[-o]*r[y^]), a. [L.
damnatorius, fr. damnator a condemner.]
Dooming to damnation; condemnatory. ``Damnatory invectives.''
--Hallam.
Damned \Damned\, a.
1. Sentenced to punishment in a future state; condemned;
consigned to perdition.
2. Hateful; detestable; abominable.
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er Who doats,
yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves. --Shak.
Damnific \Dam*nif"ic\, a. [L. damnificus; damnum damage, loss +
facere to make. See {Damn}.]
Procuring or causing loss; mischievous; injurious.
Damnification \Dam`ni*fi*ca"tion\, n. [LL. damnificatio.]
That which causes damage or loss.
Damnify \Dam"ni*fy\ (d[a^]m"n[i^]*f[imac]), v. t. [LL.
damnificare, fr. L. damnificus: cf. OF. damnefier. See
{Damnific}.]
To cause loss or damage to; to injure; to impair. [R.]
This work will ask as many more officials to make
expurgations and expunctions, that the commonwealth of
learning be not damnified. --Milton.
Damning \Damn"ing\, a.
That damns; damnable; as, damning evidence of guilt.
Damningness \Damn"ing*ness\, n.
Tendency to bring damnation. ``The damningness of them
[sins].'' --Hammond.
damnum \dam"num\, n. [L.] (law)
Harm; detriment, either to character or property.
Damosel \Dam"o*sel\ (d[a^]m"[-o]*z[e^]l), Damosella
\Dam`o*sel"la\ (-z[e^]l"l[.a]), Damoiselle \Da`moi`selle"\
(d[.a]`mw[aum]`z[e^]l"), n.
See {Damsel}. [Archaic]
Damourite \Dam"our*ite\ (d[a^]m"[oo^]*[imac]t), n. [Ater the
French chemist Damour.] (Min.)
A kind of Muscovite, or potash mica, containing water.
Damp \Damp\ (d[a^]mp), n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. damp vapor,
steam, fog, G. dampf, Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG.
dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.]
1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor.
Night . . . with black air Accompanied, with damps
and dreadful gloom. --Milton.
2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence,
A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul.
--Addison.
It must have thrown a damp over your autumn
excursion. --J. D.
Forbes.
3. (Mining) A gaseous product, formed in coal mines, old
wells, pints, etc.
{Choke damp}, a damp consisting principally of carbonic acid
gas; -- so called from its extinguishing flame and animal
life. See {Carbonic acid}, under {Carbonic}.
{Damp sheet}, a curtain in a mine gallery to direct air
currents and prevent accumulation of gas.
{Fire damp}, a damp consisting chiefly of light carbureted
hydrogen; -- so called from its tendence to explode when
mixed with atmospheric air and brought into contact with
flame.
Damp \Damp\, a. [Compar. {Damper}; superl. {Dampest}.]
1. Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately wet;
moist; humid.
O'erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear.
--Dryden.
2. Dejected; depressed; sunk. [R.]
All these and more came flocking, but with looks
Downcast and damp. --Milton.
Damp \Damp\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Damped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Damping}.] [OE. dampen to choke, suffocate. See {Damp}, n.]
1. To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or moderately
wet; to dampen; as, to damp cloth.
2. To put out, as fire; to depress or deject; to deaden; to
cloud; to check or restrain, as action or vigor; to make
dull; to weaken; to discourage. ``To damp your tender
hopes.'' --Akenside.
Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements,
and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring
if it were not for this slug. --Bacon.
How many a day has been damped and darkened by an
angry word! --Sir J.
Lubbock.
The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of
the soldiers. --Macaulay.
Dampen \Damp"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dampened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dampening}.]
1. To make damp or moist; to make slightly wet.
2. To depress; to check; to make dull; to lessen.
In a way that considerably dampened our enthusiasm.
--The Century.
Dampen \Damp"en\, v. i.
To become damp; to deaden. --Byron.
Damper \Damp"er\, n.
That which damps or checks; as:
(a) A valve or movable plate in the flue or other part of a
stove, furnace, etc., used to check or regulate the
draught of air.
(b) A contrivance, as in a pianoforte, to deaden vibrations;
or, as in other pieces of mechanism, to check some action
at a particular time.
Nor did Sabrina's presence seem to act as any
damper at the modest little festivities. --W.
Black.
Dampish \Damp"ish\, a.
Moderately damp or moist. -- {Damp"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Damp"ish*ness}, n.
Dampne \Damp"ne\, v. t.
To damn. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dampness \Damp"ness\, n.
Moderate humidity; moisture; fogginess; moistness.
Damp off \Damp" off`\
To decay and perish through excessive moisture.
Dampy \Damp"y\, a.
1. Somewhat damp. [Obs.] --Drayton.
2. Dejected; gloomy; sorrowful. [Obs.] ``Dispel dampy
throughts.'' --Haywards.
Damsel \Dam"sel\, n. [OE. damosel, damesel, damisel, damsel, fr.
OF. damoisele, damisele, gentlewoman, F. demoiselle young
lady; cf. OF. damoisel young nobleman, F. damoiseau; fr. LL.
domicella, dominicella, fem., domicellus, dominicellus,
masc., dim. fr. L. domina, dominus. See {Dame}, and cf.
{Demoiselle}, {Doncella}.]
1. A young person, either male or female, of noble or gentle
extraction; as, Damsel Pepin; Damsel Richard, Prince of
Wales. [Obs.]
2. A young unmarried woman; a girl; a maiden.
With her train of damsels she was gone, In shady
walks the scorching heat to shun. --Dryden.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad, . . . Goes by to
towered Camelot. --Tennyson.
3. (Milling) An attachment to a millstone spindle for shaking
the hopper.
Damson \Dam"son\ (d[a^]m"z'n), n. [OE. damasin the Damascus
plum, fr. L. Damascenus. See {Damascene}.]
A small oval plum of a blue color, the fruit of a variety of
the {Prunus domestica}; -- called also {damask plum}.
Dan \Dan\, n. [OE. dan, danz, OF. danz (prop. only nom.), dan,
master, fr. L. dominus. See {Dame}.]
A title of honor equivalent to master, or sir. [Obs.]
Old Dan Geoffry, in gently spright The pure wellhead of
poetry did dwell. --Spenser.
What time Dan Abraham left the Chaldee land. --Thomson.
Dan \Dan\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Mining)
A small truck or sledge used in coal mines.
Danaide \Da"na*ide\, n. [From the mythical Danaides, who were
condemned to fill with water a vessel full of holes.] (Mach.)
A water wheel having a vertical axis, and an inner and outer
tapering shell, between which are vanes or floats attached
usually to both shells, but sometimes only to one.
Danaite \Da"na*ite\, n. [Named after J. Freeman Dana.] (Min.)
A cobaltiferous variety of arsenopyrite.
Danalite \Da"na*lite\, n. [Named after James Dwight Dana.]
(Min.)
A mineral occuring in octahedral crystals, also massive, of a
reddish color. It is a silicate of iron, zinc manganese, and
glucinum, containing sulphur.
Danburite \Dan"bu*rite\, n. (Min.)
A borosilicate of lime, first found at Danbury, Conn. It is
near the topaz in form. --Dana.
Dance \Dance\ (d[.a]ns), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Danced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dancing}.] [F. danser, fr. OHG. dans[=o]n to draw;
akin to dinsan to draw, Goth. apinsan, and prob. from the
same root (meaning to stretch) as E. thin. See {Thin}.]
1. To move with measured steps, or to a musical
accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company
with others, with a regulated succession of movements,
(commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap
rhythmically.
Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance. --Wither.
Good shepherd, what fair swain is this Which dances
with your daughter? --Shak.
2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion;
to caper; to frisk; to skip about.
Then, 'tis time to dance off. --Thackeray.
More dances my rapt heart Than when I first my
wedded mistress saw. --Shak.
Shadows in the glassy waters dance. --Byron.
Where rivulets dance their wayward round.
--Wordsworth.
{To dance on a rope}, or {To dance on nothing}, to be hanged.
Dance \Dance\, v. t.
To cause to dance, or move nimbly or merrily about, or up and
down; to dandle.
To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind. --Shak.
Thy grandsire loved thee well; Many a time he danced
thee on his knee. --Shak.
{To dance attendance}, to come and go obsequiously; to be or
remain in waiting, at the beck and call of another, with a
view to please or gain favor.
A man of his place, and so near our favor, To dance
attendance on their lordships' pleasure. --Shak.
Dance \Dance\, n. [F. danse, of German origin. See {Dance}, v.
i.]
1. The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who
dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the
persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord
with music.
2. (Mus.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the
minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc.
Note: The word dance was used ironically, by the older
writers, of many proceedings besides dancing.
Of remedies of love she knew parchance For of
that art she couth the olde dance. --Chaucer.
{Dance of Death} (Art), an allegorical representation of the
power of death over all, -- the old, the young, the high,
and the low, being led by a dancing skeleton.
{Morris dance}. See {Morris}.
{To lead one a dance}, to cause one to go through a series of
movements or experiences as if guided by a partner in a
dance not understood.
Dancer \Dan"cer\, n.
One who dances or who practices dancing.
{The merry dancers}, beams of the northern lights when they
rise and fall alternately without any considerable change
of length. See {Aurora borealis}, under {Aurora}.
Danceress \Dan"cer*ess\, n.
A female dancer. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Dancett'e \Dan`cet`t['e]"\, a. [Cf. F. danch['e] dancett['e],
dent tooth.] (Her.)
Deeply indented; having large teeth; thus, a fess dancett['e]
has only three teeth in the whole width of the escutcheon.
Dancing \Dan"cing\, p. a. & vb. n.
from {Dance}.
{Dancing girl}, one of the women in the East Indies whose
profession is to dance in the temples, or for the
amusement of spectators. There are various classes of
dancing girls.
{Dancing master}, a teacher of dancing.
{Dancing school}, a school or place where dancing is taught.
Dancy \Dan"cy\, a. (Her.)
Same as {Dancett['e]}.
Dandelion \Dan"de*li`on\, n. [F. dent de lion lion's tooth, fr.
L. dens tooth + leo lion. See {Tooth}, n., and {Lion}.]
(Bot.)
A well-known plant of the genus {Taraxacum} ({T. officinale},
formerly called {T. Dens-leonis} and {Leontodos Taraxacum})
bearing large, yellow, compound flowers, and deeply notched
leaves.
Dander \Dan"der\, n. [Corrupted from dandruff.]
1. Dandruff or scurf on the head.
2. Anger or vexation; rage. [Low] --Halliwell.
Dander \Dan"der\, v. i. [See {Dandle}.]
To wander about; to saunter; to talk incoherently. [Prov.
Eng.] --Halliwell.
Dandi \Dan"di\, n. [Hind. [dsdot][=a]n[dsdot]i, fr.
[dsdot][=a]n[dsdot] an oar.]
A boatman; an oarsman. [India]
Dandie \Dan"die\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a breed of small terriers; -- called also {Dandie
Dinmont}.
Dandified \Dan"di*fied\, a.
Made up like a dandy; having the dress or manners of a dandy;
buckish.
Dandify \Dan"di*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dandified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dandifying}.] [Dandy + -fy.]
To cause to resemble a dandy; to make dandyish.
Dandiprat \Dan"di*prat\, n. [Dandy + brat child.]
1. A little fellow; -- in sport or contempt. ``A dandiprat
hop-thumb.'' --Stanyhurst.
2. A small coin.
Henry VII. stamped a small coin called dandiprats.
--Camden.
Dandle \Dan"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dandled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dandling}.] [Cf. G. d["a]ndeln to trifly, dandle, OD. &
Prov. G. danten, G. tand trifly, prattle; Scot. dandill,
dander, to go about idly, to trifly.]
1. To move up and down on one's knee or in one's arms, in
affectionate play, as an infant.
Ye shall be dandled . . . upon her knees. --Is.?
2. To treat with fondness, as if a child; to fondle; to toy
with; to pet.
They have put me in a silk gown and gaudy fool's
cap; I as ashamed to be dandled thus. --Addison.
The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops
and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery
eloquence. --Jeffrey.
3. To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to wheedle.
[Obs.]
Captains do so dandle their doings, and dally in the
service, as it they would not have the enemy
subdued. --Spenser.
Dandler \Dan"dler\, n.
One who dandles or fondles.
Dandriff \Dan"driff\, n.
See {Dandruff}. --Swift.
Dandruff \Dandruff\, n. [Prob. from W. toncrust, peel, skin +
AS. dr?f dirty, draffy, or W. drwg bad: cf. AS. tan a letter,
an eruption. [root]240.]
A scurf which forms on the head, and comes off in small or
particles. [Written also {dandriff}.]
Dandy \Dan"dy\, n.; pl. {Dandies}. [Cf. F. dandin, ninny, silly
fellow, dandiner to waddle, to play the fool; prob. allied to
E. dandle. Senses 2&3 are of uncertain etymol.]
1. One who affects special finery or gives undue attention to
dress; a fop; a coxcomb.
2. (Naut.)
(a) A sloop or cutter with a jigger on which a lugsail is
set.
(b) A small sail carried at or near the stern of small
boats; -- called also {jigger}, and {mizzen}.
3. A dandy roller. See below.
{Dandy brush}, a yard whalebone brush.
{Dandy fever}. See {Dengue}.
{Dandy line}, a kind of fishing line to which are attached
several crosspieces of whalebone which carry a hook at
each end.
{Dandy roller}, a roller sieve used in machines for making
paper, to press out water from the pulp, and set the
paper.
Dandy-cock \Dan"dy-cock`\, n. masc., Dandy-hen \Dan"dy-hen`\, n.
fem.[See {Dandy}.]
A bantam fowl.
Dandyish \Dan"dy*ish\, a.
Like a dandy.
Dandyism \Dan"dy*ism\, n.
The manners and dress of a dandy; foppishness. --Byron.
Dandyise \Dan"dy*ise\, v. t. & i.
To make, or to act, like a dandy; to dandify.
Dandyling \Dan"dy*ling\, n. [Dandy + ?ling.]
A little or insignificant dandy; a contemptible fop.
Dane \Dane\, n. [LL. Dani: cf. AS. Dene.]
A native, or a naturalized inhabitant, of Denmark.
{Great Dane}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Danish dog}, under {Danish}.
Danegeld \Dane"geld`\, Danegelt \Dane"gelt`\, n. [AS. danegeld.
See {Dane}, and {Geld}, n.] (Eng. Hist.)
An annual tax formerly laid on the English nation to buy off
the ravages of Danish invaders, or to maintain forces to
oppose them. It afterward became a permanent tax, raised by
an assessment, at first of one shilling, afterward of two
shillings, upon every hide of land throughout the realm.
--Wharton's Law Dict. Tomlins.
Danewort \Dane"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A fetid European species of elder ({Sambucus Ebulus}); dwarf
elder; wallwort; elderwort; -- called also {Daneweed},
{Dane's weed}, and {Dane's-blood}.
Note: [Said to grow on spots where battles were fought
against the Danes.]
Dang \Dang\,
imp. of {Ding}. [Obs.]
Dang \Dang\, v. t. [Cf. {Ding}.]
To dash. [Obs.]
Till she, o'ercome with anguish, shame, and rage,
Danged down to hell her loathsome carriage. --Marlowe.
Danger \Dan"ger\, n. [OE. danger, daunger, power, arrogance,
refusal, difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with same
meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL. dominiarium
power, authority, from L. dominium power, property. See
{Dungeon}, {Domain}, {Dame}.]
1. Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.]
In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. --Chaucer.
2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.]
See {In one's danger}, below.
You stand within his danger, do you not? --Shak.
Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in
dangerof this statute. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril;
risk; insecurity.
4. Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{In one's danger}, in one's power; liable to a penalty to be
inflicted by him. [Obs.] This sense is retained in the
proverb, ``Out of debt out of danger.''
Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be not.
--Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
{To do danger}, to cause danger. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy.
Usage: {Danger}, {Peril}, {Hazard}, {Risk}, {Jeopardy}.
Danger is the generic term, and implies some
contingent evil in prospect. Peril is instant or
impending danger; as, in peril of one's life. Hazard
arises from something fortuitous or beyond our
control; as, the hazard of the seas. Risk is doubtful
or uncertain danger, often incurred voluntarily; as,
to risk an engagement. Jeopardy is extreme danger.
Danger of a contagious disease; the perils of
shipwreck; the hazards of speculation; the risk of
daring enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy.
Danger \Dan"ger\, v. t.
To endanger. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dangerful \Dan"ger*ful\, a.
Full of danger; dangerous. [Obs.] -- {Dan"ger*ful*ly}, adv.
[Obs.] --Udall.
Dangerless \Dan"ger*less\, a.
Free from danger. [R.]
Dangerous \Dan"ger*ous\, a. [OE., haughty, difficult, dangerous,
fr. OF. dangereus, F. dangereux. See {Danger}.]
1. Attended or beset with danger; full of risk; perilous;
hazardous; unsafe.
Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us; The
ways are dangerous. --Shak.
It is dangerous to assert a negative. --Macaulay.
2. Causing danger; ready to do harm or injury.
If they incline to think you dangerous To less than
gods. --Milton.
3. In a condition of danger, as from illness; threatened with
death. [Colloq.] --Forby. Bartlett.
4. Hard to suit; difficult to please. [Obs.]
My wages ben full strait, and eke full small; My
lord to me is hard and dangerous. --Chaucer.
5. Reserved; not affable. [Obs.] ``Of his speech dangerous.''
--Chaucer. -- {Dan"ger*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Dan"ger*ous*ness}, n.
Dangle \Dan"gle\ (d[a^][ng]"g'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dangled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dangling}.] [Akin to Dan. dangle, dial. Sw.
dangla, Dan. dingle, Sw. dingla, Icel. dingla; perh. from E.
ding.]
To hang loosely, or with a swinging or jerking motion.
He'd rather on a gibbet dangle Than miss his dear
delight, to wrangle. --Hudibras.
From her lifted hand Dangled a length of ribbon.
--Tennyson.
{To dangle about} or {after}, to hang upon importunately; to
court the favor of; to beset.
The Presbyterians, and other fanatics that dangle
after them, are well inclined to pull down the
present establishment. --Swift.
Dangle \Dan"gle\, v. t.
To cause to dangle; to swing, as something suspended loosely;
as, to dangle the feet.
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Dangleberry \Dan"gle*ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
A dark blue, edible berry with a white bloom, and its shrub
({Gaylussacia frondosa}) closely allied to the common
huckleberry. The bush is also called blue tangle, and is
found from New England to Kentucky, and southward.
Dangler \Dan"gler\, n.
One who dangles about or after others, especially after
women; a trifler. `` Danglers at toilets.'' --Burke.
Daniel \Dan"i*el\, n.
A Hebrew prophet distinguished for sagacity and ripeness of
judgment in youth; hence, a sagacious and upright judge.
A Daniel come to judgment. --Shak.
Danish \Dan"ish\, a. [See {Dane}.]
Belonging to the Danes, or to their language or country. --
n. The language of the Danes.
{Danish dog} (Zo["o]l.), one of a large and powerful breed of
dogs reared in Denmark; -- called also {great Dane}. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Danite \Dan"ite\, n.
1. A descendant of Dan; an Israelite of the tribe of Dan.
--Judges xiii. 2.
2. [So called in remembrance of the prophecy in Gen. xlix.
17, ``Dan shall be a serpent by the way,'' etc.] One of a
secret association of Mormons, bound by an oath to obey
the heads of the church in all things. [U. S.]
Dank \Dank\, a. [Cf. dial, Sw. dank a moist place in a field,
Icel. d["o]kk pit, pool; possibly akin to E. damp or to
daggle dew.]
Damp; moist; humid; wet.
Now that the fields are dank and ways are mire.
--Milton.
Cheerless watches on the cold, dank ground. --Trench.
Dank \Dank\, n.
Moisture; humidity; water. [Obs.]
Dank \Dank\, n.
A small silver coin current in Persia.
Dankish \Dank"ish\, a.
Somewhat dank. -- {Dank"ish*ness}, n.
In a dark and dankish vault at home. --Shak.
Dannebrog \Dan"ne*brog\, n.
The ancient battle standard of Denmark, bearing figures of
cross and crown.
{Order of Dannebrog}, an ancient Danish order of knighthood.
Danseuse \Dan`seuse"\, n. [F., fr. danser to dance.]
A professional female dancer; a woman who dances at a public
exhibition as in a ballet.
Dansk \Dansk\, a. [Dan.]
Danish. [Obs.]
Dansker \Dansk"er\, n.
A Dane. [Obs.]
Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris. --Shak.
Dantean \Dan*te"an\, a.
Relating to, emanating from or resembling, the poet Dante or
his writings.
Dantesque \Dan*tesque"\, a. [Cf. It. Dantesco.]
Dantelike; Dantean. --Earle.
Danubian \Da*nu"bi*an\, a.
Pertaining to, or bordering on, the river Danube.
Dap \Dap\ (d[a^]p), v. i. [Cf. {Dip}.] (Angling)
To drop the bait gently on the surface of the water.
To catch a club by dapping with a grasshoper. --Walton.
Dapatical \Da*pat"ic*al\, a. [L. dapaticus, fr. daps feast.]
Sumptuous in cheer. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Daphne \Daph"ne\, n. [L., a laurel tree, from Gr. da`fnh.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of diminutive Shrubs, mostly evergreen, and
with fragrant blossoms.
2. (Myth.) A nymph of Diana, fabled to have been changed into
a laurel tree.
Daphnetin \Daph"ne*tin\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless crystalline substance, {C9H6O4}, extracted from
daphnin.
Daphnia \Daph"ni*a\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of the genus {Daphnia}.
Daphnin \Daph"nin\, n. [Cf. F. daphnine.] (Chem.)
(a) A dark green bitter resin extracted from the mezereon
({Daphne mezereum}) and regarded as the essential
principle of the plant. [R.]
(b) A white, crystalline, bitter substance, regarded as a
glucoside, and extracted from {Daphne mezereum} and {D.
alpina}.
Daphnomancy \Daph"no*man`cy\, n. [Gr. da`fnh the laurel +
-mancy.]
Divination by means of the laurel.
Dapifer \Dap"i*fer\, n. [L., daps a feast + ferre to bear.]
One who brings meat to the table; hence, in some countries,
the official title of the grand master or steward of the
king's or a nobleman's household.
Dapper \Dap"per\, a. [OE. daper; prob. fr. D. dapper brave,
valiant; akin to G. tapfer brave, OHG. taphar heavy, weighty,
OSlav. dobr[u^] good, Russ. dobrui. Cf. {Deft}.]
Little and active; spruce; trim; smart; neat in dress or
appearance; lively.
He wondered how so many provinces could be held in
subjection by such a dapper little man. --Milton.
The dapper ditties that I wont devise. --Spenser.
Sharp-nosed, dapper steam yachts. --Julian
Hawthorne.
Dapperling \Dap"per*ling\, n.
A dwarf; a dandiprat. [r.]
Dapple \Dap"ple\, n. [Cf. Icel. depill a spot, a dot, a dog with
spots over the eyes, dapi a pool, and E. dimple.]
One of the spots on a dappled animal.
He has . . . as many eyes on his body as my gray mare
hath dapples. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Dapple \Dap"ple\, Dappled \Dap"pled\, a.
Marked with spots of different shades of color; spotted;
variegated; as, a dapple horse.
Some dapple mists still floated along the peaks. --Sir
W. Scott.
Note: The word is used in composition to denote that some
color is variegated or marked with spots; as,
dapple-bay; dapple-gray.
His steed was all dapple-gray. --Chaucer.
O, swiftly can speed my dapple-gray steed. --Sir
W. Scott.
Dapple \Dap"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dappled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dappling}.]
To variegate with spots; to spot.
The gentle day, . . . Dapples the drowsy east with
spots of gray. --Shak.
The dappled pink and blushing rose. --Prior.
Darbies \Dar"bies\, n. pl.
Manacles; handcuffs. [Cant]
Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies. --Sir W.
Scott.
Note: In ``The Steel Glass'' by Gascoigne, printed in 1576,
occurs the line ``To binde such babes in father Derbies
bands.''
Darby \Dar"by\, n.
A plasterer's float, having two handles; -- used in smoothing
ceilings, etc.
Darbyite \Dar"by*ite\, n.
One of the Plymouth Brethren, or of a sect among them; -- so
called from John N. Darby, one of the leaders of the
Brethren.
Dardanian \Dar*da"ni*an\, a. & n.[From L. Dardania, poetic name
of Troy.]
Trojan.
Dare \Dare\, v. i. [imp. {Durst}or {Dared}; p. p. {Dared}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Daring}.] [OE. I dar, dear, I dare, imp.
dorste, durste, AS. ic dear I dare, imp. dorste. inf. durran;
akin to OS. gidar, gidorsta, gidurran, OHG. tar, torsta,
turran, Goth. gadar, gada['u]rsta, Gr. tharsei^n, tharrei^n,
to be bold, tharsy`s bold, Skr. Dhrsh to be bold. [root]70.]
To have adequate or sufficient courage for any purpose; to be
bold or venturesome; not to be afraid; to venture.
I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more
is none. --Shak.
Why then did not the ministers use their new law?
Bacause they durst not, because they could not.
--Macaulay.
Who dared to sully her sweet love with suspicion.
--Thackeray.
The tie of party was stronger than the tie of blood,
because a partisan was more ready to dare without
asking why. --Jowett
(Thu?yd.).
Note: The present tense, I dare, is really an old past tense,
so that the third person is he dare, but the form he
dares is now often used, and will probably displace the
obsolescent he dare, through grammatically as incorrect
as he shalls or he cans. --Skeat.
The pore dar plede (the poor man dare plead).
--P. Plowman.
You know one dare not discover you. --Dryden.
The fellow dares not deceive me. --Shak.
Here boldly spread thy hands, no venom'd weed
Dares blister them, no slimy snail dare creep.
--Beau. & Fl.
Note: Formerly durst was also used as the present. Sometimes
the old form dare is found for durst or dared.
Dare \Dare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Daring}.]
1. To have courage for; to attempt courageously; to venture
to do or to undertake.
What high concentration of steady feeling makes men
dare every thing and do anything? --Bagehot.
To wrest it from barbarism, to dare its solitudes.
--The Century.
2. To challenge; to provoke; to defy.
Time, I dare thee to discover Such a youth and such
a lover. --Dryden.
Dare \Dare\, n.
1. The quality of daring; venturesomeness; boldness; dash.
[R.]
It lends a luster . . . A large dare to our great
enterprise. --Shak.
2. Defiance; challenge.
Childish, unworthy dares Are not enought to part our
powers. --Chapman.
Sextus Pompeius Hath given the dare to C[ae]sar.
--Shak.
Dare \Dare\, v. i. [OE. darien, to lie hidden, be timid.]
To lurk; to lie hid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dare \Dare\, v. t.
To terrify; to daunt. [Obs.]
For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,
Would dare a woman. --Beau. & Fl.
{To dare larks}, to catch them by producing terror through to
use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so that they
lie still till a net is thrown over them. --Nares.
Dare \Dare\, n. [See {Dace}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small fish; the dace.
Dare-devil \Dare"-dev`il\, n.
A reckless fellow. Also used adjectively; as, dare-devil
excitement.
A humorous dare-devil -- the very man To suit my
prpose. --Ld. Lytton.
Dare-deviltry \Dare"-dev`il*try\, n; pl. {Dare-deviltries}.
Reckless mischief; the action of a dare-devil.
Dareful \Dare"ful\, a.
Full of daring or of defiance; adventurous. [R.] --Shak.
Darer \Dar"er\, n.
One who dares or defies.
Darg \Darg\, Dargue \Dargue\, n. [Scot., contr. fr. day work.]
A day's work; also, a fixed amount of work, whether more or
less than that of a day. [Local, Eng. & Scot.]
Daric \Dar"ic\ (d[a^]r"[i^]k), n. [Gr. dareiko`s, of Persian
origin.]
1. (Antiq.)
(a) A gold coin of ancient Persia, weighing usually a
little more than 128 grains, and bearing on one side
the figure of an archer.
(b) A silver coin of about 86 grains, having the figure of
an archer, and hence, in modern times, called a daric.
2. Any very pure gold coin.
Daring \Dar"ing\, n.
Boldness; fearlessness; adventurousness; also, a daring act.
Daring \Dar"ing\, a.
Bold; fearless; adventurous; as, daring spirits. --
{Dar"ing*ly}, adv. -- {Dar"ing*ness}, n.
Dark \Dark\ (d[aum]rk), a. [OE. dark, derk, deork, AS. dearc,
deorc; cf. Gael. & Ir. dorch, dorcha, dark, black, dusky.]
1. Destitute, or partially destitute, of light; not
receiving, reflecting, or radiating light; wholly or
partially black, or of some deep shade of color; not
light-colored; as, a dark room; a dark day; dark cloth;
dark paint; a dark complexion.
O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon,
Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse Without all hope
of day! --Milton.
In the dark and silent grave. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. Not clear to the understanding; not easily seen through;
obscure; mysterious; hidden.
The dark problems of existence. --Shairp.
What may seem dark at the first, will afterward be
found more plain. --Hooker.
What's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light word?
--Shak.
3. Destitute of knowledge and culture; in moral or
intellectual darkness; unrefined; ignorant.
The age wherein he lived was dark, but he Could not
want light who taught the world to see. --Denhan.
The tenth century used to be reckoned by medi[ae]val
historians as the darkest part of this intellectual
night. --Hallam.
4. Evincing black or foul traits of character; vile; wicked;
atrocious; as, a dark villain; a dark deed.
Left him at large to his own dark designs. --Milton.
5. Foreboding evil; gloomy; jealous; suspicious.
More dark and dark our woes. --Shak.
A deep melancholy took possesion of him, and gave a
dark tinge to all his views of human nature.
--Macaulay.
There is, in every true woman-s heart, a spark of
heavenly fire, which beams and blazes in the dark
hour of adversity. --W. Irving.
6. Deprived of sight; blind. [Obs.]
He was, I think, at this time quite dark, and so had
been for some years. --Evelyn.
Note: Dark is sometimes used to qualify another adjective;
as, dark blue, dark green, and sometimes it forms the
first part of a compound; as, dark-haired, dark-eyed,
dark-colored, dark-seated, dark-working.
{A dark horse}, in racing or politics, a horse or a candidate
whose chances of success are not known, and whose
capabilities have not been made the subject of general
comment or of wagers. [Colloq.]
{Dark house}, {Dark room}, a house or room in which madmen
were confined. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Dark lantern}. See {Lantern}. -- The
{Dark Ages}, a period of stagnation and obscurity in
literature and art, lasting, according to Hallam, nearly
1000 years, from about 500 to about 1500 A. D.. See
{Middle Ages}, under {Middle}.
{The Dark and Bloody Ground}, a phrase applied to the State
of Kentucky, and said to be the significance of its name,
in allusion to the frequent wars that were waged there
between Indians.
{The dark day}, a day (May 19, 1780) when a remarkable and
unexplained darkness extended over all New England.
{To keep dark}, to reveal nothing. [Low]
Dark \Dark\, n.
1. Absence of light; darkness; obscurity; a place where there
is little or no light.
Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out.
--Shak.
2. The condition of ignorance; gloom; secrecy.
Look, what you do, you do it still i' th' dark.
--Shak.
Till we perceive by our own understandings, we are
as muc? in the dark, and as void of knowledge, as
before. --Locke.
3. (Fine Arts) A dark shade or dark passage in a painting,
engraving, or the like; as, the light and darks are well
contrasted.
The lights may serve for a repose to the darks, and
the darks to the lights. --Dryden.
Dark \Dark\, v. t.
To darken to obscure. [Obs.] --Milton.
Darken \Dark"en\ (d[aum]rk"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Darkened}
(-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Darkening} (-n*[i^]ng).] [AS.
deorcian. See {Dark}, a.]
1. To make dark or black; to deprive of light; to obscure;
as, a darkened room.
They [locusts] covered the face of the whole earth,
so that the land was darkened. --Ex. x. 15.
So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds began To
darken all the hill. --Milton.
2. To render dim; to deprive of vision.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see.
--Rom. xi. 10.
3. To cloud, obscure, or perplex; to render less clear or
intelligible.
Such was his wisdom that his confidence did seldom
darkenhis foresight. --Bacon.
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without
knowledge? --Job.
xxxviii. 2.
4. To cast a gloom upon.
With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not
The mirth of the feast. --Shak.
5. To make foul; to sully; to tarnish.
I must not think there are Evils enough to darken
all his goodness. --Shak.
Darken \Dark"en\, v. i.
To grow or darker.
Darkener \Dark"en*er\, n.
One who, or that which, darkens.
Darkening \Dark"en*ing\, n.
Twilight; gloaming. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --Wright.
Darkful \Dark"ful\, a.
Full of darkness. [Obs.]
Darkish \Dark"ish\, a.
Somewhat dark; dusky.
Darkle \Dar"kle\, v. i. [Freq. of dark.]
To grow dark; to show indistinctly. --Thackeray.
Darkling \Dark"ling\, adv. [Dark + the adverbial suffix -ling.]
In the dark. [Poetic]
So, out went the candle, and we were left darkling.
--Shak.
As the wakeful bird Sings darkling. --Milton.
Darkling \Dark"ling\, p. pr. & a.
1. Becoming dark or gloomy; frowing.
His honest brows darkling as he looked towards me.
--Thackeray.
2. Dark; gloomy. ``The darkling precipice.'' --Moore.
Darkly \Dark"ly\, adv.
1. With imperfect light, clearness, or knowledge; obscurely;
dimly; blindly; uncertainly.
What fame to future times conveys but darkly down.
--Dryden.
so softly dark and darkly pure. --Byron.
2. With a dark, gloomy, cruel, or menacing look.
Looking darkly at the clerguman. --Hawthorne.
Darkness \Dark"ness\, n.
1. The absence of light; blackness; obscurity; gloom.
And darkness was upon the face of the deep. --Gen.
i. 2.
2. A state of privacy; secrecy.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light.
--Matt. x. 27.
3. A state of ignorance or error, especially on moral or
religious subjects; hence, wickedness; impurity.
Men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil. --John. iii.
19.
Pursue these sons of darkness: drive them out From
all heaven's bounds. --Milton.
4. Want of clearness or perspicuity; obscurity; as, the
darkness of a subject, or of a discussion.
5. A state of distress or trouble.
A day of clouds and of thick darkness. --Joel. ii.
2.
{Prince of darkness}, the Devil; Satan. ``In the power of the
Prince of darkness.'' --Locke.
Syn: {Darkness}, {Dimness}, {Obscurity}, {Gloom}.
Usage: Darkness arises from a total, and dimness from a
partial, want of light. A thing is obscure when so
overclouded or covered as not to be easily perceived.
As tha shade or obscurity increases, it deepens into
gloom. What is dark is hidden from view; what is
obscure is difficult to perceive or penetrate; the eye
becomes dim with age; an impending storm fills the
atmosphere with gloom. When taken figuratively, these
words have a like use; as, the darkness of ignorance;
dimness of discernment; obscurity of reasoning; gloom
of superstition.
Darksome \Dark"some\, a.
Dark; gloomy; obscure; shaded; cheerless. [Poetic]
He brought him through a darksome narrow pass To a
broad gate, all built of beaten gold. --Spenser.
Darky \Dark"y\, n.
A negro. [Sleng]
Darling \Dar"ling\, n. [OE. derling, deorling, AS. de['o]rling;
de['o]re dear + -ling. See {Dear}, and {-ling}.]
One dearly beloved; a favorite.
And can do naught but wail her darling's loss. --Shak.
Darling \Dar"ling\, a.
Dearly beloved; regarded with especial kindness and
tenderness; favorite. ``Some darling science.'' --I. Watts.
``Darling sin.'' --Macaulay.
Darlingtonia \Dar`ling*to"ni*a\, n. [NL. Named after Dr. William
Darlington, a botanist of West Chester, Penn.] (Bot.)
A genus of California pitcher plants consisting of a single
species. The long tubular leaves are hooded at the top, and
frequently contain many insects drowned in the secretion of
the leaves.
Darn \Darn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Darned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Darning}.] [OE. derne, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. darnio
to piece, break in pieces, W. & Arm. to E. tear. Cf. {Tear},
v. t.]
To mend as a rent or hole, with interlacing stitches of yarn
or thread by means of a needle; to sew together with yarn or
thread.
He spent every day ten hours in his closet, in darning
his stockins. --Swift.
{Darning last}. See under {Last}.
{Darning needle}.
(a) A long, strong needle for mending holes or rents,
especially in stockings.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) Any species of dragon fly, having a long,
cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies are
harmless and without stings.
Note: [In this sense, usually written with a hyphen.] Called
also {devil's darning-needle}.
Darn \Darn\, n.
A place mended by darning.
Darn \Darn\, v. t.
A colloquial euphemism for {Damn}.
Darnel \Dar"nel\, n. [OE. darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin;
cf. dial. F. darnelle, Sw. d[*a]r-repe; perh. named from a
supposed intoxicating quality of the plant, and akin to Sw.
d[*a]ra to infatuate, OD. door foolish, G. thor fool, and Ee.
dizzy.] (Bot.)
Any grass of the genus {Lolium}, esp. the {Lolium temulentum}
(bearded darnel), the grains of which have been reputed
poisonous. Other species, as {Lolium perenne} (rye grass or
ray grass), and its variety {L. Italicum} (Italian rye
grass), are highly esteemed for pasture and for making hay.
Note: Under darnel our early herbalists comprehended all
kinds of cornfield weeds. --Dr. Prior.
Darner \Darn"er\, n.
One who mends by darning.
Darnex \Dar"nex\, Darnic \Dar"nic\, n.
Same as {Dornick}.
Daroo \Da*roo"\, n. (Bot.)
The Egyptian sycamore ({Ficus Sycamorus}). See {Sycamore}.
Darr \Darr\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European black tern.
Darraign \Dar"raign\, Darrain \Dar"rain\,, v. t. [OF. deraisnier
to explain, defend, to maintain in legal action by proof and
reasonings, LL. derationare; de- + rationare to discourse,
contend in law, fr. L. ratio reason, in LL., legal cause. Cf.
{Arraign}, and see {Reason}.]
1. To make ready to fight; to array. [Obs.]
Darrain your battle, for they are at hand. --Shak.
2. To fight out; to contest; to decide by combat. [Obs.] ``To
darrain the battle.'' --Chaucer .
Darrein \Dar"rein\, a. [OF. darrein, darrain, fr. an assumed LL.
deretranus; L. de + retro back, backward.] (Law)
Last; as, darrein continuance, the last continuance.
Dart \Dart\, n. [OF. dart, of German origin; cf. OHG. tart
javelin, dart, AS. dara?, daro?, Sw. dart dagger, Icel.
darra?r dart.]
1. A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown by the
hand; a short lance; a javelin; hence, any sharp-pointed
missile weapon, as an arrow.
And he [Joab] took three darts in his hand, and
thrust them through the heart of Absalom. --2 Sa.
xviii. 14.
2. Anything resembling a dart; anything that pierces or
wounds like a dart.
The artful inquiry, whose venomed dart Scarce wounds
the hearing while it stabs the heart. --Hannan More.
3. A spear set as a prize in running. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A fish; the dace. See {Dace}.
{Dart sac} (Zo["o]l.), a sac connected with the reproductive
organs of land snails, which contains a dart, or arrowlike
structure.
Dart \Dart\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Darted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Darting}.]
1. To throw with a sudden effort or thrust, as a dart or
other missile weapon; to hurl or launch.
2. To throw suddenly or rapidly; to send forth; to emit; to
shoot; as, the sun darts forth his beams.
Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart? --Pope.
Dart \Dart\, v. i.
1. To fly or pass swiftly, as a dart.
2. To start and run with velocity; to shoot rapidly along;
as, the deer darted from the thicket.
Dartars \Dar"tars\, n. [F. dartre eruption, dandruff.
[root]240.]
A kind of scab or ulceration on the skin of lambs.
Darter \Dart"er\, n.
1. One who darts, or who throw darts; that which darts.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The snakebird, a water bird of the genus
{Plotus}; -- so called because it darts out its long,
snakelike neck at its prey. See {Snakebird}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A small fresh-water etheostomoid fish. The
group includes numerous genera and species, all of them
American. See {Etheostomoid}.
Dartingly \Dart"ing*ly\, adv.
Like a dart; rapidly.
Dartle \Dar"tle\, v. t. & i.
To pierce or shoot through; to dart repeatedly: --
frequentative of dart.
My star that dartles the red and the blue. --R.
Browning.
Dartoic \Dar*to"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the dartos.
Dartoid \Dar"toid\, a. [Dartos + -oid.] (Anat.)
Like the dartos; dartoic; as, dartoid tissue.
Dartos \Dar"tos\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? flayed.] (Anat.)
A thin layer of peculiar contractile tissue directly beneath
the skin of the scrotum.
Dartrous \Dar"trous\, a. [F. dartreux. See {Dartars}.] (Med.)
Relating to, or partaking of the nature of, the disease
called tetter; herpetic.
{Dartrous diathesis}, A morbid condition of the system
predisposing to the development of certain skin diseases,
such as eczema, psoriasis, and pityriasis. Also called
{rheumic diathesis}, and {herpetism}. --Piffard.
Darwinian \Dar*win"i*an\, a. [From the name of Charles Darwin,
an English scientist.]
Pertaining to Darwin; as, the Darwinian theory, a theory of
the manner and cause of the supposed development of living
things from certain original forms or elements.
Note: This theory was put forth by Darwin in 1859 in a work
entitled ``The Origin of species by Means of Natural
Selection.'' The author argues that, in the struggle
for existence, those plants and creatures best fitted
to the requirements of the situation in which they are
placed are the ones that will live; in other words,
that Nature selects those which are to survive. This is
the theory of natural selection or the survival of the
fittest. He also argues that natural selection is
capable of modifying and producing organisms fit for
their circumstances. See {Development theory}, under
{Development}.
Darwinian \Dar*win"i*an\, n.
An advocate of Darwinism.
Darwinianism \Dar*win"i*an*ism\, n.
Darwinism.
Darwinism \Dar"win*ism\, n. (Biol.)
The theory or doctrines put forth by Darwin. See above.
--Huxley.
Dase \Dase\ (d[=a]z), v. t.
See {Daze}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dasewe \Dase"we\, v. i. [OE. dasewen, daswen; cf. AS. dysegian
to be foolish.]
To become dim-sighted; to become dazed or dazzled. [Obs.]
--Chauscer.
Dash \Dash\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dashing}.] [Of. Scand. origin; cf. Dan daske to beat,
strike, Sw. & Icel. daska, Dan. & Sw. dask blow.]
1. To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike
violently or hastily; -- often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of
the water, it maketh a sound. --Bacon.
2. To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to
crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's
vessel. --Ps. ii. 9.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces. --Shak.
To perplex and dash Maturest counsels. --Milton.
3. To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to
depress. --South.
Dash the proud games?er in his gilded car. --Pope.
4. To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix,
reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an
inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter;
to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to
dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such
particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured
applications. --Addison.
The very source and fount of day Is dashed with
wandering isles of night. --Tennyson.
5. To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute
rapidly, or with careless haste; -- with off; as, to dash
off a review or sermon.
6. To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; -- with
out; as, to dash out a word.
Dash \Dash\, v. i.
To rust with violence; to move impetuously; to strike
violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin. --Dryden.
On each hand the gushing waters play, And down the
rough cascade all dashing fall. --Thomson.
Dash \Dash\, n.
1. Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
2. A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his
hopes received a dash.
3. A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial
overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a
dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
--Addison.
4. A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick
stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at
the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash. --Shak.
5. Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
6. A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make
or cut a great dash. [Low]
7. (Punctuation) A mark or line [--], in writing or printing,
denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a
sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long
or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic
turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead
of marks or parenthesis. --John Wilson.
8. (Mus.)
(a) The sign of staccato, a small mark [?] denoting that
the note over which it is placed is to be performed in
a short, distinct manner.
(b) The line drawn through a figure in the thorough bass,
as a direction to raise the interval a semitone.
9. (Racing) A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a
race course; -- used in horse racing, when a single trial
constitutes the race.
Dashboard \Dash"board`\ (d[a^]sh"b[=o]rd`), n.
1. A board placed on the fore part of a carriage, sleigh, or
other vehicle, to intercept water, mud, or snow, thrown up
by the heels of the horses; -- in England commonly called
{splashboard}.
2. (Naut.)
(a) The float of a paddle wheel.
(b) A screen at the bow af a steam launch to keep off the
spray; -- called also {sprayboard}.
Dasher \Dash"er\ (d[a^]sh"[~e]r), n.
1. That which dashes or agitates; as, the dasher of a churn.
2. A dashboard or splashboard. [U. S.]
3. One who makes an ostentatious parade. [Low]
Dashing \Dash"ing\, a.
Bold; spirited; showy.
The dashing and daring spirit is preferable to the
listless. --T. Campbell.
Dashingly \Dash"ing*ly\, adv.
Conspicuously; showily. [Colloq.]
A dashingly dressed gentleman. --Hawthorne.
Dashism \Dash"ism\ (-[i^]z'm), n.
The character of making ostentatious or blustering parade or
show. [R. & Colloq.]
He must fight a duel before his claim to . . . dashism
can be universally allowed. --V. Knox.
Dashpot \Dash"pot`\, n. (Mach.)
A pneumatic or hydraulic cushion for a falling weight, as in
the valve gear of a steam engine, to prevent shock.
Note: It consists of a chamber, containing air or a liquid,
in which a piston (a), attached to the weight, falls
freely until it enters a space (as below the openings,
b) from which the air or liquid can escape but slowly
(as through cock c), when its fall is gradually
checked.
Note: A cataract of an engine is sometimes called a dashpot.
Dashy \Dash"y\, a. [From {Dash}.]
Calculated to arrest attention; ostentatiously fashionable;
showy. [Colloq.]
Dastard \Das"tard\, n. [Prob. from Icel. d[ae]str exhausted.
breathless, p. p. of d[ae]sa to groan, lose one's breath; cf.
dasask to become exhausted, and E. daze.]
One who meanly shrinks from danger; an arrant coward; a
poltroon.
You are all recreants and dashtards, and delight to
live in slavery to the nobility. --Shak.
Dastard \Das"tard\, a.
Meanly shrinking from danger; cowardly; dastardly. ``Their
dastard souls.'' --Addison.
Dastard \Das"tard\, v. t.
To dastardize. [R.] --Dryden.
Dastardize \Das"tard*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dastardized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dastardizing}.]
To make cowardly; to intimidate; to dispirit; as, to
dastardize my courage. --Dryden.
Dastardliness \Das"tard*li*ness\, n.
The quality of being dastardly; cowardice; base fear.
Dastardly \Das"tard*ly\, a.
Meanly timid; cowardly; base; as, a dastardly outrage.
Dastardness \Das"tard*ness\, n.
Dastardliness.
Dastardy \Das"tard*y\, n.
Base timidity; cowardliness.
Daswe \Das"we\, v. i.
See {Dasewe} [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dasymeter \Da*sym"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? rough, thick + -meter.]
(Physics)
An instrument for testing the density of gases, consisting of
a thin glass globe, which is weighed in the gas or gases, and
then in an atmosphere of known density.
Dasypaedal \Das`y*p[ae]"dal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Dasyp[ae]dic.
Dasypaedes \Das`y*p[ae]"des\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? hairy,
shaggy + ?, ?, a child.] (Zo["o]l.)
Those birds whose young are covered with down when hatched.
Dasypaedic \Das`y*p[ae]"dic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Dasyp[ae]des; ptilop[ae]dic.
Dasyure \Das"y*ure\, n. [Gr. ? thick, shaggy + ? tail: cf. F.
dasyure.] (Zo["o]l.)
A carnivorous marsupial quadruped of Australia, belonging to
the genus {Dasyurus}. There are several species.
Dasyurine \Das`y*u"rine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to, or like, the dasyures.
Data \Da"ta\, n. pl. [L. pl. of datum.]
See {Datum}.
Datable \Dat"a*ble\, a.
That may be dated; having a known or ascertainable date.
``Datable almost to a year.'' --The Century.
Dataria \Da*ta"ri*a\, n. [LL., fr. L. datum given.] (R. C. Ch.)
Formerly, a part of the Roman chancery; now, a separate
office from which are sent graces or favors, cognizable in
foro externo, such as appointments to benefices. The name is
derived from the word datum, given or dated (with the
indications of the time and place of granting the gift or
favor).
Datary \Da"ta*ry\, n. [LL. datarius. See {Dataria}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) An officer in the pope's court, having charge
of the Dataria.
2. The office or employment of a datary.
Date \Date\, n.[F. datte, L. dactylus, fr. Gr. ?, prob. not the
same word as da`ktylos finger, but of Semitic origin.] (Bot.)
The fruit of the date palm; also, the date palm itself.
Note: This fruit is somewhat in the shape of an olive,
containing a soft pulp, sweet, esculent, and wholesome,
and inclosing a hard kernel.
{Date palm}, or {Date tree} (Bot.), the genus of palms which
bear dates, of which common species is {Ph[oe]nix
dactylifera}. See Illust.
{Date plum} (Bot.), the fruit of several species of
{Diospyros}, including the American and Japanese
persimmons, and the European lotus ({D. Lotus}).
{Date shell}, or {Date fish} (Zo["o]l.), a bivalve shell, or
its inhabitant, of the genus {Pholas}, and allied genera.
See {Pholas}.
Date \Date\, n. [F. date, LL. data, fr. L. datus given, p. p. of
dare to give; akin to Gr. ?, OSlaw. dati, Skr. d[=a]. Cf.
{Datum}, Dose, {Dato}, {Die}.]
1. That addition to a writing, inscription, coin, etc., which
specifies the time (as day, month, and year) when the
writing or inscription was given, or executed, or made;
as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a deed, of a coin.
etc.
And bonds without a date, they say, are void.
--Dryden.
2. The point of time at which a transaction or event takes
place, or is appointed to take place; a given point of
time; epoch; as, the date of a battle.
He at once, Down the long series of eventful time,
So fixed the dates of being, so disposed To every
living soul of every kind The field of motion, and
the hour of rest. --Akenside.
3. Assigned end; conclusion. [R.]
What Time would spare, from Steel receives its date.
--Pope.
4. Given or assigned length of life; dyration. [Obs.]
Good luck prolonged hath thy date. --Spenser.
Through his life's whole date. --Chapman.
{To bear date}, to have the date named on the face of it; --
said of a writing.
Date \Date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dating}.] [Cf. F. dater. See 2d {Date}.]
1. To note the time of writing or executing; to express in an
instrument the time of its execution; as, to date a
letter, a bond, a deed, or a charter.
2. To note or fix the time of, as of an event; to give the
date of; as, to date the building of the pyramids.
Note: We may say dated at or from a place.
The letter is dated at Philadephia. --G. T.
Curtis.
You will be suprised, I don't question, to find
among your correspondencies in foreign parts, a
letter dated from Blois. --Addison.
In the countries of his jornal seems to have been
written; parts of it are dated from them. --M.
Arnold.
Date \Date\, v. i.
To have beginning; to begin; to be dated or reckoned; -- with
from.
The Batavian republic dates from the successes of the
French arms. --E. Everett.
Dateless \Date"less\, a.
Without date; having no fixed time.
Dater \Dat"er\, n.
One who dates.
Datiscin \Da*tis"cin\, n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline glucoside extracted from the bastard hemp
({Datisca cannabina}).
Dative \Da"tive\, a. [L. dativus appropriate to giving, fr. dare
to give. See 2d {Date}.]
1. (Gram.) Noting the case of a noun which expresses the
remoter object, and is generally indicated in English by
to or for with the objective.
2. (Law)
(a) In one's gift; capable of being disposed of at will
and pleasure, as an office.
(b) Removable, as distinguished from perpetual; -- said of
an officer.
(c) Given by a magistrate, as distinguished from being
cast upon a party by the law. --Burril. Bouvier.
{Dative executor}, one appointed by the judge of probate, his
office answering to that of an administrator.
Dative \Da"tive\, n. [L. dativus.]
The dative case. See {Dative}, a., 1.
Datively \Da"tive*ly\, adv.
As a gift. [R.]
Datolite \Dat"o*lite\, n. [From. Gr. ? to divide + -lite; in
allusion to the granular structure of a massive variety.]
(Min.)
A borosilicate of lime commonly occuring in glassy,, greenish
crystals. [Written also {datholite}.]
Datum \Da"tum\, n.; pl. {Data}. [L. See 2d {Date}.]
1. Something given or admitted; a fact or principle granted;
that upon which an inference or an argument is based; --
used chiefly in the plural.
Any writer, therefore, who . . . furnishes us with
data sufficient to determine the time in which he
wrote. --Priestley.
2. pl. (Math.) The quantities or relations which are assumed
to be given in any problem.
{Datum line} (Surv.), the horizontal or base line, from which
the heights of points are reckoned or measured, as in the
plan of a railway, etc.
Datura \Da*tu"ra\, n. [NL.; cf. Skr. dhatt?ra, Per. & Ar.
tat?ra, Tat?la.] (Bot.)
A genus of solanaceous plants, with large funnel-shaped
flowers and a four-celled, capsular fruit.
Note: The commonest species are the thorn apple ({D.
stramonium}), with a prickly capsule (see Illust. of
{capsule}), white flowers and green stem, and {D.
tatula}, with a purplish tinge of the stem and flowers.
Both are narcotic and dangerously poisonous.
Daturine \Da*tu"rine\, n. [From {Datura}.] (Chem.)
Atropine; -- called also {daturia} and {daturina}.
Daub \Daub\ (d[add]b), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daubed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Daubing}.] [OE. dauben to smear, OF. dauber to
plaster, fr. L. dealbare to whitewash, plaster; de- + albare
to whiten, fr. albus white, perh. also confused with W. dwb
plaster, dwbio to plaster, Ir. & OGael. dob plaster. See
{Alb}, and cf. {Dealbate}.]
1. To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud,
etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear.
She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it
with slime and with pitch. --Ex. ii. 3.
2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring
colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece.
--I. Watts.
A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over.
--Dryden.
3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to
disguise; to conceal.
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue.
--Shak.
4. To flatter excessively or glossy. [R.]
I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing
at all, I am very sincerely your very affectionate,
humble servant. --Smollett.
5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [R.]
Let him be daubed with lace. --Dryden.
Daub \Daub\, v. i.
To smear; to play the flatterer.
His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter.
--South.
Daub \Daub\, n.
1. A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a
smear.
2. (Paint.) A picture coarsely executed.
Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture? . .
. 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. --Sterne.
Dauber \Daub"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, daubs; especially, a coarse,
unskillful painter.
2. (Copperplate Print.) A pad or ball of rags, covered over
with canvas, for inking plates; a dabber.
3. A low and gross flatterer.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The mud wasp; the mud dauber.
Daubery \Daub"er*y\, or Daubry \Daub"ry\, n.
A daubing; specious coloring; false pretenses.
She works by charms, by spells, by the figure, and such
daubery as this is. --Shak.
Daubing \Daub"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who daubs; that which is daubed.
2. A rough coat of mortar put upon a wall to give it the
appearance of stone; rough-cast.
3. In currying, a mixture of fish oil and tallow worked into
leather; -- called also {dubbing}. --Knight.
Daubreelite \Dau"bree*lite\, n. [From Daubr['e]e, a French
mineralogist.] (Min.)
A sulphide of chromium observed in some meteoric irons.
Dauby \Daub"y\, a.
Smeary; viscous; glutinous; adhesive. ``Dauby wax.''
Daughter \Daugh"ter\, n.; pl. {Daughters}; obs. pl. {Daughtren}.
[OE. doughter, doghter, dohter, AS. dohtor, dohter; akin to
OS. dohtar, D. dochter, G. tochter, Icel. d[=o]ttir, Sw.
dotter, Dan. dotter, datter, Goth. da['u]htar,, OSlav.
d[u^]shti, Russ. doche, Lith. dukt[=e], Gr. qyga`thr, Zend.
dughdhar, Skr. duhit[.r]; possibly originally, the milker,
cf. Skr. duh to milk. [root]68, 245.]
1. The female offspring of the human species; a female child
of any age; -- applied also to the lower animals.
2. A female descendant; a woman.
This woman, being a daughter of Abraham. --Luke
xiii. 16.
Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto
Jacob, went out to see the daughter of the land.
--Gen. xxxiv.
1.
3. A son's wife; a daughter-in-law.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters. --Ruth. i.
11.
4. A term of address indicating parental interest.
Daughter, be of good comfort. --Matt. ix.
22.
{Daughter cell} (Biol.), one of the cells formed by cell
division. See {Cell division}, under {Division}.
Daughter-in-law \Daugh"ter-in-law`\, n.; pl. {Daughters-in-law}.
The wife of one's son.
Daughterliness \Daugh"ter*li*ness\, n.
The state of a daughter, or the conduct becoming a daughter.
Daughterly \Daugh"ter*ly\, a.
Becoming a daughter; filial.
Sir Thomas liked her natural and dear daughterly
affection towards him. --Cavendish.
Dauk \Dauk\, v. t.
See {Dawk}, v. t., to cut or gush.
Daun \Daun\, n.
A variant of Dan, a title of honor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Daunt \Daunt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Daunted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Daunting}.] [OF. danter, F. dompter to tame, subdue, fr. L.
domitare, v. intens. of domare to tame. See {Tame}.]
1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.]
2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of
danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten.
Some presences daunt and discourage us. --Glanvill.
Syn: To dismay; appall. See {Dismay}.
Daunter \Daunt"er\, n.
One who daunts.
Dauntless \Daunt"less\, a.
Incapable of being daunted; undaunted; bold; fearless;
intrepid.
Dauntless he rose, and to the fight returned. --Dryden.
-- {Daunt"less*ly}, adv. -- {Daunt"less*ness}, n.
Dauphin \Dau"phin\, n. [F. dauphin, prop., a dolphin, from L.
delphinus. See {Dolphin}. The name was given, for some reason
unexplained, to Guigo, count of Vienne, in the 12th century,
and was borne by succeeding counts of Vienne. In 1349,
Dauphiny was bequeathed to Philippe de Valois, king of
France, on condition that the heir of the crown should always
hold the title of Dauphin de Viennois.]
The title of the eldest son of the king of France, and heir
to the crown. Since the revolution of 1830, the title has
been discontinued.
Dauphiness \Dau"phin*ess\, or Dauphine \Dau"phine\, n.
The title of the wife of the dauphin.
Dauw \Dauw\, n. [D.] (Zo["o]l.)
The striped quagga, or Burchell's zebra, of South Africa
({Asinus Burchellii}); -- called also {peechi}, or {peetsi}.
Davenport \Dav"en*port\, n. [From the name of the original
maker. --Encyc. Dict.]
A kind of small writing table, generally somewhat ornamental,
and forming a piece of furniture for the parlor or boudoir.
A much battered davenport in one of the windows, at
which sat a lady writing. --A. B.
Edwards.
Davidic \Da*vid"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to David, the king and psalmist of Israel,
or to his family.
Davit \Dav"it\, n. [Cf. F. davier forceps, davit, cooper's
instrument, G. david davit; all probably from the proper name
David.] (Naut.)
(a) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to
hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow,
without injuring the sides of the ship; -- called also
the {fish davit}.
(b) pl. Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a
ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a
boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.;
-- called also {boat davits}. --Totten.
Davy Jones \Da"vy Jones"\
The spirit of the sea; sea devil; -- a term used by sailors.
This same Davy Jones, according to the mythology of
sailors, is the fiend that presides over all the evil
spirits of the deep, and is seen in various shapes
warning the devoted wretch of death and woe.
--Smollett.
{Davy Jones's Locker}, the ocean, or bottom of the ocean.
{Gone to Davy Jones's Locker}, dead, and buried in the sea;
thrown overboard.
Davy lamp \Da"vy lamp`\
See {Safety lamp}, under {Lamp}.
Davyne \Da"vyne\, n. [See {Davyum}.] (Min.)
A variety of nephelite from Vesuvius.
Davyum \Da"vy*um\, n. [Named after Sir Humphry Davy, the English
chemist.] (Chem.)
A rare metallic element found in platinum ore. It is a white
malleable substance. Symbol Da. Atomic weight 154.
Daw \Daw\ (d[add]), n. [OE. dawe; akin to OHG. t[=a]ha, MHG.
t[=a]he, t[=a]hele, G. dohle. Cf. {Caddow}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European bird of the Crow family ({Corvus monedula}), often
nesting in church towers and ruins; a jackdaw.
The loud daw, his throat displaying, draws The whole
assembly of his fellow daws. --Waller.
Note: The daw was reckoned as a silly bird, and a daw meant a
simpleton. See in Shakespeare: -- ``Then thou dwellest
with daws too.'' (--Coriolanus iv. 5, 1. 47.) --Skeat.
Daw \Daw\, v. i. [OE. dawen. See {Dawn}.]
To dawn. [Obs.] See Dawn. --Drayton.
Daw \Daw\, v. t. [Contr. fr. {Adaw}.]
1. To rouse. [Obs.]
2. To daunt; to terrify. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Dawdle \Daw"dle\ (d[add]"d'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dawdled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dawdling}.] [Cf. {Daddle}.]
To waste time in trifling employment; to trifle; to saunter.
Come some evening and dawdle over a dish of tea with
me. --Johnson.
We . . . dawdle up and down Pall Mall. --Thackeray.
Dawdle \Daw"dle\, v. t.
To waste by trifling; as, to dawdle away a whole morning.
Dawdle \Daw"dle\, n.
A dawdler. --Colman & Carrick.
Dawdler \Daw"dler\, n.
One who wastes time in trifling employments; an idler; a
trifler.
Dawe \Dawe\, n. [See {Day}.]
Day. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dawish \Daw"ish\, a.
Like a daw.
Dawk \Dawk\, n.
See {Dak}.
Dawk \Dawk\, v. t. [Prov. E. dauk to cut or pierce with a jerk;
cf. OE. dalk a dimple. Cf. Ir. tolch, tollachd, tolladh, a
hole, crevice, toll to bore, pierce, W. tyllu.]
To cut or mark with an incision; to gash. --Moxon.
Dawk \Dawk\, n.
A hollow, crack, or cut, in timber. --Moxon.
Dawn \Dawn\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dawned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dawning}.] [OE. dawnen, dawen, dagen, daien, AS. dagian to
become day, to dawn, fr. d[ae]g day; akin to D. dagen, G.
tagen, Icel. daga, Dan. dages, Sw. dagas. See {Day}.
[root]71.]
1. To begin to grow light in the morning; to grow light; to
break, or begin to appear; as, the day dawns; the morning
dawns.
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn
toward the first day of the week, came Mary
Magdalene . . . to see the sepulcher. --Matt.
xxviii. 1.
2. To began to give promise; to begin to appear or to expand.
``In dawning youth.'' --Dryden.
When life awakes, and dawns at every line. --Pope.
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid. --Heber,
Dawn \Dawn\, n.
1. The break of day; the first appearance of light in the
morning; show of approaching sunrise.
And oft at dawn, deep noon, or falling eve.
--Thomson.
No sun, no moon, no morn, no noon, No dawn, no dusk,
no proper time of day. --Hood.
2. First opening or expansion; first appearance; beginning;
rise. ``The dawn of time.'' --Thomson.
These tender circumstances diffuse a dawn of
serenity over the soul. --Pope.
Dawsonite \Daw"son*ite\, n. [Named after J. W. Dawson of
Montreal.] (Min.)
A hydrous carbonate of alumina and soda, occuring in white,
bladed crustals.
Day \Day\, n. [OE. day, dai,, dei, AS. d[ae]g; akin to OS., D.,
Dan., & Sw. dag, G, tag, Icel. dagr, Goth. dags; cf. Skr. dah
(for dhagh ?) to burn. [root]69. Cf. {Dawn}.]
1. The time of light, or interval between one night and the
next; the time between sunrise and sunset, or from dawn to
darkness; hence, the light; sunshine.
2. The period of the earth's revolution on its axis. --
ordinarily divided into twenty-four hours. It is measured
by the interval between two successive transits of a
celestial body over the same meridian, and takes a
specific name from that of the body. Thus, if this is the
sun, the day (the interval between two successive transits
of the sun's center over the same meridian) is called a
{solar day}; if it is a star, a {sidereal day}; if it is
the moon, a {lunar day}. See {Civil day}, {Sidereal day},
below.
3. Those hours, or the daily recurring period, allotted by
usage or law for work.
4. A specified time or period; time, considered with
reference to the existence or prominence of a person or
thing; age; time.
A man who was great among the Hellenes of his day.
--Jowett
(Thucyd. )
If my debtors do not keep their day, . . . I must
with patience all the terms attend. --Dryden.
5. (Preceded by the) Some day in particular, as some day of
contest, some anniversary, etc.
The field of Agincourt, Fought on the day of Crispin
Crispianus. --Shak.
His name struck fear, his conduct won the day.
--Roscommon.
Note: Day is much used in self-explaining compounds; as,
daybreak, daylight, workday, etc.
{Anniversary day}. See {Anniversary}, n.
{Astronomical day}, a period equal to the mean solar day, but
beginning at noon instead of at midnight, its twenty-four
hours being numbered from 1 to 24; also, the sidereal day,
as that most used by astronomers.
{Born days}. See under {Born}.
{Canicular days}. See {Dog day}.
{Civil day}, the mean solar day, used in the ordinary
reckoning of time, and among most modern nations beginning
at mean midnight; its hours are usually numbered in two
series, each from 1 to 12. This is the period recognized
by courts as constituting a day. The Babylonians and
Hindoos began their day at sunrise, the Athenians and Jews
at sunset, the ancient Egyptians and Romans at midnight.
{Day blindness}. (Med.) See {Nyctalopia}.
{Day by day}, or {Day after day}, daily; every day;
continually; without intermission of a day. See under
{By}. ``Day by day we magnify thee.'' --Book of Common
Prayer.
{Days in bank} (Eng. Law), certain stated days for the return
of writs and the appearance of parties; -- so called
because originally peculiar to the Court of Common Bench,
or Bench (bank) as it was formerly termed. --Burrill.
{Day in court}, a day for the appearance of parties in a
suit.
{Days of devotion} (R. C. Ch.), certain festivals on which
devotion leads the faithful to attend mass. --Shipley.
{Days of grace}. See {Grace}.
{Days of obligation} (R. C. Ch.), festival days when it is
obligatory on the faithful to attend Mass. --Shipley.
{Day owl}, (Zo["o]l.), an owl that flies by day. See {Hawk
owl}.
{Day rule} (Eng. Law), an order of court (now abolished)
allowing a prisoner, under certain circumstances, to go
beyond the prison limits for a single day.
{Day school}, one which the pupils attend only in daytime, in
distinction from a boarding school.
{Day sight}. (Med.) See {Hemeralopia}.
{Day's work} (Naut.), the account or reckoning of a ship's
course for twenty-four hours, from noon to noon.
{From day to day}, as time passes; in the course of time; as,
he improves from day to day.
{Jewish day}, the time between sunset and sunset.
{Mean solar day} (Astron.), the mean or average of all the
apparent solar days of the year.
{One day}, {One of these days}, at an uncertain time, usually
of the future, rarely of the past; sooner or later.
``Well, niece, I hope to see you one day fitted with a
husband.'' --Shak.
{Only from day to day}, without certainty of continuance;
temporarily. --Bacon.
{Sidereal day}, the interval between two successive transits
of the first point of Aries over the same meridian. The
Sidereal day is 23 h. 56 m. 4.09 s. of mean solar time.
{To win the day}, to gain the victory, to be successful. --S.
Butler.
{Week day}, any day of the week except Sunday; a working day.
{Working day}.
(a) A day when work may be legally done, in distinction
from Sundays and legal holidays.
(b) The number of hours, determined by law or custom,
during which a workman, hired at a stated price per
day, must work to be entitled to a day's pay.
Dayaks \Day"aks\ (d[imac]"[a^]ks), n. pl. (Ethnol.)
See {Dyaks}.
Daybook \Day"book`\ (d[=a]"b[oo^]k`), n.
A journal of accounts; a primary record book in which are
recorded the debts and credits, or accounts of the day, in
their order, and from which they are transferred to the
journal.
Daybreak \Day"break`\ (d[=a]"br[=a]k`), n.
The time of the first appearance of light in the morning.
Day-coal \Day"-coal`\ (d[=a]"k[=o]l`), n. (Mining)
The upper stratum of coal, as nearest the light or surface.
Daydream \Day"dream`\ (-dr[=e]m`), n.
A vain fancy speculation; a reverie; a castle in the air;
unfounded hope.
Mrs. Lambert's little daydream was over. --Thackeray.
Daydreamer \Day"dream`er\, n.
One given to daydreams.
Dayflower \Day"flow`er\ (-flou`[~e]r), n. (Bot.)
A genus consisting mostly of tropical perennial herbs
({Commelina}), having ephemeral flowers.
Dayfly \Day"fly`\ (d[=a]"fl[imac]`), n. (Zo["o]l.)
A neuropterous insect of the genus {Ephemera} and related
genera, of many species, and inhabiting fresh water in the
larval state; the ephemeral fly; -- so called because it
commonly lives but one day in the winged or adult state. See
{Ephemeral fly}, under {Ephemeral}.
Day-labor \Day"-la`bor\, n.
Labor hired or performed by the day. --Milton.
Day-laborer \Day"-la`bor*er\, n.
One who works by the day; -- usually applied to a farm
laborer, or to a workman who does not work at any particular
trade. --Goldsmith.
Daylight \Day"light`\ (-l[imac]t), n.
1. The light of day as opposed to the darkness of night; the
light of the sun, as opposed to that of the moon or to
artificial light.
2. pl. The eyes. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.
Day lily \Day" lil`y\ (l[i^]l`[y^]). (Bot.)
(a) A genus of plants ({Hemerocallis}) closely resembling
true lilies, but having tuberous rootstocks instead of
bulbs. The common species have long narrow leaves and
either yellow or tawny-orange flowers.
(b) A genus of plants ({Funkia}) differing from the last
in having ovate veiny leaves, and large white or blue
flowers.
Daymaid \Day"maid`\ (-m[amc]d`), n.
A dairymaid. [Obs.]
Daymare \Day"mare`\ (d[=a]"m[^a]r`), n. [Day + mare incubus.]
(Med.)
A kind of incubus which occurs during wakefulness, attended
by the peculiar pressure on the chest which characterizes
nightmare. --Dunglison.
Day-net \Day"-net`\ (-n[e^]t`), n.
A net for catching small birds.
Day-peep \Day"-peep`\ (-p[=e]p`), n.
The dawn. [Poetic] --Milton.
Daysman \Days"man\ (d[=a]z"m[a^]n), n. [From day in the sense of
day fixed for trial.]
An umpire or arbiter; a mediator.
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us. --Job ix. 33.
Dayspring \Day"spring`\ (d[=a]"spr[i^]ng`), n.
The beginning of the day, or first appearance of light; the
dawn; hence, the beginning. --Milton.
The tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from
on high hath visited us. --Luke i. 78.
Day-star \Day"-star`\ (-st[aum]r`), n.
1. The morning star; the star which ushers in the day.
A dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star
arise in your hearts. --2 Peter i.
19.
2. The sun, as the orb of day. [Poetic]
So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed, And yet anon
repairs his drooping head, And tricks his beams, and
with new-spangled ore Flames in the forehead of the
morning sky. --Milton.
Daytime \Day"time`\ (-t[imac]m`), n.
The time during which there is daylight, as distinguished
from the night.
Daywoman \Day"wom`an\ (-w[oo^]m`an), n.
A dairymaid. [Obs.]
Daze \Daze\ (d[=a]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dazed} (d[=a]zd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dazing}.] [OE. dasen, prob. from Icel. dasask
to become weary, a reflexive verb; cf. Sw. dasa to lie idle,
and OD. daesen to be foolish, insane, daes, dwaes, D. dwaas,
foolish, insane, AS. dw[=ae]s, dysig, stupid. [root]71. Cf.
{Dizzy}, {Doze}.]
To stupefy with excess of light; with a blow, with cold, or
with fear; to confuse; to benumb.
While flashing beams do daze his feeble eyen.
--Spenser.
Such souls, Whose sudden visitations daze the world.
--Sir H.
Taylor.
He comes out of the room in a dazed state, that is an
odd though a sufficient substitute for interest.
--Dickens.
Daze \Daze\, n.
1. The state of being dazed; as, he was in a daze. [Colloq.]
2. (Mining) A glittering stone.
Dazzle \Daz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dazzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dazzling}.] [Freq. of daze.]
1. To overpower with light; to confuse the sight of by
brilliance of light.
Those heavenly shapes Will dazzle now the earthly,
with their blaze Insufferably bright. --Milton.
An unreflected light did never yet Dazzle the vision
feminine. --Sir H.
Taylor.
2. To bewilder or surprise with brilliancy or display of any
kind. ``Dazzled and drove back his enemies.'' --Shak.
Dazzle \Daz"zle\, v. i.
1. To be overpoweringly or intensely bright; to excite
admiration by brilliancy.
Ah, friend! to dazzle, let the vain design. --Pope.
2. To be overpowered by light; to be confused by excess of
brightness.
An overlight maketh the eyes dazzle. --Bacon.
I dare not trust these eyes; They dance in mists,
and dazzle with surprise. --Dryden.
Dazzle \Daz"zle\, n.
A light of dazzling brilliancy.
Dazzlement \Daz"zle*ment\, n.
Dazzling flash, glare, or burst of light. --Donne.
Dazzlingly \Daz"zling*ly\, adv.
In a dazzling manner.
De- \De-\
A prefix from Latin de down, from, away; as in debark,
decline, decease, deduct, decamp. In words from the French it
is equivalent to Latin dis-apart, away; or sometimes to de.
Cf. {Dis-}. It is negative and opposite in derange, deform,
destroy, etc. It is intensive in deprave, despoil, declare,
desolate, etc.
Deacon \Dea"con\, n. [OE. diakne, deakne, deken, AS. diacon,
deacon, L. diaconus, fr. Gr. ? a servant or minister, a
minister of the church; of uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob.
confused with dean.]
1. (Eccl.) An officer in Christian churches appointed to
perform certain subordinate duties varying in different
communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches,
a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry,
subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian
churches, he is subordinate to the minister and elders,
and has charge of certain duties connected with the
communion service and the care of the poor. In
Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the pastor,
and has duties as in the Presbyterian church.
2. The chairman of an incorporated company. [Scot.]
Deacon \Dea"con\, v. t.
To read aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing
it, -- usually with off. [Colloq. New. Eng.] See {Line}, v.
t.
Note: The expression is derived from a former custom in the
Congregational churches of New England. It was part of
the office of a deacon to read aloud the psalm given
out, one line at a time, the congregation singing each
line as soon as read; -- called, also, lining out the
psalm.
Deaconess \Dea"con*ess\, n. (Eccl.)
A female deacon; as:
(a) (Primitive Ch.) One of an order of women whose duties
resembled those of deacons.
(b) (Ch. of Eng. and Prot. Epis. Ch.) A woman set apart for
church work by a bishop.
(c) A woman chosen as a helper in church work, as among the
Congregationalists.
Deaconhood \Dea"con*hood\, n.
The state of being a deacon; office of a deacon; deaconship.
Deaconry \Dea"con*ry\, n.
See {Deaconship}.
Deaconship \Dea"con*ship\, n.
The office or ministry of a deacon or deaconess.
Dead \Dead\ (d[e^]d), a. [OE. ded, dead, deed, AS. de['a]d; akin
to OS. d[=o]d, D. dood, G. todt, tot, Icel. dau[eth]r, Sw. &
Dan. d["o]d, Goth. daubs; prop. p. p. of an old verb meaning
to die. See {Die}, and cf. {Death}.]
1. Deprived of life; -- opposed to {alive} and {living};
reduced to that state of a being in which the organs of
motion and life have irrevocably ceased to perform their
functions; as, a dead tree; a dead man. ``The queen, my
lord, is dead.'' --Shak.
The crew, all except himself, were dead of hunger.
--Arbuthnot.
Seek him with candle, bring him dead or living.
--Shak.
2. Destitute of life; inanimate; as, dead matter.
3. Resembling death in appearance or quality; without show of
life; deathlike; as, a dead sleep.
4. Still as death; motionless; inactive; useless; as, dead
calm; a dead load or weight.
5. So constructed as not to transmit sound; soundless; as, a
dead floor.
6. Unproductive; bringing no gain; unprofitable; as, dead
capital; dead stock in trade.
7. Lacking spirit; dull; lusterless; cheerless; as, dead eye;
dead fire; dead color, etc.
8. Monotonous or unvaried; as, a dead level or pain; a dead
wall. ``The ground is a dead flat.'' --C. Reade.
9. Sure as death; unerring; fixed; complete; as, a dead shot;
a dead certainty.
I had them a dead bargain. --Goldsmith.
10. Bringing death; deadly. --Shak.
11. Wanting in religious spirit and vitality; as, dead faith;
dead works. ``Dead in trespasses.'' --Eph. ii. 1.
12. (Paint.)
(a) Flat; without gloss; -- said of painting which has
been applied purposely to have this effect.
(b) Not brilliant; not rich; thus, brown is a dead color,
as compared with crimson.
13. (Law) Cut off from the rights of a citizen; deprived of
the power of enjoying the rights of property; as, one
banished or becoming a monk is civilly dead.
14. (Mach.) Not imparting motion or power; as, the dead
spindle of a lathe, etc. See {Spindle}.
{Dead ahead} (Naut.), directly ahead; -- said of a ship or
any object, esp. of the wind when blowing from that point
toward which a vessel would go.
{Dead angle} (Mil.), an angle or space which can not be seen
or defended from behind the parapet.
{Dead block}, either of two wooden or iron blocks intended to
serve instead of buffers at the end of a freight car.
{Dead calm} (Naut.), no wind at all.
{Dead center}, or {Dead point} (Mach.), either of two points
in the orbit of a crank, at which the crank and connecting
rod lie a straight line. It corresponds to the end of a
stroke; as, A and B are dead centers of the crank
mechanism in which the crank C drives, or is driven by,
the lever L.
{Dead color} (Paint.), a color which has no gloss upon it.
{Dead coloring} (Oil paint.), the layer of colors, the
preparation for what is to follow. In modern painting this
is usually in monochrome.
{Dead door} (Shipbuilding), a storm shutter fitted to the
outside of the quarter-gallery door.
{Dead flat} (Naut.), the widest or midship frame.
{Dead freight} (Mar. Law), a sum of money paid by a person
who charters a whole vessel but fails to make out a full
cargo. The payment is made for the unoccupied capacity.
--Abbott.
{Dead ground} (Mining), the portion of a vein in which there
is no ore.
{Dead hand}, a hand that can not alienate, as of a person
civilly dead. ``Serfs held in dead hand.'' --Morley. See
{Mortmain}.
{Dead head} (Naut.), a rough block of wood used as an anchor
buoy.
{Dead heat}, a heat or course between two or more race
horses, boats, etc., in which they come out exactly equal,
so that neither wins.
{Dead horse}, an expression applied to a debt for wages paid
in advance. [Law]
{Dead language}, a language which is no longer spoken or in
common use by a people, and is known only in writings, as
the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
{Dead letter}.
(a) A letter which, after lying for a certain fixed time
uncalled for at the post office to which it was
directed, is then sent to the general post office to
be opened.
(b) That which has lost its force or authority; as, the
law has become a dead letter.
{Dead-letter office}, a department of the general post office
where dead letters are examined and disposed of.
{Dead level}, a term applied to a flat country.
{Dead lift}, a direct lift, without assistance from
mechanical advantage, as from levers, pulleys, etc.;
hence, an extreme emergency. ``(As we say) at a dead
lift.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).
{Dead line} (Mil.), a line drawn within or around a military
prison, to cross which involves for a prisoner the penalty
of being instantly shot.
{Dead load} (Civil Engin.), a constant, motionless load, as
the weight of a structure, in distinction from a moving
load, as a train of cars, or a variable pressure, as of
wind.
{Dead march} (Mus.), a piece of solemn music intended to be
played as an accompaniment to a funeral procession.
{Dead nettle} (Bot.), a harmless plant with leaves like a
nettle ({Lamium album}).
{Dead oil} (Chem.), the heavy oil obtained in the
distillation of coal tar, and containing phenol,
naphthalus, etc.
{Dead plate} (Mach.), a solid covering over a part of a fire
grate, to prevent the entrance of air through that part.
{Dead pledge}, a mortgage. See {Mortgage}.
{Dead point}. (Mach.) See {Dead center}.
{Dead reckoning} (Naut.), the method of determining the place
of a ship from a record kept of the courses sailed as
given by compass, and the distance made on each course as
found by log, with allowance for leeway, etc., without the
aid of celestial observations.
{Dead rise}, the transverse upward curvature of a vessel's
floor.
{Dead rising}, an elliptical line drawn on the sheer plan to
determine the sweep of the floorheads throughout the
ship's length.
{Dead-Sea apple}. See under {Apple}.
{Dead set}. See under {Set}.
{Dead shot}.
(a) An unerring marksman.
(b) A shot certain to be made.
{Dead smooth}, the finest cut made; -- said of files.
{Dead wall} (Arch.), a blank wall unbroken by windows or
other openings.
{Dead water} (Naut.), the eddy water closing in under a
ship's stern when sailing.
{Dead weight}.
(a) A heavy or oppressive burden. --Dryden.
(b) (Shipping) A ship's lading, when it consists of heavy
goods; or, the heaviest part of a ship's cargo.
(c) (Railroad) The weight of rolling stock, the live
weight being the load. --Knight.
{Dead wind} (Naut.), a wind directly ahead, or opposed to the
ship's course.
{To be dead}, to die. [Obs.]
I deme thee, thou must algate be dead. --Chaucer.
Syn: Inanimate; deceased; extinct. See {Lifeless}.
Dead \Dead\, adv.
To a degree resembling death; to the last degree; completely;
wholly. [Colloq.]
I was tired of reading, and dead sleepy. --Dickens.
{Dead drunk}, so drunk as to be unconscious.
Dead \Dead\, n.
1. The most quiet or deathlike time; the period of
profoundest repose, inertness, or gloom; as, the dead of
winter.
When the drum beat at dead of night. --Campbell.
2. One who is dead; -- commonly used collectively.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead. --Gen.
xxiii. 3.
Dead \Dead\, v. t.
To make dead; to deaden; to deprive of life, force, or vigor.
[Obs.]
Heaven's stern decree, With many an ill, hath numbed
and deaded me. --Chapman.
Dead \Dead\, v. i.
To die; to lose life or force. [Obs.]
So iron, as soon as it is out of the fire, deadeth
straightway. --Bacon.
Dead beat \Dead` beat"\
See {Beat}, n., 7. [Low, U.S.]
Deadbeat \Dead"beat`\, a. (Physics)
Making a beat without recoil; giving indications by a single
beat or excursion; -- said of galvanometers and other
instruments in which the needle or index moves to the extent
of its deflection and stops with little or no further
oscillation.
{Deadbeat escapement}. See under {Escapement}.
Deadborn \Dead"born`\, a.
Stillborn. --Pope.
Deaden \Dead"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deadened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deadening}.] [From {Dead}; cf. AS. d?dan to kill, put to
death. See {Dead}, a.]
1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force, activity, or
sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to blunt;
as, to deaden the natural powers or feelings; to deaden a
sound.
As harper lays his open palm Upon his harp, to deaden its
vibrations. --Longfellow.
2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to retard; as, to
deaden a ship's headway.
3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, to deaden wine.
4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure; as, to
deaden gilding by a coat of size.
Deadener \Dead"en*er\, n.
One who, or that which, deadens or checks.
Dead-eye \Dead"-eye`\, n. (Naut.)
A round, flattish, wooden block, encircled by a rope, or an
iron band, and pierced with three holes to receive the
lanyard; -- used to extend the shrouds and stays, and for
other purposes. Called also {deadman's eye}. --Totten.
Deadhead \Dead"head`\, n.
1. One who receives free tickets for theaters, public
conveyances, etc. [Colloq. U. S.]
2. (Naut.) A buoy. See under {Dead}, a.
Dead-hearted \Dead"-heart`ed\, a.
Having a dull, faint heart; spiritless; listless. --
{Dead"-heart`ed*ness}, n. --Bp. Hall.
Deadhouse \Dead"house`\, n.
A morgue; a place for the temporary reception and exposure of
dead bodies.
Deadish \Dead"ish\, a.
Somewhat dead, dull, or lifeless; deathlike.
The lips put on a deadish paleness. --A. Stafford.
Deadlatch \Dead"latch`\, n.
A kind of latch whose bolt may be so locked by a detent that
it can not be opened from the inside by the handle, or from
the outside by the latch key. --Knight.
Deadlight \Dead"light`\, n. (Naut.)
A strong shutter, made to fit open ports and keep out water
in a storm.
Deadlihood \Dead"li*hood\, n.
State of the dead. [Obs.]
Deadliness \Dead"li*ness\, n.
The quality of being deadly.
Deadlock \Dead"lock`\, n.
1. A lock which is not self-latching, but requires a key to
throw the bolt forward.
2. A counteraction of things, which produces an entire
stoppage; a complete obstruction of action.
Things are at a deadlock. --London
Times.
The Board is much more likely to be at a deadlock of
two to two. --The Century.
Deadly \Dead"ly\, a.
1. Capable of causing death; mortal; fatal; destructive;
certain or likely to cause death; as, a deadly blow or
wound.
2. Aiming or willing to destroy; implacable; desperately
hostile; flagitious; as, deadly enemies.
Thy assailant is quick, skillful, and deadly.
--Shak.
3. Subject to death; mortal. [Obs.]
The image of a deadly man. --Wyclif (Rom.
i. 23).
{Deadly nightshade} (Bot.), a poisonous plant; belladonna.
See under {Nightshade}.
Deadly \Dead"ly\, adv.
1. In a manner resembling, or as if produced by, death.
``Deadly pale.'' --Shak.
2. In a manner to occasion death; mortally.
The groanings of a deadly wounded man. --Ezek. xxx.
24.
3. In an implacable manner; destructively.
4. Extremely. [Obs.] ``Deadly weary.'' --Orrery. ``So deadly
cunning a man.'' --Arbuthnot.
Deadness \Dead"ness\, n.
The state of being destitute of life, vigor, spirit,
activity, etc.; dullness; inertness; languor; coldness;
vapidness; indifference; as, the deadness of a limb, a body,
or a tree; the deadness of an eye; deadness of the
affections; the deadness of beer or cider; deadness to the
world, and the like.
Dead-pay \Dead"-pay`\, n.
Pay drawn for soldiers, or others, really dead, whose names
are kept on the rolls.
O you commanders, That, like me, have no dead-pays.
--Massinger.
Dead-reckoning \Dead"-reck`on*ing\, n. (Naut.)
See under {Dead}, a.
Deads \Deads\, n. pl. (Mining)
The substances which inclose the ore on every side.
Dead-stroke \Dead"-stroke`\, a. (Mech.)
Making a stroke without recoil; deadbeat.
{Dead-stroke hammer} (Mach.), a power hammer having a spring
interposed between the driving mechanism and the hammer
head, or helve, to lessen the recoil of the hammer and
reduce the shock upon the mechanism.
Deadwood \Dead"wood`\, n.
1. (Naut.) A mass of timbers built into the bow and stern of
a vessel to give solidity.
2. Dead trees or branches; useless material.
Deadworks \Dead"works`\, n. pl. (Naut.)
The parts of a ship above the water when she is laden.
Deaf \Deaf\ (?; 277), a. [OE. def, deaf, deef, AS. de['a]f; akin
to D. doof, G. taub, Icel. daufr, Dan. d["o]v, Sw. d["o]f,
Goth. daubs, and prob. to E. dumb (the original sense being,
dull as applied to one of the senses), and perh. to Gr. ?
(for ?) blind, ? smoke, vapor, folly, and to G. toben to
rage. Cf. {Dum}b.]
1. Wanting the sense of hearing, either wholly or in part;
unable to perceive sounds; hard of hearing; as, a deaf
man.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf. --Shak.
2. Unwilling to hear or listen; determinedly inattentive;
regardless; not to be persuaded as to facts, argument, or
exhortation; -- with to; as, deaf to reason.
O, that men's ears should be To counsel deaf, but
not to flattery! --Shak.
3. Deprived of the power of hearing; deafened.
Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty flight.
--Dryden.
4. Obscurely heard; stifled; deadened. [R.]
A deaf murmur through the squadron went. --Dryden.
5. Decayed; tasteless; dead; as, a deaf nut; deaf corn. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
If the season be unkindly and intemperate, they
[peppers] will catch a blast; and then the seeds
will be deaf, void, light, and naught. --Holland.
{Deaf and dumb}, without the sense of hearing or the faculty
of speech. See {Deaf-mute}.
Deaf \Deaf\ (?; 277), v. t.
To deafen. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Deafen \Deaf"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deafened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deafening}.] [From {Deaf}.]
1. To make deaf; to deprive of the power of hearing; to
render incapable of perceiving sounds distinctly.
Deafened and stunned with their promiscuous cries.
--Addison.
2. (Arch.) To render impervious to sound, as a partition or
floor, by filling the space within with mortar, by lining
with paper, etc.
Deafening \Deaf"en*ing\, n.
The act or process of rendering impervious to sound, as a
floor or wall; also, the material with which the spaces are
filled in this process; pugging.
Deafly \Deaf"ly\, adv.
Without sense of sounds; obscurely.
Deafly \Deaf"ly\, a.
Lonely; solitary. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Deaf-mute \Deaf"-mute`\, n.
A person who is deaf and dumb; one who, through deprivation
or defect of hearing, has either failed the acquire the power
of speech, or has lost it. [See Illust. of {Dactylology}.]
Deaf-mutes are still so called, even when, by
artificial methods, they have been taught to speak
imperfectly.
Deaf-mutism \Deaf"-mut`ism\, n.
The condition of being a deaf-mute.
Deafness \Deaf"ness\, n.
1. Incapacity of perceiving sounds; the state of the organs
which prevents the impression which constitute hearing;
want of the sense of hearing.
2. Unwillingness to hear; voluntary rejection of what is
addressed to the understanding.
{Nervous deafness}, a variety of deafness dependent upon
morbid change in some portion of the nervous system,
especially the auditory nerve.
Deal \Deal\ (d[=e]l), n. [OE. del, deel, part, AS. d[=ae]l; akin
to OS. d[=e]l, D. & Dan. deel, G. theil, teil, Icel. deild,
Sw. del, Goth. dails. [root]65. Cf. 3d {Dole}.]
1. A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite quantity,
degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a deal of time
and trouble; a deal of cold.
Three tenth deals [parts of an ephah] of flour.
--Num. xv. 9.
As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may
count for a good deal . . . as a spiritual power.
--M. Arnold.
She was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.
--W. Black.
Note: It was formerly limited by some, every, never a, a
thousand, etc.; as, some deal; but these are now
obsolete or vulgar. In general, we now qualify the word
with great or good, and often use it adverbially, by
being understood; as, a great deal of time and pains; a
great (or good) deal better or worse; that is, better
by a great deal, or by a great part or difference.
2. The process of dealing cards to the players; also, the
portion disturbed.
The deal, the shuffle, and the cut. --Swift.
3. Distribution; apportionment. [Colloq.]
4. An arrangement to attain a desired result by a combination
of interested parties; -- applied to stock speculations
and political bargains. [Slang]
5. [Prob. from D. deel a plank, threshing floor. See
{Thill}.] The division of a piece of timber made by
sawing; a board or plank; particularly, a board or plank
of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and exceeding
six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called a
batten; if shorter, a deal end.
Note: Whole deal is a general term for planking one and one
half inches thick.
6. Wood of the pine or fir; as, a floor of deal.
{Deal tree}, a fir tree. --Dr. Prior.
Deal \Deal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dealt} (d[e^]lt); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dealing}.] [OE. delen, AS. d[=ae]lan, fr. d[=ae]l share;
akin to OS. d[=e]lian, D. deelen, G. theilen, teilen, Icel.
deila, Sw. dela, Dan. dele, Goth. dailjan. See {Deal}, n.]
1. To divide; to separate in portions; hence, to give in
portions; to distribute; to bestow successively; --
sometimes with out.
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry? --Is.
lviii. 7.
And Rome deals out her blessings and her gold.
--Tickell.
The nightly mallet deals resounding blows. --Gay.
Hissing through the skies, the feathery deaths were
dealt. --Dryden.
2. Specifically: To distribute, as cards, to the players at
the commencement of a game; as, to deal the cards; to deal
one a jack.
Deal \Deal\, v. i.
1. To make distribution; to share out in portions, as cards
to the players.
2. To do a distributing or retailing business, as
distinguished from that of a manufacturer or producer; to
traffic; to trade; to do business; as, he deals in flour.
They buy and sell, they deal and traffic. --South.
This is to drive to wholesale trade, when all other
petty merchants deal but for parcels. --Dr. H. More.
3. To act as an intermediary in business or any affairs; to
manage; to make arrangements; -- followed by between or
with.
Sometimes he that deals between man and man, raiseth
his own credit with both, by pretending greater
interest than he hath in either. --Bacon.
4. To conduct one's self; to behave or act in any affair or
towards any one; to treat.
If he will deal clearly and impartially, . . . he
will acknowledge all this to be true. --Tillotson.
5. To contend (with); to treat (with), by way of opposition,
check, or correction; as, he has turbulent passions to
deal with.
{To deal by}, to treat, either well or ill; as, to deal well
by servants. ``Such an one deals not fairly by his own
mind.'' --Locke.
{To deal in}.
(a) To have to do with; to be engaged in; to practice; as,
they deal in political matters.
(b) To buy and sell; to furnish, as a retailer or
wholesaler; as, they deal in fish.
{To deal with}.
(a) To treat in any manner; to use, whether well or ill;
to have to do with; specifically, to trade with.
``Dealing with witches.'' --Shak.
(b) To reprove solemnly; to expostulate with.
The deacons of his church, who, to use their own
phrase, ``dealt with him'' on the sin of
rejecting the aid which Providence so manifestly
held out. --Hawthorne.
Return . . . and I will deal well with thee.
--Gen. xxxii.
9.
Dealbate \De*al"bate\, v. t. [L. dealbatus, p. p. of dealbare.
See {Daub}.]
To whiten. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Dealbation \De`al*ba"tion\, n. [L. dealbatio: cf. F.
d['e]albation.]
Act of bleaching; a whitening. [Obs.]
Dealer \Deal"er\, n.
1. One who deals; one who has to do, or has concern, with
others; esp., a trader, a trafficker, a shopkeeper, a
broker, or a merchant; as, a dealer in dry goods; a dealer
in stocks; a retail dealer.
2. One who distributes cards to the players.
Dealfish \Deal"fish`\, n. [From deal a long, narrow plank.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A long, thin fish of the arctic seas ({Trachypterus
arcticus}).
Dealing \Deal"ing\, n.
The act of one who deals; distribution of anything, as of
cards to the players; method of business; traffic;
intercourse; transaction; as, to have dealings with a person.
{Double dealing}, insincere, treacherous dealing; duplicity.
{Plain dealing}, fair, sincere, honorable dealing; honest,
outspoken expression of opinion.
Dealth \Dealth\, n.
Share dealt. [Obs.]
Deambulate \De*am"bu*late\, v. i. [L. deambulare, deambulatum;
de- + ambulare to walk.]
To walk abroad. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Deambulation \De*am`bu*la"tion\, n. [L. deambulatio.]
A walking abroad; a promenading. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Deambulatory \De*am"bu*la*to*ry\, a. [Cf. LL. deambulator a
traveler.]
Going about from place to place; wandering; of or pertaining
to a deambulatory. [Obs.] ``Deambulatory actors.'' --Bp.
Morton.
Deambulatory \De*am"bu*la*to*ry\, n. [L. deambulatorium.]
A covered place in which to walk; an ambulatory.
Dean \Dean\, n. [OE. dene, deene, OF. deien, dien, F. doyen,
eldest of a corporation, a dean, L. decanus the chief of ten,
one set over ten persons, e. g., over soldiers or over monks,
from decem ten. See {Ten}, and cf. {Decemvir}.]
1. A dignitary or presiding officer in certain ecclesiastical
and lay bodies; esp., an ecclesiastical dignitary,
subordinate to a bishop.
{Dean of cathedral church}, the chief officer of a chapter;
he is an ecclesiastical magistrate next in degree to
bishop, and has immediate charge of the cathedral and its
estates.
{Dean of peculiars}, a dean holding a preferment which has
some peculiarity relative to spiritual superiors and the
jurisdiction exercised in it. [Eng.]
{Rural dean}, one having, under the bishop, the especial care
and inspection of the clergy within certain parishes or
districts of the diocese.
2. The collegiate officer in the universities of Oxford and
Cambridge, England, who, besides other duties, has regard
to the moral condition of the college. --Shipley.
3. The head or presiding officer in the faculty of some
colleges or universities.
4. A registrar or secretary of the faculty in a department of
a college, as in a medical, or theological, or scientific
department. [U.S.]
5. The chief or senior of a company on occasion of ceremony;
as, the dean of the diplomatic corps; -- so called by
courtesy.
{Cardinal dean}, the senior cardinal bishop of the college of
cardinals at Rome. --Shipley.
{Dean and chapter}, the legal corporation and governing body
of a cathedral. It consists of the dean, who is chief, and
his canons or prebendaries.
{Dean of arches}, the lay judge of the court of arches.
{Dean of faculty}, the president of an incorporation or
barristers; specifically, the president of the
incorporation of advocates in Edinburgh.
{Dean of guild}, a magistrate of Scotch burghs, formerly, and
still, in some burghs, chosen by the Guildry, whose duty
is to superintend the erection of new buildings and see
that they conform to the law.
{Dean of a monastery}, {Monastic dean}, a monastic superior
over ten monks.
{Dean's stall}. See {Decanal stall}, under {Decanal}.
Deanery \Dean"er*y\, n.; pl. {Deaneries}.
1. The office or the revenue of a dean. See the Note under
{Benefice}, n., 3.
2. The residence of a dean. --Shak.
3. The territorial jurisdiction of a dean.
Each archdeaconry is divided into rural deaneries,
and each deanery is divided into parishes.
--Blackstone.
Deanship \Dean"ship\, n.
The office of a dean.
I dont't value your deanship a straw. --Swift.
Dear \Dear\, a. [Compar. {Dearer}; superl. {Dearest}.] [OE.
dere, deore, AS. de['o]re; akin to OS. diuri, D. duur, OHG.
tiuri, G. theuer, teuer, Icel. d?r, Dan. & Sw. dyr. Cf.
{Darling}, {Dearth}.]
1. Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear. --Shak.
2. Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price;
as, a dear year.
3. Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.
``Hear me, dear lady.'' --Shak.
Neither count I my life dear unto myself. --Acts xx.
24.
And the last joy was dearer than the rest. --Pope.
Dear as remember'd kisses after death. --Tennyson.
4. Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in mind;
engaging the attention.
(a) Of agreeable things and interests.
[I'll] leave you to attend him: some dear cause
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile. --Shak.
His dearest wish was to escape from the bustle
and glitter of Whitehall. --Macaulay.
(b) Of disagreeable things and antipathies.
In our dear peril. --Shak.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven Or ever
I had seen that day. --Shak.
Dear \Dear\, n.
A dear one; lover; sweetheart.
That kiss I carried from thee, dear. --Shak.
Dear \Dear\, adv.
Dearly; at a high price.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear. --Shak.
Dear \Dear\, v. t.
To endear. [Obs.] --Shelton.
Dearborn \Dear"born\, n.
A four-wheeled carriage, with curtained sides.
Dear-bought \Dear"-bought`\, a.
Bought at a high price; as, dear-bought experience.
Deare \Deare\,
variant of {Dere}, v. t. & n. [Obs.]
Dearie \Dear"ie\, n.
Same as {Deary}. --Dickens.
Dearling \Dear"ling\, n.
A darling. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dear-loved \Dear"-loved`\, a.
Greatly beloved. --Shak.
Dearly \Dear"ly\, adv.
1. In a dear manner; with affection; heartily; earnestly; as,
to love one dearly.
2. At a high rate or price; grievously.
He buys his mistress dearly with his throne.
--Dryden.
3. Exquisitely. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dearn \Dearn\, a. [AS. derne, dyrne, dierne, hidden, secret. Cf.
{Derne}.]
Secret; lonely; solitary; dreadful. [Obs.] --Shak. --
{Dearn"ly}, adv. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dearn \Dearn\, v. t.
Same as {Darn}. [Obs.]
Dearness \Dear"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being dear; costliness; excess of
price.
The dearness of corn. --Swift.
2. Fondness; preciousness; love; tenderness.
The dearness of friendship. --Bacon.
Dearth \Dearth\, n. [OE. derthe, fr. dere. See {Dear}.]
Scarcity which renders dear; want; lack; specifically, lack
of food on account of failure of crops; famine.
There came a dearth over all the land of Egypt. --Acts
vii. 11.
He with her press'd, she faint with dearth. --Shak.
Dearth of plot, and narrowness of imagination.
--Dryden.
Dearticulate \De`ar*tic"u*late\, v. t.
To disjoint.
Dearworth \Dear"worth`\, a. [See {Derworth}.]
Precious. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Deary \Dear"y\, n.
A dear; a darling. [Familiar]
Deas \De"as\, n.
See {Dais}. [Scot.]
Death \Death\, n. [OE. deth, dea?, AS. de['a]?; akin to OS. d??,
D. dood, G. tod, Icel. dau?i, Sw. & Dan. d["o]d, Goth.
daupus; from a verb meaning to die. See {Die}, v. i., and cf.
{Dead}.]
1. The cessation of all vital phenomena without capability of
resuscitation, either in animals or plants.
Note: Local death is going on at times and in all parts of
the living body, in which individual cells and elements
are being cast off and replaced by new; a process
essential to life. General death is of two kinds; death
of the body as a whole (somatic or systemic death), and
death of the tissues. By the former is implied the
absolute cessation of the functions of the brain, the
circulatory and the respiratory organs; by the latter
the entire disappearance of the vital actions of the
ultimate structural constituents of the body. When
death takes place, the body as a whole dies first, the
death of the tissues sometimes not occurring until
after a considerable interval. --Huxley.
2. Total privation or loss; extinction; cessation; as, the
death of memory.
The death of a language can not be exactly compared
with the death of a plant. --J. Peile.
3. Manner of dying; act or state of passing from life.
A death that I abhor. --Shak.
Let me die the death of the righteous. --Num. xxiii.
10.
4. Cause of loss of life.
Swiftly flies the feathered death. --Dryden.
He caught his death the last county sessions.
--Addison.
5. Personified: The destroyer of life, -- conventionally
represented as a skeleton with a scythe.
Death! great proprietor of all. --Young.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name
that at on him was Death. --Rev. vi. 8.
6. Danger of death. ``In deaths oft.'' --2 Cor. xi. 23.
7. Murder; murderous character.
Not to suffer a man of death to live. --Bacon.
8. (Theol.) Loss of spiritual life.
To be ??????? m????? is death. --Rom. viii.
6.
9. Anything so dreadful as to be like death.
It was death to them to think of entertaining such
doctrines. --Atterbury.
And urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto
death. --Judg. xvi.
16.
Note: Death is much used adjectively and as the first part of
a compound, meaning, in general, of or pertaining to
death, causing or presaging death; as, deathbed or
death bed; deathblow or death blow, etc.
{Black death}. See {Black death}, in the Vocabulary.
{Civil death}, the separation of a man from civil society, or
the debarring him from the enjoyment of civil rights, as
by banishment, attainder, abjuration of the realm,
entering a monastery, etc. --Blackstone.
{Death adder}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A kind of viper found in South Africa ({Acanthophis
tortor}); -- so called from the virulence of its
venom.
(b) A venomous Australian snake of the family
{Elapid[ae]}, of several species, as the
{Hoplocephalus superbus} and {Acanthopis antarctica}.
{Death bell}, a bell that announces a death.
The death bell thrice was heard to ring. --Mickle.
{Death candle}, a light like that of a candle, viewed by the
superstitious as presaging death.
{Death damp}, a cold sweat at the coming on of death.
{Death fire}, a kind of ignis fatuus supposed to forebode
death.
And round about in reel and rout, The death fires
danced at night. --Coleridge.
{Death grapple}, a grapple or struggle for life.
{Death in life}, a condition but little removed from death; a
living death. [Poetic] ``Lay lingering out a five years'
death in life.'' --Tennyson.
{Death knell}, a stroke or tolling of a bell, announcing a
death.
{Death rate}, the relation or ratio of the number of deaths
to the population.
At all ages the death rate is higher in towns than
in rural districts. --Darwin.
{Death rattle}, a rattling or gurgling in the throat of a
dying person.
{Death's door}, the boundary of life; the partition dividing
life from death.
{Death stroke}, a stroke causing death.
{Death throe}, the spasm of death.
{Death token}, the signal of approaching death.
{Death warrant}.
(a) (Law) An order from the proper authority for the
execution of a criminal.
(b) That which puts an end to expectation, hope, or joy.
{Death wound}.
(a) A fatal wound or injury.
(b) (Naut.) The springing of a fatal leak.
{Spiritual death} (Scripture), the corruption and perversion
of the soul by sin, with the loss of the favor of God.
{The gates of death}, the grave.
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? --Job
xxxviii. 17.
{The second death}, condemnation to eternal separation from
God. --Rev. ii. 11.
{To be the death of}, to be the cause of death to; to make
die. ``It was one who should be the death of both his
parents.'' --Milton.
Syn: {Death}, {Decease}, {Demise}, {Departure}, {Release}.
Usage: Death applies to the termination of every form of
existence, both animal and vegetable; the other words
only to the human race. Decease is the term used in
law for the removal of a human being out of life in
the ordinary course of nature. Demise was formerly
confined to decease of princes, but is now sometimes
used of distinguished men in general; as, the demise
of Mr. Pitt. Departure and release are peculiarly
terms of Christian affection and hope. A violent death
is not usually called a decease. Departure implies a
friendly taking leave of life. Release implies a
deliverance from a life of suffering or sorrow.
Deathbed \Death"bed\, n.
The bed in which a person dies; hence, the closing hours of
life of one who dies by sickness or the like; the last
sickness.
That often-quoted passage from Lord Hervey in which the
Queen's deathbed is described. --Thackeray.
Deathbird \Death"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Tengmalm's or Richardson's owl ({Nyctale Tengmalmi}); -- so
called from a superstition of the North American Indians that
its note presages death.
Deathblow \Death"blow`\, n.
A mortal or crushing blow; a stroke or event which kills or
destroys.
The deathblow of my hope. --Byron.
Deathful \Death"ful\, a.
1. Full of death or slaughter; murderous; destructive;
bloody.
These eyes behold The deathful scene. --Pope.
2. Liable to undergo death; mortal.
The deathless gods and deathful earth. --Chapman.
Deathfulness \Death"ful*ness\, n.
Appearance of death. --Jer. Taylor.
Deathless \Death"less\, a.
Not subject to death, destruction, or extinction; immortal;
undying; imperishable; as, deathless beings; deathless fame.
Deathlike \Death"like`\, a.
1. Resembling death.
A deathlike slumber, and a dead repose. --Pope.
2. Deadly. [Obs.] ``Deathlike dragons.'' --Shak.
Deathliness \Death"li*ness\, n.
The quality of being deathly; deadliness. --Southey.
Deathly \Death"ly\, a.
Deadly; fatal; mortal; destructive.
Deathly \Death"ly\, adv.
Deadly; as, deathly pale or sick.
Death's-head \Death's"-head`\, n.
A naked human skull as the emblem of death; the head of the
conventional personification of death.
I had rather be married to a death's-head with a bone
in his mouth. --Shak.
{Death's-head moth} (Zo["o]l.), a very large European moth
({Acherontia atropos}), so called from a figure resembling
a human skull on the back of the thorax; -- called also
{death's-head sphinx}.
Death's-herb \Death's"-herb`\, n.
The deadly nightshade ({Atropa belladonna}). --Dr. Prior.
Deathsman \Deaths"man\, n.
An executioner; a headsman or hangman. [Obs.] --Shak.
Deathward \Death"ward\, adv.
Toward death.
Deathwatch \Death"watch`\ (?; 224), n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small beetle ({Anobium tessellatum} and other allied
species). By forcibly striking its head against
woodwork it makes a ticking sound, which is a call of
the sexes to each other, but has been imagined by
superstitious people to presage death.
(b) A small wingless insect, of the family {Psocid[ae]},
which makes a similar but fainter sound; -- called
also {deathtick}.
She is always seeing apparitions and hearing
deathwatches. --Addison.
I did not hear the dog howl, mother, or the
deathwatch beat. --Tennyson.
2. The guard set over a criminal before his execution.
Deaurate \De*au"rate\, a. [L. deauratus, p. p. of deaurare to
gild; de- + aurum gold.]
Gilded. [Obs.]
Deaurate \De*au"rate\, v. t.
To gild. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Deauration \De`au*ra"tion\, n.
Act of gilding. [Obs.]
Deave \Deave\, v. t. [See {Deafen}.]
To stun or stupefy with noise; to deafen. [Scot.]
Debacchate \De*bac"chate\, v. i. [L. debacchatus, p. p. of
debacchari to rage; de- + bacchari to rage like a bacchant.]
To rave as a bacchanal. [R.] --Cockeram.
Debacchation \De`bac*cha"tion\, n. [L. debacchatio.]
Wild raving or debauchery. [R.] --Prynne.
Debacle \De*ba"cle\, n. [F. d['e]b[^a]cle, fr. d['e]b[^a]cler to
unbar, break loose; pref. d['e]- (prob. = L. dis) + b[^a]cler
to bolt, fr. L. baculum a stick.] (Geol.)
A breaking or bursting forth; a violent rush or flood of
waters which breaks down opposing barriers, and hurls forward
and disperses blocks of stone and other d['e]bris.
Debar \De*bar"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debarred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Debarring}.] [Pref. de- + bar.]
To cut off from entrance, as if by a bar or barrier; to
preclude; to hinder from approach, entry, or enjoyment; to
shut out or exclude; to deny or refuse; -- with from, and
sometimes with of.
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed Labor, as to
debar us when we need Refreshment. --Milton.
Their wages were so low as to debar them, not only from
the comforts but from the common decencies of civilized
life. --Buckle.
Debarb \De*barb"\, v. t. [Pref. de- + L. barba beard.]
To deprive of the beard. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Debark \De"bark"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Debarked}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Debarking}.] [F. d['e]barquer; pref. d['e]- (L. dis-)
+ barque. See {Bark} the vessel, and cf. {Disbark}.]
To go ashore from a ship or boat; to disembark; to put
ashore.
Debarkation \De`bar*ka"tion\, n.
Disembarkation.
The debarkation, therefore, had to take place by small
steamers. --U. S. Grant.
Debarment \De*bar"ment\, n.
Hindrance from approach; exclusion.
Debarrass \De*bar"rass\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]barrasser. See
{Embarrass}.]
To disembarrass; to relieve. [R.]
Debase \De*base"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debased}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Debasing}.] [Pref. de- + base. See {Base}, a., and cf.
{Abase}.]
To reduce from a higher to a lower state or grade of worth,
dignity, purity, station, etc.; to degrade; to lower; to
deteriorate; to abase; as, to debase the character by crime;
to debase the mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar
words.
The coin which was adulterated and debased. --Hale.
It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase
religion with such frivolous disputes. --Hooker.
And to debase the sons, exalts the sires. --Pope.
Syn: To abase; degrade. See {Abase}.
Debased \De*based"\, a. (Her.)
Turned upside down from its proper position; inverted;
reversed.
Debasement \De*base"ment\, n.
The act of debasing or the state of being debased. --Milton.
Debaser \De*bas"er\, n.
One who, or that which, debases.
Debasingly \De*bas"ing*ly\, adv.
In a manner to debase.
Debatable \De*bat"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. debatable. See {Debate}.]
Liable to be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or
contention; open to question or dispute; as, a debatable
question.
{The Debatable Land} or {Ground}, a tract of land between the
Esk and the Sark, claimed by both England and Scotland;
the Batable Ground.
Debate \De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Debating}.] [OF. debatre, F. d['e]battre; L. de + batuere
to beat. See {Batter}, v. t., and cf. {Abate}.]
1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.
Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner,
and the cause of religion was debated with the same
ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
--Prescott.
2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to
maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss;
to argue for and against.
A wise council . . . that did debate this business.
--Shak.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov.
xxv. 9.
Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See {Argue}, and
{Discuss}.
Debate \De*bate"\, v. i.
1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Well could he tourney and in lists debate.
--Spenser.
2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to
consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the
mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
He presents that great soul debating upon the
subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
--Tatler.
Debate \De*bate"\, n. [F. d['e]bat, fr. d['e]battre. See
{Debate}, v. t.]
1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife. [Archaic]
On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great
debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . .
. fourscore. --R. of
Gloucester.
But question fierce and proud reply Gave signal soon
of dire debate. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the
purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife
in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or
in Congress.
Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate. --Pope.
3. Subject of discussion. [R.]
Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.
--Milton.
Debateful \De*bate"ful\, a.
Full of contention; contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Debatefully \De*bate"ful*ly\, adv.
With contention. [Obs.]
Debatement \De*bate"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. debatement a beating.]
Controversy; deliberation; debate. [R.]
A serious question and debatement with myself.
--Milton.
Debater \De*bat"er\, n.
One who debates; one given to argument; a disputant; a
controvertist.
Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters. --Shak.
Debating \De*bat"ing\, n.
The act of discussing or arguing; discussion.
{Debating society} or {club}, a society or club for the
purpose of debate and improvement in extemporaneous
speaking.
Debatingly \De*bat"ing*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a debate.
Debauch \De*bauch"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Debauched}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Debauching}.] [F. d['e]baucher, prob.
originally, to entice away from the workshop; pref. d['e]-
(L. dis- or de) + OF. bauche, bauge, hut, cf. F. bauge lair
of a wild boar; prob. from G. or Icel., cf. Icel. b[=a]lkr.
See {Balk}, n.]
To lead away from purity or excellence; to corrupt in
character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to pollute; to
seduce; as, to debauch one's self by intemperance; to debauch
a woman; to debauch an army.
Learning not debauched by ambition. --Burke.
A man must have got his conscience thoroughly debauched
and hardened before he can arrive to the height of sin.
--South.
Her pride debauched her judgment and her eyes.
--Cowley.
Debauch \De*bauch"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]bauche.]
1. Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance; drunkenness;
lewdness; debauchery.
The first physicians by debauch were made. --Dryden.
2. An act or occasion of debauchery.
Silenus, from his night's debauch, Fatigued and
sick. --Cowley.
Debauched \De*bauched"\, a.
Dissolute; dissipated. ``A coarse and debauched look.'' --Ld.
Lytton.
Debauchedly \De*bauch"ed*ly\, adv.
In a profligate manner.
Debauchedness \De*bauch"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being debauched; intemperance. --Bp. Hall.
Debauchee \Deb`au*chee"\, n. [F. d['e]?bauch['e], n., properly
p. p. of d['e]baucher. See {Debauch}, v. t.]
One who is given to intemperance or bacchanalian excesses; a
man habitually lewd; a libertine.
Debaucher \De*bauch"er\, n.
One who debauches or corrupts others; especially, a seducer
to lewdness.
Debauchery \De*bauch"er*y\, n.; pl. {Debaucheries}.
1. Corruption of fidelity; seduction from virtue, duty, or
allegiance.
The republic of Paris will endeavor to complete the
debauchery of the army. --Burke.
2. Excessive indulgence of the appetites; especially,
excessive indulgence of lust; intemperance; sensuality;
habitual lewdness.
Oppose . . . debauchery by temperance. --Sprat.
Debauchment \De*bauch"ment\, n.
The act of corrupting; the act of seducing from virtue or
duty.
Debauchness \De*bauch"ness\, n.
Debauchedness. [Obs.]
Debeige \De*beige"\, n. [F. de of + beige the natural color of
wool.]
A kind of woolen or mixed dress goods. [Written also
{debage}.]
Debel \De*bel"\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]beller. See {Debellate}.]
To conquer. [Obs.] --Milton.
Debellate \De*bel"late\, v. t. [L. debellatus, p. p. of
debellare to subdue; de- + bellum war.]
To subdue; to conquer in war. [Obs.] --Speed.
Debellation \Deb`el*la"tion\, n. [LL. debellatio.]
The act of conquering or subduing. [Obs.]
De bene esse \De be"ne es"se\ [L.] (Law)
Of well being; of formal sufficiency for the time;
conditionally; provisionally. --Abbott.
Debenture \De*ben"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. debentur they are due,
fr. debere to owe; cf. F. debentur. So called because these
receipts began with the words Debentur mihi.]
1. A writing acknowledging a debt; a writing or certificate
signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due to
some person; the sum thus due.
2. A customhouse certificate entitling an exporter of
imported goods to a drawback of duties paid on their
importation. --Burrill.
Note: It is applied in England to deeds of mortgage given by
railway companies for borrowed money; also to municipal
and other bonds and securities for money loaned.
Debentured \De*ben"tured\ (?; 135), a.
Entitled to drawback or debenture; as, debentured goods.
Debile \Deb"ile\, a. [L. debilis: cf. F. d['e]bile. See
{Debility}.]
Weak. [Obs.] --Shak.
Debilitant \De*bil"i*tant\, a. [L. debilitants, p. pr.] (Med.)
Diminishing the energy of organs; reducing excitement; as, a
debilitant drug.
Debilitate \De*bil"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debilitated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Debilitating}.] [L. debilitatus, p. p. of
debilitare to debilitate, fr. debilis. See {Debility}.]
To impair the strength of; to weaken; to enfeeble; as, to
debilitate the body by intemperance.
Various ails debilitate the mind. --Jenyns.
The debilitated frame of Mr. Bertram was exhausted by
this last effort. --Sir W.
Scott.
Debilitation \De*bil`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. debilitatio: cf. F.
d['e]bilitation.]
The act or process of debilitating, or the condition of one
who is debilitated; weakness.
Debility \De*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. debilitas, fr. debilis weak,
prob. fr. de- + habilis able: cf. F. d['e]bilit['e]. See
{Able}, a.]
The state of being weak; weakness; feebleness; languor.
The inconveniences of too strong a perspiration, which
are debility, faintness, and sometimes sudden death.
--Arbuthnot.
Syn: {Debility}, {Infirmity}, {Imbecility}.
Usage: An infirmity belongs, for the most part, to particular
members, and is often temporary, as of the eyes, etc.
Debility is more general, and while it lasts impairs
the ordinary functions of nature. Imbecility attaches
to the whole frame, and renders it more or less
powerless. Debility may be constitutional or may be
the result or superinduced causes; Imbecility is
always constitutional; infirmity is accidental, and
results from sickness or a decay of the frame. These
words, in their figurative uses, have the same
distinctions; we speak of infirmity of will, debility
of body, and an Imbecility which affects the whole
man; but Imbecility is often used with specific
reference to feebleness of mind.
Debit \Deb"it\, n. [L. debitum what is due, debt, from debere to
owe: cf. F. d['e]bit. See {Debt}.]
A debt; an entry on the debtor (Dr.) side of an account; --
mostly used adjectively; as, the debit side of an account.
Debit \Deb"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Debited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Debiting}.]
1. To charge with debt; -- the opposite of, and correlative
to, credit; as, to debit a purchaser for the goods sold.
2. (Bookkeeping) To enter on the debtor (Dr.) side of an
account; as, to debit the amount of goods sold.
Debitor \Deb"it*or\, n. [L. See {Debtor}.]
A debtor. [Obs.] --Shak.
Debituminization \De`bi*tu`mi*ni*za"tion\, n.
The act of depriving of bitumen.
Debituminize \De`bi*tu"mi*nize\, v. t.
To deprive of bitumen.
D'eblai \D['e]`blai"\, n. [F.] (Fort.)
The cavity from which the earth for parapets, etc. (remblai),
is taken.
Debonair \Deb`o*nair"\, a. [OE. debonere, OF. de bon aire,
debonaire, of good descent or lineage, excellent, debonair,
F. d['e]bonnaire debonair; de of (L. de) + bon good (L.
bonus) + aire. See {Air}, and {Bounty}, and cf. {Bonair}.]
Characterized by courteousness, affability, or gentleness; of
good appearance and manners; graceful; complaisant.
Was never prince so meek and debonair. --Spenser.
Debonairity \Deb`o*nair"i*ty\, n. [OF. debonairet['e], F.
d['e]bonnairet['e].]
Debonairness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Debonairly \Deb`o*nair"ly\, adv.
Courteously; elegantly.
Debonairness \Deb`o*nair"ness\, n.
The quality of being debonair; good humor; gentleness;
courtesy. --Sterne.
Debosh \De*bosh"\, v. t. [Old form of debauch.]
To debauch. [Obs.] ``A deboshed lady.'' --Beau. & Fl.
Deboshment \De*bosh"ment\, n.
Debauchment. [Obs.]
Debouch \De*bouch"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Debouched}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Debouching}.] [F. d['e]boucher; pref. d['e]- (L. dis-
or de) + boucher to stop up, fr. bouche mouth, fr. L. bucca
the cheek. Cf. {Disembogue}.]
To march out from a wood, defile, or other confined spot,
into open ground; to issue.
Battalions debouching on the plain. --Prescott.
D'ebouch'e \D['e]`bou`ch['e]"\, n. [F.]
A place for exit; an outlet; hence, a market for goods.
The d['e]bouch['e]s were ordered widened to afford easy
egress. --The Century.
D'ebouchure \D['e]`bou`chure"\, n. [F.]
The outward opening of a river, of a valley, or of a strait.
D'ebris \D['e]`bris"\, n. [F., fr. pref. d['e]- (L. dis) +
briser to break, shatter; perh. of Celtic origin.]
1. (Geol.) Broken and detached fragments, taken collectively;
especially, fragments detached from a rock or mountain,
and piled up at the base.
2. Rubbish, especially such as results from the destruction
of anything; remains; ruins.
Debruised \De*bruised"\, a. [Cf. OF. debruisier to shatter,
break. Cf. {Bruise}.] (Her.)
Surmounted by an ordinary; as, a lion is debruised when a
bend or other ordinary is placed over it, as in the cut.
The lion of England and the lilies of France without
the baton sinister, under which, according to the laws
of heraldry, they where debruised in token of his
illegitimate birth. --Macaulay.
Debt \Debt\, n. [OE. dette, F. dette, LL. debita, fr. L. debitus
owed, p. p. of debere to owe, prop., to have on loan; de- +
habere to have. See {Habit}, and cf. {Debit}, {Due}.]
1. That which is due from one person to another, whether
money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound
to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing
owed; obligation; liability.
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt.
--Shak.
When you run in debt, you give to another power over
your liberty. --Franklin.
2. A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a trespass.
``Forgive us our debts.'' --Matt. vi. 12.
3. (Law) An action at law to recover a certain specified sum
of money alleged to be due. --Burrill.
{Bond debt}, {Book debt}, etc. See under {Bond}, {Book}, etc.
{Debt of nature}, death.
Debted \Debt"ed\, p. a.
Indebted; obliged to. [R.]
I stand debted to this gentleman. --Shak.
Debtee \Debt*ee"\, n. (Law)
One to whom a debt is due; creditor; -- correlative to
debtor. --Blackstone.
Debtless \Debt"less\, a.
Free from debt. --Chaucer.
Debtor \Debt"or\, n. [OE. dettur, dettour, OF. detor, detur,
detour, F. d['e]biteur, fr. L. debitor, fr. debere to owe.
See {Debt}.]
One who owes a debt; one who is indebted; -- correlative to
creditor.
[I 'll] bring your latter hazard back again, And
thankfully rest debtor for the first. --Shak.
In Athens an insolvent debtor became slave to his
creditor. --Mitford.
Debtors for our lives to you. --Tennyson.
Debulliate \De*bul"li*ate\, v. i. [Pref. d['e]- + L. bullire to
boil.]
To boil over. [Obs.]
Debulition \Deb`u*li"tion\, n. [See {Debulliate}.]
A bubbling or boiling over. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Deburse \De*burse"\, v. t. & i. [Pref. de + L. bursa purse.]
To disburse. [Obs.] --Ludlow.
Debuscope \De"bu*scope\, n. [From the inventor, Debus, a French
optician + -scope.] (Opt.)
A modification of the kaleidoscope; -- used to reflect images
so as to form beautiful designs.
D'ebut \D['e]`but"\, n. [F. d['e]but, prop., the first cast or
throw at play, fr. but aim, mark. See {Butt} an end.]
A beginning or first attempt; hence, a first appearance
before the public, as of an actor or public speaker.
D'ebutant \D['e]`bu`tant"\, n.; fem. D'ebutante
\D['e]`bu`tante"\ [F., p. pr. of d['e]buter to have the first
throw, to make one's d['e]but. See {D['e]but}.]
A person who makes his (or her) first appearance before the
public.
Deca- \Dec"a-\ [Cf. {Ten}.]
A prefix, from Gr. de`ka, signifying ten; specifically
(Metric System), a prefix signifying the weight or measure
that is ten times the principal unit.
Decacerata \De*cac`e*ra"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. de`ka ten +
ke`ras a horn.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Cephalopoda which includes the squids,
cuttlefishes, and others having ten arms or tentacles; --
called also {Decapoda}. [Written also {Decacera}.] See
{Dibranchiata}.
Decachord \Dec"a*chord\, Decachordon \Dec`a*chor"don\, n. [Gr.
deka`chordos tenstringed; de`ka ten + chordj` a string.]
1. An ancient Greek musical instrument of ten strings,
resembling the harp.
2. Something consisting of ten parts. --W. Watson.
Decucuminated \Dec`u*cu"mi*na`ted\, a. [L. decacuminare to cut
off the top. See {Cacuminate}.]
Having the point or top cut off. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Decad \Dec"ad\, n.
A decade.
Averill was a decad and a half his elder. --Tennyson.
Decadal \Dec"a*dal\, a.
Pertaining to ten; consisting of tens.
Decade \Dec"ade\, n. [F. d['e]cade, L. decas, -adis, fr. Gr. ?,
fr. de`ka ten. See {Ten}.]
A group or division of ten; esp., a period of ten years; a
decennium; as, a decade of years or days; a decade of
soldiers; the second decade of Livy. [Written also {decad}.]
During this notable decade of years. --Gladstone.
Decadence \De*ca"dence\, Decadency \De*ca"den*cy\, n. [LL.
decadentia; L. de- + cadere to fall: cf. F. d['e]cadence. See
{Decay}.]
A falling away; decay; deterioration; declension. ``The old
castle, where the family lived in their decadence.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
Decadent \De*ca"dent\, a.
Decaying; deteriorating.
Decadist \Dec"a*dist\, n.
A writer of a book divided into decades; as, Livy was a
decadist. [R.]
Decagon \Dec"a*gon\, n. [Pref. deca- + Gr. ? a corner or angle:
cf. F. d['e]cagone.] (Geom.)
A plane figure having ten sides and ten angles; any figure
having ten angles. A regular decagon is one that has all its
sides and angles equal.
Decagonal \De*cag"o*nal\, a.
Pertaining to a decagon; having ten sides.
Decagram \Dec"a*gram\, Decagramme \Dec"a*gramme\, n. [F.
d['e]cagramme; Gr. de`ka ten + F. gramme. See {Gram}.]
A weight of the metric system; ten grams, equal to about
154.32 grains avoirdupois.
Decagynia \Dec`a*gyn"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. de`ka ten + ? a
woman, a female.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants characterized by having ten
styles.
Decagynian \Dec`a*gyn"i*an\, Deccagynous \Dec*cag"y*nous\, a.
[Cf. F. d['e]cagyne.] (Bot.)
Belonging to the Decagynia; having ten styles.
Decahedral \Dec`a*he"dral\, a.
Having ten sides.
Decahedron \Dec`a*he"dron\, n.; pl. E. {Decahedrons}, L.
{Decahedra}. [Pref. deca- + Gr. 'e`dra a seat, a base, fr.
'e`zesthai to sit: cf. F. d['e]ca[`e]dre.] (Geom.)
A solid figure or body inclosed by ten plane surfaces.
[Written also, less correctly, {decaedron}.]
Decalcification \De*cal`ci*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The removal of calcareous matter.
Decalcify \De*cal"ci*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decalcified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decalcifying}.]
To deprive of calcareous matter; thus, to decalcify bones is
to remove the stony part, and leave only the gelatin.
Decalcomania \De*cal`co*ma"ni*a\, Decalcomanie
\De*cal`co*ma"nie\, n. [F. d['e]calcomanie.]
The art or process of transferring pictures and designs to
china, glass, marble, etc., and permanently fixing them
thereto.
Decaliter \Dec"a*li`ter\, Decalitre \Dec"a*li`tre\, n. [F.
d['e]calitre; Gr. de`ka ten + F. litre. See {Liter}.]
A measure of capacity in the metric system; a cubic volume of
ten liters, equal to about 610.24 cubic inches, that is,
2.642 wine gallons.
Decalog \Dec"a*log\ (?; 115), n.
Decalogue.
Decalogist \De*cal"o*gist\, n.
One who explains the decalogue. --J. Gregory.
Decalogue \Dec"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [F. d['e]calogue, L.
decalogus, fr. Gr. ?; de`ka ten + ? speech, ? to speak, to
say. See {Ten}.]
The Ten Commandments or precepts given by God to Moses on
Mount Sinai, and originally written on two tables of stone.
Decameron \De*cam"e*ron\, n. [It. decamerone, fr. Gr. de`ka ten
+ ? part; though quite generally supposed to be derived from
? day: cf. F. d['e]cam['e]ron.]
A celebrated collection of tales, supposed to be related in
ten days; -- written in the 14th century, by Boccaccio, an
Italian.
Decameter \Dec"a*me`ter\, Decametre \Dec"a*me`tre\, n. [F.
d['e]cam[`e]tre; Gr. de`ka ten + m[`e]tre. See {Meter}.]
A measure of length in the metric system; ten meters, equal
to about 393.7 inches.
Decamp \De*camp"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decamped} (?; 215); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decamping}.] [F. d['e]camper; pref. d['e]- (L.
dis) + camp camp. See {Camp}.]
1. To break up a camp; to move away from a camping ground,
usually by night or secretly. --Macaulay.
2. Hence, to depart suddenly; to run away; -- generally used
disparagingly.
The fathers were ordered to decamp, and the house
was once again converted into a tavern. --Goldsmith.
Decampment \De*camp"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]campement.]
Departure from a camp; a marching off.
Decanal \Dec"a*nal\ (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. d['e]canal. See
{Dean}.]
Pertaining to a dean or deanery.
His rectorial as well as decanal residence. --Churton.
{Decanal side}, the side of the choir on which the dean's
tall is placed.
{Decanal stall}, the stall allotted to the dean in the choir,
on the right or south side of the chancel. --Shipley.
Decandria \De*can"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. de`ka ten + ?, ?,
a man.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants characterized by having ten
stamens.
Decandrian \De*can"dri*an\, Decandrous \De*can"drous\, a. [Cf.
F. d['e]candre.] (Bot.)
Belonging to the Decandria; having ten stamens.
Decane \Dec"ane\, n. [See {Deca-}.] (Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon, {C10H22}, of the paraffin series,
including several isomeric modifications.
Decangular \Dec*an"gu*lar\, a. [Pref. deca- + angular.]
Having ten angles.
Decani \De*ca"ni\, a. [L., lit., of the dean.]
Used of the side of the choir on which the dean's stall is
placed; decanal; -- correlative to cantoris; as, the decanal,
or decani, side.
Decant \De*cant"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decanted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Decanting}.] [F. d['e]canter (cf. It. decantare), prop.,
to pour off from the edge of a vessel; pref. d['e]- (L. de) +
OF. cant (It. canto) edge, border, end. See {Cant} an edge.]
To pour off gently, as liquor, so as not to disturb the
sediment; or to pour from one vessel into another; as, to
decant wine.
Decantate \De*can"tate\, v. t.
To decant. [Obs.]
Decantation \De`can*ta"tion\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F.
d['e]cantation.]
The act of pouring off a clear liquor gently from its lees or
sediment, or from one vessel into another.
Decanter \De*cant"er\, n.
1. A vessel used to decant liquors, or for receiving decanted
liquors; a kind of glass bottle used for holding wine or
other liquors, from which drinking glasses are filled.
2. One who decants liquors.
Decaphyllous \De*caph"yl*lous\, a. [Pref. deca- + Gr. ? leaf:
cf. F. d['e]caphylle.] (Bot.)
Having ten leaves.
Decapitate \De*cap"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decapitated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Decapitating}.] [LL. decapitatus, p. p. of
decapitare; L. de- + caput head. See {Chief}.]
1. To cut off the head of; to behead.
2. To remove summarily from office. [Colloq. U. S.]
Decapitation \De*cap`i*ta"tion\, n. [LL. decapitatio: cf. F.
d['e]capitation.]
The act of beheading; beheading.
Decapod \Dec"a*pod\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]capode.] (Zo["o]l.)
A crustacean with ten feet or legs, as a crab; one of the
Decapoda. Also used adjectively.
Decapoda \De*cap"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ten + ?, ?,
foot.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The order of Crustacea which includes the
shrimps, lobsters, crabs, etc.
Note: They have a carapace, covering and uniting the somites
of the head and thorax and inclosing a gill chamber on
each side, and usually have five (rarely six) pairs of
legs. They are divided into two principal groups:
Brachyura and Macrura. Some writers recognize a third
(Anomura) intermediate between the others.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A division of the dibranchiate cephalopods
including the cuttlefishes and squids. See {Decacera}.
Deccapodal \Dec*cap"o*dal\, Deccapodous \Dec*cap"o*dous\, a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the decapods; having ten feet; ten-footed.
Decarbonate \De*car"bon*ate\, v. t.
To deprive of carbonic acid.
Decarbonization \De*car`bon*i*za"tion\, n.
The action or process of depriving a substance of carbon.
Decarbonize \De*car"bon*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Decarbonized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decarbonizing}.]
To deprive of carbon; as, to decarbonize steel; to
decarbonize the blood.
{Decarbonized iron}. See {Malleable iron}.
{Decarbonized steel}, homogenous wrought iron made by a steel
process, as that of Bessemer; ingot iron.
Decarbonizer \De*car"bon*i`zer\, n.
He who, or that which, decarbonizes a substance.
Decarburization \De*car`bu*ri*za"tion\, n.
The act, process, or result of decarburizing.
Decarburize \De*car"bu*rize\, v. t.
To deprive of carbon; to remove the carbon from.
Decard \De*card"\, v. t.
To discard. [Obs.]
You have cast those by, decarded them. --J. Fletcher.
Decardinalize \De*car"di*nal*ize\, v. t.
To depose from the rank of cardinal.
Decastere \Dec"a*stere\, n. [L. d['e]cast[`e]re; Gr. de`ka ten +
F. st[`e]re a stere.] (Metric System)
A measure of capacity, equal to ten steres, or ten cubic
meters.
Decastich \Dec"a*stich\, n. [Pref. deca- + Gr. sti`chos a row, a
line of writing, a verse.]
A poem consisting of ten lines.
Decastyle \Dec"a*style\, a. [Gr. ?; de`ka ten + sty`los a
column.] (Arch.)
Having ten columns in front; -- said of a portico, temple,
etc. -- n. A portico having ten pillars or columns in front.
Decasyllabic \Dec`a*syl*lab"ic\, a. [Pref. deca- + syllabic: cf.
F. d['e]casyllabique, d['e]casyllable.]
Having, or consisting of, ten syllables.
Decatoic \Dec`a*to"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, decane.
Decay \De*cay"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Decaying}.] [OF. decaeir, dechaer, decheoir, F. d['e]choir,
to decline, fall, become less; L. de- + cadere to fall. See
{Chance}.]
To pass gradually from a sound, prosperous, or perfect state,
to one of imperfection, adversity, or dissolution; to waste
away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt, or
disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes
decay; hopes decay.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where
wealth accumulates and men decay. --Goldsmith.
Decay \De*cay"\, v. t.
1. To cause to decay; to impair. [R.]
Infirmity, that decays the wise. --Shak.
2. To destroy. [Obs.] --Shak.
Decay \De*cay"\, n.
1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness,
prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection;
tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption;
rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of the
body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the Roman empire;
a castle in decay.
Perhaps my God, though he be far before, May turn,
and take me by the hand, and more - May strengthen
my decays. --Herbert.
His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to
intellectual decay. --Macaulay.
Which has caused the decay of the consonants to
follow somewhat different laws. --James Byrne.
2. Destruction; death. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. Cause of decay. [R.]
He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers,
is the decay of the whole age. --Bacon.
Syn: Decline; consumption. See {Decline}.
Decayed \De*cayed"\, a.
Fallen, as to physical or social condition; affected with
decay; rotten; as, decayed vegetation or vegetables; a
decayed fortune or gentleman. -- {De*cay"ed*ness}, n.
Decayer \De*cay"er\, n.
A causer of decay. [R.]
Decease \De*cease"\, n. [OE. deses, deces, F. d['e]c[`e]s, fr.
L. decessus departure, death, fr. decedere to depart, die;
de- + cedere to withdraw. See {Cease}, {Cede}.]
Departure, especially departure from this life; death.
His decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
--Luke ix. 31.
And I, the whilst you mourn for his decease, Will with
my mourning plaints your plaint increase. --Spenser.
Syn: Death; departure; dissolution; demise; release. See
{Death}.
Decease \De*cease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Deceased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deceasing}.]
To depart from this life; to die; to pass away.
She's dead, deceased, she's dead. --Shak.
When our summers have deceased. --Tennyson.
Inasmuch as he carries the malignity and the lie with
him, he so far deceases from nature. --Emerson.
Deceased \De*ceased"\, a.
Passed away; dead; gone.
{The deceased}, the dead person.
Decede \De*cede"\, v. i. [L. decedere. See {Decease}, n.]
To withdraw. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Decedent \De*ce"dent\, a. [L. decedens, p. pr. of decedere.]
Removing; departing. --Ash.
Decedent \De*ce"dent\, n.
A deceased person. --Bouvier.
Deceit \De*ceit"\, n. [OF. deceit, des[,c]ait, decept (cf.
deceite, de[,c]oite), fr. L. deceptus deception, fr.
decipere. See {Deceive}.]
1. An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error;
any declaration, artifice, or practice, which misleads
another, or causes him to believe what is false; a
contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.
Making the ephah small and the shekel great, and
falsifying the balances by deceit. --Amos viii.
5.
Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile. --Milton.
Yet still we hug the dear deceit. --N. Cotton.
2. (Law) Any trick, collusion, contrivance, false
representation, or underhand practice, used to defraud
another. When injury is thereby effected, an action of
deceit, as it called, lies for compensation.
Syn: Deception; fraud; imposition; duplicity; trickery;
guile; falsifying; double-dealing; stratagem. See
{Deception}.
Deceitful \De*ceit"ful\, a.
Full of, or characterized by, deceit; serving to mislead or
insnare; trickish; fraudulent; cheating; insincere.
Harboring foul deceitful thoughts. --Shak.
Deceitfully \De*ceit"ful*ly\, adv.
With intent to deceive.
Deceitfulness \De*ceit"ful*ness\, n.
1. The disposition to deceive; as, a man's deceitfulness may
be habitual.
2. The quality of being deceitful; as, the deceitfulness of a
man's practices.
3. Tendency to mislead or deceive. ``The deceitfulness of
riches.'' --Matt. xiii. 22.
Deceitless \De*ceit"less\, a.
Free from deceit. --Bp. Hall.
Deceivable \De*ceiv"a*ble\, a. [F. d['e]cevable.]
1. Fitted to deceive; deceitful. [Obs.]
The fraud of deceivable traditions. --Milton.
2. Subject to deceit; capable of being misled.
Blind, and thereby deceivable. --Milton.
Deceivableness \De*ceiv"a*ble*ness\, n.
1. Capability of deceiving.
With all deceivableness of unrighteousness. --2
Thess. ii. 10.
2. Liability to be deceived or misled; as, the deceivableness
of a child.
Deceivably \De*ceiv"a*bly\, adv.
In a deceivable manner.
Deceive \De*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deceived}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deceiving}.] [OE. deceveir, F. d['e]cevoir, fr. L.
decipere to catch, insnare, deceive; de- + capere to take,
catch. See {Capable}, and cf. {Deceit}, {Deception}.]
1. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is false, or
disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to
cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare.
Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived. --2 Tim. iii.
13.
Nimble jugglers that deceive the eye. --Shak.
What can 'scape the eye Of God all-seeing, or
deceive his heart? --Milton.
2. To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the attention; to
while away; to take away as if by deception.
These occupations oftentimes deceived The listless
hour. --Wordsworth.
3. To deprive by fraud or stealth; to defraud. [Obs.]
Plant fruit trees in large borders, and set therein
fine flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they
deceive the trees. --Bacon.
Syn: {Deceive}, {Delude}, {Mislead}.
Usage: Deceive is a general word applicable to any kind of
misrepresentation affecting faith or life. To delude,
primarily, is to make sport of, by deceiving, and is
accomplished by playing upon one's imagination or
credulity, as by exciting false hopes, causing him to
undertake or expect what is impracticable, and making
his failure ridiculous. It implies some infirmity of
judgment in the victim, and intention to deceive in
the deluder. But it is often used reflexively,
indicating that a person's own weakness has made him
the sport of others or of fortune; as, he deluded
himself with a belief that luck would always favor
him. To mislead is to lead, guide, or direct in a
wrong way, either willfully or ignorantly.
Deceiver \De*ceiv"er\, n.
One who deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat; an
impostor.
The deceived and the deceiver are his. --Job xii. 16.
Syn: {Deceiver}, {Impostor}.
Usage: A deceiver operates by stealth and in private upon
individuals; an impostor practices his arts on the
community at large. The one succeeds by artful
falsehoods, the other by bold assumption. The
faithless friend and the fickle lover are deceivers;
the false prophet and the pretended prince are
impostors.
December \De*cem"ber\, n. [F. d['e]cembre, from L. December, fr.
decem ten; this being the tenth month among the early Romans,
who began the year in March. See {Ten}.]
1. The twelfth and last month of the year, containing
thirty-one days. During this month occurs the winter
solstice.
2. Fig.: With reference to the end of the year and to the
winter season; as, the December of his life.
Decemdentate \De`cem*den"tate\, a. [L. decem ten + E. dentate.]
Having ten points or teeth.
Decemfid \De*cem"fid\, a. [L. decem ten + root of findere to
cleave.] (Bot.)
Cleft into ten parts.
Decemlocular \De`cem*loc"u*lar\, a. [L. decem ten + E. locular.]
(Bot.)
Having ten cells for seeds.
Decempedal \De*cem"pe*dal\, a. [L. decem ten + E. pedal.]
1. Ten feet in length.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having ten feet; decapodal. [R.] --Bailey.
Decemvir \De*cem"vir\, n.; pl. E. {Decemvirs}, L. {Decemviri}.
[L., fr. decem ten + vir a man.]
1. One of a body of ten magistrates in ancient Rome.
Note: The title of decemvirs was given to various bodies of
Roman magistrates. The most celebrated decemvirs framed
``the laws of the Twelve Tables,'' about 450 B. C., and
had absolute authority for three years.
2. A member of any body of ten men in authority.
Decemviral \De*cem"vi*ral\, a. [L. decemviralis.]
Pertaining to the decemvirs in Rome.
Decemvirate \De*cem"vi*rate\, n. [L. decemviratus.]
1. The office or term of office of the decemvirs in Rome.
2. A body of ten men in authority.
Decemvirship \De*cem"vir*ship\, n.
The office of a decemvir. --Holland.
Decence \De"cence\, n.
Decency. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Decency \De"cen*cy\, n.; pl. {Decencies}. [L. decentia, fr.
decens: cf. F. d['e]cence. See {Decent}.]
1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or
becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in
social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper
formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom
from obscenity or indecorum; modesty.
Observances of time, place, and of decency in
general. --Burke.
Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of
decency is want of sense. --Roscommon.
2. That which is proper or becoming.
The external decencies of worship. --Atterbury.
Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all
her words and actions. --Milton.
Decene \De"cene\, n. [L. decem ten.] (Chem.)
One of the higher hydrocarbons, {C10H20}, of the ethylene
series.
Decennary \De*cen"na*ry\, n.; pl. {Decennaries}. [L. decennium a
period of ten years; decem ten + annus a year.]
1. A period of ten years.
2. (O. Eng. Law) A tithing consisting of ten neighboring
families. --Burrill.
Decennial \De*cen"ni*al\, a. [See {Decennary}.]
Consisting of ten years; happening every ten years; as, a
decennial period; decennial games. --Hallam.
Decennial \De*cen"ni*al\, n.
A tenth year or tenth anniversary.
Decennium \De*cen"ni*um\, n.; pl. {Decenniums}, L. {Decennia}.
[L.]
A period of ten years. ``The present decennium.'' --Hallam.
``The last decennium of Chaucer's life.'' --A. W. Ward.
Decennoval \De*cen"no*val\, Decennovary \De*cen"no*va*ry\, a.
[L. decem ten + novem nine.]
Pertaining to the number nineteen; of nineteen years. [R.]
--Holder.
Decent \De"cent\, a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to
be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament,
Gr. ? to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. d?c to grant, to
give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. d['e]cent.
Cf. {Decorate}, {Decorum}, {Deig?}.]
1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming;
fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent
language. --Shak.
Before his decent steps. --Milton.
2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]
A sable stole of cyprus lawn Over thy decent
shoulders drawn. --Milton.
By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. --Pope.
4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable;
fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a
decent fortune; a decent person.
A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.
--Burke.
-- {De"cent*ly}, adv. -- {De"cent*ness}, n.
Decentralization \De*cen`tral*i*za"tion\, n.
The action of decentralizing, or the state of being
decentralized. ``The decentralization of France.'' --J. P.
Peters.
Decentralize \De*cen"tral*ize\, v. t.
To prevent from centralizing; to cause to withdraw from the
center or place of concentration; to divide and distribute
(what has been united or concentrated); -- esp. said of
authority, or the administration of public affairs.
Deceptible \De*cep"ti*ble\, a.
Capable of being deceived; deceivable. --Sir T. Browne. --
{De*cep`ti*bil"i*ty}, n.
Deception \De*cep"tion\, n. [F. d['e]ception, L. deceptio, fr.
decipere, deceptum. See {Deceive}.]
1. The act of deceiving or misleading. --South.
2. The state of being deceived or misled.
There is one thing relating either to the action or
enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to
deception. --South.
3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false
representation; artifice; cheat; fraud.
There was of course room for vast deception.
--Motley.
Syn: {Deception}, {Deceit}, {Fraud}, {Imposition}.
Usage: Deception usually refers to the act, and deceit to the
habit of the mind; hence we speak of a person as
skilled in deception and addicted to deceit. The
practice of deceit springs altogether from design, and
that of the worst kind; but a deception does not
always imply aim and intention. It may be undesigned
or accidental. An imposition is an act of deception
practiced upon some one to his annoyance or injury; a
fraud implies the use of stratagem, with a view to
some unlawful gain or advantage.
Deceptious \De*cep"tious\, a. [LL. deceptiosus.]
Tending deceive; delusive. [R.]
As if those organs had deceptious functions. --Shak.
Deceptive \De*cep"tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]ceptif. See {Deceive}.]
Tending to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with
false opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or appearance.
Language altogether deceptive, and hiding the deeper
reality from our eyes. --Trench.
{Deceptive cadence} (Mus.), a cadence on the subdominant, or
in some foreign key, postponing the final close.
Deceptively \De*cep"tive*ly\, adv.
In a manner to deceive.
Deceptiveness \De*cep"tive*ness\, n.
The power or habit of deceiving; tendency or aptness to
deceive.
Deceptivity \De`cep*tiv"i*ty\, n.
Deceptiveness; a deception; a sham. [R.] --Carlyle.
Deceptory \De*cep"to*ry\, a. [L. deceptorius, from decipere.]
Deceptive. [R.]
Decern \De*cern"\, v. t. [L. decernere. See {Decree}.]
1. To perceive, discern, or decide. [Obs.] --Granmer.
2. (Scots Law) To decree; to adjudge.
Decerniture \De*cern"i*ture\ (?; 135), n. (Scots Law)
A decree or sentence of a court. --Stormonth.
Decerp \De*cerp"\, v. t. [L. decerpere; de- + carpere to pluck.]
To pluck off; to crop; to gather. [Obs.]
Decerpt \De*cerpt"\, a. [L. decerptus, p. p. of decerpere.]
Plucked off or away. [Obs.]
Decerptible \De*cerp"ti*ble\, a.
That may be plucked off, cropped, or torn away. [Obs.]
--Bailey.
Decerption \De*cerp"tion\, n.
1. The act of plucking off; a cropping.
2. That which is plucked off or rent away; a fragment; a
piece. --Glanvill.
Decertation \De`cer*ta"tion\, n. [L. decertatio, fr. decertare,
decertatum; de- + certare to contend.]
Contest for mastery; contention; strife. [R.] --Arnway.
Decession \De*ces"sion\, n. [L. decessio, fr. decedere to
depart. See {Decease}, n.]
Departure; decrease; -- opposed to accesion. [Obs.] --Jer.
Taylor.
Decharm \De*charm"\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]charmer. See {Charm}.]
To free from a charm; to disenchant.
Dechristianize \De*chris"tian*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Dechristianized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dechristianizing}.]
To turn from, or divest of, Christianity.
Decidable \De*cid"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being decided; determinable.
Decide \De*cide"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decided}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deciding}.] [L. dec[=i]dere; de- + caedere to cut, cut
off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. d['e]cider. Cf.
{Decision}.]
1. To cut off; to separate. [Obs.]
Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near,
decides us from the rest. --Fuller.
2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy,
struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to
render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.
So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
--1 Kings xx.
40.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt
ourselves let us decide it then. --Shak.
Decide \De*cide"\, v. i.
To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a
conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor
of the defendant.
Who shall decide, when doctors disagree? --Pope.
Decided \De*cid"ed\, a.
1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable;
unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage.
``A more decided taste for science.'' --Prescott.
2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose;
fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion
or purpose.
Syn: {Decided}, {Decisive}.
Usage: We call a thing decisive when it has the power or
quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak
of it as decided when it is so fully settled as to
leave no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a
decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is one
about which there is no question; a decisive victory
is one which ends the contest. Decisive is applied
only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a decisive
decree, a decisive judgment. Decided is applied
equally to persons and things. Thus we speak of a man
as decided in his whole of conduct; and as having a
decided disgust, or a decided reluctance, to certain
measures. ``A politic caution, a guarded
circumspection, were among the ruling principles of
our forefathers in their most decided conduct.''
--Burke. ``The sentences of superior judges are final,
decisive, and irrevocable. --Blackstone.
Decidedly \De*cid"ed*ly\, adv.
In a decided manner; indisputably; clearly; thoroughly.
Decidement \De*cide"ment\, n.
Means of forming a decision. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Decidence \Dec"i*dence\, n. [L. decidens falling off.]
A falling off. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Decider \De*cid"er\, n.
One who decides.
Decidua \De*cid"u*a\ (?; 135), n. [NL., fr. L. deciduus. See
{Deciduous}.] (Anat.)
The inner layer of the wall of the uterus, which envelops the
embryo, forms a part of the placenta, and is discharged with
it.
Deciduata \De*cid`u*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Mammalia in which a decidua is thrown off with, or
after, the fetus, as in the human species.
Deciduate \De*cid"u*ate\ (?; 135), a. (Anat.)
Possessed of, or characterized by, a decidua.
Deciduity \Dec`i*du"i*ty\, n.
Deciduousness. [R.]
Deciduous \De*cid"u*ous\ (?; 135), a. [L. deciduus, fr. dec?dere
to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See {Chance}.] (Biol.)
Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain
season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves
(except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals,
such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or
parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous
trees; the deciduous membrane.
Deciduousness \De*cid"u*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being deciduous.
Decigram \Dec"i*gram\, Decigramme \Dec"i*gramme\, n. [F.
d['e]cigramme; pref. d['e]ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) +
gramme.]
A weight in the metric system; one tenth of a gram, equal to
1.5432 grains avoirdupois.
Decil \Dec"il\, Decile \Dec"ile\, n. [F. d['e]cil, fr. L. decem
ten? cf. It. decile.] (Astrol.)
An aspect or position of two planets, when they are distant
from each other a tenth part of the zodiac, or 36[deg].
Deciliter \Dec"i*li`ter\, Decilitre \Dec"i*li`tre\, n. [F.
d['e]cilitre; pref. d['e]ci- tenth (L. decimus) + litre. See
{Liter}.]
A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one
tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid
ounces.
Decillion \De*cil"lion\, n. [L. decem ten + the ending of
million.]
According to the English notation, a million involved to the
tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according
to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to
the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers
annexed. [See the Note under {Numeration}.]
Decillionth \De*cil"lionth\, a.
Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity
divided by a decillion.
Decillionth \De*cil"lionth\, n.
(a) The quotient of unity divided by a decillion.
(b) One of a decillion equal parts.
Decimal \Dec"i*mal\, a. [F. d['e]cimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr.
L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See {Ten}, and cf. {Dime}.]
Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens;
having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten
times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal
coinage.
{Decimal arithmetic}, the common arithmetic, in which
numeration proceeds by tens.
{Decimal fraction}, a fraction in which the denominator is
some power of 10, as 2/10, 25/100, and is usually not
expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left
hand of the numerator, as .2, .25.
{Decimal point}, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal
fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent
units or whole numbers, as 1.05.
Decimal \Dec"i*mal\, n.
A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and
almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal
fraction.
{Circulating}, or {Circulatory}, {decimal}, a decimal
fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is
constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; -- called also
{recurring decimal}, {repeating decimal}, and {repetend}.
Decimalism \Dec"i*mal*ism\, n.
The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures,
etc.
Decimalize \Dec"i*mal*ize\, v. t.
To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the
currency. -- {Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion}, n.
Decimally \Dec"i*mal*ly\, adv.
By tens; by means of decimals.
Decimate \Dec"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decimated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decimating}.] [L. decimatus, p. p. of decimare to
decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See
{Decimal}.]
1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. --Johnson.
2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of;
as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny.
--Macaulay.
3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army
in battle; to decimate a people by disease.
Decimation \Dec`i*ma"tion\, n. [L. decimatio: cf. F.
d['e]cimation.]
1. A tithing. [Obs.] --State Trials (1630).
2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for
punishment. --Shak.
3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by
pestilence or war. --Milman.
Decimator \Dec"i*ma`tor\, n. [Cf. LL. decimator.]
One who decimates. --South.
D'ecime \D['e]`cime"\, n. [F.]
A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two
cents.
Decimeter \Dec"i*me`ter\, Decimetre \Dec"i*me`tre\, n. [F.
d['e]cim[`e]tre; pref. d['e]ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) +
m[`e]tre. See {Meter}.]
A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a
meter, equal to 3.937 inches.
Decimosexto \Dec`i*mo*sex"to\, n. [Prop., in sixteenth; fr. L.
decimus tenth + sextus sixth.]
A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into
sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a
size of book; -- usually written 16mo or 16[deg].
Decimosexto \Dec`i*mo*sex"to\, a.
Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form,
book, leaf, size.
Decine \De"cine\ (?; 104), n. [From L. decem ten.] (Chem.)
One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the acetylene
series; -- called also {decenylene}.
Decipher \De*ci"pher\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deciphered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Deciphering}.] [Pref. de- + cipher. Formed in
imitation of F. d['e]chiffrer. See {Cipher}.]
1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into
intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in
secret characters.
2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning
of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly
obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.
3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.]
You are both deciphered, . . . For villains. --Shak.
Decipherable \De*ci"pher*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not
decipherable.
Decipherer \De*ci"pher*er\, n.
One who deciphers.
Decipheress \De*ci"pher*ess\, n.
A woman who deciphers.
Decipherment \De*ci"pher*ment\, n.
The act of deciphering.
Decipiency \De*cip"i*en*cy\, n. [L. decipiens, p. pr. of
decipere. See {Deceive}.]
State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Decipium \De*cip"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. decipere to deceive.]
(Chem.)
A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium,
yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently
called samarium. Symbol Dp. See {Samarium}.
Decision \De*ci"sion\, n. [L. decisio, fr. dec[=i]dere, decisum:
cf. F. d['e]cision. See {Decide}.]
1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [Obs.] --Bp.
Pearson.
2. The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a
controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue;
determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement;
conclusion.
The decision of some dispute. --Atterbury.
3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a
legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question
or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the
Supreme Court.
4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed
determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great
decision.
Syn: {Decision}, {Determination}, {Resolution}.
Usage: Each of these words has two meanings, one implying the
act of deciding, determining, or resolving; and the
other a habit of mind as to doing. It is in the last
sense that the words are here compared. Decision is a
cutting short. It implies that several courses of
action have been presented to the mind, and that the
choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore, a
union of promptitude and energy. Determination is the
natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of
a thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is
the necessary result in a mind which is characterized
by firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves)
all doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in
carrying out one's determinations. Martin Luther was
equally distinguished for his prompt decision, his
steadfast determination, and his inflexible
resolution.
Decisive \De*ci*sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]cisif. See {Decision}.]
1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or
controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy;
final; conclusive. ``A decisive, irrevocable doom.''
--Bates. ``Decisive campaign.'' --Macaulay. ``Decisive
proof.'' --Hallam.
2. Marked by promptness and decision.
A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive
character. --J. Foster.
Syn: Decided; positive; conclusive. See {Decided}. --
{De*ci"sive*ly}, adv. -- {De*ci"sive*ness}, n.
Decisory \De*ci"so*ry\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]cisoire. See
{Decision}.]
Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide.
[R.]
Decistere \Dec"i*stere\, n. [F. d['e]cist[`e]re; pref. d['e]ci-
tenth (fr. L. decimus) + st[`e]re a stere.] (Metric System)
The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531
cubic feet. See {Stere}.
Decitizenize \De*cit"i*zen*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.]
We have no law -- as the French have -- to decitizenize
a citizen. --Edw. Bates.
Decivilize \De*civ"i*lize\, v. t.
To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [R.]
--Blackwood's Mag.
Deck \Deck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Decking}.] [D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch. See
{Thatch}.]
1. To cover; to overspread.
To deck with clouds the uncolored sky. --Milton.
2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe
with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to
embellish.
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency. --Job
xl. 10.
And deck my body in gay ornaments. --Shak.
The dew with spangles decked the ground. --Dryden.
3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel.
Deck \Deck\, n. [D. dek. See {Deck}, v.]
1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or
compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck;
larger ships have two or three decks.
Note: The following are the more common names of the decks of
vessels having more than one.
{Berth deck} (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where
the hammocks of the crew are swung.
{Boiler deck} (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers
are placed.
{Flush deck}, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to
stern.
{Gun deck} (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the
ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the
upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower
gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun
deck.
{Half-deck}, that portion of the deck next below the spar
deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin.
{Hurricane deck} (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck,
usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull.
{Orlop deck}, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are
stowed, usually below the water line.
{Poop deck}, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop
cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the
mizzenmast aft.
{Quarter-deck}, the part of the upper deck abaft the
mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one.
{Spar deck}.
(a) Same as the upper deck.
(b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck.
{Upper deck}, the highest deck of the hull, extending from
stem to stern.
2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb
roof when made nearly flat.
3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.
4. A pack or set of playing cards.
The king was slyly fingered from the deck. --Shak.
5. A heap or store. [Obs.]
Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck.
--Massinger.
{Between decks}. See under {Between}.
{Deck bridge} (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries
the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a
through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower
chords, between the girders.
{Deck curb} (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof
construction.
{Deck floor} (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as
of a belfry or balcony.
{Deck hand}, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but
not expected to go aloft.
{Deck molding} (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a
deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the
roof.
{Deck roof} (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not
surmounted by parapet walls.
{Deck transom} (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the
deck is framed.
{To clear the decks} (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary
incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for
action.
{To sweep the deck} (Card Playing), to clear off all the
stakes on the table by winning them.
Deckel \Deck"el\, n. (Paper Making)
Same as {Deckle}.
Decker \Deck"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a coverer; as, a
table decker.
2. A vessel which has a deck or decks; -- used esp. in
composition; as, a single-decker; a three-decker.
Deckle \Dec"kle\, n. [Cf. G. deckel cover, lid.] (Paper Making)
A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a
hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which
rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine
and determines the width of the paper. [Spelt also {deckel},
and {deckle}.]
Declaim \De*claim"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Declaimed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Declaiming}.] [L. declamare; de- + clamare to cry
out: cf. F. d['e]clamer. See {Claim}.]
1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration;
to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc.,
in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public
speaking; as, the students declaim twice a week.
2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously,
noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to
rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant.
Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the
repeal of the stamp act. --Bancroft.
Declaim \De*claim"\, v. t.
1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical or set
manner.
2. To defend by declamation; to advocate loudly. [Obs.]
``Declaims his cause.'' --South.
Declaimant \De*claim"ant\, n.
A declaimer. [R.]
Declaimer \De*claim"er\, n.
One who declaims; an haranguer.
Declamation \Dec`la*ma"tion\, n. [L. declamatio, from declamare:
cf. F. d['e]clamation. See {Declaim}.]
1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery;
haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the
public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools
and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students.
The public listened with little emotion, but with
much civility, to five acts of monotonous
declamation. --Macaulay.
2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.
3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than
sense; as, mere declamation.
Declamator \Dec"la*ma`tor\, n. [L.]
A declaimer. [R.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Declamatory \De*clam"a*to*ry\, a. [L. declamatorius: cf. F.
d['e]clamatoire.]
1. Pertaining to declamation; treated in the manner of a
rhetorician; as, a declamatory theme.
2. Characterized by rhetorical display; pretentiously
rhetorical; without solid sense or argument; bombastic;
noisy; as, a declamatory way or style.
Declarable \De*clar"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being declared. --Sir T. Browne.
Declarant \De*clar"ant\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]clarant, p. pr. of
d['e]clarer.] (Law)
One who declares. --Abbott.
Declaration \Dec`la*ra"tion\, n. [F. d['e]claration, fr. L.
declaratio, fr. declarare. See {Declare}.]
1. The act of declaring, or publicly announcing; explicit
asserting; undisguised token of a ground or side taken on
any subject; proclamation; exposition; as, the declaration
of an opinion; a declaration of war, etc.
2. That which is declared or proclaimed; announcement;
distinct statement; formal expression; avowal.
Declarations of mercy and love . . . in the Gospel.
--Tillotson.
3. The document or instrument containing such statement or
proclamation; as, the Declaration of Independence (now
preserved in Washington).
In 1776 the Americans laid before Europe that noble
Declaration, which ought to be hung up in the
nursery of every king, and blazoned on the porch of
every royal palace. --Buckle.
4. (Law) That part of the process in which the plaintiff sets
forth in order and at large his cause of complaint; the
narration of the plaintiff's case containing the count, or
counts. See {Count}, n., 3.
{Declaration of Independence}. (Amer. Hist.) See under
{Independence}.
{Declaration of rights}. (Eng. Hist) See {Bill of rights},
under {Bill}.
{Declaration of trust} (Law), a paper subscribed by a grantee
of property, acknowledging that he holds it in trust for
the purposes and upon the terms set forth. --Abbott.
Declarative \De*clar"a*tive\, a. [L. declarativus, fr.
declarare: cf. F. d['e]claratif.]
Making declaration, proclamation, or publication;
explanatory; assertive; declaratory. ``Declarative laws.''
--Baker.
The ``vox populi,'' so declarative on the same side.
--Swift.
Declaratively \De*clar"a*tive*ly\, adv.
By distinct assertion; not impliedly; in the form of a
declaration.
The priest shall expiate it, that is, declaratively.
--Bates.
Declarator \Dec"la*ra`tor\, n. [L., an announcer.] (Scots Law)
A form of action by which some right or interest is sought to
be judicially declared.
Declaratorily \De*clar"a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a declaratory manner.
Declaratory \De*clar"a*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]claratoire.]
Making declaration, explanation, or exhibition; making clear
or manifest; affirmative; expressive; as, a clause
declaratory of the will of the legislature.
{Declaratory act} (Law), an act or statute which sets forth
more clearly, and declares what is, the existing law.
Declare \De*clare"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Declared}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Declaring}.] [F. d['e]clarer, from L. declarare; de +
clarare to make clear, clarus, clear, bright. See {Clear}.]
1. To make clear; to free from obscurity. [Obs.] ``To declare
this a little.'' --Boyle.
2. To make known by language; to communicate or manifest
explicitly and plainly in any way; to exhibit; to publish;
to proclaim; to announce.
This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son.
--Milton.
The heavens declare the glory of God. --Ps. xix. 1.
3. To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; to set
forth; to avow; as, he declares the story to be false.
I the Lord . . . declare things that are right.
--Isa. xlv.
19.
4. (Com.) To make full statement of, as goods, etc., for the
purpose of paying taxes, duties, etc.
{To declare off}, to recede from an agreement, undertaking,
contract, etc.; to renounce.
{To declare one's self}, to avow one's opinion; to show
openly what one thinks, or which side he espouses.
Declare \De*clare"\, v. i.
1. To make a declaration, or an open and explicit avowal; to
proclaim one's self; -- often with for or against; as,
victory declares against the allies.
Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait, And
then come smiling, and declare for fate. --Dryden.
2. (Law) To state the plaintiff's cause of action at law in a
legal form; as, the plaintiff declares in trespass.
Declaredly \De*clar"ed*ly\, adv.
Avowedly; explicitly.
Declaredness \De*clar"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being declared.
Declarement \De*clare"ment\, n.
Declaration. [Obs.]
Declarer \De*clar"er\, n.
One who makes known or proclaims; that which exhibits.
--Udall.
Declension \De*clen"sion\, n. [Apparently corrupted fr. F.
d['e]clinaison, fr. L. declinatio, fr. declinare. See
{Decline}, and cf. {Declination}.]
1. The act or the state of declining; declination; descent;
slope.
The declension of the land from that place to the
sea. --T. Burnet.
2. A falling off towards a worse state; a downward tendency;
deterioration; decay; as, the declension of virtue, of
science, of a state, etc.
Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts To
base declension. --Shak.
3. Act of courteously refusing; act of declining; a
declinature; refusal; as, the declension of a nomination.
4. (Gram.)
(a) Inflection of nouns, adjectives, etc., according to
the grammatical cases.
(b) The form of the inflection of a word declined by
cases; as, the first or the second declension of
nouns, adjectives, etc.
(c) Rehearsing a word as declined.
Note: The nominative was held to be the primary and original
form, and was likened to a perpendicular line; the
variations, or oblique cases, were regarded as fallings
(hence called casus, cases, or fallings) from the
nominative or perpendicular; and an enumerating of the
various forms, being a sort of progressive descent from
the noun's upright form, was called a declension.
--Harris.
{Declension of the needle}, declination of the needle.
Declensional \De*clen"sion*al\, a.
Belonging to declension.
Declensional and syntactical forms. --M. Arnold.
Declinable \De*clin"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]clinable. See
{Decline}.]
Capable of being declined; admitting of declension or
inflection; as, declinable parts of speech.
Declinal \De*clin"al\, a.
Declining; sloping.
Declinate \Dec"li*nate\, a. [L. declinatus, p. p. of declinare.
See {Decline}.]
Bent downward or aside; (Bot.) bending downward in a curve;
declined.
Declination \Dec`li*na"tion\, n. [L. declinatio a bending aside,
an avoiding: cf. F. d['e]clination a decadence. See
{Declension}.]
1. The act or state of bending downward; inclination; as,
declination of the head.
2. The act or state of falling off or declining from
excellence or perfection; deterioration; decay; decline.
``The declination of monarchy.'' --Bacon.
Summer . . . is not looked on as a time Of
declination or decay. --Waller.
3. The act of deviating or turning aside; oblique motion;
obliquity; withdrawal.
The declination of atoms in their descent.
--Bentley.
Every declination and violation of the rules.
--South.
4. The act or state of declining or refusing; withdrawal;
refusal; averseness.
The queen's declination from marriage. --Stow.
5. (Astron.) The angular distance of any object from the
celestial equator, either northward or southward.
6. (Dialing) The arc of the horizon, contained between the
vertical plane and the prime vertical circle, if reckoned
from the east or west, or between the meridian and the
plane, reckoned from the north or south.
7. (Gram.) The act of inflecting a word; declension. See
{Decline}, v. t., 4.
{Angle of declination}, the angle made by a descending line,
or plane, with a horizontal plane.
{Circle of declination}, a circle parallel to the celestial
equator.
{Declination compass} (Physics), a compass arranged for
finding the declination of the magnetic needle.
{Declination of the compass} or {needle}, the horizontal
angle which the magnetic needle makes with the true
north-and-south line.
Declinator \Dec"li*na`tor\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]clinateur. See
{Decline}.]
1. An instrument for taking the declination or angle which a
plane makes with the horizontal plane.
2. A dissentient. [R.] --Bp. Hacket.
Declinatory \De*clin"a*to*ry\ (?; 277), a. [LL. declinatorius,
fr. L. declinare: cf. F. d['e]clinatoire.]
Containing or involving a declination or refusal, as of
submission to a charge or sentence. --Blackstone.
{Declinatory plea} (O. Eng. Law), the plea of sanctuary or of
benefit of clergy, before trial or conviction; -- now
abolished.
Declinature \De*clin"a*ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of declining or refusing; as, the declinature of an
office.
Decline \De*cline"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Declined}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Declining}.] [OE. declinen to bend down, lower, sink,
decline (a noun), F. d['e]cliner to decline, refuse, fr. L.
declinare to turn aside, inflect (a part of speech), avoid;
de- + clinare to incline; akin to E. lean. See {Lean}, v. i.]
1. To bend, or lean downward; to take a downward direction;
to bend over or hang down, as from weakness, weariness,
despondency, etc.; to condescend. ``With declining head.''
--Shak.
He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his
family. --Lady
Hutchinson.
Disdaining to decline, Slowly he falls, amidst
triumphant cries. --Byron.
The ground at length became broken and declined
rapidly. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To tend or draw towards a close, decay, or extinction; to
tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or
impaired; to fail; to sink; to diminish; to lessen; as,
the day declines; virtue declines; religion declines;
business declines.
That empire must decline Whose chief support and
sinews are of coin. --Waller.
And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who
declines. --Shak.
3. To turn or bend aside; to deviate; to stray; to withdraw;
as, a line that declines from straightness; conduct that
declines from sound morals.
Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. --Ps.
cxix. 157.
4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of
accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle.
Decline \De*cline"\, v. t.
1. To bend downward; to bring down; to depress; to cause to
bend, or fall.
In melancholy deep, with head declined. --Thomson.
And now fair Phoebus gan decline in haste His weary
wagon to the western vale. --Spenser.
2. To cause to decrease or diminish. [Obs.] ``You have
declined his means.'' --Beau. & Fl.
He knoweth his error, but will not seek to decline
it. --Burton.
3. To put or turn aside; to turn off or away from; to refuse
to undertake or comply with; reject; to shun; to avoid;
as, to decline an offer; to decline a contest; he declined
any participation with them.
Could I Decline this dreadful hour? --Massinger.
4. (Gram.) To inflect, or rehearse in order the changes of
grammatical form of; as, to decline a noun or an
adjective.
Note: Now restricted to such words as have case inflections;
but formerly it was applied both to declension and
conjugation.
After the first declining of a noun and a verb.
--Ascham.
5. To run through from first to last; to repeat like a
schoolboy declining a noun. [R.] --Shak.
Decline \De*cline"\, n. [F. d['e]clin. See {Decline}, v. i.]
1. A falling off; a tendency to a worse state; diminution or
decay; deterioration; also, the period when a thing is
tending toward extinction or a less perfect state; as, the
decline of life; the decline of strength; the decline of
virtue and religion.
Their fathers lived in the decline of literature.
--Swift.
2. (Med.) That period of a disorder or paroxysm when the
symptoms begin to abate in violence; as, the decline of a
fever.
3. A gradual sinking and wasting away of the physical
faculties; any wasting disease, esp. pulmonary
consumption; as, to die of a decline. --Dunglison.
Syn: {Decline}, {Decay}, {Consumption}.
Usage: Decline marks the first stage in a downward progress;
decay indicates the second stage, and denotes a
tendency to ultimate destruction; consumption marks a
steady decay from an internal exhaustion of strength.
The health may experience a decline from various
causes at any period of life; it is naturally subject
to decay with the advance of old age; consumption may
take place at almost any period of life, from disease
which wears out the constitution. In popular language
decline is often used as synonymous with consumption.
By a gradual decline, states and communities lose
their strength and vigor; by progressive decay, they
are stripped of their honor, stability, and greatness;
by a consumption of their resources and vital energy,
they are led rapidly on to a completion of their
existence.
Declined \De*clined"\, a.
Declinate.
Decliner \De*clin"er\, n.
He who declines or rejects.
A studious decliner of honors. --Evelyn.
Declinometer \Dec`li*nom"e*ter\, n. [Decline + -meter.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring the declination of the magnetic
needle.
Declinous \De*clin"ous\, a.
Declinate.
Declivitous \De*cliv"i*tous\, Declivous \De*cli"vous\, a.
Descending gradually; moderately steep; sloping; downhill.
Declivity \De*cliv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Declivities}. [L. declivitas,
fr. declivis sloping, downhill; de + clivus a slope, a hill;
akin to clinare to incline: cf. F. d['e]clivit['e]. See
{Decline}.]
1. Deviation from a horizontal line; gradual descent of
surface; inclination downward; slope; -- opposed to
acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as
descending, being a declivity, which, considered as
ascending, is an acclivity.
2. A descending surface; a sloping place.
Commodious declivities and channels for the passage
of the waters. --Derham.
Decoct \De*coct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decocted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Decocting}.] [L. decoctus, p. p. of decoquere to boil
down; de- + coquere to cook, boil. See {Cook} to decoct.]
1. To prepare by boiling; to digest in hot or boiling water;
to extract the strength or flavor of by boiling; to make
an infusion of.
2. To prepare by the heat of the stomach for assimilation; to
digest; to concoct.
3. To warm, strengthen, or invigorate, as if by boiling. [R.]
``Decoct their cold blood.'' --Shak.
Decoctible \De*coct"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being boiled or digested.
Decoction \De*coc"tion\, n. [F. d['e]coction, L. decoctio.]
1. The act or process of boiling anything in a watery fluid
to extract its virtues.
In decoction . . . it either purgeth at the top or
settleth at the bottom. --Bacon.
2. An extract got from a body by boiling it in water.
If the plant be boiled in water, the strained liquor
is called the decoction of the plant. --Arbuthnot.
In pharmacy decoction is opposed to infusion, where
there is merely steeping. --Latham.
Decocture \De*coc"ture\ (?; 135), n.
A decoction. [R.]
Decollate \De*col"late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decollated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decollating}.] [L. decollatus, p. p. of
decollare to behead; de- + collum neck.]
To sever from the neck; to behead; to decapitate.
The decollated head of St. John the Baptist. --Burke.
Decollated \De*col"la*ted\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Decapitated; worn or cast off in the process of growth, as
the apex of certain univalve shells.
Decollation \De`col*la"tion\, n. [L. decollatio: cf. F.
d['e]collation.]
1. The act of beheading or state of one beheaded; --
especially used of the execution of St. John the Baptist.
2. A painting representing the beheading of a saint or
martyr, esp. of St. John the Baptist.
D'ecollet'e \D['e]`col`le*t['e]"\, a. [F., p. p. of
d['e]colleter to bare the neck and shoulders; d['e]- + collet
collar, fr. L. collum neck.]
Leaving the neck and shoulders uncovered; cut low in the
neck, or low-necked, as a dress.
Decolling \De*col"ling\, n.
Beheading. [R.]
By a speedy dethroning and decolling of the king.
--Parliamentary
History
(1648).
Decolor \De*col"or\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]colorer, L. decolorare.
Cf. {Discolor}.]
To deprive of color; to bleach.
Decolorant \De*col"or*ant\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]colorant, p. pr.]
A substance which removes color, or bleaches.
Decolorate \De*col"or*ate\, a. [L. decoloratus, p. p. of
decolorare.]
Deprived of color.
Decolorate \De*col"or*ate\, v. t.
To decolor.
Decoloration \De*col`or*a"tion\, n. [L. decoloratio: cf. F.
d['e]coloration.]
The removal or absence of color. --Ferrand.
Decolorize \De*col"or*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of color; to whiten. --Turner. --
{De*col`or*i*za"tion}, n.
Decomplex \De"com*plex`\, a. [Pref. de- (intens.) + complex.]
Repeatedly compound; made up of complex constituents.
Decomposable \De`com*pos"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being resolved into constituent elements.
Decompose \De`com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decomposed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decomposing}.] [Cf. F. d['e]composer. Cf.
{Discompose}.]
To separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into
original elements; to set free from previously existing forms
of chemical combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or
decay.
Decompose \De`com*pose"\, v. i.
To become resolved or returned from existing combinations; to
undergo dissolution; to decay; to rot.
Decomposed \De`com*posed"\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Separated or broken up; -- said of the crest of birds when
the feathers are divergent.
Decomposite \De`com*pos"ite\, a. [Pref. de- (intens.) +
composite.]
1. Compounded more than once; compounded with things already
composite.
2. (Bot.) See {Decompound}, a., 2.
Decomposite \De`com*pos"ite\, n.
Anything decompounded.
Decomposites of three metals or more. --Bacon.
Decomposition \De*com`po*si"tion\, n. [Pref. de- (in sense 3
intensive) + composition: cf. F. d['e]composition. Cf.
{Decomposition}.]
1. The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a
compound body or substance into its elementary parts;
separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or
dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of
some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as,
the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.
2. The state of being reduced into original elements.
3. Repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [Obs.]
{Decomposition of forces}. Same as {Resolution of forces},
under {Resolution}.
{Decomposition of light}, the division of light into the
prismatic colors.
Decompound \De`com*pound"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decompounded};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Decompounding}.] [Pref. de- (intens. in
sense 1) + compound, v. t.]
1. To compound or mix with that is already compound; to
compound a second time.
2. To reduce to constituent parts; to decompose.
It divides and decompounds objects into . . . parts.
--Hazlitt.
Decompound \De`com*pound"\, a. [Pref. de- (intens.) + compound,
a.]
1. Compound of what is already compounded; compounded a
second time.
2. (Bot.) Several times compounded or divided, as a leaf or
stem; decomposite.
Decompound \De`com*pound"\, n.
A decomposite.
Decompoundable \De`com*pound"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being decompounded.
Deconcentrate \De`con*cen"trate\, v. t.
To withdraw from concentration; to decentralize. [R.]
Deconcentration \De*con`cen*tra"tion\, n.
Act of deconcentrating. [R.]
Deconcoct \De`con*coct"\, v. t.
To decompose. [R.] --Fuller.
Deconsecrate \De*con"se*crate\, v. t.
To deprive of sacredness; to secularize. --
{De*con`se*cra"tion}, n.
Decorament \Dec"o*ra*ment\, n. [L. decoramentum. See {Decorate},
v. t.]
Ornament. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Decorate \Dec"o*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decorated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decorating}.] [L. decoratus, p. p. of decorare, fr.
decus ornament; akin to decere to be becoming. See {Decent}.]
To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary;
to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the
person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with
flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to
decorate a hero with honors.
Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets
decorated her arms. --Thackeray.
Syn: To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See
{Adorn}.
{Decorated style} (Arch.), a name given by some writers to
the perfected English Gothic architecture; it may be
considered as having flourished from about a. d. 1300 to
a. d. 1375.
Decoration \Dec`o*ra"tion\, n. [LL. decoratio: cf. F.
d['e]coration.]
1. The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring;
ornamentation.
2. That which adorns, enriches, or beautifies; something
added by way of embellishment; ornament.
The hall was celebrated for . . . the richness of
its decoration. --Motley.
3. Specifically, any mark of honor to be worn upon the
person, as a medal, cross, or ribbon of an order of
knighthood, bestowed for services in war, great
achievements in literature, art, etc.
{Decoration Day}, a day, May 30, appointed for decorating
with flowers the graves of the Union soldiers and sailors,
who fell in the Civil War in the United States; Memorial
Day. [U.S.]
Decorative \Dec"o*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]coratif.]
Suited to decorate or embellish; adorning. --
{Dec"o*ra*tive*ness}, n.
{Decorative art}, fine art which has for its end
ornamentation, rather than the representation of objects
or events.
Decorator \Dec"o*ra`tor\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]corateur.]
One who decorates, adorns, or embellishes; specifically, an
artisan whose business is the decoration of houses, esp.
their interior decoration.
Decore \De*core"\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]corer. See {Decorate}.]
To decorate; to beautify. [Obs.]
To decore and beautify the house of God. --E. Hall.
Decorement \De*core"ment\, n.
Ornament. [Obs.]
Decorous \De*co"rous\ (?; 277), a. [L. dec[=o]rus, fr. decor
comeliness, beauty; akin to decere. See {Decent}, and cf.
{Decorum}.]
Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion;
marked with decorum; becoming; proper; seemly; befitting; as,
a decorous speech; decorous behavior; a decorous dress for a
judge.
A decorous pretext the war. --Motley.
-- {De*co"rous*ly}, adv. -- {De*co"rous*ness}, n.
Decorticate \De*cor"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Decorticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decorticating}.] [L.
decorticatus, p. p. of decorticare to bark; de- + cortex
bark.]
To divest of the bark, husk, or exterior coating; to husk; to
peel; to hull. ``Great barley dried and decorticated.''
--Arbuthnot.
Decortication \De*cor`ti*ca"tion\, n. [L. decorticatio: cf. F.
d['e]cortication.]
The act of stripping off the bark, rind, hull, or outer coat.
Decorticator \De*cor"ti*ca`tor\, n.
A machine for decorticating wood, hulling grain, etc.; also,
an instrument for removing surplus bark or moss from fruit
trees.
Decorum \De*cor"um\, n. [L. dec[=o]rum, fr. dec[=o]rus. See
{Decorous}.]
Propriety of manner or conduct; grace arising from
suitableness of speech and behavior to one's own character,
or to the place and occasion; decency of conduct; seemliness;
that which is seemly or suitable.
Negligent of the duties and decorums of his station.
--Hallam.
If your master Would have a queen his beggar, you must
tell him, That majesty, to keep decorum, must No less
beg than a kingdom. --Shak.
Syn: {Decorum}, {Dignity}.
Usage: Decorum, in accordance with its etymology, is that
which is becoming in outward act or appearance; as,
the decorum of a public assembly. Dignity springs from
an inward elevation of soul producing a corresponding
effect on the manners; as, dignity of personal
appearance.
Decoy \De*coy"\ (d[-e]*koi"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decoyed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decoying}.] [Pref. de- + coy; orig., to quiet,
soothe, caress, entice. See {Coy}.]
To lead into danger by artifice; to lure into a net or snare;
to entrap; to insnare; to allure; to entice; as, to decoy
troops into an ambush; to decoy ducks into a net.
Did to a lonely cot his steps decoy. --Thomson.
E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart,
distrusting, asks if this be joy. --Goldsmith.
Syn: To entice; tempt; allure; lure. See {Allure}.
Decoy \De*coy"\, n.
1. Anything intended to lead into a snare; a lure that
deceives and misleads into danger, or into the power of an
enemy; a bait.
2. A fowl, or the likeness of one, used by sportsmen to
entice other fowl into a net or within shot.
3. A place into which wild fowl, esp. ducks, are enticed in
order to take or shoot them.
4. A person employed by officers of justice, or parties
exposed to injury, to induce a suspected person to commit
an offense under circumstances that will lead to his
detection.
Decoy-duck \De*coy"-duck`\, n.
A duck used to lure wild ducks into a decoy; hence, a person
employed to lure others into danger. --Beau. & Fl.
Decoyer \De*coy"er\, n.
One who decoys another.
Decoy-man \De*coy"-man`\, n.; pl. {Decoy-men}.
A man employed in decoying wild fowl.
Decrease \De*crease"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Decreased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decreasing}.] [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F.
d['e]cro[^i]tre, or from the OF. noun (see {Decrease}, n.),
fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See
{Crescent}, and cf. {Increase}.]
To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished
gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in
strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in
length from June to December.
He must increase, but I must decrease. --John iii.
30.
Syn: To {Decrease}, {Diminish}.
Usage: Things usually decrease or fall off by degrees, and
from within, or through some cause which is
imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold
decreases; their affection has decreased. Things
commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one
which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by
disease; his property is diminishing through
extravagance; their affection has diminished since
their separation their separation. The turn of
thought, however, is often such that these words may
be interchanged.
The olive leaf, which certainly them told The
flood decreased. --Drayton.
Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before
the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. --Pope.
Decrease \De*crease"\, v. t.
To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as,
extravagance decreases one's means.
That might decrease their present store. --Prior.
Decrease \De*crease"\, n. [OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr.
decreistre. See {Decrease}, v.]
1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease
of revenue or of strength.
2. The wane of the moon. --Bacon.
Decreaseless \De*crease"less\, a.
Suffering no decrease. [R.]
It [the river] flows and flows, and yet will flow,
Volume decreaseless to the final hour. --A. Seward.
Decreasing \De*creas"ing\, a.
Becoming less and less; diminishing. -- {De*creas"ing*ly},
adv.
{Decreasing series} (Math.), a series in which each term is
numerically smaller than the preceding term.
Decreation \De`cre*a"tion\, n.
Destruction; -- opposed to creation. [R.] --Cudworth.
Decree \De*cree"\, n. [OE. decre, F. d['e]cret, fr. L. decretum,
neut. decretus, p. p. of decernere to decide; de- + cernere
to decide. See {Certain}, and cf. {Decreet}, {Decretal}.]
1. An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be
done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one having
power, deciding what is to be done or to take place;
edict, law; authoritative ru?? decision. ``The decrees of
Venice.'' --Sh???.
There went out a decree from C[ae]sar Augustus that
all the world should be taxed. --Luke ii. 1.
Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree?
--Shak.
2. (Law)
(a) A decision, order, or sentence, given in a cause by a
court of equity or admiralty.
(b) A determination or judgment of an umpire on a case
submitted to him. --Brande.
3. (Eccl.) An edict or law made by a council for regulating
any business within their jurisdiction; as, the decrees of
ecclesiastical councils.
Syn: Law; regulation; edict; ordinance. See {Law}.
Decree \De*cree"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decreed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Decreeing}.]
1. To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to
constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to
determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees a
restoration of property.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established unto thee. --Job xxii.
28.
2. To ordain by fate.
Decree \De*cree"\, v. i.
To make decrees; -- used absolutely.
Father eternal! thine is to decree; Mine, both in
heaven and earth to do thy will. --Milton.
Decreeable \De*cree"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being decreed.
Decreer \De*cre"er\, n.
One who decrees. --J. Goodwin.
Decreet \De*creet"\, n. [Cf. {Decree}.] (Scots Law)
The final judgment of the Court of Session, or of an inferior
court, by which the question at issue is decided.
Decrement \Dec"re*ment\, n. [L. decrementum, fr. decrescere. See
{Decrease}.]
1. The state of becoming gradually less; decrease;
diminution; waste; loss.
Twit me with the decrements of my pendants. --Ford.
Rocks, mountains, and the other elevations of the
earth suffer a continual decrement. --Woodward.
2. The quantity lost by gradual diminution or waste; --
opposed to {increment}.
3. (Crystallog.) A name given by Ha["u]y to the successive
diminution of the layers of molecules, applied to the
faces of the primitive form, by which he supposed the
secondary forms to be produced.
4. (Math.) The quantity by which a variable is diminished.
{Equal decrement of life}.
(a) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which
the assumed law of mortality is such that of a given
large number of persons, all being now of the same
age, an equal number shall die each consecutive year.
(b) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which
the assumed law of mortality is such that the ratio of
those dying in a year to those living through the year
is constant, being independent of the age of the
persons.
Decrepit \De*crep"it\, a. [L. decrepitus, perhaps orig., noised
out, noiseless, applied to old people, who creep about
quietly; de- + crepare to make a noise, rattle: cf. F.
d['e]cr['e]pit. See {Crepitate}.]
Broken down with age; wasted and enfeebled by the infirmities
of old age; feeble; worn out. ``Beggary or decrepit age.''
--Milton.
Already decrepit with premature old age. --Motley.
Note: Sometimes incorrectly written decrepid.
Decrepitate \De*crep"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Decrepitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Decrepitating}.] [Cf. F.
d['e]cr['e]piter.]
To roast or calcine so as to cause a crackling noise; as, to
decrepitate salt.
Decrepitate \De*crep"i*tate\, v. i.
To crackle, as salt in roasting.
Decrepitation \De*crep`i*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]cr['e]pitation.]
The act of decrepitating; a crackling noise, such as salt
makes when roasting.
Decrepitness \De*crep"it*ness\, n.
Decrepitude. [R.] --Barrow.
Decrepitude \De*crep"i*tude\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]cr['e]pitude.]
The broken state produced by decay and the infirmities of
age; infirm old age.
Decrescendo \De`cres*cen"do\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
With decreasing volume of sound; -- a direction to
performers, either written upon the staff (abbreviated Dec.,
or Decresc.), or indicated by the sign.
Decrescent \De*cres"cent\, a. [L. decrescens, p. pr. of
decrescere. See {Decrease}.]
Becoming less by gradual diminution; decreasing; as, a
decrescent moon.
Decrescent \De*cres"cent\, n. (Her.)
A crescent with the horns directed towards the sinister.
--Cussans.
Decretal \De*cre"tal\, a. [L. decretalis, fr. decretum. See
{Decree}.]
Appertaining to a decree; containing a decree; as, a decretal
epistle. --Ayliffe.
Decretal \De*cre"tal\, n. [LL. decretale, neut. of L.
decretalis. See {Decretal}, a.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) An authoritative order or decree; especially,
a letter of the pope, determining some point or question
in ecclesiastical law. The decretals form the second part
of the canon law.
2. (Canon Law) The collection of ecclesiastical decrees and
decisions made, by order of Gregory IX., in 1234, by St.
Raymond of Pennafort.
Decrete \De*crete"\, n. [L. decretum. See {Decree}.]
A decree. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Decretion \De*cre"tion\, n. [From L. decrescere, decretum. See
{Decrease}.]
A decrease. [Obs.] --Pearson.
Decretist \De*cre"tist\, n. [LL. decretista, fr. decretum: cf.
F. d['e]cr['e]tiste. See {Decree}, n.]
One who studies, or professes the knowledge of, the
decretals.
Decretive \De*cre"tive\, a. [From L. decretum. See {Decree}, n.]
Having the force of a decree; determining.
The will of God is either decretive or perceptive.
--Bates.
Decretorial \Dec`re*to"ri*al\, a.
Decretory; authoritative. --Sir T. Browne.
Decretorily \Dec"re*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a decretory or definitive manner; by decree.
Decretory \Dec"re*to*ry\, a. [L. decretorius, from decretum. See
{Decree}.]
1. Established by a decree; definitive; settled.
The decretory rigors of a condemning sentence.
--South.
2. Serving to determine; critical. ``The critical or
decretory days.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Decrew \De*crew"\, v. i. [F. d['e]crue, n., decrease, and
d['e]cru, p. p. of d['e]cro[^i]tre. See {Decrease}, and cf.
{Accrue}.]
To decrease. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Decrial \De*cri"al\, n. [See {Decry}.]
A crying down; a clamorous censure; condemnation by censure.
Decrier \De*cri"er\, n.
One who decries.
Decrown \De*crown"\, v. t.
To deprive of a crown; to discrown. [R.] --Hakewill.
Decrustation \De`crus*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. OF. d['e]crustation.]
The removal of a crust.
Decry \De*cry"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Decrying}.] [F. d['e]crier, OF. descrier; pref. des- (L.
dis-) + crier to cry. See {Cry}, and cf. {Descry}.]
To cry down; to censure as faulty, mean, or worthless; to
clamor against; to blame clamorously; to discredit; to
disparage.
For small errors they whole plays decry. --Dryden.
Measures which are extolled by one half of the kingdom
are naturally decried by the other. --Addison.
Syn: To {Decry}, {Depreciate}, {Detract}, {Disparage}.
Usage: Decry and depreciate refer to the estimation of a
thing, the former seeking to lower its value by
clamorous censure, the latter by representing it as of
little worth. Detract and disparage also refer to
merit or value, which the former assails with
caviling, insinuation, etc., while the latter
willfully underrates and seeks to degrade it. Men
decry their rivals and depreciate their measures. The
envious detract from the merit of a good action, and
disparage the motives of him who performs it.
Decubation \Dec`u*ba"tion\, n. [From L. decubare; de- + cubare.
See {Decumbent}.]
Act of lying down; decumbence. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Decubitus \De*cu"bi*tus\, n. [NL., fr. L. de- + cubare, to lie
down: cf. F. d['e]cubitus.] (Med.)
An attitude assumed in lying down; as, the dorsal decubitus.
Decuman \Dec"u*man\, a. [L. decumanus of the tenth, and by
metonymy, large, fr. decem ten.]
Large; chief; -- applied to an extraordinary billow, supposed
by some to be every tenth in order. [R.] Also used
substantively. ``Such decuman billows.'' --Gauden. ``The
baffled decuman.'' --Lowell.
Decumbence \De*cum"bence\, Decumbency \De*cum"ben*cy\, n.
The act or posture of lying down.
The ancient manner of decumbency. --Sir T.
Browne.
Decumbent \De*cum"bent\, a. [L. decumbens, -entis, p. pr. of
decumbere; de- + cumbere (only in comp.), cubare to lie
down.]
1. Lying down; prostrate; recumbent.
The decumbent portraiture of a woman. --Ashmole.
2. (Bot.) Reclining on the ground, as if too weak to stand,
and tending to rise at the summit or apex; as, a decumbent
stem. --Gray.
Decumbently \De*cum"bent*ly\, adv.
In a decumbent posture.
Decumbiture \De*cum"bi*ture\ (?; 135), n.
1. Confinement to a sick bed, or time of taking to one's bed
from sickness. --Boyle.
2. (Astrol.) Aspect of the heavens at the time of taking to
one's sick bed, by which the prognostics of recovery or
death were made.
Decuple \Dec"u*ple\, a. [F. d['e]cuple, L. decuplus, fr. decem
ten.]
Tenfold. [R.]
Decuple \Dec"u*ple\, n.
A number ten times repeated. [R.]
Decuple \Dec"u*ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decupled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Decupling}.]
To make tenfold; to multiply by ten. [R.]
Decurion \De*cu"ri*on\, n. [L. decurio, decurionis, fr. decuria
a squad of ten, fr. decem ten.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A head or chief over ten; especially, an officer who
commanded a division of ten soldiers.
Decurionate \De*cu"ri*on*ate\, n. [L. decurionatus, fr.
decurio.]
The office of a decurion.
Decurrence \De*cur"rence\, n.
The act of running down; a lapse. [R.] --Gauden.
Decurrent \De*cur"rent\, a. [L. decurrens, -entis, p. pr. of
decurrere to run down; de- + currere to run: cf. F.
d['e]current.] (Bot.)
Extending downward; -- said of a leaf whose base extends
downward and forms a wing along the stem. --
{De*cur"rent*ly}, adv.
Decursion \De*cur"sion\, n. [L. decursio, fr. decurrere. See
{Decurrent}.]
A flowing; also, a hostile incursion. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Decursive \De*cur"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]cursif. See
{Decurrent}.]
Running down; decurrent.
Decursively \De*cur"sive*ly\, adv.
In a decursive manner.
{Decursively pinnate} (Bot.), having the leaflets decurrent,
or running along the petiole; -- said of a leaf.
Decurt \De*curt"\, v. t. [L. decurtare; de- + curtare.]
To cut short; to curtail. [Obs.] --Bale.
Decurtation \De`cur*ta"tion\, n. [L. decurtatio.]
Act of cutting short. [Obs.]
Decury \Dec"u*ry\, n.; pl. {Decuries}. [L. decuria, fr. decem
ten.]
A set or squad of ten men under a decurion. --Sir W. Raleigh.
Decussate \De*cus"sate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decussated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Decussating}.] [L. decussatus, p. p. of
decussare to cross like an X, fr. decussis (orig. equiv. to
decem asses) the number ten, which the Romans represented by
X.]
To cross at an acute angle; to cut or divide in the form of
X; to intersect; -- said of lines in geometrical figures,
rays of light, nerves, etc.
Decussate \De*cus"sate\, Decussated \De*cus"sa*ted\, a.
1. Crossed; intersected.
2. (Bot.) Growing in pairs, each of which is at right angles
to the next pair above or below; as, decussated leaves or
branches.
3. (Rhet.) Consisting of two rising and two falling clauses,
placed in alternate opposition to each other; as, a
decussated period.
Decussately \De*cus"sate*ly\, adv.
In a decussate manner.
Decussation \De`cus*sa"tion\, n. [L. decussatio.]
Act of crossing at an acute angle, or state of being thus
crossed; an intersection in the form of an X; as, the
decussation of lines, nerves, etc.
Decussative \De*cus"sa*tive\, a.
Intersecting at acute angles. --Sir T. Browne.
Decussatively \De*cus"sa*tive*ly\, adv.
Crosswise; in the form of an X. ``Anointed decussatively.''
--Sir T. Browne.
Decyl \De"cyl\, n. [L. decem ten + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, {C10H21}, never existing alone, but
regarded as the characteristic constituent of a number of
compounds of the paraffin series.
Decylic \De*cyl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Allied to, or containing, the radical decyl.
Dedalian \De*dal"ian\, a.
See {D[ae]dalian}.
Dedalous \Ded"a*lous\, a.
See {D[ae]dalous}.
Dedans \De*dans"\, n. [F.] (Court Tennis)
A division, at one end of a tennis court, for spectators.
Dede \Dede\, a.
Dead. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dedecorate \De*dec"o*rate\, v. t. [L. dedecoratus, p. p. of
dedecorare to disgrace. See {Decorate}.]
To bring to shame; to disgrace. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Dedecoration \De*dec`o*ra"tion\, n. [L. dedecoratio.]
Disgrace; dishonor. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Dedecorous \De*dec"o*rous\, a. [L. dedecorus. See {Decorous}.]
Disgraceful; unbecoming. [R.] --Bailey.
Dedentition \De`den*ti"tion\, n.
The shedding of teeth. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Dedicate \Ded"i*cate\, p. a. [L. dedicatus, p. p. of dedicare to
affirm, to dedicate; de- + dicare to declare, dedicate; akin
to dicere to say. See {Diction}.]
Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated. ``Dedicate to
nothing temporal.'' --Shak.
Syn: Devoted; consecrated; addicted.
Dedicate \Ded"i*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dedicated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dedicating}.]
1. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for
sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to
dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a
religious use.
Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which
also king David did dedicate unto the Lord. --2 Sam.
viii. 10, 11.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as
a final resting place for those who here gave their
lives that that nation might live. . . . But in a
larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not
consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. --A.
Lincoln.
2. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty
or service.
The profession of a soldier, to which he had
dedicated himself. --Clarendon.
3. To inscribe or address, as to a patron.
He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them to
the Lord Burghley. --Peacham.
Syn: See {Addict}.
Dedicatee \Ded`i*ca*tee"\, n.
One to whom a thing is dedicated; -- correlative to
dedicator.
Dedication \Ded`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. dedicatio.]
1. The act of setting apart or consecrating to a divine
Being, or to a sacred use, often with religious
solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the dedication of
Solomon's temple.
2. A devoting or setting aside for any particular purpose;
as, a dedication of lands to public use.
3. An address to a patron or friend, prefixed to a book,
testifying respect, and often recommending the work to his
special protection and favor.
Dedicator \Ded"i*ca`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. d['e]dicateur.]
One who dedicates; more especially, one who inscribes a book
to the favor of a patron, or to one whom he desires to
compliment.
Dedicatorial \Ded`i*ca*to"ri*al\, a.
Dedicatory.
Dedicatory \Ded"i*ca*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]dicatoire.]
Constituting or serving as a dedication; complimental. ``An
epistle dedicatory.'' --Dryden.
Dedicatory \Ded"i*ca*to*ry\, n.
Dedication. [R.] --Milton.
Dedimus \Ded"i*mus\, n. [L. dedimus we have given, fr. dare to
give. So called because the writ began, Dedimus potestatem,
etc.] (Law)
A writ to commission private persons to do some act in place
of a judge, as to examine a witness, etc. --Bouvier.
Dedition \De*di"tion\, n. [L. deditio, fr. dedere to give away,
surrender; de- + dare to give.]
The act of yielding; surrender. [R.] --Sir M. Hale.
Dedolent \Ded"o*lent\, a. [L. dedolens, p. pr. of dedolere to
give over grieving; de- + dolere to grieve.]
Feeling no compunction; apathetic. [R.] --Hallywell.
Deduce \De*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deduced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deducing}.] [L. deducere; de- + ducere to lead, draw. See
{Duke}, and cf. {Deduct}.]
1. To lead forth. [A Latinism]
He should hither deduce a colony. --Selden.
2. To take away; to deduct; to subtract; as, to deduce a part
from the whole. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. To derive or draw; to derive by logical process; to obtain
or arrive at as the result of reasoning; to gather, as a
truth or opinion, from what precedes or from premises; to
infer; -- with from or out of.
O goddess, say, shall I deduce my rhymes From the
dire nation in its early times? --Pope.
Reasoning is nothing but the faculty of deducing
unknown truths from principles already known.
--Locke.
See what regard will be paid to the pedigree which
deduces your descent from kings and conquerors.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Deducement \De*duce"ment\, n.
Inference; deduction; thing deduced. [R.] --Dryden.
Deducibility \De*du`ci*bil"i*ty\, n.
Deducibleness.
Deducible \De*du"ci*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being deduced or inferred; derivable by
reasoning, as a result or consequence.
All properties of a triangle depend on, and are
deducible from, the complex idea of three lines
including a space. --Locke.
2. Capable of being brought down. [Obs.]
As if God [were] deducible to human imbecility.
--State Trials
(1649).
Deducibleness \De*du"ci*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being deducible; deducibility.
Deducibly \De*du"ci*bly\, adv.
By deduction.
Deducive \De*du"cive\, a.
That deduces; inferential.
Deduct \De*duct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deducted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deducting}.] [L. deductus, p. p. of deducere to deduct.
See {Deduce}.]
1. To lead forth or out. [Obs.]
A people deducted out of the city of Philippos.
--Udall.
2. To take away, separate, or remove, in numbering,
estimating, or calculating; to subtract; -- often with
from or out of.
Deduct what is but vanity, or dress. --Pope.
Two and a half per cent should be deducted out of
the pay of the foreign troops. --Bp. Burnet.
We deduct from the computation of our years that
part of our time which is spent in . . . infancy.
--Norris.
3. To reduce; to diminish. [Obs.] ``Do not deduct it to
days.'' --Massinger.
Deductible \De*duct"i*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being deducted, taken away, or withdrawn.
Not one found honestly deductible From any use that
pleased him. --Mrs.
Browning.
2. Deducible; consequential.
Deduction \De*duc"tion\, n. [L. deductio: cf. F. d['e]duction.]
1. Act or process of deducing or inferring.
The deduction of one language from another.
--Johnson.
This process, by which from two statements we deduce
a third, is called deduction. --J. R. Seely.
2. Act of deducting or taking away; subtraction; as, the
deduction of the subtrahend from the minuend.
3. That which is deduced or drawn from premises by a process
of reasoning; an inference; a conclusion.
Make fair deductions; see to what they mount.
--Pope.
4. That which is deducted; the part taken away; abatement;
as, a deduction from the yearly rent.
Syn: See {Induction}.
Deductive \De*duct"ive\, a. [Cf. L. deductivus derivative.]
Of or pertaining to deduction; capable of being deduced from
premises; deducible.
All knowledge of causes is deductive. --Glanvill.
Notions and ideas . . . used in a deductive process.
--Whewell.
Deductively \De*duct"ive*ly\, adv.
By deduction; by way of inference; by consequence. --Sir T.
Browne.
Deductor \De*duc"tor\, n. [L., a guide. See {Deduce}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The pilot whale or blackfish.
Deduit \De*duit"\, n. [F. d['e]duit. Cf. {Deduct}.]
Delight; pleasure. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deduplication \De*du`pli*ca"tion\, n. [Pref. de- + duplication.]
(Biol.)
The division of that which is morphologically one organ into
two or more, as the division of an organ of a plant into a
pair or cluster.
Deed \Deed\, a.
Dead. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deed \Deed\, n. [AS. d?d; akin to OS. d[=a]d, D. & Dan. daad, G.
thai, Sw. d[*a]d, Goth. d?ds; fr. the root of do. See {Do},
v. t.]
1. That which is done or effected by a responsible agent; an
act; an action; a thing done; -- a word of extensive
application, including, whatever is done, good or bad,
great or small.
And Joseph said to them, What deed is this which ye
have done? --Gen. xliv.
15.
We receive the due reward of our deeds. --Luke
xxiii. 41.
Would serve his kind in deed and word. --Tennyson.
2. Illustrious act; achievement; exploit. ``Knightly deeds.''
--Spenser.
Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn. --Dryden.
3. Power of action; agency; efficiency. [Obs.]
To be, both will and deed, created free. --Milton.
4. Fact; reality; -- whence we have indeed.
5. (Law) A sealed instrument in writing, on paper or
parchment, duly executed and delivered, containing some
transfer, bargain, or contract.
Note: The term is generally applied to conveyances of real
estate, and it is the prevailing doctrine that a deed
must be signed as well as sealed, though at common law
signing was formerly not necessary.
{Blank deed}, a printed form containing the customary legal
phraseology, with blank spaces for writing in names,
dates, boundaries, etc.
6. Performance; -- followed by of. [Obs.] --Shak.
{In deed}, in fact; in truth; verily. See {Indeed}.
Deed \Deed\, v. t.
To convey or transfer by deed; as, he deeded all his estate
to his eldest son. [Colloq. U. S.]
Deedful \Deed"ful\, a.
Full of deeds or exploits; active; stirring. [R.] ``A deedful
life.'' --Tennyson.
Deedless \Deed"less\, a.
Not performing, or not having performed, deeds or exploits;
inactive.
Deedless in his tongue. --Shak.
Deed poll \Deed" poll`\ (Law)
A deed of one part, or executed by only one party, and
distinguished from an indenture by having the edge of the
parchment or paper cut even, or polled as it was anciently
termed, instead of being indented. --Burrill.
Deedy \Deed"y\, a.
Industrious; active. [R.] --Cowper.
Deem \Deem\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deemed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deeming}.] [OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS. d?man, fr. d?m
doom; akin to OFries. d?ma, OS. ad?mian, D. doemen, OHG.
tuommen, Icel. d[ae]ma, Sw. d["o]mma, Dan. d["o]mme, Goth.
d?mjan. See {Doom}, n., and cf. {Doom}, v.]
1. To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn. [Obs.]
Claudius . . . Was demed for to hang upon a tree.
--Chaucer.
2. To account; to esteem; to think; to judge; to hold in
opinion; to regard.
For never can I deem him less him less than god.
--Dryden.
Deem \Deem\, v. i.
1. To be of opinion; to think; to estimate; to opine; to
suppose.
And deemest thou as those who pore, With aged eyes,
short way before? --Emerson.
2. To pass judgment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Deem \Deem\, n.
Opinion; judgment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Deemster \Deem"ster\ (d[=e]m"st[~e]r), n. [Deem + -ster; i. e.,
doomster. Cf. {Dempster}.]
A judge in the Isle of Man who decides controversies without
process. --Cowell.
Deep \Deep\ (d[=e]p), a. [Compar. {Deeper}; superl. {Deepest}.]
[OE. dep, deop, AS. de['o]p; akin to D. diep, G. tief, Icel.
dj[=u]pr, Sw. diup, Dan. dyb, Goth. diups; fr. the root of E.
dip, dive. See {Dip}, {Dive}.]
1. Extending far below the surface; of great perpendicular
dimension (measured from the surface downward, and
distinguished from high, which is measured upward); far to
the bottom; having a certain depth; as, a deep sea.
The water where the brook is deep. --Shak.
2. Extending far back from the front or outer part; of great
horizontal dimension (measured backward from the front or
nearer part, mouth, etc.); as, a deep cave or recess or
wound; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of soldiers six
files deep.
Shadowing squadrons deep. --Milton.
Safely in harbor Is the king's ship in the deep
nook. --Shak.
3. Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as,
a deep valley.
4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; -- opposed to
shallow or superficial; intricate; mysterious; not
obvious; obscure; as, a deep subject or plot.
Speculations high or deep. --Milton.
A question deep almost as the mystery of life. --De
Quincey.
O Lord, . . . thy thoughts are very deep. --Ps.
xcii. 5.
5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial;
thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.
Deep clerks she dumbs. --Shak.
6. Profound; thorough; complete; unmixed; intense; heavy;
heartfelt; as, deep distress; deep melancholy; deep
horror. ``Deep despair.'' --Milton. ``Deep silence.''
--Milton. ``Deep sleep.'' --Gen. ii. 21. ``Deeper
darkness.'' -->Hoole. ``Their deep poverty.'' --2 Cor.
viii. 2.
An attitude of deep respect. --Motley.
7. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as,
deep blue or crimson.
8. Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy.
``The deep thunder.'' --Byron.
The bass of heaven's deep organ. --Milton.
9. Muddy; boggy; sandy; -- said of roads. --Chaucer.
The ways in that vale were very deep. --Clarendon.
{A deep line of operations} (Military), a long line.
{Deep mourning} (Costume), mourning complete and strongly
marked, the garments being not only all black, but also
composed of lusterless materials and of such fashion as is
identified with mourning garments.
Deep \Deep\, adv.
To a great depth; with depth; far down; profoundly; deeply.
Deep-versed in books, and shallow in himself. --Milton.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. --Pope.
Note: Deep, in its usual adverbial senses, is often prefixed
to an adjective; as, deep-chested, deep-cut,
deep-seated, deep-toned, deep-voiced, ``deep-uddered
kine.''
Deep \Deep\, n.
1. That which is deep, especially deep water, as the sea or
ocean; an abyss; a great depth.
Courage from the deeps of knowledge springs.
--Cowley.
The hollow deep of hell resounded. --Milton.
Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing deeps resound.
--Pope.
2. That which is profound, not easily fathomed, or
incomprehensible; a moral or spiritual depth or abyss.
Thy judgments are a great deep. --Ps. xxxvi.
6.
{Deep of night}, the most quiet or profound part of night;
dead of night.
The deep of night is crept upon our talk. --Shak.
Deepen \Deep"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deepened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deepening}.]
1. To make deep or deeper; to increase the depth of; to sink
lower; as, to deepen a well or a channel.
It would . . . deepen the bed of the Tiber.
--Addison.
2. To make darker or more intense; to darken; as, the event
deepened the prevailing gloom.
You must deepen your colors. --Peacham.
3. To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree;
as, to deepen grief or sorrow.
4. To make more grave or low in tone; as, to deepen the tones
of an organ.
Deepens the murmur of the falling floods. --Pope.
Deepen \Deep"en\, v. i.
To become deeper; as, the water deepens at every cast of the
lead; the plot deepens.
His blood-red tresses deepening in the sun. --Byron.
Deep-fet \Deep"-fet`\, a.
Deeply fetched or drawn. [Obs.] ``Deep-fet groans.'' --Shak.
Deep-laid \Deep"-laid`\, a.
Laid deeply; formed with cunning and sagacity; as, deep-laid
plans.
Deeply \Deep"ly\, adv.
1. At or to a great depth; far below the surface; as, to sink
deeply.
2. Profoundly; thoroughly; not superficially; in a high
degree; intensely; as, deeply skilled in ethics.
He had deeply offended both his nobles and people.
--Bacon.
He sighed deeply in his spirit. --Mark viii.
12.
3. Very; with a tendency to darkness of color.
The deeply red juice of buckthorn berries. --Boyle.
4. Gravely; with low or deep tone; as, a deeply toned
instrument.
5. With profound skill; with art or intricacy; as, a deeply
laid plot or intrigue.
Deep-mouthed \Deep"-mouthed`\, a.
Having a loud and sonorous voice. ``Deep-mouthed dogs.''
--Dryden.
Deepness \Deep"ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being deep, profound, mysterious,
secretive, etc.; depth; profundity; -- opposed to
shallowness.
Because they had no deepness of earth. --Matt. xiii.
5.
2. Craft; insidiousness. [R.] --J. Gregory.
Deep-read \Deep"-read`\, a.
Profoundly book- learned. ``Great writers and deep-read
men.'' --L'Estrange.
Deep-sea \Deep"-sea`\, a.
Of or pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea; as, a
deep-sea line (i. e., a line to take soundings at a great
depth); deep-sea lead; deep-sea soundings, explorations, etc.
Deep-waisted \Deep"-waist`ed\, a. (Naut.)
Having a deep waist, as when, in a ship, the poop and
forecastle are much elevated above the deck.
Deer \Deer\ (d[=e]r), n. sing. & pl. [OE. der, deor, animal,
wild animal, AS. de['o]r; akin to D. dier, OFries. diar, G.
thier, tier, Icel. d[=y]r, Dan. dyr, Sw. djur, Goth. dius; of
unknown origin. [root]71.]
1. Any animal; especially, a wild animal. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mice and rats, and such small deer. --Shak.
The camel, that great deer. --Lindisfarne
MS.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A ruminant of the genus {Cervus}, of many
species, and of related genera of the family {Cervid[ae]}.
The males, and in some species the females, have solid
antlers, often much branched, which are shed annually.
Their flesh, for which they are hunted, is called venison.
Note: The deer hunted in England is {Cervus elaphus}, called
also stag or red deer; the fallow deer is {C. dama};
the common American deer is {C. Virginianus}; the
blacktailed deer of Western North America is {C.
Columbianus}; and the mule deer of the same region is
{C. macrotis}. See {Axis}, {Fallow deer}, {Mule deer},
{Reindeer}.
Note: Deer is much used adjectively, or as the first part of
a compound; as, deerkiller, deerslayer, deerslaying,
deer hunting, deer stealing, deerlike, etc.
{Deer mouse} (Zo["o]l.), the white-footed mouse ({Hesperomys
leucopus}) of America.
{Small deer}, petty game, not worth pursuing; -- used
metaphorically. (See citation from Shakespeare under the
first definition, above.) ``Minor critics . . . can find
leisure for the chase of such small deer.'' --G. P. Marsh.
Deerberry \Deer"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
A shrub of the blueberry group ({Vaccinium stamineum}); also,
its bitter, greenish white berry; -- called also {squaw
huckleberry}.
Deergrass \Deer"grass`\, n. (Bot.)
An American genus ({Rhexia}) of perennial herbs, with
opposite leaves, and showy flowers (usually bright purple),
with four petals and eight stamens, -- the only genus of the
order {Melastomace[ae]} inhabiting a temperate clime.
Deerhound \Deer"hound`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a large and fleet breed of hounds used in hunting
deer; a staghound.
Deerlet \Deer"let\, n. [Deer + - let.] (Zo["o]l.)
A chevrotain. See {Kanchil}, and {Napu}.
Deer-neck \Deer"-neck`\, n.
A deerlike, or thin, ill-formed neck, as of a horse.
Deerskin \Deer"skin`\, n.
The skin of a deer, or the leather which is made from it.
--Hakluyt. Longfellow.
Deerstalker \Deer"stalk`er\, n.
One who practices deerstalking.
Deerstalking \Deer"stalk`ing\, n.
The hunting of deer on foot, by stealing upon them unawares.
Deer's-tongue \Deer's"-tongue`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Liatris odoratissima}) whose fleshy leaves give out
a fragrance compared to vanilla. --Wood.
Dees \Dees\, n. pl.
Dice. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dees \Dees\, n.
A dais. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deesis \De*e"sis\ (d[-e]*[=e]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. de`hsis
supplication.] (Rhet.)
An invocation of, or address to, the Supreme Being.
Deess \De"ess\ (d[-e]*[e^]"s), n. [F. d['e]esse, fem. of dieu
god.]
A goddess. [Obs.] --Croft.
Deev \Deev\, n. (Hind. & Pers. Myth.)
See {Dev}.
Deface \De*face"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defaced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defacing}.] [OE. defacen to disfigure, efface, OF.
desfacier; L. dis- + facies face. See {Face}, and cf.
{Efface}.]
1. To destroy or mar the face or external appearance of; to
disfigure; to injure, spoil, or mar, by effacing or
obliterating important features or portions of; as, to
deface a monument; to deface an edifice; to deface
writing; to deface a note, deed, or bond; to deface a
record. ``This high face defaced.'' --Emerson.
So by false learning is good sense defaced. --Pope.
2. [Cf. F. d['e]faire.] To destroy; to make null. [Obs.]
[Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence
of religion. --Bacon.
For all his power was utterly defaste [defaced].
--Spenser.
Syn: See {Efface}.
Defacement \De*face"ment\, n.
1. The act of defacing, or the condition of being defaced;
injury to the surface or exterior; obliteration.
2. That which mars or disfigures. --Bacon.
Defacer \De*fa"cer\, n.
One who, or that which, defaces or disfigures.
De facto \De` fac"to\ [L.]
Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de facto, --
distinguished from a king de jure, or by right.
Defail \De*fail"\, v. t. [F. d['e]faillir to fail; pref. d['e]-
(L. de) + faillir. See {Fail}, and cf. {Default}.]
To cause to fail. [Obs.]
Defailance \De*fail"ance\, n. [F. d['e]faillance.]
Failure; miscarriage. [Obs.]
Possibility of defailance in degree or continuance.
--Comber.
Defailure \De*fail"ure\, n.
Failure. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Defalcate \De*fal"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defalcated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Defalcating}.] [LL. defalcatus, p. p. of
defalcare to deduct, orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de-
+ falx, falcis, a sickle. See {Falchion}.]
To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; -- used chiefly
of money, accounts, rents, income, etc.
To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated
from them [the estimates]. --Burke.
Defalcate \De*fal"cate\, v. i.
To commit defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust.
``Some partner defalcating, or the like.'' --Carlyle.
Defalcation \De`fal*ca"tion\, n. [LL. defalcatio: cf. F.
d['e]falcation.]
1. A lopping off; a diminution; abatement; deficit.
Specifically: Reduction of a claim by deducting a
counterclaim; set- off. --Abbott.
2. That which is lopped off, diminished, or abated.
3. An abstraction of money, etc., by an officer or agent
having it in trust; an embezzlement.
Defalcator \Def"al*ca`tor\, n.
A defaulter or embezzler. [Modern]
Defalk \De*falk"\, v. t. [F. d['e]falquer. See {Defalcate}.]
To lop off; to abate. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Defamation \Def`a*ma"tion\, n. [OE. diffamacioun, F.
diffamation. See {Defame}.]
Act of injuring another's reputation by any slanderous
communication, written or oral; the wrong of maliciously
injuring the good name of another; slander; detraction;
calumny; aspersion.
Note: In modern usage, written defamation bears the title of
libel, and oral defamation that of slander. --Burrill.
Defamatory \De*fam"a*to*ry\, a.
Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious;
slanderous; as, defamatory words; defamatory writings.
Defame \De*fame"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defamed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defaming}.] [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or
OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous);
dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See
{Fame}.]
1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to
disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to
dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.
2. To render infamous; to bring into disrepute.
My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; My
blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. --Dryden.
3. To charge; to accuse. [R.]
Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the
person of a noble knight. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See {Asperse}.
Defame \De*fame"\, n.
Dishonor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Defamer \De*fam"er\, n.
One who defames; a slanderer; a detractor; a calumniator.
Defamingly \De*fam"ing*ly\, adv.
In a defamatory manner.
Defamous \Def"a*mous\, a.
Defamatory. [Obs.]
Defatigable \De*fat"i*ga*ble\, a. [See {Defatigate}.]
Capable of being wearied or tired out. [R.] --Glanvill.
Defatigate \De*fat"i*gate\, v. t. [L. defatigatus, p. p. of
defatigare; de- + fatigare to weary. See {Fatigue}.]
To weary or tire out; to fatigue. [R.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Defatigation \De*fat`i*ga"tion\, n. [L. defatigatio.]
Weariness; fatigue. [R.] --Bacon.
Default \De*fault"\, n. [OE. defaute, OF. defaute, defalte,
fem., F. d['e]faut, masc., LL. defalta, fr. a verb meaning,
to be deficient, to want, fail, fr. L. de- + fallere to
deceive. See {Fault}.]
1. A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be
done; neglect to do what duty or law requires; as, this
evil has happened through the governor's default.
2. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or
wisdom.
And pardon craved for his so rash default.
--Spenser.
Regardless of our merit or default. --Pope.
3. (Law) A neglect of, or failure to take, some step
necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to
appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the
defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of
jurors, witnesses, etc.
{In default of}, in case of failure or lack of.
Cooks could make artificial birds and fishes in
default of the real ones. --Arbuthnot.
{To suffer a default} (Law), to permit an action to be called
without appearing to answer.
Default \De*fault"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Defaulted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Defaulting}.]
1. To fail in duty; to offend.
That he gainst courtesy so foully did default.
--Spenser.
2. To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or duty.
3. To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.
Default \De*fault"\, v. t.
1. To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to
omit; as, to default a dividend.
What they have defaulted towards him as no king.
--Milton.
2. (Law) To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is
to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if
he fails to appear; to enter a default against.
3. To leave out of account; to omit. [Obs.]
Defaulting unnecessary and partial discourses.
--Hales.
Defaulter \De*fault"er\, n.
1. One who makes default; one who fails to appear in court
when court when called.
2. One who fails to perform a duty; a delinquent;
particularly, one who fails to account for public money
intrusted to his care; a peculator; a defalcator.
Defeasance \De*fea"sance\, n. [OF. defesance, fr. defesant, F.
d['e]faisant, p. pr. of defaire, F. d['e]faire, to undo. See
{Defeat}.]
1. A defeat; an overthrow. [Obs.]
After his foes' defeasance. --Spenser.
2. A rendering null or void.
3. (Law) A condition, relating to a deed, which being
performed, the deed is defeated or rendered void; or a
collateral deed, made at the same time with a feoffment,
or other conveyance, containing conditions, on the
performance of which the estate then created may be
defeated.
Note: Mortgages were usually made in this manner in former
times, but the modern practice is to include the
conveyance and the defeasance in the same deed.
Defeasanced \De*fea"sanced\, a. (Law)
Liable to defeasance; capable of being made void or
forfeited.
Defeasible \De*fea"si*ble\, a. [See {Defeasance}.]
Capable of being annulled or made void; as, a defeasible
title. -- {De*fea"si*ble*ness}, n.
Defeat \De*feat"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defeated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defeating}.] [From F. d['e]fait, OF. desfait, p. p. ofe
d['e]faire, OF. desfaire, to undo; L. dis- + facere to do.
See {Feat}, {Fact}, and cf. {Disfashion}.]
1. To undo; to disfigure; to destroy. [Obs.]
His unkindness may defeat my life. --Shak.
2. To render null and void, as a title; to frustrate, as
hope; to deprive, as of an estate.
He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being
that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all
his hopes. --Tillotson.
The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of his
succession. --Hallam.
In one instance he defeated his own purpose. --A. W.
Ward.
3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check, disperse,
or ruin by victory; to overthrow.
4. To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault.
Sharp reasons to defeat the law. --Shak.
Syn: To baffle; disappoint; frustrate.
Defeat \De*feat"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]faite, fr. d['e]faire. See
{Defeat}, v.]
1. An undoing or annulling; destruction. [Obs.]
Upon whose property and most dear life A damned
defeat was made. --Shak.
2. Frustration by rendering null and void, or by prevention
of success; as, the defeat of a plan or design.
3. An overthrow, as of an army in battle; loss of a battle;
repulse suffered; discomfiture; -- opposed to victory.
Defeature \De*fea"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OF. desfaiture a killing,
disguising, prop., an undoing. See {Defeat}, and cf.
{Disfeature}.]
1. Overthrow; defeat. [Obs.] ``Nothing but loss in their
defeature.'' --Beau. & Fl.
2. Disfigurement; deformity. [Obs.] ``Strange defeatures in
my face.'' --Shak.
Defeatured \De*fea"tured\ (?; 135), p. p.
Changed in features; deformed. [R.]
Features when defeatured in the . . . way I have
described. --De Quincey.
Defecate \Def"e*cate\, a. [L. defaecatus, p. p. of defaecare to
defecate; de- + faex, faecis, dregs, lees.]
Freed from anything that can pollute, as dregs, lees, etc.;
refined; purified.
Till the soul be defecate from the dregs of sense.
--Bates.
Defecate \Def"e*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defecated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Defecating}.]
1. To clear from impurities, as lees, dregs, etc.; to
clarify; to purify; to refine.
To defecate the dark and muddy oil of amber.
--Boyle.
2. To free from extraneous or polluting matter; to clear; to
purify, as from that which materializes.
We defecate the notion from materiality. --Glanvill.
Defecated from all the impurities of sense. --Bp.
Warburton.
Defecate \Def"e*cate\, v. i.
1. To become clear, pure, or free. --Goldsmith.
2. To void excrement.
Defecation \Def`e*ca"tion\, n. [L. defaecatio: cf. F.
d['e]f['e]cation.]
1. The act of separating from impurities, as lees or dregs;
purification.
2. (Physiol.) The act or process of voiding excrement.
Defecator \Def"e*ca`tor\, n.
That which cleanses or purifies; esp., an apparatus for
removing the feculencies of juices and sirups. --Knight.
Defect \De*fect"\, n. [L. defectus, fr. deficere, defectum, to
desert, fail, be wanting; de- + facere to make, do. See
{Fact}, {Feat}, and cf. {Deficit}.]
1. Want or absence of something necessary for completeness or
perfection; deficiency; -- opposed to superfluity.
Errors have been corrected, and defects supplied.
--Davies.
2. Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical or moral;
blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a defect in
timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment.
Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know, Make
use of every friend -- and every foe. --Pope.
Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal
defects. --Macaulay.
Syn: Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See {Fault}.
Defect \De*fect"\, v. i.
To fail; to become deficient. [Obs.] ``Defected honor.''
--Warner.
Defect \De*fect"\, v. t.
To injure; to damage. ``None can my life defect.'' [R.]
--Troubles of Q. Elizabeth (1639).
Defectibility \De*fect`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
Deficiency; imperfection. [R.] --Ld. Digby. Jer. Taylor.
Defectible \De*fect"i*ble\, a.
Liable to defect; imperfect. [R.] ``A defectible
understanding.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Defection \De*fec"tion\, n. [L. defectio: cf. F. d['e]fection.
See {Defect}.]
Act of abandoning a person or cause to which one is bound by
allegiance or duty, or to which one has attached himself;
desertion; failure in duty; a falling away; apostasy;
backsliding. ``Defection and falling away from God.'' --Sir
W. Raleigh.
The general defection of the whole realm. --Sir J.
Davies.
Defectionist \De*fec"tion*ist\, n.
One who advocates or encourages defection.
Defectious \De*fec"tious\, a.
Having defects; imperfect. [Obs.] ``Some one defectious
piece.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Defective \De*fect"ive\, a. [L. defectivus: cf. F. d['e]fectif.
See {Defect}.]
1. Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part;
deficient; imperfect; faulty; -- applied either to natural
or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective
timber; a defective copy or account; a defective
character; defective rules.
2. (Gram.) Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or
conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb. --
{De*fect"ive*ly}, adv. -- {De*fect"ive*ness}, n.
Defectuosity \De*fec`tu*os"i*ty\ (?; 135), n. [Cf. F.
d['e]fectuosit['e].]
Great imperfection. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Defectuous \De*fec"tu*ous\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fectueux.]
Full of defects; imperfect. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Defedation \Def`e*da"tion\, n. [L. defoedare, defoedatum, to
defile; de- + foedare to foul, foedus foul.]
The act of making foul; pollution. [Obs.]
Defence \De*fence"\, n. & v. t.
See {Defense}.
Defend \De*fend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defended}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defending}.] [F. d['e]fendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere
(only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. ? to strike, and
E. dint. Cf. {Dint}, {Defense}, {Fend}.]
1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A
Latinism & Obs.]
Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan
with his might and main. --Spenser.
2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Which God defend that I should wring from him.
--Shak.
3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure
against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to
uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause;
to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes
followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self
from, or against, one's enemies.
The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city.
--Shak.
God defend the right! --Shak.
A village near it was defended by the river.
--Clarendon.
4. (Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to
(the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as
a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. --Burrill.
Syn: To {Defend}, {Protect}.
Usage: To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to
cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We
defend those who are attacked; we protect those who
are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is
defended by its guns, and protected by its wall.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts
defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver
it. --Is. xxxi. 5.
Leave not the faithful side That gave thee
being, still shades thee and protects. --Milton.
Defendable \De*fend"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fendable.]
Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]
Defendant \De*fend"ant\, a. [F. d['e]fendant, p. pr. of
d['e]fendre. See {Defend}.]
1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.]
With men of courage and with means defendant.
--Shak.
2. Making defense.
Defendant \De*fend"ant\, n.
1. One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had
cast up. --Spotswood.
2. (Law) A person required to make answer in an action or
suit; -- opposed to plaintiff. --Abbott.
Note: The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is
made in court, whether the party denies and defends the
claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a
party charged with a criminal offense.
Defendee \De`fen*dee"\, n.
One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]
Defender \De*fend"er\, n. [Cf. {Fender}.]
One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, or
vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator.
Provinces . . . left without their ancient and puissant
defenders. --Motley.
Defendress \De*fend"ress\, n.
A female defender. [R.]
Defendress of the faith. --Stow.
Defensative \De*fen"sa*tive\, n. [L. defensare, defensatum, to
defend diligently, intens. of defendere. See {Defend}.]
That which serves to protect or defend.
Defense \De*fense"\, Defence \De*fence"\, n. [F. d['e]fense, OF.
defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. LL.
defensum), from defendere. See {Defend}, and cf. {Fence}.]
1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended;
protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy
more mighty than he seems. --Shak.
2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to
oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain
security; a guard; a protection.
War would arise in defense of the right. --Tennyson.
God, the widow's champion and defense. --Shak.
3. Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
--Acts xxii.
1.
4. (Law) The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or
denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or
prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the
defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's
action.
5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy;
practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
A man of great defense. --Spenser.
By how much defense is better than no skill. --Shak.
6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. [Obs.]
Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen
under a certain breadth. --Sir W.
Temple.
Defense \De*fense"\, v. t.
To furnish with defenses; to fortify. [Obs.] [Written also
{defence}.]
Better manned and more strongly defensed. --Hales.
Defenseless \De*fense"less\, a.
Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to
oppose; unprotected. -- {De*fense"less*ly}, adv. --
{De*fense"less*ness}, n.
Defenser \De*fens"er\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]fenseur, L. defensor. Cf.
{Defensor}.]
Defender. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Defensibility \De*fen`si*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability of being defended.
Defensible \De*fen"si*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fensable, LL.
defensabilis, defensibilis. See {Defense}, and cf.
{Defendable}.]
1. Capable of being defended; as, a defensible city, or a
defensible cause.
2. Capable of offering defense. [Obs.] --Shak.
Defensibleness \De*fen"si*ble*ness\, n.
Capability of being defended; defensibility. --Priestley.
Defensive \De*fen"sive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fensif.]
1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed
to offensive; as, defensive armor.
A moat defensive to a house. --Shak.
2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; -- opposed
to offensive; as, defensive war.
3. In a state or posture of defense. --Milton.
Defensive \De*fen"sive\, n.
That which defends; a safeguard.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensives.
--Bacon.
{To be on the defensive}, {To stand on the defensive}, to be
or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance,
in opposition to aggression or attack.
Defensively \De*fen"sive*ly\, adv.
On the defensive.
Defensor \De*fen"sor\, n. [L. See {Defenser}.]
1. A defender. --Fabyan.
2. (Law) A defender or an advocate in court; a guardian or
protector.
3. (Eccl.) The patron of a church; an officer having charge
of the temporal affairs of a church.
Defensory \De*fen"so*ry\, a. [L. defensorius.]
Tending to defend; defensive; as, defensory preparations.
Defer \De*fer"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deferred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deferring}.] [OE. differren, F. diff['e]rer, fr. L. differre
to delay, bear different ways; dis- + ferre to bear. See
{Bear} to support, and cf. {Differ}, {Defer} to offer.]
To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay the
execution of; to delay; to withhold.
Defer the spoil of the city until night. --Shak.
God . . . will not long defer To vindicate the glory of
his name. --Milton.
Defer \De*fer"\, v. i.
To put off; to delay to act; to wait.
Pius was able to defer and temporize at leisure. --J.
A. Symonds.
Defer \De*fer"\, v. t. [F. d['e]f['e]rer to pay deference, to
yield, to bring before a judge, fr. L. deferre to bring down;
de- + ferre to bear. See {Bear} to support, and cf. {Defer}
to delay, {Delate}.]
1. To render or offer. [Obs.]
Worship deferred to the Virgin. --Brevint.
2. To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer;
-- with to.
Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the matter
to the Earl of Northumberland. --Bacon.
Defer \De*fer"\, v. i.
To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the
opinion of another, or to authority; -- with to.
The house, deferring to legal right, acquiesced.
--Bancroft.
Deference \Def"er*ence\, n. [F. d['e]f['e]rence. See 3d
{Defer}.]
A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the
wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard;
respect; complaisance.
Deference to the authority of thoughtful and sagacious
men. --Whewell.
Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect,
and the most elegant of all compliments. --Shenstone.
Syn: {Deference}, {Reverence}, {Respect}.
Usage: Deference marks an inclination to yield one's opinion,
and to acquiesce in the sentiments of another in
preference to one's own. Respect marks the estimation
that we have for another, which makes us look to him
as worthy of high confidence for the qualities of his
mind and heart. Reverence denotes a mingling of fear
with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age, rank,
dignity, and personal merit call for deference;
respect should be paid to the wise and good; reverence
is due to God, to the authors of our being, and to the
sanctity of the laws.
Deferent \Def"er*ent\, a. [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See
3d {Defer}.]
Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] ``Bodies deferent.'' --Bacon.
Deferent \Def"er*ent\, n.
1. That which carries or conveys.
Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds.
--Bacon.
2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary circle surrounding the
earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the
center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be
carried round.
Deferential \Def`er*en"tial\, a. [See {Deference}.]
Expressing deference; accustomed to defer.
Deferentially \Def`er*en"tial*ly\, adv.
With deference.
Deferment \De*fer"ment\, n. [See 1st {Defer}.]
The act of delaying; postponement. [R.]
My grief, joined with the instant business, Begs a
deferment. --Suckling.
Deferrer \De*fer"rer\, n.
One who defers or puts off.
Defervescence \De`fer*ves"cence\, Defervescency
\De`fer*ves"cency\, n. [L. defervescere to grow cool.]
1. A subsiding from a state of ebullition; loss of heat;
lukewarmness.
A defervescency in holy actions. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) The subsidence of a febrile process; as, the stage
of defervescence in pneumonia.
Defeudalize \De*feu"dal*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of the feudal character or form.
Defiance \De*fi"ance\, n. [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge,
fr. desfier to challenge, F. d['e]fier. See {Defy}.]
1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to
combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat.
A war without a just defiance made. --Dryden.
Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down.
--Tennyson.
2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition
to resist; contempt of opposition.
He breathed defiance to my ears. --Shak.
3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [Obs.]
``Defiance to thy kindness.'' --Ford.
{To bid defiance}, {To set at defiance}, to defy; to
disregard recklessly or contemptuously. --Locke.
Defiant \De*fi"ant\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]fiant, p. pr. of d['e]fier.
See {Defy}.]
Full of defiance; bold; insolent; as, a defiant spirit or
act.
In attitude stern and defiant. --Longfellow.
-- {De*fi"ant*ly}, adv. -- {De*fi"ant*ness}, n.
Defiatory \De*fi"a*to*ry\, a. [See {Defy}.]
Bidding or manifesting defiance. [Obs.] --Shelford.
Defibrinate \De*fi"bri*nate\, v. t.
To deprive of fibrin, as fresh blood or lymph by stirring
with twigs.
Defibrination \De*fi`bri*na"tion\, n.
The act or process of depriving of fibrin.
Defibrinize \De*fi"bri*nize\, v. t.
To defibrinate.
Deficience \De*fi"cience\, n.
Same as {Deficiency}.
Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee Is no
deficience found. --Milton.
Deficiency \De*fi"cien*cy\, n.; pl. {Deficiencies}. [See
{Deficient}.]
The state of being deficient; inadequacy; want; failure;
imperfection; shortcoming; defect. ``A deficiency of blood.''
--Arbuthnot.
[Marlborough] was so miserably ignorant, that his
deficiencies made him the ridicule of his
contemporaries. --Buckle.
{Deficiency of a curve} (Geom.), the amount by which the
number of double points on a curve is short of the maximum
for curves of the same degree.
Deficient \De*fi"cient\, a. [L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of
deficere to be wanting. See {Defect}.]
Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a
requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective;
imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts;
deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment.
The style was indeed deficient in ease and variety.
--Macaulay.
{Deficient number}. (Arith.) See under {Abundant}. --
{De*fi"cient-ly}, adv.
Deficit \Def"i*cit\, n. [Lit., it is wanting, 3d person pres.
indic. of L. deficere, cf. F. d['e]ficit. See {Defect}.]
Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack; as, a
deficit in taxes, revenue, etc. --Addison.
Defier \De*fi"er\, n. [See {Defy}.]
One who dares and defies; a contemner; as, a defier of the
laws.
Defiguration \De*fig`u*ra"tion\, n.
Disfiguration; mutilation. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Defigure \De*fig"ure\, v. t. [Pref. de- (intens.) + figure.]
To delineate. [Obs.]
These two stones as they are here defigured. --Weever.
Defilade \De`fi*lade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defiladed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Defilading}.] [Cf. F. d['e]filer to defile, and
d['e]filade act of defiling. See 1st {Defile}.] (Mil.)
To raise, as a rampart, so as to shelter interior works
commanded from some higher point.
Defilading \De`fi*lad"ing\, n. (Mil.)
The art or act of determining the directions and heights of
the lines of rampart with reference to the protection of the
interior from exposure to an enemy's fire from any point
within range, or from any works which may be erected.
--Farrow.
Defile \De*file"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Defiled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defiling}.] [F. d['e]filer; pref. d['e]-, for des- (L.
dis-) + file a row or line. See {File} a row.]
To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
Defile \De*file"\, v. t. (Mil.)
Same as {Defilade}.
Defile \De*file"\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. d['e]fil['e], fr.
d['e]filer to defile.]
1. Any narrow passage or gorge in which troops can march only
in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass
between hills, rocks, etc.
2. (Mil.) The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the
exterior works in order to protect the interior. See
{Defilade}.
Defile \De*file"\, v. t. [OE. defoulen, -foilen, to tread down,
OF. defouler; de- + fouler to trample (see {Full}, v. t.),
and OE. defoulen to foul (influenced in form by the older
verb defoilen). See {File} to defile, {Foul}, {Defoul}.]
1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to
befoul; to pollute.
They that touch pitch will be defiled. --Shak.
2. To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint.
He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age,
however his character may be defiled by . . . dirty
hands. --Swift.
3. To injure in purity of character; to corrupt.
Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt.
--Ezek. xx. 7.
4. To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate.
The husband murder'd and the wife defiled. --Prior.
5. To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts,
he shall not eat to defile therewith. --Lev. xxii.
8.
Defilement \De*file"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]filement. See
{Defile}] (Mil.)
The protection of the interior walls of a fortification from
an enfilading fire, as by covering them, or by a high parapet
on the exposed side.
Defilement \De*file"ment\, n. [From 3d {Defile}.]
The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether
physically or morally; pollution; foulness; dirtiness;
uncleanness.
Defilements of the flesh. --Hopkins.
The chaste can not rake into such filth without danger
of defilement. --Addison.
Defiler \De*fil"er\, n.
One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which
pollutes.
Defiliation \De*fil`i*a"tion\, n. [L. de- + filius son.]
Abstraction of a child from its parents. --Lamb.
Definable \De*fin"a*ble\, a. [From {Define}.]
Capable of being defined, limited, or explained;
determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as,
definable limits; definable distinctions or regulations;
definable words. -- {De*fin"a*bly}, adv.
Define \De*fine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defining}.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F.
d['e]finir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- +
finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See
{Final}, {Finish}.]
1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
``To define controversies.'' --Barrow.
2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark
the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or
country.
3. To determine with precision; to mark out with
distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the
defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. --Sir I.
Newton.
4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the
meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound
or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a
scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to
nature. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Define \De*fine"\, v. i.
To determine; to decide. [Obs.]
Definement \De*fine"ment\, n.
The act of defining; definition; description. [Obs.] --Shak.
Definer \De*fin"er\, n.
One who defines or explains.
Definite \Def"i*nite\, a. [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf.
F. d['e]fini. See {Define}.]
1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or
greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a
definite measure; a definite period or interval.
Elements combine in definite proportions. --Whewell.
2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate;
certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite
word, term, or expression.
3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as,
the definite article.
{Definite article} (Gram.), the article the, which is used to
designate a particular person or thing, or a particular
class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive.
See {Definitive}, n. -
{Definite inflorescence}. (Bot.) See {Determinate
inflorescence}, under {Determinate}.
{Law of definite proportions} (Chem.), the essential law of
chemical combination that every definite compound always
contains the same elements in the same proportions by
weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one
compound with each other, the relative proportions of each
are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under
{Multiple}.
Definite \Def"i*nite\, n.
A thing defined or determined. [Obs.]
Definitely \Def"i*nite*ly\, adv.
In a definite manner; with precision; precisely;
determinately.
Definiteness \Def"i*nite*ness\, n.
The state of being definite; determinateness; precision;
certainty.
Definition \Def`i*ni"tion\, n. [L. definitio: cf. F.
d['e]finition.]
1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a
telescope accurate in definition.
2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a
description of a thing by its properties; an explanation
of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of
``circle;'' the definition of ``wit;'' an exact
definition; a loose definition.
Definition being nothing but making another
understand by words what the term defined stands
for. --Locke.
3. Description; sort. [R.] ``A new creature of another
definition.'' --Jer. Taylor.
4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which
make up the logical essence.
5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by
an optical instrument; precision in detail.
Syn: {Definition}, {Explanation}, {Description}.
Usage: A definition is designed to settle a thing in its
compass and extent; an explanation is intended to
remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is
therefore more extended and minute; a description
enters into striking particulars with a view to
interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not
therefore true, though often said, that description is
only an extended definition. ``Logicians distinguish
definitions into essential and accidental. An
essential definition states what are regarded as the
constituent parts of the essence of that which is to
be defined; and an accidental definition lays down
what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it,
viz., properties or accidents, such as causes,
effects, etc.'' --Whately.
Definitional \Def`i*ni"tion*al\, a.
Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition;
employed in defining.
Definitive \De*fin"i*tive\, a. [L. definitivus: cf. F.
d['e]finitif.]
1. Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional;
express.
A strict and definitive truth. --Sir T.
Browne.
Some definitive . . . scheme of reconciliation.
--Prescott.
2. Limiting; determining; as, a definitive word.
3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] --Shak.
Definitive \De*fin"i*tive\, n. (Gram.)
A word used to define or limit the extent of the
signification of a common noun, such as the definite article,
and some pronouns.
Note: Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians
articles. . . . They are of two kinds, either those
properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal
articles, such as this, that, any, other, some, all,
no, none, etc. --Harris (Hermes).
Definitively \De*fin"i*tive*ly\, adv.
In a definitive manner.
Definitiveness \De*fin"i*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being definitive.
Definitude \De*fin"i*tude\, n.
Definiteness. [R.]
Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute differences.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
Defix \De*fix"\, v. t. [L. defixus, p. p. of defigere to fix;
de- + figere to fix.]
To fix; to fasten; to establish. [Obs.] ``To defix their
princely seat . . . in that extreme province.'' --Hakluyt.
Deflagrability \Def`la*gra*bil"i*ty\, n. (Chem.)
The state or quality of being deflagrable.
The ready deflagrability . . . of saltpeter. --Boyle.
Deflagrable \De*fla"gra*ble\ (?; 277), a. [See {Deflagrate}.]
(Chem.)
Burning with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter;
hence, slightly explosive; liable to snap and crackle when
heated, as salt.
Deflagrate \Def"la*grate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Deflagrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Deflagrating}.] [L. deflagratus, p. p. of
deflagrare to burn up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.]
(Chem.)
To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter;
also, to snap and crackle with slight explosions when heated,
as salt.
Deflagrate \Def"la*grate\, v. t. (Chem.)
To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by
the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as,
to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen flame.
Deflagration \Def`la*gra"tion\, n. [L. deflagratio: cf. F.
d['e]flagration.]
1. A burning up; conflagration. ``Innumerable deluges and
deflagrations.'' --Bp. Pearson.
2. (Chem.) The act or process of deflagrating.
Deflagrator \Def"la*gra`tor\, n. (Chem.)
A form of the voltaic battery having large plates, used for
producing rapid and powerful combustion.
Deflate \De*flate"\, v. t. [Pref. de- down + L. flare, flatus to
blow.]
To reduce from an inflated condition.
Deflect \De*flect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deflected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deflecting}.] [L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend
or turn. See {Flexible}.]
To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often
deflected.
Sitting with their knees deflected under them. --Lord
(1630).
Deflect \De*flect"\, v. i.
To turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line,
or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve.
At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth not,
but lieth in the true meridian. --Sir T.
Browne.
To deflect from the line of truth and reason.
--Warburton.
Deflectable \De*flect"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being deflected.
Deflected \De*flect"ed\, a.
1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or course.
2. Bent downward; deflexed.
Deflection \De*flec"tion\, n. [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf.
F. d['e]flexion.]
1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside;
a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending,
esp. downward; deviation.
The other leads to the same point, through certain
deflections. --Lowth.
2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true
course.
3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface
of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction.
4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from
its own weight or by reason of a load.
Deflectionization \De*flec`tion*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of freeing from inflections. --Earle.
Deflectionize \De*flec"tion*ize\, v. t.
To free from inflections.
Deflectionized languages are said to be analytic.
--Earle.
Deflective \De*flect"ive\, a.
Causing deflection.
{Deflective forces}, forces that cause a body to deviate from
its course.
Deflector \De*flect"or\, n. (Mech.)
That which deflects, as a diaphragm in a furnace, or a cone
in a lamp (to deflect and mingle air and gases and help
combustion).
Deflexed \De*flexed"\, a.
Bent abruptly downward.
Deflexion \De*flex"ion\, n.
See {Deflection}.
Deflexure \De*flex"ure\, n. [From L. deflectere, deflexum. See
{Deflect}.]
A bending or turning aside; deflection. --Bailey.
Deflorate \De*flo"rate\, a. [LL. defloratus, p. p. of deflorare.
See {Deflour}.] (Bot.)
Past the flowering state; having shed its pollen. --Gray.
Defloration \Def`lo*ra"tion\, n. [LL. defloratio: cf. F.
d['e]floration.]
1. The act of deflouring; as, the defloration of a virgin.
--Johnson.
2. That which is chosen as the flower or choicest part;
careful culling or selection. [R.]
The laws of Normandy are, in a great measure, the
defloration of the English laws. --Sir M. Hale.
Deflour \De*flour"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defloured}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deflouring}.] [F. d['e]florer, LL. deflorare; L. de-
+ flos, floris, flower. See {Flower}, and cf. {Deflorate}.]
1. To deprive of flowers.
2. To take away the prime beauty and grace of; to rob of the
choicest ornament.
He died innocent and before the sweetness of his
soul was defloured and ravished from him. --Jer.
Taylor.
3. To deprive of virginity, as a woman; to violate; to
ravish; also, to seduce.
Deflourer \De*flour"er\, n.
One who deflours; a ravisher.
Deflow \De*flow"\, v. i. [Pref. de- + flow: cf. L. defluere.]
To flow down. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Deflower \De*flow"er\, v. t. [Pref. de- + flower.]
Same as {Deflour}.
An earthquake . . . deflowering the gardens. --W.
Montagu.
If a man had deflowered a virgin. --Milton.
Deflowerer \De*flow"er*er\, n.
See {Deflourer}. --Milton.
Defluous \Def"lu*ous\, a. [L. defluus, fr. defluere to flow
down; de- + fluere to flow.]
Flowing down; falling off. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Deflux \De*flux"\, n. [L. defluxus, fr. defluere, defluxum.]
Downward flow. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Defluxion \De*flux"ion\, n. [L. defluxio.] (Med.)
A discharge or flowing of humors or fluid matter, as from the
nose in catarrh; -- sometimes used synonymously with
inflammation. --Dunglison.
Defly \Def"ly\, adv.
Deftly. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Defoedation \Def`[oe]*da"tion\, n.
Defedation. [Obs.]
Defoliate \De*fo"li*ate\, Defoliated \De*fo"li*a`ted\ a.
Deprived of leaves, as by their natural fall.
Defoliation \De*fo`li*a"tion\, n. [LL. defoliare, defoliatum, to
shed leaves; L. de- + folium leaf: cf. F. d['e]foliation.]
The separation of ripened leaves from a branch or stem; the
falling or shedding of the leaves.
Deforce \De*force"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deforced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deforcing}.] [OF. deforcier; de- or des- (L. de or
dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See {Force}, v.] (Law)
(a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully
the possession of, as of lands or a freehold.
(b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose
by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty.
--Burrill.
Deforcement \De*force"ment\, n. [OF.] (Law)
(a) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding,
as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right.
(b) (Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the execution of
law. --Burrill.
Deforceor \De*force"or\, n.
Same as {Deforciant}. [Obs.]
Deforciant \De*for"ciant\, n. [OF. deforciant, p. pr. of
deforcier. See {Deforce}.] (Eng. Law)
(a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an
estate.
(b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought.
[Obs.] --Burrill.
Deforciation \De*for`ci*a"tion\, n. (Law)
Same as {Deforcement}, n.
Deforest \De*for"est\, v. t.
To clear of forests; to disforest. --U. S. Agric. Reports.
Deform \De*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deformed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deforming}.] [L. deformare; de- + formare to form, shape,
fr. forma: cf. F. d['e]former. See {Form}.]
1. To spoil the form of; to mar in form; to misshape; to
disfigure.
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this
breathing world. --Shak.
2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness, grace, or
perfection; to dishonor.
Above those passions that this world deform.
--Thomson.
Deform \De*form"\, a. [L. deformis; de- + forma form: cf. OF.
deforme, F. difforme. Cf. {Difform}.]
Deformed; misshapen; shapeless; horrid. [Obs.]
Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Dry-eyed
behold? --Milton.
Deformation \Def`or*ma"tion\, n. [L. deformatio: cf. F.
d['e]formation.]
1. The act of deforming, or state of anything deformed. --Bp.
Hall.
2. Transformation; change of shape.
Deformed \De*formed"\, a.
Unnatural or distorted in form; having a deformity;
misshapen; disfigured; as, a deformed person; a deformed
head. -- {De*form"ed*ly}, adv. -- {De*form"ed*ness}, n.
Deformer \De*form"er\, n.
One who deforms.
Deformity \De*form"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Deformities}. [L. deformitas,
fr. deformis: cf. OF. deformet['e], deformit['e], F.
difformit['e]. See {Deform}, v. & a., and cf. {Disformity}.]
1. The state of being deformed; want of proper form or
symmetry; any unnatural form or shape; distortion;
irregularity of shape or features; ugliness.
To make an envious mountain on my back, Where sits
deformity to mock my body. --Shak.
2. Anything that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety;
irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation from order or the
established laws of propriety; as, deformity in an
edifice; deformity of character.
Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look so
near upon her foul deformities. --Milton.
Deforser \De*fors"er\, n. [From {Deforce}.] [Written also
deforsor.]
A deforciant. [Obs.] --Blount.
Defoul \De*foul"\, v. t. [See {Defile}, v. t.]
1. To tread down. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. To make foul; to defile. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Defraud \De*fraud"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defrauded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Defrauding}.] [L. defraudare; de- + fraudare to
cheat, fr. fraus, fraudis, fraud: cf. OF. defrauder. See
{Fraud}.]
To deprive of some right, interest, or property, by a
deceitful device; to withhold from wrongfully; to injure by
embezzlement; to cheat; to overreach; as, to defraud a
servant, or a creditor, or the state; -- with of before the
thing taken or withheld.
We have defrauded no man. --2 Cor. vii.
2.
Churches seem injured and defrauded of their rights.
--Hooker.
Defraudation \De`frau*da"tion\, n. [L. defraudatio: cf. F.
d['e]fraudation.]
The act of defrauding; a taking by fraud. [R.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Defrauder \De*fraud"er\, n.
One who defrauds; a cheat; an embezzler; a peculator.
Defraudment \De*fraud"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. defraudement.]
Privation by fraud; defrauding. [Obs.] --Milton.
Defray \De*fray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defrayed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defraying}.] [F. d['e]frayer; pref. d['e]- (L. de or
dis-) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum, fridum, expense, fine
by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or
more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace,
fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede. See {Affray}.]
1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide
for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc.
For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his
cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much.
--Usher.
2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to
defray wrath. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Defrayal \De*fray"al\, n.
The act of defraying; payment; as, the defrayal of necessary
costs.
Defrayer \De*fray"er\, n.
One who pays off expenses.
Defrayment \De*fray"ment\, n.
Payment of charges.
Deft \Deft\, a. [OE. daft, deft, becoming, mild, gentle, stupid
(cf. OE. daffe, deffe, fool, coward), AS. d[ae]ft (in
derivatives only) mild, gentle, fitting, seasonable; akin to
dafen, gedafen, becoming, fit, Goth. gadaban to be fit. Cf.
{Daft}, {Daff}, {Dapper}.]
Apt; fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. [Archaic or
Poetic] ``The deftest way.'' --Shak. ``Deftest feats.''
--Gay.
The limping god, so deft at his new ministry. --Dryden.
Let me be deft and debonair. --Byron.
Deftly \Deft"ly\, adv. [Cf. {Defly}.]
Aptly; fitly; dexterously; neatly. ``Deftly dancing.''
--Drayton.
Thyself and office deftly show. --Shak.
Deftness \Deft"ness\, n.
The quality of being deft. --Drayton.
Defunct \De*funct"\ a. [L. defunctus, p. p. of defungi to acquit
one's self of, to perform, finish, depart, die; de + fungi to
perform, discharge: cf. F. d['e]funt. See {Function}.]
Having finished the course of life; dead; deceased. ``Defunct
organs.'' --Shak.
The boar, defunct, lay tripped up, near. --Byron.
Defunct \De*funct"\, n.
A dead person; one deceased.
Defunction \De*func"tion\, n. [L. defunctio performance, death.]
Death. [Obs.]
After defunction of King Pharamond. --Shak.
Defunctive \De*func"tive\, a.
Funereal. [Obs.] ``Defunctive music.'' --Shak.
Defuse \De*fuse"\, v. t. [Cf. {Diffuse}.]
To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.] --Shak.
Defy \De*fy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Defying}.] [F. d['e]fier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL.
disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond
of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to
challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See {Faith}, and
cf. {Diffident}, {Affiance}.]
1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or
obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.]
I defy the surety and the bond. --Chaucer.
For thee I have defied my constant mistress. --Beau.
& Fl.
2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to
challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat
with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of
a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to
defy public opinion.
I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
--Milton.
I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the
contrary. --Burke.
Defy \De*fy"\, n.
A challenge. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Degarnish \De*gar"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Degarnished}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Degarnishing}.] [F. d['e]garnir; pref. d['e]-,
des- (L. dis-) + garnir to furnish. See {Garnish}, and cf.
{Disgarnish}.]
1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of furniture,
ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to degarnish a house,
etc. [R.]
2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary for
defense; as, to degarnish a city or fort. [R.]
--Washington.
Degarnishment \De*gar"nish*ment\, n.
The act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a
garrison. [R.]
Degender \De*gen"der\, Degener \De*gen"er\, v. i. [See
{Degenerate}.]
To degenerate. [Obs.] ``Degendering to hate.'' --Spenser.
He degenereth into beastliness. --Joye.
Degeneracy \De*gen"er*a*cy\, n. [From {Degenerate}, a.]
1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse.
Willful degeneracy from goodness. --Tillotson.
2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good
qualities; deterioration; meanness.
Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery.
--Addison.
To recover mankind out of their universal corruption
and degeneracy. --S. Clarke.
Degenerate \De*gen"er*ate\, a. [L. degeneratus, p. p. of
degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener
base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- +
genus race, kind. See {Kin} relationship.]
Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state;
having declined in worth; having lost in goodness;
deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low.
Faint-hearted and degenerate king. --Shak.
A degenerate and degraded state. --Milton.
Degenerate from their ancient blood. --Swift.
These degenerate days. --Pope.
I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art
thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine
unto me? --Jer. ii. 21.
Degenerate \De*gen"er*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Degenerated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Degenerating}.]
1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one was
originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner,
or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to
deteriorate.
When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into
insolence and impiety. --Tillotson.
2. (Biol.) To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy
structure of its kind; to become of a lower type.
Degenerately \De*gen"er*ate*ly\, adv.
In a degenerate manner; unworthily.
Degenerateness \De*gen"er*ate*ness\, n.
Degeneracy.
Degeneration \De*gen`er*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]g['e]n['e]ration.]
1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having
become worse; decline; degradation; debasement;
degeneracy; deterioration.
Our degeneration and apostasy. --Bates.
2. (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which
its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a
substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure;
as, fatty degeneration of the liver.
3. (Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of
any class of animals or plants or any particular organ or
organs; hereditary degradation of type.
4. The thing degenerated. [R.]
Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. --Sir
T. Browne.
{Amyloid degeneration}, {Caseous degeneration}, etc. See
under {Amyloid}, {Caseous}, etc.
Degenerationist \De*gen`er*a"tion*ist\, n. (Biol.)
A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary
degradation of type; as, the degenerationists hold that
savagery is the result of degeneration from a superior state.
Degenerative \De*gen"er*a*tive\, a.
Undergoing or producing degeneration; tending to degenerate.
Degenerous \De*gen"er*ous\, a. [L. degener. See {Degenerate}.]
Degenerate; base. [Obs.] ``Degenerous passions.'' --Dryden.
``Degenerous practices.'' --South.
Degenerously \De*gen"er*ous*ly\, adv.
Basely. [Obs.]
Deglazing \De*glaz"ing\, n.
The process of giving a dull or ground surface to glass by
acid or by mechanical means. --Knight.
Degloried \De*glo"ried\, a.
Deprived of glory; dishonored. [Obs.] ``With thorns
degloried.'' --G. Fletcher.
Deglutinate \De*glu"ti*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Deglutinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deglutinating}.] [L.
deglutinatus, p. p. of deglutinare to deglutinate; de- +
glutinare to glue, gluten glue.]
To loosen or separate by dissolving the glue which unties; to
unglue.
Deglutination \De*glu`ti*na"tion\, n.
The act of ungluing.
Deglutition \Deg`lu*ti"tion\, n. [L. deglutire to swallow down;
de- + glutire to swallow: cf. F. d['e]glutition. See {Glut}.]
The act or process of swallowing food; the power of
swallowing.
The muscles employed in the act of deglutition.
--Paley.
Deglutitious \Deg`lu*ti"tious\, a.
Pertaining to deglutition. [R.]
Deglutitory \De*glu"ti*to*ry\, a.
Serving for, or aiding in, deglutition.
Degradation \Deg`ra*da"tion\, n. [LL. degradatio, from
degradare: cf. F. d['e]gradation. See {Degrade}.]
1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or
of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in
office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a
peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop.
He saw many removes and degradations in all the
other offices of which he had been possessed.
--Clarendon.
2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or
reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual
degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
The . . . degradation of a needy man of letters.
--Macaulay.
Deplorable is the degradation of our nature.
--South.
Moments there frequently must be, when a sinner is
sensible of the degradation of his state. --Blair.
3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value;
degeneration; deterioration.
The development and degradation of the alphabetic
forms can be traced. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
4. (Geol.) A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and
banks, by the action of water, frost etc.
5. (Biol.) The state or condition of a species or group which
exhibits degraded forms; degeneration.
The degradation of the species man is observed in
some of its varieties. --Dana.
6. (Physiol.) Arrest of development, or degeneration of any
organ, or of the body as a whole.
{Degradation of energy}, or {Dissipation of energy}
(Physics), the transformation of energy into some form in
which it is less available for doing work.
Syn: Abasement; debasement; reduction; decline.
Degrade \De*grade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Degraded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Degrading}.] [F. d['e]grader, LL. degradare, fr. L.
de- + gradus step, degree. See {Grade}, and cf. {Degree}.]
1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to
lower in rank; to deprive of office or dignity; to strip
of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general
officer.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be
degraded from the bar. --Palfrey.
2. To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to
lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or
intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or
contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man.
O miserable mankind, to what fall Degraded, to what
wretched state reserved! --Milton.
Yet time ennobles or degrades each line. --Pope.
Her pride . . . struggled hard against this
degrading passion. --Macaulay.
3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and
mountains; to wear down.
Syn: To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See {Abase}.
Degrade \De*grade"\, v. i. (Biol.)
To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of
structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through
this or that genus or group of genera.
Degraded \De*grad"ed\, a.
1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased;
sunken; low; base.
The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a
very degraded condition. --Motley.
2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters or organs in a
partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts.
Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons.
--Dana.
3. [Cf. F. degr['e] step.] (Her.) Having steps; -- said of a
cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing
larger as they leave the center; -- termed also on
degrees.
Degradement \De*grade"ment\, n.
Deprivation of rank or office; degradation. [R.] --Milton.
Degradingly \De*grad"ing*ly\, adv.
In a degrading manner.
Degravation \Deg`ra*va"tion\, n. [L. degravare, degravatum, to
make heavy. See {Grave}, a.]
The act of making heavy. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Degree \De*gree"\, n. [F. degr['e], OF. degret, fr. LL.
degradare. See {Degrade}.]
1. A step, stair, or staircase. [Obs.]
By ladders, or else by degree. --Rom. of R.
2. One of a series of progressive steps upward or downward,
in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in
progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice and
virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree of comparison.
3. The point or step of progression to which a person has
arrived; rank or station in life; position. ``A dame of
high degree.'' --Dryden. ``A knight is your degree.''
--Shak. ``Lord or lady of high degree.'' --Lowell.
4. Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as, tastes differ
in kind as well as in degree.
The degree of excellence which proclaims genius, is
different in different times and different places.
--Sir. J.
Reynolds.
5. Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by a college
or university, in recognition of their attainments; as,
the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor, etc.
Note: In the United States diplomas are usually given as the
evidence of a degree conferred. In the humanities the
first degree is that of bachelor of arts (B. A. or A.
B.); the second that of master of arts (M. A. or A.
M.). The degree of bachelor (of arts, science,
divinity, law, etc.) is conferred upon those who
complete a prescribed course of undergraduate study.
The first degree in medicine is that of doctor of
medicine (M. D.). The degrees of master and doctor are
sometimes conferred, in course, upon those who have
completed certain prescribed postgraduate studies, as
doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.); but more frequently the
degree of doctor is conferred as a complimentary
recognition of eminent services in science or letters,
or for public services or distinction (as doctor of
laws (LL. D.) or doctor of divinity (D. D.), when they
are called honorary degrees.
The youth attained his bachelor's degree, and left the
university. --Macaulay.
6. (Genealogy) A certain distance or remove in the line of
descent, determining the proximity of blood; one remove in
the chain of relationship; as, a relation in the third or
fourth degree.
In the 11th century an opinion began to gain ground
in Italy, that third cousins might marry, being in
the seventh degree according to the civil law.
--Hallam.
7. (Arith.) Three figures taken together in numeration; thus,
140 is one degree, 222,140 two degrees.
8. (Algebra) State as indicated by sum of exponents; more
particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum
of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a^{2}b^{3}c
is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or
radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by
the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown
quantities in any term; thus, ax^{4} + bx^{2} = c, and
mx^{2}y^{2} + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth
degree.
9. (Trig.) A 360th part of the circumference of a circle,
which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for
arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and
the minute into 60 seconds.
10. A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical
or other instrument, as on a thermometer.
11. (Mus.) A line or space of the staff.
Note: The short lines and their spaces are added degrees.
{Accumulation of degrees}. (Eng. Univ.) See under
{Accumulation}.
{By degrees}, step by step; by little and little; by moderate
advances. ``I'll leave it by degrees.'' --Shak.
{Degree of a} {curve or surface} (Geom.), the number which
expresses the degree of the equation of the curve or
surface in rectilinear co["o]rdinates. A straight line
will, in general, meet the curve or surface in a number of
points equal to the degree of the curve or surface and no
more.
{Degree of latitude} (Geog.), on the earth, the distance on a
meridian between two parallels of latitude whose latitudes
differ from each other by one degree. This distance is not
the same on different parts of a meridian, on account of
the flattened figure of the earth, being 68.702 statute
miles at the equator, and 69.396 at the poles.
{Degree of longitude}, the distance on a parallel of latitude
between two meridians that make an angle of one degree
with each other at the poles -- a distance which varies as
the cosine of the latitude, being at the equator 69.16
statute miles.
{To a degree}, to an extreme; exceedingly; as, mendacious to
a degree.
It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave
to a degree on occasions when races more favored by
nature are gladsome to excess. --Prof.
Wilson.
Degu \De"gu\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small South American rodent ({Octodon Cumingii}), of the
family {Octodontid[ae]}.
Degust \De*gust"\, v. t. [L. degustare: cf. F. d['e]guster. See
{Gust} to taste.]
To taste. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Degustation \Deg`us*ta"tion\, n. [L. degustatio: cf. F.
d['e]gustation.] (Physiol.)
Tasting; the appreciation of sapid qualities by the taste
organs. --Bp. Hall.
Dehisce \De*hisce"\, v. i. [L. dehiscere; de- + hiscere to
gape.]
To gape; to open by dehiscence.
Dehiscence \De*his"cence\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]hiscence.]
1. The act of gaping.
2. (Biol.) A gaping or bursting open along a definite line of
attachment or suture, without tearing, as in the opening
of pods, or the bursting of capsules at maturity so as to
emit seeds, etc.; also, the bursting open of follicles, as
in the ovaries of animals, for the expulsion of their
contents.
Dehiscent \De*his"cent\, a. [L. dehiscens, -entis, p. pr. Cf. F.
d['e]hiscent.]
Characterized by dehiscence; opening in some definite way, as
the capsule of a plant.
Dehonestate \De`ho*nes"tate\, v. t. [L. dehonestatus, p. p. of
dehonestare to dishonor; de- + honestare to make honorable.
Cf. {Dishonest}, and see {Honest}.]
To disparage. [Obs.]
Dehonestation \De*hon`es*ta"tion\, n. [L. dehonestatio.]
A dishonoring; disgracing. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Dehorn \De*horn"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dehorned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dehorning}.]
To deprive of horns; to prevent the growth of the horns of
(cattle) by burning their ends soon after they start. See
{Dishorn}. ``Dehorning cattle.'' --Farm Journal (1886).
Dehors \De*hors"\, prep. [F., outside.] (Law)
Out of; without; foreign to; out of the agreement, record,
will, or other instrument.
Dehors \De*hors"\, n. (Mil.)
All sorts of outworks in general, at a distance from the main
works; any advanced works for protection or cover. --Farrow.
Dehort \De*hort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dehorted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dehorting}.] [L. dehortari; de- + hortari to urge,
exhort.]
To urge to abstain or refrain; to dissuade. [Obs.]
The apostles vehemently dehort us from unbelief. --Bp.
Ward.
``Exhort'' remains, but dehort, a word whose place
neither ``dissuade'' nor any other exactly supplies,
has escaped us. --Trench.
Dehortation \De`hor*ta"tion\, n. [L. dehortatio.]
Dissuasion; advice against something. [R.]
Dehortative \De*hort"a*tive\, a.
Dissuasive. [R.]
Dehortatory \De*hort"a*to*ry\, a. [L. dehortatorius.]
Fitted or designed to dehort or dissuade. --Bp. Hall.
Dehorter \De*hort"er\, n.
A dissuader; an adviser to the contrary. [Obs.]
Dehumanize \De*hu"man*ize\, v. t.
To divest of human qualities, such as pity, tenderness, etc.;
as, dehumanizing influences.
Dehusk \De*husk"\, v. t.
To remove the husk from. [Obs.] ``Wheat dehusked upon the
floor.'' --Drant.
Dehydrate \De*hy"drate\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deprive of water; to render free from water; as, to
dehydrate alcohol.
Dehydration \De`hy*dra"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or process of freeing from water; also, the condition
of a body from which the water has been removed.
Dehydrogenate \De*hy"dro*gen*ate\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deprive of, or free from, hydrogen.
Dehydrogenation \De*hy`dro*gen*a"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or process of freeing from hydrogen; also, the
condition resulting from the removal of hydrogen.
Deicide \De"i*cide\, n. [L. deicida a deicide (in sense 2); deus
god + c[ae]dere to cut, kill: cf. F. d['e]icide.]
1. The act of killing a being of a divine nature;
particularly, the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [R.]
Earth profaned, yet blessed, with deicide. --Prior.
2. One concerned in putting Christ to death.
Deictic \Deic"tic\, a. [Gr. deiktiko`s serving to show or point
out, fr. deikny`nai to show.] (Logic)
Direct; proving directly; -- applied to reasoning, and
opposed to {elenchtic} or refutative.
Deictically \Deic"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a manner to show or point out; directly; absolutely;
definitely.
When Christ spake it deictically. --Hammond.
Deific \De*if"ic\, Deifical \De*if"ic*al\, a. [L. deificus; deus
god + facere to make: cf. F. d['e]ifique.]
Making divine; producing a likeness to God; god-making. ``A
deifical communion.'' --Homilies.
Deification \De`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [LL. deificare to deify: cf.
F. d['e]ification. See {Deify}.]
The act of deifying; exaltation to divine honors; apotheosis;
excessive praise.
Deified \De"i*fied\, a.
Honored or worshiped as a deity; treated with supreme regard;
godlike.
Deifier \De"i*fi`er\, n.
One who deifies.
Deiform \De"i*form\, a. [L. deus a god + -form.]
1. Godlike, or of a godlike form. --Dr. H. More.
2. Conformable to the will of God. [R.] --Bp. Burnet.
Deiformity \De`i*for"mi*ty\, n.
Likeness to deity. [Obs.]
Deify \De"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deified}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deifying}.] [F. d['e]ifier, LL. deificare, fr. L. deificus.
See {Deific}, {Deity}, {-fy}.]
1. To make a god of; to exalt to the rank of a deity; to
enroll among the deities; to apotheosize; as, Julius
C[ae]sar was deified.
2. To praise or revere as a deity; to treat as an object of
supreme regard; as, to deify money.
He did again so extol and deify the pope. --Bacon.
3. To render godlike.
By our own spirits are we deified. --Wordsworth.
Deign \Deign\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deigned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deigning}.] [OE. deinen, deignen, OF. degner, deigner,
daigner, F. daigner, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy, deign,
fr. dignus worthy; akin to decere to be fitting. See
{Decent}, and cf. {Dainty}, {Dignity}, {Condign}, {Disdain}.]
1. To esteem worthy; to consider worth notice; -- opposed to
disdain. [Obs.]
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines. --Shak.
2. To condescend to give or bestow; to stoop to furnish; to
vouchsafe; to allow; to grant.
Nor would we deign him burial of his men. --Shak.
Deign \Deign\, v. i.
To think worthy; to vouchsafe; to condescend; - - followed by
an infinitive.
O deign to visit our forsaken seats. --Pope.
Yet not Lord Cranstone deigned she greet. --Sir W.
Scott.
Round turned he, as not deigning Those craven ranks to
see. --Macaulay.
Note: In early English deign was often used impersonally.
Him deyneth not to set his foot to ground.
--Chaucer.
Deignous \Deign"ous\, a. [For disdeignous, OF. desdeignos,
desdaigneus, F. d['e]daigneux. See {Disdain}.]
Haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deil \Deil\ (d[=e]l), n.
Devil; -- spelt also {deel}. [Scot.]
{Deil's buckie}. See under {Buckie}.
Deinoceras \Dei*noc"e*ras\, n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
See {Dinoceras}.
Deinornis \Dei*nor"nis\, n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
See {Dinornis}.
Deinosaur \Dei"no*saur\ (d[imac]"n[-o]*s[add]r), n. [NL.]
(Paleon.)
See {Dinosaur}.
Deinotherium \Dei`no*the"ri*um\
(d[imac]`n[-o]*th[=e]"r[i^]*[u^]m), n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
See {Dinotherium}.
Deintegrate \De*in"te*grate\, v. t. [L. deintegrare to impair;
de- + integrare to make whole.]
To disintegrate. [Obs.]
Deinteous \Dein"te*ous\, Deintevous \Dein"te*vous\, a.
Rare; excellent; costly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deiparous \De*ip"a*rous\, a. [L. deus a god + parere to bring
forth.]
Bearing or bringing forth a god; -- said of the Virgin Mary.
[Obs.] --Bailey.
Deipnosophist \Deip*nos"o*phist\, n. [Gr. deipnosofisth`s;
dei^pnon a meal + sofisth`s a wise man, sophist.]
One of an ancient sect of philosophers, who cultivated
learned conversation at meals.
Deis \De"is\ (d[=e]"[i^]s), n.
See {Dais}.
Deism \De"ism\ (d[=e]"[i^]z'm), n. [L. deus god: cf. F.
d['e]isme. See {Deity}.]
The doctrine or creed of a deist; the belief or system of
those who acknowledge the existence of one God, but deny
revelation.
Note: Deism is the belief in natural religion only, or those
truths, in doctrine and practice, which man is to
discover by the light of reason, independent of any
revelation from God. Hence, deism implies infidelity,
or a disbelief in the divine origin of the Scriptures.
Deist \De"ist\ (d[=e]"[i^]st), n. [L. deus god: cf. F.
d['e]iste. See {Deity}.]
One who believes in the existence of a God, but denies
revealed religion; a freethinker.
Note: A deist, as denying a revelation, is opposed to a
Christian; as, opposed to the denier of a God, whether
atheist or pantheist, a deist is generally denominated
theist. --Latham.
Syn: See {Infidel}.
Deistic \De*is"tic\ (d[-e]*[i^]s"t[i^]k), Deistical
\De*is"tic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, savoring of, or consisting in, deism; as, a
deistic writer; a deistical book.
The deistical or antichristian scheme. --I. Watts.
Deistically \De*is"tic*al*ly\, adv.
After the manner of deists.
Deisticalness \De*is"tic*al*ness\, n.
State of being deistical.
Deitate \De"i*tate\, a.
Deified. [Obs.] --Granmer.
Deity \De"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Deities}. [OE. deite, F. d['e]it['e],
fr. L. deitas, fr. deus a god; akin to divus divine, Jupiter,
gen. Jovis, Jupiter, dies day, Gr. di^os divine, Zey`s, gen.
Dio`s, Zeus, Skr. d[=e]va divine, as a noun, god, daiva
divine, dy[=o] sky, day, hence, the sky personified as a god,
and to the first syllable of E. Tuesday, Gael. & Ir. dia God,
W. duw. Cf. {Divine}, {Journey}, {Journal}, {Tuesday}.]
1. The collection of attributes which make up the nature of a
god; divinity; godhead; as, the deity of the Supreme Being
is seen in his works.
They declared with emphasis the perfect deity and
the perfect manhood of Christ. --Milman.
2. A god or goddess; a heathen god.
To worship calves, the deities Of Egypt. --Milton.
{The Deity}, God, the Supreme Being.
This great poet and philosopher [Simonides], the
more he contemplated the nature of the Deity, found
that he waded but the more out of his depth.
--Addison.
Deject \De*ject"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dejected}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dejecting}.] [L. dejectus, p. p. of dejicere to throw
down; de- + jacere to throw. See {Jet} a shooting forth.]
1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic]
Christ dejected himself even unto the hells.
--Udall.
Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming
civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a
modest look. --Fuller.
2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage;
to dishearten.
Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. --Pope.
Deject \De*ject"\, a. [L. dejectus, p. p.]
Dejected. [Obs.]
Dejecta \De*jec"ta\, n. pl. [NL., neut. pl. from L. dejectus, p.
p.]
Excrements; as, the dejecta of the sick.
Dejected \De*ject"ed\, a.
Cast down; afflicted; low-spirited; sad; as, a dejected look
or countenance. -- {De*ject"ed*ly}, adv. --
{De*ject"ed*ness}, n.
Dejecter \De*ject"er\, n.
One who casts down, or dejects.
Dejection \De*jec"tion\, n. [L. dejectio a casting down: cf. F.
d['e]jection.]
1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] --Hallywell.
2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self.
Adoration implies submission and dejection. --Bp.
Pearson.
3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune;
mental depression; melancholy.
What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair,
Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring.
--Milton.
4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.]
A dejection of appetite. --Arbuthnot.
5. (Physiol.)
(a) The discharge of excrement.
(b) F[ae]ces; excrement. --Ray.
Dejectly \De*ject"ly\, adv.
Dejectedly. [Obs.]
Dejectory \De*jec"to*ry\, a. [L. dejector a dejecter.]
1. Having power, or tending, to cast down.
2. Promoting evacuations by stool. --Ferrand.
Dejecture \De*jec"ture\ (?; 135), n.
That which is voided; excrements. --Arbuthnot.
Dejerate \Dej"er*ate\, v. i. [L. dejeratus, p. p. of dejerare to
swear; de- + jurare to swear.]
To swear solemnly; to take an oath. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Dejeration \Dej`er*a"tion\, n. [L. dejeratio.]
The act of swearing solemnly. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
D'ejeun'e \D['e]`jeu`n['e]"\, n. [F.]
A d['e]jeuner.
Take a d['e]jeun['e] of muskadel and eggs. --B. Jonson.
D'ejeuner \D['e]`jeu`ner"\, n. [F. d['e]jeuner breakfast, as a
verb, to breakfast. Cf. {Dinner}.]
A breakfast; sometimes, also, a lunch or collation.
De jure \De` ju"re\ [L.]
By right; of right; by law; -- often opposed to {de facto}.
Deka- \Dek"a-\ (Metric System)
A prefix signifying ten. See {Deca-}.
Dekagram \Dek"a*gram\, n.
Same as {Decagram}.
Dekaliter \Dek"a*li`ter\, n.
Same as {Decaliter}.
Dekameter \Dek"a*me`ter\, n.
Same as {Decameter}.
Dekastere \Dek"a*stere`\, n.
Same as {Decastere}.
Dekle \De"kle\, n. (Paper Making)
See {Deckle}.
Del \Del\, n. [See {Deal}, n.]
Share; portion; part. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Delaceration \De*lac`er*a"tion\, n. [L. delacerare, delaceratum,
to tear in pieces. See {Lacerate}.]
A tearing in pieces. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Delacrymation \De*lac`ry*ma"tion\, n. [L. delacrimatio, fr.
delacrimare to weep. See {Lachrymation}.]
An involuntary discharge of watery humors from the eyes;
wateriness of the eyes. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Delactation \De`lac*ta"tion\, n. [Pref. de- + L. lactare to suck
milk, from lac milk.]
The act of weaning. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Delaine \De*laine"\, n. [See Muslin delaine, under {Muslin}.]
A kind of fabric for women's dresses.
Delamination \De*lam`i*na"tion\, n. (Biol.)
Formation and separation of lamin[ae] or layers; one of the
methods by which the various blastodermic layers of the ovum
are differentiated.
Note: This process consists of a concentric splitting of the
cells of the blastosphere into an outer layer
(epiblast) and an inner layer (hypoblast). By the
perforation of the resultant two-walled vesicle, a
gastrula results similar to that formed by the process
of invagination.
Delapsation \De`lap*sa"tion\, n.
See {Delapsion}. --Ray.
Delapse \De*lapse"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Delapsed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Delapsing}.] [L. delapsus, p. p. of delabi to fall
down; de- + labi to fall or side.]
To pass down by inheritance; to lapse. [Obs.]
Which Anne derived alone the right, before all other,
Of the delapsed crown from Philip. --Drayton.
Delapsion \De*lap"sion\, n.
A falling down, or out of place; prolapsion.
Delassation \De`las*sa"tion\, n. [L. delassare, delassatum, to
tire out; de- + lassare to tire.]
Fatigue.
Able to continue without delassation. --Ray.
Delate \De*late"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Delating}.] [L. delatus, used as p. p. of deferre. See
{Tolerate}, and cf. 3d {Defer}, {Delay}, v.] [Obs. or
Archaic]
1. To carry; to convey.
Try exactly the time wherein sound is delated.
--Bacon.
2. To carry abroad; to spread; to make public.
When the crime is delated or notorious. --Jer.
Taylor.
3. To carry or bring against, as a charge; to inform against;
to accuse; to denounce.
As men were delated, they were marked down for such
a fine. --Bp. Burnet.
4. To carry on; to conduct. --Warner.
Delate \De*late"\, v. i.
To dilate. [Obs.] --Goodwin.
Delation \De*la"tion\, n. [L. delatio accusation: cf. F.
d['e]lation.]
1. Conveyance. [Obs. or Archaic]
In delation of sounds, the inclosure of them
preserveth them. --Bacon.
2. (Law) Accusation by an informer. --Milman.
Delator \De*la"tor\, n. [L.]
An accuser; an informer. [R.] --Howell.
Delaware \Del"a*ware\, n. (Bot.)
An American grape, with compact bunches of small,
amber-colored berries, sweet and of a good flavor.
Delawares \Del"a*wares\, n. pl.; sing. {Delaware}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting the valley of the
Delaware River, but now mostly located in the Indian
Territory.
Delay \De*lay"\, n.; pl. {Delays}. [F. d['e]lai, fr. OF. deleer
to delay, or fr. L. dilatum, which, though really from a
different root, is used in Latin only as a p. p. neut. of
differre to carry apart, defer, delay. See {Tolerate}, and
cf. {Differ}, {Delay}, v.]
A putting off or deferring; procrastination; lingering
inactivity; stop; detention; hindrance.
Without any delay, on the morrow I sat on the judgment
seat. --Acts xxv.
17.
The government ought to be settled without the delay of
a day. --Macaulay.
Delay \De*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Delaying}.] [OF. deleer, delaier, fr. the noun d['e]lai, or
directly fr. L. dilatare to enlarge, dilate, in LL., to put
off. See {Delay}, n., and cf. {Delate}, 1st {Defer},
{Dilate}.]
1. To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to prolong the
time of or before.
My lord delayeth his coming. --Matt. xxiv.
48.
2. To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time; to
retard the motion, or time of arrival, of; as, the mail is
delayed by a heavy fall of snow.
Thyrsis! whose artful strains have oft delayed The
huddling brook to hear his madrigal. --Milton.
3. To allay; to temper. [Obs.]
The watery showers delay the raging wind. --Surrey.
Delay \De*lay"\, v. i.
To move slowly; to stop for a time; to linger; to tarry.
There seem to be certain bounds to the quickness and
slowness of the succession of those ideas, . . . beyond
which they can neither delay nor hasten. --Locke.
Delayer \De*lay"er\, n.
One who delays; one who lingers.
Delayingly \De*lay"ing*ly\, adv.
By delays. [R.] --Tennyson.
Delayment \De*lay"ment\, n.
Hindrance. [Obs.] --Gower.
Del credere \Del` cred"er*e\ [It., of belief or trust.]
(Mercantile Law)
An agreement by which an agent or factor, in consideration of
an additional premium or commission (called a del credere
commission), engages, when he sells goods on credit, to
insure, warrant, or guarantee to his principal the solvency
of the purchaser, the engagement of the factor being to pay
the debt himself if it is not punctually discharged by the
buyer when it becomes due.
Dele \De"le\, imperative sing. of L. delere to destroy. [Cf.
{Delete}.] (Print.)
Erase; remove; -- a direction to cancel something which has
been put in type; usually expressed by a peculiar form of d,
thus: [dele].
Dele \De"le\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deleing}.] [From the preceding word.] (Print.)
To erase; to cancel; to delete; to mark for omission.
Dele \Dele\, v. t. [See {Deal}.]
To deal; to divide; to distribute. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deleble \Del"e*ble\ (?; 277), a. [L. delebilis. See 1st {Dele}.]
Capable of being blotted out or erased. ``An impression
easily deleble.'' --Fuller.
Delectable \De*lec"ta*ble\, a. [OF. delitable, OF. delitable, F.
d['e]lectable, fr. L. delectabilis, fr. delectare to delight.
See {Delight}.]
Highly pleasing; delightful.
Delectable both to behold and taste. --Milton.
-- {De*lec"ta*ble*ness}, n. -- {De*lec"ta*bly}, adv.
Delectate \De*lec"tate\, v. t. [L. delectatus, p. p. of
delectare. See {Delight}.]
To delight; to charm. [R.]
Delectation \De`lec*ta"tion\, n. [L. delectatio: cf. F.
d['e]lectation.]
Great pleasure; delight.
Delectus \De*lec"tus\, n. [L., selection, from deligere,
delectum, to select.]
A name given to an elementary book for learners of Latin or
Greek. --G. Eliot.
Delegacy \Del`e*ga*cy\, n. [From {Delegate}, a.]
1. The act of delegating, or state of being delegated;
deputed power. [Obs.]
By way of delegacy or grand commission. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. A body of delegates or commissioners; a delegation. [Obs.]
--Burton.
Delegate \Del"e*gate\, n. [L. delegatus, p. p. of delegare to
send, delegate; de- + legare to send with a commission, to
depute. See {Legate}.]
1. Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed
to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a
commissioner; a vicar.
2.
(a) One elected by the people of a territory to represent
them in Congress, where he has the right of debating,
but not of voting.
(b) One sent by any constituency to act as its
representative in a convention; as, a delegate to a
convention for nominating officers, or for forming or
altering a constitution. [U.S.]
{Court of delegates}, formerly, the great court of appeal
from the archbishops' courts and also from the court of
admiralty. It is now abolished, and the privy council is
the immediate court of appeal in such cases. [Eng.]
Delegate \Del"e*gate\, a. [L. delegatus, p. p.]
Sent to act for or represent another; deputed; as, a delegate
judge. ``Delegate power.'' --Strype.
Delegate \Del"e*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delegated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Delegating}.]
1. To send as one's representative; to empower as an
ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to
commission; to depute; to authorize.
2. To intrust to the care or management of another; to
transfer; to assign; to commit.
The delegated administration of the law. --Locke.
Delegated executive power. --Bancroft.
The power exercised by the legislature is the
people's power, delegated by the people to the
legislative. --J. B. Finch.
Delegation \Del`e*ga"tion\, n. [L. delegatio: cf. F.
d['e]l['e]gation.]
1. The act of delegating, or investing with authority to act
for another; the appointment of a delegate or delegates.
2. One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned
to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress,
etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation
from Massachusetts; a deputation.
3. (Rom. Law) A kind of novation by which a debtor, to be
liberated from his creditor, gives him a third person, who
becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor, or to the
person appointed by him. --Pothier.
Delegatory \Del"e*ga*to*ry\, a. [L. delegatorius pert. to an
assignment.]
Holding a delegated position. --Nash.
Delenda \De*len"da\, n. pl. [L., fr. delere to destroy.]
Things to be erased or blotted out.
Delenifical \Del`e*nif"ic*al\, a. [L. delenificus; delenire to
soothe + facere to make. See {Lenient}.]
Assuaging pain. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Delete \De*lete"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deleted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deleting}.] [L. deletus, p. p. of delere to destroy. Cf.
1st {Dele}.]
To blot out; to erase; to expunge; to dele; to omit.
I have, therefore, . . . inserted eleven stanzas which
do not appear in Sir Walter Scott's version, and have
deleted eight. --Aytoun.
Deleterious \Del`e*te"ri*ous\, a. [LL. deleterius noxious, Gr.
dhlhth`rios, fr. dhlei^sqai to hurt, damage; prob. akin to L.
delere to destroy.]
Hurtful; noxious; destructive; pernicious; as, a deleterious
plant or quality; a deleterious example. --
{Del`e*te"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Del`e*te"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Deletery \Del"e*ter*y\, a. [LL. deleterius: cf. F.
d['e]l['e]t[`e]re.]
Destructive; poisonous. [Obs.] ``Deletery medicines.''
--Hudibras.
Deletery \Del"e*ter*y\, n.
That which destroys. [Obs.]
They [the Scriptures] are the only deletery of
heresies. --Jer. Taylor.
Deletion \De*le"tion\, n. [L. deletio, fr. delere. See
{Delete}.]
Act of deleting, blotting out, or erasing; destruction.
[Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
A total deletion of every person of the opposing party.
--Sir M. Hale.
Deletitious \Del`e*ti"tious\, a. [L. deleticius.]
Of such a nature that anything may be erased from it; -- said
of paper.
Deletive \Del"e*tive\, a.
Adapted to destroy or obliterate. [R.] --Evelyn.
Deletory \Del"e*to*ry\, n. [See {Delete}.]
That which blots out. [Obs.] ``A deletory of sin.'' --Jer.
Taylor.
Delf \Delf\, n. [AS. delf a delving, digging. See {Delve}.]
A mine; a quarry; a pit dug; a ditch. [Written also {delft},
and {delve}.] [Obs.]
The delfts would be so flown with waters, that no gins
or machines could . . . keep them dry. --Ray.
Delf \Delf\, n.
Same as {Delftware}.
Delft \Delft\, n.
Same as {Delftware}.
Delftware \Delft"ware`\, n.
(a) Pottery made at the city of Delft in Holland; hence:
(b) Earthenware made in imitation of the above; any glazed
earthenware made for table use, and the like.
Delibate \Del"i*bate\, v. t. [L. delibatus, p. p. of delibare to
taste; de- + libare to taste.]
To taste; to take a sip of; to dabble in. [Obs.]
Delibation \Del`i*ba"tion\, n. [L. delibatio: cf. F.
d['e]libation.]
Act of tasting; a slight trial. [Obs.] --Berkeley.
Deliber \Del"i*ber\, v. t. & i.
To deliberate. [Obs.]
Deliberate \De*lib"er*ate\, a. [L. deliberatus, p. p. of
deliberare to deliberate; de- + librare to weigh. See
{Librate}.]
1. Weighing facts and arguments with a view to a choice or
decision; carefully considering the probable consequences
of a step; circumspect; slow in determining; -- applied to
persons; as, a deliberate judge or counselor. ``These
deliberate fools.'' --Shak.
2. Formed with deliberation; well-advised; carefully
considered; not sudden or rash; as, a deliberate opinion;
a deliberate measure or result.
Settled visage and deliberate word. --Shak.
3. Not hasty or sudden; slow. --Hooker.
His enunciation was so deliberate. --W. Wirt.
Deliberate \De*lib"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deliberated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Deliberating}.]
To weigh in the mind; to consider the reasons for and
against; to consider maturely; to reflect upon; to ponder;
as, to deliberate a question.
Deliberate \De*lib"er*ate\, v. i.
To take counsel with one's self; to weigh the arguments for
and against a proposed course of action; to reflect; to
consider; to hesitate in deciding; -- sometimes with on,
upon, about, concerning.
The woman that deliberates is lost. --Addison.
Deliberately \De*lib"er*ate*ly\, adv.
With careful consideration, or deliberation; circumspectly;
warily; not hastily or rashly; slowly; as, a purpose
deliberately formed.
Deliberateness \De*lib"er*ate*ness\, n.
The quality of being deliberate; calm consideration;
circumspection.
Deliberation \De*lib`er*a"tion\, n. [L. deliberatio: cf. F.
d['e]lib['e]ration.]
1. The act of deliberating, or of weighing and examining the
reasons for and against a choice or measure; careful
consideration; mature reflection.
Choosing the fairest way with a calm deliberation.
--W. Montagu.
2. Careful discussion and examination of the reasons for and
against a measure; as, the deliberations of a legislative
body or council.
Deliberative \De*lib"er*a*tive\, a. [L. deliberativus: cf. F.
d['e]lib['e]ratif.]
Pertaining to deliberation; proceeding or acting by
deliberation, or by discussion and examination; deliberating;
as, a deliberative body.
A consummate work of deliberative wisdom. --Bancroft.
The court of jurisdiction is to be distinguished from
the deliberative body, the advisers of the crown.
--Hallam.
Deliberative \De*lib"er*a*tive\, n.
1. A discourse in which a question is discussed, or weighed
and examined. --Bacon.
2. A kind of rhetoric employed in proving a thing and
convincing others of its truth, in order to persuade them
to adopt it.
Deliberatively \De*lib"er*a*tive*ly\, adv.
In a deliberative manner; circumspectly; considerately.
Deliberator \De*lib"er*a`tor\, n.
One who deliberates.
Delibrate \Del"i*brate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delibrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Delibrating}.] [L. delibratus, p. p. of
delibrare to delibrate; de from + liber bark.]
To strip off the bark; to peel. [Obs.] --Ash.
Delibration \Del`i*bra"tion\, n.
The act of stripping off the bark. [Obs.] --Ash.
Delicacy \Del"i*ca*cy\, n.; pl. {Delicacies}. [From {Delicate},
a.]
1. The state or condition of being delicate; agreeableness to
the senses; delightfulness; as, delicacy of flavor, of
odor, and the like.
What choice to choose for delicacy best. --Milton.
2. Nicety or fineness of form, texture, or constitution;
softness; elegance; smoothness; tenderness; and hence,
frailty or weakness; as, the delicacy of a fiber or a
thread; delicacy of a hand or of the human form; delicacy
of the skin; delicacy of frame.
3. Nice propriety of manners or conduct; susceptibility or
tenderness of feeling; refinement; fastidiousness; and
hence, in an exaggerated sense, effeminacy; as, great
delicacy of behavior; delicacy in doing a kindness;
delicacy of character that unfits for earnest action.
You know your mother's delicacy in this point.
--Cowper.
4. Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness; indulgence;
luxurious or voluptuous treatment.
And to those dainty limbs which Nature lent For
gentle usage and soft delicacy? --Milton.
5. Nice and refined perception and discrimination; critical
niceness; fastidious accuracy.
That Augustan delicacy of taste which is the boast
of the great public schools of England. --Macaulay.
6. The state of being affected by slight causes;
sensitiveness; as, the delicacy of a chemist's balance.
7. That which is alluring, delicate, or refined; a luxury or
pleasure; something pleasant to the senses, especially to
the sense of taste; a dainty; as, delicacies of the table.
The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through
the abundance of her delicacies. --Rev. xviii.
3.
8. Pleasure; gratification; delight. [Obs.]
He Rome brent for his delicacie. --Chaucer.
Syn: See {Dainty}.
Delicate \Del"i*cate\, a. [L. delicatus pleasing the senses,
voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F.
d['e]licat. See {Delight}.]
1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.
[R.]
Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went.
--Piers
Plowman.
Haarlem is a very delicate town. --Evelyn.
2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence,
adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine;
elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.
3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, ``a delicate
creature.'' --Shak.
4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread,
or the like; as, delicate cotton.
5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture;
as, delicate lace or silk.
6. Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a
delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.
7. Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as, a
delicate blue.
8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend;
considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as,
delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate
thoughtfulness.
9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail;
effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a
delicate child; delicate health.
A delicate and tender prince. --Shak.
10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily
dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or
question.
There are some things too delicate and too sacred
to be handled rudely without injury to truth. --F.
W. Robertson.
11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical;
sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate
ear for music.
13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a
delicate thermometer.
Delicate \Del"i*cate\, n.
1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]
With abstinence all delicates he sees. --Dryden.
2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.
All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, --
those I mean that would seem to be more fine in
their houses than their neighbors, -- are only of
the Corinth metal. --Holland.
Delicately \Del"i*cate*ly\, adv.
In a delicate manner.
Delicateness \Del"i*cate*ness\, n.
The quality of being delicate.
Delices \Del"i*ces\, n. pl. [F. d['e]lices, fr. L. deliciae.]
Delicacies; delights. [Obs.] ``Dainty delices.'' --Spenser.
Deliciate \De*li"ci*ate\, v. t.
To delight one's self; to indulge in feasting; to revel.
[Obs.]
Delicious \De*li"cious\, a. [OF. delicieus, F. d['e]licieux, L.
deliciosus, fr. deliciae delight, fr. delicere to allure. See
{Delight}.]
1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most sweet or
grateful to the senses, especially to the taste; charming.
Some delicious landscape. --Coleridge.
One draught of spring's delicious air. --Keble.
Were not his words delicious? --Tennyson.
2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment; luxurious;
effeminate. [Obs.]
Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy spirit,
retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and
luxury. --Milton.
Syn: {Delicious}, {Delightful}.
Usage: Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from certain
of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as,
delicious food; a delicious fragrance. Delightful may
also refer to most of the senses (as, delightful
music; a delightful prospect; delightful sensations),
but has a higher application to matters of taste,
feeling, and sentiment; as, a delightful abode,
conversation, employment; delightful scenes, etc.
Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in
decay. --Smith.
No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen,
Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green.
--Addison.
Deliciously \De*li"cious*ly\, adv.
Delightfully; as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously
entertained.
Deliciousness \De*li"cious*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being delicious; as, the deliciousness of a
repast.
2. Luxury. ``To drive away all superfluity and
deliciousness.'' --Sir T. North.
Delict \De*lict"\, n. [L. delictum fault.] (Law)
An offense or transgression against law; (Scots Law) an
offense of a lesser degree; a misdemeanor.
Every regulation of the civil code necessarily implies
a delict in the event of its violation. --Jeffrey.
Deligate \Del"i*gate\, v. t. [L. deligatus, p. p. of deligare to
bind up; de- + ligare to bind.] (Surg.)
To bind up; to bandage.
Deligation \Del`i*ga"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]ligation.] (Surg.)
A binding up; a bandaging. --Wiseman.
Delight \De*light"\, n. [OE. delit, OF. delit, deleit, fr.
delitier, to delight. See {Delight}, v. t.]
1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a high- wrought
state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure; extreme
satisfaction; joy.
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt
not. --Shak.
A fool hath no delight in understanding. --Prov.
xviii. 2.
2. That which gives great pleasure or delight.
Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.
--Milton.
3. Licentious pleasure; lust. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Delight \De*light"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delighted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Delighting}.] [OE. deliten, OF. delitier, deleitier,
F. d['e]lecter, fr. L. delectare to entice away, to delight
(sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of delicere to
allure, delight; de- + lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus
a snare. Cf. {Delectate}, {Delicate}, {Delicious},
{Dilettante}, {Elicit}, {Lace}.]
To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please
highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony
delights the ear.
Inventions to delight the taste. --Shak.
Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds.
--Tennyson.
Delight \De*light"\, v. i.
To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly
pleased or rejoiced; -- followed by an infinitive, or by in.
Love delights in praises. --Shak.
I delight to do thy will, O my God. --Ps. xl. 8.
Delightable \De*light"a*ble\, a. [See {Delectable}.]
Capable of delighting; delightful. [Obs.]
Many a spice delightable. --Rom. of R.
Delighted \De*light"ed\, a.
Endowed with delight.
If virtue no delighted beauty lack. --Shak.
Syn: Glad; pleased; gratified. See {Glad}.
Delightedly \De*light"ed*ly\, adv.
With delight; gladly.
Delighter \De*light"er\, n.
One who gives or takes delight.
Delightful \De*light"ful\, a.
Highly pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction.
``Delightful bowers.'' --Spenser. ``Delightful fruit.>''
--Milton.
Syn: Delicious; charming. See {Delicious}. --
{De*light"ful*ly}, adv. -- {De*light"ful*ness}, n.
Delighting \De*light"ing\, a.
Giving delight; gladdening. -- {De*light"ing*ly}, adv. --Jer.
Taylor.
Delightless \De*light"less\, a.
Void of delight. --Thomson.
Delightous \De*light"ous\a. [OF. delitos.]
Delightful. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Delightsome \De*light"some\, a.
Very pleasing; delightful. ``Delightsome vigor.'' --Grew.
Ye shall be a delightsome land, . . . saith the Lord.
--Mal. iii.
12.
-- {De*light"some*ly}, adv. -- {De*light"some*ness}, n.
Delilah \De*li"lah\, n.
The mistress of Samson, who betrayed him (--Judges xvi.);
hence, a harlot; a temptress.
Other Delilahs on a smaller scale Burns met with during
his Dumfries sojourn. --J. C.
Shairp.
Delimit \De*lim"it\, v. t. [L. delimitare: cf. F. d['e]limiter.]
To fix the limits of; to demarcate; to bound.
Delimitation \De*lim`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. delimitatio: cf. F.
d['e]limitation.]
The act or process of fixing limits or boundaries;
limitation. --Gladstone.
Deline \De*line"\, v. t.
1. To delineate. [Obs.]
2. To mark out. [Obs.] --R. North.
Delineable \De*lin"e*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or liable to be, delineated. --Feltham.
Delineament \De*lin"e*a*ment\, ?. [See {Delineate}.]
Delineation; sketch. --Dr. H. More.
Delineate \De*lin"e*ate\, a. [L. delineatus, p. p. of delineare
to delineate; de- + lineare to draw, fr. linea line. See
{Line}.]
Delineated; portrayed. [R.]
Delineate \De*lin"e*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delineated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Delineating}.]
1. To indicate by lines drawn in the form or figure of; to
represent by sketch, design, or diagram; to sketch out; to
portray; to picture; in drawing and engraving, to
represent in lines, as with the pen, pencil, or graver;
hence, to represent with accuracy and minuteness. See
{Delineation}.
Adventurous to delineate nature's form. --Akenside.
2. To portray to the mind or understanding by words; to set
forth; to describe.
Customs or habits delineated with great accuracy.
--Walpole.
Delineation \De*lin`e*a"tion\, n. [L. delineatio: cf. F.
d['e]lin['e]ation.]
1. The act of representing, portraying, or describing, as by
lines, diagrams, sketches, etc.; drawing an outline; as,
the delineation of a scene or face; in drawing and
engraving, representation by means of lines, as
distinguished from representation by means of tints and
shades; accurate and minute representation, as
distinguished from art that is careless of details, or
subordinates them excessively.
2. A delineated picture; representation; sketch; description
in words.
Their softest delineations of female beauty. --W.
Irving.
Syn: Sketch; portrait; outline. See {Sketch}.
Delineator \De*lin"e*a`tor\, n.
1. One who, or that which, delineates; a sketcher.
2. (Surv.) A perambulator which records distances and
delineates a profile, as of a road.
Delineatory \De*lin"e*a*to*ry\, a.
That delineates; descriptive; drawing the outline;
delineating.
Delineature \De*lin"e*a*ture\ (?; 135), n.
Delineation. [Obs.]
Delinition \Del`i*ni"tion\, n. [L. delinere to smear. See
{Liniment}.]
A smearing. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Delinquency \De*lin"quen*cy\, n.; pl. {Delinquencies}. [L.
delinquentia, fr. delinquens.]
Failure or omission of duty; a fault; a misdeed; an offense;
a misdemeanor; a crime.
The delinquencies of the little commonwealth would be
represented in the most glaring colors. --Motley.
Delinquent \De*lin"quent\a. [L. delinquens, -entis, p. pr. of
delinquere to fail, be wanting in one's duty, do wrong; de- +
linquere to leave. See {Loan}, n.]
Failing in duty; offending by neglect of duty.
Delinquent \De*lin"quent\, n.
One who fails or neglects to perform his duty; an offender or
transgressor; one who commits a fault or a crime; a culprit.
A delinquent ought to be cited in the place or
jurisdiction where the delinquency was committed.
--Ayliffe.
Delinquently \De*lin"quent*ly\, adv.
So as to fail in duty.
Deliquate \Del"i*quate\, v. i. [L. deliquatus, p. p. of
deliquare to clear off, de- + liquare to make liquid, melt,
dissolve.]
To melt or be dissolved; to deliquesce. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Deliquate \Del"i*quate\, v. t.
To cause to melt away; to dissolve; to consume; to waste.
[Obs.]
Dilapidating, or rather deliquating, his bishopric.
--Fuller.
Deliquation \Del`i*qua"tion\, n.
A melting. [Obs.]
Deliquesce \Del`i*quesce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Deliquesced};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Deliquescing}.] [L. deliquescere to melt,
dissolve; de- + liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. liquere
to be fluid. See {Liquid}.] (Chem.)
To dissolve gradually and become liquid by attracting and
absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts, acids, and
alkalies.
In very moist air crystals of strontites deliquesce.
--Black.
Deliquescence \Del`i*ques"cence\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]liquescence.]
The act of deliquescing or liquefying; process by which
anything deliquesces; tendency to melt.
Deliquescent \Del`i*ques"cent\, a. [L. deliquescens, -entis, p.
pr. of deliquescere: cf. F. d['e]liquescent.]
1. Dissolving; liquefying by contact with the air; capable of
attracting moisture from the atmosphere and becoming
liquid; as, deliquescent salts.
2. (Bot.) Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as
in most deciduous trees. --Gray.
Deliquiate \De*liq"ui*ate\, v. i. [L. deliquia a flowing off, a
gutter, deliquium a flowing down, fr. deliquare. See
{Deliquate}.]
To melt and become liquid by absorbing water from the air; to
deliquesce. --Fourcroy.
Deliquiation \De*liq`ui*a"tion\, n.
The act of deliquiating.
Deliquium \De*liq"ui*um\, n. [L. See {Deliquiate}.]
1. (Chem.) A melting or dissolution in the air, or in a moist
place; a liquid condition; as, a salt falls into a
deliquium. [R.]
2. A sinking away; a swooning. [Obs.] --Bacon.
3. A melting or maudlin mood. --Carlyle.
Deliracy \De*lir"a*cy\, n. [See {Delirate}.]
Delirium. [Obs.]
Delirament \De*lir"a*ment\, n. [L. deliramentum, fr. delirare.
See {Delirium}.]
A wandering of the mind; a crazy fancy. [Obs.] --Heywood.
Delirancy \De*lir"an*cy\, n.
Delirium. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Delirant \De*lir"ant\, a. [L. delirans, - antis, p. pr. of
delirare. See {Delirium}.]
Delirious. [Obs.] --Owen.
Delirate \De*lir"ate\, v. t. & i. [L. deliratus, p. p. of
delirare. See {Delirium}.]
To madden; to rave. [Obs.]
An infatuating and delirating spirit in it. --Holland.
Deliration \Del`i*ra"tion\, n. [L. deliratio.]
Aberration of mind; delirium. --J. Morley.
Deliration or alienation of the understanding. --Mede.
Deliriant \De*lir"i*ant\, n. [See {Delirium}.] (Med.)
A poison which occasions a persistent delirium, or mental
aberration (as belladonna).
Delirifacient \De*lir`i*fa"cient\, a. [Delirium + L. faciens,
-entis, p. pr. of facere to make.] (Med.)
Producing, or tending to produce, delirium. -- n. Any
substance which tends to cause delirium.
Delirious \De*lir"i*ous\, a. [From {Delirium}.]
Having a delirium; wandering in mind; light-headed; insane;
raving; wild; as, a delirious patient; delirious fancies. --
{De*lir"i*ous*ly}, adv. -- {De*lir"i*ous*ness}, n.
Delirium \De*lir"i*um\, n. [L., fr. delirare to rave, to wander
in mind, prop., to go out of the furrow in plowing; de- +
lira furrow, track; perh. akin to G. geleise track, rut, and
E. last to endure.]
1. (Med.) A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and
actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental
aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually
dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so
distinguished from mania, or madness.
2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness.
The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at
first caught his enthusiastic mind. --W. Irving.
The delirium of the preceding session (of
Parliament). --Morley.
{Delirium tremens}. [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a
violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged
use of intoxicating liquors.
{Traumatic delirium} (Med.), a variety of delirium following
injury.
Syn: Insanity; frenzy; madness; derangement; aberration;
mania; lunacy; fury. See {Insanity}.
Delit \De*lit"\, n.
Delight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Delitable \De*lit"a*ble\, a.
Delightful; delectable. [Obs.]
Delitescence \Del`i*tes"cence\, n. [See {Delitescent}.]
1. Concealment; seclusion; retirement.
The delitescence of mental activities. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
2. (Med.) The sudden disappearance of inflammation.
Delitescency \Del`i*tes"cen*cy\, n.
Concealment; seclusion.
The mental organization of the novelist must be
characterized, to speak craniologically, by an
extraordinary development of the passion for
delitescency. --Sir W.
Scott.
Delitescent \Del`i*tes"cent\, a. [L. delitescens, -entis, p. pr.
of delitescere to lie hid.]
Lying hid; concealed.
Delitigate \De*lit"i*gate\, v. i. [L. delitigare to rail. See
{Litigate}.]
To chide; to rail heartily. [Obs.]
Delitigation \De*lit`i*ga"tion\, n.
Chiding; brawl. [Obs.]
Deliver \De*liv"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delivered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Delivering}.] [F. d['e]livrer, LL. deliberare to
liberate, give over, fr. L. de + liberare to set free. See
{Liberate}.]
1. To set free from restraint; to set at liberty; to release;
to liberate, as from control; to give up; to free; to
save; to rescue from evil actual or feared; -- often with
from or out of; as, to deliver one from captivity, or from
fear of death.
He that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
--Ezek.
xxxiii. 5.
Promise was that I Should Israel from Philistian
yoke deliver. --Milton.
2. To give or transfer; to yield possession or control of; to
part with (to); to make over; to commit; to surrender; to
resign; -- often with up or over, to or into.
Thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand.
--Gen. xl. 13.
The constables have delivered her over. --Shak.
The exalted mind All sense of woe delivers to the
wind. --Pope.
3. To make over to the knowledge of another; to communicate;
to utter; to speak; to impart.
Till he these words to him deliver might. --Spenser.
Whereof the former delivers the precepts of the art,
and the latter the perfection. --Bacon.
4. To give forth in action or exercise; to discharge; as, to
deliver a blow; to deliver a broadside, or a ball.
Shaking his head and delivering some show of tears.
--Sidney.
An uninstructed bowler . . . thinks to attain the
jack by delivering his bowl straightforward upon it.
--Sir W.
Scott.
5. To free from, or disburden of, young; to relieve of a
child in childbirth; to bring forth; -- often with of.
She was delivered safe and soon. --Gower.
Tully was long ere he could be delivered of a few
verses, and those poor ones. --Peacham.
6. To discover; to show. [Poetic]
I 'll deliver Myself your loyal servant. --Shak.
7. To deliberate. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
8. To admit; to allow to pass. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Syn: To {Deliver}, {Give Forth}, {Discharge}, {Liberate},
{Pronounce}, {Utter}.
Usage: Deliver denotes, literally, to set free. Hence the
term is extensively applied to cases where a thing is
made to pass from a confined state to one of greater
freedom or openness. Hence it may, in certain
connections, be used as synonymous with any or all of
the above-mentioned words, as will be seen from the
following examples: One who delivers a package gives
it forth; one who delivers a cargo discharges it; one
who delivers a captive liberates him; one who delivers
a message or a discourse utters or pronounces it; when
soldiers deliver their fire, they set it free or give
it forth.
Deliver \De*liv"er\, a. [OF. delivre free, unfettered. See
{Deliver}, v. t.]
Free; nimble; sprightly; active. [Obs.]
Wonderly deliver and great of strength. --Chaucer.
Deliverable \De*liv"er*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or about to be, delivered; necessary to be
delivered. --Hale.
Deliverance \De*liv"er*ance\, n. [F. d['e]livrance, fr.
d['e]livrer.]
1. The act of delivering or freeing from restraint,
captivity, peril, and the like; rescue; as, the
deliverance of a captive.
He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives. --Luke iv. 18.
One death or one deliverance we will share.
--Dryden.
2. Act of bringing forth children. [Archaic] --Shak.
3. Act of speaking; utterance. [Archaic] --Shak.
Note: In this and in the preceding sense delivery is the word
more commonly used.
4. The state of being delivered, or freed from restraint.
I do desire deliverance from these officers. --Shak.
5. Anything delivered or communicated; esp., an opinion or
decision expressed publicly. [Scot.]
6. (Metaph.) Any fact or truth which is decisively attested
or intuitively known as a psychological or philosophical
datum; as, the deliverance of consciousness.
Deliverer \De*liv"er*er\, n.
1. One who delivers or rescues; a preserver.
2. One who relates or communicates.
Deliveress \De*liv"er*ess\, n.
A female deliverer. [R.] --Evelyn.
Deliverly \De*liv"er*ly\, adv.
Actively; quickly; nimbly. [Obs.]
Swim with your bodies, And carry it sweetly and
deliverly. --Beau. & Fl.
Deliverness \De*liv"er*ness\, n.
Nimbleness; agility. [Obs.]
Delivery \De*liv"er*y\, n.; pl. {Deliveries}.
1. The act of delivering from restraint; rescue; release;
liberation; as, the delivery of a captive from his
dungeon.
2. The act of delivering up or over; surrender; transfer of
the body or substance of a thing; distribution; as, the
delivery of a fort, of hostages, of a criminal, of goods,
of letters.
3. The act or style of utterance; manner of speaking; as, a
good delivery; a clear delivery.
4. The act of giving birth; parturition; the expulsion or
extraction of a fetus and its membranes.
5. The act of exerting one's strength or limbs.
Neater limbs and freer delivery. --Sir H.
Wotton.
6. The act or manner of delivering a ball; as, the pitcher
has a swift delivery.
Dell \Dell\, n. [AS. del, akin to E. dale; cf. D. delle, del,
low ground. See {Dale}.]
1. A small, retired valley; a ravine.
In dells and dales, concealed from human sight.
--Tickell.
2. A young woman; a wench. [Obs.]
Sweet doxies and dells. --B. Jonson.
Della Crusca \Del"la Crus"ca\
A shortened form of Accademia della Crusca, an academy in
Florence, Italy, founded in the 16th century, especially for
conserving the purity of the Italian language.
Note: The Accademia della Crusca (literally, academy of the
bran or chaff) was so called in allusion to its chief
object of bolting or purifying the national language.
Dellacruscan \Del`la*crus"can\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Accademia della Crusca in Florence.
{The Dellacruscan School}, a name given in satire to a class
of affected English writers, most of whom lived in
Florence, about a. d. 1785.
Deloo \De"loo\ (d[asl]"l[=o]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
The duykerbok.
Deloul \De*loul"\ (d[asl]*l[=oo]l"), n. [Prob. of Arabic or
Bedouin origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A special breed of the dromedary used for rapid traveling;
the swift camel; -- called also {herire}, and {maharik}.
Delph \Delph\, n.
Delftware.
Five nothings in five plates of delph. --Swift.
Delph \Delph\, n. (Hydraul. Engin.)
The drain on the land side of a sea embankment. --Knight.
Delphian \Del"phi*an\, a.
Delphic.
Delphic \Del"phic\, a. [L. Delphicus, fr. Gr. Delfiko`s, fr.
Delfoi`, L. Delphi, a town of Phocis, in Greece, now Kastri.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
1. Of or relating to Delphi, or to the famous oracle of that
place.
2. Ambiguous; mysterious. ``If he is silent or delphic.''
--New York Times.
Delphin \Del"phin\, Delphine \Del"phine\, a. [See {Dauphin}.]
Pertaining to the dauphin of France; as, the Delphin
classics, an edition of the Latin classics, prepared in the
reign of Louis XIV., for the use of the dauphin (in usum
Delphini).
Delphin \Del"phin\, n. [L. delphinus a dolphin.] (Chem.)
A fatty substance contained in the oil of the dolphin and the
porpoise; -- called also {phocenin}.
Delphine \Del"phine\, a. [L. delphinus a dolphin, Gr. delfi`s,
delfi`n.]
Pertaining to the dolphin, a genus of fishes.
Delphinic \Del*phin"ic\, a. [See {Delphin}, n.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the dolphin; phocenic.
{Delphinic acid}. (Chem.) See {Valeric acid}, under
{Valeric}. [Obs.]
Delphinic \Del*phin"ic\, a. [From NL. Delphinium, the name of
the genus.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the larkspur; specifically,
relating to the stavesacre ({Delphinium staphisagria}).
Delphinine \Del"phi*nine\ (?; 104), n. [Cf. F. delphinine.]
(Chem.)
A poisonous alkaloid extracted from the stavesacre
({Delphinium staphisagria}), as a colorless amorphous powder.
Delphinoid \Del"phi*noid\, a. [L. delphinus a dolphin + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to, or resembling, the dolphin.
Delphinoidea \Del`phi*noi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Cetacea which comprises the dolphins,
porpoises, and related forms.
Delphinus \Del*phi"nus\, n. [L., a dolphin, fr. Gr. delfi`s,
delfi`n.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of Cetacea, including the dolphin. See
{Dolphin}, 1.
2. (Astron.) The Dolphin, a constellation near the equator
and east of Aquila.
Delta \Del"ta\, n.; pl. {Deltas}. [Gr. de`lta, the name of the
fourth letter of the Greek alphabet (the capital form of
which is [Delta], Eng. D), from the Ph[oe]nician name of the
corresponding letter. The Greeks called the alluvial deposit
at the mouth of the Nile, from its shape, the Delta of the
Nile.]
A tract of land shaped like the letter delta ([Delta]),
especially when the land is alluvial and inclosed between two
or more mouths of a river; as, the delta of the Ganges, of
the Nile, or of the Mississippi.
Deltafication \Del`ta*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Delta + L. facere to
make.]
The formation of a delta or of deltas. [R.]
Deltaic \Del*ta"ic\, a.
Relating to, or like, a delta.
Delthyris \Del*thy"ris\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. de`lta the name of the
letter [Delta] + thy`ra door.] (Zo["o]l.)
A name formerly given to certain Silurian brachiopod shells
of the genus {Spirifer}.
{Delthyris limestone} (Geol.), one of the divisions of the
Upper Silurian rocks in New York.
Deltic \Del"tic\, a.
Deltaic.
Deltidium \Del*tid"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. de`lta, the letter
[Delta].] (Zo["o]l.)
The triangular space under the beak of many brachiopod
shells.
Deltohedron \Del`to*he"dron\, n. [Gr. de`lta, the letter [Delta]
+ 'e`dra seat, base.] (Crystallog.)
A solid bounded by twelve quadrilateral faces. It is a
hemihedral form of the isometric system, allied to the
tetrahedron.
Deltoid \Del"toid\, a. [Gr. deltoeidh`s delta- shaped; de`lta
the name of the letter [Delta] + e'i^dos form: cf. F.
delto["i]de. See {Delta}.]
Shaped like the Greek [Delta] (delta); delta-shaped;
triangular.
{Deltoid leaf} (Bot.), a leaf in the form of a triangle with
the stem inserted at the middle of the base.
{Deltoid muscle} (Anat.), a triangular muscle in the shoulder
which serves to move the arm directly upward.
Deludable \De*lud"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being deluded; liable to be imposed on; gullible.
--Sir T. Browne.
Delude \De*lude"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deluded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deluding}.] [L. deludere, delusum; de- + ludere to play,
make sport of, mock. See {Ludicrous}.]
1. To lead from truth or into error; to mislead the mind or
judgment of; to beguile; to impose on; to dupe; to make a
fool of.
To delude the nation by an airy phantom. --Burke.
2. To frustrate or disappoint.
It deludes thy search. --Dryden.
Syn: To mislead; deceive; beguile; cajole; cheat; dupe. See
{Deceive}.
Deluder \De*lud"er\, n.
One who deludes; a deceiver; an impostor.
Deluge \Del"uge\, n. [F. d['e]luge, L. diluvium, fr. diluere
wash away; di- = dis- + luere, equiv. to lavare to wash. See
{Lave}, and cf. {Diluvium}.]
1. A washing away; an overflowing of the land by water; an
inundation; a flood; specifically, The Deluge, the great
flood in the days of Noah (--Gen. vii.).
2. Fig.: Anything which overwhelms, or causes great
destruction. ``The deluge of summer.'' --Lowell.
A fiery deluge fed With ever-burning sulphur
unconsumed. --Milton.
As I grub up some quaint old fragment of a [London]
street, or a house, or a shop, or tomb or burial
ground, which has still survived in the deluge. --F.
Harrison.
After me the deluge. (Apr['e]s moi le d['e]luge.)
--Madame de
Pompadour.
Deluge \Del"uge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deluged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deluging}.]
1. To overflow with water; to inundate; to overwhelm.
The deluged earth would useless grow. --Blackmore.
2. To overwhelm, as with a deluge; to cover; to overspread;
to overpower; to submerge; to destroy; as, the northern
nations deluged the Roman empire with their armies; the
land is deluged with woe.
At length corruption, like a general flood . . .
Shall deluge all. --Pope.
Delundung \De*lun"dung\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An East Indian carnivorous mammal ({Prionodon gracilis}),
resembling the civets, but without scent pouches. It is
handsomely spotted.
Delusion \De*lu"sion\n. [L. delusio, fr. deludere. See
{Delude}.]
1. The act of deluding; deception; a misleading of the mind.
--Pope.
2. The state of being deluded or misled.
3. That which is falsely or delusively believed or
propagated; false belief; error in belief.
And fondly mourned the dear delusion gone. --Prior.
Syn: {Delusion}, {Illusion}.
Usage: These words both imply some deception practiced upon
the mind. Delusion is deception from want of
knowledge; illusion is deception from morbid
imagination. An illusion is a false show, a mere cheat
on the fancy or senses. It is, in other words, some
idea or image presented to the bodily or mental vision
which does not exist in reality. A delusion is a false
judgment, usually affecting the real concerns of life.
Or, in other words, it is an erroneous view of
something which exists indeed, but has by no means the
qualities or attributes ascribed to it. Thus we speak
of the illusions of fancy, the illusions of hope,
illusive prospects, illusive appearances, etc. In like
manner, we speak of the delusions of stockjobbing, the
delusions of honorable men, delusive appearances in
trade, of being deluded by a seeming excellence. ``A
fanatic, either religious or political, is the subject
of strong delusions; while the term illusion is
applied solely to the visions of an uncontrolled
imagination, the chimerical ideas of one blinded by
hope, passion, or credulity, or lastly, to spectral
and other ocular deceptions, to which the word
delusion is never applied.'' --Whately.
Delusional \De*lu"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to delusions; as, delusional monomania.
Delusive \De*lu"sive\, a. [See {Delude}.]
Apt or fitted to delude; tending to mislead the mind;
deceptive; beguiling; delusory; as, delusive arts; a delusive
dream.
Delusive and unsubstantial ideas. --Whewell.
-- {De*lu"sive*ly}, adv. -- {De*lu"sive*ness}, n.
Delusory \De*lu"so*ry\a.
Delusive; fallacious. --Glanvill.
Delve \Delve\v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Delving}.] [AS. delfan to dig; akin to OS. bidelban to bury,
D. delven to dig, MHG. telben, and possibly to E. dale. Cf.
{Delf} a mine.]
1. To dig; to open (the ground) as with a spade.
Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.
--Dryden.
2. To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to fathom.
I can not delve him to the root. --Shak.
Delve \Delve\, v. i.
To dig or labor with a spade, or as with a spade; to labor as
a drudge.
Delve may I not: I shame to beg. --Wyclif (Luke
xvi. 3).
Delve \Delve\, n. [See {Delve}, v. t., and cf. {Delf} a mine.]
A place dug; a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.
Which to that shady delve him brought at last.
--Spenser.
The very tigers from their delves Look out. --Moore.
Delver \Delv"er\, n.
One who digs, as with a spade.
Demagnetize \De*mag"net*ize\, v. t.
1. To deprive of magnetic properties. See {Magnetize}.
If the bar be rapidly magnetized and demagnetized.
--Am. Cyc.
2. To free from mesmeric influence; to demesmerize. --
{De*mag`net*i*za"tion}, n. -- {De*mag"net*i`zer}, n.
Demagog \Dem"a*gog\ (?; 115), n.
Demagogue.
Demagogic \Dem`a*gog"ic\, Demagogical \Dem`a*gog"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
dhmagwkiko`s: cf. F. d['e]magogique.]
Relating to, or like, a demagogue; factious.
Demagogism \Dem"a*gog*ism\ (?; 115), n.
The practices of a demagogue.
Demagogue \Dem"a*gogue\ (?; 115), n. [Gr. dhmagwgo`s a popular
leader; commonly in a bad sense, a leader of the mob; dh^mos
the people + 'agwgo`s leading, fr. 'a`gein to lead; akin to
E. act: cf. F. d['e]magogue.]
A leader of the rabble; one who attempts to control the
multitude by specious or deceitful arts; an unprincipled and
factious mob orator or political leader.
Demagogy \Dem"a*gog`y\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]magogie, Gr. dhmagwgi`a
leadership of the people.]
Demagogism.
Demain \De*main"\, n. [See {Demesne}.]
1. Rule; management. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. (Law) See {Demesne}.
Demand \De*mand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demanded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Demanding}.] [F. demander, LL. demandare to demand,
summon, send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge,
intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's charge, commission,
order, command. Cf. {Mandate}, {Commend}.]
1. To ask or call for with authority; to claim or seek from,
as by authority or right; to claim, as something due; to
call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand a debt;
to demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name, Pope
Innocent, I do demand of thee. --Shak.
2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask, esp. in a
peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury. --Shak.
3. To require as necessary or useful; to be in urgent need
of; hence, to call for; as, the case demands care.
4. (Law) To call into court; to summon. --Burrill.
Demand \De*mand"\, v. i.
To make a demand; to inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what
shall we do? --Luke iii.
14.
Demand \De*mand"\, n. [F. demande, fr. demander. See {Demand},
v. t.]
1. The act of demanding; an asking with authority; a
peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as
due; requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note
payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones. --Dan.
iv. 17.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into
demands will be but a little way from thinking he
ought to obtain them. --Locke.
2. Earnest inquiry; question; query. --Shak.
3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to
possess; request; as, a demand for certain goods; a
person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's
Progress] with additions; and then the demand became
immense. --Macaulay.
4. That which one demands or has a right to demand; thing
claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an estate.
5. (Law)
(a) The asking or seeking for what is due or claimed as
due.
(b) The right or title in virtue of which anything may be
claimed; as, to hold a demand against a person.
(c) A thing or amount claimed to be due.
{In demand}, in request; being much sought after.
{On demand}, upon presentation and request of payment.
Demandable \De*mand"a*ble\, a.
That may be demanded or claimed. ``All sums demandable.''
--Bacon.
Demandant \De*mand"ant\n. [F. demandant, p. pr. of demander.]
One who demands; the plaintiff in a real action; any
plaintiff.
Demander \De*mand"er\, n.
One who demands.
Demandress \De*mand"ress\, n.
A woman who demands.
Demantoid \De*man"toid\, n. [G. demant diamond + -oid.] (Min.)
A yellow-green, transparent variety of garnet found in the
Urals. It is valued as a gem because of its brilliancy of
luster, whence the name.
Demarcate \De*mar"cate\, v. t. [See {Demarcation}.]
To mark by bounds; to set the limits of; to separate; to
discriminate. --Wilkinson.
Demarcation \De`mar*ca"tion\, n. [F. d['e]marcation; pref.
d['e]- (L. de) + marquer to mark, of German origin. See
{Mark}.]
The act of marking, or of ascertaining and setting a limit;
separation; distinction.
The speculative line of demarcation, where obedience
ought to end and resistance must begin, is faint,
obscure, and not easily definable. --Burke.
Demarch \De*march"\, n. [F. d['e]marche. See {March}, n.]
March; walk; gait. [Obs.]
Demarch \De*march\ (d[=e]"m[aum]rk), n. [Gr. dh`marchos; dh^mos
people + 'a`rchein to rule.]
A chief or ruler of a deme or district in Greece.
Demarkation \De`mar*ka"tion\, n.
Same as {Demarcation}.
Dematerialize \De`ma*te"ri*al*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of material or physical qualities or
characteristics.
Dematerializing matter by stripping it of everything
which . . . has distinguished matter. --Milman.
Deme \Deme\ (d[=e]m), n. [Gr. dh^mos.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A territorial subdivision of Attica (also of
modern Greece), corresponding to a township. --Jowett
(Thucyd.).
2. (Biol.) An undifferentiated aggregate of cells or
plastids.
Demean \De*mean"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demeaned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Demeaning}.] [OF. demener to conduct, guide, manage, F.
se d['e]mener to struggle; pref. d['e]- (L. de) + mener to
lead, drive, carry on, conduct, fr. L. minare to drive
animals by threatening cries, fr. minari to threaten. See
{Menace}.]
1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.
[Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the matter.
--Milton.
2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed by the
reflexive pronoun.
They have demeaned themselves Like men born to
renown by life or death. --Shak.
They answered . . . that they should demean
themselves according to their instructions.
--Clarendon.
3. To debase; to lower; to degrade; -- followed by the
reflexive pronoun.
Her son would demean himself by a marriage with an
artist's daughter. --Thackeray.
Note: This sense is probably due to a false etymology which
regarded the word as connected with the adjective mean.
Demean \De*mean"\, n. [OF. demene. See {Demean}, v. t.]
1. Management; treatment. [Obs.]
Vile demean and usage bad. --Spenser.
2. Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor. [Obs.]
With grave demean and solemn vanity. --West.
Demean \De*mean"\, n. [See {Demesne}.]
1. Demesne. [Obs.]
2. pl. Resources; means. [Obs.]
You know How narrow our demeans are. --Massinger.
Demeanance \De*mean"ance\, n.
Demeanor. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Demeanor \De*mean"or\, n. [Written also {demeanour}.] [For
demeanure, fr. demean. See {Demean}, v. t.]
1. Management; treatment; conduct. [Obs.]
God commits the managing so great a trust . . .
wholly to the demeanor of every grown man. --Milton.
2. Behavior; deportment; carriage; bearing; mien.
His demeanor was singularly pleasing. --Macaulay.
The men, as usual, liked her artless kindness and
simple refined demeanor. --Thackeray.
Demeanure \De*mean"ure\, n.
Behavior. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Demency \De"men*cy\, n. [L. dementia, fr. demens mad. See
{Dement}.]
Dementia; loss of mental powers. See {Insanity}.
Dement \De*ment"\, v. t. [L. dementare, fr. demens, -mentis, out
of one's mind, mad; de + mens mind. See {Mental}, and cf.
{Dementate}.]
To deprive of reason; to make mad. [R.] --Bale.
Dement \De*ment"\, a. [L. demens, - mentis.]
Demented; dementate. [R.] --J. H. Newman.
Dementate \De*men"tate\, a. [L. dementatus, p. p. See {Dement},
v. t.]
Deprived of reason.
Arise, thou dementate sinner! --Hammond.
Dementate \De*men"tate\v. t.
To deprive of reason; to dement. [R.] --Burton.
Dementation \De`men*ta"tion\, n.
The act of depriving of reason; madness. --Whitlock.
Demented \De*ment"ed\, a. [From {Dement}.]
Insane; mad; of unsound mind. -- {De*ment"ed*ness}, n.
Dementia \De*men"ti*a\, n. [L., fr. demens. See {Dement}.]
Insanity; madness; esp. that form which consists in weakness
or total loss of thought and reason; mental imbecility;
idiocy.
Demephitize \De*meph"i*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Demephitized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Demephitizing}.] [Cf. F.
m['e]phitiser to infect with mephitis.]
To purify from mephitic or foul air. --
{De*meph`i*ti*za"tion}, n.
Demerge \De*merge"\, v. t. [L. demergere.]
To plunge down into; to sink; to immerse. [Obs.]
The water in which it was demerged. --Boyle.
Demerit \De*mer"it\, n. [F. d['e]m['e]rite demerit (in sense 2),
OF. demerite demerit (in sense 1), fr. L. demerere to deserve
well, LL., to deserve well or ill; de- + merere to deserve.
See {De}-, and {Merit}.]
1. That which one merits or deserves, either of good or ill;
desert. [Obs.]
By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged
their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation.
--Holland.
2. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault; a vice;
misconduct; -- the opposite of {merit}.
They see no merit or demerit in any man or any
action. --Burke.
Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense.
--Sir W.
Temple.
3. The state of one who deserves ill.
Demerit \De*mer"it\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]m['e]riter to deserve
ill. See {Demerit}, n.]
1. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise and blame.
[Obs.]
If I have demerited any love or thanks. --Udall.
Executed as a traitor . . . as he well demerited.
--State Trials
(1645).
2. To depreciate or cry down. [R.] --Bp. Woolton.
Demerit \De*mer"it\, v. i.
To deserve praise or blame.
Demerse \De*merse"\, v. t. [L. demersus, p. p. of demergere. See
{Merge}.]
To immerse. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Demersed \De*mersed"\, a. (Bot.)
Situated or growing under water, as leaves; submersed.
Demersion \De*mer"sion\n. [L. demersio.]
1. The act of plunging into a fluid; a drowning.
2. The state of being overwhelmed in water, or as if in
water. --Ray.
Demesmerize \De*mes"mer*ize\, v. t.
To relieve from mesmeric influence. See {Mesmerize}.
Demesne \De*mesne"\, n. [OE. demeine, demain, rule, demesne, OF.
demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine, power, F. domaine
domain, fr. L. dominium property, right of ownership, fr.
dominus master, proprietor, owner. See {Dame}, and cf.
{Demain}, {Domain}, {Danger}, {Dungeon}.] (Law)
A lord's chief manor place, with that part of the lands
belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy;
a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor's
own use. [Written also {demain}.] --Wharton's Law Dict.
Burrill.
{Ancient demesne}. (Eng. Law) See under {Ancient}.
Demesnial \De*mesn"i*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a demesne; of the nature of a demesne.
Demi- \Dem"i-\ [F. demi-, fr. L. dimidius half; di- = dis- +
medius middle. See {Medium}, and cf. {Demy}, {Dimidiate}.]
A prefix, signifying half.
Demi \De*mi"\, n.
See {Demy}, n.
Demibastion \Dem"i*bas"tion\ (?; 106), n. [Cf. F. demi-
bastion.] (Fort.)
A half bastion, or that part of a bastion consisting of one
face and one flank.
Demibrigade \Dem"i*bri*gade"\, n. [Cf. F. demi- brigade.]
A half brigade.
Demicadence \Dem"i*ca`dence\n. (Mus.)
An imperfect or half cadence, falling on the dominant instead
of on the key note.
Demicannon \Dem"i*can"non\, n. (Mil. Antiq.)
A kind of ordnance, carrying a ball weighing from thirty to
thirty-six pounds. --Shak.
Demicircle \Dem"i*cir`cle\, n. [Cf. F. demi-cercle.]
An instrument for measuring angles, in surveying, etc. It
resembles a protractor, but has an alidade, sights, and a
compass.
Demiculverin \Dem"i*cul"ver*in\, n. (Mil. Antiq.)
A kind of ordnance, carrying a ball weighing from nine to
thirteen pounds.
Demideify \Dem"i*de"i*fy\v. t.
To deify in part. --Cowper.
Demidevil \Dem"i*dev`il\, n.
A half devil. --Shak.
Demigod \Dem"i*god\, n.
A half god, or an inferior deity; a fabulous hero, the
offspring of a deity and a mortal.
Demigoddess \Dem"i*god`dess\, n.
A female demigod.
Demigorge \Dem"i*gorge`\, n. [Cf. F. demi- gorge.] (Fort.)
Half the gorge, or entrance into a bastion, taken from the
angle of the flank to the center of the bastion.
Demigrate \Dem"i*grate\, v. i. [L. demigrare, demigratum, to
emigrate. See {De}-, and {Migrate}.]
To emigrate. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Demigration \Dem`i*gra"tion\n. [L. demigratio.]
Emigration. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Demigroat \Dem"i*groat`\, n.
A half groat.
Demi-island \Dem"i-is`land\, n.
Peninsula. [Obs.] --Knolles.
Demijohn \Dem"i*john\, n. [F. dame-jeanne, i.e., Lady Jane, a
corruption of Ar. damaj[=a]na, damj[=a]na, prob. fr. Damaghan
a town in the Persian province of Khorassan, once famous for
its glass works.]
A glass vessel or bottle with a large body and small neck,
inclosed in wickerwork.
Demilance \Dem"i*lance`\, n.
A light lance; a short spear; a half pike; also, a
demilancer.
Demilancer \Dem"i*lan`cer\, n.
A soldier of light cavalry of the 16th century, who carried a
demilance.
Demilune \Dem"i*lune`\, n. [F. demi- lune.]
1. (Fort.) A work constructed beyond the main ditch of a
fortress, and in front of the curtain between two
bastions, intended to defend the curtain; a ravelin. See
{Ravelin}.
2. (Physiol.) A crescentic mass of granular protoplasm
present in the salivary glands.
Note: Each crescent is made of polyhedral cells which under
some circumstances are supposed to give rise to new
salivary cells.
Demiman \Dem"i*man`\, n.
A half man. [R.] --Knolles.
Demimonde \Dem`i*monde"\, n. [F.; demi + monde world, L.
mundus.]
Persons of doubtful reputation; esp., women who are kept as
mistresses, though not public prostitutes; demireps.
{Literary demimonde}, writers of the lowest kind.
Deminatured \Dem"i*na"tured\ (?; 135), a.
Having half the nature of another. [R.] --Shak.
Demiquaver \Dem"i*qua`ver\, n. (Mus.)
A note of half the length of the quaver; a semiquaver. [R.]
Demirelief \Dem`i*re*lief"\, Demirelievo \Dem`i*re*lie"vo\, n.
Half relief. See {Demi-rilievo}.
Demirep \Dem"i*rep`\, n. [Contr. fr. demi-reputation.]
A woman of doubtful reputation or suspected character; an
adventuress. [Colloq.] --De Quincey.
Demi-rilievo \Dem"i-ri*lie"vo\, n. [Pref. demi- + It. rilievo.]
(Fine Arts)
(a) Half relief; sculpture in relief of which the figures
project from the background by one half their full
roundness.
(b) A work of sculpture of the above character. See
{Alto-rilievo}.
Demisability \De*mis`a*bil"i*ty\, n. (Law)
The state of being demisable.
Demisable \De*mis"a*ble\, a. [From {Demise}.] (Law)
Capable of being leased; as, a demisable estate.
Demise \De*mise"\, n. [F. d['e]mettre, p. p. d['e]mis,
d['e]mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d['e]- (L. de or
dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send.
See {Mission}, and cf. {Dismiss}, {Demit}.]
1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or
successor; transference; especially, the transfer or
transmission of the crown or royal authority to a
successor.
2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also,
the death of any illustrious person.
After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in
1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a
week. --P.
Cunningham.
3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in
fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
--Bouvier.
Note: The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown,
royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when
Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months
by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of
his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death
of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as
by that event the crown is transferred to a successor.
--Blackstone.
{Demise and redemise}, a conveyance where there are mutual
leases made from one to another of the same land, or
something out of it.
Syn: Death; decease; departure. See {Death}.
Demise \De*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Demising}.]
1. To transfer or transmit by succession or inheritance; to
grant or bestow by will; to bequeath. ``Power to demise my
lands.'' --Swift.
What honor Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
--Shak.
2. To convey; to give. [R.]
His soul is at his conception demised to him.
--Hammond.
3. (Law) To convey, as an estate, by lease; to lease.
Demisemiquaver \Dem`i*sem"i*qua`ver\, n. (Mus.)
A short note, equal in time to the half of a semiquaver, or
the thirty-second part of a whole note.
Demiss \De*miss"\, a. [L. demissus, p. p. of demittere.]
Cast down; humble; submissive. [Obs.]
He down descended like a most demiss And abject thrall.
--Spenser.
Demission \De*mis"sion\, n. [L. demissio, fr. demittere. See
{Demit}.]
1. The act of demitting, or the state of being demitted; a
letting down; a lowering; dejection. ``Demission of
mind.'' --Hammond.
Demission of sovereign authority. --L'Estrange.
2. Resignation of an office. [Scot.]
Demissionary \De*mis"sion*a*ry\, a.
1. Pertaining to transfer or conveyance; as, a demissionary
deed.
2. Tending to lower, depress, or degrade.
Demissive \De*miss"ive\, a. [See {Demiss}.]
Downcast; submissive; humble. [R.]
They pray with demissive eyelids. --Lord (1630).
Demissly \De*miss"ly\, adv.
In a humble manner. [Obs.]
Demisuit \Dem"i*suit`\, n. (Mil. Antiq.)
A suit of light armor covering less than the whole body, as
having no protection for the legs below the thighs, no vizor
to the helmet, and the like.
Demit \De*mit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Demitting}.] [L. demittere to send or bring down, to lower;
de- + mittere to send. Cf. {Demise}.]
1. To let fall; to depress. [R.]
They [peacocks] demit and let fall the same [i. e.,
their train]. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. To yield or submit; to humble; to lower; as, to demit
one's self to humble duties. [R.]
3. To lay down, as an office; to resign. [Scot.]
General Conway demitted his office. --Hume.
Demitint \Dem"i*tint`\, n. (Fine Arts)
(a) That part of a painting, engraving, or the like, which
is neither in full darkness nor full light.
(b) The shade itself; neither the darkest nor the lightest
in a composition. Also called half tint.
Demitone \Dem"i*tone`\, n. (Mus.)
Semitone. [R.]
Demiurge \Dem"i*urge\, n. [Gr. dhmioyrgo`s a worker for the
people, a workman, especially the maker of the world, the
Creator; dh`mios belonging to the people (fr. dh^mos the
people) + 'e`rgon a work.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) The chief magistrate in some of the Greek
states.
2. God, as the Maker of the world.
3. According to the Gnostics, an agent or one employed by the
Supreme Being to create the material universe and man.
Demiurgic \Dem`i*ur"gic\, a. [Gr. dhmioyrgiko`s.]
Pertaining to a demiurge; formative; creative. ``Demiurgic
power.'' --De Quincey.
Demivill \Dem"i*vill`\, n. (Old Law)
A half vill, consisting of five freemen or frankpledges.
--Blackstone.
Demivolt \Dem"i*volt`\, n. [Cf. F. demi- volte.] (Man.)
A half vault; one of the seven artificial motions of a horse,
in which he raises his fore legs in a particular manner.
Demiwolf \Dem"i*wolf`\, n.
A half wolf; a mongrel dog, between a dog and a wolf. --Shak.
Demobilization \De*mob`i*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]mobilisation. See {Mobilization}.] (Mil.)
The disorganization or disarming of troops which have
previously been mobilized or called into active service; the
change from a war footing to a peace footing.
Demobilize \De*mob"i*lize\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]mobiliser.]
(Mil.)
To disorganize, or disband and send home, as troops which
have been mobilized.
Democracy \De*moc"ra*cy\, n.; pl. {Democracies}. [F.
d['e]mocratie, fr. Gr. dhmokrati`a; dh^mos the people +
kratei^n to be strong, to rule, kra`tos strength.]
1. Government by the people; a form of government in which
the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by
the people.
2. Government by popular representation; a form of government
in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but
is indirectly exercised through a system of representation
and delegated authority periodically renewed; a
constitutional representative government; a republic.
3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of
government. --Milton.
4. The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so
called. [U.S.]
Democrat \Dem"o*crat\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]mocrate.]
1. One who is an adherent or advocate of democracy, or
government by the people.
Whatever they call him, what care I, Aristocrat,
democrat, autocrat. --Tennyson.
2. A member of the Democratic party. [U.S.]
Democratic \Dem`o*crat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. d['e]mocratique.]
1. Pertaining to democracy; favoring democracy, or
constructed upon the principle of government by the
people.
2. Relating to a political party so called.
3. Befitting the common people; -- opposed to aristocratic.
{The Democratic party}, the name of one of the chief
political parties in the United States.
Democratical \Dem`o*crat"ic*al\, a.
Democratic.
The democratical embassy was democratically received.
--Algernon
Sidney.
Democratically \Dem`o*crat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a democratic manner.
Democratism \De*moc"ra*tism\, n.
The principles or spirit of a democracy. [R.]
Democratist \De*moc"ra*tist\, n.
A democrat. [R.] --Burke.
Democratize \De*moc"ra*tize\v. t.
To render democratic.
Democraty \De*moc"ra*ty\, n.
Democracy. [Obs.] --Milton.
Demogorgon \De`mo*gor"gon\, n. [First mentioned by Lutatius, or
Lactantius Placidus, the scholiast on Statius, perh. fr. Gr.
? god, deity + gorgo`s fierce, terrible]
A mysterious, terrible, and evil divinity, regarded by some
as the author of creation, by others as a great magician who
was supposed to command the spirits of the lower world. See
{Gorgon}.
Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name Of Demogorgon.
--Milton.
Demography \De*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? the people + -graphy.]
The study of races, as to births, marriages, mortality,
health, etc. -- {Dem`o*graph"ic}, a.
Demoiselle \De`moi`selle"\, n. [F. See {Damsel}.]
1. A young lady; a damsel; a lady's maid.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The Numidian crane ({Anthropoides virgo}); --
so called on account of the grace and symmetry of its form
and movements.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A beautiful, small dragon fly of the genus
{Agrion}.
Demolish \De*mol"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demolished}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Demolishing}.] [F. d['e]molir, fr. L. demoliri, p.
p. demolitus; de- + moliri to set a thing in motion, to work,
construct, from moles a huge mass or structure. See {Mole} a
mound, and {Finish}.]
To throw or pull down; to raze; to destroy the fabric of; to
pull to pieces; to ruin; as, to demolish an edifice, or a
wall.
I expected the fabric of my book would long since have
been demolished, and laid even with the ground.
--Tillotson.
Syn: To {Demolish}, {Overturn}, {Destroy}, {Dismantle},
{Raze}. That is overturned or overthrown which had stood
upright; that is destroyed whose component parts are
scattered; that is demolished which had formed a mass or
structure; that is dismantled which is stripped of its
covering, as a vessel of its sails, or a fortress of its
bastions, etc.; that is razed which is brought down
smooth, and level to the ground. An ancient pillar is
overturned or overthrown as the result of decay; a city
is destroyed by an invasion of its enemies; a monument,
the walls of a castle, a church, or any structure, real
or imaginary, may be demolished; a fortress may be
dismantled from motives of prudence, in order to render
it defenseless; a city may be razed by way of
punishment, and its ruins become a memorial of
vengeance.
Demolisher \De*mol"ish`er\, n.
One who, or that which, demolishes; as, a demolisher of
towns.
Demolishment \De*mol"ish*ment\, n.
Demolition.
Demolition \Dem`o*li"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. demolitio, fr.
demoliri: cf. F. d['e]molition. See {Demolish}.]
The act of overthrowing, pulling down, or destroying a pile
or structure; destruction by violence; utter overthrow; --
opposed to construction; as, the demolition of a house, of
military works, of a town, or of hopes.
Demolitionist \Dem`o*li"tion*ist\, n.
A demolisher. [R.] --Carlyle.
Demon \De"mon\, n. [F. d['e]mon, L. daemon a spirit, an evil
spirit, fr. Gr. ? a divinity; of uncertain origin.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A spirit, or immaterial being, holding a
middle place between men and deities in pagan mythology.
The demon kind is of an intermediate nature between
the divine and the human. --Sydenham.
2. One's genius; a tutelary spirit or internal voice; as, the
demon of Socrates. [Often written {d[ae]mon}.]
3. An evil spirit; a devil.
That same demon that hath gulled thee thus. --Shak.
Demoness \De"mon*ess\, n.
A female demon.
Demonetization \De*mon`e*ti*za"tion\, n.
The act of demonetizing, or the condition of being
demonetized.
Demonetize \De*mon"e*tize\ (?; see {Monetary}), v. t.
To deprive of current value; to withdraw from use, as money.
They [gold mohurs] have been completely demonetized by
the [East India] Company. --R. Cobden.
Demoniac \De*mo"ni*ac\, Demoniacal \Dem`o*ni"a*cal\ (?; 277), a.
[L. daemoniacus, fr. daemon; cf. F. d['e]moniaque. See
{Demon}.]
1. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, a demon or evil
spirit; devilish; as, a demoniac being; demoniacal
practices.
Sarcastic, demoniacal laughter. --Thackeray.
2. Influenced or produced by a demon or evil spirit; as,
demoniac or demoniacal power. ``Demoniac frenzy.''
--Milton.
Demoniac \De*mo"ni*ac\, n.
1. A human being possessed by a demon or evil spirit; one
whose faculties are directly controlled by a demon.
The demoniac in the gospel was sometimes cast into
the fire. --Bates.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of Anabaptists who maintain
that the demons or devils will finally be saved.
Demoniacally \Dem`o*ni"a*cal*ly\, adv.
In a demoniacal manner.
Demoniacism \Dem`o*ni"a*cism\, n.
The state of being demoniac, or the practices of demoniacs.
Demonial \De*mo"ni*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a demon. [Obs.] --Cudworth.
Demonian \De*mo"ni*an\, a.
Relating to, or having the nature of, a demon. ``Demonian
spirits.'' --Milton.
Demonianism \De*mo"ni*an*ism\, n.
The state of being possessed by a demon or by demons.
Demoniasm \De*mo"ni*asm\, n.
See {Demonianism}. [R.]
Demonic \De*mo"nic\, a. [L. daemonicus, Gr. daimoniko`s.]
Of or pertaining to a demon or to demons; demoniac. ``Demonic
ambushes.'' --Lowell.
Demonism \De"mon*ism\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]monisme.]
The belief in demons or false gods.
The established theology of the heathen world . . .
rested upon the basis of demonism. --Farmer.
Demonist \De"mon*ist\, n.
A believer in, or worshiper of, demons.
Demonize \De"mon*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demonized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Demonizing}.] [Cf. LL. daemonizare to be possessed by
a demon, Gr. ?.]
1. To convert into a demon; to infuse the principles or fury
of a demon into.
2. To control or possess by a demon.
Demonocracy \De`mon*oc"ra*cy\, n. [Gr. dai`mwn demon + kra`tos
strength: cf. F. d['e]monocratie.]
The power or government of demons.
A demonocracy of unclean spirits. --H. Taylor.
Demonographer \De`mon*og"ra*pher\, n. [Demon + -graph + -er.]
A demonologist. [R.] --Am. Cyc.
Demonolatry \De`mon*ol"a*try\, n. [Gr. dai`mwn demon + latrei`a
worship, ? to serve, worship: cf. F. d['e]monol[^a]trie.]
The worship of demons.
Demonologer \De`mon*ol"o*ger\, n.
One versed in demonology. --R. North.
Demonologic \De`mon*o*log"ic\, Demonological
\De`mon*o*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]monologique.]
Of or pertaining to demonology.
Demonologist \De`mon*ol"o*gist\, n.
One who writes on, or is versed in, demonology.
Demonology \De`mon*ol"o*gy\ (?; 277), n. [Demon + -logy: cf. F.
d['e]monologie.]
A treatise on demons; a supposititious science which treats
of demons and their manifestations. --Sir W. Scott.
Demonomagy \De`mon*om"a*gy\, n. [Gr. dai`mwn demon + magei`a
magic.]
Magic in which the aid of demons is invoked; black or
infernal magic. --Bp. Hurd.
Demonomania \De*mon`o*ma"ni*a\, n. [Demon + mania.]
A form of madness in which the patient conceives himself
possessed of devils.
Demonomist \De*mon"o*mist\n.
One in subjection to a demon, or to demons. [R.] --Sir T.
Herbert.
Demonomy \De*mon"o*my\, n. [Gr. dai`mwn demon + no`mos law.]
The dominion of demons. [R.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Demonry \De"mon*ry\, n.
Demoniacal influence or possession. --J. Baillie.
Demonship \De"mon*ship\, n.
The state of a demon. --Mede.
Demonstrability \De*mon`stra*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being demonstrable; demonstrableness.
Demonstrable \De*mon"stra*ble\, a. [L. demonstrabilis: cf. OF.
demonstrable, F. d['e]montrable.]
1. Capable of being demonstrated; that can be proved beyond
doubt or question.
The grand articles of our belief are as demonstrable
as geometry. --Glanvill.
2. Proved; apparent. [Obs.] --Shak.
Demonstrableness \De*mon"stra*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being demonstrable; demonstrability.
Demonstrably \De*mon"stra*bly\, adv.
In a demonstrable manner; incontrovertibly; clearly.
Cases that demonstrably concerned the public cause.
--Clarendon.
Demonstrance \De*mon"strance\, n. [OF. demonstrance.]
Demonstration; proof. [Obs.] --Holland.
Demonstrate \Dem"on*strate\ (?; 277), v. t. [L. demonstratus, p.
p. of demonstrare to demonstrate; de- + monstrare to show.
See {Monster}.]
1. To point out; to show; to exhibit; to make evident.
--Shak.
2. To show, or make evident, by reasoning or proof; to prove
by deduction; to establish so as to exclude the
possibility of doubt or denial.
We can not demonstrate these things so as to show
that the contrary often involves a contradiction.
--Tillotson.
3. (Anat.) To exhibit and explain (a dissection or other
anatomical preparation).
Demonstrater \Dem"on*stra`ter\, n.
See {Demonstrator}.
Demonstration \Dem`on*stra"tion\, n. [L. demonstratio: cf. F.
d['e]monstration.]
1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof;
especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt;
indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason.
Those intervening ideas which serve to show the
agreement of any two others are called ``proofs;''
and where agreement or disagreement is by this means
plainly and clearly perceived, it is called
demonstration. --Locke.
2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward signs; a
manifestation; a show.
Did your letters pierce the queen to any
demonstration of grief? --Shak.
Loyal demonstrations toward the prince. --Prescott.
3. (Anat.) The exhibition and explanation of a dissection or
other anatomical preparation.
4. (Mil.) a decisive exhibition of force, or a movement
indicating an attack.
5. (Logic) The act of proving by the syllogistic process, or
the proof itself.
6. (Math.) A course of reasoning showing that a certain
result is a necessary consequence of assumed premises; --
these premises being definitions, axioms, and previously
established propositions.
{Direct}, or {Positive}, {demonstration} (Logic & Math.), one
in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence
of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; --
opposed to
{Indirect}, or {Negative}, {demonstration} (called also
{reductio ad absurdum}), in which the correct conclusion
is an inference from the demonstration that any other
hypothesis must be incorrect.
Demonstrative \De*mon"stra*tive\, a. [F. d['e]monstratif, L.
demonstrativus.]
1. Having the nature of demonstration; tending to
demonstrate; making evident; exhibiting clearly or
conclusively. ``Demonstrative figures.'' --Dryden.
An argument necessary and demonstrative. --Hooker.
2. Expressing, or apt to express, much; displaying feeling or
sentiment; as, her nature was demonstrative.
3. Consisting of eulogy or of invective. ``Demonstrative
eloquence.'' --Blair.
{Demonstrative pronoun} (Gram.), a pronoun distinctly
designating that to which it refers.
Demonstrative \De*mon"stra*tive\, n. (Gram.)
A demonstrative pronoun; as, ``this'' and ``that'' are
demonstratives.
Demonstratively \De*mon"stra*tive*ly\, adv.
In a manner fitted to demonstrate; clearly; convincingly;
forcibly.
Demonstrativeness \De*mon"stra*tive*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being demonstrative.
Demonstrator \Dem"on*stra`tor\ (?; 277), n. [L.: cf. F.
d['e]monstrateur.]
1. One who demonstrates; one who proves anything with
certainty, or establishes it by indubitable evidence.
2. (Anat.) A teacher of practical anatomy.
Demonstratory \De*mon"stra*to*ry\, a.
Tending to demonstrate; demonstrative. --Johnson.
Demorage \De*mor"age\ (?; 48), n.
Demurrage. [Obs.] --Pepys (1663).
Demoralization \De*mor`al*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]moralisation.]
The act of corrupting or subverting morals. Especially: The
act of corrupting or subverting discipline, courage, hope,
etc., or the state of being corrupted or subverted in
discipline, courage, etc.; as, the demoralization of an army
or navy.
Demoralize \De*mor"al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demoralized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Demoralizing}.] [F. d['e]moraliser; pref.
d['e]- (L. dis- or de) + moraliser. See {Moralize}.]
To corrupt or undermine in morals; to destroy or lessen the
effect of moral principles on; to render corrupt or
untrustworthy in morals, in discipline, in courage, spirit,
etc.; to weaken in spirit or efficiency.
The demoralizing example of profligate power and
prosperous crime. --Walsh.
The vices of the nobility had demoralized the army.
--Bancroft.
Demosthenic \Dem`os*then"ic\, a. [L. Demosthenicus: cf. F.
D['e]mosth['e]nique.]
Pertaining to, or in the style of, Demosthenes, the Grecian
orator.
Demotic \De*mot"ic\, a. [Gr. dhmotiko`s, fr. dh^mos the people:
cf. F. d['e]motique.]
Of or pertaining to the people; popular; common.
{Demotic alphabet} or {character}, a form of writing used in
Egypt after six or seven centuries before Christ, for
books, deeds, and other such writings; a simplified form
of the hieratic character; -- called also {epistolographic
character}, and {enchorial character}. See {Enchorial}.
Demount \De*mount"\, v. i.
To dismount. [R.]
Dempne \Demp"ne\v. t.
To damn; to condemn. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dempster \Demp"ster\ (?; 215), Demster \Dem"ster\, n. [See
{Deemster}.]
1. A deemster.
2. (O. Scots Law) An officer whose duty it was to announce
the doom or sentence pronounced by the court.
Demulce \De*mulce"\, v. t. [L. demulcere; de- + mulcere to
stroke, soothe.]
To soothe; to mollify; to pacify; to soften. [R.] --Sir T.
Elyot.
Demulcent \De*mul"cent\, a. [L. demulcens, p. pr. of demulcere.]
Softening; mollifying; soothing; assuasive; as, oil is
demulcent.
Demulcent \De*mul"cent\, n. (Med.)
A substance, usually of a mucilaginous or oily nature,
supposed to be capable of soothing an inflamed nervous
membrane, or protecting it from irritation. Gum Arabic,
glycerin, olive oil, etc., are demulcents.
Demulsion \De*mul"sion\, n.
The act of soothing; that which soothes. --Feltham.
Demur \De*mur"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Demurred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Demurring}.] [OF. demurer, demorer, demourer, to linger,
stay, F. demeurer, fr. L. demorari; de- + morari to delay,
tarry, stay, mora delay; prob. originally, time for thinking,
reflection, and akin to memor mindful. See {Memory}.]
1. To linger; to stay; to tarry. [Obs.]
Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
--Nicols.
2. To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or judgment in
view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put off the
determination or conclusion of an affair.
Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit
to demur. --Hayward.
3. To scruple or object; to take exception; as, I demur to
that statement.
4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See {Demurrer}, 2.
Demur \De*mur"\, v. t.
1. To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or hesitate
about. [Obs.]
The latter I demur, for in their looks Much reason,
and in their actions, oft appears. --Milton.
2. To cause delay to; to put off. [Obs.]
He demands a fee, And then demurs me with a vain
delay. --Quarles.
Demur \De*mur"\, n. [OF. demor, demore, stay, delay. See
{Demur}, v. i.]
Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding; suspense of
decision or action; scruple.
All my demurs but double his attacks; At last he
whispers, ``Do; and we go snacks.'' --Pope.
Demure \De*mure"\, a. [Perh. from OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes
murs of good manners); de of + murs, mours, meurs, mors, F.
m?urs, fr. L. mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see
{Moral}); or more prob. fr. OF. me["u]r, F. m[^u]r mature,
ripe (see {Mature}) in a phrase preceded by de, as de m[^u]re
conduite of mature conduct.]
1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous in
bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
Sober, steadfast, and demure. --Milton.
Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and
that delight showed itself in her face and in her
clear bright eyes. --W. Black.
2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making a show of
gravity.
A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had
been neither life nor soul in her. --L'Estrange.
Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and
coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her
head. --Miss
Mitford.
Demure \De*mure"\, v. i.
To look demurely. [Obs.] --Shak.
Demurely \De*mure"ly\, adv.
In a demure manner; soberly; gravely; -- now, commonly, with
a mere show of gravity or modesty.
They . . . looked as demurely as they could; for 't was
a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably. --Dryden.
Demureness \De*mure"ness\ (d[-e]*m[=u]r"n[e^]s), n.
The state of being demure; gravity; the show of gravity or
modesty.
Demurity \De*mur"i*ty\ (d[-e]*m[=u]r"[i^]*t[y^]), n.
Demureness; also, one who is demure. --Sir T. Browne.
Demurrable \De*mur"ra*ble\ (d[-e]*m[^u]r"r[.a]*b'l), a.
That may be demurred to. --Stormonth.
Demurrage \De*mur"rage\, n. [Cf. OF. demorage delay. See
{Demur}.] (Law)
(a) The detention of a vessel by the freighter beyond the
time allowed in her charter party for loading, unloading,
or sailing.
(b) The allowance made to the master or owner of the ship for
such delay or detention.
The claim for demurrage ceases as soon as the ship
is cleared out and ready for sailing. --M`Culloch.
Note: The term is also applied to similar delays and
allowances in land carriage, by wagons, railroads, etc.
Demurral \De*mur"ral\, n.
Demur; delay in acting or deciding.
The same causes of demurral existed which prevented
British troops from assisting in the expulsion of the
French from Rome. --Southey.
Demurrer \De*mur"rer\, n.
1. One who demurs.
2. (Law) A stop or pause by a party to an action, for the
judgment of the court on the question, whether, assuming
the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite party, it
is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense, and
hence whether the party resting is bound to answer or
proceed further.
{Demurrer to evidence}, an exception taken by a party to the
evidence offered by the opposite party, and an objecting
to proceed further, on the allegation that such evidence
is not sufficient in law to maintain the issue, and a
reference to the court to determine the point. --Bouvier.
Demy \De*my"\, n.; pl. {Demies}. [See {Demi-}.]
1. A printing and a writing paper of particular sizes. See
under {Paper}.
2. A half fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. [Written also
{demi}.]
He was elected into Magdalen College as a demy; a
term by which that society denominates those
elsewhere called ``scholars,'' young men who partake
of the founder's benefaction, and succeed in their
order to vacant fellowships. --Johnson.
Demy \De*my"\, a.
Pertaining to, or made of, the size of paper called demy; as,
a demy book.
Den \Den\, n. [AS. denn; perh. akin to G. tenne floor, thrashing
floor, and to AS. denu valley.]
1. A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a hill, or
among rocks; esp., a cave used by a wild beast for shelter
or concealment; as, a lion's den; a den of robbers.
2. A squalid place of resort; a wretched dwelling place; a
haunt; as, a den of vice. ``Those squalid dens, which are
the reproach of great capitals.'' --Addison.
3. Any snug or close retreat where one goes to be alone.
[Colloq.]
4. [AS. denu.] A narrow glen; a ravine; a dell. [Old Eng. &
Scotch] --Shak.
Den \Den\, v. i.
To live in, or as in, a den.
The sluggish salvages that den below. --G. Fletcher.
Denarcotize \De*nar"co*tize\, v. t.
To deprive of narcotine; as, to denarcotize opium. --
{De*nar`co*ti*za"tion}, n.
Denarius \De*na"ri*us\, n.; pl. {Denarii}. [L. See 2d {Denier}.]
A Roman silver coin of the value of about fourteen cents; the
``penny'' of the New Testament; -- so called from being worth
originally ten of the pieces called as.
Denary \Den"a*ry\, a. [L. denarius. See 2d {Denier}.]
Containing ten; tenfold; proceeding by tens; as, the denary,
or decimal, scale.
Denary \Den"a*ry\, n.
1. The number ten; a division into ten.
2. A coin; the Anglicized form of denarius. --Udall.
Denationalization \De*na`tion*al*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]nationalisation.]
The or process of denationalizing.
Denationalize \De*na"tion*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Denationalized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Denationalizing}.] [Cf. F.
d['e]nationaliser.]
To divest or deprive of national character or rights.
Bonaparte's decree denationalizes, as he calls it, all
ships that have touched at a British port. --Cobbett.
An expatriated, denationalized race. --G. Eliot.
Denaturalize \De*nat"u*ral*ize\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Denaturalized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Denaturalizing}.] [Cf. F.
d['e]naturaliser.]
1. To render unnatural; to alienate from nature.
2. To renounce the natural rights and duties of; to deprive
of citizenship; to denationalize. [R.]
They also claimed the privilege, when aggrieved, of
denaturalizing themselves, or, in other words, of
publicly renouncing their allegiance to their
sovereign, and of enlisting under the banners of his
enemy. --Prescott.
Denay \De*nay"\, v. t. [See {Deny}.]
To deny. [Obs.]
That with great rage he stoutly doth denay. --Spenser.
Denay \De*nay"\, n.
Denial; refusal. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dendrachate \Den"dra*chate\, n. [L. dendrachates; Gr. de`ndron a
tree + ? agate: cf. F. dendrachate, dendragate.] (Min.)
Arborescent or dendritic agate.
Dendriform \Den"dri*form\, a. [Gr. de`ndron tree + -form.]
Resembling in structure a tree or shrub.
Dendrite \Den"drite\, n. [Gr. dendri`ths, fem. dendri^tis, of a
tree, fr. de`ndron a tree: cf. F. dendrite.] (Min.)
A stone or mineral on or in which are branching figures
resembling shrubs or trees, produced by a foreign mineral,
usually an oxide of manganese, as in the moss agate; also, a
crystallized mineral having an arborescent form, e. g., gold
or silver; an arborization.
Dendritic \Den*drit"ic\, Dendritical \Den*drit"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to a dendrite, or to arborescent crystallization;
having a form resembling a shrub or tree; arborescent.
Dendrocoela \Den`dro*c[oe]"la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. de`ndron
tree + koi^los hollow.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of the Turbellaria in which the digestive cavity
gives off lateral branches, which are often divided into
smaller branchlets.
Dendroid \Den"droid\, Dendroidal \Den*droid"al\, a. [Gr. ?
treelike; de`ndron tree + ? form: cf. F. dendro["i]de.]
Resembling a shrub or tree in form; treelike.
Dendrolite \Den"dro*lite\, n. [Gr. de`ndron tree + -lite: cf. F.
dendrolithe.] (Paleon.)
A petrified or fossil shrub, plant, or part of a plant.
Dendrologist \Den*drol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in the natural history of trees.
Dendrologous \Den*drol"o*gous\, a.
Relating to dendrology.
Dendrology \Den*drol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. de`ndron tree + -logy: cf.
F. dendrologie.]
A discourse or treatise on trees; the natural history of
trees.
Dendrometer \Den*drom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. de`ndron tree + -meter:
cf. F. dendrom[`e]tre.]
An instrument to measure the height and diameter of trees.
Denegate \Den"e*gate\, v. t. [L. denegatus, p. p. of denegare.
See {Deny}.]
To deny. [Obs.]
Denegation \Den`e*ga"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]n['e]gation.]
Denial. [Obs.]
Dengue \Den"gue\ (d[e^][ng]"g[asl]), n. [See Note, below.]
(Med.)
A specific epidemic disease attended with high fever,
cutaneous eruption, and severe pains in the head and limbs,
resembling those of rheumatism; -- called also {breakbone
fever}. It occurs in India, Egypt, the West Indies, etc., is
of short duration, and rarely fatal.
Note: This disease, when it first appeared in the British
West India Islands, was called the dandy fever, from
the stiffness and constraint which it grave to the
limbs and body. The Spaniards of the neighboring
islands mistook the term for their word dengue,
denoting prudery, which might also well express
stiffness, and hence the term dengue became, as last,
the name of the disease. --Tully.
Deniable \De*ni"a*ble\, a. [See {Deny}.]
Capable of being, or liable to be, denied.
Denial \De*ni"al\, n. [See {Deny}.]
1. The act of gainsaying, refusing, or disowning; negation;
-- the contrary of {affirmation}.
You ought to converse with so much sincerity that
your bare affirmation or denial may be sufficient.
--Bp.
Stillingfleet.
2. A refusal to admit the truth of a statement, charge,
imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing
stated or maintained; a contradiction.
3. A refusal to grant; rejection of a request.
The commissioners, . . . to obtain from the king's
subjects as much as they would willingly give, . . .
had not to complain of many peremptory denials.
--Hallam.
4. A refusal to acknowledge; disclaimer of connection with;
disavowal; -- the contrary of confession; as, the denial
of a fault charged on one; a denial of God.
{Denial of one's self}, a declining of some gratification;
restraint of one's appetites or propensities; self-denial.
Deniance \De*ni"ance\, n.
Denial. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Denier \De*ni"er\, n.
One who denies; as, a denier of a fact, or of the faith, or
of Christ.
Denier \De*nier"\, n. [F. denier, fr. L. denarius a Roman silver
coin orig. equiv. to ten asses, later, a copper, fr. deni ten
by ten, fr. the root of decem ten; akin to E. ten. See {Ten},
and cf. {Denary}, {Dinar}.]
A small copper coin of insignificant value.
My dukedom to a beggarly denier. --Shak.
Denigrate \Den"i*grate\, v. t. [L. denigrare; de- + nigrare to
blacken, niger black.]
1. To blacken thoroughly; to make very black. --Boyle.
2. Fig.: To blacken or sully; to defame. [R.]
To denigrate the memory of Voltaire. --Morley.
Denigration \Den`i*gra"tion\, n. [L. denigratio.]
1. The act of making black. --Boyle.
2. Fig.: A blackening; defamation.
The vigorous denigration of science. --Morley.
Denigrator \Den"i*gra`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, blackens.
Denim \Den"im\ (d[e^]n"[i^]m), n. [Of uncertain origin.]
A coarse cotton drilling used for overalls, etc.
Denitration \Den`i*tra"tion\, n. [Pref. de- + nitrate.]
A disengaging, or removal, of nitric acid.
Denitrification \De*ni`tri*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act or process of freeing from nitrogen; also, the
condition resulting from the removal of nitrogen.
Denitrify \De*ni"tri*fy\, v. t. [Pref. de- + nitrogen + -fy.]
To deprive of, or free from, nitrogen.
Denization \Den`i*za"tion\, n.
The act of making one a denizen or adopted citizen;
naturalization. --Hallam.
Denize \De*nize"\ (d[-e]*n[imac]z"), v. t.
To make a denizen; to confer the rights of citizenship upon;
to naturalize. [Obs.]
There was a private act made for denizing the children
of Richard Hills. --Strype.
Denizen \Den"i*zen\ (d[e^]n"[i^]*z'n), n. [OF. denzein,
deinzein, prop., one living (a city or country); opposed to
forain foreign, and fr. denz within, F. dans, fr. L. de
intus, prop., from within, intus being from in in. See {In},
and cf. {Foreign}.]
1. A dweller; an inhabitant. ``Denizens of air.'' --Pope.
Denizens of their own free, independent state. --Sir
W. Scott.
2. One who is admitted by favor to all or a part of the
rights of citizenship, where he did not possess them by
birth; an adopted or naturalized citizen.
3. One admitted to residence in a foreign country.
Ye gods, Natives, or denizens, of blest abodes.
--Dryden.
Denizen \Den"i*zen\, v. t.
1. To constitute (one) a denizen; to admit to residence, with
certain rights and privileges.
As soon as denizened, they domineer. --Dryden.
2. To provide with denizens; to populate with adopted or
naturalized occupants.
There [islets] were at once denizened by various
weeds. --J. D.
Hooker.
Denizenation \Den`i*zen*a"tion\, n.
Denization; denizening. --Abbott.
Denizenize \Den"i*zen*ize\, v. t.
To constitute (one) a denizen; to denizen. --Abbott.
Denizenship \Den"i*zen*ship\, n.
State of being a denizen.
Denmark satin \Den"mark sat"in\
See under {Satin}.
Dennet \Den"net\, n.
A light, open, two-wheeled carriage for one horse; a kind of
gig. (``The term and vehicle common about 1825.'' --Latham.)
Denominable \De*nom"i*na*ble\, a.
Capable of being denominated or named. --Sir T. Browne.
Denominate \De*nom"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Denominated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Denominating}.] [L. denominatus, p. p. of
denominare to name; de- + nominare to call by name. See
{Nominate}.]
To give a name to; to characterize by an epithet; to entitle;
to name; to designate.
Passions commonly denominating selfish. --Hume.
Denominate \De*nom"i*nate\, a. [L. denominatus, p. p.]
Having a specific name or denomination; specified in the
concrete as opposed to abstract; thus, 7 feet is a denominate
quantity, while 7 is mere abstract quantity or number. See
{Compound number}, under {Compound}.
Denomination \De*nom`i*na"tion\, n. [L. denominatio metonymy:
cf. F. d['e]nomination a naming.]
1. The act of naming or designating.
2. That by which anything is denominated or styled; an
epithet; a name, designation, or title; especially, a
general name indicating a class of like individuals; a
category; as, the denomination of units, or of thousands,
or of fourths, or of shillings, or of tons.
Those [qualities] which are classed under the
denomination of sublime. --Burke.
3. A class, or society of individuals, called by the same
name; a sect; as, a denomination of Christians.
Syn: Name; appellation; title. See {Name}.
Denominational \De*nom`i*na"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to a denomination, especially to a sect or
society. ``Denominational differences.'' --Buckle.
Denominationalism \De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ism\, n.
A denominational or class spirit or policy; devotion to the
interests of a sect or denomination.
Denominationalist \De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ist\, n.
One imbued with a denominational spirit. --The Century.
Denominationally \De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ly\, adv.
In a denominational manner; by denomination or sect.
Denominative \De*nom`i*na"tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]nominatif.]
1. Conferring a denomination or name.
2. (Logic) Connotative; as, a denominative name.
3. Possessing, or capable of possessing, a distinct
denomination or designation; denominable.
The least denominative part of time is a minute.
--Cocker.
4. (Gram.) Derived from a substantive or an adjective; as, a
denominative verb.
Denominative \De*nom`i*na"tive\, n.
A denominative name or term; denominative verb. --Jer.
Taylor. Harkness.
Denominatively \De*nom`i*na"tive*ly\, adv.
By denomination.
Denominator \De*nom"i*na`tor\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]nominateur.]
1. One who, or that which, gives a name; origin or source of
a name.
This opinion that Aram . . . was the father and
denomination of the Syrians in general. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. (Arith.) That number placed below the line in vulgar
fractions which shows into how many parts the integer or
unit is divided.
Note: Thus, in 3/5, 5 is the denominator, showing that the
integer is divided into five parts; and the numerator,
3, shows how many parts are taken.
3. (Alg.) That part of any expression under a fractional form
which is situated below the horizontal line signifying
division.
Note: In this sense, the denominator is not necessarily a
number, but may be any expression, either positive or
negative, real or imaginary. --Davies & Peck (Math.
Dict. )
Denotable \De*not"a*ble\, a. [From {Denote}.]
Capable of being denoted or marked. --Sir T. Browne.
Denotate \De*no"tate\, v. t. [L. denotatus, p. p. of denotare.]
To mark off; to denote. [Archaic]
These terms denotate a longer time. --Burton.
What things should be denotated and signified by the
color. --Urquhart.
Denotation \De`no*ta"tion\, n. [L. denotatio: cf. F.
d['e]notation.]
The marking off or separation of anything. --Hammond.
Denotative \De*not"a*tive\, a.
Having power to denote; designating or marking off.
Proper names are pre["e]minently denotative; telling us
that such as object has such a term to denote it, but
telling us nothing as to any single attribute.
--Latham.
Denote \De*note"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Denoted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Denoting}.] [L. denotare; de- + notare to mark, nota
mark, sign, note: cf. F. d['e]noter. See {Note}.]
1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to
serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out;
as, the hands of the clock denote the hour.
The better to denote her to the doctor. --Shak.
2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean.
A general expression to denote wickedness of every
sort. --Gilpin.
Denotement \De*note"ment\, n.
Sign; indication. [R.]
Note: A word found in some editions of Shakespeare.
Denotive \De*not"ive\, a.
Serving to denote.
D'enouement \D['e]`noue`ment"\, n. [F. d['e]nouement, fr.
d['e]nouer to untie; pref. d['e]- (L. dis-) + nouer to tie,
fr. L. nodus knot, perh. for gnodus and akin to E. knot.]
1. The unraveling or discovery of a plot; the catastrophe,
especially of a drama or a romance.
2. The solution of a mystery; issue; outcome.
Denounce \De*nounce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Denounced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Denouncing}.] [F. d['e]noncer, OF. denoncier, fr. L.
denuntiare, denunciare; de- + nunciare, nuntiare, to
announce, report, nuntius a messenger, message. See {Nuncio},
and cf. {Denunciate}.]
1. To make known in a solemn or official manner; to declare;
to proclaim (especially an evil). [Obs.]
Denouncing wrath to come. --Milton.
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely
perish. --Deut. xxx.
18.
2. To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten by some
outward sign or expression.
His look denounced desperate. --Milton.
3. To point out as deserving of reprehension or punishment,
etc.; to accuse in a threatening manner; to invoke censure
upon; to stigmatize.
Denounced for a heretic. --Sir T. More.
To denounce the immoralities of Julius C[ae]sar.
--Brougham.
Denouncement \De*nounce"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. denoncement.]
Solemn, official, or menacing announcement; denunciation.
[Archaic]
False is the reply of Cain, upon the denouncement of
his curse. --Sir T.
Browne.
Denouncer \De*noun"cer\n.
One who denounces, or declares, as a menace.
Here comes the sad denouncer of my fate. --Dryden.
Dense \Dense\, a. [L. densus; akin to Gr. ? thick with hair or
leaves: cf. F. dense.]
1. Having the constituent parts massed or crowded together;
close; compact; thick; containing much matter in a small
space; heavy; opaque; as, a dense crowd; a dense forest; a
dense fog.
All sorts of bodies, firm and fluid, dense and rare.
--Ray.
To replace the cloudy barrier dense. --Cowper.
2. Stupid; gross; crass; as, dense ignorance.
Densely \Dense"ly\, adv.
In a dense, compact manner.
Denseless \Dense"less\, n.
The quality of being dense; density.
Densimeter \Den*sim"e*ter\, n. [L. densus dense + -meter: cf. F.
densim[`e]tre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the specific gravity or
density of a substance.
Density \Den"si*ty\, n. [L. densitas; cf. F. densit['e].]
1. The quality of being dense, close, or thick; compactness;
-- opposed to rarity.
2. (Physics) The ratio of mass, or quantity of matter, to
bulk or volume, esp. as compared with the mass and volume
of a portion of some substance used as a standard.
Note: For gases the standard substance is hydrogen, at a
temperature of 0[deg] Centigrade and a pressure of 760
millimeters. For liquids and solids the standard is
water at a temperature of 4[deg] Centigrade. The
density of solids and liquids is usually called
specific gravity, and the same is true of gases when
referred to air as a standard.
3. (Photog.) Depth of shade. --Abney.
Dent \Dent\, n. [A variant of {Dint}.]
1. A stroke; a blow. [Obs.] ``That dent of thunder.''
--Chaucer.
2. A slight depression, or small notch or hollow, made by a
blow or by pressure; an indentation.
A blow that would have made a dent in a pound of
butter. --De Quincey.
Dent \Dent\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dented}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Denting}.]
To make a dent upon; to indent.
The houses dented with bullets. --Macaulay.
Dent \Dent\, n. [F., fr. L. dens, dentis, tooth. See {Tooth}.]
(Mach.)
A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel, etc. --Knight.
Dental \Den"tal\, a. [L. dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F. dental. See
{Tooth}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the teeth or to dentistry; as, dental
surgery.
2. (Phon.) Formed by the aid of the teeth; -- said of certain
articulations and the letters representing them; as, d t
are dental letters.
{Dental formula} (Zo["o]l.), a brief notation used by
zo["o]logists to denote the number and kind of teeth of a
mammal.
{Dental surgeon}, a dentist.
Dental \Den"tal\, n. [Cf. F. dentale. See {Dental}, a.]
1. An articulation or letter formed by the aid of the teeth.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A marine mollusk of the genus {Dentalium}, with
a curved conical shell resembling a tooth. See
{Dentalium}.
Dentalism \Den"tal*ism\, n.
The quality of being formed by the aid of the teeth.
Dentalium \Den*ta"li*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. dens, dentis, tooth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine mollusks belonging to the Scaphopoda,
having a tubular conical shell.
Dentary \Den"ta*ry\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or bearing, teeth. -- n. The distal bone of
the lower jaw in many animals, which may or may not bear
teeth.
Dentate \Den"tate\, Dentated \Den"ta*ted\, a. [L. dentatus, fr.
dens, dentis, tooth.]
1. (Bot.) Toothed; especially, with the teeth projecting
straight out, not pointed either forward or backward; as,
a dentate leaf.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having teeth or toothlike points. See Illust.
of {Antenn[ae]}.
Dentate-ciliate \Den"tate-cil"i*ate\, a. (Bot.)
Having the margin dentate and also ciliate or fringed with
hairs.
Dentately \Den"tate*ly\, adv.
In a dentate or toothed manner; as, dentately ciliated, etc.
Dentate-sinuate \Den"tate-sin"u*ate\, a. (Bot.)
Having a form intermediate between dentate and sinuate.
Dentation \Den*ta"tion\, n.
Formation of teeth; toothed form. [R.]
How did it [a bill] get its barb, its dentation?
--Paley.
Dented \Dent"ed\, a. [From {Dent}, v. t.]
Indented; impressed with little hollows.
Dentel \Dent"el\, n.
Same as {Dentil}.
Dentelle \Den*telle"\, n. [F.] (Bookbinding)
An ornamental tooling like lace. --Knight.
Dentelli \Den*tel"li\, n. pl. [It., sing. dentello, prop.,
little tooth, dim. of dente tooth, L. dens, dentis. Cf.
{Dentil}.]
Modillions. --Spectator.
Dentex \Den"tex\, n. [NL., cf. L. dentix a sort of sea fish.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An edible European marine fish ({Sparus dentex}, or {Dentex
vulgaris}) of the family {Percid[ae]}.
Denticete \Den`ti*ce"te\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. dens, dentis,
tooth + cetus, pl. cete, whale, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Cetacea in which the teeth are developed,
including the sperm whale, dolphins, etc.
Denticle \Den"ti*cle\, n. [L. denticulus a little tooth, dim. of
dens, dentis, tooth. See {Dental}, and cf. {Dentelli}.]
A small tooth or projecting point.
Denticulate \Den*tic"u*late\, Denticulated \Den*tic"u*la`ted\,
a. [L. denticulatus, fr. denticulus. See {Denticle}.]
Furnished with denticles; notched into little toothlike
projections; as, a denticulate leaf of calyx. --
{Den*tic"u*late*ly}, adv.
Denticulation \Den*tic`u*la"tion\, n.
1. The state of being set with small notches or teeth.
--Grew.
2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) A diminutive tooth; a denticle.
Dentiferous \Den*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. dens, dentis, tooth +
-ferous.]
Bearing teeth; dentigerous.
Dentiform \Den"ti*form\, a. [L. dens, dentis, tooth + -form: cf.
F. dentiforme.]
Having the form of a tooth or of teeth; tooth-shaped.
Dentifrice \Den"ti*frice\, n. [L. dentifricium; dens, dentis,
tooth + fricare to rub: cf. F. dentifrice. See {Tooth}, and
{Friction}.]
A powder or other substance to be used in cleaning the teeth;
tooth powder.
Dentigerous \Den*tig"er*ous\, a. [L. dens, dentis, tooth +
-gerous.]
Bearing teeth or toothlike structures.
Dentil \Den"til\, n. [LL. dentillus, for L. denticulus. Cf.
{Dentelli}, {Denticle}, {Dentile}.] (Arch.)
A small square block or projection in cornices, a number of
which are ranged in an ornamental band; -- used particularly
in the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders.
Dentilabial \Den`ti*la"bi*al\, a.
Formed by the teeth and the lips, or representing a sound so
formed. -- n. A dentilabial sound or letter.
Dentilated \Den"ti*la`ted\, a.
Toothed.
Dentilation \Den`ti*la"tion\, n.
Dentition.
Dentilave \Den"ti*lave\, n. [L. dens, dentis, tooth + lavare to
wash.]
A wash for cleaning the teeth.
Dentile \Den"tile\, n. [LL. dentillus, for L. denticulus. See
{Dentil}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small tooth, like that of a saw.
Dentilingual \Den`ti*lin"gual\, a. [L. dens tooth + E. lingual.]
Produced by applying the tongue to the teeth or to the gums;
or representing a sound so formed. -- n. A dentilingual sound
or letter.
The letters of this fourth, dentilingual or
linguidental, class, viz., d, t, s, z, l, r. --Am. Cyc.
Dentiloquist \Den*til"o*quist\, n.
One who speaks through the teeth, that is, with the teeth
closed.
Dentiloquy \Den*til"o*quy\, n. [L. dens, dentis, tooth + loqui
to speak.]
The habit or practice of speaking through the teeth, or with
them closed.
Dential \Den"ti*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to dentine.
Dentine \Den"tine\, n. [Cf. F. dentine.] (Anat.)
The dense calcified substance of which teeth are largely
composed. It contains less animal matter than bone, and in
the teeth of man is situated beneath the enamel.
Dentiphone \Den"ti*phone\, n. [L. dens, dentis, tooth + Gr. ?
sound.]
An instrument which, placed against the teeth, conveys sound
to the auditory nerve; an audiphone. --Knight.
Dentiroster \Den`ti*ros"ter\, n.; pl. {Dentirostres}. [NL., fr.
L. dens, dentis, tooth + rostrum bill, beak: cf. F.
dentirostre.] (Zo["o]l.)
A dentirostral bird.
Dentirostral \Den`ti*ros"tral\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a toothed bill; -- applied to a group of passerine
birds, having the bill notched, and feeding chiefly on
insects, as the shrikes and vireos. See Illust. (N) under
{Beak}.
Dentirostrate \Den`ti*ros"trate\, a.
Dentirostral.
Dentiscalp \Den"ti*scalp\, n. [L. dens tooth + scalpere to
scrape.]
An instrument for scraping the teeth.
Dentist \Den"tist\, n. [From L. dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F.
dentiste. See {Tooth}.]
One whose business it is to clean, extract, or repair natural
teeth, and to make and insert artificial ones; a dental
surgeon.
Dentistic \Den*tis"tic\, Dentistical \Den*tis"ti*cal\, a.
Pertaining to dentistry or to dentists. [R.]
Dentistry \Den"tist*ry\, n.
The art or profession of a dentist; dental surgery.
Dentition \Den*ti"tion\, n. [L. dentitio, fr. dentire to cut
teeth, fr. dens, dentis, tooth. See {Dentist}.]
1. The development and cutting of teeth; teething.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The system of teeth peculiar to an animal.
Dentize \Den"tize\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Dentized}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dentizing}.] [L. dens, dentis, tooth.]
To breed or cut new teeth. [R.]
The old countess . . . did dentize twice or thrice.
--Bacon.
Dentoid \Den"toid\, a. [L. dens, dentis, tooth + -oid.]
Shaped like a tooth; tooth-shaped.
Dentolingual \Den`to*lin"gual\, a.
Dentilingual.
Denture \Den"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F.
denture, OF. denteure.] (Dentistry)
An artificial tooth, block, or set of teeth.
Denudate \De*nud"ate\, v. t. [L. denudatus, p. p. of denudare.
See {Denude}.]
To denude. [Obs. or R.]
Denudation \Den`u*da"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. denudatio: cf. F.
d['e]nudation.]
1. The act of stripping off covering, or removing the
surface; a making bare.
2. (Geol.) The laying bare of rocks by the washing away of
the overlying earth, etc.; or the excavation and removal
of them by the action of running water.
Denude \De*nude"\, v. t. [L. denudare; de- + nudare to make
naked or bare, nudus naked. See {Nude}.]
To divest of all covering; to make bare or naked; to strip;
to divest; as, to denude one of clothing, or lands.
Denunciate \De*nun"ci*ate\, v. t. [L. denuntiatus, denunciatus,
p. p. of denuntiare, -ciare. See {Denounce}.]
To denounce; to condemn publicly or solemnly. [R.]
To denunciate this new work. --Burke.
Denunciation \De*nun`ci*a"tion\, n. [L. denuntiatio, -ciatio.]
1. Proclamation; announcement; a publishing. [Obs.]
Public . . . denunciation of banns before marriage.
--Bp. Hall.
2. The act of denouncing; public menace or accusation; the
act of inveighing against, stigmatizing, or publicly
arraigning; arraignment.
3. That by which anything is denounced; threat of evil;
public menace or accusation; arraignment.
Uttering bold denunciations of ecclesiastical error.
--Motley.
Denunciative \De*nun"ci*a*tive\, a. [L. denuntiativus,
-ciativus, monitory.]
Same as {Denunciatory}. --Farrar.
Denunciator \De*nun"ci*a`tor\, n. [L. denuntiator, -ciator, a
police officer.]
One who denounces, publishes, or proclaims, especially
intended or coming evil; one who threatens or accuses.
Denunciatory \De*nun"ci*a*to*ry\, a.
Characterized by or containing a denunciation; minatory;
accusing; threatening; as, severe and denunciatory language.
Denutrition \De`nu*tri"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
The opposition of nutrition; the failure of nutrition causing
the breaking down of tissue.
Deny \De*ny"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Denied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Denying}.] [OE. denien, denaien, OF. denier, deneer, F.
d['e]nier, fr. L. denegare; de- + negare to say no, deny. See
{Negation}.]
1. To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; --
opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.
Note: We deny what another says, or we deny the truth of an
assertion, the force of it, or the assertion itself.
2. To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to
reject; to decline; to renounce. [Obs.] ``If you deny to
dance.'' --Shak.
3. To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to gratify or
yield to; as, to deny a request.
Who finds not Providence all good and wise, Alike in
what it gives, and what denies? --Pope.
To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious
inclination, than to gratify it. --J. Edwards.
4. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the
like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to
disavow.
The falsehood of denying his opinion. --Bancroft.
Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved. --Keble.
{To deny one's self}, to decline the gratification of
appetites or desires; to practice self-denial.
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross. --Matt.
xvi. 24.
Deny \De*ny"\, v. i.
To answer in ??? negative; to declare an assertion not to be
true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was
afraid. --Gen. xviii.
15.
Denyingly \De*ny"ing*ly\, adv.
In the manner of one denies a request. --Tennyson.
Deobstruct \De`ob*struct"\, v. t.
To remove obstructions or impediments in; to clear from
anything that hinders the passage of fluids; as, to
deobstruct the pores or lacteals. --Arbuthnot.
Deobstruent \De*ob"stru*ent\, a. (Med.)
Removing obstructions; having power to clear or open the
natural ducts of the fluids and secretions of the body;
aperient. -- n. (Med.) A medicine which removes obstructions;
an aperient.
Deodand \De"o*dand`\, n. [LL. deodandum, fr. L. Deo dandum to be
given to God.] (Old Eng. Law)
A personal chattel which had caused the death of a person,
and for that reason was given to God, that is, forfeited to
the crown, to be applied to pious uses, and distributed in
alms by the high almoner. Thus, if a cart ran over a man and
killed him, it was forfeited as a deodand.
Note: Deodands are unknown in American law, and in 1846 were
abolished in England.
Deodar \De`o*dar"\, n. [Native name, fr. Skr. d??ad[=a]ru,
prop., timber of the gods.] (Bot.)
A kind of cedar ({Cedrus Deodara}), growing in India, highly
valued for its size and beauty as well as for its timber, and
also grown in England as an ornamental tree.
Deodate \De"o*date`\, n. [L. Deo to God (Deus God) + datum thing
given.]
A gift or offering to God. [Obs.]
Wherein that blessed widow's deodate was laid up.
--Hooker.
Deodorant \De*o"dor*ant\, n.
A deodorizer.
Deodorization \De*o`dor*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of depriving of odor, especially of offensive odors
resulting from impurities.
Deodorize \De*o"dor*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of odor, especially of such as results from
impurities.
Deodorizer \De*o"dor*i`zer\, n.
He who, or that which, deodorizes; esp., an agent that
destroys offensive odors.
Deonerate \De*on"er*ate\, v. t. [L. deoneratus, p. p. of
deonerare. See {Onerate}.]
To unload; to disburden. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Deontological \De*on`to*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to deontology.
Deontologist \De`on*tol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in deontology.
Deontology \De`on*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? gen. ?, necessity,
obligation (p. neut. of ? it is necessary) + -logy.]
The science relat? to duty or moral obligation. --J. Bentham.
Deoperculate \De`o*per"cu*late\, a. (Bot.)
Having the lid removed; -- said of the capsules of mosses.
Deoppilate \De*op"pi*late\, v. t.
To free from obstructions; to clear a passage through. [Obs.]
--Boyle.
Deoppilation \De*op`pi*la"tion\, n.
Removal of whatever stops up the passages. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Deoppilative \De*op"pi*la*tive\, a. & n. (Med.)
Deobstruent; aperient. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Deordination \De*or`di*na"tion\, n. [LL. deordinatio depraved
morality.]
Disorder; dissoluteness. [Obs.]
Excess of ri?t and deordination. --Jer. Taylor.
Deosculate \De*os"cu*late\, v. t. [L. deosculatus, p. p. of
deosculari. See {Osculate}.]
To kiss warmly. [Obs.] -- {De*os`cu*la"tion}, n. [Obs.]
Deoxidate \De*ox"i*date\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deoxidize.
Deoxidation \De*ox`i*da"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or process of reducing from the state of an oxide.
Deoxidization \De*ox`i*di*za"tion\, n. (Chem.)
Deoxidation.
Deoxidize \De*ox"i*dize\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deprive of oxygen; to reduce from the state of an oxide.
Deoxidizer \De*ox"i*di`zer\, n. (Chem.)
That which removes oxygen; hence, a reducing agent; as,
nascent hydrogen is a deoxidizer.
Deoxygenate \De*ox"y*gen*ate\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deoxidize. [Obs.]
Deoxygenation \De*ox`y*gen*a"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or operation of depriving of oxygen.
Deoxygenize \De*ox"y*gen*ize\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deoxidize.
Depaint \De*paint"\, p. p. [F. d['e]peint, p. p. of d['e]peindre
to paint, fr. L. depingere. See {Depict}, p. p.]
Painted. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Depaint \De*paint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depainted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depainting}.]
1. To paint; to picture; hence, to describe; to delineate in
words; to depict. [Obs.]
And do unwilling worship to the saint That on his
shield depainted he did see. --Spenser.
In few words shall see the nature of many memorable
persons . . . depainted. --Holland.
2. To mark with, or as with, color; to color.
Silver drops her vermeil cheeks depaint. --Fairfax.
Depainter \De*paint"er\n.
One who depaints. [Obs.]
Depardieux \De*par"dieux`\, interj. [OF., a corruption of de
part Dieu, lit., on the part of God.]
In God's name; certainly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Depart \De*part"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Departed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Departing}.] [OE. departen to divide, part, depart, F.
d['e]partir to divide, distribute, se d['e]partir to separate
one's self, depart; pref. d['e]- (L. de) + partir to part,
depart, fr. L. partire, partiri, to divide, fr. pars part.
See {Part}.]
1. To part; to divide; to separate. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To go forth or away; to quit, leave, or separate, as from
a place or a person; to withdraw; -- opposed to arrive; --
often with from before the place, person, or thing left,
and for or to before the destination.
I will depart to mine own land. --Num. x. 30.
Ere thou from hence depart. --Milton.
He which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him
depart. --Shak.
3. To forsake; to abandon; to desist or deviate (from); not
to adhere to; -- with from; as, we can not depart from our
rules; to depart from a title or defense in legal
pleading.
If the plan of the convention be found to depart
from republican principles. --Madison.
4. To pass away; to perish.
The glory is departed from Israel. --1 Sam. iv.
21.
5. To quit this world; to die.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.
--Luke ii. 29.
{To depart with}, to resign; to part with. [Obs.] --Shak.
Depart \De*part"\, v. t.
1. To part thoroughly; to dispart; to divide; to separate.
[Obs.]
Till death departed them, this life they lead.
--Chaucer.
2. To divide in order to share; to apportion. [Obs.]
And here is gold, and that full great plentee, That
shall departed been among us three. --Chaucer.
3. To leave; to depart from. ``He departed this life.''
--Addison. ``Ere I depart his house.'' --Shak.
Depart \De*part"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]part, fr. d['e]partir.]
1. Division; separation, as of compound substances into their
ingredients. [Obs.]
The chymists have a liquor called water of depart.
--Bacon.
2. A going away; departure; hence, death. [Obs.]
At my depart for France. --Shak.
Your loss and his depart. --Shak.
Departable \De*part"a*ble\, a.
Divisible. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Departer \De*part"er\, n.
1. One who refines metals by separation. [Obs.]
2. One who departs.
Department \De*part"ment\, n. [F. d['e]partement, fr.
d['e]partir. See {Depart}, v. i.]
1. Act of departing; departure. [Obs.]
Sudden departments from one extreme to another.
--Wotton.
2. A part, portion, or subdivision.
3. A distinct course of life, action, study, or the like;
appointed sphere or walk; province.
Superior to Pope in Pope's own peculiar department
of literature. --Macaulay.
4. Subdivision of business or official duty; especially, one
of the principal divisions of executive government; as,
the treasury department; the war department; also, in a
university, one of the divisions of instruction; as, the
medical department; the department of physics.
5. A territorial division; a district; esp., in France, one
of the districts composed of several arrondissements into
which the country is divided for governmental purposes;
as, the Department of the Loire.
6. A military subdivision of a country; as, the Department of
the Potomac.
Departmental \De`part*men"tal\, a.
Pertaining to a department or division. --Burke.
Departure \De*par"ture\ (?; 135), n. [From {Depart}.]
1. Division; separation; putting away. [Obs.]
No other remedy . . . but absolute departure.
--Milton.
2. Separation or removal from a place; the act or process of
departing or going away.
Departure from this happy place. --Milton.
3. Removal from the present life; death; decease.
The time of my departure is at hand. --2 Tim. iv.
6.
His timely departure . . . barred him from the
knowledge of his son's miseries. --Sir P.
Sidney.
4. Deviation or abandonment, as from or of a rule or course
of action, a plan, or a purpose.
Any departure from a national standard. --Prescott.
5. (Law) The desertion by a party to any pleading of the
ground taken by him in his last antecedent pleading, and
the adoption of another. --Bouvier.
6. (Nav. & Surv.) The distance due east or west which a
person or ship passes over in going along an oblique line.
Note: Since the meridians sensibly converge, the departure in
navigation is not measured from the beginning nor from
the end of the ship's course, but is regarded as the
total easting or westing made by the ship or person as
he travels over the course.
{To take a departure} (Nav. & Surv.), to ascertain, usually
by taking bearings from a landmark, the position of a
vessel at the beginning of a voyage as a point from which
to begin her dead reckoning; as, the ship took her
departure from Sandy Hook.
Syn: Death; demise; release. See {Death}.
Depascent \De*pas"cent\, a. [L. depascens, p. pr. of depascere;
de- + pascere to feed.]
Feeding. [R.]
Depasture \De*pas"ture\ (?; 135), v. t. & i.
To pasture; to feed; to graze; also, to use for pasture. [R.]
Cattle, to graze and departure in his grounds.
--Blackstone.
A right to cut wood upon or departure land. --Washburn.
Depatriate \De*pa"tri*ate\, v. t. & i. [L. de- + patria one's
country.]
To withdraw, or cause to withdraw, from one's country; to
banish. [Obs.]
A subject born in any state May, if he please,
depatriate. --Mason.
Depauperate \De*pau"per*ate\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Depauperated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Depauperating}.] [LL.
depauperatus, p. p. depauperare to impoverish; L. de- +
pauperare to make poor, pauper poor.]
To make poor; to impoverish.
Liming does not depauperate; the ground will last long,
and bear large grain. --Mortimer.
Humility of mind which depauperates the spirit. --Jer.
Taylor.
Depauperate \De*pau"per*ate\, a. [L. depauperatus, p. p.] (Bot.)
Falling short of the natural size, from being impoverished or
starved. --Gray.
Depauperize \De*pau"per*ize\, v. t.
To free from paupers; to rescue from poverty. [R.]
Depeach \De*peach"\, v. t. [L. d['e]p[^e]cher. See {Dispatch}.]
To discharge. [Obs.]
As soon as the party . . . before our justices shall be
depeached. --Hakluyt.
Depectible \De*pec"ti*ble\, a. [L. depectere to comb off; de- +
pectere to comb.]
Tough; thick; capable of extension. [Obs.]
Some bodies are of a more depectible nature than oil.
--Bacon.
Depeculation \De*pec`u*la"tion\, n. [L. depeculari, p. p.
depeculatus, to rob. See {Peculate}.]
A robbing or embezzlement. [Obs.]
Depeculation of the public treasure. --Hobbes.
Depeinct \De*peinct"\, v. t. [See {Depaint}.]
To paint. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Depend \De*pend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Depended}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Depending}.] [F. d['e]pendre, fr. L. depend?re; de- +
pend?re to hang. See {Pendant}.]
1. To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or
attached to something above.
And ever-living lamps depend in rows. --Pope.
2. To hang in suspense; to be pending; to be undetermined or
undecided; as, a cause depending in court.
You will not think it unnatural that those who have
an object depending, which strongly engages their
hopes and fears, should be somewhat inclined to
superstition. --Burke.
3. To rely for support; to be conditioned or contingent; to
be connected with anything, as a cause of existence, or as
a necessary condition; -- followed by on or upon, formerly
by of.
The truth of God's word dependeth not of the truth
of the congregation. --Tyndale.
The conclusion . . . that our happiness depends
little on political institutions, and much on the
temper and regulation of our own minds. --Macaulay.
Heaven forming each on other to depend. --Pope.
4. To trust; to rest with confidence; to rely; to confide; to
be certain; -- with on or upon; as, we depend on the word
or assurance of our friends; we depend on the mail at the
usual hour.
But if you 're rough, and use him like a dog, Depend
upon it -- he 'll remain incog. --Addison.
5. To serve; to attend; to act as a dependent or retainer.
[Obs.] --Shak.
6. To impend. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dependable \De*pend"a*ble\, a.
Worthy of being depended on; trustworthy. ``Dependable
friendships.'' --Pope.
Dependant \De*pend"ant\, Dependance \De*pend"ance\, n.,
Dependancy \De*pend"an*cy\, n.
See {Dependent}, {Dependence}, {Dependency}.
Note: The forms dependant, dependance, dependancy are from
the French; the forms dependent, etc., are from the
Latin. Some authorities give preference to the form
dependant when the word is a noun, thus distinguishing
it from the adjective, usually written dependent.
Dependence \De*pend"ence\, n. [LL. dependentia, fr. L.
dependens. See {Dependent}, and cf. {Dependance}.]
1. The act or state of depending; state of being dependent; a
hanging down or from; suspension from a support.
2. The state of being influenced and determined by something;
subjection (as of an effect to its cause).
The cause of effects, and the dependence of one
thing upon another. --Bp. Burnet.
3. Mutu??? ?onnection and support; concatenation; systematic
???er relation.
So dark a??? so intricate of purpose, without any
dependence or order. --Sir T. More.
4. Subjection to the direction or disposal of another;
inability to help or provide for one's self.
Reduced to a servile dependence on their mercy.
--Burke.
5. A resting with confidence; reliance; trust.
Affectionate dependence on the Creator is the
spiritual life of the soul. --T. Erskine.
6. That on which one depends or relies; as, he was her sole
dependence.
7. That which depends; anything dependent or suspended;
anything attached a subordinate to, or contingent on,
something else.
Like a large cluster of black grapes they show And
make a large dependence from the bough. --Dryden.
8. A matter depending, or in suspense, and still to be
determined; ground of controversy or quarrel. [Obs.]
To go on now with my first dependence. --Beau. & Fl.
Dependency \De*pend"en*cy\, n.; pl. {Dependencies}.
1. State of being dependent; dependence; state of being
subordinate; subordination; concatenation; connection;
reliance; trust.
Any long series of action, the parts of which have
very much dependency each on the other. --Sir J.
Reynolds.
So that they may acknowledge their dependency on the crown
of England. --Bacon.
2. A thing hanging down; a dependence.
3. That which is attached to something else as its
consequence, subordinate, satellite, and the like.
This earth and its dependencies. --T. Burnet.
Modes I call such complex ideas which . . . are
considered as dependencies on or affections of
substances. --Locke.
4. A territory remote from the kingdom or state to which it
belongs, but subject to its dominion; a colony; as, Great
Britain has its dependencies in Asia, Africa, and America.
Note: Dependence is more used in the abstract, and dependency
in the concrete. The latter is usually restricted in
meaning to 3 and 4.
Dependent \De*pend"ent\, a. [L. dependens, -entis, p. pr.
dependere. See {Depend}, and cf. {Dependant}.]
1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.
2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not
able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything,
without the will, power, or aid of something else; not
self-sustaining; contingent or conditioned; subordinate;
-- often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent
upon friends.
England, long dependent and degraded, was again a
power of the first rank. --Macaulay.
{Dependent covenant} or {contract} (Law), one not binding
until some connecting stipulation is performed.
{Dependent variable} (Math.), a varying quantity whose
changes are arbitrary, but are regarded as produced by
changes in another variable, which is called the
independent variable.
Dependent \De*pend"ent\, n.
1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who
relies on another for support of favor; a hanger-on; a
retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents.
A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play
their part as witnesses. --Hallam.
2. That which depends; corollary; consequence.
With all its circumstances and dependents. --Prynne.
Note: See the Note under {Dependant}.
Dependently \De*pend"ent*ly\, adv.
In a dependent manner.
Depender \De*pend"er\, n.
One who depends; a dependent.
Dependingly \De*pend"ing*ly\, adv.
As having dependence. --Hale.
Depeople \De*peo"ple\, v. t.
To depopulate. [Obs.]
Deperdit \De*per"dit\, n. [LL. deperditum, fr. L. deperditus, p.
p. of deperdere; de- + perdere to lose, destroy.]
That which is lost or destroyed. [R.] --Paley.
Deperditely \De*per"dite*ly\, adv.
Hopelessly; despairingly; in the manner of one ruined; as,
deperditely wicked. [Archaic]
Deperdition \Dep`er*di"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]perdition.]
Loss; destruction. [Archaic] --Sir T. Browne.
Depertible \De*per"ti*ble\, a. [See {Depart}.]
Divisible. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Dephlegm \De*phlegm"\, v. t. [Pref. de- + phlegm water; cf. F.
d['e]phlegmer, d['e]flegmer.] (O. Chem.)
To rid of phlegm or water; to dephlegmate. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Dephlegmate \De*phleg"mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dephlegmated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dephlegmating}.] [See {Dephlegm}.] (Chem.)
To deprive of superabundant water, as by evaporation or
distillation; to clear of aqueous matter; to rectify; -- used
of spirits and acids.
Dephlegmation \De`phleg*ma"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]flegmation.]
(Chem.)
The operation of separating water from spirits and acids, by
evaporation or repeated distillation; -- called also
{concentration}, especially when acids are the subject of it.
[Obs.]
Dephlegmator \De*phleg"ma*tor\, n.
An instrument or apparatus in which water is separated by
evaporation or distillation; the part of a distilling
apparatus in which the separation of the vapors is effected.
Dephlegmatory \De*phleg"ma*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or producing, dephlegmation.
Dephlegmedness \De*phlegm"ed*ness\, n.
A state of being freed from water. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Dephlogisticcate \De`phlo*gis"tic*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Dephlogisticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dephlogisticating}.]
[Pref. de- + phlosticate: cf. F. d['e]phlogistiguer.] (O.
Chem.)
To deprive of phlogiston, or the supposed principle of
inflammability. --Priestley.
{Dephlogisticated air}, oxygen gas; -- so called by Dr.
Priestly and others of his time. --
{De`phlo*gis`ti*ca"tion}, n.
Dephosphorization \De*phos`phor*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of freeing from phosphorous.
Depict \De*pict"\, p. p. [L. depictus, p. p. of depingere to
depict; de- + pingere to paint. See {Paint}, and cf.
{Depaint}, p. p.]
Depicted. --Lydgate.
Depict \De*pict"\, p. p. [L. depictus, p. p. of depinger? to
depict; de- + pingere to paint. See {Paint}, and cf.
{Depaint}, p. p.]
Depicted. --Lydgate.
Depict \De*pict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depicted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Depicting}.]
1. To form a colored likeness of; to represent by a picture;
to paint; to portray.
His arms are fairly depicted in his chamber.
--Fuller.
2. To represent in words; to describe vividly.
C[ae]sar's gout was then depicted in energetic
language. --Motley.
Depiction \De*pic"tion\, n. [L. depictio.]
A painting or depicting; a representation.
Depicture \De*pic"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depictured}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Depicturing}.]
To make a picture of; to paint; to picture; to depict.
Several persons were depictured in caricature.
--Fielding.
Depilate \Dep"i*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depilated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depilating}.] [L. depilatus, p. p. of depilare to
depilate; de- + pilare to put forth hairs, pilus hair.]
To strip of hair; to husk. --Venner.
Depilation \Dep`i*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]pilation.]
Act of pulling out or removing the hair; unhairing. --Dryden.
Depilatory \De*pil"a*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]pilatoire.]
Having the quality or power of removing hair. -- n. An
application used to take off hair.
Depilous \Dep"i*lous\, a. [Pref. de- + pilous: cf. L. depilis.]
Hairless. --Sir t. Browne.
Deplanate \De*pla"nate\, a. [L. deplanetus, p. p. of deplanare
to make level. See {Plane}, v. t.] (Bot.)
Flattened; made level or even.
Deplant \De*plant"\, v. t. [Pref. de- + plan: cf. F.
d['e]planter, L. deplantare to take off a twig. See {Plant},
v. t.]
To take up (plants); to transplant. [R.]
Deplantation \De`plan*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]plantation.]
Act of taking up plants from beds.
Deplete \De*plete"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depleted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depleting}.] [From L. deplere to empty out; de- +
plere to fill. Forined like replete, complete. See {Fill},
{Full}, a.]
1. (Med.) To empty or unload, as the vessels of human system,
by bloodletting or by medicine. --Copland.
2. To reduce by destroying or consuming the vital powers of;
to exhaust, as a country of its strength or resources, a
treasury of money, etc. --Saturday Review.
Depletion \De*ple"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]pl['e]tion.]
1. The act of depleting or emptying.
2. (Med.) the act or process of diminishing the quantity of
fluid in the vessels by bloodletting or otherwise; also
excessive evacuation, as in severe diarrhea.
Depletive \De*ple"tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]pl['e]tif.]
Able or fitted to deplete. -- n. A substance used to deplete.
Depletory \De*ple"to*ry\, a.
Serving to deplete.
Deplication \Dep`li*ca"tion\, n. [LL. deplicare to unfold; L.
de- + plicare to fold.]
An unfolding, untwisting, or unplaiting. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Deploitation \Dep`loi*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. {Exploitation},
{Deploy}.]
Same as Exploitation.
Deplorability \De*plor`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Deplorableness. --Stormonth.
Deplorable \De*plor"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]plorable.]
Worthy of being deplored or lamented; lamentable; causing
grief; hence, sad; calamitous; grievous; wretched; as, life's
evils are deplorable.
Individual sufferers are in a much more deplorable
conditious than any others. --Burke.
Deplorableness \De*plor"a*ble*ness\, n.
State of being deplorable.
Deplorably \De*plor"a*bly\, adv.
In a deplorable manner.
Deplorate \De*plo"rate\, a. [L. deploratus, p. p. of deplorare.
See {Deplore}.]
Deplorable. [Obs.]
A more deplorate estate. --Baker.
Deploration \Dep`lo*ra"tion\, n. [L. deploratio: cf. F.
d['e]ploration.]
The act of deploring or lamenting; lamentation. --Speed.
Deplore \De*plore"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deplored}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deploring}.] [L. deplorare; de- + plorare to cry out,
wail, lament; prob. akin to pluere to rain, and to E. flow:
cf. F. d['e]plorer. Cf. Flow.]
1. To feel or to express deep and poignant grief for; to
bewail; to lament; to mourn; to sorrow over.
To find her, or forever to deplore Her loss.
--Milton.
As some sad turtle his lost love deplores. --Pope.
2. To complain of. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To regard as hopeless; to give up. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Syn: To {Deplore}, {Mourn}, {Lament}, {Bewail}, {Bemoan}.
Usage: Mourn is the generic term, denoting a state of grief
or sadness. To lament is to express grief by outcries,
and denotes an earnest and strong expression of
sorrow. To deplore marks a deeper and more prolonged
emotion. To bewail and to bemoan are appropriate only
to cases of poignant distress, in which the grief
finds utterance either in wailing or in moans and
sobs. A man laments his errors, and deplores the ruin
they have brought on his family; mothers bewail or
bemoan the loss of their children.
Deplore \De*plore"\, v. i.
To lament. --Gray.
Deploredly \De*plor"ed*ly\, adv.
Lamentably.
Deploredness \De*plor"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being deplored or deplorable. [R.] --Bp. Hail.
Deplorement \De*plore"ment\, n.
Deploration. [Obs.]
Deplorre \De*plor"re\, n.
One who deplores.
Deploringly \De*plor"ing*ly\, adv.
In a deploring manner.
Deploy \De*ploy"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Deployed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deploying}.] [F. d['e]ployer; pref. d['e]? = d['e]s
(L. dis) + ployer, equiv. to plier to fold, fr. L. plicare.
See {Ply}, and cf. {Display}.] (Mil.)
To open out; to unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in
such a way that they shall display a wider front and less
depth; -- the reverse of ploy; as, to deploy a column of
troops into line of battle.
Deploy \De*ploy"\, Deployment \De*ploy"ment\, n. (Mil.)
The act of deploying; a spreading out of a body of men in
order to extend their front. ---Wilhelm.
Deployments . . . which cause the soldier to turn his
back to the enemy are not suited to war.H.L. --Scott.
Deplumate \De*plu"mate\, a. [LL. diplumatus, p. p. of deplumare.
See {Deplume}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Destitute or deprived of features; deplumed.
Deplumation \Dep`lu*ma"tion\, n. [See {Deplumate}.]
1. The stripping or falling off of plumes or feathers. --Bp.
Stillingfleet
2. (Med.) A disease of the eyelids, attended with loss of the
eyelashes. --Thomas.
Deplume \De*plume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deplumed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depluming}.] [LL. deplumare; L. de- + plumare to
cover with feathers, pluma feather: cf. deplumis featherless,
and F. d['e]plumer.]
1. To strip or pluck off the feather of; to deprive of of
plumage.
On the depluming of the pope every bird had his own
feather. --Fuller.
2. To lay bare; to expose.
The exposure and depluming of the leading humbugs of
the age. --De Quincey.
Depolarization \De*po`lar*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]polarisation.]
The act of depriving of polarity, or the result of such
action; reduction to an unpolarized condition.
{Depolarization of light} (Opt.), a change in the plane of
polarization of rays, especially by a crystalline medium,
such that the light which had been extinguished by the
analyzer reappears as if the polarization had been
anulled. The word is inappropriate, as the ray does not
return to the unpolarized condition.
Depolarize \De*po"lar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depolarized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Depolarizing}.] [Pref. de- + polarize: cf.
F. d['e]polarizer.]
1. (Opt.) To deprive of polarity; to reduce to an unpolarized
condition.
Note: This word has been inaccurately applied in optics to
describe the effect of a polarizing medium, as a
crystalline plate, in causing the reappearance of a
ray, in consequence of a change in its plane of
polarization, which previously to the change was
intercepted by the analyzer.
2. (Elec.) To free from polarization, as the negative plate
of the voltaic battery.
Depolarizer \De*po"lar*i`zer\, n. (Elec.)
A substance used to prevent polarization, as upon the
negative plate of a voltaic battery.
Depolish \De*pol"ish\ (d[-e]*p[o^]l"[i^]sh), v. t.
To remove the polish or glaze from.
Depolishing \De*pol"ish*ing\ (d[-e]*p[o^]l"[i^]sh*[i^]ng), n.
(Ceramics)
The process of removing the vitreous glaze from porcelain,
leaving the dull luster of the surface of ivory porcelain.
--Knight.
Depone \De*pone"\ (d[-e]*p[=o]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deponed}
(-p[=o]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Deponing}.] [L. deponere,
depositum, to put down, in LL., to assert under oath; de- +
ponere to put, place. See {Position}, and cf. {Deposit}.]
1. To lay, as a stake; to wager. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
2. To lay down. [R.] --Southey.
3. To assert under oath; to depose. [A Scotticism]
Sprot deponeth that he entered himself thereafter in
conference. --State
Trials(1606).
Depone \De*pone"\, v. i.
To testify under oath; to depose; to bear witness. [A
Scotticism]
The fairy Glorians, whose credibility on this point can
not be called in question, depones to the confinement
of Merlin in a tree. --Dunlop.
Deponent \De*po"nent\, n. [L. deponenes, -entis, laying down.
See {Depone}, v. t.]
1. (Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath; one who
gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in writing.
2. (Gr. & Lat. Gram.) A deponent verb.
Syn: {Deponent}, {Affiant}.
Usage: These are legal terms describing a person who makes a
written declaration under oath, with a view to
establish certain facts. An affiant is one who makes
an affidavit, or declaration under oath, in order to
establish the truth of what he says. A deponenet is
one who makes a deposition, or gives written testimony
under oath, to be used in the trial of some case
before a court of justice. See under {Deposition}.
Deponent \De*po"nent\, a. [L. deponens, -entis, laying down (its
proper passive meaning), p. pr. of deponere: cf. F.
d['e]ponent. See {Depone}.] (Gram.)
Having a passive form with an active meaning, as certain
latin and Greek verbs.
Depopulacy \De*pop"u*la*cy\, n.
Depopulation; destruction of population. [R.] --Chapman.
Depopulate \De*pop"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depopulated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Depopulating}.] [L. depopulatus, p. p. of
depopulari to ravage; de- + populari to ravage, fr. populus
people: cf. OF. depopuler, F. d['e]peupler. See {People}.]
To deprive of inhabitants, whether by death or by expulsion;
to reduce greatly the populousness of; to dispeople; to
unpeople.
Where is this viper, That would depopulate the city?
--Shak.
Note: It is not synonymous with laying waste or destroying,
being limited to the loss of inhabitants; as, an army
or a famine may depopulate a country. It rarely
expresses an entire loss of inhabitants, but often a
great diminution of their numbers; as, the deluge
depopulated the earth.
Depopulate \De*pop"u*late\, v. i.
To become dispeopled. [R.]
Whether the country be depopulating or not.
--Goldsmith.
Depopulation \De*pop`u*la"tion\, n. [L. depopulatio pillaging:
cf. F. d['e]population depopulation.]
The act of depopulating, or condition of being depopulated;
destruction or explusion of inhabitants.
The desolation and depopulation [of St.Quentin] were
now complete. --Motley.
Depopulator \De*pop"u*la`tor\, n. [L., pillager.]
One who depopulates; a dispeopler.
Deport \De*port"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deported}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deporting}.] [F. d['e]porter to transport for life, OF.,
to divert, amuse, from L. deportare to carry away; de- +
portare to carry. See {Port} demeanor.]
1. To transport; to carry away; to exile; to send into
banishment.
He told us he had been deported to Spain. --Walsh.
2. To carry or demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by
the reflexive pronoun.
Let an ambassador deport himself in the most
graceful manner befor a prince. --Pope.
Deport \De*port"\, n.
Behavior; carriage; demeanor; deportment. [Obs.]
``Goddesslike deport.'' --Milton.
Deportation \De`por*ta"tion\, n. [L. depotatio: cf. F.
d['e]portation.]
The act of deporting or exiling, or the state of being
deported; banishment; transportation.
In their deportations, they had often the favor of
their conquerors. --Atterbury.
Deportment \De*port"ment\, n. [F. d['e]portement misconduct,
OF., demeanor. See {Deport}.]
Manner of deporting or demeaning one's self; manner of
acting; conduct; carriage; especially, manner of acting with
respect to the courtesies and duties of life; behavior;
demeanor; bearing.
The gravity of his deportment carried him safe through
many difficulties. --Swift.
Deporture \De*por"ture\, n.
Deportment. [Obs.]
Stately port and majestical deporture. --Speed.
Deposable \De*pos"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being deposed or deprived of office. --Howell.
Deposal \De*pos"al\, n.
The act of deposing from office; a removal from the throne.
--Fox.
Depose \De*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deposed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deposing}.][FF. d['e]poser, in the sense of L. deponere
to put down; but from pref. d['e]- (L. de) + poser to place.
See {Pose}, {Pause}.]
1. To lay down; to divest one's self of; to lay aside. [Obs.]
Thus when the state one Edward did depose, A greater
Edward in his room arose. --Dryden.
2. To let fall; to deposit. [Obs.]
Additional mud deposed upon it. --Woodward.
3. To remove from a throne or other high station; to
dethrone; to divest or deprive of office.
A tyrant over his subjects, and therefore worthy to
be deposed. --Prynne.
4. To testify under oath; to bear testimony to; -- now
usually said of bearing testimony which is officially
written down for future use. --Abbott.
To depose the yearly rent or valuation of lands.
--Bacon.
5. To put under oath. [Obs.]
Depose him in the justice of his cause. --Shak.
Depose \De*pose"\, v. i.
To bear witness; to testify under oath; to make deposition.
Then, seeing't was he that made you to despose, Your
oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous. --Shak.
Deposer \De*pos"er\, n.
1. One who deposes or degrades from office.
2. One who testifies or deposes; a deponent.
Deposit \De*pos"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deposited}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depositing}.] [L. depositus, p. p. of deponere. See
{Depone}, and cf. {Deposit}, n.]
1. To lay down; to place; to put; to let fall or throw down
(as sediment); as, a crocodile deposits her eggs in the
sand; the waters deposited a rich alluvium.
The fear is deposited in conscience. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To lay up or away for safe keeping; to put up; to store;
as, to deposit goods in a warehouse.
3. To lodge in some one's hands for safe keeping; to commit
to the custody of another; to intrust; esp., to place in a
bank, as a sum of money subject to order.
4. To lay aside; to rid one's self of. [Obs.]
If what is written prove useful to you, to the
depositing that which I can not but deem an error.
--Hammond.
Note: Both this verb and the noun following were formerly
written {deposite}.
Deposit \De*pos"it\, n. [L. depositum, fr. depositus, p. p. of
deponere: cf. F. d['e]p[^o]t, OF. depost. See {Deposit}, v.
t., and cf. {Depot}.]
1. That which is deposited, or laid or thrown down; as, a
deposit in a flue; especially, matter precipitated from a
solution (as the siliceous deposits of hot springs), or
that which is mechanically deposited (as the mud, gravel,
etc., deposits of a river).
The deposit already formed affording to the
succeeding portion of the charged fluid a basis.
--Kirwan.
2. (Mining) A natural occurrence of a useful mineral under
the conditions to invite exploitation. --Raymond.
3. That which is placed anywhere, or in any one's hands, for
safe keeping; something intrusted to the care of another;
esp., money lodged with a bank or banker, subject to
order; anything given as pledge or security.
4. (Law)
(a) A bailment of money or goods to be kept gratuitously
for the bailor.
(b) Money lodged with a party as earnest or security for
the performance of a duty assumed by the person
depositing.
5. A place of deposit; a depository. [R.]
{Bank of deposit}. See under {Bank}.
{In deposit}, or {On deposit}, in trust or safe keeping as a
deposit; as, coins were received on deposit.
Depositary \De*pos"i*ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Depositaries}. [L.
depositarius, fr. deponere. See {Deposit}.]
1. One with whom anything is lodged in the trust; one who
receives a deposit; -- the correlative of depositor.
I . . . made you my guardians, my depositaries.
--Shak.
The depositaries of power, who are mere delegates of
the people. --J. S. Mill.
2. A storehouse; a depository. --Bp. Hurd.
3. (Law) One to whom goods are bailed, to be kept for the
bailor without a recompense. --Kent.
Deposition \Dep`o*si"tion\, n. [L. depositio, fr. deponere: cf.
F. d['e]position. See {Deposit}.]
1. The act of depositing or deposing; the act of laying down
or thrown down; precipitation.
The deposition of rough sand and rolled pebbles.
--H. Miller.
2. The act of bringing before the mind; presentation.
The influence of princes upon the dispositions of
their courts needs not the deposition of their
examples, since it hath the authority of a known
principle. --W. Montagu.
3. The act of setting aside a sovereign or a public officer;
deprivation of authority and dignity; displacement;
removal.
Note: A deposition differs from an abdication, an abdication
being voluntary, and a deposition compulsory.
4. That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown down;
sediment; alluvial matter; as, banks are sometimes
depositions of alluvial matter.
5. An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or asserted;
a declaration.
6. (Law) The act of laying down one's testimony in writing;
also, testimony laid or taken down in writing, under oath
or affirmation, before some competent officer, and in
reply to interrogatories and cross-interrogatories.
Syn: {Deposition}, {Affidavit}.
Usage: Affidavit is the wider term. It denotes any authorized
ex parte written statement of a person, sworn to or
affirmed before some competent magistrate. It is made
without cross-examination, and requires no notice to
an opposing party. It is generally signed by the party
making it, and may be drawn up by himself or any other
person. A deposition is the written testimony of a
witness, taken down in due form of law, and sworn to
or affirmed by the deponent. It must be taken before
some authorized magistrate, and upon a prescribed or
reasonable notice to the opposing party, that may
attend and cross-examine. It is generally written down
from the mouth of the witness by the magistrate, or
some person for him, and in his presence.
Depositor \De*pos"i*tor\ (d[-e]*p[o^]z"[i^]*t[~e]r), n. [L., fr.
deponere. See {Depone}.]
One who makes a deposit, especially of money in a bank; --
the correlative of depository.
Depository \De*pos"i*to*ry\ (-t[-o]*r[y^]), n.; pl.
{Depositories} (-r[i^]z).
1. A place where anything is deposited for sale or keeping;
as, warehouse is a depository for goods; a clerk's office
is a depository for records.
2. One with whom something is deposited; a depositary.
I am the sole depository of my own secret, and it
shall perish with me. --Junius.
Depositum \De*pos"i*tum\ (-t[u^]m), n. [L.]
Deposit.
Depositure \De*pos"i*ture\ (-t[-u]r; 135), n.
The act of depositing; deposition. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Depot \De"pot\ (d[=e]"p[-o]; French d[asl]*p[=o]"; 277), n. [F.
d['e]p[^o]t, OF. depost, fr. L. depositum a deposit. See
{Deposit}, n.]
1. A place of deposit for the storing of goods; a warehouse;
a storehouse.
The islands of Guernsey and Jersey are at present
the great depots of this kingdom. --Brit. Critic
(1794).
2. (Mil.)
(a) A military station where stores and provisions are
kept, or where recruits are assembled and drilled.
(b) (Eng. & France) The headquarters of a regiment, where
all supplies are received and distributed, recruits
are assembled and instructed, infirm or disabled
soldiers are taken care of, and all the wants of the
regiment are provided for.
3. A railway station; a building for the accommodation and
protection of railway passengers or freight. [U. S.]
Syn: See {Station}.
Depper \Dep"per\ (d[e^]p"p[~e]r), a.
Deeper. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Depravation \Dep`ra*va"tion\ (d[e^]p`r[.a]*v[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
[L. depravitio, from depravare: cf. F. d['e]pravation. See
{Deprave}.]
1. Detraction; depreciation. [Obs.]
To stubborn critics, apt, without a theme, For
depravation. --Shak.
2. The act of depraving, or making anything bad; the act of
corrupting.
3. The state of being depraved or degenerated; degeneracy;
depravity.
The depravation of his moral character destroyed his
judgment. --Sir G. C.
Lewis.
4. (Med.) Change for the worse; deterioration; morbid
perversion.
Syn: Depravity; corruption. See {Depravity}.
Deprave \De*prave"\, n. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depraved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depraving}.] [L. depravare, depravatum; de- + pravus
crooked, distorted, perverse, wicked.]
1. To speak ill of; to depreciate; to malign; to revile.
[Obs.]
And thou knowest, conscience, I came not to chide
Nor deprave thy person with a proud heart. --Piers
Plowman.
2. To make bad or worse; to vitiate; to corrupt.
Whose pride depraves each other better part.
--Spenser.
Syn: To corrupt; vitiate; contaminate; pollute.
Depravedly \De*prav"ed*ly\, adv.
In a depraved manner.
Depravedness \De*prav"ed*ness\, n.
Depravity. --Hammond.
Depravement \De*prave"ment\ (-ment), n.
Depravity. [Obs.] --Milton.
Depraver \De*prav"er\, n.
One who deprave or corrupts.
Depravingly \De*prav"ing*ly\, adv.
In a depraving manner.
Depravity \De*prav"i*ty\, n. [From {Deprave}: cf. L. pravitas
crookedness, perverseness.]
The state of being depraved or corrupted; a vitiated state of
moral character; general badness of character; wickedness of
mind or heart; absence of religious feeling and principle.
{Total depravity}. See {Original sin}, and {Calvinism}.
Syn: Corruption; vitiation; wickedness; vice; contamination;
degeneracy.
Usage: {Depravity}, {Depravation}, {Corruption}. Depravilty
is a vitiated state of mind or feeling; as, the
depravity of the human heart; depravity of public
morals. Depravation points to the act or process of
making depraved, and hence to the end thus reached;
as, a gradual depravation of principle; a depravation
of manners, of the heart, etc. Corruption is the only
one of these words which applies to physical
substances, and in reference to these denotes the
process by which their component parts are dissolved.
Hence, when figuratively used, it denotes an utter
vitiation of principle or feeling. Depravity applies
only to the mind and heart: we can speak of a depraved
taste, or a corrupt taste; in the first we introduce
the notion that there has been the influence of bad
training to pervert; in the second, that there is a
want of true principle to pervert; in the second, that
there is a want of true principles to decide. The
other two words have a wider use: we can speak of the
depravation or the corruption of taste and public
sentiment. Depravity is more or less open; corruption
is more or less disguised in its operations. What is
depraved requires to be reformed; what is corrupt
requires to be purified.
Deprecable \Dep"re*ca*ble\, a. [L. deprecabilis exorable.]
That may or should be deprecated. --Paley.
Deprecate \Dep"re*cate\ (d[e^]p"r[-e]*k[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Deprecated} (-k[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deprecating} (-k[=a]`t[i^]ng).] [L. deprecatus, p. p. of
deprecari to avert by player, to deprecate; de- + precari to
pray. See {Pray}.]
To pray against, as an evil; to seek to avert by prayer; to
desire the removal of; to seek deliverance from; to express
deep regret for; to disapprove of strongly.
His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he was
with difficulty induced to adandon it. --Sir W.
Scott.
Deprecatingly \Dep"re*ca`ting*ly\ (-k[=a]`t[i^]ng*l[y^]), adv.
In a deprecating manner.
Deprecation \Dep`re*ca"tion\ (d[e^]p`r[-e]*k[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
[L. deprecatio; cf. F. d['e]pr['e]cation.]
1. The act of deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer
that an evil may be removed or prevented; strong
expression of disapprobation.
Humble deprecation. --Milton.
2. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning.
3. An imprecation or curse. [Obs.] --Gilpin.
Deprecative \Dep"re*ca*tive\, a. [L. deprecativus: cf. F.
d['e]pr['e]catif.]
Serving to deprecate; deprecatory. -- {Dep"re*ca*tive*ly},
adv.
Deprecator \Dep"re*ca`tor\, n. [L.]
One who deprecates.
Deprecatory \Dep"re*ca*to*ry\, a. [L. deprecatorius.]
Serving to deprecate; tending to remove or avert evil by
prayer; apologetic.
Humble and deprecatory letters. --Bacon.
Depreciate \De*pre"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depreciated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Depreciating}.] [L. depretiatus,
depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare, -ciare, to depreciate; de-
+ pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See {Price}.]
To lessen in price or estimated value; to lower the worth of;
to represent as of little value or claim to esteem; to
undervalue. --Addison.
Which . . . some over-severe phoilosophers may look
upon fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate.
--Cudworth.
To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we
are obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself.
--Burke.
Syn: To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract; underrate.
See {Decry}.
Depreciate \De*pre"ci*ate\, v. i.
To fall in value; to become of less worth; to sink in
estimation; as, a paper currency will depreciate, unless it
is convertible into specie.
Depreciation \De*pre`ci*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]pr['e]ciation.]
1. The act of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value,
or reputation.
2. The falling of value; reduction of worth. --Burke.
3. the state of being depreciated.
Depreciative \De*pre"ci*a`tive\, a.
Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing depreciation;
undervaluing. -- {De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly}, adv.
Depreciator \De*pre"ci*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who depreciates.
Depreciatory \De*pre"ci*a*to*ry\, a.
Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
Depredable \Dep"re*da*ble\, a.
Liable to depredation. [Obs.] ``Made less depredable.''
--Bacon.
Depredate \Dep"re*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depredated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Depredating}.] [L. depraedatus, p. p. of
depraedari to plunder; de- + praedari to plunder, praeda
plunder, prey. See {Prey}.]
To subject to plunder and pillage; to despoil; to lay waste;
to prey upon.
It makes the substance of the body . . . less apt to be
consumed and depredated by the spirits. --Bacon.
Depredate \Dep"re*date\, v. i.
To take plunder or prey; to commit waste; as, the troops
depredated on the country.
Depredation \Dep`re*da"tion\, n. [L. depraedatio: cf. F.
d['e]pr['e]dation.]
The act of depredating, or the state of being depredated; the
act of despoiling or making inroads; as, the sea often makes
depredation on the land.
Depredator \Dep"re*da`tor\, n. [L. depraedator.]
One who plunders or pillages; a spoiler; a robber.
Depredatory \Dep"re*da`to*ry\, a.
Tending or designed to depredate; characterized by
depredation; plundering; as, a depredatory incursion.
Depreicate \De*pre"i*cate\, v. t. [Pref. de- (intensive) +
predicate.]
To proclaim; to celebrate. [R.]
Deprehend \Dep`re*hend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deprehended}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Deprehending}.] [L. deprehendere, deprehensum;
de- + prehendere to lay hold of, seize. See {Prehensile}.]
1. To take unwares or by surprise; to seize, as a person
commiting an unlawful act; to catch; to apprehend.
The deprehended adulteress.Jer. --Taylor.
2. To detect; to discover; to find out.
The motion . . . are to be deprehended by
experience. --Bacon.
Deprehensible \Dep`re*hen"si*ble\, a.
That may be caught or discovered; apprehensible. [Obs.]
--Petty. -- {Dep`re*hen"si*ble*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Deprehension \Dep`re*hen"sion\, n. [L. deprehensio.]
A catching; discovery. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Depress \De*press"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depressed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depressing}.] [L. depressus, p. p. of deprimere; de-
+ premere to press. See {Press}.]
1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to lower;
as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to depress the eyes.
``With lips depressed.'' --Tennyson.
2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as pride.
3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his spirits were
depressed.
4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull; embarrass, as
trade, commerce, etc.
5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in value; to
cheapen; to depreciate.
6. (Math.) To reduce (an equation) in a lower degree.
{To depress the pole} (Naut.), to cause the sidereal pole to
appear lower or nearer the horizon, as by sailing toward
the equator.
Syn: To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble;
degrade; dispirit; discourage.
Depress \De*press"\, a. [L. depressus, p. p.]
Having the middle lower than the border; concave. [Obs.]
If the seal be depress or hollow. --Hammond.
Depressant \De*press"ant\, n. (Med.)
An agent or remedy which lowers the vital powers.
Depressed \De*pressed"\, a.
1. Pressed or forced down; lowed; sunk; dejected; dispirited;
sad; humbled.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Concave on the upper side; -- said of a leaf whose
disk is lower than the border.
(b) Lying flat; -- said of a stem or leaf which lies close
to the ground.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having the vertical diameter shorter than the
horizontal or transverse; -- said of the bodies of
animals, or of parts of the bodies.
Depressingly \De*press"ing*ly\, adv.
In a depressing manner.
Depression \De*pres"sion\, n. [L. depressio: cf. F.
d['e]pression.]
1. The act of depressing.
2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.
3. A falling in of the surface; a sinking below its true
place; a cavity or hollow; as, roughness consists in
little protuberances and depressions.
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride.
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness.
In a great depression of spirit. --Baker.
6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity; dullness.
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a celestial object below
the horizon.
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to a lower degree; --
said of equations.
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for cataract; couching. See
{Couch}, v. t., 8.
{Angle of depression} (Geod.), one which a descending line
makes with a horizontal plane.
{Depression of the dewpoint} (Meteor.), the number of degrees
that the dew-point is lower than the actual temperature of
the atmosphere.
{Depression of the pole}, its apparent sinking, as the
spectator goes toward the equator.
{Depression of the visible horizon}. (Astron.) Same as {Dip
of the horizon}, under {Dip}.
Syn: Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation;
dejection; melancholy.
Depressive \De*press"ive\, a.
Able or tending to depress or cast down. --
{De*press"ive*ness}, n.
Depressomotor \De*pres`so*mo"tor\, a. (Med.)
Depressing or diminishing the capacity for movement, as
depressomotor nerves, which lower or inhibit muscular
activity. -- n. Any agent that depresses the activity of the
motor centers, as bromides, etc.
Depressor \De*press"or\, n.
1. One who, or that which, presses down; an oppressor.
2. (Anat.) A muscle that depresses or tends to draw down a
part.
{Depressor nerve} (Physiol.), a nerve which lowers the
activity of an organ; as, the depressor nerve of the
heart.
Depriment \Dep"ri*ment\, a. [L. deprimens, p. pr. of deprimere.
See {Depress}.]
Serving to depress. [R.] ``Depriment muscles.'' --Derham.
Deprisure \De*pri"sure\, n. [F. d['e]priser to undervalue; pref.
d['e]- (L. dis-) + priser to prize, fr. prix price, fr. L.
pretium. See {Dispraise}.]
Low estimation; disesteem; contempt. [Obs.]
Deprivable \De*priv"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or liable to be, deprived; liable to be
deposed.
Kings of Spain . . . deprivable for their tyrannies.
--Prynne.
Deprivation \Dep`ri*va"tion\, n. [LL. deprivatio.]
1. The act of depriving, dispossessing, or bereaving; the act
of deposing or divesting of some dignity.
2. The state of being deprived; privation; loss; want;
bereavement.
3. (Eccl. Law) the taking away from a clergyman his benefice,
or other spiritual promotion or dignity.
Note: Deprivation may be a beneficio or ab officio; the first
takes away the living, the last degrades and deposes
from the order.
Deprive \De*prive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deprived}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depriving}.] [LL. deprivare, deprivatium, to divest
of office; L. de- + privare to bereave, deprive: cf. OF.
depriver. See {Private}.]
1. To take away; to put an end; to destroy. [Obs.]
'Tis honor to deprive dishonored life. --Shak.
2. To dispossess; to bereave; to divest; to hinder from
possessing; to debar; to shut out from; -- with a remoter
object, usually preceded by of.
God hath deprived her of wisdom. --Job xxxix.
17.
It was seldom that anger deprived him of power over
himself. --Macaulay.
3. To divest of office; to depose; to dispossess of dignity,
especially ecclesiastical.
A miniser deprived for inconformity. --Bacon.
Syn: To strip; despoil; rob; abridge.
Deprivement \De*prive"ment\, n.
Deprivation. [R.]
Depriver \De*priv"er\, n.
One who, or that which, deprives.
Deprostrate \De*pros"trate\, a.
Fully prostrate; humble; low; rude. [Obs.]
How may weak mortal ever hope to file His unsmooth
tongue, and his deprostrate style. --G. Fletcher.
Deprovincialize \De`pro*vin"cial*ize\, v. t.
To divest of provincial quality or characteristics.
Depth \Depth\ (s[e^]pth), n. [From {Deep}; akin to D. diepte,
Icel. d[=y]pt, d[=y]p[eth], Goth. diupi[thorn]a.]
1. The quality of being deep; deepness; perpendicular
measurement downward from the surface, or horizontal
measurement backward from the front; as, the depth of a
river; the depth of a body of troops.
2. Profoundness; extent or degree of intensity; abundance;
completeness; as, depth of knowledge, or color.
Mindful of that heavenly love Which knows no end in
depth or height. --Keble.
3. Lowness; as, depth of sound.
4. That which is deep; a deep, or the deepest, part or place;
the deep; the middle part; as, the depth of night, or of
winter.
From you unclouded depth above. --Keble.
The depth closed me round about. --Jonah ii. 5.
5. (Logic) The number of simple elements which an abstract
conception or notion includes; the comprehension or
content.
6. (Horology) A pair of toothed wheels which work together.
[R.]
{Depth of a sail} (Naut.), the extent of a square sail from
the head rope to the foot rope; the length of the after
leach of a staysail or boom sail; -- commonly called the
{drop of a sail}.
Depthen \Depth"en\, v. t.
To deepen. [Obs.]
Depthless \Depth"less\, a.
1. Having no depth; shallow.
2. Of measureless depth; unfathomable.
In clouds of depthless night. --Francis.
Depucelate \De*pu"ce*late\, v. t. [L. de + LL. pucella virgin,
F. pucelle: cf. F. d['e]puceler.]
To deflour; to deprive of virginity. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Depudicate \De*pu"di*cate\, v. t. [L. depudicatus, p. p. of
depudicare.]
To deflour; to dishonor. [Obs.]
Depulse \De*pulse"\, v. t. [L. depulsus, p. p. of depellere to
drive out; de- + pellere to drive.]
To drive away. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Depulsion \De*pul"sion\, n. [L. depulsio.]
A driving or thrusting away. [R.] --Speed.
Depulsory \De*pul"so*ry\, a. [L. depulsorius.]
Driving or thrusting away; averting. [R.] --Holland.
Depurant \Dep"u*rant\, a. & n. (Med.)
Depurative.
Depurate \Dep"u*rate\, a. [LL. depuratus, p. p. of depurare to
purify; L. de- + purare to purify, purus clean, pure. Cf.
{Depure}.]
Depurated; cleansed; freed from impurities. --Boyle.
Depurate \Dep"u*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Depurated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Depurating}.]
To free from impurities, heterogeneous matter, or feculence;
to purify; to cleanse.
To depurate the mass of blood. --Boyle.
Depuration \Dep`u*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]puration.]
The act or process of depurating or freeing from foreign or
impure matter, as a liquid or wound.
Depurative \Dep"u*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]puratif.] (Med.)
Purifying the blood or the humors; depuratory. -- n. A
depurative remedy or agent; or a disease which is believed to
be depurative.
Depurator \Dep"u*ra`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, cleanses.
Depuratory \Dep"u*ra*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]puratoire.]
Depurating; tending to depurate or cleanse; depurative.
Depure \De*pure"\, v. t. [F. d['e]purer. See {Depurate}.]
To depurate; to purify. [Obs.]
He shall first be depured and cleansed before that he
shall be laid up for pure gold in the treasures of God.
--Sir T. More.
Depurgatory \De*pur"ga*to*ry\, a.
Serving to purge; tending to cleanse or purify. [Obs.]
--Cotgrave.
Depurition \Dep`u*ri"tion\, n.
See {Depuration}.
Deputable \Dep"u*ta*ble\, a.
Fit to be deputed; suitable to act as a deputy. --Carlyle.
Deputation \Dep`u*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]putation. See
{Depute}.]
1. The act of deputing, or of appointing or commissioning a
deputy or representative; office of a deputy or delegate;
vicegerency.
The authority of conscience stands founded upon its
vicegerency and deputation under God. --South.
2. The person or persons deputed or commissioned by another
person, party, or public body to act in his or its behalf;
delegation; as, the general sent a deputation to the enemy
to propose a truce.
{By deputation}, or {In deputation}, by delegated authority;
as substitute; through the medium of a deputy. [Obs.]
Say to great C[ae]sar this: In deputation I kiss his
conquering hand. --Shak.
Deputator \Dep"u*ta`tor\, n.
One who deputes, or makes a deputation. [R.] --Locke.
Depute \De*pute"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deputed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deputing}.] [F. d['e]puter, fr. L. deputare to esteem,
consider, in LL., to destine, allot; de- + putare to clean,
prune, clear up, set in order, reckon, think. See {Pure}.]
1. To appoint as deputy or agent; to commission to act in
one's place; to delegate.
There is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
--2. Sam. xv.
3.
Some persons, deputed by a meeting. --Macaulay.
2. To appoint; to assign; to choose. [R.]
The most conspicuous places in cities are usually
deputed for the erection of statues. --Barrow.
Depute \De*pute"\, n.
A person deputed; a deputy. [Scot.]
Deputize \Dep"u*tize\, v. t.
To appoint as one's deputy; to empower to act in one's stead;
to depute.
Deputy \Dep"u*ty\, n.; pl. {Deputies}. [F. d['e]put['e], fr. LL.
deputatus. See {Depute}.]
1. One appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered
to act for him, in his name or his behalf; a substitute in
office; a lieutenant; a representative; a delegate; a
vicegerent; as, the deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a
township, etc.
There was then [in the days of Jehoshaphat] no king
in Edom; a deputy was king. --1 Kings
xxii. 47.
God's substitute, His deputy anointed in His sight.
--Shak.
Note: Deputy is used in combination with the names of various
executive officers, to denote an assistant empowered to
act in their name; as, deputy collector, deputy
marshal, deputy sheriff.
2. A member of the Chamber of Deputies. [France]
{Chamber of Deputies}, one of the two branches of the French
legislative assembly; -- formerly called {Corps
L['e]gislatif}. Its members, called deputies, are elected
by the people voting in districts.
Syn: Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy;
agent; factor.
Dequantitate \De*quan"ti*tate\, v. t. [L. de- + quantatas,
-atis. See {Quantity}.]
To diminish the quantity of; to disquantity. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Deracinate \De*rac"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deracinated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Deracinating}.] [F. d['e]raciner; pref.
d['e]- (L. dis) + racine root, fr. an assumed LL. radicina,
fr. L. radix, radicis, root.]
To pluck up by the roots; to extirpate. [R.]
While that the colter rusts That should deracinate such
savagery. --Shak.
Deraination \De*ra`i*na"tion\, n.
The act of pulling up by the roots; eradication. [R.]
Deraign \De*raign"\, Derain \De*rain"\, v. t. [See {Darraign}.]
(Old Law)
To prove or to refute by proof; to clear (one's self). [Obs.]
Deraignment \De*raign"ment\, Derainment \De*rain"ment\, n. [See
{Darraign}.]
1. The act of deraigning. [Obs.]
2. The renunciation of religious or monastic vows. [Obs.]
--Blount.
Derail \De*rail"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derailed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Derailing}.]
To cause to run off from the rails of a railroad, as a
locomotive. --Lardner.
Derailment \De*rail"ment\, n.
The act of going off, or the state of being off, the rails of
a railroad.
Derange \De*range"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deranged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deranging}.] [F. d['e]ranger; pref. d['e]- = d['e]s-
(L. dis) + ranger to range. See {Range}, and cf.
{Disarrange}, {Disrank}.]
1. To put out of place, order, or rank; to disturb the proper
arrangement or order of; to throw into disorder,
confusion, or embarrassment; to disorder; to disarrange;
as, to derange the plans of a commander, or the affairs of
a nation.
2. To disturb in action or function, as a part or organ, or
the whole of a machine or organism.
A sudden fall deranges some of our internal parts.
--Blair.
3. To disturb in the orderly or normal action of the
intellect; to render insane.
Syn: To disorder; disarrange; displace; unsettle; disturb;
confuse; discompose; ruffle; disconcert.
Deranged \De*ranged"\, a.
Disordered; especially, disordered in mind; crazy; insane.
The story of a poor deranged parish lad. --Lamb.
Derangement \De*range"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]rangement.]
The act of deranging or putting out of order, or the state of
being deranged; disarrangement; disorder; confusion;
especially, mental disorder; insanity.
Syn: Disorder; confusion; embarrassment; irregularity;
disturbance; insanity; lunacy; madness; delirium; mania.
See {Insanity}.
Deranger \De*ran"ger\, n.
One who deranges.
Deray \De*ray"\, n. [OF. derroi, desroi, desrei; pref. des- (L.
dis-) + roi, rei, rai, order. See {Array}.]
Disorder; merriment. [Obs.]
Derbio \Der"bi*o\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large European food fish ({Lichia glauca}).
Derby \Der"by\ (?; usually ? in Eng.; 85), n.
1. A race for three-old horses, run annually at Epsom (near
London), for the Derby stakes. It was instituted by the
12th Earl of Derby, in 1780.
{Derby Day}, the day of the annual race for the Derby stakes,
-- Wednesday of the week before Whitsuntide.
2. A stiff felt hat with a dome-shaped crown.
Derbyshire spar \Der"by*shire spar"\ (Min.)
A massive variety of fluor spar, found in Derbyshire,
England, and wrought into vases and other ornamental work.
Derdoing \Der*do"ing\, a. [See {Dere}, v. t.]
Doing daring or chivalrous deeds. [Obs.] ``In derdoing
arms.'' --Spenser.
Dere \Dere\, v. t. [AS. derian to hurt.]
To hurt; to harm; to injure. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dere \Dere\, n.
Harm. [Obs.] --Robert of Brunne.
Dereine \De*reine\, Dereyne \De*reyne"\, v. t.
Same as {Darraign}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Derelict \Der"e*lict\, a. [L. derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere
to forsake wholly, to abandon; de- + relinquere to leave. See
{Relinquish}.]
1. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or guardian;
left and abandoned; as, derelict lands.
The affections which these exposed or derelict
children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of
nature or assiduity but civility and opinion. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless; neglectful;
unfaithful.
They easily prevailed, so as to seize upon the
vacant, unoccupied, and derelict minds of his
[Chatham's] friends; and instantly they turned the
vessel wholly out of the course of his policy.
--Burke.
A government which is either unable or unwilling to
redress such wrongs is derelict to its highest
duties. --J. Buchanan.
Derelict \Der"e*lict\, n. (Law)
(a) A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by
its proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea.
(b) A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit for
cultivation or use.
Dereliction \Der`e*lic"tion\, n. [L. derelictio.]
1. The act of leaving with an intention not to reclaim or
resume; an utter forsaking abandonment.
Cession or dereliction, actual or tacit, of other
powers. --Burke.
2. A neglect or omission as if by willful abandonment.
A total dereliction of military duties. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. The state of being left or abandoned.
4. (Law) A retiring of the sea, occasioning a change of
high-water mark, whereby land is gained.
Dereligionize \De`re*li"gion*ize\, v. t.
To make irreligious; to turn from religion. [R.]
He would dereligionize men beyond all others. --De
Quincey.
Dereling \Dere"ling\, n.
Darling. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dereling \Dere"ling\, n.
Darling. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Derf \Derf\, a. [Icel. djafr.]
Strong; powerful; fierce. [Obs.] -- {Derf"ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Deride \De*ride"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derided}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deriding}.] [L. deridere, derisum; de- + rid?re to laugh.
See {Ridicule}.]
To laugh at with contempt; to laugh to scorn; to turn to
ridicule or make sport of; to mock; to scoff at.
And the Pharisees, also, . . . derided him. --Luke xvi.
14.
Sport that wrinkled Care derides. And Laughter holding
both his sides. --Milton.
Syn: To mock; laugh at; ridicule; insult; taunt; jeer;
banter; rally.
Usage: To {Deride}, {Ridicule}, {Mock}, {Taunt}. A man may
ridicule without any unkindness of feeling; his object
may be to correct; as, to ridicule the follies of the
age. He who derides is actuated by a severe a
contemptuous spirit; as, to deride one for his
religious principles. To mock is stronger, and denotes
open and scornful derision; as, to mock at sin. To
taunt is to reproach with the keenest insult; as, to
taunt one for his misfortunes. Ridicule consists more
in words than in actions; derision and mockery evince
themselves in actions as well as words; taunts are
always expressed in words of extreme bitterness.
Derider \De*rid"er\, n.
One who derides, or laughs at, another in contempt; a mocker;
a scoffer.
Deridingly \De*rid"ing*ly\, adv.
By way of derision or mockery.
Derision \De*ri"sion\, n. [L. derisio: cf. F. d['e]rision. See
{Deride}.]
1. The act of deriding, or the state of being derided;
mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds
one up to ridicule.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord
shall have them in derision. --Ps. ii. 4.
Satan beheld their plight, And to his mates thus in
derision called. --Milton.
2. An object of derision or scorn; a laughing-stock.
I was a derision to all my people. --Lam. iii.
14.
Syn: Scorn; mockery; contempt; insult; ridicule.
Derisive \De*ri"sive\, a.
Expressing, serving for, or characterized by, derision.
``Derisive taunts.'' --Pope. -- {De*ri"sive*ly}, adv. --
{De*ri"sive*ness}, n.
Derisory \De*ri"so*ry\, a. [L. derisorius: cf. F. d['e]risoire.]
Derisive; mocking. --Shaftesbury.
Derivable \De*riv"a*ble\, a. [From {Derive}.]
That can be derived; obtainable by transmission; capable of
being known by inference, as from premises or data; capable
of being traced, as from a radical; as, income is derivable
from various sources.
All honor derivable upon me. --South.
The exquisite pleasure derivable from the true and
beautiful relations of domestic life. --H. G. Bell.
The argument derivable from the doxologies. --J. H.
Newman.
Derivably \De*riv"a*bly\, adv.
By derivation.
Derival \De*riv"al\, n.
Derivation. [R.]
The derival of e from a. --Earle.
Derivate \Der"i*vate\, a. [L. derivatus, p. p. of derivare. See
{Derive}.]
Derived; derivative. [R.] --H. Taylor. -- n. A thing derived;
a derivative. [R.]
Derivate \Der"i*vate\, v. t.
To derive. [Obs.] --Huloet.
Derivation \Der`i*va"tion\, n. [L. derivatio: cf. F.
d['e]rivation. See {Derive}.]
1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream or source.
[Obs.] --T. Burnet.
2. The act of receiving anything from a source; the act of
procuring an effect from a cause, means, or condition, as
profits from capital, conclusions or opinions from
evidence.
As touching traditional communication, . . . I do
not doubt but many of those truths have had the help
of that derivation. --Sir M. Hale.
3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in grammar or
genealogy; as, the derivation of a word from an Aryan
root.
4. The state or method of being derived; the relation of
origin when established or asserted.
5. That from which a thing is derived.
6. That which is derived; a derivative; a deduction.
From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of
that river. --Gibbon.
7. (Math.) The operation of deducing one function from
another according to some fixed law, called the law of
derivation, as the of differentiation or of integration.
8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids from one part of the
body to another, to relieve or lessen a morbid process.
Derivational \Der`i*va"tion*al\, a.
Relating to derivation. --Earle.
Derivative \De*riv"a*tive\, a. [L. derivativus: cf. F.
d['e]rivatif.]
Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical, original, or
fundamental; originating, deduced, or formed from something
else; secondary; as, a derivative conveyance; a derivative
word.
{Derivative circulation}, a modification of the circulation
found in some parts of the body, in which the arteries
empty directly into the veins without the interposition of
capillaries. --Flint. -- {De*riv"a*tive*ly}, adv. --
{De*riv"a*tive*ness}, n.
Derivative \De*riv"a*tive\, n.
1. That which is derived; anything obtained or deduced from
another.
2. (Gram.) A word formed from another word, by a prefix or
suffix, an internal modification, or some other change; a
word which takes its origin from a root.
3. (Mus.) A chord, not fundamental, but obtained from another
by inversion; or, vice versa, a ground tone or root
implied in its harmonics in an actual chord.
4. (Med.) An agent which is adapted to produce a derivation
(in the medical sense).
5. (Math.) A derived function; a function obtained from a
given function by a certain algebraic process.
Note: Except in the mode of derivation the derivative is the
same as the differential coefficient. See {Differential
coefficient}, under {Differential}.
6. (Chem.) A substance so related to another substance by
modification or partial substitution as to be regarded as
derived from it; thus, the amido compounds are derivatives
of ammonia, and the hydrocarbons are derivatives of
methane, benzene, etc.
Derive \De*rive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derived}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deriving}.] [F. d['e]river, L. derivare; de- + rivus
stream, brook. See {Rival}.]
1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and distribute
into subordinate channels; to diffuse; to communicate; to
transmit; -- followed by to, into, on, upon. [Obs.]
For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . they
[the workman] derive it by other drains. --Holland.
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's share.
--Spenser.
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to obtain by
descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; --
followed by from.
3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of; to
recognize transmission of; as, he derives this word from
the Anglo-Saxon.
From these two causes . . . an ancient set of
physicians derived all diseases. --Arbuthnot.
4. (Chem.) To obtain one substance from another by actual or
theoretical substitution; as, to derive an organic acid
from its corresponding hydrocarbon.
Syn: To trace; deduce; infer.
Derive \De*rive"\, v. i.
To flow; to have origin; to descend; to proceed; to be
deduced. --Shak.
Power from heaven Derives, and monarchs rule by gods
appointed. --Prior.
Derivement \De*rive"ment\, n.
That which is derived; deduction; inference. [Obs.]
I offer these derivements from these subjects. --W.
Montagu.
Deriver \De*riv"er\, n.
One who derives.
Derk \Derk\, a.
Dark. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
-derm \-derm\ [See {Derm}, n.]
A suffix or terminal formative, much used in anatomical
terms, and signifying skin, integument, covering; as,
blastoderm, ectoderm, etc.
Derm \Derm\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin, fr. ? to skin, flay:
cf. F. derme. See {Tear}, v. t.]
1. The integument of animal; the skin.
2. (Anat.) See {Dermis}.
Derma \Der"ma\, n. [NL. See {Derm}.] (Anat.)
See {Dermis}.
Dermal \Derm"al\, a. [From {Derm}.]
1. Pertaining to the integument or skin of animals; dermic;
as, the dermal secretions.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to the dermis or true skin.
Dermaptera \Der*map"te*ra\, Dermapteran \Der*map"ter*an\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
See {Dermoptera}, {Dermopteran}.
Dermatic \Der*mat"ic\, Dermatine \Der"ma*tine\, a. [Gr. ?, ?,
fr. ? skin.]
Of or pertaining to the skin.
Dermatitis \Der`ma*ti"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin
+ -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the skin.
Dermatogen \Der*mat"o*gen\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin + -gen.]
(Bot.)
Nascent epidermis, or external cuticle of plants in a forming
condition.
Dermatogen \Der*mat"o*gen\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin + -gen.]
(Bot.)
Nascent epidermis, or external cuticle of plants in a forming
condition.
Dermatography \Der*ma*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin +
-graphy.]
An anatomical description of, or treatise on, the skin.
Dermatoid \Der"ma*toid\, a. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin + -oid: cf.
F. dermato["i]de. Cf. {Dermoid}.]
Resembling skin; skinlike.
Dermatologist \Der`ma*tol"o*gist\, n.
One who discourses on the skin and its diseases; one versed
in dermatology.
Dermatology \Der`ma*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin +
-logy: cf. F. dermatologie.]
The science which treats of the skin, its structure,
functions, and diseases.
Dermatopathic \Der`ma*to*path"ic\, a. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin +
? suffering.] (Med.)
Of or pertaining to skin diseases, or their cure.
Dermatophyte \Der*mat"o*phyte\, n. [Gr. de`rma, -atos, skin +
fyto`n plant.] (Med.)
A vegetable parasite, infesting the skin.
Dermestes \Der*mes"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?; ? skin + root of ?
to eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of coleopterous insects, the larv[ae] of which feed
animal substances. They are very destructive to dries meats,
skins, woolens, and furs. The most common species is {D.
lardarius}, known as the {bacon beetle}.
Dermestoid \Der*mes"toid\, a. [Dermestes + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to or resembling the genus Dermestes.
The carpet beetle, called the buffalo moth, is a
dermestoid beetle. --Pop. Sci.
Monthly.
Dermic \Der"mic\, a.
1. Relating to the derm or skin.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to the dermis; dermal.
Underneath each nail the deep or dermic layer of the
integument is peculiarly modified. --Huxley.
{Dermic remedies} (Med.), such as act through the skin.
Dermis \Der"mis\, n. [NL. See {Derm}.] (Anat.)
The deep sensitive layer of the skin beneath the scarfskin or
epidermis; -- called also {true skin}, {derm}, {derma},
{corium}, {cutis}, and {enderon}. See {Skin}, and Illust. in
Appendix.
Dermobranchiata \Der`mo*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of nudibranch mollusks without special gills.
Dermobranchiate \Der`mo*bran"chi*ate\, a. [Derm + branchiate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the skin modified to serve as a gill.
Dermohaemal \Der`mo*h[ae]"mal\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or in relation with, both dermal and h[ae]mal
structures; as, the dermoh[ae]mal spines or ventral fin rays
of fishes.
Dermoid \Der"moid\, a. [Derm + -oid: cf. F. dermo["i]de.]
Same as {Dermatoid}.
{Dermoid cyst} (Med.), a cyst containing skin, or structures
connected with skin, such as hair.
Dermoneural \Der`mo*neu"ral\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or in relation with, both dermal and neural
structures; as, the dermoneural spines or dorsal fin rays of
fishes. --Owen.
Dermopathic \Der`mo*path"ic\, a. (Med.)
Dermatopathic.
Dermophyte \Der"mo*phyte\, n.
A dermatophyte.
Dermoptera \Der*mop"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? skin + ?
wing.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The division of insects which includes the
earwigs ({Forticulid[ae]}).
2. (Zo["o]l.) A group of lemuroid mammals having a
parachutelike web of skin between the fore and hind legs,
of which the colugo ({Galeopithecus}) is the type. See
{Colugo}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) An order of Mammalia; the Cheiroptera.
[Written also {Dermaptera}, and {Dermatoptera}.]
Dermopteran \Der*mop"ter*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An insect which has the anterior pair of wings coriaceous,
and does not use them in flight, as the earwig.
Dermopteri \Der*mop"te*ri\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Dermopterygii}.
Dermopterygii \Der*mop`te*ryg"i*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? skin
+ ? wing, fin, dim. of ? wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of fishlike animals including the Marsipobranchiata
and Leptocardia.
Dermoskeleton \Der`mo*skel"e*ton\, n. [Derm + skeleton.] (Anat.)
See {Exoskeleton}.
Dermostosis \Der`mos*to"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? skin + ?
bone.] (Physiol.)
Ossification of the dermis.
Dern \Dern\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A gatepost or doorpost. [Local Eng.] --C. Kingsley.
Dern \Dern\, a. [See {Dearn}, a.]
1. Hidden; concealed; secret. [Obs.] ``Ye must be full
dern.'' --Chaucer.
2. Solitary; sad. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Derne \Derne\, v. t. & i. [AS. dyrnan to hide. See {Dern}, a.,
{Dearn}, a.]
To hide; to skulk. [Scot.]
He at length escaped them by derning himself in a
foxearth. --H. Miller.
Dernful \Dern"ful\, a.
Secret; hence, lonely; sad; mournful. [Obs.] ``Dernful
noise.'' --Spenser.
Dernier \Der`nier"\, a. [F., from OF. darrein, derrain. See
{Darrein}.]
Last; final.
{Dernier ressort}[F.], last resort or expedient.
Dernly \Dern"ly\, adv.
Secretly; grievously; mournfully. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Derogant \Der"o*gant\, a. [L. derogans, p. pr.]
Derogatory. [R.] --T. Adams.
Derogate \Der"o*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Derogated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Derogating}.] [L. derogatus, p. p. of derogare to
derogate; de- + rogare to ask, to ask the people about a law.
See {Rogation}.]
1. To annul in part; to repeal partly; to restrict; to limit
the action of; -- said of a law.
By several contrary customs, . . . many of the civil
and canon laws are controlled and derogated. --Sir
M. Hale.
2. To lessen; to detract from; to disparage; to depreciate;
-- said of a person or thing. [R.]
Anything . . . that should derogate, minish, or hurt
his glory and his name. --Sir T. More.
Derogate \Der"o*gate\, v. i.
1. To take away; to detract; to withdraw; -- usually with
from.
If we did derogate from them whom their industry
hath made great. --Hooker.
It derogates little from his fortitude, while it
adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity.
--Burke.
2. To act beneath one-s rank, place, birth, or character; to
degenerate. [R.]
You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being
foolish, do not derogate. --Shak.
Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors? Would
he be the degenerate scion of that royal line?
--Hazlitt.
Derogate \Der"o*gate\, n. [L. derogatus, p. p.]
Diminished in value; dishonored; degraded. [R.] --Shak.
Derogately \Der"o*gate*ly\, adv.
In a derogatory manner.
Derogation \Der`o*ga"tion\, n. [L. derogatio: cf. F.
d['e]rogation.]
1. The act of derogating, partly repealing, or lessening in
value; disparagement; detraction; depreciation; --
followed by of, from, or to.
I hope it is no derogation to the Christian
religion. --Locke.
He counted it no derogation of his manhood to be
seen to weep. --F. W.
Robertson.
2. (Stock Exch.) An alteration of, or subtraction from, a
contract for a sale of stocks.
Derogative \De*rog"a*tive\, a.
Derogatory. -- {De*rog"a*tive*ly}, adv. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Derogator \Der"o*ga`tor\, n. [L.]
A detractor.
Derogatorily \De*rog"a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a derogatory manner; disparagingly. --Aubrey.
Derogatoriness \De*rog"a*to*ri*ness\, n.
Quality of being derogatory.
Derogatory \De*rog"a*to*ry\, a.
Tending to derogate, or lessen in value; expressing
derogation; detracting; injurious; -- with from to, or unto.
Acts of Parliament derogatory from the power of
subsequent Parliaments bind not. --Blackstone.
His language was severely censured by some of his
brother peers as derogatory to their other. --Macaulay.
{Derogatory clause in a testament} (Law), a sentence of
secret character inserted by the testator alone, of which
he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a condition
that no will he may make thereafter shall be valid, unless
this clause is inserted word for word; -- a precaution to
guard against later wills extorted by violence, or
obtained by suggestion.
Derotremata \Der`o*tre"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? skin + ?,
?, hole.] (Zo["o]l.)
The tribe of aquatic Amphibia which includes Amphiuma,
Menopoma, etc. They have permanent gill openings, but no
external gills; -- called also {Cryptobranchiata}. [Written
also {Derotrema}.]
Derre \Der"re\, a.
Dearer. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Derrick \Der"rick\, n. [Orig., a gallows, from a hangman named
Derrick. The name is of Dutch origin; D. Diederik, Dierryk,
prop. meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS. pe['o]dric, E.
Theodoric, G. Dietrich. See {Dutch}, and {Rich}.]
A mast, spar, or tall frame, supported at the top by stays or
guys, with suitable tackle for hoisting heavy weights, as
stones in building.
{Derrick crane}, a combination of the derrick and the crane,
having facility for hoisting and also for swinging the
load horizontally.
Derring \Der"ring\, a.
Daring or warlike. [Obs.]
Drad for his derring doe and bloody deed. --Spenser.
Derringer \Der"rin*ger\, n. [From the American inventor.]
A kind of short-barreled pocket pistol, of very large
caliber, often carrying a half-ounce ball.
Derth \Derth\, n.
Dearth; scarcity. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dertrotheca \Der`tro*the"ca\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? beak + ? box,
case.] (Zo["o]l.)
The horny covering of the end of the bill of birds.
Dervish \Der"vish\, Dervise \Der"vise\, Dervis \Der"vis\, n.
[Per. derw[=e]sch, fr. OPer. derew to beg, ask alms: cf. F.
derviche.]
A Turkish or Persian monk, especially one who professes
extreme poverty and leads an austere life.
Derworth \Der"worth\ (d[=e]r"w[~e]rth), a. [AS.
de['o]rwur[thorn]e, lit., dearworth.]
Precious. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Descant \Des"cant\ (d[e^]s"k[a^]nt), n. [OF. descant, deschant,
F. d['e]chant, discant, LL. discantus, fr. L. dis + cantus
singing, melody, fr. canere to sing. See {Chant}, and cf.
{Descant}, v. i., {Discant}.]
1. (Mus.)
(a) Originally, a double song; a melody or counterpoint
sung above the plain song of the tenor; a variation of
an air; a variation by ornament of the main subject or
plain song.
(b) The upper voice in part music.
(c) The canto, cantus, or soprano voice; the treble.
--Grove.
Twenty doctors expound one text twenty ways, as
children make descant upon plain song.
--Tyndale.
She [the nightingale] all night long her amorous
descant sung. --Milton.
Note: The term has also been used synonymously with
counterpoint, or polyphony, which developed out of the
French d['e]chant, of the 12th century.
2. A discourse formed on its theme, like variations on a
musical air; a comment or comments.
Upon that simplest of themes how magnificent a
descant! --De Quincey.
Descant \Des*cant"\ (d[e^]s*k[a^]nt"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Descanted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Descanting}.] [From descant;
n.; or directly fr. OF. descanter, deschanter; L. dis- +
cantare to sing.]
1. To sing a variation or accomplishment.
2. To comment freely; to discourse with fullness and
particularity; to discourse at large.
A virtuous man should be pleased to find people
descanting on his actions. --Addison.
Descanter \Des*cant"er\, n.
One who descants.
Descend \De*scend"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Descended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Descending}.] [F. descendre, L. descendere,
descensum; de- + scandere to climb. See {Scan}.]
1. To pass from a higher to a lower place; to move downwards;
to come or go down in any way, as by falling, flowing,
walking, etc.; to plunge; to fall; to incline downward; --
the opposite of ascend.
The rain descended, and the floods came. --Matt.
vii. 25.
We will here descend to matters of later date.
--Fuller.
2. To enter mentally; to retire. [Poetic]
[He] with holiest meditations fed, Into himself
descended. --Milton.
3. To make an attack, or incursion, as if from a vantage
ground; to come suddenly and with violence; -- with on or
upon.
And on the suitors let thy wrath descend. --Pope.
4. To come down to a lower, less fortunate, humbler, less
virtuous, or worse, state or station; to lower or abase
one's self; as, he descended from his high estate.
5. To pass from the more general or important to the
particular or less important matters to be considered.
6. To come down, as from a source, original, or stock; to be
derived; to proceed by generation or by transmission; to
fall or pass by inheritance; as, the beggar may descend
from a prince; a crown descends to the heir.
7. (Anat.) To move toward the south, or to the southward.
8. (Mus.) To fall in pitch; to pass from a higher to a lower
tone.
Descend \De*scend"\, v. t.
To go down upon or along; to pass from a higher to a lower
part of; as, they descended the river in boats; to descend a
ladder.
But never tears his cheek descended. --Byron.
Descendant \De*scend"ant\, a. [F. descendant, p. pr. of
descendre. Cf. {Descendent}.]
Descendent.
Descendant \De*scend"ant\, n.
One who descends, as offspring, however remotely; --
correlative to ancestor or ascendant.
Our first parents and their descendants. --Hale.
The descendant of so many kings and emperors. --Burke.
Descendent \De*scend"ent\, a. [L. descendens, -entis, p. pr. of
descendre. Cf. {Descendant}.]
Descending; falling; proceeding from an ancestor or source.
More than mortal grace Speaks thee descendent of
ethereal race. --Pope.
Descender \De*scend"er\, n.
One who descends.
Descendibility \De*scend`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being descendible; capability of being
transmitted from ancestors; as, the descendibility of an
estate.
Descendible \De*scend"i*ble\, a.
1. Admitting descent; capable of being descended.
2. That may descend from an ancestor to an heir. ``A
descendant estate.'' --Sir W. Jones.
Descending \De*scend"ing\, a.
Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards.
{Descending constellations} or {signs} (Astron.), those
through which the planets descent toward the south.
{Descending node} (Astron.), that point in a planet's orbit
where it intersects the ecliptic in passing southward.
{Descending series} (Math.), a series in which each term is
numerically smaller than the preceding one; also, a series
arranged according to descending powers of a quantity.
Descendingly \De*scend"ing*ly\, adv.
In a descending manner.
Descension \De*scen"sion\, n. [OF. descension, L. descensio. See
{Descent}.]
The act of going downward; descent; falling or sinking;
declension; degradation.
{Oblique descension} (Astron.), the degree or arc of the
equator which descends, with a celestial object, below the
horizon of an oblique sphere.
{Right descension}, the degree or arc of the equator which
descends below the horizon of a right sphere at the same
time with the object. [Obs.]
Descensional \De*scen"sion*al\, a.
Pertaining to descension. --Johnson.
Descensive \De*scen"sive\, a.
Tending to descend; tending downwards; descending. --Smart.
Descensory \De*scen"so*ry\, n. [NL. descensorium: cf. OF.
descensoire. See {Descend}.]
A vessel used in alchemy to extract oils.
Descent \De*scent"\, n. [F. descente, fr. descendre; like vente,
from vendre. See {Descend}.]
1. The act of descending, or passing downward; change of
place from higher to lower.
2. Incursion; sudden attack; especially, hostile invasion
from sea; -- often followed by upon or on; as, to make a
descent upon the enemy.
The United Provinces . . . ordered public prayer to
God, when they feared that the French and English
fleets would make a descent upon their coasts.
--Jortin.
3. Progress downward, as in station, virtue, as in station,
virtue, and the like, from a higher to a lower state, from
a higher to a lower state, from the more to the less
important, from the better to the worse, etc.
2. Derivation, as from an ancestor; procedure by generation;
lineage; birth; extraction. --Dryden.
5. (Law) Transmission of an estate by inheritance, usually,
but not necessarily, in the descending line; title to
inherit an estate by reason of consanguinity. --Abbott.
6. Inclination downward; a descending way; inclined or
sloping surface; declivity; slope; as, a steep descent.
7. That which is descended; descendants; issue.
If care of our descent perplex us most, Which must
be born to certain woe. --Milton.
8. A step or remove downward in any scale of gradation; a
degree in the scale of genealogy; a generation.
No man living is a thousand descents removed from
Adam himself. --Hooker.
9. Lowest place; extreme downward place. [R.]
And from the extremest upward of thy head, To the
descent and dust below thy foot. --Shak.
10. (Mus.) A passing from a higher to a lower tone.
Syn: Declivity; slope; degradation; extraction; lineage;
assault; invasion; attack.
Describable \De*scrib"a*ble\, a.
That can be described; capable of description.
Describe \De*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Described}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Describing}.] [L. describere, descriptum; de- +
scribere to write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F.
d['e]crire. See {Scribe}, and cf. {Descry}.]
1. To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate;
to trace or mark out; as, to describe a circle by the
compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as
to describe a circle.
2. To represent by words written or spoken; to give an
account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as,
the geographer describes countries and cities.
3. To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off;
to class. [Obs.]
Passed through the land, and described it by cities
into seven parts in a book. --Josh. xviii.
9.
Syn: To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount;
narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize.
Describe \De*scribe"\, v. i.
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as,
Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.
Describent \De*scrib"ent\, n. [L. describens, p. pr. of
describere.] (Geom.)
Same as {Generatrix}.
Describer \De*scrib"er\, n.
One who describes.
Descrier \De*scri"er\, n.
One who descries.
Description \De*scrip"tion\, n. [F. description, L. descriptio.
See {Describe}.]
1. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.
2. A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or
representation in language; an enumeration of the
essential qualities of a thing or species.
Milton has descriptions of morning. --D. Webster.
3. A class to which a certain representation is applicable;
kind; sort.
A difference . . . between them and another
description of public creditors. --A. Hamilton.
The plates were all of the meanest description.
--Macaulay.
Syn: Account; definition; recital; relation; detail;
narrative; narration; explanation; delineation;
representation; kind; sort. See {Definition}.
Descriptive \De*scrip"tive\, a. [L. descriptivus: cf. F.
descriptif.]
Tending to describe; having the quality of representing;
containing description; as, a descriptive figure; a
descriptive phrase; a descriptive narration; a story
descriptive of the age.
{Descriptive anatomy}, that part of anatomy which treats of
the forms and relations of parts, but not of their
textures.
{Descriptive geometry}, that branch of geometry. which treats
of the graphic solution of problems involving three
dimensions, by means of projections upon auxiliary planes.
--Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. ) -- {De*scrip"tive*ly}, adv.
-- {De*scrip"tive*ness}, n.
Descrive \De*scrive"\, v. t. [OF. descrivre. See {Describe}.]
To describe. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Descry \De*scry"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Descried}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Descrying}.] [OE. descrien, discrien, to espy, prob. from
the proclaiming of what was espied, fr. OF. descrier to
proclaim, cry down, decry, F. d['e]crier. The word was
confused somewhat with OF. descriven, E. describe, OF.
descrivre, from L. describere. See {Decry}.]
1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or
obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover.
And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.
--Judg. i. 23.
Edmund, I think, is gone . . . to descry The
strength o' the enemy. --Shak.
And now their way to earth they had descried.
--Milton.
2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal. [R.]
His purple robe he had thrown aside, lest it should
descry him. --Milton.
Syn: To see; behold; espy; discover; discern.
Descry \De*scry"\, n.
Discovery or view, as of an army seen at a distance. [Obs.]
Near, and on speedy foot; the main descry Stands on the
hourly thought. --Shak.
Desecate \Des"e*cate\, v. t. [L. desecare to cut off.]
To cut, as with a scythe; to mow. [Obs.]
Desecrate \Des"e*crate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desecrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Desecrating}.] [L. desecratus, p. p. of
desecrare (also desacrare) to consecrate, dedicate; but taken
in the sense if to divest of a sacred character; de- +
sacrare to consecrate, fr. sacer sacred. See {Sacred}.]
To divest of a sacred character or office; to divert from a
sacred purpose; to violate the sanctity of; to profane; to
put to an unworthy use; -- the opposite of consecrate.
The [Russian] clergy can not suffer corporal punishment
without being previously desecrated. --W. Tooke.
The founders of monasteries imprecated evil on those
who should desecrate their donations. --Salmon.
Desecrater \Des"e*cra`ter\, n.
One who desecrates; a profaner. --Harper's Mag.
Desecration \Des`e*cra"tion\, n.
The act of desecrating; profanation; condition of anything
desecrated.
Desecrator \Des"e*cra`tor\, n.
One who desecrates. ``Desecrators of the church.'' --Morley.
Desegmentation \De*seg`men*ta"tion\, n. (Anat.)
The loss or obliteration of division into segments; as, a
desegmentation of the body.
Desert \De*sert"\, n. [OF. deserte, desserte, merit, recompense,
fr. deservir, desservir, to merit. See {Deserve}.]
That which is deserved; the reward or the punishment justly
due; claim to recompense, usually in a good sense; right to
reward; merit.
According to their deserts will I judge them. --Ezek.
vii. 27.
Andronicus, surnamed Pius For many good and great
deserts to Rome. --Shak.
His reputation falls far below his desert. --A.
Hamilton.
Syn: Merit; worth; excellence; due.
Desert \Des"ert\, n. [F. d['e]sert, L. desertum, from desertus
solitary, desert, pp. of deserere to desert; de- + serere to
join together. See {Series}.]
1. A deserted or forsaken region; a barren tract incapable of
supporting population, as the vast sand plains of Asia and
Africa are destitute and vegetation.
A dreary desert and a gloomy waste. --Pope.
2. A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a population,
but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a
wilderness; a solitary place.
He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her
desert like the garden of the Lord. --Is. li. 3.
Note: Also figuratively.
Before her extended Dreary and vast and silent,
the desert of life. --Longfellow.
Desert \Des"ert\, a. [Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere, and F.
d['e]sert. See 2d {Desert}.]
Of or pertaining to a desert; forsaken; without life or
cultivation; unproductive; waste; barren; wild; desolate;
solitary; as, they landed on a desert island.
He . . . went aside privately into a desert place.
--Luke ix. 10.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste
its sweetness on the desert air. --Gray.
{Desert flora} (Bot.), the assemblage of plants growing
naturally in a desert, or in a dry and apparently
unproductive place.
{Desert hare} (Zo["o]l.), a small hare ({Lepus sylvaticus},
var. Arizon[ae]) inhabiting the deserts of the Western
United States.
{Desert mouse} (Zo["o]l.), an American mouse ({Hesperomys
eremicus}), living in the Western deserts.
Desert \De*sert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deserted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Deserting}.] [Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere to
desert, F. d['e]serter. See 2d {Desert}.]
1. To leave (especially something which one should stay by
and support); to leave in the lurch; to abandon; to
forsake; -- implying blame, except sometimes when used of
localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause,
one's country. ``The deserted fortress.'' --Prescott.
2. (Mil.) To abandon (the service) without leave; to forsake
in violation of duty; to abscond from; as, to desert the
army; to desert one's colors.
Desert \De*sert"\, v. i.
To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service
without permission, before the expiration of one's term; to
abscond.
The soldiers . . . deserted in numbers. --Bancroft.
Syn: To abandon; forsake; leave; relinquish; renounce; quit;
depart from; abdicate. See {Abandon}.
Deserter \De*sert"er\ (?), n.
One who forsakes a duty, a cause or a party, a friend, or any
one to whom he owes service; especially, a soldier or a
seaman who abandons the service without leave; one guilty of
desertion.
Desertful \De*sert"ful\, a.
Meritorious. [R.] --Beau. & Fl.
Desertion \De*ser"tion\, n. [L. desertio: cf. F. d['e]sertion.]
1. The act of deserting or forsaking; abandonment of a
service, a cause, a party, a friend, or any post of duty;
the quitting of one's duties willfully and without right;
esp., an absconding from military or naval service.
Such a resignation would have seemed to his superior
a desertion or a reproach. --Bancroft.
2. The state of being forsaken; desolation; as, the king in
his desertion.
3. Abandonment by God; spiritual despondency.
The spiritual agonies of a soul under desertion.
--South.
Desertless \De*sert"less\, a.
Without desert. [R.]
Desertlessly \De*sert"less*ly\, adv.
Undeservedly. [R.] --Beau. & Fl.
Desertness \Des"ert*ness\, n.
A deserted condition. [R.] ``The desertness of the country.''
--Udall.
Desertrix \De*sert"rix\, Desertrice \De*sert"rice\, n. [L.
desertrix.]
A feminine deserter. --Milton.
Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Deserved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deserving}.] [OF. deservir,
desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be
devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See {Serve}.]
1. To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either
good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the
laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves
praise.
God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity
deserveth. --Job xi. 6.
John Gay deserved to be a favorite. --Thackeray.
Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve
reprehension. --Burke.
2. To serve; to treat; to benefit. [Obs.]
A man that hath So well deserved me. --Massinger.
Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. i.
To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.
One man may merit or deserve of another. --South.
Deservedly \De*serv"ed*ly\ (-z[~e]rv"[e^]d*l>ycr/), adv.
According to desert (whether good or evil); justly.
Deservedness \De*serv"ed*ness\, n.
Meritoriousness.
Deserver \De*serv"er\, n.
One who deserves.
Deserving \De*serv"ing\, n.
Desert; merit.
A person of great deservings from the republic.
--Swift.
Deserving \De*serv"ing\, a.
Meritorious; worthy; as, a deserving person or act. --
{De*serv"ing*ly}, adv.
Deshabille \Des`ha*bille\, n. [F. d['e]shabill['e], fr.
d['e]shabiller to undress; pref. d['e]s- (L. dis-) + habiller
to dress. See {Habiliment}, and cf. {Dishabille}.]
An undress; a careless toilet.
Desiccant \De*sic"cant\, a. [L. desiccans, p. pr. of desiccare.
See {Desiccate}.]
Drying; desiccative. -- n. (Med.) A medicine or application
for drying up a sore. --Wiseman.
Desiccate \Des"ic*cate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Desiccated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Desiccating}.] [L. desiccatus,
p. p. of desiccare to dry up; de- + siccare to dry, siccus
dry. See {Sack} wine.]
To dry up; to deprive or exhaust of moisture; to preserve by
drying; as, to desiccate fish or fruit.
Bodies desiccated by heat or age. --Bacon.
Desiccate \Des"ic*cate\, v. i.
To become dry.
Desiccation \Des`ic*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. dessiccation.]
The act of desiccating, or the state of being desiccated.
Desiccative \De*sic"ca*tive\, a. [Cf. F. dessicatif.]
Drying; tending to dry. --Ferrand. -- n. (Med.) An
application for drying up secretions.
Desiccator \Des"ic*ca`tor\, n.
1. One who, or that which, desiccates.
2. (Chem.) A short glass jar fitted with an air-tight cover,
and containing some desiccating agent, as sulphuric acid
or calcium chloride, above which is suspended the material
to be dried, or preserved from moisture.
Desiccatory \De*sic"ca*to*ry\, a.
Desiccative.
Desiderable \De*sid"er*a*ble\, a.
Desirable. [R.] ``Good and desiderable things.'' --Holland.
Desiderata \De*sid`e*ra"ta\, n. pl.
See {Desideratum}.
Desiderate \De*sid"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desiderated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Desiderating}.] [L. desideratus, p. p. of
desiderare to desire, miss. See {Desire}, and cf.
{Desideratum}.]
To desire; to feel the want of; to lack; to miss; to want.
Pray have the goodness to point out one word missing
that ought to have been there -- please to insert a
desiderated stanza. You can not. --Prof.
Wilson.
Men were beginning . . . to desiderate for them an
actual abode of fire. --A. W. Ward.
Desideration \De*sid`er*a"tion\, n. [L. desideratio.]
Act of desiderating; also, the thing desired. [R.] --Jeffrey.
Desiderative \De*sid"er*a*tive\, a. [L. desiderativus.]
Denoting desire; as, desiderative verbs.
Desiderative \De*sid"er*a*tive\, n.
1. An object of desire.
2. (Gram.) A verb formed from another verb by a change of
termination, and expressing the desire of doing that which
is indicated by the primitive verb.
Desideratum \De*sid`e*ra"tum\, n.; pl. {Desiderata}. [L., fr.
desideratus, p. p. See {Desiderate}.]
Anything desired; that of which the lack is felt; a want
generally felt and acknowledge.
Desidiose \De*sid"i*ose`\, Desidious \De*sid"i*ous\, a. [L.
desidiosus, fr. desidia a sitting idle, fr. desid?re to sit
idle; de- + sed?re to sit.]
Idle; lazy. [Obs.]
Desidiousness \De*sid"i*ous*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being desidiose, or indolent. [Obs.]
--N. Bacon.
Desight \De*sight"\, n. [Pref. de- + sight.]
An unsightly object. [Obs.]
Desightment \De*sight"ment\, n.
The act of making unsightly; disfigurement. [R.]
To substitute jury masts at whatever desightment or
damage in risk. --London
Times.
Design \De*sign"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Designed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Designing}.] [F. d['e]signer to designate, cf.
F. dessiner to draw, dessin drawing, dessein a plan or
scheme; all, ultimately, from L. designare to designate; de-
+ signare to mark, mark out, signum mark, sign. See {Sign},
and cf. {Design}, n., {Designate}.]
1. To draw preliminary outline or main features of; to sketch
for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to
draw. --Dryden.
2. To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to
show; to point out; to appoint.
We shall see Justice design the victor's chivalry.
--Shak.
Meet me to-morrow where the master And this
fraternity shall design. --Beau. & Fl.
3. To create or produce, as a work of art; to form a plan or
scheme of; to form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay
out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay, a poem, a
statue, or a cathedral.
4. To intend or purpose; -- usually with for before the
remote object, but sometimes with to.
Ask of politicians the end for which laws were
originally designed. --Burke.
He was designed to the study of the law. --Dryden.
Syn: To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project;
mean.
Design \De*sign"\, v. i.
To form a design or designs; to plan.
{Design for}, to intend to go to. [Obs.] ``From this city she
designed for Collin [Cologne].'' --Evelyn.
Design \De*sign"\, n. [Cf. dessein, dessin.]
1. A preliminary sketch; an outline or pattern of the main
features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a
building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan.
2. A plan or scheme formed in the mind of something to be
done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be
expressed in a visible form or carried into action;
intention; purpose; -- often used in a bad sense for evil
intention or purpose; scheme; plot.
The vast design and purpos? of the King. --Tennyson.
The leaders of that assembly who withstood the
designs of a besotted woman. --Hallam.
A . . . settled design upon another man's life.
--Locke.
How little he could guess the secret designs of the
court! --Macaulay.
3. Specifically, intention or purpose as revealed or inferred
from the adaptation of means to an end; as, the argument
from design.
4. The realization of an inventive or decorative plan; esp.,
a work of decorative art considered as a new creation;
conception or plan shown in completed work; as, this
carved panel is a fine design, or of a fine design.
5. (Mus.) The invention and conduct of the subject; the
disposition of every part, and the general order of the
whole.
{Arts of design}, those into which the designing of artistic
forms and figures enters as a principal part, as
architecture, painting, engraving, sculpture.
{School of design}, one in which are taught the invention and
delineation of artistic or decorative figures, patterns,
and the like.
Syn: Intention; purpose; scheme; project; plan; idea.
Usage: {Design}, {Intention}, {Purpose}. Design has reference
to something definitely aimed at. Intention points to
the feelings or desires with which a thing is sought.
Purpose has reference to a settled choice or
determination for its attainment. ``I had no design to
injure you,'' means it was no part of my aim or
object. ``I had no intention to injure you,'' means, I
had no wish or desire of that kind. ``My purpose was
directly the reverse,'' makes the case still stronger.
Is he a prudent man . . . that lays designs only
for a day, without any prospect to the remaining
part of his life? --Tillotson.
I wish others the same intention, and greater
successes. --Sir W.
Temple.
It is the purpose that makes strong the vow.
--Shak.
Designable \Des"ig*na*ble\, a.
Capable of being designated or distinctly marked out;
distinguishable. --Boyle.
Designate \Des"ig*nate\, a. [L. designatus, p. p. of designare.
See {Design}, v. t.]
Designated; appointed; chosen. [R.] --Sir G. Buck.
Designate \Des"ig*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Designated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Designating}.]
1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to name; to
indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or description;
to specify; as, to designate the boundaries of a country;
to designate the rioters who are to be arrested.
2. To call by a distinctive title; to name.
3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty; -- with to
or for; to designate an officer for or to the command of a
post or station.
Syn: To name; denominate; style; entitle; characterize;
describe.
Designation \Des`ig*na"tion\, n. [L. designatio: cf. F.
d['e]signation.]
1. The act of designating; a pointing out or showing;
indication.
2. Selection and appointment for a purpose; allotment;
direction.
3. That which designates; a distinguishing mark or name;
distinctive title; appellation.
The usual designation of the days of the week.
--Whewell.
4. Use or application; import; intention; signification, as
of a word or phrase.
Finite and infinite seem . . . to be attributed
primarily, in their first designation, only to those
things have parts. --Locke.
Designative \Des"ig*na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]signatif.]
Serving to designate or indicate; pointing out.
Designator \Des"ig*na`tor\, n. [L.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer who assigned to each his rank and
place in public shows and ceremonies.
2. One who designates.
Designatory \Des"ig*na*to*ry\, a.
Serving to designate; designative; indicating. [R.]
Designedly \De*sign"ed*ly\, adv.
By design; purposely; intentionally; -- opposed to
accidentally, ignorantly, or inadvertently.
Designer \De*sign"er\, n.
1. One who designs, marks out, or plans; a contriver.
2. (Fine Arts) One who produces or creates original works of
art or decoration.
3. A plotter; a schemer; -- used in a bad sense.
Designful \De*sign"ful\, a.
Full of design; scheming. [R.] -- {De*sign"ful*ness}, n. [R.]
--Barrow.
Designing \De*sign"ing\, a.
Intriguing; artful; scheming; as, a designing man.
Designing \De*sign"ing\, n.
The act of making designs or sketches; the act of forming
designs or plans.
Designless \De*sign"less\, a.
Without design. [Obs.] -- {De*sign"less*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Designment \De*sign"ment\, n.
1. Delineation; sketch; design; ideal; invention. [Obs.]
For though that some mean artist's skill were shown
In mingling colors, or in placing light, Yet still
the fair designment was his own. --Dryden.
2. Design; purpose; scheme. [Obs.] --Shak.
Desilver \De*sil"ver\, v. t.
To deprive of silver; as, to desilver lead.
Desilverization \De*sil`ver*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or the process of freeing from silver; also, the
condition resulting from the removal of silver.
Desilverize \De*sil"ver*ize\, v. t.
To deprive, or free from, silver; to remove silver from.
Desinence \Des"i*nence\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]sinence.]
Termination; ending. --Bp. Hall.
Desinent \Des"i*nent\, a. [L. desinens, p. pr. of desinere,
desitum, to leave off, cease; de- + sinere to let, allow.]
Ending; forming an end; lowermost. [Obs.] ``Their desinent
parts, fish.'' --B. Jonson.
Desinential \Des`i*nen"tial\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]sinentiel.]
Terminal.
Furthermore, b, as a desinential element, has a dynamic
function. --Fitzed.
Hall.
Desipient \De*sip"i*ent\, a. [L. desipiens, p. pr. of desipere
to be foolish; de- + sapere to be wise.]
Foolish; silly; trifling. [R.]
Desirability \De*sir`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being desirable; desirableness.
Desirable \De*sir"a*ble\, a. [F. d['e]sirable, fr. L.
desiderabilis. See {Desire}, v. t.]
Worthy of desire or longing; fitted to excite desire or a
wish to possess; pleasing; agreeable.
All of them desirable young men. --Ezek. xxiii.
12.
As things desirable excite Desire, and objects move the
appetite. --Blackmore.
Desirableness \De*sir"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being desirable.
The desirableness of the Austrian alliance. --Froude.
Desirably \De*sir"a*bly\, adv.
In a desirable manner.
Desire \De*sire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desired}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Desiring}.] [F. d['e]sirer, L. desiderare, origin
uncertain, perh. fr. de- + sidus star, constellation, and
hence orig., to turn the eyes from the stars. Cf. {Consider},
and {Desiderate}, and see {Sidereal}.]
1. To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land. --Ex. xxxiv.
24.
Ye desire your child to live. --Tennyson.
2. To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? --2
Kings iv. 28.
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more. --Shak.
3. To require; to demand; to claim. [Obs.]
A doleful case desires a doleful song. --Spenser.
4. To miss; to regret. [Obs.]
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired
when she dies. --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To long for; hanker after; covet; wish; ask; request;
solicit; entreat; beg.
Usage: To {Desire}, {Wish}. In desire the feeling is usually
more eager than in wish. ``I wish you to do this'' is
a milder form of command than ``I desire you to do
this,'' though the feeling prompting the injunction
may be the same. --C. J. Smith.
Desire \De*sire"\, n. [F. d['e]sir, fr. d['e]sirer. See
{Desire}, v. t.]
1. The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or
the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort
its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or
enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know. --Milton.
2. An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother brought To yield consent to
my desire. --Tennyson.
3. Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come. --Hag. ii. 7.
4. Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.
5. Grief; regret. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Syn: Wish; appetency; craving; inclination; eagerness;
aspiration; longing.
Desireful \De*sire"ful\, a.
Filled with desire; eager. [R.]
The desireful troops. --Godfrey
(1594).
Desirefulness \De*sire"ful*ness\, n.
The state of being desireful; eagerness to obtain and
possess. [R.]
The desirefulness of our minds much augmenteth and
increaseth our pleasure. --Udall.
Desireless \De*sire"less\, a.
Free from desire. --Donne.
Desirer \De*sir"er\, n.
One who desires, asks, or wishes.
Desirous \De*sir"ous\, a. [F. d['e]sireux, OF. desiros, fr.
desir. See {Desire}, n.]
Feeling desire; eagerly wishing; solicitous; eager to obtain;
covetous.
Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him. --John
xvi. 19.
Be not desirous of his dainties. --Prov. xxiii.
3.
Desirously \De*sir"ous*ly\, adv.
With desire; eagerly.
Desirousness \De*sir"ous*ness\, n.
The state of being desirous.
Desist \De*sist"\ (?; 277), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desisted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Desisting}.] [L. desistere; de- + sistere to
stand, stop, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. d['e]sister. See
{Stand}.]
To cease to proceed or act; to stop; to forbear; -- often
with from.
Never desisting to do evil. --E. Hall.
To desist from his bad practice. --Massinger.
Desist (thou art discern'd, And toil'st in vain).
--Milton.
Desistance \De*sist"ance\, n. [Cf. F. desistance.]
The act or state of desisting; cessation. [R.] --Boyle.
If fatigue of body or brain were in every case followed
by desistance . . . then would the system be but seldom
out of working order. --H. Spencer.
Desistive \De*sist"ive\, a. [See {Desist}.]
Final; conclusive; ending. [R.]
Desition \De*si"tion\, n. [See {Desinent}.]
An end or ending. [R.]
Desitive \Des"i*tive\, a.
Final; serving to complete; conclusive. [Obs.] ``Desitive
propositions.'' --I. Watts.
Desitive \Des"i*tive\, n. (Logic)
A proposition relating to or expressing an end or conclusion.
[Obs.] --I. Watts.
Desk \Desk\, n. [OE. deske, the same word as dish, disk. See
{Dish}, and cf. {Disk}.]
1. A table, frame, or case, usually with sloping top, but
often with flat top, for the use writers and readers. It
often has a drawer or repository underneath.
2. A reading table or lectern to support the book from which
the liturgical service is read, differing from the pulpit
from which the sermon is preached; also (esp. in the
United States), a pulpit. Hence, used symbolically for
``the clerical profession.''
Desk \Desk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Desking}.]
To shut up, as in a desk; to treasure.
Deskwork \Desk"work`\, n.
Work done at a desk, as by a clerk or writer. --Tennyson.
Desman \Des"man\ (d[e^]s"man), n. [Cf. Sw. desman musk.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An amphibious, insectivorous mammal found in Russia ({Myogale
moschata}). It is allied to the moles, but is called
{muskrat} by some English writers. [Written also
{d[ae]sman}.]
Desmid \Des"mid\, Desmidian \Des*mid"i*an\, n. [Gr. desmo`s
chain + e'i^dos form.] (Bot.)
A microscopic plant of the family {Desmidi[ae]}, a group of
unicellular alg[ae] in which the species have a greenish
color, and the cells generally appear as if they consisted of
two coalescing halves.
Desmine \Des"mine\, n. [Gr. de`smh, desmo`s, bundle, fr. dei^n
to bind.] (Min.)
Same as {Stilbite}. It commonly occurs in bundles or tufts of
crystals.
Desmobacteria \Des`mo*bac*te"ri*a\, n. pl. [Gr. desmo`s bond +
E. bacteria.]
See {Microbacteria}.
Desmodont \Des"mo*dont\, n. [Gr. desmo`s bond + ?, ?, tooth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A member of a group of South American blood-sucking bats, of
the genera {Desmodus} and {Diphylla}. See {Vampire}.
Desmognathous \Des*mog"na*thous\, a. [Gr. desmo`s bond + ? jaw.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; -- applied to a
group of carinate birds ({Desmognath[ae]}), including various
wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and also
raptorial and other kinds.
Desmoid \Des"moid\, a. [Gr. desmo`s ligament + -oid.] (Anat.)
Resembling, or having the characteristics of, a ligament;
ligamentous.
Desmology \Des*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. desmo`s ligament + -logy.]
The science which treats of the ligaments. [R.]
Desmomyaria \Des`mo*my*a"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? bond + ?
muscle.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Tunicata which includes the Salp[ae]. See
{Salpa}.
Desolate \Des"o*late\, a. [L. desolatus, p. p. of desolare to
leave alone, forsake; de- + solare to make lonely, solus
alone. See {Sole}, a.]
1. Destitute or deprived of inhabitants; deserted;
uninhabited; hence, gloomy; as, a desolate isle; a
desolate wilderness; a desolate house.
I will make Jerusalem . . . a den of dragons, and I
will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an
inhabitant. --Jer. ix. 11.
And the silvery marish flowers that throng The
desolate creeks and pools among. --Tennyson.
2. Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected; destroyed;
as, desolate altars.
3. Left alone; forsaken; lonely; comfortless.
Have mercy upon, for I am desolate. --Ps. xxv. 16.
Voice of the poor and desolate. --Keble.
4. Lost to shame; dissolute. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
5. Destitute of; lacking in. [Obs.]
I were right now of tales desolate. --Chaucer.
Syn: Desert; uninhabited; lonely; waste.
Desolate \Des"o*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Desolated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Desolating}.]
1. To make desolate; to leave alone; to deprive of
inhabitants; as, the earth was nearly desolated by the
flood.
2. To lay waste; to ruin; to ravage; as, a fire desolates a
city.
Constructed in the very heart of a desolating war.
--Sparks.
Desolately \Des"o*late*ly\, adv.
In a desolate manner.
Desolateness \Des"o*late*ness\, n.
The state of being desolate.
Desolater \Des"o*la`ter\, n.
One who, or that which, desolates or lays waste. --Mede.
Desolation \Des`o*la"tion\, n. [F. d['e]solation, L. desolatio.]
1. The act of desolating or laying waste; destruction of
inhabitants; depopulation.
Unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
--Dan. ix. 26.
2. The state of being desolated or laid waste; ruin;
solitariness; destitution; gloominess.
You would have sold your king to slaughter, . . .
And his whole kingdom into desolation. --Shak.
3. A place or country wasted and forsaken.
How is Babylon become a desolation! --Jer. l. 23.
Syn: Waste; ruin; destruction; havoc; devastation; ravage;
sadness; destitution; melancholy; gloom; gloominess.
Desolator \Des"o*la`tor\, n. [L.]
Same as {Desolater}. --Byron.
Desolatory \Des"o*la*to*ry\, a. [L. desolatorius.]
Causing desolation. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Desophisticate \De`so*phis"ti*cate\, v. t.
To clear from sophism or error. [R.] --Hare.
Desoxalic \Des`ox*al"ic\, a. [F. pref. des- from + E. oxalic.]
(Chem.)
Made or derived from oxalic acid; as, desoxalic acid.
Despair \De*spair"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Despaired}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Despairing}.] [OE. despeiren, dispeiren, OF.
desperer, fr. L. desperare; de- + sperare to hope; akin to
spes hope, and perh. to spatium space, E. space, speed; cf.
OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf. {Prosper}, {Desperate}.]
To be hopeless; to have no hope; to give up all hope or
expectation; -- often with of.
We despaired even of life. --2 Cor. i. 8.
Never despair of God's blessings here. --Wake.
Syn: See {Despond}.
Despair \De*spair"\, v. t.
1. To give up as beyond hope or expectation; to despair of.
[Obs.]
I would not despair the greatest design that could
be attempted. --Milton.
2. To cause to despair. [Obs.] --Sir W. Williams.
Despair \De*spair"\, n. [Cf. OF. despoir, fr. desperer.]
1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency.
We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro, Pine with
regret, or sicken with despair. --Keble.
Before he [Bunyan] was ten, his sports were
interrupted by fits of remorse and despair.
--Macaulay.
2. That which is despaired of. ``The mere despair of surgery
he cures.'' --Shak.
Syn: Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.
Despairer \De*spair"er\, n.
One who despairs.
Despairful \De*spair"ful\, a.
Hopeless. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Despairing \De*spair"ing\, a.
Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless. --
{De*spair"ing*ly}, adv. -- {De*spair"ing*ness}, n.
Desparple \De*spar"ple\, v. t. & i. [OF. desparpeillier.]
To scatter; to disparkle. [Obs.] --Mandeville.
Despatch \De*spatch"\, n. & v.
Same as {Dispatch}.
Despecificate \De`spe*cif"i*cate\, v. t. [Pref. de- (intens.) +
specificate.]
To discriminate; to separate according to specific
signification or qualities; to specificate; to desynonymize.
[R.]
Inaptitude and ineptitude have been usefully
despecificated. --Fitzed.
Hall.
Despecfication \De*spec`fi*ca"tion\, n.
Discrimination.
Despect \De*spect"\, n. [L. despectus, fr. despicere. See
{Despite}, n.]
Contempt. [R.] --Coleridge.
Despection \De*spec"tion\, n. [L. despectio.]
A looking down; a despising. [R.] --W. Montagu.
Despeed \De*speed"\, v. t.
To send hastily. [Obs.]
Despeeded certain of their crew. --Speed.
Despend \De*spend"\, v. t.
To spend; to squander. See {Dispend}. [Obs.]
Some noble men in Spain can despend [pounds]50,000.
--Howell.
Desperado \Des`per*a"do\, n.; pl. {Desperadoes}. [OSp.
desperado, p. p. of desperar, fr. L. desperare. See
{Desperate}.]
A reckless, furious man; a person urged by furious passions,
and regardless of consequence; a wild ruffian.
Desperate \Des"per*ate\, a. [L. desperatus, p. p. of desperare.
See {Despair}, and cf. {Desperado}.]
1. Without hope; given to despair; hopeless. [Obs.]
I am desperate of obtaining her. --Shak.
2. Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous;
irretrievable; past cure, or, at least, extremely
dangerous; as, a desperate disease; desperate fortune.
3. Proceeding from, or suggested by, despair; without regard
to danger or safety; reckless; furious; as, a desperate
effort. ``Desperate expedients.'' --Macaulay.
4. Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; -- used to mark the
extreme predominance of a bad quality.
A desperate offendress against nature. --Shak.
The most desperate of reprobates. --Macaulay.
Syn: Hopeless; despairing; desponding; rash; headlong;
precipitate; irretrievable; irrecoverable; forlorn; mad;
furious; frantic.
Desperate \Des"per*ate\, n.
One desperate or hopeless. [Obs.]
Desperately \Des"per*ate*ly\, adv.
In a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety;
recklessly; extremely; as, the troops fought desperately.
She fell desperately in love with him. --Addison.
Desperateness \Des"per*ate*ness\ n.
Desperation; virulence.
Desperation \Des`per*a"tion\, n. [L. desperatio: cf. OF.
desperation.]
1. The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up
of hope.
This desperation of success chills all our industry.
--Hammond.
2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of
hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury.
In the desperation of the moment, the officers even
tried to cut their way through with their swords.
--W. Irving.
Despicability \Des`pi*ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
Despicableness. [R.] --Carlyle.
Despicable \Des"pi*ca*ble\, a. [L. despicabilis, fr. despicari
to despise; akin to despicere. See {Despise}.]
Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile;
worthless; as, a despicable man; despicable company; a
despicable gift.
Syn: Contemptible; mean; vile; worthless; pitiful; paltry;
sordid; low; base. See {Contemptible}.
Despicableness \Des"pi*ca*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being despicable; meanness; vileness;
worthlessness.
Despicably \Des"pi*ca*bly\, adv.
In a despicable or mean manner; contemptibly; as, despicably
stingy.
Despiciency \Des*pi"cien*cy\, n. [L. despicientia. See
{Despise}.]
A looking down; despection. [Obs.]
Despisable \De*spis"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. despisable.]
Despicable; contemptible. [R.]
Despisal \De*spis"al\, n.
A despising; contempt. [R.]
A despisal of religion. --South.
Despise \De*spise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Despised}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Despising}.] [OF. despis-, in some forms of despire
to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon,
despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See {Spy}, and cf.
{Despicable}, {Despite}.]
To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to
scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous
dislike of.
Fools despise wisdom and instruction. --Prov. i. 7.
Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect
those who do not give way to them. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
Syn: To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See
{Contemn}.
Despisedness \De*spis"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being despised.
Despisement \De*spise"ment\, n.
A despising. [R.] --Holland.
Despiser \De*spis"er\, n.
One who despises; a contemner; a scorner.
Despisingly \De*spis"ing*ly\, adv.
Contemptuously.
Despite \De*spite"\, n. [OF. despit, F. d['e]pit, fr. L.
despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See {Despise}, and cf.
{Spite}, {Despect}.]
1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous
hate.
With all thy despite against the land of Israel.
--Ezek. xxv.
6.
2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous
defiance; a deed of contempt.
A despite done against the Most High. --Milton.
{In despite}, in defiance of another's power or inclination.
{In despite of}, in defiance of; in spite of. See under
{Spite}. ``Seized my hand in despite of my efforts to the
contrary.'' --W. Irving.
{In your despite}, in defiance or contempt of you; in spite
of you. [Obs.]
Despite \De*spite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Despited}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Despiting}.] [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare,
intens. of despicere. See {Despite}, n.]
To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Despite \De*spite"\, prep.
In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as,
despite his prejudices.
Syn: See {Notwithstanding}.
Despiteful \De*spite"ful\, a. [See {Despite}, and cf.
{Spiteful}.]
Full of despite; expressing malice or contemptuous hate;
malicious. -- {De*spite"ful*ly}, adv. -- {De*spite"ful*ness},
n.
Haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters. --Rom. i.
30.
Pray for them which despitefully use you. --Matt. v.
44.
Let us examine him with despitefulness and fortune.
--Book of
Wisdom ii. 19.
Despiteous \Des*pit"e*ous\, a. [OE. despitous, OF. despiteus,
fr. despit; affected in form by E. piteous. See {Despite}.]
Feeling or showing despite; malicious; angry to excess;
cruel; contemptuous. [Obs.] ``Despiteous reproaches.''
--Holland.
Despiteously \Des*pit"e*ous*ly\, adv.
Despitefully. [Obs.]
Despitous \De*spit"ous\, a.
Despiteous; very angry; cruel. [Obs.]
He was to sinful man not despitous. --Chaucer.
- {De*spit"ous*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Despoil \De*spoil"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Despoiled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Despoiling}.] [OF. despoiller, F. d['e]pouiller, L.
despoliare, despoliatum; de- + spoliare to strip, rob,
spolium spoil, booty. Cf. {Spoil}, {Despoliation}.]
1. To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
2. To deprive for spoil; to plunder; to rob; to pillage; to
strip; to divest; -- usually followed by of.
The clothed earth is then bare, Despoiled is the
summer fair. --Gower.
A law which restored to them an immense domain of
which they had been despoiled. --Macaulay.
Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss.
--Milton.
Syn: To strip; deprive; rob; bereave; rifle.
Despoil \De*spoil"\, n.
Spoil. [Obs.] --Wolsey.
Despoiler \De*spoil"er\, n.
One who despoils.
Despoilment \De*spoil"ment\, n.
Despoliation. [R.]
Despoliation \De*spo`li*a"tion\, n. [L. despoliatio. See
{Despoil}.]
A stripping or plundering; spoliation. --Bailey.
Despond \De*spond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Desponded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Desponding}.] [L. despond[=e]re, desponsum, to
promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose
(courage); de- + spond[=e]re to promise solemnly. See
{Sponsor}.]
To give up, the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly
disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or
depressed; to take an unhopeful view.
I should despair, or at least despond. --Scott's
Letters.
Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the
first difficulty. --Locke.
We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its
eyes hitherward, and be assured that the foundations of
our national power still stand strong. --D. Webster.
Syn: {Despond}, {Dispair}.
Usage: Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond
does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is
often more lasting than despair, or than desperation,
which impels to violent action.
Despond \De*spond"\ n.
Despondency. [Obs.]
The slough of despond. --Bunyan.
Despondence \De*spond"ence\, n.
Despondency.
The people, when once infected, lose their relish for
happiness [and] saunter about with looks of
despondence. --Goldsmith.
Despondency \De*spond"en*cy\, n.
The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation of
effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind.
The unhappy prince seemed, during some days, to be sunk
in despondency. --Macaulay.
Despondent \De*spond"ent\, a. [L. despondens, -entis, p. pr. of
despond?re.]
Marked by despondence; given to despondence; low-spirited;
as, a despondent manner; a despondent prisoner. --
{De*spond"ent*ly}, adv.
Desponder \De*spond"er\, n.
One who desponds.
Despondingly \De*spond"ing*ly\, adv.
In a desponding manner.
Desponsage \De*spon"sage\, n. [From L. desponsus, p. p. See
{Despond}.]
Betrothal. [Obs.]
Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for
desponsage of Athilrid, his daughter. --Foxe.
Desponsate \De*spon"sate\, v. t. [L. desponsatus, p. p. of
desponsare, intens. of despondere to betroth. See {Despond}.]
To betroth. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Desponsation \Des`pon*sa"tion\, n. [L. desponsatio: cf. OF.
desponsation.]
A betrothing; betrothal. [Obs.]
For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set
one step toward the consummation of her marriage.
--Jer. Taylor.
Desponsory \De*spon"so*ry\, n.; pl. {Desponsories}.
A written pledge of marriage. --Clarendon.
Desport \De*sport"\, v. t. & i.
See {Disport}.
Despot \Des"pot\, n. [F. despote, LL. despotus, fr. Gr.
despo`ths master, lord, the second part of which is akin to
po`sis husband, and L. potens. See {Potent}.]
1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible
ruler or sovereign.
Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally
leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with
despot and tyrant. --C. J. Smith.
2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a
tyrant.
Despotat \Des"po*tat\, n. [Cf. F. despotat.]
The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a
despot. --Freeman.
Despotic \Des*pot"ic\, Despotical \Des*pot"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?:
cf. F. despotique.]
Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolute
in power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing
despotism; tyrannical; arbitrary. -- {Des*pot"ic*al*ly}, adv.
-- {Des*pot"ic*al*ness}, n.
Despotism \Des"po*tism\, n. [Cf. F. despotisme.]
1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute
control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. ``The
despotism of vice.'' --Byron.
2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic
monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.
Despotism . . . is the only form of government which
may with safety to itself neglect the education of
its infant poor. --Bp. Horsley.
Despotist \Des"po*tist\, n.
A supporter of despotism. [R.]
Despotize \Des"po*tize\, v. t.
To act the despot.
Despread \De*spread"\, v. t. & i.
See {Dispread}.
Despumate \Des"pu*mate\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Despumated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Despumating}.] [L. despumatus, p. p. of
despumare to despume; de- + spumare to foam, froth, spuma
froth, scum.]
To throw off impurities in spume; to work off in foam or
scum; to foam.
Despumation \Des`pu*ma"tion\, n. [L. despumatio: cf. F.
despumation.]
The act of throwing up froth or scum; separation of the scum
or impurities from liquids; scumming; clarification.
Despume \De*spume"\, v. t. [Cf. F. despumer. See {Despumate}.]
To free from spume or scum. [Obs.]
If honey be despumed. --Holland.
Desquamate \Des"qua*mate\, v. i. [L. desquamatus, p. p. of
desquamare to scale off; de- + squama scale.] (Med.)
To peel off in the form of scales; to scale off, as the skin
in certain diseases.
Desquamation \Des`qua*ma"tion\, n. [Cf. F. desquamation.] (Med.)
The separation or shedding of the cuticle or epidermis in the
form of flakes or scales; exfoliation, as of bones.
Desquamative \De*squam"a*tive\, Desquamatory \De*squam"a*to*ry\,
a.
Of, pertaining to, or attended with, desquamation.
Desquamatory \De*squam"a*to*ry\, n. (Surg.)
An instrument formerly used in removing the lamin[ae] of
exfoliated bones.
Dess \Dess\, n.
Dais. [Obs.]
Dessert \Des*sert"\, n. [F., fr. desservir to remove from table,
to clear the table; pref. des- (L. dis-) + servir to serve,
to serve at table. See {Serve}.]
A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of a
feast or entertainment; pastry, fruits, etc., forming the
last course at dinner.
``An 't please your honor,'' quoth the peasant, ``This
same dessert is not so pleasant.'' --Pope.
{Dessert spoon}, a spoon used in eating dessert; a spoon
intermediate in size between a teaspoon and a tablespoon.
{Dessert-spoonful}, n., pl. {Dessert-spoonfuls}, as much as a
dessert spoon will hold, usually reckoned at about two and
a half fluid drams.
Destemper \Des*tem"per\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]trempe, fr.
d['e]tremper.]
A kind of painting. See {Distemper}.
Destin \Des"tin\, n. [Cf. F. destin.]
Destiny. [Obs.] --Marston.
Destinable \Des"ti*na*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. destinable.]
Determined by destiny; fated. --Chaucer.
Destinably \Des"ti*na*bly\, adv.
In a destinable manner.
Destinal \Des"ti*nal\, a.
Determined by destiny; fated. [Obs.] ``The order destinal.''
--Chaucer.
Destinate \Des"ti*nate\, a. [L. destinatus, p. p. of destinare.
See {Destine}.]
Destined. [Obs.] ``Destinate to hell.'' --Foxe.
Destinate \Des"ti*nate\, v. t.
To destine, design, or choose. [Obs.] ``That name that God .
. . did destinate.'' --Udall.
Destination \Des`ti*na"tion\, n. [L. destinatio determination:
cf. F. destination destination.]
1. The act of destining or appointing.
2. Purpose for which anything is destined; predetermined end,
object, or use; ultimate design.
3. The place set for the end of a journey, or to which
something is sent; place or point aimed at.
Syn: Appointment; design; purpose; intention; destiny; lot;
fate; end.
Destine \Des"tine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Destined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Destining}.] [F. destiner, L. destinare; de + the root of
stare to stand. See {Stand}, and cf. {Obstinate}.]
To determine the future condition or application of; to set
apart by design for a future use or purpose; to fix, as by
destiny or by an authoritative decree; to doom; to ordain or
preordain; to appoint; -- often with the remoter object
preceded by to or for.
We are decreed, Reserved, and destined to eternal woe.
--Milton.
Till the loathsome opposite Of all my heart had
destined, did obtain. --Tennyson.
Not enjoyment and not sorrow Is our destined end or
way. --Longfellow.
Syn: To design; mark out; determine; allot; choose; intend;
devote; consecrate; doom.
Destinist \Des"ti*nist\, n.
A believer in destiny; a fatalist. [R.]
Destiny \Des"ti*ny\, n.; pl. {Destinies}. [OE. destinee,
destene, F. destin['e]e, from destiner. See {Destine}.]
1. That to which any person or thing is destined;
predetermined state; condition foreordained by the Divine
or by human will; fate; lot; doom.
Thither he Will come to know his destiny. --Shak.
No man of woman born, Coward or brave, can shun his
destiny. --Bryant.
2. The fixed order of things; invincible necessity; fate; a
resistless power or agency conceived of as determining the
future, whether in general or of an individual.
But who can turn the stream of destiny? --Spenser.
Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as
inevitable as destiny, for it is destiny.
--Longfellow.
{The Destinies} (Anc. Myth.), the three Parc[ae], or Fates;
the supposed powers which preside over human life, and
determine its circumstances and duration.
Marked by the Destinies to be avoided. --Shak.
Destituent \De*stit"u*ent\ (?; 135), a. [L. destituens, p. pr.
of destituere.]
Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition. [Obs.] --Jer.
Taylor.
Destitute \Des"ti*tute\, a. [L. destitutus, p. p. of destituere
to set away, leave alone, forsake; de + statuere to set. See
{Statute}.]
1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary,
or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often
followed by of.
In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.
--Ps. cxli. 8.
Totally destitute of all shadow of influence.
--Burke.
2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of
want; needy; without possessions or resources; very poor.
They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;
being destitute, afflicted, tormented. --Heb. xi.
37.
Destitute \Des"ti*tute\, v. t.
1. To leave destitute; to forsake; to abandon. [Obs.]
To forsake or destitute a plantation. --Bacon.
2. To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; --
followed by of. [Obs.]
Destituted of all honor and livings. --Holinshed.
3. To disappoint. [Obs.]
When his expectation is destituted. --Fotherby.
Destitutely \Des"ti*tute*ly\, adv.
In destitution.
Destituteness \Des"ti*tute*ness\, n.
Destitution. [R.] --Ash.
Destitution \Des`ti*tu"tion\, n. [L. destitutio a forsaking.]
The state of being deprived of anything; the state or
condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources;
deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the
inundation caused general destitution.
Destrer \Des*trer"\, Dextrer \Dex"trer\, n. [OF. destrier, fr.
L. dextra on the right side. The squire led his master's
horse beside him, on his right hand. Skeat.]
A war horse. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Destrie \De*strie"\, v. t.
To destroy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Destroy \De*stroy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Destroyed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Destroying}.] [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien,
OF. destruire, F. d['e]truire, fr. L. destruere, destructum;
de + struere to pile up, build. See {Structure}.]
1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently
into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and
organic existence of; to demolish.
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their
images, and cut down their groves. --Ex. xxxiv.
13.
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to
annihilate; to consume.
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation.
--Jer. xii.
17.
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of;
to kill.
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some
false guile pervert. --Milton.
Syn: To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin;
throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate;
deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See
{Demolish}.
Destroyable \De*stroy"a*ble\, a.
Destructible. [R.]
Plants . . . scarcely destroyable by the weather.
--Derham.
Destroyer \De*stroy"er\, n. [Cf. OF. destruior.]
One who destroys, ruins, kills, or desolates.
Destruct \De*struct"\, v. t. [L. destructus, p. p. of destruere.
See {Destroy}.]
To destroy. [Obs.] --Mede.
Destructibility \De*struc`ti*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
destructibilit['e].]
The quality of being capable of destruction;
destructibleness.
Destructible \De*struc"ti*ble\, a. [L. destructibilis.]
Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.
Destructibleness \De*struc"ti*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being destructible.
Destruction \De*struc"tion\, n. [L. destructio: cf. F.
destruction. See {Destroy}.]
1. The act of destroying; a tearing down; a bringing to
naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying;
devastation.
The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of
the sword, and slaughter, and destruction. --Esth.
ix. 5.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by
destruction dwell in doubtful joy. --Shak.
Destruction of venerable establishment. --Hallam.
2. The state of being destroyed, demolished, ruined, slain,
or devastated.
This town came to destruction. --Chaucer.
Thou castedst them down into destruction. --Ps.
lxxiii. 18.
2. A destroying agency; a cause of ruin or of devastation; a
destroyer.
The destruction that wasteth at noonday. --Ps. xci.
6.
Syn: Demolition; subversion; overthrow; desolation;
extirpation; extinction; devastation; downfall;
extermination; havoc; ruin.
Destructionist \De*struc"tion*ist\, n.
1. One who delights in destroying that which is valuable; one
whose principles and influence tend to destroy existing
institutions; a destructive.
2. (Theol.) One who believes in the final destruction or
complete annihilation of the wicked; -- called also
{annihilationist}. --Shipley.
Destructive \De*struc"tive\, a. [L. destructivus: cf. F.
destructif.]
Causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or
devastation; ruinous; fatal; productive of serious evil;
mischievous; pernicious; -- often with of or to; as,
intemperance is destructive of health; evil examples are
destructive to the morals of youth.
Time's destructive power. --Wordsworth.
{Destructive distillation}. See {Distillation}.
{Destructive sorties}(Logic), a process of reasoning which
involves the denial of the first of a series of dependent
propositions as a consequence of the denial of the last; a
species of reductio ad absurdum. --Whately.
Syn: Mortal; deadly; poisonous; fatal; ruinous; malignant;
baleful; pernicious; mischievous.
Destructive \De*struc"tive\, n.
One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.
Destructively \De*struc"tive*ly\, adv.
In a destructive manner.
Destructiveness \De*struc"tive*ness\, n.
1. The quality of destroying or ruining. --Prynne.
2. (Phren.) The faculty supposed to impel to the commission
of acts of destruction; propensity to destroy.
Destructor \De*struc"tor\, n. [L., from destruere. See
{Destroy}, and cf. {Destroyer}.]
A destroyer. [R.]
Fire, the destructor and the artificial death of
things. --Boyle.
Destruie \De*struie"\, v. t.
To destroy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Desudation \Des`u*da"tion\, n. [L. desudatio, fr. desudare to
sweat greatly; de + sudare to sweat.] (Med.)
A sweating; a profuse or morbid sweating, often succeeded by
an eruption of small pimples.
Desuete \De*suete"\, a. [L. desuetus, p. p. of desuescere to
disuse.]
Disused; out of use. [R.]
Desuetude \Des"ue*tude\, n. [L. desuetudo, from desuescere, to
grow out of use, disuse; de + suescere to become used or
accustomed: cf. F. d['e]su['e]tude. See {Custom}.]
The cessation of use; disuse; discontinuance of practice,
custom, or fashion.
The desuetude abrogated the law, which, before, custom
had established. --Jer. Taylor.
Desulphurate \De*sul"phu*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Desulphurated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Desulphurating}.]
To deprive of sulphur.
Desulphuration \De*sul`phu*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]sulfuration.]
The act or process of depriving of sulphur.
Desulphurize \De*sul"phur*ize\, v. t.
To desulphurate; to deprive of sulphur. --
{De*sul`phur*i*za"tion}, n.
Desultorily \Des"ul*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a desultory manner; without method; loosely;
immethodically.
Desultoriness \Des"ul*to*ri*ness\, n.
The quality of being desultory or without order or method;
unconnectedness.
The seeming desultoriness of my method. --Boyle.
Desultorious \Des`ul*to"ri*ous\, a.
Desultory. [R.]
Desultory \Des"ul*to*ry\, a. [L. desultorius, fr. desultor a
leaper, fr. desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to
leap. See {Saltation}.]
1. Leaping or skipping about. [Obs.]
I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that
I missed my aim. --Gilbert
White.
2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another,
without order or rational connection; without logical
sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as,
desultory minds. --Atterbury.
He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading
had been desultory. --Macaulay.
3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected
with the subject; as, a desultory remark.
Syn: Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant;
unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
Desume \De*sume"\, v. t. [L. desumere; de + sumere to take.]
To select; to borrow. [Obs.] --Sir. M. Hale.
Desynonymization \De`syn*on`y*mi*za"tion\, n.
The act of desynonymizing.
Desynonymize \De`syn*on"y*mize\, v. t.
To deprive of synonymous character; to discriminate in use;
-- applied to words which have been employed as synonyms.
--Coleridge. Trench.
Detach \De*tach"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detached}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Detaching}.] [F. d['e]tacher (cf. It. distaccare,
staccare); pref. d['e] (L. dis) + the root found also in E.
attach. See {Attach}, and cf. {Staccato}.]
1. To part; to separate or disunite; to disengage; -- the
opposite of attach; as, to detach the coats of a bulbous
root from each other; to detach a man from a leader or
from a party.
2. To separate for a special object or use; -- used
especially in military language; as, to detach a ship from
a fleet, or a company from a regiment.
Syn: To separate; disunite; disengage; sever; disjoin;
withdraw; draw off. See {Detail}.
Detach \De*tach"\, v. i.
To push asunder; to come off or separate from anything; to
disengage.
[A vapor] detaching, fold by fold, From those still
heights. --Tennyson.
Detachable \De*tach"a*ble\, a.
That can be detached.
Detached \De*tached"\, a.
Separate; unconnected, or imperfectly connected; as, detached
parcels. ``Extensive and detached empire.'' --Burke.
{Detached escapement}. See {Escapement}.
Detachment \De*tach"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]tachement.]
1. The act of detaching or separating, or the state of being
detached.
2. That which is detached; especially, a body of troops or
part of a fleet sent from the main body on special
service.
Troops . . . widely scattered in little detachments.
--Bancroft.
3. Abstraction from worldly objects; renunciation.
A trial which would have demanded of him a most
heroic faith and the detachment of a saint. --J. H.
Newman.
Detail \De"tail\ (d[=e]"t[=a]l or d[-e]*t[=a]l"; 277), n. [F.
d['e]tail, fr. d['e]tailler to cut in pieces, tell in detail;
pref. d['e]- (L. de or dis-) + tailler to cut. See {Tailor}.]
1. A minute portion; one of the small parts; a particular; an
item; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a
scheme or transaction.
The details of the campaign in Italy. --Motley.
2. A narrative which relates minute points; an account which
dwells on particulars.
3. (Mil.) The selection for a particular service of a person
or a body of men; hence, the person or the body of men so
selected.
{Detail drawing}, a drawing of the full size, or on a large
scale, of some part of a building, machine, etc.
{In detail}, in subdivisions; part by part; item;
circumstantially; with particularity.
Syn: Account; relation; narrative; recital; explanation;
narration.
Detail \De"tail\ (d[-e]*t[=a]l"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detailed}
(-t[=a]ld"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Detailing}.] [Cf. F.
d['e]tailler to cut up in pieces, tell in detail. See
{Detail}, n.]
1. To relate in particulars; to particularize; to report
minutely and distinctly; to enumerate; to specify; as, he
detailed all the facts in due order.
2. (Mil.) To tell off or appoint for a particular service, as
an officer, a troop, or a squadron.
Syn: {Detail}, {Detach}.
Usage: Detail respect the act of individualizing the person
or body that is separated; detach, the removing for
the given end or object.
Detailer \De*tail"er\, n.
One who details.
Detain \De*tain"\ (d[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Detained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Detaining}.] [F. d['e]tenir, L.
detinere, detentum; de + tenere to hold. See {Tenable}.]
1. To keep back or from; to withhold.
Detain not the wages of the hireling. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay;
as, we were detained by an accident.
Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a
kid for thee. --Judges xiii.
15.
3. To hold or keep in custody.
Syn: To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check; retard;
delay; hinder.
Detain \De*tain"\, n.
Detention. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Detainder \De*tain"der\ (-d[~e]r), n. (Law)
A writ. See {Detinue}.
Detainer \De*tain"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
1. One who detains.
2. (Law)
(a) The keeping possession of what belongs to another;
detention of what is another's, even though the
original taking may have been lawful. Forcible
detainer is indictable at common law.
(b) A writ authorizing the keeper of a prison to continue
to keep a person in custody.
Detainment \De*tain"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. detenement.]
Detention. [R.] --Blackstone.
Detect \De*tect"\ (d[-e]*t[e^]kt"), a. [L. detectus, p. p. of
detegere to uncover, detect; de + tegere to cover. See
{Tegument}.]
Detected. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
Detect \De*tect"\ (d[-e]*t[e^]kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Detected}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Detecting}.]
1. To uncover; to discover; to find out; to bring to light;
as, to detect a crime or a criminal; to detect a mistake
in an account.
Plain good intention . . . is as easily discovered
at the first view, as fraud is surely detected at
last. --Burke.
Like following life through creatures you dissect,
You lose it in the moment you detect. --Pope.
2. To inform against; to accuse. [Obs.]
He was untruly judged to have preached such articles
as he was detected of. --Sir T. More.
Syn: To discover; find out; lay bare; expose.
Detectable \De*tect"a*ble\ (-[.a]*b'l), Detectible
\De*tect"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being detected or found out; as, parties not
detectable. ``Errors detectible at a glance.'' --Latham.
Detecter \De*tect"er\, n.
One who, or that which, detects or brings to light; one who
finds out what another attempts to conceal; a detector.
Detection \De*tec"tion\, n. [L. detectio an uncovering,
revealing.]
The act of detecting; the laying open what was concealed or
hidden; discovery; as, the detection of a thief; the
detection of fraud, forgery, or a plot.
Such secrets of guilt are never from detection. --D.
Webster.
Detective \De*tect"ive\, a.
Fitted for, or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting
crime or criminals; as, a detective officer.
Detective \De*tect"ive\, n.
One who business it is so detect criminals or discover
matters of secrecy.
Detector \De*tect"or\, n. [L., a revealer.]
One who, or that which, detects; a detecter. --Shak.
A deathbed's detector of the heart. --Young.
{Bank-note detector}, a publication containing a description
of genuine and counterfeit bank notes, designed to enable
persons to discriminate between them.
{Detector lock}. See under {Lock}.
Detenebrate \De*ten"e*brate\, v. t. [L. de + tenebrare to make
dark, fr. tenebrae darkness.]
To remove darkness from. [Obs.] --Ash.
Detent \De*tent"\, n. [F. d['e]tente, fr. d['e]tendre to unbend,
relax; pref. d['e]- (L. dis- or de) + tendre to stretch. See
{Distend}.] (Mech.)
That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or
dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and
unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
Detention \De*ten"tion\, n. [L. detentio: cf. F. d['e]tention.
See {Detain}.]
1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.
2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay
from necessity.
3. Confinement; restraint; custody.
The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of
honorable detention at Henry's court. --Hallam.
Deter \De*ter"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deterred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Deterring}.] [L. deterrere; de + terrere to frighten,
terrify. See {Terror}.]
To prevent by fear; hence, to hinder or prevent from action
by fear of consequences, or difficulty, risk, etc. --Addison.
Potent enemies tempt and deter us from our duty.
--Tillotson.
My own face deters me from my glass. --Prior.
Deterge \De*terge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deterged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deterging}.] [L. detergere, detersum; de + tergere to
rub or wipe off: cf. F. d['e]terger.]
To cleanse; to purge away, as foul or offending matter from
the body, or from an ulcer.
Detergency \De*ter"gen*cy\, n.
A cleansing quality or power. --De Foe.
Detergent \De*ter"gent\, a. [L. detergens, -entis, p. pr. of
detergere: cf. F. d['e]tergent.]
Cleansing; purging. -- n. A substance which cleanses the
skin, as water or soap; a medicine to cleanse wounds, ulcers,
etc.
Deteriorate \De*te"ri*o*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Deteriorated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deteriorating}.] [L.
deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr.
deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de down, away.]
To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to
impair; as, to deteriorate the mind. --Whately.
The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated.
--Southey.
Deteriorate \De*te"ri*o*rate\, v. i.
To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.
Under such conditions, the mind rapidly deteriorates.
--Goldsmith.
Deterioration \De*te`ri*o*ra"tion\, n. [LL. deterioratio: cf. F.
d['e]t['e]rioration.]
The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown
worse.
Deteriority \De*te`ri*or"i*ty\, n. [L. deterior worse. See
{Deteriorate}.]
Worse state or quality; inferiority. ``The deteriority of the
diet.'' [R.] --Ray.
Determent \De*ter"ment\, n. [From {Deter}.]
The act of deterring; also, that which deters. --Boyle.
Determinability \De*ter`mi*na*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being determinable; determinableness.
--Coleridge.
Determinable \De*ter"mi*na*ble\, a. [L. determinabilis finite.
See {Determine}, v. t.]
Capable of being determined, definitely ascertained, decided
upon, or brought to a conclusion.
Not wholly determinable from the grammatical use of the
words. --South.
Determinableness \De*ter"mi*na*ble*ness\, n.
Capability of being determined; determinability.
Determinacy \De*ter"mi*na*cy\, n.
Determinateness. [R.]
Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, a. [L. determinans, p. pr. of
determinare: cf. F. d['e]terminant.]
Serving to determine or limit; determinative.
Determinant \De*ter"mi*nant\, n.
1. That which serves to determine; that which causes
determination.
2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several
numbers, these products being formed according to certain
specified laws;
Note: thus, the determinant of the nine numbers a, b, c,a',
b', c',a'', b'', c'', is a b' c'' - a b'' c' + a' b''
c] - a' b c'' + a'' b' c. The determinant is written by
placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square
between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants
forms a very important branch of modern mathematics.
3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or
predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering
them more definite and precise. --Abp. Thomson.
Determinate \De*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. determinatus, p. p. of
determinare. See {Determine}.]
1. Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed;
established; definite.
Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
--Dryden.
2. Conclusive; decisive; positive.
The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
--Acts ii. 23.
3. Determined or resolved upon. [Obs.]
My determinate voyage. --Shak.
4. Of determined purpose; resolute. [Obs.]
More determinate to do than skillful how to do.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
{Determinate inflorescence} (Bot.), that in which the
flowering commences with the terminal bud of a stem, which
puts a limit to its growth; -- also called {centrifugal
inflorescence}.
{Determinate problem} (Math.), a problem which admits of a
limited number of solutions.
{Determinate quantities}, {Determinate equations} (Math.),
those that are finite in the number of values or
solutions, that is, in which the conditions of the problem
or equation determine the number.
Determinate \De*ter"mi*nate\, v. t.
To bring to an end; to determine. See {Determine}. [Obs.]
The sly, slow hours shall not determinate The dateless
limit of thy dear exile. --Shak.
Determinately \De*ter"mi*nate*ly\, adv.
1. In a determinate manner; definitely; ascertainably.
The principles of religion are already either
determinately true or false, before you think of
them. --Tillotson.
2. Resolutely; unchangeably.
Being determinately . . . bent to marry. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Determinateness \De*ter"mi*nate*ness\, n.
State of being determinate.
Determination \De*ter`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. determinatio boundary,
end: cf. F. d['e]termination.]
1. The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
2. Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
A speedy determination of that war. --Ludlow.
3. Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion.
Remissness can by no means consist with a constant
determination of the will . . . to the greatest
apparent good. --Locke.
4. The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions;
decision of character; resoluteness.
He only is a well-made man who has a good
determination. --Emerson.
5. The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of
controversy.
6. That which is determined upon; result of deliberation;
purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain
convictions. --Hallam.
7. (Med.) A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as,
a determination of blood to the head.
8. (Physical Sciences) The act, process, or result of any
accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight,
intensity, etc.; as, the determination of the ohm or of
the wave length of light; the determination of the salt in
sea water, or the oxygen in the air.
9. (Logic)
(a) The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its
essential constituents.
(b) The addition of a differentia to a concept or notion,
thus limiting its extent; -- the opposite of
{generalization}.
10. (Nat. Hist.) The act of determining the relations of an
object, as regards genus and species; the referring of
minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which
they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a
friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Syn: Decision; conclusion; judgment; purpose; resolution;
resolve; firmness. See {Decision}.
Determinative \De*ter"mi*na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]terminatif.]
Having power to determine; limiting; shaping; directing;
conclusive.
Incidents . . . determinative of their course. --I.
Taylor.
{Determinative tables} (Nat. Hist.), tables presenting the
specific character of minerals, plants, etc., to assist in
determining the species to which a specimen belongs.
Determinative \De*ter"mi*na*tive\, n.
That which serves to determine.
Explanatory determinatives . . . were placed after
words phonetically expressed, in order to serve as an
aid to the reader in determining the meaning. --I.
Taylor (The
Alphabet).
Determinator \De*ter"mi*na`tor\, n. [L.]
One who determines. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Determine \De*ter"mine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Determined}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Determining}.] [F. d['e]terminer, L.
determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus
limit. See {Term}.]
1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
[God] hath determined the times before appointed.
--Acts xvii.
26.
2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit;
to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined
by the view or sight. --Bacon.
Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his
friend sickness hath determined me? --Shak.
3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe
imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
The character of the soul is determined by the
character of its God. --J. Edwards.
Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time
or other might influence or even determine her
course of life. --W. Black.
4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a
remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will
determined me to this course.
5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific
character or name of; to assign to its true place in a
system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered
plant or its name.
6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to
settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as,
the court has determined the cause.
7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to
cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as,
this determined him to go immediately.
8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity,
or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine
the salt in sea water.
Determine \De*ter"mine\, v. i.
1. To come to an end; to end; to terminate. [Obs.]
He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published
an ill book must know that his life determine not
together. --South.
Estates may determine on future contingencies.
--Blackstone.
2. To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; -- often
with on. ``Determine on some course.'' --Shak.
He shall pay as the judges determine. --Ex. xxi. 22.
Determined \De*ter"mined\, a.
Decided; resolute. ``Adetermined foe.'' --Sparks.
Determinedly \De*ter"min*ed*ly\, adv.
In a determined manner; with determination.
Determiner \De*ter"min*er\, n.
One who, or that which, determines or decides.
Determinism \De*ter"min*ism\, n. (Metaph.)
The doctrine that the will is not free, but is inevitably and
invincibly determined by motives.
Its superior suitability to produce courage, as
contrasted with scientific physical determinism, is
obvious. --F. P. Cobbe.
Determinist \De*ter"min*ist\, n. (Metaph.)
One who believes in determinism. Also adj.; as, determinist
theories.
Deterration \De`ter*ra"tion\, n. [L. de + terra earth: cf. F.
d['e]terrer to unearth.]
The uncovering of anything buried or covered with earth; a
taking out of the earth or ground. --Woodward.
Deterrence \De*ter"rence\, n.
That which deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]
Deterrent \De*ter"rent\, a. [L. deterrens, p. pr. of deterrere.
See {Deter}.]
Serving to deter. ``The deterrent principle.'' --E. Davis.
Deterrent \De*ter"rent\, n.
That which deters or prevents.
Detersion \De*ter"sion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]tersion. See
{Deterge}.]
The act of deterging or cleansing, as a sore.
Detersive \De*ter"sive\, a. [Cf. d['e]tersif.]
Cleansing; detergent. -- n. A cleansing agent; a detergent.
Detersively \De*ter"sive*ly\, adv.
In a way to cleanse.
Detersiveness \De*ter"sive*ness\, n.
The quality of cleansing.
Detest \De*test"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Detesting}.] [L. detestare, detestatum, and detestari, to
curse while calling a deity to witness, to execrate, detest;
de + testari to be a witness, testify, testis a witness: cf.
F. d['e]tester. See {Testify}.]
1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.]
The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the
Eastern churches. --Fuller.
God hath detested them with his own mouth. --Bale.
2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as,
we detest what is contemptible or evil.
Who dares think one thing, and another tell, My
heart detests him as the gates of hell. --Pope.
Syn: To abhor; abominate; execrate. See {Hate}.
Detestability \De*test`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capacity of being odious. [R.] --Carlyle.
Detestable \De*test"a*ble\, a. [L. detestabilis: cf. F.
d['e]testable.]
Worthy of being detested; abominable; extremely hateful; very
odious; deserving abhorrence; as, detestable vices.
Thou hast defiled my sanctuary will all thy detestable
things, and with all thine abominations. --Ezek. v. 11.
Syn: Abominable; odious; execrable; abhorred.
Detestableness \De*test"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being detestable.
Detestably \De*test"a*bly\, adv.
In a detestable manner.
Detesttate \De*test"tate\, v. t.
To detest. [Obs.] --Udall.
Detestation \Det`es*ta"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. detestatio: cf. F.
d['e]testation.]
The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence;
loathing.
We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil war.
--Burke.
Detester \De*test"er\, n.
One who detes??
Dethrone \De*throne"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dethroned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dethroning}.] [Pref. de- + throne: cf. F.
d['e]tr[^o]ner; pref. d['e]- (L. dis-) + tr[^o]ne throne. See
{Throne}.]
To remove or drive from a throne; to depose; to divest of
supreme authority and dignity. ``The Protector was
dethroned.'' --Hume.
Dethronement \De*throne"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]tr[^o]nement.]
Deposal from a throne; deposition from regal power.
Dethroner \De*thron"er\, n.
One who dethrones.
Dethronization \De*thron`i*za"tion\, n.
Dethronement. [Obs.] --Speed.
Dethronize \De*thron"ize\, v. t. [Cf. LL. dethronizare.]
To dethrone or unthrone. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Detinue \Det"i*nue\ (?; 277), n. [OF. detinu, detenu, p. p. of
detenir to detain. See {Detain}.]
A person or thing detained; (Law) A form of action for the
recovery of a personal chattel wrongfully detained.
{Writ of detinue} (Law), one that lies against him who
wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or
in possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value
and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great
measure superseded by other remedies.
Detonate \Det"o*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Detonated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Detonating}.] [L. detonare, v. i., to thunder down;
de + tonare to thunder; akin to E. thunder. See {Thunder},
and cf. {Detonize}.]
To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with
sulphur.
Detonate \Det"o*nate\, v. t.
To cause to explode; to cause to burn or inflame with a
sudden report.
Detonating \Det"o*na`ting\, a. & n.
from {Detonate}.
{Detonating gas}, a mixture of two volumes of hydrogen with
one volume of oxygen, which explodes with a loud report
upon ignition.
{Detonating powder}, any powder or solid substance, as
fulminate of mercury, which when struck, explodes with
violence and a loud report.
{Detonating primer}, a primer exploded by a fuse; -- used to
explode gun cotton in blasting operations.
{Detonating tube}, a strong tube of glass, usually graduated,
closed at one end, and furnished with two wires passing
through its sides at opposite points, and nearly meeting,
for the purpose of exploding gaseous mixtures by an
electric spark, as in gas analysis, etc.
Detonation \Det`o*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]tonation.]
An explosion or sudden report made by the instantaneous
decomposition or combustion of unstable substances' as, the
detonation of gun cotton.
Detonator \Det"o*na`tor\ (d[e^]t"[-o]*n[=a]`t[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, detonates.
Detonization \Det`o*ni*za"tion\
(d[e^]t`[-o]*n[i^]*z[=a]"sh[u^]n), n.
The act of detonizing; detonation.
Detonize \Det"o*nize\ (d[e^]t"[-o]*n[imac]z), v. t. & i. [See
{Detonate}.] [imp. & p. p.{Detonized}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Detonizing}.]
To explode, or cause to explode; to burn with an explosion;
to detonate.
Detorsion \De*tor"sion\, n.
Same as {Detortion}.
Detort \De*tort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detorted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Detorting}.] [L. detortus, p. p. of detorquere to turn
away; de + torquere to turn about, twist: cf. F.
d['e]torquer, d['e]tordre.]
To turn form the original or plain meaning; to pervert; to
wrest. --Hammond.
Detortion \De*tor"tion\, n.
The act of detorting, or the state of being detorted; a
twisting or warping.
Detour \De`tour"\, n. [F. d['e]tour, fr. d['e]tourner to turn
aside; pref. d['e]- (L. dis-) + tourner to turn. See {Turn}.]
A turning; a circuitous route; a deviation from a direct
course; as, the detours of the Mississippi.
Detract \De*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detracted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Detracting}.] [L. detractus, p. p. of detrahere to
detract; de + trahere to draw: cf. F. d['e]tracter. See
{Trace}.]
1. To take away; to withdraw.
Detract much from the view of the without. --Sir H.
Wotton.
2. To take credit or reputation from; to defame.
That calumnious critic . . . Detracting what
laboriously we do. --Drayton.
Syn: To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse;
vilify; defame; traduce. See {Decry}.
Detract \De*tract"\, v. i.
To take away a part or something, especially from one's
credit; to lessen reputation; to derogate; to defame; --
often with from.
It has been the fashion to detract both from the moral
and literary character of Cicero. --V. Knox.
Detracter \De*tract"er\, n.
One who detracts; a detractor.
Other detracters and malicious writers. --Sir T.
North.
Detractingly \De*tract"ing*ly\, adv.
In a detracting manner.
Detraction \De*trac"tion\, n. [F. d['e]traction, L. detractio.]
1. A taking away or withdrawing. [Obs.]
The detraction of the eggs of the said wild fowl.
--Bacon.
2. The act of taking away from the reputation or good name of
another; a lessening or cheapening in the estimation of
others; the act of depreciating another, from envy or
malice; calumny.
Syn: Depreciation; disparagement; derogation; slander;
calumny; aspersion; censure.
Detractious \De*trac"tious\, a.
Containing detraction; detractory. [R.] --Johnson.
Detractive \De*tract"ive\, a.
1. Tending to detractor draw. [R.]
2. Tending to lower in estimation; depreciative.
Detractiveness \De*tract"ive*ness\, n.
The quality of being detractive.
Detracor \De*trac"or\, n. [L.: cf. F. d['e]tracteur.]
One who detracts; a derogator; a defamer.
His detractors were noisy and scurrilous. --Macaulay.
Syn: Slanderer; calumniator; defamer; vilifier.
Detractory \De*tract"o*ry\, a.
Defamatory by denial of desert; derogatory; calumnious. --Sir
T. Browne.
Detractress \De*tract"ress\, n.
A female detractor. --Addison.
Detrain \De*train"\, v. i. & t.
To alight, or to cause to alight, from a railway train.
[Eng.] --London Graphic.
Detrect \De*trect"\, v. t. [L. detrectare; de + tractare,
intens. of trahere to draw.]
To refuse; to decline. [Obs.] ``To detrect the battle.''
--Holinshed.
Detriment \Det"ri*ment\, n. [L. detrimentum, fr. deterere,
detritum, to rub or wear away; de + terere to rub: cf. F.
d['e]triment. See {Trite}.]
1. That which injures or causes damage; mischief; harm;
diminution; loss; damage; -- used very generically; as,
detriments to property, religion, morals, etc.
I can repair That detriment, if such it be.
--Milton.
2. A charge made to students and barristers for incidental
repairs of the rooms they occupy. [Eng.]
Syn: Injury; loss; damage; disadvantage; prejudice; hurt;
mischief; harm.
Detriment \Det"ri*ment\, v. t.
To do injury to; to hurt. [Archaic]
Other might be determined thereby. --Fuller.
Detrimental \Det`ri*men"tal\, a.
Causing detriment; injurious; hurtful.
Neither dangerous nor detrimental to the donor.
--Addison.
Syn: Injurious; hurtful; prejudicial; disadvantageous;
mischievous; pernicious.
Detrimentalness \Det`ri*men"tal*ness\, n.
The quality of being detrimental; injuriousness.
Detrital \De*tri"tal\, a. (Geol.)
Pertaining to, or composed of, detritus.
Detrite \De*trite"\, a. [L. detritus, p. p.]
Worn out.
Detrition \De*tri"tion\, n. [LL. detritio. See {Detriment}.]
A wearing off or away.
Phonograms which by process long-continued detrition
have reached a step of extreme simplicity. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
Detritus \De*tri"tus\, n. [F. d['e]tritus, fr. L. detritus, p.
p. of deterere. See {Detriment}.]
1. (Geol.) A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by
attrition, and reduced to small portions; as, diluvial
detritus.
Note: For large portions, the word d['e]bris is used.
2. Hence: Any fragments separated from the body to which they
belonged; any product of disintegration.
The mass of detritus of which modern languages are
composed. --Farrar.
Detrude \De*trude"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detruded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Detruding}.] [L. detrudere, detrusum; de + trudere to
thrust, push.]
To thrust down or out; to push down with force. --Locke.
Detuncate \De*tun"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Detruncated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Detruncating}.] [L. detruncatus, p. p. of
detruncare to cut off; de + truncare to maim, shorten, cut
off. See {Truncate}.]
To shorten by cutting; to cut off; to lop off.
Detruncation \De`trun*ca"tion\, n. [L. detruncatio: cf. F.
d['e]troncation.]
The act of lopping or cutting off, as the head from the body.
Detrusion \De*tru"sion\, n. [L. detrusio. See {Detrude}.]
The act of thrusting or driving down or outward; outward
thrust. -- {De*tru"sive}, a.
Dette \Dette\, n.
Debt. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Detteles \Dette"les\, a.
Free from debt. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Detumescence \De`tu*mes"cence\, n. [L. detumescere to cease
swelling; de + tumescere, tumere, to swell.]
Diminution of swelling; subsidence of anything swollen. [R.]
--Cudworth.
Detur \De"tur\, n. [L. detur let it be given.]
A present of books given to a meritorious undergraduate
student as a prize. [Harvard Univ., U. S.]
Deturb \De*turb"\, v. t. [L. deturbare.]
To throw down. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Deturbate \De*tur"bate\, v. t. [LL. deturbatus, p. p. of
deturbare, fr. L. deturbare to thrust down.]
To evict; to remove. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Deturbation \Det`ur*ba"tion\, n.
The act of deturbating. [Obs.]
Deturn \De*turn"\, v. t. [Pref. de- + turn. Cf. {Detour}.]
To turn away. [Obs.] --Sir K. Digby.
Deturpate \De*tur"pate\, v. t. [L. deturpare; de + turpare to
make ugly, defile, turpis ugly, foul.]
To defile; to disfigure. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Deturpation \Det`ur*pa"tion\, n.
A making foul. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Deuce \Deuce\ (d[=u]s), n. [F. deux two, OF. deus, fr. L. duo.
See {Two}.]
1. (Gaming) Two; a card or a die with two spots; as, the
deuce of hearts.
2. (Tennis) A condition of the score beginning whenever each
side has won three strokes in the same game (also reckoned
``40 all''), and reverted to as often as a tie is made
until one of the sides secures two successive strokes
following a tie or deuce, which decides the game.
Deuce \Deuce\, n. [Cf. LL. dusius, Armor, dus, te[^u]z, phantom,
specter; Gael. taibhs, taibhse, apparition, ghost; or fr. OF.
deus God, fr. L. deus (cf. {Deity}).]
The devil; a demon. [A euphemism, written also {deuse}.]
[Low]
Deuced \Deu"ced\, a.
Devilish; excessive; extreme. [Low] -- {Deu"ced*ly}, adv.
Deuse \Deuse\ (d[=u]s), n.; Deused \Deu"sed\ (d[=u]"s[e^]d), a.
See {Deuce}, {Deuced}.
Deuterocanonical \Deu`ter*o*ca*non"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ? second + E.
canonical.]
Pertaining to a second canon, or ecclesiastical writing of
inferior authority; -- said of the Apocrypha, certain
Epistles, etc.
Deuterogamist \Deu`ter*og"a*mist\, n. [See {Deuterogamy}.]
One who marries the second time.
Deuterogamy \Deu`ter*og"a*my\, n. [Gr. ?; ? second + ? wedding,
marriage.]
A second marriage, after the death of the first husband of
wife; -- in distinction from bigamy, as defined in the old
canon law. See {Bigamy}. --Goldsmith.
Deuterogenic \Deu`ter*o*gen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? second + root of ? to
be born.] (Geol.)
Of secondary origin; -- said of certain rocks whose material
has been derived from older rocks.
Deuteronomist \Deu`ter*on"o*mist\, n.
The writer of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy \Deu`ter*on"o*my\, n. [Gr. ?; ? second + ? law: cf.
L. Deuteronomium.] (Bibl.)
The fifth book of the Pentateuch, containing the second
giving of the law by Moses.
Deuteropathia \Deu`ter*o*pa*thi"a\, Deuteropathy
\Deu`ter*op"a*thy\, n. [NL. deuteropathia, fr. Gr. ? second + ?
suffering, fr. ?, ?, to suffer: cf. F. deut['e]ropathie.]
(Med.)
A sympathetic affection of any part of the body, as headache
from an overloaded stomach.
Deuteropathic \Deu`ter*o*path"ic\, a.
Pertaining to deuteropathy; of the nature of deuteropathy.
Deuteroscopy \Deu`ter*os"co*py\, n. [Gr. ? second + -scopy.]
1. Second sight.
I felt by anticipation the horrors of the Highland
seers, whom their gift of deuteroscopy compels to
witness things unmeet for mortal eye. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. That which is seen at a second view; a meaning beyond the
literal sense; the second intention; a hidden
signification. --Sir T. Browne.
Deuterozooid \Deu`ter*o*zo"oid\, n. [Gr. ? second + E. zooid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the secondary, and usually sexual, zooids produced by
budding or fission from the primary zooids, in animals having
alternate generations. In the tapeworms, the joints are
deuterozooids.
Deuthydroguret \Deut`hy*drog"u*ret\, n. (Chem.)
Same as {Deutohydroguret}.
Deuto- \Deu"to-\or Deut- \Deut-\ (d[=u]t-)[Contr. from Gr. ?
second.] (Chem.)
A prefix which formerly properly indicated the second in a
regular series of compound in the series, and not to its
composition, but which is now generally employed in the same
sense as bi-or di-, although little used.
Deutohydroguret \Deu`to*hy*drog"u*ret\, n. [Pref. deut-, deuto-
+ hydroguret.] (Chem.)
A compound containing in the molecule two atoms of hydrogen
united with some other element or radical. [Obs.]
Deutoplasm \Deu"to*plasm\, n. [Pref. deuto- + Gr. ? form.]
(Biol.)
The lifeless food matter in the cytoplasm of an ovum or a
cell, as distinguished from the active or true protoplasm;
yolk substance; yolk.
Deutoplastic \Deu`to*plas"tic\, a. [Pref. deuto- + Gr. ?
plastic.] (Biol.)
Pertaining to, or composed of, deutoplasm.
Deutosulphuret \Deu`to*sul"phu*ret\, n. [Pref. deuto- +
sulphuret.] (Chem.)
A disulphide. [Obs.]
Deutoxide \Deu*tox"ide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. deut- + oxide.]
(Chem.)
A compound containing in the molecule two atoms of oxygen
united with some other element or radical; -- usually called
dioxide, or less frequently, binoxide.
Deutzia \Deut"zi*a\, n. [NL. Named after Jan Deutz of Holland.]
(Bot.)
A genus of shrubs with pretty white flowers, much cultivated.
Dev \Dev\, or Deva \De"va\ (?), n. [Skr. d?va. Cf. {Deity}.]
(Hind. Myth.)
A god; a deity; a divine being; an idol; a king.
Devanagari \De`va*na"ga*ri\, n. [Skr. d?van[=a]gar[=i]; d?va god
+ nagara city, i. e., divine city.]
The character in which Sanskrit is written.
Devaporation \De*vap`o*ra"tion\, n.
The change of vapor into water, as in the formation of rain.
Devast \De*vast"\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]vaster. See {Devastate}.]
To devastate. [Obs.] --Bolingbroke.
Devastate \Dev"as*tate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Devastated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Devastating}.] [L. devastatus,
p. p. of devastare to devastate; de + vastare to lay waste,
vastus waste. See {Vast}.]
To lay waste; to ravage; to desolate.
Whole countries . . . were devastated. --Macaulay.
Syn: To waste; ravage; desolate; destroy; demolish; plunder;
pillage.
Devastation \Dev`as*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]vastation.]
1. The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated;
a laying waste.
Even now the devastation is begun, And half the
business of destruction done. --Goldsmith.
2. (Law) Waste of the goods of the deceased by an executor or
administrator. --Blackstone.
Syn: Desolation; ravage; waste; havoc; destruction; ruin;
overthrow.
Devastator \Dev"as*ta`tor\, n. [L.]
One who, or that which, devastates. --Emerson.
Devastavit \Dev`as*ta"vit\, n. [L., he has wasted.] (Law)
Waste or misapplication of the assets of a deceased person by
an executor or an administrator. --Bouvier.
Devata \De"va*ta\, n. [Hind., fr. Skr. d?va god.] (Hind. Myth.)
A deity; a divine being; a good spirit; an idol. [Written
also {dewata}.]
Deve \Deve\, a. [See {Deaf}.]
Deaf. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Develin \Dev"el*in\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European swift. [Prov. Eng.]
Develop \De*vel"op\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Developed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Developing}.] [F. d['e]veloper; d['e]- (L. dis-) +
OF. voluper, voleper, to envelop, perh. from L. volup
agreeably, delightfully, and hence orig., to make agreeable
or comfortable by enveloping, to keep snug (cf.
{Voluptuous}); or. perh. fr. a derivative of volvere,
volutum, to roll (cf. {Devolve}). Cf. {Envelop}.] [Written
also {develope}.]
1. To free from that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to
lay open by degrees or in detail; to make visible or
known; to disclose; to produce or give forth; as, to
develop theories; a motor that develops 100 horse power.
These serve to develop its tenets. --Milner.
The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and
developing the line of the enemy. --The Century.
2. To unfold gradually, as a flower from a bud; hence, to
bring through a succession of states or stages, each of
which is preparatory to the next; to form or expand by a
process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an
embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form of
being; as, sunshine and rain develop the bud into a
flower; to develop the mind.
The sound developed itself into a real compound.
--J. Peile.
All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before
the wings are fully developed. --Owen.
3. To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase;
to promote the growth of.
We must develop our own resources to the utmost.
--Jowett
(Thucyd).
4. (Math.) To change the form of, as of an algebraic
expression, by executing certain indicated operations
without changing the value.
5. (Photog.) To cause to become visible, as an invisible or
latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical
agents; to bring to view.
{To develop a curved surface on a plane} (Geom.), to produce
on the plane an equivalent surface, as if by rolling the
curved surface so that all parts shall successively touch
the plane.
Syn: To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay open;
disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle.
Develop \De*vel"op\, v. i.
1. To go through a process of natural evolution or growth, by
successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect
or more highly organized state; to advance from a simpler
form of existence to one more complex either in structure
or function; as, a blossom develops from a bud; the seed
develops into a plant; the embryo develops into a
well-formed animal; the mind develops year by year.
Nor poets enough to understand That life develops
from within. --Mrs.
Browning.
2. To become apparent gradually; as, a picture on sensitive
paper develops on the application of heat; the plans of
the conspirators develop.
Developable \De*vel"op*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being developed. --J. Peile.
{Developable surface} (Math.), a surface described by a
moving right line, and such that consecutive positions of
the generator intersect each other. Hence, the surface can
be developed into a plane.
Developer \De*vel"op*er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, develops.
2. (Photog.) A reagent by the action of which the latent
image upon a photographic plate, after exposure in the
camera, or otherwise, is developed and visible.
Development \De*vel"op*ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]veloppement.]
[Written also {developement}.]
1. The act of developing or disclosing that which is unknown;
a gradual unfolding process by which anything is
developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a
photographic plate; gradual advancement or growth through
a series of progressive changes; also, the result of
developing, or a developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and poetry.
--Channing.
2. (Biol.) The series of changes which animal and vegetable
organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic
state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of
organization.
3. (Math.)
(a) The act or process of changing or expanding an
expression into another of equivalent value or
meaning.
(b) The equivalent expression into which another has been
developed.
4. (mus.) The elaboration of a theme or subject; the
unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a whole
piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
{Development theory} (Biol.), the doctrine that animals and
plants possess the power of passing by slow and successive
stages from a lower to a higher state of organization, and
that all the higher forms of life now in existence were
thus developed by uniform laws from lower forms, and are
not the result of special creative acts. See the Note
under {Darwinian}.
Syn: Unfolding; disclosure; unraveling; evolution;
elaboration; growth.
Developmental \De*vel`op*men"tal\, a.
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the process of
development; as, the developmental power of a germ.
--Carpenter.
Devenustate \Dev`e*nus"tate\, v. t. [L. devenustatus, p. p. of
devenustare to disfigure; de + venustus lovely, graceful.]
To deprive of beauty or grace. [Obs.]
Devergence \De*ver"gence\, Devergency \De*ver"gen*cy\, n.
See {Divergence}. [Obs.]
Devest \De*vest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Devesting}.] [L. devestire to undress; de + vestire to
dress: cf. OF. devestir, F. d['e]v[^e]tir. Cf. {Divest}.]
1. To divest; to undress. --Shak.
2. To take away, as an authority, title, etc., to deprive; to
alienate, as an estate.
Note: This word is now generally written divest, except in
the legal sense.
Devest \De*vest"\, v. i. (Law)
To be taken away, lost, or alienated, as a title or an
estate.
Devex \De*vex"\, a. [L. devexus, from devehere to carry down.]
Bending down; sloping. [Obs.]
Devex \De*vex"\, n.
Devexity. [Obs.] --May (Lucan).
Devexity \De*vex"i*ty\, n. [L. devexitas, fr. devexus. See
{Devex}, a.]
A bending downward; a sloping; incurvation downward;
declivity. [R.] --Davies (Wit's Pilgr.)
Devi \De"vi\, n.
; fem. of {Deva}. A goddess.
Deviant \De"vi*ant\, a.
Deviating. [Obs.]
Deviate \De"vi*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Deviated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Deviating}.] [L. deviare to deviate; de + viare to
go, travel, via way. See {Viaduct}.]
To go out of the way; to turn aside from a course or a
method; to stray or go astray; to err; to digress; to
diverge; to vary.
Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take, May boldly deviate
from the common track. --Pope.
Syn: To swerve; stray; wander; digress; depart; deflect; err.
Deviate \De"vi*ate\, v. t.
To cause to deviate. [R.]
To deviate a needle. --J. D.
Forbes.
Deviation \De`vi*a"tion\, n. [LL. deviatio: cf. F.
d['e]viation.]
1. The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation
from the common way, from an established rule, etc.;
departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
2. The state or result of having deviated; a transgression;
an act of sin; an error; an offense.
2. (Com.) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship
from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the
specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters
from their responsibility.
{Deviation of a falling body} (Physics), that deviation from
a strictly vertical line of descent which occurs in a body
falling freely, in consequence of the rotation of the
earth.
{Deviation of the compass}, the angle which the needle of a
ship's compass makes with the magnetic meridian by reason
of the magnetism of the iron parts of the ship.
{Deviation of the line of the vertical}, the difference
between the actual direction of a plumb line and the
direction it would have if the earth were a perfect
ellipsoid and homogeneous, -- caused by the attraction of
a mountain, or irregularities in the earth's density.
Deviator \De"vi*a`tor\, n. [L., a forsaker.]
One who, or that which, deviates.
Deviatory \De"vi*a*to*ry\, a.
Tending to deviate; devious; as, deviatory motion. [R.]
--Tully.
Device \De*vice"\, n. [OE. devis, devise, will, intention,
opinion, invention, fr. F. devis architect's plan and
estimates (in OF., division, plan, wish), devise device (in
sense 3), in OF. also, division, wish, last will, fr.
deviser. See {Devise}, v. t., and cf. {Devise}, n.]
1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a contrivance;
an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme to
deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
His device in against Babylon, to destroy it. --Jer.
li. 11.
Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
--Hallam.
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. --Job v.
12.
2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
I must have instruments of my own device. --Landor.
3.
(a) An emblematic design, generally consisting of one or
more figures with a motto, used apart from heraldic
bearings to denote the historical situation, the
ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See
{Cognizance}.
(b) Improperly, an heraldic bearing.
Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by
devices on their shields. --Addison.
A banner with this strange device - Excelsior.
--Longfellow.
4. Anything fancifully conceived. --Shak.
5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
6. Opinion; decision. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Syn: Contrivance; invention; design; scheme; project;
stratagem; shift.
Usage: -- {Device}, {Contrivance}. Device implies more of
inventive power, and contrivance more of skill and
dexterity in execution. A device usually has reference
to something worked out for exhibition or show; a
contrivance usually respects the arrangement or
disposition of things with reference to securing some
end. Devices were worn by knights-errant on their
shields; contrivances are generally used to promote
the practical convenience of life. The word device is
often used in a bad sense; as, a crafty device;
contrivance is almost always used in a good sense; as,
a useful contrivance.
Deviceful \De*vice"ful\, a.
Full of devices; inventive. [R.]
A carpet, rich, and of deviceful thread. --Chapman.
Devicefully \De*vice"ful*ly\, adv.
In a deviceful manner. [R.]
Devil \Dev"il\, n. [AS. de['o]fol, de['o]ful; akin to G. ?eufel,
Goth. diaba['u]lus; all fr. L. diabolus the devil, Gr. ? the
devil, the slanderer, fr. ? to slander, calumniate, orig., to
throw across; ? across + ? to throw, let fall, fall; cf. Skr.
gal to fall. Cf. {Diabolic}.]
1. The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and
spiritual of mankind.
[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.
--Luke iv. 2.
That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world. --Rev. xii. 9.
2. An evil spirit; a demon.
A dumb man possessed with a devil. --Matt. ix.
32.
3. A very wicked person; hence, any great evil. ``That devil
Glendower.'' ``The devil drunkenness.'' --Shak.
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil? --John vi. 70.
4. An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or,
ironically, of negation. [Low]
The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a
timepleaser. --Shak.
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare, But
wonder how the devil they got there. --Pope.
5. (Cookery) A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and
excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting
oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron. --Sir
W. Scott.
6. (Manuf.) A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton,
etc.
{Blue devils}. See under {Blue}.
{Cartesian devil}. See under {Cartesian}.
{Devil bird} (Zo["o]l.), one of two or more South African
drongo shrikes ({Edolius retifer}, and {E. remifer}),
believed by the natives to be connected with sorcery.
{Devil may care}, reckless, defiant of authority; -- used
adjectively. --Longfellow.
{Devil's apron} (Bot.), the large kelp ({Laminaria
saccharina}, and {L. longicruris}) of the Atlantic ocean,
having a blackish, leathery expansion, shaped somewhat
like an apron.
{Devil's coachhorse}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The black rove beetle ({Ocypus olens}). [Eng.]
(b) A large, predacious, hemipterous insect ({Prionotus
cristatus}); the wheel bug. [U.S.]
{Devil's darning-needle}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Darn}, v. t.
{Devil's fingers}, {Devil's hand} (Zo["o]l.), the common
British starfish ({Asterias rubens}); -- also applied to a
sponge with stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.]
{Devil's riding-horse} (Zo["o]l.), the American mantis
({Mantis Carolina}).
{The Devil's tattoo}, a drumming with the fingers or feet.
``Jack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his boot
heels.'' --F. Hardman (Blackw. Mag.).
{Devil worship}, worship of the power of evil; -- still
practiced by barbarians who believe that the good and evil
forces of nature are of equal power.
{Printer's devil}, the youngest apprentice in a printing
office, who runs on errands, does dirty work (as washing
the ink rollers and sweeping), etc. ``Without fearing the
printer's devil or the sheriff's officer.'' --Macaulay.
{Tasmanian devil} (Zo["o]l.), a very savage carnivorous
marsupial of Tasmania ({Dasyurus, or Diabolus, ursinus}).
{To play devil with}, to molest extremely; to ruin. [Low]
Devil \Dev"il\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deviled}or {Devilled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Deviling}or {Devilling}.]
1. To make like a devil; to invest with the character of a
devil.
2. To grill with Cayenne pepper; to season highly in cooking,
as with pepper.
A deviled leg of turkey. --W. Irving.
Devil-diver \Dev"il-div`er\, Devil bird \Dev"il bird`\, n..
(Zo["o]l.)
A small water bird. See {Dabchick}.
Deviless \Dev"il*ess\, n.
A she-devil. [R.] --Sterne.
Devilet \Dev"il*et\, n.
A little devil. [R.] --Barham.
Devilfish \Dev"il*fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A huge ray ({Manta birostris} or {Cephaloptera vampyrus})
of the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Atlantic coasts.
Several other related species take the same name. See
{Cephaloptera}.
(b) A large cephalopod, especially the very large species of
{Octopus} and {Architeuthis}. See {Octopus}.
(c) The gray whale of the Pacific coast. See {Gray whale}.
(d) The goosefish or angler ({Lophius}), and other allied
fishes. See {Angler}.
Deviling \Dev"il*ing\, n.
A young devil. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Devilish \Dev"il*ish\, a.
1. Resembling, characteristic of, or pertaining to, the
devil; diabolical; wicked in the extreme. ``Devilish
wickedness.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is
earthly, sensual, devilish. --James iii.
15.
2. Extreme; excessive. [Colloq.] --Dryden.
Syn: Diabolical; infernal; hellish; satanic; wicked;
malicious; detestable; destructive. -- {Dev"il*ish*ly},
adv. -- {Dev"il*ish*ness}, n.
Devilism \Dev"il*ism\, n.
The state of the devil or of devils; doctrine of the devil or
of devils. --Bp. Hall.
Devilize \Dev"il*ize\, v. t.
To make a devil of. [R.]
He that should deify a saint, should wrong him as much
as he that should devilize him. --Bp. Hall.
Devilkin \Dev"il*kin\, n.
A little devil; a devilet.
Devilment \Dev"il*ment\, n.
Deviltry. --Bp. Warburton.
Devilry \Dev"il*ry\, n.; pl. {Devilries}.
1. Conduct suitable to the devil; extreme wickedness;
deviltry.
Stark lies and devilry. --Sir T. More.
2. The whole body of evil spirits. --Tylor.
Devil's darning-needle \Dev"il's darn"ing-nee`dle\ (Zo["o]l.)
A dragon fly. See {Darning needle}, under {Darn}, v. t.
Devilship \Dev"il*ship\, n.
The character or person of a devil or the devil. --Cowley.
Deviltry \Dev"il*try\, n.; pl. {Deviltries}.
Diabolical conduct; malignant mischief; devilry. --C. Reade.
Devilwood \Dev"il*wood`\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of tree ({Osmanthus Americanus}), allied to the
European olive.
Devious \De"vi*ous\, a. [L. devius; de + via way. See
{Viaduct}.]
1. Out of a straight line; winding; varying from directness;
as, a devious path or way.
2. Going out of the right or common course; going astray;
erring; wandering; as, a devious step.
Syn: Wandering; roving; rambling; vagrant. -- {De"vi*ous*ly},
adv. -- {De"vi*ous*ness}, n.
Devirginate \De*vir"gin*ate\, a. [L. devirginatus, p. p. of
devirginare.]
Deprived of virginity. [R.]
Devirginate \De*vir"gin*ate\, v. t.
To deprive of virginity; to deflour. [R.] --Sandys.
Devirgination \De*vir`gi*na"tion\, n. [L. devirginatio.]
A deflouring. [R.] --Feltham.
Devisable \De*vis"a*ble\, a. [From {Devise}.]
1. Capable of being devised, invented, or contrived.
2. Capable of being bequeathed, or given by will.
Devisal \De*vis"al\, n.
A devising. --Whitney.
Devise \De*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Devising}.] [OF. deviser to distribute, regulate, direct,
relate, F., to chat, fr. L. divisus divided, distributed, p.
p. of dividere. See {Divide}, and cf. {Device}.]
1. To form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new
applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts;
to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to
invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine, a new
mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an argument.
To devise curious works. --Ex. CCTV.
32.
Devising schemes to realize his ambitious views.
--Bancroft.
2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to obtain.
For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore They are
which fortunes do by vows devise. --Spenser.
3. To say; to relate; to describe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.] --Spenser.
5. (Law) To give by will; -- used of real estate; formerly,
also, of chattels.
Syn: To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate;
imagine; plan; scheme. See {Bequeath}.
Devise \De*vise"\, v. i.
To form a scheme; to lay a plan; to contrive; to consider.
I thought, devised, and Pallas heard my prayer. --Pope.
Note: Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise
of ease. --Spenser.
Devise \De*vise"\, n. [OF. devise division, deliberation, wish,
will, testament. See {Device}.]
1. The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; --
sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal
estate.
2. A will or testament, conveying real estate; the clause of
a will making a gift of real property.
Fines upon devises were still exacted. --Bancroft.
3. Property devised, or given by will.
Devise \De*vise"\, n.
Device. See {Device}. [Obs.]
Devisee \Dev`i*see"\, n. (Law)
One to whom a devise is made, or real estate given by will.
Deviser \De*vis"er\, n.
One who devises.
Devisor \De*vis"or\, n. (Law)
One who devises, or gives real estate by will; a testator; --
correlative to devisee.
Devitable \Dev"i*ta*ble\, a. [L. devitare to avoid; de + vitare
to shun, avoid.]
Avoidable. [Obs.]
Devitalize \De*vi"tal*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of life or vitality. -- {De*vi`tal*i*za"tion}, n.
Devitation \Dev`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. devitatio.]
An avoiding or escaping; also, a warning. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Devitrification \De*vit`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act or process of devitrifying, or the state of being
devitrified. Specifically, the conversion of molten glassy
matter into a stony mass by slow cooling, the result being
the formation of crystallites, microbites, etc., in the
glassy base, which are then called devitrification products.
Devitrify \De*vit"ri*fy\, v. t.
To deprive of glasslike character; to take away vitreous
luster and transparency from.
Devocalize \De*vo"cal*ize\, v. t.
To make toneless; to deprive of vowel quality. --
{De*vo`cal*i*za"tion}, n.
If we take a high vowel, such as (i) [= nearly i of
bit], and devocalize it, we obtain a hiss which is
quite distinct enough to stand for a weak (jh). --H.
Sweet.
Devocation \Dev`o*ca"tion\, n. [L. devocare to call off or away;
de + vocare to call.]
A calling off or away. [R.] --Hallywell.
Devoid \De*void"\, v. t. [OE. devoiden to leave, OF. desvuidier,
desvoidier, to empty out. See {Void}.]
To empty out; to remove.
Devoid \De*void"\, a. [See {Devoid}, v. t.]
1. Void; empty; vacant. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Destitute; not in possession; -- with of; as, devoid of
sense; devoid of pity or of pride.
Devoir \De*voir"\, n. [F., fr. L. debere to owe. See {Due}.]
Duty; service owed; hence, due act of civility or respect; --
now usually in the plural; as, they paid their devoirs to the
ladies. ``Do now your devoid, young knights!'' --Chaucer.
Devolute \Dev"o*lute\, v. t. [L. devolutus, p. p. of devolvere.
See {Devolve}.]
To devolve. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Devolution \Dev`o*lu"tion\, n. [LL. devolutio: cf. F.
d['e]volution.]
1. The act of rolling down. [R.]
The devolution of earth down upon the valleys.
--Woodward.
2. Transference from one person to another; a passing or
devolving upon a successor.
The devolution of the crown through a . . . channel
known and conformable to old constitutional
requisitions. --De Quincey.
Devolve \De*volve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devolved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Devolving}.] [L. devolvere, devolutum, to roll down;
de + volvere to roll down; de + volvere to roll. See
{Voluble}.]
1. To roll onward or downward; to pass on.
Every headlong stream Devolves its winding waters to
the main. --Akenside.
Devolved his rounded periods. --Tennyson.
2. To transfer from one person to another; to deliver over;
to hand down; -- generally with upon, sometimes with to or
into.
They devolved a considerable share of their power
upon their favorite. --Burke.
They devolved their whole authority into the hands
of the council of sixty. --Addison.
Devolve \De*volve"\, v. i.
To pass by transmission or succession; to be handed over or
down; -- generally with on or upon, sometimes with to or
into; as, after the general fell, the command devolved upon
(or on) the next officer in rank.
His estate . . . devolved to Lord Somerville.
--Johnson.
Devolvement \De*volve"ment\, n.
The act or process of devolving;; devolution.
Devon \De"von\, n.
One of a breed of hardy cattle originating in the country of
Devon, England. Those of pure blood have a deep red color.
The small, longhorned variety, called North Devons, is
distinguished by the superiority of its working oxen.
Devonian \De*vo"ni*an\, a. (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to Devon or Devonshire in England; as, the
Devonian rocks, period, or system.
{Devonian age} (Geol.), the age next older than the
Carboniferous and later than the Silurian; -- called also
the {Age of fishes}. The various strata of this age
compose the Devonian formation or system, and include the
old red sandstone of Great Britain. They contain, besides
plants and numerous invertebrates, the bony portions of
many large and remarkable fishes of extinct groups. See
the Diagram under {Geology}.
Devonian \De*vo"ni*an\, n.
The Devonian age or formation.
Devoration \Dev`o*ra"tion\, n. [L. devoratio. See {Devour}.]
The act of devouring. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Devotary \De*vo"ta*ry\, n. [See {Devote}, {Votary}.]
A votary. [Obs.] --J. Gregory.
Devote \De*vote"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devoted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Devoting}.] [L. devotus, p. p. of devovere; de + vovere
to vow. See {Vow}, and cf. {Devout}, {Devow}.]
1. To appropriate by vow; to set apart or dedicate by a
solemn act; to consecrate; also, to consign over; to doom;
to evil; to devote one to destruction; the city was
devoted to the flames.
No devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the
Lord . . . shall be sold or redeemed. --Lev. xxvii.
28.
2. To execrate; to curse. [Obs.]
3. To give up wholly; to addict; to direct the attention of
wholly or compound; to attach; -- often with a reflexive
pronoun; as, to devote one's self to science, to one's
friends, to piety, etc.
Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear. --Ps. cxix.
38.
They devoted themselves unto all wickedness. --Grew.
A leafless and simple branch . . . devoted to the purpose
of climbing. --Gray.
Syn: To addict; apply; dedicate; consecrate; resign; destine;
doom; consign. See {Addict}.
Devote \De*vote"\, a. [L. devotus, p. p.]
Devoted; addicted; devout. [Obs.] --Milton.
Devote \De*vote"\, n.
A devotee. [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
Devoted \De*vot"ed\, a.
Consecrated to a purpose; strongly attached; zealous; devout;
as, a devoted admirer. -- {De*vot"ed*ly}, adv. --
{De*vot"ed*ness}, n.
Devotee \Dev`o*tee"\, n.
One who is wholly devoted; esp., one given wholly to
religion; one who is superstitiously given to religious
duties and ceremonies; a bigot.
While Father Le Blanc was very devout he was not a
devotee. --A. S. Hardy.
Devotement \De*vote"ment\, n.
The state of being devoted, or set apart by a vow. [R.] --Bp.
Hurd.
Devoter \De*vot"er\, n.
One who devotes; a worshiper.
Devotion \De*vo"tion\, n. [F. d['e]votion, L. devotio.]
1. The act of devoting; consecration.
2. The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination;
strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially,
feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of
worship; devoutness.
Genius animated by a fervent spirit of devotion.
--Macaulay.
3. Act of devotedness or devoutness; manifestation of strong
attachment; act of worship; prayer. ``The love of public
devotion.'' --Hooker.
4. Disposal; power of disposal. [Obs.]
They are entirely at our devotion, and may be turned
backward and forward, as we please. --Godwin.
5. A thing consecrated; an object of devotion. [R.]
Churches and altars, priests and all devotions,
Tumbled together into rude chaos. --Beau. & Fl.
{Days of devotion}. See under {Day}.
Syn: Consecration; devoutness; religiousness; piety;
attachment; devotedness; ardor; earnestness.
Devotional \De*vo"tion*al\, a. [L. devotionalis.]
Pertaining to, suited to, or used in, devotion; as, a
devotional posture; devotional exercises; a devotional frame
of mind.
Devotionalist \De*vo"tion*al*ist\, Devotionist \De*vo"tion*ist\,
n.
One given to devotion, esp. to excessive formal devotion.
Devotionality \De*vo`tion*al"i*ty\, n.
The practice of a devotionalist. --A. H. Clough.
Devotionally \De*vo"tion*al*ly\, adv.
In a devotional manner; toward devotion.
Devoto \De*vo"to\, n. [It.]
A devotee. --Dr. J. Scott.
Devotor \De*vo"tor\, n. [L.]
A worshiper; one given to devotion. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Devour \De*vour"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Devoured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Devouring}.] [F. d['e]vorer, fr. L. devorare; de + vorare
to eat greedily, swallow up. See {Voracious}.]
1. To eat up with greediness; to consume ravenously; to feast
upon like a wild beast or a glutton; to prey upon.
Some evil beast hath devoured him. --Gen. xxxvii.
20.
2. To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily,
selfishly, or wantonly; to consume; to swallow up; to use
up; to waste; to annihilate.
Famine and pestilence shall devour him. --Ezek. vii.
15.
I waste my life and do my days devour. --Spenser.
3. To enjoy with avidity; to appropriate or take in eagerly
by the senses.
Longing they look, and gaping at the sight, Devour
her o'er with vast delight. --Dryden.
Syn: To consume; waste; destroy; annihilate.
Devourable \De*vour"a*ble\, a.
That may be devoured.
Devourer \De*vour"er\, n.
One who, or that which, devours.
Devouringly \De*vour"ing*ly\, adv.
In a devouring manner.
Devout \De*vout"\, a. [OE. devot, devout, F. d['e]vot, from L.
devotus devoted, p. p. of devovere. See {Devote}, v. t.]
1. Devoted to religion or to religious feelings and duties;
absorbed in religious exercises; given to devotion; pious;
reverent; religious.
A devout man, and one that feared God. --Acts x. 2.
We must be constant and devout in the worship of
God. --Rogers.
2. Expressing devotion or piety; as, eyes devout; sighs
devout; a devout posture. --Milton.
3. Warmly devoted; hearty; sincere; earnest; as, devout
wishes for one's welfare.
{The devout}, devoutly religious persons, those who are
sincerely pious.
Syn: Holy; pure; religious; prayerful; pious; earnest;
reverent; solemn; sincere.
Devout \De*vout"\, n.
1. A devotee. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
2. A devotional composition, or part of a composition;
devotion. [Obs.] --Milton.
Devoutful \De*vout"ful\, a.
1. Full of devotion. [R.]
2. Sacred. [R.]
To take her from austerer check of parents, To make
her his by most devoutful rights. --Marston.
Devoutless \De*vout"less\, a.
Destitute of devotion. -- {De*vout"less*ly}, adv. --
{De*vout"less*ness}, n.
Devoutly \De*vout"ly\, adv.
1. In a devout and reverent manner; with devout emotions;
piously.
Cast her fair eyes to heaven and prayed devoutly.
--Shak.
2. Sincerely; solemnly; earnestly.
'T is a consummation Devoutly to be wished. --Shak.
Devoutness \De*vout"ness\, n.
Quality or state of being devout.
Devove \De*vove"\, v. t. [See {Devote}, v. t.]
To devote. [Obs.] --Cowley.
Devow \De*vow"\, v. t. [F. d['e]vouer, L. devovere. See
{Devote}, v. t.]
1. To give up; to devote. [Obs.]
2. [Cf. OF. desvoer. Cf. {Disavow}.] To disavow; to disclaim.
[Obs.] --G. Fletcher.
Devulgarize \De*vul"gar*ize\, v. t.
To free from what is vulgar, common, or narrow.
Shakespeare and Plutarch's ``Lives'' are very
devulgarizing books. --E. A.
Abbott.
Dew \Dew\, n. [AS. de['a]w; akin to D. dauw, G. thau, tau, Icel.
d["o]gg, Sw. dagg, Dan. dug; cf. Skr. dhav, dh[=a]v, to flow.
???. Cf. {Dag} dew.]
1. Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon
their surfaces, particularly at night.
Her tears fell with the dews at even. --Tennyson.
2. Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and in a
refreshing manner. ``The golden dew of sleep.'' --Shak.
3. An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor. ``The dew of his
youth.'' --Longfellow.
Note: Dew is used in combination; as, dew-bespangled,
dew-drenched, dewdrop, etc.
Dew \Dew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dewed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dewing}.]
To wet with dew or as with dew; to bedew; to moisten; as with
dew.
The grasses grew A little ranker since they dewed them
so. --A. B.
Saxton.
Dew \Dew\, a. & n.
Same as {Due}, or {Duty}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dewberry \Dew"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The fruit of certain species of bramble ({Rubus}); in
England, the fruit of {R. c[ae]sius}, which has a
glaucous bloom; in America, that of {R. canadensis} and
{R. hispidus}, species of low blackberries.
(b) The plant which bears the fruit.
Feed him with apricots and dewberries. --Shak.
Dewclaw \Dew"claw`\, n.
In any animal, esp. of the Herbivora, a rudimentary claw or
small hoof not reaching the ground.
Some cut off the dewclaws [of greyhounds]. --J. H.
Walsh.
Dewdrop \Dew"drop`\, n.
A drop of dew. --Shak.
Dewfall \Dew"fall`\, n.
The falling of dew; the time when dew begins to fall.
Dewiness \Dew"i*ness\, n.
State of being dewy.
Dewlap \Dew"lap`\, n. [Dew + lap to lick.]
1. The pendulous skin under the neck of an ox, which laps or
licks the dew in grazing.
2. The flesh upon the human throat, especially when with age.
[Burlesque]
On her withered dewlap pour the ale. --Shak.
Dewlapped \Dew"lapped`\, a.
Furnished with a dewlap.
Dewless \Dew"less\, a.
Having no dew. --Tennyson.
Dew-point \Dew"-point`\, n. (Meteor.)
The temperature at which dew begins to form. It varies with
the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere.
Dewret \Dew"ret`\, v. t. [Dew + ret, v. t.]
To ret or rot by the process called dewretting.
Dewretting \Dew"ret`ting\, n.
Dewrotting; the process of decomposing the gummy matter of
flax and hemp and setting the fibrous part, by exposure on a
sward to dew, rain, and sunshine.
Dewrot \Dew"rot`\, v. t.
To rot, as flax or hemp, by exposure to rain, dew, and sun.
See {Dewretting}.
Dewworm \Dew"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Earthworm}.
Dewy \Dew"y\, a.
1. Pertaining to dew; resembling, consisting of, or moist
with, dew.
A dewy mist Went and watered all the ground.
--Milton.
When dewy eve her curtain draws. --Keble.
2. Falling gently and beneficently, like the dew.
Dewy sleep ambrosial. --Cowper.
3. (Bot.) Resembling a dew-covered surface; appearing as if
covered with dew.
Dexter \Dex"ter\, a. [L.,; akin to Gr. ?, ?, Skr. dakshi?a (cf.
daksh to be strong, suit); Goth. taihswa, OHG. zeso. Cf.
{Dexterous}.]
1. Pertaining to, or situated on, the right hand; right, as
opposed to sinister, or left.
On sounding wings a dexter eagle flew. --Pope.
2. (Her.) On the right-hand side of a shield, i. e., towards
the right hand of its wearer. To a spectator in front, as
in a pictorial representation, this would be the left
side.
{Dexter chief}, or {Dexter point} (Her.), a point in the
dexter upper corner of the shield, being in the dexter
extremity of the chief, as A in the cut.
{Dexter base}, a point in the dexter lower part or base of
the shield, as B in the cut.
Dexterical \Dex*ter"i*cal\, a.
Dexterous. [Obs.]
Dexterity \Dex*ter"i*ty\, n. [L. dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F.
dext['e]rit['e]. See {Dexter}.]
1. Right-handedness.
2. Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease
in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as,
dexterity with the chisel.
In youth quick bearing and dexterity. --Shak.
3. Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers;
quickness and skill in managing any complicated or
difficult affair; adroitness.
His wisdom . . . was turned . . . into a dexterity
to deliver himself. --Bacon.
He had conducted his own defense with singular
boldness and dexterity. --Hallam.
Syn: Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill;
cleverness; art; ability; address; tact; facility;
aptness; aptitude; faculty. See {Skill}.
Dexterous \Dex"ter*ous\, a. [L. dexter. See {Dexter}.] [Written
also {dextrous}.]
1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs;
skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a
dexterous hand; a dexterous workman.
2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients;
expert; as, a dexterous manager.
Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit.
--Pope.
3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous
management. ``Dexterous sleights of hand.'' --Trench.
Syn: Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready;
apt; handy; versed.
Dexterously \Dex"ter*ous*ly\, adv.
In a dexterous manner; skillfully.
Dexterousness \Dex"ter*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being dexterous; dexterity.
Dextrad \Dex"trad\, adv. [L. dextra the right hand + ad to.]
(Anat.)
Toward the right side; dextrally.
Dextral \Dex"tral\, a. [From {Dexter}.]
Right, as opposed to sinistral, or left.
{Dextral shell} (Zo["o]l.), a spiral shell the whorls of
which turn from left right, or like the hands of a watch
when the apex of the spire is toward the eye of the
observer.
Dextrality \Dex*tral"i*ty\, n.
The state of being on the right-hand side; also, the quality
of being right-handed; right-handedness. --Sir T. Browne.
Dextrally \Dex"tral*ly\, adv.
Towards the right; as, the hands of a watch rotate dextrally.
Dextrer \Dex*trer"\, n.
A war horse; a destrer. [Obs.] ``By him baiteth his
dextrer.'' --Chaucer.
Dextrin \Dex"trin\, n. [Cf. F. dextrine, G. dextrin. See
{Dexter}.] (Chem.)
A translucent, gummy, amorphous substance, nearly tasteless
and odorless, used as a substitute for gum, for sizing, etc.,
and obtained from starch by the action of heat, acids, or
diastase. It is of somewhat variable composition, containing
several carbohydrates which change easily to their respective
varieties of sugar. It is so named from its rotating the
plane of polarization to the right; -- called also {British
gum}, {Alsace gum}, {gommelin}, {leiocome}, etc. See
{Achro["o]dextrin}, and {Erythrodextrin}.
Dextro- \Dex"tro-\
A prefix, from L. dexter, meaning, pertaining to, or toward,
the right; (Chem. & Opt.) having the property of turning the
plane of polarized light to the right; as, dextrotartaric
acid.
Dextrogerous \Dex*trog"er*ous\, a. (Physics & Chem.)
See {Dextrogyrate}.
Dextroglucose \Dex`tro*glu"cose`\, n. [Dextro- + glucose.]
(Chem.)
Same as {Dextrose}.
Dextrogyrate \Dex`tro*gy"rate\, a. [Dextro- + gyrate.] (Chem. &
Opt.)
Same as {Dextrorotatory}.
Dextronic \Dex*tron"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, dextrose; as, dextronic acid.
{Dextronic acid}, a sirupy substance obtained by the partial
oxidation of various carbohydrates, as dextrose, etc.
Dextrorotary \Dex`tro*ro"ta*ry\, a. (Physics & Chem.)
See {Dextrotatory}.
Dextrorotatory \Dex`tro*ro"ta*to*ry\, a. [Dextro- + rotatory.]
(Chem. & Opt.)
Turning, or causing to turn, toward the right hand; esp.,
turning the plane of polarization of luminous rays toward the
right hand; as, dextrorotatory crystals, sugars, etc. Cf.
{Levorotatory}.
Dextrorsal \Dex*tror"sal\, Dextrorse \Dex"trorse`\, a. [L.
dextrorsum, contr. fr. dextrovorsum, dextroversum, toward the
right side; dexter right + versus, vorsus, p. p. of vertere,
vortere, to turn.]
Turning from the left to the right, in the ascending line, as
in the spiral inclination of the stem of the common
morning-gl['o]ry.
Note: At present scientists predicate dextrorse or
sinistrorse quality of the plant regarded objectively;
formerly the plant was regarded subjectively, and what
is now called dextrorse was then considered
sinistrorse.
Dextrose \Dex"trose`\, n. [See {Dexter}.] (Chem.)
A sirupy, or white crystalline, variety of sugar, {C6H12O6}
(so called from turning the plane of polarization to the
right), occurring in many ripe fruits. Dextrose and levulose
are obtained by the inversion of cane sugar or sucrose, and
hence called invert sugar. Dextrose is chiefly obtained by
the action of heat and acids on starch, and hence called also
{starch sugar}. It is also formed from starchy food by the
action of the amylolytic ferments of saliva and pancreatic
juice.
Note: The solid products are known to the trade as grape
sugar; the sirupy products as glucose, or mixing sirup.
These are harmless, but are only about half as sweet as
cane or sucrose.
Dextrous \Dex"trous\, a., Dextrously \Dex"trous*ly\, adv.,
Dextrousness \Dex"trous*ness\, n.
Same as {Dexterous}, {Dexterously}, etc.
Dey \Dey\, n. [See {Dairy}.]
A servant who has charge of the dairy; a dairymaid. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Dey \Dey\, n.; pl. {Deys}. [Turk. d[=a]i, orig., a maternal
uncle, then a friendly title formerly given to middle-aged or
old people, especially among the Janizaries; and hence, in
Algiers, consecrated at length to the commanding officer of
that corps, who frequently became afterward pasha or regent
of that province; hence the European misnomer of dey, as
applied to the latter: cf. F. dey.]
The governor of Algiers; -- so called before the French
conquest in 1830.
Deye \Deye\, v. i.
To die. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Deynte \Deyn"te\, Deyntee \Deyn"tee\, n. & a.
See {Dainty}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dezincification \De*zinc`i*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act or process of freeing from zinc; also, the condition
resulting from the removal of zinc.
Dezincify \De*zinc"i*fy\, v. t. [Pref. de- + zinc + -fy.]
To deprive of, or free from, zinc.
Dhole \Dhole\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A fierce, wild dog ({Canis Dukhunensis}), found in the
mountains of India. It is remarkable for its propensity to
hunt the tiger and other wild animals in packs.
Dhony \Dho"ny\, n.
A Ceylonese boat. See {Doni}.
Dhoorra \Dhoor"ra\, Dhourra \Dhour"ra\, or Dhurra \Dhur"ra\, n.
Indian millet. See {Durra}.
Dhow \Dhow\, n. [Ar. d[=a]o?]
A coasting vessel of Arabia, East Africa, and the Indian
Ocean. It has generally but one mast and a lateen sail. [Also
written {dow}.]
Di- \Di-\ [Gr. di`s- twice; akin to ? two, L. bis twice. See
{Two}, and cf. {Bi-}, {Dia-}. The L. pref. dis- sometimes
assumes the form di-. See {Dis-}.]
A prefix, signifying twofold, double, twice; (Chem.) denoting
two atoms, radicals, groups, or equivalents, as the case may
be. See {Bi-}, 2.
Dia- \Di"a-\, Di- \Di-\ . [Gr. dia` through; orig., dividing
into two parts; akin to ? two. See {Two}, and cf. 1st {Di-}.]
A prefix denoting through; also, between, apart, asunder,
across. Before a vowel dia-becomes di-; as, diactinic;
dielectric, etc.
Diabase \Di"a*base\, n. [F. diabase, fr. Gr. ? a crossing or
passing over, fr. ?; ? + ? to go; -- so called by Brongniart,
because it passes over to diorite.] (Min.)
A basic, dark-colored, holocrystalline, igneous rock,
consisting essentially of a triclinic feldspar and pyroxene
with magnetic iron; -- often limited to rocks pretertiary in
age. It includes part of what was early called greenstone.
Diabaterial \Di*ab`a*te"ri*al\, a. [Gr. ? ? (sc. ?) offerings
before crossing the border, fr. ? to pass over. See
{Diabase}.]
Passing over the borders. [R.] --Mitford.
Diabetes \Di`a*be"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ? to pass or
cross over. See {Diabase}.] (Med.)
A disease which is attended with a persistent, excessive
discharge of urine. Most frequently the urine is not only
increased in quantity, but contains saccharine matter, in
which case the disease is generally fatal.
{Diabetes mellitus} [NL., sweet diabetes], that form of
diabetes in which the urine contains saccharine matter.
{Diabetes insipidus} [NL., lit., diabetes], the form of
diabetes in which the urine contains no abnormal
constituent.
Diabetic \Di`a*bet"ic\, Diabetical \Di`a*bet"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to diabetes; as, diabetic or diabetical treatment.
--Quian.
{Diabetic sugar}. (Chem.) Same as {Dextrose}.
Diablerie \Dia`ble*rie"\, Diabley \Di*ab"le*y\, n. [F.
diablerie, fr. diable devil, L. diabolus. See {Devil}.]
Devilry; sorcery or incantation; a diabolical deed; mischief.
Diabolic \Di`a*bol"ic\, Diabolical \Di`a*bol"ic*al\, a. [L.
diabolicus, Gr. ? devilish, slanderous: cf. F. diabolique.
See {Devil}.]
Pertaining to the devil; resembling, or appropriate, or
appropriate to, the devil; devilish; infernal; impious;
atrocious; nefarious; outrageously wicked; as, a diabolic or
diabolical temper or act. ``Diabolic power.'' --Milton. ``The
diabolical institution.'' --Motley. -- {Di`a*bol"ic*al*ly},
adv. -- {Di`a*bol"ic*al*ness}, n.
Diabolify \Di`a*bol"i*fy\, v. t. [L. diabolus devil + -fy.]
To ascribed diabolical qualities to; to change into, or to
represent as, a devil. [R.] --Farindon.
Diabolism \Di*ab"o*lism\, n.
1. Character, action, or principles appropriate to the devil.
2. Possession by the devil. --Bp. Warburton.
Diabolize \Di*ab"o*lize\, v. t.
To render diabolical. [R.]
Diacatholicon \Di`a*ca*thol"i*con\, n. [Pref. dia- +
catholicon.] (Med.)
A universal remedy; -- name formerly to a purgative
electuary.
Diacaustic \Di`a*caus"tic\, a. [Pref. dia- + caustic.] (Opt.)
Pertaining to, or possessing the properties of, a species of
caustic curves formed by refraction. See {Caustic surface},
under {Caustic}.
Diacaustic \Di`a*caus"tic\, n.
1. (Med.) That which burns by refraction, as a double convex
lens, or the sun's rays concentrated by such a lens,
sometimes used as a cautery.
2. (Math.) A curved formed by the consecutive intersections
of rays of light refracted through a lens.
Diachylon \Di*ach"y*lon\, Diachylum \Di*ach"y*lum\, n. [NL.
diachylum, fr. Gr. ? very juicy; dia` thoroughly + ? juice.]
(Med. & Chem.)
A plaster originally composed of the juices of several plants
(whence its name), but now made of an oxide of lead and oil,
and consisting essentially of glycerin mixed with lead salts
of the fat acids.
Diacid \Di*ac"id\, a. [Pref. di- + acid.] (Chem.)
Divalent; -- said of a base or radical as capable of
saturating two acid monad radicals or a dibasic acid. Cf.
{Dibasic}, a., and {Biacid}.
Diacodium \Di`a*co"di*um\, n. [L., from Gr. ? ? from poppy
heads; dia` through, from + ? head, a poppy head.]
A sirup made of poppies.
Diaconal \Di*ac"o*nal\, a. [LL. diaconalis: cf. F. diaconal. Cf.
{Deacon}.]
Of or pertaining to a deacon.
Diaconate \Di*ac"o*nate\, n. [L. diaconatus: cf. F. diaconat.]
The office of a deacon; deaconship; also, a body or board of
deacons.
Diaconate \Di*ac"o*nate\, a.
Governed by deacons. ``Diaconate church.'' --T. Goodwin.
Diacope \Di*ac"o*pe\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a cutting in two; dia`
through + ?.] (Gram.)
Tmesis.
Diacoustic \Di`a*cous"tic\, a. [Pref. di- + acoustic.]
Pertaining to the science or doctrine of refracted sounds.
Diacoustics \Di`a*cous"tics\, n. [Cf. F. diacoustique.]
That branch of natural philosophy which treats of the
properties of sound as affected by passing through different
mediums; -- called also {diaphonics}. See the Note under
{Acoustics}.
Diacritic \Di`a*crit"ic\, Diacritical \Di`a*crit"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
?, fr. ? to separate, distinguish; dia` through + ? to
separate. See {Critic}.]
That separates or distinguishes; -- applied to points or
marks used to distinguish letters of similar form, or
different sounds of the same letter, as, [=a], [a^], ["a],
[=o], [o^], etc. ``Diacritical points.'' --Sir W. Jones.
A glance at this typography will reveal great
difficulties, which diacritical marks necessarily throw
in the way of both printer and writer. --A. J. Ellis.
Diactinic \Di`ac*tin"ic\, a. [Pref. di- + actinic.] (Physics)
Capable of transmitting the chemical or actinic rays of
light; as, diactinic media.
Diadelphia \Di`a*del"phi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s-
twice + ? brother.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants whose stamens are united into
two bodies or bundles by their filaments.
Diadelphian \Di`a*del"phi*an\, Diadelphous \Di`a*del"phous\, a.
[Cf. F. diadelphe.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the class Diadelphia; having the stamens
united into two bodies by their filaments (said of a plant or
flower); grouped into two bundles or sets by coalescence of
the filaments (said of stamens).
Diadem \Di"a*dem\, n. [F. diad[`e]me, L. diadema, fr. Gr. ?, fr.
? to bind round; dia` through, across + ? to bind; cf. Skr.
d[=a] to bind.]
1. Originally, an ornamental head band or fillet, worn by
Eastern monarchs as a badge of royalty; hence (later),
also, a crown, in general. ``The regal diadem.'' --Milton.
2. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered as
symbolized by the crown.
3. (Her.) An arch rising from the rim of a crown (rarely also
of a coronet), and uniting with others over its center.
{Diadem lemur}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Indri}.
{Diadem spider} (Zo["o]l.), the garden spider.
Diadem \Di"a*dem\, v. t.
To adorn with a diadem; to crown.
Not so, when diadem'd with rays divine. --Pope.
To terminate the evil, To diadem the right. --R. H.
Neale.
Diadrom \Di"a*drom\, n. [Gr. ? a running through; dia` through +
?, used as inf. aor. of ? to run.]
A complete course or vibration; time of vibration, as of a
pendulum. [Obs.] --Locke.
Diaeresis \Di*[ae]r"e*sis\, Dieresis \Di*er"e*sis\ (?; 277), n.;
pl. {Di[ae]reses} or {Diereses}. [L. diaeresis, Gr. ?, fr. ?
to divide; dia` through, asunder + ? to take. See {Heresy}.]
1. (Gram.) The separation or resolution of one syllable into
two; -- the opposite of syn[ae]resis.
2. A mark consisting of two dots [[umlaut]], placed over the
second of two adjacent vowels, to denote that they are to
be pronounced as distinct letters; as, co["o]perate,
a["e]rial.
Diaeretic \Di`[ae]*ret"ic\, a. [Gr. ? dividing.] (Med.)
Caustic. [Obs.]
Diageotropic \Di`a*ge`o*trop"ic\, a. [Gr. dia` through, at
variance + ? earth + ? turning.] (Bot.)
Relating to, or exhibiting, diageotropism.
Diageotropism \Di`a*ge*ot"ro*pism\, n. (Bot.)
The tendency of organs (as roots) of plants to assume a
position oblique or transverse to a direction towards the
center of the earth.
Diaglyph \Di"a*glyph\, n. [Gr. ? to engrave; dia` through + ? to
carve.]
An intaglio. --Mollett.
Diaglyphic \Di`a*glyph"ic\, Diaglyphtic \Di`a*glyph"tic\, a.
Represented or formed by depressions in the general surface;
as, diaglyphic sculpture or engraving; -- opposed to
{anaglyphic}.
Diagnose \Di`ag*nose"\, v. t. & i.
To ascertain by diagnosis; to diagnosticate. See
{Diagnosticate}.
Diagnosis \Di`ag*no"sis\, n.; pl. {Diagnoses}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?,
fr. ? to distinguish; dia` through, asunder + ? to know. See
{Know}.]
1. (Med.) The art or act of recognizing the presence of
disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding as to its
character; also, the decision arrived at.
2. Scientific determination of any kind; the concise
description of characterization of a species.
3. Critical perception or scrutiny; judgment based on such
scrutiny; esp., perception of, or judgment concerning,
motives and character.
The quick eye for effects, the clear diagnosis of
men's minds, and the love of epigram. --Compton
Reade.
My diagnosis of his character proved correct. --J.
Payn.
{Differential diagnosis} (Med.), the determination of the
distinguishing characteristics as between two similar
diseases or conditions.
Diagnostic \Di`ag*nos"tic\, a. [Gr. ? able to distinguish, fr.
?: cf. F. diagnostique.]
Pertaining to, or furnishing, a diagnosis; indicating the
nature of a disease.
Diagnostic \Di`ag*nos"tic\, n.
The mark or symptom by which one disease is known or
distinguished from others.
Diagnosticate \Di`ag*nos"ti*cate\, v. t. & i. [From
{Diagnostic}.]
To make a diagnosis of; to recognize by its symptoms, as a
disease.
Diagnostics \Di`ag*nos"tics\, n.
That part of medicine which has to do with ascertaining the
nature of diseases by means of their symptoms or signs.
His rare skill in diagnostics. --Macaulay.
Diagometer \Di`a*gom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? to transmit + -meter.]
A sort of electroscope, invented by Rousseau, in which the
dry pile is employed to measure the amount of electricity
transmitted by different bodies, or to determine their
conducting power. --Nichol.
Diagonal \Di*ag"o*nal\, a. [L. diagonalis, fr. Gr. ? from to
angle; dia` through + ? an angle; perh. akin to E. knee: cf.
F. diagonal.] (Geom.)
Joining two not adjacent angles of a quadrilateral or
multilateral figure; running across from corner to corner;
crossing at an angle with one of the sides.
{Diagonal bond} (Masonry), herringbone work. See
{Herringbone}, a.
{Diagonal built} (Shipbuilding), built by forming the outer
skin of two layers of planking, making angles of about
45[deg] with the keel, in opposite directions.
{Diagonal cleavage}. See under {Cleavage}.
{Diagonal molding} (Arch.), a chevron or zigzag molding.
{Diagonal rib}. (Arch.) See {Cross-springer}.
{Diagonal scale}, a scale which consists of a set of parallel
lines, with other lines crossing them obliquely, so that
their intersections furnish smaller subdivisions of the
unit of measure than could be conveniently marked on a
plain scale.
{Diagonal stratification}. (Geol.) Same as {Cross bedding},
under {Cross}, a.
Diagonal \Di*ag"o*nal\, n.
1. A right line drawn from one angle to another not adjacent,
of a figure of four or more sides, and dividing it into
two parts.
2. (Engin.) A member, in a framed structure, running
obliquely across a panel.
3. A diagonal cloth; a kind of cloth having diagonal stripes,
ridges, or welts made in the weaving.
Diagonally \Di*ag"o*nal*ly\, adv.
In a diagonal direction.
Diagonial \Di`a*go"ni*al\, a.
Diagonal; diametrical; hence; diametrically opposed. [Obs.]
Sin can have no tenure by law at all, but is rather an
eternal outlaw, and in hostility with law past all
atonement; both diagonal contraries, as much allowing
one another as day and night together in one
hemisphere. --Milton.
Diagram \Di"a*gram\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to mark out by lines; dia`
through + ? to draw, write: cf. F. diagramme. See {Graphic}.]
1. (Geom.) A figure or drawing made to illustrate a
statement, or facilitate a demonstration; a plan.
2. Any simple drawing made for mathematical or scientific
purposes, or to assist a verbal explanation which refers
to it; a mechanical drawing, as distinguished from an
artistical one.
{Indicator diagram}. (Steam Engine) See {Indicator card},
under {indicator}
Diagram \Di"a*gram\, v. t.
To put into the form of a diagram.
Diagrammatic \Di`a*gram*mat"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a diagram; showing by
diagram. -- {Di`a*gram*mat"ic*ly}, adv.
Diagraph \Di"a*graph\, n. [Gr. ? to draw: cf. F. diagraphe. See
{Diagram}.]
A drawing instrument, combining a protractor and scale.
Diagraphic \Di`a*graph"ic\, Diagraphical \Di`a*graph"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. diagraphique.]
Descriptive.
Diagraphics \Di`a*graph"ics\, n.
The art or science of descriptive drawing; especially, the
art or science of drawing by mechanical appliances and
mathematical rule.
Diaheliotropic \Di`a*he`li*o*trop"ic\, a. [Gr. ? through, at
variance + ? sun + ? turning.] (Bot.)
Relating or, or manifesting, diaheliotropism.
Diaheliotropism \Di`a*he`li*ot"ro*pism\, n. (Bot.)
A tendency of leaves or other organs of plants to have their
dorsal surface faced towards the rays of light.
Dial \Di"al\, n. [LL. dialis daily, fr. L. dies day. See
{Deity}.]
1. An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of
day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated
arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and
astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to
the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either
horizontal or vertical.
2. The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the time of
day is shown by pointers or hands.
3. A miner's compass.
{Dial bird} (Zo["o]l.), an Indian bird ({Copsychus
saularius}), allied to the European robin. The name is
also given to other related species.
{Dial lock}, a lock provided with one or more plates having
numbers or letters upon them. These plates must be
adjusted in a certain determined way before the lock can
be operated.
{Dial plate}, the plane or disk of a dial or timepiece on
which lines and figures for indicating the time are
placed.
Dial \Di"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dialed}or {Dialled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dialing} or {Dialling}.]
1. To measure with a dial.
Hours of that true time which is dialed in heaven.
--Talfourd.
2. (Mining) To survey with a dial. --Raymond.
Dialect \Di"a*lect\, n. [F. dialecte, L. dialectus, fr. Gr. ?,
fr. ? to converse, discourse. See {Dialogue}.]
1. Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language; tongue;
form of speech.
This book is writ in such a dialect As may the minds
of listless men affect. Bunyan. The universal
dialect of the world. --South.
2. The form of speech of a limited region or people, as
distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a
variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized
by local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the
Ionic and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire
dialect; the dialect of the learned.
In the midst of this Babel of dialects there
suddenly appeared a standard English language.
--Earle.
[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every
quarter in their native dialect. --Prescott.
Syn: Language; idiom; tongue; speech; phraseology. See
{Language}, and {Idiom}.
Dialectal \Di`a*lec"tal\, a.
Relating to a dialect; dialectical; as, a dialectical
variant.
Dialectic \Di`a*lec"tic\, n.
Same as {Dialectics}.
Plato placed his dialectic above all sciences.
--Liddell &
Scott.
Dialectic \Di`a*lec"tic\, Dialectical \Di`a*lec"tic*al\, a. [L.
dialecticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. dialectique. See {Dialect}.]
1. Pertaining to dialectics; logical; argumental.
2. Pertaining to a dialect or to dialects. --Earle.
Dialectically \Di`a*lec"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a dialectical manner.
Dialectician \Di`a*lec*ti"cian\, n. [Cf. F. dialecticien.]
One versed in dialectics; a logician; a reasoner.
Dialectics \Di`a*lec"tics\, n. [L. dialectica (sc. ars), Gr. ?
(sc. ?): cf. F. dialectique.]
That branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of
reasoning; the application of logical principles to
discursive reasoning; the science or art of discriminating
truth from error; logical discussion.
Note: Dialectics was defined by Aristotle to be the method of
arguing with probability on any given problem, and of
defending a tenet without inconsistency. By Plato, it
was used in the following senses:
1. Discussion by dialogue as a method of scientific
investigation.
2. The method of investigating the truth by analysis.
3. The science of ideas or of the nature and laws of being --
higher metaphysics. By Kant, it was employed to signify
the logic of appearances or illusions, whether these arise
from accident or error, or from those necessary
limitations which, according to this philosopher,
originate in the constitution of the human intellect.
Dialectology \Di`a*lec*tol"o*gy\, n. [Dialect + -logy.]
That branch of philology which is devoted to the
consideration of dialects. --Beck.
Dialector \Di`a*lec"tor\, n.
One skilled in dialectics.
Dialing \Di"al*ing\, n.
1. The art of constructing dials; the science which treats of
measuring time by dials. [Written also {dialling}.]
2. A method of surveying, especially in mines, in which the
bearings of the courses, or the angles which they make
with each other, are determined by means of the
circumferentor.
Dialist \Di"al*ist\, n.
A maker of dials; one skilled in dialing.
Diallage \Di*al"la*ge\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? interchange, change,
fr. ? to interchange.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which arguments are placed in various points of
view, and then turned to one point. --Smart.
Diallage \Di"al*lage\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ? change, alluding to
the change and inequality of luster between the natural
joints of the mineral.] (Min.)
A dark green or bronze-colored laminated variety of pyroxene,
common in certain igneous rocks.
Diallel \Di"al*lel\, a. [Gr. ? crossing.]
Meeting and intersecting, as lines; not parallel; -- opposed
to {parallel}. [Obs.] --Ash.
Diallyl \Di*al"lyl\, n. (Chem.)
A volatile, pungent, liquid hydrocarbon, {C6H10}, consisting
of two allyl radicals, and belonging to the acetylene series.
Dialogical \Di`a*log"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ? belonging to discourse.]
Relating to a dialogue; dialogistical. --Burton.
Dialogically \Di`a*log"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner or nature of a dialogue. --Goldsmith.
Dialogism \Di*al"o*gism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. dialogisme.
See {Dialogue}.]
An imaginary speech or discussion between two or more;
dialogue. --Fulke.
Dialogist \Di*al"o*gist\, n. [L. dialogista: cf. F. dialogiste.]
1. A speaker in a dialogue.
2. A writer of dialogues. --P. Skelton.
Dialogistic \Di*al`o*gis"tic\, Dialogistical
\Di*al`o*gis"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to a dialogue; having the form or nature of a
dialogue. -- {Di*al`o*gis"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Dialogite \Di*al"o*gite\, n. [From Gr. ? an arguing.] (Min.)
Native carbonate of manganese; rhodochrosite.
Dialogize \Di*al"o*gize\, v. t. [Gr. ?: cf. F. dialogiser.]
To discourse in dialogue. --Fotherby.
Dialogue \Di"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [OE. dialogue, L. dialogus,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to converse, dia` through + ? to speak: cf.
F. dialogue. See {Legend}.]
1. A conversation between two or more persons; particularly,
a formal conservation in theatrical performances or in
scholastic exercises.
2. A written composition in which two or more persons are
represented as conversing or reasoning on some topic; as,
the Dialogues of Plato.
Dialogue \Di"a*logue\, v. i. [Cf. F. dialoguer.]
To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize. [R.] --Shak.
Dialogue \Di"a*logue\, v. t.
To express as in dialogue. [R.]
And dialogued for him what he would say. --Shak.
Dialypetalous \Di`al*y*pet"al*ous\, a. [Gr. dia` through,
asunder + ? to loose + ? leaf.] (Bot.)
Having separate petals; polypetalous.
Dialysis \Di*al"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Dialyses}. [L., separation, fr.
Gr. ?, fr. ? to part asunder, dissolve; dia` through + ? to
loose.]
1. (Gram.) Di[ae]resis. See {Di[ae]resis}, 1.
2. (Rhet.) Same as {Asyndeton}.
3. (Med.)
(a) Debility.
(b) A solution of continuity; division; separation of
parts.
4. (Chem.) The separation of different substances in
solution, as crystalloids and colloids, by means of their
unequal diffusion, especially through natural or
artificial membranes.
Dialytic \Di`a*lyt"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ?. See {Dialysis}.]
Having the quality of unloosing or separating. --Clarke.
{Dialytic telescope}, an achromatic telescope in which the
colored dispersion produced by a single object lens of
crown glass is corrected by a smaller concave lens, or
combination of lenses, of high dispersive power, placed at
a distance in the narrower part of the converging cone of
rays, usually near the middle of the tube.
Dialyzate \Di*al"y*zate\, n. (Chem.)
The material subjected to dialysis.
Dialyzation \Di`a*ly*za"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or process of dialysis.
Dialyze \Di"a*lyze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dialyzed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dialyzing}.] (Chem.)
To separate, prepare, or obtain, by dialysis or osmose; to
pass through an animal membrane; to subject to dialysis.
[Written also {dialyse}.]
Dialyzed \Di"a*lyzed\, a.
Prepared by diffusion through an animal membrane; as,
dialyzed iron.
Dialyzer \Di"a*ly`zer\, n.
The instrument or medium used to effect chemical dialysis.
Diamagnet \Di`a*mag"net\, n. [Pref. dia- + magnet.]
A body having diamagnetic polarity.
Diamagnetic \Di`a*mag*net"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or exhibiting the phenomena of, diamagnetism;
taking, or being of a nature to take, a position at right
angles to the lines of magnetic force. See {Paramagnetic}.
{Diamagnetic attraction}. See under {Attraction}.
Diamagnetic \Di`a*mag*net"ic\, n.
Any substance, as bismuth, glass, phosphorous, etc., which in
a field of magnetic force is differently affected from the
ordinary magnetic bodies, as iron; that is, which tends to
take a position at right angles to the lines of magnetic
force, and is repelled by either pole of the magnet.
Diamagnetically \Di`a*mag*net"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of, or according to, diamagnetism.
Diamagnetism \Di`a*mag"net*ism\, n.
1. The science which treats of diamagnetic phenomena, and of
the properties of diamagnetic bodies.
2. That form or condition of magnetic action which
characterizes diamagnetics.
Diamantiferous \Di`a*man*tif"er*ous\, a. [F. diamant diamond +
-ferous.]
Yielding diamonds.
Diamantine \Di`a*man"tine\, a.
Adamantine. [Obs.]
Diameter \Di*am"e*ter\, n. [F. diam[`e]tre, L. diametros, fr.
Gr. ?; dia` through + ? measure. See {Meter}.]
1. (Geom.)
(a) Any right line passing through the center of a figure
or body, as a circle, conic section, sphere, cube,
etc., and terminated by the opposite boundaries; a
straight line which bisects a system of parallel
chords drawn in a curve.
(b) A diametral plane.
2. The length of a straight line through the center of an
object from side to side; width; thickness; as, the
diameter of a tree or rock.
Note: In an elongated object the diameter is usually taken at
right angles to the longer axis.
3. (Arch.) The distance through the lower part of the shaft
of a column, used as a standard measure for all parts of
the order. See {Module}.
{Conjugate diameters}. See under {Conjugate}.
Diametral \Di*am"e*tral\, a. [Gr. F. diam['e]tral.]
Pertaining to a diameter; diametrical.
{Diametral curve}, {Diametral surface} (Geom.), any line or
surface which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in
a curve or surface.
{Diametral planes} (Crystal.), planes in which two of the
axes lie.
Diametral \Di*am"e*tral\, n.
A diameter. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Diametrally \Di*am"e*tral*ly\, adv.
Diametrically.
Diametric \Di*am"e*tric\, Diametrical \Di*am"e*tric*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a diameter.
2. As remote as possible, as if at the opposite end of a
diameter; directly adverse.
Diametrically \Di*am"e*tric*al*ly\, adv.
In a diametrical manner; directly; as, diametrically
opposite.
Whose principles were diametrically opposed to his.
--Macaulay.
Diamide \Di*am"ide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + amide.] (Chem.)
Any compound containing two amido groups united with one or
more acid or negative radicals, -- as distinguished from a
diamine. Cf. Amido acid, under {Amido}, and Acid amide, under
{Amide}.
Diamido- \Di*am"i*do-\, a. (Chem.)
A prefix or combining form of {Diamine}.
Note: [Also used adjectively.]
Diamine \Di*am"ine\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + amine.] (Chem.)
A compound containing two amido groups united with one or
more basic or positive radicals, -- as contrasted with a
diamide.
Note: In chemical nomenclature, if any amine or diamine is
named by prefixing the nitrogen group, the name of the
latter takes the form of amido, diamido, etc., thus
ethylene diamine, {C2H4.(NH2)2}, is also called
diamido-ethylene.
Diamond \Di"a*mond\ (?; 277), n. [OE. diamaund, diamaunt, F.
diamant, corrupted, fr. L. adamas, the hardest iron, steel,
diamond, Gr. ?. Perh. the corruption is due to the influence
of Gr. ? transparent. See {Adamant}, {Tame}.]
1. A precious stone or gem excelling in brilliancy and
beautiful play of prismatic colors, and remarkable for
extreme hardness.
Note: The diamond is native carbon in isometric crystals,
often octahedrons with rounded edges. It is usually
colorless, but some are yellow, green, blue, and even
black. It is the hardest substance known. The diamond
as found in nature (called a rough diamond) is cut, for
use in jewelry, into various forms with many reflecting
faces, or facets, by which its brilliancy is much
increased. See {Brilliant}, {Rose}. Diamonds are said
to be of the first water when very transparent, and of
the second or third water as the transparency
decreases.
2. A geometrical figure, consisting of four equal straight
lines, and having two of the interior angles acute and two
obtuse; a rhombus; a lozenge.
3. One of a suit of playing cards, stamped with the figure of
a diamond.
4. (Arch.) A pointed projection, like a four-sided pyramid,
used for ornament in lines or groups.
5. (Baseball) The infield; the square space, 90 feet on a
side, having the bases at its angles.
6. (Print.) The smallest kind of type in English printing,
except that called brilliant, which is seldom seen.
Note: [hand] This line is printed in the type called
{Diamond}.
{Black diamond}, coal; (Min.) See {Carbonado}.
{Bristol diamond}. See {Bristol stone}, under {Bristol}.
{Diamond beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a large South American weevil
({Entimus imperialis}), remarkable for its splendid luster
and colors, due to minute brilliant scales.
{Diamond bird} (Zo["o]l.), a small Australian bird
({Pardalotus punctatus}, family {Ampelid[ae]}.). It is
black, with white spots.
{Diamond drill} (Engin.), a rod or tube the end of which is
set with black diamonds; -- used for perforating hard
substances, esp. for boring in rock.
{Diamond finch} (Zo["o]l.), a small Australian sparrow, often
kept in a cage. Its sides are black, with conspicuous
white spots, and the rump is bright carmine.
{Diamond groove} (Iron Working), a groove of V-section in a
roll.
{Diamond mortar} (Chem.), a small steel mortar used for
pulverizing hard substances.
{Diamond-point tool}, a cutting tool whose point is
diamond-shaped.
{Diamond snake} (Zo["o]l.), a harmless snake of Australia
({Morelia spilotes}); the carpet snake.
{Glazier's diamond}, a small diamond set in a glazier's tool,
for cutting glass.
Diamond \Di"a*mond\ (?; 277), a.
Resembling a diamond; made of, or abounding in, diamonds; as,
a diamond chain; a diamond field.
Diamond-back \Di"a*mond-back`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The salt-marsh terrapin of the Atlantic coast ({Malacoclemmys
palustris}).
Diamonded \Di"a*mond*ed\, a.
1. Having figures like a diamond or lozenge.
2. Adorned with diamonds; diamondized. --Emerson.
Diamondize \Di"a*mond*ize\, v. t.
To set with diamonds; to adorn; to enrich. [R.]
Diamondizing of your subject. --B. Jonson.
Diamond-shaped \Di"a*mond-shaped`\, a.
Shaped like a diamond or rhombus.
Diamylene \Di*am"y*lene\, n. [Pref. di- + amylene.] (Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon, {C10H20}, of the ethylene series,
regarded as a polymeric form of amylene.
Dian \Di"an\, a.
Diana. [Poetic]
Diana \Di*a"na\, n. [L. Diana.] (Myth.)
The daughter of Jupiter and Latona; a virgin goddess who
presided over hunting, chastity, and marriage; -- identified
with the Greek goddess {Artemis}.
And chaste Diana haunts the forest shade. --Pope.
{Diana monkey} (Zo["o]l.), a handsome, white-bearded monkey
of West Africa ({Cercopithecus Diana}).
Diandria \Di*an"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice +
?, ?, a man, a male.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants having two stamens.
Diandrian \Di*an"dri*an\, a.
Diandrous.
Diandrous \Di*an"drous\, n. [Cf. F. diandre.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the class Diandria; having two stamens.
Dianium \Di*a"ni*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. Diana; either as the name
of the Roman goddess, or from its use in OE. as a name of
silver.] (Chem.)
Same as {Columbium}. [Obs.]
Dianoetic \Di`a*no*et"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; dia` through + ? to
revolve in the mind.] (Metaph.)
Pertaining to the discursive faculty, its acts or products.
I would employ . . . dianoetic to denote the operation
of the discursive, elaborative, or comparative faculty.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
Dianoialogy \Di`a*noi*al"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? thought + -logy.]
The science of the dianoetic faculties, and their operations.
--Sir W. Hamilton.
Dianthus \Di*an"thus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, gen. ?, Zeus + ?
flower.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants containing some of the most popular of
cultivated flowers, including the pink, carnation, and Sweet
William.
Diapase \Di"a*pase\, n.
Same as {Diapason}. [Obs.]
A tuneful diapase of pleasures. --Spenser.
Diapasm \Di"a*pasm\, n. [L. diapasma, Gr. ?, fr. ?; dia` through
+ ? to sprinkle: cf. F. diapasme.]
Powdered aromatic herbs, sometimes made into little balls and
strung together. [Obs.]
Diapason \Di`a*pa"son\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? (i. e., ? ? ? the
concord of the first and last notes, the octave); dia`
through + ?, gen. pl. of ? all: cf. F. diapason. Cf.
{Panacea}.]
1. (Gr. Mus.) The octave, or interval which includes all the
tones of the diatonic scale.
2. Concord, as of notes an octave apart; harmony.
The fair music that all creatures made . . . In
perfect diapason. --Milton.
3. The entire compass of tones.
Through all the compass of the notes it ran, The
diapason closing full in man. --Dryden.
4. A standard of pitch; a tuning fork; as, the French normal
diapason.
5. One of certain stops in the organ, so called because they
extend through the scale of the instrument. They are of
several kinds, as {open diapason}, {stopped diapason},
{double diapason}, and the like.
Diapedesis \Di`a*pe*de"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a leaping or
oozing through, fr. ? to leap through; dia` through + ? to
leap.] (Med.)
The passage of the corpuscular elements of the blood from the
blood vessels into the surrounding tissues, without rupture
of the walls of the blood vessels.
Diapente \Di`a*pen"te\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a fifth; dia` through
+ ? five: cf. F. diapente.]
1. (Anc. Mus.) The interval of the fifth.
2. (Med.) A composition of five ingredients.
Diaper \Di"a*per\, n. [OF. diaspre, diapre, diaspe, sort of
figured cloth, It. diaspro jasper, diaspo figured cloth, from
L. jaspis a green-colored precious stone. See {Jasper}.]
1. Any textile fabric (esp. linen or cotton toweling) woven
in diaper pattern. See 2.
2. (Fine Arts) Surface decoration of any sort which consists
of the constant repetition of one or more simple figures
or units of design evenly spaced.
3. A towel or napkin for wiping the hands, etc.
Let one attend him with a silver basin, . . .
Another bear the ewer, the third a diaper. --Shak.
4. An infant's breechcloth.
Diaper \Di"a*per\, v. t.
1. To ornament with figures, etc., arranged in the pattern
called diaper, as cloth in weaving. ``Diapered light.''
--H. Van Laun.
Engarlanded and diapered With in wrought flowers.
--Tennyson.
2. To put a diaper on (a child).
Diaper \Di"a*per\, v. i.
To draw flowers or figures, as upon cloth. ``If you diaper on
folds.'' --Peacham.
Diapering \Di"a*per*ing\, n.
Same as {Diaper}, n., 2.
Diaphane \Di"a*phane\, n. [Cf. F. diaphane diaphanous. See
{Diaphanous}.]
A woven silk stuff with transparent and colored figures;
diaper work.
Diaphaned \Di"a*phaned\, a. [Cf. OF. diaphaner to make
transparent. See {Diaphanous}.]
Transparent or translucent. [R.]
Diaphaneity \Di`a*pha*ne"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. diaphan['e]it['e].
See {Diaphanous}.]
The quality of being diaphanous; transparency; pellucidness.
Diaphanic \Di`a*phan"ic\, a. [See {Diaphanous}.]
Having power to transmit light; transparent; diaphanous.
Diaphanie \Di*aph"a*nie\, n.
The art of imitating ??ined glass with translucent paper.
Diaphanometer \Di`a*pha*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? transparent +
-meter.]
An instrument for measuring the transparency of the air.
Diaphanoscope \Di`a*phan"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? transparent +
-scope.] (Photog.)
A dark box constructed for viewing transparent pictures, with
or without a lens.
Diaphanotype \Di`a*phan"o*type\, n. [Gr. ? transparent + -type.]
(Photog.)
A colored photograph produced by superimposing a translucent
colored positive over a strong uncolored one.
Diaphanous \Di*aph"a*nous\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to show or shine
through; dia` through + ? to show, and in the passive, to
shine: cf. F. diaphane. See {Phantom}, and cf. {Diaphane},
{Diaphanic}.]
Allowing light to pass through, as porcelain; translucent or
transparent; pellucid; clear.
Another cloud in the region of them, light enough to be
fantastic and diaphanous. --Landor.
Diaphanously \Di*aph"a*nous*ly\, adv.
Translucently.
Diaphemetric \Di*aph`e*met"ric\, a. [Gr. dia` through + ? touch
+ ? measure.] (Physiol.)
Relating to the measurement of the tactile sensibility of
parts; as, diaphemetric compasses. --Dunglison.
Diaphonic \Di`a*phon"ic\, Diaphonical \Di`a*phon"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
dia` through + ? sound, tone.]
Diacoustic.
Diaphonics \Di`a*phon"ics\, n.
The doctrine of refracted sound; diacoustics.
Diaphoresis \Di`a*pho*re"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to carry
through, to throw off by perspiration; dia` through + ? to
carry.] (Med.)
Perspiration, or an increase of perspiration.
Diaphoretic \Di`a*pho*ret"ic\, Diaphoretical
\Di`a*pho*ret"ic*al\, a. [L. diaphoreticus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
diaphor['e]tique. See {Diaphoresis}.]
Having the power to increase perspiration.
Diaphoretic \Di`a*pho*ret"ic\, n. (Med.)
A medicine or agent which promotes perspiration.
Note: Diaphoretics differ from sudorifics; the former only
increase the insensible perspiration, the latter excite
the sensible discharge called sweat. --Parr.
Diaphote \Di"a*phote\, n. [Pref. dia- + Gr. ?, light.] (Elec.)
An instrument designed for transmitting pictures by
telegraph. --Fallows.
Diaphragm \Di"a*phragm\, n. [L. diaphragma, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
fence by a partition wall; dia` through + ?, ?, to fence,
inclose; prob. akin to L. fareire to stuff: cf. F.
diaphragme. See {Farce}.]
1. A dividing membrane or thin partition, commonly with an
opening through it.
2. (Anat.) The muscular and tendinous partition separating
the cavity of the chest from that of the abdomen; the
midriff.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A calcareous plate which divides the cavity of
certain shells into two parts.
4. (Opt.) A plate with an opening, which is generally
circular, used in instruments to cut off marginal portions
of a beam of light, as at the focus of a telescope.
5. (Mach.) A partition in any compartment, for various
purposes.
{Diaphragm pump}, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the
place of a piston.
Diaphragmatic \Di`a*phrag*mat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. diaphragmatique.]
Pertaining to a diaphragm; as, diaphragmatic respiration; the
diaphragmatic arteries and nerves.
Diaphysis \Di*aph"y*sis\, n. [Gr. ? a growing through; dia`
through + ? to bring forth.]
1. (Bot.) An abnormal prolongation of the axis of
inflorescence.
2. (Anat.) The shaft, or main part, of a bone, which is first
ossified.
Diapnoic \Di`ap*no"ic\, a. [Gr. ? outlet for the wind,
exhalation, fr. ? to blow through; dia` through + ? to blow,
breathe: cf. F. diapno["i]que.] (Med.)
Slightly increasing an insensible perspiration; mildly
diaphoretic. -- n. A gentle diaphoretic.
Diapophysical \Di*ap`o*phys"ic*al\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to a diapophysis.
Diapophysis \Di`a*poph"y*sis\, n. [NL. See {Dia-}, and
{Apophysis}.] (Anat.)
The dorsal transverse, or tubercular, process of a vertebra.
See {Vertebra}.
Diarchy \Di"arch*y\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? to rule.]
A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in
two persons.
Diarial \Di*a"ri*al\, Diarian \Di*a"ri*an\, a. [See {Diary}.]
Pertaining to a diary; daily.
Diarist \Di"a*rist\, n.
One who keeps a diary.
Diarrhea \Di`ar*rhe"a\, Diarrhoea \Di`ar*rh[oe]"a\, n. [L.
diarrhoea, Gr. ?, fr. ? to flow through; ? + ? to flow; akin
to E. stream. See {Stream}.] (Med.)
A morbidly frequent and profuse discharge of loose or fluid
evacuations from the intestines, without tenesmus; a purging
or looseness of the bowels; a flux.
Diarrheal \Di`ar*rhe"al\, Diarrhoeal \Di`ar*rh[oe]"al\ a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to diarrhea; like diarrhea.
Diarrhetic \Di`ar*rhet"ic\, Diarrhoetic \Di`ar*rh[oe]t"ic\, a.
(Med.)
Producing diarrhea, or a purging.
Diarthrodial \Di`ar*thro"di*al\, a. (Anat.)
Relating to diarthrosis, or movable articulations.
Diarthrosis \Di`ar*thro"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
joint, articulate; dia` through, asunder + ? to fasten by a
joint, 'a`rqron joint.] (Anat.)
A form of articulation which admits of considerable motion; a
complete joint; abarticulation. See {Articulation}.
Diary \Di"a*ry\, n.; pl. {Diaries}. [L. diarium, fr. dies day.
See {Deity}.]
A register of daily events or transactions; a daily record; a
journal; a blank book dated for the record of daily
memoranda; as, a diary of the weather; a physician's diary.
Diary \Di"a*ry\, a.
lasting for one day; as, a diary fever. [Obs.] ``Diary
ague.'' --Bacon.
Diaspore \Di"a*spore\, n. [From Gr. ? a scattering; dia`
through, asunder + ? to sow, scatter like seed: cf. F.
diaspore.] (Min.)
A hydrate of alumina, often occurring in white lamellar
masses with brilliant pearly luster; -- so named on account
of its decrepitating when heated before the blowpipe.
Diastase \Di"a*stase\, n. [Gr. ? separation, fr. ?, ? to stand
apart; dia` through + ?, ?, to stand, set: cf. F. diastase.
Cf. {Diastasis}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A soluble, nitrogenous ferment, capable of converting starch
and dextrin into sugar.
Note: The name is more particularly applied to that ferment
formed during the germination of grain, as in the
malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to
designate the amylolytic ferment contained in animal
fluids, as in the saliva.
Diastasic \Di`a*sta"sic\, a.
Pertaining to, or consisting of, diastase; as, diastasic
ferment.
Diastasis \Di*as"ta*sis\, n. [NL. See {Diastase}.] (Surg.)
A forcible of bones without fracture.
Diastatic \Di`a*stat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? separative. See {Diastase}.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
Relating to diastase; having the properties of diastase;
effecting the conversion of starch into sugar.
The influence of acids and alkalies on the diastatic
action of saliva. --Lauder
Brunton.
Diastem \Di"a*stem\, n. [L. diastema, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F.
diast[`e]me.]
(a) Intervening space; interval.
(b) (Anc. Mus.) An interval.
Diastema \Di`a*ste"ma\, n. [L. See {Diastem}.] (Anat.)
A vacant space, or gap, esp. between teeth in a jaw.
Diaster \Di*as"ter\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? star.]
(Biol.)
A double star; -- applied to the nucleus of a cell, when,
during cell division, the loops of the nuclear network
separate into two groups, preparatory to the formation of two
daughter nuclei. See {Karyokinesis}.
Diastole \Di*as"to*le\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to put asunder,
to separate; dia` through + ? to set, to place.]
1. (Physiol.) The rhythmical expansion or dilatation of the
heart and arteries; -- correlative to systole, or
contraction.
2. (Gram.) A figure by which a syllable naturally short is
made long.
Diastolic \Di`as*tol"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Of or pertaining to diastole.
Diastyle \Di"a*style\, n. [L. diastylus, Gr. ?; dia` through,
asunder + ? pillar, column: cf. F. diastyle.] (Arch.)
See under {Intercolumniation}.
Diatessaron \Di`a*tes"sa*ron\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? (sc. ?); dia`
through + ?, gen. of ? four (sc. ?.).]
1. (Anc. Mus.) The interval of a fourth.
2. (Theol.) A continuous narrative arranged from the first
four books of the New Testament.
3. An electuary compounded of four medicines.
Diathermal \Di`a*ther"mal\, a. [Gr. ? thoroughly warm; dia`
through + ? warm, hot. Cf. {Diathermous}.]
Freely permeable by radiant heat.
Diathermancy \Di`a*ther"man*cy\, Diathermaneity
\Di`a*ther`ma*ne"i*ty\, n. [See {Diathermanous}.]
The property of transmitting radiant heat; the quality of
being diathermous. --Melloni.
Diathermanism \Di`a*ther"ma*nism\, n.
The doctrine or the phenomena of the transmission of radiant
heat. --Nichol.
Diathermanous \Di`a*ther"ma*nous\, a. [Gr. ? to warm through;
dia` through + ? to warm, ? warm.]
Having the property of transmitting radiant heat; diathermal;
-- opposed to {athermanous}.
Diathermic \Di`a*ther"mic\, a.
Affording a free passage to heat; as, diathermic substances.
--Melloni.
Diathermometer \Di`a*ther*mom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? warm + -meter.
See {Diathermal}.] (Physics)
An instrument for examining the thermal resistance or
heat-conducting power of liquids.
Diathermous \Di`a*ther"mous\, a.
Same as {Diathermal}.
Diathesis \Di*ath"e*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to place
separately, arrange; dia` through, asunder + ? to place,
put.] (Med.)
Bodily condition or constitution, esp. a morbid habit which
predisposes to a particular disease, or class of diseases.
Diathetic \Di`a*thet"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or dependent on, a diathesis or special
constitution of the body; as, diathetic disease.
Diatom \Di"a*tom\, n. [Gr. ? cut in two. See {Diatomous}.]
1. (Bot.) One of the Diatomace[ae], a family of minute
unicellular Alg[ae] having a siliceous covering of great
delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous
division. By some authors diatoms are called
Bacillari[ae], but this word is not in general use.
2. A particle or atom endowed with the vital principle.
The individual is nothing. He is no more than the
diatom, the bit of protoplasm. --Mrs. E. Lynn
Linton.
Diatomic \Di`a*tom"ic\, a. [Pref. di- + atomic.] (Chem.)
(a) Containing two atoms.
(b) Having two replaceable atoms or radicals.
Diatomous \Di*at"o*mous\, a. [Gr. dia`tomos cut through, fr.
diate`mnein to cut through; dia` through + te`mnein to cut.
Cf. {Diatom}.] (Min.)
Having a single, distinct, diagonal cleavage; -- said of
crystals. --Mohs.
Diatonic \Di`a*ton"ic\, a. [L. diatonicus, diatonus, Gr. ?, ?,
fr. ? to stretch out; dia` through + ? to stretch: cf. F.
diatonique. See {Tone}.] (Mus.)
Pertaining to the scale of eight tones, the eighth of which
is the octave of the first.
{Diatonic scale} (Mus.), a scale consisting of eight sounds
with seven intervals, of which two are semitones and five
are whole tones; a modern major or minor scale, as
distinguished from the {chromatic} scale.
Diatonically \Di`a*ton"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a diatonic manner.
Diatribe \Di"a*tribe\ (?; 277), n. [L. diatriba a learned
discussion, Gr. ?, prop., a wearing away of time, fr. ? to
rub away, spend time; dia` through + ? to rub: cf. L. terere,
F. trite: cf. F. diatribe.]
A prolonged or exhaustive discussion; especially, an
acrimonious or invective harangue; a strain of abusive or
railing language; a philippic.
The ephemeral diatribe of a faction. --John Morley.
Diatribist \Di*at"ri*bist\, n.
One who makes a diatribe or diatribes.
Diatryma \Di`a*try"ma\, n. [NL., from Gr. dia` through + ?
hole.] (Paleon.)
An extinct eocene bird from New Mexico, larger than the
ostrich.
Diazeuctic \Di`a*zeuc"tic\, Diazeutic \Di`a*zeu"tic\, a. [Gr. ?
disjunctive, fr. ? to disjoin; dia` through, asunder + ? to
join, yoke.] (Anc. Mus.)
Disjoining two fourths; as, the diazeutic tone, which, like
that from F to G in modern music, lay between two fourths,
and, being joined to either, made a fifth. [Obs.]
Diazo- \Di*az"o-\ [Pref. di- + azo-] (Chem.)
A combining form (also used adjectively), meaning pertaining
to, or derived from, a series of compounds containing a
radical of two nitrogen atoms, united usually to an aromatic
radical; as, diazo-benzene, {C6H5.N2.OH}.
Note: Diazo compounds are in general unstable, but are of
great importance in recent organic chemistry. They are
obtained by a partial reduction of the salts of certain
amido compounds.
{Diazo reactions} (Chem.), a series of reactions whereby
diazo compounds are employed in substitution. These
reactions are of great importance in organic chemistry.
Diazotize \Di*az"o*tize\, v. t. (Chem.)
To subject to such reactions or processes that diazo
compounds, or their derivatives, shall be produced by
chemical exchange or substitution.
Dib \Dib\, v. i.
To dip. [Prov. Eng.] --Walton.
Dib \Dib\, n.
1. One of the small bones in the knee joints of sheep uniting
the bones above and below the joints.
2. pl. A child's game, played with dib bones.
Dibasic \Di*ba"sic\, a. [Pref. di- + basic.] (Chem.)
Having two acid hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by
basic atoms or radicals, in forming salts; bibasic; -- said
of acids, as oxalic or sulphuric acids. Cf. {Diacid},
{Bibasic}.
Note: In the case of certain acids dibasic and divalent are
not synonymous; as, tartaric acid is tetravalent and
dibasic, lactic acid is divalent but monobasic.
Dibasicity \Di`ba*sic"i*ty\, n. (Chem.)
The property or condition of being dibasic.
Dibber \Dib"ber\, n.
A dibble. --Halliwell.
Dibble \Dib"ble\, n. [See {Dibble}, v. i.]
A pointed implement used to make holes in the ground in which
no set out plants or to plant seeds.
Dibble \Dib"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dibbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dibbling}.] [Freq. of Prov. E. dib, for dip to thrust in.
See {Dip}.]
To dib or dip frequently, as in angling. --Walton.
Dibble \Dib"ble\, v. t.
1. To plant with a dibble; to make holes in (soil) with a
dibble, for planting.
2. To make holes or indentations in, as if with a dibble.
The clayey soil around it was dibbled thick at the
time by the tiny hoofs of sheep. --H. Miller.
Dibbler \Dib"bler\, n.
One who, or that which, dibbles, or makes holes in the ground
for seed.
Dibranchiata \Di*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- =
di`s- twice + ? gills.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of cephalopods which includes those with two gills,
an apparatus for emitting an inky fluid, and either eight or
ten cephalic arms bearing suckers or hooks, as the octopi and
squids. See {Cephalopoda}.
Dibranchiate \Di*bran"chi*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having two gills. -- n. One of the Dibranchiata.
Dibs \Dibs\, n.
A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in
the East. --Johnston.
Dibstone \Dib"stone`\ (?; 110), n.
A pebble used in a child's game called dibstones. --Locke.
Dibutyl \Di*bu"tyl\, n. [Pref. di- + butyl.] (Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon, {C8H18}, of the marsh-gas series, being
one of several octanes, and consisting of two butyl radicals.
Cf. {Octane}.
Dicacious \Di*ca"cious\, a. [L. dicax, dicacis, fr. dicere to
say.]
Talkative; pert; saucy. [Obs.]
Dicacity \Di*cac"i*ty\, n. [L. dicacitas: cf. F. dicacit['e].
See {Dicacious}.]
Pertness; sauciness. [Obs.]
Dicalcic \Di*cal"cic\, a. [Pref. di- + calcic.] (Chem.)
Having two atoms or equivalents of calcium to the molecule.
Dicarbonic \Di`car*bon"ic\, a. [Pref. di- + carbonic.] (Chem.)
Containing two carbon residues, or two carboxyl or radicals;
as, oxalic acid is a dicarbonic acid.
Dicast \Di"cast\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to judge, ? right, judgment,
justice.]
A functionary in ancient Athens answering nearly to the
modern juryman.
Dicastery \Di*cas"ter*y\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? juryman. See
{Dicast}.]
A court of justice; judgment hall. [R.] --J. S. Mill.
Dice \Dice\, n.; pl. of {Die}.
Small cubes used in gaming or in determining by chance; also,
the game played with dice. See {Die}, n.
{Dice coal}, a kind of coal easily splitting into cubical
fragments. --Brande & C.
Dice \Dice\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Diced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dicing}.]
1. To play games with dice.
I . . . diced not above seven times a week. --Shak.
2. To ornament with squares, diamonds, or cubes.
Dicebox \Dice"box`\, n.
A box from which dice are thrown in gaming. --Thackeray.
Dicentra \Di*cen"tra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ?
spur.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous plants, with racemes of two-spurred or
heart-shaped flowers, including the Dutchman's breeches, and
the more showy Bleeding heart ({D. spectabilis}). [Corruptly
written {dielytra}.]
Dicephalous \Di*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice + ?
head.]
Having two heads on one body; double-headed.
Dicer \Di"cer\, n.
A player at dice; a dice player; a gamester.
As false as dicers' oaths. --Shak.
Dich \Dich\, v. i.
To ditch. [Obs.]
Dichastic \Di*chas"tic\, a. [Gr. ? to part asunder, fr. ? in
two, asunder, fr. di`s- twice.] (Biol.)
Capable of subdividing spontaneously.
Dichlamydeous \Di`chla*myd"e*ous\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice +
?, ?, a cloak.] (Bot.)
Having two coverings, a calyx and in corolla.
Dichloride \Di*chlo"ride\, n. [Pref. di- + chloride.] (Chem.)
Same as {Bichloride}.
Dichogamous \Di*chog"a*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Manifesting dichogamy.
Dichogamy \Di*chog"a*my\, n. [Gr. ? in two, asunder + ?
marriage.] (Bot.)
The condition of certain species of plants, in which the
stamens and pistil do not mature simultaneously, so that
these plants can never fertilize themselves.
Dichotomist \Di*chot"o*mist\, n.
One who dichotomizes. --Bacon.
Dichotomize \Di*chot"o*mize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Dichotomized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dichotomizing}.] [See
{Dichotomous}.]
1. To cut into two parts; to part into two divisions; to
divide into pairs; to bisect. [R.]
The apostolical benediction dichotomizes all good
things into grace and peace. --Bp. Hall.
2. (Astron.) To exhibit as a half disk. See {Dichotomy}, 3.
``[The moon] was dichotomized.'' --Whewell.
Dichotomize \Di*chot"o*mize\, v. i.
To separate into two parts; to branch dichotomously; to
become dichotomous.
Dichotomous \Di*chot"o*mous\, a. [L. dichotomos, Gr. ?; ? in
two, asunder + diate`mnein to cut.]
Regularly dividing by pairs from bottom to top; as, a
dichotomous stem. -- {Di*chot"o*mous*ly}, adv.
Dichotomy \Di*chot"o*my\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. dichotomie.
See {Dichotomous}.]
1. A cutting in two; a division.
A general breach or dichotomy with their church.
--Sir T.
Browne.
2. Division or distribution of genera into two species;
division into two subordinate parts.
3. (Astron.) That phase of the moon in which it appears
bisected, or shows only half its disk, as at the
quadratures.
4. (Biol.) Successive division and subdivision, as of a stem
of a plant or a vein of the body, into two parts as it
proceeds from its origin; successive bifurcation.
5. The place where a stem or vein is forked.
6. (Logic) Division into two; especially, the division of a
class into two subclasses opposed to each other by
contradiction, as the division of the term man into white
and not white.
Dichroic \Di*chro"ic\, a. [See {Dichroism}.]
Having the property of dichroism; as, a dichroic crystal.
Dichroiscope \Di*chro"i*scope\, n.
Same as {Dichroscope}.
Dichroism \Di"chro*ism\, n. [Gr. ? two-colored; di- = di`s-
twice + ? color.] (Opt.)
The property of presenting different colors by transmitted
light, when viewed in two different directions, the colors
being unlike in the direction of unlike or unequal axes.
Dichroite \Di"chro*ite\, n. [See {Dichroism}.] (Min.)
Iolite; -- so called from its presenting two different colors
when viewed in two different directions. See {Iolite}.
Dichroitic \Di`chro*it"ic\, a.
Dichroic.
Dichromate \Di*chro"mate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of chromic acid containing two equivalents of the acid
radical to one of the base; -- called also {bichromate}.
Dichromatic \Di`chro*mat"ic\, a. [Pref. di- + chromatic: cf. Gr.
?.]
1. Having or exhibiting two colors.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having two color varieties, or two phases
differing in color, independently of age or sex, as in
certain birds and insects.
Dichromatism \Di*chro"ma*tism\, n.
The state of being dichromatic.
Dichromic \Di*chro"mic\, a. [Gr. ? two-colored; di- = di`s-
twice + ? color.]
Furnishing or giving two colors; -- said of defective vision,
in which all the compound colors are resolvable into two
elements instead of three. --Sir J. Herschel.
Dichroous \Di"chro*ous\, a.
Dichroic.
Dichroscope \Di"chro*scope\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? color
+ ? to view.]
An instrument for examining the dichroism of crystals.
Dichroscopic \Di`chro*scop"ic\, a.
Pertaining to the dichroscope, or to observations with it.
Dicing \Di"cing\, n.
1. An ornamenting in squares or cubes.
2. Gambling with dice. --J. R. Green.
Dickcissel \Dick*cis"sel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The American black-throated bunting ({Spiza Americana}).
Dickens \Dick"ens\, n. or interj. [Perh. a contr. of the dim.
devilkins.]
The devil. [A vulgar euphemism.]
I can not tell what the dickens his name is. --Shak.
Dicker \Dick"er\, n. [Also daker, dakir; akin to Icel. dekr,
Dan. deger, G. decher; all prob. from LL. dacra, dacrum, the
number ten, akin to L. decuria a division consisting of ten,
fr. decem ten. See {Ten}.]
1. The number or quantity of ten, particularly ten hides or
skins; a dakir; as, a dicker of gloves. [Obs.]
A dicker of cowhides. --Heywood.
2. A chaffering, barter, or exchange, of small wares; as, to
make a dicker. [U.S.]
For peddling dicker, not for honest sales.
--Whittier.
Dicker \Dick"er\, v. i. & t.
To negotiate a dicker; to barter. [U.S.] ``Ready to dicker.
and to swap.'' --Cooper.
Dickey \Dick"ey\, Dicky \Dick"y\, n.
1. A seat behind a carriage, for a servant.
2. A false shirt front or bosom.
3. A gentleman's shirt collar. [Local, U. S.]
Diclinic \Di*clin"ic\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? to
incline.] (Crystallog.)
Having two of the intersections between the three axes
oblique. See {Crystallization}.
Diclinous \Dic"li*nous\, a. [Gr. ? = ? bed.]
Having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers. --Gray.
Dicoccous \Di*coc"cous\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? grain,
seed.] (Bot.)
Composed of two coherent, one-seeded carpels; as, a dicoccous
capsule.
Dicotyledon \Di*cot`y*le"don\, n. [Pref. di- + cotyledon.]
(Bot.)
A plant whose seeds divide into two seed lobes, or
cotyledons, in germinating.
Dicotyledonous \Di*cot`y*le"don*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Having two cotyledons or seed lobes; as, a dicotyledonous
plant.
Dicrotal \Di"cro*tal\, Dicrotous \Di"cro*tous\, a. [Gr. ? a
double beating.]
Dicrotic.
Dicrotic \Di*crot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? = ? to knock, beat.] (Physiol.)
(a) Of or pertaining to dicrotism; as, a dicrotic pulse.
(b) Of or pertaining to the second expansion of the artery in
the dicrotic pulse; as, the dicrotic wave.
Dicrotism \Di"cro*tism\, n. (Physiol.)
A condition in which there are two beats or waves of the
arterial pulse to each beat of the heart.
Dicta \Dic"ta\, n. pl. [L.]
See {Dictum}.
Dictamen \Dic*ta"men\, n. [LL., fr. dictare to dictate.]
A dictation or dictate. [R.] --Falkland.
Dictamnus \Dic*tam"nus\, n. [L. See {Dittany}.] (Bot.)
A suffrutescent, {D. Fraxinella} (the only species), with
strong perfume and showy flowers. The volatile oil of the
leaves is highly inflammable.
Dictate \Dic"tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dictated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dictating}.] [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of
dicere to say. See {Diction}, and cf. {Dight}.]
1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to
inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an
amanuensis.
The mind which dictated the Iliad. --Wayland.
Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. --Macaulay.
2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to
deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with
authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a
treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.
Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be
believed. --Watts.
Syn: To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge;
admonish.
Dictate \Dic"tate\, v. i.
1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions
(on).
Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign.
--Macaulay.
2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written
or said by another.
Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew
not how to dictate. --Bacon.
Dictate \Dic"tate\, n. [L. dictatum. See {Dictate}, v. t.]
A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an
authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as,
listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of
the gospel.
I credit what the Grecian dictates say. --Prior.
Syn: Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse;
admonition.
Dictation \Dic*ta"tion\, n. [L. dictatio.]
1. The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing;
also that which is dictated.
It affords security against the dictation of laws.
--Paley.
2. The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an
overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his
habit, even with friends, was that of dictation.
Dictator \Dic*ta"tor\, n. [L.]
1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims
authoritatively for the direction of others. --Locke.
2. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a
magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and
invested with unlimited power.
Invested with the authority of a dictator, nay, of a
pope, over our language. --Macaulay.
Dictatorial \Dic`ta*to"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. dictatorial.]
1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute.
Military powers quite dictatorial. --W. Irving.
2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical;
overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner. --
{Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly}, adv. -- {Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness}, n.
Dictatorian \Dic`ta*to"ri*an\, a.
Dictatorial. [Obs.]
Dictatorship \Dic*ta"tor*ship\, n.
The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence,
absolute power.
Dictatory \Dic"ta*to*ry\, a. [L. dictatorius.]
Dogmatical; overbearing; dictatorial. --Milton.
Dictatress \Dic*ta"tress\, n.
A woman who dictates or commands.
Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen.
--Byron.
Dictatrix \Dic*ta"trix\, n. [L.]
A dictatress.
Dictature \Dic*ta"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. dictatura: cf. F.
dictature.]
Office of a dictator; dictatorship. [R.] --Bacon.
Diction \Dic"tion\, n. [L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere,
dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach,
token: cf. F. diction. See {Teach}, and cf. {Benison},
{Dedicate}, {Index}, {Judge}, {Preach}, {Vengeance}.]
Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the
construction, disposition, and application of words in
discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.;
mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's
poems.
His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of
prophetic grandeur. --De Quincey.
Syn: {Diction}, {Style}, {Phraseology}.
Usage: Style relates both to language and thought; diction,
to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical
structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are
phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the
higher graces of composition; his diction was varied
and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless
and cumbersome. ``Diction is a general term applicable
alike to a single sentence or a connected composition.
Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused
disposition of words, or an improper application of
them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the
elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of
composition, which mark the genius and talent of the
writer, are what is comprehended under the name of
style.'' --Crabb.
Dictionalrian \Dic`tion*al"ri*an\, n.
A lexicographer. [R.]
Dictionary \Dic"tion*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Dictionaries}. [Cf. F.
dictionnaire. See {Diction}.]
1. A book containing the words of a language, arranged
alphabetically, with explanations of their meanings; a
lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook.
I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and
noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or
illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time
the materials of a dictionary. --Johnson.
2. Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system
or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a
dictionary of medicine or of botany; a biographical
dictionary.
Dictum \Dic"tum\, n.; pl. L. {Dicta}, E. {Dictums}. [L., neuter
of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See {Diction}, and cf.
{Ditto}.]
1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an
apothegm.
A class of critical dicta everywhere current. --M.
Arnold.
2. (Law)
(a) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that
do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not
involved in it.
(b) (French Law) The report of a judgment made by one of
the judges who has given it. --Bouvier.
(c) An arbitrament or award.
Dictyogen \Dic*ty"o*gen\, n. [Gr. ? a net + -gen.] (Bot.)
A plant with net-veined leaves, and monocotyledonous embryos,
belonging to the class Dictyogen[ae], proposed by Lindley for
the orders {Dioscoreace[ae]}, {Smilace[ae]}, {Trilliace[ae]},
etc.
Dicyanide \Di*cy"a*nide\, n. [Pref. di- + cyanogen.] (Chem.)
A compound of a binary type containing two cyanogen groups or
radicals; -- called also {bicyanide}.
Dicyemata \Di`cy*e"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s-
twice + ? an embryo.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of worms parasitic in cephalopods. They are
remarkable for the extreme simplicity of their structure. The
embryo exists in two forms.
Dicyemid \Di`cy*e"mid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or belonging to the Dicyemata. -- n. One of the
Dicyemata.
Dicynodont \Di*cyn"o*dont\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? dog +
?, ?, tooth.] (Paleon.)
One of a group of extinct reptiles having the jaws armed with
a horny beak, as in turtles, and in the genus {Dicynodon},
supporting also a pair of powerful tusks. Their remains are
found in triassic strata of South Africa and India.
Did \Did\,
imp. of {Do}.
Didactic \Di*dac"tic\, Didactical \Di*dac"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?,
fr. ? to teach; akin to L. docere to teach: cf. F.
didactique. See {Docile}.]
Fitted or intended to teach; conveying instruction;
preceptive; instructive; teaching some moral lesson; as,
didactic essays. ``Didactical writings.'' --Jer. Taylor.
The finest didactic poem in any language. --Macaulay.
Didactic \Di*dac"tic\, n.
A treatise on teaching or education. [Obs.] --Milton.
Didactically \Di*dac"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a didactic manner.
Didacticism \Di*dac"ti*cism\, n.
The didactic method or system.
Didacticity \Di`dac*tic"i*ty\, n.
Aptitude for teaching. --Hare.
Didactics \Di*dac"tics\, n.
The art or science of teaching.
Didactyl \Di*dac"tyl\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? finger,
toe: cf. F. didactyle.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal having only two digits.
Didactylous \Di*dac"tyl*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having only two digits; two-toed.
Didal \Di"dal\, n.
A kind of triangular spade. [Obs.]
Didapper \Di"dap`per\, n. [For divedapper. See {Dive}, {Dap},
{Dip}, and cf. {Dabchick}.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dabchick}.
Didascalar \Di*das"ca*lar\, a.
Didascalic. [R.]
Didascalic \Di`das*cal"ic\, a. [L. didascalius, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
teach: cf. F. didascalique.]
Didactic; preceptive. [R.] --Prior.
Diddle \Did"dle\, v. i. [Cf. {Daddle}.]
To totter, as a child in walking. [Obs.] --Quarles.
Diddle \Did"dle\, v. t. [Perh. from AS. dyderian to deceive, the
letter r being changed to l.]
To cheat or overreach. [Colloq.] --Beaconsfield.
Diddler \Did"dler\, n.
A cheat. [Colloq.]
{Jeremy Diddler}, a character in a play by James Kenney,
entitled ``Raising the wind.'' The name is applied to any
needy, tricky, constant borrower; a confidence man.
Didelphia \Di*del"phi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? = ? matrix,
uterus.] (Zo["o]l.)
The subclass of Mammalia which includes the marsupials. See
{Marsupialia}.
Didelphian \Di*del"phi*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or relating to the Didelphia. -- n. One of the Didelphia.
Didelphic \Di*del"phic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the uterus double; of or pertaining to the Didelphia.
Didelphid \Di*del"phid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Didelphic}.
Didelphid \Di*del"phid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A marsupial animal.
Didelphous \Di*del"phous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Didelphic.
Didelphyc \Di*del"phyc\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Didelphic}.
Didelphous \Di*del"phous\, n. [NL. See {Didelphia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Formerly, any marsupial; but the term is now restricted to an
American genus which includes the opossums, of which there
are many species. See {Opossum}. [Written also {Didelphis}.]
See Illustration in Appendix. --Cuvier.
Didine \Di"dine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus {Didus}, or the dodo.
Dido \Di"do\, n.; pl. {Didos}.
A shrewd trick; an antic; a caper.
{To cut a dido}, to play a trick; to cut a caper; -- perhaps
so called from the trick of Dido, who having bought so
much land as a hide would cover, is said to have cut it
into thin strips long enough to inclose a spot for a
citadel.
Didonia \Di*do"ni*a\, n. [NL. So called in allusion to the
classical story of Dido and the bull's hide.] (Geom.)
The curve which on a given surface and with a given perimeter
contains the greatest area. --Tait.
Didrachm \Di"drachm\, Didrachma \Di*drach"ma\, n. [Gr. ?; di- =
di`s- twice + ? a drachm.]
A two-drachma piece; an ancient Greek silver coin, worth
nearly forty cents.
Didst \Didst\,
the 2d pers. sing. imp. of {Do}.
Diducement \Di*duce"ment\, n.
Diduction; separation into distinct parts. --Bacon.
Diduction \Di*duc"tion\, n. [L. diductio, fr. diducere,
diductum, to draw apart; di- = dis- + ducere to lead, draw.]
The act of drawing apart; separation.
Didym \Di"dym\, n. (Chem.)
See {Didymium}.
Didymium \Di*dym"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? twin.] (Chem.)
A rare metallic substance usually associated with the metal
cerium; -- hence its name. It was formerly supposed to be an
element, but has since been found to consist of two simpler
elementary substances, neodymium and praseodymium. See
{Neodymium}, and {Praseodymium}.
Didymous \Did"y*mous\, a. [Gr. ? twofold, twin.] (Bot.)
Growing in pairs or twins.
Didynamia \Did`y*na"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s-
twice + ? power.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants having four stamens disposed in
pairs of unequal length.
Didynamian \Did`y*na"mi*an\, a.
Didynamous.
Didynamous \Di*dyn"a*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Didynamia; containing four stamens
disposed in pairs of unequal length.
Die \Die\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Died}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dying}.]
[OE. deyen, dien, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. deyja; akin to
Dan. d["o]e, Sw. d["o], Goth. diwan (cf. Goth. afd?jan to
harass), OFries. d?ia to kill, OS. doian to die, OHG. touwen,
OSlav. daviti to choke, Lith. dovyti to torment. Cf. {Dead},
{Death}.]
1. To pass from an animate to a lifeless state; to cease to
live; to suffer a total and irreparable loss of action of
the vital functions; to become dead; to expire; to perish;
-- said of animals and vegetables; often with of, by,
with, from, and rarely for, before the cause or occasion
of death; as, to die of disease or hardships; to die by
fire or the sword; to die with horror at the thought.
To die by the roadside of grief and hunger.
--Macaulay.
She will die from want of care. --Tennyson.
2. To suffer death; to lose life.
In due time Christ died for the ungodly. --Rom. v.
6.
3. To perish in any manner; to cease; to become lost or
extinct; to be extinguished.
Letting the secret die within his own breast.
--Spectator.
Great deeds can not die. --Tennyson.
4. To sink; to faint; to pine; to languish, with weakness,
discouragement, love, etc.
His heart died within, and he became as a stone. --1
Sam. xxv. 37.
The young men acknowledged, in love letters, that
they died for Rebecca. --Tatler.
5. To become indifferent; to cease to be subject; as, to die
to pleasure or to sin.
6. To recede and grow fainter; to become imperceptible; to
vanish; -- often with out or away.
Blemishes may die away and disappear amidst the
brightness. --Spectator.
7. (Arch.) To disappear gradually in another surface, as
where moldings are lost in a sloped or curved face.
8. To become vapid, flat, or spiritless, as liquor.
{To die in the last ditch}, to fight till death; to die
rather than surrender.
``There is one certain way,'' replied the Prince
[William of Orange] `` by which I can be sure never
to see my country's ruin, -- I will die in the last
ditch.'' --Hume (Hist.
of Eng. ).
{To die out}, to cease gradually; as, the prejudice has died
out.
Syn: To expire; decease; perish; depart; vanish.
Die \Die\, n.; pl. in 1 and (usually) in 2, {Dice} (d[=i]s); in
4 & 5, {Dies} (d[=i]z). [OE. dee, die, F. d['e], fr. L. datus
given, thrown, p. p. of dare to give, throw. See {Date} a
point of time.]
1. A small cube, marked on its faces with spots from one to
six, and used in playing games by being shaken in a box
and thrown from it. See {Dice}.
2. Any small cubical or square body.
Words . . . pasted upon little flat tablets or dies.
--Watts.
3. That which is, or might be, determined, by a throw of the
die; hazard; chance.
Such is the die of war. --Spenser.
4. (Arch.) That part of a pedestal included between base and
cornice; the dado.
5. (Mach.)
(a) A metal or plate (often one of a pair) so cut or
shaped as to give a certain desired form to, or
impress any desired device on, an object or surface,
by pressure or by a blow; used in forging metals,
coining, striking up sheet metal, etc.
(b) A perforated block, commonly of hardened steel used in
connection with a punch, for punching holes, as
through plates, or blanks from plates, or for forming
cups or capsules, as from sheet metal, by drawing.
(c) A hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool, made
in one piece or composed of several parts, for forming
screw threads on bolts, etc.; one of the separate
parts which make up such a tool.
{Cutting die} (Mech.), a thin, deep steel frame, sharpened to
a cutting edge, for cutting out articles from leather,
cloth, paper, etc.
{The die is cast}, the hazard must be run; the step is taken,
and it is too late to draw back; the last chance is taken.
Diecian \Di*e"cian\, a., Diecious \Di*e"cious\, a. (Bot.)
See {Di[oe]cian}, and {Di[oe]cious}.
Diedral \Di*e"dral\, a.
The same as {Dihedral}.
Diegesis \Di`e*ge"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to narrate;
dia` through + ? to lead.]
A narrative or history; a recital or relation.
Dielectric \Di`e*lec"tric\, n. [Pref. dia- + electric.] (Elec.)
Any substance or medium that transmits the electric force by
a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of
induction; a nonconductor. separating a body electrified by
induction, from the electrifying body.
Dielytra \Di*el"y*tra\, n. (Bot.)
See {Dicentra}.
Diencephalon \Di`en*ceph"a*lon\, n. [NL. See {Dia-}, and
{Encephalon}.] (Anat.)
The interbrain or thalamencephalon; -- sometimes abbreviated
to dien. See {Thalamencephalon}.
Dieresis \Di*er"e*sis\, n. [NL.]
Same as {Di[ae]resis}.
Diesinker \Die"sink`er\, n.
An engraver of dies for stamping coins, medals, etc.
Diesinking \Die"sink`ing\, n.
The process of engraving dies.
Diesis \Di"e*sis\, n.; pl. {Dieses}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
let go through, dissolve; dia` through + ? to let go, send.]
1. (Mus.) A small interval, less than any in actual practice,
but used in the mathematical calculation of intervals.
2. (Print.) The mark [dag]; -- called also {double dagger}.
Dies Irae \Di"es I"r[ae]\
Day of wrath; -- the name and beginning of a famous
medi[ae]val Latin hymn on the Last Judgment.
Dies juridicus \Di"es ju*rid"i*cus\; pl. {Dies juridici}. [L.]
(Law)
A court day.
Dies non \Di"es non"\ [L. dies non juridicus.] (Law)
A day on which courts are not held, as Sunday or any legal
holiday.
Diestock \Die"stock`\, n.
A stock to hold the dies used for cutting screws.
Diet \Di"et\, n. [F. di[`e]te, L. diaeta, fr. Gr. ? manner of
living.]
1. Course of living or nourishment; what is eaten and drunk
habitually; food; victuals; fare. ``No inconvenient
diet.'' --Milton.
2. A course of food selected with reference to a particular
state of health; prescribed allowance of food; regimen
prescribed.
To fast like one that takes diet. --Shak.
{Diet kitchen}, a kitchen in which diet is prepared for
invalids; a charitable establishment that provides proper
food for the sick poor.
Diet \Di"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dieted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dieting}.]
1. To cause to take food; to feed. [R.] --Shak.
2. To cause to eat and drink sparingly, or by prescribed
rules; to regulate medicinally the food of.
She diets him with fasting every day. --Spenser.
Diet \Di"et\, v. i.
1. To eat; to take one's meals. [Obs.]
Let him . . . diet in such places, where there is
good company of the nation, where he traveleth.
--Bacon.
2. To eat according to prescribed rules; to ear sparingly;
as, the doctor says he must diet.
Diet \Di"et\, n. [F. di[`e]te, LL. dieta, diaeta, an assembly, a
day's journey; the same word as diet course of living, but
with the sense changed by L. dies day: cf. G. tag day? and
{Reichstag}.]
A legislative or administrative assembly in Germany, Poland,
and some other countries of Europe; a deliberative
convention; a council; as, the Diet of Worms, held in 1521.
Dietarian \Di`e*ta"ri*an\, n.
One who lives in accordance with prescribed rules for diet; a
dieter.
Dietary \Di"et*a*ry\, a.
Pertaining to diet, or to the rules of diet.
Dietary \Di"et*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Dietaries}.
A rule of diet; a fixed allowance of food, as in workhouse,
prison, etc.
Dieter \Di"et*er\, n.
One who diets; one who prescribes, or who partakes of, food,
according to hygienic rules.
Dietetic \Di`e*tet"ic\, Dietetical \Di`e*tet"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?:
cf. F. di['e]t['e]tique. See {Diet}.]
Of or performance to diet, or to the rules for regulating the
kind and quantity of food to be eaten.
Dietetically \Di`e*tet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a dietetical manner.
Dietetics \Di`e*tet"ics\, n.
That part of the medical or hygienic art which relates to
diet or food; rules for diet.
To suppose that the whole of dietetics lies in
determining whether or not bread is more nutritive than
potatoes. --H. Spencer.
Dietetist \Di`e*tet"ist\, n.
A physician who applies the rules of dietetics to the cure of
diseases. --Dunglison.
Diethylamine \Di*eth`yl*am"ine\, n. [Pref. di- + ethylamine.]
(Chem.)
A colorless, volatile, alkaline liquid, {NH(C2H5)2}, having a
strong fishy odor resembling that of herring or sardines. Cf.
{Methylamine}.
Dietic \Di*et"ic\, a.
Dietetic.
Dietical \Di*et"ic*al\, a.
Dietetic. [R.] --Ferrand.
Dietine \Di"et*ine\, n. [Cf. F. di['e]tine.]
A subordinate or local assembly; a diet of inferior rank.
Dietist \Di"et*ist\, Dietitian \Di`e*ti"tian\, n.
One skilled in dietetics. [R.]
Diffame \Dif*fame`\, n. [See {Defame}.]
Evil name; bad reputation; defamation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Diffarreation \Dif*far`re*a"tion\, n. [L. diffarreatio; dif- =
farreum a spelt cake. See {Confarreation}.]
A form of divorce, among the ancient Romans, in which a cake
was used. See {Confarreation}.
Differ \Dif"fer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Differed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Differing}.] [L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear,
carry: cf. F. diff['e]rer. See 1st {Bear}, and cf. {Defer},
{Delay}.]
1. To be or stand apart; to disagree; to be unlike; to be
distinguished; -- with from.
One star differeth from another star in glory. --1
Cor. xv. 41.
Minds differ, as rivers differ. --Macaulay.
2. To be of unlike or opposite opinion; to disagree in
sentiment; -- often with from or with.
3. To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to
dispute; to contend.
We 'll never differ with a crowded pit. --Rowe.
Syn: To vary; disagree; dissent; dispute; contend; oppose;
wrangle.
Usage: -- To {Differ with}, {Differ from}. Both differ from
and aiffer with are used in reference to opinions; as,
``I differ from you or with you in that opinion.''''
In all other cases, expressing simple unlikeness,
differ from is used; as, these two persons or things
differ entirely from each other.
Severely punished, not for differing from us in
opinion, but for committing a nuisance.
--Macaulay.
Davidson, whom on a former occasion we quoted,
to differ from him. --M. Arnold.
Much as I differ from him concerning an
essential part of the historic basis of
religion. --Gladstone.
I differ with the honorable gentleman on that
point. --Brougham.
If the honorable gentleman differs with me on
that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and
shall always rejoice to differ. --Canning.
Differ \Dif"fer\, v. t.
To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. [R.]
But something 'ts that differs thee and me. --Cowley.
Difference \Dif"fer*ence\, n. [F. diff['e]rence, L.
differentia.]
1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being
different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity;
unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in
paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what
is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?
Differencies of administration, but the same Lord.
--1 Cor. xii.
5.
2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel;
hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
What was the difference? It was a contention in
public. --Shak.
Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving
the old warden and the young constable to compose
their difference as they could. --T. Ellwood.
3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which
distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction;
characteristic quality; specific attribute.
The marks and differences of sovereignty. --Davies.
4. Choice; preference. [Obs.]
That now he chooseth with vile difference To be a
beast, and lack intelligence. --Spenser.
5. (Her.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the
bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the
same. See {Augmentation}, and {Marks of cadency}, under
{Cadency}.
6. (Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those
of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
7. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from
another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one
from the other.
{Ascensional difference}. See under {Ascensional}.
Syn: Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation;
diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance;
contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate;
quarrel; wrangle; strife.
Difference \Dif"fer*ence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Differenced}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Differencing}.]
To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different;
to distinguish.
Thou mayest difference gods from men. --Chapman.
Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are
not differenced from the meanest subject. --Milton.
So completely differenced by their separate and
individual characters that we at once acknowledge them
as distinct persons. --Sir W.
Scott.
Different \Dif"fer*ent\, a. [L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of
differre: cf. F. diff['e]rent.]
1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. ``Five different
churches.'' --Addison.
2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially
or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food
or drink; different states of health; different shapes;
different degrees of excellence.
Men are as different from each other, as the regions
in which they are born are different. --Dryden.
Note: Different is properly followed by from. Different to,
for different from, is a common English colloquialism.
Different than is quite inadmissible.
Differentia \Dif`fer*en"ti*a\, n.; pl. {Differenti[ae]}. [L. See
{Difference}.] (Logic)
The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a
species; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific
difference.
Differential \Dif`fer*en"tial\, a. [Cf. F. diff['e]rentiel.]
1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a
difference; discriminating; special; as, differential
characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate.
For whom he produced differential favors. --Motley.
2. (Math.) Of or pertaining to a differential, or to
differentials.
3. (Mech.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage;
producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism.
{Differential calculus}. (Math.) See under {Calculus}.
{Differential coefficient}, the limit of the ratio of the
increment of a function of a variable to the increment of
the variable itself, when these increments are made
indefinitely small.
{Differential coupling}, a form of slip coupling used in
light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of
the connected shaft.
{Differential duties} (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not
imposed equally upon the same products imported from
different countries.
{Differential galvanometer} (Elec.), a galvanometer having
two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which
currents passing in opposite directions are measured by
the difference of their effect upon the needle.
{Differential gearing}, a train of toothed wheels, usually an
epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a
{differential motion}.
{Differential motion}, a mechanism in which a simple
differential combination produces such a change of motion
or force as would, with ordinary compound arrangements,
require a considerable train of parts. It is used for
overcoming great resistance or producing very slow or very
rapid motion.
{Differential pulley}. (Mach.)
(a) A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle
as the differential windlass.
(b) A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a
differential gearing.
{Differential screw}, a compound screw by which a motion is
produced equal to the difference of the motions of the
component screws.
{Differential thermometer}, a thermometer usually with a
U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing
a colored liquid, used for indicating the difference
between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are
exposed, by the change of position of the colored fluid,
in consequence of the different expansions of the air in
the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the
tube.
{Differential windlass}, or {Chinese windlass}, a windlass
whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The
hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the
other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted
hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example
of a differential motion.
Differential \Dif`fer*en"tial\, n.
1. (Math.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one,
which is given to a variable quantity.
Note: According to the more modern writers upon the
differential and integral calculus, if two or more
quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to
increments of value, their differentials need not be
small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each
other are the limits to which the ratios of the
increments approximate, as these increments are reduced
nearer and nearer to zero.
2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad
lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their
number to make, in order to get a fair share of the
business. The lower rate is called a differential rate.
Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities.
3. (Elec.)
(a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one
another or to a magnet or armature common to both,
that one coil produces polar action contrary to that
of the other.
(b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing
the current to a series of electric lamps so as to
maintain equal action in all. --Knight.
{Partial differential} (Math.), the differential of a
function of two or more variables, when only one of the
variables receives an increment.
{Total differential} (Math.), the differential of a function
of two or more variables, when each of the variables
receives an increment. The total differential of the
function is the sum of all the {partial differentials}.
Differentially \Dif`fer*en"tial*ly\, adv.
In the way of differentiation.
Differentiate \Dif`fer*en"ti*ate\, v. t.
1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect
a difference in, as regards classification; to develop
differential characteristics in; to specialize; to
desynonymize.
The word then was differentiated into the two forms
then and than. --Earle.
Two or more of the forms assumed by the same
original word become differentiated in
signification. --Dr. Murray.
2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the
properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from
another of the same class; to discriminate. --Earle.
3. (Math.) To obtain the differential, or differential
coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic
expression, or an equation.
Differentiate \Dif`fer*en"ti*ate\, v. i. (Biol.)
To acquire a distinct and separate character. --Huxley.
Differentiation \Dif`fer*en`ti*a"tion\, n.
1. The act of differentiating.
Further investigation of the Sanskrit may lead to
differentiation of the meaning of such of these
roots as are real roots. --J. Peile.
2. (Logic) The act of distinguishing or describing a thing,
by giving its different, or specific difference; exact
definition or determination.
3. (Biol.) The gradual formation or production of organs or
parts by a process of evolution or development, as when
the seed develops the root and the stem, the initial stem
develops the leaf, branches, and flower buds; or in animal
life, when the germ evolves the digestive and other organs
and members, or when the animals as they advance in
organization acquire special organs for specific purposes.
4. (Metaph.) The supposed act or tendency in being of every
kind, whether organic or inorganic, to assume or produce a
more complex structure or functions.
Differentiator \Dif`fer*en"ti*a`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, differentiates.
Differently \Dif"fer*ent*ly\, adv.
In a different manner; variously.
Differingly \Dif"fer*ing*ly\, adv.
In a differing or different manner. --Boyle.
Difficile \Dif"fi*cile\, a. [L. difficilis: cf. F. difficile.
See {Difficult}.]
Difficult; hard to manage; stubborn. [Obs.] --
{Dif"fi*cile*ness}, n. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Difficilitate \Dif`fi*cil"i*tate\, v. t.
To make difficult. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Difficult \Dif"fi*cult\, a. [From {Difficulty}.]
1. Hard to do or to make; beset with difficulty; attended
with labor, trouble, or pains; not easy; arduous.
Note: Difficult implies the notion that considerable mental
effort or skill is required, or that obstacles are to
be overcome which call for sagacity and skill in the
agent; as, a difficult task; hard work is not always
difficult work; a difficult operation in surgery; a
difficult passage in an author.
There is not the strength or courage left me to
venture into the wide, strange, and difficult
world, alone. --Hawthorne.
2. Hard to manage or to please; not easily wrought upon;
austere; stubborn; as, a difficult person.
Syn: Arduous; painful; crabbed; perplexed; laborious;
unaccommodating; troublesome. See {Arduous}.
Difficult \Dif"fi*cult\, v. t.
To render difficult; to impede; to perplex. [R.] --Sir W.
Temple.
Difficultate \Dif"fi*cult*ate\, v. t.
To render difficult; to difficilitate. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Difficultly \Dif"fi*cult*ly\, adv.
With difficulty. --Cowper.
Difficultness \Dif"fi*cult*ness\, n.
Difficulty. [R.] --Golding.
Difficulty \Dif"fi*cul*ty\, n.; pl. {Difficulties}. [L.
difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- + facilis
easy: cf. F. difficult['e]. See {Facile}.]
1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do; hardness;
arduousness; -- opposed to {easiness} or {facility}; as,
the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of
difficulty.
Not being able to promote them [the interests of
life] on account of the difficulty of the region.
--James Byrne.
2. Something difficult; a thing hard to do or to understand;
that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires
skill and perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a
hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the
difficulties of a science; difficulties in theology.
They lie under some difficulties by reason of the
emperor's displeasure. --Addison.
3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an
objection; a cavil.
Measures for terminating all local difficulties.
--Bancroft.
4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; --
usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.
In days of difficulty and pressure. --Tennyson.
Syn: Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment;
perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial;
objection; cavil. See {Impediment}.
Diffide \Dif*fide"\, v. i. [L. diffidere. See {Diffident}.]
To be distrustful. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Diffidence \Dif"fi*dence\, n. [L. diffidentia.]
1. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of
confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of
others. [Archaic]
That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me
down even to a diffidence of God's mercy. --Donne.
2. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of
self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.
It is good to speak on such questions with
diffidence. --Macaulay.
An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness
of address. --W. Irving.
Syn: Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear;
timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See {Humility}, and
{Bashfulness}.
Diffidency \Dif"fi*den*cy\, n.
See {Diffidence}. [Obs.]
Diffident \Dif"fi*dent\, a. [L. diffidens, -entis, p. pr. of
diffidere; dif- = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith.
See {Faith}, and cf. {Defy}.]
1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic]
You were always extremely diffident of their
success. --Melmoth.
2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own
powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful;
characterized by modest reserve.
The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in
prayer. --Longfellow.
Syn: Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest;
bashful; lowly; reserved.
Diffidently \Dif"fi*dent*ly\, adv.
In a diffident manner.
To stand diffidently against each other with their
thoughts in battle array. --Hobbes.
Diffind \Dif*find\, v. t. [L. diffindere, diffissum; dif- = dis-
+ findere to split.]
To split. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Diffine \Dif*fine"\, v. t.
To define. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Diffinitive \Dif*fin"i*tive\, a. [For definitive.]
Definitive; determinate; final. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Diffission \Dif*fis"sion\, n. [See {Diffind}.]
Act of cleaving or splitting. [R.] --Bailey.
Difflation \Dif*fla"tion\, n. [LL. difflatio, fr. L. difflare,
difflatum, to disperse by blowing.]
A blowing apart or away. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Diffluence \Dif"flu*ence\, Diffluency \Dif"flu*en*cy\, n.
A flowing off on all sides; fluidity. [R.]
Diffluent \Dif"flu*ent\, a. [L. diffluens, p. pr. of diffluere
to flow off; dif- = dis- + fluere to flow.]
Flowing apart or off; dissolving; not fixed. [R.] --Bailey.
Difform \Dif"form`\, a. [Cf. F. difforme, fr. L. dif- = dis- +
forma form. Cf. {Deform}.]
Irregular in form; -- opposed to {uniform}; anomalous; hence,
unlike; dissimilar; as, to difform corolla, the parts of
which do not correspond in size or proportion; difform
leaves.
The unequal refractions of difform rays. --Sir I.
Newton.
Difformity \Dif*form"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. difformit['e]. See
{Difform}, {Deformity}.]
Irregularity of form; diversity of form; want of uniformity.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Diffract \Dif*fract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diffracted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Diffracting}.] [L. diffractus, p. p. of diffringere
to break in pieces; dif- = dis- + frangere to break. See
{Fracture}.]
To break or separate into parts; to deflect, or decompose by
deflection, a? rays of light.
Diffraction \Dif*frac"tion\, n. [Cf. F. diffraction.] (Opt.)
The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the
edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the
appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors,
as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars.
Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a
property of light which he called diffraction.
--Whewell.
{Diffraction grating}. (Optics) See under {Grating}.
{Diffraction spectrum}. (Optics) See under {Spectrum}.
Diffractive \Dif*frac"tive\, a.
That produces diffraction.
Diffranchise \Dif*fran"chise\, Diffranchisement
\Dif*fran"chise*ment\
See {Disfranchise}, {Disfranchisement}.
Diffusate \Dif*fus"ate\, n. (Chem.)
Material which, in the process of catalysis, has diffused or
passed through the separating membrane.
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diffused}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Diffusing}.] [L. diffusus, p. p. of diffundere to
pour out, to diffuse; dif- = dis- + fundere to pour. See
{Fuse} to melt.]
To pour out and cause to spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow
on all sides; to send out, or extend, in all directions; to
spread; to circulate; to disseminate; to scatter; as to
diffuse information.
Thence diffuse His good to worlds and ages infinite.
--Milton.
We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized
nations. --Whewell.
Syn: To expand; spread; circulate; extend; scatter; disperse;
publish; proclaim.
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, v. i.
To pass by spreading every way, to diffuse itself.
Diffuse \Dif*fuse"\, a. [L. diffusus, p. p.]
Poured out; widely spread; not restrained; copious; full;
esp., of style, opposed to {concise} or {terse}; verbose;
prolix; as, a diffuse style; a diffuse writer.
A diffuse and various knowledge of divine and human
things. --Milton.
Syn: Prolix; verbose; wide; copious; full. See {Prolix}.
Diffused \Dif*fused"\, a.
Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse.
It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. --Hawthorne.
-- {Dif*fus"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dif*fus"ed*ness}, n.
Diffusely \Dif*fuse"ly\, adv.
In a diffuse manner.
Diffuseness \Dif*fuse"ness\, n.
The quality of being diffuse; especially, in writing, the use
of a great or excessive number of word to express the
meaning; copiousness; verbosity; prolixity.
Diffuser \Dif*fus"er\, n.
One who, or that which, diffuses.
Diffusibility \Dif*fu`si*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being diffusible; capability of being poured
or spread out.
Diffusible \Dif*fu"si*ble\, a.
1. Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; that
may be diffused.
2. (Physiol.) Capable of passing through animal membranes by
osmosis.
Diffusibleness \Dif*fu"si*ble*ness\, n.
Diffusibility.
Diffusion \Dif*fu"sion\, n. [L. diffusio: cf. F. diffusion.]
1. The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a
spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation;
dispersion.
A diffusion of knowledge which has undermined
superstition. --Burke.
2. (Physiol.) The act of passing by osmosis through animal
membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc.,
through the body. Unlike absorption, diffusion may go on
after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.
Syn: Extension; spread; propagation; circulation; expansion;
dispersion.
Diffusive \Dif*fu"sive\, a. [Cf. F. diffusif.]
Having the quality of diffusing; capable of spreading every
way by flowing; spreading widely; widely reaching; copious;
diffuse. ``A plentiful and diffusive perfume.'' --Hare.
Diffusively \Dif*fu"sive*ly\, adv.
In a diffusive manner.
Diffusiveness \Dif*fu"sive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being diffusive or diffuse;
extensiveness; expansion; dispersion. Especially of style:
Diffuseness; want of conciseness; prolixity.
The fault that I find with a modern legend, it its
diffusiveness. --Addison.
Diffusivity \Dif`fu*siv"i*ty\, n.
Tendency to become diffused; tendency, as of heat, to become
equalized by spreading through a conducting medium.
Dig \Dig\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dug}or {Digged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Digging}. -- Digged is archaic.] [OE. diggen, perh. the same
word as diken, dichen (see {Dike}, {Ditch}); cf. Dan. dige to
dig, dige a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st dag. ???.]
1. To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to
open, loosen, or break up (the soil) with a spade, or
other sharp instrument; to pierce, open, or loosen, as if
with a spade.
Be first to dig the ground. --Dryden.
2. To get by digging; as, to dig potatoes, or gold.
3. To hollow out, as a well; to form, as a ditch, by removing
earth; to excavate; as, to dig a ditch or a well.
4. To thrust; to poke. [Colloq.]
You should have seen children . . . dig and push
their mothers under the sides, saying thus to them:
Look, mother, how great a lubber doth yet wear
pearls. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
{To dig down}, to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as,
to dig down a wall.
{To dig from}, {out of}, {out}, or {up}, to get out or obtain
by digging; as, to dig coal from or out of a mine; to dig
out fossils; to dig up a tree. The preposition is often
omitted; as, the men are digging coal, digging iron ore,
digging potatoes.
{To dig in}, to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure.
Dig \Dig\, v. i.
1. To work with a spade or other like implement; to do
servile work; to delve.
Dig for it more than for hid treasures. --Job iii.
21.
I can not dig; to beg I am ashamed. --Luke xvi. 3.
2. (Mining) To take ore from its bed, in distinction from
making excavations in search of ore.
3. To work like a digger; to study ploddingly and
laboriously. [Cant, U.S.]
Dig \Dig\, n.
1. A thrust; a punch; a poke; as, a dig in the side or the
ribs. See {Dig}, v. t., 4. [Colloq.]
2. A plodding and laborious student. [Cant, U.S.]
Digamist \Dig"a*mist\, n. [Gr. ? = ? twice + ? to marry. Cf.
{Bigamist}.]
One who marries a second time; a deuterogamist. --Hammond.
Digamma \Di*gam"ma\, n. [Gr. ?; ? = ? twice + ? the letter ?. So
called because it resembled two gammas placed one above the
other.] (Gr. Gram.)
A letter (?, ?) of the Greek alphabet, which early fell into
disuse.
Note: This form identifies it with the Latin F, though in
sound it is said to have been nearer V. It was
pronounced, probably, much like the English W.
Digammate \Di*gam"mate\, Digammated \Di*gam"mated\, a.
Having the digamma or its representative letter or sound; as,
the Latin word vis is a digammated form of the Greek ?.
--Andrews.
Digamous \Dig"a*mous\, a.
Pertaining to a second marriage, that is, one after the death
of the first wife or the first husband.
Digamy \Dig"a*my\, n. [Gr. ? a second marriage; di- = di`s-
twice + ? marriage. Cf. {Bigamy}.]
Act, or state, of being twice married; deuterogamy. [R.]
Digastric \Di*gas"tric\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? belly:
cf. F. digastrique.] (Anat.)
(a) Having two bellies; biventral; -- applied to muscles
which are fleshy at each end and have a tendon in the
middle, and esp. to the muscle which pulls down the lower
jaw.
(b) Pertaining to the digastric muscle of the lower jaw; as,
the digastric nerves.
Digenea \Di*ge"ne*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ?
race, offspring.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Trematoda in which alternate generations occur,
the immediate young not resembling their parents.
Digenesis \Di*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. di- + genesis.] (Biol.)
The faculty of multiplying in two ways; -- by ova fecundated
by spermatic fluid, and asexually, as by buds. See
{Parthenogenesis}.
Digenous \Dig"e*nous\, a. [Pref. di- + -genous.] (Biol.)
Sexually reproductive.
{Digenous reproduction}. (Biol.) Same as {Digenesis}.
Digerent \Dig"er*ent\, . [L. digerens, p. pr. of digerere. See
{Digest}.]
Digesting. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Digest \Di*gest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Digested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Digesting}.] [L. digestus, p. p. of digerere to separate,
arrange, dissolve, digest; di- = dis- + gerere to bear,
carry, wear. See {Jest}.]
1. To distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and
classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or
application; as, to digest the laws, etc.
Joining them together and digesting them into order.
--Blair.
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well
digested. --Shak.
2. (Physiol.) To separate (the food) in its passage through
the alimentary canal into the nutritive and nonnutritive
elements; to prepare, by the action of the digestive
juices, for conversion into blood; to convert into chyme.
3. To think over and arrange methodically in the mind; to
reduce to a plan or method; to receive in the mind and
consider carefully; to get an understanding of; to
comprehend.
Feelingly digest the words you speak in prayer.
--Sir H.
Sidney.
How shall this bosom multiplied digest The senate's
courtesy? --Shak.
4. To appropriate for strengthening and comfort.
Grant that we may in such wise hear them [the
Scriptures], read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest
them. --Book of
Common Prayer.
5. Hence: To bear comfortably or patiently; to be reconciled
to; to brook.
I never can digest the loss of most of Origin's
works. --Coleridge.
6. (Chem.) To soften by heat and moisture; to expose to a
gentle heat in a boiler or matrass, as a preparation for
chemical operations.
7. (Med.) To dispose to suppurate, or generate healthy pus,
as an ulcer or wound.
8. To ripen; to mature. [Obs.]
Well-digested fruits. --Jer. Taylor.
9. To quiet or abate, as anger or grief.
Digest \Di*gest"\, v. i.
1. To undergo digestion; as, food digests well or ill.
2. (Med.) To suppurate; to generate pus, as an ulcer.
Digest \Di"gest\, n. [L. digestum, pl. digesta, neut., fr.
digestus, p. p.: cf. F. digeste. See {Digest}, v. t.]
That which is digested; especially, that which is worked
over, classified, and arranged under proper heads or titles;
esp. (Law), A compilation of statutes or decisions
analytically arranged. The term is applied in a general sense
to the Pandects of Justinian (see {Pandect}), but is also
specially given by authors to compilations of laws on
particular topics; a summary of laws; as, Comyn's Digest; the
United States Digest.
A complete digest of Hindu and Mahommedan laws after
the model of Justinian's celebrated Pandects. --Sir W.
Jones.
They made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy,
called the Rights of Man. --Burke.
Digestedly \Di*gest"ed*ly\, adv.
In a digested or well-arranged manner; methodically.
Digester \Di*gest"er\, n.
1. One who digests.
2. A medicine or an article of food that aids digestion, or
strengthens digestive power.
Rice is . . . a great restorer of health, and a
great digester. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. A strong closed vessel, in which bones or other substances
may be subjected, usually in water or other liquid, to a
temperature above that of boiling, in order to soften
them.
Digestibility \Di*gest`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being digestible.
Digestible \Di*gest"i*ble\, a. [F. digestible, L. digestibilis.]
Capable of being digested.
Digestibleness \Di*gest"i*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being digestible; digestibility.
Digestion \Di*ges"tion\ (?; 106), n. [F. digestion, L.
digestio.]
1. The act or process of digesting; reduction to order;
classification; thoughtful consideration.
2. (Physiol.) The conversion of food, in the stomach and
intestines, into soluble and diffusible products, capable
of being absorbed by the blood.
3. (Med.) Generation of pus; suppuration.
Digestive \Di*gest"ive\, a. [F. digestif, L. digestivus.]
Pertaining to digestion; having the power to cause or promote
digestion; as, the digestive ferments.
Digestive cheese and fruit there sure will be. --B.
Jonson.
{Digestive apparatus}, the organs of food digestion, esp. the
alimentary canal and glands connected with it.
{Digestive salt}, the chloride of potassium.
Digestive \Di*gest"ive\, n.
1. That which aids digestion, as a food or medicine.
--Chaucer.
That digestive [a cigar] had become to me as
necessary as the meal itself. --Blackw. Mag.
2. (Med.)
(a) A substance which, when applied to a wound or ulcer,
promotes suppuration. --Dunglison.
(b) A tonic. [R.]
Digestor \Di*gest"or\, n.
See {Digester}.
Digesture \Di*ges"ture\ (?; 135), n.
Digestion. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Diggable \Dig"ga*ble\, a.
Capable of being dug.
Digger \Dig"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, digs.
{Digger wasp} (Zo["o]l.), any one of the fossorial
Hymenoptera.
Diggers \Dig"gers\, n. pl.; sing. {Digger}. (Ethnol.)
A degraded tribe of California Indians; -- so called from
their practice of digging roots for food.
Digging \Dig"ging\, n.
1. The act or the place of excavating.
2. pl. Places where ore is dug; especially, certain
localities in California, Australia, and elsewhere, at
which gold is obtained. [Recent]
3. pl. Region; locality. [Low]
Dight \Dight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dight} or {Dighted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dighting}.] [OF. dihten, AS. dihtan to dictate,
command, dispose, arrange, fr. L. dictare to say often,
dictate, order; cf. G. dichten to write poetry, fr. L.
dictare. See {Dictate}.]
1. To prepare; to put in order; hence, to dress, or put on;
to array; to adorn. [Archaic] ``She gan the house to
--dight.'' --Chaucer.
Two harmless turtles, dight for sacrifice.
--Fairfax.
The clouds in thousand liveries dight. --Milton.
2. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dighter \Dight"er\, n.
One who dights. [Obs.]
Digit \Dig"it\, n. [L. digitus finger; prob. akin to Gr. ?, of
uncertain origin; possibly akin to E. toe. Cf. {Dactyl}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) One of the terminal divisions of a limb
appendage; a finger or toe.
The ruminants have the ``cloven foot,'' i. e., two
hoofed digits on each foot. --Owen.
2. A finger's breadth, commonly estimated to be three fourths
of an inch.
3. (Math.) One of the ten figures or symbols, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, by which all numbers are expressed; -- so
called because of the use of the fingers in counting and
computing.
Note: By some authorities the symbol 0 is not included with
the digits.
4. (Anat.) One twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or
moon; -- a term used to express the quantity of an
eclipse; as, an eclipse of eight digits is one which hides
two thirds of the diameter of the disk.
Digit \Dig"it\, v. t.
To point at or out with the finger. [R.]
Digital \Dig"i*tal\, a. [L. digitals.]
Of or performance to the fingers, or to digits; done with the
fingers; as, digital compression; digital examination.
Digitain \Dig"i*ta`in\, n. [Cf. F. digitaline.]
(a) (Med.) Any one of several extracts of foxglove
({Digitalis}), as the ``French extract,'' the ``German
extract,'' etc., which differ among themselves in
composition and properties.
(b) (Chem.) A supposedly distinct vegetable principle as the
essential ingredient of the extracts. It is a white,
crystalline substance, and is regarded as a glucoside.
Digitalis \Dig`i*ta"lis\, n. [NL.: cf. F. digitale. So named
(according to Linn[ae]us) from its finger-shaped corolla.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of plants including the foxglove.
2. (Med.) The dried leaves of the purple foxglove ({Digitalis
purpurea}), used in heart disease, disturbance of the
circulation, etc.
Digitate \Dig"i*tate\, v. t. [LL. digitatus, p. p. of digitare,
fr. L. digitus. See {Digit}.]
To point out as with the finger. [R.] --Robinson (Eudoxa).
Digitate \Dig"i*tate\, Digitated \Dig"i*ta`ted\, a. [L.
digitatus having fingers.] (Bot.)
Having several leaflets arranged, like the fingers of the
hand, at the extremity of a stem or petiole. Also, in
general, characterized by digitation. -- {Dig"i*tate*ly},
adv.
Digitation \Dig`i*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. digitation.]
A division into fingers or fingerlike processes; also, a
fingerlike process.
Digitiform \Dig"i*ti*form\, a. [L. digitus a finger + -form.]
Formed like a finger or fingers; finger-shaped; as, a
digitiform root.
Digitigrade \Dig"i*ti*grade\, a. [L. digitus finger, toe + gradi
to step, walk: cf. F. digitigrade.] (Zo["o]l.)
Walking on the toes; -- distinguished from plantigrade.
Digitigrade \Dig"i*ti*grade\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An animal that walks on its toes, as the cat, lion, wolf,
etc.; -- distinguished from a plantigrade, which walks on the
palm of the foot.
Digitipartite \Dig`i*ti*par"tite\, a. [L. digitus finger +
partite.] (Bot.)
Parted like the fingers.
Digitize \Dig"i*tize\, v. t. [Digit + -ize.]
To finger; as, to digitize a pen. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Digitorium \Dig`i*to"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. digitus a finger.]
A small dumb keyboard used by pianists for exercising the
fingers; -- called also {dumb piano}.
Digitule \Dig"i*tule\, n. [L. digitulus, dim. of digitus.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A little finger or toe, or something resembling one.
Digladiate \Di*gla"di*ate\, v. i. [L. digladiari; di- = dis- +
gladius a sword.]
To fight like gladiators; to contend fiercely; to dispute
violently. [Obs.]
Digladiating like [AE]schines and Demosthenes. --Hales.
Digladiation \Di*gla`di*a"tion\, n.
Act of digladiating. [Obs.] ``Sore digladiations and
contest.'' --Evelyn.
Diglottism \Di*glot"tism\, n. [Gr. ? speaking two languages; di-
= di`s- twice + ? tongue. See {Glottis}.]
Bilingualism. [R.] --Earle.
Diglyph \Di"glyph\, n. [Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice + ? to hollow
out, carve.] (Arch.)
A projecting face like the triglyph, but having only two
channels or grooves sunk in it.
Dignation \Dig*na"tion\, n. [L. dignatio.]
The act of thinking worthy; honor. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Digne \Digne\, a. [F., fr. L. dignus. See {Design}.]
1. Worthy; honorable; deserving. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Suitable; adequate; fit. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. Haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dignification \Dig`ni*fi*ca"tion\, n. [See {Dignify}.]
The act of dignifying; exaltation.
Dignified \Dig"ni*fied\, a.
Marked with dignity; stately; as, a dignified judge.
Dignify \Dig"ni*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dignified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dignifying}.] [OF. dignifier, fr. LL. d??nificare; L.
dignus worthy + ficare (in comp.), facere to make. See
{Deign}, and {Fact}.]
To invest with dignity or honor; to make illustrious; to give
distinction to; to exalt in rank; to honor.
Your worth will dignity our feast. --B. Jonson.
Syn: To exalt; elevate; prefer; advance; honor; illustrate;
adorn; ennoble.
Dignitary \Dig"ni*ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Dignitaries}. [Cf. F.
dignitaire, fr. L. dignitas.]
One who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity
or honor; especially, one who holds an ecclesiastical rank
above that of a parochial priest or clergyman.
Dignity \Dig"ni*ty\, n.; pl. {Dignities}. [OE. dignete, dignite,
OF. dignet['e], dignit['e], F. dignit['e], fr. L. dignitas,
from dignus worthy. See {Dainty}, {Deign}.]
1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind
or character; true worth; excellence.
2. Elevation; grandeur.
The dignity of this act was worth the audience of
kings. --Shak.
3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political
or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment;
exaltation. --Macaulay.
And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been
done to Mordecai for this? --Esth. vi. 3.
Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency
of dignity, and the excellency of power. --Gen.
xlix. 3.
4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness
and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of ??en,
manner, style, etc.
A letter written with singular energy and dignity of
thought ??d language. --Macaulay.
5. One holding high rank; a dignitary.
These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities.
--Jude. 8.
6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.]
Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles
known by themselves. --Sir T.
Browne.
Syn: See {Decorum}.
{To stand upon one's dignity}, to have or to affect a high
notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.
They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give
their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as
fine as anybody else. --R. G. White.
Dignotion \Dig*no"tion\, n. [L. dignoscere to distinguish; di- =
dis- + gnoscere, noscere, to learn to know.]
Distinguishing mark; diagnostic. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Digonous \Dig"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ? = ? double + ? an angle.]
Having two angles. --Smart.
Digram \Di"gram\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? letter.]
A digraph.
Digraph \Di"graph\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a writing, ?
to write.]
Two signs or characters combined to express a single
articulated sound; as ea in head, or th in bath.
Digraphic \Di*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a digraph. --H. Sweet.
Digress \Di*gress"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Digressed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Digressing}.] [L. digressus, p. p. of digredi to go
apart, to deviate; di- = dis- + gradi to step, walk. See
{Grade}.]
1. To step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially,
to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or
course of argument, in writing or speaking.
Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude.
--Holland.
In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room
to digress into a particular definition as often as
a man varies the signification of any term. --Locke.
2. To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to
offend. [R.]
Thy abundant goodness shall excuse This deadly blot
on thy digressing son. --Shak.
Digress \Di*gress"\, n.
Digression. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Digression \Di*gres"sion\, n. [L. digressio: cf. F. digression.]
1. The act of digressing or deviating, esp. from the main
subject of a discourse; hence, a part of a discourse
deviating from its main design or subject.
The digressions I can not excuse otherwise, than by
the confidence that no man will read them. --Sir W.
Temple.
2. A turning aside from the right path; transgression;
offense. [R.]
Then my digression is so vile, so base, That it will
live engraven in my face. --Shak.
3. (Anat.) The elongation, or angular distance from the sun;
-- said chiefly of the inferior planets. [R.]
Digressional \Di*gres"sion*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or having the character of, a digression;
departing from the main purpose or subject. --T. Warton.
Digressive \Di*gress"ive\, a. [Cf. F. digressif.]
Departing from the main subject; partaking of the nature of
digression. --Johnson.
Digressively \Di*gress"ive*ly\, adv.
By way of digression.
Digue \Digue\, n. [F. See {Dike}.]
A bank; a dike. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
Digynia \Di*gyn"i*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a
woman, a female.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants having two styles.
Digynian \Di*gyn"i*an\, Digynous \Dig"y*nous\, a. [Cf. F.
digyne.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Digynia; having two styles.
Dihedral \Di*he"dral\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a seat,
bottom, base, fr. ? to sit. Cf. {Diedral}.]
Having two plane faces; as, the dihedral summit of a crystal.
{Dihedral angle}, the angular space contained between planes
which intersect. It is measured by the angle made by any
two lines at right angles to the two planes.
Dihedron \Di*he"dron\, n. [See {Dihedral}.]
A figure with two sides or surfaces. --Buchanan.
Dihexagonal \Di`hex*ag"o*nal\, a. [Pref. di- + hexagonal.]
(a) Consisting of two hexagonal parts united; thus, a
dihexagonal pyramid is composed of two hexagonal pyramids
placed base to base.
(b) Having twelve similar faces; as, a dihexagonal prism.
Diiamb \Di`i*amb"\, n.
A diiambus.
Diiambus \Di`i*am"bus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice +
?. See {Lambus}.] (Pros.)
A double iambus; a foot consisting of two iambuses (? ? ? ?).
Diiodide \Di*i"o*dide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + iodine.]
(Chem.)
A compound of a binary type containing two atoms of iodine;
-- called also {biniodide}.
Diisatogen \Di`i*sat"o*gen\, n. [Pref. di- + isatine + -gen.]
(Chem.)
A red crystalline nitrogenous substance or artificial
production, which by reduction passes directly to indigo.
Dijudicant \Di*ju"di*cant\, n. [L. dijudicans, p. pr.]
One who dijudicates. [R.] --Wood.
Dijudicate \Di*ju"di*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dijudicated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dijucating}.] [L. dijudicatus, p. p. of
dijudicare to decide; di- = dis- + judicare to judge.]
To make a judicial decision; to decide; to determine. [R.]
--Hales.
Dijudication \Di*ju`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. dijudicatio.]
The act of dijudicating; judgment. [R.] --Cockeram.
Dika \Di"ka\, n. [Native West African name.]
A kind of food, made from the almondlike seeds of the
{Irvingia Barteri}, much used by natives of the west coast of
Africa; -- called also {dika bread}.
Dike \Dike\, n. [OE. dic, dike, diche, ditch, AS. d?c dike,
ditch; akin to D. dijk dike, G. deich, and prob. teich pond,
Icel. d?ki dike, ditch, Dan. dige; perh. akin to Gr. ? (for
?) wall, and even E. dough; or perh. to Gr. ? pool, marsh.
Cf. {Ditch}.]
1. A ditch; a channel for water made by digging.
Little channels or dikes cut to every bed. --Ray.
2. An embankment to prevent inundations; a levee.
Dikes that the hands of the farmers had raised . . .
Shut out the turbulent tides. --Longfellow.
3. A wall of turf or stone. [Scot.]
4. (Geol.) A wall-like mass of mineral matter, usually an
intrusion of igneous rocks, filling up rents or fissures
in the original strata.
Dike \Dike\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Diking}.] [OE. diken, dichen, AS. d[=i]cian to dike. See
{Dike}.]
1. To surround or protect with a dike or dry bank; to secure
with a bank.
2. To drain by a dike or ditch.
Dike \Dike\, v. i.
To work as a ditcher; to dig. [Obs.]
He would thresh and thereto dike and delve. --Chaucer.
Diker \Dik"er\, n.
1. A ditcher. --Piers Plowman.
2. One who builds stone walls; usually, one who builds them
without lime. [Scot.]
Dilacerate \Di*lac"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dilacerated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dilacerating}.] [L. dilaceratus, p. p. of
dilacerare to tear apart; di- = dis- + lacerare to tear.]
To rend asunder; to tear to pieces. --Sir T. Browne.
Dilaceration \Di*lac`er*a"tion\, n. [L. dilaceratio: cf. F.
dilac['e]ration.]
The act of rending asunder. --Arbuthnot.
Dilaniate \Di*la"ni*ate\, v. t. [L. dilaniatus, p. p. of
dilaniare to dilacerate; di- = dis- + laniare to tear to
pieces.]
To rend in pieces; to tear. [R.] --Howell.
Dilaniation \Di*la`ni*a"tion\, n.
A rending or tearing in pieces; dilaceration. [R.]
Dilapidate \Di*lap"i*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dilapidated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dilapidating}.] [L. dilapidare to scatter
like stones; di- = dis- + lapidare to throw stones, fr. lapis
a stone. See {Lapidary}.]
1. To bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin, by
misuse or through neglect; to destroy the fairness and
good condition of; -- said of a building.
If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates
the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the
patrimony. --Blackstone.
2. To impair by waste and abuse; to squander.
The patrimony of the bishopric of Oxon was much
dilapidated. --Wood.
Dilapidate \Di*lap"i*date\, v. i.
To get out of repair; to fall into partial ruin; to become
decayed; as, the church was suffered to dilapidate.
--Johnson.
Dilapidated \Di*lap"i*da`ted\, a.
Decayed; fallen into partial ruin; injured by bad usage or
neglect.
A deserted and dilapidated buildings. --Cooper.
Dilapidation \Di*lap`i*da"tion\, n. [L. dilapidatio: cf. F.
dilapidation.]
1. The act of dilapidating, or the state of being
dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined, or
squandered.
Tell the people that are relived by the dilapidation
of their public estate. --Burke.
2. Ecclesiastical waste; impairing of church property by an
incumbent, through neglect or by intention.
The business of dilapidations came on between our
bishop and the Archibishop of York. --Strype.
3. (Law) The pulling down of a building, or suffering it to
fall or be in a state of decay. --Burrill.
Dilapidator \Di*lap"i*da`tor\, n. [Cf. F. dilapidateur.]
One who causes dilapidation. --Strype.
Dilatability \Di*la`ta*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. dilatabilit['e].]
The quality of being dilatable, or admitting expansion; --
opposed to {contractibility}. --Ray.
Dilatable \Di*lat"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. dilatable.]
Capable of expansion; that may be dilated; -- opposed to
{contractible}; as, the lungs are dilatable by the force of
air; air is dilatable by heat.
Dilatation \Dil`a*ta"tion\, n. [OE. dilatacioun, F. dilatation,
L. dilatatio, fr. dilatare. See {Dilate}, and cf. 2d
{Dilation}.]
1. Prolixity; diffuse discourse. [Obs.] ``What needeth
greater dilatation?'' --Chaucer.
2. The act of dilating; expansion; an enlarging on al? sides;
the state of being dilated; dilation.
3. (Anat.) A dilation or enlargement of a canal or other
organ.
Dilatator \Dil`a*ta"tor\, n. [NL. Cf. L. dilatator a
propagator.] (Anat.)
A muscle which dilates any part; a dilator.
Dilate \Di*late"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dilated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dilating}.] [L. dilatare; either fr. di- = dis-
+ latus wide, not the same word as latus, used as p. p. of
ferre to bear (see {Latitude}); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p.
of differre to separate (see {Delay}, {Tolerate}, {Differ},
and cf. {Dilatory}): cf. F. dilater.]
1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all
directions; to swell; -- opposed to {contract}; as, the
air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by increase of heat.
2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or
diffusely. [R.]
Do me the favor to dilate at full What hath befallen
of them and thee till now. --Shak.
Syn: To expand; swell; distend; enlarge; spread out; amplify;
expatiate.
Dilate \Di*late"\, v. i.
1. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all
directions.
His heart dilates and glories in his strength.
--Addison.
2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to
enlarge; -- with on or upon.
But still on their ancient joys dilate. --Crabbe.
Dilate \Di*late"\, a.
Extensive; expanded. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Dilated \Di*lat"ed\, a.
1. Expanded; enlarged. --Shak.
2. (Bot.) Widening into a lamina or into lateral winglike
appendages.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having the margin wide and spreading.
Dilatedly \Di*lat"ed*ly\, adv.
In a dilated manner. --Feltham.
Dilater \Di*lat"er\, n.
One who, or that which, dilates, expands, o r enlarges.
Dilation \Di*la"tion\, n. [L. dilatio. See {Dilatory}.]
Delay. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Dilation \Di*la"tion\, n. [From dilate, v., cf. {Dilatation},
{Dilator}.]
The act of dilating, or the state of being dilated;
expansion; dilatation. --Mrs. Browning.
At first her eye with slow dilation rolled. --Tennyson.
A gigantic dilation of the hateful figure. --Dickens.
Dilative \Di*lat"ive\, a.
Causing dilation; tending to dilate, on enlarge; expansive.
--Coleridge.
Dilatometer \Dil`a*tom"e*ter\, n. [Dilate + -meter.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for measuring the dilatation or expansion of a
substance, especially of a fluid.
Dilator \Di*lat"or\, n. [See {Dilate}.]
1. One who, or that which, widens or expands.
2. (Anat.) A muscle that dilates any part.
3. (Med.) An instrument for expanding a part; as, a urethral
dilator.
Dilatorily \Dil"a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
With delay; tardily.
Dilatoriness \Dil"a*to*ri*ness\, n.
The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness;
sluggishness.
Dilatory \Dil"a*to*ry\, a. [L. dilatorius, fr. dilator a
delayer, fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differe to defer,
delay: cf. F. dilatoire. See {Dilate}, {Differ}, {Defer}.]
1. Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at
once; given the procrastination; delaying;
procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant.
2. Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish;
-- said of actions or measures.
Alva, as usual, brought his dilatory policy to bear
upon hi? adversary. --Motley.
{Dilatory plea} (Law), a plea designed to create delay in the
trial of a cause, generally founded upon some matter not
connected with the merits of the case.
Syn: Slow; delaying; sluggish; inactive; loitering;
behindhand; backward; procrastinating. See {Slow}.
Dildo \Dil"do\, n.
A burden in popular songs. [Obs.]
Delicate burthens of dildos and fadings. --Shak.
Dildo \Dil"do\, n. (Bot.)
A columnar cactaceous plant of the West Indies ({Cereus
Swartzii}).
Dilection \Di*lec"tion\, n. [L. dilectio: dilection. See
{Diligent}.]
Love; choice. [Obs.] --T. Martin.
Dilemma \Di*lem"ma\, n. [L. dilemma, Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice +
? to take. See {Lemma}.]
1. (Logic) An argument which presents an antagonist with two
or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against
him, whichever alternative he chooses.
Note: The following are instances of the dilemma. A young
rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the
art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to
be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued
for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to ?lude his
claim by a dilemma. ``If I gain my cause, I shall
withhold your pay, because the judge's award will be
against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I
shall not yet have gained a cause.'' ``On the
contrary,'' says the master, ``if you gain your cause,
you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you
gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because
the judge will award it.'' --Johnson.
2. A state of things in which evils or obstacles present
themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine
what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or
predicament; a difficult choice or position.
A strong dilemma in a desperate case! To act with
infamy, or quit the place. --Swift.
{Horns of a dilemma}, alternatives, each of which is equally
difficult of encountering.
Dilettant \Dil"et*tant`\, a.
Of or pertaining to dilettanteism; amateur; as, dilettant
speculation. --Carlyle.
Dilettant \Dil`et*tant"\, n.
A dilettante.
Though few art lovers can be connoisseurs, many are
dilettants. --Fairholt.
Dilettante \Dil`et*tan"te\, n.; pl. {Dilettanti}. [It., prop. p.
pr. of dillettare to take delight in, fr. L. delectare to
delight. See {Delight}, v. t.]
An admirer or lover of the fine arts; popularly, an amateur;
especially, one who follows an art or a branch of knowledge,
desultorily, or for amusement only.
The true poet is not an eccentric creature, not a mere
artist living only for art, not a dreamer or a dilettante,
sipping the nectar of existence, while he keeps aloof from
its deeper interests. --J. C.
Shairp.
Dilettanteish \Dil`et*tan"te*ish\, a.
Somewhat like a dilettante.
Dilettanteism \Dil`et*tan"te*ism\, n.
The state or quality of being a dilettante; the desultory
pursuit of art, science, or literature.
Dilettantish \Dil`et*tant"ish\, a.
Dilettanteish.
Dilettantism \Dil`et*tant"ism\, n.
Same as {Dilettanteism}. --F. Harrison.
Diligence \Dil"i*gence\, n. [F. diligence, L. diligentia.]
1. The quality of being diligent; carefulness; careful
attention; -- the opposite of negligence.
2. Interested and persevering application; devoted and
painstaking effort to accomplish what is undertaken;
assiduity in service.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified
in; and the best of me is diligence. --Shak.
3. (Scots Law) Process by which persons, lands, or effects
are seized for debt; process for enforcing the attendance
of witnesses or the production of writings.
{To do one's diligence}, {give diligence}, {use diligence},
to exert one's self; to make interested and earnest
endeavor.
And each of them doth all his diligence To do unto
the fest['e] reverence. --Chaucer.
Syn: Attention; industry; assiduity; sedulousness;
earnestness; constancy; heed; heedfulness; care;
caution. -- {Diligence}, {Industry}. Industry has the
wider sense of the two, implying an habitual devotion to
labor for some valuable end, as knowledge, property,
etc. Diligence denotes earnest application to some
specific object or pursuit, which more or less directly
has a strong hold on one's interests or feelings. A man
may be diligent for a time, or in seeking some favorite
end, without meriting the title of industrious. Such was
the case with Fox, while Burke was eminent not only for
diligence, but industry; he was always at work, and
always looking out for some new field of mental effort.
The sweat of industry would dry and die, But for
the end it works to. --Shak.
Diligence and accuracy are the only merits which
an historical writer ascribe to himself. --Gibbon.
Diligence \Di`li*gence"\, n. [F.]
A four-wheeled public stagecoach, used in France.
Diligency \Dil"i*gen*cy\, n. [L. diligentia.]
Diligence; care; persevering endeavor. [Obs.] --Milton.
Diligent \Dil"i*gent\, a. [F. diligent, L. diligens, -entis, p.
pr. of diligere, dilectum, to esteem highly, prefer; di- =
dis- + legere to choose. See {Legend}.]
1. Prosecuted with careful attention and effort; careful;
painstaking; not careless or negligent.
The judges shall make diligent inquisition. --Deut.
xix. 18.
2. Interestedly and perseveringly attentive; steady and
earnest in application to a subject or pursuit; assiduous;
industrious.
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall
stand before kings. --Prov. xxii.
29.
Diligent cultivation of elegant literature.
--Prescott.
Syn: Active; assiduous; sedulous; laborious; persevering;
attentive; industrious.
Diligently \Dil"i*gent*ly\, adv.
In a diligent manner; not carelessly; not negligently; with
industry or assiduity.
Ye diligently keep commandments of the Lord your God.
--Deut. vi.
17.
Dill \Dill\ (d[i^]l), n. [AS dile; akin to D. dille, OHG. tilli,
G. dill, dille, Sw. dill, Dan. dild.] (Bot.)
An herb ({Peucedanum graveolens}), the seeds of which are
moderately warming, pungent, and aromatic, and were formerly
used as a soothing medicine for children; -- called also
{dillseed}.
--Dr. Prior.
Dill \Dill\, v. t. [OE. dillen, fr. dul dull, a.]
To still; to calm; to soothe, as one in pain. [Obs.]
Dilling \Dil"ling\ (d[i^]l"l[i^]ng), n.
A darling; a favorite. [Obs.]
Whilst the birds billing, Each one with his dilling.
--Drayton.
Dilluing \Dil*lu"ing\ (d[i^]l*l[=u]"[i^]ng), n. (Min.)
A process of sorting ore by washing in a hand sieve. [Written
also {deluing}.]
Dilly \Dil"ly\ (d[i^]l"l[y^]), n. [Contr. fr. diligence.]
A kind of stagecoach. ``The Derby dilly.'' --J. H. Frere.
Dilly-dally \Dil"ly-dal`ly\, v. i. [See {Dally}.]
To loiter or trifle; to waste time.
Dilogical \Di*log"ic*al\, a.
Ambiguous; of double meaning. [Obs.] --T. Adams.
Dilogy \Dil"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Dilogies}. [L. dilogia, Gr. ?, fr. ?
doubtful; di- = di`s- twice + ? to speak.] (Rhet.)
An ambiguous speech; a figure in which a word is used an
equivocal sense. [R.]
Dilucid \Di*lu"cid\, a. [L. dilucidus, fr. dilucere to be light
enough to distinguish objects apart. See {Lucid}.]
Clear; lucid. [Obs.] --Bacon. -- {Di*lu"cid*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
-- {Di`lu*cid"i*ty}, n. [Obs.]
Dilucidate \Di*lu"ci*date\, v. t. [L. dilucidatus, p. p. of
dilucidare.]
To elucidate. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Dilucidation \Di*lu`ci*da"tion\, n. [L. dilucidatio.]
The act of making clear. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Diluent \Dil"u*ent\, a. [L. diluens, p. pr. diluere. See
{Dilute}.]
Diluting; making thinner or weaker by admixture, esp. of
water. --Arbuthnot.
Diluent \Dil"u*ent\, n.
1. That which dilutes.
2. (Med.) An agent used for effecting dilution of the blood;
a weak drink.
There is no real diluent but water. --Arbuthnot.
Dilute \Di*lute"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diluted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Diluting}.] [L. dilutus, p. p. of diluere to wash away,
dilute; di- = dis- + luere, equiv. to lavare to wash, lave.
See {Lave}, and cf. {Deluge}.]
1. To make thinner or more liquid by admixture with
something; to thin and dissolve by mixing.
Mix their watery store. With the chyle's current,
and dilute it more. --Blackmore.
2. To diminish the strength, flavor, color, etc., of, by
mixing; to reduce, especially by the addition of water; to
temper; to attenuate; to weaken.
Lest these colors should be diluted and weakened by
the mixture of any adventitious light. --Sir I.
Newton.
Dilute \Di*lute"\, v. i.
To become attenuated, thin, or weak; as, it dilutes easily.
Dilute \Di*lute"\, a. [L. dilutus, p. p.]
Diluted; thin; weak.
A dilute and waterish exposition. --Hopkins.
Diluted \Di*lut"ed\, a.
Reduced in strength; thin; weak. -- {Di*lut"ed*ly}, adv.
Diluteness \Di*lute"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being dilute. --Bp. Wilkins.
Diluter \Di*lut"er\, n.
One who, or that which, dilutes or makes thin, more liquid,
or weaker.
Dilution \Di*lu"tion\, n. [Cf. F. dilution.]
The act of diluting, or the state of being diluted.
--Arbuthnot.
Diluvial \Di*lu"vi*al\, a. [L. diluvialis. fr. diluvium.]
1. Of or pertaining to a flood or deluge, esp. to the great
deluge in the days of Noah; diluvian.
2. (Geol.) Effected or produced by a flood or deluge of
water; -- said of coarse and imperfectly stratified
deposits along ancient or existing water courses. Similar
unstratified deposits were formed by the agency of ice.
The time of deposition has been called the Diluvian epoch.
Diluvialist \Di*lu"vi*al*ist\, n.
One who explains geological phenomena by the Noachian deluge.
--Lyell.
Diluvian \Di*lu"vi*an\, a. [Cf. F. diluvien.]
Of or pertaining to a deluge, esp. to the Noachian deluge;
diluvial; as, of diluvian origin. --Buckland.
Diluviate \Di*lu"vi*ate\, v. i. [L. diluviare.]
To run as a flood. [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
Diluvium \Di*lu"vi*um\, n.; pl. E. {Diluviums}, L. {Diluvia}.
[L. diluvium. See {Dilute}, {Deluge}.] (Geol.)
A deposit of superficial loam, sand, gravel, stones, etc.,
caused by former action of flowing waters, or the melting of
glacial ice.
Note: The accumulation of matter by the ordinary operation of
water is termed alluvium.
Dim \Dim\, a. [Compar. {Dimmer}; superl. {Dimmest}.] [AS. dim;
akin to OFries. dim, Icel. dimmr: cf. MHG. timmer, timber; of
uncertain origin.]
1. Not bright or distinct; wanting luminousness or clearness;
obscure in luster or sound; dusky; darkish; obscure;
indistinct; overcast; tarnished.
The dim magnificence of poetry. --Whewell.
How is the gold become dim! --Lam. iv. 1.
I never saw The heavens so dim by day. --Shak.
Three sleepless nights I passed in sounding on,
Through words and things, a dim and perilous way.
--Wordsworth.
2. Of obscure vision; not seeing clearly; hence, dull of
apprehension; of weak perception; obtuse.
Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. --Job
xvii. 7.
The understanding is dim. --Rogers.
Note: Obvious compounds: dim-eyed; dim-sighted, etc.
Syn: Obscure; dusky; dark; mysterious; imperfect; dull;
sullied; tarnished.
Dim \Dim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dimmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dimming}.]
1. To render dim, obscure, or dark; to make less bright or
distinct; to take away the luster of; to darken; to dull;
to obscure; to eclipse.
A king among his courtiers, who dims all his
attendants. --Dryden.
Now set the sun, and twilight dimmed the ways.
--Cowper.
2. To deprive of distinct vision; to hinder from seeing
clearly, either by dazzling or clouding the eyes; to
darken the senses or understanding of.
Her starry eyes were dimmed with streaming tears.
--C. Pitt.
Dim \Dim\, v. i.
To grow dim. --J. C. Shairp.
Dimble \Dim"ble\, n. [Prob. orig., a cavity, and the same word
as dimple. See {Dimple}.]
A bower; a dingle. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Dime \Dime\, n. [F. d[^i]me tithe, OF. disme, fr. L. decimus the
tenth, fr. decem ten. See {Decimal}.]
A silver coin of the United States, of the value of ten
cents; the tenth of a dollar.
{Dime novel}, a novel, commonly sensational and trashy, which
is sold for a dime, or ten cents.
Dimension \Di*men"sion\, n. [L. dimensio, fr. dimensus, p. p. of
dimetiri to measure out; di- = dis- + metiri to measure: cf.
F. dimension. See {Measure}.]
1. Measure in a single line, as length, breadth, height,
thickness, or circumference; extension; measurement; --
usually, in the plural, measure in length and breadth, or
in length, breadth, and thickness; extent; size; as, the
dimensions of a room, or of a ship; the dimensions of a
farm, of a kingdom.
Gentlemen of more than ordinary dimensions. --W.
Irving.
{Space of dimension}, extension that has length but no
breadth or thickness; a straight or curved line.
{Space of two dimensions}, extension which has length and
breadth, but no thickness; a plane or curved surface.
{Space of three dimensions}, extension which has length,
breadth, and thickness; a solid.
{Space of four dimensions}, as imaginary kind of extension,
which is assumed to have length, breadth, thickness, and
also a fourth imaginary dimension. Space of five or six,
or more dimensions is also sometimes assumed in
mathematics.
2. Extent; reach; scope; importance; as, a project of large
dimensions.
3. (Math.) The degree of manifoldness of a quantity; as, time
is quantity having one dimension; volume has three
dimensions, relative to extension.
4. (Alg.) A literal factor, as numbered in characterizing a
term. The term dimensions forms with the cardinal numbers
a phrase equivalent to degree with the ordinal; thus,
a^{2}b^{2}c is a term of five dimensions, or of the fifth
degree.
5. pl. (Phys.) The manifoldness with which the fundamental
units of time, length, and mass are involved in
determining the units of other physical quantities.
Note: Thus, since the unit of velocity varies directly as the
unit of length and inversely as the unit of time, the
dimensions of velocity are said to be length [divby]
time; the dimensions of work are mass [times]
(length)^{2} [divby] (time)^{2}; the dimensions of
density are mass [divby] (length)^{3}.
{Dimension lumber}, {Dimension scantling}, or {Dimension
stock} (Carp.), lumber for building, etc., cut to the sizes
usually in demand, or to special sizes as ordered.
{Dimension stone}, stone delivered from the quarry rough, but
brought to such sizes as are requisite for cutting to
dimensions given.
Dimensional \Di*men"sion*al\, a.
Pertaining to dimension.
Dimensioned \Di*men"sioned\, a.
Having dimensions. [R.]
Dimensionless \Di*men"sion*less\, a.
Without dimensions; having no appreciable or noteworthy
extent. --Milton.
Dimensity \Di*men"si*ty\, n.
Dimension. [R.] --Howell.
Dimensive \Di*men"sive\, a.
Without dimensions; marking dimensions or the limits.
Who can draw the soul's dimensive lines? --Sir J.
Davies.
Dimera \Dim"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ?
part.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A division of Coleoptera, having two joints to the tarsi.
(b) A division of the Hemiptera, including the aphids.
Dimeran \Dim"er*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Dimera.
Dimerous \Dim"er*ous\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? part.]
Composed of, or having, two parts of each kind.
Note: A dimerous flower has two sepals, two petals, two
stamens, and two pistils.
Dimeter \Dim"e*ter\, a. [L. dimeter, Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice +
? measure.]
Having two poetical measures or meters. -- n. A verse of two
meters.
Dimethyl \Di*meth"yl\, n. [Pref. di- + methyl.] (Chem.)
Ethane; -- sometimes so called because regarded as consisting
of two methyl radicals. See {Ethane}.
Dimetric \Di*met"ric\, a. [See {Dimeter}, a.] (Crystallog.)
Same as {Tetragonal}. --Dana.
Dimication \Dim`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. dimicatio, fr. dimicare to
fight.]
A fight; contest. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Dimidiate \Di*mid"i*ate\, a. [L. dimidiatus, p. p. of dimidiare
to halve, fr. dimidius half. See {Demi-}.]
1. Divided into two equal parts; reduced to half in shape or
form.
2. (Biol.)
(a) Consisting of only one half of what the normal
condition requires; having the appearance of lacking
one half; as, a dimidiate leaf, which has only one
side developed.
(b) Having the organs of one side, or half, different in
function from the corresponding organs on the other
side; as, dimidiate hermaphroditism.
Dimidiate \Di*mid"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dimidiated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dimidiating}.]
1. To divide into two equal parts. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
2. (Her.) To represent the half of; to halve.
Dimidiation \Di*mid`i*a"tion\, n. [L. dimidiatio.]
The act of dimidiating or halving; the state of being
dimidiate.
Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diminished}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Diminishing}.] [Pref. di- (= L. dis-) + minish: cf.
L. diminuere, F. diminuer, OE. diminuen. See {Dis-}, and
{Minish}.]
1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or
amount; to lessen; -- opposed to {augment} or {increase}.
Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.
--Barrow.
2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to
degrade; to abase; to weaken.
This doth nothing diminish their opinion. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule
over the nations. --Ezek. xxix.
15.
O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their
diminished heads. --Milton.
3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an
interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.
4. To take away; to subtract.
Neither shall ye diminish aught from it. --Deut. iv.
2.
{Diminished column}, one whose upper diameter is less than
the lower.
{Diminished}, or {Diminishing}, {scale}, a scale of gradation
used in finding the different points for drawing the
spiral curve of the volute. --Gwilt.
{Diminishing rule} (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge,
for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft.
{Diminishing stile} (Arch.), a stile which is narrower in one
part than in another, as in many glazed doors.
Syn: To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail;
impair; degrade. See {Decrease}.
Diminish \Di*min"ish\, v. i.
To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the
apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.
Diminishable \Di*min"ish*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being diminished or lessened.
Diminisher \Di*min"ish*er\, n.
One who, or that which, diminishes anything. --Clerke (1637).
Diminishingly \Di*min"ish*ing*ly\, adv.
In a manner to diminish.
Diminishment \Di*min"ish*ment\, n.
Diminution. [R.] --Cheke.
Diminuendo \Di*min`u*en"do\, adv. [It., p. pr. of diminuere to
diminish.] (Mus.)
In a gradually diminishing manner; with abatement of tone;
decrescendo; -- expressed on the staff by Dim., or Dimin., or
the sign.
Diminuent \Di*min"u*ent\, a. [L. diminuens, p. pr. of diminuere.
See {Diminish}.]
Lessening. --Bp. Sanderson.
Diminutal \Dim`i*nu"tal\, a.
Indicating or causing diminution. --Earle.
Diminute \Dim"i*nute\, a.
Small; diminished; diminutive. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Diminutely \Dim"i*nute*ly\, adv.
Diminutively. [Obs.]
Diminution \Dim`i*nu"tion\, n. [L. diminutio, or perh. rather
deminutio: cf. F. diminution. See {Diminish}.]
1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less;
state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or
degree; -- opposed to {augmentation} or {increase}.
2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the
state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in
estimation; degradation; abasement.
The world's opinion or diminution of me. --Eikon
Basilike.
Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military
honor next. --Philips.
3. (Law) Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.
4. (Mus.) In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a
subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the
subject itself.
Syn: Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction;
decrement.
Diminutival \Di*min`u*ti"val\, a.
Indicating diminution; diminutive. ``Diminutival forms'' [of
words]. --Earle. -- n. A diminutive. --Earle.
Diminutive \Di*min"u*tive\, a. [Cf. L. deminutivus, F.
diminutif.]
1. Below the average size; very small; little.
2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word.
3. Tending to diminish. [R.]
Diminutive of liberty. --Shaftesbury.
Diminutive \Di*min"u*tive\, n.
1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant
thing.
Such water flies, diminutives of nature. --Shak.
2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a
young object of the same kind with that denoted by the
primitive; as, gosling, eaglet, lambkin.
Babyisms and dear diminutives. --Tennyson.
Note: The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which
expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as
scribble.
Diminutively \Di*min"u*tive*ly\, adv.
In a diminutive manner.
Diminutiveness \Di*min"u*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being diminutive; smallness; littleness;
minuteness.
Dimish \Dim"ish\, a.
See {Dimmish}.
Dimission \Di*mis"sion\, n. [L. dimissio. See {Dimit}, and cf.
{Dismission}.]
Leave to depart; a dismissing. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Dimissory \Dim"is*so*ry\ (?; 277), a. [L. dimissorius: cf. F.
dimissoire. See {Dimit}.]
Sending away; dismissing to another jurisdiction; granting
leave to depart.
{Letters dimissory} (Eccl.), letters given by a bishop
dismissing a person who is removing into another diocese,
and recommending him for reception there. --Hook.
Dimit \Di*mit"\, v. t. [L. dimittere to send away, le? go; di- =
dis- + mittere to send. See {Dismiss}.]
To dismiss, let go, or release. [Obs.]
Dimity \Dim"i*ty\, n. [Prob. fr. Gr. ? of double thread, dimity;
di- = di`s- twice + ? a thread of the warp; prob. through D.
diemet, of F. dimite, d['e]mitte. Cf. {Samite}.]
A cotton fabric employed for hangings and furniture
coverings, and formerly used for women's under-garments. It
is of many patterns, both plain and twilled, and occasionally
is printed in colors.
Dimly \Dim"ly\, adv.
In a dim or obscure manner; not brightly or clearly; with
imperfect sight.
Dimmish \Dim"mish\, Dimmy \Dim"my\, a.
Somewhat dim; as, dimmish eyes. ``Dimmy clouds.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
Dimness \Dim"ness\, n. [AS. dimness.]
1. The state or quality ? being dim; lack of brightness,
clearness, or distinctness; dullness; obscurity.
2. Dullness, or want of clearness, of vision or of
intellectual perception. --Dr. H. More.
Syn: Darkness; obscurity; gloom. See {Darkness}.
Dimorph \Di"morph`\, n. [Gr. ? two-formed; di`s- twice (see
{Di-}) + ? form.] (Crystallog.)
Either one of the two forms of a dimorphous substance; as,
calcite and aragonite are dimorphs.
Dimorphic \Di*mor"phic\, a.
Having the property of dimorphism; dimorphous.
Dimorphism \Di*mor"phism\, n. [Cf. F. dimorphisme.]
1. (Biol.) Difference of form between members of the same
species, as when a plant has two kinds of flowers, both
hermaphrodite (as in the partridge berry), or when there
are two forms of one or both sexes of the same species of
butterfly.
Dimorphism is the condition of the appearance of the
same species under two dissimilar forms. --Darwin.
2. (Crystallog.) Crystallization in two independent forms of
the same chemical compound, as of calcium carbonate as
calcite and aragonite.
Dimorphous \Di*mor"phous\, a. [Cf. F. dimorphe.]
1. (Biol.) Characterized by dimorphism; occurring under two
distinct forms, not dependent on sex; dimorphic.
2. (Crystallog.) Crystallizing under two forms fundamentally
different, while having the same chemical composition.
Dimple \Dim"ple\, n. [Prob. a nasalized dim. of dip. See {Dip},
and cf. {Dimble}.]
1. A slight natural depression or indentation on the surface
of some part of the body, esp. on the cheek or chin.
--Milton.
The dimple of her chin. --Prior.
2. A slight indentation on any surface.
The garden pool's dark surface . . . Breaks into
dimples small and bright. --Wordsworth.
Dimple \Dim"ple\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dimpled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dimpling}.]
To form dimples; to sink into depressions or little
inequalities.
And smiling eddies dimpled on the main. --Dryden.
Dimple \Dim"ple\, v. t.
To mark with dimples or dimplelike depressions. --Shak.
Dimplement \Dim"ple*ment\, n.
The state of being dimpled, or marked with gentle
depressions. [R.]
The ground's most gentle dimplement. --Mrs.
Browning.
Dimply \Dim"ply\, a.
Full of dimples, or small depressions; dimpled; as, the
dimply pool. --Thomson.
Dim-sighted \Dim"-sight`ed\, a.
Having dim sight; lacking perception. --
{Dim"-sight`ed*ness}, n.
Dimya \Dim"y*a\, Dimyaria \Dim`y*a"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
= ? + ? to close.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of lamellibranchiate mollusks having an anterior and
posterior adductor muscle, as the common clam. See {Bivalve}.
Dimyarian \Dim`y*a"ri*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the Dimya. -- n. One of the Dimya.
Dimyary \Dim"y*a*ry\, a. & n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Dimyarian}.
Din \Din\, n. [AS. dyne, dyn; akin to Icel. dynr, and to AS.
dynian to resound, Icel. dynja to pour down like hail or
rain; cf. Skr. dhuni roaring, a torrent, dhvan to sound. Cf.
{Dun} to ask payment.]
Loud, confused, harsh noise; a loud, continuous, rattling or
clanging sound; clamor; roar.
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? --Shak.
He knew the battle's din afar. --Sir W.
Scott.
The dust and din and steam of town. --Tennyson.
Din \Din\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dinned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dinning}.] [AS. dynian. See {Din}, n.]
1. To strike with confused or clanging sound; to stun with
loud and continued noise; to harass with clamor; as, to
din the ears with cries.
2. To utter with a din; to repeat noisily; to ding.
This hath been often dinned in my ears. --Swift.
{To din into}, to fix in the mind of another by frequent and
noisy repetitions. --Sir W. Scott.
Din \Din\, v. i.
To sound with a din; a ding.
The gay viol dinning in the dale. --A. Seward.
Dinaphthyl \Di*naph"thyl\, n. [Pref. di- + naphthylene.] (Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, {C20H14}, obtained from
naphthylene, and consisting of a doubled naphthylene radical.
Dinar \Di"nar\, n. [Ar. d?n[=a]r, from Gr. ?, fr. L. denarius.
See {Denier}.]
1. A petty money of accounts of Persia.
2. An ancient gold coin of the East.
Dinarchy \Di"nar*chy\, n.
See {Diarchy}.
Dine \Dine\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dining}.] [F. d[^i]ner, OF. disner, LL. disnare, contr. fr.
an assumed disjunare; dis- + an assumed junare (OF. juner) to
fast, for L. jejunare, fr. jejunus fasting. See {Jejune}, and
cf. {Dinner}, {D?jeuner}.]
To eat the principal regular meal of the day; to take dinner.
Now can I break my fast, dine, sup, and sleep. --Shak.
{To dine with Duke Humphrey}, to go without dinner; -- a
phrase common in Elizabethan literature, said to be from
the practice of the poor gentry, who beguiled the dinner
hour by a promenade near the tomb of Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, in Old Saint Paul's.
Dine \Dine\, v. t.
1. To give a dinner to; to furnish with the chief meal; to
feed; as, to dine a hundred men.
A table massive enough to have dined Johnnie
Armstrong and his merry men. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To dine upon; to have to eat. [Obs.] ``What will ye
dine.'' --Chaucer.
Diner \Din"er\, n.
One who dines.
Diner-out \Din"er-out`\, n.
One who often takes his dinner away from home, or in company.
A brilliant diner-out, though but a curate. --Byron.
Dinetical \Di*net"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ? to whirl round.]
Revolving on an axis. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Ding \Ding\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dinged}, {Dang} (Obs.), or
{Dung} (Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Dinging}.] [OE. dingen,
dengen; akin to AS. dencgan to knock, Icel. dengja to beat,
hammer, Sw. d["a]nga, G. dengeln.]
1. To dash; to throw violently. [Obs.]
To ding the book a coit's distance from him.
--Milton.
2. To cause to sound or ring.
{To ding (anything) in one's ears}, to impress one by noisy
repetition, as if by hammering.
Ding \Ding\, v. i.
1. To strike; to thump; to pound. [Obs.]
Diken, or delven, or dingen upon sheaves. --Piers
Plowman.
2. To sound, as a bell; to ring; to clang.
The fretful tinkling of the convent bell evermore
dinging among the mountain echoes. --W. Irving.
3. To talk with vehemence, importunity, or reiteration; to
bluster. [Low]
Ding \Ding\, n.
A thump or stroke, especially of a bell.
Dingdong \Ding"dong`\, n. [See {Ding}.]
1. The sound of, or as of, repeated strokes on a metallic
body, as a bell; a repeated and monotonous sound.
2. (Horol.) An attachment to a clock by which the quarter
hours are struck upon bells of different tones.
Dingey \Din"gey\, Dingy \Din"gy\, Dinghy \Din"ghy\, n. [Bengalee
dingi.]
1. A kind of boat used in the East Indies. [Written also
{dinghey}.] --Malcom.
2. A ship's smallest boat.
Dingily \Din"gi*ly\, adv.
In a dingy manner.
Dinginess \Din"gi*ness\, n.
Quality of being dingy; a dusky hue.
Dingle \Din"gle\, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. AS. ding prison;
or perh. akin to dimble.]
A narrow dale; a small dell; a small, secluded, and embowered
valley.
Dingle-dangle \Din"gle-dan`gle\, adv.
In a dangling manner.
Dingo \Din"go\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A wild dog found in Australia, but supposed to have
introduced at a very early period. It has a wolflike face,
bushy tail, and a reddish brown color.
Dingthrift \Ding"thrift`\, n.
A spendthrift. [Obs.]
Wilt thou, therefore, a drunkard be, A dingthrift and a
knave? --Drant.
Dingy \Din"gy\, a. [Compar. {Dingier}; superl. {Dingiest}.]
[Prob. fr. dung. Cf. {Dungy}.]
Soiled; sullied; of a dark or dusky color; dark brown; dirty.
``Scraps of dingy paper.'' --Macaulay.
Dinichthys \Di*nich"thys\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? terrible + ?
fish.] (Paleon.)
A genus of large extinct Devonian ganoid fishes. In some
parts of Ohio remains of the Dinichthys are abundant,
indicating animals twenty feet in length.
Dining \Din"ing\, n. & a.
from {Dine}, a.
Note: Used either adjectively or as the first part of a
compound; as, dining hall or dining-hall, dining room,
dining table, etc.
Dink \Dink\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Trim; neat. [Scot.] --Burns. -- {Dink"ly}, adv.
Dink \Dink\, v. t.
To deck; -- often with out or up. [Scot.]
Dinmont \Din"mont\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A wether sheep between one and two years old. [Scot.]
Dinner \Din"ner\, n. [F. d[^i]ner, fr. d[^i]ner to dine. See
{Dine}.]
1. The principal meal of the day, eaten by most people about
midday, but by many (especially in cities) at a later
hour.
2. An entertainment; a feast.
A grand political dinner. --Tennyson.
Note: Dinner is much used, in an obvious sense, either
adjectively or as the first part of a compound; as,
dinner time, or dinner-time, dinner bell, dinner hour,
etc.
Dinnerless \Din"ner*less\, a.
Having no dinner. --Fuller.
Dinnerly \Din"ner*ly\, a.
Of or pertaining to dinner. [R.]
The dinnerly officer. --Copley.
Dinoceras \Di*noc"e*ras\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? terrible + ?, ?,
horn.] (Paleon.)
A genus of large extinct Eocene mammals from Wyoming; --
called also {Uintatherium}. See Illustration in Appendix.
Note: They were herbivorous, and remarkable for three pairs
of hornlike protuberances on the skull. The males were
armed with a pair of powerful canine tusks.
Dinornis \Di*nor"nis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? terrible + ? bird.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of extinct, ostrichlike birds of gigantic size, which
formerly inhabited New Zealand. See {Moa}. [Written also
{Deinornis}.]
Dinosaur \Di"no*saur\, Dinosaurian \Di`no*sau"ri*an\, n. [Gr. ?
terrible + ? lizard.] (Paleon.)
One of the Dinosauria. [Written also {deinosaur}, and
{deinosaurian}.]
Dinosauria \Di`no*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? terrible + ?
lizard.] (Paleon.)
An order of extinct mesozoic reptiles, mostly of large size
(whence the name). Notwithstanding their size, they present
birdlike characters in the skeleton, esp. in the pelvis and
hind limbs. Some walked on their three-toed hind feet, thus
producing the large ``bird tracks,'' so-called, of mesozoic
sandstones; others were five-toed and quadrupedal. See
Illust. of {Compsognathus}, also Illustration of Dinosaur in
Appendix.
Dinothere \Di"no*there\, Dinotherium \Di`no*the"ri*um\, n. [NL.
dinotherium, fr. Gr. ? terrible + ? beast.] (Paleon.)
A large extinct proboscidean mammal from the miocene beds of
Europe and Asia. It is remarkable fora pair of tusks directed
downward from the decurved apex of the lower jaw.
Dinoxide \Din*ox"ide\, n. (Chem.)
Same as {Dioxide}.
Dinsome \Din"some\, a.
Full of din. [Scot.] --Burns.
Dint \Dint\, n. [OE. dint, dent, dunt, a blow, AS. dynt; akin to
Icel. dyntr a dint, dynta to dint, and perh. to L. fendere
(in composition). Cf. 1st {Dent}, {Defend}.]
1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs.] ``Mortal dint.'' --Milton. ``Like
thunder's dint.'' --Fairfax.
2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made
by violence; a dent. --Dryden.
Every dint a sword had beaten in it [the shield].
--Tennyson.
3. Force; power; -- esp. in the phrase by dint of.
Now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel The dint of
pity. --Shak.
It was by dint of passing strength That he moved the
massy stone at length. --Sir W.
Scott.
Dint \Dint\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dinted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dinting}.]
To make a mark or cavity on or in, by a blow or by pressure;
to dent. --Donne. Tennyson.
Dinumeration \Di*nu`mer*a"tion\, n. [L. dinumeratio; di- = dis-
+ numerare to count, fr. numerus number.]
Enumeration. [Obs.] --Bullokar.
Diocesan \Di*oc"e*san\ (?; 277), a. [LL. dioecesanus: cf. F.
dioc['e]sain.]
Of or pertaining to a diocese; as, diocesan missions.
Diocesan \Di*oc"e*san\, n.
1. A bishop, viewed in relation to his diocese; as, the
diocesan of New York.
2. pl. The clergy or the people of a diocese. --Strype.
Diocese \Di"o*cese\, n.; pl. {Dioceses}. [OE. diocise, OF.
diocise, F. dioc['e]se, L. dioecesis, fr. Gr. ? housekeeping,
administration, a province, a diocese, fr. ? to keep house,
manage; dia` through + ? to manage a household, ? a house.
See {Economy}.] (Eccl.)
The circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction; the
district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical
authority. [Frequently, but improperly, spelt {diocess}.]
Diocesener \Di`o*ce"se*ner\, n.
One who belongs to a diocese. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Diodon \Di"o*don\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ?, ?, a tooth:
cf. F. diodon.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of spinose, plectognath fishes, having
the teeth of each jaw united into a single beaklike plate.
They are able to inflate the body by taking in air or
water, and, hence, are called {globefishes},
{swellfishes}, etc. Called also {porcupine fishes}, and
{sea hedgehogs}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of whales.
Diodont \Di"o*dont\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Diodon. -- n. A fish of the
genus Diodon, or an allied genus.
Dioecia \Di*[oe]"ci*a\ (d[-i]*[=e]"sh[i^]*[.a]), n. pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. di = di`s twice + o'i^kos a house.]
1. (Bot.) A Linn[ae]an class of plants having the stamens and
pistils on different plants.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A subclass of gastropod mollusks in which the
sexes are separate. It includes most of the large marine
species, like the conchs, cones, and cowries.
Dioecian \Di*[oe]"cian\, Dioecious \Di*[oe]"cious\, a. (Biol.)
Having the sexes in two separate individuals; -- applied to
plants in which the female flowers occur on one individual
and the male flowers on another of the same species, and to
animals in which the ovum is produced by one individual and
the sperm cell by another; -- opposed to {mon[oe]cious}.
Dioeciously \Di*[oe]"cious*ly\, adv. (Biol.)
In a di[oe]cious manner.
{Di[oe]ciously hermaphrodite} (Bot.), having flowers
structurally perfect, but practically di[oe]cious, --
those on one plant producing no pollen, and those on
another no ovules.
Dioeciousness \Di*[oe]"cious*ness\, n. (Biol.)
The state or quality of being di[oe]cious.
Dioecism \Di*[oe]"cism\, n. (Biol.)
The condition of being di[oe]cious.
Diogenes \Di*og"e*nes\, n.
A Greek Cynic philosopher (412?-323 B. C.) who lived much in
Athens and was distinguished for contempt of the common aims
and conditions of life, and for sharp, caustic sayings.
{Diogenes' crab} (Zo["o]l.), a species of terrestrial hermit
crabs ({Cenobita Diogenes}), abundant in the West Indies
and often destructive to crops.
{Diogenes' tub}, the tub which the philosopher Diogenes is
said to have carried about with him as his house, in which
he lived.
Dioicous \Di*oi"cous\, a.
See {Di[oe]cious}.
Diomedea \Di*om`e*de"a\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large sea birds, including the albatross. See
{Albatross}.
Dionaea \Di`o*n[ae]"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a name of Aphrodite.]
(Bot.)
An insectivorous plant. See {Venus's flytrap}.
Dionysian \Di`o*ny"sian\, a.
Relating to Dionysius, a monk of the 6th century; as, the
Dionysian, or Christian, era.
{Dionysian period}, a period of 532 years, depending on the
cycle of the sun, or 28 years, and the cycle of the moon,
or 19 years; -- sometimes called the {Greek paschal
cycle}, or {Victorian period}.
Diophantine \Di`o*phan"tine\, a.
Originated or taught by Diophantus, the Greek writer on
algebra.
{Diophantine analysis} (Alg.), that branch of indeterminate
analysis which has for its object the discovery of
rational values that satisfy given equations containing
squares or cubes; as, for example, to find values of x and
y which make x^{2} + y^{2} an exact square.
Diopside \Di*op"side\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a sight,
fr. the root of ? I shall see: cf. F. diopside.] (Min.)
A crystallized variety of pyroxene, of a clear, grayish green
color; mussite.
Dioptase \Di*op"tase\, n. [Gr. ? = dia` through + ? to see: cf.
F. dioptase.] (Min.)
A hydrous silicate of copper, occurring in emerald-green
crystals.
Diopter \Di*op"ter\, Dioptra \Di*op"tra\, n. [L. dioptra, fr.
Gr. ?. See 2d {Dioptric}.]
An optical instrument, invented by Hipparchus, for taking
altitudes, leveling, etc.
Dioptre \Di*op"tre\, n. [F. See 2d {Dioptric}.] (Optics)
A unit employed by oculists in numbering glasses according to
the metric system; a refractive power equal to that of a
glass whose principal focal distance is one meter.
Dioptric \Di*op"tric\, a. (Optics)
Of or pertaining to the dioptre, or to the metric system of
numbering glasses. -- n. A dioptre. See {Dioptre}.
Dioptric \Di*op"tric\, Dioptrical \Di*op"tric*al\, a. [Gr. ?
belonging to the use of the ?; ? = dia` through + the root of
? I shall see: cf. F. dioptrique.]
Of or pertaining to dioptrics; assisting vision by means of
the refraction of light; refractive; as, the dioptric system;
a dioptric glass or telescope. ``Dioptrical principles.''
--Nichol.
{Dioptric curve} (Geom.), a Cartesian oval. See under
{Cartesian}.
Dioptrics \Di*op"trics\, n. [Gr. ? ?: cf. F. dioptrique.]
(Optics)
The science of the refraction of light; that part of
geometrical optics which treats of the laws of the refraction
of light in passing from one medium into another, or through
different mediums, as air, water, or glass, and esp. through
different lenses; -- distinguished from catoptrics, which
refers to reflected light.
Dioptry \Di*op"try\, n. (Optics)
A dioptre.
Diorama \Di`o*ra"ma\, n. [Gr. ? to see through; ? = dia` through
+ ? to see; cf. ? that which is seen, a sight: cf. F.
diorama. Cf. {Panorama}.]
1. A mode of scenic representation, invented by Daguerre and
Bouton, in which a painting is seen from a distance
through a large opening. By a combination of transparent
and opaque painting, and of transmitted and reflected
light, and by contrivances such as screens and shutters,
much diversity of scenic effect is produced.
2. A building used for such an exhibition.
Dioramic \Di`o*ram"ic\, a.
Pertaining to a diorama.
Diorism \Di"o*rism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to distinguish; ? = dia`
through + ? to divide from, fr. ? a boundary.]
Definition; logical direction. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Dioristic \Di`o*ris"tic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Distinguishing; distinctive; defining. [R.] --
{Di`o*ris"tic*al*ly}, adv. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Diorite \Di"o*rite\, n. [Cf. F. diorite. See {Diorism}.] (Min.)
An igneous, crystalline in structure, consisting essentially
of a triclinic feldspar and hornblende. It includes part of
what was called greenstone.
Dioritic \Di`o*rit"ic\, a.
Containing diorite.
Diorthotic \Di`or*thot"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? = ? + ? to set
straight.]
Relating to the correcting or straightening out of something;
corrective.
Dioscorea \Di`os*co"re*a\, n. [NL. Named after Dioscorides the
Greek physician.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants. See {Yam}.
Diota \Di*o"ta\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? two-handled; di- = di`s-
twice + ?, ?, ear, handle.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A vase or drinking cup having two handles or ears.
Dioxide \Di*ox"ide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + oxide.] (Chem.)
(a) An oxide containing two atoms of oxygen in each molecule;
binoxide.
(b) An oxide containing but one atom or equivalent of oxygen
to two of a metal; a suboxide. [Obs.]
{Carbon dioxide}. See {Carbonic acid}, under {Carbonic}.
Dioxindol \Di`ox*in"dol\, n. [Pref. di- + oxygen + indol.]
(Chem.)
A white, crystalline, nitrogenous substance obtained by the
reduction of isatin. It is a member of the indol series; --
hence its name.
Dip \Dip\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dipped}or {Dipt} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dipping}.] [OE. dippen, duppen, AS. dyppan; akin to
Dan. dyppe, Sw. doppa, and to AS. d?pan to baptize, OS.
d?pian, D. doopen, G. taufen, Sw. d["o]pa, Goth. daupjan,
Lith. dubus deep, hollow, OSlav. dupl? hollow, and to E.
dive. Cf. {Deep}, {Dive}.]
1. To plunge or immerse; especially, to put for a moment into
a liquid; to insert into a fluid and withdraw again.
The priest shall dip his finger in the blood. --Lev.
iv. 6.
[Wat'ry fowl] now dip their pinions in the briny
deep. --Pope.
While the prime swallow dips his wing. --Tennyson.
2. To immerse for baptism; to baptize by immersion. --Book of
Common Prayer. Fuller.
3. To wet, as if by immersing; to moisten. [Poetic]
A cold shuddering dew Dips me all o'er. --Milton.
4. To plunge or engage thoroughly in any affair.
He was . . . dipt in the rebellion of the Commons.
--Dryden.
5. To take out, by dipping a dipper, ladle, or other
receptacle, into a fluid and removing a part; -- often
with out; as, to dip water from a boiler; to dip out
water.
6. To engage as a pledge; to mortgage. [Obs.]
Live on the use and never dip thy lands. --Dryden.
{Dipped candle}, a candle made by repeatedly dipping a wick
in melted tallow.
{To dip snuff}, to take snuff by rubbing it on the gums and
teeth. [Southern U. S.]
{To dip the colors} (Naut.), to lower the colors and return
them to place; -- a form of naval salute.
Dip \Dip\, v. i.
1. To immerse one's self; to become plunged in a liquid; to
sink.
The sun's rim dips; the stars rush out. --Coleridge.
2. To perform the action of plunging some receptacle, as a
dipper, ladle. etc.; into a liquid or a soft substance and
removing a part.
Whoever dips too deep will find death in the pot.
--L'Estrange.
3. To pierce; to penetrate; -- followed by in or into.
When I dipt into the future. --Tennyson.
4. To enter slightly or cursorily; to engage one's self
desultorily or by the way; to partake limitedly; --
followed by in or into. ``Dipped into a multitude of
books.'' --Macaulay.
5. To incline downward from the plane of the horizon; as,
strata of rock dip.
6. To dip snuff. [Southern U.S.]
Dip \Dip\, n.
1. The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a
liquid. ``The dip of oars in unison.'' --Glover.
2. Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line;
slope; pitch.
3. A liquid, as a sauce or gravy, served at table with a
ladle or spoon. [Local, U.S.] --Bartlett.
4. A dipped candle. [Colloq.] --Marryat.
{Dip of the horizon} (Astron.), the angular depression of the
seen or visible horizon below the true or natural horizon;
the angle at the eye of an observer between a horizontal
line and a tangent drawn from the eye to the surface of
the ocean.
{Dip of the needle}, or {Magnetic dip}, the angle formed, in
a vertical plane, by a freely suspended magnetic needle,
or the line of magnetic force, with a horizontal line; --
called also {inclination}.
{Dip of a stratum} (Geol.), its greatest angle of inclination
to the horizon, or that of a line perpendicular to its
direction or strike; -- called also the {pitch}.
Dipaschal \Di*pas"chal\, a. [Pref. di- + paschal.]
Including two passovers. --Carpenter.
Dipchick \Dip"chick`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dabchick}.
Dipetalous \Di*pet"al*ous\, a. [Pref. di- + petalous.] (Bot.)
Having two petals; two-petaled.
Diphenyl \Di*phe"nyl\, n. [Pref. di- + phenyl.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, {C6H5.C6H5}, obtained by
leading benzene through a heated iron tube. It consists of
two benzene or phenyl radicals united.
Diphtheria \Diph*the"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? leather (hence
taken in the sense of membrane): cf. ? to make soft, L.
depsere to knead.] (Med.)
A very dangerous contagious disease in which the air
passages, and especially the throat, become coated with a
false membrane, produced by the solidification of an
inflammatory exudation. Cf. {Group}.
Diphtherial \Diph*the"ri*al\, Diphtheric \Diph*ther"ic\, a.
Relating to diphtheria; diphtheritic.
Diphtheritic \Diph`the*rit"ic\, a. (Med.)
1. Pertaining to, or connected with, diphtheria.
2. Having characteristics resembling those of diphtheria; as,
diphtheritic inflammation of the bladder.
Diphthong \Diph"thong\ (?; 115, 277), n. [L. diphthongus, Gr. ?;
di- = di`s- twice + ? voice, sound, fr. ? to utter a sound:
cf. F. diphthongue.] (Ortho["e]py)
(a) A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in
one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; -- called a
{proper diphthong}.
(b) A vowel digraph; a union of two vowels in the same
syllable, only one of them being sounded; as, ai in
rain, eo in people; -- called an {improper diphthong}.
Diphthong \Diph"thong\, v. t.
To form or pronounce as a diphthong; diphthongize. [R.]
Diphthongal \Diph*thon"gal\ (?; 115), a.
Relating or belonging to a diphthong; having the nature of a
diphthong. -- {Diph*thon"gal*ly}, adv.
Diphthongalize \Diph*thon"gal*ize\ (?; 115), v. t.
To make into a diphthong; to pronounce as a diphthong.
Diphthongation \Diph`thon*ga"tion\, n.
See {Diphthongization}.
Diphthongic \Diph*thong"ic\ (?; 115), a.
Of the nature of diphthong; diphthongal. --H. Sweet.
Diphthongization \Diph`thong*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of changing into a diphthong. --H. Sweet.
Diphthongize \Diph"thong*ize\, v. t. & i.
To change into a diphthong, as by affixing another vowel to a
simple vowel. ``The diphthongized long vowels.'' --H. Sweet.
Diphycercal \Diph`y*cer"cal\, a. [Gr. difyh`s double (di- =
di`s- twice + fy`ein to produce) + ke`rkos tail.] (Anat.)
Having the tail fin divided into two equal parts by the
notochord, or end of the vertebral column; protocercal. See
{Protocercal}.
Diphygenic \Diph`y*gen"ic\ (-j[e^].n"[i^]k), a. [Gr. difyh`s of
double form + -genic.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having two modes of embryonic development. [1913 Webster]
Diphyllous \Diph"yl*lous\ (d[i^]f"[i^]l*l[u^]s or
d[-i]*f[i^]l"-), a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + fy`llon leaf:
cf. F. diphylle.] (Bot.)
Having two leaves, as a calyx, etc. [1913 Webster]
Diphyodont \Diph"y*o*dont\, a. [Gr. ? double (di- = di`s- twice
+ ? to produce) + ?, ?, tooth.] (Anat.)
Having two successive sets of teeth (deciduous and
permanent), one succeeding the other; as, a diphyodont
mammal; diphyodont dentition; -- opposed to {monophyodont}.
-- n. An animal having two successive sets of teeth.
Diphyozooid \Diph`y*o*zo"oid\, n. [Gr. ? of double from + E.
zooid.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the free-swimming sexual zooids of Siphonophora.
Diplanar \Di*pla"nar\, a. [Pref. di- + plane.] (Math.)
Of or pertaining to two planes.
Dipleidoscope \Di*plei"do*scope\, n. [Gr. ? double + ? image +
-scope.] (Astron.)
An instrument for determining the time of apparent noon. It
consists of two mirrors and a plane glass disposed in the
form of a prism, so that, by the reflections of the sun's
rays from their surfaces, two images are presented to the
eye, moving in opposite directions, and coinciding at the
instant the sun's center is on the meridian.
Diploblastic \Dip`lo*blas"tic\, a. [Gr. ? doublet + -blast +
-ic.] (Biol.)
Characterizing the ovum when it has two primary germinal
layers.
Diplocardiac \Dip`lo*car"di*ac\, a. [Gr. ? double + E. cardiac.]
(Anat.)
Having the heart completely divided or double, one side
systemic, the other pulmonary.
Diplococcus \Dip`lo*coc"cus\, n.; pl. {Diplococci}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? twofold + ? grain, seed.] (Biol.)
A form of micrococcus in which cocci are united in a binary
manner. See {Micrococcus}.
Diploe \Dip"lo*["e]\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? fold, fr. ? twofold,
double.] (Anat.)
The soft, spongy, or cancellated substance between the plates
of the skull.
Diploetic \Dip`lo*et"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Diploic.
Diplogenic \Dip`lo*gen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? double + the root of ? to
produce.]
Partaking of the nature of two bodies; producing two
substances. --Wright.
Diploic \Di*plo"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the diplo["e].
Diploid \Dip"loid\, n. [Gr. ? twofold + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
A solid bounded by twenty-four similar quadrilateral faces.
It is a hemihedral form of the hexoctahedron.
Diploma \Di*plo"ma\, n.; pl. {Diplomas}. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?
to double, fr. ? twofold. See {Double}.]
A letter or writing, usually under seal, conferring some
privilege, honor, or power; a document bearing record of a
degree conferred by a literary society or educational
institution.
Diplomacy \Di*plo"ma*cy\, n. [F. diplomatie. This word, like
supremacy, retains the accent of its original. See
{Diploma}.]
1. The art and practice of conducting negotiations between
nations (particularly in securing treaties), including the
methods and forms usually employed.
2. Dexterity or skill in securing advantages; tact.
3. The body of ministers or envoys resident at a court; the
diplomatic body. [R.] --Burke.
Diplomat \Dip"lo*mat\, Diplomate \Dip"lo*mate\, n. [F.
diplomate.]
A diplomatist.
Diplomate \Dip"lo*mate\, v. t.
To invest with a title o? privilege by diploma. [R.] --Wood.
Diplomatial \Dip`lo*ma"tial\, a.
Diplomatic. [R.]
Diplomatic \Dip`lo*mat"ic\, Diplomatical \Dip`lo*mat"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. diplomatique.]
1. Pertaining to diplomacy; relating to the foreign ministers
at a court, who are called the diplomatic body.
2. Characterized by tact and shrewdness; dexterous; artful;
as, diplomatic management.
3. Pertaining to diplomatics; paleographic. --Astle.
Diplomatic \Dip`lo*mat"ic\, n.
A minister, official agent, or envoy to a foreign court; a
diplomatist.
Diplomatically \Dip`lo*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
According to the rules of diplomacy; in the manner of a
diplomatist; artfully.
Diplomatic \Dip`lo*mat"ic\, n.
The science of diplomas, or the art of deciphering ancient
writings, and determining their age, authenticity, etc.;
paleography.
Diplomatism \Di*plo"ma*tism\, n.
Diplomacy. [R.]
Diplomatist \Di*plo"ma*tist\, n. [Cf. F. diplomatiste a student
of diplomatics.]
A person employed in, or skilled in, diplomacy; a diplomat.
In ability, Avaux had no superior among the numerous
able diplomatics whom his country then possessed.
--Macaulay.
Diplopia \Di*plo"pi*a\, Diplopy \Dip"lo*py\, n. [NL. diplopia,
from Gr. ? double + the root of ? sight: cf. F. diplopie.]
(Med.)
The act or state of seeing double.
Note: In crossed or heteronymous diplopia the image seen by
the right eye is upon the left hand, and that seen by
the left eye is upon the right hand. In homonymous
diplopia the image seen by the right eye is on the
right side, that by the left eye on the left side. In
vertical diplopia one image stands above the other.
Diplopod \Dip"lo*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Diplopoda.
Diplopoda \Di*plop"o*da\, n. pl. [Gr. ? double + -poda.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of myriapods having two pairs of legs on each
segment; the Chilognatha.
Diplostemonous \Dip`lo*stem"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ? double + ? the
warp, a thread.] (Bot.)
Having twice as many stamens as petals, as the geranium. --R.
Brown.
Diplostemony \Dip`lo*stem"o*ny\, n. (Bot.)
The condition of being diplostemonous.
Dipneumona \Dip*neu"mo*na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? = ? lung.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of spiders having only two lunglike organs. [Written
also {Dipneumones}.]
Dipnoi \Dip"no*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ? with two breathing
apertures; di- = di`s- twice + ? breath.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of ganoid fishes, including the living genera
{Ceratodus} and {Lepidosiren}, which present the closest
approximation to the Amphibia. The air bladder acts as a
lung, and the nostrils open inside the mouth. See
{Ceratodus}, and Illustration in Appendix.
Dipody \Dip"o*dy\, n.; pl. {Dipodies}. [Gr. ?, fr. ? two-footed;
di- = di`s- twice + ?, ?, foot.] (Pros.)
Two metrical feet taken together, or included in one measure.
--Hadley.
Trochaic, iambic, and anapestic verses . . . are
measured by dipodies. --W. W.
Goodwin.
Dipolar \Di*po"lar\, a. [Pre. di- + polar. Cf. {Bipolar}.]
Having two poles, as a magnetic bar.
Dippel's oil \Dip"pel's oil`\ (Chem.) [From the name of the
inventor.]
See {Bone oil}, under {Bone}.
Dipper \Dip"per\, n.
1. One who, or that which, dips; especially, a vessel used to
dip water or other liquid; a ladle.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small grebe; the dabchick.
(b) The buffel duck.
(c) The water ouzel ({Cinolus aquaticus}) of Europe.
(d) The American dipper or ouzel ({Cinclus Mexicanus}).
{The Dipper} (Astron.), the seven principal stars in the
constellation of the Great Bear; popularly so called from
their arrangement in the form of a dipper; -- called also
{Charles's Wain}. See {Ursa Major}, under {Ursa}.
Dipping \Dip"ping\, n.
1. The act or process of immersing.
2. The act of inclining downward.
3. The act of lifting or moving a liquid with a dipper,
ladle, or the like.
4. The process of cleaning or brightening sheet metal or
metalware, esp. brass, by dipping it in acids, etc.
5. The practice of taking snuff by rubbing the teeth or gums
with a stick or brush dipped in snuff. [U.S.]
{Dipping needle}, a magnetic needle suspended at its center
of gravity, and moving freely in a vertical plane, so as
to indicate on a graduated circle the magnetic dip or
inclination.
Diprismatic \Di`pris*mat"ic\, a. [Prefix di- + prismatic.]
Doubly prismatic.
Dipropargyl \Di`pro*par"gyl\, n. [Prefix di- + propargyl.]
(Chem.)
A pungent, mobile, volatile liquid, {C6H6}, produced
artificially from certain allyl derivatives. Though isomeric
with benzine, it is very different in its chemical relations.
Called also {dipropinyl}.
Dipropyl \Di*pro"pyl\, n. [Pref. di- + propyl.] (Chem.)
One of the hexane paraffins, found in petroleum, consisting
of two propyl radicals. See {Hexane}.
Diprotodon \Di*pro"to*don\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? first
+ ?, ?, tooth.] (Paleon.)
An extinct Quaternary marsupial from Australia, about as
large as the hippopotamus; -- so named because of its two
large front teeth. See Illustration in Appendix.
Dipsas \Dip"sas\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? thirst.]
1. A serpent whose bite was fabled to produce intense thirst.
--Milton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of harmless colubrine snakes.
Dipsetic \Dip*set"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Tending to produce thirst. --Wright.
Dipsomania \Dip`so*ma"ni*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thirst + ?
mania.] (Med.)
A morbid an uncontrollable craving (often periodic) for
drink, esp. for alcoholic liquors; also improperly used to
denote acute and chronic alcoholism.
Dipsomaniac \Dip`so*ma"ni*ac\, n.
One who has an irrepressible desire for alcoholic drinks.
Dipsomaniacal \Dip`so*ma*ni"a*cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to dipsomania.
Dipsosis \Dip*so"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thirst.] (Med.)
Excessive thirst produced by disease.
Diptera \Dip"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? with two wings, di-
= di`s- twice + ? feather, wing: cf. F. dipt[`e]re.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An extensive order of insects having only two functional
wings and two balancers, as the house fly, mosquito, etc.
They have a suctorial proboscis, often including two pairs of
sharp organs (mandibles and maxill[ae]) with which they
pierce the skin of animals. They undergo a complete
metamorphosis, their larv[ae] (called maggots) being usually
without feet.
Dipteral \Dip"ter*al\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having two wings only; belonging to the order
Diptera.
2. (Anc. Arch.) Having a double row of columns on each on the
flanks, as well as in front and rear; -- said of a temple.
Dipteran \Dip"ter*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An insect of the order Diptera.
Dipterocarpus \Dip`te*ro*car"pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? with two
wings + ? fruit.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees found in the East Indies, some species of
which produce a fragrant resin, other species wood oil. The
fruit has two long wings.
Dipterous \Dip"ter*ous\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having two wings, as certain insects; belonging
to the order Diptera.
2. (Bot.) Having two wings; two-winged.
Dipterygian \Dip`ter*yg"i*an\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a
fin, dim. of ? wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having two dorsal fins; -- said of certain fishes.
Diptote \Dip"tote\, n. [Gr. ?; di- = di`s- twice + ? falling,
fr. ? to fall: cf. F. diptote.] (Gram.)
A noun which has only two cases. --Andrews.
Diptych \Dip"tych\, n. [L. diptycha, pl., fr. Gr. ? folded,
doubled; di- = di`s- twice + ? to fold, double up.]
1. Anything consisting of two leaves. Especially:
(a) (Roman Antiq.) A writing tablet consisting of two
leaves of rigid material connected by hinges and
shutting together so as to protect the writing within.
(b) A picture or series of pictures painted on two tablets
connected by hinges. See {Triptych}.
2. A double catalogue, containing in one part the names of
living, and in the other of deceased, ecclesiastics and
benefactors of the church; a catalogue of saints.
Dipyre \Di*pyre"\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice fire.] (Min.)
A mineral of the scapolite group; -- so called from the
double effect of fire upon it, in fusing it, and rendering it
phosphorescent.
Dipyrenous \Di`py*re"nous\, a. [Pref. di- + pyrene.] (Bot.)
Containing two stones or nutlets.
Dipyridine \Di*pyr"i*dine\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + pyridine.]
(Geom.)
A polymeric form of pyridine, {C10H10N2}, obtained as a
colorless oil by the action of sodium on pyridine.
Dipyridil \Di*pyr"i*dil\, n. [Pref. di- + pyridine + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline nitrogenous base, {C10H8N2}, obtained by the
reduction of pyridine.
Diradiation \Di*ra`di*a"tion\, n. [Pref. di- + radiation.]
The emission and diffusion of rays of light.
Dire \Dire\, a. [Compar. {Direr}; superl. {Direst}.] [L. dirus;
of uncertain origin.]
1. Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens.
2. Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible;
terrible; lamentable.
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. --Milton.
Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. --Milton.
Direct \Di*rect"\, a. [L. directus, p. p. of dirigere to direct:
cf. F. direct. See {Dress}, and cf. {Dirge}.]
1. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by
the short or shortest way to a point or end; as, a direct
line; direct means.
What is direct to, what slides by, the question.
--Locke.
2. Straightforward; not of crooked ways, or swerving from
truth and openness; sincere; outspoken.
Be even and direct with me. --Shak.
3. Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.
He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words.
--Locke.
A direct and avowed interference with elections.
--Hallam.
4. In the line of descent; not collateral; as, a descendant
in the direct line.
5. (Astron.) In the direction of the general planetary
motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs;
not retrograde; -- said of the motion of a celestial body.
{Direct action}. (Mach.) See {Direct-acting}.
{Direct discourse} (Gram.), the language of any one quoted
without change in its form; as, he said ``I can not
come;'' -- correlative to {indirect discourse}, in which
there is change of form; as, he said that he could not
come. They are often called respectively by their Latin
names, {oratio directa}, and {oratio obliqua}.
{Direct evidence} (Law), evidence which is positive or not
inferential; -- opposed to {circumstantial, or indirect,
evidence}. -- This distinction, however, is merely formal,
since there is no direct evidence that is not
circumstantial, or dependent on circumstances for its
credibility. --Wharton.
{Direct examination} (Law), the first examination of a
witness in the orderly course, upon the merits. --Abbott.
{Direct fire} (Mil.), fire, the direction of which is
perpendicular to the line of troops or to the parapet
aimed at.
{Direct process} (Metal.), one which yields metal in working
condition by a single process from the ore. --Knight.
{Direct tax}, a tax assessed directly on lands, etc., and
polls, distinguished from taxes on merchandise, or
customs, and from excise.
Direct \Di*rect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Directed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Directing}.]
1. To arrange in a direct or straight line, as against a
mark, or towards a goal; to point; to aim; as, to direct
an arrow or a piece of ordnance.
2. To point out or show to (any one), as the direct or right
course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way; as,
he directed me to the left-hand road.
The Lord direct your into the love of God. --2
Thess. iii. 5.
The next points to which I will direct your
attention. --Lubbock.
3. To determine the direction or course of; to cause to go on
in a particular manner; to order in the way to a certain
end; to regulate; to govern; as, to direct the affairs of
a nation or the movements of an army.
I will direct their work in truth. --Is. lxi. 8.
4. To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior;
to order; as, he directed them to go.
I 'll first direct my men what they shall do.
--Shak.
5. To put a direction or address upon; to mark with the name
and residence of the person to whom anything is sent; to
superscribe; as, to direct a letter.
Syn: To guide; lead; conduct; dispose; manage; regulate;
order; instruct; command.
Direct \Di*rect"\, v. i.
To give direction; to point out a course; to act as guide.
Wisdom is profitable to direct. --Eccl. x. 10.
Direct \Di*rect"\, n. (Mus.)
A character, thus [?], placed at the end of a staff on the
line or space of the first note of the next staff, to apprise
the performer of its situation. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Direct-acting \Di*rect"-act`ing\, a. (Mach.)
Acting directly, as one part upon another, without the
intervention of other working parts.
{Direct-acting steam engine}, one in which motion is
transmitted to the crank without the intervention of a
beam or lever; -- also called {direct-action steam
engine}.
{Direct-acting steam pump}, one in which the steam piston rod
is directly connected with the pump rod; -- also called
{direct-action steam pump}.
Directer \Di*rect"er\, n.
One who directs; a director.
{Directer plane} (Geom.), the plane to which all right-lined
elements in a warped surface are parallel.
Direction \Di*rec"tion\, n. [L. directio: cf. F. direction.]
1. The act of directing, of aiming, regulating, guiding, or
ordering; guidance; management; superintendence;
administration; as, the direction o? public affairs or of
a bank.
I do commit his youth To your direction. --Shak.
All nature is but art, unknown to thee; ll chance,
direction, which thou canst not see. --Pope.
2. That which is imposed by directing; a guiding or
authoritative instruction; prescription; order; command;
as, he grave directions to the servants.
The princes digged the well . . . by the direction
of the law giver. --Numb. xxi.
18.
3. The name and residence of a person to whom any thing is
sent, written upon the thing sent; superscription;
address; as, the direction of a letter.
4. The line or course upon which anything is moving or aimed
to move, or in which anything is lying or pointing; aim;
line or point of tendency; direct line or course; as, the
ship sailed in a southeasterly direction.
5. The body of managers of a corporation or enterprise; board
of directors.
6. (Gun.) The pointing of a piece with reference to an
imaginary vertical axis; -- distinguished from elevation.
The direction is given when the plane of sight passes
through the object. --Wilhelm.
Syn: Administration; guidance; management; superintendence;
oversight; government; order; command; guide; clew.
Usage: {Direction}, {Control}, {Command}, {Order}. These
words, as here compared, have reference to the
exercise of power over the actions of others. Control
is negative, denoting power to restrain; command is
positive, implying a right to enforce obedience;
directions are commands containing instructions how to
act. Order conveys more prominently the idea of
authority than the word direction. A shipmaster has
the command of his vessel; he gives orders or
directions to the seamen as to the mode of sailing it;
and exercises a due control over the passengers.
Directive \Di*rect"ive\, a. [LL. directivus: cf. F. directif.]
1. Having power to direct; tending to direct, guide, or
govern; showing the way. --Hooker.
The precepts directive of our practice in relation
to God. --Barrow.
2. Able to be directed; manageable. [Obs.]
Swords and bows Directive by the limbs. --Shak.
Directly \Di*rect"ly\, adv.
1. In a direct manner; in a straight line or course. ``To run
directly on.'' --Shak.
Indirectly and directly too Thou hast contrived
against the very life Of the defendant. --Shak.
2. In a straightforward way; without anything intervening;
not by secondary, but by direct, means.
3. Without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in
express terms.
No man hath hitherto been so impious as plainly and
directly to condemn prayer. --Hooker.
4. Exactly; just.
Stand you directly in Antonius' way. --Shak.
5. Straightforwardly; honestly.
I have dealt most directly in thy affair. --Shak.
6. Manifestly; openly. [Obs.]
Desdemona is directly in love with him. --Shak.
7. Straightway; next in order; without delay; immediately.
``Will she go now to bed?' ?Directly.''' --Shak.
8. Immediately after; as soon as.
Directly he stopped, the coffin was removed.
--Dickens.
Note: This use of the word is common in England, especially
in colloquial speech, but it can hardly be regarded as
a well-sanctioned or desirable use.
{Directly proportional} (Math.), proportional in the order of
the terms; increasing or decreasing together, and with a
constant ratio; -- opposed to {inversely proportional}.
Syn: Immediately; forthwith; straightway; instantly;
instantaneously; soon; promptly; openly; expressly.
Usage: -- {Directly}, {Immediately}, {Instantly},
{Instantaneously}. Directly denotes, without any delay
or diversion of attention; immediately implies,
without any interposition of other occupation;
instantly implies, without any intervention of time.
Hence, ``I will do it directly,'' means, ``I will go
straightway about it.'' ``I will do it immediately,''
means, ``I will do it as the very next thing.'' ``I
will do it instantly,'' allows not a particle of
delay. Instantaneously, like instantly, marks an
interval too small to be appreciable, but commonly
relates to physical causes; as, the powder touched by
fire instantaneously exploded.
Directness \Di*rect"ness\, n.
The quality of being direct; straightness;
straightforwardness; immediateness.
Director \Di*rect"or\, n. [Cf. F. directeur.]
1. One who, or that which, directs; one who regulates,
guides, or orders; a manager or superintendent.
In all affairs thou sole director. --Swift.
2. One of a body of persons appointed to manage the affairs
of a company or corporation; as, the directors of a bank,
insurance company, or railroad company.
What made directors cheat in South-Sea year? --Pope.
3. (Mech.) A part of a machine or instrument which directs
its motion or action.
4. (Surg.) A slender grooved instrument upon which a knife is
made to slide when it is wished to limit the extent of
motion of the latter, or prevent its injuring the parts
beneath.
Directorate \Di*rect"o*rate\, n. [Cf. F. directorat.]
The office of director; also, a body of directors taken
jointly.
Directorial \Di*rec*to"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. directorial.]
1. Having the quality of a director, or authoritative guide;
directive.
2. Pertaining to: director or directory; specifically,
relating to the Directory of France under the first
republic. See {Directory}, 3.
Whoever goes to the directorial presence under this
passport. --Burke.
Directorship \Di*rect"or*ship\, n.
The condition or office of a director; directorate.
Directory \Di*rect"o*ry\, a. [L. directorius.]
Containing directions; enjoining; instructing; directorial.
Directory \Di*rect"o*ry\, n.; pl. {Directories}.
1. A collection or body of directions, rules, or ordinances;
esp., a book of directions for the conduct of worship; as,
the Directory used by the nonconformists instead of the
Prayer Book.
2. A book containing the names and residences of the
inhabitants of any place, or of classes of them; an
address book; as, a business directory.
3. [Cf. F. directoire.] A body of directors; board of
management; especially, a committee which held executive
power in France under the first republic.
4. Direction; guide. [R.] --Whitlock.
Directress \Di*rect"ress\, n.
A woman who directs. --Bp. Hurd.
Directrix \Di*rect"rix\, n.; pl. E. {Directrixes}, L.
{Directrices}.
1. A directress. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Geom.)
(a) A line along which a point in another line moves, or
which in any way governs the motion of the point and
determines the position of the curve generated by it;
the line along which the generatrix moves in
generating a surface.
(b) A straight line so situated with respect to a conic
section that the distance of any point of the curve
from it has a constant ratio to the distance of the
same point from the focus.
Direful \Dire"ful\, a. [Dire + -ful.]
Dire; dreadful; terrible; calamitous; woeful; as, a direful
fiend; a direful day. -- {Dire"ful*ly}, adv. --
{Dire"ful*ness}, n.
Direly \Dire"ly\, adv.
In a dire manner. --Drayton.
Dirempt \Di*rempt"\ (?; 215), a. [L. diremptus, p. p. of
dirimere to take apart, separate; di- = dis- + emere to buy,
orig., to take.]
Divided; separated. [Obs.] --Stow.
Dirempt \Di*rempt"\, v. t.
To separate by force; to tear apart. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Diremption \Di*remp"tion\, n. [L. diremptio.]
A tearing apart; violent separation. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Direness \Dire"ness\, n. [Dire- + -ness.]
Terribleness; horror; woefulness. --Shak.
Direption \Di*rep"tion\, n. [L. direptio, fr. diripere to tear
asunder, plunder; di- = dis- + rapere to seize and carry
off.]
The act of plundering, despoiling, or snatching away. [R.]
--Speed.
Direptitious \Di*rep*ti"tious\, a.
Characterized by direption. [R.] --Encyc. Dict.
Direptitiously \Di*rep*ti"tious*ly\, adv.
With plundering violence; by violent injustice. [R.]
--Strype.
Dirge \Dirge\, n. [Contraction of Lat. dirige, direct thou
(imperative of dirigere), the first word of a funeral hymn
(Lat. transl. of Psalm v. 8) beginning, ``Dirige, Domine, in
conspectu tuo vitam meam.'' See {Direct}, a., and cf.
{Dirige}.]
A piece of music of a mournful character, to accompany
funeral rites; a funeral hymn.
The raven croaked, and hollow shrieks of owls Sung
dirges at her funeral. --Ford.
Dirgeful \Dirge"ful\, a.
Funereal; moaning.
Soothed sadly by the dirgeful wind. --Coleridge.
Dirige \Dir"i*ge\, n. [L. See {Dirge}.]
A service for the dead, in the Roman Catholic Church, being
the first antiphon of Matins for the dead, of which Dirige is
the first word; a dirge.
Evensongs and placebo and dirige. --Wyclif.
Resort, I pray you, unto my sepulture To sing my dirige
with great devotion. --Lamentation
of Mary
Magdalene.
Dirigent \Dir"i*gent\, a. [L. dirigens, p. pr. of dirigere. See
{Direct}, a.]
Directing. --Baxter.
Dirigent \Dir"i*gent\, n. (Geom.)
The line of motion along which a describent line or surface
is carried in the genesis of any plane or solid figure; a
directrix. --Hutton.
Dirigible \Dir"i*gi*ble\, a.
Capable of being directed; steerable; as, a dirigible
balloon.
Diriment \Dir"i*ment\, a. [L. dirimens, p. pr. of dirimere. See
{Dirempt}.] (Law)
Absolute.
{Diriment impediment} (R. C. Ch.), an impediment that
nullifies marriage.
Dirk \Dirk\, n. [Ir. duirc.]
A kind of dagger or poniard; -- formerly much used by the
Scottish Highlander.
{Dirk knife}, a clasp knife having a large, dirklike blade.
Dirk \Dirk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dirked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dirking}.]
To stab with a dirk. --Sir W. Scott.
Dirk \Dirk\, a. [See {Dark}, a.]
Dark. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dirk \Dirk\, v. t.
To darken. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dirkness \Dirk"ness\, n.
Darkness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dirl \Dirl\, v. i. & t. [Cf. {Drill}, {Thrill}.]
To thrill; to vibrate; to penetrate. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Dirt \Dirt\, n. [OE. drit; kin to Icel. drit excrement, dr[=i]ta
to dung, OD. drijten to dung, AS. gedr[=i]tan.]
1. Any foul of filthy substance, as excrement, mud, dust,
etc.; whatever, adhering to anything, renders it foul or
unclean; earth; as, a wagonload of dirt.
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. --Is. lvii.
20.
2. Meanness; sordidness.
Honors . . . thrown away upon dirt and infamy.
--Melmoth.
3. In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc., before washing.
{Dirt bed} (Geom.), a layer of clayey earth forming a stratum
in a geological formation. Dirt beds are common among the
coal measures.
{Dirt eating}.
(a) The use of certain kinds of clay for food, existing
among some tribes of Indians; geophagism. --Humboldt.
(b) (Med.) Same as {Chthonophagia}.
{Dirt pie}, clay or mud molded by children in imitation of
pastry. --Otway (1684).
{To eat dirt}, to submit in a meanly humble manner to
insults; to eat humble pie.
Dirt \Dirt\, v. t.
To make foul of filthy; to dirty. --Swift.
Dirtily \Dirt"i*ly\, adv.
In a dirty manner; foully; nastily; filthily; meanly;
sordidly.
Dirtiness \Dirt"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dirty; filthiness; foulness; nastiness;
baseness; sordidness.
Dirty \Dirt"y\, a. [Compar. {Dirtier}; superl. {Dirtiest}.]
1. Defiled with dirt; foul; nasty; filthy; not clean or pure;
serving to defile; as, dirty hands; dirty water; a dirty
white. --Spenser.
2. Sullied; clouded; -- applied to color. --Locke.
3. Sordid; base; groveling; as, a dirty fellow.
The creature's at his dirty work again. --Pope.
4. Sleety; gusty; stormy; as, dirty weather.
Storms of wind, clouds of dust, an angry, dirty sea.
--M. Arnold.
Syn: Nasty; filthy; foul. See {Nasty}.
Dirty \Dirt"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dirtied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dirtying}.]
1. To foul; to make filthy; to soil; as, to dirty the clothes
or hands.
2. To tarnish; to sully; to scandalize; -- said of
reputation, character, etc.
Diruption \Di*rup"tion\, n. [L. diruptio, fr. dirumpere. See
{Disrupt}, a.]
Disruption.
Dis- \Dis-\ (?; 258)
.
1. A prefix from the Latin, whence F. d['e]s, or sometimes
d['e]-, dis-. The Latin dis-appears as di-before b, d, g,
l, m, n, r, v, becomes dif-before f, and either dis-or di-
before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo,
E. two. See {Two}, and cf. {Bi-}, {Di-}, {Dia-}.
Dis-denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute,
disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative
and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also
intensive, as in dissever.
Note: Walker's rule of pronouncing this prefix is, that the s
ought always to be pronounced like z, when the next
syllable is accented and begins with ``a flat mute [b,
d, v, g, z], a liquid [l, m, n, r], or a vowel; as,
disable, disease, disorder, disuse, disband, disdain,
disgrace, disvalue, disjoin, dislike, dislodge, dismay,
dismember, dismiss, dismount, disnatured, disrank,
disrelish, disrobe.'' Dr. Webster's example in
disapproving of Walker's rule and pronouncing dis-as
diz in only one (disease) of the above words, is
followed by recent ortho["e]pists. See {Disable},
{Disgrace}, and the other words, beginning with dis-,
in this Dictionary.
2. A prefix from Gr. di`s- twice. See {Di-}.
Dis \Dis\, n. [L.]
The god Pluto. --Shak.
Disability \Dis`a*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Disabilities}.
1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability;
absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral
power, means, fitness, and the like.
Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was
covenanted. --Milton.
Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability.
--Bancroft.
2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal
incapacity or incompetency.
The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture.
--Abbott.
Syn: Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence;
incapacity; incompetency; disqualification.
Usage: -- {Disability}, {Inability}. Inability is an inherent
want of power to perform the thing in question;
disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the
needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a
disability of holding his estate; and one who is made
a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may
decline an office on account of his inability to
discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust
or employment on account of some disability prevents
him from entering into such engagements.
Disable \Dis*a"ble\, a.
Lacking ability; unable. [Obs.] ``Our disable and unactive
force.'' --Daniel.
Disable \Dis*a"ble\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disabled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disabling}.]
1. To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force,
vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent
physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to
disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to
impair.
A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a
wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure
disables him. --Jer. Taylor.
And had performed it, if my known offense Had not
disabled me. --Milton.
I have disabled mine estate. --Shak.
2. (Law) To deprive of legal right or qualification; to
render legally incapable.
An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and
disables his children to inherit. --Blackstone.
3. To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to
declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to
undervalue. [Obs.] ``He disabled my judgment.'' --Shak.
Syn: To weaken; unfit; disqualify; incapacitate.
Disablement \Dis*a"ble*ment\, n.
Deprivation of ability; incapacity. --Bacon.
Disabuse \Dis`a*buse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disabused}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disabusing}.] [Pref. dis- + abuse; cf. F.
d['e]sabuser.]
To set free from mistakes; to undeceive; to disengage from
fallacy or deception; to set right.
To undeceive and disabuse the people. --South.
If men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse
themselves or artifice, hypocrisy, and superstition,
they will consider this event as an era in their
history. --J. Adams.
Disaccommodate \Dis`ac*com"mo*date\, v. t. [Pref. dis- +
accommodate.]
To put to inconvenience; to incommode. [R.] --Bp. Warburton.
Disaccommodation \Dis`ac*com`mo*da"tion\, n.
A state of being unaccommodated or unsuited. [R.] --Sir M.
Hale.
Disaccord \Dis`ac*cord"\, v. i. [Cf. F. d['e]saccorder to cause
discord.]
To refuse to assent. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disaccord \Dis`ac*cord"\, n.
Disagreement. --Pop. Sci. Monthly.
Disaccordant \Dis`ac*cord"ant\, a.
Not accordant. --Fabyan.
Disaccustom \Dis`ac*cus"tom\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]saccoutumer.]
To destroy the force of habit in; to wean from a custom.
--Johnson.
Disacidify \Dis`a*cid"i*fy\, v. t.
To free from acid.
Disacknowledge \Dis`ac*knowl"edge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disacknowledged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disacknowledging}.]
To refuse to acknowledge; to deny; to disown. [Obs.] --South.
Disacquaint \Dis`ac*quaint"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + acquaint: cf.
OF. desacointier.]
To render unacquainted; to make unfamiliar. [Obs.]
While my sick heart With dismal smart Is disacquainted
never. --Herrick.
Disacquaintance \Dis`ac*quaint"ance\, n.
Neglect of disuse of familiarity, or familiar acquaintance.
[Obs.] --South.
Disacryl \Dis*ac"ryl\, n. [Pref. dis- (Gr. di`s- twice) +
acrolein + -yl.] (Chem.)
A white amorphous substance obtained as a polymeric
modification of acrolein.
Disadorn \Dis`a*dorn"\, v. t.
To deprive of ornaments. --Congreve.
Disadvance \Dis`ad*vance"\ (?; 61), v. t. & i. [Pref. dis- +
advance: cf. OF. desavancier.]
To draw back, or cause to draw back. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disadvantage \Dis`ad*van"tage\ (?; 48, 61), n. [Cf. F.
d['e]savantage.]
1. Deprivation of advantage; unfavorable or prejudicial
quality, condition, circumstance, or the like; that which
hinders success, or causes loss or injury.
I was brought here under the disadvantage of being
unknown by sight to any of you. --Burke.
Abandoned by their great patron, the faction
henceforward acted at disadvantage. --Palfrey.
2. Loss; detriment; hindrance; prejudice to interest, fame,
credit, profit, or other good.
They would throw a construction on his conduct, to
his disadvantage before the public. --Bancroft.
Syn: Detriment; injury; hurt; loss; damage.
Disadvantage \Dis`ad*van"tage\, v. t. [Cf. F. d['e]savantager.]
To injure the interest of; to be detrimental to.
Disadvantageable \Dis`ad*van"tage*a*ble\, a.
Injurious; disadvantageous. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Disadvantageous \Dis*ad`van*ta"geous\, a. [Cf. F.
d['e]savantageux.]
Attended with disadvantage; unfavorable to success or
prosperity; inconvenient; prejudicial; -- opposed to
{advantageous}; as, the situation of an army is
disadvantageous for attack or defense.
Even in the disadvantageous position in which he had
been placed, he gave clear indications of future
excellence. --Prescott.
-- {Dis*ad`van*ta"geous*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*ad`van*ta"geous*ness}, n.
Disadventure \Dis`ad*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. dis- +
adventure: cf. OF. desaventure.]
Misfortune; mishap. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Disadventurous \Dis`ad*ven"tur*ous\, a.
Unprosperous; unfortunate. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disadvise \Dis`ad*vise"\, v. t.
To advise against; to dissuade from. [R.] --Boyle.
Disaffect \Dis`af*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disaffected}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disaffecting}.]
1. To alienate or diminish the affection of; to make
unfriendly or less friendly; to fill with discontent and
unfriendliness.
They had attempted to disaffect and discontent his
majesty's late army. --Clarendon.
2. To disturb the functions of; to disorder.
It disaffects the bowels. --Hammond.
3. To lack affection for; to be alienated from, or indisposed
toward; to dislike. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Disaffected \Dis`af*fect"ed\, a.
Alienated in feeling; not wholly loyal. --J. H. Newman. --
{Dis`af*fect"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`af*fect"ed*ness}, n.
Disaffection \Dis`af*fec"tion\, n.
1. State of being disaffected; alienation or want of
affection or good will, esp. toward those in authority;
unfriendliness; dislike.
In the making laws, princes must have regard to . .
. the affections and disaffections of the people.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. Disorder; bad constitution. [R.] --Wiseman.
Syn: Dislike; disgust; discontent; unfriendliness;
alienation; disloyalty; hostility.
Disaffectionate \Dis`af*fec"tion*ate\, a.
Not disposed to affection; unfriendly; disaffected. [R.]
--Blount.
Disaffirm \Dis`af*firm"\, v. t.
1. To assert the contrary of; to contradict; to deny; -- said
of that which has been asserted.
2. (Law) To refuse to confirm; to annul, as a judicial
decision, by a contrary judgment of a superior tribunal.
Disaffirmance \Dis`af*firm"ance\, n.
1. The act of disaffirming; denial; negation.
2. (Law) Overthrow or annulment by the decision of a superior
tribunal; as, disaffirmance of judgment.
Disaffirmation \Dis*af`fir*ma"tion\, n.
The act of disaffirming; negation; refutation.
Disafforest \Dis`af*for"est\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disafforested}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disafforesting}.] [Pref.
dis- + afforest: cf. OF. desaforester.] (Eng. Law)
To reduce from the privileges of a forest to the state of
common ground; to exempt from forest laws.
By charter 9 Henry III. many forests were
disafforested. --Blackstone.
Disaggregate \Dis*ag"gre*gate\, v. t.
To destroy the aggregation of; to separate into component
parts, as an aggregate mass.
Disaggregation \Dis*ag`gre*ga"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]sagr['e]gation.]
The separation of an aggregate body into its component parts.
Disagree \Dis`a*gree"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Disagreed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disageeing}.] [Pref. dis- + agree: cf. F.
d['e]sagr['e]er to displease.]
1. To fail to accord; not to agree; to lack harmony; to
differ; to be unlike; to be at variance.
They reject the plainest sense of Scripture, because
it seems to disagree with what they call reason.
--Atterbury.
2. To differ in opinion; to hold discordant views; to be at
controversy; to quarrel.
Who shall decide, when doctors disagree? --Pope.
3. To be unsuited; to have unfitness; as, medicine sometimes
disagrees with the patient; food often disagrees with the
stomach or the taste.
Note: Usually followed by with, sometimes by to, rarely by
from; as, I disagree to your proposal.
Syn: To differ; vary; dissent.
Disagreeable \Dis`a*gree"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]sagr['e]able.]
1. Not agreeable, conformable, or congruous; contrary;
unsuitable.
Preach you truly the doctrine which you have
received, and each nothing that is disagreeable
thereunto. --Udall.
2. Exciting repugnance; offensive to the feelings or senses;
displeasing; unpleasant.
That which is disagreeable to one is many times
agreeable to another, or disagreeable in a less
degree. --Wollaston.
Disagreeableness \Dis`a*gree"a*ble*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being; disagreeable; unpleasantness.
Disagreeably \Dis`a*gree"a*bly\, adv.
In a disagreeable manner; unsuitably; offensively.
Disagreeance \Dis`a*gree"ance\, n.
Disagreement. [Obs.]
Disagreement \Dis`a*gree"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]sagr['e]ment
disagreeable circumstance, disagreeableness.]
1. The state of disagreeing; a being at variance;
dissimilitude; diversity.
2. Unsuitableness; unadaptedness. [R.]
3. Difference of opinion or sentiment.
4. A falling out, or controversy; difference.
Syn: Difference; diversity; dissimilitude; unlikeness;
discrepancy; variance; dissent; misunderstanding;
dissension; division; dispute; jar; wrangle; discord.
Disagreer \Dis`a*gre"er\, n.
One who disagrees. --Hammond.
Disalliege \Dis`al*liege"\, v. t.
To alienate from allegiance. [Obs. & R.] --Milton.
Disallow \Dis`al*low"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disallowed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disallowing}.] [Pref. dis- + allow: cf. OF.
desalouer, desloer, to blame, dissuade.]
To refuse to allow; to deny the force or validity of; to
disown and reject; as, the judge disallowed the executor's
charge.
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed
indeed of men, but chosen of God. --1 Pet. ii.
4.
That the edicts of C[ae]sar we may at all times
disallow, but the statutes of God for no reason we may
reject. --Milton.
Note: This verb was sometimes followed by of; as, ``What
follows, if we disallow of this?'' --Shak. See {Allow}.
Syn: To disapprove; prohibit; censure; reject.
Disallowable \Dis`al*low"a*ble\, a.
Not allowable; not to be suffered. --Raleigh. --
{Dis`al*low"a*ble*ness}, n.
Disallowance \Dis`al*low"ance\, n.
The act of disallowing; refusal to admit or permit;
rejection.
Syn: Disapprobation; prohibition; condemnation; censure;
rejection.
Disally \Dis`al*ly"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + ally: cf. F.
d['e]saltier.]
To part, as an alliance; to sunder. [R.] ``Disallied their
nuptials.'' --Milton.
Disanchor \Dis*an"chor\, v. t. & i. [Pref. dis- + anchor: cf. F.
d['e]sancrer.]
To raise the anchor of, as a ship; to weigh anchor. [Obs.]
--Heywood.
Disangelical \Dis`an*gel"ic*al\, a.
Not angelical. [R.] ``Disangelical nature.'' --Coventry.
Disanimate \Dis*an"i*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disanimated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disanimating}.]
1. To deprive of life. [R.] --Cudworth.
2. To deprive of spirit; to dishearten. --Shak.
Disanimation \Dis*an`i*ma"tion\, n.
1. Privation of life. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. The state of being disanimated or discouraged; depression
of spirits.
Disannex \Dis`an*nex"\, v. t.
To disunite; to undo or repeal the annexation of. --State
Trials (1608).
Disannul \Dis`an*nul"\, v. t.
To annul completely; to render void or of no effect.
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall
disannul it? --Isaiah xiv.
27.
Note: The prefix in this word an its derivatives is
intensive, and not negative.
Disannuller \Dis`an*nul"ler\, n.
One who disannuls.
Disannulment \Dis`an*nul"ment\, n.
Complete annulment.
Disanoint \Dis`a*noint"\, v. t.
To invalidate the consecration of; as, to disanoint a king.
[Obs.] --Milton.
Disapparel \Dis`ap*par"el\, v. t. [See {Apparel}, v. t.] [Pref.
dis- + apparel: cf. OF. desapareiller.]
To disrobe; to strip of apparel; to make naked.
Drink disapparels the soul. --Junius
(1635).
Disappear \Dis`ap*pear"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Disappeared}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disappearing}.]
1. To cease to appear or to be perceived; to pass from view,
gradually or suddenly; to vanish; to be no longer seen;
as, darkness disappears at the approach of light; a ship
disappears as she sails from port.
2. To cease to be or exist; as, the epidemic has disappeared.
Disappearance \Dis`ap*pear"ance\, n.
The act of disappearing; cessation of appearance; removal
from sight; vanishing. --Addison.
Disappendency \Dis`ap*pend"en*cy\, n.
A detachment or separation from a former connection. [R.]
Disappendent \Dis`ap*pend"ent\, a.
Freed from a former connection or dependence; disconnected.
[R.]
Disappoint \Dis`ap*point"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disapointed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disappointing}.] [OF. desapointier, F.
d['e]sappointer; pref. des- (L. dis-) + apointier, F.
appointier, to appoint. See {Appoint}.]
1. To defeat of expectation or hope; to hinder from the
attainment of that which was expected, hoped, or desired;
to balk; as, a man is disappointed of his hopes or
expectations, or his hopes, desires, intentions,
expectations, or plans are disappointed; a bad season
disappoints the farmer of his crops; a defeat disappoints
an enemy of his spoil.
I was disappointed, but very agreeably. --Macaulay.
Note: Disappointed of a thing not obtained; disappointed in a
thing obtained.
2. To frustrate; to fail; to hinder of result.
His retiring foe Shrinks from the wound, and
disappoints the blow. --Addison.
Syn: To tantalize; fail; frustrate; balk; baffle; delude;
foil; defeat. See {Tantalize}.
Disappointed \Dis`ap*point"ed\, a.
1. Defeated of expectation or hope; balked; as, a
disappointed person or hope.
2. Unprepared; unequipped. [Obs.]
Cut off even in the blossoms of my sin, Unhouseled,
disappointed, unaneled. --Shak.
Disappointment \Dis`ap*point"ment\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]sappointement.]
1. The act of disappointing, or the state of being
disappointed; defeat or failure of expectation or hope;
miscarriage of design or plan; frustration.
If we hope for things of which we have not
thoroughly considered the value, our disappointment
will be greater our pleasure in the fruition of
them. --Addison.
In disappointment thou canst bless. --Keble.
2. That which disappoints.
Syn: Miscarriage; frustration; balk.
Disappreciate \Dis`ap*pre"ci*ate\, v. t. [See {Appreciate}.]
To undervalue; not to esteem. -- {Dis`ap*pre`ci*a"tion}, n.
Disapprobation \Dis*ap`pro*ba"tion\, n. [Pref. dis- +
approbation: cf. F. d['e]sapprobation. Cf. {Disapprove}.]
The act of disapproving; mental condemnation of what is
judged wrong, unsuitable, or inexpedient; feeling of censure.
We have ever expressed the most unqualified
disapprobation of all the steps. --Burke.
Disapprobatory \Dis*ap"pro*ba`to*ry\, a.
Containing disapprobation; serving to disapprove.
Disappropriate \Dis`ap*pro"pri*ate\, a. (Law)
Severed from the appropriation or possession of a spiritual
corporation.
The appropriation may be severed, and the church become
disappropriate, two ways. --Blackstone.
Disappropriate \Dis`ap*pro"pri*ate\, v. t.
1. To release from individual ownership or possession.
--Milton.
2. (Law) To sever from appropriation or possession a
spiritual corporation.
Appropriations of the several parsonages . . . would
heave been, by the rules of the common law,
disappropriated. --Blackstone.
Disappropriation \Dis`ap*pro`pri*a"tion\, n.
The act of disappropriating.
Disapproval \Dis`ap*prov"al\, n.
Disapprobation; dislike; censure; adverse judgment.
Disapprove \Dis`ap*prove\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disapproved}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disapproving}.] [Pref. dis- + approve: cf. F.
d['e]approuver. Cf. {Disapprobation}.]
1. To pass unfavorable judgment upon; to condemn by an act of
the judgment; to regard as wrong, unsuitable, or
inexpedient; to censure; as, to disapprove the conduct of
others.
2. To refuse official approbation to; to disallow; to decline
to sanction; as, the sentence of the court-martial was
disapproved by the commander in chief.
Note: This verb is often followed by of; as, to disapprove of
an opinion, of such conduct. See {Approve}.
Disapprover \Dis`ap*prov"er\, n.
One who disapproves.
Disapprovingly \Dis`ap*prov"ing*ly\, adv.
In a disapproving manner.
Disard \Dis"ard\, n.
See {Dizzard}. [Obs.] --Burton.
Disarm \Dis*arm"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disarming}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Disarming}.] [OE. desarmen, F. d['e]sarmer; pref. d['e]s-
(L. dis-) + armer to arm. See {Arm}.]
1. To deprive of arms; to take away the weapons of; to
deprive of the means of attack or defense; to render
defenseless.
Security disarms the best-appointed army. --Fuller.
The proud was half disarmed of pride. --Tennyson.
2. To deprive of the means or the disposition to harm; to
render harmless or innocuous; as, to disarm a man's wrath.
Disarmament \Dis*arm"a*ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]sarmement.]
The act of disarming.
Disarmature \Dis*ar"ma*ture\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. dis- +
armature.]
The act of divesting of armature. [R.]
Disarmed \Dis*armed"\, a.
1. Deprived of arms.
2. (Her.) Deprived of claws, and teeth or beaks. --Cussans.
Disarmer \Dis*arm"er\, n.
One who disarms.
Disarrange \Dis`ar*range"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disarranged};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disarranging}.] [Pref. dis- + arrange: cf.
F. d['e]sarranger.]
To unsettle or disturb the order or due arrangement of; to
throw out of order.
Disarrangement \Dis`ar*range"ment\, n.
The act of disarranging, or the state of being disarranged;
confusion; disorder. --Cowper.
Disarray \Dis`ar*ray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disarrayed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disarraying}.] [Pref. dis- + array, v.: cf. OF.
desarroyer, desarreier.]
1. To throw into disorder; to break the array of.
Who with fiery steeds Oft disarrayed the foes in
battle ranged. --Fenton.
2. To take off the dress of; to unrobe.
So, as she bade, the witch they disarrayed.
--Spenser.
Disarray \Dis`ar*ray"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]sarroi.]
1. Want of array or regular order; disorder; confusion.
Disrank the troops, set all in disarray. --Daniel.
2. Confused attire; undress. --Spenser.
Disarrayment \Dis`ar*ray"ment\, n.
Disorder. [R.] --Feltham.
Disarticulate \Dis`ar*tic"u*late\, v. t.
To sunder; to separate, as joints. -- {Dis`ar*tic`u*la"tion},
n.
Disarticulator \Dis`ar*tic"u*la`tor\, n.
One who disarticulates and prepares skeletons.
Disassent \Dis`as*sent"\, v. i.
To dissent. [Obs.]
Disassent \Dis`as*sent"\, n.
Dissent. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Disassenter \Dis`as*sent"er\, n.
One who disassents; a dissenter. [Obs.] --State Trials
(1634).
Disassiduity \Dis*as`si*du"i*ty\, n.
Want of assiduity or care. [R.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Disassimilate \Dis`as*sim"i*late\, v. t. (Physiol.)
To subject to disassimilation.
Disassimilation \Dis`as*sim`i*la"tion\, n. (Physics)
The decomposition of complex substances, within the organism,
into simpler ones suitable only for excretion, with evolution
of energy, -- a normal nutritional process the reverse of
assimilation; downward metabolism.
The breaking down of already existing chemical compounds
into simpler ones, sometimes called disassimilation.
--Martin.
Disassimilative \Dis`as*sim"i*la*tive\, a. (Physiol.)
Having power to disassimilate; of the nature of
disassimilation.
Disassimilative processes constitute a marked feature
in the life of animal cells. --McKendrick.
Disassociate \Dis`as*so"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disassociated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disassociating}.]
To disconnect from things associated; to disunite; to
dissociate. --Florio.
Disaster \Dis*as"ter\, n. [F. d['e]sastre; pref. d['e]s- (L.
dis-) + astre star, fr. L. astrum; a word of astrological
origin. See {Aster}, {Astral}, {Star}.]
1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star;
malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill
portent. [Obs.]
Disasters in the sun. --Shak.
2. An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and
extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.
But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from
disaster and defeat The stronger. --Longfellow.
Syn: Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation;
misadventure; ill luck. See {Calamity}.
Disaster \Dis*as"ter\, v. t.
1. To blast by the influence of a baleful star. [Obs.] --Sir
P. Sidney.
2. To bring harm upon; to injure. [R.] --Thomson.
Disasterly \Dis*as"ter*ly\, adv.
Disastrously. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Disastrous \Dis*as"trous\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]sastreux. See
{Disaster}.]
1. Full of unpropitious stellar influences; unpropitious;
ill-boding. [Obs.]
The moon In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds.
--Milton.
2. Attended with suffering or disaster; very unfortunate;
calamitous; ill-fated; as, a disastrous day; a disastrous
termination of an undertaking.
Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances. --Shak.
-- {Dis*as"trous*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*as"trous*ness}, n.
Disattire \Dis`at*tire"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + attire: cf. OF.
desatirier.]
To unrobe; to undress. --Spenser.
Disaugment \Dis`aug*ment"\, v. t.
To diminish. [R.]
Disauthorize \Dis*au"thor*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of credit or authority; to discredit. [R.] --W.
Wotton.
Disavaunce \Dis`a*vaunce"\, v. t. [Cf. {Disadvance}.]
To retard; to repel; to do damage to. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disaventure \Dis`a*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [See {Disadventure},
{Adventure}.]
Misfortune. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disaventurous \Dis`a*ven"tur*ous\, a.
Misadventurous; unfortunate. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disavouch \Dis`a*vouch"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + avouch. Cf.
{Disavow}.]
To disavow. [R.] --Daniel.
Disavow \Dis`a*vow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disavowed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disavowing}.] [F. d['e]savouer; pref. d['e]s- (L.
dis-) + avouer to avow. See {Avow}, and cf. {Disavouch}.]
1. To refuse strongly and solemnly to own or acknowledge; to
deny responsibility for, approbation of, and the like; to
disclaim; to disown; as, he was charged with embezzlement,
but he disavows the crime.
A solemn promise made and disavowed. --Dryden.
2. To deny; to show the contrary of; to disprove.
Yet can they never Toss into air the freedom of my
birth, Or disavow my blood Plantagenet's. --Ford.
Disavowal \Dis`a*vow"al\, n.
The act of disavowing, disclaiming, or disowning; rejection
and denial.
An earnest disavowal of fear often proceeds from fear.
--Richardson.
Disavowance \Dis`a*vow"ance\, n.
Disavowal. [Obs.] --South.
Disavower \Dis`a*vow"er\, n.
One who disavows.
Disavowment \Dis`a*vow"ment\, n.
Disavowal. [R.] --Wotton.
Disband \Dis*band"\ (?; see {Dis-}), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disbanded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disbanding}.] [Pref. dis- +
band: cf. OF. desbander, F. d['e]bander, to unbind, unbend.
See {Band}, and cf. {Disbend}, {Disbind}.]
1. To loose the bands of; to set free; to disunite; to
scatter; to disperse; to break up the organization of;
especially, to dismiss from military service; as, to
disband an army.
They disbanded themselves and returned, every man to
his own dwelling. --Knolles.
2. To divorce. [Obs.]
And therefore . . . she ought to be disbanded.
--Milton.
Disband \Dis*band"\, v. i.
To become separated, broken up, dissolved, or scattered;
especially, to quit military service by breaking up
organization.
When both rocks and all things shall disband. --Herbert.
Human society would in a short space disband. --Tillotson.
Disbandment \Dis*band"ment\, n.
The act of disbanding.
Disbar \Dis*bar"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disbarred}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Disbarring}.] (Law)
To expel from the bar, or the legal profession; to deprive
(an attorney, barrister, or counselor) of his status and
privileges as such. --Abbott.
Disbark \Dis*bark"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + bark a small ship: cf.
OF. desbarquer, F. d['e]barquer. Cf. {Debark}, {Disembark}.]
To disembark. --Pope.
Disbark \Dis*bark"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + bark rind.]
To strip of bark; to bark. [R.] --Boyle.
Disbarment \Dis*bar"ment\, n.
Act of disbarring.
Disbase \Dis*base"\, v. t. [Cf. {Debase}.]
To debase or degrade. [Obs.]
Nor you nor your house were so much as spoken of before
I disbased myself. --B. Jonson.
Disbecome \Dis`be*come"\, v. t.
To misbecome. [Obs.] --Massinger.
Disbelief \Dis*be*lief"\, n.
The act of disbelieving;; a state of the mind in which one is
fully persuaded that an opinion, assertion, or doctrine is
not true; refusal of assent, credit, or credence; denial of
belief.
Our belief or disbelief of a thing does not alter the
nature of the thing. --Tillotson.
No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own
littleness that disbelief in great men. --Carlyle.
Syn: Distrust; unbelief; incredulity; doubt; skepticism. --
{Disbelief}, {Unbelief}. Unbelief is a mere failure to
admit; disbelief is a positive rejection. One may be an
unbeliever in Christianity from ignorance or want of
inquiry; a unbeliever has the proofs before him, and
incurs the guilt of setting them aside. Unbelief is
usually open to conviction; disbelief is already
convinced as to the falsity of that which it rejects.
Men often tell a story in such a manner that we regard
everything they say with unbelief. Familiarity with the
worst parts of human nature often leads us into a
disbelief in many good qualities which really exist
among men.
Disbelieve \Dis`be*lieve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disbelieved};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disbelieving}.]
Not to believe; to refuse belief or credence to; to hold not
to be true or actual.
Assertions for which there is abundant positive
evidence are often disbelieved, on account of what is
called their improbability or impossibility. --J. S.
Mill.
Disbeliever \Dis`be*liev"er\, n.
One who disbelieves, or refuses belief; an unbeliever.
Specifically, one who does not believe the Christian
religion. --I. Watts.
Disbench \Dis*bench"\, v. t.
1. To drive from a bench or seat. [R.] --Shak.
2. (Eng. Law) To deprive (a bencher) of his privileges.
--Mozley & W.
Disbend \Dis*bend\, v. t.
To unbend. [Obs.] --Stirling.
Disbind \Dis*bind"\, v. t. [Cf. {Disband}.]
To unbind; to loosen. [Obs.] --Mede.
Disblame \Dis*blame"\, v. t. [OE. desblamen, OF. desblasmer;
pref. des- (L. dis-) + blasmer, F. bl[^a]mer, to blame.]
To clear from blame. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disbodied \Dis*bod"ied\, a.
Disembodied. [R.]
Disboscation \Dis`bos*ca"tion\, n. [Pref. dis- + F. bosquet
grove.]
Converting forest land into cleared or arable land; removal
of a forest. --Sir W. Scott.
Disbowel \Dis*bow"el\, v. t. [See {Bowel}, v. t.]
To disembowel. [R.] --Spenser.
Disbranch \Dis*branch"\, v. t. [See {Branch}, v.]
To divest of a branch or branches; to tear off. --Shak.
Disbud \Dis*bud"\, v. t. [See {Bud}, v.] (Hort.)
To deprive of buds or shoots, as for training, or economizing
the vital strength of a tree.
Disburden \Dis*bur"den\, v. t. [See {Burden}, v. t.] [Cf.
{Disburthen}.]
To rid of a burden; to free from a load borne or from
something oppressive; to unload; to disencumber; to relieve.
He did it to disburden a conscience. --Feltham.
My mediations . . . will, I hope, be more calm, being
thus disburdened. --Hammond.
Syn: To unload; unburden; discharge; free.
Disburden \Dis*bur"den\, v. i.
To relieve one's self of a burden; to ease the mind.
--Milton.
Disburgeon \Dis*bur"geon\, v. t.
To strip of burgeons or buds; to disbud. [R.] --Holland.
Disburse \Dis*burse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disbursed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disbursing}.] [OF. desbourser, F. d['e]bourser; pref.
des- (L. dis-) + bourse purse. See {Burse}, and cf.
{Dispurse}.]
To pay out; to expend; -- usually from a public fund or
treasury.
The duty of collecting and disbursing his revenues.
--Macaulay.
{Disbursing officer}, an officer in any department of the
public service who is charged with the duty of paying out
public money.
Disbursement \Dis*burse"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]boursement.]
1. The act of disbursing or paying out.
The disbursement of the public moneys. --U. S.
Statutes.
2. That which is disbursed or paid out; as, the annual
disbursements exceed the income.
Disburser \Dis*burs"er\, n.
One who disburses money.
Disburthen \Dis*bur"then\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disburthened};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disburthening}.] [Cf. {Disburden}.]
To disburden; to relieve of a load. [Archaic]
Disc \Disc\, n. [See {Disk}, {Dish}.]
A flat round plate; (Biol.) A circular structure either in
plants or animals; as, a blood disc, a germinal disc, etc.
Same as {Disk}.
Discage \Dis*cage"\, v. t.
To uncage. [R.] --Tennyson.
Discal \Disc"al\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, a disk; as, discal cells.
Discalceate \Dis*cal"ce*ate\, v. t. [L. discalceatus unshod;
dis- + calceus shoe.]
To pull off shoes or sandals from. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Discalceated \Dis*cal"ce*at`ed\, a.
Deprived off shoes or sandals; unshod; discalced.
Discalced \Dis*calced"\, a.
Unshod; barefooted; -- in distinction from calced. ``The
foundation of houses of discalced friars.'' --Cardinal
Manning's St. Teresa.
Discalceation \Dis*cal`ce*a"tion\, n.
The act of pulling off the shoes or sandals. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Discamp \Dis*camp"\, v. t. [See {Decamp}.]
To drive from a camp. [Obs.] --Holland.
Discandy \Dis*can"dy\, v. i.
To melt; to dissolve; to thaw. [Obs.]
Discant \Dis"cant\, n.
See {Descant}, n.
Discapacitate \Dis*ca*pac"i*tate\, v. t.
To deprive of capacity; to incapacitate. [R.]
Discard \Dis*card"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Discarding}.]
1. (Card Playing) To throw out of one's hand, as superfluous
cards; to lay aside (a card or cards).
2. To cast off as useless or as no longer of service; to
dismiss from employment, confidence, or favor; to
discharge; to turn away.
They blame the favorites, and think it nothing
extraordinary that the queen should . . . resolve to
discard them. --Swift.
3. To put or thrust away; to reject.
A man discards the follies of boyhood. --I. Taylor.
Syn: To dismiss; displace; discharge; cashier.
Discard \Dis*card"\, v. i. (Card Playing)
To make a discard.
Discard \Dis*card"\, n. (Card Playing)
The act of discarding; also, the card or cards discarded.
Discardure \Dis*car"dure\ (?; 135), n.
Rejection; dismissal. [R.] --Hayter.
Discarnate \Dis*car"nate\, a. [L. dis- + carnatus fleshy, fr.
caro, carnis, flesh.]
Stripped of flesh. [Obs.] ``Discarnate bones.'' --Glanvill.
Discase \Dis*case"\, v. t.
To strip; to undress. --Shak.
Discede \Dis*cede"\, v. i. [L. discedere; dis- + cedere to
yield.]
To yield or give up; to depart. [Obs.]
I dare not discede from my copy a tittle. --Fuller.
Discept \Dis*cept"\, v. i. [L. disceptare.]
To debate; to discuss. [R.]
One dissertates, he is candid; Two must discept, -- has
distinguished. --R. Browning.
Disceptation \Dis`cep*ta"tion\, n. [L. disceptatio.]
Controversy; disputation; discussion. [Archaic]
Verbose janglings and endless disceptations. --Strype.
Disceptator \Dis`cep*ta"tor\, n. [L.]
One who arbitrates or decides. [R.] --Cowley.
Discern \Dis*cern"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discerned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Discerning}.] [F. discerner, L. discernere,
discretum; dis- + cernere to separate, distinguish. See
{Certain}, and cf. {Discreet}.]
1. To see and identify by noting a difference or differences;
to note the distinctive character of; to discriminate; to
distinguish.
To discern such buds as are fit to produce blossoms.
--Boyle.
A counterfeit stone which thine eye can not discern
from a right stone. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
2. To see by the eye or by the understanding; to perceive and
recognize; as, to discern a difference.
And [I] beheld among the simple ones, I discerned
among the youths, a young man void of understanding.
--Prov. vii.
7.
Our unassisted sight . . . is not acute enough to
discern the minute texture of visible objects.
--Beattie.
I wake, and I discern the truth. --Tennyson.
Syn: To perceive; distinguish; discover; penetrate;
discriminate; espy; descry; detect. See {Perceive}.
Discern \Dis*cern"\, v. i.
1. To see or understand the difference; to make distinction;
as, to discern between good and evil, truth and falsehood.
More than sixscore thousand that cannot discern
between their right hand their left. --Jonah iv.
11.
2. To make cognizance. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Discernance \Dis*cern"ance\, n.
Discernment. [Obs.]
Discerner \Dis*cern"er\, n.
One who, or that which, discerns, distinguishes, perceives,
or judges; as, a discerner of truth, of right and wrong.
A great observer and discerner of men's natures.
--Clarendon.
Discernible \Dis*cern"i*ble\, a. [L. discernibilis.]
Capable of being discerned by the eye or the understanding;
as, a star is discernible by the eye; the identity of
difference of ideas is discernible by the understanding.
The effect of the privations and sufferings . . . was
discernible to the last in his temper and deportment.
--Macaulay.
Syn: Perceptible; distinguishable; apparent; visible;
evident; manifest.
Discernibleness \Dis*cern"i*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being discernible.
Discernibly \Dis*cern"i*bly\, adv.
In a manner to be discerned; perceptibly; visibly. --Hammond.
Discerning \Dis*cern"ing\, a.
Acute; shrewd; sagacious; sharp-sighted. --Macaulay.
Discerningly \Dis*cern"ing*ly\, adv.
In a discerning manner; with judgment; judiciously; acutely.
--Garth.
Discernment \Dis*cern"ment\, n. [Cf. F. discernement.]
1. The act of discerning.
2. The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes
one thing from another; power of viewing differences in
objects, and their relations and tendencies; penetrative
and discriminate mental vision; acuteness; sagacity;
insight; as, the errors of youth often proceed from the
want of discernment.
Syn: Judgment; acuteness; discrimination; penetration;
sagacity; insight. -- {Discernment}, {Penetration},
{Discrimination}. Discernment is keenness and accuracy
of mental vision; penetration is the power of seeing
deeply into a subject in spite of everything that
intercepts the view; discrimination is a capacity of
tracing out minute distinctions and the nicest shades of
thought. A discerning man is not easily misled; one of a
penetrating mind sees a multitude of things which escape
others; a discriminating judgment detects the slightest
differences.
Discerp \Dis*cerp"\, v. t. [L. discerpere, discerptum; dis- +
carpere to pluck.]
1. To tear in pieces; to rend. [R.] --Stukeley.
2. To separate; to disunite. [R.] --Bp. Hurd.
Discerpibility \Dis*cerp`i*bil"i*ty\, Discerptibility
\Dis*cerp`ti*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability or liableness to be discerped. [R.] --Wollaston.
Discerpible \Dis*cerp"i*ble\, Discerptible \Dis*cerp"ti*ble\, a.
[See {Discerp}.]
Capable of being discerped. [R.]
Discerption \Dis*cerp"tion\, n. [L. discerptio.]
The act of pulling to pieces, or of separating the parts.
--Bp. Hall.
Discerptive \Dis*cerp"tive\, a.
Tending to separate or disunite parts. --Encys. Dict.
Discession \Dis*ces"sion\, n. [L. discessio, fr. discedere,
discessum. See {Discede}.]
Departure. [Obs.]
Discharge \Dis*charge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discharged}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Discharging}.] [OE. deschargen, dischargen, OF.
deschargier, F. d['e]charger; pref. des- (L. dis) + chargier,
F. charger. See {Charge}.]
1. To relieve of a charge, load, or burden; to empty of a
load or cargo; to unburden; to unload; as, to discharge a
vessel.
2. To free of the missile with which anything is charged or
loaded; to let go the charge of; as, to discharge a bow,
catapult, etc.; especially, said of firearms, -- to fire
off; to shoot off; also, to relieve from a state of
tension, as a Leyden jar.
The galleys also did oftentimes, out of their prows,
discharge their great pieces against the city.
--Knolles.
Feeling in other cases discharges itself in indirect
muscular actions. --H. Spencer.
3. To of something weighing upon or impeding over one, as a
debt, claim, obligation, responsibility, accusation, etc.;
to absolve; to acquit; to clear.
Discharged of business, void of strife. --Dryden.
In one man's fault discharge another man of his
duty. --L'Estrange.
4. To relieve of an office or employment; to send away from
service; to dismiss.
Discharge the common sort With pay and thanks.
--Shak.
Grindal . . . was discharged the government of his
see. --Milton.
5. To release legally from confinement; to set at liberty;
as, to discharge a prisoner.
6. To put forth, or remove, as a charge or burden; to take
out, as that with which anything is loaded or filled; as,
to discharge a cargo.
7. To let fly, as a missile; to shoot.
They do discharge their shot of courtesy. --Shak.
8. To set aside; to annul; to dismiss.
We say such an order was ``discharged on appeal.''
--Mozley & W.
The order for Daly's attendance was discharged.
--Macaulay.
9. To throw off the obligation of, as a duty or debt; to
relieve one's self of, by fulfilling conditions,
performing duty, trust, and the like; hence, to perform or
execute, as an office, or part.
Had I a hundred tongues, a wit so large As could
their hundred offices discharge. --Dryden.
10. To send away (a creditor) satisfied by payment; to pay
one's debt or obligation to. [Obs.]
If he had The present money to discharge the Jew.
--Shak.
11. To give forth; to emit or send out; as, a pipe discharges
water; to let fly; to give expression to; to utter; as,
to discharge a horrible oath.
12. To prohibit; to forbid. [Scot. Obs.] --Sir W. Scott.
{Discharging arch} (Arch.), an arch over a door, window, or
other opening, to distribute the pressure of the wall
above. See Illust. of {Lintel}.
{Discharging piece}, {Discharging strut} (Arch.), a piece set
to carry thrust or weight to a solid point of support.
{Discharging rod} (Elec.), a bent wire, with knobs at both
ends, and insulated by a glass handle. It is employed for
discharging a Leyden jar or an electrical battery. See
{Discharger}.
Syn: See {Deliver}.
Discharge \Dis*charge"\, v. i.
To throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden; to unload;
to emit or give vent to fluid or other contents; as, the
water pipe discharges freely.
The cloud, if it were oily or fatty, would not
discharge. --Bacon.
Discharge \Dis*charge"\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]charge. See
{Discharge}, v. t.]
1. The act of discharging; the act of relieving of a charge
or load; removal of a load or burden; unloading; as, the
discharge of a ship; discharge of a cargo.
2. Firing off; explosive removal of a charge; explosion;
letting off; as, a discharge of arrows, of artillery.
3. Act of relieving of something which oppresses or weighs
upon one, as an obligation, liability, debt, accusation,
etc.; acquittance; as, the discharge of a debtor.
4. Act of removing, or getting rid of, an obligation,
liability, etc.; fulfillment, as by the payment of a debt,
or the performance of a trust or duty.
Indefatigable in the discharge of business.
--Motley.
Nothing can absolve us from the discharge of those
duties. --L'Estrange.
5. Release or dismissal from an office, employment, etc.;
dismission; as, the discharge of a workman by his
employer.
6. Legal release from confinement; liberation; as, the
discharge of a prisoner.
7. The state of being discharged or relieved of a debt,
obligation, office, and the like; acquittal.
Too secure of our discharge From penalty. --Milton.
8. That which discharges or releases from an obligation,
liability, penalty, etc., as a price of ransom, a legal
document.
Death, who sets all free, Hath paid his ransom now
and full discharge. --Milton.
9. A flowing or issuing out; emission; vent; evacuation;
also, that which is discharged or emitted; as, a rapid
discharge of water from the pipe.
The hemorrhage being stopped, the next occurrence is
a thin serous discharge. --S. Sharp.
{Charge and discharge}. (Equity Practice) See under {Charge},
n.
{Paralytic discharge} (Physiol.), the increased secretion
from a gland resulting from the cutting of all of its
nerves.
Discharger \Dis*char"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, discharges. Specifically, in
electricity, an instrument for discharging a Leyden jar, or
electrical battery, by making a connection between the two
surfaces; a discharging rod.
Dischevele \Dis*chev"ele\, a.
Disheveled. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dischurch \Dis*church"\, v. t.
To deprive of status as a church, or of membership in a
church. --Bp. Hall.
Discide \Dis*cide"\, v. t. [L. discidere; dis- + caedere to
cut.]
To divide; to cleave in two. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disciferous \Dis*cif"er*ous\, a. [Disc- + -ferous.]
Bearing disks.
Discifloral \Dis`ci*flo"ral\, Disciflorous \Dis`ci*flo"rous\, a.
[See {Disk}, and {Floral}.] (Bot.)
Bearing the stamens on a discoid outgrowth of the receptacle;
-- said of a subclass of plants. Cf. {Calycifloral}.
Disciform \Dis"ci*form\, a.
Discoid.
Discina \Dis*ci"na\, n. [NL., fr. L. discus disk, Gr. ?.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Branchiopoda, having a disklike shell, attached by
one valve, which is perforated by the peduncle.
Discinct \Dis*cinct\, a. [L. discinctus, p. p. of discingere to
ungird; dis- + cingere to gird.]
Ungirded; loosely dressed. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Discind \Dis*cind"\, v. t. [L. discindere; dis- + scindere to
cut, split.]
To part; to divide. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Disciple \Dis*ci"ple\, n. [OE. disciple, deciple, OF. disciple,
fr. L. discipulus, fr. discere to learn (akin to docere to
teach; see {Docile}) + prob. a root meaning to turn or drive,
as in L. pellere to drive (see {Pulse}).]
One who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a
learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in
the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in
doctrine; as, the disciples of Plato; the disciples of our
Savior.
{The disciples}, or {The twelve disciples}, the twelve
selected companions of Jesus; -- also called {the
apostles}.
{Disciples of Christ}. See {Christian}, n., 3, and
{Campbellite}.
Syn: Learner; scholar; pupil; follower; adherent.
Disciple \Dis*ci"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discipled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Discipling}.]
1. To teach; to train. [Obs.]
That better were in virtues discipled. --Spenser.
2. To punish; to discipline. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. To make disciples of; to convert to doctrines or
principles. [R.]
Sending missionaries to disciple all nations. --E.
D. Griffin.
Discipleship \Dis*ci"ple*ship\, n.
The state of being a disciple or follower in doctrines and
precepts. --Jer. Taylor.
Discipless \Dis*ci"pless\, n.
A female disciple. [Obs.]
Disciplinable \Dis"ci*plin*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. disciplinable. See
{Discipline}.]
1. Capable of being disciplined or improved by instruction
and training.
2. Liable or deserving to be disciplined; subject to
disciplinary punishment; as, a disciplinable offense.
Disciplinableness \Dis"ci*plin*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being improvable by discipline. --Sir M. Hale.
Disciplinal \Dis"ci*plin*al\, a.
Relating to discipline. --Latham.
Disciplinant \Dis"ci*plin*ant\, n. [See {Discipline}.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
A flagellant. See {Flagellant}.
Disciplinarian \Dis`ci*plin*a"ri*an\, a.
Pertaining to discipline. ``Displinarian system.'' --Milman.
Disciplinarian \Dis`ci*plin*a"ri*an\, n.
1. One who disciplines; one who excels in training,
especially with training, especially with regard to order
and obedience; one who enforces rigid discipline; a
stickler for the observance of rules and methods of
training; as, he is a better disciplinarian than scholar.
2. A Puritan or Presbyterian; -- because of rigid adherence
to religious or church discipline. [Obs.]
Disciplinary \Dis"ci*plin*a*ry\, a. [LL. disciplinarius
flogging: cf. F. disciplinaire.]
Pertaining to discipline; intended for discipline;
corrective; belonging to a course of training.
Those canons . . . were only disciplinary. --Bp. Ferne.
The evils of the . . . are disciplinary and remedial.
--Buckminster.
Discipline \Dis`ci*pline\, n. [F. discipline, L. disciplina,
from discipulus. See {Disciple}.]
1. The treatment suited to a disciple or learner; education;
development of the faculties by instruction and exercise;
training, whether physical, mental, or moral.
Wife and children are a kind of discipline of
humanity. --Bacon.
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the
substitution of good ones, especially those of
order, regularity, and obedience. --C. J. Smith.
2. Training to act in accordance with established rules;
accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill.
Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part,
Obey the rules and discipline of art. --Dryden.
3. Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control;
habit of obedience.
The most perfect, who have their passions in the
best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on
their guard. --Rogers.
4. Severe training, corrective of faults; instruction by
means of misfortune, suffering, punishment, etc.
A sharp discipline of half a century had sufficed to
educate ?s. --Macaulay.
5. Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of
correction and training.
Giving her the discipline of the strap. --Addison.
6. The subject matter of instruction; a branch of knowledge.
--Bp. Wilkins.
7. (Eccl.) The enforcement of methods of correction against
one guilty of ecclesiastical offenses; reformatory or
penal action toward a church member.
8. (R. C. Ch.) Self-inflicted and voluntary corporal
punishment, as penance, or otherwise; specifically, a
penitential scourge.
9. (Eccl.) A system of essential rules and duties; as, the
Romish or Anglican discipline.
Syn: Education; instruction; training; culture; correction;
chastisement; punishment.
Discipline \Dis"ci*pline\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disciplined}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disciplining}.] [Cf. LL. disciplinarian to
flog, fr. L. disciplina discipline, and F. discipliner to
discipline.]
1. To educate; to develop by instruction and exercise; to
train.
2. To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring
under control so as to act systematically; to train to act
together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form
a habit of obedience in; to drill.
Ill armed, and worse disciplined. --Clarendon.
His mind . . . imperfectly disciplined by nature.
--Macaulay.
3. To improve by corrective and penal methods; to chastise;
to correct.
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly? --Shak.
4. To inflict ecclesiastical censures and penalties upon.
Syn: To train; form; teach; instruct; bring up; regulate;
correct; chasten; chastise; punish.
Discipliner \Dis"ci*plin*er\, n.
One who disciplines.
Disclaim \Dis*claim"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disclaimed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disclaiming}.]
1. To renounce all claim to deny; ownership of, or
responsibility for; to disown; to disavow; to reject.
He calls the gods to witness their offense;
Disclaims the war, asserts his innocence. --Dryden.
He disclaims the authority of Jesus. --Farmer.
2. To deny, as a claim; to refuse.
The payment was irregularly made, if not disclaimed.
--Milman.
3. (Law) To relinquish or deny having a claim; to disavow
another's claim; to decline accepting, as an estate,
interest, or office. --Burrill.
Syn: To disown; disavow; renounce; repudiate.
Disclaim \Dis*claim"\, v. t.
To disavow or renounce all part, claim, or share.
--Blackstone.
{Disclaim in}, {Disclaim from}, to disown; to disavow. [Obs.]
``Nature disclaims in thee.'' --Shak.
Disclaimer \Dis*claim"er\, n.
1. One who disclaims, disowns, or renounces.
2. (Law) A denial, disavowal, or renunciation, as of a title,
claim, interest, estate, or trust; relinquishment or
waiver of an interest or estate. --Burrill.
3. A public disavowal, as of pretensions, claims, opinions,
and the like. --Burke.
Disclamation \Dis`cla*ma"tion\, n.
A disavowing or disowning. --Bp. Hall.
Disclame \Dis*clame"\, v. t.
To disclaim; to expel. [Obs.] ``Money did love disclame.''
--Spenser.
Disclaunder \Dis*claun"der\, v. t. [From OE. disclaundre, n.,
for sclandre, esclandre, OF. esclandre. See {Sclaundre},
{Slander}.]
To injure one's good name; to slander. [Obs.]
Discloak \Dis*cloak"\, v. t.
To take off a cloak from; to uncloak. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Disclose \Dis*close"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disclosed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disclosing}.] [OE. desclosen, disclosen, fr. disclos,
desclos, not shut in, open, OF. desclos, p. p. of desclore to
open, F. d['e]clore; pref. des- (L. dis-) + clore to shut,
fr. L. claudere to shut. See {Close}, and cf. {Disclusion}.]
1. To unclose; to open; -- applied esp. to eggs in the sense
of to hatch.
The ostrich layeth her eggs under sand, where the
heat of the discloseth them. --Bacon.
2. To remove a cover or envelope from;; to set free from
inclosure; to uncover.
The shells being broken, . . . the stone included in
them is thereby disclosed and set at liberty.
--Woodward.
3. To lay open or expose to view; to cause to appear; to
bring to light; to reveal.
How softly on the Spanish shore she plays,
Disclosing rock, and slope, and forest brown!
--Byron.
Her lively looks a sprightly mind disclose. --Pope.
4. To make known, as that which has been kept secret or
hidden; to reveal; to expose; as, events have disclosed
his designs.
If I disclose my passion, Our friendship 's an end.
--Addison.
Syn: To uncover; open; unveil; discover; reveal; divulge;
tell; utter.
Disclose \Dis*close"\, n.
Disclosure. [Obs.] --Shak. Young.
Disclosed \Dis*closed"\, p. a. (Her.)
Represented with wings expanded; -- applied to doves and
other birds not of prey. --Cussans.
Discloser \Dis*clos"er\, n.
One who discloses.
Disclosure \Dis*clo"sure\ (?; 135), n. [See {Disclose}, v. t.,
and cf. {Closure}.]
1. The act of disclosing, uncovering, or revealing; bringing
to light; exposure.
He feels it [his secret] beating at his heart,
rising to his throat, and demanding disclosure. --D.
Webster.
2. That which is disclosed or revealed.
Were the disclosures of 1695 forgotten? --Macaulay.
Discloud \Dis*cloud"\, v. t.
To clear from clouds. [Archaic] --Fuller.
Disclout \Dis*clout"\, v. t.
To divest of a clout. [R.]
Disclusion \Dis*clu"sion\, n. [L. disclusio, fr. discludere,
disclusum, to separate. See {Disclose}.]
A shutting off; exclusion. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Discoast \Dis*coast"\, v. i. [Pref. dis- + coast: cf. It.
discostare.]
To depart; to quit the coast (that is, the side or border) of
anything; to be separated. [Obs.]
As far as heaven and earth discoasted lie. --G.
Fletcher.
To discoast from the plain and simple way of speech.
--Barrow.
Discoblastic \Dis`co*blas"tic\, a. [Gr. ? disk + ? to grow.]
(Biol.)
Applied to a form of egg cleavage seen in osseous fishes,
which occurs only in a small disk that separates from the
rest of the egg.
Discobolus \Dis*cob"o*lus\, n.; pl. {Discoboli}. [L., fr. Gr. ?;
? a discu + ? to throw.] (Fine Arts)
(a) A thrower of the discus.
(b) A statue of an athlete holding the discus, or about to
throw it.
Note: The Discobolus of Myron was a famous statue of
antiquity, and several copies or imitations of it have
been preserved.
Discodactyl \Dis`co*dac"tyl\, n. [See {Discodactylia}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the tree frogs.
Discodactylia \Dis`co*dac*tyl"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? disk
+ ? finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of amphibians having suctorial disks on the toes,
as the tree frogs.
Discodactylous \Dis`co*dac"tyl*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having sucking disks on the toes, as the tree frogs.
Discoherent \Dis`co*her"ent\, a.
Incoherent. [R.]
Discoid \Dis"coid\, a. [Gr. ? quoit-shaped, ? a round plate,
quoit + ? form, shape: cf. F. disco["i]de. See {Disk}.]
Having the form of a disk, as those univalve shells which
have the whorls in one plane, so as to form a disk, as the
pearly nautilus.
{Discoid flower} (Bot.), a compound flower, consisting of
tubular florets only, as a tansy, lacking the rays which
are seen in the daisy and sunflower.
Discoid \Dis"coid\, n.
Anything having the form of a discus or disk; particularly, a
discoid shell.
Discoidal \Dis*coid"al\, a. [Cf. F. disco["i]dal.]
Disk-shaped; discoid.
Discolith \Dis"co*lith\, n. [Gr. ? a round plate + -lith.]
(Biol.)
One of a species of coccoliths, having an oval discoidal
body, with a thick strongly refracting rim, and a thinner
central portion. One of them measures about 1/50000 of an
inch in its longest diameter.
Discolor \Dis*col"or\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discolored}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Discoloring}.] [OE. descolouren, OF. descolorer, F.
d['e]colorer, fr. L. dis- + cololare, coloratum, to color,
color color. See {Color}.] [Written also {discolour}.]
1. To alter the natural hue or color of; to change to a
different color; to stain; to tinge; as, a drop of wine
will discolor water; silver is discolored by sea water.
2. To alter the true complexion or appearance of; to put a
false hue upon.
To discolor all your ideas. --Wat??
Discolorate \Dis*col"or*ate\, v. t.
To discolor. [R.] --Fuller.
Discoloration \Dis*col`or*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. decoloration.]
1. The act of discoloring, or the state of being discolored;
alteration of hue or appearance. --Darwin.
2. A discolored spot; a stain. --Arbuthnot.
Discolored \Dis*col"ored\, a.
1. Altered in color; ?tained.
2. Variegated; of divers colors. [R.]
That ever wore discolored arms. --Chapman.
Discomfit \Dis*com"fit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discomfited}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Discomfiting}.] [OF. desconfit, p. p. of
desconfire, F. d['e]confire; fr. L. dis- + conficere to make
ready, prepare, bring about. See {Comfit}, {Fact}.]
1. To scatter in fight; to put to rout; to defeat.
And his proud foes discomfit in victorious field.
--Spenser.
2. To break up and frustrate the plans of; to balk? to throw
into perplexity and dejection; to disconcert.
Well, go with me and be not so discomfited. --Shak.
Syn: To defeat; overthrow; overpower; vanquish; conquer;
baffle; frustrate; confound; discourage.
Discomfit \Dis*com"fit\, a.
Discomfited; overthrown. [Obs.]
Discomfit \Dis*com"fit\, n.
Rout; overthrow; discomfiture.
Such as discomfort as shall quite despoil him.
--Milton.
Discomfiture \Dis*com"fi*ture\ (?; 135), n. [OF. desconfiture,
F. d['e]confiture. See {Discomfort}, v. t., and cf.
{Comfiture}.]
The act of discomfiting, or the state of being discomfited;
rout; overthrow; defeat; frustration; confusion and
dejection.
Every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was
a very great discomfiture. --1 Sam. xiv.
20.
A hope destined to end . . . in discomfiture and
disgrace. --Macaulay.
Discomfort \Dis*com"fort\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discomforted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Discomforting}.] [OF. desconforter, F.
d['e]conforter, to discourage; pref. des- (L dis-) +
conforter. See {Comfort}.]
1. To discourage; to deject.
His funeral shall not be in our camp, Lest it
discomfort us. --Shak.
2. To destroy or disturb the comfort of; to deprive o? quiet
enjoyment; to make uneasy; to pain; as, a smoky chimney
discomforts a family.
Discomfort \Dis*com"fort\, n. [OF. desconfort, F. d['e]confort.
See {Discomfort}, v. t.]
1. Discouragement. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. Want of comfort; uneasiness, mental or physical;
disturbance of peace; inquietude; pain; distress; sorrow.
``An age of spiritual discomfort.'' --M. Arnold.
Strive against all the discomforts of thy
sufferings. --Bp. Hall.
Discomfortable \Dis*com"fort*a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF.
desconfortable.]
1. Causing discomfort; occasioning uneasiness; making sad.
[Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
2. Destitute of comfort; uncomfortable. [R.]
A labyrinth of little discomfortable garrets.
--Thackeray.
-- {Dis*com"fort*a*ble*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Discommend \Dis`com*mend"\, v. t.
1. To mention with disapprobation; to blame; to disapprove.
[R.] --Spenser.
By commending something in him that is good, and
discommending the same fault in others. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. To expose to censure or ill favor; to put out of the good
graces of any one.
A compliance will discommend me to Mr. Coventry.
--Pepys.
Discommendable \Dis`com*mend"a*ble\, a.
Deserving, disapprobation or blame. --
{Dis`com*mend"a*ble*ness}, n.
Discommendation \Dis*com`men*da"tion\, n.
Blame; censure; reproach. [R.] --Ayliffe.
Discommender \Dis`com*mend"er\, n.
One who discommends; a dispraiser. --Johnson.
Discommission \Dis`com*mis"sion\, v. t.
To deprive of a commission or trust. [R.] --Laud.
Discommodate \Dis*com"mo*date\, v. t. [L. dis- + commodatus, p.
p. of commodare to make fit or suitable, fr. commodus fit,
commodious. See {Commodious}, and cf. {Discommode}.]
To discommode. [Obs.] --Howell.
Discommode \Dis`com*mode"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discommoded};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Discommoding}.] [See {Discommodate}.]
To put inconvenience; to incommode; to trouble. [R.]
Syn: To incommode; annoy; inconvenience.
Discommodious \Dis`com*mo"di*ous\, a.
Inconvenient; troublesome; incommodious. [R.] --Spenser. --
{Dis`com*mo"di*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`com*mo"di*ous*ness}, n.
Discommodity \Dis`com*mod"i*ty\, n.
Disadvantage; inconvenience. --Bacon.
Discommon \Dis*com"mon\, v. t.
1. To deprive of the right of common. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
2. To deprive of privileges. [R.] --T. Warton.
3. (Law) To deprive of commonable quality, as lands, by
inclosing or appropriating. --Burrill.
Discommunity \Dis`com*mu"ni*ty\, n.
A lack of common possessions, properties, or relationship.
Community of embryonic structure reveals community of
descent; but dissimilarity of embryonic development
does not prove discommunity of descent. --Darwin.
Discompany \Dis*com"pa*ny\, v. t.
To free from company; to dissociate. [R.]
It she be alone now, and discompanied. --B. Jonson.
Discomplexion \Dis`com*plex"ion\, v. t.
To change the complexion or hue of. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Discompliance \Dis`com*pli"ance\, n.
Failure or refusal to comply; noncompliance.
A compliance will discommend me to Mr. Coventry, and a
discompliance to my lord chancellor. --Pepys.
Discompose \Dis`com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discomposed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Discomposing}.] [Pref. dis- + compose: cf.
OF. decomposer, F. d['e]composer.]
1. To disarrange; to interfere with; to disturb; to disorder;
to unsettle; to break up.
Or discomposed the headdress of a prude. --Pope.
2. To throw into disorder; to ruffle; to destroy the
composure or equanimity; to agitate.
Opposition . . . discomposeth the mind's serenity.
--Glanvill.
3. To put out of place or service; to discharge; to displace.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
Syn: To disorder; derange; unsettle; disturb; disconcert;
agitate; ruffle; fret; vex.
Discomposed \Dis`com*posed"\, a.
Disordered; disturbed; disquieted. -- {Dis`com*pos"ed*ly},
adv. -- {Dis`com*pos"ed*ness}, n.
Discomposition \Dis*com`po*si"tion\, n.
Inconsistency; discordance. [Obs.] --Donne.
Discomposure \Dis`com*po"sure\ (?; 135), n.
1. The state of being discomposed; disturbance; disorder;
agitation; perturbation.
No discomposure stirred her features. --Akenside.
2. Discordance; disagreement of parts. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Discompt \Dis*compt"\, v. t. [See {Discount}.]
To discount. See {Discount}. --Hudibras.
Disconcert \Dis`con*cert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disconcerted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disconcerting}.] [Pref. dis- + concert: cf.
OF. desconcerter, F. d['e]concerter.]
1. To break up the harmonious progress of; to throw into
disorder or confusion; as, the emperor disconcerted the
plans of his enemy.
2. To confuse the faculties of; to disturb the composure of;
to discompose; to abash.
The embrace disconcerted the daughter-in-law
somewhat, as the caresses of old gentlemen unshorn
and perfumed with tobacco might well do.
--Thackeray.
Syn: To discompose; derange; ruffle; confuse; disturb;
defeat; frustrate.
Disconcert \Dis`con*cert"\, n.
Want of concert; disagreement. --Sir W. Temple.
Disconcertion \Dis`con*cer"tion\, n.
The act of disconcerting, or state of being disconcerted;
discomposure; perturbation. [R.] --State Trials (1794).
Disconducive \Dis`con*du"cive\, a.
Not conductive; impeding; disadvantageous. [R.]
Disconformable \Dis`con*form"a*ble\, a.
Not conformable.
Disconformable in religion from us. --Stow (1603).
Disconformity \Dis`con*form"i*ty\, n.
Want of conformity or correspondence; inconsistency;
disagreement.
Those . . . in some disconformity to ourselves.
--Milton.
Disagreement and disconformity betwixt the speech and
the conception of the mind. --Hakewill.
Discongruity \Dis`con*gru"i*ty\, n.
Incongruity; disagreement; unsuitableness. --Sir M. Hale.
Disconnect \Dis`con*nect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disconnected};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disconnecting}.]
To dissolve the union or connection of; to disunite; to
sever; to separate; to disperse.
The commonwealth itself would . . . be disconnected
into the dust and powder of individuality. --Burke.
This restriction disconnects bank paper and the
precious metals. --Walsh.
Disconnection \Dis`con*nec"tion\, n.
The act of disconnecting, or state of being disconnected;
separation; want of union.
Nothing was therefore to be left in all the subordinate
members but weakness, disconnection, and confusion.
--Burke.
Disconsecrate \Dis*con"se*crate\, v. t.
To deprive of consecration or sacredness. [R.]
Discosent \Dis`co*sent"\, v. i.
To differ; to disagree; to dissent. [Obs.] --Milton.
Disconsolacy \Dis*con"so*la`cy\, n.
The state of being disconsolate. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Disconsolate \Dis*con"so*late\, n.
Disconsolateness. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Disconsolate \Dis*con"so*late\, a. [LL. disconsolatus; L. dis- +
consolatus, p. p. of consolari to console. See {Console}, v.
t.]
1. Destitute of consolation; deeply dejected and dispirited;
hopelessly sad; comfortless; filled with grief; as, a
bereaved and disconsolate parent.
One morn a Peri at the gate Of Eden stood
disconsolate. --Moore.
The ladies and the knights, no shelter nigh, Were
dropping wet, disconsolate and wan. --Dryden.
2. Inspiring dejection; saddening; cheerless; as, the
disconsolate darkness of the winter nights. --Ray.
Syn: Forlorn; melancholy; sorrowful; desolate; woeful;
hopeless; gloomy. -- {Dis*con"so*late*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*con"so*late*ness}, n.
Disconsolated \Dis*con"so*la`ted\, a.
Disconsolate. [Obs.]
A poor, disconsolated, drooping creature. --Sterne.
Disconsolation \Dis*con`so*la"tion\, n.
Dejection; grief. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Discontent \Dis`con*tent"\ (d[i^]s`k[o^]n*t[e^]nt"), a.
Not content; discontented; dissatisfied. --Jer. Taylor.
Passion seemed to be much discontent, but Patience was
very quiet. --Bunyan.
Discontent \Dis`con*tent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discontented};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Discontenting}.]
To deprive of content; to make uneasy; to dissatisfy.
--Suckling.
Discontent \Dis`con*tent"\, n.
1. Want of content; uneasiness and inquietude of mind;
dissatisfaction; disquiet.
Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious
summer by this sun of York. --Shak.
The rapacity of his father's administration had
excited such universal discontent. --Hallam
2. A discontented person; a malcontent. [R.]
Thus was the Scotch nation full of discontents.
--Fuller.
Discontentation \Dis*con`ten*ta"tion\, n.
Discontent. [Obs.] --Ascham.
Discontented \Dis`con*tent"ed\, p. p. & a.
Dissatisfied; uneasy in mind; malcontent.
And every one that was in distress, and every one that
was in debt, and every one that was discontented,
gathered themselves unto him. --1 Sam. xxii.
2.
-- {Dis`con*tent"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`con*tent"ed*ness}, n.
Discontentful \Dis`con*tent"ful\, a.
Full of discontent. [R.]
Discontenting \Dis`con*tent"ing\, a.
1. Discontented. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. Causing discontent; dissatisfying. --Milton.
Discontentive \Dis`con*tent"ive\, a.
Relating or tending to discontent. [R.] ``Pride is ever
discontentive.'' --Feltham.
Discontentment \Dis`con*tent"ment\, n.
The state of being discontented; uneasiness; inquietude.
--Bacon.
Discontinuable \Dis`con*tin"u*a*ble\, a.
Admitting of being discontinued. [R.]
Discontinuance \Dis`con*tin"u*ance\, n.
1. The act of discontinuing, or the state of being
discontinued; want of continued connection or continuity;
breaking off; cessation; interruption; as, a
discontinuance of conversation or intercourse;
discontinuance of a highway or of travel.
2. (Law)
(a) A breaking off or interruption of an estate, which
happened when an alienation was made by a tenant in
tail, or other tenant, seized in right of another, of
a larger estate than the tenant was entitled to,
whereby the party ousted or injured was driven to his
real action, and could not enter. This effect of such
alienation is now obviated by statute in both England
and the United States.
(b) The termination of an action in practice by the
voluntary act of the plaintiff; an entry on the record
that the plaintiff discontinues his action.
(c) That technical interruption of the proceedings in
pleading in an action, which follows where a defendant
does not answer the whole of the plaintiff's
declaration, and the plaintiff omits to take judgment
for the part unanswered. --Wharton's Law Dict.
Burrill.
Syn: Cessation; intermission; discontinuation; separation;
disunion; disjunction; disruption; break.
Discontinuation \Dis`con*tin`u*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
discontinuation.]
Breach or interruption of continuity; separation of parts in
a connected series; discontinuance.
Upon any discontinuation of parts, made either by
bubbles or by shaking the glass, the whole mercury
falls. --Sir I.
Newton.
Discontinue \Dis`con*tin"ue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discontinued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discontinuing}.] [Cf. F.
discontinuer.]
To interrupt the continuance of; to intermit, as a practice
or habit; to put an end to; to cause to cease; to cease
using, to stop; to leave off.
Set up their conventicles again, which had been
discontinued. --Bp. Burnet.
I have discontinued school Above a twelvemonth. --Shak.
Taught the Greek tongue, discontinued before in these
parts the space of seven hundred years. --Daniel.
They modify and discriminate the voice, without
appearing to discontinue it. --Holder.
Discontinue \Dis`con*tin"ue\, v. i.
1. To lose continuity or cohesion of parts; to be disrupted
or broken off. --Bacon.
2. To be separated or severed; to part.
Thyself shalt discontinue from thine heritage.
--Jer. xvii.
4.
Discontinuee \Dis`con*tin`u*ee"\, n. (Law)
One whose possession of an estate is broken off, or
discontinued; one whose estate is subject to discontinuance.
Discontinuer \Dis`con*tin"u*er\, n.
One who discontinues, or breaks off or away from; an
absentee.
He was no gadder abroad, not discontinuer from his
convent for a long time. --Fuller.
Discontinuity \Dis*con`ti*nu"i*ty\, n.
Want of continuity or cohesion; disunion of parts.
``Discontinuity of surface.'' --Boyle.
Discontinuor \Dis`con*tin"u*or\, n. (Law)
One who deprives another of the possession of an estate by
discontinuance. See {Discontinuance}, 2.
Discontinuous \Dis`con*tin"u*ous\, a.
1. Not continuous; interrupted; broken off.
A path that is zigzag, discontinuous, and
intersected at every turn by human negligence. --De
Quincey.
2. Exhibiting a dissolution of continuity; gaping.
``Discontinuous wound.'' --Milton.
{Discontinuous function} (Math.), a function which for
certain values or between certain values of the variable
does not vary continuously as the variable increases. The
discontinuity may, for example, consist of an abrupt
change in the value of the function, or an abrupt change
in its law of variation, or the function may become
imaginary.
Disconvenience \Dis`con*ven"ience\, n.
Unsuitableness; incongruity. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Disconvenient \Dis`con*ven"ient\, a.
Not convenient or congruous; unsuitable; ill-adapted. [Obs.]
--Bp. Reynolds.
Discophora \Dis*coph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? disk + ? to
bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of acalephs or jellyfishes, including most of the
large disklike species. -- {Dis*coph"o*rous}, a.
Discord \Dis"cord`\, n. [OE. discord, descord, OF. discorde,
descorde, F. discorde, from L. discordia, fr. discors,
-cordis, discordant, disagreeable; dis- + cor, cordis, heart;
cf. F. discord, n., and OF. descorder, discorder, F.
discorder, to discord, L. discordare, from discors. See
{Heart}, and cf. {Discord}, v. i.]
1. Want of concord or agreement; absence of unity or harmony
in sentiment or action; variance leading to contention and
strife; disagreement; -- applied to persons or to things,
and to thoughts, feelings, or purposes.
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that
soweth discord among brethren. --Prov. vi.
19.
Peace to arise out of universal discord fomented in
all parts of the empire. --Burke.
2. (Mus.) Union of musical sounds which strikes the ear
harshly or disagreeably, owing to the incommensurability
of the vibrations which they produce; want of musical
concord or harmony; a chord demanding resolution into a
concord.
For a discord itself is but a harshness of divers
sounds m???ing. --Bacon.
{Apple of discord}. See under {Apple}.
Syn: Variance; difference; opposition; contrariety; clashing;
dissension; contention; strife; disagreement;
dissonance.
Discord \Dis*cord"\, v. i. [OE. discorden, descorden, from the
French. See {Discord}, n.]
To disagree; to be discordant; to jar; to clash; not to suit.
[Obs.]
The one discording with the other. --Bacon.
Discordable \Dis*cord"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. descordable.]
That may produce discord; disagreeing; discordant. [R.]
--Halliwell.
Discordance \Dis*cord"ance\, Discordancy \Dis*cord"an*cy\, n.
[Cf. F. discordance.]
State or quality of being discordant; disagreement;
inconsistency.
There will arise a thousand discordances of opinion.
--I. Taylor.
Discordant \Dis*cord"ant\, a. [OE. discordant, descordaunt, OF.
descordant, discordant, F. discordant, p. pr. of discorder,
OF. also, descorder. See {Discord}, n.]
1. Disagreeing; incongruous; being at variance; clashing;
opposing; not harmonious.
The discordant elements out of which the emperor had
compounded his realm did not coalesce. --Motley.
2. [See {Discord}, n.,
2. ] (Mus.) Dissonant; not in harmony or musical concord;
harsh; jarring; as, discordant notes or sounds.
For still their music seemed to start Discordant
echoes in each heart. --Longfellow.
3. (Geol.) Said of strata which lack conformity in direction
of bedding, either as in unconformability, or as caused by
a fault.
Syn: Disagreeing; incongruous; contradictory; repugnant;
opposite; contrary; inconsistent; dissonant; harsh;
jarring; irreconcilable. -- {Dis*cord"ant*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*cord"ant*ness}, n. [R.]
Discordful \Dis*cord"ful\, a.
Full of discord; contentious. [Obs.] ``His discordful dame.''
--Spenser.
Discordous \Dis*cord"ous\, a.
Full of discord. [Obs.]
Discorporate \Dis*cor"po*rate\, a.
Deprived of the privileges or form of a body corporate.
[Obs.] --Jas. II.
Discorrespondent \Dis*cor`re*spond"ent\, a.
Incongruous. --W. Montagu.
Discost \Dis*cost"\, v. i.
Same as {Discoast}. [Obs.]
Discounsel \Dis*coun"sel\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + counsel: cf. OF.
desconseiller.]
To dissuade. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Discount \Dis"count`\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discounted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discounting}.] [OF. desconter,
descompter, to deduct, F. d['e]compter to discount; pref.
des- (L. dis-) + conter, compter. See {Count}, v.]
1. To deduct from an account, debt, charge, and the like; to
make an abatement of; as, merchants sometimes discount
five or six per cent for prompt payment of bills.
2. To lend money upon, deducting the discount or allowance
for interest; as, the banks discount notes and bills of
exchange.
Discount only unexceptionable paper. --Walsh.
3. To take into consideration beforehand; to anticipate and
form conclusions concerning (an event).
4. To leave out of account; to take no notice of. [R.]
Of the three opinions (I discount Brown's). --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Discount \Dis"count`\ (?; 277), v. i.
To lend, or make a practice of lending, money, abating the
discount; as, the discount for sixty or ninety days.
Discount \Dis"count`\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]compte. See {Discount},
v. t.]
1. A counting off or deduction made from a gross sum on any
account whatever; an allowance upon an account, debt,
demand, price asked, and the like; something taken or
deducted.
2. A deduction made for interest, in advancing money upon, or
purchasing, a bill or note not due; payment in advance of
interest upon money.
3. The rate of interest charged in discounting.
{At a discount}, below par, or below the nominal value;
hence, colloquially, out of favor; poorly esteemed;
depreciated.
{Bank discount}, a sum equal to the interest at a given rate
on the principal (face) of a bill or note from the time of
discounting until it become due.
{Discount broker}, one who makes a business of discounting
commercial paper; a bill broker.
{Discount day}, a particular day of the week when a bank
discounts bills.
{True discount}, the interest which, added to a principal,
will equal the face of a note when it becomes due. The
principal yielding this interest is the present value of
the note.
Discountable \Dis*count"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or suitable to be, discounted; as, certain
forms are necessary to render notes discountable at a bank.
Discountenance \Dis*coun"te*nance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discountenanced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discountenancing}.]
[Pref. dis- + countenance: cf. OF. descontenancer, F.
d['e]contenancer.]
1. To ruffle or discompose the countenance of; to put of
countenance; to put to shame; to abash.
How would one look from his majestic brow . . .
Discountenance her despised! --Milton.
The hermit was somewhat discountenanced by this
observation. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To refuse to countenance, or give the support of one's
approval to; to give one's influence against; to restrain
by cold treatment; to discourage.
A town meeting was convened to discountenance riot.
--Bancroft.
Discountenance \Dis*coun"te*nance\, n.
Unfavorable aspect; unfriendly regard; cold treatment;
disapprobation; whatever tends to check or discourage.
He thought a little discountenance on those persons
would suppress that spirit. --Clarendon.
Discountenancer \Dis*coun"te*nan*cer\, n.
One who discountenances; one who disfavors. --Bacon.
Discounter \Dis"count`er\, n.
One who discounts; a discount broker. --Burke.
Discourage \Dis*cour"age\ (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discouraged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discouraging}.] [Pref. dis- +
courage: cf. OF. descoragier, F. d['e]courager: pref. des-
(L. dis-) + corage, F. courage. See {Courage}.]
1. To extinguish the courage of; to dishearten; to depress
the spirits of; to deprive of confidence; to deject; --
the opposite of encourage; as, he was discouraged in his
undertaking; he need not be discouraged from a like
attempt.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest
they be discouraged. --Col. iii.
21.
2. To dishearten one with respect to; to discountenance; to
seek to check by disfavoring; to deter one from; as, they
discouraged his efforts.
Syn: To dishearten; dispirit; depress; deject; dissuade;
disfavor.
Discourage \Dis*cour"age\, n.
Lack of courage; cowardliness.
Discourageable \Dis*cour"age*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being discouraged; easily disheartened. --Bp.
Hall.
Discouragement \Dis*cour"age*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. descouragement,
F. d['e]couragement.]
1. The act of discouraging, or the state of being
discouraged; depression or weakening of confidence;
dejection.
2. That which discourages; that which deters, or tends to
deter, from an undertaking, or from the prosecution of
anything; a determent; as, the revolution was commenced
under every possible discouragement. ``Discouragements
from vice.'' --Swift.
Discourager \Dis*cour"a*ger\, n.
One who discourages.
The promoter of truth and the discourager of error.
--Sir G. C.
Lewis.
Discouraging \Dis*cour"a*ging\, a.
Causing or indicating discouragement. --
{Dis*cour"a*ging*ly}, adv.
Discoure \Dis*coure"\, v. t.
To discover. [Obs.]
That none might her discoure. --Spenser.
Discourse \Dis*course"\, n. [L. discursus a running to and fro,
discourse, fr. discurrere, discursum, to run to and fro, to
discourse; dis- + currere to run: cf. F. discours. See
{Course}.]
1. The power of the mind to reason or infer by running, as it
were, from one fact or reason to another, and deriving a
conclusion; an exercise or act of this power; reasoning;
range of reasoning faculty. [Obs.]
Difficult, strange, and harsh to the discourses of
natural reason. --South.
Sure he that made us with such large discourse,
Looking before and after, gave us not That
capability and godlike reason To fust in us unused.
--Shak.
2. Conversation; talk.
In their discourses after supper. --Shak.
Filling the head with variety of thoughts, and the
mouth with copious discourse. --Locke.
3. The art and manner of speaking and conversing.
Of excellent breeding, admirable discourse. --Shak.
4. Consecutive speech, either written or unwritten, on a
given line of thought; speech; treatise; dissertation;
sermon, etc.; as, the preacher gave us a long discourse on
duty.
5. Dealing; transaction. [Obs.]
Good Captain Bessus, tell us the discourse Betwixt
Tigranes and our king, and how We got the victory.
--Beau. & Fl.
Discourse \Dis*course"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Discoursed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Discoursing}.]
1. To exercise reason; to employ the mind in judging and
inferring; to reason. [Obs.] ``Have sense or can
discourse.'' --Dryden.
2. To express one's self in oral discourse; to expose one's
views; to talk in a continuous or formal manner; to hold
forth; to speak; to converse.
Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear. --Shak.
3. To relate something; to tell. --Shak.
4. To treat of something in writing and formally.
Discourse \Dis*course"\, v. t.
1. To treat of; to expose or set forth in language. [Obs.]
The life of William Tyndale . . . is sufficiently
and at large discoursed in the book. --Foxe.
2. To utter or give forth; to speak.
It will discourse most eloquent music. --Shak.
3. To talk to; to confer with. [Obs.]
I have spoken to my brother, who is the patron, to
discourse the minister about it. --Evelyn.
Discourser \Dis*cours"er\, n.
1. One who discourse; a narrator; a speaker; an haranguer.
In his conversation he was the most clear
discourser. --Milward.
2. The writer of a treatise or dissertation.
Philologers and critical discoursers. --Sir T.
Browne.
Discoursive \Dis*cours"ive\, a. [See {Discursive}.]
1. Reasoning; characterized by reasoning; passing from
premises to consequences; discursive. --Milton.
2. Containing dialogue or conversation; interlocutory.
The epic is everywhere interlaced with dialogue or
discoursive scenes. --Dryden.
3. Inclined to converse; conversable; communicative; as, a
discoursive man. [R.]
Discoursive \Dis*cours"ive\, n.
The state or quality of being discoursive or able to reason.
[R.] --Feltham.
Discourteous \Dis*cour"te*ous\ (?; see {Courteous}, 277), a.
[Pref. dis- + courteous: cf. OF. discortois.]
Uncivil; rude; wanting in courtesy or good manners;
uncourteous. -- {Dis*cour"te*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*cour"te*ous*ness}, n.
Discourtesy \Dis*cour"te*sy\, n. [Pref. dis- + courtesy: cf. OF.
descourtoisie.]
Rudeness of behavior or language; ill manners; manifestation
of disrespect; incivility.
Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes Error a fault,
and truth discourtesy. --Herbert.
Discourtship \Dis*court"ship\, n.
Want of courtesy. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Discous \Disc"ous\, a. [L. discus disk. See {Disk}.]
Disklike; discoid.
Discovenant \Dis*cov"e*nant\, v. t.
To dissolve covenant with.
Discover \Dis*cov"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discovered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Discovering}.] [OE. discoveren, discuren, descuren,
OF. descovrir, descouvrir, F. d['e]couvrir; des- (L. dis-) +
couvrir to cover. See {Cover}.]
1. To uncover. [Obs.]
Whether any man hath pulled down or discovered any
church. --Abp.
Grindal.
2. To disclose; to lay open to view; to make visible; to
reveal; to make known; to show (what has been secret,
unseen, or unknown).
Go, draw aside the curtains, and discover The
several caskets to this noble prince. --Shak.
Prosperity doth best discover vice; but adversity
doth best discover virtue. --Bacon.
We will discover ourselves unto them. --1 Sam. xiv.
8.
Discover not a secret to another. --Prov. xxv.
9.
3. To obtain for the first time sight or knowledge of, as of
a thing existing already, but not perceived or known; to
find; to ascertain; to espy; to detect.
Some to discover islands far away. --Shak.
4. To manifest without design; to show.
The youth discovered a taste for sculpture. --C. J.
Smith.
5. To explore; to examine. [Obs.]
Syn: To disclose; bring out; exhibit; show; manifest; reveal;
communicate; impart; tell; espy; find; out; detect. --
To {Discover}, {Invent}. We discover what existed
before, but remained unknown; we invent by forming
combinations which are either entirely new, or which
attain their end by means unknown before. Columbus
discovered America; Newton discovered the law of
gravitation; Whitney invented the cotton gin; Galileo
invented the telescope.
Discover \Dis*cov"er\, v. i.
To discover or show one's self. [Obs.]
This done, they discover. --Decker.
Nor was this the first time that they discovered to be
followers of this world. --Milton.
Discoverability \Dis*cov`er*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being discoverable. [R.] --Carlyle.
Discoverable \Dis*cov"er*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being discovered, found out, or perceived; as,
many minute animals are discoverable only by the help of the
microscope; truths discoverable by human industry.
Discoverer \Dis*cov"er*er\, n.
1. One who discovers; one who first comes to the knowledge of
something; one who discovers an unknown country, or a new
principle, truth, or fact.
The discoverers and searchers of the land. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. A scout; an explorer. --Shak.
Discoverment \Dis*cov"er*ment\, n.
Discovery. [Obs.]
Discovert \Dis*cov"ert\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]couvert uncovered, OF.
descovert. See {Discover}, {Covert}.] (Law)
Not covert; not within the bonds of matrimony; unmarried; --
applied either to a woman who has never married or to a
widow.
Discovert \Dis*cov"ert\, n.
An uncovered place or part. [Obs.]
{At discovert}, uncovered. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Discoverture \Dis*cov"er*ture\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. dis- +
coverture: cf. OF. descoverture.]
1. Discovery. [Obs.]
2. (Law) A state of being released from coverture; freedom of
a woman from the coverture of a husband.
Discovery \Dis*cov"er*y\, n.; pl. {Discoveries}.
1. The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open;
showing; as, the discovery of a plot.
2. A making known; revelation; disclosure; as, a bankrupt is
bound to make a full discovery of his assets.
In the clear discoveries of the next [world].
--South.
3. Finding out or ascertaining something previously unknown
or unrecognized; as, Harvey's discovery of the circulation
of the blood.
A brilliant career of discovery and conquest.
--Prescott.
We speak of the ``invention'' of printing, the
discovery of America. --Trench.
4. That which is discovered; a thing found out, or for the
first time ascertained or recognized; as, the properties
of the magnet were an important discovery.
5. Exploration; examination. [Obs.]
Discradle \Dis*cra"dle\, v. t.
To take from a cradle. [R.]
This airy apparition first discradled From Tournay into
Portugal. --Ford.
Discredit \Dis*cred"it\, n. [Cf. F. discr['e]dit.]
1. The act of discrediting or disbelieving, or the state of
being discredited or disbelieved; as, later accounts have
brought the story into discredit.
2. Hence, some degree of dishonor or disesteem; ill repute;
reproach; -- applied to persons or things.
It is the duty of every Christian to be concerned
for the reputation or discredit his life may bring
on his profession. --Rogers.
Syn: Disesteem; disrepute; dishonor; disgrace; ignominy;
scandal; disbelief; distrust.
Discredit \Dis*cred"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discredited}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Discrediting}.] [Cf. F. discr['e]diter.]
1. To refuse credence to; not to accept as true; to
disbelieve; as, the report is discredited.
2. To deprive of credibility; to destroy confidence or trust
in; to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of.
An occasion might be given to the . . . papists of
discrediting our common English Bible. --Strype.
2. To deprive of credit or good repute; to bring reproach
upon; to make less reputable; to disgrace.
He. . . least discredits his travels who returns the
same man he went. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Discreditable \Dis*cred"it*a*ble\, a.
Not creditable; injurious to reputation; disgraceful;
disreputable. -- {Dis*cred"it*a*bly}, adv.
Discreditor \Dis*cred"it*or\, n.
One who discredits.
Discreet \Dis*creet"\, a. [Compar. {Discreeter}; superl.
{Discreetest}.] [F. discret, L. discretus separated (whence
the meaning reserved, prudent), p. p. of discernere. See
{Discern}, and cf. {Discrete}.]
1. Possessed of discernment, especially in avoiding error or
evil, and in the adaptation of means to ends; prudent;
sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious.
It is the discreet man, not the witty, nor the
learned, nor the brave, who guides the conversation,
and gives measures to society. --Addison.
Satire 's my weapon, but I 'm too discreet To run
amuck, and tilt at all I meet. --Pope.
The sea is silent, the sea is discreet.
--Longfellow.
2. Differing; distinct. [Obs.] --Spenser. -- {Dis*creet"ly},
adv. -- {Dis*creet"ness}, n.
Discrepance \Dis*crep"ance\ (?; 277), Discrepancy
\Dis*crep"an*cy\, n.; pl. {-ances}, {-ancies}. [L. disrepantia:
cf. OF. discrepance. See {Discrepant}.]
The state or quality of being discrepant; disagreement;
variance; discordance; dissimilarity; contrariety.
There hath been ever a discrepance of vesture of youth
and age, men and women. --Sir T.
Elyot.
There is no real discrepancy between these two
genealogies. --G. S. Faber.
Discrepant \Dis*crep"ant\, a. [L. discrepans, -antis, p. pr. of
discrepare to sound differently or discordantly; dis- +
crepare to rattle, creak: cf. OF. discrepant. See
{Crepitate}.]
Discordant; at variance; disagreeing; contrary; different.
The Egyptians were . . . the most oddly discrepant from
the rest in their manner of worship. --Cudworth.
Discrepant \Dis*crep"ant\, n.
A dissident. --J. Taylor.
Discrete \Dis*crete"\, a. [L. discretus, p. p. of discernere.
See {Discreet}.]
1. Separate; distinct; disjunct. --Sir M. Hale.
2. Disjunctive; containing a disjunctive or discretive
clause; as, ``I resign my life, but not my honor,'' is a
discrete proposition.
3. (Bot.) Separate; not coalescent; -- said of things usually
coalescent.
{Discrete movement}. See {Concrete movement of the voice},
under {Concrete}, a.
{Discrete proportion}, proportion where the ratio of the
means is different from that of either couplet; as,
3:6::8:16, 3 bearing the same proportion to 6 as 8 does to
16. But 3 is not to 6 as 6 to 8. It is thus opposed to
continued or {continual proportion}; as, 3:6::12:24.
{Discrete quantity}, that which must be divided into units,
as number, and is opposed to {continued quantity}, as
duration, or extension.
Discrete \Dis*crete"\, v. t.
To separate. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Discretely \Dis*crete"ly\, adv.
Separately; disjunctively.
Discretion \Dis*cre"tion\, n. [F. discr['e]tion, L. discretio
separation, difference, discernment, fr. discernere,
discretum. See {Discreet}, {Discern}.]
1. Disjunction; separation. [Obs.] --Mede.
2. The quality of being discreet; wise conduct and
management; cautious discernment, especially as to matters
of propriety and self-control; prudence; circumspection;
wariness.
The better part of valor is discretion. --Shak.
The greatest parts without discretion may be fatal
to their owner. --Hume.
3. Discrimination.
Well spoken, with good accent and good discretion.
--Shak.
4. Freedom to act according to one's own judgment;
unrestrained exercise of choice or will.
{At discretion}, without conditions or stipulations.
Discretional \Dis*cre"tion*al\, Discretionary
\Dis*cre"tion*a*ry\, [Cf. F. discr['e]tionnaire.]
Left to discretion; unrestrained except by discretion or
judgment; as, an ambassador with discretionary powers.
Discretionally \Dis*cre"tion*al*ly\, Discretionarily
\Dis*cre"tion*a*ri*ly\, adv.
At discretion; according to one's discretion or judgment.
Discretive \Dis*cre"tive\, a. [L. discretivus. See {Discrete}.]
Marking distinction or separation; disjunctive.
{Discretive proposition} (Logic & Gram.), one that expresses
distinction, opposition, or variety, by means of
discretive particles, as but, though, yet, etc.; as,
travelers change their climate, but not their temper.
Discretively \Dis*cre"tive*ly\, adv.
In a discretive manner.
Discriminable \Dis*crim"i*na*ble\, a.
Capable of being discriminated. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Discriminal \Dis*crim"i*nal\, a. [L. discriminalis serving to
divide.]
In palmistry, applied to the line which marks the separation
between the hand and the arm.
Discriminant \Dis*crim"i*nant\, n. [L. discriminans, p. pr. of
discriminare.] (Math.)
The eliminant of the n partial differentials of any
homogenous function of n variables. See {Eliminant}.
Discriminate \Dis*crim"i*nate\, a. [L. discriminatus, p. p. of
discriminare to divide, separate, fr. discrimen division,
distinction, decision, fr. discernere. See {Discern}, and cf.
{Criminate}.]
Having the difference marked; distinguished by certain
tokens. --Bacon.
Discriminate \Dis*crim"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discriminated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discriminating}.]
To set apart as being different; to mark as different; to
separate from another by discerning differences; to
distinguish. --Cowper.
To discriminate the goats from the sheep. --Barrow.
Discriminate \Dis*crim"i*nate\, v. i.
1. To make a difference or distinction; to distinguish
accurately; as, in judging of evidence, we should be
careful to discriminate between probability and slight
presumption.
2.
(a) To treat unequally.
(b) (Railroads) To impose unequal tariffs for
substantially the same service.
Discriminately \Dis*crim"i*nate*ly\, adv.
In a discriminating manner; distinctly.
Discriminateness \Dis*crim"i*nate*ness\, n.
The state of being discriminated; distinctness.
Discriminating \Dis*crim"i*na`ting\, a.
Marking a difference; distinguishing. --
{Dis*crim"i*na`ting*ly}, adv.
And finds with keen discriminating sight, Black's not
so black; -- nor white so very white. --Canning.
Discrimination \Dis*crim`i*na"tion\, n. [L. discriminatio the
contrasting of opposite thoughts.]
1. The act of discriminating, distinguishing, or noting and
marking differences.
To make an anxious discrimination between the
miracle absolute and providential. --Trench.
2. The state of being discriminated, distinguished, or set
apart. --Sir J. Reynolds.
3. (Railroads) The arbitrary imposition of unequal tariffs
for substantially the same service.
A difference in rates, not based upon any
corresponding difference in cost, constitutes a case
of discrimination. --A. T.
Hadley.
4. The quality of being discriminating; faculty of nicely
distinguishing; acute discernment; as, to show great
discrimination in the choice of means.
5. That which discriminates; mark of distinction.
Syn: Discernment; penetration; clearness; acuteness;
judgment; distinction. See {Discernment}.
Discriminative \Dis*crim"i*na*tive\, a.
1. Marking a difference; distinguishing; distinctive;
characteristic.
That peculiar and discriminative form of life.
--Johnson.
2. Observing distinctions; making differences;
discriminating. ``Discriminative censure.'' --J. Foster.
``Discriminative Providence.'' --Dr. H. More.
Discriminatively \Dis*crim"i*na*tive*ly\, adv.
With discrimination or distinction. --J. Foster.
Discriminator \Dis*crim"i*na`tor\, n. [LL.]
One who discriminates.
Discriminatory \Dis*crim"i*na*to*ry\, a.
Discriminative.
Discriminous \Dis*crim"i*nous\, a. [LL. discriminosus, fr. L.
discrimen the dangerous, decisive moment. See {Discriminate},
a.]
Hazardous; dangerous. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Discrive \Dis*crive"\, v. t. [OF. descrivre. See {Describe}.]
To describe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Discrown \Dis*crown"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discrowned}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Discrowning}.]
To deprive of a crown.
The end had crowned the work; it not unreasonably
discrowned the workman. --Motley.
Discruciate \Dis*cru"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Discruciated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Discruciating}.] [L.
discruciatus, p. p. of discruciare. See {Cruciate}.]
To torture; to excruciate. [Obs.]
Discruciate a man in deep distress. --Herrick.
Discubitory \Dis*cu"bi*to*ry\, a. [L. discumbere, discubitum, to
lie down, recline at table; dis- + cumbere (in comp.) to lie
down.]
Leaning; fitted for a reclining posture. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Disculpate \Dis*cul"pate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disculpated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disculpating}.] [LL. disculpatus, p. p. of
disculpare to disculpate; dis- + L. culpare to blame, culpa
fault.]
To free from blame or the imputation of a fault; to
exculpate.
I almost fear you think I begged it, but I can
disculpate myself. --Walpole.
Disculpation \Dis`cul*pa"tion\, n. [Cf. F. disculpation.]
Exculpation. --Burke.
Disculpatory \Dis*cul"pa*to*ry\, a.
Tending to exculpate; exculpatory.
Discumbency \Dis*cum"ben*cy\, n. [From L. discumbens, p. pr. of
discumbere. See {Discubitory}.]
The act of reclining at table according to the manner of the
ancients at their meals. --Sir T. Browne.
Discumber \Dis*cum"ber\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + cumber: cf. OF.
descombrer.]
To free from that which cumbers or impedes; to disencumber.
[Archaic] --Pope.
Discure \Dis*cure"\, v. t. [See {Discover}.]
To discover; to reveal; to discoure. [Obs.]
I will, if please you it discure, assay To ease you of
that ill, so wisely as I may. --Spenser.
Discurrent \Dis*cur"rent\, a.
Not current or free to circulate; not in use. [Obs.] --Sir E.
Sandys.
Discursion \Dis*cur"sion\, n. [LL. discursio a running different
ways. See {Discourse}.]
The act of discoursing or reasoning; range, as from thought
to thought. --Coleridge.
Discursist \Dis*cur"sist\, n.
A discourser. [Obs.] --L. Addison.
Discursive \Dis*cur"sive\, a. [Cf. F. discursif. See
{Discourse}, and cf. {Discoursive}.]
1. Passing from one thing to another; ranging over a wide
field; roving; digressive; desultory. ``Discursive
notices.'' --De Quincey.
The power he [Shakespeare] delights to show is not
intense, but discursive. --Hazlitt.
A man rather tacit than discursive. --Carlyle.
2. Reasoning; proceeding from one ground to another, as in
reasoning; argumentative.
Reason is her being, Discursive or intuitive.
--Milton.
-- {Dis*cur"sive*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*cur"sive*ness}, n.
Discursory \Dis*cur`so*ry\, a.
Argumentative; discursive; reasoning. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Discursus \Dis*cur"sus\, n. [L.] (Logic)
Argumentation; ratiocination; discursive reasoning.
Discus \Dis"cus\, n.; pl. E. {Discuses}, L. {Disci}. [L. See
{Disk}.]
1.
(a) A quoit; a circular plate of some heavy material
intended to be pitched or hurled as a trial of
strength and skill.
(b) The exercise with the discus.
Note: This among the Greeks was one of the chief gymnastic
exercises and was included in the Pentathlon (the
contest of the five exercises). The chief contest was
that of throwing the discus to the greatest possible
distance.
2. A disk. See {Disk}.
Discuss \Dis*cuss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Discussed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Discussing}.] [L. discussus, p. p. of discutere to
strike asunder (hence came the sense to separate mentally,
distinguish); dis- + quatere to shake, strike. See {Quash}.]
1. To break to pieces; to shatter. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. To break up; to disperse; to scatter; to dissipate; to
drive away; -- said especially of tumors.
Many arts were used to discuss the beginnings of new
affection. --Sir H.
Wotton.
A pomade . . . of virtue to discuss pimples.
--Rambler.
3. To shake; to put away; to finish. [Obs.]
All regard of shame she had discussed. --Spenser.
4. To examine in detail or by disputation; to reason upon by
presenting favorable and adverse considerations; to
debate; to sift; to investigate; to ventilate. ``We sat
and . . . discussed the farm . . . and the price of
grain.'' --Tennyson. ``To discuss questions of taste.''
--Macaulay.
5. To deal with, in eating or drinking. [Colloq.]
We sat quietly down and discussed a cold fowl that
we had brought with us. --Sir S.
Baker.
6. (Law) To examine or search thoroughly; to exhaust a remedy
against, as against a principal debtor before proceeding
against the surety. --Burrill.
Syn: To {Discuss}, {Examine}, {Debate}. We speak of examining
a subject when we ponder it with care, in order to
discover its real state, or the truth respecting it. We
speak of discussing a topic when we examine it
thoroughly in its distinct parts. The word is very
commonly applied to matters of opinion. We may discuss a
subject without giving in an adhesion to any conclusion.
We speak of debating a point when we examine it in
mutual argumentation between opposing parties. In debate
we contend for or against some conclusion or view.
Discusser \Dis*cuss"er\, n.
One who discusses; one who sifts or examines. --Wood.
Discussion \Dis*cus"sion\, n. [L. discussio a shaking,
examination, discussion: cf. F. discussion.]
1. The act or process of discussing by breaking up, or
dispersing, as a tumor, or the like.
2. The act of discussing or exchanging reasons; examination
by argument; debate; disputation; agitation.
The liberty of discussion is the great safeguard of
all other liberties. --Macaulay.
{Discussion of a problem} or {an equation} (Math.), the
operation of assigning different reasonable values to the
arbitrary quantities and interpreting the result. --Math.
Dict.
Discussional \Dis*cus"sion*al\, a.
Pertaining to discussion.
Discussive \Dis*cuss"ive\, a. [Cf. F. discussif.]
1. (Med.) Able or tending to discuss or disperse tumors or
coagulated matter.
2. Doubt-dispelling; decisive. [R.]
A kind of peremptory and discussive voice.
--Hopkins.
Discussive \Dis*cuss"ive\, n. (Med.)
A medicine that discusses or disperses morbid humors; a
discutient.
Discutient \Dis*cu"tient\, a. [L. discutiens, p. pr. of
discutere. See {Discuss}.] (Med.)
Serving to disperse morbid matter; discussive; as, a
discutient application. -- n. An agent (as a medicinal
application) which serves to disperse morbid matter. ``Foment
with discutiens.'' --Wiseman.
Disdain \Dis*dain"\ (?; 277), n. [OE. desdain, disdein, OF.
desdein, desdaing, F. d['e]dain, fr. the verb. See {Disdain},
v. t.]
1. A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything
as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.
How my soul is moved with just disdain! --Pope.
Note: Often implying an idea of haughtiness.
Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.
--Shak.
2. That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with
contempt and aversion. [Obs.]
Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile
disdain. --Spenser.
3. The state of being despised; shame. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See
{Haughtiness}.
Disdain \Dis*dain"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disdained};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disdaining}.] [OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF.
desdeigner, desdaigner, F. d['e]daigner; des- (L. dis-) +
daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See
{Deign}.]
1. To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as,
to disdain to do a mean act.
Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor of
the best knight living. --Sir P.
Sidney.
2. To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as not deserving
one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base
acts, character, etc.
When the Philistine . . . saw Dawid, he disdained
him; for he was but a youth. --1 Sam. xvii.
42.
'T is great, 't manly to disdain disguise. --Young.
Syn: To contemn; despise; scorn. See {Contemn}.
Disdain \Dis*dain"\, v. i.
To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be
haughty.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels
that he did . . . they disdained. --Genevan
Testament
(Matt. xxi.
15).
Disdained \Dis*dained"\, a.
Disdainful. [Obs.]
Revenge the jeering and disdained contempt Of this
proud king. --Shak.
Disdainful \Dis*dain"ful\, a.
Full of disdain; expressing disdain; scornful; contemptuous;
haughty.
From these Turning disdainful to an equal good.
--Akenside.
-- {Dis*dain"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*dain"ful*ness}, n.
Disdainishly \Dis*dain"ish*ly\, adv.
Disdainfully. [Obs.] --Vives.
Disdainous \Dis*dain"ous\, a. [OF. desdeignos, desdaigneux, F.
d['e]daigneux.]
Disdainful. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Disdainously \Dis*dain"ous*ly\, adv.
Disdainfully. [Obs.] --Bale.
Disdeify \Dis*de"i*fy\, v. t.
To divest or deprive of deity or of a deific rank or
condition. --Feltham.
Disdeign \Dis*deign"\, v. t.
To disdain. [Obs.]
Guyon much disdeigned so loathly sight. --Spenser.
Disdiaclast \Dis*di"a*clast\, n. [Gr. di`s- twice + ? to break
in twain; dia` through + ? to break.] (Physiol.)
One of the dark particles forming the doubly refracting disks
of muscle fibers.
Disdiapason \Dis*di`a*pa"son\, n. [Pref. dis- (Gr. ?) +
diapason.] (Anc. Mus.)
An interval of two octaves, or a fifteenth; -- called also
{bisdiapason}.
Disease \Dis*ease"\, n. [OE. disese, OF. desaise; des- (L. dis-)
+ aise ease. See {Ease}.]
1. Lack of ease; uneasiness; trouble; vexation; disquiet.
[Obs.]
So all that night they passed in great disease.
--Spenser.
To shield thee from diseases of the world. --Shak.
2. An alteration in the state of the body or of some of its
organs, interrupting or disturbing the performance of the
vital functions, and causing or threatening pain and
weakness; malady; affection; illness; sickness; disorder;
-- applied figuratively to the mind, to the moral
character and habits, to institutions, the state, etc.
Diseases desperate grown, By desperate appliances
are relieved. --Shak.
The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced
into the public counsels have, in truth, been the
mortal diseases under which popular governments have
every where perished. --Madison.
{Disease germ}. See under {Germ}.
Syn: Distemper; ailing; ailment; malady; disorder; sickness;
illness; complaint; indisposition; affection. --
{Disease}, {Disorder}, {Distemper}, {Malady},
{Affection}. Disease is the leading medical term.
Disorder mean? much the same, with perhaps some slight
reference to an irregularity of the system. Distemper is
now used by physicians only of the diseases of animals.
Malady is not a medical term, and is less used than
formerly in literature. Affection has special reference
to the part, organ, or function disturbed; as, his
disease is an affection of the lungs. A disease is
usually deep-seated and permanent, or at least
prolonged; a disorder is often slight, partial, and
temporary; malady has less of a technical sense than the
other terms, and refers more especially to the suffering
endured. In a figurative sense we speak of a disease
mind, of disordered faculties, and of mental maladies.
Disease \Dis*ease"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diseased}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Diseasing}.]
1. To deprive of ease; to disquiet; to trouble; to distress.
[Obs.]
His double burden did him sore disease. --Spenser.
2. To derange the vital functions of; to afflict with disease
or sickness; to disorder; -- used almost exclusively in
the participle diseased.
He was diseased in body and mind. --Macaulay.
Diseased \Dis*eased"\, a.
Afflicted with disease.
It is my own diseased imagination that torments me.
--W. Irving.
Syn: See {Morbid}.
Diseasedness \Dis*eas"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being diseased; a morbid state; sickness. [R.]
--T. Burnet.
Diseaseful \Dis*ease"ful\, a.
1. Causing uneasiness. [Obs.]
Disgraceful to the king and diseaseful to the
people. --Bacon.
2. Abounding with disease; producing diseases; as, a
diseaseful climate. [R.]
Diseasefulness \Dis*ease"ful*ness\, n.
The quality of being diseaseful; trouble; trial. [R.] --Sir
P. Sidney.
Diseasement \Dis*ease"ment\, n.
Uneasiness; inconvenience. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Disedge \Dis*edge"\, v. t.
To deprive of an edge; to blunt; to dull.
Served a little to disedge The sharpness of that pain
about her heart. --Tennyson.
Disedify \Dis*ed"i*fy\, v. t.
To fail of edifying; to injure. [R.]
Diselder \Dis*eld"er\, v. t.
To deprive of an elder or elders, or of the office of an
elder. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Diselenide \Di*sel"e*nide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + selenide.]
(Chem.)
A selenide containing two atoms of selenium in each molecule.
Disembark \Dis`em*bark"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disembarked}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disembarking}.] [Pref. dis- + embark: cf. F.
d['e]sembarquer.]
To remove from on board a vessel; to put on shore; to land;
to debark; as, the general disembarked the troops.
Go to the bay, and disembark my coffers. --Shak.
Disembark \Dis`em*bark"\, v. i.
To go ashore out of a ship or boat; to leave a ship; to
debark.
And, making fast their moorings, disembarked. --Cowper.
Disembarkation \Dis*em`bar*ka"tion\, n.
The act of disembarking.
Disembarkment \Dis`em*bark"ment\, n.
Disembarkation. [R.]
Disembarrass \Dis`em*bar"rass\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disembarrassed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disembarrassing}.] [Pref.
dis- + embarrass: cf. F. d['e]sembarasser.]
To free from embarrassment, or perplexity; to clear; to
extricate.
To disembarrass himself of his companion. --Sir W.
Scott.
Disembarrassment \Dis`em*bar"rass*ment\, n.
Freedom or relief from impediment or perplexity.
Disembay \Dis`em*bay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disembayed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disembaying}.] [Pref. dis- + embay.]
To clear from a bay. --Sherburne.
Disembellish \Dis`em*bel"lish\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + embellish:
cf. F. d['e]sembellir.]
To deprive of embellishment; to disadorn. --Carlyle.
Disembitter \Dis`em*bit"ter\, v. t.
To free from
Disembodied \Dis`em*bod"ied\, a.
Divested of a body; ceased to be corporal; incorporeal.
The disembodied spirits of the dead. --Bryant.
Disembodiment \Dis`em*bod"i*ment\, n.
The act of disembodying, or the state of being disembodied.
Disembody \Dis`em*bod"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disembodied}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disembodying}.]
1. To divest of the body or corporeal existence.
Devils embodied and disembodied. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. (Mil.) To disarm and disband, as a body of soldiers.
--Wilhelm.
Disembogue \Dis`em*bogue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disembogued};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disemboguing}.] [Sp. desembocar; pref. des-
(L. dis-) + embocar to put into the mouth, fr. en (L. in) +
boca mouth, fr. L. bucca cheek. Cf. {Debouch}, {Embogue}.]
1. To pour out or discharge at the mouth, as a stream; to
vent; to discharge into an ocean, a lake, etc.
Rolling down, the steep Timavus raves, And through
nine channels disembogues his waves. --Addison.
2. To eject; to cast forth. [R.] --Swift.
Disembogue \Dis`em*bogue"\, v. i.
To become discharged; to flow out; to find vent; to pour out
contents.
Volcanos bellow ere they disembogue. --Young.
Disemboguement \Dis`em*bogue"ment\, n.
The act of disemboguing; discharge. --Mease.
Disembossom \Dis`em*bos"som\, v. t.
To separate from the bosom. [R.] --Young.
Disembowel \Dis`em*bow"el\ (d[i^]s`[e^]m*bou"[e^]l), v. t. [See
{Embowel}.]
1. To take or let out the bowels or interior parts of; to
eviscerate.
Soon after their death, they are disemboweled.
--Cook.
Roaring floods and cataracts that sweep From
disemboweled earth the virgin gold. --Thomson.
2. To take or draw from the body, as the web of a spider.
[R.] ``Her disemboweled web.'' --J. Philips.
Disembowelment \Dis`em*bow"el*ment\, n.
The act of disemboweling, or state of being disemboweled;
evisceration.
Disembowered \Dis`em*bow"ered\, a.
Deprived of, or removed from, a bower. [Poetic] --Bryant.
Disembrangle \Dis`em*bran"gle\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + em = en (L.
in) + brangle.]
To free from wrangling or litigation. [Obs.] --Berkeley.
Disembroil \Dis`em*broil"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disembroiled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disembroiling}.] [Pref. dis- + embroil.]
To disentangle; to free from perplexity; to extricate from
confusion.
Vaillant has disembroiled a history that was lost to
the world before his time. --Addison.
Disemploy \Dis`em*ploy"\, v. t.
To throw out of employment. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Disemployment \Dis`em*ploy"ment\, n.
The state of being disemployed, or deprived of employment.
This glut of leisure and disemployment. --Jer. Taylor.
Disempower \Dis`em*pow"er\, v. t.
To deprive of power; to divest of strength. --H. Bushnell.
Disenable \Dis`en*a"ble\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + enable.]
To disable; to disqualify.
The sight of it might damp me and disenable me to
speak. --State Trials
(1640).
Disenamor \Dis`en*am"or\, v. t.
To free from the captivity of love. --Shelton.
Disenchained \Dis`en*chained"\, a.
Freed from restraint; unrestrained. [Archaic] --E. A. Poe.
Disenchant \Dis`en*chant"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disenchanted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disenchanting}.] [Pref. dis- + enchant: cf.
F. d['e]senchanter.]
To free from enchantment; to deliver from the power of charms
or spells; to free from fascination or delusion.
Haste to thy work; a noble stroke or two Ends all the
charms, and disenchants the grove. --Dryden.
Disenchanter \Dis`en*chant"er\, n.
One who, or that which, disenchants.
Disenchantment \Dis`en*chant"ment\, n. [Pref. dis- +
enchantment: cf. F. d['e]senchantement.]
The act of disenchanting, or state of being disenchanted.
--Shelton.
Disencharm \Dis`en*charm"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + en (L. in) +
charm.]
To free from the influence of a charm or spell; to
disenchant. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Disenclose \Dis`en*close\, v. t.
See {Disinclose}.
Disencouragement \Dis`en*cour"age*ment\, n.
Discouragement. [Obs.] --Spectator.
Disencrese \Dis`en*crese"\, v. i. [Pref. dis- + OE. encrese, E.
increase.]
To decrease. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disencrese \Dis`en*crese"\, n.
Decrease. [Obs.]
Disencumber \Dis`en*cum"ber\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disencumbered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disencumbering}.] [Pref.
dis- + encumber: cf. F. d['e]sencombrer.]
To free from encumbrance, or from anything which clogs,
impedes, or obstructs; to disburden. --Owen.
I have disencumbered myself from rhyme. --Dryden.
Disencumbrance \Dis`en*cum"brance\, n.
Freedom or deliverance from encumbrance, or anything
burdensome or troublesome. --Spectator.
Disendow \Dis`en*dow"\, v. t.
To deprive of an endowment, as a church. --Gladstone.
Disendowment \Dis`en*dow"ment\, n.
The act of depriving of an endowment or endowments.
[The] disendowment of the Irish Church. --G. B. Smith.
Disenfranchise \Dis`en*fran"chise\, v. t.
To disfranchise; to deprive of the rights of a citizen. --
{Dis`en*fran"chise*ment}, n.
Disengage \Dis`en*gage"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disengaged}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disengaging}.] [Pref. dis- + engage: cf. F.
d['e]sengager.]
To release from that with which anything is engaged,
engrossed, involved, or entangled; to extricate; to detach;
to set free; to liberate; to clear; as, to disengage one from
a party, from broils and controversies, from an oath,
promise, or occupation; to disengage the affections a
favorite pursuit, the mind from study.
To disengage him and the kingdom, great sums were to be
borrowed. --Milton.
Caloric and light must be disengaged during the
process. --Transl. of
Lavoisier.
Syn: To liberate; free; loose; extricate; clear; disentangle;
detach; withdraw; wean.
Disengage \Dis`en*gage"\, v. i.
To release one's self; to become detached; to free one's
self.
From a friends's grave how soon we disengage! --Young.
Disengaged \Dis`en*gaged"\, a.
Not engaged; free from engagement; at leisure; free from
occupation or care; vacant. -- {Dis`en*ga"ged*ness}, n.
Disengagement \Dis`en*gage"ment\, n. [Pref. dis- + engagement:
cf. F. d['e]sengagement.]
1. The act of disengaging or setting free, or the state of
being disengaged.
It is easy to render this disengagement of caloric
and light evident to the senses. --Transl. of
Lavoisier.
A disengagement from earthly trammels. --Sir W.
Jones.
2. Freedom from engrossing occupation; leisure.
Disengagement is absolutely necessary to enjoyment.
--Bp. Butler.
Disengaging \Dis`en*ga"ging\, a.
Loosing; setting free; detaching.
{Disengaging machinery}. See under {Engaging}.
Disennoble \Dis`en*no"ble\, v. t.
To deprive of that which ennobles; to degrade.
An unworthy behavior degrades and disennobles a man.
--Guardian.
Disenroll \Dis`en*roll"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Disenrolled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disenrolling}.]
To erase from a roll or list. [Written also {disenrol}.]
--Donne.
Disensanity \Dis`en*san"i*ty\, n. [Pref. dis- + en (L. in) +
sanity.]
Insanity; folly. [Obs.]
What tediosity and disensanity Is here among! --Beau. &
Fl.
Disenshrouded \Dis`en*shroud"ed\, a.
Freed from a shroudlike covering; unveiled.
The disenshrouded statue. --R. Browning.
Disenslave \Dis`en*slave"\, v. t.
To free from bondage or slavery; to disenthrall.
He shall disenslave and redeem his soul. --South.
Disentail \Dis`en*tail"\, v. t. (Law)
To free from entailment.
Disentangle \Dis`en*tan"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disentangled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disentangling}.]
1. To free from entanglement; to release from a condition of
being intricately and confusedly involved or interlaced;
to reduce to orderly arrangement; to straighten out; as,
to disentangle a skein of yarn.
2. To extricate from complication and perplexity; disengage
from embarrassing connection or intermixture; to
disembroil; to set free; to separate.
To disentangle truth from error. --Stewart.
To extricate and disentangle themselves out of this
labyrinth. --Clarendon.
A mind free and disentangled from all corporeal
mixtures. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Syn: To loose; extricate; disembarrass; disembroil; clear;
evolve; disengage; separate; detach.
Disentanglement \Dis`en*tan"gle*ment\, n.
The act of disentangling or clearing from difficulties.
--Warton.
Disenter \Dis`en*ter"\, v. t.
See {Disinter}.
Disenthrall \Dis`en*thrall"\, v. t. [See {Enthrall}.]
To release from thralldom or slavery; to give freedom to; to
disinthrall. [Written also {disenthral}.] --Milton.
Disenthrallment \Dis`en*thrall"ment\, n.
Liberation from bondage; emancipation; disinthrallment.
[Written also {disenthralment}.]
Disenthrone \Dis`en*throne"\, v. t.
To dethrone; to depose from sovereign authority. --Milton.
Disentitle \Dis`en*ti"tle\, v. t.
To deprive of title or claim.
Every ordinary offense does not disentitle a son to the
love of his father. --South.
Disentomb \Dis`en*tomb"\, v. t.
To take out from a tomb; a disinter.
Disentrail \Dis`en*trail"\, v. t.
To disembowel; to let out or draw forth, as the entrails.
[Obs.]
As if he thought her soul to disentrail. --Spenser.
Disentrance \Dis`en*trance"\, v. t.
To awaken from a trance or an enchantment. --Hudibras.
Disentwine \Dis`en*twine"\, v. t.
To free from being entwined or twisted. --Shelley.
Disepalous \Di*sep"al*ous\, a. [Pref. di- + sepalous.] (Bot.)
Having two sepals; two-sepaled.
Disert \Dis*ert"\, a. [L. disertus, for dissertus, p. p.: cf. F.
disert. See {Dissert}.]
Eloquent. [Obs.]
Disertitude \Dis*er"ti*tude\, n. [L. disertitud?.]
Eloquence. [Obs.]
Diserty \Dis*ert"y\, adv.
Expressly; clearly; eloquently. [Obs.] --Holland.
Disespouse \Dis`es*pouse"\, v. t.
To release from espousal or plighted faith. [Poetic]
--Milton.
Disestablish \Dis`es*tab"lish\, v. t.
To unsettle; to break up (anything established); to deprive,
as a church, of its connection with the state. --M. Arnold.
Disestablishment \Dis`es*tab"lish*ment\, n.
1. The act or process of unsettling or breaking up that which
has been established; specifically, the withdrawal of the
support of the state from an established church; as, the
disestablishment and disendowment of the Irish Church by
Act of Parliament.
2. The condition of being disestablished.
Disesteem \Dis`es*teem"\, n.
Want of esteem; low estimation, inclining to dislike;
disfavor; disrepute.
Disesteem and contempt of the public affairs. --Milton.
Disesteem \Dis`es*teem"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disesteemed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disesteeming}.]
1. To feel an absence of esteem for; to regard with disfavor
or slight contempt; to slight.
But if this sacred gift you disesteem. --Denham.
Qualities which society does not disesteem. --Ld.
Lytton.
2. To deprive of esteem; to bring into disrepute; to cause to
be regarded with disfavor. [Obs.]
What fables have you vexed, what truth redeemed,
Antiquities searched, opinions disesteemed? --B.
Jonson.
Disesteemer \Dis`es*teem"er\, n.
One who disesteems. --Boyle.
Disestimation \Dis*es`ti*ma"tion\, n.
Disesteem.
Disexercise \Dis*ex"er*cise\, v. t.
To deprive of exercise; to leave untrained. [Obs.]
By disexercising and blunting our abilities. --Milton.
Disfame \Dis*fame"\, n.
Disrepute. [R.] --Tennyson.
Disfancy \Dis*fan"cy\, v. t.
To dislike. [Obs.]
Disfashion \Dis*fash"ion\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + fashion. See
{Fashion}, and cf. {Defeat}.]
To disfigure. [Obs.] --Sir T. More.
Disfavor \Dis*fa"vor\, n. [Pref. dis- + favor: cf. OF.
disfaveur, F. d['e]faveur.] [Written also {disfavour}.]
1. Want of favor of favorable regard; disesteem; disregard.
The people that deserved my disfavor. --Is. x. 6
(1551).
Sentiment of disfavor against its ally. --Gladstone.
2. The state of not being in favor; a being under the
displeasure of some one; state of unacceptableness; as, to
be in disfavor at court.
3. An unkindness; a disobliging act.
He might dispense favors and disfavors. --Clarendon.
Disfavor \Dis*fa"vor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disfavored}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disfavoring}.]
1. To withhold or withdraw favor from; to regard with
disesteem; to show disapprobation of; to discountenance.
Countenanced or disfavored according as they obey.
--Swift.
2. To injure the form or looks of. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Disfavorable \Dis*fa"vor*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]favorable.]
Unfavorable. [Obs.] --Stow.
Disfavorably \Dis*fa"vor*a*bly\, adv.
Unpropitiously. [Obs.]
Disfavorer \Dis*fa"vor*er\, n.
One who disfavors. --Bacon.
Disfeature \Dis*fea"ture\ (?; 135), v. t. [Cf. {Defeature}.]
To deprive of features; to mar the features of. [R.]
Disfellowship \Dis*fel"low*ship\, v. t. [See {Fellowship}, v.
t.]
To exclude from fellowship; to refuse intercourse with, as an
associate.
An attempt to disfellowship an evil, but to fellowship
the evildoer. --Freewill
Bapt. Quart.
Disfiguration \Dis*fig`u*ra"tion\, n. [See {Disfigure}, and cf.
{Defiguration}.]
The act of disfiguring, or the state of being disfigured;
defacement; deformity; disfigurement. --Gauden.
Disfigure \Dis*fig"ure\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disfigured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disfiguring}.] [OF.
desfigurer, F. d['e]figurer; pref. des- (L. dis-) + figurer
to fashion, shape, fr. L. figurare, fr. figura figure. See
{Figure}, and cf. {Defiguration}.]
To mar the figure of; to render less complete, perfect, or
beautiful in appearance; to deface; to deform.
Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own.
--Milton.
Syn: To deface; deform; mar; injure.
Disfigure \Dis*fig"ure\, n.
Disfigurement; deformity. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disfigurement \Dis*fig"ure*ment\, n.
1. Act of disfiguring, or state of being disfigured;
deformity. --Milton.
2. That which disfigures; a defacement; a blot.
Uncommon expressions . . . are a disfigurement
rather than any embellishment of discourse. --Hume.
Disfigurer \Dis*fig"ur*er\, n.
One who disfigures.
Disflesh \Dis*flesh"\, v. t.
To reduce the flesh or obesity of. [Obs.] --Shelton.
Disforest \Dis*for"est\, v. t.
1. To disafforest. --Fuller.
2. To clear or deprive of forests or trees.
Disforestation \Dis*for`es*ta"tion\, n.
The act of clearing land of forests. --Daniel.
Disformity \Dis*form"i*ty\, n. [Cf. {Deformity}.]
Discordance or diversity of form; unlikeness in form.
Uniformity or disformity in comparing together the
respective figures of bodies. --S. Clarke.
Disfranchise \Dis*fran"chise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disfranchised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disfranchising}.] [Cf.
{Diffranchise}.]
To deprive of a franchise or chartered right; to dispossess
of the rights of a citizen, or of a particular privilege, as
of voting, holding office, etc.
Sir William Fitzwilliam was disfranchised. --Fabyan
(1509).
He was partially disfranchised so as to be made
incapable of taking part in public affairs.
--Thirlwall.
Disfranchisement \Dis*fran"chise*ment\, n.
The act of disfranchising, or the state disfranchised;
deprivation of privileges of citizenship or of chartered
immunities.
Sentenced first to dismission from the court, and then
to disfranchisement and expulsion from the colony.
--Palfrey.
Disfriar \Dis*fri"ar\, v. t.
To depose or withdraw from the condition of a friar. [Obs.]
Many did quickly unnun and disfriar themselves.
--Fuller.
Disfrock \Dis*frock"\, v. t.
To unfrock.
Disfurnish \Dis*fur"nish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disfurnished};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disfurnishing}.] [Pref. dis- + furnish.]
To deprive of that with which anything is furnished
(furniture, equipments, etc.); to strip; to render destitute;
to divest.
I am a thing obscure, disfurnished of All merit, that
can raise me higher. --Massinger.
Disfurnishment \Dis*fur"nish*ment\, n.
The act of disfurnishing, or the state of being disfurnished.
--Daniel.
Disfurniture \Dis*fur"ni*ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of disfurnishing, or the state of being disfurnished.
[Obs.]
Disfurniture \Dis*fur"ni*ture\, v. t.
To disfurnish. [R.] --East.
Disgage \Dis*gage"\, v. t.
To free from a gage or pledge; to disengage. [Obs.]
--Holland.
Disgallant \Dis*gal"lant\, v. t.
To deprive of gallantry. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Disgarland \Dis*gar"land\, v. t.
To strip of a garland. [Poetic] ``Thy locks disgarland.''
--Drummond.
Disgarnish \Dis*gar"nish\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + garnish. See
{Degarnish}.]
To divest of garniture; to disfurnish; to dismantle. --Bp.
Hall.
Disgarrison \Dis*gar"ri*son\, v. t.
To deprive of a garrison. --Hewyt.
Disgavel \Dis*gav"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disgaveled}or
{Disgaveled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disgaveling}.] [See
{Gavelkind}.] (Eng. Law)
To deprive of that principal quality of gavelkind tenure by
which lands descend equally among all the sons of the tenant;
-- said of lands. --Burrill.
Disgest \Dis*gest"\, v. t.
To digest. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Disgestion \Dis*ges"tion\ (?; 106), n.
Digestion. [Obs.]
Disglorify \Dis*glo"ri*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disglorified};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disglorifying}.]
To deprive of glory; to treat with indignity. [R.]
Disglorified, blasphemed, and had in scorn. --Milton.
Disglory \Dis*glo"ry\, n.
Dishonor. [Obs.]
To the disglory of God's name. --Northbrooke.
Disgorge \Dis*gorge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disgorged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disgorging}.] [F. d['e]gorger, earlier desgorger;
pref. d['e]-, des- (L. dis-) + gorge. See {Gorge}.]
1. To eject or discharge by the throat and mouth; to vomit;
to pour forth or throw out with violence, as if from the
mouth; to discharge violently or in great quantities from
a confined place.
This mountain when it rageth, . . . casteth forth
huge stones, disgorgeth brimstone. --Hakluyt.
They loudly laughed To see his heaving breast
disgorge the briny draught. --Dryden.
2. To give up unwillingly as what one has wrongfully seized
and appropriated; to make restitution of; to surrender;
as, he was compelled to disgorge his ill-gotten gains.
Disgorge \Dis*gorge"\, v. i.
To vomit forth what anything contains; to discharge; to make
restitution.
See where it flows, disgorging at seven mouths Into the
sea. --Milton.
Disgorgement \Dis*gorge"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]gorgement.]
The act of disgorging; a vomiting; that which is disgorged.
--Bp. Hall.
Disgospel \Dis*gos"pel\, v. i.
To be inconsistent with, or act contrary to, the precepts of
the gospel; to pervert the gospel. [Obs.] --Milton.
Disgrace \Dis*grace"\ (?; 277), n. [F. disgr[^a]ce; pref. dis-
(L. dis-) + gr[^a]ce. See {Grace}.]
1. The condition of being out of favor; loss of favor,
regard, or respect.
Macduff lives in disgrace. --Shak.
2. The state of being dishonored, or covered with shame;
dishonor; shame; ignominy.
To tumble down thy husband and thyself From top of
honor to disgrace's feet? --Shak.
3. That which brings dishonor; cause of shame or reproach;
great discredit; as, vice is a disgrace to a rational
being.
4. An act of unkindness; a disfavor. [Obs.]
The interchange continually of favors and disgraces.
--Bacon.
Syn: Disfavor; disesteem; opprobrium; reproach; discredit;
disparagement; dishonor; shame; infamy; ignominy;
humiliation.
Disgrace \Dis*grace"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disgraced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disgracing}.] [Cf. F. disgracier. See {Disgrace}, n.]
1. To put out favor; to dismiss with dishonor.
Flatterers of the disgraced minister. --Macaulay.
Pitt had been disgraced and the old Duke of
Newcastle dismissed. --J. Morley.
2. To do disfavor to; to bring reproach or shame upon; to
dishonor; to treat or cover with ignominy; to lower in
estimation.
Shall heap with honors him they now disgrace.
--Pope.
His ignorance disgraced him. --Johnson.
3. To treat discourteously; to upbraid; to revile.
The goddess wroth gan foully her disgrace.
--Spenser.
Syn: To degrade; humble; humiliate; abase; disparage; defame;
dishonor; debase.
Disgraceful \Dis*grace"ful\, a.
Bringing disgrace; causing shame; shameful; dishonorable;
unbecoming; as, profaneness is disgraceful to a man. --
{Dis*grace"ful*fy}, adv. -- {Dis*grace"ful*ness}, n.
The Senate have cast you forth disgracefully. --B.
Jonson.
Disgracer \Dis*gra"cer\, n.
One who disgraces.
Disgracious \Dis*gra"cious\, a. [Cf. F. disgracieux.]
Wanting grace; unpleasing; disagreeable. --Shak.
Disgracive \Dis*gra"cive\, a.
Disgracing. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Disgradation \Dis`gra*da"tion\, n. (Scots Law)
Degradation; a stripping of titles and honors.
Disgrade \Dis*grade"\, v. t.
To degrade. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Disgraduate \Dis*grad"u*ate\ (?; 135), v. t.
To degrade; to reduce in rank. [Obs.] --Tyndale.
Disgregate \Dis"gre*gate\, v. t. [L. disgregare; dis- + gregare
to collect, fr. grex, gregis, flock or herd.]
To disperse; to scatter; -- opposite of congregate. [Obs.]
Disgregation \Dis`gre*ga"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
The process of separation, or the condition of being
separate, as of the molecules of a body.
Disgruntle \Dis*grun"tle\, v. t.
To dissatisfy; to disaffect; to anger. [Colloq.]
Disguise \Dis*guise"\ (?; 232), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disguised};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disguising}.] [OE. desguisen, disgisen,
degisen, OF. desguisier, F. d['e]guiser; pref. des- (L. dis-)
+ guise. See {Guise}.]
1. To change the guise or appearance of; especially, to
conceal by an unusual dress, or one intended to mislead or
deceive.
Bunyan was forced to disguise himself as a wagoner.
--Macaulay.
2. To hide by a counterfeit appearance; to cloak by a false
show; to mask; as, to disguise anger; to disguise one's
sentiments, character, or intentions.
All God's angels come to us disguised. --Lowell.
3. To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.
I have just left the right worshipful, and his
myrmidons, about a sneaker or five gallons; the
whole magistracy was pretty well disguised before I
gave them the ship. --Spectator.
Syn: To conceal; hide; mask; dissemble; dissimulate; feign;
pretend; secrete. See {Conceal}.
Disguise \Dis*guise"\, n.
1. A dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or
of deception; as, persons doing unlawful acts in disguise
are subject to heavy penalties.
There is no passion steals into the heart more
imperceptibly and covers itself under more
disguises, than pride. --Addison.
2. Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false
appearance; counterfeit semblance or show.
That eye which glances through all disguises. --D.
Webster.
3. Change of manner by drink; intoxication. --Shak.
4. A masque or masquerade. [Obs.]
Disguise was the old English word for a masque. --B.
Jonson.
Disguisedfy \Dis*guis"ed*fy\, adv.
In disguise.
Disguisedness \Dis*guis"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being disguised.
Disguisement \Dis*guise"ment\, n.
Disguise. [R.] --Spenser.
Disguiser \Dis*guis"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, disguises. --Shak.
2. One who wears a disguise; an actor in a masquerade; a
masker. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Disguising \Dis*guis"ing\, n.
A masque or masquerade. [Obs.]
Disgust \Dis*gust"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disgusted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disgusting}.] [OF. desgouster, F. d['e]go[^u]ter;
pref. des- (L. dis-) + gouster to taste, F. go[^u]ter, fr. L.
gustare, fr. gustus taste. See {Gust} to taste.]
To provoke disgust or strong distaste in; to cause (any one)
loathing, as of the stomach; to excite aversion in; to offend
the moral taste of; -- often with at, with, or by.
To disgust him with the world and its vanities.
--Prescott.
[AE]rius is expressly declared . . . to have been
disgusted at failing. --J. H.
Newman.
Alarmed and disgusted by the proceedings of the
convention. --Macaulay.
Disgust \Dis*gust"\, n. [Cf. OF. desgoust, F. d['e]go[^u]t. See
{Disgust}, v. t.]
Repugnance to what is offensive; aversion or displeasure
produced by something loathsome; loathing; strong distaste;
-- said primarily of the sickening opposition felt for
anything which offends the physical organs of taste; now
rather of the analogous repugnance excited by anything
extremely unpleasant to the moral taste or higher
sensibilities of our nature; as, an act of cruelty may excite
disgust.
The manner of doing is more consequence than the thing
done, and upon that depends the satisfaction or disgust
wherewith it is received. --Locke.
In a vulgar hack writer such oddities would have
excited only disgust. --Macaulay.
Syn: Nausea; loathing; aversion; distaste; dislike;
disinclination; abomination. See {Dislike}.
Disgustful \Dis*gust"ful\, a.
Provoking disgust; offensive to the taste; exciting aversion;
disgusting.
That horrible and disgustful situation. --Burke.
Disgustfulness \Dis*gust"ful*ness\, n.
The state of being disgustful.
Disgusting \Dis*gust"ing\, a.
That causes disgust; sickening; offensive; revolting. --
{Dis*gust"ing*ly}, adv.
Dish \Dish\, n. [AS. disc, L. discus dish, disc, quoit, fr. Gr.
? quoit, fr. ? to throw. Cf. {Dais}, {Desk}, {Disc},
{Discus}.]
1. A vessel, as a platter, a plate, a bowl, used for serving
up food at the table.
She brought forth butter in a lordly dish. --Judg.
v. 25.
2. The food served in a dish; hence, any particular kind of
food; as, a cold dish; a warm dish; a delicious dish. ``A
dish fit for the gods.'' --Shak.
Home-home dishes that drive one from home. --Hood.
3. The state of being concave, or like a dish, or the degree
of such concavity; as, the dish of a wheel.
4. A hollow place, as in a field. --Ogilvie.
5. (Mining)
(a) A trough about 28 inches long, 4 deep, and 6 wide, in
which ore is measured.
(b) That portion of the produce of a mine which is paid to
the land owner or proprietor.
Dish \Dish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dished}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dishing}.]
1. To put in a dish, ready for the table.
2. To make concave, or depress in the middle, like a dish;
as, to dish a wheel by inclining the spokes.
3. To frustrate; to beat; to ruin. [Low]
{To dish out}.
1. To serve out of a dish; to distribute in portions at
table.
2. (Arch.) To hollow out, as a gutter in stone or wood.
{To dish up}, to take (food) from the oven, pots, etc., and
put in dishes to be served at table.
Dishabilitate \Dis`ha*bil"i*tate\, v. t. [Cf. {Disability}.]
To disqualify. [R.]
Dishabille \Dis`ha*bille"\, n. [See {Deshabille}.]
An undress; a loose, negligent dress; deshabille.
They breakfast in dishabille. --Smollett.
Dishabit \Dis*hab"it\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + habit to inhabit.]
To dislodge. [Obs.]
Those sleeping stones . . . from their fixed beds of
lime Had been dishabited. --Shak.
Dishabited \Dis*hab"it*ed\, p. a.
Rendered uninhabited. ``Dishabited towns.'' --R. Carew.
Dishabituate \Dis`ha*bit"u*ate\ (?; 135), v. t.
To render unaccustomed.
Dishable \Dis*ha"ble\, v. t.
1. To disable. [Obs.]
2. To disparage. [Obs.]
She oft him blamed . . . and him dishabled quite.
--Spenser.
Dishallow \Dis*hal"low\, v. t.
To make unholy; to profane. --Tennyson.
Nor can the unholiness of the priest dishallow the
altar. --T. Adams.
Disharmonious \Dis`har*mo"ni*ous\, a.
Unharmonious; discordant. [Obs.] --Hallywell.
Disharmony \Dis*har"mo*ny\, n.
Want of harmony; discord; incongruity. [R.]
A disharmony in the different impulses that constitute
it [our nature]. --Coleridge.
Dishaunt \Dis*haunt"\, v. t.
To leave; to quit; to cease to haunt. --Halliwell.
Dishcloth \Dish"cloth`\ (?; 115), n.
A cloth used for washing dishes.
Dishclout \Dish"clout`\, n.
A dishcloth. [Obsolescent]
Disheart \Dis*heart"\, v. t.
To dishearten. [Obs.]
Dishearten \Dis*heart"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disheartened};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disheartening}.] [Pref. dis- + hearten.]
To discourage; to deprive of courage and hope; to depress the
spirits of; to deject.
Regiments . . . utterly disorganized and disheartened.
--Macaulay.
Syn: To dispirit; discourage; depress; deject; deter;
terrify.
Disheartenment \Dis*heart"en*ment\, n.
Discouragement; dejection; depression of spirits.
Disheir \Dis*heir"\, v. t. [Cf. {Disherit}.]
To disinherit. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Dishelm \Dis*helm"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + helm helmet.]
To deprive of the helmet. [Poetic]
Lying stark, Dishelmed and mute, and motionlessly pale.
--Tennyson.
Disherison \Dis*her"i*son\, n. [See {Disherit}.]
The act of disheriting, or debarring from inheritance;
disinhersion. --Bp. Hall.
Disherit \Dis*her"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disherited}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disheriting}.] [F. d['e]sh['e]riter; pref. d['e]s-
(L. dis-) + h['e]riter to inherit. See {Inherit}, and cf.
{Dusheir}, {Disinherit}.]
To disinherit; to cut off, or detain, from the possession or
enjoyment of an inheritance. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disheritance \Dis*her"it*ance\, n. [Cf. OF. desheritance.]
The act of disinheriting or state of being disinherited;
disinheritance. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Disheritor \Dis*her"it*or\, n. (Law)
One who puts another out of his inheritance.
Dishevel \Di*shev"el\ (d[i^]*sh[e^]v"'l or -[e^]l), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. {Disheveled}or {Dishevelled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Disheveling} or {Dishevelling}.] [OF. descheveler, F.
d['e]cheveler, LL. discapillare; dis- + L. capillus the hair
of the head. See {Capillary}.]
1. To suffer (the hair) to hang loosely or disorderly; to
spread or throw (the hair) in disorder; -- used chiefly in
the passive participle.
With garments rent and hair disheveled, Wringing her
hands and making piteous moan. --Spenser.
2. To spread loosely or disorderly.
Like the fair flower disheveled in the wind.
--Cowper.
Dishevel \Di*shev"el\, v. i.
To be spread in disorder or hang negligently, as the hair.
[R.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Dishevele \Di*shev"ele\, p. p. & a.
Disheveled. [Obs.]
Dishevele, save his cap, he rode all bare. --Chaucer.
Disheveled \Di*shev"eled\, a.
1. Having in loose disorder; disarranged; as, disheveled
hair.
2. Having the hair in loose disorder.
The dancing maidens are disheveled M[ae]nads. --J.
A. Symonds.
Dishful \Dish"ful\, n.; pl. {Dishfuls}.
As much as a dish holds when full.
Dishing \Dish"ing\, a.
Dish-shaped; concave.
Dishonest \Dis*hon"est\, a. [Pref. dis- + honest: cf. F.
d['e]shonn[^e]te, OF. deshoneste.]
1. Dishonorable; shameful; indecent; unchaste; lewd. [Obs.]
Inglorious triumphs and dishonest scars. --Pope.
Speak no foul or dishonest words before them [the
women]. --Sir T.
North.
2. Dishonored; disgraced; disfigured. [Obs.]
Dishonest with lopped arms the youth appears,
Spoiled of his nose and shortened of his ears.
--Dryden.
3. Wanting in honesty; void of integrity; faithless; disposed
to cheat or defraud; not trustworthy; as, a dishonest man.
4. Characterized by fraud; indicating a want of probity;
knavish; fraudulent; unjust.
To get dishonest gain. --Ezek. xxii.
27.
The dishonest profits of men in office. --Bancroft.
Dishonest \Dis*hon"est\, v. t. [Cf. OF. deshonester.]
To disgrace; to dishonor; as, to dishonest a maid. [Obs.]
I will no longer dishonest my house. --Chapman.
Dishonestly \Dis*hon"est*ly\, adv.
In a dishonest manner.
Dishonesty \Dis*hon"es*ty\, n. [Cf. OF. deshonest['e], F.
d['e]shonn[^e]tet['e].]
1. Dishonor; dishonorableness; shame. [Obs.] ``The hidden
things of dishonesty.'' --2 Cor. iv. 2.
2. Want of honesty, probity, or integrity in principle; want
of fairness and straightforwardness; a disposition to
defraud, deceive, or betray; faithlessness.
3. Violation of trust or of justice; fraud; any deviation
from probity; a dishonest act.
4. Lewdness; unchastity. --Shak.
Dishonor \Dis*hon"or\ (d[i^]s*[o^]n"[~e]r or d[i^]z-), n. [OE.
deshonour, dishonour, OF. deshonor, deshonur, F.
d['e]shonneur; pref. des- (L. dis-) + honor, honur, F.
honneur, fr. L. honor. See {Honor}.] [Written also
{dishonour}.]
1. Lack of honor; disgrace; ignominy; shame; reproach.
It was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor.
--Ezra iv. 14.
His honor rooted in dishonor stood. --Tennyson.
2. (Law) The nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper
by the party on whom it is drawn.
Syn: Disgrace; ignominy; shame; censure; reproach;
opprobrium.
Dishonor \Dis*hon"or\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dishonored}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dishonoring}.] [OE. deshonouren, F. d['e]shonorer;
pref. d['e]s- (L. dis-) + honorer to honor, fr. L. honorare.
See {Honor}, v. t.] [Written also {dishonour}.]
1. To deprive of honor; to disgrace; to bring reproach or
shame on; to treat with indignity, or as unworthy in the
sight of others; to stain the character of; to lessen the
reputation of; as, the duelist dishonors himself to
maintain his honor.
Nothing . . . that may dishonor Our law, or stain my
vow of Nazarite. --Milton.
2. To violate the chastity of; to debauch. --Dryden.
3. To refuse or decline to accept or pay; -- said of a bill,
check, note, or draft which is due or presented; as, to
dishonor a bill exchange.
Syn: To disgrace; shame; debase; degrade; lower; humble;
humiliate; debauch; pollute.
Dishonorable \Dis*hon"or*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. d['e]shonorable.]
1. Wanting in honor; not honorable; bringing or deserving
dishonor; staining the character, and lessening the
reputation; shameful; disgraceful; base.
2. Wanting in honor or esteem; disesteemed.
He that is dishonorable in riches, how much more in
poverty! --Ecclus. x.
31.
To find ourselves dishonorable graves. --Shak.
-- {Dis*hon"or*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Dis*hon"or*a*bly}, adv.
Dishonorary \Dis*hon"or*a*ry\, a.
Bringing dishonor on; tending to disgrace; lessening
reputation. --Holmes.
Dishonorer \Dis*hon"or*er\, n.
One who dishonors or disgraces; one who treats another
indignity. --Milton.
Dishorn \Dis*horn"\, v. t.
To deprive of horns; as, to dishorn cattle. ``Dishorn the
spirit.'' --Shak.
Dishorse \Dis*horse"\, v. t.
To dismount. --Tennyson.
Dishouse \Dis*house"\, v. t.
To deprive of house or home. ``Dishoused villagers.'' --James
White.
Dishumor \Dis*hu"mor\, n.
Ill humor. [Obs.]
Dishumor \Dis*hu"mor\, v. t.
To deprive of humor or desire; to put out of humor. [Obs.]
--B. Jonson.
Dishwasher \Dish"wash`er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, washes dishes.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A European bird; the wagtail.
Dishwater \Dish"wa`ter\, n.
Water in which dishes have been washed. ``Suds and
dishwater.'' --Beau. & Fl.
Disillusion \Dis`il*lu"sion\, n.
The act or process of freeing from an illusion, or the state
of being freed therefrom. --Lowell.
Disillusion \Dis`il*lu"sion\, v. t.
To free from an illusion; to disillusionize.
Disillusionize \Dis`il*lu"sion*ize\, v. t.
To disenchant; to free from illusion. ``The bitter
disillusionizing experience of postnuptial life.'' --W.
Black.
Disillusionment \Dis`il*lu"sion*ment\, n.
The act of freeing from an illusion, or the state of being
freed therefrom.
Disimbitter \Dis`im*bit"ter\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + imbitter. Cf.
{Disembitter}.]
To free from bitterness.
Disimpark \Dis`im*park"\, v. t.
To free from the barriers or restrictions of a park. [R.]
--Spectator.
Disimpassioned \Dis`im*pas"sioned\, a.
Free from warmth of passion or feeling.
Disimprove \Dis`im*prove"\, v. t.
To make worse; -- the opposite of improve. [R.] --Jer.
Taylor.
Disimprove \Dis`im*prove"\, v. i.
To grow worse; to deteriorate.
Disimprovement \Dis`im*prove"ment\, n.
Reduction from a better to a worse state; as, disimprovement
of the earth.
Disincarcerate \Dis`in*car"cer*ate\, v. t.
To liberate from prison. [R.] --Harvey.
Disinclination \Dis*in`cli*na"tion\, n.
The state of being disinclined; want of propensity, desire,
or affection; slight aversion or dislike; indisposition.
Disappointment gave him a disinclination to the fair
sex. --Arbuthnot.
Having a disinclination to books or business.
--Guardian.
Syn: Unwillingness; disaffection; alienation; dislike;
indisposition; distaste; aversion; repugnance.
Disincline \Dis`in*cline"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disinclined};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disinclining}.]
To incline away the affections of; to excite a slight
aversion in; to indispose; to make unwilling; to alienate.
Careful . . . to disincline them from any reverence or
affection to the Queen. --Clarendon.
To social scenes by nature disinclined. --Cowper.
Disinclose \Dis`in*close"\, v. t. [Cf. {Disenclose}.]
To free from being inclosed.
Disincorporate \Dis`in*cor"po*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disincorporated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disincorporating}.]
1. To deprive of corporate powers, rights, or privileges; to
divest of the condition of a corporate body.
2. To detach or separate from a corporation. --Bacon.
Disincorporate \Dis`in*cor"po*rate\, a.
Separated from, or not included in, a corporation;
disincorporated. --Bacon.
Disincorporation \Dis`in*cor`po*ra"tion\, n.
Deprivation of the rights and privileges of a corporation.
--T. Warton.
Disinfect \Dis`in*fect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disinfected}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disinfecting}.]
To free from infectious or contagious matter; to destroy
putrefaction; to purify; to make innocuous.
When the infectious matter and the infectious matter
and the odoriferous matter are one . . . then to
deodorize is to disinfect. --Ure.
Disinfectant \Dis`in*fect"ant\, n.
That which disinfects; an agent for removing the causes of
infection, as chlorine.
Disinfection \Dis`in*fec"tion\, n.
The act of disinfecting; purification from infecting matter.
Disinfector \Dis`in*fect"or\, n.
One who, or that which, disinfects; an apparatus for applying
disinfectants.
Disinflame \Dis`in*flame"\, v. t.
To divest of flame or ardor. --Chapman.
Disingenuity \Dis*in`ge*nu"i*ty\, n.
Disingenuousness. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
Disingenuous \Dis`in*gen"u*ous\, a.
1. Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean;
unworthy; as, disingenuous conduct or schemes.
2. Not ingenuous; wanting in noble candor or frankness; not
frank or open; uncandid; unworthily or meanly artful.
So disingenuous as not to confess them [faults].
--Pope.
-- {Dis`in*gen"u*ous*ly}, adv. --T. Warton. --
{Dis`in*gen"u*ous*ness}, n. --Macaulay.
Disinhabited \Dis`in*hab"it*ed\, a.
Uninhabited. [Obs.]
Disinherison \Dis`in*her"i*son\, n. [See {Disinherit}, v. t.,
and cf. {Disherison}.]
Same as {Disherison}. --Bacon.
Disinherit \Dis`in*her"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disinherited};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disinheriting}.] [Cf. {Disherit},
{Disheir}.]
1. To cut off from an inheritance or from hereditary
succession; to prevent, as an heir, from coming into
possession of any property or right, which, by law or
custom, would devolve on him in the course of descent.
Of how fair a portion Adam disinherited his whole
posterity! --South.
2. To deprive of heritage; to dispossess.
And disinherit Chaos, that reigns here. --Milton.
Disinheritance \Dis`in*her"it*ance\, n.
The act of disinheriting, or the condition of being;
disinherited; disherison.
Disinhume \Dis`in*hume"\, v. t.
To disinter. [R.]
Disinsure \Dis`in*sure"\, v. t.
To render insecure; to put in danger. [Obs.] --Fanshawe.
Disintegrable \Dis*in"te*gra*ble\, a.
Capable of being disintegrated, or reduced to fragments or
powder.
Argillo-calcite is readily disintegrable by exposure.
--Kirwan.
Disintegrate \Dis*in"te*grate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disintegrated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disintegrating}.] [L. dis-
+ integratus, p. p. of integrare to renew, repair, fr.
integer entire, whole. See {Integer}.]
To separate into integrant parts; to reduce to fragments or
to powder; to break up, or cause to fall to pieces, as a
rock, by blows of a hammer, frost, rain, and other mechanical
or atmospheric influences.
Marlites are not disintegrated by exposure to the
atmosphere, at least in six years. --Kirwan.
Disintegrate \Dis*in"te*grate\, v. i.
To decompose into integrant parts; as, chalk rapidly
disintegrates.
Disintegration \Dis*in`te*gra"tion\, n.
(a) The process by which anything is disintegrated; the
condition of anything which is disintegrated.
Specifically
(b) (Geol.) The wearing away or falling to pieces of rocks or
strata, produced by atmospheric action, frost, ice, etc.
Society had need of further disintegration before
it could begin to reconstruct itself locally.
--Motley.
Disintegrator \Dis*in"te*gra`tor\, n. (Mech.)
A machine for grinding or pulverizing by percussion.
Disinter \Dis`in*ter"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disinterred}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disinterring}.]
1. To take out of the grave or tomb; to unbury; to exhume; to
dig up.
2. To bring out, as from a grave or hiding place; to bring
from obscurity into view. --Addison.
Disinteress \Dis*in"ter*ess\, v. t. [F. d['e]sint['e]resser to
deprive of interest in; pref. d['e]s- (L. dis-) +
int['e]resser to interest, fr. L. interesse to import,
concern. See {Interest}, and cf. {Disinterest}.]
To deprive or rid of interest in, or regard for; to
disengage. [Obs.]
Disinteressment \Dis*in"ter*ess*ment\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]sint['e]ressement.]
Disinterestedness; impartiality; fairness. [Obs.] --Prior.
Disinterest \Dis*in"ter*est\, p. a.
Disinterested. [Obs.]
The measures they shall walk by shall be disinterest
and even. --Jer. Taylor.
Disinterest \Dis*in"ter*est\, n.
1. What is contrary to interest or advantage; disadvantage.
[Obs.] --Glanvill.
2. Indifference to profit; want of regard to private
advantage; disinterestedness. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Disinterest \Dis*in"ter*est\, v. t.
To divest of interest or interested motives. [Obs.]
--Feltham.
Disinterested \Dis*in"ter*est*ed\, a. [Cf. {Disinteressed}.]
Not influenced by regard to personal interest or advantage;
free from selfish motive; having no relation of interest or
feeling; not biased or prejudiced; as, a disinterested
decision or judge.
The happiness of disinterested sacrifices. --Channing.
Syn: Unbiased; impartial; uninterested; indifferent.
Disinterestedly \Dis*in"ter*est*ed*ly\, adv.
In a disinterested manner; without bias or prejudice.
Disinterestedness \Dis*in"ter*est*ed*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being disinterested; impartiality.
That perfect disinterestedness and self-devotion of
which man seems to be incapable, but which is sometimes
found in woman. --Macaulay.
Disinteresting \Dis*in"ter*est*ing\, a.
Uninteresting. [Obs.] ``Disinteresting passages.'' --Bp.
Warburton.
Disinterment \Dis`in*ter"ment\, n.
The act of disinterring, or taking out of the earth;
exhumation.
Disinthrall \Dis`in*thrall"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disinthralled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disinthralling}.] [Pref.
dis- + inthrall. Cf. {Disenthrall}.]
To free from thralldom; to disenthrall. [Written also
{disinthral}.]
Disinthrallment \Dis`in*thrall"ment\, n.
A releasing from thralldom or slavery; disenthrallment.
[Written also {disinthralment}.]
Disintricate \Dis*in"tri*cate\, v. t.
To disentangle. [R.] ``To disintricate the question.'' --Sir
W. Hamilton.
Disinure \Dis`in*ure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disinured}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disinuring}.] [Pref. dis- + inure.]
To render unaccustomed or unfamiliar.
We are hindered and disinured . . . towards the true
knowledge. --Milton.
Disinvestiture \Dis`in*ves"ti*ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of depriving of investiture. [Obs.] --Ogilvie.
Disinvigorate \Dis`in*vig"or*ate\, v. t.
To enervate; to weaken. [R.] --Sydney Smith.
Disinvolve \Dis`in*volve"\, v. t.
To uncover; to unfold or unroll; to disentangle. [R.] --Dr.
H. More.
Disjection \Dis*jec"tion\, n. [L. disjicere, disjectum, to throw
asunder, disperse; dis- + jacere to throw.]
Destruction; dispersion. --Bp. Horsley.
Disjoin \Dis*join"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disjoined}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disjoining}.] [OF. desjoindre, F. disjoindre,
d['e]joindre, fr. L. disjungere; dis- + jungere to join. See
{Join}, and cf. {Disjoint}, {Disjunct}.]
To part; to disunite; to separate; to sunder.
That marriage, therefore, God himself disjoins.
--Milton.
Never let us lay down our arms against France, till we
have utterly disjoined her from the Spanish monarchy.
--Addison.
Windmill Street consisted of disjoined houses.
--Pennant.
Syn: To disunite; separate; detach; sever; dissever; sunder;
disconnect.
Disjoin \Dis*join"\, v. i.
To become separated; to part.
Disjoint \Dis*joint"\, a. [OF. desjoint, p. p. of desjoindre.
See {Disjoin}.]
Disjointed; unconnected; -- opposed to {conjoint}. --Milton.
Disjoint \Dis*joint"\, n. [From OF. desjoint, p. p. of
desjoindre. See {Disjoint}, v. t.]
Difficult situation; dilemma; strait. [Obs.] ``I stand in
such disjoint.'' --Chaucer.
Disjoint \Dis*joint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disjointed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disjointing}.]
1. To separate the joints of; to separate, as parts united by
joints; to put out of joint; to force out of its socket;
to dislocate; as, to disjoint limbs; to disjoint bones; to
disjoint a fowl in carving.
Yet what could swords or poisons, racks or flame,
But mangle and disjoint the brittle frame? --Prior.
2. To separate at junctures or joints; to break where parts
are united; to break in pieces; as, disjointed columns; to
disjoint and edifice.
Some half-ruined wall Disjointed and about to fall.
--Longfellow.
3. To break the natural order and relations of; to make
incoherent; as, a disjointed speech.
Disjoint \Dis*joint"\, v. i.
To fall in pieces. --Shak.
Disjointed \Dis*joint"ed\, a.
Separated at the joints; disconnected; incoherent. --
{Dis*joint"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*joint"ed*ness}, n.
Disjointly \Dis*joint"ly\, adv.
In a disjointed state. --Sandys.
Disjudication \Dis*ju`di*ca"tion\, n.
Judgment; discrimination. See {Dijudication}. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Disjunct \Dis*junct"\, a. [L. disjunctus, p. p. of disjungere to
disjoin. See {Disjoin}, and cf. {Disjoint}.]
1. Disjoined; separated. [R.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having the head, thorax, and abdomen separated
by a deep constriction.
{Disjunct tetrachords} (Mus.), tetrachords so disposed to
each other that the gravest note of the upper is one note
higher than the acutest note of the other.
Disjuncttion \Dis*junct"tion\, n. [L. disjunctio.]
1. The act of disjoining; disunion; separation; a parting;
as, the disjunction of soul and body.
2. A disjunctive proposition. --Coleridge.
Disjunctive \Dis*junc"tive\, a. [L. disjunctivus: cf. F.
disjonctif.]
1. Tending to disjoin; separating; disjoining.
2. (Mus.) Pertaining to disjunct tetrachords. ``Disjunctive
notes.'' --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
{Disjunctive conjunction} (Gram.), one connecting
grammatically two words or clauses, expressing at the same
time an opposition or separation inherent in the notions
or thoughts; as, either, or, neither, nor, but, although,
except, lest, etc.
{Disjunctive proposition}, one in which the parts are
connected by disjunctive conjunctions; as it is either day
or night.
{Disjunctive syllogism} (Logic), one in which the major
proposition is disjunctive; as, the earth moves in a
circle or an ellipse; but in does not move in a circle,
therefore it moves in an ellipse.
Disjunctive \Dis*junc"tive\, n.
(a) (Gram.) A disjunctive conjunction.
(b) (Logic) A disjunctive proposition.
Disjunctively \Dis*junc"tive*ly\, adv.
In a disjunctive manner; separately. --Dr. H. More.
Disjuncture \Dis*junc"ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of disjoining, or state of being disjoined;
separation. --Fuller.
Disk \Disk\, n. [L. discus, Gr. ?. See {Dish}.] [Written also
{disc}.]
1. A discus; a quoit.
Some whirl the disk, and some the javelin dart.
--Pope.
2. A flat, circular plate; as, a disk of metal or paper.
3. (Astron.) The circular figure of a celestial body, as seen
projected of the heavens.
4. (Biol.) A circular structure either in plants or animals;
as, a blood disk; germinal disk, etc.
5. (Bot.)
(a) The whole surface of a leaf.
(b) The central part of a radiate compound flower, as in
sunflower.
(c) A part of the receptacle enlarged or expanded under,
or around, or even on top of, the pistil.
6. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The anterior surface or oral area of c[oe]lenterate
animals, as of sea anemones.
(b) The lower side of the body of some invertebrates,
especially when used for locomotion, when it is often
called a creeping disk.
(c) In owls, the space around the eyes.
{Disk engine}, a form of rotary steam engine.
{Disk shell} (Zo["o]l.), any species of Discina.
Diskindness \Dis*kind"ness\, n.
Unkindness; disservice. [R.] --A. Tucker.
Diskless \Disk"less\, a.
Having no disk; appearing as a point and not expanded into a
disk, as the image of a faint star in a telescope.
Dislade \Dis*lade"\, v. t.
To unlade. [Obs.] --Heywood.
Disleal \Dis*leal"\, a. [See {Disloyal}, {Leal}.]
Disloyal; perfidious. [Obs.] ``Disleal knight.'' --Spenser.
Disleave \Dis*leave"\, v. t.
To deprive of leaves. [R.]
The cankerworms that annually that disleaved the elms.
--Lowell.
Dislike \Dis*like"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disliked}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disliking}.]
1. To regard with dislike or aversion; to disapprove; to
disrelish.
Every nation dislikes an impost. --Johnson.
2. To awaken dislike in; to displease. ``Disliking
countenance.'' --Marston. ``It dislikes me.'' --Shak.
Dislike \Dis*like"\, n.
1. A feeling of positive and usually permanent aversion to
something unpleasant, uncongenial, or offensive;
disapprobation; repugnance; displeasure; disfavor; -- the
opposite of liking or fondness.
God's grace . . . gives him continual dislike to
sin. --Hammond.
The hint malevolent, the look oblique, The obvious
satire, or implied dislike. --Hannah More.
We have spoken of the dislike of these excellent
women for Sheridan and Fox. --J. Morley.
His dislike of a particular kind of sensational
stories. --A. W. Ward.
2. Discord; dissension. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
Syn: Distaste; disinclination; disapprobation; disfavor;
disaffection; displeasure; disrelish; aversion;
reluctance; repugnance; disgust; antipathy. --
{Dislike}, {Aversion}, {Reluctance}, {Repugnance},
{Disgust}, {Antipathy}. Dislike is the more general
term, applicable to both persons and things and arising
either from feeling or judgment. It may mean little more
than want of positive liking; but antipathy, repugnance,
disgust, and aversion are more intense phases of
dislike. Aversion denotes a fixed and habitual dislike;
as, an aversion to or for business. Reluctance and
repugnance denote a mental strife or hostility something
proposed (repugnance being the stronger); as, a
reluctance to make the necessary sacrifices, and a
repugnance to the submission required. Disgust is
repugnance either of taste or moral feeling; as, a
disgust at gross exhibitions of selfishness. Antipathy
is primarily an instinctive feeling of dislike of a
thing, such as most persons feel for a snake. When used
figuratively, it denotes a correspondent dislike for
certain persons, modes of acting, etc. Men have an
aversion to what breaks in upon their habits; a
reluctance and repugnance to what crosses their will; a
disgust at what offends their sensibilities; and are
often governed by antipathies for which they can give no
good reason.
Dislikeful \Dis*like"ful\, a.
Full of dislike; disaffected; malign; disagreeable. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Dislikelihood \Dis*like"li*hood\, n.
The want of likelihood; improbability. --Sir W. Scott.
Disliken \Dis*lik"en\, v. t.
To make unlike; to disguise. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dislikeness \Dis*like"ness\, n.
Unlikeness. [R.] --Locke.
Disliker \Dis*lik"er\, n.
One who dislikes or disrelishes.
Dislimb \Dis*limb"\, v. t.
To tear limb from limb; to dismember. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Dislimn \Dis*limn"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + limn.]
To efface, as a picture. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dislink \Dis*link"\, v. t.
To unlink; to disunite; to separate. [R.] --Tennyson.
Dislive \Dis*live"\, v. t.
To deprive of life. [Obs.]
Telemachus dislived Amphimedon. --Chapman.
Dislocate \Dis"lo*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dislocated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dislocating}.] [LL. dislocatus, p. p. of
dislocare; dis- + locare to place, fr. locus place. See
{Locus}.]
To displace; to put out of its proper place. Especially, of a
bone: To remove from its normal connections with a
neighboring bone; to put out of joint; to move from its
socket; to disjoint; as, to dislocate your bones. --Shak.
After some time the strata on all sides of the globe
were dislocated. --Woodward.
And thus the archbishop's see, dislocated or out of
joint for a time, was by the hands of his holiness set
right again. --Fuller.
Dislocate \Dis"lo*cate\, a. [LL. dislocatus, p. p.]
Dislocated. --Montgomery.
Dislocation \Dis`lo*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. dislocation.]
1. The act of displacing, or the state of being displaced.
--T. Burnet.
2. (Geol.) The displacement of parts of rocks or portions of
strata from the situation which they originally occupied.
Slips, faults, and the like, are dislocations.
3. (Surg.) The act of dislocating, or putting out of joint;
also, the condition of being thus displaced.
Dislodge \Dis*lodge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dislodged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dislodging}.] [OF. deslogier, F. d['e]loger; pref.
des- (L. dis-) + OF. logier, F. loger. See {Lodge}.]
1. To drive from a lodge or place of rest; to remove from a
place of quiet or repose; as, shells resting in the sea at
a considerate depth are not dislodged by storms.
2. To drive out from a place of hiding or defense; as, to
dislodge a deer, or an enemy.
The Volscians are dislodg'd. --Shak.
Dislodge \Dis*lodge"\, v. i.
To go from a place of rest. [R.]
Where Light and Darkness in perpetual round Lodge and
dislodge by turns. --Milton.
Dislodge \Dis*lodge"\, n.
Dwelling apart; separation. [R.]
Dislodgment \Dis*lodg"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]logement, OF.
deslogement.]
The act or process of dislodging, or the state of being
dislodged.
Disloign \Dis*loign"\, v. t. [OF. desloignier. See {Eloign}.]
To put at a distance; to remove. [Obs.]
Low-looking dales, disloigned from common gaze.
--Spenser.
Disloyal \Dis*loy"al\, a. [Pref. dis- + loyal: cf. OF. desloial,
desleal, F. d['e]loyal. See {Loyal}.]
Not loyal; not true to a sovereign or lawful superior, or to
the government under which one lives; false where allegiance
is due; faithless; as, a subject disloyal to the king; a
husband disloyal to his wife.
Without a thought disloyal. --Mrs.
Browning.
Syn: Disobedient; faithless; untrue; treacherous; perfidious;
dishonest; inconstant; disaffected.
Disloyally \Dis*loy"al*ly\, adv.
In a disloyal manner.
Disloyalty \Dis*loy"al*ty\, n. [Pref. dis- + loyalty: cf. OF.
desloiaut['e], deslealt['e], F. d['e]loyaut['e].]
Want of loyalty; lack of fidelity; violation of allegiance.
Dismail \Dis*mail"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + mail: cf. OF.
desmaillier.]
To divest of coat of mail. --Spenser.
Dismal \Dis"mal\, a. [Formerly a noun; e. g., ``I trow it was in
the dismalle.'' Chaucer. Of uncertain origin; but perh. (as
suggested by Skeat) from OF. disme, F. d[^i]me, tithe, the
phrase dismal day properly meaning, the day when tithes must
be paid. See {Dime}.]
1. Fatal; ill-omened; unlucky. [Obs.]
An ugly fiend more foul than dismal day. --Spenser.
2. Gloomy to the eye or ear; sorrowful and depressing to the
feelings; foreboding; cheerless; dull; dreary; as, a
dismal outlook; dismal stories; a dismal place.
Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Convey'd
the dismal tidings when he frowned. --Goldsmith.
A dismal description of an English November.
--Southey.
Syn: Dreary; lonesome; gloomy; dark; ominous; ill-boding;
fatal; doleful; lugubrious; funereal; dolorous;
calamitous; sorrowful; sad; joyless; melancholy;
unfortunate; unhappy.
Dismally \Dis"mal*ly\, adv.
In a dismal manner; gloomily; sorrowfully; uncomfortably.
Dismalness \Dis"mal*ness\, n.
The quality of being dismal; gloominess.
Disman \Dis*man"\, v. t.
To unman. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Dismantle \Dis*man"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismantled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dismantling}.] [F. d['e]manteler, OF.
desmanteler; pref: des- (L. dis-) + manteler to cover with a
cloak, defend, fr. mantel, F. manteau, cloak. See {Mantle}.]
1. To strip or deprive of dress; to divest.
2. To strip of furniture and equipments, guns, etc.; to
unrig; to strip of walls or outworks; to break down; as,
to dismantle a fort, a town, or a ship.
A dismantled house, without windows or shutters to
keep out the rain. --Macaulay.
3. To disable; to render useless. --Comber.
Syn: To demo?sh; raze. See {Demol?sh}.
Dismarch \Dis*march"\, v. i.
To march away. [Obs.]
Dismarry \Dis*mar"ry\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + marry: cf. OF.
desmarier, F. d['e]marier.]
To free from the bonds of marriage; to divorce. [Obs.] --Ld.
Berners.
Dismarshal \Dis*mar"shal\, v. t.
To disarrange; to derange; to put in disorder. [R.]
--Drummond.
Dismask \Dis*mask"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + mask: cf. F.
d['e]masquer.]
To divest of a mask. --Shak.
Dismast \Dis*mast"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismasted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dismasting}.] [Pref. dis- + mast: cf. F.
d['e]m[^a]ter.]
To deprive of a mast of masts; to break and carry away the
masts from; as, a storm dismasted the ship.
Dismastment \Dis*mast"ment\, n.
The act of dismasting; the state of being dismasted. [R.]
--Marshall.
Dismaw \Dis*maw"\, v. t.
To eject from the maw; to disgorge. [R.] --Shelton.
Dismay \Dis*may"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismayed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dismaying}.] [OE. desmaien, dismaien, OF. esmaier; pref.
es- (L. ex) + OHG. magan to be strong or able; akin to E.
may. In English the pref. es- was changed to dis- (L. dis-).
See {May}, v. i.]
1. To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the
spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy
through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed. --Josh. i.
9.
What words be these? What fears do you dismay?
--Fairfax.
2. To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. [Obs.]
Do not dismay yourself for this. --Spenser.
Syn: To terrify; fright; affright; frighten; appall; daunt;
dishearthen; dispirit; discourage; deject; depress. --
To {Dismay}, {Daunt}, {Appall}. Dismay denotes a state
of deep and gloomy apprehension. To daunt supposes
something more sudden and startling. To appall is the
strongest term, implying a sense of terror which
overwhelms the faculties.
So flies a herd of beeves, that hear, dismayed,
The lions roaring through the midnight shade.
--Pope.
Jove got such heroes as my sire, whose soul No
fear could daunt, nor earth nor hell control.
--Pope.
Now the last ruin the whole host appalls; Now
Greece has trembled in her wooden walls. --Pope.
Dismay \Dis*may"\, v. i.
To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Dismay \Dis*may"\, n. [Cf. OF. esmai, F. ['e]moi. See {Dismay},
v. t.]
1. Loss of courage and firmness through fear; overwhelming
and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits;
consternation.
I . . . can not think of such a battle without
dismay. --Macaulay.
Thou with a tiger spring dost leap upon thy prey,
And tear his helpless breast, o'erwhelmed with wild
dismay. --Mrs.
Barbauld.
2. Condition fitted to dismay; ruin. --Spenser.
Syn: Dejection; discouragement; depression; fear; fright;
terror; apprehension; alarm; affright.
Dismayedness \Dis*may"ed*ness\, n.
A state of being dismayed; dejection of courage;
dispiritedness.
Dismayful \Dis*may"ful\, a.
Terrifying. --Spenser.
Disme \Disme\, n. [OF. See {Dime}.]
A tenth; a tenth part; a tithe. --Ayliffe.
Dismember \Dis*mem"ber\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismembered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dismembering}.] [OF. desmembrer, F.
d['e]membrer; pref. des- (L. dis) + OF. & F. membre limb. See
{Member}.]
1. To tear limb from limb; to dilacerate; to disjoin member
from member; to tear or cut in pieces; to break up.
Fowls obscene dismembered his remains. --Pope.
A society lacerated and dismembered. --Gladstone.
By whose hands the blow should be struck which would
dismember that once mighty empire. --Buckle.
2. To deprive of membership. [Obs.]
They were dismembered by vote of the house. --R.
North.
Syn: To disjoint; dislocate; dilacerate; mutilate; divide;
sever.
Dismemberment \Dis*mem"ber*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. desmembrement, F.
d['e]membrement.]
The act of dismembering, or the state of being dismembered;
cutting in piece; m?tilation; division; separation.
The Castilians would doubtless have resented the
dismemberment of the unwieldy body of which they formed
the head. --Macaulay.
Dismettled \Dis*met"tled\, a.
Destitute of mettle, that is, or fire or spirit. [R.]
--Llewellyn.
Dismiss \Dis*miss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismissed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dismissing}.] [L. dis- + missus, p. p. of mittere to
send: cf. dimittere, OF. desmetre, F. d['e]mettre. See
{Demise}, and cf. {Dimit}.]
1. To send away; to give leave of departure; to cause or
permit to go; to put away.
He dismissed the assembly. --Acts xix.
41.
Dismiss their cares when they dismiss their flock.
--Cowper.
Though he soon dismissed himself from state affairs.
--Dryden.
2. To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service,
or employment; as, the king dismisses his ministers; the
matter dismisses his servant.
3. To lay aside or reject as unworthy of attentions or
regard, as a petition or motion in court.
Dismiss \Dis*miss"\, n.
Dismission. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Dismissal \Dis*miss"al\, n.
Dismission; discharge.
Officeholders were commanded faithfully to enforce it,
upon pain of immediate dismissal. --Motley.
Dismission \Dis*mis"sion\, n. [Cf. L. dimissio.]
1. The act dismissing or sending away; permission to leave;
leave to depart; dismissal; as, the dismission of the
grand jury.
2. Removal from office or employment; discharge, either with
honor or with disgrace.
3. Rejection; a setting aside as trivial, invalid, or
unworthy of consideration.
Dismissive \Dis*miss"ive\, a.
Giving dismission.
Dismortgage \Dis*mort"gage\ (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Dismortaged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dismortgaging}.]
To redeem from mortgage. [Obs.] --Howell.
Dismount \Dis*mount"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dismounted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dismounting}.] [Pref. dis- + mount: cf. OF.
desmonter, F. d['e]monter.]
1. To come down; to descend. [Poetic]
But now the bright sun ginneth to dismount.
--Spenser.
2. To alight from a horse; to descend or get off, as a rider
from his beast; as, the troops dismounted.
Dismount \Dis*mount"\, v. t.
1. To throw or bring down from an elevation, place of honor
and authority, or the like.
Dismounted from his authority. --Barrow.
2. To throw or remove from a horse; to unhorse; as, the
soldier dismounted his adversary.
3. (Mech.) To take down, or apart, as a machine.
4. To throw or remove from the carriage, or from that on
which a thing is mounted; to break the carriage or wheels
of, and render useless; to deprive of equipments or
mountings; -- said esp. of artillery.
Disnaturalize \Dis*nat"u*ral*ize\, v. t.
To make alien; to deprive of the privileges of birth.
--Locke.
Disnatured \Dis*na"tured\ (?; 135), a. [Pref. dis- + nature: cf.
OF. desnatur['e], F. d['e]natur['e].]
Deprived or destitute of natural feelings; unnatural. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Disobedience \Dis`o*be"di*ence\, n.
Neglect or refusal to obey; violation of a command or
prohibition.
He is undutiful to him other actions, and lives in open
disobedience. --Tillotson.
Disobediency \Dis`o*be"di*en*cy\, n.
Disobedience.
Disobedient \Dis`o*be"di*ent\, a. [Pref. dis- + obedient. See
{Disobey}, {Obedient}.]
1. Neglecting or refusing to obey; omitting to do what is
commanded, or doing what is prohibited; refractory; not
observant of duty or rules prescribed by authority; --
applied to persons and acts.
This disobedient spirit in the colonies. --Burke.
Disobedient unto the word of the Lord. --1 Kings
xiii. 26.
2. Not yielding.
Medicines used unnecessarily contribute to shorten
life, by sooner rendering peculiar parts of the
system disobedient to stimuli. --E. Darwin.
Disobediently \Dis`o*be"di*ent*ly\, adv.
In a disobedient manner.
Disobeisance \Dis`o*bei"sance\, n. [F. d['e]sob['e]issance.]
Disobedience. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Disobeisant \Dis`o*bei"sant\, a. [F. d['e]sob['e]issant.]
Disobedient. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disobey \Dis`o*bey"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disobeyed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disobeying}.] [F. d['e]sob['e]ir; pref. d['e]s- (L.
dis-) + ob['e]ir. See {Obey}, and cf. {Disobedient}.]
Not to obey; to neglect or refuse to obey (a superior or his
commands, the laws, etc.); to transgress the commands of (one
in authority); to violate, as an order; as, refractory
children disobey their parents; men disobey their Maker and
the laws.
Not to disobey her lord's behest. --Tennyson.
Disobey \Dis`o*bey"\, v. i.
To refuse or neglect to obey; to violate commands; to be
disobedient.
He durst not know how to disobey. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Disobeyer \Dis`o*bey"er\, n.
One who disobeys.
Disobligation \Dis*ob`li*ga"tion\, n.
1. The act of disobliging.
2. A disobliging act; an offense. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
3. Release from obligation. --Jer. Taylor.
Disobligatory \Dis*ob"li*ga*to*ry\, a.
Releasing from obligation. ``Disobligatory power.'' --Charles
I.
Disoblige \Dis`o*blige"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disobliged}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disobliging}.] [Pref. dis- + oblige: cf. F.
d['e]sobliger.]
1. To do an act which contravenes the will or desires of; to
offend by an act of unkindness or incivility; to
displease; to refrain from obliging; to be unaccommodating
to.
Those . . . who slight and disoblige their friends,
shall infallibly come to know the value of them by
having none when they shall most need them. --South.
My plan has given offense to some gentlemen, whom it
would not be very safe to disoblige. --Addison.
2. To release from obligation. [Obs.]
Absolving and disobliging from a more general
command for some just and reasonable cause.
--Milton.
Disobligement \Dis`o*blige"ment\, n.
Release from obligation. [Obs.]
Disobliger \Dis`o*bli"ger\, n.
One who disobliges.
Disobliging \Dis`o*bli"ging\, a.
1. Not obliging; not disposed to do a favor; unaccommodating;
as, a disobliging person or act.
2. Displeasing; offensive. [Obs.] --Cov. of Tongue. --
{Dis`o*bli"ging*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`o*bli"ging*ness}, n.
Disoccident \Dis*oc"ci*dent\, v. t.
To turn away from the west; to throw out of reckoning as to
longitude. [Obs.] --Marvell.
Disoccupation \Dis*oc`cu*pa"tion\, n.
The state of being unemployed; want of occupation. [R.]
Disopinion \Dis`o*pin"ion\, n.
Want or difference of belief; disbelief. [Obs.] --Bp.
Reynolds.
Disoppilate \Dis*op"pi*late\, v. t. [L. dis- + oppilatus, p. p.
of oppilare to shut up.]
To open. [Obs.] --Holland.
Disorb \Dis*orb"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + orb.]
To throw out of the proper orbit; to unsphere. --Shak.
Disord \Dis*ord"\, n.
Disorder. [Obs.] --Holland.
Disordeined \Dis`or*deined"\, a. [See {Ordain}.]
Inordinate; irregular; vicious. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disorder \Dis*or"der\, n. [Pref. dis- + order: cf. F.
d['e]sordre.]
1. Want of order or regular disposition; lack of arrangement;
confusion; disarray; as, the troops were thrown into
disorder; the papers are in disorder.
2. Neglect of order or system; irregularity.
From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And
snatch a grace beyond the reach of art. --Pope.
3. Breach of public order; disturbance of the peace of
society; tumult. --Shak.
4. Disturbance of the functions of the animal economy of the
soul; sickness; derangement. ``Disorder in the body.''
--Locke.
Syn: Irregularity; disarrangement; confusion; tumult; bustle;
disturbance; disease; illness; indisposition; sickness;
ailment; malady; distemper. See {Disease}.
Disorder \Dis*or"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disordered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disordering}.]
1. To disturb the order of; to derange or disarrange; to
throw into confusion; to confuse.
Disordering the whole frame or jurisprudence.
--Burke.
The burden . . . disordered the aids and auxiliary
rafters into a common ruin. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To disturb or interrupt the regular and natural functions
of (either body or mind); to produce sickness or
indisposition in; to discompose; to derange; as, to
disorder the head or stomach.
A man whose judgment was so much disordered by party
spirit. --Macaulay.
3. To depose from holy orders. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Syn: To disarrange; derange; confuse; discompose.
Disordered \Dis*or"dered\, a.
1. Thrown into disorder; deranged; as, a disordered house,
judgment.
2. Disorderly. [Obs.] --Shak. -- {Dis*or"dered*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*or"dered*ness}, n.
Disorderliness \Dis*or"der*li*ness\, n.
The state of being disorderly.
Disorderly \Dis*or"der*ly\, a.
1. Not in order; marked by disorder; disarranged;
immethodical; as, the books and papers are in a disorderly
state.
2. Not acting in an orderly way, as the functions of the body
or mind.
3. Not complying with the restraints of order and law;
tumultuous; unruly; lawless; turbulent; as, disorderly
people; disorderly assemblies.
4. (Law) Offensive to good morals and public decency;
notoriously offensive; as, a disorderly house.
Syn: Irregular; immethodical; confused; tumultuous;
inordinate; intemperate; unruly; lawless; vicious.
Disorderly \Dis*or"der*ly\, adv.
In a disorderly manner; without law or order; irregularly;
confusedly.
Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly. --2 Thess.
iii. 6.
Savages fighting disorderly with stones. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Disordinance \Dis*or"di*nance\, n.
Disarrangement; disturbance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disordinate \Dis*or"di*nate\, a.
Inordinate; disorderly. [Obs.] ``With disordinate gestures.''
--Prynne.
Disordinately \Dis*or"di*nate*ly\, adv.
Inordinately. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Disordination \Dis*or`di*na"tion\, n.
The state of being in disorder; derangement; confusion.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
Disorganization \Dis*or`gan*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
d['e]sorganisation. See {Disorganize}, v. t.]
1. The act of disorganizing; destruction of system.
2. The state of being disorganized; as, the disorganization
of the body, or of government.
The magazine of a pawnbroker in such total
disorganization, that the owner can never lay his
hands upon any one article at the moment he has
occasion for it. --Sir W.
Scott.
Disorganize \Dis*or"gan*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disorganized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disorganizing}.] [Pref. dis-
+ organize: cf. F. d['e]sorganiser.]
To destroy the organic structure or regular system of (a
government, a society, a party, etc.); to break up (what is
organized); to throw into utter disorder; to disarrange.
Lyford . . . attempted to disorganize the church.
--Eliot
(1809).
Disorganizer \Dis*or"gan*i`zer\, n.
One who disorganizes or causes disorder and confusion.
Disorient \Dis*o"ri*ent\, v. t.
To turn away from the cast; to confuse as to which way is
east; to cause to lose one's bearings. [R.] --Bp. Warburton.
Disorientate \Dis*o"ri*en*tate\, v. t.
To turn away from the east, or (figuratively) from the right
or the truth. [R.]
Disown \Dis*own"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disowned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Disowning}.]
1. To refuse to own or acknowledge as belonging to one's
self; to disavow or deny, as connected with one's self
personally; as, a parent can hardly disown his child; an
author will sometimes disown his writings.
2. To refuse to acknowledge or allow; to deny.
Then they, who brother's better claim disown, Expel
their parents, and usurp the throne. --Dryden.
Syn: To disavow; disclaim; deny; abnegate; renounce;
disallow.
Disownment \Dis*own"ment\, n.
Act of disowning. [R.]
Disoxidate \Dis*ox"i*date\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deoxidate; to deoxidize. [R.]
Disoxidation \Dis*ox`i*da"tion\, n. (Chem.)
Deoxidation. [R.]
Disoxygenate \Dis*ox"y*gen*ate\, v. t. (Chem.)
To deprive of oxygen; to deoxidize. [R.]
Disoxygenation \Dis*ox`y*gen*a"tion\, n. (Chem.)
Deoxidation. [R.]
Dispace \Dis*pace"\, v. i. [Pref. dis- asunder, different ways,
to and fro + pace.]
To roam. [Obs.]
In this fair plot dispacing to and fro. --Spenser.
Dispair \Dis*pair"\, v. t.
To separate (a pair). [R.]
I have . . . dispaired two doves. --Beau. & Fl.
Dispand \Dis*pand"\, v. t. [L. dispandere to spread out; pref.
dis- + pandere, pansum, to spread out.]
To spread out; to expand. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Dispansion \Dis*pan"sion\, n. [See {Dispand}.]
Act of dispanding, or state of being dispanded. [Obs.]
Disparadised \Dis*par"a*dised\, a.
Removed from paradise. [R.] --Cockeram.
Disparage \Dis*par"age\ (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disparaged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disparaging}.] [OF.
desparagier, F. d['e]parager, to marry unequally; pref. des-
(L. dis-) + F. parage extraction, lineage, from L. par equal,
peer. See {Peer}.]
1. To match unequally; to degrade or dishonor by an unequal
marriage. [Obs.]
Alas! that any of my nation Should ever so foul
disparaged be. --Chaucer.
2. To dishonor by a comparison with what is inferior; to
lower in rank or estimation by actions or words; to speak
slightingly of; to depreciate; to undervalue.
Those forbidding appearances which sometimes
disparage the actions of men sincerely pious. --Bp.
Atterbury.
Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms.
--Milton.
Syn: To decry; depreciate; undervalue; underrate; cheapen;
vilify; reproach; detract from; derogate from; degrade;
debase. See {Decry}.
Disparage \Dis"pa*rage`\, n.
Inequality in marriage; marriage with an inferior. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Dissuaded her from such a disparage. --Spenser.
Disparagement \Dis*par"age*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. desparagement.]
1. Matching any one in marriage under his or her degree;
injurious union with something of inferior excellence; a
lowering in rank or estimation. [Eng.]
And thought that match a foul disparagement.
--Spenser.
2. Injurious comparison with an inferior; a depreciating or
dishonoring opinion or insinuation; diminution of value;
dishonor; indignity; reproach; disgrace; detraction; --
commonly with to.
It ought to be no disparagement to a star that it is
not the sun. --South.
Imitation is a disparagement and a degradation in a
Christian minister. --I. Taylor.
Syn: Indignity; derogation; detraction; reproach; dishonor;
debasement; degradation; disgrace.
Disparager \Dis*par"a*ger\, n.
One who disparages or dishonors; one who vilifies or
disgraces.
Disparagingly \Dis*par"a*ging*ly\, adv.
In a manner to disparage or dishonor; slightingly.
Disparate \Dis"pa*rate\, a. [L. disparatus, p. p. of disparare
to part, separate; dis- + parare to make ready, prepare.]
1. Unequal; dissimilar; separate.
Connecting disparate thoughts, purely by means of
resemblances in the words expressing them.
--Coleridge.
2. (Logic) Pertaining to two co["o]rdinate species or
divisions.
Disparates \Dis"pa*rates\, n. pl.
Things so unequal or unlike that they can not be compared
with each other.
Disparition \Dis`pa*ri"tion\, n. [Cf. F. disparition.]
Act of disappearing; disappearance. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Disparity \Dis*par"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Disparities}. [LL.
disparitas, fr. L. dispar unlike, unequal; dis- + par equal:
cf. F. disparit['e]. See {Par}, {Peer}.]
Inequality; difference in age, rank, condition, or
excellence; dissimilitude; -- followed by between, in, of, as
to, etc.; as, disparity in, or of, years; a disparity as to
color.
The disparity between God and his intelligent
creatures. --I. Taylor.
The disparity of numbers was not such as ought to cause
any uneasiness. --Macaulay.
Syn: Inequality; unlikeness; dissimilitude; disproportion;
difference.
Dispark \Dis*park"\, v. t.
1. To throw (a park or inclosure); to treat (a private park)
as a common.
The Gentiles were made to be God's people when the
Jews' inclosure was disparked. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To set at large; to release from inclosure.
Till his free muse threw down the pale, And did at
once dispark them all. --Waller.
Disparkle \Dis*par"kle\, v. t. [OF. desparpeillier.]
To scatter abroad. [Obs.] --Holland.
Dispart \Dis*part"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disparted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disparting}.] [Pref. dis- + part: cf. OF. despartir.]
To part asunder; to divide; to separate; to sever; to rend;
to rive or split; as, disparted air; disparted towers.
[Archaic]
Them in twelve troops their captain did dispart.
--Spenser.
The world will be whole, and refuses to be disparted.
--Emerson.
Dispart \Dis*part"\, v. i.
To separate, to open; to cleave.
Dispart \Dis*part"\, n.
1. (Gun.) The difference between the thickness of the metal
at the mouth and at the breech of a piece of ordnance.
On account of the dispart, the line of aim or line
of metal, which is in a plane passing through the
axis of the gun, always makes a small angle with the
axis. --Eng. Cys.
2. (Gun.) A piece of metal placed on the muzzle, or near the
trunnions, on the top of a piece of ordnance, to make the
line of sight parallel to the axis of the bore; -- called
also {dispart sight}, and {muzzle sight}.
Dispart \Dis*part"\, v. t.
1. (Gun.) To make allowance for the dispart in (a gun), when
taking aim.
Every gunner, before he shoots, must truly dispart
his piece. --Lucar.
2. (Gun.) To furnish with a dispart sight.
Dispassion \Dis*pas"sion\, n.
Freedom from passion; an undisturbed state; apathy. --Sir W.
Temple.
Dispassionate \Dis*pas"sion*ate\, a.
1. Free from passion; not warped, prejudiced, swerved, or
carried away by passion or feeling; judicial; calm;
composed.
Wise and dispassionate men. --Clarendon.
2. Not dictated by passion; not proceeding from temper or
bias; impartial; as, dispassionate proceedings; a
dispassionate view.
Syn: Calm; cool; composed serene; unimpassioned; temperate;
moderate; impartial; unruffled. --
{Dis*pas"sion*ate*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*pas"sion*ate*ness},
n.
Dispassioned \Dis*pas"sioned\, a.
Free from passion; dispassionate. [R.] ``Dispassioned men.''
--Donne.
Dispatch \Dis*patch"\ (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Dispatched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dispatching}.] [OF.
despeechier, F. d['e]p[^e]cher; prob. from pref. des- (L.
dis-) + (assumed) LL. pedicare to place obstacles in the way,
fr. L. pedica fetter, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See {Foot}, and
cf. {Impeach}, {Despatch}.] [Written also {despatch}.]
1. To dispose of speedily, as business; to execute quickly;
to make a speedy end of; to finish; to perform.
Ere we put ourselves in arms, dispatch we The
business we have talked of. --Shak.
[The] harvest men . . . almost in one fair day
dispatcheth all the harvest work. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
2. To rid; to free. [Obs.]
I had clean dispatched myself of this great charge.
--Udall.
3. To get rid of by sending off; to send away hastily.
Unless dispatched to the mansion house in the
country . . . they perish among the lumber of
garrets. --Walpole.
4. To send off or away; -- particularly applied to sending
off messengers, messages, letters, etc., on special
business, and implying haste.
Even with the speediest expedition I will dispatch
him to the emperor's cou??. --Shak.
5. To send out of the world; to put to death.
The company shall stone them with stones, and
dispatch them with their swords. --Ezek. xxiii.
47.
Syn: To expedite; hasten; speed; accelerate; perform;
conclude; finish; slay; kill.
Dispatch \Dis*patch"\, v. i.
To make haste; to conclude an affair; to finish a matter of
business.
They have dispatched with Pompey. --Shak.
Dispatch \Dis*patch"\, n. [Cf. OF. despeche, F. d['e]p[^e]che.
See {Dispatch}, v. t.] [Written also {despatch}.]
1. The act of sending a message or messenger in haste or on
important business.
2. Any sending away; dismissal; riddance.
To the utter dispatch of all their most beloved
comforts. --Milton.
3. The finishing up of a business; speedy performance, as of
business; prompt execution; diligence; haste.
Serious business, craving quick dispatch. --Shak.
To carry his scythe . . . with a sufficient dispatch
through a sufficient space. --Paley.
4. A message dispatched or sent with speed; especially, an
important official letter sent from one public officer to
another; -- often used in the plural; as, a messenger has
arrived with dispatches for the American minister; naval
or military dispatches.
5. A message transmitted by telegraph. [Modern]
{Dispatch boat}, a swift vessel for conveying dispatches; an
advice boat.
{Dispatch box}, a box for carrying dispatches; a box for
papers and other conveniences when traveling.
Syn: Haste; hurry; promptness; celerity; speed. See {Haste}.
Dispatcher \Dis*patch"er\, n.
One who dispatches.
Dispatchful \Dis*patch"ful\, a.
Bent on haste; intent on speedy execution of business or any
task; indicating haste; quick; as, dispatchful looks.
--Milton.
Dispatchment \Dis*patch"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. despechement.]
The act of dispatching. [Obs.] --State Trials (1529).
Dispathy \Dis"pa*thy\, n.; pl. {Dispathies}. [Pref. dis- + Gr. ?
passion. See {Pathos}.]
Lack of sympathy; want of passion; apathy. [R.]
Many discrepancies and some dispathies between us.
--Southey.
Dispauper \Dis*pau"per\, v. t.
To deprive of the claim of a pauper to public support; to
deprive of the privilege of suing in forma pauperis.
Dispauperize \Dis*pau"per*ize\, v. t.
To free a state of pauperism, or from paupers. --J. S. Mill.
Dispeed \Dis*peed"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + speed.]
To send off with speed; to dispatch. [Obs.] --Knolles.
Then they dispeeded themselves of the Cid and of their
mother-in-law, Do?a Ximena. --Southey.
Dispel \Dis*pel"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispelled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dispelling}.] [L. dispellere; dis- + pellere to push,
drive. See {Pulse} a beating.]
To drive away by scattering, or so to cause to vanish; to
clear away; to banish; to dissipate; as, to dispel a cloud,
vapors, cares, doubts, illusions.
[Satan] gently raised their fainting courage, and
dispelled their fears. --Milton.
I saw myself the lambent easy light Gild the brown
horror, and dispel the night. --Dryden.
Dispence \Dis*pence"\, v. i. & n.
See {Dispense}. [Obs.]
Dispend \Dis*pend"\, v. t. [OF. despendre, L. dispendere to
weigh out, dispense; dis- + pendere to weigh. See {Pension},
{Spend}, and cf. {Dispense}.]
To spend; to lay out; to expend. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Able to dispend yearly twenty pounds and above.
--Fuller.
Dispender \Dis*pend"er\, n.
One who dispends or expends; a steward. [Obs.] --Wyclif (1
Cor. iv. 1).
Dispensable \Dis*pen"sa*ble\, a. [LL. dispensabilis. See
{Dispense}.]
1. Capable of being dispensed or administered.
2. Capable of being dispensed with. --Coleridge.
Dispensableness \Dis*pen"sa*ble*ness\, n.
Quality of being dispensable.
Dispensary \Dis*pen"sa*ry\, n.; pl. {Dispensaries}. [Cf. F.
dispensaire.]
1. A place where medicines are prepared and dispensed; esp.,
a place where the poor can obtain medical advice and
medicines gratuitously or at a nominal price.
2. A dispensatory. --Pope.
Dispensation \Dis`pen*sa"tion\, n. [F. dispensation, L.
dispensatio.]
1. The act of dispensing or dealing out; distribution; often
used of the distribution of good and evil by God to man,
or more generically, of the acts and modes of his
administration.
To respect the dispensations of Providence. --Burke.
2. That which is dispensed, dealt out, or appointed; that
which is enjoined or bestowed; especially (Theol.), A
system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and
administered; scheme; economy; as, the Patriarchal,
Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.
Neither are God's methods or intentions different in
his dispensations to each private man. --Rogers.
3. The relaxation of a law in a particular case; permission
to do something forbidden, or to omit doing something
enjoined; specifically, in the Roman Catholic Church,
exemption from some ecclesiastical law or obligation to
God which a man has incurred of his own free will (oaths,
vows, etc.).
A dispensation was obtained to enable Dr. Barrow to
marry. --Ward.
Dispensative \Dis*pen"sa*tive\, a. [Cf. F. dispensatif.]
Granting dispensation.
Dispensatively \Dis*pen"sa*tive*ly\, adv.
By dispensation. --Wotton.
Dispensator \Dis"pen*sa`tor\, n. [L.]
A distributer; a dispenser. --Bacon.
Dispensatorily \Dis*pen"sa*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In the way of dispensation; dispensatively.
Dispensatory \Dis*pen"sa*to*ry\, a. [L. dispensatorius relating
to management. See {Dispense}, v. t.]
Granting, or authorized to grant, dispensations.
``Dispensatory power.'' --Bp. Rainbow.
Dispensatory \Dis*pen"sa*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Dispensatories}.
A book or medicinal formulary containing a systematic
description of drugs, and of preparations made from them. It
is usually, but not always, distinguished from a
pharmacop[oe]ia in that it issued by private parties, and not
by an official body or by government.
Dispense \Dis*pense"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispensed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dispensing}.] [F. dispenser, L. dispensare, intens.
of dispendere. See {Dispend}.]
1. To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the
steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature
dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines.
He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the
company. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to
execute; to manage; to direct.
While you dispense the laws, and guide the state.
--Dryden.
3. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.]
His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was
compensed. --Gower.
4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from.
It was resolved that all members of the House who
held commissions, should be dispensed from
parliamentary attendance. --Macaulay.
He appeared to think himself born to be supported by
others, and dispensed from all necessity of
providing for himself. --Johnson.
Dispense \Dis*pense"\, v. i.
1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obs.]
One loving hour For many years of sorrow can
dispense. --Spenser.
2. To give dispensation.
He [the pope] can also dispense in all matters of
ecclesiastical law. --Addis &
Arnold (Cath.
Dict. )
{To dispense with}.
(a) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a
ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a
law; to give up, release, or do without, as services,
attention, etc.; to forego; to part with.
(b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to
grant dispensation to or for. [Obs.] ``Conniving and
dispensing with open and common adultery.'' --Milton.
(c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obs.]
--Richardson.
Dispense \Dis*pense"\, n. [Cf. F. dispense dispensation. See
{Dispense}, v. t.]
Dispensation; exemption. [Obs.]
Dispense \Dis*pense"\, n. [OF. despense, F. d['e]pense.]
Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obs.]
It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.
Dispenser \Dis*pens"er\, n.
One who, or that which, dispenses; a distributer; as, a
dispenser of favors.
Dispeople \Dis*peo"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispeopled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dispeopling}.] [Pref. dis- + people: cf. F.
d['e]peupler.]
To deprive of inhabitants; to depopulate.
Leave the land dispeopled and desolate. --Sir T. More.
A certain island long before dispeopled . . . by sea
rivers. --Milton.
Dispeopler \Dis*peo"pler\, n.
One who, or that which, dispeoples; a depopulator. --Gay.
Disperge \Dis*perge"\, v. t. [L. dispergere. See {Disperse}.]
To sprinkle. [Obs.]
Disspermous \Dis*sper"mous\, a. [Gr. ? = ? + ? seed, fr. ? to
sow: cf. F. disperme.] (Bot.)
Containing only two seeds; two-seeded.
Disperple \Dis*per"ple\, v. t. [OF. desparpe????er.]
To scatter; to sprinkle. [Obs.]
Odorous water was Disperpled lightly on my head and
neck. --Chapman.
Dispersal \Dis*per"sal\, n.
The act or result of dispersing or scattering; dispersion.
--Darwin.
Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispersed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dispersing}.] [L. dispersus, p. p. of dispergere to
strew, scatter. See {Sparse}.]
1. To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to
distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are
dispersed among all nations.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. --Prov. xv.
7.
Two lions, in the still, dark night, A herd of
beeves disperse. --Cowper.
2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to
disperse vapors.
Dispersed are the glories. --Shak.
Syn: To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse;
distribute; deal out; disseminate.
Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. i.
1. To separate; to go or move into different parts; to
vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the
clouds disperse.
2. To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with
others.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor. --Ps.
cxii. 9.
Dispersed \Dis*persed"\, a.
Scattered. -- {Dis*pers"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*pers"ed*ness},
n.
{Dispersed harmony} (Mus.), harmony in which the tones
composing the chord are widely separated, as by an octave
or more.
Disperseness \Dis*perse"ness\, n.
Dispersedness. [Obs.]
Disperser \Dis*pers"er\, n.
One that disperses.
Dispersion \Dis*per"sion\, n. [CF. F. dispersion.]
1. The act or process of scattering or dispersing, or the
state of being scattered or separated; as, the Jews in
their dispersion retained their rites and ceremonies; a
great dispersion of the human family took place at the
building of Babel.
The days of your slaughter and of your dispersions
are accomplished. --Jer. xxv.
34.
2. (Opt.) The separation of light into its different colored
rays, arising from their different refrangibilities.
{Dispersion of the optic axes} (Crystallog.), the separation
of the optic axes in biaxial crystals, due to the fact
that the axial angle has different values for the
different colors of the spectrum.
Dispersive \Dis*pers"ive\, a.
Tending to disperse.
{Dispersive power} (Opt.), the relative effect of a material
in separating the different rays of light by refraction,
as when the substance is formed into a prism. --
{Dis*pers"ive*ness}, n.
Disperson'ate \Dis*per"son'*ate\, v. t.
To deprive of personality or individuality. [R.]
We multiply; we dispersonate ourselves. --Hare.
Dispirit \Dis*pir"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispirited}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dispiriting}.] [Pref. dis- + spirit.]
1. To deprive of cheerful spirits; to depress the spirits of;
to dishearten; to discourage.
Not dispirited with my afflictions. --Dryden.
He has dispirited himself by a debauch. --Collier.
2. To distill or infuse the spirit of. [Obs. or R.]
This makes a man master of his learning, and
dispirits the book into the scholar. --Fuller.
Syn: To dishearten; discourage; deject; damp; depress; cast
down; intimidate; daunt; cow.
Dispirited \Dis*pir"it*ed\, a.
Depressed in spirits; disheartened; daunted. --
{Dis*pir"it*ed*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*pir"it*ed}, n.
Dispiritment \Dis*pir"it*ment\, n.
Depression of spirits; discouragement. [R.]
Procter, in evident distress and dispiritment, was
waiting the slow conclusion of this. --Carlyle.
Dispiteous \Dis*pit"e*ous\, a. [Pref. dis- + piteous. Cf.
{Despiteous}.]
Full of despite; cruel; spiteful; pitiless. --Spenser. --
{Dis*pit"e*ous*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Displace \Dis*place"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Displaced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Displacing}.] [Pref. dis- + place: cf. F.
d['e]placer.]
1. To change the place of; to remove from the usual or proper
place; to put out of place; to place in another situation;
as, the books in the library are all displaced.
2. To crowd out; to take the place of.
Holland displaced Portugal as the mistress of those
seas. --London
Times.
3. To remove from a state, office, dignity, or employment; to
discharge; to depose; as, to displace an officer of the
revenue.
4. To dislodge; to drive away; to banish. [Obs.]
You have displaced the mirth. --Shak.
Syn: To disarrange; derange; dismiss; discard.
Displaceable \Dis*place"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being displaced.
Displacement \Dis*place"ment\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]placement.]
1. The act of displacing, or the state of being displaced; a
putting out of place.
Unnecessary displacement of funds. --A. Hamilton.
The displacement of the sun by parallax. --Whewell.
2. The quantity of anything, as water, displaced by a
floating body, as by a ship, the weight of the displaced
liquid being equal to that of the displacing body.
3. (Chem.) The process of extracting soluble substances from
organic material and the like, whereby a quantity of
saturated solvent is displaced, or removed, for another
quantity of the solvent.
{Piston displacement} (Mech.), the volume of the space swept
through, or weight of steam, water, etc., displaced, in a
given time, by the piston of a steam engine or pump.
Displacency \Dis*pla"cen*cy\, n. [LL. displacentia, for L.
displicentia, fr. displicere to displease; dis- + placere to
please. See {Displease}, and cf. {Displeasance}.]
Want of complacency or gratification; envious displeasure;
dislike. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Displacer \Dis*pla"cer\, n.
1. One that displaces.
2. (Chem.) The funnel part of the apparatus for solution by
displacement.
Displant \Dis*plant"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Di?planted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Displanting}.] [Pref. dis- + plant: cf. OF.
desplanter, F. d['e]planter.]
1. To remove (what is planted or fixed); to unsettle and take
away; to displace; to root out; as, to displant
inhabitants.
I did not think a look, Or a poor word or two, could
have displanted Such a fixed constancy. --Beau. &
Fl.
2. To strip of what is planted or settled; as, to displant a
country of inhabitants. --Spenser.
Displantation \Dis`plan*ta"tion\, n.
The act of displanting; removal; displacement. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Displat \Dis*plat"\, v. t.
To untwist; to uncurl; to unplat. [Obs.] --Hakewill.
Display \Dis*play"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Displayed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Displaying}.] [OE. displaien, desplaien, OF.
despleier, desploier, F. d['e]ployer; pref. des- (L. dis-) +
pleier, ploier, plier, F. ployer, plier, to fold, bend, L.
plicare. See {Ply}, and cf. {Deploy}, {Splay}.]
1. To unfold; to spread wide; to expand; to stretch out; to
spread.
The northern wind his wings did broad display.
--Spenser.
2. (Mil.) To extend the front of (a column), bringing it into
line. --Farrow.
3. To spread before the view; to show; to exhibit to the
sight, or to the mind; to make manifest.
His statement . . . displays very clearly the actual
condition of the army. --Burke.
4. To make an exhibition of; to set in view conspicuously or
ostentatiously; to exhibit for the sake of publicity; to
parade.
Proudly displaying the insignia of their order.
--Prescott.
5. (Print.) To make conspicuous by large or prominent type.
6. To discover; to descry. [Obs.]
And from his seat took pleasure to display The city
so adorned with towers. --Chapman.
Syn: To exhibit; show; manifest; spread out; parade; expand;
flaunt.
Display \Dis*play"\, v. i.
To make a display; to act as one making a show or
demonstration. --Shak.
Display \Dis*play"\, n.
1. An opening or unfolding; exhibition; manifestation.
Having witnessed displays of his power and grace.
--Trench.
2. Ostentatious show; exhibition for effect; parade.
He died, as erring man should die, Without display,
without parade. --Byron.
Displayed \Dis*played"\, a.
1. Unfolded; expanded; exhibited conspicuously or
ostentatiously.
2. (Her.) With wings expanded; -- said of a bird of pray,
esp. an eagle.
3. (Print.) Set with lines of prominent type interspersed, to
catch the eye.
Displayer \Dis*play"er\, n.
One who, or that which, displays.
Disple \Dis"ple\, v. t.
To discipline; to correct. [Obs.]
And bitter Penance, with an iron whip, Was wont him
once to disple every day. --Spenser.
Displeasance \Dis*pleas"ance\, n. [OF. desplaisance, F.
d['e]plaisance. Cf. {Displacency}.]
Displeasure; discontent; annoyance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Displeasant \Dis*pleas"ant\, a. [OF. desplaisant, F.
d['e]plaisant. See {Displease}.]
Unpleasing; offensive; unpleasant. [Obs.] --Speed. --
{Dis*pleas"ant*ly}, adv. [Obs.] --Strype. --
{Dis*pleas"ant*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Displease \Dis*please"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Displeased}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Displeasing}.] [OF. desplaisir, whence F.
d['e]plaisir displeasure; pref. des- (L. dis-) + plaisir to
please. See {Please}, and cf. {Displeasure}.]
1. To make not pleased; to excite a feeling of disapprobation
or dislike in; to be disagreeable to; to offend; to vex;
-- often followed by with or at. It usually expresses less
than to anger, vex, irritate, or provoke.
God was displeased with this thing. --1 Chron.
xxi. 7.
Wilt thou be displeased at us forever? --Psalms
lxxxv. 5 (Bk.
of Com.
Prayer).
This virtuous plaster will displease Your tender
sides. --J. Fletcher.
Adversity is so wholesome . . . why should we be
displeased therewith? --Barrow.
2. To fail to satisfy; to miss of. [Obs.]
I shall displease my ends else. --Beau. & Fl.
Syn: To offend; disgust; vex; annoy; dissatisfy; chafe;
anger; provoke; affront.
Displease \Dis*please"\, v. i.
To give displeasure or offense. [Obs.]
Displeasedly \Dis*pleas"ed*ly\, adv.
With displeasure. [R.]
Displeasedness \Dis*pleas"ed*ness\, n.
Displeasure. [R.] --South.
Displeaser \Dis*pleas"er\, n.
One who displeases.
Displeasing \Dis*pleas"ing\, a.
Causing displeasure or dissatisfaction; offensive;
disagreeable. -- {Dis*pleas"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Dis*pleas"ing*ness}, n. --Locke.
Displeasure \Dis*pleas"ure\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. dis- + pleasure:
cf. OF. desplaisir, F. d['e]plaisir. Cf. {Displease}.]
1. The feeling of one who is displeased; irritation or
uneasiness of the mind, occasioned by anything that
counteracts desire or command, or which opposes justice or
a sense of propriety; disapprobation; dislike;
dissatisfaction; disfavor; indignation.
O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither
chasten me in thy hot displeasure. --Ps. vi. 1.
Undoubtedly he will relent, and turn From his
displeasure. --Milton.
2. That which displeases; cause of irritation or annoyance;
offense; injury.
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man Do outrage
and displeasure to himself? --Shak.
3. State of disgrace or disfavor; disfavor. [Obs.]
He went into Poland, being in displeasure with the
pope for overmuch familiarity. --Peacham.
Syn: Dissatisfaction; disapprobation; disfavor; distaste;
dislike; anger; hate; aversion; indignation; offense.
Displeasure \Dis*pleas"ure\ (?; 135), v. t.
To displease. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Displenish \Dis*plen"ish\, v. t.
To deprive or strip, as a house of furniture, or a barn of
stock. [Scot.]
Displicence \Dis"pli*cence\, Displicency \Dis"pli*cen*cy\, n.
[L. displicentia. See {Displacency}.]
Dislike; dissatisfaction; discontent. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Displode \Dis*plode"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disploded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disploding}.] [L. displodere, displosum; dis- +
plodere, plaudere, to clap, strike, beat.]
To discharge; to explode.
In posture to displode their second tire Of thunder.
--Milton.
Displode \Dis*plode"\, v. i.
To burst with a loud report; to explode. ``Disploding
engines.'' --Young.
Displosion \Dis*plo"sion\, n.
Explosion.
The vast displosion dissipates the clouds. --Young.
Displosive \Dis*plo"sive\, a.
Explosive.
Displume \Dis*plume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Displumed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Displuming}.] [Pref. dis- + plume: cf. OF. desplumer,
F. d['e]plumer.]
To strip of, or as of, a plume, or plumes; to deprive of
decoration; to dishonor; to degrade.
Displumed, degraded, and metamorphosed. --Burke.
Dispoline \Dis"po*line\, n. (Chem.)
One of several isomeric organic bases of the quinoline series
of alkaloids.
Dispond \Dis*pond"\, n.
See {Despond}.
Dispondee \Di*spon"dee\, n. [L. dispondeus, Gr. ?; di- = di`s-
twice + ? spondee.] (Gr. ? Lat. Pros.)
A double spondee; a foot consisting of four long syllables.
Dispone \Dis*pone"\, v. t. [L. disponere. See {Disposition}.]
1. (Her.) To dispose.
2. To dispose of. --Chaucer.
3. (Scots Law) To make over, or convey, legally.
He has disponed . . . the whole estate. --Sir W.
Scott.
Disponee \Dis`po*nee"\, n. (Scots Law)
The person to whom any property is legally conveyed.
Disponer \Dis*pon"er\, n. (Scots Law)
One who legally transfers property from himself to another.
Disponge \Dis*ponge"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + sponge.]
To sprinkle, as with water from a sponge. [Poetic & Rare]
[Written also {dispunge}.]
O sovereign mistress of true melancholy, The poisonous
damp of night disponge upon me. --Shak.
Dispope \Dis*pope"\, v. t.
To refuse to consider as pope; to depose from the popedom.
One whom they disposed. --Tennyson.
Disporous \Di*spor"ous\, a. [Pref. di- + sporous.] (Biol.)
Having two spores.
Disport \Dis*port"\, n. [OF. desport, deport. See {Disport}, v.
i., and cf. {Sport}.]
Play; sport; pastime; diversion; playfulness. --Milton.
Disport \Dis*port"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Disported}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disporting}.] [OF. se desporter; pref. des- (L. dis-)
+ F. porter to carry; orig. therefore, to carry one's self
away from work, to go to amuse one's self. See {Port}
demeanor, and cf. {Sport}.]
To play; to wanton; to move in gayety; to move lightly and
without restraint; to amuse one's self.
Where light disports in ever mingling dyes. --Pope.
Childe Harold basked him in the noontide sun,
Disporting there like any other fly. --Byron.
Disport \Dis*port"\, v. t. [OF. desporter. See {Disport}, v. i.]
1. To divert or amuse; to make merry.
They could disport themselves. --Buckle.
2. To remove from a port; to carry away. --Prynne.
Disportment \Dis*port"ment\, n.
Act of disporting; diversion; play. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Disposable \Dis*pos"a*ble\, a. [From {Dispose}.]
Subject to disposal; free to be used or employed as occasion
may require; not assigned to any service or use.
The great of this kingdom . . . has easily afforded a
disposable surplus. --Burke.
Disposal \Dis*pos"al\, n. [From {Dispose}.]
1. The act of disposing, or disposing of, anything;
arrangement; orderly distribution; a putting in order; as,
the disposal of the troops in two lines.
2. Ordering; regulation; adjustment; management; government;
direction.
The execution leave to high disposal. --Milton.
3. Regulation of the fate, condition, application, etc., of
anything; the transference of anything into new hands, a
new place, condition, etc.; alienation, or parting; as, a
disposal of property.
A domestic affair of great importance, which is no
less than the disposal of my sister Jenny for life.
--Tatler.
4. Power or authority to dispose of, determine the condition
of, control, etc., especially in the phrase at, or in, the
disposal of.
The sole and absolute disposal of him an his
concerns. --South.
Syn: Disposition; dispensation; management; conduct;
government; distribution; arrangement; regulation;
control.
Dispose \Dis*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disposed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disposing}.] [F. disposer; pref. dis- + poser to
place. See {Pose}.]
1. To distribute and put in place; to arrange; to set in
order; as, to dispose the ships in the form of a crescent.
Who hath disposed the whole world? --Job xxxiv.
13.
All ranged in order and disposed with grace. --Pope.
The rest themselves in troops did else dispose.
--Spenser.
2. To regulate; to adjust; to settle; to determine.
The knightly forms of combat to dispose. --Dryden.
3. To deal out; to assign to a use; to bestow for an object
or purpose; to apply; to employ; to dispose of.
Importuned him that what he designed to bestow on
her funeral, he would rather dispose among the poor.
--Evelyn.
4. To give a tendency or inclination to; to adapt; to cause
to turn; especially, to incline the mind of; to give a
bent or propension to; to incline; to make inclined; --
usually followed by to, sometimes by for before the
indirect object.
Endure and conquer; Jove will soon dispose To future
good our past and present woes. --Dryden.
Suspicions dispose kings to tyranny, husbands to
jealousy, and wise men to irresolution and
melancholy. --Bacon.
{To dispose of}.
(a) To determine the fate of; to exercise the power of
control over; to fix the condition, application,
employment, etc. of; to direct or assign for a use.
Freedom to order their actions and dispose of
their possessions and persons. --Locke.
(b) To exercise finally one's power of control over; to
pass over into the control of some one else, as by
selling; to alienate; to part with; to relinquish; to
get rid of; as, to dispose of a house; to dispose of
one's time.
More water . . . than can be disposed of. --T.
Burnet.
I have disposed of her to a man of business.
--Tatler.
A rural judge disposed of beauty's prize.
--Waller.
Syn: To set; arrange; order; distribute; adjust; regulate;
adapt; fit; incline; bestow; give.
Dispose \Dis*pose"\, v. i.
To bargain; to make terms. [Obs.]
She had disposed with C[ae]sar. --Shak.
Dispose \Dis*pose"\, n.
1. Disposal; ordering; management; power or right of control.
[Obs.]
But such is the dispose of the sole Disposer of
empires. --Speed.
2. Cast of mind; disposition; inclination; behavior;
demeanor. [Obs.]
He hath a person, and a smooth dispose To be
suspected. --Shak.
Disposed \Dis*posed"\, p. a.
1. Inclined; minded.
When he was disposed to pass into Achaia. --Acts
xviii. 27.
2. Inclined to mirth; jolly. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
{Well disposed}, in good condition; in good health. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Disposedness \Dis*pos"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being disposed or inclined; inclination;
propensity. [R.]
Disposement \Dis*pose"ment\, n.
Disposal. [Obs.] --Goodwin.
Disposer \Dis*pos"er\, n.
One who, or that which, disposes; a regulator; a director; a
bestower.
Absolute lord and disposer of all things. --Barrow.
Disposingly \Dis*pos"ing*ly\, adv.
In a manner to dispose.
Disposited \Dis*pos"it*ed\, a. [See {Disposition}.]
Disposed. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
Disposition \Dis`po*si"tion\, n. [F. disposition, dispositio,
fr. disponere to dispose; dis- + ponere to place. See
{Position}, and cf. {Dispone}.]
1. The act of disposing, arranging, ordering, regulating, or
transferring; application; disposal; as, the disposition
of a man's property by will.
Who have received the law by the disposition of
angels. --Acts vii.
53.
The disposition of the work, to put all things in a
beautiful order and harmony, that the whole may be
of a piece. --Dryden.
2. The state or the manner of being disposed or arranged;
distribution; arrangement; order; as, the disposition of
the trees in an orchard; the disposition of the several
parts of an edifice.
3. Tendency to any action or state resulting from natural
constitution; nature; quality; as, a disposition in plants
to grow in a direction upward; a disposition in bodies to
putrefaction.
4. Conscious inclination; propension or propensity.
How stands your disposition to be married? --Shak.
5. Natural or prevailing spirit, or temperament of mind,
especially as shown in intercourse with one's fellow-men;
temper of mind. ``A man of turbulent disposition.''
--Hallam. ``He is of a very melancholy disposition.''
--Shak.
His disposition led him to do things agreeable to
his quality and condition wherein God had placed
him. --Strype.
6. Mood; humor.
As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an
antic disposition on. --Shak.
Syn: Disposal; adjustment; regulation; arrangement;
distribution; order; method; adaptation; inclination;
propensity; bestowment; alienation; character; temper;
mood. -- {Disposition}, {Character}, {Temper}.
Disposition is the natural humor of a person, the
predominating quality of his character, the
constitutional habit of his mind. Character is this
disposition influenced by motive, training, and will.
Temper is a quality of the fiber of character, and is
displayed chiefly when the emotions, especially the
passions, are aroused.
Dispositional \Dis`po*si"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to disposition.
Dispositioned \Dis`po*si"tioned\, a.
Having (such) a disposition; -- used in compounds; as,
well-dispositioned.
Dispositive \Dis*pos"i*tive\, a. [Cf. F. dispositif.]
1. Disposing; tending to regulate; decretive. [Obs.]
His dispositive wisdom and power. --Bates.
2. Belonging to disposition or natural, tendency. [Obs.]
``Dispositive holiness.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Dispositively \Dis*pos"i*tive*ly\, adv.
In a dispositive manner; by natural or moral disposition.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Do dispositively what Moses is recorded to have done
literally, . . . break all the ten commandments at
once. --Boyle.
Dispositor \Dis*pos"it*or\, n. [L. See {Disposition}.]
1. A disposer.
2. (Astrol.) The planet which is lord of the sign where
another planet is. [Obs.] --Crabb.
Dispossess \Dis`pos*sess"\ (?; see {Possess}), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Dispossessed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dispossessing}.] [Pref.
dis- + possess: cf. F. d['e]poss['e]der.]
To put out of possession; to deprive of the actual occupancy
of, particularly of land or real estate; to disseize; to
eject; -- usually followed by of before the thing taken away;
as, to dispossess a king of his crown.
Usurp the land, and dispossess the swain. --Goldsmith.
Dispossession \Dis`pos*ses"sion\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]possession.]
1. The act of putting out of possession; the state of being
dispossessed. --Bp. Hall.
2. (Law) The putting out of possession, wrongfully or
otherwise, of one who is in possession of a freehold, no
matter in what title; -- called also {ouster}.
Dispossessor \Dis`pos*sess"or\, n.
One who dispossesses. --Cowley.
Dispost \Dis*post"\, v. t.
To eject from a post; to displace. [R.] --Davies (Holy
Roode).
Disposure \Dis*po"sure\, n. [From {Dispose}.]
1. The act of disposing; power to dispose of; disposal;
direction.
Give up My estate to his disposure. --Massinger.
2. Disposition; arrangement; position; posture. [Obs.]
In a kind of warlike disposure. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Dispraisable \Dis*prais"a*ble\, a.
Blamable. [R.]
Dispraise \Dis*praise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispraised}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dispraising}.] [OE. dispreisen, OF. desprisier,
despreisier, F. d['e]priser; pref. des- (L. dis-) + prisier,
F. priser, to prize, praise. See {Praise}, and cf.
{Disprize}, {Depreciate}.]
To withdraw praise from; to notice with disapprobation or
some degree of censure; to disparage; to blame.
Dispraising the power of his adversaries. --Chaucer.
I dispraised him before the wicked, that the wicked
might not fall in love with him. --Shak.
Dispraise \Dis*praise"\, n. [Cf. OF. despris. See {Dispraise},
v. t.]
The act of dispraising; detraction; blame censure; reproach;
disparagement. --Dryden.
In praise and in dispraise the same. --Tennyson.
Dispraiser \Dis*prais"er\, n.
One who blames or dispraises.
Dispraisingly \Dis*praising*ly\, adv.
By way of dispraise.
Dispread \Dis*pread"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + spread.]
To spread abroad, or different ways; to spread apart; to
open; as, the sun dispreads his beams. --Spenser.
Dispread \Dis*pread"\, v. i.
To extend or expand itself. [R.]
While tyrant Heat, dispreading through the sky.
--Thomson.
Dispreader \Dis*pread"er\, n.
One who spreads abroad.
Dispreaders both of vice and error. --Milton.
Disprejudice \Dis*prej"u*dice\, v. t.
To free from prejudice. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Disprepare \Dis`pre*pare"\, v. t.
To render unprepared. [Obs.] --Hobbes.
Disprince \Dis*prince"\, v. t.
To make unlike a prince. [R.]
For I was drench'd with ooze, and torn with briers, . .
. And, all one rag, disprinced from head to heel.
--Tennyson.
Disprison \Dis*pris"on\, v. t.
To let loose from prison, to set at liberty. [R.] --Bulwer.
Disprivilege \Dis*priv"i*lege\, v. t.
To deprive of a privilege or privileges. [R.]
Disprize \Dis*prize"\, v. t. [Cf. {Dispraise}.]
To depreciate. [R.] --Cotton (Ode to Lydia).
Disprofess \Dis`pro*fess"\, v. t.
To renounce the profession or pursuit of.
His arms, which he had vowed to disprofess. --Spenser.
Disprofit \Dis*prof"it\, n.
Loss; damage. --Foxe.
Disprofit \Dis*prof"it\, v. i. & i.
To be, or to cause to be, without profit or benefit. [Obs. or
Archaic] --Bale.
Disprofitable \Dis*prof"it*a*ble\, a.
Unprofitable. [Obs.]
Disproof \Dis*proof"\, n. [Pref. dis- + proof. Cf. {Disprove}.]
A proving to be false or erroneous; confutation; refutation;
as, to offer evidence in disproof of a statement.
I need not offer anything farther in support of one, or
in disproof of the other. --Rogers.
Disproperty \Dis*prop"er*ty\, v. t.
To cause to be no longer property; to dispossess of. [R.]
--Shak.
Disproportion \Dis`pro*por"tion\, n. [Pref. dis- + proportion:
cf. F. disproportion.]
1. Want of proportion in form or quantity; lack of symmetry;
as, the arm may be in disproportion to the body; the
disproportion of the length of a building to its height.
2. Want of suitableness, adequacy, or due proportion to an
end or use; unsuitableness; disparity; as, the
disproportion of strength or means to an object.
Disproportion \Dis`pro*por"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disproportioned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disproportioning}.]
To make unsuitable in quantity, form, or fitness to an end;
to violate symmetry in; to mismatch; to join unfitly.
To shape my legs of an unequal size; To disproportion
me in every part. --Shak.
A degree of strength altogether disproportioned to the
extent of its territory. --Prescott.
Disproportionable \Dis`pro*por"tion*a*ble\, a.
Disproportional; unsuitable in form, size, quantity, or
adaptation; disproportionate; inadequate. --
{Dis`pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness}, n. --Hammond. --
{Dis`pro*por"tion*a*bly}, adv.
Disproportional \Dis`pro*por"tion*al\, a.
Not having due proportion to something else; not having
proportion or symmetry of parts; unsuitable in form, quantity
or value; inadequate; unequal; as, a disproportional limb
constitutes deformity in the body; the studies of youth
should not be disproportional to their understanding.
Disproportionality \Dis`pro*por`tion*al"i*ty\, n.
The state of being disproportional. --Dr. H. More.
Disproportionally \Dis`pro*por"tion*al*ly\, adv.
In a disproportional manner; unsuitably in form, quantity, or
value; unequally.
Disproportionate \Dis`pro*por"tion*ate\, a.
Not proportioned; unsymmetrical; unsuitable to something else
in bulk, form, value, or extent; out of proportion;
inadequate; as, in a perfect body none of the limbs are
disproportionate; it is wisdom not to undertake a work
disproportionate means. -- {Dis`pro*por"tion*ate*ly}, adv. --
{Dis`pro*por"tion*ate*ness}, n.
Dispropriate \Dis*pro"pri*ate\, v. t. [L. dis- + propriare to
appropriate, fr. proprius one's own, proper.]
To cancel the appropriation of; to disappropriate. [R.]
Disprovable \Dis*prov"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being disproved or refuted. --Boyle.
Disproval \Dis*prov"al\, n.
Act of disproving; disproof. [R.]
Disprove \Dis*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disproved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disproving}.] [Pref. dis- + prove: cf. OF.
desprover.]
1. To prove to be false or erroneous; to confute; to refute.
That false supposition I advanced in order to
disprove it. --Atterbury.
2. To disallow; to disapprove of. [Obs.] --Stirling.
Disprover \Dis*prov"er\, n.
One who disproves or confutes.
Disprovide \Dis`pro*vide"\, v. t.
Not to provide; to fail to provide. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Dispunct \Dis*punct"\, a.
Wanting in punctilious respect; discourteous. [Obs.]
That were dispunct to the ladies. --B. Jonson.
Dispunct \Dis*punct"\, v. t. [See 1st {Dispunge}.]
To expunge. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Dispunge \Dis*punge"\, v. t. [L. dispungere to prick apart, i.
e., check off the debts and credits of an account; dis- +
pungere to prick.]
To expunge; to erase. [Obs.]
Dispunge \Dis*punge"\, v. t.
See {Disponge}. [Obs.]
Dispunishable \Dis*pun"ish*a*ble\, a.
Without penal restraint; not punishable. [R.] --Swift.
Dispurpose \Dis*pur"pose\, v. t.
To dissuade; to frustrate; as, to dispurpose plots. [R.] --A.
Brewer.
Dispurse \Dis*purse"\, v. t.
To disburse. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dispurvey \Dis`pur*vey"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + purvey: cf. OF.
desporveoir, F. d['e]pourvoir.]
To disfurnish; to strip. [Obs.] --Heywood.
Dispurveyance \Dis`pur*vey"ance\, n.
Want of provisions; ?ack of food. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Disputable \Dis`pu*ta*ble\ (?; 277), a. [L. disputabilis: cf. F.
disputable. See {Dispute}, v. i.]
1. Capable of being disputed; liable to be called in
question, controverted, or contested; or doubtful
certainty or propriety; controvertible; as, disputable
opinions, propositions, points, or questions.
Actions, every one of which is very disputable.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. Disputatious; contentious. [Obs.] --Shak.
Disputableness \Dis`pu*ta*ble*ness\, n.
State of being disputable.
Disputacity \Dis`pu*tac"i*ty\, n. [See {Dispute}, v. i.]
Proneness to dispute. [Obs.] --Bp. Ward.
Disputant \Dis"pu*tant\, a. [L. disputants, p. pr. of disputare:
cf. F. disputant. See {Dispute}, v. i.]
Disputing; engaged in controversy. --Milton.
Disputant \Dis"pu*tant\, n.
One who disputes; one who argues ?? opposition to another;
one appointed to dispute; a controvertist; a reasoner in
opposition.
A singularly eager, acute, and pertinacious disputant.
--Macaulay.
Disputation \Dis`pu*ta"tion\, n. [OE. desputeson, disputacion,
OF. desputeison, F. disputation, fr. L. disputatio. See
{Dispute}, v. i.]
1. The act of disputing; a reasoning or argumentation in
opposition to something, or on opposite sides; controversy
in words; verbal contest respecting the truth of some
fact, opinion, proposition, or argument.
2. A rhetorical exercise in which parties reason in
opposition to each other on some question proposed.
Disputatious \Dis`pu*ta"tious\, a.
Inclined to dispute; apt to civil or controvert;
characterized by dispute; as, a disputatious person or
temper.
The Christian doctrine of a future life was no
recommendation of the new religion to the wits and
philosophers of that disputations period.
--Buckminster.
-- {Dis`pu*ta"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`pu*ta"tious*ness}, n.
Disputative \Dis*put"a*tive\, a. [L. disputativus.]
Disposed to dispute; inclined to cavil or to reason in
opposition; as, a disputative temper. --I. Watts.
Dispute \Dis*pute"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Disputed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disputing}.] [OE. desputen, disputen, OF. desputer,
disputer, F. disputer, from L. disputare, disputatum; dis- +
putare to clean; hence, fig., to clear up, set in order,
reckon, think. See {Putative}, {Pure}.]
To contend in argument; to argue against something
maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another; to discuss; to
reason; to debate; to altercate; to wrangle.
Therefore disputed [reasoned, --Rev. Ver.] he in
synagogue with the Jews. --Acts xvii.
17.
Dispute \Dis*pute"\, v. t.
1. To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to
discuss.
The rest I reserve it be disputed how the magistrate
is to do herein. --Milton.
2. To oppose by argument or assertion; to attempt to
overthrow; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition
to; to call in question; to deny the truth or validity of;
as, to dispute assertions or arguments.
To seize goods under the disputed authority of writs
of assistance. --Bancroft.
3. To strive or contend about; to contest.
To dispute the possession of the ground with the
Spaniards. --Prescott.
4. To struggle against; to resist. [Obs.]
Dispute it [grief] like a man. --Shak.
Syn: To controvert; contest; gainsay; doubt; question; argue;
debate; discuss; impugn. See {Argue}.
Dispute \Dis*pute"\, n. [Cf. F. dispute. See {Dispute}, v. i.]
1. Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or
expression of opposing views or claims; controversial
discussion; altercation; debate.
Addicted more To contemplation and profound dispute.
--Milton.
2. Contest; struggle; quarrel. --De Foe.
{Beyond dispute}, {Without dispute}, indisputably;
incontrovertibly.
Syn: Altercation; controversy; argumentation; debate;
discussion; quarrel; disagreement; difference;
contention; wrangling. See {Altercation}.
Disputeless \Dis*pute"less\, a.
Admitting no dispute; incontrovertible. --Bailey.
Disputer \Dis*put"er\, n.
One who disputes, or who is given to disputes; a
controvertist.
Where is the disputer of this world? --1 Cor. i.
20.
Disputison \Dis*pu"ti*son\, n. [See {Disputation}.]
Dispute; discussion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Disqualification \Dis*qual`i*fi*ca"tion\, n.
1. The act of disqualifying, or state of being disqualified;
want of qualification; incompetency; disability; as, the
disqualification of men for holding certain offices.
2. That which disqualifies; that which incapacitates or makes
unfit; as, conviction of crime is a disqualification of a
person for office; sickness is a disqualification for
labor.
I must still retain the consciousness of those
disqualifications which you have been pleased to
overlook. --Sir J.
Shore.
Disqualify \Dis*qual"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disqualified};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Disqualifying}.]
1. To deprive of the qualities or properties necessary for
any purpose; to render unfit; to incapacitate; -- with for
or from before the purpose, state, or act.
My common illness disqualifies me for all
conversation; I mean my deafness. --Swift.
Me are not disqualified by their engagements in
trade from being received in high society.
--Southey.
2. To deprive of some power, right, or privilege, by positive
restriction; to disable; to debar legally; as, a
conviction of perjury disqualifies a man to be a witness.
Disquantity \Dis*quan"ti*ty\, v. t.
To diminish the quantity of; to lessen. [Obs.] --Shak.
Disquiet \Dis*qui"et\, a.
Deprived of quiet; impatient; restless; uneasy. [R.] --Shak.
Disquiet \Dis*qui"et\, n.
Want of quiet; want of tranquility in body or mind;
uneasiness; restlessness; disturbance; anxiety. --Swift.
Disquiet \Dis*qui"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disquieted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disquieting}.]
To render unquiet; to deprive of peace, rest, or tranquility;
to make uneasy or restless; to disturb.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou
disquieted within me? --Ps. xlii.
11.
As quiet as these disquieted times will permit. --Sir
W. Scott.
Syn: To harass; disturb; vex; fret; excite; agitate.
Disquietal \Dis*qui"et*al\, n.
The act of disquieting; a state of disquiet. [Obs.]
[It] roars and strives 'gainst its disquietal. --Dr. H.
More.
Disquieter \Dis*qui"et*er\, n.
One who, or that which, disquiets, or makes uneasy; a
disturber.
Disquietful \Dis*qui"et*ful\, a.
Producing inquietude or uneasiness. [R.] --Barrow.
Disquietive \Dis*qui"et*ive\, a.
Tending to disquiet. [R.]
Disquietly \Dis*qui"et*ly\, adv.
In a disquiet manner; uneasily; as, he rested disquietly that
night. [R.] --Wiseman.
Disquietment \Dis*qui"et*ment\, n.
State of being disquieted; uneasiness; harassment. [R.]
--Hopkins.
Disquietness \Dis*qui"et*ness\, n.
Disturbance of quiet in body or mind; restlessness;
uneasiness. --Hooker.
Disquietous \Dis*qui"et*ous\, a.
Causing uneasiness. [R.]
So distasteful and disquietous to a number of men.
--Milton.
Disquiettude \Dis*qui"et*tude\, n.
Want of peace or tranquility; uneasiness; disturbance;
agitation; anxiety.
Fears and disquietude, and unavoidable anxieties of
mind. --Abp. Sharp.
Disquisition \Dis`qui*si"tion\, n. [L. disquisitio, fr.
disquirere to inquire diligently, investigate; dis- +
quaerere to seek. See {Quest}.]
A formal or systematic inquiry into, or discussion of, any
subject; a full examination or investigation of a matter,
with the arguments and facts bearing upon it; elaborate
essay; dissertation.
For accurate research or grave disquisition he was not
well qualified. --Macaulay.
Disquisitional \Dis`qui*si"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to disquisition; of the nature of disquisition.
Disquisitionary \Dis`qui*si"tion*a*ry\, a.
Pertaining to disquisition; disquisitional.
Disquisitive \Dis*quis"i*tive\, a.
Relating to disquisition; fond discussion or investigation;
examining; inquisitive.
Disquisitorial \Dis*quis`i*to"ri*al\, a.
Disquisitory.
Disquisitory \Dis*quis"i*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to disquisition; disquisitive. --Ed. Rev.
Disrange \Dis*range"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + range: cf. OF.
desrengier, F. d['e]rangier. See {Derange}, {Disrank}.]
To disarrange. [Obs.] --Wood.
Disrank \Dis*rank"\ (?; see {Dis-}), v. t. [Cf. {Derange}.]
1. To degrade from rank. [Obs.]
2. To throw out of rank or into confusion. --Decker.
Disrate \Dis*rate"\, v. t.
To reduce to a lower rating or rank; to degrade. --Marryat.
Disray \Dis*ray"\, variant
of {Disarray}. [Obs.] --Holland.
Disrealize \Dis*re"al*ize\, v. t.
To divest of reality; to make uncertain. [Obs.] --Udall.
Disregard \Dis`re*gard"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disregarded}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disregarding}.]
Not to regard; to pay no heed to; to omit to take notice of;
to neglect to observe; to slight as unworthy of regard or
notice; as, to disregard the admonitions of conscience.
Studious of good, man disregarded fame. --Blackmore.
Disregard \Dis`re*gard"\, n.
The act of disregarding, or the state of being disregarded;
intentional neglect; omission of notice; want of attention;
slight.
The disregard of experience. --Whewell.
Disregarder \Dis`re*gard"er\, n.
One who disregards.
Disregardful \Dis`re*gard"ful\, a.
Neglect; negligent; heedless; regardless.
Disregardfully \Dis`re*gard"ful*ly\, adv.
Negligently; heedlessly.
Disrelish \Dis*rel"ish\ (?; see {Dis-}), n.
1. Want of relish; dislike (of the palate or of the mind);
distaste; a slight degree of disgust; as, a disrelish for
some kinds of food.
Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme
disrelish to be told of their duty. --Burke.
2. Absence of relishing or palatable quality; bad taste;
nauseousness. --Milton.
Disrelish \Dis*rel"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disrelished}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Disrelishing}.]
1. Not to relish; to regard as unpalatable or offensive; to
feel a degree of disgust at. --Pope.
2. To deprive of relish; to make nauseous or disgusting in a
slight degree. --Milton.
Disremember \Dis`re*mem"ber\, v. t.
To fail to remember; to forget. [Obs. or Archaic]
Disrepair \Dis`re*pair"\, n.
A state of being in bad condition, and wanting repair.
The fortifications were ancient and in disrepair. --Sir
W. Scott.
Disreputability \Dis*rep`u*ta*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state of being disreputable. [R.]
Disreputable \Dis*rep"u*ta*ble\, a.
Not reputable; of bad repute; not in esteem; dishonorable;
disgracing the reputation; tending to bring into disesteem;
as, it is disreputable to associate familiarly with the mean,
the lewd, and the profane.
Why should you think that conduct disreputable in
priests which you probably consider as laudable in
yourself? --Bp. Watson.
Syn: Dishonorable; discreditable; low; mean; disgraceful;
shameful.
Disreputably \Dis*rep"u*ta*bly\, adv.
In a disreputable manner.
Disreputation \Dis*rep`u*ta"tion\, n.
Loss or want of reputation or good name; dishonor; disrepute;
disesteem. ``A disreputation of piety.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Disrepute \Dis`re*pute"\, n.
Loss or want of reputation; ill character; disesteem;
discredit.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century astrology
fell into general disrepute. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Disesteem; discredit; dishonor; disgrace.
Disrepute \Dis`re*pute"\, v. t.
To bring into disreputation; to hold in dishonor. [R.]
More inclined to love them tan to disrepute them.
--Jer. Taylor.
Disrespect \Dis`re*spect"\, n.
Want of respect or reverence; disesteem; incivility;
discourtesy.
Impatience of bearing the least affront or disrespect.
--Pope.
Disrespect \Dis`re*spect"\, v. t.
To show disrespect to.
We have disrespected and slighted God. --Comber.
Disrespectability \Dis`re*spect`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Want of respectability. --Thackeray.
Disrespectable \Dis`re*spect"a*ble\, a.
Not respectable; disreputable. --M. Arnold.
Disrespecter \Dis`re*spect"er\, n.
One who disrespects.
Disrespectful \Dis`re*spect"ful\, a.
Wanting in respect; manifesting disesteem or lack of respect;
uncivil; as, disrespectful behavior. --
{Dis`re*spect"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Dis`re*spect"ful*ness}, n.
Disrespective \Dis`re*spect"ive\, a.
Showing want of respect; disrespectful. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Disreverence \Dis*rev"er*ence\, v. t.
To treat irreverently or with disrespect. [Obs.] --Sir T.
More.
Disrobe \Dis*robe"\ (?; see {Dis-}), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Disrobed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disrobing}.]
To divest of a robe; to undress; figuratively, to strip of
covering; to divest of that which clothes or decorates; as,
autumn disrobes the fields of verdure.
Two great peers were disrobed of their glory. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Disrober \Dis*rob"er\, n.
One who, or that which, disrobes.
Disroof \Dis*roof"\, v. t.
To unroof. [R.] --Carlyle.
Disroot \Dis*root"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disrooted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disrooting}.]
To tear up the roots of, or by the roots; hence, to tear from
a foundation; to uproot.
A piece of ground disrooted from its situation by
subterraneous inundations. --Goldsmith.
Disrout \Dis*rout"\, v. i. [Cf. OF. desrouter, F. d['e]router.]
To put to rout. --Taylor (1630).
Disrudder \Dis*rud"der\, v. t.
To deprive of the rudder, as a ship.
Disrulily \Dis*ru"li*ly\, adv.
In a disorderly manner. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Disruly \Dis*ru"ly\, a.
Unruly; disorderly. [Obs.]
Disrupt \Dis*rupt"\, a. [L. disruptus, diruptus, p. p. of
disrumpere, to break or burst asunder; dis- + rumpere to
break, burst. See {Rupture}.]
Rent off; torn asunder; severed; disrupted.
Disrupt \Dis*rupt"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disrupted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disrupting}.]
To break asunder; to rend. --Thomson.
Disruption \Dis*rup"tion\, n. [L. disruptio, diruptio.]
The act or rending asunder, or the state of being rent
asunder or broken in pieces; breach; rent; dilaceration;
rupture; as, the disruption of rocks in an earthquake;
disruption of a state.
Disruptive \Dis*rupt"ive\, a.
Causing, or tending to cause, disruption; caused by
disruption; breaking through; bursting; as, the disruptive
discharge of an electrical battery. --Nichol.
Disrupture \Dis*rup"ture\, n.
Disruption. [R.] --Jefferson.
Dissatisfaction \Dis*sat`is*fac"tion\, n.
The state of being dissatisfied, unsatisfied, or
discontented; uneasiness proceeding from the want of
gratification, or from disappointed wishes and expectations.
The ambitious man has little happiness, but is subject
to much uneasiness and dissatisfaction. --Addison.
Syn: Discontent; discontentment; displeasure; disapprobation;
distaste; dislike.
Dissatisfactory \Dis*sat`is*fac"to*ry\, a.
Causing dissatisfaction; unable to give content;
unsatisfactory; displeasing.
To have reduced the different qualifications in the
different States to one uniform rule, would probably
have been as dissatisfactory to some of the States, as
difficult for the Convention. --A. Hamilton.
-- {Dis*sat`is*fac"to*ri*ness}, n.
Dissatisfy \Dis*sat"is*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissatisfied};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dissatisfying}.]
To render unsatisfied or discontented; to excite uneasiness
in by frustrating wishes or expectations; to displease by the
want of something requisite; as, to be dissatisfied with
one's fortune.
The dissatisfied factions of the autocracy. --Bancroft.
Disseat \Dis*seat"\, v. t.
To unseat. [R.] --Shak.
Dissect \Dis*sect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dissecting}.] [L. dissectus, p. p. of dissecare; dis-
+ secare to cut. See {Section}.]
1. (Anat.) To divide into separate parts; to cut in pieces;
to separate and expose the parts of, as an animal or a
plant, for examination and to show their structure and
relations; to anatomize.
2. To analyze, for the purposes of science or criticism; to
divide and examine minutely.
This paragraph . . . I have dissected for a sample.
--Atterbury.
Dissected \Dis*sect"ed\, a.
1. Cut into several parts; divided into sections; as, a
dissected map.
2. (Bot.) Cut deeply into many lobes or divisions; as, a
dissected leaf.
Dissectible \Dis*sect"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being dissected, or separated by dissection.
--Paley.
Dissecting \Dis*sect"ing\, a.
1. Dividing or separating the parts of an animal or vegetable
body; as, a dissecting aneurism, one which makes its way
between or within the coats of an artery.
2. Of or pertaining to, or received during, a dissection; as,
a dissecting wound.
3. Used for or in dissecting; as, a dissecting knife; a
dissecting microscope.
Dissection \Dis*sec"tion\, n. [Cf. F. dissection.]
1. The act of dissecting an animal or plant; as, dissection
of the human body was held sacrilege till the time of
Francis I.
2. Fig.: The act of separating or dividing for the purpose of
critical examination.
3. Anything dissected; especially, some part, or the whole,
of an animal or plant dissected so as to exhibit the
structure; an anatomical so prepared.
{Dissection wound}, a poisoned wound incurred during the
dissection of a dead body.
Dissector \Dis*sect"or\, n. [Cf. F. dissecteur.]
One who dissects; an anatomist.
Disseize \Dis*seize"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disseized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disseizing}.] [Pref. dis- + seize: cf. F. dessaisir.]
(Law)
To deprive of seizin or possession; to dispossess or oust
wrongfully (one in freehold possession of land); -- followed
by of; as, to disseize a tenant of his freehold. [Written
also {disseise}.]
Which savage beasts strive as eagerly to keep and hold
those golden mines, as the Arimaspians to disseize them
thereof. --Holland.
Disseizee \Dis`sei*zee"\, n. (Law)
A person disseized, or put out of possession of an estate
unlawfully; -- correlative to disseizor. [Written also
{disseisee}.]
Disseizin \Dis*sei"zin\, n. [OF. dessaisine.] (Law)
The act of disseizing; an unlawful dispossessing and ouster
of a person actually seized of the freehold. [Written also
{disseisin}.] --Blackstone.
Disseizor \Dis*sei"zor\, n. (Law)
One who wrongfully disseizes, or puts another out of
possession of a freehold. [Written also {disseisor}.]
--Blackstone.
Disseizoress \Dis*sei"zor*ess\, n. (Law)
A woman disseizes.
Disseizure \Dis*sei"zure\ (?; 135), n.
Disseizin. --Speed.
Dissemblance \Dis*sem"blance\, n. [Cf. F. dissemblance. See
{Dissemble}.]
Want of resemblance; dissimilitude. [R.] --Osborne.
Dissemblance \Dis*sem"blance\, n. [Dissemble + -ance.]
The act or art of dissembling; dissimulation. [Obs.]
Dissemble \Dis*sem"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissembled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dissembling}.] [OF. dissembler to be
dissimilar; pref. dis- (L. dis-) + F. sembler to seem, L.
simulare to simulate; cf. L. dissimulare to dissemble. See
{Simulate}, and cf. {Dissimulate}.]
1. To hide under a false semblance or seeming; to feign
(something) not to be what it really is; to put an untrue
appearance upon; to disguise; to mask.
Dissemble all your griefs and discontents. --Shak.
Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But --
why did you kick me down stairs? --J. P.
Kemble.
2. To put on the semblance of; to make pretense of; to
simulate; to feign.
He soon dissembled a sleep. --Tatler.
Syn: To conceal; disguise; cloak; cover; equivocate. See
{Conceal}.
Dissemble \Dis*sem"ble\, v. i.
To conceal the real fact, motives, ?tention, or sentiments,
under some pretense; to assume a false appearance; to act the
hypocrite.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. --Prov. xxvi.
24.
He [an enemy] dissembles when he assumes an air of
friendship. --C. J. Smith.
Dissembler \Dis*sem"bler\, n.
One who dissembles; one who conceals his opinions or
dispositions under a false appearance; a hypocrite.
It is the weakest sort of politicians that are the
greatest dissemblers. --Bacon.
Priests, princes, women, no dissemblers here. --Pope.
Syn: {Dissembler}, {Hypocrite}.
Usage: A person is called a dissembler with reference to his
concealment of his real character, and a hypocrite
with reference to his assumption of a false character.
But hypocrite is the stronger word, being commonly
used to characterize a person who is habitually
insincere and false, especially one who makes
professions of goodness when his aims are selfish and
his life corrupt.
Dissembling \Dis*sem"bling\, a.
That dissembles; hypocritical; false. -- {Dis*sem"bling*ly},
adv.
Disseminate \Dis*sem"i*nate\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Disseminated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disseminating}.] [L.
disseminatus, p. p. of disseminare to disseminate; dis- +
seminare to sow, semen seed. See {Seminary}.]
1. To sow broadcast or as seed; to scatter for growth and
propagation, like seed; to spread abroad; to diffuse; as,
principles, ideas, opinions, and errors are disseminated
when they are spread abroad for propagation.
2. To spread or extend by dispersion.
A nearly uniform and constant fire or heat
disseminated throughout the body of the earth.
--Woodward.
Syn: To spread; diffuse; propagate; circulate; disperse;
scatter.
Disseminated \Dis*sem"i*na`ted\, p. a. (Min.)
Occurring in small portions scattered through some other
substance.
Dissemination \Dis*sem`i*na"tion\, n. [L. disseminatio: cf. F.
diss['e]mination.]
The act of disseminating, or the state of being disseminated;
diffusion for propagation and permanence; a scattering or
spreading abroad, as of ideas, beliefs, etc.
The universal dissemination of those writings.
--Wayland.
Disseminative \Dis*sem"i*na*tive\, a.
Tending to disseminate, or to become disseminated.
The effect of heresy is, like the plague, infectious
and disseminative. --Jer. Taylor.
Disseminator \Dis*sem"i*na`tor\, n. [L.]
One who, or that which, disseminates, spreads, or propagates;
as, disseminators of disease.
Dissension \Dis*sen"sion\, n. [L. dissensio: cf. F. dissension.
See {Dissent}.]
Disagreement in opinion, usually of a violent character,
producing warm debates or angry words; contention in words;
partisan and contentious divisions; breach of friendship and
union; strife; discord; quarrel.
Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
disputation with them. --Acts xv. 2.
Debates, dissension, uproars are thy joy. --Dryden.
A seditious person and raiser-up of dissension among
the people. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Dissensious \Dis*sen"sious\, a.
Disposed to discord; contentious; dissentious. [R.] --Ascham.
-- {Dis*sen"sious*ly}, adv. --Chapman.
Dissent \Dis*sent"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dissented}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dissenting}.] [L. dissentire, dissentum; dis- +
sentire to feel, think. See {Sense}.]
1. To differ in opinion; to be of unlike or contrary
sentiment; to disagree; -- followed by from.
The bill passed . . . without a dissenting voice.
--Hallam.
Opinions in which multitudes of men dissent from us.
--Addison.
2. (Eccl.) To differ from an established church in regard to
doctrines, rites, or government.
3. To differ; to be of a contrary nature. --Hooker.
Dissent \Dis*sent"\, n.
1. The act of dissenting; difference of opinion; refusal to
adopt something proposed; nonagreement, nonconcurrence, or
disagreement.
The dissent of no small number [of peers] is
frequently recorded. --Hallam.
2. (Eccl.) Separation from an established church, especially
that of England; nonconformity.
It is the dissidence of dissent and the
protestantism of the Protestant religion. --Burke.
3. Contrariety of nature; diversity in quality. [Obs.]
The dissent of the metals. --Bacon.
Syn: Disagreement; variance; difference; nonconcurrence;
nonconformity.
Dissentaneous \Dis`sen*ta"ne*ous\, a. [L. dissentaneus.]
Disagreeing; contrary; differing; -- opposed to
{consentaneous}. [R.] --Barrow.
Dissentany \Dis"sen*ta*ny\, a.
Dissentaneous; inconsistent. [Obs.] --Milton.
Dissentation \Dis`sen*ta"tion\, n.
Dissension. [Obs.] --W. Browne.
Dissenter \Dis*sent"er\, n.
1. One who dissents; one who differs in opinion, or declares
his disagreement.
2. (Eccl.) One who separates from the service and worship of
an established church; especially, one who disputes the
authority or tenets of the Church of England; a
nonconformist.
Dissenters from the establishment of their several
countries. --Burke.
Robert Brown is said to have the first formal
dissenter. --Shipley.
Note: ``The word is commonly applied only to Protestants. The
Roman Catholics are generally referred to as a distinct
class.'' --Brande & C.
Dissenterism \Dis*sent"er*ism\, n.
The spirit or principles of dissenters. --Ed. Rev.
Dissentiate \Dis*sen"ti*ate\, v. t.
To throw into a state of dissent. [R.] --Feltham.
Dissentient \Dis*sen"tient\, a. [L. dissentiens, p. pr. of
dissentire. See {Dissent}, v. i.]
Disagreeing; declaring dissent; dissenting. -- n. One who
dissents. --Macaulay.
Dissentious \Dis*sen"tious\, a.
Marked by dissensions; apt to breed discord; quarrelsome;
contentious; factious. -- {Dis*sen"tious*ly}, adv.
Dissentive \Dis*sent"ive\, a.
Disagreeing; inconsistent. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Dissepiment \Dis*sep"i*ment\, n. [L. dissaepimentum, fr.
dissaepire; dis- + saepire to hedge in, inclose.]
1. A separating tissue; a partition; a septum.
2. (Bot.) One of the partitions which divide a compound ovary
into cells.
3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the transverse, calcareous partitions
between the radiating septa of a coral.
Dissert \Dis*sert"\, v. i. [L. dissertus, p. p. of disserere;
dis- + serere to join, connect: cf. F. disserter. See
{Series}.]
To discourse or dispute; to discuss. [R.]
We have disserted upon it a little longer than was
necessary. --Jeffrey.
Dissertate \Dis"ser*tate\, v. i. [L. dissertatus, p. p. of
dissertare to discuss, intents, fr. disserere. See
{Dissert}.]
To deal in dissertation; to write dissertations; to
discourse. [R.] --J. Foster.
Dissertation \Dis`ser*ta"tion\, n. [L. dissertatio: cf. F.
dissertation.]
A formal or elaborate argumentative discourse, oral or
written; a disquisition; an essay; a discussion; as,
Dissertations on the Prophecies.
Dissertational \Dis`ser*ta"tion*al\, a.
Relating to dissertations; resembling a dissertation.
Dissertationist \Dis`ser*ta"tion*ist\, n.
A writer of dissertations.
Dissertator \Dis"ser*ta`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. dissertateur.]
One who writers a dissertation; one who discourses. --Boyle.
Dissertly \Dis*sert"ly\, adv.
See {Disertly}. [Obs.]
Disserve \Dis*serve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Di?????}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disserving}.] [Pref. dis- + serve: cf. F. desservir.]
To fail to serve; to do injury or mischief to; to damage; to
hurt; to harm.
Have neither served nor disserved the interests of any
party. --Jer. Taylor.
Disservice \Dis*serv"ice\, n. [Pref. dis- + service: cf. F.
desservice.]
Injury; mischief.
We shall rather perform good offices unto truth than
any disservice unto their relators. --Sir T.
Browne.
Disserviceable \Dis*serv"ice*a*ble\, a.
Calculated to do disservice or harm; not serviceable;
injurious; harmful; unserviceable. --Shaftesbury. --
{Dis*serv"ice*a*ble*ness}, n. --Norris. --
{Dis*serv"ice*a*bly}, adv.
Dissettle \Dis*set"tle\, v. t.
To unsettle. [Obs.]
Dissettlement \Dis*set"tle*ment\, n.
The act of unsettling, or the state of being unsettled.
--Marvell.
Dissever \Dis*sev"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissevered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dissevering}.] [OE. dessevrer; pref. des- (L. dis-)
+ sevrer to sever, F. sevrer to wean, L. separate to
separate. In this word the prefix is intensive. See {Dis-},
and {Sever}.]
To part in two; to sever thoroughly; to sunder; to disunite;
to separate; to disperse.
The storm so dissevered the company . . . that most of
therm never met again. --Sir P.
Sidney.
States disserved, discordant, belligerent. --D.
Webster.
Dissever \Dis*sev"er\, v. i.
To part; to separate. --Chaucer.
Disseverance \Dis*sev"er*ance\, n. [OF. dessevrance.]
The act of disserving; separation.
Disseveration \Dis*sev`er*a"tion\, n.
The act of disserving; disseverance. [Obs.]
Disseverment \Dis*sev"er*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. dessevrement.]
Disseverance. --Sir W. Scott.
Disshadow \Dis*shad"ow\, v. t.
To free from shadow or shade. [Obs.] --G. Fletcher.
Dissheathe \Dis*sheathe"\, v. i.
To become unsheathed. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Disship \Dis*ship"\, v. t.
To dismiss from service on board ship. [Obs.] --Hakluyt.
Disshiver \Dis*shiv"er\, v. t. & i.
To shiver or break in pieces. [Obs.]
Dissidence \Dis"si*dence\, n. [L. dissidentia: cf. F.
dissidence. See {Dissident}, a.]
Disagreement; dissent; separation from the established
religion. --I. Taylor.
It is the dissidence of dissent. --Burke.
Dissident \Dis"si*dent\, a. [L. dissidens, -entis, p. pr. of
dissidere to sit apart, to disagree; dis- + sedere to sit:
cf. F. dissident. See {Sit}.]
No agreeing; dissenting; discordant; different.
Our life and manners be dissident from theirs.
--Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
Dissident \Dis"si*dent\, n. (Eccl.)
One who disagrees or dissents; one who separates from the
established religion.
The dissident, habituated and taught to think of his
dissidenc? as a laudable and necessary opposition to
ecclesiastical usurpation. --I. Taylor.
Dissidently \Dis"si*dent*ly\, adv.
In a dissident manner.
Dissilience \Dis*sil"i*ence\ (?; 106), Dissiliency
\Dis*sil"i*en*cy\, n.
The act of leaping or starting asunder. --Johnson.
Dissilient \Dis*sil"i*ent\, a. [L. dissiliens, -entis, p. pr. of
dissilire to leap asunder: dis- + salire to leap.]
Starting asunder; bursting and opening with an elastic force;
dehiscing explosively; as, a dissilient pericarp.
Dissilition \Dis`si*li"tion\, n.
The act of bursting or springing apart. [R.] --Boyle.
Dissimilar \Dis*sim"i*lar\, a. [Pref. dis- + similar: cf. F.
dissimilaire.]
Not similar; unlike; heterogeneous; as, the tempers of men
are as dissimilar as their features.
This part very dissimilar to any other. --Boyle.
Dissimilarity \Dis*sim`i*lar"i*ty\, n.
Want of resemblance; unlikeness; dissimilitude; variety; as,
the dissimilarity of human faces and forms. --Sir W. Jones.
Dissimilarly \Dis*sim"i*lar*ly\, adv.
In a dissimilar manner; in a varied style.
With verdant shrubs dissimilarly gay. --C. Smart.
Dissimilate \Dis*sim"i*late\, v. t.
To render dissimilar.
Dissimilation \Dis*sim`i*la"tion\, n.
The act of making dissimilar. --H. Sweet.
Dissimile \Dis*sim"i*le\, n. [L. dissimile, neut. ?? dissimilis
unlike.] (Rhet.)
Comparison or illustration by contraries.
Dissimilitude \Dis`si*mil"i*tude\, n. [L. dissimilitudo, fr.
dissimilis: cf. F. dissimilitude.]
1. Want of resemblance; unlikeness; dissimilarity.
Dissimilitude between the Divinity and images.
--Stillingfleet.
2. (Rhet.) A comparison by contrast; a dissimile.
Dissimulate \Dis*sim"u*late\, a. [L. dissimulatus, p. p. of
dissimulare. See {Dissemble}.]
Feigning; simulating; pretending. [Obs.] --Henryson.
Dissimulate \Dis*sim"u*late\, v. i.
To dissemble; to feign; to pretend.
Dissimulation \Dis*sim`u*la"tion\, n. [L. dissimulatio: cf. F.
dissimulation.]
The act of dissembling; a hiding under a false appearance;
concealment by feigning; false pretension; hypocrisy.
Let love be without dissimulation. --Rom. xii. 9.
Dissimulation . . . when a man lets fall signs and
arguments that he is not that he is. --Bacon.
Simulation is a pretense of what is not, and
dissimulation a concealment of what is. --Tatler.
Dissimulator \Dis*sim"u*la`tor\, n. [L.]
One who dissimulates; a dissembler.
Dissimule \Dis*sim"ule\, v. t. & i. [F. dissimuler. See
{Dissimulate}.]
To dissemble. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dissimuler \Dis*sim"u*ler\, n.
A dissembler. [Obs.]
Dissimulour \Dis*sim"u*lour\, n. [OF. dissimuleur.]
A dissembler. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dissipable \Dis"si*pa*ble\, a. [L. dissipabilis.]
Capable of being scattered or dissipated. [R.]
The heat of those plants is very dissipable. --Bacon.
Dissipate \Dis"si*pate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissipated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dissipating}.] [L. dissipatus, p. p. of
dissipare; dis- + an obsolete verb sipare, supare. to throw.]
1. To scatter completely; to disperse and cause to disappear;
-- used esp. of the dispersion of things that can never
again be collected or restored.
Dissipated those foggy mists of error. --Selden.
I soon dissipated his fears. --Cook.
The extreme tendency of civilization is to dissipate
all intellectual energy. --Hazlitt.
2. To destroy by wasteful extravagance or lavish use; to
squander.
The vast wealth . . . was in three years dissipated.
--Bp. Burnet.
Syn: To disperse; scatter; dispel; spend; squander; waste;
consume; lavish.
Dissipate \Dis"si*pate\, v. i.
1. To separate into parts and disappear; to waste away; to
scatter; to disperse; to vanish; as, a fog or cloud
gradually dissipates before the rays or heat of the sun;
the heat of a body dissipates.
2. To be extravagant, wasteful, or dissolute in the pursuit
of pleasure; to engage in dissipation.
Dissipated \Dis"si*pa`ted\, a.
1. Squandered; scattered. ``Dissipated wealth.'' --Johnson.
2. Wasteful of health, money, etc., in the pursuit of
pleasure; dissolute; intemperate.
A life irregular and dissipated. --Johnson.
Dissipation \Dis`si*pa"tion\, n. [L. dissipatio: cf. F.
dissipation.]
1. The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of
dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste.
Without loss or dissipation of the matter. --Bacon.
The famous dissipation of mankind. --Sir M. Hale.
2. A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc.,
are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in
vicious indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.;
dissoluteness.
To reclaim the spendthrift from his dissipation and
extravagance. --P. Henry.
3. A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention.
Prevented from finishing them [the letters] a
thousand avocations and dissipations. --Swift.
{Dissipation of energy}. Same as {Degradation of energy},
under {Degradation}.
Dissipative \Dis"si*pa*tive\, a.
Tending to dissipate.
{Dissipative system} (Mech.), an assumed system of matter and
motions in which forces of friction and resistances of
other kinds are introduced without regard to the heat or
other molecular actions which they generate; -- opposed to
{conservative system}.
Dissipativity \Dis`si*pa*tiv"i*ty\, n.
The rate at which palpable energy is dissipated away into
other forms of energy.
Dissite \Dis"site\, a. [L. dissitus.]
Lying apart. [Obs.]
Lands far dissite and remote asunder. --Holland.
Disslander \Dis*slan"der\, v. t. [Pref. dis- (intens.) +
slander.]
To slander. [Obs.] --Legend of Dido.
Disslander \Dis*slan"der\, n.
Slander. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Disslanderous \Dis*slan"der*ous\, a.
Slanderous. [Obs.]
Dissociability \Dis*so`cia*bil"i*ty\, n.
Want of sociability; unsociableness. --Bp. Warburton.
Dissociable \Dis*so"cia*ble\, a. [L. dissociabilis, fr.
issociare: cf. F. dissociable. See {Dissociate}.]
1. Not ?ell associated or assorted; incongruous.
They came in two and two, though matched in the most
dissociable manner. --Spectator.
2. Having a tendency to dissolve social connections;
unsuitable to society; unsociable.
Dissocial \Dis*so"cial\, a. [Pref. dis- + social: cf. L.
dissocialis. See {Dissociate}, v. t.]
Unfriendly to society; contracted; selfish; as, dissocial
feelings.
Dissocialize \Dis*so"cial*ize\, v. t.
To render unsocial.
Dissociate \Dis*so"ci*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissociated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Dissociating}.] [L. dissociatus, p. p. of
dissociare to dissociate; dis- + sociare to unite, associate,
socius companion. See {Social}.]
To separate from fellowship or union; to disunite; to
disjoin; as, to dissociate the particles of a concrete
substance.
Before Wyclif's death in 1384, John of Gaunt had openly
dissociated himself from the reformer. --A. W. Ward.
Dissociation \Dis*so`ci*a"tion\ (?; 106), n. [L. dissociatio:
cf. F. dissociation.]
1. The act of dissociating or disuniting; a state of
separation; disunion.
It will add infinitely dissociation, distraction,
and confusion of these confederate republics.
--Burke.
2. (Chem.) The process by which a compound body breaks up
into simpler constituents; -- said particularly of the
action of heat on gaseous or volatile substances; as, the
dissociation of the sulphur molecules; the dissociation of
ammonium chloride into hydrochloric acid and ammonia.
Dissociative \Dis*so"ci*a*tive\, a.
Tending or leading to dissociation.
Dissolubility \Dis`so*lu*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being dissoluble; capacity of being
dissoluble; capacity of being dissolved by heat or moisture,
and converted into a fluid.
Dissoluble \Dis"so*lu*ble\, a. [L. dissolubilis: cf. F.
dissoluble. See {Dissolve}, and cf. {Dissolvable}.]
1. Capable of being dissolved; having its parts separable by
heat or moisture; convertible into a fluid. --Woodward.
2. Capable of being disunited.
Dissolubleness \Dis"so*lu*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being dissoluble; dissolubility. --Boyle.
Dissolute \Dis"so*lute\, a. [L. dissolutus, p. p. of dissolvere:
cf. F. dissolu. See {Dissolve}.]
1. With nerves unstrung; weak. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Loosed from restraint; esp., loose in morals and conduct;
recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; profligate;
wanton; lewd; debauched. ``A wild and dissolute soldier.''
--Motley.
Syn: Uncurbed; unbridled; disorderly; unrestrained; reckless;
wild; wanton; vicious; lax; licentious; lewd; rakish;
debauched; profligate.
Dissolutely \Dis"so*lute*ly\, adv.
In a dissolute manner.
Dissoluteness \Dis"so*lute*ness\, n.
State or quality of being dissolute; looseness of morals and
manners; addictedness to sinful pleasures; debauchery;
dissipation.
Chivalry had the vices of dissoluteness. --Bancroft.
Dissolution \Dis`so*lu"tion\, n. [OE. dissolucioun
dissoluteness, F. dissolution, fr. L. dissolutio, fr.
dissolvere. See {Dissolve}.]
1. The act of dissolving, sundering, or separating into
component parts; separation.
Dissolutions of ancient amities. --Shak.
2. Change from a solid to a fluid state; solution by heat or
moisture; liquefaction; melting.
3. Change of form by chemical agency; decomposition;
resolution.
The dissolution of the compound. --South.
4. The dispersion of an assembly by terminating its sessions;
the breaking up of a partnership.
Dissolution is the civil death of Parliament.
--Blackstone.
5. The extinction of life in the human body; separation of
the soul from the body; death.
We expected Immediate dissolution. --Milton.
6. The state of being dissolved, or of undergoing
liquefaction.
A man of continual dissolution and thaw. --Shak.
7. The new product formed by dissolving a body; a solution.
--Bacon.
8. Destruction of anything by the separation of its parts;
ruin.
To make a present dissolution of the world.
--Hooker.
9. Corruption of morals; dissipation; dissoluteness. [Obs. or
R.] --Atterbury.
Dissolvability \Dis*solv`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capacity of being dissolved; solubility. --Richardson.
Dissolvable \Dis*solv"a*ble\, a. [From {Dissolve}, cf.
{Dissoluble}.]
Capable of being dissolved, or separated into component
parts; capable of being liquefied; soluble. --
{Dis*solv"a*ble*ness}, n.
Though everything which is compacted be in its own
nature dissolvable. --Cudworth.
Such things as are not dissolvable by the moisture of
the tongue. --Sir I.
Newton.
Dissolvative \Dis*solv"a*tive\, n.
Having the power to dissolve anything; solvent. [Obs.]
--Frampton.
Dissolve \Dis*solve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissolved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dissolving}.] [L. dissolvere, dissolutum; dis- +
solvere to loose, free. See {Solve}, and cf. {Dissolute}.]
1. To separate into competent parts; to disorganize; to break
up; hence, to bring to an end by separating the parts,
sundering a relation, etc.; to terminate; to destroy; to
deprive of force; as, to dissolve a partnership; to
dissolve Parliament.
Lest his ungoverned rage dissolve the life. --Shak.
2. To break the continuity of; to disconnect; to disunite; to
sunder; to loosen; to undo; to separate.
Nothing can dissolve us. --Shak.
Down fell the duke, his joints dissolved asunder.
--Fairfax.
For one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another. --The
Declaration of
Independence.
3. To convert into a liquid by means of heat, moisture,
etc.,; to melt; to liquefy; to soften.
As if the world were all dissolved to tears. --Shak.
4. To solve; to clear up; to resolve. ``Dissolved the
mystery.'' --Tennyson.
Make interpretations and dissolve doubts. --Dan. v.
16.
5. To relax by pleasure; to make powerless.
Angels dissolved in hallelujahs lie. --Dryden.
6. (Law) To annul; to rescind; to discharge or release; as,
to dissolve an injunction.
Syn: See {Adjourn}.
Dissolve \Dis*solve"\, v. i.
1. To waste away; to be dissipated; to be decomposed or
broken up.
2. To become fluid; to be melted; to be liquefied.
A figure Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat
Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form. --Shak.
3. To fade away; to fall to nothing; to lose power.
The charm dissolves apace. --Shak.
Dissolvent \Dis*solv"ent\, a. [L. dissolvens, -entis, p. pr. of
dissolvere.]
Having power to dissolve power to dissolve a solid body; as,
the dissolvent juices of the stomach. --Ray.
Dissolvent \Dis*solv"ent\, n.
1. That which has the power of dissolving or melting other
substances, esp. by mixture with them; a menstruum; a
solvent.
Melted in the crucible dissolvents. --A. Smith.
The secret treaty of December acted as an immediate
dissolvent to the truce. --Mothley.
2. (Med.) A remedy supposed capable of dissolving concretions
in the body, such as calculi, tubercles, etc.
Dissolver \Dis*solv"er\, n.
One who, or that which, has power to dissolve or dissipate.
Thou kind dissolver of encroaching care. --Otway.
Dissolving \Dis*solv"ing\, a.
Melting; breaking up; vanishing. -- {Dis*solv"ing*ly}, adv.
{Dissolving view}, a picture which grows dim and is gradually
replaced by another on the same field; -- an effect
produced by magic lanterns.
Dissonance \Dis"so*nance\, n. [L. dissonantia: cf. F.
dissonance.]
1. A mingling of discordant sounds; an inharmonious
combination of sounds; discord.
Filled the air with barbarous dissonance. --Milton.
2. Want of agreement; incongruity. --Milton.
Dissonancy \Dis"so*nan*cy\, n.
Discord; dissonance.
Dissonant \Dis"so*nant\, a. [L. dissonans, -antis, p. pr. of
dissonare to disagree in sound, be discordant; dis- + sonare
to sound: cf. F. dissonant. See {Sonant}.]
1. Sounding harshly; discordant; unharmonious.
With clamor of voices dissonant and loud.
--Longfellow.
2. Disagreeing; incongruous; discrepant, -- with from or to.
``Anything dissonant to truth.'' --South.
What can be dissonant from reason and nature than
that a man, naturally inclined to clemency, should
show himself unkind and inhuman? --Hakewill.
Disspirit \Dis*spir"it\, v. t.
See {Dispirit}.
Dissuade \Dis*suade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissuaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dissuading}.] [L. dissuadere, dissuasum; dis- +
suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. dissuader. See
{Suasion}.]
1. To advise or exhort against; to try to persuade (one from
a course). [Obsolescent]
Mr. Burchell, on the contrary, dissuaded her with
great ardor: and I stood neuter. --Goldsmith.
War, therefore, open or concealed, alike My voice
dissuades. --Milton.
2. To divert by persuasion; to turn from a purpose by reasons
or motives; -- with from; as, I could not dissuade him
from his purpose.
I have tried what is possible to dissuade him.
--Mad. D'
Arblay.
Dissuader \Dis*suad"er\, n.
One who dissuades; a dehorter.
Dissuasion \Dis*sua"sion\, n. [L. dissuasio: cf. F. dissuasion.
See {Dissuade}.]
1. The act of dissuading; exhortation against a thing;
dehortation.
In spite of all the dissuasions of his friends.
--Boyle.
2. A motive or consideration tending to dissuade; a
dissuasive.
Dissuasive \Dis*sua"sive\, a.
Tending to dissuade or divert from a measure or purpose;
dehortatory; as, dissuasive advice. -- n. A dissuasive
argument or counsel; dissuasion; dehortation. --Prynne. --
{Dis*sua"sive*ly}, adv.
Dissuasory \Dis*sua"so*ry\, n.
A dissuasive. [R.]
This virtuous and reasonable person, however, has ill
luck in all his dissuasories. --Jeffrey.
Dissunder \Dis*sun"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dissundered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dissundering}.] [Pref. dis- (intens) + sunder.]
To separate; to sunder; to destroy. [R.] --Chapman.
Dissweeten \Dis*sweet"en\, v. t.
To deprive of sweetness. [R.] --Bp. Richardson.
Dissyllabic \Dis`syl*lab"ic\ (d[i^]s`s[i^]l*l[a^]b"[i^]k), a.
[Cf. F. dissyllabique. See {Dissylable}.]
Consisting of two syllables only; as, a dissyllabic foot in
poetry. --B. Jonson.
Dissyllabification \Dis`syl*lab`i*fi*ca"tion\, n.
A forming into two syllables.
Dissyllabify \Dis`syl*lab"i*fy\, v. t. [Dissyllable + -fly.]
To form into two syllables. --Ogilvie.
Dissyllabize \Dis*syl"la*bize\, v. t.
To form into two syllables; to dissyllabify.
Dissyllable \Dis*syl"la*ble\ (?; 277), n. [F. dissyllabe, L.
disyllabus, adj., of two syllables, fr. Gr. ?; di- = di`s-
twice + ? syllable. See {Syllable}.]
A word of two syllables; as, pa-per.
Dissymmetrical \Dis`sym*met"ric*al\, a.
Not having symmetry; asymmetrical; unsymmetrical.
Dissymmetry \Dis*sym"me*try\, n. [Pref. dis- + symmetry.]
Absence or defect of symmetry; asymmetry.
Dissympathy \Dis*sym"pa*thy\, n.
Lack of sympathy; want of interest; indifference. [R.]
Distad \Dis"tad\, adv. [Distal + L. ad toward.] (Anat.)
Toward a distal part; on the distal side of; distally.
Distaff \Dis"taff\, n.; pl. {Distaffs}, rarely {Distaves}. [OE.
distaf, dysestafe, AS. distaef; cf. LG. diesse the bunch of
flax on a distaff, and E. dizen. See {Staff}.]
1. The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from
which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
I will the distaff hold; come thou and spin.
--Fairfax.
2. Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a
woman; women, collectively.
His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne.
--Dryden.
Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too
busy. --Howell.
Note: The plural is regular, but Distaves occurs in Beaumont
& Fletcher.
{Descent by distaff}, descent on the mother's side.
{Distaff Day}, or {Distaff's Day}, the morrow of the
Epiphany, that is, January 7, because working at the
distaff was then resumed, after the Christmas festival; --
called also {Rock Day}, a distaff being called a rock.
--Shipley.
Distain \Dis*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distained}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distaining}.] [OE. desteinen, OF. desteindre to take
away the color, F. d['e]teindre; pref. des- (L. dis-) + F.
teindre to tinge, dye, L. tingere. See {Tinge}, and cf.
{Stain}.]
To tinge with a different color from the natural or proper
one; to stain; to discolor; to sully; to tarnish; to defile;
-- used chiefly in poetry. ``Distained with dirt and blood.''
--Spenser.
[She] hath . . . distained her honorable blood.
--Spenser.
The worthiness of praise distains his worth. --Shak.
Distal \Dis"tal\, a. [From {Distant}.] (Physiol.)
(a) Remote from the point of attachment or origin; as, the
distal end of a bone or muscle; -- opposed to {proximal}.
(b) Pertaining to that which is distal; as, the distal
tuberosities of a bone.
Distally \Dis"tal*ly\, adv. (Anat.)
Toward a distal part.
Distance \Dis"tance\, n. [F. distance, L. distantia.]
1. The space between two objects; the length of a line,
especially the shortest line joining two points or things
that are separate; measure of separation in place.
Every particle attracts every other with a force . .
. inversely proportioned to the square of the
distance. --Sir I.
Newton.
2. Remoteness of place; a remote place.
Easily managed from a distance. --W. Irving.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view. --T.
Campbell.
[He] waits at distance till he hears from Cato.
--Addison.
3. (Racing) A space marked out in the last part of a race
course.
The horse that ran the whole field out of distance.
--L'Estrange.
Note: In trotting matches under the rules of the American
Association, the distance varies with the conditions of
the race, being 80 yards in races of mile heats, best
two in three, and 150 yards in races of two-mile heats.
At that distance from the winning post is placed the
distance post. If any horse has not reached this
distance post before the first horse in that heat has
reached the winning post, such horse is distanced, and
disqualified for running again during that race.
4. (Mil.) Relative space, between troops in ranks, measured
from front to rear; -- contrasted with {interval}, which
is measured from right to left. ``Distance between
companies in close column is twelve yards.'' --Farrow.
5. Space between two antagonists in fencing. --Shak.
6. (Painting) The part of a picture which contains the
representation of those objects which are the farthest
away, esp. in a landscape.
Note: In a picture, the
{Middle distance} is the central portion between the
foreground and the distance or the extreme distance. In a
perspective drawing, the
{Point of distance} is the point where the visual rays meet.
7. Ideal disjunction; discrepancy; contrariety. --Locke.
8. Length or interval of time; period, past or future,
between two eras or events.
Ten years' distance between one and the other.
--Prior.
The writings of Euclid at the distance of two
thousand years. --Playfair.
9. The remoteness or reserve which respect requires; hence,
respect; ceremoniousness.
I hope your modesty Will know what distance to the
crown is due. --Dryden.
'T is by respect and distance that authority is
upheld. --Atterbury.
10. A withholding of intimacy; alienation; coldness;
disagreement; variance; restraint; reserve.
Setting them [factions] at distance, or at least
distrust amongst themselves. --Bacon.
On the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and
distaste. --Milton.
11. Remoteness in succession or relation; as, the distance
between a descendant and his ancestor.
12. (Mus.) The interval between two notes; as, the distance
of a fourth or seventh.
{Angular distance}, the distance made at the eye by lines
drawn from the eye to two objects.
{Lunar distance}. See under {Lunar}.
{North polar distance} (Astron.), the distance on the heavens
of a heavenly body from the north pole. It is the
complement of the declination.
{Zenith distance} (Astron.), the arc on the heavens from a
heavenly body to the zenith of the observer. It is the
complement of the altitude.
{To keep one's distance}, to stand aloof; to refrain from
familiarity.
If a man makes keep my distance, the comfort is he
keeps his at the same time. --Swift.
Distance \Dis"tance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distanced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distancing}.]
1. To place at a distance or remotely.
I heard nothing thereof at Oxford, being then miles
distanced thence. --Fuller.
2. To cause to appear as if at a distance; to make seem
remote.
His peculiar art of distancing an object to
aggrandize his space. --H. Miller.
3. To outstrip by as much as a distance (see {Distance}, n.,
3); to leave far behind; to surpass greatly.
He distanced the most skillful of his
contemporaries. --Milner.
Distancy \Dis"tan*cy\, n.
Distance. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Distant \Dis"tant\, a. [F., fr. L. distans, -antis, p. pr. of
distare to stand apart, be separate or distant; dis- + stare
to stand. See {Stand}.]
1. Separated; having an intervening space; at a distance;
away.
One board had two tenons, equally distant. --Ex.
xxxvi. 22.
Diana's temple is not distant far. --Shak.
2. Far separated; far off; not near; remote; -- in place,
time, consanguinity, or connection; as, distant times;
distant relatives.
The success of these distant enterprises.
--Prescott.
3. Reserved or repelling in manners; cold; not cordial;
somewhat haughty; as, a distant manner.
He passed me with a distant bow. --Goldsmith.
4. Indistinct; faint; obscure, as from distance.
Some distant knowledge. --Shak.
A distant glimpse. --W. Irving.
5. Not conformable; discrepant; repugnant; as, a practice so
widely distant from Christianity.
Syn: Separate; far; remote; aloof; apart; asunder; slight;
faint; indirect; indistinct.
Distantial \Dis*tan"tial\, a.
Distant. [Obs.]
More distantial from the eye. --W. Montagu.
Distantly \Dis"tant*ly\, adv.
At a distance; remotely; with reserve.
Distaste \Dis*taste"\, n.
1. Aversion of the taste; dislike, as of food or drink;
disrelish. --Bacon.
2. Discomfort; uneasiness.
Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes,
and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
--Bacon.
3. Alienation of affection; displeasure; anger.
On the part of Heaven, Now alienated, distance and
distaste. --Milton.
Syn: Disrelish; disinclination; dislike; aversion;
displeasure; dissatisfaction; disgust.
Distaste \Dis*taste"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distasted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distasting}.]
1. Not to have relish or taste for; to disrelish; to loathe;
to dislike.
Although my will distaste what it elected. --Shak.
2. To offend; to disgust; to displease. [Obs.]
He thought in no policy to distaste the English or
Irish by a course of reformation, but sought to
please them. --Sir J.
Davies.
3. To deprive of taste or relish; to make unsavory or
distasteful. --Drayton.
Distaste \Dis*taste"\, v. i.
To be distasteful; to taste ill or disagreeable. [Obs.]
Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons,
Which at the are scarce found to distaste. --Shak.
Distasteful \Dis*taste"ful\, a.
1. Unpleasant or disgusting to the taste; nauseous;
loathsome.
2. Offensive; displeasing to the feelings; disagreeable; as,
a distasteful truth.
Distasteful answer, and sometimes unfriendly
actions. --Milton.
3. Manifesting distaste or dislike; repulsive. ``Distasteful
looks.'' --Shak.
Syn: Nauseous; unsavory; unpalatable; offensive; displeasing;
dissatisfactory; disgusting. - {Dis*taste"ful*ly}, adv.
-- {Dis*taste"ful*ness}, n.
Distasteive \Dis*taste"ive\, a.
Tending to excite distaste. [Obs.] -- n. That which excites
distaste or aversion. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
Distasture \Dis*tas"ture\ (?; 135), n.
Something which excites distaste or disgust. [Obs.] --Speed.
Distemper \Dis*tem"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distempered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Distempering}.] [OF. destemprer, destremper, to
distemper, F. d['e]tremper to soak, soften, slake (lime);
pref. des- (L. dis-) + OF. temprer, tremper, F. tremper, L.
temperare to mingle in due proportion. See {Temper}, and cf.
{Destemprer}.]
1. To temper or mix unduly; to make disproportionate; to
change the due proportions of. [Obs.]
When . . . the humors in his body ben distempered.
--Chaucer.
2. To derange the functions of, whether bodily, mental, or
spiritual; to disorder; to disease. --Shak.
The imagination, when completely distempered, is the
most incurable of all disordered faculties.
--Buckminster.
3. To deprive of temper or moderation; to disturb; to ruffle;
to make disaffected, ill-humored, or malignant.
``Distempered spirits.'' --Coleridge.
4. To intoxicate. [R.]
The courtiers reeling, And the duke himself, I dare
not say distempered, But kind, and in his tottering
chair carousing. --Massinger.
5. (Paint.) To mix (colors) in the way of distemper; as, to
distemper colors with size. [R.]
Distemper \Dis*tem"per\, n. [See {Distemper}, v. t., and cf.
{Destemprer}.]
1. An undue or unnatural temper, or disproportionate mixture
of parts. --Bacon.
Note: This meaning and most of the following are to be
referred to the Galenical doctrine of the four
``humors'' in man. See {Humor}. According to the old
physicians, these humors, when unduly tempered, produce
a disordered state of body and mind.
2. Severity of climate; extreme weather, whether hot or cold.
[Obs.]
Those countries . . . under the tropic, were of a
distemper uninhabitable. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. A morbid state of the animal system; indisposition;
malady; disorder; -- at present chiefly applied to
diseases of brutes; as, a distemper in dogs; the horse
distemper; the horn distemper in cattle.
They heighten distempers to diseases. --Suckling.
4. Morbid temper of the mind; undue predominance of a passion
or appetite; mental derangement; bad temper; ill humor.
[Obs.]
Little faults proceeding on distemper. --Shak.
Some frenzy distemper had got into his head.
--Bunyan.
5. Political disorder; tumult. --Waller.
6. (Paint.)
(a) A preparation of opaque or body colors, in which the
pigments are tempered or diluted with weak glue or
size (cf. {Tempera}) instead of oil, usually for scene
painting, or for walls and ceilings of rooms.
(b) A painting done with this preparation.
Syn: Disease; disorder; sickness; illness; malady;
indisposition; ailment. See {Disease}.
Distemperance \Dis*tem"per*ance\, n.
Distemperature. [Obs.]
Distemperate \Dis*tem"per*ate\, a. [LL. distemperatus, p. p.]
1. Immoderate. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
2. Diseased; disordered. [Obs.] --Wodroephe.
Distemperately \Dis*tem"per*ate*ly\, adv.
Unduly. [Obs.]
Distemperature \Dis*tem"per*a*ture\ (?; 135), n.
1. Bad temperature; intemperateness; excess of heat or cold,
or of other qualities; as, the distemperature of the air.
[Obs.]
2. Disorder; confusion. --Shak.
3. Disorder of body; slight illness; distemper.
A huge infectious troop Of pale distemperatures and
foes to life. --Shak.
4. Perturbation of mind; mental uneasiness.
Sprinkled a little patience on the heat of his
distemperature. --Sir W.
Scott.
Distemperment \Dis*tem"per*ment\, n.
Distempered state; distemperature. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Distend \Dis*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distending}.] [L. distendere, distentum, distensum;
dis- + tendere to stretch, stretch out: cf. F. distendre to
distend, d['e]tendre to unbend. See {Tend}, and cf.
{Detent}.]
1. To extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to
stretch. [R.]
But say, what mean those colored streaks in heaven
Distended as the brow of God appeased? --Milton.
2. To stretch out or extend in all directions; to dilate; to
enlarge, as by elasticity of parts; to inflate so as to
produce tension; to cause to swell; as, to distend a
bladder, the stomach, etc.
The warmth distends the chinks. --Dryden.
Syn: To dilate; expand; enlarge; swell; inflate.
Distend \Dis*tend"\, v. i.
To become expanded or inflated; to swell. ``His heart
distends with pride.'' --Milton.
Distensibility \Dis*ten`si*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or capacity of being distensible. [R.]
Distensible \Dis*ten"si*ble\, a.
Capable of being distended or dilated.
Distension \Dis*ten"sion\, n.
Same as {Distention}.
Distensive \Dis*ten"sive\, a.
Distending, or capable of being distended.
Distent \Dis*tent"\, a. [L. distentus, p. p. See {Distend}.]
Distended. [Poetic] --Thomson.
Distent \Dis*tent"\, n.
Breadth. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Distention \Dis*ten"tion\, n. [L. distentio: cf. F. distension.]
1. The act of distending; the act of stretching in breadth or
in all directions; the state of being Distended; as, the
distention of the lungs.
2. Breadth; extent or space occupied by the thing distended.
Dister \Dis*ter"\, v. t. [L. dis- + terra earth, country; cf.
Sp. & Pg. desterrar.]
To banish or drive from a country. [Obs.] --Howell.
Disterminate \Dis*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. disterminatus, p. p. of
disterminare to limit. See {Terminate}.]
Separated by bounds. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Distermination \Dis*ter`mi*na"tion\, n. [L. disterminatio.]
Separation by bounds. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Disthene \Dis"thene\, n. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? force: cf.
F. disth[`e]ne.] (Min.)
Cyanite or kyanite; -- so called in allusion to its unequal
hardness in two different directions. See {Cyanite}.
Disthrone \Dis*throne"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- + throne: cf. OF.
desthroner, F. d['e]troner.]
To dethrone. [Obs.]
Disthronize \Dis*thron"ize\, v. t.
To dethrone. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Distich \Dis"tich\, n. [L. distichon, Gr. ?, neut. of ? with two
rows, of two verses; di- = di`s- twice + ? row, verse, fr. ?
to ascend; akin to AS. st[=i]gan to ascend: cf. F. distique.
See {Stirrup}.] (Pros.)
A couple of verses or poetic lines making complete sense; an
epigram of two verses.
Distich \Dis"tich\, Distichous \Dis"tich*ous\, a. [Gr. ?. See
{Distich}, n.]
Disposed in two vertical rows; two-ranked.
Distichously \Dis"tich*ous*ly\, adv.
In a distichous manner.
Distil \Dis*til"\, v. t. & i.
See {Distill}.
Distill \Dis*till"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Distilled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distilling}.] [F. distiller, from L. destillare,
destillatum; de + stillare to drop, stilla a drop, prob. fr.
stiria frozen drop, icicle; prob. akin to stare, E. stand.
Cf. {Still}, n. & v., {Instill}.] [Written also {distil}.]
1. To drop; to fall in drops; to trickle.
Soft showers distilled, and suns grew warm in vain.
--Pope.
2. To flow gently, or in a small stream.
The Euphrates distilleth out of the mountains of
Armenia. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. To practice the art of distillation. --Shak.
Distill \Dis*till"\, v. t.
1. To let fall or send down in drops.
Or o'er the glebe distill the kindly rain. --Pope.
The dew which on the tender grass The evening had
distilled. --Drayton.
2. To obtain by distillation; to extract by distillation, as
spirits, essential oil, etc.; to rectify; as, to distill
brandy from wine; to distill alcoholic spirits from grain;
to distill essential oils from flowers, etc.; to distill
fresh water from sea water. ``Distilling odors on me.''
--Tennyson.
3. To subject to distillation; as, to distill molasses in
making rum; to distill barley, rye, corn, etc.
4. To dissolve or melt. [R.]
Swords by the lightning's subtle force distilled.
--Addison.
Distillable \Dis*till"a*ble\, a. (Chem.)
Capable of being distilled; especially, capable of being
distilled without chemical change or decomposition; as,
alcohol is distillable; olive oil is not distillable.
Distillate \Dis*till"ate\, n. (Chem.)
The product of distillation; as, the distillate from
molasses.
Distillation \Dis`til*la"tion\, n. [F. distillation, L.
destillatio.]
1. The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in
drops.
2. That which falls in drops. [R.] --Johnson
3. (Chem.) The separation of the volatile parts of a
substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation
of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or
solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation
of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver,
alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization;
condensation; as, the distillation of illuminating gas and
coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in
steam.
Note: The evaporation of water, its condensation into clouds,
and its precipitation as rain, dew, frost, snow, or
hail, is an illustration of natural distillation.
4. The substance extracted by distilling. --Shak.
{Destructive distillation} (Chem.), the distillation,
especially of complex solid substances, so that the
ultimate constituents are separated or evolved in new
compounds, -- usually requiring a high degree of heat; as,
the destructive distillation of soft coal or of wood.
{Dry distillation}, the distillation of substances by
themselves, or without the addition of water or of other
volatile solvent; as, the dry distillation of citric acid.
{Fractional distillation}. (Chem.) See under {Fractional}.
Distillatory \Dis*til"la*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. distillatoire.]
Belonging to, or used in, distilling; as, distillatory
vessels. -- n. A distillatory apparatus; a still.
Distiller \Dis*till"er\, n.
1. One who distills; esp., one who extracts alcoholic liquors
by distillation.
2. The condenser of a distilling apparatus.
Distillery \Dis*till"er*y\, n.; pl. {Distilleries}. [F.
distillerie.]
1. The building and works where distilling, esp. of alcoholic
liquors, is carried on.
2. The act of distilling spirits. [R.] --Todd.
Distillment \Dis*till"ment\, n.
Distillation; the substance obtained by distillation. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Distinct \Dis*tinct"\, a. [L. distinctus, p. p. of distinguere:
cf. F. distinct. See {Distinguish}.]
1. Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by
a visible sign; marked out; specified. [Obs.]
Wherever thus created -- for no place Is yet
distinct by name. --Milton.
2. Marked; variegated. [Obs.]
The which [place] was dight With divers flowers
distinct with rare delight. --Spenser.
3. Separate in place; not conjunct; not united by growth or
otherwise; -- with from.
The intention was that the two armies which marched
out together should afterward be distinct.
--Clarendon.
4. Not identical; different; individual.
To offend, and judge, are distinct offices. --Shak.
5. So separated as not to be confounded with any other thing;
not liable to be misunderstood; not confused;
well-defined; clear; as, we have a distinct or indistinct
view of a prospect.
Relation more particular and distinct. --Milton.
Syn: Separate; unconnected; disjoined; different; clear;
plain; conspicuous; obvious.
Distinct \Dis*tinct"\, v. t.
To distinguish. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Distinction \Dis*tinc"tion\, n. [L. distinctio: cf. F.
distinction.]
1. A marking off by visible signs; separation into parts;
division. [Obs.]
The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known.
--Dryden.
2. The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences
between objects, or the qualities by which one is known
from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.
To take away therefore that error, which confusion
breedeth, distinction is requisite. --Hooker.
3. That which distinguishes one thing from another;
distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as,
the distinction between real and apparent good.
The distinction betwixt the animal kingdom and the
inferior parts of matter. --Locke.
4. Estimation of difference; regard to differences or
distinguishing circumstance.
Maids, women, wives, without distinction, fall.
--Dryden.
5. Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable
estimation; as, a man of distinction.
Your country's own means of distinction and defense.
--D. Webster.
Syn: Difference; variation, variety; contrast; diversity;
contrariety; disagreement; discrimination; preference;
superiority; rank; note; eminence.
Distinctive \Dis*tinc"tive\, a. [Cf. F. distinctif.]
1. Marking or expressing distinction or difference;
distinguishing; characteristic; peculiar.
The distinctive character and institutions of New
England. --Bancroft.
2. Having the power to distinguish and discern;
discriminating. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Distinctively \Dis*tinc"tive*ly\, adv.
With distinction; plainly.
Distinctiveness \Dis*tinc"tive*ness\, n.
State of being distinctive.
Distinctly \Dis*tinct"ly\, adv.
1. With distinctness; not confusedly; without the blending of
one part or thing another; clearly; plainly; as, to see
distinctly.
2. With meaning; significantly. [Obs.]
Thou dost snore distinctly; There's meaning in thy
snores. --Shak.
Syn: Separately; clearly; plainly; obviously.
Distinctness \Dis*tinct"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being distinct; a separation or
difference that prevents confusion of parts or things.
The soul's . . . distinctness from the body.
--Cudworth.
2. Nice discrimination; hence, clearness; precision; as, he
stated his arguments with great distinctness.
Syn: Plainness; clearness; precision; perspicuity.
Distincture \Dis*tinc"ture\, n.
Distinctness. [R.]
Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Distinguished}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Distinguishing}.] [F.
distinguer, L. distinguere, distinctum; di- = dis- +
stinguere to quench, extinguish; prob. orig., to prick, and
so akin to G. stechen, E. stick, and perh. sting. Cf.
{Extinguish}.]
1. Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make
distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to
mark off by some characteristic.
Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by
the charming features of her face. --Dryden.
Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the
eglantine. --Nares.
2. To separate by definition of terms or logical division of
a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish
sounds into high and low.
Moses distinguished the causes of the flood into
those that belong to the heavens, and those that
belong to the earth. --T. Burnet.
3. To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic
quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything)
from other things with which it might be confounded; as,
to distinguish the sound of a drum.
We are enabled to distinguish good from evil, as
well as truth from falsehood. --Watts.
Nor more can you distinguish of a man, Than of his
outward show. --Shak.
4. To constitute a difference; to make to differ.
Who distinguisheth thee? --1 Cor. iv.
7. (Douay
version).
5. To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make
eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by
or for.``To distinguish themselves by means never tried
before.'' --Johnson.
Syn: To mark; discriminate; differentiate; characterize;
discern; perceive; signalize; honor; glorify.
Distinguish \Dis*tin"guish\, v. i.
1. To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to
exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge
distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but
differing in principle.
2. To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self
or itself discernible. [R.]
The little embryo . . . first distinguishes into a
little knot. --Jer. Taylor.
Distinguishable \Dis*tin"guish*a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being distinguished; separable; divisible;
discernible; capable of recognition; as, a tree at a
distance is distinguishable from a shrub.
A simple idea being in itself uncompounded . . . is
not distinguishable into different ideas. --Locke.
2. Worthy of note or special regard. --Swift.
Distinguishableness \Dis*tin"guish*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being distinguishable.
Distinguishably \Dis*tin"guish*a*bly\, adv.
So as to be distinguished.
Distinguished \Dis*tin"guished\, a.
1. Marked; special.
The most distinguished politeness. --Mad. D'
Arblay.
2. Separated from others by distinct difference; having, or
indicating, superiority; eminent or known; illustrious; --
applied to persons and deeds.
Syn: Marked; noted; famous; conspicuous; celebrated;
transcendent; eminent; illustrious; extraordinary;
prominent. -- {Distinguished}, {Eminent}, {Conspicuous},
{Celebrated}, {Illustrious}. A man is eminent, when he
stands high as compared with those around him;
conspicuous, when he is so elevated as to be seen and
observed; distinguished, when he has something which
makes him stand apart from others in the public view;
celebrated, when he is widely spoken of with honor and
respect; illustrious, when a splendor is thrown around
him which confers the highest dignity.
Distinguishedly \Dis*tin"guish*ed*ly\, adv.
In a distinguished manner. [R.] --Swift.
Distinguisher \Dis*tin"guish*er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, distinguishes or separates one
thing from another by marks of diversity. --Sir T. Browne.
2. One who discerns accurately the difference of things; a
nice or judicious observer. --Dryden.
Distinguishing \Dis*tin"guish*ing\, a.
Constituting difference, or distinction from everything else;
distinctive; peculiar; characteristic.
The distinguishing doctrines of our holy religion.
--Locke.
{Distinguishing pennant} (Naut.), a special pennant by which
any particular vessel in a fleet is recognized and
signaled. --Simmonds.
Distinguishingly \Dis*tin"guish*ing*ly\, adv.
With distinction; with some mark of preference. --Pope.
Distinguishment \Dis*tin"guish*ment\, n.
Observation of difference; distinction. --Graunt.
Distitle \Dis*ti"tle\, v. t.
To deprive of title or right. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Distoma \Dis"to*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ?
mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of parasitic, trematode worms, having two suckers for
attaching themselves to the part they infest. See 1st
{Fluke}, 2.
Distort \Dis*tort"\, a. [L. distortus, p. p. of distorquere to
twist, distort; dis- + torquere to twist. See {Torsion}.]
Distorted; misshapen. [Obs.]
Her face was ugly and her mouth distort. --Spenser.
Distort \Dis*tort"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distorted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Distorting}.]
1. To twist of natural or regular shape; to twist aside
physically; as, to distort the limbs, or the body.
Whose face was distorted with pain. --Thackeray.
2. To force or put out of the true posture or direction; to
twist aside mentally or morally.
Wrath and malice, envy and revenge, do darken and
distort the understandings of men. --Tillotson.
3. To wrest from the true meaning; to pervert; as, to distort
passages of Scripture, or their meaning.
Syn: To twist; wrest; deform; pervert.
Distorter \Dis*tort"er\, n.
One who, or that which, distorts.
Distortion \Dis*tor"tion\, n. [L. distortio: cf. F. distortion.]
1. The act of distorting, or twisting out of natural or
regular shape; a twisting or writhing motion; as, the
distortions of the face or body.
2. A wresting from the true meaning. --Bp. Wren.
3. The state of being distorted, or twisted out of shape or
out of true position; crookedness; perversion.
4. (Med.) An unnatural deviation of shape or position of any
part of the body producing visible deformity.
Distortive \Dis*tort"ive\, a.
Causing distortion.
Distract \Dis*tract"\, a. [L. distractus, p. p. of distrahere to
draw asunder; dis- + trahere to draw. See {Trace}, and cf.
{Distraught}.]
1. Separated; drawn asunder. [Obs.]
2. Insane; mad. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Distract \Dis*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distracted}, old p.
p. {Distraught}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Distracting}.]
1. To draw apart or away; to divide; to disjoin.
A city . . . distracted from itself. --Fuller.
2. To draw (the sight, mind, or attention) in different
directions; to perplex; to confuse; as, to distract the
eye; to distract the attention.
Mixed metaphors . . . distract the imagination.
--Goldsmith.
3. To agitate by conflicting passions, or by a variety of
motives or of cares; to confound; to harass.
Horror and doubt distract His troubled thoughts.
--Milton.
4. To unsettle the reason of; to render insane; to craze; to
madden; -- most frequently used in the participle,
distracted.
A poor mad soul; . . . poverty hath distracted her.
--Shak.
Distracted \Dis*tract"ed\, a.
Mentally disordered; unsettled; mad.
My distracted mind. --Pope.
Distractedly \Dis*tract"ed*ly\, adv.
Disjointedly; madly. --Shak.
Distractedness \Dis*tract"ed*ness\, n.
A state of being distracted; distraction. --Bp. Hall.
Distracter \Dis*tract"er\, n.
One who, or that which, distracts away.
Distractful \Dis*tract"ful\, a.
Distracting. [R.] --Heywood.
Distractible \Dis*tract"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being drawn aside or distracted.
Distractile \Dis*tract"ile\, a. (Bot.)
Tending or serving to draw apart.
Distracting \Dis*tract"ing\, a.
Tending or serving to distract.
Distraction \Dis*trac"tion\, n. [L. distractio: cf. F.
distraction.]
1. The act of distracting; a drawing apart; separation.
To create distractions among us. --Bp. Burnet.
2. That which diverts attention; a diversion. ``Domestic
distractions.'' --G. Eliot.
3. A diversity of direction; detachment. [Obs.]
His power went out in such distractions as Beguiled
all species. --Shak.
4. State in which the attention is called in different ways;
confusion; perplexity.
That ye may attend upon the Lord without
distraction. --1 Cor. vii.
3?.
5. Confusion of affairs; tumult; disorder; as, political
distractions.
Never was known a night of such distraction.
--Dryden.
6. Agitation from violent emotions; perturbation of mind;
despair.
The distraction of the children, who saw both their
parents together, would have melted the hardest
heart. --Tatler.
7. Derangement of the mind; madness. --Atterbury.
Syn: Perplexity; confusion; disturbance; disorder;
dissension; tumult; derangement; madness; raving;
franticness; furiousness.
Distractious \Dis*trac"tious\, a.
Distractive. [Obs.]
Distractive \Dis*trac"tive\, a.
Causing perplexity; distracting. ``Distractive thoughts.''
--Bp. Hall.
Distrain \Dis*train"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distrained}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Distraining}.] [OE. destreinen to force, OF.
destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere,
districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish
severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See
{Strain}, and cf. {Distress}, {District}, {Distraint}.]
1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence;
hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress,
torment, or afflict. [Obs.] ``Distrained with chains.''
--Chaucer.
2. To rend; to tear. [Obs.]
Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain.
--Spenser.
3. (Law)
(a) To seize, as a pledge or indemnification; to take
possession of as security for nonpayment of rent, the
reparation of an injury done, etc.; to take by
distress; as, to distrain goods for rent, or of an
amercement.
(b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a
person by his goods and chattels.
Distrain \Dis*train"\, v. i.
To levy a distress.
Upon whom I can distrain for debt. --Camden.
Distrainable \Dis*train"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or liable to be, distrained. --Blackstone.
Distrainer \Dis*train"er\, n.
Same as {Distrainor}.
Distrainor \Dis*train"or\, n. (Law)
One who distrains; the party distraining goods or chattels.
--Blackstone.
Distraint \Dis*traint"\, n. [OF. destrainte distress, force.]
(Law)
The act or proceeding of seizing personal property by
distress. --Abbott.
Distrait \Dis`trait"\, a. [F. See {Distract}.]
Absent-minded; lost in thought; abstracted.
Distraught \Dis*traught"\, p. p. & a. [OE. distract, distrauht.
See {Distract}, a.]
1. Torn asunder; separated. [Obs.] ``His greedy throat . . .
distraught.'' --Spenser.
2. Distracted; perplexed. ``Distraught twixt fear and pity.''
--Spenser.
As if thou wert distraught and mad with terror.
--Shak.
To doubt betwixt our senses and our souls Which are
the most distraught and full of pain. --Mrs.
Browning.
Distraughted \Dis*traught"ed\, a.
Distracted. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Distream \Dis*tream"\, v. i. [Pref. dis- (intens.) + stream.]
To flow. [Poetic]
Yet o'er that virtuous blush distreams a tear.
--Shenstone.
Distress \Dis*tress"\, n. [OE. destresse, distresse, OF.
destresse, destrece, F. d['e]tresse, OF. destrecier to
distress, (assumed) LL. districtiare, fr. L. districtus, p.
p. of distringere. See {Distrain}, and cf. {Stress}.]
1. Extreme pain or suffering; anguish of body or mind; as, to
suffer distress from the gout, or from the loss of
friends.
Not fearing death nor shrinking for distress.
--Shak.
2. That which occasions suffering; painful situation;
misfortune; affliction; misery.
Affliction's sons are brothers in distress. --Burns.
3. A state of danger or necessity; as, a ship in distress,
from leaking, loss of spars, want of provisions or water,
etc.
4. (Law)
(a) The act of distraining; the taking of a personal
chattel out of the possession of a wrongdoer, by way
of pledge for redress of an injury, or for the
performance of a duty, as for nonpayment of rent or
taxes, or for injury done by cattle, etc.
(b) The thing taken by distraining; that which is seized
to procure satisfaction. --Bouvier. Kent. Burrill.
If he were not paid, he would straight go and
take a distress of goods and cattle. --Spenser.
The distress thus taken must be proportioned to
the thing distrained for. --Blackstone.
{Abuse of distress}. (Law) See under {Abuse}.
Syn: Affliction; suffering; pain; agony; misery; torment;
anguish; grief; sorrow; calamity; misfortune; trouble;
adversity. See {Affliction}.
Distress \Dis*tress"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distressed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Distressing}.] [Cf. OF. destrecier. See {Distress},
n.]
1. To cause pain or anguish to; to pain; to oppress with
calamity; to afflict; to harass; to make miserable.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.
--2 Cor. iv.
8.
2. To compel by pain or suffering.
Men who can neither be distressed nor won into a
sacrifice of duty. --A. Hamilton.
3. (Law) To seize for debt; to distrain.
Syn: To pain; grieve; harass; trouble; perplex; afflict;
worry; annoy.
Distressedness \Dis*tress"ed*ness\, n.
A state of being distressed or greatly pained.
Distressful \Dis*tress"ful\, a.
Full of distress; causing, indicating, or attended with,
distress; as, a distressful situation. ``Some distressful
stroke.'' --Shak. ``Distressful cries.'' --Pope. --
{Dis*tress"ful*ly}, adv.
Distressing \Dis*tress"ing\, a.
Causing distress; painful; unpleasant.
Distressing \Dis*tress"ing\, adv.
In a distressing manner.
Distributable \Dis*trib"u*ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being distributed. --Sir W. Jones.
Distributary \Dis*trib"u*ta*ry\, a.
Tending to distribute or be distributed; that distributes;
distributive.
Distribute \Dis*trib"ute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distributed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Distributing}.] [L. distributus, p. p. of
distribuere to divide, distribute; dis- + tribuere to assign,
give, allot. See {Tribute}.]
1. To divide among several or many; to deal out; to
apportion; to allot.
She did distribute her goods to all them that were
nearest of kindred. --Judith xvi.
24.
2. To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice.
--Shak.
3. To divide or separate, as into classes, orders, kinds, or
species; to classify; to assort, as specimens, letters,
etc.
4. (Printing)
(a) To separate (type which has been used) and return it
to the proper boxes in the cases.
(b) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.
5. (Logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as
universal in one premise.
A term is said to be distributed when it is taken
universal, so as to stand for everything it is
capable of being applied to. --Whately.
Syn: To dispense; deal out; apportion; allot; share; assign;
divide.
Distribute \Dis*trib"ute\, v. i.
To make distribution.
Distributing to the necessity of saints. --Rom. xii.
13.
Distributer \Dis*trib"u*ter\, n.
One who, or that which, distributes or deals out anything; a
dispenser. --Addison.
Distributing \Dis*trib"u*ting\, a.
That distributes; dealing out.
{Distributing past office}, an office where the mails for a
large district are collected to be assorted according to
their destination and forwarded.
Distribution \Dis`tri*bu"tion\, n. [L. distributio: cf. F.
distribution.]
1. The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing
or apportioning among several or many; apportionment; as,
the distribution of an estate among heirs or children.
The phenomena of geological distribution are exactly
analogous to those of geography. --A. R.
Wallace.
2. Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of anything
into parts; disposition; classification.
3. That which is distributed. ``Our charitable
distributions.'' --Atterbury.
4. (Logic) A resolving a whole into its parts.
5. (Print.) The sorting of types and placing them in their
proper boxes in the cases.
6. (Steam Engine) The steps or operations by which steam is
supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke
of the piston; viz., admission, suppression or cutting
off, release or exhaust, and compression of exhaust steam
prior to the next admission.
{Geographical distribution}, the natural arrangements of
animals and plants in particular regions or districts.
Syn: Apportionments; allotment; dispensation; disposal;
dispersion; classification; arrangement.
Distributional \Dis`tri*bu"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to distribution. --Huxley.
Distributionist \Dis`tri*bu"tion*ist\, n.
A distributer. [R.] --Dickens.
Distributive \Dis*trib"u*tive\, a. [Cf. F. distributif.]
1. Tending to distribute; serving to divide and assign in
portions; dealing to each his proper share. ``Distributive
justice.'' --Swift.
2. (Logic) Assigning the species of a general term.
3. (Gram.) Expressing separation; denoting a taking singly,
not collectively; as, a distributive adjective or pronoun,
such as each, either, every; a distributive numeral, as
(Latin) bini (two by two).
{Distributive operation} (Math.), any operation which either
consists of two or more parts, or works upon two or more
things, and which is such that the result of the total
operation is the same as the aggregated result of the two
or more partial operations. Ordinary multiplication is
distributive, since a [times] (b + c) = ab + ac, and (a +
b) [times] c = ac + bc.
{Distributive proportion}. (Math.) See {Fellowship}.
Distributive \Dis*trib"u*tive\, n. (Gram.)
A distributive adjective or pronoun; also, a distributive
numeral.
Distributively \Dis*trib"u*tive*ly\, adv.
By distribution; singly; not collectively; in a distributive
manner.
Distributiveness \Dis*trib"u*tive*ness\, n.
Quality of being distributive.
District \Dis"trict\, a. [L. districtus, p. p.]
Rigorous; stringent; harsh. [Obs.]
Punishing with the rod of district severity. --Foxe.
District \Dis"trict\, n. [LL. districtus district, fr. L.
districtus, p. p. of distringere: cf. F. district. See
{Distrain}.]
1. (Feudal Law) The territory within which the lord has the
power of coercing and punishing.
2. A division of territory; a defined portion of a state,
town, or city, etc., made for administrative, electoral,
or other purposes; as, a congressional district, judicial
district, land district, school district, etc.
To exercise exclusive legislation . . . over such
district not exceeding ten miles square. --The
Constitution
of the United
States.
3. Any portion of territory of undefined extent; a region; a
country; a tract.
These districts which between the tropics lie.
--Blackstone.
{Congressional district}. See under {Congressional}.
{District attorney}, the prosecuting officer of a district or
district court.
{District court}, a subordinate municipal, state, or United
States tribunal, having jurisdiction in certain cases
within a judicial district.
{District judge}, one who presides over a district court.
{District school}, a public school for the children within a
school district. [U.S.]
Syn: Division; circuit; quarter; province; tract; region;
country.
District \Dis"trict\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Districted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Districting}.]
To divide into districts or limited portions of territory;
as, legislatures district States for the choice of
representatives.
Distriction \Dis*tric"tion\, n. [L. districtio a stretching
out.]
Sudden display; flash; glitter. [R.]
A smile . . . breaks out with the brightest
distriction. --Collier.
Districtly \Dis"trict*ly\, adv.
Strictly. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Distringas \Dis*trin"gas\, n. [L., that you distrain, fr.
distringere. See {Distrain}.] (Law)
A writ commanding the sheriff to distrain a person by his
goods or chattels, to compel a compliance with something
required of him.
Distrouble \Dis*trou"ble\, v. t. [Pref. dis- (intens.) +
trouble.]
To trouble. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Distrust \Dis*trust"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distrusted}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Distrusting}.] [Cf. {Mistrust}.]
To feel absence of trust in; not to confide in or rely upon;
to deem of questionable sufficiency or reality; to doubt; to
be suspicious of; to mistrust.
Not distrusting my health. --2 Mac. ix.
22.
To distrust the justice of your cause. --Dryden.
He that requireth the oath doth distrust that other.
--Udall.
Of all afraid, Distrusting all, a wise, suspicious
maid. --Collins.
Note: Mistrust has been almost wholly driven out by distrust.
--T. L. K. Oliphant.
Distrust \Dis*trust"\, n.
1. Doubt of sufficiency, reality, or sincerity; want of
confidence, faith, or reliance; as, distrust of one's
power, authority, will, purposes, schemes, etc.
2. Suspicion of evil designs.
Alienation and distrust . . . are the growth of
false principles. --D. Webster.
3. State of being suspected; loss of trust. --Milton.
Distruster \Dis*trust"er\, n.
One who distrusts.
Distrustful \Dis*trust"ful\, a.
1. Not confident; diffident; wanting confidence or thrust;
modest; as, distrustful of ourselves, of one's powers.
Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks.
--Pope.
2. Apt to distrust; suspicious; mistrustful. --Boyle. --
{Dis*trust"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Dis*trust"ful*ness}, n.
Distrusting \Dis*trust"ing\, a.
That distrusts; suspicious; lacking confidence in. --
{Dis*trust"ing*ly}, adv.
Distrustless \Dis*trust"less\, a.
Free from distrust. --Shenstone.
Distune \Dis*tune"\, v. t.
To put out of tune. [Obs.]
Disturb \Dis*turb"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disturbed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Disturbing}.] [OE. desturben, destourben, OF.
destorber, desturber, destourber, fr. L. disturbare,
disturbatum; dis- + turbare to disturb, trouble, turba
disorder, tumult, crowd. See {Turbid}.]
1. To throw into disorder or confusion; to derange; to
interrupt the settled state of; to excite from a state of
rest.
Preparing to disturb With all-cofounding war the
realms above. --Cowper.
The bellow's noise disturbed his quiet rest.
--Spenser.
The utmost which the discontented colonies could do,
was to disturb authority. --Burke.
2. To agitate the mind of; to deprive of tranquillity; to
disquiet; to render uneasy; as, a person is disturbed by
receiving an insult, or his mind is disturbed by envy.
3. To turn from a regular or designed course. [Obs.]
And disturb His inmost counsels from their destined
aim. --Milton.
Syn: To disorder; disquiet; agitate; discompose; molest;
perplex; trouble; incommode; ruffle.
Disturb \Dis*turb"\, n.
Disturbance. [Obs.] --Milton.
Disturbance \Dis*turb"ance\, n. [OF. destorbance.]
1. An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement
of the regular course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a
disturbance of religious exercises; a disturbance of the
galvanic current.
2. Confusion of the mind; agitation of the feelings;
perplexity; uneasiness.
Any man . . . in a state of disturbance and
irritation. --Burke.
3. Violent agitation in the body politic; public commotion;
tumult.
The disturbance was made to support a general
accusation against the province. --Bancroft.
4. (Law) The hindering or disquieting of a person in the
lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right; the
interruption of a right; as, the disturbance of a
franchise, of common, of ways, and the like. --Blackstone.
Syn: Tumult; brawl; commotion; turmoil; uproar; hubbub;
disorder; derangement; confusion; agitation;
perturbation; annoyance.
Disturbation \Dis`tur*ba"tion\, n. [L. disturbatio.]
Act of disturbing; disturbance. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Disturber \Dis*turb"er\, n. [Cf. OF. destorbeor.]
1. One who, or that which, disturbs of disquiets; a violator
of peace; a troubler.
A needless disturber of the peace of God's church
and an author of dissension. --Hooker.
2. (Law) One who interrupts or incommodes another in the
peaceable enjoyment of his right.
Disturn \Dis*turn"\, v. t. [OF. destourner, F. d['e]tourner. See
{Detour}.]
To turn aside. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Distyle \Dis"tyle\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? pillar: cf. F.
distyle.] (Arch.)
Having two columns in front; -- said of a temple, portico, or
the like.
{Distyle in antis}, having columns between two ant[ae]. See
{Anta}.
Disulphate \Di*sul"phate\, n. [Pref. di- + sulphate.] (Chem.)
(a) A salt of disulphuric or pyrosulphuric acid; a
pyrosulphate.
(b) An acid salt of sulphuric acid, having only one
equivalent of base to two of the acid.
Disulphide \Di*sul"phide\ (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + sulphide.]
(Chem.)
A binary compound of sulphur containing two atoms of sulphur
in each molecule; -- formerly called disulphuret. Cf.
{Bisulphide}.
Disulphuret \Di*sul"phu*ret\, n. [Pref. di- + sulphuret.]
(Chem.)
See {Disulphide}.
Disulphuric \Di`sul*phu"ric\, a. [Pref. di- + sulphuric.]
(Chem.)
Applied to an acid having in each molecule two atoms of
sulphur in the higher state of oxidation.
{Disulphuric acid}, a thick oily liquid, {H2S2O7}, called
also {Nordhausen acid} (from Nordhausen in the Harts,
where it was originally manufactured), {fuming sulphuric
acid}, and especially {pyrosulphuric acid}. See under
{Pyrosulphuric}.
Disuniform \Dis*u"ni*form\, a.
Not uniform. [Obs.]
Disunion \Dis*un"ion\, n. [Pref. dis- + union: cf. F.
d['e]sunion.]
1. The termination of union; separation; disjunction; as, the
disunion of the body and the soul.
2. A breach of concord and its effect; alienation.
Such a disunion between the two houses as might much
clou? the happiness of this kingdom. --Clarendon.
3. The termination or disruption of the union of the States
forming the United States.
I have not accustomed myself to hang over the
precipice of disunion. --D. Webster.
Disunionist \Dis*un"ion*ist\, n.
An advocate of disunion, specifically, of disunion of the
United States.
Disunite \Dis`u*nite"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Disunited}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Disuniting}.]
1. To destroy the union of; to divide; to part; to sever; to
disjoin; to sunder; to separate; as, to disunite particles
of matter.
2. To alienate in spirit; to break the concord of.
Go on both in hand, O nations, never be disunited,
be the praise . . . of all posterity! --Milton.
Disunite \Dis`u*nite"\, v. i.
To part; to fall asunder; to become separated.
The joints of the body politic do separate and
disunite. --South.
Disuniter \Dis`u*nit"er\, n.
One who, or that which, disjoins or causes disunion.
Disunity \Dis*u"ni*ty\, n.
A state of separation or disunion; want of unity. --Dr. H.
More.
Disusage \Dis*us"age\, n.
Gradual cessation of use or custom; neglect of use; disuse.
[R.] --Hooker.
Disuse \Dis*use"\ (?; see {Dis-}), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Disused}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Disusing}.]
1. To cease to use; to discontinue the practice of.
2. To disaccustom; -- with to or from; as, disused to toil.
``Disuse me from . . . pain.'' --Donne.
Disuse \Dis*use"\, n.
Cessation of use, practice, or exercise; inusitation;
desuetude; as, the limbs lose their strength by disuse.
The disuse of the tongue in the only . . . remedy.
--Addison.
Church discipline then fell into disuse. --Southey.
Disutilize \Dis*u"til*ize\, v. t.
To deprive of utility; to render useless. [R.] --Mrs.
Browning.
Disvaluation \Dis*val`u*a"tion\, n.
Disesteem; depreciation; disrepute. --Bacon.
Disvalue \Dis*val"ue\ (?; see {Dis-}), v. t.
To undervalue; to depreciate. --Shak.
Disvalue \Dis*val"ue\, n.
Disesteem; disregard. --B. Jonson.
Disvantageous \Dis`van*ta"geous\, a. [Pref. dis- + vantage.]
Disadvantageous. [Obs.] ``Disadvantageous ground.''
--Drayton.
Disvelop \Dis*vel"op\, v. t.
To develop. [Obs.]
Disventure \Dis*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n.
A disadventure. [Obs.] --Shelton.
Disvouch \Dis*vouch"\, v. t.
To discredit; to contradict. [Obs.] --Shak.
Diswarn \Dis*warn"\, v. t. [Pref. dis- (intens.) + warn.]
To dissuade from by previous warning. [Obs.]
Diswitted \Dis*wit"ted\, a.
Deprived of wits or understanding; distracted. [Obs.]
--Drayton.
Diswont \Dis*wont"\, v. t.
To deprive of wonted usage; to disaccustom. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Disworkmanship \Dis*work"man*ship\, n.
Bad workmanship. [Obs.] --Heywood.
Disworship \Dis*wor"ship\, v. t.
To refuse to worship; to treat as unworthy. [Obs.] --Sir T.
More.
Disworship \Dis*wor"ship\, n.
A deprivation of honor; a cause of disgrace; a discredit.
[Obs.] --Milton.
Disworth \Dis*worth"\, v. t.
To deprive of worth; to degrade. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Disyoke \Dis*yoke"\, v. t.
To unyoke; to free from a yoke; to disjoin. [Poetic] --R.
Browning.
Dit \Dit\, n. [{Ditty}.]
1. A word; a decree. [Obs.]
2. A ditty; a song. [Obs.]
Dit \Dit\, v. t. [AS. dyttan, akin to Icel. ditta.]
To close up. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Ditation \Di*ta"tion\, n. [L. ditare to enrich, fr. dis, ditis,
same as dives, rich.]
The act of making rich; enrichment. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Ditch \Ditch\ (?; 224), n.; pl. {Ditches}. [OE. dich, orig. the
same word as dik. See {Dike}.]
1. A trench made in the earth by digging, particularly a
trench for draining wet land, for guarding or fencing
inclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or
fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a {moat}
or a {fosse}.
2. Any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of
the earth.
Ditch \Ditch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ditched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Ditching}.]
1. To dig a ditch or ditches in; to drain by a ditch or
ditches; as, to ditch moist land.
2. To surround with a ditch. --Shak.
3. To throw into a ditch; as, the engine was ditched and
turned on its side.
Ditch \Ditch\, v. i.
To dig a ditch or ditches. --Swift.
Ditcher \Ditch"er\, n.
One who digs ditches.
Dite \Dite\, v. t. [See {Dight}.]
To prepare for action or use; to make ready; to dight. [Obs.]
His hideous club aloft he dites. --Spenser.
Diterebene \Di*ter"e*bene\, n. [Pref. di- + terebene.] (Chem.)
See {Colophene}.
Dithecal \Di*the"cal\, Dithecous \Di*the"cous\, a. [Pref. di- +
theca.] (Bot.)
Having two thec[ae], cells, or compartments.
Ditheism \Di"the*ism\, n. [Pref. di- + theism: cf. F.
dith['e]isme.]
The doctrine of those who maintain the existence of two gods
or of two original principles (as in Manicheism), one good
and one evil; dualism.
Ditheist \Di"the*ist\, n.
One who holds the doctrine of ditheism; a dualist.
--Cudworth.
Ditheistic \Di`the*is"tic\, Ditheistical \Di`the*is"tic*al\, a.
Pertaining to ditheism; dualistic.
Dithionic \Di`thi*on"ic\, a. [Pref. di- + -thionic.] (Chem.)
Containing two equivalents of sulphur; as, dithionic acid.
{Dithionic acid} (Chem.), an unstable substance, {H2S2O6},
known only in its solutions, and in certain well-defined
salts.
Dithyramb \Dith"y*ramb\, n. [L. dithyrambus, Gr. ? a kind of
lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus; also, a name of Bacchus; of
unknown origin: cf. F. dithyrambe.]
A kind of lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus, usually sung by a
band of revelers to a flute accompaniment; hence, in general,
a poem written in a wild irregular strain. --Bentley.
Dithyrambic \Dith`y*ram"bic\, a. [L. dithyrambicus, Gr. ?: cf.
F. dithyrambique.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, a dithyramb; wild and
boisterous. ``Dithyrambic sallies.'' --Longfellow. -- n. A
dithyrambic poem; a dithyramb.
Dithyrambus \Dith`y*ram"bus\, n. [L.]
See {Dithyramb}.
Dition \Di"tion\, n. [L. ditio, dicio: cf. F. dition.]
Dominion; rule. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Ditionary \Di"tion*a*ry\, a.
Under rule; subject; tributary. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Ditionary \Di"tion*a*ry\, n.
A subject; a tributary. [Obs.] --Eden.
Ditokous \Di"to*kous\, a. [Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ? a bringing
forth, offspring.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having two kinds of young, as certain annelids.
(b) Producing only two eggs for a clutch, as certain birds
do.
Ditolyl \Di*tol"yl\, n. [Pref. di- + tolyl.] (Chem.)
A white, crystalline, aromatic hydrocarbon, {C14H14},
consisting of two radicals or residues of toluene.
Ditone \Di"tone`\, n. [Gr. ? of two tones; di- = di`s- twice + ?
tone.] (Mus.)
The Greek major third, which comprehend two major tones (the
modern major third contains one major and one minor whole
tone).
Ditrichotomous \Di`tri*chot"o*mous\, a. [Pref. di- +
trichotomous.]
1. Divided into twos or threes.
2. (Bot.) Dividing into double or treble ramifications; --
said of a leaf or stem. [R.] --Loudon.
Ditrochean \Di`tro*che"an\, a. (Pros.)
Containing two trochees.
Ditrochee \Di*tro"chee\, n. [L. ditrochaeus, Gr. ?; di- = di`s-
twice + ? trochee.] (Pros.)
A double trochee; a foot made up of two trochees.
Ditroite \Dit"ro*ite\, n. [Named from Ditro in Transylvania.]
(Min.)
An igneous rock composed of orthoclase, el[ae]olite, and
sodalite.
Ditt \Ditt\, n.
See {Dit}, n., 2. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dittander \Dit*tan"der\, n. [See {Dittany}.] (Bot.)
A kind of peppergrass ({Lepidium latifolium}).
Dittany \Dit"ta*ny\, n. [OE. dytane, detane, dytan, OF. ditain,
F. dictame, L. dictamnum, fr. Gr. di`ktamnon, di`ktamnos, a
plant growing in abundance on Mount Dicte in Crete. Cf.
{Dittander}.] (Bot.)
(a) A plant of the Mint family ({Origanum Dictamnus}), a
native of Crete.
(b) The {Dictamnus Fraxinella}. See {Dictamnus}.
(c) In America, the {Cunila Mariana}, a fragrant herb of the
Mint family.
Dittied \Dit"tied\, a. [From {Ditty}.]
Set, sung, or composed as a ditty; -- usually in composition.
Who, with his soft pipe, and smooth-dittied song.
--Milton.
Ditto \Dit"to\, n.; pl. {Dittos}. [It., detto, ditto, fr. L.
dictum. See {Dictum}.]
The aforesaid thing; the same (as before). Often contracted
to do., or to two ``turned commas'' (``), or small marks.
Used in bills, books of account, tables of names, etc., to
save repetition.
A spacious table in the center, and a variety of
smaller dittos in the corners. --Dickens.
Ditto \Dit"to\, adv.
As before, or aforesaid; in the same manner; also.
Dittology \Dit*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. dittologi`a. Attic form of
dissologi`a repetition of words: ? twofold + ? to speak.]
A double reading, or twofold interpretation, as of a
Scripture text. [R.]
Ditty \Dit"ty\, n.; pl. {Ditties}. [OE. dite, OF. diti['e], fr.
L. dictatum, p. p. neut. of dictare to say often, dictate,
compose. See {Dictate}, v. t.]
1. A saying or utterance; especially, one that is short and
frequently repeated; a theme.
O, too high ditty for my simple rhyme. --Spenser.
2. A song; a lay; a little poem intended to be sung.
``Religious, martial, or civil ditties.'' --Milton.
And to the warbling lute soft ditties sing.
--Sandys.
Ditty \Dit"ty\, v. i.
To sing; to warble a little tune.
Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes.
--Herbert.
Ditty-bag \Dit"ty-bag`\, n.
A sailor's small bag to hold thread, needles, tape, etc.; --
also called sailor's housewife.
Ditty-box \Dit"ty-box`\, n.
A small box to hold a sailor's thread, needless, comb, etc.
Diureide \Di*u"re*ide\, n. [Di- + ureide.] (Chem.)
One of a series of complex nitrogenous substances regarded as
containing two molecules of urea or their radicals, as uric
acid or allantoin. Cf. {Ureide}.
Diuresis \Di`u*re"sis\, n. [NL. See {Diuretic}.] (Med.)
Free excretion of urine.
Diuretic \Di`u*ret"ic\, a. [L. diureticus, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make
water; ? through + ? to make water, fr. ? urine: cf. F.
diur['e]tique.] (Med.)
Tending to increase the secretion and discharge of urine. --
n. A medicine with diuretic properties.
{Diuretic salt} (Med.), potassium acetate; -- so called
because of its diuretic properties.
Diuretical \Di`u*ret"ic*al\, a.
Diuretic. [Obs.] --Boyle.
Diureticalness \Di`u*ret"ic*al*ness\, n.
The quality of being diuretical; diuretic property.
Diurna \Di*ur"na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. diurnus belonging to the
day.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Lepidoptera, including the butterflies; -- so
called because they fly only in the daytime.
Diurnal \Di*ur"nal\, a. [L. diurnalis, fr. dies day. See
{Deity}, and cf. {Journal}.]
1. Relating to the daytime; belonging to the period of
daylight, distinguished from the night; -- opposed to
{nocturnal}; as, diurnal heat; diurnal hours.
2. Daily; recurring every day; performed in a day; going
through its changes in a day; constituting the measure of
a day; as, a diurnal fever; a diurnal task; diurnal
aberration, or diurnal parallax; the diurnal revolution of
the earth.
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring Their
fiery torcher his diurnal ring. --Shak.
3. (Bot.) Opening during the day, and closing at night; --
said of flowers or leaves.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Active by day; -- applied especially to the
eagles and hawks among raptorial birds, and to butterflies
(Diurna) among insects.
{Diurnal aberration} (Anat.), the aberration of light arising
from the effect of the earth's rotation upon the apparent
direction of motion of light.
{Diurnal arc}, the arc described by the sun during the
daytime or while above the horizon; hence, the arc
described by the moon or a star from rising to setting.
{Diurnal circle}, the apparent circle described by a
celestial body in consequence of the earth's rotation.
{Diurnal motion of the earth}, the motion of the earth upon
its axis which is described in twenty-four hours.
{Diurnal motion of a heavenly body}, that apparent motion of
the heavenly body which is due to the earth's diurnal
motion.
{Diurnal parallax}. See under {Parallax}.
{Diurnal revolution of a planet}, the motion of the planet
upon its own axis which constitutes one complete
revolution.
Syn: See {Daily}.
Diurnal \Di*ur"nal\, n. [Cf. F. diurnal a prayerbook. See
{Diurnal}, a.]
1. A daybook; a journal. [Obs.] --Tatler.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A small volume containing the daily service
for the ``little hours,'' viz., prime, tierce, sext,
nones, vespers, and compline.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A diurnal bird or insect.
Diurnalist \Di*ur"nal*ist\, n.
A journalist. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Diurnally \Di*ur"nal*ly\, adv.
Daily; every day.
Diurnalness \Di*ur"nal*ness\, n.
The quality of being diurnal.
Diurnation \Di`ur*na"tion\, n.
1. Continuance during the day. [Obs.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) The condition of sleeping or becoming dormant
by day, as is the case of the bats.
Diuturnal \Di`u*tur"nal\, a. [L. diuturnus, fr. diu a long time,
by day; akin to dies day.]
Of long continuance; lasting. [R.] --Milton.
Diuturnity \Di`u*tur"ni*ty\, n. [L. diuturnitas.]
Long duration; lastingness. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Divagation \Di`va*ga"tion\, n. [L. divagari to wander about; di-
= dis- + vagari to stroll about: cf. F. divagation. See
{Vagary}.]
A wandering about or going astray; digression.
Let us be set down at Queen's Crawley without further
divagation. --Thackeray.
Divalent \Div"a*lent\, a. [Pref. di- + L. valens, valentis, p.
pr. See {Valence}.] (Chem.)
Having two units of combining power; bivalent. Cf. {Valence}.
Divan \Di*van"\, n. [Per. d[=i]w[=a]n a book of many leaves, an
account book, a collection of books, a senate, council: cf.
Ar. daiw[=a]n, F. divan.]
1. A book; esp., a collection of poems written by one author;
as, the divan of Hafiz. [Persia]
2. In Turkey and other Oriental countries: A council of
state; a royal court. Also used by the poets for a grand
deliberative council or assembly. --Pope.
3. A chief officer of state. [India]
4. A saloon or hall where a council is held, in Oriental
countries, the state reception room in places, and in the
houses of the richer citizens. Cushions on the floor or on
benches are ranged round the room.
5. A cushioned seat, or a large, low sofa or couch;
especially, one fixed to its place, and not movable.
6. A coffee and smoking saloon. [Colloq.]
Divaricate \Di*var"i*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Divaricated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Divaricating}.] [L. divaricatus, p. p. of
divaricare to stretch apart; di- = dis- + varicare to
straddle, fr. varicus straddling, fr. varus stretched
outwards.]
1. To part into two branches; to become bifid; to fork.
2. To diverge; to be divaricate. --Woodward.
Divaricate \Di*var"i*cate\, v. t.
To divide into two branches; to cause to branch apart.
Divaricate \Di*var"i*cate\, a. [L. divaricatus, p. p.]
1. Diverging; spreading asunder; widely diverging.
2. (Biol.) Forking and diverging; widely diverging; as the
branches of a tree, or as lines of sculpture, or color
markings on animals, etc.
Divaricately \Di*var"i*cate*ly\, adv.
With divarication.
Divarication \Di*var`i*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. divarication.]
1. A separation into two parts or branches; a forking; a
divergence.
2. An ambiguity of meaning; a disagreement of difference in
opinion. --Sir T. Browne.
3. (Biol.) A divergence of lines of color sculpture, or of
fibers at different angles.
Divaricator \Di*var`i*ca"tor\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the muscles which open the shell of brachiopods; a
cardinal muscle. See Illust. of {Brachiopoda}.
Divast \Di*vast"\, a.
Devastated; laid waste. [Obs.]
Dive \Dive\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dived}, colloq. {Dove}, a
relic of the AS. strong forms de['a]f, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Diving}.] [OE. diven, duven, AS. d?fan to sink, v. t., fr.
d?fan, v. i.; akin to Icel. d?fa, G. taufen, E. dip, deep,
and perh. to dove, n. Cf. {Dip}.]
1. To plunge into water head foremost; to thrust the body
under, or deeply into, water or other fluid.
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men
have dived for them. --Whately.
Note: The colloquial form dove is common in the United States
as an imperfect tense form.
All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous
splash. --Dr. Hayes.
When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and
left the young bird sitting in the water. --J.
Burroughs.
2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject,
question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore.
--South.
Dive \Dive\, v. t.
1. To plunge (a person or thing) into water; to dip; to duck.
[Obs.] --Hooker.
2. To explore by diving; to plunge into. [R.]
The Curtii bravely dived the gulf of fame. --Denham.
He dives the hollow, climbs the steeps. --Emerson.
Dive \Dive\, n.
1. A plunge headforemost into water, the act of one who
dives, literally or figuratively.
2. A place of low resort. [Slang]
The music halls and dives in the lower part of the
city. --J.
Hawthorne.
Divedapper \Dive"dap`per\, n. [See {Dive}, {Didapper}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A water fowl; the didapper. See {Dabchick}.
Divel \Di*vel"\, v. t. [L. divellere; dit- = dis- + vellere to
pluck.]
To rend apart. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Divellent \Di*vel"lent\, a. [L. divellens, p. pr.]
Drawing asunder. [R.]
Divellicate \Di*vel"li*cate\, v. t. [L. di- = vellicatus, p. p.
of vellicare to pluck, fr. vellere to pull.]
To pull in pieces. [Obs. or R.]
Diver \Div"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, dives.
Divers and fishers for pearls. --Woodward.
2. Fig.: One who goes deeply into a subject, study, or
business. ``A diver into causes.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any bird of certain genera, as {Urinator}
(formerly {Colymbus}), or the allied genus {Colymbus}, or
{Podiceps}, remarkable for their agility in diving.
Note: The northern diver ({Urinator imber}) is the loon; the
black diver or velvet scoter ({Oidemia fusca}) is a sea
duck. See {Loon}, and {Scoter}.
Diverb \Di"verb\, n. [L. diverbium the colloquial part of a
comedy, dialogue; di- = dis- + verbum word.]
A saying in which two members of the sentence are contrasted;
an antithetical proverb. [Obs.]
Italy, a paradise for horses, a hell for women, as the
diverb goes. --Burton.
Diverberate \Di*ver"ber*ate\, v. t. [L. diverberatus, p. p. of
diverberare to strike asunder; di- = dis- + verberare. See
{Verberate}.]
To strike or sound through. [R.] --Davies (Holy Roode).
Diverberation \Di*ver`ber*a"tion\, n.
A sounding through.
Diverge \Di*verge"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Diverged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Diverging}.] [L. di- = dis- + vergere to bend,
incline. See {Verge}.]
1. To extend from a common point in different directions; to
tend from one point and recede from each other; to tend to
spread apart; to turn aside or deviate (as from a given
direction); -- opposed to {converge}; as, rays of light
diverge as they proceed from the sun.
2. To differ from a typical form; to vary from a normal
condition; to dissent from a creed or position generally
held or taken.
Divergement \Di*verge"ment\, n.
Divergence.
Divergence \Di*ver"gence\, Divergency \Di*ver"gen*cy\, n. [Cf.
F. divergence.]
1. A receding from each other in moving from a common center;
the state of being divergent; as, an angle is made by the
divergence of straight lines.
Rays come to the eye in a state of divergency.
--??????.
2. Disagreement; difference.
Related with some divergence by other writers. --Sir
G. C. Lewis.
Divergent \Di*ver"gent\, a. [Cf. F. divergent. See {Diverge}.]
1. Receding farther and farther from each other, as lines
radiating from one point; deviating gradually from a given
direction; -- opposed to {convergent}.
2. (Optics) Causing divergence of rays; as, a divergent lens.
3. Fig.: Disagreeing from something given; differing; as, a
divergent statement.
{Divergent series}. (Math.) See {Diverging series}, under
{Diverging}.
Diverging \Di*ver"ging\, a.
Tending in different directions from a common center;
spreading apart; divergent.
{Diverging series} (Math.), a series whose terms are larger
as the series is extended; a series the sum of whose terms
does not approach a finite limit when the series is
extended indefinitely; -- opposed to a {converging
series}.
Divergingly \Di*ver"ging*ly\, adv.
In a diverging manner.
Divers \Di"vers\, a. [F. divers, L. diversus turned in different
directions, different, p. p. of divertere. See {Divert}, and
cf. {Diverse}.]
1. Different in kind or species; diverse. [Obs.]
Every sect of them hath a divers posture. --Bacon.
Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds.
--Deut. xxii.
9.
2. Several; sundry; various; more than one, but not a great
number; as, divers philosophers. Also used substantively
or pronominally.
Divers of Antonio's creditors. --Shak.
Note: Divers is now limited to the plural; as, divers ways
(not divers way). Besides plurality it ordinarily
implies variety of kind.
Diverse \Di"verse\ (?; 277), a. [The same word as divers. See
{Divers}.]
1. Different; unlike; dissimilar; distinct; separate.
The word . . . is used in a sense very diverse from
its original import. --J. Edwards.
Our roads are diverse: farewell, love! said she.
--R. Browning.
2. Capable of various forms; multiform.
Eloquence is a great and diverse thing. --B. Jonson.
Diverse \Di*verse"\, adv.
In different directions; diversely.
Diverse \Di*verse"\, v. i.
To turn aside. [Obs.]
The redcross knight diverst, but forth rode Britomart.
--Spenser.
Diversely \Di"verse*ly\, adv.
1. In different ways; differently; variously. ``Diversely
interpreted.'' --Bacon.
How diversely love doth his pageants play.
--Spenser.
2. In different directions; to different points.
On life's vast ocean diversely we sail. --Pope.
Diverseness \Di*verse"ness\, n.
The quality of being diverse.
Diversifiability \Di*ver`si*fi`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or capacity of being diversifiable. --Earle.
Diversifiable \Di*ver"si*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being diversified or varied. --Boyle.
Diversification \Di*ver`si*fi*ca"tion\, n. [See {Diversify}.]
1. The act of making various, or of changing form or quality.
--Boyle.
2. State of diversity or variation; variegation;
modification; change; alternation.
Infinite diversifications of tints may be produced.
--Adventurer.
Diversified \Di*ver"si*fied\, a.
Distinguished by various forms, or by a variety of aspects or
objects; variegated; as, diversified scenery or landscape.
Diversifier \Di*ver"si*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, diversifies.
Diversiform \Di*ver"si*form\, a. [L. diversus diverse + -form.]
Of a different form; of varied forms.
Diversify \Di*ver"si*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diversified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Diversifying}.] [F. diversifier, LL.
diversificare, fr. L. diversus diverse + ficare (in comp.),
akin to facere to make. See {Diverse}.]
To make diverse or various in form or quality; to give
variety to; to variegate; to distinguish by numerous
differences or aspects.
Separated and diversified on from another. --Locke.
Its seven colors, that diversify all the face of
nature. --I. Taylor.
Diversiloquent \Di`ver*sil"o*quent\, a. [L. diversus diverse +
loquens, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
Speaking in different ways. [R.]
Diversion \Di*ver"sion\, n. [Cf. F. diversion. See {Divert}.]
1. The act of turning aside from any course, occupation, or
object; as, the diversion of a stream from its channel;
diversion of the mind from business.
2. That which diverts; that which turns or draws the mind
from care or study, and thus relaxes and amuses; sport;
play; pastime; as, the diversions of youth. ``Public
diversions.'' --V. Knox.
Such productions of wit and humor as expose vice and
folly, furnish useful diversion to readers.
--Addison.
3. (Mil.) The act of drawing the attention and force of an
enemy from the point where the principal attack is to be
made; the attack, alarm, or feint which diverts.
Syn: Amusement; entertainment; pastime; recreation; sport;
game; play; solace; merriment.
Diversity \Di*ver"si*ty\, n.; pl. {Diversities}. [F.
diversit['e], L. diversitas, fr. diversus. See {Diverse}.]
1. A state of difference; dissimilitude; unlikeness.
They will prove opposite; and not resting in a bare
diversity, rise into a contrariety. --South.
2. Multiplicity of difference; multiformity; variety.
``Diversity of sounds.'' --Shak. ``Diversities of
opinion.'' --Secker.
3. Variegation. ``Bright diversities of day.'' --Pope.
Syn: See {Variety}.
Diversivolent \Di`ver*siv"o*lent\, a. [L. diversus diverse +
volens, -entis, p. pr. of velle to wish.]
Desiring different things. [Obs.] --Webster (White Devil).
Diversory \Di*ver"so*ry\, a.
Serving or tending to divert; also, distinguishing. [Obs.]
Diversory \Di*ver"so*ry\, n. [L. diversorium, deversorium, an
inn or lodging.]
A wayside inn. [Obs. or R.] --Chapman.
Divert \Di*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Diverted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Diverting}.] [F. divertir, fr. L. divertere, diversum, to
go different ways, turn aside; di- = dis- + vertere to turn.
See {Verse}, and cf. {Divorce}.]
1. To turn aside; to turn off from any course or intended
application; to deflect; as, to divert a river from its
channel; to divert commerce from its usual course.
That crude apple that diverted Eve. --Milton.
2. To turn away from any occupation, business, or study; to
cause to have lively and agreeable sensations; to amuse;
to entertain; as, children are diverted with sports; men
are diverted with works of wit and humor.
We are amused by a tale, diverted by a comedy. --C.
J. Smith.
Syn: To please; gratify; amuse; entertain; exhilarate;
delight; recreate. See {Amuse}.
Divert \Di*vert"\, v. i.
To turn aside; to digress. [Obs.]
I diverted to see one of the prince's palaces.
--Evelyn.
Diverter \Di*vert"er\, n.
One who, or that which, diverts, turns off, or pleases.
Divertible \Di*vert"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being diverted.
Diverticle \Di*ver"ti*cle\, n. [L. diverticulum, deverticulum, a
bypath, fr. divertere to turn away.]
1. A turning; a byway; a bypath. [Obs.] --Hales.
2. (Anat.) A diverticulum.
Diverticular \Div`er*tic"u*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to a diverticulum.
Diverticulum \Div`er*tic"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Diverticula}. [L. See
{Diverticle}.] (Anat.)
A blind tube branching out of a longer one.
Divertimento \Di*ver`ti*men"to\, n.; pl. {-ti}. [It.] (Mus.)
A light and pleasing composition.
Diverting \Di*vert"ing\, a.
Amusing; entertaining. -- {Di*vert"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Di*vert"ing*ness}, n.
Divertise \Di*vert"ise\, v. t. [F. divertir, p. pr.
divertissant.]
To divert; to entertain. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Divertisement \Di*vert"ise*ment\, n. [Cf. the next word.]
Diversion; amusement; recreation. [R.]
Divertissement \Di`ver`tisse`ment"\, n. [F.]
A short ballet, or other entertainment, between the acts of a
play. --Smart.
Divertive \Di*vert"ive\, a. [From {Divert}.]
Tending to divert; diverting; amusing; interesting.
Things of a pleasant and divertive nature. --Rogers.
Dives \Di"ves\, n. [L., rich.]
The name popularly given to the rich man in our Lord's
parable of the ``Rich Man and Lazarus'' (--Luke xvi. 19-31).
Hence, a name for a rich worldling.
Divest \Di*vest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Divesting}.] [LL. divestire (di- = dis- + L. vestire to
dress), equiv. to L. devestire. It is the same word as
devest, but the latter is rarely used except as a technical
term in law. See {Devest}, {Vest}.]
1. To unclothe; to strip, as of clothes, arms, or equipage;
-- opposed to {invest}.
2. Fig.: To strip; to deprive; to dispossess; as, to divest
one of his rights or privileges; to divest one's self of
prejudices, passions, etc.
Wretches divested of every moral feeling.
--Goldsmith.
The tendency of the language to divest itself of its
gutturals. --Earle.
3. (Law) See {Devest}. --Mozley & W.
Divestible \Di*vest"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being divested.
Divestiture \Di*vest"i*ture\ (?; 135), n.
The act of stripping, or depriving; the state of being
divested; the deprivation, or surrender, of possession of
property, rights, etc.
Divestment \Di*vest"ment\, n.
The act of divesting. [R.]
Divesture \Di*ves"ture\ (?; 135), n.
Divestiture. [Obs.]
Divet \Div"et\, n.
See {Divot}.
Dividable \Di*vid"a*ble\, a. [From {Divide}.]
1. Capable of being divided; divisible.
2. Divided; separated; parted. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dividant \Di*vid"ant\, a.
Different; distinct. [Obs.] --Shak.
Divide \Di*vide"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divided}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dividing}.] [L. dividere, divisum; di- = dis- + root
signifying to part; cf. Skr. vyadh to pierce; perh. akin to
L. vidua widow, and E. widow. Cf. {Device}, {Devise}.]
1. To part asunder (a whole); to sever into two or more parts
or pieces; to sunder; to separate into parts.
Divide the living child in two. --1 Kings iii.
25.
2. To cause to be separate; to keep apart by a partition, or
by an imaginary line or limit; as, a wall divides two
houses; a stream divides the towns.
Let it divide the waters from the waters. --Gen. i.
6.
3. To make partition of among a number; to apportion, as
profits of stock among proprietors; to give in shares; to
distribute; to mete out; to share.
True justice unto people to divide. --Spenser.
Ye shall divide the land by lot. --Num. xxxiii.
54.
4. To disunite in opinion or interest; to make discordant or
hostile; to set at variance.
If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom
can not stand. --Mark iii.
24.
Every family became now divided within itself.
--Prescott.
5. To separate into two parts, in order to ascertain the
votes for and against a measure; as, to divide a
legislative house upon a question.
6. (Math.) To subject to arithmetical division.
7. (Logic) To separate into species; -- said of a genus or
generic term.
8. (Mech.) To mark divisions on; to graduate; as, to divide a
sextant.
9. (Music) To play or sing in a florid style, or with
variations. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: To sever; dissever; sunder; cleave; disjoin; disunite;
detach; disconnect; part; distribute; share.
Divide \Di*vide"\, v. i.
1. To be separated; to part; to open; to go asunder.
--Milton.
The Indo-Germanic family divides into three groups.
--J. Peile.
2. To cause separation; to disunite.
A gulf, a strait, the sea intervening between
islands, divide less than the matted forest.
--Bancroft.
3. To break friendship; to fall out. --Shak.
4. To have a share; to partake. --Shak.
5. To vote, as in the British Parliament, by the members
separating themselves into two parties (as on opposite
sides of the hall or in opposite lobbies), that is, the
ayes dividing from the noes.
The emperors sat, voted, and divided with their
equals. --Gibbon.
Divide \Di*vide"\, n.
A dividing ridge of land between the tributaries of two
streams; a watershed.
Divided \Di*vid"ed\, a.
1. Parted; disunited; distributed.
2. (Bot.) Cut into distinct parts, by incisions which reach
the midrib; -- said of a leaf.
Dividedly \Di*vid"ed*ly\, adv.
Separately; in a divided manner.
Dividend \Div"i*dend\, n. [L. dividendum thing to be divided,
neut. of the gerundive of dividere: cf. F. dividende.]
1. A sum of money to be divided and distributed; the share of
a sum divided that falls to each individual; a distribute
sum, share, or percentage; -- applied to the profits as
appropriated among shareholders, and to assets as
apportioned among creditors; as, the dividend of a bank, a
railway corporation, or a bankrupt estate.
2. (Math.) A number or quantity which is to be divided.
Divident \Div"i*dent\, n.
Dividend; share. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Divider \Di*vid"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, divides; that which separates
anything into parts.
2. One who deals out to each his share.
Who made me a judge or a divider over you? --Luke
xii. 14.
3. One who, or that which, causes division.
Hate is of all things the mightiest divider.
--Milton.
Money, the great divider of the world. --Swift.
4. pl. An instrument for dividing lines, describing circles,
etc., compasses. See {Compasses}.
Note: The word dividers is usually applied to the instrument
as made for the use of draughtsmen, etc.; compasses to
the coarser instrument used by carpenters.
Dividing \Di*vid"ing\, a.
That divides; separating; marking divisions; graduating.
{Dividing engine}, a machine for graduating circles (as for
astronomical instruments) or bars (as for scales); also,
for spacing off and cutting teeth in wheels.
{Dividing sinker}. (Knitting Mach.). See under {Sinker}.
Dividingly \Di*vid"ing*ly\, adv.
By division.
Divi-divi \Di"vi-di"vi\, n. [Native name.] (Bot.)
A small tree of tropical America ({C[ae]salpinia coriaria}),
whose legumes contain a large proportion of tannic and gallic
acid, and are used by tanners and dyers.
Dividual \Di*vid"u*al\ (?; 135), a. [See {Dividuous}.]
Divided, shared, or participated in, in common with others.
[R.] --Milton.
Dividually \Di*vid"u*al*ly\, adv.
By dividing. [R.]
Dividuous \Di*vid"u*ous\, a. [L. dividuus divisible, divided,
fr. dividere.]
Divided; dividual. [R.]
He so often substantiates distinctions into dividuous,
selfsubsistent. --Coleridge.
Divination \Div`i*na"tion\, n. [L. divinatio, fr. divinare,
divinatum, to foresee, foretell, fr. divinus: cf. F.
divination. See {Divine}.]
1. The act of divining; a foreseeing or foretelling of future
events; the pretended art discovering secret or future by
preternatural means.
There shall not be found among you any one that . .
. useth divination, or an observer of times, or an
enchanter. --Deut. xviii.
10.
Note: Among the ancient heathen philosophers natural
divination was supposed to be effected by a divine
afflatus; artificial divination by certain rites,
omens, or appearances, as the flight of birds, entrails
of animals, etc.
2. An indication of what is future or secret; augury omen;
conjectural presage; prediction.
Birds which do give a happy divination of things to
come. --Sir T.
North.
Divinator \Div"i*na`tor\, n. [L. See {Divination}.]
One who practices or pretends to divination; a diviner. [R.]
--Burton.
Divinatory \Di*vin"a*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. divinatoire.]
Professing, or relating to, divination. ``A natural
divinatory instinct.'' --Cowley.
Divine \Di*vine"\, a. [Compar. {Diviner}; superl. {Divinest}.]
[F. divin, L. divinus divine, divinely inspired, fr. divus,
dius, belonging to a deity; akin to Gr. ?, and L. deus, God.
See {Deity}.]
1. Of or belonging to God; as, divine perfections; the divine
will. ``The immensity of the divine nature.'' --Paley.
2. Proceeding from God; as, divine judgments. ``Divine
protection.'' --Bacon.
3. Appropriated to God, or celebrating his praise; religious;
pious; holy; as, divine service; divine songs; divine
worship.
4. Pertaining to, or proceeding from, a deity; partaking of
the nature of a god or the gods. ``The divine Apollo
said.'' --Shak.
5. Godlike; heavenly; excellent in the highest degree;
supremely admirable; apparently above what is human. In
this application, the word admits of comparison; as, the
divinest mind. Sir J. Davies. ``The divine Desdemona.''
--Shak.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king.
--Prov. xvi.
10.
But not to one in this benighted age Is that diviner
inspiration given. --Gray.
6. Presageful; foreboding; prescient. [Obs.]
Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill, Misgave
him. --Milton.
7. Relating to divinity or theology.
Church history and other divine learning. --South.
Syn: Supernatural; superhuman; godlike; heavenly; celestial;
pious; holy; sacred; pre["e]minent.
Divine \Di*vine"\, n. [L. divinus a soothsayer, LL., a
theologian. See {Divine}, a.]
1. One skilled in divinity; a theologian. ``Poets were the
first divines.'' --Denham.
2. A minister of the gospel; a priest; a clergyman.
The first divines of New England were surpassed by
none in extensive erudition. --J.
Woodbridge.
Divine \Di*vine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Divining}.] [L. divinare: cf. F. deviner. See
{Divination}.]
1. To foresee or foreknow; to detect; to anticipate; to
conjecture.
A sagacity which divined the evil designs.
--Bancroft.
2. To foretell; to predict; to presage.
Darest thou . . . divine his downfall? --Shak.
3. To render divine; to deify. [Obs.]
Living on earth like angel new divined. --Spenser.
Syn: To foretell; predict; presage; prophesy; prognosticate;
forebode; guess; conjecture; surmise.
Divine \Di*vine"\, v. i.
1. To use or practice divination; to foretell by divination;
to utter prognostications.
The prophets thereof divine for money. --Micah iii.
11.
2. To have or feel a presage or foreboding.
Suggest but truth to my divining thoughts. --Shak.
3. To conjecture or guess; as, to divine rightly.
Divinely \Di*vine"ly\, adv.
1. In a divine or godlike manner; holily; admirably or
excellently in a supreme degree.
Most divinely fair. --Tennyson.
2. By the agency or influence of God.
Divinely set apart . . . to be a preacher of
righteousness. --Macaulay.
Divinement \Di*vine"ment\, n.
Divination. [Obs.]
Divineness \Di*vine"ness\, n.
The quality of being divine; superhuman or supreme
excellence. --Shak.
Diviner \Di*vin"er\, n.
1. One who professes divination; one who pretends to predict
events, or to reveal occult things, by supernatural means.
The diviners have seen a lie, and have told false
dreams; they comfort in vain. --Zech. x. 2.
2. A conjecture; a guesser; one who makes out occult things.
--Locke.
Divineress \Di*vin"er*ess\, n.
A woman who divines. --Dryden.
Diving \Div"ing\, a.
That dives or is used or diving.
{Diving beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any beetle of the family
{Dytiscid[ae]}, which habitually lives under water; --
called also {water tiger}.
{Diving bell}, a hollow inverted vessel, sometimes
bell-shaped, in which men may descend and work under
water, respiration being sustained by the compressed air
at the top, by fresh air pumped in through a tube from
above.
{Diving dress}. See {Submarine armor}, under {Submarine}.
{Diving stone}, a kind of jasper.
Divinify \Di*vin"i*fy\, v. t. [L. divinus divine + -fy.]
To render divine; to deify. [Obs.] ``Blessed and divinified
soul.'' --Parth. Sacra (1633).
Divining \Di*vin"ing\, a.
That divines; for divining.
{Divining rod}, a rod, commonly of witch hazel, with forked
branches, used by those who pretend to discover water or
metals under ground.
Diviningly \Di*vin"ing*ly\, adv.
In a divining manner.
Divinistre \Div`i*nis"tre\, n.
A diviner. [Obs.] `` I am no divinistre.'' --Chaucer.
Divinity \Di*vin"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Divinities}. [F. divinit['e],
L. divinitas. See {Divine}, a.]
1. The state of being divine; the nature or essence of God;
deity; godhead.
When he attributes divinity to other things than
God, it is only a divinity by way of participation.
--Bp.
Stillingfleet.
2. The Deity; the Supreme Being; God.
This the divinity that within us. --Addison.
3. A pretended deity of pagans; a false god.
Beastly divinities, and droves of gods. --Prior.
4. A celestial being, inferior to the supreme God, but
superior to man.
God . . . employing these subservient divinities.
--Cheyne.
5. Something divine or superhuman; supernatural power or
virtue; something which inspires awe.
They say there is divinity in odd numbers. --Shak.
There's such divinity doth hedge a king. --Shak.
6. The science of divine things; the science which treats of
God, his laws and moral government, and the way of
salvation; theology.
Divinity is essentially the first of the
professions. --Coleridge.
{Case divinity}, casuistry.
Divinization \Div`i*ni*za"tion\, n.
A making divine. --M. Arnold.
Divinize \Div"i*nize\, v. t.
To invest with a divine character; to deify. [R.] --M.
Arnold.
Man had divinized all those objects of awe. --Milman.
Divisibility \Di*vis`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. divisibilit['e].]
The quality of being divisible; the property of bodies by
which their parts are capable of separation.
Divisibility . . . is a primary attribute of matter.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
Divisible \Di*vis"i*ble\, a. [L. divisibilis, fr. dividere: cf.
F. divisible. See {Divide}.]
Capable of being divided or separated.
Extended substance . . . is divisible into parts. --Sir
W. Hamilton.
{Divisible contract} (Law), a contract containing agreements
one of which can be separated from the other.
{Divisible offense} (Law), an offense containing a lesser
offense in one of a greater grade, so that on the latter
there can be an acquittal, while on the former there can
be a conviction. -- {Di*vis"i*ble*ness}, n. --
{Di*vis"i*bly}, adv.
Divisible \Di*vis"i*ble\, n.
A divisible substance. --Glanvill.
Division \Di*vi"sion\, n. [F. division, L. divisio, from
dividere. See {Divide}.]
1. The act or process of diving anything into parts, or the
state of being so divided; separation.
I was overlooked in the division of the spoil.
--Gibbon.
2. That which divides or keeps apart; a partition.
3. The portion separated by the divining of a mass or body; a
distinct segment or section.
Communities and divisions of men. --Addison.
4. Disunion; difference in opinion or feeling; discord;
variance; alienation.
There was a division among the people. --John vii.
43.
5. Difference of condition; state of distinction;
distinction; contrast. --Chaucer.
I will put a division between my people and thy
people. --Ex. viii.
23.
6. Separation of the members of a deliberative body, esp. of
the Houses of Parliament, to ascertain the vote.
The motion passed without a division. --Macaulay.
7. (Math.) The process of finding how many times one number
or quantity is contained in another; the reverse of
multiplication; also, the rule by which the operation is
performed.
8. (Logic) The separation of a genus into its constituent
species.
9. (Mil.)
(a) Two or more brigades under the command of a general
officer.
(b) Two companies of infantry maneuvering as one
subdivision of a battalion.
(c) One of the larger districts into which a country is
divided for administering military affairs.
10. (Naut.) One of the groups into which a fleet is divided.
11. (Mus.) A course of notes so running into each other as to
form one series or chain, to be sung in one breath to one
syllable.
12. (Rhet.) The distribution of a discourse into parts; a
part so distinguished.
13. (Biol.) A grade or rank in classification; a portion of a
tribe or of a class; or, in some recent authorities,
equivalent to a subkingdom.
{Cell division} (Biol.), a method of cell increase, in which
new cells are formed by the division of the parent cell.
In this process, the cell nucleus undergoes peculiar
differentiations and changes, as shown in the figure (see
also {Karyokinesis}). At the same time the protoplasm of
the cell becomes gradually constricted by a furrow
transverse to the long axis of the nuclear spindle,
followed, on the completion of the division of the
nucleus, by a separation of the cell contents into two
masses, called the daughter cells.
{Long division} (Math.), the process of division when the
operations are mostly written down.
{Short division} (Math.), the process of division when the
operations are mentally performed and only the results
written down; -- used principally when the divisor is not
greater than ten or twelve.
Syn: compartment; section; share; allotment; distribution;
separation; partition; disjunction; disconnection;
difference; variance; discord; disunion.
Divisional \Di*vi"sion*al\, a.
That divides; pertaining to, making, or noting, a division;
as, a divisional line; a divisional general; a divisional
surgeon of police.
{Divisional planes} (Geol.), planes of separation between
rock masses. They include joints.
Divisionally \Di*vi"sion*al*ly\, adv.
So as to be divisional.
Divisionary \Di*vi"sion*a*ry\, a.
Divisional.
Divisionor \Di*vi"sion*or\, n.
One who divides or makes division. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
Divisive \Di*vi"sive\, a. [Cf. F. divisif.]
1. Indicating division or distribution. --Mede.
2. Creating, or tending to create, division, separation, or
difference.
It [culture] is after all a dainty and divisive
quality, and can not reach to the depths of
humanity. --J. C.
Shairp.
-- {Di*vi"sive*ly}, adv. -- {Di*vi"sive*ness}, n.
--Carlyle.
Divisor \Di*vi"sor\, n. [L., fr. dividere. See {Divide}.]
(Math.)
The number by which the dividend is divided.
{Common divisor}. (Math.) See under {Common}, a.
Divorce \Di*vorce"\, n. [F. divorce, L. divortium, fr.
divortere, divertere, to turn different ways, to separate.
See {Divert}.]
1. (Law)
(a) A legal dissolution of the marriage contract by a
court or other body having competent authority. This
is properly a divorce, and called, technically,
divorce a vinculo matrimonii. ``from the bond of
matrimony.''
(b) The separation of a married woman from the bed and
board of her husband -- divorce a mensa et toro (or
thoro), ``from bed board.''
2. The decree or writing by which marriage is dissolved.
3. Separation; disunion of things closely united.
To make divorce of their incorporate league. --Shak.
4. That which separates. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Bill of divorce}. See under {Bill}.
Divorce \Di*vorce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divorced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Divorcing}.] [Cf. F. divorcer. See {Divorce}, n.]
1. To dissolve the marriage contract of, either wholly or
partially; to separate by divorce.
2. To separate or disunite; to sunder.
It [a word] was divorced from its old sense.
--Earle.
3. To make away; to put away.
Nothing but death Shall e'er divorce my dignities.
--Shak.
Divorceable \Di*vorce"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being divorced.
Divorcee \Di*vor`cee"\, n.
A person divorced.
Divorceless \Di*vorce"less\, a.
Incapable of being divorced or separated; free from divorce.
Divorcement \Di*vorce"ment\, n.
Dissolution of the marriage tie; divorce; separation.
Let him write her a divorcement. --Deut. xxiv.
1.
The divorcement of our written from our spoken
language. --R. Morris.
Divorcer \Di*vor"cer\, n.
The person or cause that produces or effects a divorce.
--Drummond.
Divorcible \Di*vor"ci*ble\, a.
Divorceable. --Milton.
Divorcive \Di*vor"cive\, a.
Having power to divorce; tending to divorce. ``This divorcive
law.'' --Milton.
Divot \Div"ot\, n.
A thin, oblong turf used for covering cottages, and also for
fuel. [Scot.] --Simmonds.
Divulgate \Di*vul"gate\, a. [L. divulgatus, p. p. of divulgare.
See {Divulge}.]
Published. [Obs.] --Bale.
Divulgate \Di*vul"gate\, v. t.
To divulge. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Divulgater \Div"ul*ga`ter\, n.
A divulger. [R.]
Divulgation \Div`ul*ga"tion\, n. [L. divulgatio: cf. F.
divulgation.]
The act of divulging or publishing. [R.]
Secrecy hath no use than divulgation. --Bp. Hall.
Divulge \Di*vulge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Divulged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Divulging}.] [F. divulguer, L. divulgare; di- = dis-
+ vulgare to spread among the people, from vulgus the common
people. See {Vulgar}.]
1. To make public; to several or communicate to the public;
to tell (a secret) so that it may become generally known;
to disclose; -- said of that which had been confided as a
secret, or had been before unknown; as, to divulge a
secret.
Divulge not such a love as mine. --Cowper.
2. To indicate publicly; to proclaim. [R.]
God . . . marks The just man, and divulges him
through heaven. --Milton.
3. To impart; to communicate.
Which would not be
To them [animals] made common and divulged.
--Milton.
Syn: To publish; disclose; discover; uncover; reveal;
communicate; impart; tell.
Divulge \Di*vulge"\, v. i.
To become publicly known. [R.] ``To keep it from divulging.''
--Shak.
Divulsive \Di*vul"sive\, a.
Tending to pull asunder, tear, or rend; distracting.
Dixie \Dix"ie\, n.
A colloquial name for the Southern portion of the United
States, esp. during the Civil War. [U.S.]
Dizen \Diz"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dizened}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dizening}.] [Perh. orig., to dress in a foolish manner, and
allied to dizzy: but cf. also OE. dysyn (Palsgrave) to put
tow or flax on a distaff, i. e., to dress it. Cf. {Distaff}.]
1. To dress; to attire. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. To dress gaudily; to overdress; to bedizen; to deck out.
Like a tragedy queen, he has dizened her out.
--Goldsmith.
To-morrow when the masks shall fall That dizen
Nature's carnival. --Emerson.
Dizz \Dizz\ (d[i^]z), v. t. [See {Dizzy}.]
To make dizzy; to astonish; to puzzle. [Obs.] --Gayton.
Dizzard \Diz"zard\ (d[i^]z"z[~e]rd), n. [See {Dizzy}, and cf.
{Disard}.]
A blockhead. [Obs.] [Written also {dizard}, and {disard}.] --
{Diz"zard*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Dizzily \Diz"zi*ly\ (d[i^]z"z[i^]*l[y^]), adv.
In a dizzy manner or state.
Dizziness \Diz"zi*ness\, n. [AS. dysigness folly. See {Dizzy}.]
Giddiness; a whirling sensation in the head; vertigo.
Dizzy \Diz"zy\ (d[i^]z"z[y^]), a. [Compar. {Dizzier}
(-z[i^]*[~e]r); superl. {Dizziest}.] [OE. dusi, disi, desi,
foolish, AS. dysig; akin to LG. d["u]sig dizzy, OD. deuzig,
duyzig, OHG. tusig foolish, OFries. dusia to be dizzy; LG.
dusel dizziness, duselig, dusselig, D. duizelig, dizzy, Dan.
d["o]sig drowsy, slepy, d["o]se to make dull, drowsy, d["o]s
dullness, drowsiness, and to AS. dw[=ae]s foolish, G. thor
fool. [root]71. Cf. {Daze}, {Doze}.]
1. Having in the head a sensation of whirling, with a
tendency to fall; vertiginous; giddy; hence, confused;
indistinct.
Alas! his brain was dizzy. --Drayton.
2. Causing, or tending to cause, giddiness or vertigo.
To climb from the brink of Fleet Ditch by a dizzy
ladder. --Macaulay.
3. Without distinct thought; unreflecting; thoughtless;
heedless. ``The dizzy multitude.'' --Milton.
Dizzy \Diz"zy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dizzied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dizzying}.]
To make dizzy or giddy; to give the vertigo to; to confuse.
If the jangling of thy bells had not dizzied thy
understanding. --Sir W.
Scott.
Djereed \Djer*eed"\or Djerrid \Djer*rid"\, n. [F. djerid, fr.
Ar. See {Jereed}.]
(a) A blunt javelin used in military games in Moslem
countries.
(b) A game played with it. [Written also {jereed}, {jerrid},
etc.]
Djinnee \Djin"nee\, n.; pl. {Jjinn}or {Djinns}.
See {Jinnee}, {Jinn}.
Do \Do.\, n.
An abbreviation of {Ditto}.
Do \Do\ (d[=o]), n. (Mus.)
A syllable attached to the first tone of the major diatonic
scale for the purpose of solmization, or solfeggio. It is the
first of the seven syllables used by the Italians as manes of
musical tones, and replaced, for the sake of euphony, the
syllable Ut, applied to the note C. In England and America
the same syllables are used by mane as a scale pattern, while
the tones in respect to absolute pitch are named from the
first seven letters of the alphabet.
Do \Do\, v. t. or auxiliary. [imp. {Din}; p. p. {Done}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Doing}. This verb, when transitive, is formed in the
indicative, present tense, thus: I do, thou doest (?) or dost
?, he does (?), doeth (?), or doth (?); when auxiliary, the
second person is, thou dost. As an independent verb, dost is
obsolete or rare, except in poetry. ``What dost thou in this
world?'' --Milton. The form doeth is a verb unlimited, doth,
formerly so used, now being the auxiliary form. The second
pers, sing., imperfect tense, is didst (?), formerly didest
(?).] [AS. d?n; akin to D. doen, OS. duan, OHG. tuon, G.
thun, Lith. deti, OSlav. d?ti, OIr. d['e]nim I do, Gr. ? to
put, Skr. dh[=a], and to E. suffix -dom, and prob. to L.
facere to do, E. fact, and perh. to L. -dere in some
compounfds, as addere to add, credere to trust. ??? Cf.
{Deed}, {Deem}, {Doom}, {Fact}, {Creed}, {Theme}.]
1. To place; to put. [Obs.] --Tale of a Usurer (about 1330).
2. To cause; to make; -- with an infinitive. [Obs.]
My lord Abbot of Westminster did do shewe to me late
certain evidences. --W. Caxton.
I shall . . . your cloister do make. --Piers
Plowman.
A fatal plague which many did to die. --Spenser.
We do you to wit [i. e., We make you to know] of the
grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
--2 Cor. viii.
1.
Note: We have lost the idiom shown by the citations (do used
like the French faire or laisser), in which the verb in
the infinitive apparently, but not really, has a
passive signification, i. e., cause . . . to be made.
3. To bring about; to produce, as an effect or result; to
effect; to achieve.
The neglecting it may do much danger. --Shak.
He waved indifferently 'twixt doing them neither
good not harm. --Shak.
4. To perform, as an action; to execute; to transact to carry
out in action; as, to do a good or a bad act; do our duty;
to do what I can.
Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work. --Ex.
xx. 9.
We did not do these things. --Ld. Lytton.
You can not do wrong without suffering wrong.
--Emerson.
Hence: To do homage, honor, favor, justice, etc., to
render homage, honor, etc.
5. To bring to an end by action; to perform completely; to
finish; to accomplish; -- a sense conveyed by the
construction, which is that of the past participle done.
``Ere summer half be done.'' ``I have done weeping.''
--Shak.
6. To make ready for an object, purpose, or use, as food by
cooking; to cook completely or sufficiently; as, the meat
is done on one side only.
7. To put or bring into a form, state, or condition,
especially in the phrases, to do death, to put to death;
to slay; to do away (often do away with), to put away; to
remove; to do on, to put on; to don; to do off, to take
off, as dress; to doff; to do into, to put into the form
of; to translate or transform into, as a text.
Done to death by slanderous tongues. -- Shak.
The ground of the difficulty is done away. -- Paley.
Suspicions regarding his loyalty were entirely done
away. --Thackeray.
To do on our own harness, that we may not; but we
must do on the armor of God. -- Latimer.
Then Jason rose and did on him a fair Blue woolen
tunic. -- W. Morris
(Jason).
Though the former legal pollution be now done off,
yet there is a spiritual contagion in idolatry as
much to be shunned. --Milton.
It [``Pilgrim's Progress''] has been done into
verse: it has been done into modern English. --
Macaulay.
8. To cheat; to gull; to overreach. [Colloq.]
He was not be done, at his time of life, by
frivolous offers of a compromise that might have
secured him seventy-five per cent. -- De Quincey.
9. To see or inspect; to explore; as, to do all the points of
interest. [Colloq.]
10. (Stock Exchange) To cash or to advance money for, as a
bill or note.
Note:
(a) Do and did are much employed as auxiliaries, the verb
to which they are joined being an infinitive. As an
auxiliary the verb do has no participle. ``I do set
my bow in the cloud.'' --Gen. ix. 13. [Now archaic or
rare except for emphatic assertion.]
Rarely . . . did the wrongs of individuals to
the knowledge of the public. -- Macaulay.
(b) They are often used in emphatic construction. ``You
don't say so, Mr. Jobson. -- but I do say so.'' --Sir
W. Scott. ``I did love him, but scorn him now.''
--Latham.
(c) In negative and interrogative constructions, do and
did are in common use. I do not wish to see them;
what do you think? Did C[ae]sar cross the Tiber? He
did not. ``Do you love me?'' --Shak.
(d) Do, as an auxiliary, is supposed to have been first
used before imperatives. It expresses entreaty or
earnest request; as, do help me. In the imperative
mood, but not in the indicative, it may be used with
the verb to be; as, do be quiet. Do, did, and done
often stand as a general substitute or representative
verb, and thus save the repetition of the principal
verb. ``To live and die is all we have to do.''
--Denham. In the case of do and did as auxiliaries,
the sense may be completed by the infinitive (without
to) of the verb represented. ``When beauty lived and
died as flowers do now.'' --Shak. ``I . . . chose my
wife as she did her wedding gown.'' --Goldsmith.
My brightest hopes giving dark fears a being.
As the light does the shadow. -- Longfellow.
In unemphatic affirmative sentences do is, for the
most part, archaic or poetical; as, ``This just
reproach their virtue does excite.'' --Dryden.
{To do one's best}, {To do one's diligence} (and the like),
to exert one's self; to put forth one's best or most or
most diligent efforts. ``We will . . . do our best to gain
their assent.'' --Jowett (Thucyd.).
{To do one's business}, to ruin one. [Colloq.] --Wycherley.
{To do one shame}, to cause one shame. [Obs.]
{To do over}.
(a) To make over; to perform a second time.
(b) To cover; to spread; to smear. ``Boats . . . sewed
together and done over with a kind of slimy stuff
like rosin.'' --De Foe.
{To do to death}, to put to death. (See 7.) [Obs.]
{To do up}.
(a) To put up; to raise. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
(b) To pack together and envelop; to pack up.
(c) To accomplish thoroughly. [Colloq.]
(d) To starch and iron. ``A rich gown of velvet, and a
ruff done up with the famous yellow starch.''
--Hawthorne.
{To do way}, to put away; to lay aside. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To do with}, to dispose of; to make use of; to employ; --
usually preceded by what. ``Men are many times brought to
that extremity, that were it not for God they would not
know what to do with themselves.'' --Tillotson.
{To have to do with}, to have concern, business or
intercourse with; to deal with. When preceded by what, the
notion is usually implied that the affair does not concern
the person denoted by the subject of have. ``Philology has
to do with language in its fullest sense.'' --Earle.
``What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? --2 Sam.
xvi. 10.
Do \Do\, v. i.
1. To act or behave in any manner; to conduct one's self.
They fear not the Lord, neither do they after . . .
the law and commandment. -- 2 Kings
xvii. 34.
2. To fare; to be, as regards health; as, they asked him how
he did; how do you do to-day?
3. [Perh. a different word. OE. dugen, dowen, to avail, be of
use, AS. dugan. See {Doughty}.] To succeed; to avail; to
answer the purpose; to serve; as, if no better plan can be
found, he will make this do.
You would do well to prefer a bill against all kings
and parliaments since the Conquest; and if that
won't do; challenge the crown. -- Collier.
{To do by}. See under {By}.
{To do for}.
(a) To answer for; to serve as; to suit.
(b) To put an end to; to ruin; to baffle completely; as, a
goblet is done for when it is broken. [Colloq.]
Some folks are happy and easy in mind when their
victim is stabbed and done for. --Thackeray.
{To do withal}, to help or prevent it. [Obs.] ``I could not
do withal.'' --Shak.
{To do without}, to get along without; to dispense with.
{To have done}, to have made an end or conclusion; to have
finished; to be quit; to desist.
{To have done with}, to have completed; to be through with;
to have no further concern with.
{Well to do}, in easy circumstances.
Do \Do\, n.
1. Deed; act; fear. [Obs.] --Sir W. Scott.
2. Ado; bustle; stir; to do. [R.]
A great deal of do, and a great deal of trouble. --
Selden.
3. A cheat; a swindle. [Slang, Eng.]
Doab \Do"ab\, [Pers. & Hind. do[=a]b, prop., two waters.]
A tongue or tract of land included between two rivers; as,
the doab between the Ganges and the Jumna. [India] --Am. Cyc.
Doable \Do"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being done. --Carlyle.
Do-all \Do"-all`\, n.
General manager; factotum.
Under him, Dunstan was the do-all at court, being the
king's treasurer, councilor, chancellor, confessor, all
things. -- Fuller.
Doand \Do"and\, p. pr.
Doing. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Doat \Doat\, v. i.
See {Dote}.
Dobber \Dob"ber\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) See {Dabchick}.
2. A float to a fishing line. [Local, U. S.]
Dobbin \Dob"bin\, n.
1. An old jaded horse. --Shak.
2. Sea gravel mixed with sand. [Prov. Eng.]
Dobchick \Dob"chick`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dabchick}.
Dobson \Dob"son\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The aquatic larva of a large neuropterous insect ({Corydalus
cornutus}), used as bait in angling. See {Hellgamite}.
Dobule \Dob"ule\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European dace.
Docent \Do"cent\, a. [L. docens, -entis, p. pr. of docere to
teach.]
Serving to instruct; teaching. [Obs.]
Docetae \Do*ce"t[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. ? to appear.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
Ancient heretics who held that Christ's body was merely a
phantom or appearance.
Docetic \Do*cet"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, held by, or like, the Docet[ae]. ``Docetic
Gnosticism.'' -- Plumptre.
Docetism \Doc"e*tism\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
The doctrine of the Docet[ae].
Dochmiac \Doch"mi*ac\, a. (Pros.)
Pertaining to, or containing, the dochmius.
Dochmius \Doch"mi*us\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Pros.)
A foot of five syllables (usually ? -- -? -).
Docibility \Doc`i*bil"i*ty\, Docibleness \Doc"i*ble*ness\, n.
[L. docibilitas.]
Aptness for being taught; teachableness; docility.
To persons of docibility, the real character may be
easily taught in a few days. --Boyle.
The docibleness of dogs in general. --Walton.
Docible \Doc"i*ble\, a. [L. docibilis, fr. docere to teach.]
Easily taught or managed; teachable. --Milton.
Docile \Doc"ile\, a. [L. docilis,fr. docere to teach; cf. Gr. ?,
and L. discere to learn, Gr. ? learned, ? knowing: cf. F.
docile. Cf. {Doctor}, {Didactic}, {Disciple}.]
1. Teachable; easy to teach; docible. [Obs.]
2. Disposed to be taught; tractable; easily managed; as, a
docile child.
The elephant is at once docible and docile. -- C. J.
Smith.
Docility \Do*cil"i*ty\, n. [L. docilitas, fr. docilis: cf. F.
docilit['e].]
1. teachableness; aptness for being taught; docibleness.
[Obs. or R.]
2. Willingness to be taught; tractableness.
The humble docility of little children is, in the
New Testament, represented as a necessary
preparative to the reception of the Christian faith.
-- Beattie.
Docimacy \Doc"i*ma*cy\, n. [Gr. ? an assay, examination, fr. ?
to examine (Metals), fr. ? assayed, tested, fr. ? to take,
approve: cf. F. docimasie.]
The art or practice of applying tests to ascertain the
nature, quality, etc., of objects, as of metals or ores, of
medicines, or of facts pertaining to physiology.
Docimastic \Doc`i*mas"tic\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. docimastique.]
Proving by experiments or tests.
{Docimastic art}, metallurgy, or the art of assaying metals;
the art of separating metals from foreign matters, and
determining the nature and quantity of metallic substances
contained in any ore or mineral.
Docimology \Doc`i*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? a test + -logy.]
A treatise on the art of testing, as in assaying metals, etc.
Docity \Doc"i*ty\, n.
Teachableness. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U. S.]
Dock \Dock\ (d[o^]k), n. [AS. docce; of uncertain origin; cf. G.
docken-bl["a]tter, Gael. dogha burdock, OF. doque; perh. akin
to L. daucus, daucum, Gr. ?, ?, a kind of parsnip or carrot,
used in medicine. Cf. {Burdock}.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Rumex}), some species of which are
well-known weeds which have a long taproot and are difficult
of extermination.
Note: Yellow dock is {Rumex crispus}, with smooth curly
leaves and yellow root, which that of other species is
used medicinally as an astringent and tonic.
Dock \Dock\, n. [Cf. Icel. dockr a short tail, Fries. dok a
little bundle or bunch, G. docke bundle, skein, a short and
thick column.]
1. The solid part of an animal's tail, as distinguished from
the hair; the stump of a tail; the part of a tail left
after clipping or cutting. --Grew.
2. A case of leather to cover the clipped or cut tail of a
horse.
Dock \Dock\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Docked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Docking}.] [See {Dock} a tail. Cf. W. tociaw, and twciaw, to
dock, clip.]
1. to cut off, as the end of a thing; to curtail; to cut
short; to clip; as, to dock the tail of a horse.
His top was docked like a priest biforn. -- Chaucer.
2. To cut off a part from; to shorten; to deduct from; to
subject to a deduction; as, to dock one's wages.
3. To cut off, bar, or destroy; as, to dock an entail.
Dock \Dock\, n. [Akin to D. dok; of uncertain origin; cf. LL.
doga ditch, L. doga ditch, L. doga sort of vessel, Gr. ?
receptacle, fr. ? to receive.]
1. An artificial basin or an inclosure in connection with a
harbor or river, -- used for the reception of vessels, and
provided with gates for keeping in or shutting out the
tide.
2. The slip or water way extending between two piers or
projecting wharves, for the reception of ships; --
sometimes including the piers themselves; as, to be down
on the dock.
3. The place in court where a criminal or accused person
stands.
{Balance dock}, a kind of {floating dock} which is kept level
by pumping water out of, or letting it into, the
compartments of side chambers.
{Dry dock}, a dock from which the water may be shut or pumped
out, especially, one in the form of a chamber having walls
and floor, often of masonry and communicating with deep
water, but having appliances for excluding it; -- used in
constructing or repairing ships. The name includes
structures used for the examination, repairing, or
building of vessels, as graving docks, floating docks,
hydraulic docks, etc.
{Floating dock}, a dock which is made to become buoyant, and,
by floating, to lift a vessel out of water.
{Graving dock}, a dock for holding a ship for graving or
cleaning the bottom, etc.
{Hydraulic dock}, a dock in which a vessel is raised clear of
the water by hydraulic presses.
{Naval dock}, a dock connected with which are naval stores,
materials, and all conveniences for the construction and
repair of ships.
{Sectional dock}, a form of {floating dock} made in separate
sections or caissons.
{Slip dock}, a dock having a sloping floor that extends from
deep water to above high-water mark, and upon which is a
railway on which runs a cradle carrying the ship.
{Wet dock}, a dock where the water is shut in, and kept at a
given level, to facilitate the loading and unloading of
ships; -- also sometimes used as a place of safety; a
basin.
Dock \Dock\, v. t.
To draw, law, or place (a ship) in a dock, for repairing,
cleaning the bottom, etc.
Dockage \Dock"age\, n.
A charge for the use of a dock.
Dock-cress \Dock"-cress`\, n. (Bot.)
Nipplewort.
Docket \Dock"et\, n. [Dock to cut off + dim. suffix -et.]
1. A small piece of paper or parchment, containing the heads
of a writing; a summary or digest.
2. A bill tied to goods, containing some direction, as the
name of the owner, or the place to which they are to be
sent; a label. --Bailey.
3. (Law)
(a) An abridged entry of a judgment or proceeding in an
action, or register or such entries; a book of
original, kept by clerks of courts, containing a
formal list of the names of parties, and minutes of
the proceedings, in each case in court.
(b) (U. S.) A list or calendar of causes ready for hearing
or trial, prepared for the use of courts by the
clerks.
4. A list or calendar of business matters to be acted on in
any assembly.
{On the docket}, in hand; in the plan; under consideration;
in process of execution or performance. [Colloq.]
Docket \Dock"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Docketed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Docketing}.]
1. To make a brief abstract of (a writing) and indorse it on
the back of the paper, or to indorse the title or contents
on the back of; to summarize; as, to docket letters and
papers. --Chesterfield.
2. (Law)
(a) To make a brief abstract of and inscribe in a book;
as, judgments regularly docketed.
(b) To enter or inscribe in a docket, or list of causes
for trial.
3. To mark with a ticket; as, to docket goods.
Dockyard \Dock"yard`\, n.
A yard or storage place for all sorts of naval stores and
timber for shipbuilding.
Docoglossa \Doc`o*glos"sa\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a beam + ?
the tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of gastropods, including the true limpets, and
having the teeth on the odontophore or lingual ribbon.
Docquet \Doc"quet\, n. & v.
See {Docket}.
Doctor \Doc"tor\, n. [OF. doctur, L. doctor, teacher, fr. docere
to teach. See {Docile}.]
1. A teacher; one skilled in a profession, or branch of
knowledge learned man. [Obs.]
One of the doctors of Italy, Nicholas Macciavel. --
Bacon.
2. An academical title, originally meaning a men so well
versed in his department as to be qualified to teach it.
Hence: One who has taken the highest degree conferred by a
university or college, or has received a diploma of the
highest degree; as, a doctor of divinity, of law, of
medicine, of music, or of philosophy. Such diplomas may
confer an honorary title only.
3. One duly licensed to practice medicine; a member of the
medical profession; a physician.
By medicine life may be prolonged, yet death Will
seize the doctor too. -- Shak.
4. Any mechanical contrivance intended to remedy a difficulty
or serve some purpose in an exigency; as, the doctor of a
calico-printing machine, which is a knife to remove
superfluous coloring matter; the doctor, or auxiliary
engine, called also {donkey engine}.
5. (Zo["o]l.) The friar skate. [Prov. Eng.]
{Doctors' Commons}. See under {Commons}.
{Doctor's stuff}, physic, medicine. --G. Eliot.
{Doctor fish} (Zo["o]l.), any fish of the genus {Acanthurus};
the surgeon fish; -- so called from a sharp lancetlike
spine on each side of the tail. Also called {barber fish}.
See {Surgeon fish}.
Doctor \Doc"tor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doctored}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Doctoring}.]
1. To treat as a physician does; to apply remedies to; to
repair; as, to doctor a sick man or a broken cart.
[Colloq.]
2. To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor.
3. To tamper with and arrange for one's own purposes; to
falsify; to adulterate; as, to doctor election returns; to
doctor whisky. [Slang]
Doctor \Doc"tor\, v. i.
To practice physic. [Colloq.]
Doctoral \Doc"tor*al\, a. [Cf. F. doctoral.]
Of or relating to a doctor, or to the degree of doctor.
Doctoral habit and square cap. -- Wood.
Doctorally \Doc"tor*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a doctor.[R.]
Doctorate \Doc"tor*ate\, n. [Cf. F. doctorat.]
The degree, title, or rank, of a doctor.
Doctorate \Doc"tor*ate\, v. t.
To make (one) a doctor.
He was bred . . . in Oxford and there doctorated. --
Fuller.
Doctoress \Doc"tor*ess\, n.
A female doctor.[R.]
Doctorly \Doc"tor*ly\, a.
Like a doctor or learned man. [Obs.] ``Doctorly prelates.''
--Foxe.
Doctorship \Doc"tor*ship\, n.
Doctorate. [R.] --Clarendon.
Doctress \Doc"tress\, n.
A female doctor. [R.]
Doctrinable \Doc"tri*na*ble\, a.
Of the nature of, or constituting, doctrine. [Obs.] --Sir P.
Sidney.
Doctrinaire \Doc`tri*naire"\, n. [F. See {Doctrine}.]
One who would apply to political or other practical concerns
the abstract doctrines or the theories of his own
philosophical system; a propounder of a new set of opinions;
a dogmatic theorist. Used also adjectively; as, doctrinaire
notions.
Note: In french history, the Doctrinaires were a
constitutionalist party which originated after the
restoration of the Bourbons, and represented the
interests of liberalism and progress. After the
Revolution of July, 1830, when they came into power,
they assumed a conservative position in antagonism with
the republicans and radicals. --Am. Cyc.
Doctrinal \Doc"tri*nal\, a. [LL. doctrinalis, fr. L. doctrina:
cf. F. doctrinal. See {Doctrine}.]
1. Pertaining to, or containing, doctrine or something taught
and to be believed; as, a doctrinal observation.
``Doctrinal clauses.'' --Macaulay.
2. Pertaining to, or having to do with, teaching.
The word of God serveth no otherwise than in the
nature of a doctrinal instrument. -- Hooker.
Doctrinal \Doc"tri*nal\, n.
A matter of doctrine; also, a system of doctrines. --T.
Goodwin. Sir T. Elyot.
Doctrinally \Doc"tri*nal*ly\, adv.
In a doctrinal manner or for; by way of teaching or positive
direction.
Doctrinarian \Doc"tri*na"ri*an\, n.
A doctrinaire. --J. H. Newman.
Doctrinarianism \Doc`tri*na"ri*an*ism\, n.
The principles or practices of the Doctrinaires.
Doctrine \Doc"trine\, n. [F. doctrine, L. doctrina, fr. doctor.
See {Doctor}.]
1. Teaching; instruction.
He taught them many things by parables, and said
unto them in his doctrine, Hearken. -- Mark iv. 2.
2. That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and
supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle
or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of
knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as,
the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances. ``The
doctrine of gravitation.'' --I. Watts.
Articles of faith and doctrine. -- Hooker.
{The Monroe doctrine} (Politics), a policy enunciated by
President Monroe (Message, Dec. 2, 1823), the essential
feature of which is that the United States will regard as
an unfriendly act any attempt on the part of European
powers to extend their systems on this continent, or any
interference to oppress, or in any manner control the
destiny of, governments whose independence had been
acknowledged by the United States.
Syn: Precept; tenet; principle; maxim; dogma.
Usage: -- {Doctrine}, {Precept}. Doctrine denotes whatever is
recommended as a speculative truth to the belief of
others. Precept is a rule down to be obeyed. Doctrine
supposes a teacher; precept supposes a superior, with
a right to command. The doctrines of the Bible; the
precepts of our holy religion.
Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for power By
doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. --
Goldsmith.
Document \Doc"u*ment\, n. [LL. documentum, fr. docere to teach:
cf. F. document. See {Docile}.]
1. That which is taught or authoritatively set forth;
precept; instruction; dogma. [Obs.]
Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap
or multitude of documents or ideas at one time. --
I. Watts.
2. An example for instruction or warning. [Obs.]
They were forth with stoned to death, as a document
to others. -- Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. An original or official paper relied upon as the basis,
proof, or support of anything else; -- in its most
extended sense, including any writing, book, or other
instrument conveying information in the case; any material
substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by
any species of conventional mark or symbol.
Saint Luke . . . collected them from such documents
and testimonies as he . . . judged to be authentic.
--Paley.
Document \Doc"u*ment\, v. t.
1. To teach; to school. [Obs.]
I am finely documented by my own daughter. --
Dryden.
2. To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish
facts or give information; as, a a ship should be
documented according to the directions of law.
Documental \Doc`u*men"tal\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to instruction. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
2. Of or pertaining to written evidence; documentary; as,
documental testimony.
Documentary \Doc`u*men"ta*ry\, a.
Pertaining to written evidence; contained or certified in
writing. ``Documentary evidence.'' --Macaulay.
Dodd \Dodd\, Dod \Dod\, v. t. [OE. dodden.]
To cut off, as wool from sheep's tails; to lop or clip off.
--Halliwell.
Doddart \Dod"dart\, n.
A game much like hockey, played in an open field; also, the,
bent stick for playing the game. [Local, Eng.] --Halliwell.
Dodded \Dod"ded\, a. [See {Dodd}.]
Without horns; as, dodded cattle; without beards; as, dodded
corn. --Halliwell.
Dodder \Dod"der\, n. [Cf. Dan. dodder, Sw. dodra, G. dotter.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Cuscuta}. It is a leafless parasitical
vine with yellowish threadlike stems. It attaches itself to
some other plant, as to flax, goldenrod, etc., and decaying
at the root, is nourished by the plant that supports it.
Dodder \Dod"der\, v. t. & i. [Cf. AS. dyderian to deceive,
delude, and E. didder, dudder.]
To shake, tremble, or totter. ``The doddering mast.''
--Thomson.
Doddered \Dod"dered\, a.
Shattered; infirm. ``A laurel grew, doddered with age.''
--Dryden.
Dodecagon \Do*dec"a*gon\, n. [Gr. ? twelve + ? angle: cf. F.
dod['e]cagone.] (Geom.)
A figure or polygon bounded by twelve sides and containing
twelve angles.
Dodecagynia \Do*dec`a*gyn"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? twelve +
? woman, female.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants having twelve styles.
Dodecagynian \Do*dec`a*gyn"i*an\, Dodecagynous
\Do`de*cag"y*nous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Dodecagynia; having twelve styles.
Dodecahedral \Do*dec`a*he"dral\, a.
Pertaining to, or like, a dodecahedion; consisting of twelve
equal sides.
{Dodecahedral cleavage}. See under {Cleavage}.
Dodecahedron \Do*dec`a*he"dron\, n. [Gr. ?; ? twelve + ? seat,
bottom, base: cf. F. dod['e]ca[`e]dre.] (Geom. & Crystallog.)
A solid having twelve faces.
Note: The regular dodecahedron is bounded by twelve equal and
regular pentagons; the pyritohedron (see
{Pyritohedron}) is related to it; the rhombic
dodecahedron is bounded by twelve equal rhombic faces.
Dodecandria \Do`de*can"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? twelve +
?, ?, man, male.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants including all that have any
number of stamens between twelve and nineteen.
Dodecandrian \Do`de*can"dri*an\, Dodecandrous \Do`de*can"drous\,
a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Dodecandria; having twelve stamens,
or from twelve to nineteen.
Dodecane \Do"de*cane\, n. [Gr. ? twelve.] (Chem.)
Any one of a group of thick oily hydrocarbons, {C12H26}, of
the paraffin series.
Dodecastyle \Do*dec"a*style\, a. [Gr. ? twelve + ? column: cf.
F. dod['e]castyle.] (Arch.)
Having twelve columns in front. -- n. A dodecastyle portico,
or building.
Dodecasyllabic \Do*dec`a*syl*lab"ic\, a. [Gr. ? twelve + E.
syllabic.]
Having twelve syllables.
Dodecasyllable \Do*dec"a*syl`la*ble\, n.
A word consisting of twelve syllables.
Dodecatemory \Do*dec`a*tem"o*ry\, n. [Gr. ?; ? twelve + ?, dim.
of ? part: cf. F. dod['e]cat['e]morie.] (Astron.)
A tern applied to the twelve houses, or parts, of the zodiac
of the primum mobile, to distinguish them from the twelve
signs; also, any one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Dodge \Dodge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dodged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dodging}.] [Of uncertain origin: cf. dodder, v., daddle,
dade, or dog, v. t.]
1. To start suddenly aside, as to avoid a blow or a missile;
to shift place by a sudden start. --Milton.
2. To evade a duty by low craft; to practice mean shifts; to
use tricky devices; to play fast and loose; to quibble.
Some dodging casuist with more craft than sincerity.
--Milton.
Dodge \Dodge\, v. t.
1. To evade by a sudden shift of place; to escape by starting
aside; as, to dodge a blow aimed or a ball thrown.
2. Fig.: To evade by craft; as, to dodge a question; to dodge
responsibility. [Colloq.] --S. G. Goodrich.
3. To follow by dodging, or suddenly shifting from place to
place. --Coleridge.
Dodge \Dodge\, n.
The act of evading by some skillful movement; a sudden
starting aside; hence, an artful device to evade, deceive, or
cheat; a cunning trick; an artifice. [Colloq.]
Some, who have a taste for good living, have many
harmless arts, by which they improve their banquet, and
innocent dodges, if we may be permitted to use an
excellent phrase that has become vernacular since the
appearance of the last dictionaries. -- Thackeray.
Dodger \Dodg"er\, n.
1. One who dodges or evades; one who plays fast and loose, or
uses tricky devices. --Smart.
2. A small handbill. [U. S.]
3. See {Corndodger}.
Dodgery \Dodg"er*y\, n.
trickery; artifice. [Obs.] --Hacket.
Dodipate \Dod"i*pate\, Dodipoll \Dod"i*poll\, n. [Perh. fr. OE.
dodden to cut off, to shear, and first applied to
shaven-polled priests.]
A stupid person; a fool; a blockhead.
Some will say, our curate is naught, an ass-head, a
dodipoll. -- Latimer.
Dodkin \Dod"kin\, n. [D. duitken, dim. of duit. See {Doit}, and
cf. {Doitkin}.]
A doit; a small coin. --Shelton.
Dodman \Dod"man\, n.
1. A snail; also, a snail shell; a hodmandod. [Obs. or Prov.
Eng.] --Nares.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any shellfish which casts its shell, as a
lobster. [Prov. Eng.]
Dodo \Do"do\, n.; pl. {Dodoes}. [Said to be fr. Pg. doudo silly,
foolish (cf. {Booby}); this is fr. Prov. E. dold, the same
word as E. dolt.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large, extinct bird ({Didus ineptus}), formerly inhabiting
the Island of Mauritius. It had short, half-fledged wings,
like those of the ostrich, and a short neck and legs; --
called also {dronte}. It was related to the pigeons.
Doe \Doe\ (d[=o]), n. [AS. d[=a]; cf. Dan. daa, daa-dyr, deer,
and perh. L. dama. [root]66.] (Zo["o]l.)
A female deer or antelope; specifically, the female of the
fallow deer, of which the male is called a buck. Also applied
to the female of other animals, as the rabbit. See the Note
under {Buck}.
Doe \Doe\ (d[=oo]), n.
A feat. [Obs.] See {Do}, n. --Hudibras.
Doeglic \D[oe]g"lic\, a.
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the d[oe]gling; as,
d[oe]glic acid (Chem.), an oily substance resembling oleic
acid.
Doegling \D[oe]g"ling\, n. [Native name in Faroe Islands.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The beaked whale ({Bal[ae]noptera rostrata}), from which
d[oe]gling oil is obtained.
Doer \Do"er\, m. [From Do, v. t. & i.]
1. One who does; one performs or executes; one who is wont
and ready to act; an actor; an agent.
The doers of the law shall be justified. -- Rom. ii.
13.
2. (Scots Law) An agent or attorney; a factor. --Burrill.
Does \Does\
The 3d pers. sing. pres. of {Do}.
Doeskin \Doe"skin`\, n.
1. The skin of the doe.
2. A firm woolen cloth with a smooth, soft surface like a
doe's skin; -- made for men's wear.
Doff \Doff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doffed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Doffing}.] [Do + off. See {Do}, v. t., 7.]
1. To put off, as dress; to divest one's self of; hence,
figuratively, to put or thrust away; to rid one's self of.
And made us doff our easy robes of peace. -- Shak.
At night, or in the rain, He dons a surcoat which he
doffs at morn. -- Emerson.
2. To strip; to divest; to undress.
Heaven's King, who doffs himself our flesh to wear.
-- Crashaw.
Doff \Doff\, v. i.
To put off dress; to take off the hat.
Doffer \Doff"er\, n. (Mach.)
A revolving cylinder, or a vibrating bar with teeth, in a
carding machine, which doffs, or strips off, the cotton from
the cards. --Ure.
Dog \Dog\ (d[o^]g), n. [AS. docga; akin to D. dog mastiff, Dan.
dogge, Sw. dogg.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadruped of the genus {Canis}, esp. the
domestic dog ({C. familiaris}).
Note: The dog is distinguished above all others of the
inferior animals for intelligence, docility, and
attachment to man. There are numerous carefully bred
varieties, as the beagle, bloodhound, bulldog,
coachdog, collie, Danish dog, foxhound, greyhound,
mastiff, pointer, poodle, St. Bernard, setter, spaniel,
spitz dog, terrier, etc. There are also many mixed
breeds, and partially domesticated varieties, as well
as wild dogs, like the dingo and dhole. (See these
names in the Vocabulary.)
2. A mean, worthless fellow; a wretch.
What is thy servant, which is but a dog, that he
should do this great thing? -- 2 Kings
viii. 13 (Rev.
Ver. )
3. A fellow; -- used humorously or contemptuously; as, a sly
dog; a lazy dog. [Colloq.]
4. (Astron.) One of the two constellations, Canis Major and
Canis Minor, or the Greater Dog and the Lesser Dog. Canis
Major contains the Dog Star (Sirius).
5. An iron for holding wood in a fireplace; a firedog; an
andiron.
6. (Mech.)
(a) A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening
into wood or other heavy articles, for the purpose of
raising or moving them.
(b) An iron with fangs fastening a log in a saw pit, or on
the carriage of a sawmill.
(c) A piece in machinery acting as a catch or clutch;
especially, the carrier of a lathe, also, an
adjustable stop to change motion, as in a machine
tool.
Note: Dog is used adjectively or in composition, commonly in
the sense of relating to, or characteristic of, a dog.
It is also used to denote a male; as, dog fox or g-fox,
a male fox; dog otter or dog-otter, dog wolf, etc.; --
also to denote a thing of cheap or mean quality; as,
dog Latin.
{A dead dog}, a thing of no use or value. --1 Sam. xxiv. 14.
{A dog in the manger}, an ugly-natured person who prevents
others from enjoying what would be an advantage to them
but is none to him.
{Dog ape} (Zo["o]l.), a male ape.
{Dog cabbage}, or {Dog's cabbage} (Bot.), a succulent herb,
native to the Mediterranean region ({Thelygonum
Cynocrambe}).
{Dog cheap}, very cheap. See under {Cheap}.
{Dog ear} (Arch.), an acroterium. [Colloq.]
{Dog flea} (Zo["o]l.), a species of flea ({Pulex canis})
which infests dogs and cats, and is often troublesome to
man. In America it is the common flea. See {Flea}, and
{Aphaniptera}.
{Dog grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Triticum caninum}) of the same
genus as wheat.
{Dog Latin}, barbarous Latin; as, the dog Latin of pharmacy.
{Dog lichen} (Bot.), a kind of lichen ({Peltigera canina})
growing on earth, rocks, and tree trunks, -- a lobed
expansion, dingy green above and whitish with fuscous
veins beneath.
{Dog louse} (Zo["o]l.), a louse that infests the dog, esp.
{H[ae]matopinus piliferus}; another species is
{Trichodectes latus}.
{Dog power}, a machine operated by the weight of a dog
traveling in a drum, or on an endless track, as for
churning.
{Dog salmon} (Zo["o]l.), a salmon of northwest America and
northern Asia; -- the {gorbuscha}; -- called also {holia},
and {hone}.
{Dog shark}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Dogfish}.
{Dog's meat}, meat fit only for dogs; refuse; offal.
{Dog Star}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Dog wheat} (Bot.), Dog grass.
{Dog whelk} (Zo["o]l.), any species of univalve shells of the
family {Nassid[ae]}, esp. the {Nassa reticulata} of
England.
{To give, or throw}, {to the dogs}, to throw away as useless.
``Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it.'' --Shak.
{To go to the dogs}, to go to ruin; to be ruined.
Dog \Dog\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dogged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dogging}.]
To hunt or track like a hound; to follow insidiously or
indefatigably; to chase with a dog or dogs; to worry, as if
by dogs; to hound with importunity.
I have been pursued, dogged, and waylaid. -- Pope.
Your sins will dog you, pursue you. --Burroughs.
Eager ill-bred petitioners, who do not so properly
supplicate as hunt the person whom they address to,
dogging him from place to place, till they even extort
an answer to their rude requests. -- South.
Dogal \Do"gal\, a. [LL. dogalis for ducalis. See {Doge}.]
Of or pertaining to a doge.[R.]
Dogate \Do"gate\, n. [Cf. F. dogat, It. dogato. See {Doge}, and
cf. {Dogeate}.]
The office or dignity of a doge.
Dogbane \Dog"bane`\, n. [Said to be poisonous to dogs. Cf.
{Apocynaceous}.] (Bot.)
A small genus of perennial herbaceous plants, with poisonous
milky juice, bearing slender pods pods in pairs.
Dog bee \Dog" bee`\
A male or drone bee. --Halliwell.
Dogberry \Dog"ber`ry\, n. (Bot.)
The berry of the dogwood; -- called also {dogcherry}. --Dr.
Prior.
{Dogberry tree} (Bot.), the dogwood.
Dogbolt \Dog"bolt`\, n. (Gun.)
The bolt of the cap-square over the trunnion of a cannon.
--Knight.
Dog-brier \Dog"-bri`er\, n. (Bot.)
The dog-rose.
Dogcart \Dog"cart`\, n.
A light one-horse carriage, commonly two-wheeled, patterned
after a cart. The original dogcarts used in England by
sportsmen had a box at the back for carrying dogs.
Dog day \Dog" day`\ or Dogday \Dog"day`\
One of the dog days.
{Dogday cicada} (Zo["o]l.), a large American cicada ({C.
pruinosa}), which trills loudly in midsummer.
Dog days \Dog" days`\
A period of from four to six weeks, in the summer, variously
placed by almanac makers between the early part of July and
the early part of September; canicular days; -- so called in
reference to the rising in ancient times of the Dog Star
(Sirius) with the sun. Popularly, the sultry, close part of
the summer.
Note: The conjunction of the rising of the Dog Star with the
rising of the sun was regarded by the ancients as one
of the causes of the sultry heat of summer, and of the
maladies which then prevailed. But as the conjunction
does not occur at the same time in all latitudes, and
is not constant in the same region for a long period,
there has been much variation in calendars regarding
the limits of the dog days. The astronomer Roger Long
states that in an ancient calendar in Bede (died 735)
the beginning of dog days is placed on the 14th of
July; that in a calendar prefixed to the Common Prayer,
printed in the time of Queen Elizabeth, they were said
to begin on the 6th of July and end on the 5th of
September; that, from the Restoration (1660) to the
beginning of New Style (1752), British almanacs placed
the beginning on the 19th of July and the end on the
28th of August; and that after 1752 the beginning was
put on the 30th of July, the end on the 7th of
September. Some English calendars now put the beginning
on July 3d, and the ending on August 11th. A popular
American almanac of the present time (1890) places the
beginning on the 25th of July, and the end on the 5th
of September.
Dogdraw \Dog"draw`\, n. (Eng. Forest Law)
The act of drawing after, or pursuing, deer with a dog.
--Cowell.
Doge \Doge\, n. [It doge, dogio, for duce, duca, fr. L. dux,
ducis, a leader, commander. See {Duke}.]
The chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa.
Dog-eared \Dog"-eared`\, a.
Having the corners of the leaves turned down and soiled by
careless or long-continued usage; -- said of a book.
Statute books before unopened, not dog-eared. --Ld.
Mansfield.
Dogeate \Doge"ate\, n.
Dogate. --Wright.
Dogeless \Doge"less\, a.
Without a doge. -- Byron.
Dog-faced \Dog"-faced`\, a.
Having a face resembling that of a dog.
{Dog-faced baboon} (Zo["o]l.), any baboon of the genus
{Cynocephalus}. See {Drill}.
Dog fancier \Dog" fan`cier\
One who has an unusual fancy for, or interest in, dogs; also,
one who deals in dogs.
Dogfish \Dog"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
1. A small shark, of many species, of the genera {Mustelus},
{Scyllium}, {Spinax}, etc.
Note: The European spotted dogfishes ({Scyllium catudus}, and
{S. canicula}) are very abundant; the American smooth,
or blue dogfish is {Mustelus canis}; the common picked,
or horned dogfish ({Squalus acanthias}) abundant on
both sides of the Atlantic.
2. The bowfin ({Amia calva}). See {Bowfin}.
3. The burbot of Lake Erie.
Dog-fox \Dog"-fox`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A male fox. See the Note under {Dog}, n., 6. --Sir W.
Scott.
(b) The Arctic or blue fox; -- a name also applied to
species of the genus {Cynalopex}.
Dogged \Dog"ged\, a. [Fron. {Dog}.]
1. Sullen; morose. [Obs. or R.]
The sulky spite of a temper naturally dogged. -- Sir
W. Scott.
2. Sullenly obstinate; obstinately determined or persistent;
as, dogged resolution; dogged work.
Doggedly \Dog"ged*ly\, adv.
In a dogged manner; sullenly; with obstinate resolution.
Doggedness \Dog"ged*ness\, n.
1. Sullenness; moroseness. [R.]
2. Sullen or obstinate determination; grim resolution or
persistence.
Dogger \Dog"ger\, n. [D., fr. dogger codfish, orig. used in the
catching of codfish.] (Naut.)
A two-masted fishing vessel, used by the Dutch.
Dogger \Dog"ger\, n.
A sort of stone, found in the mines with the true alum rock,
chiefly of silica and iron.
Doggerel \Dog"ger*el\, a. [OE. dogerel.]
Low in style, and irregular in measure; as, doggerel rhymes.
This may well be rhyme doggerel, quod he. -- Chaucer.
Doggerel \Dog"ger*el\, n.
A sort of loose or irregular verse; mean or undignified
poetry.
Doggerel like that of Hudibras. -- Addison.
The ill-spelt lines of doggerel in which he expressed
his reverence for the brave sufferers. --Macaulay.
Doggerman \Dog"ger*man\, n.
A sailor belonging to a dogger.
Dogget \Dog"get\, n.
Docket. See {Docket}. [Obs.]
Doggish \Dog"gish\, a.
Like a dog; having the bad qualities of a dog; churlish;
growling; brutal. -- {Dog"gish*ly}, adv. -- {Dog"gish*ness},
n.
Doggrel \Dog"grel\, a. & n.
Same as {Doggerel}.
Dog-headed \Dog"-head`ed\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a head shaped like that of a dog; -- said of certain
baboons.
Dog-hearted \Dog"-heart`ed\, a.
Inhuman; cruel. --Shak.
Doghole \Dog"hole`\, n.
A place fit only for dogs; a vile, mean habitation or
apartment. --Dryden.
dog-legged \dog"-leg`ged\, a. (Arch)
Noting a flight of stairs, consisting of two or more straight
portions connected by a platform (landing) or platforms, and
running in opposite directions without an intervening
wellhole.
Dogma \Dog"ma\, n.; pl. E. {Dogmas}, L. {Dogmata}. [L. dogma,
Gr. ?, pl. ?, fr. ? to think, seem, appear; akin to L. decet
it is becoming. Cf. {Decent}.]
1. That which is held as an opinion; a tenet; a doctrine.
The obscure and loose dogmas of early antiquity. --
Whewell.
2. A formally stated and authoritatively settled doctrine; a
definite, established, and authoritative tenet.
3. A doctrinal notion asserted without regard to evidence or
truth; an arbitrary dictum.
Syn: tenet; opinion; proposition; doctrine.
Usage: -- {Dogma}, {Tenet}. A tenet is that which is
maintained as true with great firmness; as, the tenets
of our holy religion. A dogma is that which is laid
down with authority as indubitably true, especially a
religious doctrine; as, the dogmas of the church. A
tenet rests on its own intrinsic merits or demerits; a
dogma rests on authority regarded as competent to
decide and determine. Dogma has in our language
acquired, to some extent, a repulsive sense, from its
carrying with it the idea of undue authority or
assumption. This is more fully the case with its
derivatives dogmatical and dogmatism.
Dogmatic \Dog*mat"ic\, n.
One of an ancient sect of physicians who went by general
principles; -- opposed to the {Empiric}.
Dogmatic \Dog*mat"ic\, Dogmatical \Dog*mat`ic*al\, a. [L.
dogmaticus, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. dogmatique.]
1. Pertaining to a dogma, or to an established and authorized
doctrine or tenet.
2. Asserting a thing positively and authoritatively;
positive; magisterial; hence, arrogantly authoritative;
overbearing.
Critics write in a positive, dogmatic way. --
Spectator.
[They] are as assertive and dogmatical as if they
were omniscient. -- Glanvill.
{Dogmatic theology}. Same as {Dogmatics}.
Syn: Magisterial; arrogant. See {Magisterial}.
Dogmatically \Dog*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a dogmatic manner; positively; magisterially.
Dogmaticalness \Dog*mat"ic*al*ness\, n.
The quality of being dogmatical; positiveness.
Dogmatician \Dog`ma*ti"cian\, n.
A dogmatist.
Dogmatics \Dog*mat"ics\, n.
The science which treats of Christian doctrinal theology.
Dogmatism \Dog"ma*tism\, n.
The manner or character of a dogmatist; arrogance or
positiveness in stating opinion.
The self-importance of his demeanor, and the dogmatism
of his conversation. -- Sir W.
Scott.
Dogmatist \Dog"ma*tist\, n. [L. dogmatistes, Gr. ?, fr. ?.]
One who dogmatizes; one who speaks dogmatically; a bold and
arrogant advancer of principles.
I expect but little success of all this upon the
dogmatist; his opinioned assurance is paramount to
argument. -- Glanvill.
Dogmatize \Dog"ma*tize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dogmatized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dogmatizing}.] [L. dogmatizare to lay down an
opinion, Gr. ?, fr. ?: cf. F. dogmatiser. See {Dogma}.]
To assert positively; to teach magisterially or with bold and
undue confidence; to advance with arrogance.
The pride of dogmatizing schools. --Blackmore.
Dogmatize \Dog"ma*tize\, v. t.
To deliver as a dogma. [R.]
Dogmatizer \Dog"ma*ti`zer\, n.
One who dogmatizes; a bold asserter; a magisterial teacher.
--Hammond.
Dog-rose \Dog"-rose`\, n. (Bot.)
A common European wild rose, with single pink or white
flowers.
Dog's-bane \Dog's"-bane`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Dogbane}.
Dog's-ear \Dog's"-ear`\, n.
The corner of a leaf, in a book, turned down like the ear of
a dog. --Gray. -- {Dog's"-eared`}, a. --Cowper.
Dogship \Dog"ship\, n.
The character, or individuality, of a dog.
Dogshore \Dog"shore`\, n. (Naut.)
One of several shores used to hold a ship firmly and prevent
her moving while the blocks are knocked away before
launching.
Dogsick \Dog"sick`\, a.
Sick as a dog sometimes is very sick. [Colloq.]
Dogskin \Dog"skin\, n.
The skin of a dog, or leather made of the skin. Also used
adjectively.
Dogsleep \Dog"sleep`\, n.
1. Pretended sleep. --Addison.
2. (Naut.) The fitful naps taken when all hands are kept up
by stress.
Dog's-tail grass \Dog's"-tail grass`\, n. (Bot.)
A hardy species of British grass ({Cynosurus cristatus})
which abounds in grass lands, and is well suited for making
straw plait; -- called also {goldseed}.
Dog Star \Dog" Star`\
Sirius, a star of the constellation Canis Major, or the
Greater Dog, and the brightest star in the heavens; -- called
also {Canicula}, and, in astronomical charts, {[alpha] Canis
Majoris}. See {Dog days}.
Dog's-tongue \Dog's"-tongue`\, n. (Bot.)
Hound's-tongue.
Dogtie \Dog"tie`\, n. (Arch.)
A cramp.
Dogtooth \Dog"tooth`\, n.; pl. {Dogteeth}.
1. See {Canine tooth}, under {Canine}.
2. (Arch.) An ornament common in Gothic architecture,
consisting of pointed projections resembling teeth; --
also called tooth ornament.
{Dogtooth spar} (Min.), a variety of calcite, in acute
crystals, resembling the tooth of a dog. See {Calcite}.
{Dogtooth violet} (Bot.), a small, bulbous herb of the Lily
family (genus {Erythronium}). It has two shining flat
leaves and commonly one large flower. [Written also
{dog's-tooth violet}.]
Dogtrick \Dog"trick`\, n.
A gentle trot, like that of a dog.
Dogvane \Dog"vane`\, n. (Naut.)
A small vane of bunting, feathers, or any other light
material, carried at the masthead to indicate the direction
of the wind. --Totten.
Dogwatch \Dog"watch`\, n. (Naut.)
A half watch; a watch of two hours, of which there are two,
the first dogwatch from 4 to 6 o'clock, p. m., and the second
dogwatch from 6 to 8 o'clock, p. m. --Totten.
Dog-weary \Dog"-wea`ry\, a.
Extremely weary. --Shak.
Dogwood \Dog"wood`\ (-w[oo^]d`), n. [So named from skewers
(dags) being made of it. Dr. Prior. See {Dag}, and {Dagger}.]
(Bot.)
The {Cornus}, a genus of large shrubs or small trees, the
wood of which is exceedingly hard, and serviceable for many
purposes.
Note: There are several species, one of which, {Cornus
mascula}, called also {cornelian cherry}, bears a red
acid berry. {C. florida} is the flowering dogwood, a
small American tree with very showy blossoms.
{Dogwood tree}.
(a) The dogwood or {Cornus}.
(b) A papilionaceous tree ({Piscidia erythrina}) growing in
Jamaica. It has narcotic properties; -- called also
{Jamaica dogwood}.
Dohtren \Doh"tren\, n. pl.
Daughters. [Obs.]
Doily \Doi"ly\, n. [So called from the name of the dealer.]
1. A kind of woolen stuff. [Obs.] ``Some doily petticoats.''
--Dryden.
A fool and a doily stuff, would now and then find
days of grace, and be worn for variety. -- Congreve.
2. A small napkin, used at table with the fruit, etc.; --
commonly colored and fringed.
Doing \Do"ing\, n.; pl. {Doings}.
Anything done; a deed; an action good or bad; hence, in the
plural, conduct; behavior. See {Do}.
To render an account of his doings. -- Barrow.
Doit \Doit\, n. [D. duit, Icel. pveit, prop., a piece cut off.
See {Thwaite} a piece of ground, {Thwite}.]
1. A small Dutch coin, worth about half a farthing; also, a
similar small coin once used in Scotland; hence, any small
piece of money. --Shak.
2. A thing of small value; as, I care not a doit.
Doitkin \Doit"kin\, n.
A very small coin; a doit.
Dokimastic \Dok`i*mas"tic\, a.
Docimastic.
Doko \Do"ko\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Lepidosiren}.
Dolabra \Do*la"bra\, n. [L., fr. dolare to hew.]
A rude ancient ax or hatchet, seen in museums.
Dolabriform \Do*lab"ri*form\, a. [L. dolabra a mattock + -form.]
Shaped like the head of an ax or hatchet, as some leaves, and
also certain organs of some shellfish.
Dolce \Dol"ce\, Dolcemente \Dol`ce*men"te\, adv. [It., fr. L.
dulcis sweet, soft.] (Mus.)
Softly; sweetly; with soft, smooth, and delicate execution.
Dolcino \Dol*ci"no\, or Dulcino \Dul*ci"no\, n. [Cf. It.
dolcigno sweetish.] (Mus.)
A small bassoon, formerly much used. --Simmonds.
Doldrums \Dol"drums\, n. pl. [Cf. Gael. doltrum grief,
vexation?]
A part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms,
squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent
all progress for weeks; -- so called by sailors.
{To be in the doldrums}, to be in a state of listlessness
ennui, or tedium.
Dole \Dole\, n. [OE. deol, doel, dol, OF. doel, fr. doloir to
suffer, fr. L. dolere; perh. akin to dolare to hew.]
grief; sorrow; lamentation. [Archaic]
And she died. So that day there was dole in Astolat. --
Tennyson.
Dole \Dole\, n. [L. dolus: cf. F. dol.] (Scots Law)
See {Dolus}.
Dole \Dole\, n. [AS. d[=a]l portion; same word as d?l. See
{Deal}.]
1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment.
At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul.
-- Cleveland.
2. That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a
scanty share or allowance.
3. Alms; charitable gratuity or portion.
So sure the dole, so ready at their call, They stood
prepared to see the manna fall. --Dryden.
Heaven has in store a precious dole. --Keble.
4. A boundary; a landmark. --Halliwell.
5. A void space left in tillage. --[Prov. Eng.]
{Dole beer}, beer bestowed as alms. [Obs.]
{Dole bread}, bread bestowed as alms. [Obs.]
{Dole meadow}, a meadow in which several persons have a
common right or share.
Dole \Dole\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Doling}.]
To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to
deal out scantily or grudgingly.
The supercilious condescension with which even his
reputed friends doled out their praises to him. --De
Quincey.
Doleful \Dole"ful\, a.
Full of dole or grief; expressing or exciting sorrow;
sorrowful; sad; dismal.
With screwed face and doleful whine. --South.
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades. --Milton.
Syn: Piteous; rueful; sorrowful; woeful; melancholy; sad
gloomy; dismal; dolorous; woe-begone. - {Dole"ful*ly},
adv. -- {Dole"ful*ness}, n.
Dolent \Do"lent\, a. [L. dolens, p. pr. of dolere: cf. F.
dolent. See {Dole} sorrow.]
Sorrowful. [Obs.] --Ford.
Dolente \Do*len"te\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Plaintively. See {Doloroso}.
Dolerite \Dol"er*ite\, n. [Gr. ? deceitful; because it was
easily confounded with diorite.] (Geol. & Min.)
A dark-colored, basic, igneous rock, composed essentially of
pyroxene and a triclinic feldspar with magnetic iron. By many
authors it is considered equivalent to a coarse-grained
basalt.
Doleritic \Dol`er*it"ic\, a.
Of the nature of dolerite; as, much lava is doleritic lava.
--Dana.
Dolesome \Dole"some\, a.
Doleful; dismal; gloomy; sorrowful. -- {Dole"some*ly}, adv.
-- {Dole"some*ness}, n.
Dolf \Dolf\, imp.
of {Delve}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dolichocephalic \Dol`i*cho*ce*phal"ic\, Dolichocephalous
\Dol`i*cho*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Gr. ? long + ? head.] (Anat.)
Having the cranium, or skull, long to its breadth;
long-headed; -- opposed to {brachycephalic}. --
{Dol`i*cho*ceph"al}, a. & n.
Dolichocephaly \Dol`i*cho*ceph"a*ly\, Dolichocephalism
\Dol`i*cho*ceph"a*lism\, n. [Cf. F. dolichc['e]phalie.]
The quality or condition of being dolichocephalic.
Dolioform \Do"li*o*form\, a. [L. dolium large jar + -form.]
(Biol.)
Barrel-shaped, or like a cask in form.
Doliolum \Do*li"o*lum\, n. [L. doliolum a small cask.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of freeswimming oceanic tunicates, allied to {Salpa},
and having alternate generations.
Do-little \Do"-lit`tle\, n.
One who performs little though professing much. [Colloq.]
Great talkers are commonly dolittles. --Bp.
Richardson.
Dolium \Do"li*um\, n. [L. large jar.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large univalve mollusks, including the partridge
shell and tun shells.
Doll \Doll\, n. [A contraction of Dorothy; or less prob. an
abbreviation of idol; or cf. OD. dol a whipping top, D.
dollen to rave, and E. dull.]
A child's puppet; a toy baby for a little girl.
Dollar \Dol"lar\, n. [D. daalder, LG. dahler, G. thaler, an
abbreviation of Joachimsthaler, i. e., a piece of money first
coined, about the year 1518, in the valley (G. thal) of St.
Joachim, in Bohemia. See {Dale}.]
1.
(a) A silver coin of the United States containing 371.25
grains of silver and 41.25 grains of alloy, that is,
having a total weight of 412.5 grains.
(b) A gold coin of the United States containing 23.22
grains of gold and 2.58 grains of alloy, that is,
having a total weight of 25.8 grains, nine-tenths
fine. It is no longer coined.
Note: Previous to 1837 the silver dollar had a larger amount
of alloy, but only the same amount of silver as now,
the total weight being 416 grains. The gold dollar as a
distinct coin was first made in 1849. The eagles, half
eagles, and quarter eagles coined before 1834 contained
24.75 grains of gold and 2.25 grains of alloy for each
dollar.
2. A coin of the same general weight and value, though
differing slightly in different countries, current in
Mexico, Canada, parts of South America, also in Spain, and
several other European countries.
3. The value of a dollar; the unit commonly employed in the
United States in reckoning money values.
{Chop dollar}. See under 9th {Chop}.
{Dollar fish} (Zo["o]l.), a fish of the United States coast
({Stromateus triacanthus}), having a flat, roundish form
and a bright silvery luster; -- called also {butterfish},
and {Lafayette}. See {Butterfish}.
{Trade dollar}, a silver coin formerly made at the United
States mint, intended for export, and not legal tender at
home. It contained 378 grains of silver and 42 grains of
alloy.
Dollardee \Dol`lar*dee"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of sunfish ({Lepomis pallidus}), common in the
United States; -- called also {blue sunfish}, and
{copper-nosed bream}.
Dollman \Doll"man\, n.
See {Dolman}.
Dolly \Dol"ly\, n.; pl. {Dollies}.
1. (Mining) A contrivance, turning on a vertical axis by a
handle or winch, and giving a circular motion to the ore
to be washed; a stirrer.
2. (Mach.) A tool with an indented head for shaping the head
of a rivet. --Knight.
3. In pile driving, a block interposed between the head of
the pile and the ram of the driver.
4. A small truck with a single wide roller used for moving
heavy beams, columns, etc., in bridge building.
5. A compact, narrow-gauge locomotive used for moving
construction trains, switching, etc.
Dolly \Dol"ly\, n.
A child's mane for a doll.
{Dolly shop}, a shop where rags, old junk, etc., are bought
and sold; usually, in fact, an unlicensed pawnbroker's
shop, formerly distinguished by the sign of a black doll.
[England]
Dolly Varden \Dol"ly Var"den\
1. A character in Dickens's novel ``Barnaby Rudge,'' a
beautiful, lively, and coquettish girl who wore a
cherry-colored mantle and cherry-colored ribbons.
2. A style of light, bright-figured dress goods for women;
also, a style of dress.
{Dolly Varden trout} (Zo["o]l.), a trout of northwest
America; -- called also {bull trout}, {malma}, and
{red-spotted trout}. See {Malma}.
Dolman \Dol"man\, n. [Turk. d[=o]l[=a]m[=a]n: cf. F. doliman.]
1. A long robe or outer garment, with long sleeves, worn by
the Turks. [Written also {doliman}.]
2. A cloak of a peculiar fashion worn by women.
Dolmen \Dol"men\, n. [Armor. taol, tol, table + mean, maen, men,
stone: cf. F. dolmen.]
A cromlech. See {Cromlech}. [Written also {tolmen}.]
Dolomite \Dol"o*mite\, n. [After the French geologist Dolomieu.]
(Geol. & Min.)
A mineral consisting of the carbonate of lime and magnesia in
varying proportions. It occurs in distinct crystals, and in
extensive beds as a compact limestone, often crystalline
granular, either white or clouded. It includes much of the
common white marble. Also called {bitter spar}.
Dolomitic \Dol`o*mit"ic\, a.
Pertaining to dolomite.
Dolomize \Dol"o*mize\, v. t.
To convert into dolomite. -- {Dol`o*mi*za"tion}, n.
Dolor \Do"lor\, n. [OE. dolor, dolur, dolour, F. douleur, L.
dolor, fr. dolere. See 1st {Dole}.]
Pain; grief; distress; anguish. [Written also {dolour}.]
[Poetic]
Of death and dolor telling sad tidings. --Spenser.
Doloriferous \Dol`or*if"er*ous\, a. [L. dolor pain + -ferous.]
Producing pain. --Whitaker.
Dolorific \Dol`or*if"ic\, Dolorifical \Dol`or*if"ic*al\, a. [LL.
dolorificus; L. dolor pain + facere to make.]
Causing pain or grief. --Arbuthnot.
Doloroso \Do`lo*ro"so\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Plaintive; pathetic; -- used adverbially as a musical
direction.
Dolorous \Dol"or*ous\, a. [L. dolorosus, from dolor: cf. F.
douloureux. See {Dolor}.]
1. Full of grief; sad; sorrowful; doleful; dismal; as, a
dolorous object; dolorous discourses.
You take me in too dolorous a sense; I spake to you
for your comfort. --Shak.
2. Occasioning pain or grief; painful.
Their dispatch is quick, and less dolorous than the
paw of the bear or teeth of the lion. --Dr. H. More.
-- {Dol"or*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Dol"or*ous*ness}, n.
Dolphin \Dol"phin\ (d[o^]l"f[i^]n), n. [F. dauphin dolphin,
dauphin, earlier spelt also doffin; cf. OF. dalphinal of the
dauphin; fr. L. delphinus, Gr. delfi`s a dolphin (in senses
1, 2, & 5), perh. properly, belly fish; cf. delfy`s womb,
Skr. garbha; perh. akin to E. calf. Cf. {Dauphin},
{Delphine}.]
1. (Zool.)
(a) A cetacean of the genus {Delphinus} and allied genera
(esp. {D. delphis}); the true dolphin.
(b) The {Coryph[ae]na hippuris}, a fish of about five feet
in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of
color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the
dolphin. See {Coryph[ae]noid}.
Note: The dolphin of the ancients ({D. delphis}) is common in
the Mediterranean and Atlantic, and attains a length of
from six to eight feet.
2. [Gr. delfi`s] (Gr. Antiq.) A mass of iron or lead hung
from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck
of an enemy's vessel.
3. (Naut.)
(a) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.
(b) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a
ring to which ships may fasten their cables. --R. H.
Dana.
(c) A mooring post on a wharf or beach.
(d) A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the
gunwale. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
4. (Gun.) In old ordnance, one of the handles above the
trunnions by which the gun was lifted.
5. (Astron.) A small constellation between Aquila and
Pegasus. See {Delphinus}, n., 2.
{Dolphin fly} (Zo["o]l.), the black, bean, or collier, Aphis
({Aphis fable}), destructive to beans.
{Dolphin striker} (Naut.), a short vertical spar under the
bowsprit.
Dolphinet \Dol"phin*et\, n.
A female dolphin. [R.] --Spenser.
Dolt \Dolt\, n. [OE. dulte, prop. p. p. of dullen to dull. See
{Dull}.]
A heavy, stupid fellow; a blockhead; a numskull; an
ignoramus; a dunce; a dullard.
This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt. --Drayton.
Dolt \Dolt\, v. i.
To behave foolishly. [Obs.]
Doltish \Dolt"ish\, a.
Doltlike; dull in intellect; stupid; blockish; as, a doltish
clown. -- {Dolt"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Dolt"ish*ness}, n.
Dolus \Do"lus\, n. [L., deceit; akin to Gr. ?.] (Law)
Evil intent, embracing both malice and fraud. See {Culpa}.
--Wharton.
Dolven \Dolv"en\, p. p.
of {Delve}. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
-dom \-dom\
A suffix denoting:
(a) Jurisdiction or property and jurisdiction, dominion, as
in kingdom earldom.
(b) State, condition, or quality of being, as in wisdom,
freedom.
Note: It is from the same root as doom meaning authority and
judgment. ?. See {Doom}.
Dom \Dom\, n. [Pg. See {Don}.]
1. A title anciently given to the pope, and later to other
church dignitaries and some monastic orders. See {Don},
and {Dan}.
2. In Portugal and Brazil, the title given to a member of the
higher classes.
Domable \Dom"a*ble\, a. [L. domabilis, fr. domare to tame.]
Capable of being tamed; tamable.
Domableness \Dom"a*ble*ness\, n.
Tamableness.
Domage \Dom"age\, n. [See {Damage}.]
1. Damage; hurt. [Obs.] --Chapman.
2. Subjugation. [Obs.] --Hobbes.
Domain \Do*main"\, n. [F. domaine, OF. demaine, L. dominium,
property, right of ownership, fr. dominus master, owner. See
{Dame}, and cf {Demesne}, {Dungeon}.]
1. Dominion; empire; authority.
2. The territory over which dominion or authority is exerted;
the possessions of a sovereign or commonwealth, or the
like. Also used figuratively.
The domain of authentic history. --E. Everett.
The domain over which the poetic spirit ranges. --J.
C. Shairp.
3. Landed property; estate; especially, the land about the
mansion house of a lord, and in his immediate occupancy;
demesne. --Shenstone.
4. (Law) Ownership of land; an estate or patrimony which one
has in his own right; absolute proprietorship; paramount
or sovereign ownership.
{Public domain}, the territory belonging to a State or to the
general government; public lands. [U.S.]
{Right of eminent domain}, that superior dominion of the
sovereign power over all the property within the state,
including that previously granted by itself, which
authorizes it to appropriate any part thereof to a
necessary public use, reasonable compensation being made.
Domal \Do"mal\, a. [L. domus house.] (Astrol.)
Pertaining to a house. --Addison.
Domanial \Do*ma"ni*al\, a.
Of or relating to a domain or to domains.
Dome \Dome\, n. [F. d[^o]me, It. duomo, fr. L. domus a house,
domus Dei or Domini, house of the Lord, house of God; akin to
Gr. ? house, ? to build, and E. timber. See {Timber}.]
1. A building; a house; an edifice; -- used chiefly in
poetry.
Approach the dome, the social banquet share. --Pope.
2. (Arch.) A cupola formed on a large scale.
Note: ``The Italians apply the term il duomo to the principal
church of a city, and the Germans call every cathedral
church Dom; and it is supposed that the word in its
present English sense has crept into use from the
circumstance of such buildings being frequently
surmounted by a cupola.'' --Am. Cyc.
3. Any erection resembling the dome or cupola of a building;
as the upper part of a furnace, the vertical steam chamber
on the top of a boiler, etc.
4. (Crystallog.) A prism formed by planes parallel to a
lateral axis which meet above in a horizontal edge, like
the roof of a house; also, one of the planes of such a
form.
Note: If the plane is parallel to the longer diagonal
(macrodiagonal) of the prism, it is called a macrodome;
if parallel to the shorter (brachydiagonal), it is a
brachydome; if parallel to the inclined diagonal in a
monoclinic crystal, it is called a clinodome; if
parallel to the orthodiagonal axis, an orthodome.
--Dana.
Dome \Dome\, n. [See {Doom}.]
Decision; judgment; opinion; a court decision. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Domebook \Dome"book`\, n. [Dome doom + book.] (O. Eng. Law)
A book said to have been compiled under the direction of King
Alfred. It is supposed to have contained the principal maxims
of the common law, the penalties for misdemeanors, and the
forms of judicial proceedings. Domebook was probably a
general name for book of judgments. --Burrill.
Domed \Domed\, a.
Furnished with a dome; shaped like a dome.
Domesday \Domes"day`\, n.
A day of judgment. See {Doomsday}. [Obs.]
{Domesday Book}, the ancient record of the survey of most of
the lands of England, made by order of William the
Conqueror, about 1086. It consists of two volumes, a large
folio and a quarto, and gives the proprietors' tenures,
arable land, woodland, etc. [Written also {Doomsday
Book}.]
Domesman \Domes"man\, n.; pl. {Domesmen}. [See {Doom}.]
A judge; an umpire. [Obs.]
Domestic \Do*mes"tic\, a. [L. domesticus, fr. domus use: cf. F.
domestique. See 1st {Dome}.]
1. Of or pertaining to one's house or home, or one's
household or family; relating to home life; as, domestic
concerns, life, duties, cares, happiness, worship,
servants.
His fortitude is the more extraordinary, because his
domestic feelings were unusually strong. --Macaulay.
4. Of or pertaining to a nation considered as a family or
home, or to one's own country; intestine; not foreign; as,
foreign wars and domestic dissensions. --Shak.
3. Remaining much at home; devoted to home duties or
pleasures; as, a domestic man or woman.
4. Living in or near the habitations of man; domesticated;
tame as distinguished from wild; as, domestic animals.
5. Made in one's own house, nation, or country; as, domestic
manufactures, wines, etc.
Domestic \Do*mes"tic\, n.
1. One who lives in the family of an other, as hired
household assistant; a house servant.
The master labors and leads an anxious life, to
secure plenty and ease to the domestic. --V. Knox.
2. pl. (Com.) Articles of home manufacture, especially cotton
goods. [U. S.]
Domestical \Do*mes"tic*al\, a.
Domestic. [Obs.]
Our private and domestical matter. --Sir. P.
Sidney.
Domestical \Do*mes"tic*al\, n.
A family; a household. [Obs.]
Domestically \Do*mes"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a domestic manner; privately; with reference to domestic
affairs.
Domesticant \Do*mes"ti*cant\, a.
Forming part of the same family. [Obs.] --Sir E. Dering.
Domesticate \Do*mes"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Domesticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Domesticating.}] [LL.
domesticatus, p. p. of domesticare to reside in, to tame. See
{Domestic}, a.]
1. To make domestic; to habituate to home life; as, to
domesticate one's self.
2. To cause to be, as it were, of one's family or country;
as, to domesticate a foreign custom or word.
3. To tame or reclaim from a wild state; as, to domesticate
wild animals; to domesticate a plant.
Domestication \Do*mes`ti*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. domestication.]
The act of domesticating, or accustoming to home; the action
of taming wild animals.
Domesticator \Do*mes"ti*ca`tor\, n.
One who domesticates.
Domesticity \Do`mes*tic"i*ty\, n. [LL. domesticitas: cf. F.
domesticit['e].]
The state of being domestic; domestic character; household
life.
Domett \Dom"ett\, n.
A kind of baize of which the ward is cotton and the weft
woolen. --Blakely.
Domeykite \Do"mey*kite\, n. [Named after Domeyko, a mineralogist
of Chili.] (Min.)
A massive mineral of tin-white or steel-gray color, an
arsenide of copper.
Domical \Dom"i*cal\, a.
Relating to, or shaped like, a dome.
Domicile \Dom"i*cile\, n. [L. domicilium; domus house + (prob.)
root of celare to conceal: cf. F. domicile. See {Dome}, and
{Conceal}.]
1. An abode or mansion; a place of permanent residence,
either of an individual or a family.
2. (Law) A residence at a particular place accompanied with
an intention to remain there for an unlimited time; a
residence accepted as a final abode. --Wharton.
Domicile \Dom"i*cile\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Domiciled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Domiciling}.] [Cf. F. domicilier. Cf. {Domiciliate}.]
To establish in a fixed residence, or a residence that
constitutes habitancy; to domiciliate. --Kent.
Domiciliar \Dom`i*cil"i*ar\, n.
A member of a household; a domestic.
Domicillary \Dom`i*cil"l*a*ry\, a. [LL. domiciliarius.]
Of or pertaining to a domicile, or the residence of a person
or family.
The personal and domiciliary rights of the citizen
scrupulously guarded. --Motley.
{Domiciliary visit} (Law), a visit to a private dwelling,
particularly for searching it, under authority.
Domiciliate \Dom`i*cil"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Domiciliated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Domiciliating}.] [See
{Domicile}.]
1. To establish in a permanent residence; to domicile.
2. To domesticate. --Pownall.
Domiciliation \Dom`i*cil`i*a"tion\, n.
The act of domiciliating; permanent residence; inhabitancy.
--Milman.
Domiculture \Dom"i*cul`ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. domus house + E.
culture. See 1st {Dome}.]
The art of house-keeping, cookery, etc. [R.] --R. Park.
Domify \Dom"i*fy\, v. t. [L. domus + -fy: cf. F. domifier.]
1. (Astrol.) To divide, as the heavens, into twelve houses.
See {House}, in astrological sense. [Obs.]
2. To tame; to domesticate. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Domina \Dom"i*na\, n. [L., lady. See {Dame}.] (O. Eng. Law)
Lady; a lady; -- a title formerly given to noble ladies who
held a barony in their own right. --Burrill.
Dominance \Dom"i*nance\, Dominancy \Dom"i*nan*cy\, n.
Predominance; ascendency; authority.
Dominant \Dom"i*nant\, a. [L. dominans, -antis, p. pr. of
dominari: cf. F. dominant. See {Dominate}.]
Ruling; governing; prevailing; controlling; predominant; as,
the dominant party, church, spirit, power.
The member of a dominant race is, in his dealings with
the subject race, seldom indeed fraudulent, . . . but
imperious, insolent, and cruel. --Macaulay.
{Dominant estate} or {tenement} (Law), the estate to which a
servitude or easement is due from another estate, the
estate over which the servitude extends being called the
servient estate or tenement. --Bouvier. --Wharton's Law
Dict.
{Dominant owner} (Law), one who owns lands on which there is
an easement owned by another.
Syn: Governing; ruling; controlling; prevailing; predominant;
ascendant.
Dominant \Dom"i*nant\, n. (Mus.)
The fifth tone of the scale; thus G is the dominant of C, A
of D, and so on.
{Dominant chord} (Mus.), the chord based upon the dominant.
Dominate \Dom"i*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dominated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dominating}.] [L. dominatus, p. p. of dominari to
dominate, fr. dominus master, lord. See {Dame}, and cf.
{Domineer}.]
To predominate over; to rule; to govern. ``A city dominated
by the ax.'' --Dickens.
We everywhere meet with Slavonian nations either
dominant or dominated. --W. Tooke.
Dominate \Dom"i*nate\, v. i.
To be dominant. --Hallam.
Domination \Dom`i*na"tion\, n. [F. domination, L. dominatio.]
1. The act of dominating; exercise of power in ruling;
dominion; supremacy; authority; often, arbitrary or
insolent sway.
In such a people, the haugtiness of domination
combines with the spirit of freedom. --Burke.
2. A ruling party; a party in power. [R.] --Burke.
3. pl. A high order of angels in the celestial hierarchy; --
a meaning given by the schoolmen.
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers.
--Milton.
Dominative \Dom"i*na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. dominatif.]
Governing; ruling; imperious. --Sir E. Sandys.
Dominator \Dom"i*na`tor\, n. [L.]
A ruler or ruling power. ``Sole dominator of Navarre.''
--Shak.
Jupiter and Mars are dominators for this northwest part
of the world. --Camden.
Domine \Dom"i*ne\, n. [See {Dominie}.]
1. A name given to a pastor of the Reformed Church. The word
is also applied locally in the United States, in
colloquial speech, to any clergyman.
2. [From Sp. domine a schoolmaster.] (Zo["o]l.) A West Indian
fish ({Epinula magistralis}), of the family
{Trichiurid[ae]}. It is a long-bodied, voracious fish.
Domineer \Dom`i*neer"\, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. {Domineered};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Domineering}.] [F. dominer, L. dominari: cf.
OD. domineren to feast luxuriously. See {Dominate}, v. t.]
To rule with insolence or arbitrary sway; to play the master;
to be overbearing; to tyrannize; to bluster; to swell with
conscious superiority or haughtiness; -- often with over; as,
to domineer over dependents.
Go to the feast, revel and domineer. --Shak.
His wishes tend abroad to roam, And hers to domineer at
home. --Prior.
Domineering \Dom`i*neer"ing\, a.
Ruling arrogantly; overbearing.
A violent, brutal, domineering old reprobate. --Blackw.
Mag.
Syn: Haughty; overbearing; lordly. See {Imperious}. --
{Dom`i*neer"ing*ly}, adv.
Dominical \Do*min"ic*al\, a. [LL. dominicalis, for L. dominicus
belonging to a master or lord (dominica dies the Lord's day),
fr. dominus master or lord: cf. F. dominical. See {Dame}.]
1. Indicating, or pertaining to, the Lord's day, or Sunday.
2. Relating to, or given by, our Lord; as, the dominical (or
Lord's) prayer. --Howell.
Some words altered in the dominical Gospels.
--Fuller.
{Dominical altar} (Eccl.), the high altar.
{Dominical letter}, the letter which, in almanacs, denotes
Sunday, or the Lord's day (dies Domini). The first seven
letters of the alphabet are used for this purpose, the
same letter standing for Sunday during a whole year
(except in leap year, when the letter is changed at the
end of February). After twenty-eight years the same
letters return in the same order. The dominical letters go
backwards one day every common year, and two every leap
year; e. g., if the dominical letter of a common year be
G, F will be the dominical letter for the next year.
Called also {Sunday letter}. Cf. {Solar cycle}, under
{Cycle}, n.
Dominical \Do*min"ic*al\, n.
The Lord's day or Sunday; also, the Lord's prayer. [Obs.]
Dominican \Do*min"i*can\, a. [NL. Dominicanus, fr. Dominicus,
Dominic, the founder: cf. F. Dominicain.]
Of or pertaining to St. Dominic (Dominic de Guzman), or to
the religions communities named from him.
{Dominican nuns}, an order of nuns founded by St. Dominic,
and chiefly employed in teaching.
{Dominican tertiaries} (the third order of St. Dominic). See
{Tertiary}.
Dominican \Do*min"i*can\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of an order of mendicant monks founded by Dominic de
Guzman, in 1215. A province of the order was established in
England in 1221. The first foundation in the United States
was made in 1807. The Master of the Sacred Palace at Rome is
always a Dominican friar. The Dominicans are called also
{preaching friars}, {friars preachers}, {black friars} (from
their black cloak), {brothers of St. Mary}, and in France,
{Jacobins}.
Dominicide \Do*min"i*cide\, n. [L. dominus master + caedere to
cut down, kill.]
1. The act of killing a master.
2. One who kills his master.
Dominie \Dom"i*nie\, n. [L. dominus master. See {Don}, {Dame}.]
1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Scot.]
This was Abel Sampson, commonly called, from
occupation as a pedagogue, Dominie Sampson. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. A clergyman. See {Domine}, 1. [Scot. & Colloq. U. S.]
Dominion \Do*min"ion\, n. [LL. dominio, equiv. to L. dominium.
See {Domain}, {Dungeon}.]
1. Sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and
controlling; independent right of possession, use, and
control; sovereignty; supremacy.
I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose
dominion is an everlasting dominion. --Dan. iv. 34.
To choose between dominion or slavery. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
2. Superior prominence; predominance; ascendency.
Objects placed foremost ought . . . have dominion
over things confused and transient. --Dryden.
3. That which is governed; territory over which authority is
exercised; the tract, district, or county, considered as
subject; as, the dominions of a king. Also used
figuratively; as, the dominion of the passions.
4. pl. A supposed high order of angels; dominations. See
{Domination}, 3. --Milton.
By him were all things created . . . whether they be
thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.
--Col. i. 16.
Syn: Sovereignty; control; rule; authority; jurisdiction;
government; territory; district; region.
Domino \Dom"i*no\, n.; pl. {Dominos} or (esp. the pieces for a
game) {Dominoes}. [F. domino, or It. domin[`o], or Sp.
domin['o], fr. L. dominus master. The domino was orig. a hood
worn by the canons of a cathedral. See {Don}, {Dame}.]
1. A kind of hood worn by the canons of a cathedral church; a
sort of amice. --Kersey.
2. A mourning veil formerly worn by women.
3. A kind of mask; particularly, a half mask worn at
masquerades, to conceal the upper part of the face.
Dominos were formerly worn by ladies in traveling.
4. A costume worn as a disguise at masquerades, consisting of
a robe with a hood adjustable at pleasure.
5. A person wearing a domino.
6. pl. A game played by two or more persons, with
twenty-eight pieces of wood, bone, or ivory, of a flat,
oblong shape, plain at the back, but on the face divided
by a line in the middle, and either left blank or
variously dotted after the manner of dice. The game is
played by matching the spots or the blank of an unmatched
half of a domino already played --Hoyle.
7. One of the pieces with which the game of dominoes is
played. --Hoyle.
Dominus \Dom"i*nus\, n.; pl. {Domini}. [L., master. See {Dame}.]
Master; sir; -- a title of respect formerly applied to a
knight or a clergyman, and sometimes to the lord of a manor.
--Cowell.
Domitable \Dom"i*ta*ble\, a. [L. domitare to tame, fr. domare.]
That can be tamed. [R.] --Sir M. Hale.
Domite \Do"mite\, n. (Min.)
A grayish variety of trachyte; -- so called from the
Puy-de-D[^o]me in Auvergne, France, where it is found.
Don \Don\, n. [Sp. don; akin to Pg. dom, It. donno; fr. L.
dominus master. See {Dame}, and cf. {Domine}, {Dominie},
{Domino}, {Dan}, {Dom}.]
1. Sir; Mr; Signior; -- a title in Spain, formerly given to
noblemen and gentlemen only, but now common to all
classes.
Don is used in Italy, though not so much as in Spain
France talks of Dom Calmet, England of Dom Calmet,
England of Dan Lydgate. --Oliphant.
2. A grand personage, or one making pretension to
consequence; especially, the head of a college, or one of
the fellows at the English universities. [Univ. Cant]
``The great dons of wit.'' --Dryden.
Don \Don\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Donned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Donning}.] [Do + on; -- opposed to doff. See {Do}, v. t.,
7.]
To put on; to dress in; to invest one's self with.
Should I don this robe and trouble you. --Shak.
At night, or in the rain, He dons a surcoat which he
doffs at morn. --Emerson.
Dona \Do"[~n]a\, n. [Sp. do[~n]a. See {Duenna}.]
Lady; mistress; madam; -- a title of respect used in Spain,
prefixed to the Christian name of a lady.
Donable \Do"na*ble\, a. [L. donabilis, fr. donare to donate.]
Capable of being donated or given. [R.]
Donary \Do"na*ry\, n. [L. donarium, fr. donare.]
A thing given to a sacred use. [R.] --Burton.
Donat \Don"at\, n. [From Donatus, a famous grammarian.]
A grammar. [Obs.] [Written also {donet}.]
Donatary \Don"a*ta*ry\, n.
See {Donatory}.
Donate \Do"nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Donated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Donating}.] [L. donatus, p. p. of donare to donate, fr.
donum gift, fr. dare to give. See 2d {Date}.]
To give; to bestow; to present; as, to donate fifty thousand
dollars to a college.
Donation \Do*na"tion\, n. [L. donatio; cf. F. donation.]
1. The act of giving or bestowing; a grant.
After donation there an absolute change and
alienation of the property of the thing given.
--South.
2. That which is given as a present; that which is
transferred to another gratuitously; a gift.
And some donation freely to estate On the bless'd
lovers. --Shak.
3. (Law) The act or contract by which a person voluntarily
transfers the title to a thing of which be is the owner,
from himself to another, without any consideration, as a
free gift. --Bouvier.
{Donation party}, a party assembled at the house of some one,
as of a clergyman, each one bringing some present. [U.S.]
--Bartlett.
Syn: Gift; present; benefaction; grant. See {Gift}.
Donatism \Don"a*tism\, n. [Cf. F. Donatisme.] (Eccl. Hist.)
The tenets of the Donatists.
Donatist \Don"a*tist\, n. [LL. Donatista: cf. F. Donatiste.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Donatus, the leader of a body of North African
schismatics and purists, who greatly disturbed the church in
the 4th century. They claimed to be the true church.
Donatistic \Don`a*tis"tic\, a.
Pertaining to Donatism.
Donative \Don"a*tive\, n. [L. donativum, fr. donare: cf. F.
donatif. See {Donate}.]
1. A gift; a largess; a gratuity; a present. ``The Romans
were entertained with shows and donatives.'' --Dryden.
2. (Eccl. Law) A benefice conferred on a person by the
founder or patron, without either presentation or
institution by the ordinary, or induction by his orders.
See the Note under {Benefice}, n., 3.
Donative \Don"a*tive\, a.
Vested or vesting by donation; as, a donative advowson.
--Blackstone.
Donator \Do*na"tor\, n. [L. Cf. {Donor}.] (Law)
One who makes a gift; a donor; a giver.
Donatory \Don"a*to*ry\, n. (Scots Law)
A donee of the crown; one the whom, upon certain condition,
escheated property is made over.
Do-naught \Do"-naught`\, n. [Do + naught.]
A lazy, good-for-nothing fellow.
Donax \Do"nax\, n. [L., reed, also a sea fish, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
A canelike grass of southern Europe ({Arundo Donax}), used
for fishing rods, etc.
Doncella \Don*cel"la\, n. [Sp., lit., a maid. Cf. {Damsel}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A handsome fish of Florida and the West Indies ({Platyglossus
radiatus}). The name is applied also to the ladyfish ({Harpe
rufa}) of the same region.
Done \Done\,
p. p. from {Do}, and formerly the infinitive.
1. Performed; executed; finished.
2. It is done or agreed; let it be a match or bargain; --
used elliptically.
{Done brown}, a phrase in cookery; applied figuratively to
one who has been thoroughly deceived, cheated, or fooled.
[Colloq.]
{Done for}, tired out; used up; collapsed; destroyed; dead;
killed. [Colloq.]
{Done up}.
(a) Wrapped up.
(b) Worn out; exhausted. [Colloq.]
Done \Done\, a. [Prob. corrupted from OF. don['e], F. donn['e],
p. p. of OF. doner, F. donner, to give, issue, fr. L. donare
to give. See {Donate}, and cf. {Donee}.]
Given; executed; issued; made public; -- used chiefly in the
clause giving the date of a proclamation or public act.
Donee \Do*nee"\, n. [OF. don['e], F. donn['e], p. p. See the
preceding word.]
1. The person to whom a gift or donation is made.
2. (Law) Anciently, one to whom lands were given; in later
use, one to whom lands and tenements are given in tail; in
modern use, one on whom a power is conferred for
execution; -- sometimes called the appointor.
Donet \Don"et\, n.
Same as {Donat}. Piers Plowman.
Doni \Do"ni\, n. [Tamil t?n[=i].] (Naut.)
A clumsy craft, having one mast with a long sail, used for
trading purposes on the coasts of Coromandel and Ceylon.
[Written also {dhony}, {doney}, and {done}.]
--Balfour.
Doniferous \Do*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. donum gift + -ferous.]
Bearing gifts. [R.]
Donjon \Don"jon\, n. [See {Dungeon}.]
The chief tower, also called the keep; a massive tower in
ancient castles, forming the strongest part of the
fortifications. See Illust. of {Castle}.
Donkey \Don"key\, n.; pl. {Donkeys}. [Prob. dun, in allusion to
the color of the animal + a dim. termination.]
1. An ass; or (less frequently) a mule.
2. A stupid or obstinate fellow; an ass.
{Donkey engine}, a small auxiliary engine not used for
propelling, but for pumping water into the boilers,
raising heavy weights, and like purposes.
{Donkey pump}, a steam pump for feeding boilers,
extinguishing fire, etc.; -- usually an auxiliary.
{Donkey's eye} (Bot.), the large round seed of the {Mucuna
pruriens}, a tropical leguminous plant.
Donna \Don"na\, n. [It. donna, L. domina. See {Don}, {Dame}.]
A lady; madam; mistress; -- the title given a lady in Italy.
Donnat \Don"nat\, n. [Corrupted from do-naught.]
See {Do-naught}. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Donnism \Don"nism\, n. [{Don}, n., 2.]
Self-importance; loftiness of carriage. [Cant, Eng.
Universities]
Donor \Do"nor\, n. [F. donneur, OF. daneor, fr. donner. See
{Donee}, and cf. {Donator}.]
1. One who gives or bestows; one who confers anything
gratuitously; a benefactor.
2. (Law) One who grants an estate; in later use, one who
confers a power; -- the opposite of donee. --Kent.
Touching, the parties unto deeds and charters, we
are to consider as well the donors and granters as
the donees or grantees. --Spelman.
Do-nothing \Do"-noth`ing\, a.
Doing nothing; inactive; idle; lazy; as, a do-nothing policy.
Do-nothingism \Do"-noth`ing*ism\, Do-nothingness
\Do"-noth`ing*ness\, n.
Inactivity; habitual sloth; idleness. [Jocular] --Carlyle.
Miss Austen.
Donship \Don"ship\, n.
The quality or rank of a don, gentleman, or knight.
--Hudibras.
Donzel \Don"zel\, n. [Cf. It. donzello, Sp. doncel, OF. danzel.
See {Damsel}, {Don}, n.]
A young squire, or knight's attendant; a page. [Obs.] --Beau.
& Fl.
Doo \Doo\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A dove. [Scot.]
Doob grass \Doob" grass`\ [Hind. d?b.] (Bot.)
A perennial, creeping grass ({Cynodon dactylon}), highly
prized, in Hindostan, as food for cattle, and acclimated in
the United States. [Written also {doub grass}.]
Doodle \Doo"dle\, n. [Cf. {Dawdle}.]
A trifler; a simple fellow.
Doodlesack \Doo"dle*sack`\, n. [Cf. G. dudelsack.]
The Scotch bagpipe. [Prov. Eng.]
Doole \Doole\, n.
Sorrow; dole. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dooly \Doo"ly\, n.; pl. {Doolies}. [Skr. d?la.]
A kind of litter suspended from men's shoulders, for carrying
persons or things; a palanquin. [Written also {doolee} and
{doolie}.] [East Indies]
Having provided doolies, or little bamboo chairs slung
on four men's shoulders, in which I put my papers and
boxes, we next morning commenced the ascent. --J. D.
Hooker.
Doom \Doom\, n. [As. d?m; akin to OS. d?m, OHG. tuom, Dan. & Sw.
dom, Icel. d?mr, Goth. d?ms, Gr. ? law; fr. the root of E.
do, v. t. ?. See {Do}, v. t., and cf. {Deem}, {-dom}.]
1. Judgment; judicial sentence; penal decree; condemnation.
The first dooms of London provide especially the
recovery of cattle belonging to the citizens. --J.
R. Green.
Now against himself he sounds this doom. --Shak.
2. That to which one is doomed or sentenced; destiny or fate,
esp. unhappy destiny; penalty.
Ere Hector meets his doom. --Pope.
And homely household task shall be her doom.
--Dryden.
3. Ruin; death.
This is the day of doom for Bassianus. --Shak.
4. Discriminating opinion or judgment; discrimination;
discernment; decision. [Obs.]
And there he learned of things and haps to come, To
give foreknowledge true, and certain doom.
--Fairfax.
Syn: Sentence; condemnation; decree; fate; destiny; lot;
ruin; destruction.
Doom \Doom\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doomed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dooming}.]
1. To judge; to estimate or determine as a judge. [Obs.]
--Milton.
2. To pronounce sentence or judgment on; to condemn; to
consign by a decree or sentence; to sentence; as, a
criminal doomed to chains or death.
Absolves the just, and dooms the guilty souls.
--Dryden.
3. To ordain as penalty; hence, to mulct or fine.
Have I tongue to doom my brother's death? --Shak.
4. To assess a tax upon, by estimate or at discretion. [New
England] --J. Pickering.
5. To destine; to fix irrevocably the destiny or fate of; to
appoint, as by decree or by fate.
A man of genius . . . doomed to struggle with
difficulties. --Macaulay.
Doomage \Doom"age\, n.
A penalty or fine for neglect. [Local, New England]
Doomful \Doom"ful\, a.
Full of condemnation or destructive power. [R.] ``That
doomful deluge.'' --Drayton.
Doom palm \Doom" palm`\ [Ar. daum, d[=u]m: cf. F. doume.] (Bot.)
A species of palm tree ({Hyph[ae]ne Thebaica}), highly valued
for the fibrous pulp of its fruit, which has the flavor of
gingerbread, and is largely eaten in Egypt and Abyssinia.
[Written also {doum palm}.]
Doomsday \Dooms"day`\, n. [AS. d?mes d[=a]g. See {Doom}, and
{Day}.]
1. A day of sentence or condemnation; day of death. ``My
body's doomsday.'' --Shak.
2. The day of the final judgment.
I could not tell till doomsday. --Chaucer.
{Doomsday Book}. See {Domesday Book}.
Doomsman \Dooms"man\, n. [Doom + man.]
A judge; an umpire. [Obs.] --Hampole.
Doomster \Doom"ster\, n.
Same as {Dempster}. [Scot.]
Door \Door\, n. [OE. dore, dure, AS. duru; akin to OS. dura,
dor, D. deur, OHG. turi, door, tor gate, G. th["u]r, thor,
Icel. dyrr, Dan. d["o]r, Sw. d["o]rr, Goth. daur, Lith.
durys, Russ. dvere, Olr. dorus, L. fores, Gr. ?; cf. Skr.
dur, dv[=a]ra. ????. Cf. {Foreign}.]
1. An opening in the wall of a house or of an apartment, by
which to go in and out; an entrance way.
To the same end, men several paths may tread, As
many doors into one temple lead. --Denham.
2. The frame or barrier of boards, or other material, usually
turning on hinges, by which an entrance way into a house
or apartment is closed and opened.
At last he came unto an iron door That fast was
locked. --Spenser.
3. Passage; means of approach or access.
I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall
be saved. --John x. 9.
4. An entrance way, but taken in the sense of the house or
apartment to which it leads.
Martin's office is now the second door in the
street. --Arbuthnot.
{Blank door}, {Blind door}, etc. (Arch.) See under {Blank},
{Blind}, etc.
{In doors}, or {Within doors}, within the house.
{Next door to}, near to; bordering on.
A riot unpunished is but next door to a tumult.
--L'Estrange.
{Out of doors}, or {Without doors}, and, colloquially, {Out
doors}, out of the house; in open air; abroad; away; lost.
His imaginary title of fatherhood is out of doors.
--Locke.
{To lay (a fault, misfortune, etc.) at one's door}, to charge
one with a fault; to blame for.
{To lie at one's door}, to be imputable or chargeable to.
If I have failed, the fault lies wholly at my door.
--Dryden.
Note: Door is used in an adjectival construction or as the
first part of a compound (with or without the hyphen),
as, door frame, doorbell or door bell, door knob or
doorknob, door latch or doorlatch, door jamb, door
handle, door mat, door panel.
Doorcase \Door"case`\, n.
The surrounding frame into which a door shuts.
Doorcheek \Door"cheek`\, n.
The jamb or sidepiece of a door. --Ex. xii. 22 (Douay
version).
Doorga \Door"ga\, n. [Skr. Durg[=a].] (Myth.)
A Hindoo divinity, the consort of Siva, represented with ten
arms. [Written also Durga.] --Malcom.
Dooring \Door"ing\, n.
The frame of a door. --Milton.
Doorkeeper \Door"keep`er\, n.
One who guards the entrance of a house or apartment; a
porter; a janitor.
Doorless \Door"less\, a.
Without a door.
Doornail \Door"nail`\, n.
The nail or knob on which in ancient doors the knocker
struck; -- hence the old saying, ``As dead as a doornail.''
Doorplane \Door"plane`\, n.
A plane on a door, giving the name, and sometimes the
employment, of the occupant.
Doorpost \Door"post`\, n.
The jamb or sidepiece of a doorway.
Doorsill \Door"sill`\, n.
The sill or threshold of a door.
Doorstead \Door"stead\, n.
Entrance or place of a door. [Obs. or Local] --Bp. Warburton.
Doorstep \Door"step`\, n.
The stone or plank forming a step before an outer door.
Doorstone \Door"stone`\, n.
The stone forming a threshold.
Doorstop \Door"stop`\, n. (Carp.)
The block or strip of wood or similar material which stops,
at the right place, the shutting of a door.
Doorway \Door"way`\, n.
The passage of a door; entrance way into a house or a room.
Dooryard \Door"yard`\, n.
A yard in front of a house or around the door of a house.
Dop \Dop\, Doop \Doop\, n.
A little copper cup in which a diamond is held while being
cut.
Dop \Dop\, v. i. [Cf. {Dap}, {Dip}.]
To dip. [Obs.] --Walton.
Dop \Dop\, n.
A dip; a low courtesy. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Dopper \Dop"per\, n. [D. dooper.] [Written also {doper}.]
An Anabaptist or Baptist. [Contemptuous] --B. Jonson.
Dopplerite \Dop"pler*ite\, n. [Named after the physicist and
mathematician Christian Doppler.] (Min.)
A brownish black native hydrocarbon occurring in elastic or
jellylike masses.
Doquet \Doq"uet\, n.
A warrant. See {Docket}.
Dor \Dor\, n. [Cf. AS. dora drone, locust, D. tor beetle, L.
taurus a kind of beetle. Cf. {Dormouse}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large European scaraboid beetle ({Geotrupes stercorarius}),
which makes a droning noise while flying. The name is also
applied to allied American species, as the {June bug}. Called
also {dorr}, {dorbeetle}, or {dorrbeetle}, {dorbug},
{dorrfly}, and {buzzard clock}.
Dor \Dor\, n. [Cf. {Dor} a beetle, and {Hum}, {Humbug}.]
A trick, joke, or deception. --Beau. & Fl.
{To give one the dor}, to make a fool of him. [Archaic] --P.
Fletcher.
Dor \Dor\, v. t.
To make a fool of; to deceive. [Obs.] [Written also {dorr}.]
--B. Jonson.
Dorado \Do*ra"do\, n. [Sp. dorado gilt, fr. dorar to gild, fr.
L. deaurare. See 1st {Dory}, and cf. {Fl Dorado}.]
1. (Astron.) A southern constellation, within which is the
south pole of the ecliptic; -- called also sometimes
Xiphias, or the Swordfish.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large, oceanic fish of the genus
{Coryph[ae]na}.
Dorbeetle \Dor"bee`tle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See 1st {Dor}.
Doree \Do"ree\, n. [See {Dory}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European marine fish ({Zeus faber}), of a yellow color. See
Illust. of {John Doree}.
Note: The popular name in England is {John Doree}, or {Dory},
well known to be a corruption of F. jaune-dor['e]e, i.
e., golden-yellow. See 1st {Dory}.
Doretree \Dore"tree`\, n.
A doorpost. [Obs.] ``As dead as a doretree.'' --Piers
Plowman.
Dorhawk \Dor"hawk`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European goatsucker; -- so called because it eats the dor
beetle. See {Goatsucker}. [Written also {dorrhawk}.] --Booth.
Dorian \Do"ri*an\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the ancient Greeks of Doris; Doric;
as, a Dorian fashion.
2. (Mus.) Same as {Doric}, 3. ``Dorian mood.'' --Milton.
{Dorian mode} (Mus.), the first of the authentic church modes
or tones, from D to D, resembling our D minor scale, but
with the B natural. --Grove.
Dorian \Do"ri*an\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Doris in Greece.
Doric \Dor"ic\, a. [L. Doricus, Gr. ?, fr. ? the Dorians.]
1. Pertaining to Doris, in ancient Greece, or to the Dorians;
as, the Doric dialect.
2. (Arch.) Belonging to, or resembling, the oldest and
simplest of the three orders of architecture used by the
Greeks, but ranked as second of the five orders adopted by
the Romans. See {Abacus}, {Capital}, {Order}.
Note: This order is distinguished, according to the treatment
of details, as Grecian Doric, or Roman Doric.
3. (Mus.) Of or relating to one of the ancient Greek musical
modes or keys. Its character was adapted both to religions
occasions and to war.
Doric \Dor"ic\, n.
The Doric dialect.
Doricism \Dor"i*cism\, n.
A Doric phrase or idiom.
Doris \Do"ris\, n. [L. Doris, the daughter of Oceanus, and wife
of Nereus, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of nudibranchiate mollusks having a wreath of
branchi[ae] on the back.
Dorism \Do"rism\, n. [Gr. ?.]
A Doric phrase or idiom.
Dorking fowl \Dor"king fowl`\ [From the town of Dorking in
England.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a breed of large-bodied domestic fowls, having five
toes, or the hind toe double. There are several strains, as
the white, gray, and silver-gray. They are highly esteemed
for the table.
Dormancy \Dor"man*cy\, n. [From {Dormant}.]
The state of being dormant; quiescence; abeyance.
Dormant \Dor"mant\, a. [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L.
dormire; cf. Gr. ?, Skr. dr[=a], OSlav. dr?mati.]
1. Sleeping; as, a dormant animal; hence, not in action or
exercise; quiescent; at rest; in abeyance; not disclosed,
asserted, or insisted on; as, dormant passions; dormant
claims or titles.
It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . .
very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals
upon a people. --Burke.
2. (Her.) In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; --
distinguished from {couchant}.
{Dormant partner} (Com.), a partner who takes no share in the
active business of a company or partnership, but is
entitled to a share of the profits, and subject to a share
in losses; -- called also {sleeping or silent partner}.
{Dormant window} (Arch.), a dormer window. See {Dormer}.
{Table dormant}, a stationary table. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dormant \Dor"mant\, n. [See {Dormant}, a.] (Arch.)
A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of
the other timbers rest or `` sleep.'' --Arch. Pub. Soc. --
Called also {dormant tree}, {dorman tree}, {dormond}, and
{dormer}. --Halliwell.
Dormer \Dor"mer\, or Dormer window \Dor"mer win"dow\, n.
[Literally, the window of a sleeping apartment. F. dormir to
sleep. See {Dormant}, a. & n.] (Arch.)
A window pierced in a roof, and so set as to be vertical
while the roof slopes away from it. Also, the gablet, or
houselike structure, in which it is contained.
Dormitive \Dor"mi*tive\, a. [Cf. F. dormitif, fr. dormire to
sleep.]
Causing sleep; as, the dormitive properties of opium.
--Clarke. -- n. (Med.) A medicine to promote sleep; a
soporific; an opiate.
Dormitory \Dor"mi*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Dormitories}. [L.
dormitorium, fr. dormitorius of or for sleeping, fr. dormire
to sleep. See {Dormant}.]
1. A sleeping room, or a building containing a series of
sleeping rooms; a sleeping apartment capable of containing
many beds; esp., one connected with a college or boarding
school. --Thackeray.
2. A burial place. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
My sister was interred in a very honorable manner in
our dormitory, joining to the parish church.
--Evelyn.
Dormouse \Dor"mouse\, n.; pl. {Dormice}. [Perh. fr. F. dormir to
sleep (Prov. E. dorm to doze) + E. mouse; or perh. changed
fr. F. dormeuse, fem., a sleeper, though not found in the
sense of a dormouse.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small European rodent of the genus {Myoxus}, of several
species. They live in trees and feed on nuts, acorns, etc.;
-- so called because they are usually torpid in winter.
Dorn \Dorn\, n. [Cf. G. dorn thorn, D. doorn, and G. dornfisch
stickleback.] (Zo["o]l.)
A British ray; the thornback.
Dornick \Dor"nick\, or Dornock \Dor"nock\, n.
A coarse sort of damask, originally made at Tournay (in
Flemish, Doornick), Belgium, and used for hangings, carpets,
etc. Also, a stout figured linen manufactured in Scotland.
[Formerly written also {darnex}, {dornic}, {dorneck}, etc.]
--Halliwell. --Jamieson.
Note: Ure says that dornock, a kind of stout figured linen,
derives its name from a town in Scotland where it was
first manufactured for tablecloths.
Dorp \Dorp\, n. [LG. & D. dorp. See {Thorpe}.]
A hamlet. ``A mean fishing dorp.'' --Howell.
Dorr \Dorr\, n.
The dorbeetle; also, a drone or an idler. See 1st {Dor}.
--Robynson (More's Utopia).
Dorr \Dorr\, v. t.
1. To deceive. [Obs.] See {Dor}, v. t.
2. To deafen with noise. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Dorrfly \Dorr"fly`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See 1st {Dor}.
Dorrhawk \Dorr"hawk`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dorhawk}.
Dorsad \Dor"sad\, adv. [Dorsum +L. ad towards.] (Anat.)
Toward the dorsum or back; on the dorsal side; dorsally.
Dorsal \Dor"sal\, a. [F. dorsal, LL. dorsalis, fr. L. dorsualis,
fr. dorsum back; cf. Gr. ?, ?, mountain ridge. Cf. {Dorse},
{Dorsel}, {Dosel}.]
1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or situated near, the back, or
dorsum, of an animal or of one of its parts; notal;
tergal; neural; as, the dorsal fin of a fish; the dorsal
artery of the tongue; -- opposed to {ventral}.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Pertaining to the surface naturally inferior, as of a
leaf.
(b) Pertaining to the surface naturally superior, as of a
creeping hepatic moss.
{Dorsal vessel} (Zo["o]l.), a central pulsating blood vessel
along the back of insects, acting as a heart.
Dorsal \Dor"sal\, n. [LL. dorsale, neut. fr. dorsalis. See
{Dorsal}, a.] (Fine Arts)
A hanging, usually of rich stuff, at the back of a throne, or
of an altar, or in any similar position.
Dorsale \Dor"sale\, n.
Same as {Dorsal}, n.
Dorsally \Dor"sal*ly\, adv. (Anat.)
On, or toward, the dorsum, or back; on the dorsal side of;
dorsad.
Dorse \Dorse\, n. [Cf. L. dorsum the back. See {Dorsel},
{Dosel}.]
1. Same as {dorsal}, n. [Obs.]
2. The back of a book. [Obs.]
Books, all richly bound, with gilt dorses. --Wood.
Dorse \Dorse\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Baltic or variable cod ({Gadus callarias}), by some
believed to be the young of the common codfish.
Dorsel \Dor"sel\, n. [See {Dosser}.]
1. A pannier.
2. Same as {Dorsal}, n.
Dorser \Dor"ser\, n.
See {Dosser}.
dorsibranchiata \dor`si*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., from L.
dorsum back + branchiae gills.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of ch[ae]topod annelids in which the branchi[ae]
are along the back, on each side, or on the parapodia. [See
Illusts. under {Annelida} and {Ch[ae]topoda}.]
Dorsibranchiate \Dor`si*bran"chi*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having branchi[ae] along the back; belonging to the
Dorsibranchiata. -- n. One of the Dorsibranchiata.
Dorsiferous \Dor*sif"er*ous\,. [Dorsum + -ferous; cf. F.
dorsif[`e]re.] (Biol.)
Bearing, or producing, on the back; -- applied to ferns which
produce seeds on the back of the leaf, and to certain
Batrachia, the ova of which become attached to the skin of
the back of the parent, where they develop; dorsiparous.
Dorsimeson \Dor`si*mes"on\, n. [Dorsum + meson.]
(Anat.) See {Meson}.
Dorsiparous \Dor*sip"a*rous\, a. [Dorsum + L. parere to bring
forth.] (Biol.)
Same as {Dorsiferous}.
Dorsiventral \Dor`si*ven"tral\, a. [Dorsum + ventral.]
1. (Biol.) Having distinct upper and lower surfaces, as most
common leaves. The leaves of the iris are not
dorsiventral.
2. (Anat.) See {Dorsoventral}.
Dorsoventral \Dor`so*ven"tral\, a. [dorsum + ventral.] (Anat.)
From the dorsal to the ventral side of an animal; as, the
dorsoventral axis.
Dorsum \Dor"sum\, n. [L.]
1. The ridge of a hill.
2. (Anat.) The back or dorsal region of an animal; the upper
side of an appendage or part; as, the dorsum of the
tongue.
Dortour \Dor"tour\, Dorture \Dor"ture\, n. [F. dortoir, fr. L.
dormitorium.]
A dormitory. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Dory \Do"ry\, n.; pl. {Dories}. [Named from 1st color, fr. F.
dor['e]e gilded, fr. dorer to gild, L. deaurare. See
{Deaurate}, and cf. {Aureole}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A European fish. See {Doree}, and {John Doree}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The American wall-eyed perch; -- called also
{dor['e]}. See {Pike perch}.
Dory \Do"ry\, n.; pl. {Dories}.
A small, strong, flat-bottomed rowboat, with sharp prow and
flaring sides.
Doryphora \Do*ryph"o*ra\, n. [NL. See {Doryphoros}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of plant-eating beetles, including the potato beetle.
See {Potato beetle}.
Doryphoros \Do*ryph"o*ros\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, lit., spear
bearing; ? a spear + ? to bear.] (Fine Arts)
A spear bearer; a statue of a man holding a spear or in the
attitude of a spear bearer. Several important sculptures of
this subject existed in antiquity, copies of which remain to
us.
Dose \Dose\ (d[=o]s), n. [F. dose, Gr. do`sis a giving, a dose,
fr. dido`nai to give; akin to L. dare to give. See {Date}
point of time.]
1. The quantity of medicine given, or prescribed to be taken,
at one time.
2. A sufficient quantity; a portion; as much as one can take,
or as falls to one to receive.
3. Anything nauseous that one is obliged to take; a
disagreeable portion thrust upon one.
I am for curing the world by gentle alteratives, not
by violent doses. -- W. Irving.
I dare undertake that as fulsome a dose as you give
him, he shall readily take it down. -- South.
Dose \Dose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dosed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{dosing}.] [Cf. F. doser. See {Dose}, n.]
1. To proportion properly (a medicine), with reference to the
patient or the disease; to form into suitable doses.
2. To give doses to; to medicine or physic to; to give
potions to, constantly and without need.
A self-opinioned physician, worse than his
distemper, who shall dose, and bleed, and kill him,
``secundum artem.'' -- South
3. To give anything nauseous to.
Dosel \Dos"el\, n. [OF. dossel; cf. LL. dorsale. See {Dorsal},
and cf. {Dorse}, {Dorsel}.]
Same as {Dorsal}, n. [R.]
Dosology \Do*sol"o*gy\, n. [Dose +-logy.]
Posology. [R.] --Ogilvie.
Dossel \Dos"sel\, n. [See {Dosel}, n.]
Same as {Dorsal}, n.
Dosser \Dos"ser\, n. [LL. dosserum, or F. dossier bundle of
papers, part of a basket resting on the back, fr. L. dorsum
back. See {Dorsal}, and cf. {Dosel}.] [Written also {dorser}
and {dorsel}.]
1. A pannier, or basket.
To hire a ripper's mare, and buy new dossers.
--Beau. & Fl.
2. A hanging tapestry; a dorsal.
Dossil \Dos"sil\, n. [OE. dosil faucet of a barrel, OF. dosil,
duisil, spigot, LL. diciculus, ducillus, fr. L. ducere to
lead, draw. See {Duct}, {Duke}.]
1. (Surg.) A small ovoid or cylindrical roil or pledget of
lint, for keeping a sore, wound, etc., open; a tent.
2. (Printing) A roll of cloth for wiping off the face of a
copperplate, leaving the ink in the engraved lines.
Dost \Dost\, 2d pers. sing. pres.
of {Do}.
Dot \Dot\, n. [F., fr. L. dos, dotis, dowry. See {Dower}, and
cf. {Dote} dowry.] (Law)
A marriage portion; dowry. [Louisiana]
Dot \Dot\, n. [Cf. AS. dott small spot, speck; of uncertain
origin.]
1. A small point or spot, made with a pen or other pointed
instrument; a speck, or small mark.
2. Anything small and like a speck comparatively; a small
portion or specimen; as, a dot of a child.
Dot \Dot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dotted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dotting}.]
1. To mark with dots or small spots; as, to dot a line.
2. To mark or diversify with small detached objects; as, a
landscape dotted with cottages.
Dot \Dot\, v. i.
To make dots or specks.
Dotage \Do"tage\, n. [From {Dote}, v. i.]
1. Feebleness or imbecility of understanding or mind,
particularly in old age; the childishness of old age;
senility; as, a venerable man, now in his dotage.
Capable of distinguishing between the infancy and
the dotage of Greek literature. --Macaulay.
2. Foolish utterance; drivel.
The sapless dotages of old Paris and Salamanca. --
Milton.
3. Excessive fondness; weak and foolish affection.
The dotage of the nation on presbytery. -- Bp.
Burnet.
Dotal \Do"tal\, a. [L. dotalis, fr. dos, dotis, dowry: cf. F.
dotal. See {Dot} dowry.]
Pertaining to dower, or a woman's marriage portion;
constituting dower, or comprised in it. --Garth.
Dotant \Do"tant\, n.
A dotard. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dotard \Do"tard\, n. [{Dote}, v. i.]
One whose mind is impaired by age; one in second childhood.
The sickly dotard wants a wife. -- Prior.
Dotardly \Do"tard*ly\, a.
Foolish; weak. --Dr. H. More.
Dotary \Do"ta*ry\, n.
A dotard's weakness; dotage. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Dotation \Do*ta"tion\, n. [LL. dotatio, fr. L. dotare to endow,
fr. dos, dotis, dower: cf. F. dotation. See {Dot} dowry.]
1. The act of endowing, or bestowing a marriage portion on a
woman.
2. Endowment; establishment of funds for support, as of a
hospital or eleemosynary corporation. --Blackstone.
Dote \Dote\, n. [See {Dot} dowry.]
1. A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st {Dot}, n. --Wyatt.
2. pl. Natural endowments. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Dote \Dote\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Doted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Doting}.] [OE. doten; akin to OD. doten, D. dutten, to doze,
Icel. dotta to nod from sleep, MHG. t?zen to keep still: cf.
F. doter, OF. radoter (to dote, rave, talk idly or
senselessly), which are from the same source.] [Written also
{doat}.]
1. To act foolishly. [Obs.]
He wol make him doten anon right. --Chaucer.
2. To be weak-minded, silly, or idiotic; to have the
intellect impaired, especially by age, so that the mind
wanders or wavers; to drivel.
Time has made you dote, and vainly tell Of arms
imagined in your lonely cell. --Dryden.
He survived the use of his reason, grew infatuated,
and doted long before he died. --South.
3. To be excessively or foolishly fond; to love to excess; to
be weakly affectionate; -- with on or upon; as, the mother
dotes on her child.
Sing, siren, for thyself, and I will dote. --Shak.
What dust we dote on, when 't is man we love. --
Pope.
Dote \Dote\, n.
An imbecile; a dotard. --Halliwell.
Doted \Dot"ed\, a.
1. Stupid; foolish. [Obs.]
Senseless speech and doted ignorance. --Spenser.
2. Half-rotten; as, doted wood. [Local, U. S.]
Dotehead \Dote"head`\, n.
A dotard. [R.] --Tyndale.
Doter \Dot"er\, n.
1. One who dotes; a man whose understanding is enfeebled by
age; a dotard. --Burton.
2. One excessively fond, or weak in love. --Shak.
Dotery \Dot"er*y\, n.
The acts or speech of a dotard; drivel. [R.]
Doth \Doth\, 3d pers. sing. pres.
of {Do}.
Doting \Dot"ing\, a.
That dotes; silly; excessively fond. -- {Dot"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Dot"ing*ness}, n.
Dotish \Dot"ish\, a.
Foolish; weak; imbecile. --Sir W. Scott.
Dottard \Dot"tard\, n. [For {Dotard} ?]
An old, decayed tree. [R.] --Bacon.
Dotted \Dot"ted\, a.
Marked with, or made of, dots or small spots; diversified
with small, detached objects.
{Dotted note} (Mus.), a note followed by a dot to indicate an
increase of length equal to one half of its simple value;
thus, a dotted semibreve is equal to three minims, and a
dotted quarter to three eighth notes.
{Dotted rest}, a rest lengthened by a dot in the same manner
as a dotted note.
Note: Notes and rests are sometimes followed by two dots, to
indicate an increase of length equal to three quarters
of their simple value, and they are then said to be
double-dotted.
Dotterel \Dot"ter*el\, a. [Cf. {Dottard}.]
Decayed. ``Some old dotterel trees.'' [Obs.] --Ascham.
Dotterel \Dot"ter*el\, n. [From {Dote}, v. i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A European bird of the Plover family
({Eudromias, or Charadrius, morinellus}). It is tame and
easily taken, and is popularly believed to imitate the
movements of the fowler.
In catching of dotterels we see how the foolish bird
playeth the ape in gestures. -- Bacon.
Note: The ringed dotterel (or ring plover) is {Charadrius
hiaticula}.
2. A silly fellow; a dupe; a gull. --Barrow.
Dotting pen \Dot"ting pen`\
See under {Pun}.
Dottrel \Dot"trel\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dotterel}.
Doty \Do"ty\, a. [See {Dottard}.]
Half-rotten; as, doty timber. [Local, U. S.]
Douane \Dou`ane"\, n. [F.]
A customhouse.
Douanier \Dou`a"nier"\, n. [F.]
An officer of the French customs. [Anglicized form
{douaneer}.]
Douar \Dou"ar\, n. [F., fr. Ar. d?[=a]r.]
A village composed of Arab tents arranged in streets.
Douay Bible \Dou"ay Bi"ble\ [From Douay, or Douai, a town in
France.]
A translation of the Scriptures into the English language for
the use of English-speaking Roman Catholics; -- done from the
Latin Vulgate by English scholars resident in France. The New
Testament portion was published at Rheims, A. D. 1582, the
Old Testament at Douai, A. D. 1609-10. Various revised
editions have since been published. [Written also {Doway
Bible}. Called also the {Rheims and Douay version}.]
Doub grass \Doub" grass`\(Bot.)
Doob grass.
Double \Dou"ble\, a. [OE. doble, duble, double, OF. doble,
duble, double, F. double, fr. L. duplus, fr. the root of duo
two, and perh. that of plenus full; akin to Gr. ? double. See
{Two}, and {Full}, and cf. {Diploma}, {Duple}.]
1. Twofold; multiplied by two; increased by its equivalent;
made twice as large or as much, etc.
Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. -- 2
Kings ii. 9.
Darkness and tempest make a double night. --Dryden.
2. Being in pairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set
together; coupled.
[Let] The swan, on still St. Mary's lake, Float
double, swan and shadow. --Wordsworth.
3. Divided into two; acting two parts, one openly and the
other secretly; equivocal; deceitful; insincere.
With a double heart do they speak. -- Ps. xii. 2.
4. (Bot.) Having the petals in a flower considerably
increased beyond the natural number, usually as the result
of cultivation and the expense of the stamens, or stamens
and pistils. The white water lily and some other plants
have their blossoms naturally double.
Note: Double is often used as the first part of a compound
word, generally denoting two ways, or twice the number,
quantity, force, etc., twofold, or having two.
{Double base}, or {Double bass} (Mus.), the largest and
lowest-toned instrument in the violin form; the
contrabasso or violone.
{Double convex}. See under {Convex}.
{Double counterpoint} (Mus.), that species of counterpoint or
composition, in which two of the parts may be inverted, by
setting one of them an octave higher or lower.
{Double court} (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for four
players, two on each side.
{Double dagger} (Print.), a reference mark ([dag]) next to
the dagger ([dagger]) in order; a diesis.
{Double drum} (Mus.), a large drum that is beaten at both
ends.
{Double eagle}, a gold coin of the United States having the
value of 20 dollars.
{Double entry}. See under {Bookkeeping}.
{Double floor} (Arch.), a floor in which binding joists
support flooring joists above and ceiling joists below.
See Illust. of Double-framed floor.
{Double flower}. See {Double}, a., 4.
{Double-framed floor} (Arch.), a double floor having girders
into which the binding joists are framed.
{Double fugue} (Mus.), a fugue on two subjects.
{Double letter}.
(a) (Print.) Two letters on one shank; a ligature.
(b) A mail requiring double postage.
{Double note} (Mus.), a note of double the length of the
semibreve; a breve. See {Breve}.
{Double octave} (Mus.), an interval composed of two octaves,
or fifteen notes, in diatonic progression; a fifteenth.
{Double pica}. See under {Pica}.
{Double play} (Baseball), a play by which two players are put
out at the same time.
{Double plea} (Law), a plea alleging several matters in
answer to the declaration, where either of such matters
alone would be a sufficient bar to the action. --Stephen.
{Double point} (Geom.), a point of a curve at which two
branches cross each other. Conjugate or isolated points of
a curve are called double points, since they possess most
of the properties of double points (see {Conjugate}). They
are also called {acnodes}, and those points where the
branches of the curve really cross are called {crunodes}.
The extremity of a cusp is also a double point.
{Double quarrel}. (Eccl. Law) See {Duplex querela}, under
{Duplex}.
{Double refraction}. (Opt.) See {Refraction}.
{Double salt}. (Chem.)
(a) A mixed salt of any polybasic acid which has been
saturated by different bases or basic radicals, as the
double carbonate of sodium and potassium,
{NaKCO3.6H2O}.
(b) A molecular combination of two distinct salts, as
common alum, which consists of the sulphate of
aluminium, and the sulphate of potassium or ammonium.
{Double shuffle}, a low, noisy dance.
{Double standard} (Polit. Econ.), a double standard of
monetary values; i. e., a gold standard and a silver
standard, both of which are made legal tender.
{Double star} (Astron.), two stars so near to each other as
to be seen separate only by means of a telescope. Such
stars may be only optically near to each other, or may be
physically connected so that they revolve round their
common center of gravity, and in the latter case are
called also binary stars.
{Double time} (Mil.). Same as {Double-quick}.
{Double window}, a window having two sets of glazed sashes
with an air space between them.
Double \Dou"ble\, adv.
Twice; doubly.
I was double their age. --Swift.
Double \Dou"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doubled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Doubling}.] [OE. doblen, dublen, doublen, F. doubler, fr. L.
duplare, fr. duplus. See {Double}, a.]
1. To increase by adding an equal number, quantity, length,
value, or the like; multiply by two; to double a sum of
money; to double a number, or length.
Double six thousand, and then treble that. --Shak.
2. To make of two thicknesses or folds by turning or bending
together in the middle; to fold one part upon another part
of; as, to double the leaf of a book, and the like; to
clinch, as the fist; -- often followed by up; as, to
double up a sheet of paper or cloth.
--Prior.
Then the old man Was wroth, and doubled up his hands.
--Tennyson.
3. To be the double of; to exceed by twofold; to contain or
be worth twice as much as.
Thus re["e]nforced, against the adverse fleet, Still
doubling ours, brave Rupert leads the way. --Dryden.
4. To pass around or by; to march or sail round, so as to
reverse the direction of motion.
Sailing along the coast, the doubled the promontory
of Carthage. --Knolles.
5. (Mil.) To unite, as ranks or files, so as to form one from
each two.
Double \Dou"ble\, v. i.
1. To be increased to twice the sum, number, quantity,
length, or value; to increase or grow to twice as much.
'T is observed in particular nations, that within
the space of three hundred years, notwithstanding
all casualties, the number of men doubles. --T.
Burnet.
2. To return upon one's track; to turn and go back over the
same ground, or in an opposite direction.
Doubling and turning like a hunted hare. --Dryden.
Doubling and doubling with laborious walk.
--Wordsworth.
3. To play tricks; to use sleights; to play false.
What penalty and danger you accrue, If you be found
to double. --J. Webster.
4. (Print.) To set up a word or words a second time by
mistake; to make a doublet.
{To double upon} (Mil.), to inclose between two fires.
Double \Dou"ble\, n.
1. Twice as much; twice the number, sum, quantity, length,
value, and the like.
If the thief be found, let him pay double. --Ex.
xxii. 7.
2. Among compositors, a doublet (see {Doublet}, 2.); among
pressmen, a sheet that is twice pulled, and blurred.
3. That which is doubled over or together; a doubling; a
plait; a fold.
Rolled up in sevenfold double Of plagues. --Marston.
4. A turn or circuit in running to escape pursues; hence, a
trick; a shift; an artifice.
These men are too well acquainted with the chase to
be flung off by any false steps or doubles.
--Addison.
5. Something precisely equal or counterpart to another; a
counterpart. Hence, a wraith.
My charming friend . . . has, I am almost sure, a
double, who preaches his afternoon sermons for him.
--Atlantic
Monthly.
6. A player or singer who prepares to take the part of
another player in his absence; a substitute.
7. Double beer; strong beer.
8. (Eccl.) A feast in which the antiphon is doubled, hat is,
said twice, before and after the Psalms, instead of only
half being said, as in simple feasts. --Shipley.
9. (Lawn Tennis) A game between two pairs of players; as, a
first prize for doubles.
10. (Mus.) An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites.
Double-acting \Dou"ble-act`ing\, a.
Acting or operating in two directions or with both motions;
producing a twofold result; as, a double-acting engine or
pump.
Double-bank \Dou"ble-bank"\, v. t. (Naut.)
To row by rowers sitting side by side in twos on a bank or
thwart.
{To double-bank an oar}, to set two men to pulling one oar.
Double-banked \Dou"ble-banked`\, a.
Applied to a kind of rowing in which the rowers sit side by
side in twos, a pair of oars being worked from each bank or
thwart.
Double-barreled \Dou"ble-bar`reled\, or -barrelled \-bar`relled\
, a.
Having two barrels; -- applied to a gun.
Double-beat valve \Dou"ble-beat` valve"\
See under {Valve}.
Double-breasted \Dou"ble-breast`ed\, a.
Folding or lapping over on the breast, with a row of buttons
and buttonholes on each side; as, a double-breasted coat.
Double-charge \Dou"ble-charge`\, v. t.
1. To load with a double charge, as of gunpowder.
2. To overcharge. --Shak.
Double dealer \Dou"ble deal"er\
One who practices double dealing; a deceitful, trickish
person. --L'Estrange.
Double dealing \Dou"ble deal"ing\
False or deceitful dealing. See {Double dealing}, under
{Dealing}. --Shak.
Double-decker \Dou"ble-deck"er\, n.
1. (Naut.) A man-of-war having two gun decks.
2. A public conveyance, as a street car, with seats on the
roof. [Colloq.]
Double-dye \Dou"ble-dye`\, v. t.
To dye again or twice over.
To double-dye their robes in scarlet. --J. Webster.
Double-dyed \Dou"ble-dyed`\, a.
Dyed twice; thoroughly or intensely colored; hence; firmly
fixed in opinions or habits; as, a double-dyed villain.
Double-ender \Dou"ble-end"er\, n.
(a) (Naut.) A vessel capable of moving in either direction,
having bow and rudder at each end.
(b) (Railroad) A locomotive with pilot at each end. --Knight.
Double-entendre \Dou"ble-en*ten"dre\, n. [F. double double +
entendre to mean. This is a barbarous compound of French
words. The true French equivalent is double entente.]
A word or expression admitting of a double interpretation,
one of which is often obscure or indelicate.
Double-eyed \Dou"ble-eyed`\, a.
Having a deceitful look. [R.] ``Deceitful meanings is
double-eyed.'' --Spenser.
Double-faced \Dou"ble-faced`\, a.
1. Having two faces designed for use; as, a double-faced
hammer.
2. Deceitful; hypocritical; treacherous. --Milton.
Double first \Dou"ble first`\ (Eng. Universities)
(a) A degree of the first class both in classics and
mathematics.
(b) One who gains at examinations the highest honor both
in the classics and the mathematics. --Beaconsfield.
Double-handed \Dou"ble-hand"ed\, a.
1. Having two hands.
2. Deceitful; deceptive. --Glanvill.
Double-headed \Dou"ble-head"ed\, a.
Having two heads; bicipital.
{Double-headed rail} (Railroad), a rail whose flanges are
duplicates, so that when one is worn the other may be
turned uppermost.
Doublehearted \Dou"ble*heart"ed\, a.
Having a false heart; deceitful; treacherous. --Sandys.
Double-hung \Dou"ble-hung`\, a.
Having both sashes hung with weights and cords; -- said of a
window.
Double-lock \Dou"ble-lock`\, v. t.
To lock with two bolts; to fasten with double security.
--Tatler.
Double-milled \Dou"ble-milled`\, a.
Twice milled or fulled, to render more compact or fine; --
said of cloth; as, double-milled kerseymere.
Doubleminded \Dou"ble*mind"ed\, a.
Having different minds at different times; unsettled;
undetermined.
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. --Jas.
i. 8.
Doubleness \Dou"ble*ness\, n.
1. The state of being double or doubled.
2. Duplicity; insincerity. --Chaucer.
Double-quick \Dou"ble-quick`\, a. (Mil.)
Of, or performed in, the fastest time or step in marching,
next to the run; as, a double-quick step or march.
Double-quick \Dou"ble-quick`\, n.
Double-quick time, step, or march.
Note: Double-quick time requires 165 steps, each 33 inches in
length, to be taken in one minute. The number of steps
may be increased up to 180 per minute.
Double-quick \Dou"ble-quick`\, v. i. & t. (Mil.)
To move, or cause to move, in double-quick time.
Doubler \Dou"bler\, n.
1. One who, or that which, doubles.
2. (Elec.) An instrument for augmenting a very small quantity
of electricity, so as to render it manifest by sparks or
the electroscope.
Double-ripper \Dou"ble-rip"per\, n.
A kind of coasting sled, made of two sleds fastened together
with a board, one before the other. [Local, U. S.]
Double-shade \Dou"ble-shade`\, v. t.
To double the natural darkness of (a place). --Milton.
Doublet \Doub"let\, n. [In sense 3, OF. doublet; in sense 4, F.
doublet, dim. of double double. See {Double}, a.]
1. Two of the same kind; a pair; a couple.
2. (Print.) A word or words unintentionally doubled or set up
a second time.
3. A close-fitting garment for men, covering the body from
the neck to the waist or a little below. It was worn in
Western Europe from the 15th to the 17th century.
4. (Lapidary Work) A counterfeit gem, composed of two pieces
of crystal, with a color them, and thus giving the
appearance of a naturally colored gem. Also, a piece of
paste or glass covered by a veneer of real stone.
5. (Opt.) An arrangement of two lenses for a microscope,
designed to correct spherical aberration and chromatic
dispersion, thus rendering the image of an object more
clear and distinct. --W. H. Wollaston.
6. pl. (See No. 1.) Two dice, each of which, when thrown, has
the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost; as,
to throw doublets.
7. pl. [Cf. Pr. doblier, dobler draughtboard.] A game
somewhat like backgammon. --Halliwell.
8. One of two or more words in the same language derived by
different courses from the same original from; as, crypt
and grot are doublets; also, guard and ward; yard and
garden; abridge and abbreviate, etc.
Doublethreaded \Dou"ble*thread`ed\, a.
1. Consisting of two threads twisted together; using two
threads.
2. (Mech.) Having two screw threads instead of one; -- said
of a screw in which the pitch is equal to twice the
distance between the centers of adjacent threads.
Double-tongue \Dou"ble-tongue`\, n.
Deceit; duplicity.
Now cometh the sin of double-tongue, such as speak fair
before folk and wickedly behind. --Chaucer.
Double-tongued \Dou"ble-tongued`\, a.
Making contrary declarations on the same subject; deceitful.
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued.
--1 Tim. iii.
8.
Double-tonguing \Dou"ble-tongu`ing\, n. (Mus.)
A peculiar action of the tongue by flute players in
articulating staccato notes; also, the rapid repetition of
notes in cornet playing.
Doubletree \Dou"ble*tree`\, n.
The bar, or crosspiece, of a carriage, to which the
singletrees are attached.
Doublets \Doub"lets\, n. pl.
See {Doublet}, 6 and 7.
Doubling \Dou"bling\, n.
1. The act of one that doubles; a making double;
reduplication; also, that which is doubled.
2. A turning and winding; as, the doubling of a hunted hare;
shift; trick; artifice. --Dryden.
3. (Her.) The lining of the mantle borne about the shield or
escutcheon.
4. The process of redistilling spirits, to improve the
strength and flavor.
{Doubling a cape}, {promontory}, etc. (Naut.), sailing around
or passing beyond a cape, promontory, etc.
Doubloon \Doub*loon"\, n. [F. doublon, Sp. doblon. See {Double},
a., and cf. {Dupion}.]
A Spanish gold coin, no longer issued, varying in value at
different times from over fifteen dollars to about five. See
{Doblon} in Sup.
Doubly \Dou"bly\, adv.
1. In twice the quantity; to twice the degree; as, doubly
wise or good; to be doubly sensible of an obligation.
--Dryden.
2. Deceitfully. ``A man that deals doubly.'' --Huloet.
Doubt \Doubt\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dou?ted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Doubting}.] [OE. duten, douten, OF. duter, doter, douter, F.
douter, fr. L. dubitare; akin to dubius doubtful. See
{Dubious}.]
1. To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as
to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to
be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the
affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined.
Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we
may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment.
--Hooker.
To try your love and make you doubt of mine.
--Dryden.
2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. [Obs.]
Syn: To waver; vacillate; fluctuate; hesitate; demur;
scruple; question.
Doubt \Doubt\, v. t.
1. To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to;
to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe;
to withhold confidence from; to distrust; as, I have heard
the story, but I doubt the truth of it.
To admire superior sense, and doubt their own!
--Pope.
I doubt not that however changed, you keep So much
of what is graceful. --Tennyson.
{To doubt not but}.
I do not doubt but I have been to blame. --Dryden.
We doubt not now But every rub is smoothed on our
way. --Shak.
Note: That is, we have no doubt to prevent us from believing,
etc. (or notwithstanding all that may be said to the
contrary) -- but having a preventive sense, after verbs
of ``doubting'' and ``denying'' that convey a notion of
hindrance. --E. A. Abbott.
2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. [Obs.]
Edmond [was a] good man and doubted God. --R. of
Gloucester.
I doubt some foul play. --Shak.
That I of doubted danger had no fear. --Spenser.
3. To fill with fear; to affright. [Obs.]
The virtues of the valiant Caratach More doubt me
than all Britain. --Beau. & Fl.
Doubt \Doubt\, n. [OE. dute, doute, F. doute, fr. douter to
doubt. See {Doubt}, v. i.]
1. A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or
evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state
of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the
truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation.
Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to
know. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Doubt, in order to be operative in requiring an
acquittal, is not the want of perfect certainty
(which can never exist in any question of fact) but
a defect of proof preventing a reasonable assurance
of quilt. --Wharton.
2. Uncertainty of condition.
Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. --Deut.
xxviii. 66.
3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. [Obs.]
I stand in doubt of you. --Gal. iv. 20.
Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt.
--Spenser.
4. Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point
unsettled; objection.
To every doubt your answer is the same. --Blackmore.
{No doubt}, undoubtedly; without doubt.
{Out of doubt}, beyond doubt. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Syn: Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision;
irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity;
ambiguity; skepticism.
Doubtable \Doubt"a*ble\, a. [OF. doutable, L. dubitabilis, from
dubitare. Cf. {Dubitable}.]
1. Capable of being doubted; questionable.
2. Worthy of being feared; redoubtable. [Obs.]
Doubtance \Doubt"ance\, n. [OF. doutance. Cf. {Dubitancy}.]
State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Doubter \Doubt"er\, n.
One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who
scruples.
Doubtful \Doubt"ful\, a.
1. Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating
in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its
action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are
doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.
Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I
am doubtful. --Shak.
With doubtful feet and wavering resolution.
--Milton.
2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain;
questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined,
classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title,
species, and the like.
Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good. --Shak.
Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the
enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [i.
e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts]?
--Bancroft.
3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful
expression; a doubtful phrase.
4. Of uncertain issue or event.
We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight.
--Milton.
The strife between the two principles had been long,
fierce, and doubtful. --Macaulay.
5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [Obs.]
I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And
bosomed with her. --Shak.
Syn: Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined;
distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous;
problematical; questionable.
Doubtfully \Doubt"ful*ly\, adv.
In a doubtful manner.
Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. --Dryden.
Doubtfulness \Doubt"ful*ness\, n.
1. State of being doubtful.
2. Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. `` The
doubtfulness of his expressions.'' --Locke.
3. Uncertainty of event or issue. --Bacon.
Doubting \Doubt"ing\, a.
That is uncertain; that distrusts or hesitates; having
doubts. -- {Doubt"ing*ly}, adv.
Doubtless \Doubt"less\, a.
Free from fear or suspicion. [Obs.]
Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. --Shak.
Doubtless \Doubt"less\, adv.
Undoubtedly; without doubt.
Doubtlessly \Doubt"less*ly\, adv.
Unquestionably. --Beau. & Fl.
Doubtous \Doubt"ous\, a. [OF. dotos, douteus, F. douteux.]
Doubtful. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Douc \Douc\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A monkey ({Semnopithecus nem[ae]us}), remarkable for its
varied and brilliant colors. It is a native of Cochin China.
Douce \Douce\, a. [F. doux, masc., douce, fem., sweet, fr. L.
duleis sweet.]
1. Sweet; pleasant. [Obs.]
2. Sober; prudent; sedate; modest. [Scot.]
And this is a douce, honest man. --Sir W.
Scott.
Doucepere \Douce"pere`\, n. [F. les douze pairs the twelve peers
of France, renowned in romantic fiction.]
One of the twelve peers of France, companions of Charlemagne
in war. [Written also {douzepere}.] [Obs.]
Big-looking like a doughty doucepere. --Spenser.
Doucet \Dou"cet\, Dowset \Dow"set\, n. [F. doucet sweet, dim. of
doux. See {Douce}.]
1. A custard. [Obs.]
2. A dowcet, or deep's testicle.
Douceur \Dou`ceur"\, n. [F., fr. doux sweet. See {Douce}.]
1. Gentleness and sweetness of manner; agreeableness.
--Chesterfield.
2. A gift for service done or to be done; an honorarium; a
present; sometimes, a bribe. --Burke.
Douche \Douche\, n. [F., fr. It. doccia, fr. docciare to flow,
pour, fr. an assumed LL. ductiare, fr. L. ducere, ductum, to
lead, conduct (water). See {Duct}.]
1. A jet or current of water or vapor directed upon some part
of the body to benefit it medicinally; a douche bath.
2. (Med.) A syringe.
Doucine \Dou"cine\, n. [F.] (Arch.)
Same as Cyma?recta, under {Cyma}.
Doucker \Douck"er\, n. [From aouck, for duck. See {Duck}, v. t.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A grebe or diver; -- applied also to the golden-eye, pochard,
scoter, and other ducks. [Written also {ducker}.] [Prov.
Eng.]
Dough \Dough\, n. [OE. dagh, dogh, dow, AS. d[=a]h; akin to D.
deeg, G. teig, Icel. deig, Sw. deg, Dan. deig, Goth. daigs;
also, to Goth. deigan to knead, L. fingere to form, shape,
Skr. dih to smear; cf. Gr. ? wall, ? to touch, handle. ?. Cf.
{Feign}, {Figure}, {Dairy}, {Duff}.]
1. Paste of bread; a soft mass of moistened flour or meal,
kneaded or unkneaded, but not yet baked; as, to knead
dough.
2. Anything of the consistency of such paste.
{To have one's cake dough}. See under {Cake}.
Dough-baked \Dough"-baked`\, a.
Imperfectly baked; hence, not brought to perfection;
unfinished; also, of weak or dull understanding. [Colloq.]
--Halliwell.
Doughbird \Dough"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Eskimo curlew ({Numenius borealis}). See {Curlew}.
Doughface \Dough"face`\, n.
A contemptuous nickname for a timid, yielding politician, or
one who is easily molded. [Political cant, U. S.]
Dough-faced \Dough"-faced`\, a.
Easily molded; pliable.
Doughfaceism \Dough"face`ism\, n.
The character of a doughface; truckling pliability.
Doughiness \Dough"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being doughy.
Dough-kneaded \Dough"-knead`ed\, a.
Like dough; soft.
He demeans himself . . . like a dough-kneaded thing.
--Milton.
Doughnut \Dough"nut\, n.
A small cake (usually sweetened) fried in a kettle of boiling
lard.
Doughtily \Dough"ti*ly\, adv.
In a doughty manner.
Doughtiness \Dough"ti*ness\, n.
The quality of being doughty; valor; bravery.
Doughtren \Dough"tren\, n. pl. [See {Daughter}.]
Daughters. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Doughty \Dough"ty\, a. [Compar. {Doughtier}; superl.
{Doughtiest}.] [OE. duhti, dohti, douhti, brave, valiant,
fit, useful, AS, dyhtig; akin to G. t["u]chtig, Dan. dygtig,
Sw. dygdig virtuous, and fr. AS. dugan to avail, be of use,
be strong, akin to D. deugen, OHG. tugan, G. taugen, Icel. &
Sw. duga, Dan. due, Goth. dugan, but of uncertain origin; cf.
Skr. duh to milk, give milk, draw out, or Gr. ? fortune. ?.]
Able; strong; valiant; redoubtable; as, a doughty hero.
Sir Thopas wex [grew] a doughty swain. --Chaucer.
Doughty families, hugging old musty quarrels to their
hearts, buffet each other from generation to
generation. --Motley.
Note: Now seldom used, except in irony or burlesque.
Doughy \Dough"y\, a.
Like dough; soft and heavy; pasty; crude; flabby and pale;
as, a doughy complexion.
Doulocracy \Dou*loc"ra*cy\, n. [Gr. ? slave + ? to rule.]
A government by slaves. [Written also {dulocracy}.] --Hare.
Doum palm \Doum" palm`\ (d[=oo]m" p[aum]m`).
See {Doom palm}.
Doupe \Doupe\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The carrion crow. [Written also {dob}.] [Prov. Eng.]
Dour \Dour\, a. [Cf. F. dur, L. durus.]
Hard; inflexible; obstinate; sour in aspect; hardy; bold.
[Scot.]
A dour wife, a sour old carlin. --C. Reade.
Doura \Dou"ra\, n.
A kind of millet. See {Durra}.
Douroucouli \Dou`rou*cou"li\, n.
See {Durukuli}.
Douse \Douse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dousing}.] [Cf. {Dowse}, and OD. donsen to strike with the
fist on the back, Sw. dunsa to fall down violently and
noisily; perh. akin to E. din.]
1. To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse; to
dowse. --Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Naut.) To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly;
as, douse the topsail.
Douse \Douse\, v. i.
To fall suddenly into water. --Hudibras.
Douse \Douse\, v. t. [AS. dw[ae]scan. (Skeat.)]
To put out; to extinguish. [Slang] `` To douse the glim.''
--Sir W. Scott.
Dousing-chock \Dous"ing-chock`\, n. (Shipbuilding)
One of several pieces fayed across the apron and lapped in
the knightheads, or inside planking above the upper deck.
--Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Dout \Dout\, v. t. [Do + out. Cf. {Doff}.]
To put out. [Obs.] ``It douts the light.'' --Sylvester.
Douter \Dout"er\, n.
An extinguisher for candles. [Obs.]
Dove \Dove\, n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d?fe; akin to OS.
d?ba, D. duif, OHG. t?ba, G. taube, Icel. d?fa, Sw. dufva,
Dan. due, Goth. d?b?; perh. from the root of E. dive.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus {Columba} and various
related genera. The species are numerous.
Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
{fantails}, {tumblers}, {carrier pigeons}, etc., was
derived from the {rock pigeon} ({Columba livia}) of
Europe and Asia; the {turtledove} of Europe, celebrated
for its sweet, plaintive note, is {C. turtur} or
{Turtur vulgaris}; the {ringdove}, the largest of
European species, is {C. palumbus}; the {Carolina
dove}, or {Mourning dove}, is {Zenaidura macroura}; the
{sea dove} is the little auk ({Mergulus alle} or {Alle
alle}). See {Turtledove}, {Ground dove}, and {Rock
pigeon}. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness,
and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the
typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii.
14.
{Dove tick} (Zo["o]l.), a mite ({Argas reflexus}) which
infests doves and other birds.
{Soiled dove}, a prostitute. [Slang]
Dovecot \Dove"cot`\, Dovecote \Dove"cote`\, n.
A small house or box, raised to a considerable height above
the ground, and having compartments, in which domestic
pigeons breed; a dove house.
Like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your Volscians
in Corioli. --Shak.
Dove-eyed \Dove"-eyed`\, a.
Having eyes like a dove; meekeyed; as, dove-eyed Peace.
Dovekie \Dove"kie\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A guillemot ({Uria grylle}), of the arctic regions. Also
applied to the little auk or sea dove. See under {Dove}.
Dovelet \Dove"let\, n.
A young or small dove. --Booth.
Dovelike \Dove"like`\, a.
Mild as a dove; gentle; pure and lovable. --Longfellow.
Dove plant \Dove" plant`\ (Bot.)
A Central American orchid ({Peristeria elata}), having a
flower stem five or six feet high, with numerous globose
white fragrant flowers. The column in the center of the
flower resembles a dove; -- called also {Holy Spirit plant}.
Dover's Powder \Do"ver's Pow"der\ [From Dr. Dover, an English
physician.] (Med.)
A powder of ipecac and opium, compounded, in the United
States, with sugar of milk, but in England (as formerly in
the United States) with sulphate of potash, and in France (as
in Dr. Dover's original prescription) with nitrate and
sulphate of potash and licorice. It is an anodyne
diaphoretic.
Dove's-foot \Dove's"-foot`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A small annual species of Geranium, native in England; --
so called from the shape of the leaf.
(b) The columbine. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Doveship \Dove"ship\, n.
The possession of dovelike qualities, harmlessness and
innocence. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Dovetail \Dove"tail`\, n. (Carp.)
A flaring tenon, or tongue (shaped like a bird's tail
spread), and a mortise, or socket, into which it fits
tightly, making an interlocking joint between two pieces
which resists pulling a part in all directions except one.
{Dovetail molding} (Arch.), a molding of any convex section
arranged in a sort of zigzag, like a series of dovetails.
{Dovetail saw} (Carp.), a saw used in dovetailing.
Dovetail \Dove"tail`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dovetailed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dovetailing}.]
1. (Carp.)
(a) To cut to a dovetail.
(b) To join by means of dovetails.
2. To fit in or connect strongly, skillfully, or nicely; to
fit ingeniously or complexly.
He put together a piece of joinery so crossly
indented and whimsically dovetailed . . . that it
was indeed a very curious show. --Burke.
Dovish \Dov"ish\, a.
Like a dove; harmless; innocent. ``Joined with dovish
simplicity.'' --Latimer.
Dow \Dow\, n.
A kind of vessel. See {Dhow}.
Dow \Dow\, v. t. [F. douer. See {Dower}.]
To furnish with a dower; to endow. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Dowable \Dow"a*ble\, a. [From {Dow}, v. t.]
Capable of being endowed; entitled to dower. --Blackstone.
Dowager \Dow"a*ger\, n. [OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See
{Dower}.]
1. (Eng. Law) A widow endowed, or having a jointure; a widow
who either enjoys a dower from her deceased husband, or
has property of her own brought by her to her husband on
marriage, and settled on her after his decease. --Blount.
--Burrill.
2. A title given in England to a widow, to distinguish her
from the wife of her husband's heir bearing the same name;
-- chiefly applied to widows of personages of rank.
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans.
--Tennyson.
{Queen dowager}, the widow of a king.
Dowagerism \Dow"a*ger*ism\, n.
The rank or condition of a dowager; formality, as that of a
dowager. Also used figuratively.
Mansions that have passed away into dowagerism.
--Thackeray.
Dowcet \Dow"cet\, n. [See {Doucet}.]
One of the testicles of a hart or stag. [Spelt also
{doucet}.] --B. Jonson.
Dowdy \Dow"dy\, a. [Compar. {Dowdier}; superl. {Dowdiest}.]
[Scot. dawdie slovenly, daw, da sluggard, drab, Prov. E. dowd
flat, dead.]
Showing a vulgar taste in dress; awkward and slovenly in
dress; vulgar-looking. -- {Dow"di*ly}, adv. -- {Dow"di*ness},
n.
Dowdy \Dow"dy\, n.; pl. {Dowdies}.
An awkward, vulgarly dressed, inelegant woman. --Shak.
Dryden.
Dowdyish \Dow"dy*ish\, a.
Like a dowdy.
Dowel \Dow"el\, n. [Cf. G. d["o]bel peg, F. douelle state of a
cask, surface of an arch, douille socket, little pipe,
cartridge.] (Mech.)
1. A pin, or block, of wood or metal, fitting into holes in
the abutting portions of two pieces, and being partly in
one piece and partly in the other, to keep them in their
proper relative position.
2. A piece of wood driven into a wall, so that other pieces
may be nailed to it.
{Dowel joint}, a joint secured by a dowel or dowels.
{Dowel pin}, a dowel. See {Dowel}, n., 1.
Dowel \Dow"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doweled}or {Dowelled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Doweling} or {Dowelling}.]
To fasten together by dowels; to furnish with dowels; as, a
cooper dowels pieces for the head of a cask.
Dower \Dow"er\, n. [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to
endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. ? gift, and to L.
dare to give. See 1st {Date}, and cf. {Dot} dowry,
{Dotation}.]
1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift.
How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! --Sir J.
Davies.
Man in his primeval dower arrayed. --Wordsworth.
2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially:
(a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage;
dowry. [Obs.]
His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown.
--Dryden.
(b) (Law) That portion of the real estate of a man which
his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman
is entitled after the death of her husband.
--Blackstone.
Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished
from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on
her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on
her marriage. --Abbott.
{Assignment of dower}. See under {Assignment}.
Dowered \Dow"ered\, p. a.
Furnished with, or as with, dower or a marriage portion.
--Shak.
Dowerless \Dow"er*less\, a.
Destitute of dower; having no marriage portion. --Shak.
Dowery \Dow"er*y\, n.
See {Dower}.
Dowitcher \Dow"itch*er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The red-breasted or gray snipe ({Macrorhamphus griseus}); --
called also {brownback}, and {grayback}.
Dowl \Dowl\, n.
Same as {Dowle}.
Dowlas \Dow"las\, n. [Prob. fr. Doullens, a town of Picardy, in
France, formerly celebrated for this manufacture.]
A coarse linen cloth made in the north of England and in
Scotland, now nearly replaced by calico. --Shak.
Dowle \Dowle\, n. [Cf. OF. douille soft. Cf. {Ductile}.]
Feathery or wool-like down; filament of a feather. --Shak.
No feather, or dowle of a feather. --De Quincey.
Down \Down\, n. [Akin to LG. dune, dun, Icel. d?nn, Sw. dun,
Dan. duun, G. daune, cf. D. dons; perh. akin to E. dust.]
1. Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of
animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool; esp.:
(a) (Zo["o]l.) The soft under feathers of birds. They have
short stems with soft rachis and bards and long
threadlike barbules, without hooklets.
(b) (Bot.) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or
envelope of the seeds of certain plants, as of the
thistle.
(c) The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear.
And the first down begins to shade his face.
--Dryden.
2. That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which
affords ease and repose, like a bed of down
When in the down I sink my head, Sleep, Death's twin
brother, times my breath. --Tennyson.
Thou bosom softness, down of all my cares!
--Southern.
{Down tree} (Bot.), a tree of Central America ({Ochroma
Lagopus}), the seeds of which are enveloped in vegetable
wool.
Down \Down\, v. t.
To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down. [R.] --Young.
Down \Down\, n. [OE. dun, doun, AS. d?n; of Celtic origin; cf.
Ir. d?n hill, fortified hill, Gael. dun heap, hillock, hill,
W. din a fortified hill or mount; akin to E. town. See
{Town}, and cf. {Down}, adv. & prep., {Dune}.]
1. A bank or rounded hillock of sand thrown up by the wind
along or near the shore; a flattish-topped hill; --
usually in the plural.
Hills afford prospects, as they must needs
acknowledge who have been on the downs of Sussex.
--Ray.
She went by dale, and she went by down. --Tennyson.
2. A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the
sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the
grazing of sheep; -- usually in the plural. [Eng.]
Seven thousand broad-tailed sheep grazed on his
downs. --Sandys.
3. pl. A road for shipping in the English Channel or Straits
of Dover, near Deal, employed as a naval rendezvous in
time of war.
On the 11th [June, 1771] we run up the channel . . .
at noon we were abreast of Dover, and about three
came to an anchor in the Downs, and went ashore at
Deal. --Cook (First
Voyage).
4. pl. [From the adverb.] A state of depression; low state;
abasement. [Colloq.]
It the downs of life too much outnumber the ups.
--M. Arnold.
Down \Down\, adv. [For older adown, AS. ad?n, ad?ne, prop., from
or off the hill. See 3d {Down}, and cf. {Adown}, and cf.
{Adown}.]
1. In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the
earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; --
the opposite of up.
2. Hence, in many derived uses, as:
(a) From a higher to a lower position, literally or
figuratively; in a descending direction; from the top
of an ascent; from an upright position; to the ground
or floor; to or into a lower or an inferior condition;
as, into a state of humility, disgrace, misery, and
the like; into a state of rest; -- used with verbs
indicating motion.
It will be rain to-night. Let it come down.
--Shak.
I sit me down beside the hazel grove.
--Tennyson.
And that drags down his life. --Tennyson.
There is not a more melancholy object in the
learned world than a man who has written himself
down. --Addison.
The French . . . shone down [i. e., outshone]
the English. --Shak.
(b) In a low or the lowest position, literally or
figuratively; at the bottom of a decent; below the
horizon; of the ground; in a condition of humility,
dejection, misery, and the like; in a state of quiet.
I was down and out of breath. --Shak.
The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.
--Shak.
He that is down needs fear no fall. --Bunyan.
3. From a remoter or higher antiquity.
Venerable men! you have come down to us from a
former generation. --D. Webster.
4. From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a
thicker consistence; as, to boil down in cookery, or in
making decoctions. --Arbuthnot.
Note: Down is sometimes used elliptically, standing for go
down, come down, tear down, take down, put down, haul
down, pay down, and the like, especially in command or
exclamation.
Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke.
--Shak.
If he be hungry more than wanton, bread alone
will down. --Locke.
Down is also used intensively; as, to be loaded down;
to fall down; to hang down; to drop down; to pay down.
The temple of Her[`e] at Argos was burnt down.
--Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
Down, as well as up, is sometimes used in a
conventional sense; as, down East.
Persons in London say down to Scotland, etc., and
those in the provinces, up to London.
--Stormonth.
{Down helm} (Naut.), an order to the helmsman to put the helm
to leeward.
{Down on} or {upon} (joined with a verb indicating motion, as
go, come, pounce), to attack, implying the idea of
threatening power.
Come down upon us with a mighty power. --Shak.
{Down with}, take down, throw down, put down; -- used in
energetic command. ``Down with the palace; fire it.''
--Dryden.
{To be down on}, to dislike and treat harshly. [Slang, U.S.]
{To cry down}. See under {Cry}, v. t.
{To cut down}. See under {Cut}, v. t.
{Up and down}, with rising and falling motion; to and fro;
hither and thither; everywhere. ``Let them wander up and
down.'' --Ps. lix. 15.
Down \Down\, prep. [From {Down}, adv.]
1. In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower
place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down
a hill; down a well.
2. Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as,
to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound.
{Down the country}, toward the sea, or toward the part where
rivers discharge their waters into the ocean.
{Down the sound}, in the direction of the ebbing tide; toward
the sea.
Down \Down\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Downed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Downing}.]
To cause to go down; to make descend; to put down; to
overthrow, as in wrestling; hence, to subdue; to bring down.
[Archaic or Colloq.] ``To down proud hearts.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
I remember how you downed Beauclerk and Hamilton, the
wits, once at our house. --Madame
D'Arblay.
Down \Down\, v. i.
To go down; to descend. --Locke.
Down \Down\, a.
1. Downcast; as, a down look. [R.]
2. Downright; absolute; positive; as, a down denial. [Obs.]
--Beau. & Fl.
3. Downward; going down; sloping; as, a down stroke; a down
grade; a down train on a railway.
{Down draught}, a downward draft, as in a flue, chimney,
shaft of a mine, etc.
{Down in the mouth}, chopfallen; dejected.
Downbear \Down"bear`\, v. t.
To bear down; to depress.
Downcast \Down"cast`\, a.
Cast downward; directed to the ground, from bashfulness,
modesty, dejection, or guilt.
'T is love, said she; and then my downcast eyes, And
guilty dumbness, witnessed my surprise. --Dryden.
- {Down"cast`ly}, adv. -- {Down"cast`ness}, n.
Downcast \Down"cast`\, n.
1. Downcast or melancholy look.
That downcast of thine eye. --Beau. & Fl.
2. (mining) A ventilating shaft down which the air passes in
circulating through a mine.
Downcome \Down"come`\, n.
1. Sudden fall; downfall; overthrow. --Milton.
2. (Iron Manuf.) A pipe for leading combustible gases
downward from the top of the blast furnace to the
hot-blast stoves, boilers, etc., where they are burned.
Downfall \Down"fall`\, n.
1. A sudden fall; a body of things falling.
Those cataracts or downfalls aforesaid. --Holland.
Each downfall of a flood the mountains pour.
--Dryden.
2. A sudden descent from rank or state, reputation or
happiness; destruction; ruin.
Dire were the consequences which would follow the
downfall of so important a place. --Motley.
Downfallen \Down"fall`en\, a.
Fallen; ruined. --Carew.
Downfalling \Down"fall`ing\, a.
Falling down.
Downgyved \Down"gyved`\, a.
Hanging down like gyves or fetters. [Poetic & Rare] --Shak.
Downhaul \Down"haul`\, n. (Naut.)
A rope to haul down, or to assist in hauling down, a sail;
as, a staysail downhaul; a trysail downhaul.
Downhearted \Down"heart`ed\, a.
Dejected; low-spirited.
Downhill \Down"hill`\, adv.
Towards the bottom of a hill; as, water runs downhill.
Downhill \Down"hill`\, a.
Declivous; descending; sloping. ``A downhill greensward.''
--Congrewe.
Downhill \Down"hill`\, n.
Declivity; descent; slope.
On th' icy downhills of this slippery life. --Du Bartas
(Trans. ).
Downiness \Down"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being downy.
Downlooked \Down"looked`\, a.
Having a downcast countenance; dejected; gloomy; sullen. [R.]
--Dryden.
Downlying \Down"ly`ing\, n.
The time of retiring to rest; time of repose. --Cavendish.
{At the downlying}, at the travail in childbirth. [Scot.]
Downpour \Down"pour`\, n.
A pouring or streaming downwards; esp., a heavy or continuous
shower.
Downright \Down"right`\, adv.
1. Straight down; perpendicularly.
2. In plain terms; without ceremony.
We shall chide downright, if I longer stay. --Shak.
3. Without delay; at once; completely. [Obs.]
She fell downright into a fit. --Arbuthnot.
Downright \Down"right`\, a.
1. Plain; direct; unceremonious; blunt; positive; as, he
spoke in his downright way.
A man of plain, downright character. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. Open; artless; undisguised; absolute; unmixed; as,
downright atheism.
The downright impossibilities charged upon it.
--South.
Gloomy fancies which in her amounted to downright
insanity. --Prescott.
-- {Down"right`ly}, adv. -- {Down"right`ness}, n.
Down-share \Down"-share`\, n.
A breastplow used in paring off turf on downs. [Eng.]
--Knight.
Downsitting \Down"sit`ting\, n.
The act of sitting down; repose; a resting.
Thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising. --Ps.
cxxxix. 2.
Downstairs \Down"stairs\, adv.
Down the stairs; to a lower floor. -- a. Below stairs; as, a
downstairs room.
Downsteepy \Down"steep`y\, a.
Very steep. [Obs.] --Florio.
Downstream \Down"stream`\, adv.
Down the stream; as, floating downstream.
Downstroke \Down"stroke`\, n. (Penmanship)
A stroke made with a downward motion of the pen or pencil.
Downthrow \Down"throw`\, n. (Geol.)
The sudden drop or depression of the strata of rocks on one
side of a fault. See {Throw}, n.
Downtrod \Down"trod`\, Downtrodden \Down"trod`den\, a.
Trodden down; trampled down; abused by superior power.
--Shak.
Downward \Down"ward\, Downwards \Down"wards\, adv. [AS.
ad?nweard. See {Down}, adv., and {-ward}.]
1. From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course;
as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or
downwards. ``Looking downwards.'' --Pope.
Their heads they downward bent. --Drayton.
2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery,
humility, disgrace, or ruin.
And downward fell into a groveling swine. --Milton.
3. From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from
one to another in a descending line.
A ring the county wears, That downward hath
descended in his house, From son to son, some four
or five descents. --Shak.
Downward \Down"ward\, a.
1. Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place;
tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower
level; declivous.
With downward force That drove the sand along he
took his way. --Dryden.
2. Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward
line of descent.
3. Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed;
dejected; as, downward thoughts. --Sir P. Sidney.
Downweed \Down"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
Cudweed, a species of {Gnaphalium}.
Downweigh \Down`weigh"\ (-w[=a]"), v. t.
To weigh or press down.
A different sin downweighs them to the bottom.
--Longfellow.
Downy \Down"y\ (-[y^]), a.
1. Covered with down, or with pubescence or soft hairs. ``A
downy feather.'' --Shak.
Plants that . . . have downy or velvet rind upon
their leaves. --Bacon.
2. Made of, or resembling, down. Hence, figuratively: Soft;
placid; soothing; quiet. ``A downy shower.'' --Keble.
``Downy pillow.'' --Pope.
Time steals on with downy feet. --Young.
3. Cunning; wary. [Slang, Eng.] --Latham.
Dowral \Dow"ral\, a.
Of or relating to a dower. [R.]
Dowress \Dow"ress\, n.
A woman entitled to dower. --Bouvier.
Dowry \Dow"ry\, n.; pl. {Dowries}. [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL.
dotarium. See {Dower}.]
1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her
husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage.
See Note under {Dower}. --Shak. Dryden.
3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See
{Dower}.
Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give
. . .; but give me the damsel to wife. --Gen. xxxiv.
12.
Dowse \Dowse\, v. t. [Cf. 1st {Douse}.]
1. To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.
2. [Cf. OD. doesen to strike, Norw. dusa to break.] To beat
or thrash. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Dowse \Dowse\, v. i.
To use the dipping or divining rod, as in search of water,
ore, etc.
Adams had the reputation of having dowsed successfully
for more than a hundred wells. --Eng. Cyc.
Dowse \Dowse\, n.
A blow on the face. [Low] --Colman.
Dowser \Dows"er\, n.
1. A divining rod used in searching for water, ore, etc., a
dowsing rod. [Colloq.]
2. One who uses the dowser or divining rod. --Eng. Cyc.
Dowst \Dowst\, n.
A dowse. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Dowve \Dow"ve\, n.
A dove. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Doxological \Dox`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to doxology; giving praise to God. --Howell.
Doxologize \Dox*ol"o*gize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Doxologized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Doxologizing}.]
To give glory to God, as in a doxology; to praise God with
doxologies.
Doxology \Dox*ol"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Doxologies}. [LL. doxologia,
Gr. ?, fr. ? praising, giving glory; ? opinion, estimation,
glory, praise (from ? to think, imagine) + ? to speak: cf. F.
doxologie. See {Dogma}, and {Legend}.]
In Christian worship: A hymn expressing praise and honor to
God; a form of praise to God designed to be sung or chanted
by the choir or the congregation.
David breaks forth into these triumphant praises and
doxologies. --South.
Doxy \Dox"y\, n.; pl. {Doxies}. [See {Duck} a pet.]
A loose wench; a disreputable sweetheart. --Shak.
Doyly \Doy"ly\, n.
See {Doily}.
Doze \Doze\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dozed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dozing}.] [Prob. akin to daze, dizzy: cf. Icel. d?sa to
doze, Dan. d["o]se to make dull, heavy, or drowsy, d["o]s
dullness, drowsiness, d["o]sig drowsy, AS. dw?s dull, stupid,
foolish. ???. Cf. {Dizzy}.]
To slumber; to sleep lightly; to be in a dull or stupefied
condition, as if half asleep; to be drowsy.
If he happened to doze a little, the jolly cobbler
waked him. --L'Estrange.
Doze \Doze\, v. t.
1. To pass or spend in drowsiness; as, to doze away one's
time.
2. To make dull; to stupefy. [Obs.]
I was an hour . . . in casting up about twenty sums,
being dozed with much work. --Pepys.
They left for a long time dozed and benumbed.
--South.
Doze \Doze\, n.
A light sleep; a drowse. --Tennyson.
Dozen \Doz"en\, n.; pl. {Dozen} (before another noun), {Dozens}.
[OE. doseine, dosein, OF. doseine, F. douzaine, fr. douze
twelve, fr. L. duodecim; duo two + decem ten. See {Two},
{Ten}, and cf. {Duodecimal}.]
1. A collection of twelve objects; a tale or set of twelve;
with or without of before the substantive which follows.
``Some six or seven dozen of Scots.'' ``A dozen of shirts
to your back.'' ``A dozen sons.'' ``Half a dozen
friends.'' --Shak.
2. An indefinite small number. --Milton.
{A baker's dozen}, thirteen; -- called also a {long dozen}.
Dozenth \Doz"enth\, a.
Twelfth. [R.]
Dozer \Doz"er\, n.
One who dozes or drowses.
Doziness \Doz"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dozy; drowsiness; inclination to sleep.
Dozy \Doz"y\, a.
Drowsy; inclined to doze; sleepy; sluggish; as, a dozy head.
--Dryden.
Dozzled \Doz"zled\, a. [[root]71.]
Stupid; heavy. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Drab \Drab\, n. [AS. drabbe dregs, lees; akin to D. drab,
drabbe, dregs, G. treber; for sense 1, cf. also Gael. drabag
a slattern, drabach slovenly. Cf. {Draff}.]
1. A low, sluttish woman. --King.
2. A lewd wench; a strumpet. --Shak.
3. A wooden box, used in salt works for holding the salt when
taken out of the boiling pans.
Drab \Drab\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drabbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drabbing}.]
To associate with strumpets; to wench. --Beau. & Fl.
Drab \Drab\, n. [F. drap cloth: LL. drappus, trapus, perh.
orig., a firm, solid stuff, cf. F. draper to drape, also to
full cloth; prob. of German origin; cf. Icel. drepa to beat,
strike, AS. drepan, G. treffen; perh. akin to E. drub. Cf.
{Drape}, {Trappings}.]
1. A kind of thick woolen cloth of a dun, or dull brownish
yellow, or dull gray, color; -- called also {drabcloth}.
2. A dull brownish yellow or dull gray color.
Drab \Drab\, a.
Of a color between gray and brown. -- n. A drab color.
Drabber \Drab"ber\, n.
One who associates with drabs; a wencher. --Massinger.
Drabbet \Drab"bet\, n.
A coarse linen fabric, or duck.
Drabbish \Drab"bish\, a.
Somewhat drab in color.
Drabbish \Drab"bish\, a.
Having the character of a drab or low wench. ``The drabbish
sorceress.'' --Drant.
Drabble \Drab"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drabbled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Drabbling}.] [???.See {Drab}, {Draff}.]
To draggle; to wet and befoul by draggling; as, to drabble a
gown or cloak. --Halliwell.
Drabble \Drab"ble\, v. i.
To fish with a long line and rod; as, to drabble for barbels.
Drabbler \Drab"bler\, n. (Naut.)
A piece of canvas fastened by lacing to the bonnet of a sail,
to give it a greater depth, or more drop.
Drabble-tail \Drab"ble-tail`\, n.
A draggle-tail; a slattern. --Halliwell.
Dracaena \Dra*c[ae]"na\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? she-dragon.] (Bot.)
A genus of liliaceous plants with woody stems and
funnel-shaped flowers.
Note: Drac[ae]na Draco, the source of the dragon's blood of
the Canaries, forms a tree, sometimes of gigantic size.
Dracanth \Dra"canth\, n.
A kind of gum; -- called also {gum tragacanth}, or
{tragacanth}. See {Tragacanth}.
Drachm \Drachm\, n. [See {Drachma}.]
1. A drachma.
2. Same as {Dram}.
Drachma \Drach"ma\, n.; pl. E. {Drachmas}, L. {Drachm[ae]}. [L.,
fr. Gr. ?. See {Dram}.]
1. A silver coin among the ancient Greeks, having a different
value in different States and at different periods. The
average value of the Attic drachma is computed to have
been about 19 cents.
2. A gold and silver coin of modern Greece worth 19.3 cents.
3. Among the ancient Greeks, a weight of about 66.5 grains;
among the modern Greeks, a weight equal to a gram.
Drachme \Drach"me\, n. [F.]
See {Drachma}.
Dracin \Dra"cin\, n.[Cf. F. dracine.] (Chem.)
See {Draconin}.
Draco \Dra"co\, n. [L. See {Dragon}.]
1. (Astron.) The Dragon, a northern constellation within
which is the north pole of the ecliptic.
2. A luminous exhalation from marshy grounds.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of lizards. See {Dragon}, 6.
Draconian \Dra*co"ni*an\, a.
Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c.
{Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by
Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said
to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of
excessive rigor.
Draconic \Dra*con"ic\, a.
Relating to Draco, the Athenian lawgiver; or to the
constellation Draco; or to dragon's blood.
Draconin \Dra*co"nin\, n. [Cf. F. draconine. See {Draco}.]
(Chem.)
A red resin forming the essential basis of dragon's blood; --
called also {dracin}.
Dracontic \Dra*con"tic\, a. [From L. draco dragon, in allusion
to the terms dragon's head and dragon's tail.] (Astron.)
Belonging to that space of time in which the moon performs
one revolution, from ascending node to ascending node. See
{Dragon's head}, under {Dragon}. [Obs.] ``Dracontic month.''
--Crabb.
Dracontine \Dra*con"tine\, a. [L. draco dragon.]
Belonging to a dragon. --Southey.
Dracunculus \Dra*cun"cu*lus\, n.; pl. {Dracunculi}. [L., dim. of
draco dragon.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A fish; the dragonet.
(b) The Guinea worm ({Filaria medinensis}).
Drad \Drad\, p. p. & a.
Dreaded. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dradde \Drad"de\, imp.
of {Dread}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dradge \Dradge\, n. (Min.)
Inferior ore, separated from the better by cobbing.
--Raymond.
Draff \Draff\, n. [Cf. D. draf the sediment of ale, Icel. draf
draff, husks. Cf. 1st {Drab}.]
Refuse; lees; dregs; the wash given to swine or cows;
hogwash; waste matter.
Prodigals lately come from swine keeping, from eating
draff and husks. -- Shak.
The draff and offal of a bygone age. -- Buckle.
Mere chaff and draff, much better burnt. -- Tennyson.
Draffish \Draff"ish\, a.
Worthless; draffy. --Bale.
Draffy \Draff"y\, a.
Dreggy; waste; worthless.
The dregs and draffy part. -- Beau. & Fl.
Draff \Draff\, n. [The same word as draught. OE. draught, draht,
fr. AS. dragan to draw. See {Draw}, and cf. {Draught}.]
1. The act of drawing; also, the thing drawn. Same as
{Draught}.
Everything available for draft burden. -- S. G.
Goodrich.
2. (Mil.) A selecting or detaching of soldiers from an army,
or from any part of it, or from a military post; also from
any district, or any company or collection of persons, or
from the people at large; also, the body of men thus
drafted.
Several of the States had supplied the deficiency by
drafts to serve for the year. --Marshall.
3. An order from one person or party to another, directing
the payment of money; a bill of exchange.
I thought it most prudent to deter the drafts till
advice was received of the progress of the loan. --
A. Hamilton.
4. An allowance or deduction made from the gross veight of
goods. -- Simmonds.
5. A drawing of lines for a plan; a plan delineated, or drawn
in outline; a delineation. See {Draught}.
6. The form of any writing as first drawn up; the first rough
sketch of written composition, to be filled in, or
completed. See {Draught}.
7. (Masonry)
(a) A narrow border left on a finished stone, worked
differently from the rest of its face.
(b) A narrow border worked to a plane surface along the
edge of a stone, or across its face, as a guide to the
stone-cutter.
8. (Milling) The slant given to the furrows in the dress of a
millstone.
9. (Naut.) Depth of water necessary to float a ship. See
{Draught}.
10. A current of air. Same as {Draught}.
Draft \Draft\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or used for, drawing or pulling (as
vehicles, loads, etc.). Same as {Draught}.
2. Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of
air. Same as {Draught}.
Note: The forms draft and draught, in the senses above-given,
are both on approved use.
{Draft box}, {Draft engine}, {Draft horse}, {Draft net},
{Draft ox}, {Draft tube}. Same as {Draught box}, {Draught
engine}, etc. See under {Draught}.
Draft \Draft\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drafted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drafting}.]
1. To draw the outline of; to delineate.
2. To compose and write; as, to draft a memorial.
3. To draw from a military band or post, or from any
district, company, or society; to detach; to select.
Some royal seminary in Upper Egypt, from whence they
drafted novices to supply their colleges and
temples. -- Holwell.
4. To transfer by draft.
All her rents been drafted to London. -- Fielding.
Draftsman \Drafts"man\, n.
See {Draughtsman}.
Drag \Drag\, n. [See 3d {Dredge}.]
A confection; a comfit; a drug. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drag \Drag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dragged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dragging}.] [OE. draggen; akin to Sw. dragga to search with
a grapnel, fr. dragg grapnel, fr. draga to draw, the same
word as E. draw. ? See {Draw}.]
1. To draw slowly or heavily onward; to pull along the ground
by main force; to haul; to trail; -- applied to drawing
heavy or resisting bodies or those inapt for drawing, with
labor, along the ground or other surface; as, to drag
stone or timber; to drag a net in fishing.
Dragged by the cords which through his feet were
thrust. --Denham.
The grossness of his nature will have weight to drag
thee down. --Tennyson.
A needless Alexandrine ends the song That, like a
wounded snake, drags its slow length along. --Pope.
2. To break, as land, by drawing a drag or harrow over it; to
harrow; to draw a drag along the bottom of, as a stream or
other water; hence, to search, as by means of a drag.
Then while I dragged my brains for such a song.
--Tennyson.
3. To draw along, as something burdensome; hence, to pass in
pain or with difficulty.
Have dragged a lingering life. -- Dryden.
{To drag an anchor} (Naut.), to trail it along the bottom
when the anchor will not hold the ship.
Syn: See {Draw}.
Drag \Drag\, v. i.
1. To be drawn along, as a rope or dress, on the ground; to
trail; to be moved onward along the ground, or along the
bottom of the sea, as an anchor that does not hold.
2. To move onward heavily, laboriously, or slowly; to advance
with weary effort; to go on lingeringly.
The day drags through, though storms keep out the
sun. --Byron.
Long, open panegyric drags at best. -- Gay.
3. To serve as a clog or hindrance; to hold back.
A propeller is said to drag when the sails urge the
vessel faster than the revolutions of the screw can
propel her. --Russell.
4. To fish with a dragnet.
Drag \Drag\, n. [See {Drag}, v. t., and cf. {Dray} a cart, and
1st {Dredge}.]
1. The act of dragging; anything which is dragged.
2. A net, or an apparatus, to be drawn along the bottom under
water, as in fishing, searching for drowned persons, etc.
3. A kind of sledge for conveying heavy bodies; also, a kind
of low car or handcart; as, a stone drag.
4. A heavy coach with seats on top; also, a heavy carriage.
[Collog.] --Thackeray.
5. A heavy harrow, for breaking up ground.
6.
(a) Anything towed in the water to retard a ship's
progress, or to keep her head up to the wind; esp., a
canvas bag with a hooped mouth, so used. See {Drag
sail} (below).
(b) Also, a skid or shoe, for retarding the motion of a
carriage wheel.
(c) Hence, anything that retards; a clog; an obstacle to
progress or enjoyment.
My lectures were only a pleasure to me, and no
drag. --J. D.
Forbes.
7. Motion affected with slowness and difficulty, as if
clogged. ``Had a drag in his walk.'' -- Hazlitt.
8. (Founding) The bottom part of a flask or mold, the upper
part being the cope.
9. (Masonry) A steel instrument for completing the dressing
of soft stone.
10. (Marine Engin.) The difference between the speed of a
screw steamer under sail and that of the screw when the
ship outruns the screw; or between the propulsive effects
of the different floats of a paddle wheel. See Citation
under {Drag}, v. i., 3.
{Drag sail} (Naut.), a sail or canvas rigged on a stout
frame, to be dragged by a vessel through the water in
order to keep her head to the wind or to prevent drifting;
-- called also {drift sail}, {drag sheet}, {drag anchor},
{sea anchor}, {floating anchor}, etc.
{Drag twist} (Mining), a spiral hook at the end of a rod for
cleaning drilled holes.
Dragantine \Dra*gan"tine\, n. [See {Dracanth}.]
A mucilage obtained from, or containing, gum tragacanth.
Dragbar \Drag"bar`\, n.
Same as {Drawbar}
(b) . Called also {draglink}, and {drawlink}. [U. S.]
Dragbolt \Drag"bolt`\, n.
A coupling pin. See under {Coupling}. [U. S.]
Drag'ees \Dra`g['e]es"\, n. pl. [F. See 3d {Dredge}.] (Pharmacy)
Sugar-coated medicines.
Draggle \Drag"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Draggled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Draggling}.] [Freq. of drag. ??? Cf. {Drawl}.]
To wet and soil by dragging on the ground, mud, or wet grass;
to drabble; to trail. --Gray.
With draggled nets down-hanging to the tide. --Trench.
Draggle \Drag"gle\, v. i.
To be dragged on the ground; to become wet or dirty by being
dragged or trailed in the mud or wet grass. --Hudibras.
Draggle-tail \Drag"gle-tail`\, n.
A slattern who suffers her gown to trail in the mire; a
drabble-tail.
Draggle-tailed \Drag"gle-tailed`\, a.
Untidy; sluttish; slatternly. --W. Irving.
Draglink \Drag"link`\, n. (Mach.)
(a) A link connecting the cranks of two shafts.
(b) A drawbar.
Dragman \Drag"man\, n.; pl. {Dragmen}.
A fisherman who uses a dragnet. --Sir M. Hale.
Dragnet \Drag"net`\, n. [Cf. AS. dr[ae]gnet.]
A net to be drawn along the bottom of a body of water, as in
fishing.
Dragoman \Drag"o*man\, n.; pl. {Dragomans}. [From F. dragoman,
or Sp. dragoman, or It. dragomanno; all fr. LGr. ?, Ar.
tarjum[=a]n, from the same source as E. targum. Cf.
{Drogman}, {Truchman}.]
An interpreter; -- so called in the Levant and other parts of
the East.
Dragon \Drag"on\, n. [F. dragon, L. draco, fr. Gr. ?, prob. fr.
?, ?, to look (akin to Skr. dar? to see), and so called from
its terrible eyes. Cf. {Drake} a dragon, {Dragoon}.]
1. (Myth.) A fabulous animal, generally represented as a
monstrous winged serpent or lizard, with a crested head
and enormous claws, and regarded as very powerful and
ferocious.
The dragons which appear in early paintings and
sculptures are invariably representations of a
winged crocodile. --Fairholt.
Note: In Scripture the term dragon refers to any great
monster, whether of the land or sea, usually to some
kind of serpent or reptile, sometimes to land serpents
of a powerful and deadly kind. It is also applied
metaphorically to Satan.
Thou breakest the heads of the dragons in the
waters. -- Ps. lxxiv.
13.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the
young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample
under feet. -- Ps. xci.
13.
He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent,
which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years. --Rev. xx. 2.
2. A fierce, violent person, esp. a woman. --Johnson.
3. (Astron.) A constellation of the northern hemisphere
figured as a dragon; Draco.
4. A luminous exhalation from marshy grounds, seeming to move
through the air as a winged serpent.
5. (Mil. Antiq.) A short musket hooked to a swivel attached
to a soldier's belt; -- so called from a representation of
a dragon's head at the muzzle. --Fairholt.
6. (Zo["o]l.) A small arboreal lizard of the genus Draco, of
several species, found in the East Indies and Southern
Asia. Five or six of the hind ribs, on each side, are
prolonged and covered with weblike skin, forming a sort of
wing. These prolongations aid them in making long leaps
from tree to tree. Called also {flying lizard}.
7. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of carrier pigeon.
8. (Her.) A fabulous winged creature, sometimes borne as a
charge in a coat of arms.
Note: Dragon is often used adjectively, or in combination, in
the sense of relating to, resembling, or characteristic
of, a dragon.
{Dragon arum} (Bot.), the name of several species of
{Aris[ae]ma}, a genus of plants having a spathe and
spadix. See {Dragon root}(below).
{Dragon fish} (Zo["o]l.), the dragonet.
{Dragon fly} (Zo["o]l.), any insect of the family
{Libellulid[ae]}. They have finely formed, large and
strongly reticulated wings, a large head with enormous
eyes, and a long body; -- called also {mosquito hawks}.
Their larv[ae] are aquatic and insectivorous.
{Dragon root} (Bot.), an American aroid plant ({Aris[ae]ma
Dracontium}); green dragon.
{Dragon's blood}, a resinous substance obtained from the
fruit of several species of {Calamus}, esp. from {C.
Rotang} and {C. Draco}, growing in the East Indies. A
substance known as dragon's blood is obtained by exudation
from {Drac[ae]na Draco}; also from {Pterocarpus Draco}, a
tree of the West Indies and South America. The color is
red, or a dark brownish red, and it is used chiefly for
coloring varnishes, marbles, etc. Called also {Cinnabar
Gr[ae]corum}.
{Dragon's head}.
(a) (Bot.) A plant of several species of the genus
{Dracocephalum}. They are perennial herbs closely
allied to the common catnip.
(b) (Astron.) The ascending node of a planet, indicated,
chiefly in almanacs, by the symbol ?. The deviation
from the ecliptic made by a planet in passing from one
node to the other seems, according to the fancy of
some, to make a figure like that of a dragon, whose
belly is where there is the greatest latitude; the
intersections representing the head and tail; -- from
which resemblance the denomination arises. --Encyc.
Brit.
{Dragon shell} (Zo["o]l.), a species of limpet.
{Dragon's skin}, fossil stems whose leaf scars somewhat
resemble the scales of reptiles; -- a name used by miners
and quarrymen. --Stormonth.
{Dragon's tail} (Astron.), the descending node of a planet,
indicated by the symbol ?. See {Dragon's head} (above).
{Dragon's wort} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Artemisia} ({A.
dracunculus}).
{Dragon tree} (Bot.), a West African liliaceous tree
({Drac[ae]na Draco}), yielding one of the resins called
dragon's blood. See {Drac[ae]na}.
{Dragon water}, a medicinal remedy very popular in the
earlier half of the 17th century. ``Dragon water may do
good upon him.'' --Randolph (1640).
{Flying dragon}, a large meteoric fireball; a bolide.
Dragonet \Drag"on*et\, n.
1. A little dragon. --Spenser.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A small British marine fish
({Callionymuslyra}); -- called also {yellow sculpin},
{fox}, and {gowdie}.
Dragonish \Drag"on*ish\, a.
resembling a dragon. --Shak.
Dragonlike \Drag"on*like`\ (-l[imac]k`), a.
Like a dragon. --Shak.
Dragonnade \Drag`on*nade"\ (dr[a^]g`[o^]n*n[=a]d"), n. [F., fr.
dragon dragoon, because Louis XIV., in persecuting the
Protestants of his kingdom, quartered dragoons upon them.]
The severe persecution of French Protestants under Louis
XIV., by an armed force, usually of dragoons; hence, a rapid
and devastating incursion; dragoonade.
He learnt it as he watched the dragonnades, the
tortures, the massacres of the Netherlands. --C.
Kingsley.
Dragon's blood \Drag"on's blood\, Dragon's head \Drag"on's
head\, Dragon's tail \Drag"on's tail\ .
See {Dragon's blood}, {Dragon's head}, etc., under {Dragon}.
Dragoon \Dra*goon"\ (dr[.a]*g[=oo]n"), n. [F. dragon dragon,
dragoon, fr. L. draco dragon, also, a cohort's standard (with
a dragon on it). The name was given from the sense standard.
See {Dragon}.]
1. ((Mil.) Formerly, a soldier who was taught and armed to
serve either on horseback or on foot; now, a mounted
soldier; a cavalry man.
2. A variety of pigeon. --Clarke.
{Dragoon bird} (Zo["o]l.), the umbrella bird.
Dragoon \Dra*goon"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dragooned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dragooning}.]
1. To harass or reduce to subjection by dragoons; to
persecute by abandoning a place to the rage of soldiers.
2. To compel submission by violent measures; to harass; to
persecute.
The colonies may be influenced to anything, but they
can be dragooned to nothing. --Price.
Lewis the Fourteenth is justly censured for trying
to dragoon his subjects to heaven. --Macaulay.
Dragoonade \Drag`oon*ade"\, n.
See {Dragonnade}.
Dragooner \Dra*goon"er\, n.
A dragoon. [Obs.]
Drail \Drail\, v. t. & i. [???.]
To trail; to draggle. [Obs.] --South.
Drain \Drain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drained}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Draining}.] [AS. drehnigean to drain, strain; perh. akin to
E. draw.]
1. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or
off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent.
--Bacon.
But it was not alone that the he drained their
treasure and hampered their industry. --Motley.
2. To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make
gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from
streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence,
to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like;
as, to drain a country of its specie.
Sinking waters, the firm land to drain, Filled the
capacious deep and formed the main. --Roscommon.
3. To filter.
Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth,
hath become fresh. --Bacon.
Drain \Drain\, v. i.
1. To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.
2. To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as,
let the vessel stand and drain.
Drain \Drain\, n.
1. The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and
continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie
from a country.
2. That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a
trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
3. pl. The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains.
[Eng.] --Halliwell.
{Box drain}, {Counter drain}. See under {Box}, {Counter}.
{Right of drain} (Law), an easement or servitude by which one
man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over
the estate of another. --Kent.
Drainable \Drain"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being drained.
Drainage \Drain"age\, n.
1. A draining; a gradual flowing off of any liquid; also,
that which flows out of a drain.
2. The mode in which the waters of a country pass off by its
streams and rivers.
3. (Engin.) The system of drains and their operation, by
which superfluous water is removed from towns, railway
beds, mines, and other works.
4. Area or district drained; as, the drainage of the Po, the
Thames, etc. --Latham.
5. (Surg.) The act, process, or means of drawing off the pus
or fluids from a wound, abscess, etc.
{Drainage tube} (Surg.), a tube introduced into a wound,
etc., to draw off the discharges.
Draine \Draine\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The missel thrush.
Drainer \Drain"er\, n.
One who, or that which, drains.
Draining \Drain"ing\, vb. n. of {Drain}, v. t. (Agric.)
The art of carrying off surplus water, as from land.
{Draining tile}. Same as {Draintile}.
Drainpipe \Drain"pipe`\, n.
A pipe used for carrying off surplus water.
Draintile \Drain"tile`\, n.
A hollow tile used in making drains; -- called also {draining
tile}.
Draintrap \Drain"trap`\, n.
See 4th {Trap}, 5.
Drake \Drake\, n. [Akin to LG. drake, OHG. antrache, anetrecho,
G. enterich, Icel. andriki, Dan. andrik, OSw. andrak,
andrage, masc., and fr. AS. ened, fem., duck; akin to D.
eend, G. ente, Icel. ["o]nd, Dan. and, Sw. and, Lith. antis,
L. anas, Gr. ? (for ?), and perh. Skr. [=a]ti a water fowl.
????. In English the first part of the word was lost. The
ending is akin to E. rich. Cf. {Gulaund}.]
1. The male of the duck kind.
2. [Cf. Dragon fly, under {Dragon}.] The drake fly.
The drake will mount steeple height into the air.
--Walton.
{Drake fly}, a kind of fly, sometimes used in angling.
The dark drake fly, good in August. --Walton.
Drake \Drake\, n. [AS. draca dragon, L. draco. See {Dragon}.]
1. A dragon. [Obs.]
Beowulf resolves to kill the drake. --J. A.
Harrison
(Beowulf).
2. A small piece of artillery. [Obs.]
Two or three shots, made at them by a couple of
drakes, made them stagger. --Clarendon.
Drake \Drake\, n. [Cf. F. dravik, W. drewg, darnel, cockle,
etc.]
Wild oats, brome grass, or darnel grass; -- called also
{drawk}, {dravick}, and {drank}. [Prov. Eng.] --Dr. Prior.
Drakestone \Drake"stone\, n.
A flat stone so thrown along the surface of water as to skip
from point to point before it sinks; also, the sport of so
throwing stones; -- sometimes called {ducks and drakes}.
Internal earthquakes, that, not content with one throe,
run along spasmodically, like boys playing at what is
called drakestone. --De Quincey.
Dram \Dram\, n. [OF. drame, F. drachme, L. drachma, drachm,
drachma, fr. Gr. ?, prop., a handful, fr. ? to grasp. Cf.
{Drachm}, {Drachma}.]
1. A weight; in Apothecaries' weight, one eighth part of an
ounce, or sixty grains; in Avoirdupois weight, one
sixteenth part of an ounce, or 27.34375 grains.
2. A minute quantity; a mite.
Were I the chooser, a dram of well-doing should be
preferred before many times as mush the forcible
hindrance of evildoing. --Milton.
3. As much spirituous liquor as is usually drunk at once; as,
a dram of brandy; hence, a potation or potion; as, a dram
of poison. --Shak.
4. (Numis.) A Persian daric. --Ezra ii. 69.
{Fluid dram}, or {Fluid drachm}. See under {Fluid}.
Dram \Dram\, v. i. & t.
To drink drams; to ply with drams. [Low] --Johnson.
--Thackeray.
Drama \Dra"ma\ (?; 277), n. [L. drama, Gr. ?, fr. ? to do, act;
cf. Lith. daryti.]
1. A composition, in prose or poetry, accommodated to action,
and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to
depict a series of grave or humorous actions of more than
ordinary interest, tending toward some striking result. It
is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by
actors on the stage.
A divine pastoral drama in the Song of Solomon.
--Milton.
2. A series of real events invested with a dramatic unity and
interest. ``The drama of war.'' --Thackeray.
Westward the course of empire takes its way; The
four first acts already past, A fifth shall close
the drama with the day; Time's noblest offspring is
the last. --Berkeley.
The drama and contrivances of God's providence.
--Sharp.
3. Dramatic composition and the literature pertaining to or
illustrating it; dramatic literature.
Note: The principal species of the drama are {tragedy} and
{comedy}; inferior species are {tragi-comedy},
{melodrama}, {operas}, {burlettas}, and {farces}.
{The romantic drama}, the kind of drama whose aim is to
present a tale or history in scenes, and whose plays (like
those of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and others) are stories
told in dialogue by actors on the stage. --J. A. Symonds.
Dramatic \Dra*mat"ic\, Dramatical \Dra*mat"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?,
fr. ?: cf. F. dramatique.]
Of or pertaining to the drama; appropriate to, or having the
qualities of, a drama; theatrical; vivid.
The emperor . . . performed his part with much dramatic
effect. --Motley.
Dramatically \Dra*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a dramatic manner; theatrically; vividly.
Dramatis personae \Dram"a*tis per*so"n[ae]\ [L.]
The actors in a drama or play.
Dramatist \Dram"a*tist\, n. [Cf. F. dramatiste.]
The author of a dramatic composition; a writer of plays.
Dramatizable \Dram"a*ti`za*ble\, a.
Capable of being dramatized.
Dramatization \Dram`a*ti*za"tion\, n.
Act of dramatizing.
Dramatize \Dram"a*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dramatized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dramatizing}.] [Cf. F. dramatiser.]
To compose in the form of the drama; to represent in a drama;
to adapt to dramatic representation; as, to dramatize a
novel, or an historical episode.
They dramatized tyranny for public execration.
--Motley.
Dramaturgic \Dram`a*tur"gic\, a.
Relating to dramaturgy.
Dramaturgist \Dram"a*tur`gist\, n.
One versed in dramaturgy. --Carlyle.
Dramaturgy \Dram"a*tur`gy\, n. [Gr. ? dramatic composition; ?
drama + a root akin to E. work: cf. F. dramaturgie.]
The art of dramatic composition and representation.
Dramming \Dram"ming\, n.
The practice of drinking drams.
Dramseller \Dram"sell`er\, n.
One who sells distilled liquors by the dram or glass.
Dramshop \Dram"shop`\, n.
A shop or barroom where spirits are sold by the dram.
Drank \Drank\, imp.
of {Drink}.
Drank \Drank\, n. [Cf. 3d {Drake}.]
Wild oats, or darnel grass. See {Drake} a plant. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
Drap d''et'e \Drap` d'['e]*t['e]"\ [F., clot of summer.]
A thin woolen fabric, twilled like merino.
Drape \Drape\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Draped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Draping}.] [F. draper, fr. drap cloth. See 3d {Drab}.]
1. To cover or adorn with drapery or folds of cloth, or as
with drapery; as, to drape a bust, a building, etc.
The whole people were draped professionally. --De
Quincey.
These starry blossoms, [of the snow] pure and white,
Soft falling, falling, through the night, Have
draped the woods and mere. --Bungay.
2. To rail at; to banter. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
Drape \Drape\, v. i.
1. To make cloth. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. To design drapery, arrange its folds, etc., as for
hangings, costumes, statues, etc.
Draper \Dra"per\, n. [F. drapier.]
One who sells cloths; a dealer in cloths; as, a draper and
tailor.
Draperied \Dra"per*ied\, a.
Covered or supplied with drapery. [R.] --Byron.
Drapery \Dra"per*y\, n.; pl. {Draperies}. [F. draperie.]
1. The occupation of a draper; cloth-making, or dealing in
cloth. --Bacon.
2. Cloth, or woolen stuffs in general.
People who ought to be weighing out grocery or
measuring out drapery. --Macaulay.
3. A textile fabric used for decorative purposes, especially
when hung loosely and in folds carefully disturbed; as:
(a) Garments or vestments of this character worn upon the
body, or shown in the representations of the human
figure in art.
(b) Hangings of a room or hall, or about a bed.
Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
--Bryant.
All the decent drapery of life is to be rudely
torn off. --Burke.
{Casting of draperies}. See under {Casting}.
The casting of draperies . . . is one of the most
important of an artist's studies. --Fairholt.
Drapet \Dra"pet\, n. [Dim. of drap.]
Cloth. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drastic \Dras"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to do, act: cf. F.
drastique. See {Drama}.] (Med.)
Acting rapidly and violently; efficacious; powerful; --
opposed to {bland}; as, drastic purgatives. -- n. (Med.) A
violent purgative. See {Cathartic}.
Drasty \Dras"ty\, a. [AS. d[ae]rstan, dresten, dregs.]
Filthy; worthless. [Obs.] ``Drasty ryming.'' --Chaucer.
Draugh \Draugh\, n.
See {Draft}. [Obs.]
Draught \Draught\, n. [The same as draft, the spelling with gh
indicating an older pronunciation. See {Draft}, n., {Draw}.]
1. The act of drawing or pulling; as:
(a) The act of moving loads by drawing, as by beasts of
burden, and the like.
A general custom of using oxen for all sort of
draught would be, perhaps, the greatest
improvement. --Sir W.
Temple.
(b) The drawing of a bowstring. [Obs.]
She sent an arrow forth with mighty draught.
--Spenser.
(c) Act of drawing a net; a sweeping the water for fish.
Upon the draught of a pond, not one fish was
left. --Sir M. Hale.
(d) The act of drawing liquor into the mouth and throat;
the act of drinking.
In his hands he took the goblet, but a while the
draught forbore. --Trench.
(e) A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy. [Obs.]
By drawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when
he looketh not for you. --Spenser.
(f) (Mil.) The act of selecting or detaching soldiers; a
draft (see {Draft}, n., 2)
(g) The act of drawing up, marking out, or delineating;
representation. --Dryden.
2. That which is drawn; as:
(a) That which is taken by sweeping with a net.
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets
for a draught. --Luke v. 4.
He laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which
brought him a very great draught. --L'Estrange.
(b) (Mil.) The force drawn; a detachment; -- in this sense
usually written draft.
(c) The quantity drawn in at once in drinking; a potion or
potation.
Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery, .
. . still thou art a bitter draught. --Sterne.
Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts
inspired. --Goldsmith.
(d) A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written,
designed, or drawn; a delineation.
A draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the
Parliament by a private member. --Macaulay.
No picture or draught of these things from the
report of the eye. --South.
(e) (Com.) An order for the payment of money; -- in this
sense almost always written draft.
(f) A current of air moving through an inclosed place, as
through a room or up a chimney. --Thackeray.
He preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in .
. . a strong draught of air, until he was again
sent for. --Dickens.
3. That which draws; as:
(a) A team of oxen or horses. --Blackstone.
(b) A sink or drain; a privy. --Shak. --Matt. xv. 17.
(c) pl. (Med.) A mild vesicatory; a sinapism; as, to apply
draughts to the feet.
4. Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw;
traction.
The Hertfordshire wheel plow . . . is of the easiest
draught. --Mortimer.
5. (Naut.) The depth of water necessary to float a ship, or
the depth a ship sinks in water, especially when laden;
as, a ship of twelve feet draught.
6. (Com.) An allowance on weighable goods. [Eng.] See
{Draft}, 4.
7. A move, as at chess or checkers. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
8. The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, in order
that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the
mold.
9. (Masonry) See {Draft}, n., 7.
{Angle of draught}, the angle made with the plane over which
a body is drawn by the line in which the pulling force
acts, when the latter has the direction best adapted to
overcome the obstacles of friction and the weight of the
body.
{Black draught}. See under {Black}, a.
{Blast draught}, or {Forced draught}, the draught produced by
a blower, as by blowing in air beneath a fire or drawing
out the gases from above it.
{Natural draught}, the draught produced by the atmosphere
flowing, by its own weight, into a chimney wherein the air
is rarefied by heat.
{On draught}, so as to be drawn from the wood (as a cask,
barrel, etc.) in distinction from being bottled; as, ale
on draught.
{Sheer draught}. See under {Sheer}.
Draught \Draught\, a.
1. Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught
beast; draught hooks.
2. Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of
air.
3. Used in making drawings; as, draught compasses.
4. Drawn directly from the barrel, or other receptacle, in
distinction from bottled; on draught; -- said of ale,
cider, and the like.
Note: This word, especially in the first and second meanings,
is often written draft, a spelling which is approved by
many authorities.
{Draught box}. See {Draught tube}, below.
{Draught engine} (Mining), an engine used for pumping,
raising heavy weights, and the like.
{Draught hook} (Mil.), one of the hooks on a cannon carriage,
used in drawing the gun backward and forward.
{Draught horse}, a horse employed in drawing loads, plowing,
etc., as distinguished from a saddle horse or carriage
horse.
{Draught net}, a seine or hauling net.
{Draught ox}, an ox employed in hauling loads, plowing, etc.
{Draught tube} (Water Wheels), an air-tight pipe extending
downward into the tailrace from a turbine wheel located
above it, to make the whole fall available; -- called also
{draught box}.
Draught \Draught\ (dr[.a]ft), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Draughted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Draughting}.]
1. To draw out; to call forth. See {Draft}. --Addison.
2. To diminish or exhaust by drawing. [R.]
The Parliament so often draughted and drained. --Sir
W. Scott.
3. To draw in outline; to make a draught, sketch, or plan of,
as in architectural and mechanical drawing.
{Draughting room}, a room draughtsmen to work in, and where
plans are kept.
Draughtboard \Draught"board`\ (-b[=o]rd`), n.
A checkered board on which draughts are played. See
{Checkerboard}.
Draughthouse \Draught"house`\ (-hous`), n.
A house for the reception of waste matter; a privy. [Obs.]
--2 Kings x. 27.
Draughts \Draughts\, n. pl.
A mild vesicatory. See {Draught}, n., 3
(c) .
Draughts \Draughts\, n. pl.
A game, now more commonly called {checkers}. See {Checkers}.
Note: {Polish draughts} is sometimes played with 40 pieces on
a board divided into 100 squares. --Am. Cyc.
Draughtsman \Draughts"man\, n.; pl. {Draughtsmen}.
1. One who draws pleadings or other writings.
2. One who draws plans and sketches of machinery, structures,
and places; also, more generally, one who makes drawings
of any kind.
3. A ``man'' or piece used in the game of draughts.
4. One who drinks drams; a tippler. [Obs.] --Tatler.
Draughtsmanship \Draughts"man*ship\, n.
The office, art, or work of a draughtsman.
Draughty \Draught"y\, a.
Pertaining to a draught, or current of air; as, a draughtly,
comfortless room.
Drave \Drave\,
old imp. of {Drive}. [Obs.]
Dravida \Dra"vi*da\, n. pl. [Skr. Dr[=a]vi[dsdot]a, prob.
meaning, Tamil.] (Ethnol.)
A race of Hindostan, believed to be the original people who
occupied the land before the Hindoo or Aryan invasion.
Dravidian \Dra*vid"i*an\, a. [From Skr. Dr[=a]vi[dsdot]a, the
name of the southern portion of the peninsula of India.]
(Ethnol.)
Of or pertaining to the Dravida.
{Dravidian languages}, a group of languages of Southern
India, which seem to have been the idioms of the natives,
before the invasion of tribes speaking Sanskrit. Of these
languages, the Tamil is the most important.
Draw \Draw\ (dr[add]), v. t. [imp. {Drew} (dr[udd]); p. p.
{Drawn} (dr[add]n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Drawing}.] [OE.
dra[yogh]en, drahen, draien, drawen, AS. dragan; akin to
Icel. & Sw. draga, Dan. drage to draw, carry, and prob. to
OS. dragan to bear, carry, D. dragen, G. tragen, Goth.
dragan; cf. Skr. dhraj to move along, glide; and perh. akin
to Skr. dhar to hold, bear. [root]73. Cf. 2d {Drag}, {Dray} a
cart, 1st {Dredge}.]
1. To cause to move continuously by force applied in advance
of the thing moved; to pull along; to haul; to drag; to
cause to follow.
He cast him down to ground, and all along Drew him
through dirt and mire without remorse. --Spenser.
He hastened to draw the stranger into a private
room. --Sir W.
Scott.
Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the
judgment seats? --James ii. 6.
The arrow is now drawn to the head. --Atterbury.
2. To influence to move or tend toward one's self; to
exercise an attracting force upon; to call towards itself;
to attract; hence, to entice; to allure; to induce.
The poet Did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones,
and floods. --Shak.
All eyes you draw, and with the eyes the heart.
--Dryden.
3. To cause to come out for one's use or benefit; to extract;
to educe; to bring forth; as:
(a) To bring or take out, or to let out, from some
receptacle, as a stick or post from a hole, water from
a cask or well, etc.
The drew out the staves of the ark. --2 Chron.
v. 9.
Draw thee waters for the siege. --Nahum iii.
14.
I opened the tumor by the point of a lancet
without drawing one drop of blood. --Wiseman.
(b) To pull from a sheath, as a sword.
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy
them. --Ex. xv. 9.
(c) To extract; to force out; to elicit; to derive.
Spirits, by distillations, may be drawn out of
vegetable juices, which shall flame and fume of
themselves. --Cheyne.
Until you had drawn oaths from him. --Shak.
(d) To obtain from some cause or origin; to infer from
evidence or reasons; to deduce from premises; to
derive.
We do not draw the moral lessons we might from
history. --Burke.
(e) To take or procure from a place of deposit; to call
for and receive from a fund, or the like; as, to draw
money from a bank.
(f) To take from a box or wheel, as a lottery ticket; to
receive from a lottery by the drawing out of the
numbers for prizes or blanks; hence, to obtain by good
fortune; to win; to gain; as, he drew a prize.
(g) To select by the drawing of lots.
Provided magistracies were filled by men freely
chosen or drawn. --Freeman.
4. To remove the contents of; as:
(a) To drain by emptying; to suck dry.
Sucking and drawing the breast dischargeth the
milk as fast as it can generated. --Wiseman.
(b) To extract the bowels of; to eviscerate; as, to draw a
fowl; to hang, draw, and quarter a criminal.
In private draw your poultry, clean your tripe.
--King.
5. To take into the lungs; to inhale; to inspire; hence,
also, to utter or produce by an inhalation; to heave.
``Where I first drew air.'' --Milton.
Drew, or seemed to draw, a dying groan. --Dryden.
6. To extend in length; to lengthen; to protract; to stretch;
to extend, as a mass of metal into wire.
How long her face is drawn! --Shak.
And the huge Offa's dike which he drew from the
mouth of Wye to that of Dee. --J. R. Green.
7. To run, extend, or produce, as a line on any surface;
hence, also, to form by marking; to make by an instrument
of delineation; to produce, as a sketch, figure, or
picture.
8. To represent by lines drawn; to form a sketch or a picture
of; to represent by a picture; to delineate; hence, to
represent by words; to depict; to describe.
A flattering painter who made it his care To draw
men as they ought to be, not as they are.
--Goldsmith.
Can I, untouched, the fair one's passions move, Or
thou draw beauty and not feel its power? --Prior.
9. To write in due form; to prepare a draught of; as, to draw
a memorial, a deed, or bill of exchange.
Clerk, draw a deed of gift. --Shak.
10. To require (so great a depth, as of water) for floating;
-- said of a vessel; to sink so deep in (water); as, a
ship draws ten feet of water.
11. To withdraw. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Go wash thy face, and draw the action. --Shak.
12. To trace by scent; to track; -- a hunting term.
Note: Draw, in most of its uses, retains some shade of its
original sense, to pull, to move forward by the
application of force in advance, or to extend in
length, and usually expresses an action as gradual or
continuous, and leisurely. We pour liquid quickly, but
we draw it in a continued stream. We force compliance
by threats, but we draw it by gradual prevalence. We
may write a letter with haste, but we draw a bill with
slow caution and regard to a precise form. We draw a
bar of metal by continued beating.
{To draw a bow}, to bend the bow by drawing the string for
discharging the arrow.
{To draw a cover}, to clear a cover of the game it contains.
{To draw a curtain}, to cause a curtain to slide or move,
either closing or unclosing. ``Night draws the curtain,
which the sun withdraws.'' --Herbert.
{To draw a line}, to fix a limit or boundary.
{To draw back}, to receive back, as duties on goods for
exportation.
{To draw breath}, to breathe. --Shak.
{To draw cuts} or {lots}. See under {Cut}, n.
{To draw in}.
(a) To bring or pull in; to collect.
(b) To entice; to inveigle.
{To draw interest}, to produce or gain interest.
{To draw off}, to withdraw; to abstract. --Addison.
{To draw on}, to bring on; to occasion; to cause. ``War which
either his negligence drew on, or his practices
procured.'' --Hayward.
{To draw (one) out}, to elicit cunningly the thoughts and
feelings of another.
{To draw out}, to stretch or extend; to protract; to spread
out. -- ``Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all
generations?'' --Ps. lxxxv. 5. ``Linked sweetness long
drawn out.'' --Milton.
{To draw over}, to cause to come over, to induce to leave one
part or side for the opposite one.
{To draw the longbow}, to exaggerate; to tell preposterous
tales.
{To draw (one)} {to or on to} (something), to move, to
incite, to induce. ``How many actions most ridiculous hast
thou been drawn to by thy fantasy?'' --Shak.
{To draw up}.
(a) To compose in due form; to draught; to form in
writing.
(b) To arrange in order, as a body of troops; to array.
``Drawn up in battle to receive the charge.''
--Dryden.
Syn: To {Draw}, {Drag}.
Usage: Draw differs from drag in this, that drag implies a
natural inaptitude for drawing, or positive
resistance; it is applied to things pulled or hauled
along the ground, or moved with toil or difficulty.
Draw is applied to all bodies moved by force in
advance, whatever may be the degree of force; it
commonly implies that some kind of aptitude or
provision exists for drawing. Draw is the more general
or generic term, and drag the more specific. We say,
the horses draw a coach or wagon, but they drag it
through mire; yet draw is properly used in both cases.
Draw \Draw\, v. i.
1. To pull; to exert strength in drawing anything; to have
force to move anything by pulling; as, a horse draws well;
the sails of a ship draw well.
Note: A sail is said to draw when it is filled with wind.
2. To draw a liquid from some receptacle, as water from a
well.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to
draw with, and the well is deep. --John iv. 11.
3. To exert an attractive force; to act as an inducement or
enticement.
Keep a watch upon the particular bias of their
minds, that it may not draw too much. --Addison.
4. (Med.) To have efficiency as an epispastic; to act as a
sinapism; -- said of a blister, poultice, etc.
5. To have draught, as a chimney, flue, or the like; to
furnish transmission to smoke, gases, etc.
6. To unsheathe a weapon, especially a sword.
So soon as ever thou seest him, draw; and as thou
drawest, swear horrible. --Shak.
7. To perform the act, or practice the art, of delineation;
to sketch; to form figures or pictures. ``Skill in
drawing.'' --Locke.
8. To become contracted; to shrink. ``To draw into less
room.'' --Bacon.
9. To move; to come or go; literally, to draw one's self; --
with prepositions and adverbs; as, to draw away, to move
off, esp. in racing, to get in front; to obtain the lead
or increase it; to draw back, to retreat; to draw level,
to move up even (with another); to come up to or overtake
another; to draw off, to retire or retreat; to draw on, to
advance; to draw up, to form in array; to draw near, nigh,
or towards, to approach; to draw together, to come
together, to collect.
10. To make a draft or written demand for payment of money
deposited or due; -- usually with on or upon.
You may draw on me for the expenses of your
journey. --Jay.
11. To admit the action of pulling or dragging; to undergo
draught; as, a carriage draws easily.
12. To sink in water; to require a depth for floating.
``Greater hulks draw deep.'' --Shak.
{To draw to a head}.
(a) (Med.) To begin to suppurate; to ripen, as a boil.
(b) Fig.: To ripen, to approach the time for action; as,
the plot draws to a head.
Draw \Draw\, n.
1. The act of drawing; draught.
2. A lot or chance to be drawn.
3. A drawn game or battle, etc. [Colloq.]
4. That part of a bridge which may be raised, swung round, or
drawn aside; the movable part of a drawbridge. See the
Note under {Drawbridge}. [U.S.]
Drawable \Draw"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being drawn.
Drawback \Draw"back`\, n.
1. A loss of advantage, or deduction from profit, value,
success, etc.; a discouragement or hindrance;
objectionable feature.
The avarice of Henry VII . . . . must be deemed a
drawback from the wisdom ascribed to him. --Hallam.
2. (Com.) Money paid back or remitted; especially, a certain
amount of duties or customs, sometimes the whole, and
sometimes only a part, remitted or paid back by the
government, on the exportation of the commodities on which
they were levied. --M`Culloch.
Drawbar \Draw"bar`\, n. (Railroad)
(a) An openmouthed bar at the end of a car, which receives
a coupling link and pin by which the car is drawn. It
is usually provided with a spring to give elasticity
to the connection between the cars of a train.
(b) A bar of iron with an eye at each end, or a heavy
link, for coupling a locomotive to a tender or car.
Drawbench \Draw"bench`\, n. (Med.)
A machine in which strips of metal are drawn through a
drawplate; especially, one in which wire is thus made; --
also called drawing bench.
Drawbolt \Draw"bolt`\, n. (Engin.)
A coupling pin. See under {Coupling}.
Drawbore \Draw"bore`\, n. (Joinery)
A hole bored through a tenon nearer to the shoulder than the
holes through the cheeks are to the edge or abutment against
which the shoulder is to rest, so that a pin or bolt, when
driven into it, will draw these parts together. --Weale.
Drawbore \Draw"bore`\, v. t.
1. To make a drawbore in; as, to drawbore a tenon.
2. To enlarge the bore of a gun barrel by drawing, instead of
thrusting, a revolving tool through it.
Drawboy \Draw"boy`\, n. (Weaving)
A boy who operates the harness cords of a hand loom; also, a
part of power loom that performs the same office.
Drawbridge \Draw"bridge`\, n.
A bridge of which either the whole or a part is made to be
raised up, let down, or drawn or turned aside, to admit or
hinder communication at pleasure, as before the gate of a
town or castle, or over a navigable river or canal.
Note: The movable portion, or draw, is called, specifically,
a bascule, balance, or lifting bridge, a turning,
swivel, or swing bridge, or a rolling bridge, according
as it turns on a hinge vertically, or on a pivot
horizontally, or is pushed on rollers.
Drawcansir \Draw"can*sir\, n. [From the name of a bullying
braggart character in the play by George Villiers called
``The Rehearsal.'']
A blustering, bullying fellow; a pot-valiant braggart; a
bully.
The leader was of an ugly look and gigantic stature; he
acted like a drawcansir, sparing neither friend nor
foe. --Addison.
Draw-cut \Draw"-cut`\, n.
A single cut with a knife.
Drawee \Draw*ee"\, n. (Law)
The person on whom an order or bill of exchange is drawn; --
the correlative of drawer.
Drawer \Draw"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, draws; as:
(a) One who draws liquor for guests; a waiter in a
taproom. --Shak.
(b) One who delineates or depicts; a draughtsman; as, a
good drawer.
(c) (Law) One who draws a bill of exchange or order for
payment; -- the correlative of drawee.
2. That which is drawn; as:
(a) A sliding box or receptacle in a case, which is opened
by pulling or drawing out, and closed by pushing in.
(b) pl. An under-garment worn on the lower limbs.
{Chest of drawers}. See under {Chest}.
Drawfiling \Draw"fil`ing\, n.
The process of smooth filing by working the file sidewise
instead of lengthwise.
Drawgear \Draw"gear`\, n.
1. A harness for draught horses.
2. (Railroad) The means or parts by which cars are connected
to be drawn.
Drawgloves \Draw"gloves`\, n. pl.
An old game, played by holding up the fingers. --Herrick.
Drawhead \Draw"head`\, n. (Railroad)
The flanged outer end of a drawbar; also, a name applied to
the drawgear.
Drawing \Draw"ing\, n.
1. The act of pulling, or attracting.
2. The act or the art of representing any object by means of
lines and shades; especially, such a representation when
in one color, or in tints used not to represent the colors
of natural objects, but for effect only, and produced with
hard material such as pencil, chalk, etc.; delineation;
also, the figure or representation drawn.
3. The process of stretching or spreading metals as by
hammering, or, as in forming wire from rods or tubes and
cups from sheet metal, by pulling them through dies.
4. (Textile Manuf.) The process of pulling out and elongating
the sliver from the carding machine, by revolving rollers,
to prepare it for spinning.
5. The distribution of prizes and blanks in a lottery.
Note: Drawing is used adjectively or as the first part of
compounds in the sense of pertaining to drawing, for
drawing (in the sense of pulling, and of pictorial
representation); as, drawing master or drawing-master,
drawing knife or drawing-knife, drawing machine,
drawing board, drawing paper, drawing pen, drawing
pencil, etc.
{A drawing of tea}, a small portion of tea for steeping.
{Drawing knife}. See in the {Vocabulary}.
{Drawing paper} (Fine Arts), a thick, sized paper for
draughtsman and for water-color painting.
{Drawing slate}, a soft, slaty substance used in crayon
drawing; -- called also {black chalk}, or {drawing chalk}.
{Free-hand drawing}, a style of drawing made without the use
of guiding or measuring instruments, as distinguished from
mechanical or geometrical drawing; also, a drawing thus
executed.
Drawing knife \Draw"ing knife"\, Drawknife \Draw"knife`\, n.
1. A joiner's tool having a blade with a handle at each end,
used to shave off surfaces, by drawing it toward one; a
shave; -- called also {drawshave}, and {drawing shave}.
2. (Carp.) A tool used for the purpose of making an incision
along the path a saw is to follow, to prevent it from
tearing the surface of the wood.
Drawing-room \Draw"ing-room`\, n. [Abbrev. fr.
withdraw-ing-room.]
1. A room appropriated for the reception of company; a room
to which company withdraws from the dining room.
2. The company assembled in such a room; also, a reception of
company in it; as, to hold a drawing-room.
He [Johnson] would amaze a drawing-room by suddenly
ejaculating a clause of the Lord's Prayer.
--Macaulay.
{Drawing-room car}. See {Palace car}, under {Car}.
Drawl \Drawl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drawled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drawling}.] [Prob. fr. draw: cf. D. dralen to linger, tarry,
Icel. dralla to loiter. See {Draw}, and cf. {Draggle}.]
To utter in a slow, lengthened tone.
Drawl \Drawl\, v. i.
To speak with slow and lingering utterance, from laziness,
lack of spirit, affectation, etc.
Theologians and moralists . . . talk mostly in a
drawling and dreaming way about it. --Landor.
Drawl \Drawl\, n.
A lengthened, slow monotonous utterance.
Drawlatch \Draw"latch`\, n.
A housebreaker or thief. [Obs.] --Old Play (1631).
Drawling \Drawl"ing\, n.
The act of speaking with a drawl; a drawl. -- {Drawl"ing*ly},
adv. --Bacon.
Drawlink \Draw"link`\, n.
Same as {Drawbar}
(b) .
Drawloom \Draw"loom`\, n.
1. A kind of loom used in weaving figured patterns; -- called
also {drawboy}.
2. A species of damask made on the drawloom.
Drawn \Drawn\, p. p. & a.
See {Draw}, v. t. & i.
{Drawn butter}, butter melter and prepared to be used as a
sort of gravy.
{Drawn fowl}, an eviscerated fowl.
{Drawn game} or {battle}, one in which neither party wins;
one equally contested.
{Drawn fox}, one driven from cover. --Shak.
{Drawn work}, ornamental work made by drawing out threads
from fine cloth, and uniting the cross threads, to form a
pattern.
Drawnet \Draw"net`\, n.
A net for catching the larger sorts of birds; also, a
dragnet. --Crabb.
Drawplate \Draw"plate`\, n.
A hardened steel plate having a hole, or a gradation of
conical holes, through which wires are drawn to be reduced
and elongated.
Drawrod \Draw"rod`\, n. (Railroad)
A rod which unites the drawgear at opposite ends of the car,
and bears the pull required to draw the train.
Drawshave \Draw"shave`\, n.
See {Drawing knife}.
Drawspring \Draw"spring`\, n. (Railroad)
The spring to which a drawbar is attached.
Dray \Dray\, n.
A squirrel's nest. --Cowper.
Dray \Dray\, n. [AS. dr[ae]ge a dragnet, fr. dragan. ????. See
{Draw}, and cf. 2d {Drag}, 1st {Dredge}.]
1. A strong low cart or carriage used for heavy burdens.
--Addison.
2. A kind of sledge or sled. --Halliwell.
{Dray cart}, a dray.
{Dray horse}, a heavy, strong horse used in drawing a dray.
Drayage \Dray"age\, n.
1. Use of a dray.
2. The charge, or sum paid, for the use of a dray.
Drayman \Dray"man\, n.; pl. {Draymen}.
A man who attends a dray.
Drazel \Draz"el\, n. [Cf. {Dross}, {Drossel}.]
A slut; a vagabond wench. Same as {Drossel}. [Obs.]
--Hudibras.
Dread \Dread\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dreaded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dreading}.] [AS. dr?dan, in comp.; akin to OS. dr[=a]dan,
OHG. tr[=a]tan, both only in comp.]
To fear in a great degree; to regard, or look forward to,
with terrific apprehension.
When at length the moment dreaded through so many years
came close, the dark cloud passed away from Johnson's
mind. --Macaulay.
Dread \Dread\, v. i.
To be in dread, or great fear.
Dread not, neither be afraid of them. --Deut. i. 29.
Dread \Dread\, n.
1. Great fear in view of impending evil; fearful apprehension
of danger; anticipatory terror.
The secret dread of divine displeasure. --Tillotson.
The dread of something after death. --Shak.
2. Reverential or respectful fear; awe.
The fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon
every beast of the earth. --Gen. ix. 2.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The
attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the
dread and fear of kings. --Shak.
3. An object of terrified apprehension.
4. A person highly revered. [Obs.] ``Una, his dear dread.''
--Spenser.
5. Fury; dreadfulness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
6. Doubt; as, out of dread. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Syn: Awe; fear; affright; terror; horror; dismay;
apprehension. See {Reverence}.
Dread \Dread\, a.
1. Exciting great fear or apprehension; causing terror;
frightful; dreadful.
A dread eternity! how surely mine. --Young.
2. Inspiring with reverential fear; awful' venerable; as,
dread sovereign; dread majesty; dread tribunal.
Dreadable \Dread"a*ble\, a.
Worthy of being dreaded.
Dread-bolted \Dread"-bolt`ed\, a.
Armed with dreaded bolts. ``Dread-bolted thunder.'' [Poetic]
--Shak.
Dreader \Dread"er\, n.
One who fears, or lives in fear.
Dreadful \Dread"ful\, a.
1. Full of dread or terror; fearful. [Obs.] ``With dreadful
heart.'' --Chaucer.
2. Inspiring dread; impressing great fear; fearful; terrible;
as, a dreadful storm. `` Dreadful gloom.'' --Milton.
For all things are less dreadful than they seem.
--Wordsworth.
3. Inspiring awe or reverence; awful. [Obs.] ``God's dreadful
law.'' --Shak.
Syn: Fearful; frightful; terrific; terrible; horrible;
horrid; formidable; tremendous; awful; venerable. See
{Frightful}.
Dreadfully \Dread"ful*ly\, adv.
In a dreadful manner; terribly. --Dryden.
Dreadfulness \Dread"ful*ness\, n.
The quality of being dreadful.
Dreadingly \Dread"ing*ly\, adv.
With dread. --Warner.
Dreadless \Dread"less\, a.
1. Free from dread; fearless; intrepid; dauntless; as,
dreadless heart. ``The dreadless angel.'' --Milton.
2. Exempt from danger which causes dread; secure. `` safe in
his dreadless den.'' --Spenser.
Dreadless \Dread"less\, adv.
Without doubt. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dreadlessness \Dread"less*ness\, n.
Freedom from dread.
Dreadly \Dread"ly\, a.
Dreadful. [Obs.] ``Dreadly spectacle.'' --Spenser. -- adv.
With dread. [Obs.] ``Dreadly to shake.'' --Sylvester (Du
Bartas).
Dreadnaught \Dread"naught`\, n.
1. A fearless person.
2. Hence: A garment made of very thick cloth, that can defend
against storm and cold; also, the cloth itself;
fearnaught.
Dream \Dream\ (dr[=e]m), n. [Akin to OS. dr[=o]m, D. droom, G.
traum, Icel. draumr, Dan. & Sw. dr["o]m; cf. G. tr["u]gen to
deceive, Skr. druh to harm, hurt, try to hurt. AS. dre['a]m
joy, gladness, and OS. dr[=o]m joy are, perh., different
words; cf. Gr. qry^los noise.]
1. The thoughts, or series of thoughts, or imaginary
transactions, which occupy the mind during sleep; a
sleeping vision.
Dreams are but interludes which fancy makes.
--Dryden.
I had a dream which was not all a dream. --Byron.
2. A visionary scheme; a wild conceit; an idle fancy; a
vagary; a revery; -- in this sense, applied to an
imaginary or anticipated state of happiness; as, a dream
of bliss; the dream of his youth.
There sober thought pursued the amusing theme, Till
Fancy colored it and formed a dream. --Pope.
It is not them a mere dream, but a very real aim
which they propose. --J. C.
Shairp.
Dream \Dream\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dreamed}or {Dreamt} (?); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dreaming}.] [Cf. AS. dr?man, dr?man, to
rejoice. See {Dream}, n.]
1. To have ideas or images in the mind while in the state of
sleep; to experience sleeping visions; -- often with of;
as, to dream of a battle, or of an absent friend.
2. To let the mind run on in idle revery or vagary; to
anticipate vaguely as a coming and happy reality; to have
a visionary notion or idea; to imagine.
Here may we sit and dream Over the heavenly theme.
--Keble.
They dream on in a constant course of reading, but
not digesting. --Locke.
Dream \Dream\, v. t.
To have a dream of; to see, or have a vision of, in sleep, or
in idle fancy; -- often followed by an objective clause.
Your old men shall dream dreams. --Acts ii. 17.
At length in sleep their bodies they compose, And
dreamt the future fight. --Dryden.
And still they dream that they shall still succeed.
--Cowper.
{To dream} {away, out, through}, etc., to pass in revery or
inaction; to spend in idle vagaries; as, to dream away an
hour; to dream through life. `` Why does Antony dream out
his hours?'' --Dryden.
Dreamer \Dream"er\, n.
1. One who dreams.
2. A visionary; one lost in wild imaginations or vain schemes
of some anticipated good; as, a political dreamer.
Dreamful \Dream"ful\, a.
Full of dreams. `` Dreamful ease.'' --Tennyson. --
{Dream"ful*ly}, adv.
Dreamily \Dream"i*ly\, adv.
As if in a dream; softly; slowly; languidly. --Longfellow.
Dreaminess \Dream"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dreamy.
Dreamingly \Dream"ing*ly\, adv.
In a dreamy manner.
Dreamland \Dream"land`\, n.
An unreal, delightful country such as in sometimes pictured
in dreams; region of fancies; fairyland.
[He] builds a bridge from dreamland for his lay.
--Lowell.
Dreamless \Dream"less\, a.
Free from, or without, dreams. --Camden. -- {Dream"less*ly},
adv.
Dreamy \Dream"y\, a. [Compar. {Dreamier}; superl. {Dreamiest}.]
Abounding in dreams or given to dreaming; appropriate to, or
like, dreams; visionary. ``The dreamy dells.'' --Tennyson.
Drear \Drear\, a. [See {Dreary}.]
Dismal; gloomy with solitude. ``A drear and dying sound.''
--Milton.
Drear \Drear\, n.
Sadness; dismalness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drearihead \Drear"i*head\, Drearihood \Drear"i*hood\, n.
Affliction; dreariness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drearily \Drear"i*ly\, adv.
Gloomily; dismally.
Dreariment \Drear"i*ment\, n.
Dreariness. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dreariness \Drear"i*ness\, n.
1. Sorrow; wretchedness. [Obs.]
2. Dismalness; gloomy solitude.
Drearing \Drear"ing\, n.
Sorrow. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drearisome \Drear"i*some\, a.
Very dreary. --Halliwell.
Dreary \Drear"y\, a. [Compar. {Drearier}; superl. {Dreariest}.]
[OE. dreori, dreri, AS. dre['o]rig, sad; akin to G. traurig,
and prob. to AS. dre['o]san to fall, Goth. driusan. Cf.
{Dross}, {Drear}, {Drizzle}, {Drowse}.]
1. Sorrowful; distressful. [Obs.] `` Dreary shrieks.''
--Spenser.
2. Exciting cheerless sensations, feelings, or associations;
comfortless; dismal; gloomy. `` Dreary shades.'' --Dryden.
``The dreary ground.'' --Prior.
Full many a dreary anxious hour. --Keble.
Johnson entered on his vocation in the most dreary
part of that dreary interval which separated two
ages of prosperity. --Macaulay.
Drecche \Drec"che\, v. t. [AS. dreccan, dreccean.]
1. To vex; to torment; to trouble. [Obs.]
As man that in his dream is drecched sore.
--Chaucer.
Drecche \Drec"che\, v. i.
To delay. [Obs.] --Gower.
Dredge \Dredge\, n. [F. dr[`e]ge, dreige, fish net, from a word
akin to E. draw; cf. D. dreg, dregge, small anchor, dregnet
dragnet. ????. See {Draw}.]
1. Any instrument used to gather or take by dragging; as:
(a) A dragnet for taking up oysters, etc., from their
beds.
(b) A dredging machine.
(c) An iron frame, with a fine net attached, used in
collecting animals living at the bottom of the sea.
2. (Mining) Very fine mineral matter held in suspension in
water. --Raymond.
Dredge \Dredge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dredged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dredging}.]
To catch or gather with a dredge; to deepen with a dredging
machine. --R. Carew.
{Dredging machine}, a machine (commonly on a boat) used to
scoop up mud, gravel, or obstructions from the bottom of
rivers, docks, etc., so as to deepen them.
Dredge \Dredge\, n. [OE. dragge, F. drag['e]e, dredge, also,
sugar plum; cf. Prov. dragea, It. treggea; corrupted fr. LL.
tragemata, pl., sweetmeats, Gr. ?, fr. ? to gnaw.]
A mixture of oats and barley. [Obs.] --Kersey.
Dredge \Dredge\, v. t.
To sift or sprinkle flour, etc., on, as on roasting meat.
--Beau. & Fl.
{Dredging box}.
(a) Same as 2d {Dredger}.
(b) (Gun.) A copper box with a perforated lid; -- used for
sprinkling meal powder over shell fuses. --Farrow.
Dredger \Dredg"er\, n.
1. One who fishes with a dredge.
2. A dredging machine.
Dredger \Dredg"er\, n. (Cookery)
A box with holes in its lid; -- used for sprinkling flour, as
on meat or a breadboard; -- called also {dredging box},
{drudger}, and {drudging box}.
Dree \Dree\, v. t. [AS. dre['o]gan to bear, endure, complete.]
To endure; to suffer. [Scot.]
Dree \Dree\, v. i.
To be able to do or endure. [Obs.]
Dree \Dree\, a.
Wearisome; tedious. [Prov. Eng.]
Dreg \Dreg\, n. [Prob. from Icel. dregg; akin to Sw. dr["a]gg,
cf. Icel. & Sw. draga to draw. Cf. {Draw}.]
Corrupt or defiling matter contained in a liquid, or
precipitated from it; refuse; feculence; lees; grounds;
sediment; hence, the vilest and most worthless part of
anything; as, the dregs of society.
We, the dregs and rubbish of mankind. --Dryden.
Note: Used formerly (rarely) in the singular, as by Spenser
and Shakespeare, but now chiefly in the plural.
Dregginess \Dreg"gi*ness\, n.
Fullness of dregs or lees; foulness; feculence.
Dreggish \Dreg"gish\, a.
Foul with lees; feculent. --Harvey.
Dreggy \Dreg"gy\, a.
Containing dregs or lees; muddy; foul; feculent. --Boyle.
Drein \Drein\, v. i.
To drain. [Obs.] --Congreve.
Dreinte \Drein"te\, imp., Dreint \Dreint\,
p. p. of {Drench} to drown. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dreissena \Dreis"se*na\, n. [NL. Named after Dreyssen, a Belgian
physician.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bivalve shells of which one species ({D.
polymorpha}) is often so abundant as to be very troublesome
in the fresh waters of Europe.
Drench \Drench\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drenched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drenching}.] [AS. drencan to give to drink, to drench, the
causal of drincan to drink; akin to D. drenken, Sw.
dr["a]nka, G. tr["a]nken. See {Drink}.]
1. To cause to drink; especially, to dose by force; to put a
potion down the throat of, as of a horse; hence. to purge
violently by physic.
As ``to fell,'' is ``to make to fall,'' and ``to
lay,'' to make to lie.'' so ``to drench,'' is ``to
make to drink.'' --Trench.
2. To steep in moisture; to wet thoroughly; to soak; to
saturate with water or other liquid; to immerse.
Now dam the ditches and the floods restrain; Their
moisture has already drenched the plain. --Dryden.
Drench \Drench\, n. [AS. drenc. See {Drench}, v. t.]
A drink; a draught; specifically, a potion of medicine poured
or forced down the throat; also, a potion that causes
purging. ``A drench of wine.'' --Dryden.
Give my roan horse a drench. --Shak.
Drench \Drench\, n. [AS. dreng warrior, soldier, akin to Icel.
drengr.] (O. Eng. Law)
A military vassal mentioned in Domesday Book. [Obs.]
--Burrill.
Drenche \Drench"e\, v. t. & i.
To drown. [Obs.]
In the sea he drenched. --Chaucer.
Drencher \Drench"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, west or steeps.
2. One who administers a drench.
Drengage \Dren"gage\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
The tenure by which a drench held land. [Obs.] --Burrill.
Drent \Drent\, p. p. [See {Dreinte}.]
Drenched; drowned. [Obs.] ``Condemned to be drent.''
--Spenser.
Dresden ware \Dres"den ware`\
A superior kind of decorated porcelain made near Dresden in
Saxony.
Dress \Dress\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dressed}or {Drest}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dressing}.] [OF. drecier to make straight, raise, set
up, prepare, arrange, F. dresser. (assumed) LL. directiare,
fr. L. dirigere, directum, to direct; dis- + regere to rule.
See {Right}, and cf. {Address}, {Adroit}, {Direct}, {Dirge}.]
1. To direct; to put right or straight; to regulate; to
order. [Obs.]
At all times thou shalt bless God and pray Him to
dress thy ways. --Chaucer.
Note: Dress is used reflexively in Old English, in sense of
``to direct one's step; to address one's self.''
To Grisild again will I me dresse. --Chaucer.
2. (Mil.) To arrange in exact continuity of line, as
soldiers; commonly to adjust to a straight line and at
proper distance; to align; as, to dress the ranks.
3. (Med.) To treat methodically with remedies, bandages, or
curative appliances, as a sore, an ulcer, a wound, or a
wounded or diseased part.
4. To adjust; to put in good order; to arrange; specifically:
(a) To prepare for use; to fit for any use; to render
suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready; as, to
dress a slain animal; to dress meat; to dress leather
or cloth; to dress or trim a lamp; to dress a garden;
to dress a horse, by currying and rubbing; to dress
grain, by cleansing it; in mining and metallurgy, to
dress ores, by sorting and separating them.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden
of Eden to dress it. --Gen. ii. 15.
When he dresseth the lamps he shall burn incense. --Ex.
xxx. 7.
Three hundred horses . . . smoothly dressed. --Dryden.
Dressing their hair with the white sea flower. --Tennyson
.
If he felt obliged to expostulate, he might have dressed
his censures in a kinder form. --Carlyle.
(b) To cut to proper dimensions, or give proper shape to,
as to a tool by hammering; also, to smooth or finish.
(c) To put in proper condition by appareling, as the body;
to put clothes upon; to apparel; to invest with
garments or rich decorations; to clothe; to deck.
Dressed myself in such humility. -- Shak.
Prove that ever Idress myself handsome till thy
return. --Shak.
(d) To break and train for use, as a horse or other
animal.
{To dress up} or {out}, to dress elaborately, artificially,
or pompously. ``You see very often a king of England or
France dressed up like a Julius C[ae]sar.'' --Addison.
{To dress a ship} (Naut.), to ornament her by hoisting the
national colors at the peak and mastheads, and setting the
jack forward; when dressed full, the signal flags and
pennants are added. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Syn: To attire; apparel; clothe; accouter; array; robe; rig;
trim; deck; adorn; embellish.
Dress \Dress\, v. i.
1. (Mil.) To arrange one's self in due position in a line of
soldiers; -- the word of command to form alignment in
ranks; as, Right, dress!
2. To clothe or apparel one's self; to put on one's garments;
to pay particular regard to dress; as, to dress quickly.
``To dress for a ball.'' --Latham.
To flaunt, to dress, to dance, to thrum. --Tennyson
.
{To dress to the right}, {To dress to the left}, {To dress on
the center} (Mil.), to form alignment with reference to the
soldier on the extreme right, or in the center, of the
rank, who serves as a guide.
Dress \Dress\, n.
1. That which is used as the covering or ornament of the
body; clothes; garments; habit; apparel. ``In your
soldier's dress.'' --Shak.
2. A lady's gown; as, silk or a velvet dress.
3. Attention to apparel, or skill in adjusting it.
Men of pleasure, dress, and gallantry. -- Pope.
4. (Milling) The system of furrows on the face of a
millstone. --Knight.
{Dress circle}. See under {Circle}.
{Dress parade} (Mil.), a parade in full uniform for review.
Dress coat \Dress" coat`\
A coat with skirts behind only, as distinct from the frock
coat, of which the skirts surround the body. It is worn on
occasions of ceremony. The dress coat of officers of the
United States army is a full-skirted frock coat.
Dresser \Dress"er\, n.
1. One who dresses; one who put in order or makes ready for
use; one who on clothes or ornaments.
2. (Mining) A kind of pick for shaping large coal.
3. An assistant in a hospital, whose office it is to dress
wounds, sores, etc.
4. [F. dressoir. See {Dress}, v. t.]
(a) A table or bench on which meat and other things are
dressed, or prepared for use.
(b) A cupboard or set of shelves to receive dishes and
cooking utensils.
The pewter plates on the dresser Caught and
reflected the flame, as shields of armies the
sunshine. -- Longfellow.
Dress goods \Dress" goods"\
A term applied to fabrics for the gowns of women and girls;
-- most commonly to fabrics of mixed materials, but also
applicable to silks, printed linens, and calicoes.
Dressiness \Dress"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dressy.
Dressing \Dress"ing\, n.
1. Dress; raiment; especially, ornamental habiliment or
attire. --B. Jonson.
2. (Surg.) An application (a remedy, bandage, etc.) to a sore
or wound. --Wiseman.
3. Manure or compost over land. When it remains on the
surface, it is called a top-dressing.
4. (Cookery)
(a) A preparation to fit food for use; a condiment; as, a
dressing for salad.
(b) The stuffing of fowls, pigs, etc.; forcemeat.
5. Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing
silk, linen, and other fabrics.
6. An ornamental finish, as a molding around doors, windows,
or on a ceiling, etc.
7. Castigation; scolding; -- often with down. [Colloq.]
{Dressing case}, a case of toilet utensils.
{Dressing forceps}, a variety of forceps, shaped like a pair
of scissors, used in dressing wounds.
{Dressing gown}, a light gown, such as is used by a person
while dressing; a study gown.
{Dressing room}, an apartment appropriated for making one's
toilet.
{Dressing table}, a table at which a person may dress, and on
which articles for the toilet stand.
{Top-dressing}, manure or compost spread over land and not
worked into the soil.
Dressmaker \Dress"mak`er\, n.
A maker of gowns, or similar garments; a mantuamaker.
Dressmaking \Dress"mak`ing\, n.
The art, process, or occupation, of making dresses.
Dressy \Dress"y\, a.
Showy in dress; attentive to dress.
A dressy flaunting maidservant. --T. Hook.
A neat, dressy gentleman in black. --W. Irving.
Drest \Drest\, p. p.
of {Dress}.
Dretch \Dretch\, v. t. & i.
See {Drecche}. [Obs.]
Dreul \Dreul\, v. i.
To drool. [Obs.]
Drevil \Drev"il\, n.
A fool; a drudge. See {Drivel}.
Drew \Drew\, imp.
of {Draw}.
Drey \Drey\, n.
A squirrel's nest. See {Dray}. [Obs.]
Dreye \Dreye\, a.
Dry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dreynte \Dreyn"te\, imp., Dreynt \Dreynt\,
p. p., of {Drench} to drown. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drib \Drib\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dribbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dribbing}.] [Cf. {Drip}.]
To do by little and little; as:
(a) To cut off by a little at a time; to crop.
(b) To appropriate unlawfully; to filch; to defalcate.
He who drives their bargain dribs a part. --Dryden.
(c) To lead along step by step; to entice.
With daily lies she dribs thee into cost. --
Dryden.
Drib \Drib\, v. t. & i. (Archery)
To shoot (a shaft) so as to pierce on the descent. [Obs.]
--Sir P. Sidney.
Drib \Drib\, n.
A drop. [Obs.] --Swift.
Dribber \Drib"ber\, n.
One who dribs; one who shoots weakly or badly. [Obs.]
--Ascham.
Dribble \Drib"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dribbled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dribbing}.] [Freq. of drib, which is a variant of drip.]
1. To fall in drops or small drops, or in a quick succession
of drops; as, water dribbles from the eaves.
2. To slaver, as a child or an idiot; to drivel.
3. To fall weakly and slowly. [Obs.] ``The dribbling dart of
love.'' --Shak. (Meas. for Meas., i. 3, 2). [Perhaps an
error for {dribbing}.]
Dribble \Drib"ble\, v. t.
To let fall in drops.
Let the cook . . . dribble it all the way upstairs. --
Swift.
Dribble \Drib"ble\, n.
A drizzling shower; a falling or leaking in drops. [Colloq.]
Dribbler \Drib"bler\, n.
One who dribbles.
Dribblet \Drib"blet\, Driblet \Drib"let\, n. [From {Dribble}.]
A small piece or part; a small sum; a small quantity of money
in making up a sum; as, the money was paid in dribblets.
When made up in dribblets, as they could, their best
securities were at an interest of twelve per cent.
--Burke.
Drie \Drie\, v. t. [See {Dree}.]
To endure. [Obs.]
So causeless such drede for to drie. -- Chaucer.
Dried \Dried\, imp. & p. p.
of {Day}. Also adj.; as, dried apples.
Drier \Dri"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, dries; that which may expel or
absorb moisture; a desiccative; as, the sun and a
northwesterly wind are great driers of the earth.
2. (Paint.) Drying oil; a substance mingled with the oil used
in oil painting to make it dry quickly.
Drier \Dri"er\, compar., Driest \Dri"est\, superl.,
of {Dry}, a.
Drift \Drift\, n. [From {drive}; akin to LG. & D. drift a
driving, Icel. drift snowdrift, Dan. drift, impulse, drove,
herd, pasture, common, G. trift pasturage, drove. See
{Drive}.]
1. A driving; a violent movement.
The dragon drew him [self] away with drift of his
wings. --King
Alisaunder
(1332).
2. The act or motion of drifting; the force which impels or
drives; an overpowering influence or impulse.
A bad man, being under the drift of any passion,
will follow the impulse of it till something
interpose. --South.
3. Course or direction along which anything is driven;
setting. ``Our drift was south.'' --Hakluyt.
4. The tendency of an act, argument, course of conduct, or
the like; object aimed at or intended; intention; hence,
also, import or meaning of a sentence or discourse; aim.
He has made the drift of the whole poem a compliment
on his country in general. -- Addison.
Now thou knowest my drift. --Sir W.
Scott.
5. That which is driven, forced, or urged along; as:
(a) Anything driven at random. ``Some log . . . a useless
drift.'' --Dryden.
(b) A mass of matter which has been driven or forced
onward together in a body, or thrown together in a
heap, etc., esp. by wind or water; as, a drift of
snow, of ice, of sand, and the like.
Drifts of rising dust involve the sky. -- Pope.
We got the brig a good bed in the rushing drift
[of ice]. --Kane.
(c) A drove or flock, as of cattle, sheep, birds. [Obs.]
Cattle coming over the bridge (with their great
drift doing much damage to the high ways). --
Fuller.
6. (Arch.) The horizontal thrust or pressure of an arch or
vault upon the abutments. [R.] --Knight.
7. (Geol.) A collection of loose earth and rocks, or
boulders, which have been distributed over large portions
of the earth's surface, especially in latitudes north of
forty degrees, by the agency of ice.
8. In South Africa, a ford in a river.
9. (Mech.) A slightly tapered tool of steel for enlarging or
shaping a hole in metal, by being forced or driven into or
through it; a broach.
10. (Mil.)
(a) A tool used in driving down compactly the composition
contained in a rocket, or like firework.
(b) A deviation from the line of fire, peculiar to oblong
projectiles.
11. (Mining) A passage driven or cut between shaft and shaft;
a driftway; a small subterranean gallery; an adit or
tunnel.
12. (Naut.)
(a) The distance through which a current flows in a given
time.
(b) The angle which the line of a ship's motion makes
with the meridian, in drifting.
(c) The distance to which a vessel is carried off from
her desired course by the wind, currents, or other
causes.
(d) The place in a deep-waisted vessel where the sheer is
raised and the rail is cut off, and usually
terminated with a scroll, or driftpiece.
(e) The distance between the two blocks of a tackle.
13. The difference between the size of a bolt and the hole
into which it is driven, or between the circumference of
a hoop and that of the mast on which it is to be driven.
Note: Drift is used also either adjectively or as the first
part of a compound. See {Drift}, a.
{Drift of the forest} (O. Eng. Law), an examination or view
of the cattle in a forest, in order to see whose they are,
whether they are commonable, and to determine whether or
not the forest is surcharged. --Burrill.
Drift \Drift\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drifted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drifting}.]
1. To float or be driven along by, or as by, a current of
water or air; as, the ship drifted astern; a raft drifted
ashore; the balloon drifts slowly east.
We drifted o'er the harbor bar. -- Coleridge.
2. To accumulate in heaps by the force of wind; to be driven
into heaps; as, snow or sand drifts.
3. (mining) to make a drift; to examine a vein or ledge for
the purpose of ascertaining the presence of metals or
ores; to follow a vein; to prospect. [U.S.]
Drift \Drift\, v. t.
1. To drive or carry, as currents do a floating body. --J. H.
Newman.
2. To drive into heaps; as, a current of wind drifts snow or
sand.
3. (Mach.) To enlarge or shape, as a hole, with a drift.
Drift \Drift\, a.
That causes drifting or that is drifted; movable by wind or
currents; as, drift currents; drift ice; drift mud. --Kane.
{Drift anchor}. See {Sea anchor}, and also {Drag sail}, under
{Drag}, n.
{Drift epoch} (Geol.), the glacial epoch.
{Drift net}, a kind of fishing net.
{Drift sail}. Same as {Drag sail}. See under {Drag}, n.
Driftage \Drift"age\, n.
1. Deviation from a ship's course due to leeway.
2. Anything that drifts.
Driftbolt \Drift"bolt`\, n.
A bolt for driving out other bolts.
Driftless \Drift"less\, a.
Having no drift or direction; without aim; purposeless.
Driftpiece \Drift"piece"\, n. (Shipbuilding)
An upright or curved piece of timber connecting the plank
sheer with the gunwale; also, a scroll terminating a rail.
Driftpin \Drift"pin`\, n. (Mech.)
A smooth drift. See {Drift}, n., 9.
Driftway \Drift"way`\, n.
1. A common way, road, or path, for driving cattle. --Cowell.
Burrill.
2. (Mining) Same as {Drift}, {11}.
Driftweed \Drift"weed`\, n.
Seaweed drifted to the shore by the wind. --Darwin.
Driftwind \Drift"wind`\, n.
A driving wind; a wind that drives snow, sand, etc., into
heaps. --Beau. & Fl.
Driftwood \Drift"wood`\, n.
1. Wood drifted or floated by water.
2. Fig.: Whatever is drifting or floating as on water.
The current of humanity, with its heavy proportion
of very useless driftwood. -- New Your
Times.
Drifty \Drift"y\, a.
Full of drifts; tending to form drifts, as snow, and the
like.
Drill \Drill\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drilled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drilling}.] [D. drillen to bore, drill (soldiers); probably
akin to AS. pyrlian, pyrelian, to pierce. See {Thrill}.]
1. To pierce or bore with a drill, or a with a drill; to
perforate; as, to drill a hole into a rock; to drill a
piece of metal.
2. To train in the military art; to exercise diligently, as
soldiers, in military evolutions and exercises; hence, to
instruct thoroughly in the rudiments of any art or branch
of knowledge; to discipline.
He [Frederic the Great] drilled his people, as he
drilled his grenadiers. -- Macaulay.
Drill \Drill\, v. i.
To practice an exercise or exercises; to train one's self.
Drill \Drill\, n.
1. An instrument with an edged or pointed end used for making
holes in hard substances; strictly, a tool that cuts with
its end, by revolving, as in drilling metals, or by a
succession of blows, as in drilling stone; also, a drill
press.
2. (Mil.) The act or exercise of training soldiers in the
military art, as in the manual of arms, in the execution
of evolutions, and the like; hence, diligent and strict
instruction and exercise in the rudiments and methods of
any business; a kind or method of military exercises; as,
infantry drill; battalion drill; artillery drill.
3. Any exercise, physical or mental, enforced with regularity
and by constant repetition; as, a severe drill in Latin
grammar.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A marine gastropod, of several species, which
kills oysters and other bivalves by drilling holes through
the shell. The most destructive kind is {Urosalpinx
cinerea}.
{Bow drill}, {Breast drill}. See under {Bow}, {Breast}.
{Cotter drill}, or {Traverse drill}, a machine tool for
drilling slots.
{Diamond drill}. See under {Diamond}.
{Drill jig}. See under {Jig}.
{Drill pin}, the pin in a lock which enters the hollow stem
of the key.
{Drill sergeant} (Mil.), a noncommissioned officer whose
office it is to instruct soldiers as to their duties, and
to train them to military exercises and evolutions.
{Vertical drill}, a drill press.
Drill \Drill\, v. t. [Cf. {Trill} to trickle, {Trickle},
{Dribble}, and W. rhillio to put in a row, drill.]
1. To cause to flow in drills or rills or by trickling; to
drain by trickling; as, waters drilled through a sandy
stratum. [R.] --Thomson.
2. To sow, as seeds, by dribbling them along a furrow or in a
row, like a trickling rill of water.
3. To entice; to allure from step; to decoy; -- with on.
[Obs.]
See drilled him on to five-fifty. -- Addison.
4. To cause to slip or waste away by degrees. [Obs.]
This accident hath drilled away the whole summer. --
Swift.
Drill \Drill\, v. i.
1. To trickle. [Obs. or R.] --Sandys.
2. To sow in drills.
Drill \Drill\, n.
1. A small trickling stream; a rill. [Obs.]
Springs through the pleasant meadows pour their
drills. --Sandys.
2. (Agr.)
(a) An implement for making holes for sowing seed, and
sometimes so formed as to contain seeds and drop them
into the hole made.
(b) A light furrow or channel made to put seed into
sowing.
(c) A row of seed sown in a furrow.
Note: Drill is used adjectively, or as the first part of a
compound; as, drill barrow or drill-barrow; drill
husbandry; drill plow or drill-plow.
{Drill barrow}, a wheeled implement for planting seed in
drills.
{Drill bow}, a small bow used for the purpose of rapidly
turning a drill around which the bowstring takes a turn.
{Drill harrow}, a harrow used for stirring the ground between
rows, or drills.
{Drill plow}, or {Drill plough}, a sort plow for sowing grain
in drills.
Drill \Drill\, n. [Cf. {Mandrill}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large African baboon ({Cynocephalus leucoph[ae]us}).
Drill \Drill\, n. [Usually in pl.] (Manuf.)
Same as {Drilling}.
{Imperial drill}, a linen fabric having two threads in the
warp and three in the filling.
Driller \Drill"er\, n.
One who, or that which, drills.
Drilling \Drill"ing\, n.
1. The act of piercing with a drill.
2. A training by repeated exercises.
Drilling \Drill"ing\, n.
The act of using a drill in sowing seeds.
Drilling \Drill"ing\, n. [G. drillich, fr. L. trilix having
three threads, fr. the of tres three + licium a thread of the
warm. See {Three}, and cf. {Twill}.] (Manuf.)
A heavy, twilled fabric of linen or cotton.
Drillmaster \Drill"mas`ter\, n.
One who teaches drill, especially in the way of gymnastics.
--Macaulay.
Drill press \Drill" press`\ .
A machine for drilling holes in metal, the drill being
pressed to the metal by the action of a screw.
Drillstock \Drill"stock`\, n. (Mech.)
A contrivance for holding and turning a drill. --Knight.
Drily \Dri"ly\, adv.
See {Dryly}. --Thackeray.
Drimys \Dri"mys\ (dr[imac]"m[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr. drimy`s
sharp, acrid.] (Bot.)
A genus of magnoliaceous trees. {Drimys aromatica} furnishes
Winter's bark.
Drink \Drink\ (dr[i^][ng]k), v. i. [imp. {Drank} (dr[a^][ng]k),
formerly {Drunk} (dr[u^][ng]k); & p. p. {Drunk}, {Drunken}
(-'n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Drinking}. Drunken is now rarely
used, except as a verbal adj. in sense of habitually
intoxicated; the form drank, not infrequently used as a p.
p., is not so analogical.] [AS. drincan; akin to OS. drinkan,
D. drinken, G. trinken, Icel. drekka, Sw. dricka, Dan.
drikke, Goth. drigkan. Cf. {Drench}, {Drunken}, {Drown}.]
1. To swallow anything liquid, for quenching thirst or other
purpose; to imbibe; to receive or partake of, as if in
satisfaction of thirst; as, to drink from a spring.
Gird thyself, and serve me, till have eaten and
drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink.
--Luke xvii.
8.
He shall drink of the wrath the Almighty. --Job xxi.
20.
Drink of the cup that can not cloy. --Keble.
2. To quaff exhilarating or intoxicating liquors, in
merriment or feasting; to carouse; to revel; hence, to
lake alcoholic liquors to excess; to be intemperate in the
?se of intoxicating or spirituous liquors; to tipple.
--Pope.
And they drank, and were merry with him. --Gem.
xliii. 34.
Bolingbroke always spoke freely when he had drunk
freely. --Thackeray.
{To drink to}, to salute in drinking; to wish well to, in the
act of taking the cup; to pledge in drinking.
I drink to the general joy of the whole table, And
to our dear friend Banquo. --Shak.
Drink \Drink\, v. t.
1. To swallow (a liquid); to receive, as a fluid, into the
stomach; to imbibe; as, to drink milk or water.
There lies she with the blessed gods in bliss, There
drinks the nectar with ambrosia mixed. --Spenser.
The bowl of punch which was brewed and drunk in Mrs.
Betty's room. --Thackeray.
2. To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to
absorb; to imbibe.
And let the purple violets drink the stream.
--Dryden.
3. To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to
inhale; to hear; to see.
To drink the cooler air, --Tennyson.
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that
tongue's utterance. --Shak.
Let me . . . drink delicious poison from thy eye.
--Pope.
4. To smoke, as tobacco. [Obs.]
And some men now live ninety years and past, Who
never drank to tobacco first nor last. --Taylor
(1630.)
{To drink down}, to act on by drinking; to reduce or subdue;
as, to drink down unkindness. --Shak.
{To drink in}, to take into one's self by drinking, or as by
drinking; to receive and appropriate as in satisfaction of
thirst. ``Song was the form of literature which he [Burns]
had drunk in from his cradle.'' --J. C. Shairp.
{To drink off} or {up}, to drink the whole at a draught; as,
to drink off a cup of cordial.
{To drink the health of}, or {To drink to the health of}, to
drink while expressing good wishes for the health or
welfare of.
Drink \Drink\, n.
1. Liquid to be swallowed; any fluid to be taken into the
stomach for quenching thirst or for other purposes, as
water, coffee, or decoctions.
Give me some drink, Titinius. --Shak.
2. Specifically, intoxicating liquor; as, when drink is on,
wit is out.
{Drink money}, or {Drink penny}, an allowance, or perquisite,
given to buy drink; a gratuity.
{Drink offering} (Script.), an offering of wine, etc., in the
Jewish religious service.
{In drink}, drunk. ``The poor monster's in drink.'' --Shak.
{Strong drink}, intoxicating liquor; esp., liquor containing
a large proportion of alcohol. `` Wine is a mocker, strong
drink is raging.'' --Prov. xx. 1.
Drinkable \Drink"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being drunk; suitable for drink; potable.
--Macaulay. Also used substantively, esp. in the plural.
--Steele.
Drinkableness \Drink"a*ble*ness\, n.
State of being drinkable.
Drinker \Drink"er\, n.
One who drinks; as, the effects of tea on the drinker; also,
one who drinks spirituous liquors to excess; a drunkard.
{Drinker moth} (Zo["o]l.), a large British moth ({Odonestis
potatoria}).
Drinking \Drink"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who drinks; the act of imbibing.
2. The practice of partaking to excess of intoxicating
liquors.
3. An entertainment with liquors; a carousal.
Note: Drinking is used adjectively, or as the first part of a
compound; as, a drinking song, drinking cup, drinking
glass, drinking house, etc.
{Drinking horn}, a drinking vessel made of a horn.
Drinkless \Drink"less\, a.
Destitute of drink. --Chaucer.
Drip \Drip\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dripped}or {Dript}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dripping}.] [Akin to LG. drippen, Dan. dryppe, from a
noun. See {Drop}.]
1. To fall in drops; as, water drips from the eaves.
2. To let fall drops of moisture or liquid; as, a wet garment
drips.
The dark round of the dripping wheel. --Tennyson.
Drip \Drip\, v. t.
To let fall in drops.
Which from the thatch drips fast a shower of rain.
--Swift.
Drip \Drip\, n.
1. A falling or letting fall in drops; a dripping; that which
drips, or falls in drops.
The light drip of the suspended oar. --Byron.
2. (Arch.) That part of a cornice, sill course, or other
horizontal member, which projects beyond the rest, and is
of such section as to throw off the rain water.
{Right of drip} (Law), an easement or servitude by which a
man has the right to have the water flowing from his house
fall on the land of his neighbor.
Dripping \Drip"ping\, n.
1. A falling in drops, or the sound so made.
2. That which falls in drops, as fat from meat in roasting.
{Dripping pan}, a pan for receiving the fat which drips from
meat in roasting.
Dripple \Drip"ple\, a. [From {Drip}, cf. {Dribble}.]
Weak or rare. [Obs.]
Dripstone \Drip"stone`\, n. (Arch.)
A drip, when made of stone. See {Drip}, 2.
Drive \Drive\ (dr[imac]v), v. t. [imp. {Drove} (dr[=o]v),
formerly {Drave} (dr[=a]v); p. p. {Driven} (dr[i^]v'n); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Driving}.] [AS. dr[=i]fan; akin to OS.
dr[=i]ban, D. drijven, OHG. tr[=i]ban, G. treiben, Icel.
dr[=i]fa, Goth. dreiban. Cf. {Drift}, {Drove}.]
1. To impel or urge onward by force in a direction away from
one, or along before one; to push forward; to compel to
move on; to communicate motion to; as, to drive cattle; to
drive a nail; smoke drives persons from a room.
A storm came on and drove them into Pylos. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
Shield pressed on shield, and man drove man along.
--Pope.
Go drive the deer and drag the finny prey. --Pope.
2. To urge on and direct the motions of, as the beasts which
draw a vehicle, or the vehicle borne by them; hence, also,
to take in a carriage; to convey in a vehicle drawn by
beasts; as, to drive a pair of horses or a stage; to drive
a person to his own door.
How . . . proud he was to drive such a brother!
--Thackeray.
3. To urge, impel, or hurry forward; to force; to constrain;
to urge, press, or bring to a point or state; as, to drive
a person by necessity, by persuasion, by force of
circumstances, by argument, and the like. `` Enough to
drive one mad.'' --Tennyson.
He, driven to dismount, threatened, if I did not do
the like, to do as much for my horse as fortune had
done for his. --Sir P.
Sidney.
4. To carry or; to keep in motion; to conduct; to prosecute.
[Now used only colloquially.] --Bacon.
The trade of life can not be driven without
partners. --Collier.
5. To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
To drive the country, force the swains away.
--Dryden.
6. (Mining) To dig Horizontally; to cut a horizontal gallery
or tunnel. --Tomlinson.
7. To pass away; -- said of time. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Note: Drive, in all its senses, implies forcible or violent
action. It is the reverse of to lead. To drive a body
is to move it by applying a force behind; to lead is to
cause to move by applying the force before, or in
front. It takes a variety of meanings, according to the
objects by which it is followed; as, to drive an
engine, to direct and regulate its motions; to drive
logs, to keep them in the current of a river and direct
them in their course; to drive feathers or down, to
place them in a machine, which, by a current of air,
drives off the lightest to one end, and collects them
by themselves. ``My thrice-driven bed of down.''
--Shak.
Drive \Drive\, v. i.
1. To rush and press with violence; to move furiously.
Fierce Boreas drove against his flying sails.
--Dryden.
Under cover of the night and a driving tempest.
--Prescott.
Time driveth onward fast, And in a little while our
lips are dumb. --Tennyson.
2. To be forced along; to be impelled; to be moved by any
physical force or agent; to be driven.
The hull drives on, though mast and sail be torn.
--Byron.
The chaise drives to Mr. Draper's chambers.
--Thackeray.
3. To go by carriage; to pass in a carriage; to proceed by
directing or urging on a vehicle or the animals that draw
it; as, the coachman drove to my door.
4. To press forward; to aim, or tend, to a point; to make an
effort; to strive; -- usually with at.
Let them therefore declare what carnal or secular
interest he drove at. --South.
5. To distrain for rent. [Obs.]
{To let drive}, to aim a blow; to strike with force; to
attack. ``Four rogues in buckram let drive at me.''
--Shak.
Drive \Drive\ (dr[imac]v), p. p.
Driven. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drive \Drive\ (dr[imac]v), n.
1. The act of driving; a trip or an excursion in a carriage,
as for exercise or pleasure; -- distinguished from a ride
taken on horseback.
2. A place suitable or agreeable for driving; a road prepared
for driving.
3. Violent or rapid motion; a rushing onward or away; esp., a
forced or hurried dispatch of business.
The Murdstonian drive in business. --M. Arnold.
4. In type founding and forging, an impression or matrix,
formed by a punch drift.
5. A collection of objects that are driven; a mass of logs to
be floated down a river. [Colloq.]
Syn: See {Ride}.
Drivebolt \Drive"bolt`\, n.
A drift; a tool for setting bolts home.
Drivel \Driv"el\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Driveled}or {Drivelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Driveling} or {Drivelling}.] [Cf. OE.
dravelen, drabelen, drevelen, drivelen, to slaver, and E.
drabble. Cf. {Drool}.]
1. To slaver; to let spittle drop or flow from the mouth,
like a child, idiot, or dotard.
2. [Perh. a different word: cf. Icel. drafa to talk thick.]
To be weak or foolish; to dote; as, a driveling hero;
driveling love. --Shak. Dryden.
Drivel \Driv"el\, n.
1. Slaver; saliva flowing from the mouth.
2. Inarticulate or unmeaning utterance; foolish talk; babble.
3. A driveler; a fool; an idiot. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
4. A servant; a drudge. [Obs.] --Huloet.
Driveler \Driv"el*er\, n.
A slaverer; a slabberer; an idiot; a fool. [Written also
{driveller}.]
Driven \Driv"en\, p. p.
of {Drive}. Also adj.
{Driven well}, a well made by driving a tube into the earth
to an aqueous stratum; -- called also {drive well}.
Drivepipe \Drive"pipe`\, n.
A pipe for forcing into the earth.
Driver \Driv"er\, n. [From {Drive}.]
1. One who, or that which, drives; the person or thing that
urges or compels anything else to move onward.
2. The person who drives beasts or a carriage; a coachman; a
charioteer, etc.; hence, also, one who controls the
movements of a locomotive.
3. An overseer of a gang of slaves or gang of convicts at
their work.
4. (Mach.) A part that transmits motion to another part by
contact with it, or through an intermediate relatively
movable part, as a gear which drives another, or a lever
which moves another through a link, etc. Specifically:
(a) The driving wheel of a locomotive.
(b) An attachment to a lathe, spindle, or face plate to
turn a carrier.
(c) A crossbar on a grinding mill spindle to drive the
upper stone.
5. (Naut.) The after sail in a ship or bark, being a
fore-and-aft sail attached to a gaff; a spanker. --Totten.
{Driver ant} (Zo["o]l.), a species of African stinging ant;
one of the visiting ants ({Anomma arcens}); -- so called
because they move about in vast armies, and drive away or
devour all insects and other small animals.
Driveway \Drive"way`\, n.
A passage or way along or through which a carriage may be
driven.
Driving \Driv"ing\, a.
1. Having great force of impulse; as, a driving wind or
storm.
2. Communicating force; impelling; as, a driving shaft.
{Driving axle}, the axle of a driving wheel, as in a
locomotive.
{Driving box} (Locomotive), the journal box of a driving
axle. See Illust. of {Locomotive}.
{Driving note} (Mus.), a syncopated note; a tone begun on a
weak part of a measure and held through the next accented
part, thus anticipating the accent and driving it through.
{Driving spring}, a spring fixed upon the box of the driving
axle of a locomotive engine to support the weight and
deaden shocks. [Eng.] --Weale.
{Driving wheel} (Mach.), a wheel that communicates motion;
one of the large wheels of a locomotive to which the
connecting rods of the engine are attached; -- called
also, simply, driver. See Illust. of {Locomotive}.
Driving \Driv"ing\, n.
1. The act of forcing or urging something along; the act of
pressing or moving on furiously.
2. Tendency; drift. [R.]
Drizzle \Driz"zle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drizzled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Drizzling}.] [Prop. freq. of AS. dre['o]san to fall. See
{Dreary}.]
To rain slightly in very small drops; to fall, as water from
the clouds, slowly and in fine particles; as, it drizzles;
drizzling drops or rain. ``Drizzling tears.'' --Spenser.
Drizzle \Driz"zle\, v. t.
To shed slowly in minute drops or particles. ``The air doth
drizzle dew.'' --Shak.
Drizzle \Driz"zle\, n.
Fine rain or mist. --Halliwell.
Drizzly \Driz"zly\, a.
Characterized by small rain, or snow; moist and disagreeable.
``Winter's drizzly reign.'' --Dryden.
Drock \Drock\, n.
A water course. [Prov. Eng.]
Drofland \Drof"land\, Dryfland \Dryf"land\, n. [See {Drove}.]
(Law)
An ancient yearly payment made by some tenants to the king,
or to their landlords, for the privilege of driving their
cattle through a manor to fairs or markets. --Cowell.
Drogher \Dro"gher\, n. [Cf. {Drag}.]
A small craft used in the West India Islands to take off
sugars, rum, etc., to the merchantmen; also, a vessel for
transporting lumber, cotton, etc., coastwise; as, a lumber
drogher. [Written also {droger}.] --Ham. Nar. Encyc.
Drogman \Drog"man\, Drogoman \Drog"o*man\, n.
See {Dragoman}.
Drogue \Drogue\, n. (Naut.)
See {Drag}, n., 6, and {Drag sail}, under {Drag}, n.
Droh \Droh\, imp.
of {Draw}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Droil \Droil\, v. i. [D. druilen to mope.]
To work sluggishly or slowly; to plod. [Obs.]
Droil \Droil\, n. [D. druil sluggard. Cf. {Droll}.]
1. A drudge. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. Mean labor; toil.[Obs.]
Droit \Droit\, n. [F. See {Direct}.]
A right; law in its aspect of the foundation of rights; also,
in old law, the writ of right. -- Abbott.
{Droit d'aubaine}. See under {Aubaine}.
{Droits of the Admiralty} (Eng. Law), rights or perquisites
of the Admiralty, arising from seizure of an enemy's ships
in port on the breaking out of war, or those coming into
port in ignorance of hostilities existing, or from such
ships as are taken by noncommissioned captors; also, the
proceeds of wrecks, and derelict property at sea. The
droits of admiralty are now paid into the Exchequer for
the public benefit.
Droitural \Droi"tu*ral\, a. (O. Eng. Law)
relating to the mere right of property, as distinguished from
the right of possession; as, droitural actions. [Obs.]
--Burrill.
Droitzschka \Droitzsch"ka\, n.
See {Drosky}.
Droll \Droll\, a. [Compar. {Droller}; superl. {Drollest}.] [F.
dr[^o]le; cf. G. & D. drollig, LG. drullig, D. drol a thick
and short person, a droll, Sw. troll a magical appearance,
demon, trolla to use magic arts, enchant, Dan. trold elf,
imp, Icel. tr["o]ll giant, magician, evil spirit, monster. If
this is the origin, cf. {Trull}.]
Queer, and fitted to provoke laughter; ludicrous from oddity;
amusing and strange.
Syn: Comic; comical; farcical; diverting; humorous;
ridiculous; queer; odd; waggish; facetious; merry;
laughable; ludicrous. -- {Droll}, {Laughable},
{Comical}. Laughable is the generic term, denoting
anything exciting laughter or worthy of laughter;
comical denotes something of the kind exhibited in
comedies, something humorous of the kind exhibited in
comedies, something, as it were, dramatically humorous;
droll stands lower on the scale, having reference to
persons or things which excite laughter by their
buffoonery or oddity. A laughable incident; a comical
adventure; a droll story.
Droll \Droll\, n.
1. One whose practice it is to raise mirth by odd tricks; a
jester; a buffoon; a merry-andrew. --Prior.
2. Something exhibited to raise mirth or sport, as a puppet,
a farce, and the like.
Droll \Droll\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drolled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drolling}.]
To jest; to play the buffoon. [R.]
Droll \Droll\, v. t.
1. To lead or influence by jest or trick; to banter or jest;
to cajole.
Men that will not be reasoned into their senses, may
yet be laughed or drolled into them. --L'Estrange.
2. To make a jest of; to set in a comical light. [R.]
This drolling everything is rather fatiguing. -- W.
D. Howells.
Droller \Droll"er\, n.
A jester; a droll. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
Drollery \Droll"er*y\, n.; pl. {Drolleries}. [F. dr[^o]lerie.
See {Droll}.]
1. The quality of being droll; sportive tricks; buffoonery;
droll stories; comical gestures or manners.
The rich drollery of ``She Stoops to Conquer.'' --
Macaulay.
2. Something which serves to raise mirth; as:
(a) A puppet show; also, a puppet. [Obs.] --Shak.
(b) A lively or comic picture. [Obs.]
I bought an excellent drollery, which I
afterward parted with to my brother George of
Wotton. -- Evelyn.
Drollingly \Droll"ing*ly\, adv.
In a jesting manner.
Drollish \Droll"ish\, a.
Somewhat droll. -- Sterne.
Drollist \Droll"ist\, n.
A droll. [R.] --Glanvill.
Dromaeognathous \Dro`m[ae]*og"na*thous\, a. [NL. dromaius emu +
Gr. ? jaw.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the structure of the palate like that of the ostrich
and emu.
Dromatherium \Drom`a*the"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? running + ?
beast. See {Dromedary}.] (Paleon.)
A small extinct triassic mammal from North Carolina, the
earliest yet found in America.
Drome \Drome\ (dr[=o]m), n. [F., fr. Gr. droma`s running. See
{Dromedary}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The crab plover ({Dromas ardeola}), a peculiar North African
bird, allied to the oyster catcher.
Dromedary \Drom"e*da*ry\ (dr[u^]m"[-e]*d[asl]*r[y^]), n.; pl.
{Dromedaries}. [F. dromadaire, LL. dromedarius, fr. L. dromas
(sc. camelus), fr. Gr. droma`s running, from dramei`n, used
as aor. of tre`chein to run; cf. Skr. dram to run.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The Arabian camel ({Camelus dromedarius}), having one hump or
protuberance on the back, in distinction from the {Bactrian
camel}, which has two humps.
Note: In Arabia and Egypt the name is restricted to the
better breeds of this species of camel. See {Deloul}.
Dromond \Drom"ond\, or Dromon \Drom"on\ [OF. dromont, L. dromo,
fr. Gr. dro`mwn light vessel, prob. fr. dramei^n to run. See
{Dromedary}.]
In the Middle Ages, a large, fast-sailing galley, or cutter;
a large, swift war vessel. [Hist. or Archaic] --Fuller.
The great dromond swinging from the quay. -- W. Morris.
Drone \Drone\, n. [OE. drane a dronebee, AS. dr[=a]n; akin to
OS. dr[=a]n, OHG. treno, G. drohne, Dan. drone, cf. Gr. ? a
kind of wasp, dial. Gr. ? drone. Prob. named fr. the droning
sound. See {Drone}, v. i.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of bees, esp. of the honeybee. It
gathers no honey. See {Honeybee}.
All with united force combine to drive The lazy
drones from the laborious hive. --Dryden.
2. One who lives on the labors of others; a lazy, idle
fellow; a sluggard.
By living as a drone,to be an unprofitable and
unworthy member of so noble and learned a society.
-- Burton.
3. That which gives out a grave or monotonous tone or dull
sound; as:
(a) A drum. [Obs.] Halliwell.
(b) The part of the bagpipe containing the two lowest
tubes, which always sound the key note and the fifth.
4. A humming or deep murmuring sound.
The monotonous drone of the wheel. --Longfellow.
5. (Mus.) A monotonous bass, as in a pastoral composition.
Drone \Drone\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Droned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Droning}.] [Cf. (for sense 1) D. dreunen, G. dr["o]hnen,
Icel. drynja to roar, drynr a roaring, Sw. dr["o]na to
bellow, drone, Dan. dr["o]ne, Goth. drunjus sound, Gr. ?
dirge, ? to cry aloud, Skr. dhran to sound. Cf. {Drone}, n.]
1. To utter or make a low, dull, monotonous, humming or
murmuring sound.
Where the beetle wheels his droning flight. --T.
Gray.
2. To love in idleness; to do nothing. ``Race of droning
kings.'' --Dryden.
Drone bee \Drone" bee`\ (Zo["o]l.)
The male of the honeybee; a drone.
Drone fly \Drone" fly`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A dipterous insect ({Eristalis tenax}), resembling the drone
bee. See {Eristalis}.
Dronepipe \Drone"pipe`\, n.
One of the low-toned tubes of a bagpipe.
Drongo \Dron"go\, n.; pl. {Drongos}. (Zo["o]l.)
A passerine bird of the family {Dicrurid[ae]}. They are
usually black with a deeply forked tail. They are natives of
Asia, Africa, and Australia; -- called also {drongo shrikes}.
Dronish \Dron"ish\, a.
Like a drone; indolent; slow. --Burke. -- {Dron"ish*ly}, adv.
-- {Dron"ish*ness}, n.
Dronkelewe \Dron"ke*lewe\, a. [See {Drink}.]
Given to drink; drunken. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Dronte \Dron"te\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The dodo.
Drony \Dron"y\, a.
Like a drone; sluggish; lazy.
Drool \Drool\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drooled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drooling}.] [Contr. fr. drivel.]
To drivel, or drop saliva; as, the child drools.
His mouth drooling with texts. -- T. Parker.
Droop \Droop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drooped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drooping}.] [Icel. dr?pa; akin to E. drop. See {Drop}.]
1. To hang bending downward; to sink or hang down, as an
animal, plant, etc., from physical inability or
exhaustion, want of nourishment, or the like. ``The purple
flowers droop.'' ``Above her drooped a lamp.'' --Tennyson.
I saw him ten days before he died, and observed he
began very much to droop and languish. --Swift.
2. To grow weak or faint with disappointment, grief, or like
causes; to be dispirited or depressed; to languish; as,
her spirits drooped.
I'll animate the soldier's drooping courage.
--Addison.
3. To proceed downward, or toward a close; to decline. ``Then
day drooped.'' --Tennyson.
Droop \Droop\, v. t.
To let droop or sink. [R.] --M. Arnold.
Like to a withered vine That droops his sapless
branches to the ground. --Shak.
Droop \Droop\, n.
A drooping; as, a droop of the eye.
Drooper \Droop"er\, n.
One who, or that which, droops.
Droopingly \Droop"ing*ly\, adv.
In a drooping manner.
Drop \Drop\, n. [OE. drope, AS. dropa; akin to OS. dropo, D.
drop, OHG. tropo, G. tropfen, Icel. dropi, Sw. droppe; and
Fr. AS. dre['o]pan to drip, drop; akin to OS. driopan, D.
druipen, OHG. triofan, G. triefen, Icel. drj?pa. Cf. {Drip},
{Droop}.]
1. The quantity of fluid which falls in one small spherical
mass; a liquid globule; a minim; hence, also, the smallest
easily measured portion of a fluid; a small quantity; as,
a drop of water.
With minute drops from off the eaves. --Milton.
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops That visit my
sad heart. -- Shak.
That drop of peace divine. --Keble.
2. That which resembles, or that which hangs like, a liquid
drop; as a hanging diamond ornament, an earring, a glass
pendant on a chandelier, a sugarplum (sometimes
medicated), or a kind of shot or slug.
3. (Arch.)
(a) Same as {Gutta}.
(b) Any small pendent ornament.
4. Whatever is arranged to drop, hang, or fall from an
elevated position; also, a contrivance for lowering
something; as:
(a) A door or platform opening downward; a trap door; that
part of the gallows on which a culprit stands when he
is to be hanged; hence, the gallows itself.
(b) A machine for lowering heavy weights, as packages,
coal wagons, etc., to a ship's deck.
(c) A contrivance for temporarily lowering a gas jet.
(d) A curtain which drops or falls in front of the stage
of a theater, etc.
(e) A drop press or drop hammer.
(f) (Mach.) The distance of the axis of a shaft below the
base of a hanger.
5. pl. Any medicine the dose of which is measured by drops;
as, lavender drops.
6. (Naut.) The depth of a square sail; -- generally applied
to the courses only. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
7. Act of dropping; sudden fall or descent.
{Ague drop}, {Black drop}. See under {Ague}, {Black}.
{Drop by drop}, in small successive quantities; in repeated
portions. ``Made to taste drop by drop more than the
bitterness of death.'' --Burke.
{Drop curtain}. See {Drop}, n., 4.
(d) .
{Drop forging}. (Mech.)
(a) A forging made in dies by a drop hammer.
(b) The process of making drop forgings.
{Drop hammer} (Mech.), a hammer for forging, striking up
metal, etc., the weight being raised by a strap or similar
device, and then released to drop on the metal resting on
an anvil or die.
{Drop kick} (Football), a kick given to the ball as it
rebounds after having been dropped from the hands.
{Drop lake}, a pigment obtained from Brazil wood. --Mollett.
{Drop letter}, a letter to be delivered from the same office
where posted.
{Drop press} (Mech.), a drop hammer; sometimes, a dead-stroke
hammer; -- also called drop.
{Drop scene}, a drop curtain on which a scene is painted. See
{Drop}, n., 4.
(d) .
{Drop seed}. (Bot.) See the List under {Glass}.
{Drop serene}. (Med.) See {Amaurosis}.
Drop \Drop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dropped}or {Dropt}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dropping}.] [OE. droppen, AS. dropan, v. i. See
{Drop}, n.]
1. To pour or let fall in drops; to pour in small globules;
to distill. ``The trees drop balsam.'' --Creech.
The recording angel, as he wrote it down, dropped a
tear upon the word and blotted it out forever.
--Sterne.
2. To cause to fall in one portion, or by one motion, like a
drop; to let fall; as, to drop a line in fishing; to drop
a courtesy.
3. To let go; to dismiss; to set aside; to have done with; to
discontinue; to forsake; to give up; to omit.
They suddenly drop't the pursuit. --S. Sharp.
That astonishing ease with which fine ladies drop
you and pick you up again. --Thackeray.
The connection had been dropped many years. -- Sir
W. Scott.
Dropping the too rough H in Hell and Heaven.
--Tennyson.
4. To bestow or communicate by a suggestion; to let fall in
an indirect, cautious, or gentle manner; as, to drop hint,
a word of counsel, etc.
5. To lower, as a curtain, or the muzzle of a gun, etc.
6. To send, as a letter; as, please drop me a line, a letter,
word.
7. To give birth to; as, to drop a lamb.
8. To cover with drops; to variegate; to bedrop.
Show to the sun their waved coats dropped with gold.
--Milton.
{To drop a vessel} (Naut.), to leave it astern in a race or a
chase; to outsail it.
Drop \Drop\, v. i.
1. To fall in drops.
The kindly dew drops from the higher tree, And wets
the little plants that lowly dwell. --Spenser.
2. To fall, in general, literally or figuratively; as, ripe
fruit drops from a tree; wise words drop from the lips.
Mutilations of which the meaning has dropped out of
memory. --H. Spencer.
When the sound of dropping nuts is heard. --Bryant.
3. To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.
The heavens . . . dropped at the presence of God.
--Ps. lxviii.
8.
4. To fall dead, or to fall in death.
Nothing, says Seneca, so soon reconciles us to the
thoughts of our own death, as the prospect of one
friend after another dropping round us. --Digby.
5. To come to an end; to cease; to pass out of mind; as, the
affair dropped. --Pope.
6. To come unexpectedly; -- with in or into; as, my old
friend dropped in a moment. --Steele.
Takes care to drop in when he thinks you are just
seated. --Spectator.
7. To fall or be depressed; to lower; as, the point of the
spear dropped a little.
8. To fall short of a mark. [R.]
Often it drops or overshoots by the disproportion of
distance. --Collier.
9. To be deep in extent; to descend perpendicularly; as, her
main topsail drops seventeen yards.
{To drop astern} (Naut.), to go astern of another vessel; to
be left behind; to slacken the speed of a vessel so as to
fall behind and to let another pass a head.
{To drop down} (Naut.), to sail, row, or move down a river,
or toward the sea.
{To drop off}, to fall asleep gently; also, to die. [Colloq.]
Droplet \Drop"let\, n.
A little drop; a tear. --Shak.
Droplight \Drop"light`\, n.
An apparatus for bringing artificial light down from a
chandelier nearer to a table or desk; a pendant.
Dropmeal \Drop"meal`\, Dropmele \Drop"mele`\, adv. [AS.
drop-m?lum; dropa drop + m?l portion. Cf. {Piecemeal}.]
By drops or small portions. [Obs.]
Distilling dropmeal, a little at once. --Holland.
Dropper \Drop"per\, n.
1. One who, or that which, drops. Specif.: (Fishing) A fly
that drops from the leaden above the bob or end fly.
2. A dropping tube.
3. (Mining) A branch vein which drops off from, or leaves,
the main lode.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A dog which suddenly drops upon the ground when
it sights game, -- formerly a common, and still an
occasional, habit of the setter.
Dropping \Drop"ping\, n.
1. The action of causing to drop or of letting drop; falling.
2. pl. That which falls in drops; the excrement or dung of
animals.
{Dropping bottle}, an instrument used to supply small
quantities of a fluid to a test tube or other vessel.
{Dropping fire}, a continued irregular discharge of firearms.
{Dropping tube}, a tube for ejecting any liquid in drops.
Droppinly \Drop"pin*ly\, adv.
In drops.
Dropsical \Drop"si*cal\, a. [From {Dropsy}.]
1. Diseased with dropsy; hydropical; tending to dropsy; as, a
dropsical patient.
2. Of or pertaining to dropsy.
Dropsicalness \Drop"si*cal*ness\, n.
State of being dropsical.
Dropsied \Drop"sied\, a.
Diseased with drops. --Shak.
Dropsy \Drop"sy\, n.; pl. {Dropsies}. [OE. dropsie, dropesie,
OF. idropisie, F. hydropisie, L. hydropisis, fr. Gr. ?
dropsy, fr. ? water. See {Water}, and cf. {Hydropsy}.] (Med.)
An unnatural collection of serous fluid in any serous cavity
of the body, or in the subcutaneous cellular tissue.
--Dunglison.
Dropt \Dropt\,
imp. & p. p. of {Drop}, v. --G. Eliot.
Dropwise \Drop"wise`\, adv.
After the manner of a drop; in the form of drops.
Trickling dropwise from the cleft. --Tennyson.
Dropworm \Drop"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of any geometrid moth, which drops from trees by
means of a thread of silk, as the cankerworm.
Dropwort \Drop"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
An Old World species of {Spir[ae]a} ({S. filipendula}), with
finely cut leaves.
Drosera \Dros"e*ra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? dewy.] (Bot.)
A genus of low perennial or biennial plants, the leaves of
which are beset with gland-tipped bristles. See {Sundew}.
--Gray.
Drosky \Dros"ky\, n.; pl. {Droskies}. [Russ. drojki, dim. of
drogi a kind of carriage, prop. pl. of droga shaft or pole of
a carriage.]
A low, four-wheeled, open carriage, used in Russia,
consisting of a kind of long, narrow bench, on which the
passengers ride as on a saddle, with their feet reaching
nearly to the ground. Other kinds of vehicles are now so
called, esp. a kind of victoria drawn by one or two horses,
and used as a public carriage in German cities. [Written also
{droitzschka}, and {droschke}.]
Drosometer \Dro*som"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? dew + -meter: cf. F.
drosom['e]tre.] (Meteorol.)
An instrument for measuring the quantity of dew on the
surface of a body in the open air. It consists of a balance,
having a plate at one end to receive the dew, and at the
other a weight protected from the deposit of dew.
Dross \Dross\, n. [AS. dros, fr. dre['o]san to fall. See
{Dreary}.]
1. The scum or refuse matter which is thrown off, or falls
from, metals in smelting the ore, or in the process of
melting; recrement.
2. Rust of metals. [R.] --Addison.
3. Waste matter; any worthless matter separated from the
better part; leavings; dregs; refuse.
All world's glory is but dross unclean. --Spenser.
At the devil's booth are all things sold, Each ounce
of dross coats its ounce of gold. --Lowell.
Drossel \Dros"sel\, n. [Cf. {Drazel}.]
A slut; a hussy; a drazel. [Obs.] --Warner.
Drossless \Dross"less\, a.
Free from dross. --Stevens.
Drossy \Dross"y\, a. [Compar. {Drossier}; superl. {Drossiest}.]
Of, pertaining to, resembling, dross; full of dross; impure;
worthless. `` Drossy gold.'' --Dryden. ``Drossy rhymes.''
--Donne. -- {Dross"i*ness}, n.
Drotchel \Drotch"el\, n.
See {Drossel}. [Obs.]
Drough \Drough\, imp.
of {Draw}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drought \Drought\, n. [OE. droght, drougth, dru??, AS. druga?,
from drugian to dry. See {Dry}, and cf. {Drouth}, which shows
the original final sound.]
1. Dryness; want of rain or of water; especially, such
dryness of the weather as affects the earth, and prevents
the growth of plants; aridity.
The drought of March hath pierced to the root.
--Chaucer.
In a drought the thirsty creatures cry. --Dryden.
2. Thirst; want of drink. --Johnson.
3. Scarcity; lack.
A drought of Christian writers caused a dearth of
all history. --Fuller.
Droughtiness \Drought"i*ness\, n.
A state of dryness of the weather; want of rain.
Droughty \Drought"y\, a.
1. Characterized by drought; wanting rain; arid; adust.
Droughty and parched countries. --Ray.
2. Dry; thirsty; wanting drink.
Thy droughty throat. --Philips.
Droumy \Drou"my\, a. [Cf. Scot. drum, dram, melancholy, Icel
prumr a moper, W. trwm heavy, sad.]
Troubled; muddy. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Drouth \Drouth\, n.
Same as {Drought}. --Sandys.
Another ill accident is drouth at the spindling of
corn. --Bacon.
One whose drouth [thirst], Yet scarce allayed, still
eyes the current stream. --Milton.
In the dust and drouth of London life. --Tennyson.
Drouthy \Drouth"y\, a.
Droughty.
Drove \Drove\, imp.
of {Drive}.
Drove \Drove\, n. [AS. dr[=a]f, fr. dr[=i]fan to drive. See
{Drive}.]
1. A collection of cattle driven, or cattle collected for
driving; a number of animals, as oxen, sheep, or swine,
driven in a body.
2. Any collection of irrational animals, moving or driving
forward; as, a finny drove. --Milton.
3. A crowd of people in motion.
Where droves, as at a city gate, may pass. --Dryden.
4. A road for driving cattle; a driftway. [Eng.]
5. (Agric.) A narrow drain or channel used in the irrigation
of land. --Simmonds.
6. (Masonry)
(a) A broad chisel used to bring stone to a nearly smooth
surface; -- called also {drove chisel}.
(b) The grooved surface of stone finished by the drove
chisel; -- called also {drove work}.
Droven \Dro"ven\, p. p.
of {Drive}. [Obs.]
Drover \Dro"ver\, n.
1. One who drives cattle or sheep to market; one who makes it
his business to purchase cattle, and drive them to market.
Why, that's spoken like an honest drover; so they
sell bullocks. --Shak.
2. A boat driven by the tide. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drovy \Dro"vy\, a. [AS. dr?f dirty; cf. D. droef, G. tr["u]be,
Goth. dr?bjan to trouble.]
Turbid; muddy; filthy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drow \Drow\, imp.
of {Draw}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Drown \Drown\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drowned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drowning}.] [OE. drunen, drounen, earlier drunknen,
druncnien, AS. druncnian to be drowned, sink, become drunk,
fr. druncen drunken. See {Drunken}, {Drink}.]
To be suffocated in water or other fluid; to perish in water.
Methought, what pain it was to drown. --Shak.
Drown \Drown\, v. t.
1. To overwhelm in water; to submerge; to inundate. ``They
drown the land.'' --Dryden.
2. To deprive of life by immersion in water or other liquid.
3. To overpower; to overcome; to extinguish; -- said
especially of sound.
Most men being in sensual pleasures drowned. --Sir
J. Davies.
My private voice is drowned amid the senate.
--Addison.
{To drown up}, to swallow up. [Obs.] --Holland.
Drownage \Drown"age\, n.
The act of drowning. [R.]
Drowner \Drown"er\, n.
One who, or that which, drowns.
Drowse \Drowse\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drowsed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drowsing}.] [AS. dr?sian, dr?san, to sink, become slow or
inactive; cf. OD. droosen to be sleepy, fall asleep, LG.
dr?sen, druusken, to slumber, fall down with a noise; prob,
akin to AS. dre['o]san to fall. See {Dreary}.]
To sleep imperfectly or unsoundly; to slumber; to be heavy
with sleepiness; to doze. ``He drowsed upon his couch.''
--South.
In the pool drowsed the cattle up to their knees.
--Lowell.
Drowse \Drowse\, v. t.
To make heavy with sleepiness or imperfect sleep; to make
dull or stupid. --Milton.
Drowse \Drowse\, n.
A slight or imperfect sleep; a doze.
But smiled on in a drowse of ecstasy. --Mrs.
Browning.
Drowsihead \Drow"si*head\, n.
Drowsiness. --Thomson.
Drowsihed \Drow"si*hed\, n.
Drowsihead. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drowsily \Drow"si*ly\, adv.
In a drowsy manner.
Drowsiness \Drow"si*ness\, n.
State of being drowsy. --Milton.
Drowsy \Drow"sy\, a. [Compar. {Drowsier}; superl. {Drowsiest}.]
1. Inclined to drowse; heavy with sleepiness; lethargic;
dozy. ``When I am drowsy.'' --Shak.
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray. --Shak.
To our age's drowsy blood Still shouts the inspiring
sea. --Lowell.
2. Disposing to sleep; lulling; soporific.
The drowsy hours, dispensers of all good.
--Tennyson.
3. Dull; stupid. `` Drowsy reasoning.'' --Atterbury.
Syn: Sleepy; lethargic; dozy; somnolent; comatose; dull
heavy; stupid.
Drowth \Drowth\, n.
See {Drought}. --Bacon.
Droyle \Droyle\, v. i.
See {Droil}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Drub \Drub\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Drubbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drubbing}.] [Cf. Prov. E. drab to beat, Icel. & Sw. drabba
to hit, beat, Dan. dr[ae]be to slay, and perh. OE. drepen to
strike, kill, AS. drepan to strike, G. & D. freffen to hit,
touch, Icel. drepa to strike, kill.]
To beat with a stick; to thrash; to cudgel.
Soundly Drubbed with a good honest cudgel.
--L'Estrange.
Drub \Drub\, n.
A blow with a cudgel; a thump. --Addison.
Drubber \Drub"ber\, n.
One who drubs. --Sir W. Scott.
Drudge \Drudge\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drudged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drudging}.] [OE. druggen; prob not akin to E. drag, v. t.,
but fr. Celtic; cf. Ir. drugaire a slave or drudge.]
To perform menial work; to labor in mean or unpleasant
offices with toil and fatigue.
He gradually rose in the estimation of the booksellers
for whom he drudged. --Macaulay.
Drudge \Drudge\, v. t.
To consume laboriously; -- with away.
Rise to our toils and drudge away the day. --Otway.
Drudge \Drudge\, n.
One who drudges; one who works hard in servile employment; a
mental servant. --Milton.
Drudger \Drudg"er\, n.
1. One who drudges; a drudge.
2. A dredging box.
Drudgery \Drudg"er*y\, n.
The act of drudging; disagreeable and wearisome labor;
ignoble or slavish toil.
The drudgery of penning definitions. --Macaulay.
Paradise was a place of bliss . . . without drudgery
and with out sorrow. --Locke.
Syn: See {Toll}.
Drudging box \Drudg"ing box`\
See {Dredging box}.
Drudgingly \Drudg"ing*ly\, adv.
In a drudging manner; laboriously.
Druery \Dru"er*y\, n. [OF. druerie.]
Courtship; gallantry; love; an object of love. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Drug \Drug\, v. i. [See 1st {Drudge}.]
To drudge; to toil laboriously. [Obs.] ``To drugge and
draw.'' --Chaucer.
Drug \Drug\, n.
A drudge (?). --Shak. (Timon iv. 3, 253).
Drug \Drug\, n. [F. drogue, prob. fr. D. droog; akin to E. dry;
thus orig., dry substance, hers, plants, or wares. See
{Dry}.]
1. Any animal, vegetable, or mineral substance used in the
composition of medicines; any stuff used in dyeing or in
chemical operations.
Whence merchants bring
Their spicy drugs. --Milton.
2. Any commodity that lies on hand, or is not salable; an
article of slow sale, or in no demand. ``But sermons are
mere drugs.'' --Fielding.
And virtue shall a drug become. --Dryden.
Drug \Drug\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drugged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drugging}.] [Cf. F. droguer.]
To prescribe or administer drugs or medicines. --B. Jonson.
Drug \Drug\, v. t.
1. To affect or season with drugs or ingredients; esp., to
stupefy by a narcotic drug. Also Fig.
The laboring masses . . . [were] drugged into
brutish good humor by a vast system of public
spectacles. --C. Kingsley.
Drug thy memories, lest thou learn it. --Tennyson.
2. To tincture with something offensive or injurious.
Drugged as oft, With hatefullest disrelish writhed
their jaws. --Milton.
3. To dose to excess with, or as with, drugs.
With pleasure drugged, he almost longed for woe.
--Byron.
Drugger \Drug"ger\, n.
A druggist. [Obs.] --Burton.
Drugget \Drug"get\, n. [F. droguet, prop. dim. of drogue trash,
stuff, perh, the same word as drogue drug, but cf. also W.
drwg evil, bad, Ir. & Gael. droch, Arm. droug, drouk. See 3d
{Drug}.]
(a) A coarse woolen cloth dyed of one color or printed on one
side; generally used as a covering for carpets.
(b) By extension, any material used for the same purpose.
Druggist \Drug"gist\, n. [F. droguiste, fr. drogue. See 3d
{Drug}.]
One who deals in drugs; especially, one who buys and sells
drugs without compounding them; also, a pharmaceutist or
apothecary.
Note: The same person often carries on the business of the
druggist and the apothecary. See the Note under
{Apothecary}.
Drugster \Drug"ster\, n.
A druggist. [Obs.] --Boule.
Druid \Dru"id\, n. [L. Druides; of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. &
Gael. draoi, druidh, magician, Druid, W. derwydd Druid.]
1. One of an order of priests which in ancient times existed
among certain branches of the Celtic race, especially
among the Gauls and Britons.
Note: The Druids superintended the affairs of religion and
morality, and exercised judicial functions. They
practiced divination and magic, and sacrificed human
victims as a part of their worship. They consisted of
three classes; the bards, the vates or prophets, and
the Druids proper, or priests. Their most sacred rites
were performed in the depths of oak forests or of
caves.
2. A member of a social and benevolent order, founded in
London in 1781, and professedly based on the traditions of
the ancient Druids. Lodges or groves of the society are
established in other countries.
{Druid stones}, a name given, in the south of England, to
weatherworn, rough pillars of gray sandstone scattered
over the chalk downs, but in other countries generally in
the form of circles, or in detached pillars.
Druidess \Dru"id*ess\, n.
A female Druid; a prophetess.
Druidic \Dru*id"ic\, Druidical \Dru*id"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the Druids.
{Druidical circles}. See under {Circle}.
Druidish \Dru"id*ish\, a.
Druidic.
Druidism \Dru"id*ism\, n.
The system of religion, philosophy, and instruction, received
and taught by the Druids; the rites and ceremonies of the
Druids.
Drum \Drum\, n. [Cf. D. trom, trommel, LG. trumme, G. trommel,
Dan. tromme, Sw. trumma, OHG. trumba a trumpet, Icel. pruma a
clap of thunder, and as a verb, to thunder, Dan. drum a
booming sound, drumme to boom; prob. partly at least of
imitative origin; perh. akin to E. trum, or trumpet.]
1. (Mus.) An instrument of percussion, consisting either of a
hollow cylinder, over each end of which is stretched a
piece of skin or vellum, to be beaten with a stick; or of
a metallic hemisphere (kettledrum) with a single piece of
skin to be so beaten; the common instrument for marking
time in martial music; one of the pair of tympani in an
orchestra, or cavalry band.
The drums cry bud-a-dub. --Gascoigne.
2. Anything resembling a drum in form; as:
(a) A sheet iron radiator, often in the shape of a drum,
for warming an apartment by means of heat received
from a stovepipe, or a cylindrical receiver for steam,
etc.
(b) A small cylindrical box in which figs, etc., are
packed.
(c) (Anat.) The tympanum of the ear; -- often, but
incorrectly, applied to the tympanic membrane.
(d) (Arch.) One of the cylindrical, or nearly cylindrical,
blocks, of which the shaft of a column is composed;
also, a vertical wall, whether circular or polygonal
in plan, carrying a cupola or dome.
(e) (Mach.) A cylinder on a revolving shaft, generally for
the purpose of driving several pulleys, by means of
belts or straps passing around its periphery; also,
the barrel of a hoisting machine, on which the rope or
chain is wound.
3. (Zo["o]l.) See {Drumfish}.
4. A noisy, tumultuous assembly of fashionable people at a
private house; a rout. [Archaic]
Not unaptly styled a drum, from the noise and
emptiness of the entertainment. --Smollett.
Note: There were also drum major, rout, tempest, and
hurricane, differing only in degrees of multitude and
uproar, as the significant name of each declares.
5. A tea party; a kettledrum. --G. Eliot.
{Bass drum}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Double drum}. See under {Double}.
Drum \Drum\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Drummed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drumming}.]
1. To beat a drum with sticks; to beat or play a tune on a
drum.
2. To beat with the fingers, as with drumsticks; to beat with
a rapid succession of strokes; to make a noise like that
of a beaten drum; as, the ruffed grouse drums with his
wings.
Drumming with his fingers on the arm of his chair.
--W. Irving.
3. To throb, as the heart. [R.] --Dryden.
4. To go about, as a drummer does, to gather recruits, to
draw or secure partisans, customers, etc,; -- with for.
Drum \Drum\, v. t.
1. To execute on a drum, as a tune.
2. (With out) To expel ignominiously, with beat of drum; as,
to drum out a deserter or rogue from a camp, etc.
3. (With up) To assemble by, or as by, beat of drum; to
collect; to gather or draw by solicitation; as, to drum up
recruits; to drum up customers.
Drumbeat \Drum"beat`\, n.
The sound of a beaten drum; drum music.
Whose morning drumbeat, following the sun, and keeping
company with the hours, circles the earth with one
continuous and unbroken strain of the martial airs of
England. --D. Webster.
Drumble \Drum"ble\, v. i. [See {Drumly}.]
1. To be sluggish or lazy; to be confused. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To mumble in speaking. [Obs.]
Drumfish \Drum"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any fish of the family {Sci[ae]nid[ae]}, which makes a loud
noise by means of its air bladder; -- called also {drum}.
Note: The common drumfish ({Pogonias chromis}) is a large
species, common south of New Jersey. The southern red
drum or red horse ({Sci[ae]na ocellata}), and the
fresh-water drum or croaker ({Aplodionotus grunniens}),
are related species.
Drumhead \Drum"head`\, n.
1. The parchment or skin stretched over one end of a drum.
2. The top of a capstan which is pierced with sockets for
levers used in turning it. See Illust. of {Capstan}.
{Drumhead court-martial} (Mil.), a summary court-martial
called to try offenses on the battlefield or the line of
march, when, sometimes, a drumhead has to do service as a
writing table.
Drumlin \Drum"lin\, n. [Gael. druim the ridge of a hill.]
(Geol.)
A hill of compact, unstratified, glacial drift or till,
usually elongate or oval, with the larger axis parallel to
the former local glacial motion.
Drumly \Drum"ly\, a. [Cf. {Droumy}.]
Turbid; muddy. [Scot. & Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Wodroephe
(1623). Burns.
Drum major \Drum" ma"jor\
.
1. The chief or first drummer of a regiment; an instructor of
drummers.
2. The marching leader of a military band. [U.S.]
3. A noisy gathering. [R.] See under {Drum}, n., 4.
Drummer \Drum"mer\, n.
1. One whose office is to best the drum, as in military
exercises and marching.
2. One who solicits custom; a commercial traveler. [Colloq.
U.S.] --Bartlett.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A fish that makes a sound when caught; as:
(a) The squeteague.
(b) A California sculpin.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A large West Indian cockroach ({Blatta
gigantea}) which drums on woodwork, as a sexual call.
Drumming \Drum"ming\, n.
The act of beating upon, or as if upon, a drum; also, the
noise which the male of the ruffed grouse makes in spring, by
beating his wings upon his sides.
Drummond light \Drum"mond light`\ [From Thomas Drummond, a
British naval officer.]
A very intense light, produced by turning two streams of gas,
one oxygen and the other hydrogen, or coal gas, in a state of
ignition, upon a ball of lime; or a stream of oxygen gas
through a flame of alcohol upon a ball or disk of lime; --
called also {oxycalcium light}, or {lime light}.
Note: The name is also applied sometimes to a heliostat,
invented by Drummond, for rendering visible a distant
point, as in geodetic surveying, by reflecting upon it
a beam of light from the sun.
Drumstick \Drum"stick`\, n.
1. A stick with which a drum is beaten.
2. Anything resembling a drumstick in form, as the
tibiotarsus, or second joint, of the leg of a fowl.
Drunk \Drunk\, a. [OE. dronke, drunke, dronken, drunken, AS.
druncen. Orig. the same as drunken, p. p. of drink. See
{Drink}.]
1. Intoxicated with, or as with, strong drink; inebriated;
drunken; -- never used attributively, but always
predicatively; as, the man is drunk (not, a drunk man).
Be not drunk with wine, where in is excess. -- Eph.
v. 18.
Drunk with recent prosperity. --Macaulay.
2. Drenched or saturated with moisture or liquid.
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood. -- Deut.
xxxii. 42.
Drunk \Drunk\, n.
A drunken condition; a spree. [Slang]
Drunkard \Drunk"ard\, n. [Drunk + -ard.]
One who habitually drinks strong liquors immoderately; one
whose habit it is to get drunk; a toper; a sot.
The drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty. --
Prov. xxiii.
21.
Drunken \Drunk"en\, a. [AS. druncen, prop., that has drunk, p.
p. of drincan, taken as active. See {Drink}, v. i., and cf.
{Drunk}.]
1. Overcome by strong drink; intoxicated by, or as by,
spirituous liquor; inebriated.
Drunken men imagine everything turneth round. --
Bacon.
2. Saturated with liquid or moisture; drenched.
Let the earth be drunken with our blood. -- Shak.
3. Pertaining to, or proceeding from, intoxication.
The drunken quarrels of a rake. -- Swift.
Drunkenhead \Drunk"en*head\, n.
Drunkenness. [Obs.]
Drunkenly \Drunk"en*ly\, adv.
In a drunken manner. [R.] --Shak.
Drunkenness \Drunk"en*ness\, n.
1. The state of being drunken with, or as with, alcoholic
liquor; intoxication; inebriety; -- used of the casual
state or the habit.
The Lacedemonians trained up their children to hate
drunkenness by bringing a drunken man into their
company. --I. Watts.
2. Disorder of the faculties, resembling intoxication by
liquors; inflammation; frenzy; rage.
Passion is the drunkenness of the mind. -- South.
Syn: Intoxication; inebriation; inebriety. -- {Drunkenness},
{Intoxication}, {Inebriation}. Drunkenness refers more
to the habit; intoxication and inebriation, to specific
acts. The first two words are extensively used in a
figurative sense; a person is intoxicated with success,
and is drunk with joy. ``This plan of empire was not
taken up in the first intoxication of unexpected
success.'' --Burke.
Drunkenship \Drunk"en*ship\, Drunkship \Drunk"ship\, n.
The state of being drunk; drunkenness. [Obs.] --Gower.
Drupaceous \Dru*pa"ceous\, a. [Cf. F. drupac['e].] (Bot.)
Producing, or pertaining to, drupes; having the form of
drupes; as, drupaceous trees or fruits.
Drupal \Drup"al\, a. (Bot.)
Drupaceous.
Drupe \Drupe\, n. [F. drupe, L. drupa an overripe, wrinkled
olive, fr. Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
A fruit consisting of pulpy, coriaceous, or fibrous exocarp,
without valves, containing a nut or stone with a kernel. The
exocarp is succulent in the plum, cherry, apricot, peach,
etc.; dry and subcoriaceous in the almond; and fibrous in the
cocoanut.
Drupel \Drup"el\, Drupelet \Drupe"let\, n. [Dim. of {Drupe}.]
(Bot.)
A small drupe, as one of the pulpy grains of the blackberry.
Druse \Druse\, n. [Cf. G. druse bonny, crystallized piece of
ore, Bohem. druza. Cf. {Dross}.] (Min.)
A cavity in a rock, having its interior surface studded with
crystals and sometimes filled with water; a geode.
Druse \Druse\, n.
One of a people and religious sect dwelling chiefly in the
Lebanon mountains of Syria.
The Druses separated from the Mohammedan Arabs in the
9th century. Their characteristic dogma is the unity of
God. -- Am. Cyc.
Drusy \Dru"sy\, Drused \Drused\, a. (Min.)
Covered with a large number of minute crystals.
Druxey \Drux"ey\, Druxy \Drux"y\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Having decayed spots or streaks of a whitish color; -- said
of timber. --Weale.
Dry \Dry\, a. [Compar. {Drier}; superl. {Driest}.] [OE. dru?e,
druye, drie, AS. dryge; akin to LG. dr["o]ge, D. droog, OHG.
trucchan, G. trocken, Icel. draugr a dry log. Cf. {Drought},
{Drouth}, 3d {Drug}.]
1. Free from moisture; having little humidity or none; arid;
not wet or moist; deficient in the natural or normal
supply of moisture, as rain or fluid of any kind; -- said
especially:
(a) Of the weather: Free from rain or mist.
The weather, we agreed, was too dry for the
season. --Addison.
(b) Of vegetable matter: Free from juices or sap; not
succulent; not green; as, dry wood or hay.
(c) Of animals: Not giving milk; as, the cow is dry.
(d) Of persons: Thirsty; needing drink.
Give the dry fool drink. -- Shak
(e) Of the eyes: Not shedding tears.
Not a dry eye was to be seen in the assembly. --
Prescott.
(f) (Med.) Of certain morbid conditions, in which there is
entire or comparative absence of moisture; as, dry
gangrene; dry catarrh.
2. Destitute of that which interests or amuses; barren;
unembellished; jejune; plain.
These epistles will become less dry, more
susceptible of ornament. --Pope.
3. Characterized by a quality somewhat severe, grave, or
hard; hence, sharp; keen; shrewd; quaint; as, a dry tone
or manner; dry wit.
He was rather a dry, shrewd kind of body. --W.
Irving.
4. (Fine Arts) Exhibiting a sharp, frigid preciseness of
execution, or the want of a delicate contour in form, and
of easy transition in coloring.
{Dry area} (Arch.), a small open space reserved outside the
foundation of a building to guard it from damp.
{Dry blow}.
(a) (Med.) A blow which inflicts no wound, and causes no
effusion of blood.
(b) A quick, sharp blow.
{Dry bone} (Min.), Smithsonite, or carbonate of zinc; -- a
miner's term.
{Dry castor} (Zo["o]l.) a kind of beaver; -- called also
{parchment beaver}.
{Dry cupping}. (Med.) See under {Cupping}.
{Dry dock}. See under {Dock}.
{Dry fat}. See {Dry vat} (below).
{Dry light}, pure unobstructed light; hence, a clear,
impartial view. --Bacon.
The scientific man must keep his feelings under
stern control, lest they obtrude into his
researches, and color the dry light in which alone
science desires to see its objects. -- J. C.
Shairp.
{Dry masonry}. See {Masonry}.
{Dry measure}, a system of measures of volume for dry or
coarse articles, by the bushel, peck, etc.
{Dry pile} (Physics), a form of the Voltaic pile, constructed
without the use of a liquid, affording a feeble current,
and chiefly useful in the construction of electroscopes of
great delicacy; -- called also {Zamboni's , from the names
of the two earliest constructors of it.
{Dry pipe} (Steam Engine), a pipe which conducts dry steam
from a boiler.
{Dry plate} (Photog.), a glass plate having a dry coating
sensitive to light, upon which photographic negatives or
pictures can be made, without moistening.
{Dry-plate process}, the process of photographing with dry
plates.
{Dry point}. (Fine Arts)
(a) An engraving made with the needle instead of the
burin, in which the work is done nearly as in etching,
but is finished without the use acid.
(b) A print from such an engraving, usually upon paper.
(c) Hence: The needle with which such an engraving is
made.
{Dry rent} (Eng. Law), a rent reserved by deed, without a
clause of distress. --Bouvier.
{Dry rot}, a decay of timber, reducing its fibers to the
condition of a dry powdery dust, often accompanied by the
presence of a peculiar fungus ({Merulius lacrymans}),
which is sometimes considered the cause of the decay; but
it is more probable that the real cause is the
decomposition of the wood itself. --D. C. Eaton. Called
also {sap rot}, and, in the United States, {powder post}.
--Hebert.
{Dry stove}, a hothouse adapted to preserving the plants of
arid climates. --Brande & C.
{Dry vat}, a vat, basket, or other receptacle for dry
articles.
{Dry wine}, that in which the saccharine matter and
fermentation were so exactly balanced, that they have
wholly neutralized each other, and no sweetness is
perceptible; -- opposed to {sweet wine}, in which the
saccharine matter is in excess.
Dry \Dry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Drying}.] [AS. drygan; cf. drugian to grow dry. See {Dry},
a.]
To make dry; to free from water, or from moisture of any
kind, and by any means; to exsiccate; as, to dry the eyes; to
dry one's tears; the wind dries the earth; to dry a wet
cloth; to dry hay.
{To dry up}.
(a) To scorch or parch with thirst; to deprive utterly of
water; to consume.
Their honorable men are famished, and their
multitude dried up with thirst. -- Is. v. 13.
The water of the sea, which formerly covered it,
was in time exhaled and dried up by the sun.
--Woodward.
(b) To make to cease, as a stream of talk.
Their sources of revenue were dried up. -- Jowett
(Thucyd. )
{To dry, or dry up}, {a cow}, to cause a cow to cease
secreting milk. --Tylor.
Dry \Dry\, v. i.
1. To grow dry; to become free from wetness, moisture, or
juice; as, the road dries rapidly.
2. To evaporate wholly; to be exhaled; -- said of moisture,
or a liquid; -- sometimes with up; as, the stream dries,
or dries up.
3. To shrivel or wither; to lose vitality.
And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried
up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
--I Kings
xiii. 4.
Dryad \Dry"ad\, n. [L. dryas, pl. dryades, Gr. ?, pl. ?, fr. ?
oak, tree. See {Tree}.] (Class. Myth.)
A wood nymph; a nymph whose life was bound up with that of
her tree.
Dryandra \Dry*an"dra\, n. [NL. Named after J. Dryander.] (Bot.)
A genus of shrubs growing in Australia, having beautiful,
hard, dry, evergreen leaves.
Dryas \Dry"as\, n.; pl. {Dryades}. [L. See {Dryad}.] (Class.
Myth.)
A dryad.
Dry-beat \Dry"-beat`\, v. t.
To beat severely. -- Shak.
Dry-boned \Dry"-boned`\, a.
Having dry bones, or bones without flesh.
Dry dock \Dry" dock`\ (Naut.)
See under {Dock}.
Dryer \Dry"er\, n.
See {Drier}. --Sir W. Temple.
Dry-eyed \Dry"-eyed`\, a.
Not having tears in the eyes.
Dry-fisted \Dry"-fist`ed\, a.
Niggardly.
Dryfoot \Dry"foot\, n.
The scent of the game, as far as it can be traced. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Dry goods \Dry" goods`\
A commercial name for textile fabrics, cottons, woolens,
linen, silks, laces, etc., -- in distinction from groceries.
[U.S.]
Drying \Dry"ing\, a.
1. Adapted or tending to exhaust moisture; as, a drying wind
or day; a drying room.
2. Having the quality of rapidly becoming dry.
{Drying oil}, an oil which, either naturally or after boiling
with oxide of lead, absorbs oxygen from the air and dries
up rapidly. Drying oils are used as the bases of many
paints and varnishes.
Dryly \Dry"ly\, adv.
In a dry manner; not succulently; without interest; without
sympathy; coldly.
Dryness \Dry"ness\, n.
The state of being dry. See {Dry}.
Dry nurse \Dry" nurse`\
A nurse who attends and feeds a child by hand; -- in
distinction from a wet nurse, who suckles it.
Drynurse \Dry"nurse`\, v. t.
To feed, attend, and bring up without the breast. --Hudibras.
Dryobalanops \Dry`o*bal"a*nops\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? oak + ?
acorn + ? appearance. The fruit remotely resembles an acorn
in its cup.] (Bot.)
The genus to which belongs the single species {D. Camphora},
a lofty resinous tree of Borneo and Sumatra, yielding Borneo
camphor and camphor oil.
Dry-rub \Dry"-rub`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dry-rubbed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dry-rubbing}.]
To rub and cleanse without wetting. --Dodsley.
Drysalter \Dry"salt`er\, n.
A dealer in salted or dried meats, pickles, sauces, etc., and
in the materials used in pickling, salting, and preserving
various kinds of food Hence drysalters usually sell a number
of saline substances and miscellaneous drugs. --Brande & C.
Drysaltery \Dry"salt`er*y\, n.
The articles kept by a drysalter; also, the business of a
drysalter.
Dry-shod \Dry"-shod`\, a.
Without wetting the feet.
Dry-stone \Dry"-stone`\, a.
Constructed of uncemented stone. ``Dry-stone walls.'' --Sir
W. Scott.
Dryth \Dryth\, or Drith \Drith\, n.
Drought. [Obs.] --Tyndale.
Duad \Du"ad\, n. [See {Dyad}.]
A union of two; duality. [R.] --Harris.
Dual \Du"al\, a. [L. dualis, fr. duo two. See {Two}.]
Expressing, or consisting of, the number two; belonging to
two; as, the dual number of nouns, etc., in Greek.
Here you have one half of our dual truth. --Tyndall.
Dualin \Du"a*lin\, n. (Chem.)
An explosive substance consisting essentially of sawdust or
wood pulp, saturated with nitroglycerin and other similar
nitro compounds. It is inferior to dynamite, and is more
liable to explosion.
Dualism \Du"al*ism\, n. [Cf. F. dualisme.]
State of being dual or twofold; a twofold division; any
system which is founded on a double principle, or a twofold
distinction; as:
(a) (Philos.) A view of man as constituted of two original
and independent elements, as matter and spirit. (Theol.)
(b) A system which accepts two gods, or two original
principles, one good and the other evil.
(c) The doctrine that all mankind are divided by the
arbitrary decree of God, and in his eternal
foreknowledge, into two classes, the elect and the
reprobate.
(d) (Physiol.) The theory that each cerebral hemisphere acts
independently of the other.
An inevitable dualism bisects nature, so that each
thing is a half, and suggests another thing to make
it whole. --Emerson.
Dualist \Du"al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. dualiste.]
1. One who believes in dualism; a ditheist.
2. One who administers two offices. -- Fuller.
Dualistic \Du`al*is"tic\, a.
Consisting of two; pertaining to dualism or duality.
{Dualistic} {system or theory} (Chem.), the theory,
originated by Lavoisier and developed by Berzelius, that
all definite compounds are binary in their nature, and
consist of two distinct constituents, themselves simple or
complex, and possessed of opposite chemical or electrical
affinities.
Duality \Du"al"i*ty\, n. [L. dualitas: cf. F. dualit['e].]
The quality or condition of being two or twofold; dual
character or usage.
Duan \Du"an\, n. [Gael. & Ir.]
A division of a poem corresponding to a canto; a poem or
song. [R.]
Duarchy \Du"ar*chy\, n. [Gr. ? two + -archy.]
Government by two persons.
Dub \Dub\ (d[u^]b), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dubbed} (d[u^]bd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dubbing}.] [AS. dubban to strike, beat
(``dubbade his sunu . . . to r[=i]dere.'' --AS. Chron. an.
1086); akin to Icel. dubba; cf. OF. adouber (prob. fr. Icel.)
a chevalier, Icel. dubba til riddara.]
1. To confer knighthood upon; as, the king dubbed his son
Henry a knight.
Note: The conclusion of the ceremony was marked by a tap on
the shoulder with the sword.
2. To invest with any dignity or new character; to entitle;
to call.
A man of wealth is dubbed a man of worth. --Pope.
3. To clothe or invest; to ornament; to adorn. [Obs.]
His diadem was dropped down Dubbed with stones.
--Morte
d'Arthure.
4. To strike, rub, or dress smooth; to dab; as:
(a) To dress with an adz; as, to dub a stick of timber
smooth.
(b) To strike cloth with teasels to raise a nap.
--Halliwell.
(c) To rub or dress with grease, as leather in the process
of cyrrying it. --Tomlinson.
(d) To prepare for fighting, as a gamecock, by trimming
the hackles and cutting off the comb and wattles.
{To dub a fly}, to dress a fishing fly. [Prov. Eng.]
--Halliwell.
{To dub out} (Plastering), to fill out, as an uneven surface,
to a plane, or to carry out a series of small projections.
Dub \Dub\, v. i.
To make a noise by brisk drumbeats. ``Now the drum dubs.''
--Beau. & Fl.
Dub \Dub\, n.
A blow. [R.] --Hudibras.
Dub \Dub\, n. [Cf. Ir. d['o]b mire, stream, W. dwvr water.]
A pool or puddle. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Dubb \Dubb\, n. [Ar.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Syrian bear. See under {Bear}. [Written also {dhubb}, and
{dub}.]
Dubber \Dub"ber\, n.
One who, or that which, dubs.
Dubber \Dub"ber\, n. [Hind. dabbah.]
A globular vessel or bottle of leather, used in India to hold
ghee, oil, etc. [Also written {dupper}.] --M'Culloch.
Dubbing \Dub"bing\, n.
1. The act of dubbing, as a knight, etc.
2. The act of rubbing, smoothing, or dressing; a dressing off
smooth with an adz.
3. A dressing of flour and water used by weavers; a mixture
of oil and tallow for dressing leather; daubing.
4. The body substance of an angler's fly. --Davy.
Dubiety \Du*bi"e*ty\, n.; pl. {Dubieties}. [L. dubietas, fr.
dubius. See {Dubious}.]
Doubtfulness; uncertainty; doubt. [R.] --Lamb. ``The dubiety
of his fate.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Dubiosity \Du`bi*os"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Dubiosities}. [L. dubiosus.]
The state of being doubtful; a doubtful statement or thing.
[R.]
Men often swallow falsities for truths, dubiosities for
certainties, possibilities for feasibilities. --Sir T.
Browne.
Dubious \Du"bi*ous\, a. [L. dubius, dubiosus, fr. duo two. See
{Two}, and cf. {Doubt}.]
1. Doubtful or not settled in opinion; being in doubt;
wavering or fluctuating; undetermined. ``Dubious policy.''
--Sir T. Scott.
A dubious, agitated state of mind. --Thackeray.
2. Occasioning doubt; not clear, or obvious; equivocal;
questionable; doubtful; as, a dubious answer.
Wiping the dingy shirt with a still more dubious
pocket handkerchief. --Thackeray.
3. Of uncertain event or issue; as, in dubious battle.
Syn: Doubtful; doubting; unsettled; undetermined; equivocal;
uncertain. Cf. {Doubtful}.
Dubiously \Du"bi*ous*ly\, adv.
In a dubious manner.
Dubiousness \Du"bi*ous*ness\, n.
State of being dubious.
Dubitable \Du"bi*ta*ble\, a. [L. dubitabilis. Cf. {Doubtable}.]
Liable to be doubted; uncertain. [R.] --Dr. H. More. --
{Du"bi*ta*bly}, adv. [R.]
Dubitancy \Du"bi*tan*cy\, n. [LL. dubitantia.]
Doubt; uncertainty. [R.] --Hammond.
Dubitate \Du"bi*tate\, v. i. [L. dubitatus, p. p. of dubitare.
See {Doubt}.]
To doubt. [R.]
If he . . . were to loiter dubitating, and not come.
--Carlyle.
Dubitation \Du`bi*ta"tion\, n. [L. dubitatio.]
Act of doubting; doubt. [R.] --Sir T. Scott.
Dubitative \Du"bi*ta*tive\, a. [L. dubitativus: cf. F.
dubitatif.]
Tending to doubt; doubtful. [R.] -- {Du"bi*ta*tive*ly}, adv.
[R.] --. Eliot.
Duboisia \Du*bois"i*a\, n. [NL.] (Med.)
Same as {Duboisine}.
Duboisine \Du*bois"ine\, n. (Med.)
An alkaloid obtained from the leaves of an Australian tree
({Duboisia myoporoides}), and regarded as identical with
hyoscyamine. It produces dilation of the pupil of the eye.
Ducal \Du"cal\, a. [F. ducal. See {Duke}.]
Of or pertaining to a duke.
His ducal cap was to be exchanged for a kingly crown.
--Motley.
Ducally \Du"cal*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a duke, or in a manner becoming the rank of
a duke.
Ducat \Duc"at\, n. [F. ducat, It. ducato, LL. ducatus, fr. dux
leader or commander. See {Duke}.]
A coin, either of gold or silver, of several countries in
Europe; originally, one struck in the dominions of a duke.
Note: The gold ducat is generally of the value of nine
shillings and four pence sterling, or somewhat more
that two dollars. The silver ducat is of about half
this value.
Ducatoon \Duc`a*toon"\, n. [F. or Sp. ducaton, fr. ducat.]
A silver coin of several countries of Europe, and of
different values.
Duces tecum \Du"ces te"cum\ [L., bring with thee.]
A judicial process commanding a person to appear in court and
bring with him some piece of evidence or other thing to be
produced to the court.
Duchess \Duch"ess\, n. [F. duchesse, fr. duc duke.]
The wife or widow of a duke; also, a lady who has the
sovereignty of a duchy in her own right.
Duchesse d'Angouleme \Du`chesse" d'An`gou`l[^e]me"\ [F.] (Bot.)
A variety of pear of large size and excellent flavor.
Duchy \Duch"y\ (d[u^]ch"[y^]), n.; pl. {Duchies}. [F. duch['e],
OF. duch['e]e, (assumed) LL. ducitas, fr. L. dux. See
{Duke}.]
The territory or dominions of a duke; a dukedom.
Duck \Duck\ (d[u^]k), n. [Cf. Dan. dukke, Sw. docka, OHG.
doccha, G. docke. Cf. {Doxy}.]
A pet; a darling. --Shak.
Duck \Duck\, n. [D. doek cloth, canvas, or Icel. d[=u]kr cloth;
akin to OHG. tuoh, G. tuch, Sw. duk, Dan. dug.]
1. A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter
than canvas, -- used for the lighter sails of vessels, the
sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
2. (Naut.) pl. The light clothes worn by sailors in hot
climates. [Colloq.]
Duck \Duck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ducked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Ducking}.] [OE. duken, douken, to dive; akin to D. duiken,
OHG. t?hhan, MHG. tucken, t["u]cken, t?chen, G. tuchen. Cf.
5th {Duck}.]
1. To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and
suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice,
leaped out of the tub. --Fielding.
2. To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing
it; as, duck the boy.
3. To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward
motion. `` Will duck his head aside.'' --Swift.
Duck \Duck\ (d[u^]k), v. i.
1. To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear;
to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to
dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day. --Dryden.
2. To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pate Ducks to the golden fool. --Shak.
Duck \Duck\, n. [OE. duke, doke. See {Duck}, v. t. ]
1. (Zool.) Any bird of the subfamily {Anatin[ae]}, family
{Anatid[ae]}.
Note: The genera and species are numerous. They are divided
into {river ducks} and {sea ducks}. Among the former
are the common domestic duck ({Anas boschas}); the wood
duck ({Aix sponsa}); the beautiful mandarin duck of
China ({Dendronessa galeriliculata}); the Muscovy duck,
originally of South America ({Cairina moschata}). Among
the sea ducks are the eider, canvasback, scoter, etc.
2. A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the
person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod, Other trippings to be
trod. --Milton.
{Bombay duck} (Zo["o]l.), a fish. See {Bummalo}.
{Buffel duck}, or {Spirit duck}. See {Buffel duck}.
{Duck ant} (Zo["o]l.), a species of white ant in Jamaica
which builds large nests in trees.
{Duck barnacle}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Goose barnacle}.
{Duck hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) In the United States: The peregrine falcon.
(b) In England: The marsh harrier or moor buzzard.
{Duck mole} (Zo["o]l.), a small aquatic mammal of Australia,
having webbed feet and a bill resembling that of a duck
({Ornithorhynchus anatinus}). It belongs the subclass
Monotremata and is remarkable for laying eggs like a bird
or reptile; -- called also {duckbill}, {platypus},
{mallangong}, {mullingong}, {tambreet}, and {water mole}.
{To make ducks and drakes}, to throw a flat stone obliquely,
so as to make it rebound repeatedly from the surface of
the water, raising a succession of jets
; hence:
{To play at ducks and drakes}, with property, to throw it
away heedlessly or squander it foolishly and unprofitably.
{Lame duck}. See under {Lame}.
Duckbill \Duck"bill`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Duck mole}, under {Duck}, n.
Duck-billed \Duck"-billed`\, a.
Having a bill like that of a duck.
.
Ducker \Duck"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, ducks; a plunger; a diver.
2. A cringing, servile person; a fawner.
Ducking \Duck"ing\,
n. & a., from {Duck}, v. t. & i.
{Ducking stool}, a stool or chair in which common scolds were
formerly tied, and plunged into water, as a punishment.
See {Cucking stool}. The practice of ducking began in the
latter part of the 15th century, and prevailed until the
early part of the 18th, and occasionally as late as the
19th century. --Blackstone. Chambers.
Duck-legged \Duck"-legged`\, a.
Having short legs, like a waddling duck; short-legged.
--Dryden.
Duckling \Duck"ling\, n.
A young or little duck. --Gay.
Duckmeat \Duck"meat`\, or Duck's-meat \Duck's"-meat`\, n. (Bot.)
Duckweed.
Duck's-bill \Duck's"-bill`\, a.
Having the form of a duck's bill.
{Duck's-bill limpet} (Zo["o]l.), a limpet of the genus
{Parmaphorus}; -- so named from its shape.
Duck's-foot \Duck's"-foot`\, n. (Bot.)
The May apple ({Podophyllum peltatum}).
Duckweed \Duck"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus ({Lemna}) of small plants, seen floating in great
quantity on the surface of stagnant pools fresh water, and
supposed to furnish food for ducks; -- called also
{duckmeat}.
Duct \Duct\, n. [L. ductus a leading, conducting, conduit, fr.
ducere, ductum, to lead. See {Duke}, and cf. {Douche}.]
1. Any tube or canal by which a fluid or other substance is
conducted or conveyed.
2. (Anat.) One of the vessels of an animal body by which the
products of glandular secretion are conveyed to their
destination.
3. (Bot.) A large, elongated cell, either round or prismatic,
usually found associated with woody fiber.
Note: Ducts are classified, according to the character of the
surface of their walls, or their structure, as annular,
spiral, scalariform, etc.
4. Guidance; direction. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Ductible \Duc"ti*ble\, a.
Capable of being drawn out [R.] --Feltham.
Ductile \Duc"tile\, a. [L. ductilis, fr. ducere to lead: cf. F.
ductile. See {Duct}.]
1. Easily led; tractable; complying; yielding to motives,
persuasion, or instruction; as, a ductile people.
--Addison.
Forms their ductile minds To human virtues.
--Philips.
2. Capable of being elongated or drawn out, as into wire or
threads.
Gold . . . is the softest and most ductile of all
metals. --Dryden.
-- {Duc"tile*ly}, adv. -- {Duc"tile*ness}, n.
Ductilimeter \Duc`ti*lim"e*ter\, n. [Ductile + -meter.]
An instrument for accurately determining the ductility of
metals.
Ductility \Duc*til"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. ductilit['e].]
1. The property of a metal which allows it to be drawn into
wires or filaments.
2. Tractableness; pliableness. --South.
Duction \Duc"tion\, n. [L. ductio, fr. ducere to lead.]
Guidance. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Ductless \Duct"less\, a.
Having to duct or outlet; as, a ductless gland.
Ductor \Duc"tor\, n. [L., fr. ducere to lead.]
1. One who leads. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. (Mach.) A contrivance for removing superfluous ink or
coloring matter from a roller. See {Doctor}, 4. --Knight.
{Ductor roller} (Printing), the roller which conveys or
supplies ink to another roller. --Knight.
Ducture \Duc"ture\, n.
Guidance. [Obs.] --South.
Dudder \Dud"der\, v. t. [In Suffolk, Eng., to shiver, shake,
tremble; also written dodder.]
To confuse or confound with noise. --Jennings.
Dudder \Dud"der\, v. i.
To shiver or tremble; to dodder.
I dudder and shake like an aspen leaf. --Ford.
Dudder \Dud"der\, n. [From {Duds}.]
A peddler or hawker, especially of cheap and flashy goods
pretended to be smuggled; a duffer. [Eng.]
Duddery \Dud"der*y\, n.
A place where rags are bought and kept for sale. [Eng.]
Dude \Dude\, n.
A kind of dandy; especially, one characterized by an
ultrafashionable style of dress and other affectations.
[Recent]
The social dude who affects English dress and English
drawl. --The
American.
Dudeen \Du*deen"\, n.
A short tobacco pipe. [Written also {dudheen}.] [Irish]
Dudgeon \Dudg"eon\, n.
1. The root of the box tree, of which hafts for daggers were
made. --Gerarde (1597).
2. The haft of a dagger. --Shak.
3. A dudgeon-hafted dagger; a dagger. --Hudibras.
Dudgeon \Dudg"eon\, n. [W. dygen anger, grudge.]
Resentment; ill will; anger; displeasure.
I drink it to thee in dudgeon and hostility.
Sir T. Scott.
Dudgeon \Dudg"eon\, a.
Homely; rude; coarse. [Obs.]
By my troth, though I am plain and dudgeon, I would not
be an ass. --Beau. & Fl.
Dudish \Dud"ish\, a.
Like, or characterized of, a dude.
Duds \Duds\, n. pl. [Scot. dud rag, pl. duds clothing of
inferior quality.]
1. Old or inferior clothes; tattered garments. [Colloq.]
2. Effects, in general.[Slang]
Due \Due\, a. [OF. deu, F. d[^u], p. p. of devoir to owe, fr. L.
debere. See {Debt}, {Habit}, and cf. {Duty}.]
1. Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid or done to or for
another; payable; owing and demandable.
2. Justly claimed as a right or property; proper; suitable;
becoming; appropriate; fit.
Her obedience, which is due to me. --Shak.
With dirges due, in sad array, Slow through the
churchway path we saw him borne. --Gray.
3. Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation;
proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as,
due process of law; due service; in due time.
4. Appointed or required to arrive at a given time; as, the
steamer was due yesterday.
5. Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
This effect is due to the attraction of the sun.
--J. D.
Forbes.
Due \Due\, adv.
Directly; exactly; as, a due east course.
Due \Due\, n.
1. That which is owed; debt; that which one contracts to pay,
or do, to or for another; that which belongs or may be
claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality
requires to be done; a fee; a toll.
He will give the devil his due. --Shak.
Yearly little dues of wheat, and wine, and oil.
--Tennyson.
2. Right; just title or claim.
The key of this infernal pit by due . . . I keep.
--Milton.
Due \Due\, v. t.
To endue. [Obs.] --Shak.
Duebill \Due"bill`\, n. (Com.)
A brief written acknowledgment of a debt, not made payable to
order, like a promissory note. --Burrill.
Dueful \Due"ful\, a.
Fit; becoming. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Duel \Du"el\, n. [It. duello, fr. L. duellum, orig., a contest
between two, which passed into the common form bellum war,
fr. duo two: cf. F. duel. See {Bellicose}, {Two}, and cf.
{Duello}.]
A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by
agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an
affront given by one to the other.
{Trial by duel} (Old Law), a combat between two persons for
proving a cause; trial by battel.
Duel \Du"el\, v. i. & t.
To fight in single combat. [Obs.]
Dueler \Du"el*er\, n.
One who engages in a duel. [R.] [Written also {dueller}.]
--South.
Dueling \Du"el*ing\, n.
The act or practice of fighting in single combat. Also adj.
[Written also {duelling}.]
Duelist \Du"el*ist\, n. [F. duelliste.]
One who fights in single combat. [Written also {duellist}.]
A duelist . . . always values himself upon his courage,
his sense of honor, his fidelity and friendship.
--Hume.
Duelo \Du*e"lo\, n. [It. See {Duel}.]
A duel; also, the rules of dueling. [Obs.] --Shak.
Duena \Du*e"[~n]a\, n. [Sp.]
See {Do[~n]a}.
Dueness \Due"ness\, n.
Quality of being due; debt; what is due or becoming. --T.
Goodwin.
Duenna \Du*en"na\, n.; pl. {Duennas}. [Sp. due[~n]a, do[~n]a,
fr. L. domina. See {Dame}.]
1. The chief lady in waiting on the queen of Spain. --Brande.
2. An elderly lady holding a station between a governess and
companion, and appointed to have charge over the younger
ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family. --Brande & C.
3. Any old woman who is employed to guard a younger one; a
governess. --Arbuthnot.
Duet \Du*et"\, n. [{Duetto}.] (Mus.)
A composition for two performers, whether vocal or
instrumental.
Duettino \Du`et*ti"no\, n. [It ., dim. fr. duetto a duet.]
A duet of short extent and concise form.
Duetto \Du*et"to\, n. [It., fr. It & L. duo two. See {Two}.]
See {Duet}.
Duff \Duff\ (d[u^]f), n. [From OE. dagh. [root]67. See {Dough}.]
1. Dough or paste. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
2. A stiff flour pudding, boiled in a bag; -- a term used
especially by seamen; as, plum duff.
Duffel \Duf"fel\, n. [D. duffel, from Duffel, a town not far
from Antwerp.]
A kind of coarse woolen cloth, having a thick nap or frieze.
[Written also {duffle}.]
Good duffel gray and flannel fine. -- Wordsworth.
Duffer \Duf"fer\, n.
1. A peddler or hawker, especially of cheap, flashy articles,
as sham jewelry; hence, a sham or cheat. [Slang, Eng.]
--Halliwell.
2. A stupid, awkward, inefficient person.[Slang]
Duffle \Duf"fle\, n.
See {Duffel}.
Dufrenite \Du*fren"ite\, n. [From ??ierre Armand Dufr['e]noy, a
French geologist.] (Min.)
A mineral of a blackish green color, commonly massive or in
nodules. It is a hydrous phosphate of iron.
Dug \Dug\, n. [Akin to Sw. d["a]gga to suckle (a child), Dan.
d[ae]gge, and prob. to Goth. daddjan. ???.]
A teat, pap, or nipple; -- formerly that of a human mother,
now that of a cow or other beast.
With mother's dug between its lips. --Shak.
Dug \Dug\, imp. & p. p.
of {Dig}.
Dugong \Du*gong"\, n. [Malayan d?y?ng, or Javan. duyung.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An aquatic herbivorous mammal ({Halicore dugong}), of the
order Sirenia, allied to the manatee, but with a bilobed
tail. It inhabits the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, East Indies, and
Australia. [Written also {duyong}.]
Dugout \Dug"out`\, n.
1. A canoe or boat dug out from a large log. [U.S.]
A man stepped from his slender dugout. -- G. W.
Cable.
2. A place dug out.
3. A house made partly in a hillside or slighter elevation.
[Western U.S.] --Bartlett.
Dugway \Dug"way`\, n.
A way or road dug through a hill, or sunk below the surface
of the land. [U.S.]
Duke \Duke\n. [F. duc, fr. L. dux, ducis, leader, commander, fr.
ducere to lead; akin to AS. te['o]n to draw; cf. AS. heretoga
(here army) an army leader, general, G. herzog duke. See
{Tue}, and cf. {Doge}, {Duchess}, {Ducat}, {Duct}, {Adduce},
{Deduct}.]
1. A leader; a chief; a prince. [Obs.]
Hannibal, duke of Carthage. --Sir T.
Elyot.
All were dukes once, who were ``duces'' -- captains
or leaders of their people. --Trench.
2. In England, one of the highest order of nobility after
princes and princesses of the royal blood and the four
archbishops of England and Ireland.
3. In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without
the title of king.
{Duke's coronet}. See {Illust}. of {Coronet}.
{To dine with Duke Humphrey}, to go without dinner. See under
{Dine}.
Duke \Duke\, v. i.
To play the duke. [Poetic]
Lord Angelo dukes it well in his absence. -- Shak.
Dukedom \Duke"dom\, n.
1. The territory of a duke.
2. The title or dignity of a duke. --Shak.
Dukeling \Duke"ling\, n.
A little or insignificant duke. --Ford.
Dukeship \Duke"ship\, n.
The quality or condition of being a duke; also, the
personality of a duke. --Massinger.
Dulcamara \Dul`ca*ma"ra\, n. [NL., fr. L. dulcis sweet + amarus
bitter.] (Bot.)
A plant ({Solanum Dulcamara}). See {Bittersweet}, n., 3
(a) .
Dulcamarin \Dul`ca*ma"rin\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from the bittersweet ({Solanum
Dulcamara}), as a yellow amorphous substance. It probably
occasions the compound taste. See {Bittersweet}, 3
(a) .
Dulce \Dulce\, v. t.
To make sweet; to soothe. [Obs.]
Dulceness \Dulce"ness\, n.
Sweetness. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Dulcet \Dul"cet\, a. [OF. doucet, dim. of dous sweet, F. doux,
L. dulcis; akin to Gr. ? . Cf. {Doucet}.]
1. Sweet to the taste; luscious. [Obs.]
She tempers dulcet creams. --Milton.
2. Sweet to the ear; melodious; harmonious.
Their dainty lays and dulcet melody. --Spenser.
Dulciana \Dul`ci*an"a\, n. [NL., fr. L. dulcis sweet.] (Mus.)
A sweet-toned stop of an organ.
Dulcification \Dul`ci*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. dulcification.]
The act of dulcifying or sweetening. --Boyle.
Dulcified \Dul"ci*fied\, a.
Sweetened; mollified.
{Dulcified spirit} or {spirits}, a compound of alcohol with
mineral acids; as, dulcified spirits of niter.
Dulcifluous \Dul*cif"lu*ous\, a. [L. dulcis sweet + fluere to
flow.]
Flowing sweetly. [R.]
Dulcify \Dul"ci*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dulcified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dulcifying}.] [L. dulcis sweet + -fy: cf. F.
dulcifier.]
1. (Pharm.) To sweeten; to free from acidity, saltness, or
acrimony. --Wiseman.
2. Fig. : To mollify; to sweeten; to please.
As she . . . was further dulcified by her pipe of
tobacco. --Hawthorne.
Dulciloquy \Dul*cil"o*quy\, n. [L. dulcis sweet + loqui to
speak.]
A soft manner of speaking.
Dulcimer \Dul"ci*mer\, n. [It. dolcemele,r Sp. dulcemele, fr. L.
dulcis sweet + melos song, melody, Gr. ?; cf. OF. doulcemele.
See {Dulcet}, and {Melody}.] (Mus.)
(a) An instrument, having stretched metallic wires which are
beaten with two light hammers held in the hands of the
performer.
(b) An ancient musical instrument in use among the Jews.
--Dan. iii. 5. It is supposed to be the same with the
psaltery.
Dulcinea \Dul*cin"e*a\, n. [Sp., from Dulcinea del Toboso the
mistress of the affections of Don {Quixote}.]
A mistress; a sweetheart.
I must ever have some Dulcinea in my head. --Sterne.
Dulciness \Dul"ci*ness\, n.
See D{ulceness}. [Obs.]
Dulcite \Dul"cite\, n. [Cf. F. dulcite, fr. L. dulcis sweet.]
(Chem.)
A white, sugarlike substance, {C6H8.(OH)2}, occurring
naturally in a manna from Madagascar, and in certain plants,
and produced artificially by the reduction of galactose and
lactose or milk sugar.
Dulcino \Dul*ci"no\, n. (Mus.)
See {Dolcino}.
Dulcitude \Dul"ci*tude\, n. [L. dulcitudo, fr. dulcis sweet.
Sweetness. [R.] --Cockeram.
Dulcorate \Dul"co*rate\, v. t. [L. dulcoratus, p. p. of
dulcorare, fr. dulcor sweetness, fr. dulcis sweet.]
To sweeten; to make less acrimonious. [R.] --Bacon.
Dulcoration \Dul`co*ra"tion\, n. [LL. dulcoratio.]
The act of sweetening. [R.] --Bacon.
Duledge \Du"ledge\, n. (Mil.)
One of the dowels joining the ends of the fellies which form
the circle of the wheel of a gun carriage. --Wilhelm.
Dulia \Du*li"a\, n. [LL., fr. Gr. ? servitude, fr. ? slave.] (R.
C. Ch.)
An inferior kind of veneration or worship, given to the
angels and saints as the servants of God.
Dull \Dull\, a. [Compar. {Duller}; superl. {Dullest}.] [AS. dol
foolish; akin to gedwelan to err, D. dol mad, dwalen to
wander, err, G. toll mad, Goth. dwals foolish, stupid, cf.
Gr. ? turbid, troubled, Skr. dhvr to cause to fall. Cf.
{Dolt}, {Dwale}, {Dwell}, {Fraud}.]
1. Slow of understanding; wanting readiness of apprehension;
stupid; doltish; blockish. ``Dull at classical learning.''
--Thackeray.
She is not bred so dull but she can learn. --Shak.
2. Slow in action; sluggish; unready; awkward.
This people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing. --Matt. xiii.
15.
O, help my weak wit and sharpen my dull tongue.
--Spenser.
3. Insensible; unfeeling.
Think me not So dull a devil to forget the loss Of
such a matchless wife. -- Beau. & Fl.
4. Not keen in edge or point; lacking sharpness; blunt. ``Thy
scythe is dull.'' --Herbert.
5. Not bright or clear to the eye; wanting in liveliness of
color or luster; not vivid; obscure; dim; as, a dull fire
or lamp; a dull red or yellow; a dull mirror.
6. Heavy; gross; cloggy; insensible; spiritless; lifeless;
inert. ``The dull earth.'' --Shak.
As turning the logs will make a dull fire burn, so
changes of study a dull brain. -- Longfellow.
7. Furnishing little delight, spirit, or variety;
uninteresting; tedious; cheerless; gloomy; melancholy;
depressing; as, a dull story or sermon; a dull occupation
or period; hence, cloudy; overcast; as, a dull day.
Along life's dullest, dreariest walk. -- Keble.
Syn: Lifeless; inanimate; dead; stupid; doltish; heavy;
sluggish; sleepy; drowsy; gross; cheerless; tedious;
irksome; dismal; dreary; clouded; tarnished; obtuse. See
{Lifeless}.
Dull \Dull\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Duller}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dulling}.]
1. To deprive of sharpness of edge or point. ``This . . .
dulled their swords.'' --Bacon.
Borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. --Shak.
2. To make dull, stupid, or sluggish; to stupefy, as the
senses, the feelings, the perceptions, and the like.
Those [drugs] she has Will stupefy and dull the
sense a while. --Shak.
Use and custom have so dulled our eyes. --Trench.
3. To render dim or obscure; to sully; to tarnish. ``Dulls
the mirror.'' --Bacon.
4. To deprive of liveliness or activity; to render heavy; to
make inert; to depress; to weary; to sadden.
Attention of mind . . . wasted or dulled through
continuance. --Hooker.
Dull \Dull\, v. i.
To become dull or stupid. --Rom. of R.
Dullard \Dull"ard\, n. [Dull + -ard.]
A stupid person; a dunce. --Shak. -- a. Stupid. --Bp. Hall.
Dull-brained \Dull"-brained`\, a.
Stupid; doltish. --Shak.
Dull-browed \Dull"-browed`\, a.
Having a gloomy look.
Duller \Dull"er\, n.
One who, or that which, dulls.
Dull-eyed \Dull"-eyed`\, a.
Having eyes wanting brightness, liveliness, or vivacity.
--Shak.
Dullhead \Dull"head`\, n.
A blockhead; a dolt. --Ascham.
Dullish \Dull"ish\, a.
Somewhat dull; uninteresting; tiresome. ``A series of dullish
verses.'' --Prof. Wilson.
Dullness \Dull"ness\, n.
The state of being dull; slowness; stupidity; heaviness;
drowsiness; bluntness; obtuseness; dimness; want of luster;
want of vividness, or of brightness. [Written also
{dulness}.]
And gentle dullness ever loves a joke. --Pope.
Dull-sighted \Dull"-sight`ed\, a.
Having poor eyesight.
Dullsome \Dull"some\, a.
Dull. [R.] --Gataker.
Dull-witted \Dull"-wit`ted\, a.
Stupid.
Dully \Dul"ly\, adv.
In a dull manner; stupidly; slowly; sluggishly; without life
or spirit.
Supinely calm and dully innocent. -- G.
Lyttelton.
Dulocracy \Du*loc"ra*cy\, n.
See {Doulocracy}.
Dulse \Dulse\ (d[u^]ls), n. [Cf. Gael. duileasg; duille leaf +
uisge water. Cf. {Whisky}.] (Bot.)
A seaweed of a reddish brown color, which is sometimes eaten,
as in Scotland. The true dulse is {Sarcophyllis edulis}; the
common is {Rhodymenia}. [Written also {dillisk.}]
The crimson leaf of the dulse is seen To blush like a
banner bathed in slaughter. --Percival.
Dulwilly \Dul"wil*ly\, n. [Prob. imitative.] (Zo["o]l.)
The ring plover. [Prov. Eng.]
Duly \Du"ly\, adv.
In a due, fit, or becoming manner; as it (anything) ought to
be; properly; regularly.
Dumal \Du"mal\, a. [L. dumus bramble.]
Pertaining to, or set with, briers or bushes; brambly. [R.]
Dumb \Dumb\, a. [AS. dumb; akin to D. dom stupid, dumb, Sw.
dumb, Goth. dumbs; cf. Gr. ? blind. See {Deaf}, and cf.
{Dummy}.]
1. Destitute of the power of speech; unable; to utter
articulate sounds; as, the dumb brutes.
To unloose the very tongues even of dumb creatures.
--Hooker.
2. Not willing to speak; mute; silent; not speaking; not
accompanied by words; as, dumb show.
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. --Shak.
To pierce into the dumb past. -- J. C.
Shairp.
3. Lacking brightness or clearness, as a color. [R.]
Her stern was painted of a dumb white or dun color.
--De Foe.
{Deaf and dumb}. See {Deaf-mute}.
{Dumb ague}, or {Dumb chill}, a form of intermittent fever
which has no well-defined ``chill.'' [U.S.]
{Dumb animal}, any animal except man; -- usually restricted
to a domestic quadruped; -- so called in contradistinction
to man, who is a ``speaking animal.''
{Dumb cake}, a cake made in silence by girls on St. Mark's
eve, with certain mystic ceremonies, to discover their
future husbands. --Halliwell.
{Dumb cane} (Bot.), a west Indian plant of the Arum family
({Dieffenbachia seguina}), which, when chewed, causes the
tongue to swell, and destroys temporarily the power of
speech.
{Dumb crambo}. See under {crambo}.
{Dumb show}.
(a) Formerly, a part of a dramatic representation, shown
in pantomime. ``Inexplicable dumb shows and noise.''
--Shak.
(b) Signs and gestures without words; as, to tell a story
in dumb show.
{To strike dumb}, to confound; to astonish; to render silent
by astonishment; or, it may be, to deprive of the power of
speech.
Syn: Silent; speechless; noiseless. See {Mute}.
Dumb \Dumb\, v. t.
To put to silence. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dumb-bell \Dumb"-bell`\, n.
A weight, consisting of two spheres or spheroids, connected
by a short bar for a handle; used (often in pairs) for
gymnastic exercise.
Dumbledor \Dum"ble*dor`\, n. [The first part is prob. of
imitative origin. See {Dor} a beetle.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bumblebee; also, a cockchafer. [Prov. Eng.]
Dumbly \Dumb"ly\, adv.
In silence; mutely.
Dumbness \Dumb"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being dumb; muteness; silence;
inability to speak.
Dumb-waiter \Dumb"-wait`er\, n.
A framework on which dishes, food, etc., are passed from one
room or story of a house to another; a lift for dishes, etc.;
also, a piece of furniture with movable or revolving shelves.
Dumetose \Du"me*tose`\, a. [From L. dumetum a thicket.] (Bot.)
Dumose.
Dumfound \Dum"found`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dumfounded}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Dumfounding}.]
To strike dumb; to confuse with astonishment. [Written also
{dumbfound}.] --Spectator.
Dumfounder \Dum"found`er\, v. t.
To dumfound; to confound. [Written also {dumbfounder}.]
Dummador \Dum"ma*dor`\, n.
A dumbledor.
Dummerer \Dum"mer*er\, n.
One who feigns dumbness. [Obs.] --Burton.
Dummy \Dum"my\, a. [See {Dumb}.]
1. Silent; mute; noiseless; as a dummy engine.
2. Fictitious or sham; feigned; as, a dummy watch.
{Dummy car}. See under {Car}.
Dummy \Dum"my\, n.; pl. {Dummies}.
1. One who is dumb. --H. Smith.
2. A sham package in a shop, or one which does not contain
what its exterior indicates.
3. An imitation or copy of something, to be used as a
substitute; a model; a lay figure; as, a figure on which
clothing is exhibited in shop windows; a blank paper copy
used to show the size of the future book, etc.
4. (Drama) One who plays a merely nominal part in any action;
a sham character.
5. A thick-witted person; a dolt. [Colloq.]
6. (Railroad) A locomotive with condensing engines, and,
hence, without the noise of escaping steam; also, a dummy
car.
7. (Card Playing) The fourth or exposed hand when three
persons play at a four-handed game of cards.
8. A floating barge connected with a pier. --Knight.
{To play dummy}, to play the exposed or dummy hand in cards.
The partner of the dummy plays it.
Dumose \Du`mose"\, Dumous \Du"mous\, a. [L. dumosus, fr. dumus a
thornbush, a bramble.]
1. Abounding with bushes and briers.
2. (Bot.) Having a compact, bushy form.
Dump \Dump\, n. [See {Dumpling}.]
A thick, ill-shapen piece; a clumsy leaden counter used by
boys in playing chuck farthing. [Eng.] --Smart.
Dump \Dump\, n. [Cf. dial. Sw. dumpin melancholy, Dan. dump
dull, low, D. dompig damp, G. dumpf damp, dull, gloomy, and
E. damp, or rather perh. dump, v. t. Cf. {Damp}, or {Dump},
v. t.]
1. A dull, gloomy state of the mind; sadness; melancholy; low
spirits; despondency; ill humor; -- now used only in the
plural.
March slowly on in solemn dump. --Hudibras.
Doleful dumps the mind oppress. --Shak.
I was musing in the midst of my dumps. --Bunyan.
Note: The ludicrous associations now attached to this word
did not originally belong to it. ``Holland's
translation of Livy represents the Romans as being `in
the dumps' after the battle of Cann[ae].'' --Trench.
2. Absence of mind; revery. --Locke.
3. A melancholy strain or tune in music; any tune. [Obs.]
``Tune a deploring dump.'' ``Play me some merry dump.''
--Shak.
4. An old kind of dance. [Obs.] --Nares.
Dump \Dump\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dumped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dumping}.] [OE. dumpen to throw down, fall down, cf. Icel.
dumpa to thump, Dan. dumpe to fall suddenly, rush, dial. Sw.
dimpa to fall down plump. Cf. {Dump} sadness.]
1. To knock heavily; to stump. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
2. To put or throw down with more or less of violence; hence,
to unload from a cart by tilting it; as, to dump sand,
coal, etc. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
{Dumping car} or {cart}, a railway car, or a cart, the body
of which can be tilted to empty the contents; -- called
also {dump car}, or {dump cart}.
Dump \Dump\, n.
1. A car or boat for dumping refuse, etc.
2. A ground or place for dumping ashes, refuse, etc.
3. That which is dumped.
4. (Mining) A pile of ore or rock.
Dumpage \Dump"age\, n.
1. The act of dumping loads from carts, especially loads of
refuse matter; also, a heap of dumped matter.
2. A fee paid for the privilege of dumping loads.
Dumpiness \Dump"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dumpy.
Dumpish \Dump"ish\, a.
Dull; stupid; sad; moping; melancholy. `` A . . . dumpish and
sour life.'' --Lord Herbert. -- {Dump"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Dump"ish*ness}, n.
Dumple \Dum"ple\, v. t. [See {Dumpling}.]
To make dumpy; to fold, or bend, as one part over another.
[R.]
He was a little man, dumpled up together. --Sir W.
Scott.
Dumpling \Dump"ling\, n. [Dimin. of dump an illshapen piece; cf.
D. dompelen to plunge, dip, duck, Scot. to dump in to plunge
into, and E. dump, v. t.]
A roundish mass of dough boiled in soup, or as a sort of
pudding; often, a cover of paste inclosing an apple or other
fruit, and boiled or baked; as, an apple dumpling.
Dumpy \Dump"y\, a. [Compar. {Dumpier}; superl. {Dumpiest}.] [
1. From {Dump} a short ill-shapen piece.
2. From {Dump} sadness.]
1. Short and thick; of low stature and disproportionately
stout.
2. Sullen or discontented. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Dun \Dun\, n. [See {Dune}.]
A mound or small hill.
Dun \Dun\, v. t.
To cure, as codfish, in a particular manner, by laying them,
after salting, in a pile in a dark place, covered with salt
grass or some like substance.
Dun \Dun\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Dunned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dunning}.] [AS. dyne noise, dynian to make a noise, or fr.
Icel. dynr, duna, noise, thunder, duna to thunder; the same
word as E. din. ???. See {Din}.]
To ask or beset, as a debtor, for payment; to urge
importunately.
Hath she sent so soon to dun? --Swift.
Dun \Dun\, n.
1. One who duns; a dunner.
To be pulled by the sleeve by some rascally dun.
--Arbuthnot.
2. An urgent request or demand of payment; as, he sent his
debtor a dun.
Dun \Dun\, a. [AS. dunn. of Celtic origin; cf. W. dwn, Ir. &
Gael. donn.]
Of a dark color; of a color partaking of a brown and black;
of a dull brown color; swarthy.
Summer's dun cloud comes thundering up. -- Pierpont.
Chill and dun Falls on the moor the brief November day.
--Keble.
{Dun crow} (Zo["o]l.), the hooded crow; -- so called from its
color; -- also called {hoody}, and {hoddy}.
{Dun diver} (Zo["o]l.), the goosander or merganser.
Dunbird \Dun"bird`\, n. [Named from its color.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pochard; -- called also {dunair}, and {dunker}, or
{dun-curre}.
(b) An American duck; the ruddy duck.
Dunce \Dunce\, n. [From Joannes Duns Scotus, a schoolman called
the Subtle Doctor, who died in 1308. Originally in the phrase
``a Duns man''. See Note below.]
One backward in book learning; a child or other person dull
or weak in intellect; a dullard; a dolt.
I never knew this town without dunces of figure.
--Swift.
Note: The schoolmen were often called, after their great
leader Duns Scotus, Dunsmen or Duncemen. In the revival
of learning they were violently opposed to classical
studies; hence, the name of Dunce was applied with
scorn and contempt to an opposer of learning, or to one
slow at learning, a dullard.
Duncedom \Dunce"dom\, n.
The realm or domain of dunces. [Jocose] --Carlyle.
Duncery \Dun"cer*y\, n.
Dullness; stupidity.
Duncical \Dun"ci*cal\, a.
Like a dunce; duncish.
The most dull and duncical commissioner. -- Fuller.
Duncify \Dun"ci*fy\, v. t. [Dunce + -fy.]
To make stupid in intellect. [R.] --Bp. Warburton.
Duncish \Dun"cish\, a.
Somewhat like a dunce. [R.] -- {Dun"cish*ness}, n. [R.]
Dunder \Dun"der\, n. [Cf. Sp. redundar to overflow.]
The lees or dregs of cane juice, used in the distillation of
rum. [West Indies]
The use of dunder in the making of rum answers the
purpose of yeast in the fermentation of flour. --B.
Edwards.
Dunderhead \Dun"der*head`\, n. [Prov. Eng. also dunderpoll, from
dunder, same as thunder.]
A dunce; a numskull; a blockhead. --Beau. & Fl.
Dunder-headed \Dun"der-head`ed\, a.
Thick-headed; stupid.
Dunderpate \Dun"der*pate`\, n.
See {Dunderhead}.
Dune \Dune\, n. [The same word as down: cf. D. duin. See {Down}
a bank of sand.]
A low hill of drifting sand usually formed on the coats, but
often carried far inland by the prevailing winds. [Written
also {dun}.]
Three great rivers, the Rhine, the Meuse, and the
Scheldt, had deposited their slime for ages among the
dunes or sand banks heaved up by the ocean around their
mouths. --Motley.
Dunfish \Dun"fish\, n.
Codfish cured in a particular manner, so as to be of a
superior quality.
Dung \Dung\, n. [AS. dung; akin to G. dung, d["u]nger, OHG.
tunga, Sw. dynga; cf. Icel. dyngja heap, Dan. dynge, MHG.
tunc underground dwelling place, orig., covered with dung.
Cf. {Dingy}.]
The excrement of an animal. --Bacon.
Dung \Dung\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dunged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dunging}.]
1. To manure with dung. --Dryden.
2. (Calico Print.) To immerse or steep, as calico, in a bath
of hot water containing cow dung; -- done to remove the
superfluous mordant.
Dung \Dung\, v. i.
To void excrement. --Swift.
Dungaree \Dun`ga*ree"\, n.
A coarse kind of unbleached cotton stuff. [Written also
{dungari}.] [India]
Dungeon \Dun"geon\, n. [OE. donjoun highest tower of a castle,
tower, prison, F. donjon tower or platform in the midst of a
castle, turret, or closet on the top of a house, a keep of a
castle, LL. domnio, the same word as LL. dominus lord. See
{Dame}, {Don}, and cf. {Dominion}, {Domain}, {Demesne},
{Danger}, {Donjon}.]
A close, dark prison, common?, under ground, as if the lower
apartments of the donjon or keep of a castle, these being
used as prisons.
Down with him even into the deep dungeon. -- Tyndale.
Year after year he lay patiently in a dungeon. --
Macaulay.
Dungeon \Dun"geon\, v. t.
To shut up in a dungeon. --Bp. Hall.
Dungfork \Dung"fork`\, n.
A fork for tossing dung.
Dunghill \Dung"hill`\, n.
1. A heap of dung.
2. Any mean situation or condition; a vile abode.
He . . . lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill. --
1. Sam. ii. 8.
{Dunghill fowl}, a domestic fowl of common breed.
Dungmeer \Dung"meer`\, n. [Dung + (prob.) meer a pool.]
A pit where dung and weeds rot for manure.
Dungy \Dung"y\, a.
Full of dung; filthy; vile; low. --Shak.
Dungyard \Dung"yard`\, n.
A yard where dung is collected.
Dunker \Dun"ker\, n. [G. tunken to dip.]
One of a religious denomination whose tenets and practices
are mainly those of the Baptists, but partly those of the
Quakers; -- called also {Tunkers}, {Dunkards}, {Dippers},
and, by themselves, {Brethren}, and {German Baptists}.
Note: The denomination was founded in Germany in 1708, but
after a few years the members emigrated to the United
States.
{Seventh-day Dunkers}, a sect which separated from the
Dunkers and formed a community, in 1728. They keep the
seventh day or Saturday as the Sabbath.
Dunlin \Dun"lin\, n. [Prob. of Celtic origin; cf. Gael. dun hill
(E. dune), and linne pool, pond, lake, E. lin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of sandpiper ({Tringa alpina}); -- called also
{churr}, {dorbie}, {grass bird}, and {red-backed sandpiper}.
It is found both in Europe and America.
Dunnage \Dun"nage\, n. [Cf. {Dun} a mound.] (Naut.)
Fagots, boughs, or loose materials of any kind, laid on the
bottom of the hold for the cargo to rest upon to prevent
injury by water, or stowed among casks and other cargo to
prevent their motion.
Dunner \Dun"ner\, n. [From {Dun} to ask payment from.]
One employed in soliciting the payment of debts.
Dunnish \Dun"nish\, a.
Inclined to a dun color. --Ray.
Dunnock \Dun"nock\, n. [Cf. {Dun},a.] (Zo["o]l.)
The hedge sparrow or hedge accentor. [Local, Eng.]
Dunny \Dun"ny\, a.
Deaf; stupid.[Prov. Eng.]
My old dame Joan is something dunny, and will scarce
know how to manage. --Sir W.
Scott.
Dunt \Dunt\, n. [{Dint}.]
A blow. [Obs.] --R. of Glouc.
Dunted \Dunt"ed\, a.
Beaten; hence, blunted. [Obs.]
Fencer's swords . . . having the edge dunted. --Fuller.
Dunter \Dun"ter\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A porpoise. [Scott.]
{Dunter goose} (Zo["o]l.) the eider duck. --J. Brand.
Duo \Du"o\, n. [It. duo, fr. L. duo two. See {Duet}.] (Mus.)
A composition for two performers; a duet.
Duodecahedral \Du`o*dec`a*he"dral\, a., Duodecahedron
\Du`o*dec`a*he"dron\, n.
See {Dodecahedral}, and {Dodecahedron}.
Duodecennial \Du`o*de*cen"ni*al\, a. [L. duodecennis; duodecim
twelve + annus year.]
Consisting of twelve years. [R.] --Ash.
Duodecimal \Du`o*dec"i*mal\, a. [L. duodecim twelve. See
{Dozen}.]
Proceeding in computation by twelves; expressed in the scale
of twelves. -- {Du`o*dec"i*mal*ly}, adv.
Duodecimal \Du`o*dec"i*mal\, n.
1. A twelfth part; as, the duodecimals of an inch.
2. pl. (Arch.) A system of numbers, whose denominations rise
in a scale of twelves, as of feet and inches. The system
is used chiefly by artificers in computing the superficial
and solid contents of their work.
Duodecimfid \Du`o*dec"im*fid\, a. [L. duodecim twelve + findere
to cleave.]
Divided into twelve parts.
Duodecimo \Du`o*dec"i*mo\, a. [L. in duodecimo in twelfth, fr.
duodecimus twelfth, fr. duodecim twelve. See {Dozen}.]
Having twelve leaves to a sheet; as, a duodecimo from, book,
leaf, size, etc.
Duodecimo \Du*o*dec"i*mo\, n.; pl. {Duodecimos}.
A book consisting of sheets each of which is folded into
twelve leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a
size of a book; -- usually written 12mo or 12[deg].
Duodecuple \Du`o*dec"u*ple\, a. [L. duo two + ? decuple.]
Consisting of twelves. --Arbuthnot.
Duodenal \Du`o*de"nal\, a. [Cf. F. duod['e]nal.]
Of or pertaining to the duodenum; as, duodenal digestion.
Duodenary \Du`o*den"a*ry\, a. [L. duodenarius, fr. duodeni
twelve each: cf. F. duod['e]naire.]
Containing twelve; twelvefold; increasing by twelves;
duodecimal.
Duodenum \Du`o*de"num\, n. [NL., fr. duodeni twelve each: cf. F.
duodenum. So called because its length is about twelve
fingers' breadth.] (Anat.)
The part of the small intestines between the stomach and the
jejunum. See Illust. of Digestive apparatus, under
{Digestive}.
Duoliteral \Du`o*lit"er*al\, a. [L. duo two + E. literal.]
Consisting of two letters only; biliteral. --Stuart.
Duomo \Duo"mo\, n. [It. See {Done}.]
A cathedral. See {Dome}, 2.
Of tower or duomo, sunny sweet. --Tennyson.
Dup \Dup\, v. t. [Contr. fr. do up, that is, to lift up the
latch. Cf. {Don}, {Doff}.]
To open; as, to dup the door. [Obs.] --Shak.
Dupable \Dup"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being duped.
Dupe \Dupe\, n. [F., prob. from Prov. F. dupe, dube; of unknown
origin; equiv. to F. huppe hoopoe, a foolish bird, easily
caught. Cf. Armor. houp['e]rik hoopoe, a man easily deceived.
Cf. also {Gull}, {Booby}.]
One who has been deceived or who is easily deceived; a gull;
as, the dupe of a schemer.
Dupe \Dupe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Duped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Duping}.] [Cf. F. duper, fr. dupe. See {Dupe}, n.]
To deceive; to trick; to mislead by imposing on one's
credulity; to gull; as, dupe one by flattery.
Ne'er have I duped him with base counterfeits. --
Coleridge.
Duper \Dup"er\, n.
One who dupes another.
Dupery \Dup"er*y\, n. [F. duperie, fr. duper.]
The act or practice of duping. [R.]
Dupion \Du"pi*on\, n. [F. doupion, It. doppione, fr. doppio
double, L. duplus. See {Double}, and cf. {Doubloon}.]
A double cocoon, made by two silkworms.
Duple \Du"ple\, a. [L. duplus. See {Double}.]
Double.
{Duple ratio} (Math.), that in which the antecedent term is
double the consequent, as of 2 to 1, 8 to 4, etc.
Duplex \Du"plex\, a. [L., fr. duo two + plicare to fold. See
{Two}, and {Complex}.]
Double; twofold.
{Duplex escapement}, a peculiar kind of watch escapement, in
which the scape-wheel has two sets of teeth. See
{Escapement}.
{Duplex lathe}, one for turning off, screwing, and surfacing,
by means of two cutting tools, on opposite sides of the
piece operated upon.
{Duplex pumping engine}, a steam pump in which two steam
cylinders are placed side by side, one operating the
valves of the other.
{Duplex querela} [L., double complaint] (Eccl. Law), a
complaint in the nature of an appeal from the ordinary to
his immediate superior, as from a bishop to an archbishop.
--Mozley & W.
{Duplex telegraphy}, a system of telegraphy for sending two
messages over the same wire simultaneously.
{Duplex watch}, one with a duplex escapement.
Duplicate \Du"pli*cate\, a. [L. duplicatus, p. p. of duplicare
to double, fr. duplex double, twofold. See {Duplex}.]
Double; twofold.
{Duplicate proportion} or {ratio} (Math.), the proportion or
ratio of squares. Thus, in geometrical proportion, the
first term to the third is said to be in a duplicate ratio
of the first to the second, or as its square is to the
square of the second. Thus, in 2, 4, 8, 16, the ratio of 2
to 8 is a duplicate of that of 2 to 4, or as the square of
2 is to the square of 4.
Duplicate \Du"pli*cate\, n.
1. That which exactly resembles or corresponds to something
else; another, correspondent to the first; hence, a copy;
a transcript; a counterpart.
I send a duplicate both of it and my last dispatch.
-- Sir W.
Temple.
2. (Law) An original instrument repeated; a document which is
the same as another in all essential particulars, and
differing from a mere copy in having all the validity of
an original. --Burrill.
Duplicate \Du"pli*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Duplicated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Duplicating}.]
1. To double; to fold; to render double.
2. To make a duplicate of (something); to make a copy or
transcript of. --Glanvill.
3. (Biol.) To divide into two by natural growth or
spontaneous action; as, infusoria duplicate themselves.
Duplication \Du`pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. duplicatio: cf. F.
duplication.]
1. The act of duplicating, or the state of being duplicated;
a doubling; a folding over; a fold.
2. (Biol.) The act or process of dividing by natural growth
or spontaneous action; as, the duplication of cartilage
cells. --Carpenter.
{Duplication of the cube} (Math.), the operation of finding a
cube having a volume which is double that of a given cube.
Duplicative \Du"pli*ca*tive\, a.
1. Having the quality of duplicating or doubling.
2. (Biol.) Having the quality of subdividing into two by
natural growth. ``Duplicative subdivision.'' --Carpenter.
Duplicature \Du"pli*ca*ture\, n. [Cf. F. duplicature.]
A doubling; a fold, as of a membrane.
Duplicity \Du*plic"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Duplicities}. [F.
duplicit['e], L. duplicitas, fr. duplex double. See
{Duplex}.]
1. Doubleness; a twofold state. [Archaic]
Do not affect duplicities nor triplicities, nor any
certain number of parts in your division of things.
--I. Watts.
2. Doubleness of heart or speech; insincerity; a sustained
form of deception which consists in entertaining or
pretending to entertain one of feelings, and acting as if
influenced by another; bad faith.
Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he
acted his part with alacrity and resolution.
--Burke.
3. (Law)
(a) The use of two or more distinct allegations or
answers, where one is sufficient. --Blackstone.
(b) In indictments, the union of two incompatible
offenses. --Wharton.
Syn: Double dealing; dissimulation; deceit; guile; deception;
falsehood.
Dupper \Dup"per\, n.
See 2d {Dubber}.
Dur \Dur\, a. [G., fr. L. durus hard, firm, vigorous.] (Mus.)
Major; in the major mode; as, C dur, that is, C major.
Dura \Du"ra\, n.
Short form for {Dura mater}.
Durability \Du`ra*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. durabilitas.]
The state or quality of being durable; the power of
uninterrupted or long continuance in any condition; the power
of resisting agents or influences which tend to cause
changes, decay, or dissolution; lastingness.
A Gothic cathedral raises ideas of grandeur in our
minds by the size, its height, . . . its antiquity, and
its durability. --Blair.
Durable \Du"ra*ble\, a. [L. durabilis, fr. durare to last: cf.
F. durable. See {Dure}.]
Able to endure or continue in a particular condition;
lasting; not perishable or changeable; not wearing out or
decaying soon; enduring; as, durable cloth; durable
happiness.
Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and
righteousness. --Prov. viii.
18.
An interest which from its object and grounds must be
so durable. --De Quincey.
Syn: Lasting; permanent; enduring; firm; stable; continuing;
constant; persistent. See {Lasting}.
Durableness \Du"ra*ble*ness\, n.
Power of lasting, enduring, or resisting; durability.
The durableness of the metal that supports it.
--Addison.
Durably \Du"ra*bly\, adv.
In a lasting manner; with long continuance.
Dural \Du"ral\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the dura, or dura mater.
Dura mater \Du"ra ma"ter\ [L., lit., hard mother. The membrane
was called mater, or mother, because it was formerly thought
to give rise to every membrane of the body.] (Anat.)
The tough, fibrous membrane, which lines the cavity of the
skull and spinal column, and surrounds the brain and spinal
cord; -- frequently abbreviated to dura.
Duramen \Du*ra"men\, n. [L., hardness, a hardened, i. e.,
ligneous, vine branch, fr. durare to harden. See {Dure}.]
(Bot.)
The heartwood of an exogenous tree.
Durance \Dur"ance\, n. [OF. durance duration, fr. L. durans,
-antis, p. pr. durare to endure, last. See {Dure}, and cf.
{Durant}.]
1. Continuance; duration. See {Endurance}. [Archaic]
Of how short durance was this new-made state!
--Dryden.
2. Imprisonment; restraint of the person; custody by a
jailer; duress. Shak. ``Durance vile.'' --Burns.
In durance, exile, Bedlam or the mint. --Pope.
3.
(a) A stout cloth stuff, formerly made in imitation of
buff leather and used for garments; a sort of tammy or
everlasting.
Where didst thou buy this buff? let me not live
but I will give thee a good suit of durance.
--J. Webster.
(b) In modern manufacture, a worsted of one color used for
window blinds and similar purposes.
Durancy \Dur"an*cy\, n.
Duration. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Durant \Dur"ant\, n. [F. durant, p. pr. of durer to last. Cf.
{Durance}.]
See {Durance}, 3.
Durante \Du*ran"te\, prep. [L., abl. case of the p. pr. of
durare to last.] (Law)
During; as, durante vita, during life; durante bene placito,
during pleasure.
Duration \Du*ra"tion\, n. [OF. duration. See {Dure}.]
The state or quality of lasting; continuance in time; the
portion of time during which anything exists.
It was proposed that the duration of Parliament should
be limited. --Macaulay.
Soon shall have passed our own human duration. --D.
Webster.
Durative \Dur"a*tive\, a.
Continuing; not completed; implying duration.
Its durative tense, which expresses the thought of it
as going on. --J. Byrne.
Durbar \Dur"bar\, n. [Hind. darb[=a]r, fr. Per dar?[=a]r house,
court, hall of audience; dar door, gate + b[=a]r court,
assembly.]
An audience hall; the court of a native prince; a state
levee; a formal reception of native princes, given by the
governor general of India. [India] [Written also {darbar}.]
Dure \Dure\, a. [L. durus; akin to Ir. & Gael. dur ?, stubborn,
W. dir certain, sure, cf. Gr. ? force.]
Hard; harsh; severe; rough; toilsome. [R.]
The winter is severe, and life is dure and rude. --W.
H. Russell.
Dure \Dure\, v. i. [F. durer, L. durare to harden, be hardened,
to endure, last, fr. durus hard. See {Dure}, a.]
To last; to continue; to endure. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a
while. --Matt. xiii.
21.
Dureful \Dure"ful\, a.
Lasting. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Dureless \Dure"less\, a.
Not lasting. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Durene \Du"rene\, n. [L. durus hard; -- so called because solid
at ordinary temperatures.] (Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline, aromatic hydrocarbon, {C6H2(CH3)4},
off artificial production, with an odor like camphor.
Duress \Du"ress\, n. [OF. duresse, du?, hardship, severity, L.
duritia, durities, fr. durus hard. See {Dure}.]
1. Hardship; constraint; pressure; imprisonment; restraint of
liberty.
The agreements . . . made with the landlords during
the time of slavery, are only the effect of duress
and force. --Burke.
2. (Law) The state of compulsion or necessity in which a
person is influenced, whether by the unlawful restrain of
his liberty or by actual or threatened physical violence,
to incur a civil liability or to commit an offense.
Duress \Du*ress"\, v. t.
To subject to duress. ``The party duressed.'' --Bacon.
Duressor \Du*ress"or\, n. (Law)
One who subjects another to duress --Bacon.
Durga \Dur"ga\, n. (Myth.)
Same as {Doorga}.
Durham \Dur"ham\, n.
One or a breed of short-horned cattle, originating in the
county of Durham, England. The Durham cattle are noted for
their beef-producing quality.
Durian \Du"ri*an\, or Durion \Du"ri*on\, n. (Bot.)
The fruit of the durio. It is oval or globular, and eight or
ten inches long. It has a hard prickly rind, containing a
soft, cream-colored pulp, of a most delicious flavor and a
very offensive odor. The seeds are roasted and eaten like
chestnuts.
During \Dur"ing\, prep. [Orig., p. pr. of dure.]
In the time of; as long as the action or existence of; as,
during life; during the space of a year.
Durio \Du"ri*o\, n. [NL., fr. Malay d?ri thorn.] (Bot.)
A fruit tree ({D. zibethinus}, the only species known) of the
Indian Archipelago. It bears the durian.
Durity \Du"ri*ty\, n. [L. duritas, fr. durus hard.] [Obs.]
1. Hardness; firmness. --Sir T. Browne.
2. Harshness; cruelty. --Cockeram.
Durometer \Du*rom"e*ter\, n. [L. durus hard + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the degree of hardness;
especially, an instrument for testing the relative hardness
of steel rails and the like.
Durous \Du"rous\, a. [L. durus.]
Hard. [Obs. & R.]
Durra \Dur"ra\, n. [Ar. dhorra.] (Bot.)
A kind of millet, cultivated throughout Asia, and introduced
into the south of Europe; a variety of {Sorghum vulgare}; --
called also {Indian millet}, and {Guinea corn}. [Written also
{dhoorra}, {dhurra}, {doura}, etc.]
Durst \Durst\, imp.
of {Dare}. See {Dare}, v. i.
Durukuli \Du`ru*ku"li\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small, nocturnal, South American monkey ({Nyctipthecus
trivirgatus}). [Written also {douroucouli}.]
Durylic \Du*ryl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, allied to, or derived from, durene; as,
durylic acid.
Duse \Duse\, n.
A demon or spirit. See {Deuce}.
Dusk \Dusk\, a. [OE. dusc, dosc, deosc; cf. dial. Sw. duska to
drizzle, dusk a slight shower. ???.]
Tending to darkness or blackness; moderately dark or black;
dusky.
A pathless desert, dusk with horrid shades. --Milton.
Dusk \Dusk\, n.
1. Imperfect obscurity; a middle degree between light and
darkness; twilight; as, the dusk of the evening.
2. A darkish color.
Whose duck set off the whiteness of the skin.
--Dryden.
Dusk \Dusk\, v. t.
To make dusk. [Archaic]
After the sun is up, that shadow which dusketh the
light of the moon must needs be under the earth.
--Holland.
Dusk \Dusk\, v. i.
To grow dusk. [R.] --Chaucer.
Dusken \Dusk"en\, v. t.
To make dusk or obscure. [R.]
Not utterly defaced, but only duskened. --Nicolls.
Duskily \Dusk"i*ly\, adv.
In a dusky manner. --Byron.
Duskiness \Dusk"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dusky.
Duskish \Dusk"ish\, a.
Somewhat dusky. `` Duskish smoke.'' --Spenser. --
{Dusk"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Dusk"ish*ness}, n.
Duskness \Dusk"ness\, n.
Duskiness. [R.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Dusky \Dusk"y\, a.
1. Partially dark or obscure; not luminous; dusk; as, a dusky
valley.
Through dusky lane and wrangling mart. --Keble.
2. Tending to blackness in color; partially black;
dark-colored; not bright; as, a dusky brown. --Bacon.
When Jove in dusky clouds involves the sky.
--Dryden.
The figure of that first ancestor invested by family
tradition with a dim and dusky grandeur.
--Hawthorne.
3. Gloomy; sad; melancholy.
This dusky scene of horror, this melancholy
prospect. --Bentley.
4. Intellectually clouded.
Though dusky wits dare scorn astrology. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Dust \Dust\, n. [AS. dust; cf. LG. dust, D. duist meal dust, OD.
doest, donst, and G. dunst vapor, OHG. tunist, dunist, a
blowing, wind, Icel. dust dust, Dan. dyst mill dust; perh.
akin to L. fumus smoke, E. fume. ?.]
1. Fine, dry particles of earth or other matter, so
comminuted that they may be raised and wafted by the wind;
that which is crumbled too minute portions; fine powder;
as, clouds of dust; bone dust.
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
--Gen. iii.
19.
Stop! -- for thy tread is on an empire's dust.
--Byron.
2. A single particle of earth or other matter. [R.] ``To
touch a dust of England's ground.'' --Shak.
3. The earth, as the resting place of the dead.
For now shall sleep in the dust. --Job vii. 21.
4. The earthy remains of bodies once alive; the remains of
the human body.
And you may carve a shrine about my dust.
--Tennyson.
5. Figuratively, a worthless thing.
And by the merit of vile gold, dross, dust. --Shak.
6. Figuratively, a low or mean condition.
[God] raiseth up the poor out of the dust. --1 Sam.
ii. 8.
7. Gold dust; hence: (Slang) Coined money; cash.
{Down with the dust}, deposit the cash; pay down the money.
[Slang] ``My lord, quoth the king, presently deposit your
hundred pounds in gold, or else no going hence all the
days of your life. . . . The Abbot down with his dust, and
glad he escaped so, returned to Reading.'' --Fuller.
{Dust brand} (Bot.), a fungous plant ({Ustilago Carbo}); --
called also {smut}.
{Gold dust}, fine particles of gold, such as are obtained in
placer mining; -- often used as money, being transferred
by weight.
{In dust and ashes}. See under {Ashes}.
{To bite the dust}. See under {Bite}, v. t.
{To}
{raise, or kick up, dust}, to make a commotion. [Colloq.]
{To throw dust in one's eyes}, to mislead; to deceive.
[Colloq.]
Dust \Dust\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dusted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dusting}.]
1. To free from dust; to brush, wipe, or sweep away dust
from; as, to dust a table or a floor.
2. To sprinkle with dust.
3. To reduce to a fine powder; to levigate. --Sprat.
{To dyst one's jacket}, to give one a flogging. [Slang.]
Dustbrush \Dust"brush`\, n.
A brush of feathers, bristles, or hair, for removing dust
from furniture.
Duster \Dust"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, dusts; a utensil that frees from
dust. Specifically:
(a) (Paper Making) A revolving wire-cloth cylinder which
removes the dust from rags, etc.
(b) (Milling) A blowing machine for separating the flour
from the bran.
2. A light over-garment, worn in traveling to protect the
clothing from dust. [U.S.]
Dustiness \Dust"i*ness\, n.
The state of being dusty.
Dustless \Dust"less\, a.
Without dust; as a dustless path.
Dustman \Dust"man\, p.; pl. {Dustmen}.
One whose employment is to remove dirt and defuse. --Gay.
Dustpan \Dust"pan\, n.
A shovel-like utensil for conveying away dust brushed from
the floor.
Dust-point \Dust"-point`\, n.
An old rural game.
With any boy at dust-point they shall play. --Peacham
(1620).
Dusty \Dust"y\, a. [Compar. {Dustier}; superl. {Dustiest}.] [AS.
dystig. See {Dust}.]
1. Filled, covered, or sprinkled with dust; clouded with
dust; as, a dusty table; also, reducing to dust.
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to
dusty death. --Shak.
2. Like dust; of the color of dust; as a dusty white.
{Dusty miller} (Bot.), a plant ({Cineraria maritima}); -- so
called because of the ashy-white coating of its leaves.
Dutch \Dutch\, a. [D. duitsch German; or G. deutsch, orig.,
popular, national, OD. dietsc, MHG. diutsch, tiutsch, OHG.
diutisk, fr. diot, diota, a people, a nation; akin to AS.
pe['o]d, OS. thiod, thioda, Goth. piuda; cf. Lith. tauta
land, OIr. tuath people, Oscan
touto. The English have applied the name especially to the
Germanic people living nearest them, the Hollanders. Cf.
{Derrick}, {Teutonic}.]
Pertaining to Holland, or to its inhabitants.
{Dutch auction}. See under {Auction}.
{Dutch cheese}, a small, pound, hard cheese, made from skim
milk.
{Dutch clinker}, a kind of brick made in Holland. It is
yellowish, very hard, and long and narrow in shape.
{Dutch clover} (Bot.), common white clover ({Trifolium
repens}), the seed of which was largely imported into
England from Holland.
{Dutch concert}, a so-called concert in which all the singers
sing at the same time different songs. [Slang]
{Dutch courage}, the courage of partial intoxication. [Slang]
--Marryat.
{Dutch door}, a door divided into two parts, horizontally, so
arranged that the lower part can be shut and fastened,
while the upper part remains open.
{Dutch foil}, {Dutch leaf}, or {Dutch gold}, a kind of brass
rich in copper, rolled or beaten into thin sheets, used in
Holland to ornament toys and paper; -- called also {Dutch
mineral}, {Dutch metal}, {brass foil}, and {bronze leaf}.
{Dutch liquid} (Chem.), a thin, colorless, volatile liquid,
{C2H4Cl2}, of a sweetish taste and a pleasant ethereal
odor, produced by the union of chlorine and ethylene or
olefiant gas; -- called also {Dutch oil}. It is so called
because discovered (in 1795) by an association of four
Hollandish chemists. See {Ethylene}, and {Olefiant}.
{Dutch oven}, a tin screen for baking before an open fire or
kitchen range; also, in the United States, a shallow iron
kettle for baking, with a cover to hold burning coals.
{Dutch pink}, chalk, or whiting dyed yellow, and used in
distemper, and for paper staining. etc. --Weale.
{Dutch rush} (Bot.), a species of horsetail rush or Equisetum
({E. hyemale}) having a rough, siliceous surface, and used
for scouring and polishing; -- called also {scouring
rush}, and {shave grass}. See {Equisetum}.
{Dutch tile}, a glazed and painted ornamental tile, formerly
much exported, and used in the jambs of chimneys and the
like.
Note: Dutch was formerly used for German.
Germany is slandered to have sent none to this
war [the Crusades] at this first voyage; and that
other pilgrims, passing through that country,
were mocked by the Dutch, and called fools for
their pains. --Fuller.
Dutch \Dutch\, n.
1. pl. The people of Holland; Dutchmen.
2. The language spoken in Holland.
Dutchman \Dutch"man\, n.; pl. {Dutchmen}.
A native, or one of the people, of Holland.
{Dutchman's breeches} (Bot.), a perennial American herb
({Dicentra cucullaria}), with peculiar double-spurred
flowers. See Illust. of {Dicentra}.
{Dutchman's laudanum} (Bot.), a West Indian passion flower
({Passiflora Murucuja}); also, its fruit.
{Dutchman's pipe} (Bot.), an American twining shrub
({Aristolochia Sipho}). Its flowers have their calyx tubes
curved like a tobacco pipe.
Duteous \Du"te*ous\, a. [From {Duty}.]
1. Fulfilling duty; dutiful; having the sentiments due to a
superior, or to one to whom respect or service is owed;
obedient; as, a duteous son or daughter.
2. Subservient; obsequious.
Duteous to the vices of thy mistress. --Shak.
-- {Du"te*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Du"te*ous*ness}, n.
Dutiable \Du"ti*a*ble\, a. [From {Duty}.]
Subject to the payment of a duty; as dutiable goods. [U.S.]
All kinds of dutiable merchandise. --Hawthorne.
Dutied \Du"tied\, a.
Subjected to a duty. --Ames.
Dutiful \Du"ti*ful\, a.
1. Performing, or ready to perform, the duties required by
one who has the right to claim submission, obedience, or
deference; submissive to natural or legal superiors;
obedient, as to parents or superiors; as, a dutiful son or
daughter; a dutiful ward or servant; a dutiful subject.
2. Controlled by, proceeding from, a sense of duty;
respectful; deferential; as, dutiful affection.
Syn: Duteous; obedient; reverent; reverential; submissive;
docile; respectful; compliant. -- {Du"ti*ful*ly}, adv.
-- {Du"ti*ful*ness}, n.
Duty \Du"ty\, n.; pl. {Duties}. [From {Due}.]
1. That which is due; payment. [Obs. as signifying a material
thing.]
When thou receivest money for thy labor or ware,
thou receivest thy duty. --Tyndale.
2. That which a person is bound by moral obligation to do, or
refrain from doing; that which one ought to do; service
morally obligatory.
Forgetting his duty toward God, his sovereign lord,
and his country. --Hallam.
3. Hence, any assigned service or business; as, the duties of
a policeman, or a soldier; to be on duty.
With records sweet of duties done. --Keble.
To employ him on the hardest and most imperative
duty. --Hallam.
Duty is a graver term than obligation. A duty hardly
exists to do trivial things; but there may be an
obligation to do them. --C. J. Smith.
4. Specifically, obedience or submission due to parents and
superiors. --Shak.
5. Respect; reverence; regard; act of respect; homage. ``My
duty to you.'' --Shak.
6. (Engin.) The efficiency of an engine, especially a steam
pumping engine, as measured by work done by a certain
quantity of fuel; usually, the number of pounds of water
lifted one foot by one bushel of coal (94 lbs. old
standard), or by 1 cwt. (112 lbs., England, or 100 lbs.,
United States).
7. (Com.) Tax, toll, impost, or customs; excise; any sum of
money required by government to be paid on the
importation, exportation, or consumption of goods.
Note: An impost on land or other real estate, and on the
stock of farmers, is not called a duty, but a direct
tax. [U.S.]
{Ad valorem duty}, a duty which is graded according to the
cost, or market value, of the article taxed. See {Ad
valorem}.
{Specific duty}, a duty of a specific sum assessed on an
article without reference to its value or market.
{On duty}, actually engaged in the performance of one's
assigned task.
Duumvir \Du*um"vir\, n.; pl. E. {Duumvirs}, L. {Duumviri}. [L.,
fr. duo two + vir man.] (Rom. Antiq.)
One of two Roman officers or magistrates united in the same
public functions.
Duumviral \Du*um"vi*ral\, a. [L. duumviralis.]
Of or belonging to the duumviri or the duumvirate.
Duumvirate \Du*um"vi*rate\, n. [L. duumviratus, fr. duumvir.]
The union of two men in the same office; or the office,
dignity, or government of two men thus associated, as in
ancient Rome.
Dux \Dux\, n. [L., leader.] (Mus.)
The scholastic name for the theme or subject of a fugue, the
answer being called the comes, or companion.
Duykerbok \Duy"ker*bok\, n. [D. duiker diver + bok a buck, lit.,
diver buck. So named from its habit of diving suddenly into
the bush.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small South African antelope ({Cephalous mergens}); --
called also {impoon}, and {deloo}.
Duyoung \Du*young"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Dugong}.
D valve \D" valve`\ (Mech.)
A kind of slide valve. See {Slide valve}, under {Slide}.
Dvergr \Dver"gr\, n.; pl. {Dvergar}. [See {Dwarf}.] (Scand.
Myth.)
A dwarf supposed to dwell in rocks and hills and to be
skillful in working metals.
Dwale \Dwale\, n. [OE. dwale, dwole, deception, deadly
nightshade, AS. dwala, dwola, error, doubt; akin to E. dull.
See {Dull}, a.]
1. (Bot.) The deadly nightshade ({Atropa Belladonna}), having
stupefying qualities.
2. (Her.) The tincture sable or black when blazoned according
to the fantastic system in which plants are substituted
for the tinctures.
3. A sleeping potion; an opiate. --Chaucer.
Dwang \Dwang\, n. [Cf. D. dwingen to force, compel.]
1. (Carp.) A piece of wood set between two studs, posts,
etc., to stiffen and support them.
2. (Mech.)
(a) A kind of crowbar.
(b) A large wrench. --Knight.
Dwarf \Dwarf\, n.; pl. {Dwarfs}. [OE. dwergh, dwerf, dwarf, AS.
dweorg, dweorh; akin to D. dwerg, MHG. twerc, G. zwerg, Icel.
dvergr, Sw. & Dan. dverg; of unknown origin.]
An animal or plant which is much below the ordinary size of
its species or kind; especially, a diminutive human being.
Note: During the Middle Ages dwarfs as well as fools shared
the favor of courts and the nobility.
Note: Dwarf is used adjectively in reference to anything much
below the usual or normal size; as, dwarf tree; dwarf
honeysuckle.
{Dwarf elder} (Bot.), danewort.
{Dwarf wall} (Arch.), a low wall, not as high as the story of
a building, often used as a garden wall or fence. --Gwilt.
Dwarf \Dwarf\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dwarfed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dwarfing}.]
To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep
small; to stunt. --Addison.
Even the most common moral ideas and affections . . .
would be stunted and dwarfed, if cut off from a
spiritual background. --J. C.
Shairp.
Dwarf \Dwarf\, v. i.
To become small; to diminish in size.
Strange power of the world that, the moment we enter
it, our great conceptions dwarf. --Beaconsfield.
Dwarfish \Dwarf"ish\, a.
Like a dwarf; below the common stature or size; very small;
petty; as, a dwarfish animal, shrub. -- {Dwarf"ish*ly}, adv.
-- {Dwarf"ish*ness}, n.
Dwarfling \Dwarf"ling\, n.
A diminutive dwarf.
Dwarfy \Dwarf"y\, a.
Much undersized. [R.] --Waterhouse.
Dwaul \Dwaul\, Dwaule \Dwaule\, v. i. [See {Dull}, {Dwell}.]
To be delirious. [Obs.] --Junius.
Dwell \Dwell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwelled}, usually contracted
into {Dwelt} (?); p. pr. & vb. n. {Dwelling}.] [OE. dwellen,
dwelien, to err, linger, AS. dwellan to deceive, hinder,
delay, dwelian to err; akin to Icel. dvelja to delay, tarry,
Sw. dv["a]ljas to dwell, Dan. dv[ae]le to linger, and to E.
dull. See {Dull}, and cf. {Dwale}.]
1. To delay; to linger. [Obs.]
2. To abide; to remain; to continue.
I 'll rather dwell in my necessity. --Shak.
Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart.
--Wordsworth.
3. To abide as a permanent resident, or for a time; to live
in a place; to reside.
The parish in which I was born, dwell, and have
possessions. --Peacham.
The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the
hall where the lord of the domain resides. --C. J.
Smith.
{To dwell in}, to abide in (a place); hence, to depend on.
``My hopes in heaven to dwell.'' --Shak.
{To dwell on} or {upon}, to continue long on or in; to remain
absorbed with; to stick to; to make much of; as, to dwell
upon a subject; a singer dwells on a note.
They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and
language, fixed in amazement. --Buckminster.
Syn: To inhabit; live; abide; sojourn; reside; continue;
stay; rest.
Dwell \Dwell\, v. t.
To inhabit. [R.] --Milton.
Dweller \Dwell"er\, n.
An inhabitant; a resident; as, a cave dweller. ``Dwellers at
Jerusalem.'' --Acts i. 19.
Dwelling \Dwell"ing\, n.
Habitation; place or house in which a person lives; abode;
domicile.
Hazor shall be a dwelling for dragons. --Jer. xlix.
33.
God will deign To visit oft the dwellings of just men.
--Milton.
Philip's dwelling fronted on the street. --Tennyson.
{Dwelling house}, a house intended to be occupied as a
residence, in distinction from a store, office, or other
building.
{Dwelling place}, place of residence.
Dwelt \Dwelt\, imp. & p. p.
of {Dwell}.
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwindled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dwindling}.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away,
AS. dw[=i]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish,
Icel. dv[=i]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain
origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is
added to the root with a diminutive force.]
To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume
away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
Weary sennights nine times nine Shall he dwindle, peak
and pine. --Shak.
Religious societies, though begun with excellent
intentions, are said to have dwindled into factious
clubs. --Swift.
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. t.
1. To make less; to bring low.
Our drooping days are dwindled down to naught.
--Thomson.
2. To break; to disperse. [R.] --Clarendon.
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, n.
The process of dwindling; dwindlement; decline; degeneracy.
[R.] --Johnson.
Dwindlement \Dwin"dle*ment\, n.
The act or process of dwindling; a dwindling. [R.] --Mrs.
Oliphant.
Dwine \Dwine\, v. i. [See {Dwindle}.]
To waste away; to pine; to languish. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
--Gower.
Dyad \Dy"ad\, n. [L. dyas, dyadis, the number two. Gr. ?: cf. F.
dyade. See two, and cf. {Duad}.]
1. Two units treated as one; a couple; a pair.
2. (Chem.) An element, atom, or radical having a valence or
combining power of two.
Dyad \Dy"ad\, a. (Chem.)
Having a valence or combining power of two; capable of being
substituted for, combined with, or replaced by, two atoms of
hydrogen; as, oxygen and calcium are dyad elements. See
{Valence}.
Dyadic \Dy*ad"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? two.]
Pertaining to the number two; of two parts or elements.
{Dyadic arithmetic}, the same as {binary arithmetic}.
Dyaks \Dy"aks\, n. pl.; sing. {Dyak}. (Ethnol.)
The aboriginal and most numerous inhabitants of Borneo. They
are partially civilized, but retain many barbarous practices.
Dyas \Dy"as\, n. [L. dyas the number two.] (Geol.)
A name applied in Germany to the Permian formation, there
consisting of two principal groups.
Dye \Dye\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dyeing}.] [OE. deyan, dyen, AS. de['a]gian.]
To stain; to color; to give a new and permanent color to, as
by the application of dyestuffs.
Cloth to be dyed of divers colors. --Trench.
The soul is dyed by its thoughts. --Lubbock.
{To dye in the grain}, {To dye in the wool} (Fig.), to dye
firmly; to imbue thoroughly.
He might truly be termed a legitimate son of the
revenue system dyed in the wool. --Hawthorne.
Syn: See {Stain}.
Dye \Dye\, n.
1. Color produced by dyeing.
2. Material used for dyeing; a dyestuff.
Dye \Dye\, n.
Same as {Die}, a lot. --Spenser.
Dyehouse \Dye"house`\, n.
A building in which dyeing is carried on.
Dyeing \Dye"ing\, n.
The process or art of fixing coloring matters permanently and
uniformly in the fibers of wool, cotton, etc.
Dyer \Dy"er\, n.
One whose occupation is to dye cloth and the like.
{Dyer's broom}, {Dyer's rocket}, {Dyer's weed}. See {Dyer's
broom}, under {Broom}.
Dyestuff \Dye"stuff`\, n.
A material used for dyeing.
Dyewood \Dye"wood`\, n.
Any wood from which coloring matter is extracted for dyeing.
Dying \Dy"ing\, a.
1. In the act of dying; destined to death; mortal;
perishable; as, dying bodies.
2. Of or pertaining to dying or death; as, dying bed; dying
day; dying words; also, simulating a dying state.
Dying \Dy"ing\, n.
The act of expiring; passage from life to death; loss of
life.
Dyingly \Dy"ing*ly\, adv.
In a dying manner; as if at the point of death. --Beau. & Fl.
Dyingness \Dy"ing*ness\, n.
The state of dying or the stimulation of such a state;
extreme languor; languishment. [R.]
Tenderness becomes me best, a sort of dyingness; you
see that picture, Foible, -- a swimmingness in the
eyes; yes, I'll look so. --Congreve.
Dyke \Dyke\, n.
See {Dike}. The spelling dyke is restricted by some to the
geological meaning.
Dynactinometer \Dy*nac`ti*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? power + E.
actinometer.]
An instrument for measuring the intensity of the photogenic
(light-producing) rays, and computing the power of object
glasses.
Dynam \Dy"nam\, n. [Cf. F. dyname. See {Dynamic}.]
A unit of measure for dynamical effect or work; a foot pound.
See {Foot pound}. --Whewell.
Dynameter \Dy*nam"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? power + -meter: cf. F.
dynam[`e]tre. Cf. {Dynamometer}.]
1. A dynamometer.
2. (Opt.) An instrument for determining the magnifying power
of telescopes, consisting usually of a doubleimage
micrometer applied to the eye end of a telescope for
measuring accurately the diameter of the image of the
object glass there formed; which measurement, compared
with the actual diameter of the glass, gives the
magnifying power.
Dynametrical \Dy`na*met"ric*al\, a.
Pertaining to a dynameter.
Dynamic \Dy*nam"ic\, Dynamical \Dy*nam"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?
powerful, fr. ? power, fr. ? to be able; cf. L. durus hard,
E. dure: cf. F. dynamique.]
1. Of or pertaining to dynamics; belonging to energy or
power; characterized by energy or production of force.
Science, as well as history, has its past to show,
-- a past indeed, much larger; but its immensity is
dynamic, not divine. --J.
Martineau.
The vowel is produced by phonetic, not by dynamic,
causes. --J. Peile.
2. Relating to physical forces, effects, or laws; as,
dynamical geology.
As natural science has become more dynamic, so has
history. --Prof. Shedd.
{Dynamical electricity}. See under {Electricity}.
Dynamically \Dy*nam"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In accordance with the principles of dynamics or moving
forces. --J. Peile.
Dynamics \Dy*nam"ics\, n.
1. That branch of mechanics which treats of the motion of
bodies (kinematics) and the action of forces in producing
or changing their motion (kinetics). Dynamics is held by
some recent writers to include statics and not kinematics.
2. The moving moral, as well as physical, forces of any kind,
or the laws which relate to them.
3. (Mus.) That department of musical science which relates
to, or treats of, the power of tones.
Dynamism \Dy"na*mism\, n. [Cf. F. dynamisme. See {Dynamics}.]
The doctrine of Leibnitz, that all substance involves force.
Dynamist \Dy"na*mist\, n.
One who accounts for material phenomena by a theory of
dynamics.
Those who would resolve matter into centers of force
may be said to constitute the school of dynamists.
--Ward (Dyn.
Sociol. ).
Dynamitard \Dy"na*mi`tard\, n.
A political dynamiter.
Note: [A form found in some newspapers.]
Dynamite \Dy"na*mite\, n. [Gr. ? power. See {Dynamic}.] (Chem.)
An explosive substance consisting of nitroglycerin absorbed
by some inert, porous solid, as infusorial earth, sawdust,
etc. It is safer than nitroglycerin, being less liable to
explosion from moderate shocks, or from spontaneous
decomposition.
Dynamiter \Dy"na*mi`ter\, n.
One who uses dynamite; esp., one who uses it for the
destruction of life and property.
Dynamiting \Dy"na*mi`ting\, n.
Destroying by dynamite, for political ends.
Dynamiting is not the American way. --The Century.
Dynamitism \Dy"na*mi`tism\, n.
The work of dynamiters.
Dynamization \Dy"na*mi*za`tion\, [Gr. ? power. See {Dynamic}.]
(Homeop.)
The act of setting free the dynamic powers of a medicine, as
by shaking the bottle containing it.
Dynamo \Dy"na*mo\, n.
A dynamo-electric machine.
Dynamo-electric \Dy`na*mo-e*lec"tric\, a. [Gr. ? power + E.
electric. See {Dynamic}.]
Pertaining to the development of electricity, especially
electrical currents, by power; producing electricity or
electrical currents by mechanical power.
Dynamograph \Dy*nam"o*graph\, n. [Gr. ? power + -graph. See
{Dynamic}.] (Physiol.)
A dynamometer to which is attached a device for automatically
registering muscular power.
Dynamometer \Dy`na*mom"e*ter\, n. [Cf. F. dynamom[`e]tre. See
{Dynameter}.]
An apparatus for measuring force or power; especially,
muscular effort of men or animals, or the power developed by
a motor, or that required to operate machinery.
Note: It usually embodies a spring to be compressed or weight
to be sustained by the force applied, combined with an
index, or automatic recorder, to show the work
performed.
Dynamometric \Dy`na*mo*met"ric\, Dynamometrical
\Dy`na*mo*met"ric*al\, a.
Relating to a dynamometer, or to the measurement of force
doing work; as, dynamometrical instruments.
Dynamometry \Dy`na*mom"e*try\, n.
The art or process of measuring forces doing work.
Dynast \Dy"nast\, n. [L. dynastes, Gr. ?, fr. ? to be able or
strong: cf. F. dynaste. See {Dynamic}.]
1. A ruler; a governor; a prince.
2. A dynasty; a government. [Obs.]
Dynasta \Dy*nas"ta\, n. [NL. See {Dynast}.]
A tyrant. [Obs.] --Milton.
Dynastic \Dy*nas"tic\, a. [Gr. ? of a dynast, fr. ?: cf. F.
dunastique.]
Of or relating to a dynasty or line of kings. --Motley.
Dynastical \Dy*nas"tic*al\, a.
Dynastic.
Dynastidan \Dy*nas"ti*dan\, n. [Gr. ?, fem. of ?. See {Dynast}.
The name alludes to the immense size of some species.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of gigantic, horned beetles, including
{Dynastus Neptunus}, and the Hercules beetle ({D. Hercules})
of tropical America, which grow to be six inches in length.
Dynasty \Dy"nas*ty\ (?; 277), n.; pl. {Dynasties}. [Gr. ?
lordship, fr. ? to hold power or lordship, fr. ?: cf. F.
dynastie dynasty. See {Dynast}.]
1. Sovereignty; lordship; dominion. --Johnson.
2. A race or succession of kings, of the same line or family;
the continued lordship of a race of rulers.
Dyne \Dyne\, n. [Formed fr. Gr. ? power. See {Dynamic}.]
(Physics)
The unit of force, in the C. G. S. (Centimeter Gram Second)
system of physical units; that is, the force which, acting on
a gram for a second, generates a velocity of a centimeter per
second.
Dys- \Dys-\
An inseparable prefix, fr. the Greek ? hard, ill, and
signifying ill, bad, hard, difficult, and the like; cf. the
prefixes, Skr. dus-, Goth. tuz-, OHG. zur-, G. zer-, AS. to-,
Icel. tor-, Ir. do-.
Dysaesthesia \Dys`[ae]s*the"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ill, bad +
? to perceive, to feel.] (Med.)
Impairment of any of the senses, esp. of touch.
Dyscrasia \Dys*cra"si*a\, n. [NL. dyscrasia, fr. Gr. ?; ? bad +
? mixture, fr. ? to mix: cf. F. dycrasie.] (Med.)
An ill habit or state of the constitution; -- formerly
regarded as dependent on a morbid condition of the blood and
humors.
Dyscrasite \Dys"cra*site\, n. [Gr. ? bad + ? compound.] (Min.)
A mineral consisting of antimony and silver.
Dyscrasy \Dys"cra*sy\, n.; pl. {Discrasies}.
Dycrasia.
Sin is a cause of dycrasies and distempers. --Jer.
Taylor.
Dysenteric \Dys`en*ter"ic\, Dysenterical \Dys`en*ter"ic*al\, a.
[L. dysentericus, Gr. ?; cf. F. dysent['e]rigue.]
Of or pertaining to dysentery; having dysentery; as, a
dysenteric patient. ``Dysenteric symptoms.'' --Copland.
Dysentery \Dys"en*ter*y\, n. [L. dysenteria, Gr. ?; ? ill, bad +
?, pl. ?, intestines, fr. 'ento`s within, fr. ? in, akin to
E. in: cf. F. dysenterie. See {Dys}, and {In}.] (Med.)
A disease attended with inflammation and ulceration of the
colon and rectum, and characterized by griping pains,
constant desire to evacuate the bowels, and the discharge of
mucus and blood.
Note: When acute, dysentery is usually accompanied with high
fevers. It occurs epidemically, and is believed to be
communicable through the medium of the alvine
discharges.
Dysgenesic \Dys`ge*nes"ic\, a.
Not procreating or breeding freely; as, one race may be
dysgenesic with respect to another. --Darwin.
Dysgenesis \Dys*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. dys- + genesis.] (Biol.)
A condition of not generating or breeding freely;
infertility; a form homogenesis in which the hybrids are
sterile among themselves, but are fertile with members of
either parent race.
Dyslogistic \Dys`lo*gis"tic\, a. [Gr. ? ill, bad, + ? discourse,
fr. ? to speak.]
Unfavorable; not commendatory; -- opposed to {eulogistic}.
There is no course of conduct for which dyslogistic or
eulogistic epithets may be found. --J. F.
Stephen.
The paternity of dyslogistic -- no bantling, but now
almost a centenarian -- is adjudged to that genius of
common sense, Jeremy Bentham. --Fitzed.
Hall.
Dysluite \Dys"lu*ite\, n. [Gr. ? ill, hard + ? to loose,
dissolve.] (Min.)
A variety of the zinc spinel or gahnite.
Dyslysin \Dys"ly*sin\, n. [Gr. ? ill, hard + ? a loosing.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A resinous substance formed in the decomposition of cholic
acid of bile; -- so called because it is difficult to solve.
Dysmenorrhea \Dys*men`or*rhe"a\, n. [Gr. ? ill, hard + ? month +
? to flow.] (Med.)
Difficult and painful menstruation.
Dysnomy \Dys"no*my\, n. [Gr. ?; ? ill, bad + ? law.]
Bad legislation; the enactment of bad laws. --Cockeram.
Dysodile \Dys"o*dile\, n. [Gr. ? ill smell, from ? ill-smelling;
? ill, bad + ? to smell.] (Min.)
An impure earthy or coaly bitumen, which emits a highly fetid
odor when burning.
Dyspepsia \Dys*pep"si*a\, Dyspepsy \Dys*pep"sy\ (?; 277), [L.
dyspepsia, Gr. ?, fr. ? hard to digest; ? ill, hard + ? to
cook, digest; akin to E. cook: cf. F. dyspepsie. See {Dys-},
and 3d Cook.] (Med.)
A kind of indigestion; a state of the stomach in which its
functions are disturbed, without the presence of other
diseases, or, if others are present, they are of minor
importance. Its symptoms are loss of appetite, nausea,
heartburn, acrid or fetid eructations, a sense of weight or
fullness in the stomach, etc. --Dunglison.
Dyspeptic \Dys*pep"tic\, Dyspeptical \Dys*pep"tic*al\, a.
Pertaining to dyspepsia; having dyspepsia; as, a dyspeptic or
dyspeptical symptom.
Dyspeptic \Dys*pep"tic\, n.
A person afflicted with dyspepsia.
Dyspeptone \Dys*pep"tone\, n. [Pref. dys- + peptone.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
An insoluble albuminous body formed from casein and other
proteid substances by the action of gastric juice.
--Meissner.
Dysphagia \Dys*pha"gi*a\, Dysphagy \Dys"pha*gy\, n. [NL.
dysphagia, fr. Gr. ? ill, hard + ? to eat.] (Med.)
Difficulty in swallowing.
Dysphonia \Dys*pho"ni*a\, Dysphony \Dys"pho*ny\, n. [NL.
dysphonia, Gr. ?; ? ill, hard + ? sound, voice: cf. F.
dysphonie.] (Med.)
A difficulty in producing vocal sounds; enfeebled or depraved
voice.
Dysphoria \Dys*pho"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? hard to
bear; ? ill, hard + ? to bear: cf. F. dysphorie.] (Med.)
Impatience under affliction; morbid restlessness;
dissatisfaction; the fidgets.
Dyspnoea \Dysp*n[oe]"a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? short of
breath; pref. ? ill, hard + ?, ?, breathing, ? to blow,
breathe: cf. F. dyspn['e]e.] (Med.)
Difficulty of breathing.
Dyspnoic \Dysp*no"ic\, a. (Med.)
Affected with shortness of breath; relating to dyspn[oe]a.
Dysteleology \Dys*te`le*ol"o*gy\, n. [Pref. dys- + teleology.]
(Biol.)
The doctrine of purposelessness; a term applied by Haeckel to
that branch of physiology which treats of rudimentary organs,
in view of their being useless to the life of the organism.
To the doctrine of dysteleology, or the denial of final
causes, a proof of the real existence of such a thing
as instinct must necessarily be fatal. --Word
(Dynamic
Sociology).
Dystocia \Dys*to"ci*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? ill, hard + to`kos
delivery.] (Med.)
Difficult delivery pr parturition.
Dystome \Dys"tome\, a. [Gr. ? ill, hard + tomo`s cutting,
diate`mnein to cut.] (Min.)
Cleaving with difficulty.
Note: Datolite was called dystome spar by Mohs.
Dysuria \Dys*u"ri*a\, Dysury \Dys"u*ry\, n. [L. dysuria, Gr. ?;
? + ? urine: cf. F. dysurie.] (Med.)
Difficult or painful discharge of urine.
Dysuric \Dys*u"ric\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. dysurique.]
Pertaining to, or afflicted with, dysury.
Dzeren \Dze"ren\, Dzeron \Dze"ron\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Chinese yellow antelope ({Procapra gutturosa}), a
remarkably swift-footed animal, inhabiting the deserts of
Central Asia, Thibet, and China.
Dziggetai \Dzig"ge*tai\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The kiang, a wild horse or wild ass of Thibet ({Asinus
hemionus}).
Note: The name is sometimes applied also to the koulan or
onager. See {Koulan}.