# dictionary

word: Descend₂
definition:
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.


word: Descendant₂
definition:
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.


word: Descendent
definition:
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.


word: Descendibility
definition:
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.


word: Descendible
definition:
Descendible

De*scend"i*ble
(?)
a.
1.
Admitting descent; capable of being descended.

2.
That may descend from an ancestor to an heir.
descendant
Sir W. Jones.


word: Descending
definition:
Descending

De*scend"ing
a.
Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards.

Descending constellations or Descending 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.


word: Descension
definition:
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.]


word: Descensory
definition:
Descensory

De*scen"so*ry
(?)
n.
[NL. descensorium: cf. OF. descensoire. See Descend.]
A vessel used in alchemy to extract oils.


word: Descent
definition:
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.


word: Describe
definition:
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. décrire. 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.


word: Describe₂
definition:
Describe

De*scribe"
v. i.
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.


word: Description
definition:
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.


word: Descriptive
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. )


word: Descry
definition:
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. décrier. 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.


word: Descry₂
definition:
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.


word: Desecrate
definition:
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.


word: Desecration
definition:
Desecration

Des`e*cra"tion
(?)
n.
The act of desecrating; profanation; condition of anything desecrated.


word: Desegmentation
definition:
Desegmentation

De*seg`men*ta"tion
(?)
n.
(Anat.)
The loss or obliteration of division into segments; as, a desegmentation of the body.


word: desegregate
definition:
desegregate

de*seg"re*gate
v. t.
to eliminate laws, regulations, or customs which prohibit members of a specific racial or national group from using (certain locations, organizations, or facilities); to introduce members of a racial or religious group into (a community, facility, or organization from which they had been barred).


word: desegregation
definition:
desegregation

de`seg*re*ga"tion
n.
the action of incorporating a racial or religious group into a community; the elimination of laws, regulations, or customs which prohibit members of a specific racial or national group from using certain locations, organizations, or facilities.
In the 1960's and 1970's civil rights legislation was passed by the U. S. congress, prohibiting segregation by governmental agencies and in places of public accommodation, which resulteo in widospread besegregotion of schools and places of business. Some segregation remains in privately operated organizations.

Syn. -- integration, integrating.


word: desensitization
definition:
desensitization

desensitization
n.
the process of reducing or eliminating sensitivity.

Syn. -- desensitisation.


word: desensitize
definition:
desensitize

desensitize
v. t.
to rendered insensitive or less sensitive.  Opposite of sensitize.

Syn. -- deaden.


word: desensitizing
definition:
desensitizing

desensitizing
adj.
making less susceptible or sensitive to either physical or emotional stimuli.  Opposite of sensitizing.
numbing


word: Desert
definition:
Desert

De*sert"
(de̝*zẽrt")
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.


word: Desert₂
definition:
Desert

Des"ert
(dĕz"ẽrt)
n.
[F. désert, 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 which are destitute of moisture 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.

Also figuratively.

Before her extended
Dreary and vast and silent, the desert of life.
Longfellow.


word: Desert₃
definition:
Desert

Des"ert
a.
[Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere, and F. désert. 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 (Zool.), a small hare (Lepus sylvaticus, var. Arizonæ) inhabiting the deserts of the Western United States. -- Desert mouse (Zool.), an American mouse (Hesperomys eremicus), living in the Western deserts.


word: Desert₄
definition:
Desert

De*sert"
(de̝*zẽrt")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deserted; p. pr. & vb. n. Deserting.]
[Cf. L. desertus, p. p. of deserere to desert, F. déserter. 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.
deserted
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.


word: Desert₅
definition:
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.


word: deserted
definition:
deserted

deserted
adj.
1.
having no residents; as, deserted villages.

Syn. -- uninhabited.

2.
no longer used by people.

Syn. -- abandoned, derelict.

3.
remote from civilization; as, the victim was lured to a deserted spot.

4.
being left by another without support or assistance; left in the lurch; -- of people; as, deserted wives and children.
In this sense, the label implies some level of dependence of the person(s) being deserted on those deserting them.


word: Deserter
definition:
Deserter

De*sert"er
(de̝*zẽrt"ẽr)
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.


word: Desertion
definition:
Desertion

De*ser"tion
(de̝*zẽr"shŭn)
n.
[L. desertio: cf. F. désertion.]
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.


word: Desertrice
definition:
Desertrice

Desertrix

{ De*sert"rix (?), De*sert"rice (?), }
n.
[L. desertrix.]
A feminine deserter.
Milton.


word: Deserve
definition:
Deserve

De*serve"
(de̝*zẽrv")
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.


word: deserve
definition:
deserve

de*serve"
(de̝*zẽrv")
v. i.
To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.

One man may merit or deserve of another.
South.


word: deservedly
definition:
deservedly

de*serv"ed*ly
(de̝*zẽrv"ĕd*l&ybreve_;)
adv.
According to desert (whether good or evil); justly.


word: desex
definition:
desex

desex
v. t.
to make infertile, especially by removing or incapacitating the sexual organs; -- used of both males and females.

Syn. -- sterilize, unsex, desexualize, fix.


word: desexualize
definition:
desexualize

desexualize
v. i. & t.
to direct one's libidinous urges into another direction.

2.
same as desex.

Syn. -- sterilize, desex, unsex, fix, make infertile.


word: Deshabille
definition:
Deshabille

Des`ha*bille
(?)
n.
[F. déshabillé, fr. déshabiller to undress; pref. dés- (L. dis-) + habiller to dress. See Habiliment, and cf. Dishabille.]
An undress; a careless toilet.


word: Desiccant
definition:
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.


word: Desiccate
definition:
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.


word: Desiccation
definition:
Desiccation

Des`ic*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. dessiccation.]
The act of desiccating, or the state of being desiccated.


word: Desiccative
definition:
Desiccative

De*sic"ca*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. dessicatif.]
Drying; tending to dry.
Ferrand.
n. (Med.) An application for drying up secretions.


word: Desiccator
definition:
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, phosphorus pentoxide, or calcium chloride, above which is supported on a perforated platform the material to be dried, or preserved from moisture.

3.
A machine or apparatus for drying fruit, milk, etc., usually by the aid of heat; an evaporator.


word: Desiderate
definition:
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.


word: Desideration
definition:
Desideration

De*sid`er*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. desideratio.]
Act of desiderating; also, the thing desired.
[R.]
Jeffrey.


word: Desiderative₂
definition:
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.


word: Desideratum
definition:
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.


word: Desidious
definition:
Desidious

Desidiose

{ De*sid"i*ose` (?), 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.]


word: Desidiousness
definition:
Desidiousness

De*sid"i*ous*ness
n.
The state or quality of being desidiose, or indolent.
[Obs.]
N. Bacon.


word: Desightment
definition:
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.


word: Design
definition:
Design

De*sign"
(?; 277)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Designed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Designing.]
[F. désigner 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.


word: Design₂
definition:
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.


word: Design₃
definition:
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.
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.


word: Designable
definition:
Designable

Des"ig*na*ble
(?)
a.
Capable of being designated or distinctly marked out; distinguishable.
Boyle.


word: Designate
definition:
Designate

Des"ig*nate
(?)
a.
[L. designatus, p. p. of designare. See Design, v. t.]
Designated; appointed; chosen.
[R.]
Sir G. Buck.


word: Designate₂
definition:
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; as, to designate an officer for or to the command of a post or station.


word: Designation
definition:
Designation

Des`ig*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. designatio: cf. F. désignation.]
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 which have parts.
Locke.


word: Designative
definition:
Designative

Des"ig*na*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. désignatif.]
Serving to designate or indicate; pointing out.


word: Designator
definition:
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.


word: Designedly
definition:
Designedly

De*sign"ed*ly
(?)
adv.
By design; purposely; intentionally; -- opposed to accidentally, ignorantly, or inadvertently.


word: Designer
definition:
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.


word: Designing₂
definition:
Designing

De*sign"ing
n.
The act of making designs or sketches; the act of forming designs or plans.


word: Designment
definition:
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.


word: Desilverization
definition:
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.


word: Desinent
definition:
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.]
desinent
B. Jonson.


word: Desinential
definition:
Desinential

Des`i*nen"tial
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. désinentiel.]
Terminal.

Furthermore, b, as a desinential element, has a dynamic function.
Fitzed.  Hall.


word: Desipient
definition:
Desipient

De*sip"i*ent
(?)
a.
[L. desipiens, p. pr. of desipere to be foolish; de- + sapere to be wise.]
Foolish; silly; trifling.
[R.]


word: Desirable
definition:
Desirable

De*sir"a*ble
(?)
a.
[F. désirable, 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.


word: Desirableness
definition:
Desirableness

De*sir"a*ble*ness
n.
The quality of being desirable.

The desirableness of the Austrian alliance.
Froude.


word: Desire
definition:
Desire

De*sire"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Desired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Desiring.]
[F. désirer, 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.


word: Desire₂
definition:
Desire

De*sire"
n.
[F. désir, fr. désirer. 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.


word: Desireful
definition:
Desireful

De*sire"ful
(?)
a.
Filled with desire; eager.
[R.]

The desireful troops.
Godfrey (1594).


word: Desirefulness
definition:
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.


word: Desirous
definition:
Desirous

De*sir"ous
(?)
a.
[F. désireux, 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.


word: Desist
definition:
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. désister. 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.


word: Desistance
definition:
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.


word: Desitive₂
definition:
Desitive

Des"i*tive
n.
(Logic)
A proposition relating to or expressing an end or conclusion.
[Obs.]
I. Watts.


word: Desk
definition:
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.”


word: Desk₂
definition:
Desk

Desk
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Desked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Desking.]
To shut up, as in a desk; to treasure.


word: Desman
definition:
Desman

Des"man
(dĕs"man)
n.
[Cf. Sw. desman musk.]
(Zool.)
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 dæsman.]


word: Desmidian
definition:
Desmidian

Desmid

{ Des"mid (?), Des*mid"i*an (?), }
n.
[Gr. desmo`s chain + e'i^dos form.]
(Bot.)
A microscopic plant of the family Desmidiæ, a group of unicellular algæ in which the species have a greenish color, and the cells generally appear as if they consisted of two coalescing halves.


word: Desmine
definition:
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.


word: Desmobacteria
definition:
Desmobacteria

Des`mo*bac*te"ri*a
(dĕs`mo̝*băk*tē"rĭ*ȧ)
n. pl.
[Gr. desmo`s bond + E. bacteria.]
See Microbacteria.


word: Desmodontidae
definition:
Desmodontidae

Desmodontidae
n.
a natural family comprisng the true vampire bats.

Syn. -- family Desmodontidae.


word: Desmodus
definition:
Desmodus

Desmodus
n.
the type genus of the Desmodontidae, consisting of vampire bats.

Syn. -- genus Desmodus.


word: Desmodont
definition:
Desmodont

Des"mo*dont
(dĕs"mo̝*d&obreve_;nt)
n.
[Gr. desmo`s bond + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, tooth.]
(Zool.)
A member of a group of South American blood-sucking bats, of the genera Desmodus and Diphylla. See Vampire.


word: Desmognathous
definition:
Desmognathous

Des*mog"na*thous
(?)
a.
[Gr. desmo`s bond + gna`qos jaw.]
(Zool.)
Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; -- applied to a group of carinate birds (Desmognathæ), including various wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and also raptorial and other kinds.


word: Desmoid
definition:
Desmoid

Des"moid
(?)
a.
[Gr. desmo`s ligament + -oid.]
(Anat.)
Resembling, or having the characteristics of, a ligament; ligamentous.


word: Desmology
definition:
Desmology

Des*mol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. desmo`s ligament + -logy.]
The science which treats of the ligaments.
[R.]


word: Desmomyaria
definition:
Desmomyaria

Des`mo*my*a"ri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; bond + _; muscle.]
(Zool.)
The division of Tunicata which includes the Salpæ. See Salpa.


word: Desolate
definition:
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.


word: Desolate₂
definition:
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.


word: desolated
definition:
desolated

desolated
adj.
reduced to a barren and lifeless state.

Syn. -- blasted, desolate, devastated, ravaged, ruined, wasted.


word: Desolation
definition:
Desolation

Des`o*la"tion
(?)
n.
[F. désolation, 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.


word: Desoxalic
definition:
Desoxalic

Des`ox*al"ic
(?)
a.
[F. pref. des- from + E. oxalic.]
(Chem.)
Made or derived from oxalic acid; as, desoxalic acid.


word: Despair
definition:
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.


word: Despair₂
definition:
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.


word: Despair₃
definition:
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.
despair
Shak.


word: Despairing
definition:
Despairing

De*spair"ing
a.
Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless.
De*spair"ing*ly, adv. -- De*spair"ing*ness, n.


word: Desparple
definition:
Desparple

De*spar"ple
(?)
v. t. & i.
[OF. desparpeillier.]
To scatter; to disparkle.
[Obs.]
Mandeville.


word: Despecificate
definition:
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.


word: Despend
definition:
Despend

De*spend"
(?)
v. t.
To spend; to squander. See Dispend.
[Obs.]

Some noble men in Spain can despend £50,000.
Howell.


word: Desperado
definition:
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.


word: Desperate
definition:
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
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.


word: Desperately
definition:
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.


word: Desperation
definition:
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.


word: Despicable
definition:
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.


word: Despicableness
definition:
Despicableness

Des"pi*ca*ble*ness
n.
The quality of being despicable; meanness; vileness; worthlessness.


word: Despicably
definition:
Despicably

Des"pi*ca*bly
(?)
adv.
In a despicable or mean manner; contemptibly; as, despicably stingy.


word: Despiciency
definition:
Despiciency

Des*pi"cien*cy
(?)
n.
[L. despicientia. See Despise.]
A looking down; despection.
[Obs.]


word: Despise
definition:
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. ).


word: Despite
definition:
Despite

De*spite"
(?)
n.
[OF. despit, F. dépit, 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.]


word: Despite₂
definition:
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.


word: Despite₃
definition:
Despite

De*spite"
prep.
In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.


word: Despiteful
definition:
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.


word: Despiteous
definition:
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
Holland.


word: Despitous
definition:
Despitous

De*spit"ous
(?)
a.
Despiteous; very angry; cruel.
[Obs.]

He was to sinful man not despitous.
Chaucer.


word: Despoil
definition:
Despoil

De*spoil"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Despoiled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Despoiling.]
[OF. despoiller, F. dépouiller, 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.


word: despoiled
definition:
despoiled

despoiled
adj.
having been robbed and destroyed by force and violence.

Syn. -- pillaged, raped, ravaged, sacked.


word: Despoina
definition:
Despoina

Despoina
prop. n.
(Classical Mythology)
the daughter of Zeus and Demeter; made queen of the underworld by Pluto in ancient mythology; identified with Roman Proserpina.

Syn. -- Persephone, Kore, Cora.


word: despoliation
definition:
despoliation

de*spo`li*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. despoliatio. See Despoil.]
A stripping or plundering; spoliation.
Bailey.


word: despond
definition:
despond

de*spond"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.]
[L. despondēre, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spondēre 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.


word: Despondence
definition:
Despondence

De*spond"ence
(?)
n.
Despondency.

The people, when once infected, lose their relish for happiness [and] saunter about with looks of despondence.
Goldsmith.


word: Despondency
definition:
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.


word: Despondent
definition:
Despondent

De*spond"ent
(?)
a.
[L. despondens, -entis, p. pr. of despondēre.]
Marked by despondence; given to despondence; low-spirited; as, a despondent manner; a despondent prisoner.
De*spond"ent*ly, adv.


word: Desponsage
definition:
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.


word: Desponsate
definition:
Desponsate

De*spon"sate
(?)
v. t.
[L. desponsatus, p. p. of desponsare, intens. of despondere to betroth. See Despond.]
To betroth.
[Obs.]
Johnson.


word: Desponsation
definition:
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.


word: Despot
definition:
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.


word: Despotat
definition:
Despotat

Des"po*tat
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. despotat.]
The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a despot.
Freeman.


word: Despotical
definition:
Despotical

Despotic

{ Des*pot"ic (?), Des*pot"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. despotiko`s: 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.


word: Despotism
definition:
Despotism

Des"po*tism
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. despotisme.]
1.
The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny.
despotism
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.


word: Despumate
definition:
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.


word: Despumation
definition:
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.


word: Despume
definition:
Despume

De*spume"
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. F. despumer. See Despumate.]
To free from spume or scum.
[Obs.]

If honey be despumed.
Holland.


word: Desquamate
definition:
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.


word: Desquamation
definition:
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.


word: Desquamatory
definition:
Desquamatory

Desquamative

{ De*squam"a*tive (?), De*squam"a*to*ry (?), }
a.
Of, pertaining to, or attended with, desquamation.


word: Desquamatory₂
definition:
Desquamatory

De*squam"a*to*ry
n.
(Surg.)
An instrument formerly used in removing the laminæ of exfoliated bones.


word: Dessert
definition:
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.


word: Destinate
definition:
Destinate

Des"ti*nate
(?)
a.
[L. destinatus, p. p. of destinare. See Destine.]
Destined.
[Obs.]
Destinate
Foxe.


word: Destination
definition:
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.


word: Destine
definition:
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.


word: Destiny
definition:
Destiny

Des"ti*ny
(?)
n.
pl. Destinies (#).
[OE. destinee, destene, F. destinée, 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 Parcæ, or Fates; the supposed powers which preside over human life, and determine its circumstances and duration.

Marked by the Destinies to be avoided.
Shak.


word: Destituent
definition:
Destituent

De*stit"u*ent
(?; 135)
a.
[L. destituens, p. pr. of destituere.]
Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Destitute
definition:
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.


word: Destitute₂
definition:
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.


word: Destitution
definition:
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.


word: Dextrer
definition:
Dextrer

Destrer

{ Des*trer" (?), 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.


word: Destroy
definition:
Destroy

De*stroy"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Destroyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.]
[OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, 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.


word: Destroyable
definition:
Destroyable

De*stroy"a*ble
(?)
a.
Destructible.
[R.]

Plants . . . scarcely destroyable by the weather.
Derham.


word: destroyed
definition:
destroyed

destroyed
adj.
1.
p. p. of destroy.
annihilated, exterminated, wiped out(predicate)
blasted, desolate, desolated, devastated, ravaged, ruined, wasted
blighted, spoilt
blotted out, obliterate, obliterated
demolished, dismantled, razed
done for(predicate), kaput(predicate), gone(prenominal), lost, finished(predicate)
extinguished
ruined, wiped out(predicate), impoverished
totaled, wrecked
war-torn, war-worn
despoiled, pillaged, raped, ravaged, sacked
Also See: damaged.
preserved

2.
destroyed physically or morally.

Syn. -- ruined.


word: Destroyer
definition:
Destroyer

De*stroy"er
(?)
n.
[Cf. OF. destruior.]
1.
One who destroys, ruins, kills, or desolates.

2.
(Nav.)
a small fast warship used primarily as an escort to larger vessels and typically armed with a combination of 5-inch guns, torpedos, depth charges, and missiles; formerly identical to the Torpedo-boat destroyer.


word: Destruct
definition:
Destruct

De*struct"
(?)
v. t.
[L. destructus, p. p. of destruere. See Destroy.]
To destroy.
[Obs.]
Mede.


word: Destructibility
definition:
Destructibility

De*struc`ti*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. destructibilité.]
The quality of being capable of destruction; destructibleness.


word: Destructible
definition:
Destructible

De*struc"ti*ble
(?)
a.
[L. destructibilis.]
Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.


word: Destruction
definition:
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.


word: Destructionist
definition:
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.


word: Destructive
definition:
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.


word: destructive-metabolic
definition:
destructive-metabolic

destructive-metabolic
adj. prenom.
(Biochemistry & Physiology)
energy-releasing (prenominal); same as catabolic.

Syn. -- .


word: Destructiveness
definition:
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.


word: Destructor
definition:
Destructor

De*struc"tor
(?)
n.
[L., from destruere. See Destroy, and cf. Destroyer.]
1.
A destroyer.
[R.]

Fire, the destructor and the artificial death of things.
Boyle.

2.
A furnace or oven for the burning or carbonizing of refuse
specif.
(Sewage Disposal)
a furnace (called in full refuse destructor) in which the more solid constituents of sewage are burnt. Destructors are often so constructed as to utilize refuse as fuel.

3.
(Computers)
in object-oriented programming, a function which destroys an object which was previously created by a different function.


word: Desudation
definition:
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.


word: Desuetude
definition:
Desuetude

Des"ue*tude
(?)
n.
[L. desuetudo, from desuescere, to grow out of use, disuse; de + suescere to become used or accustomed: cf. F. désuétude. 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.


word: Desulphurate
definition:
Desulphurate

De*sul"phu*rate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Desulphurated; p. pr. & vb. n. Desulphurating.]
To deprive of sulphur.


word: Desulphuration
definition:
Desulphuration

De*sul`phu*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. désulfuration.]
The act or process of depriving of sulphur.


word: Desulphurize
definition:
Desulphurize

De*sul"phur*ize
(?)
v. t.
To desulphurate; to deprive of sulphur.
De*sul`phur*i*za"tion (#), n.


word: Desultorily
definition:
Desultorily

Des"ul*to*ri*ly
(?)
adv.
In a desultory manner; without method; loosely; immethodically.


word: Desultoriness
definition:
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.


word: Desultory
definition:
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.


word: Desume
definition:
Desume

De*sume"
(?)
v. t.
[L. desumere; de + sumere to take.]
To select; to borrow.
[Obs.]
Sir. M. Hale.


word: desynchronize
definition:
desynchronize

desynchronize
v. t.
to cause a process to occur at times or in cycles independent of another process.


word: desynchronizing
definition:
desynchronizing

desynchronization

desynchronization, desynchronizing
n.
a process causing an absence of synchronization; the relation that exists when things occur at unrelated times; as, the stimulus produced a desynchronizing of the brain waves.

Syn. -- asynchronism, asynchrony, desynchronization, desynchronisation.


word: Desynonymize
definition:
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.


word: Detach
definition:
Detach

De*tach"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detached (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Detaching.]
[F. détacher (cf. It. distaccare, staccare); pref. dé (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.


word: Detach₂
definition:
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.


word: Detached
definition:
Detached

De*tached"
(?)
a.
Separate; unconnected, or imperfectly connected; as, detached parcels.
detached
Burke.

Detached escapement. See Escapement.


word: Detachment
definition:
Detachment

De*tach"ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. détachement.]
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.


word: Detail
definition:
Detail

De"tail
(dē"tāl or de̝*tāl"; 277)
n.
[F. détail, fr. détailler to cut in pieces, tell in detail; pref. dé- (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.

4.
(Arch. & Mach.)
(a)
A minor part, as, in a building, the cornice, caps of the buttresses, capitals of the columns, etc., or (called larger details) a porch, a gable with its windows, a pavilion, or an attached tower.
(b)
A detail drawing.
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 by item; circumstantially; with particularity.


word: Detail₂
definition:
Detail

De"tail
(de̝*tāl")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Detailing.]
[Cf. F. détailler 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.

3.
To provide with fine or intricate added decoration.


word: detailed
definition:
detailed

de*tailed"
(de̝*tāld")
adj.
1.
Developed or executed with care and in minute detail; as, a detailed plan.

Syn. -- elaborate, elaborated.

2.
Containing details; containing subordinate parts as well as more general discussion; -- of a discourse; as, a specific and detailed account of the accident.  Opposite of sketchy, general, vague.

Syn. -- circumstantial, particularized, particularised.

3.
having fine or intricate added decoration.


word: detailing
definition:
detailing

detailing
n.
1.
description of something in detail.

Syn. -- particularization.

2.
Thorough cleaning, esp. of the interior of automobiles.

Syn. -- detailed cleaning.


word: Detain
definition:
Detain

De*tain"
(de̝*tān")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.]
[F. détenir, 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.


word: Detainer
definition:
Detainer

De*tain"er
(-ẽr)
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.


word: Detect
definition:
Detect

De*tect"
(de̝*tĕkt")
a.
[L. detectus, p. p. of detegere to uncover, detect; de + tegere to cover. See Tegument.]
Detected.
[Obs.]
Fabyan.


word: Detect₂
definition:
Detect

De*tect"
(de̝*tĕkt")
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.


word: Detectible
definition:
Detectible

Detectable

{ De*tect"a*ble (-ȧ*b'l), De*tect"i*ble (?), }
a.
Capable of being detected or found out; as, parties not detectable.
detectible
Latham.


word: Detecter
definition:
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.


word: Detection
definition:
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.


word: Detective
definition:
Detective

De*tect"ive
(?)
a.
Fitted for, or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting crime or criminals; as, a detective officer.


word: Detective₂
definition:
Detective

De*tect"ive
n.
One who business it is so detect criminals or discover matters of secrecy.


word: Detector
definition:
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.

2.
Specifically:
(a)
An indicator showing the depth of the water in a boiler.
(b)
(Elec.)
A galvanometer, usually portable, for indicating the direction of a current.
(c)
(Elec.)
Any of various devices for detecting the presence of electric waves.

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.


word: Detector bar
definition:
Detector bar

De*tect"or bar
(Railroads)
A bar, connected with a switch, longer than the distance between any two consecutive wheels of a train (45 to 50 feet), laid inside a rail and operated by the wheels so that the switch cannot be thrown until all the train is past the switch.


word: Detenebrate
definition:
Detenebrate

De*ten"e*brate
(?)
v. t.
[L. de + tenebrare to make dark, fr. tenebrae darkness.]
To remove darkness from.
[Obs.]
Ash.


word: Detent
definition:
Detent

De*tent"
(?)
n.
[F. détente, fr. détendre to unbend, relax; pref. dé- (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.


word: detente
definition:
detente

detente
(da̝*tänt")
n.
the easing of tensions or strained relations (especially between nations), as by agreement, negotiation, or tacit understandings.


word: Detention
definition:
Detention

De*ten"tion
(?)
n.
[L. detentio: cf. F. détention. 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.


word: Deter
definition:
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.


word: Deterge
definition:
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. déterger.]
To cleanse; to purge away, as foul or offending matter from the body, or from an ulcer.


word: Detergent
definition:
Detergent

De*ter"gent
(?)
a.
[L. detergens, -entis, p. pr. of detergere: cf. F. détergent.]
Cleansing; purging.
n. A substance which cleanses the skin, as water or soap; a medicine to cleanse wounds, ulcers, etc.


word: Deteriorate
definition:
Deteriorate

De*te"ri*o*rate
(de̝*tē"rĭ*o̝*rāt)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deteriorated (de̝*tē"rĭ*o̝*rā`tĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Deteriorating (de̝*tē"rĭ*o̝*rā`tĭng).]
[L. deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorare 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.


word: deteriorate
definition:
deteriorate

de*te"ri*o*rate
(de̝*tē"rĭ*o̝*rāt)
v. i.
To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.

Under such conditions, the mind rapidly deteriorates.
Goldsmith.


word: deteriorating
definition:
deteriorating

deteriorating
adj.
going from better to worse.

Syn. -- declining, failing, regressing, retrograde, retrogressive.


word: Deterioration
definition:
Deterioration

De*te`ri*o*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. deterioratio: cf. F. détérioration.]
The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.


word: deteriority
definition:
deteriority

de*te`ri*or"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. deterior worse. See Deteriorate.]
Worse state or quality; inferiority.
deteriority
[R.]
Ray.


word: Determinability
definition:
Determinability

De*ter`mi*na*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality of being determinable; determinableness.
Coleridge.


word: Determinable
definition:
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.


word: Determinant
definition:
Determinant

De*ter"mi*nant
(?)
a.
[L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. déterminant.]
Serving to determine or limit; determinative.


word: Determinant₂
definition:
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
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.


word: Determinate
definition:
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.


word: Determinate₂
definition:
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.


word: Determinately
definition:
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.


word: Determination
definition:
Determination

De*ter`mi*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. determinatio boundary, end: cf. F. détermination.]
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.


word: Determinative
definition:
Determinative

De*ter"mi*na*tive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. déterminatif.]
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.


word: Determinative₂
definition:
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).


word: Determine
definition:
Determine

De*ter"mine
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Determined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Determining.]
[F. déterminer, 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.


word: Determine₂
definition:
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
Shak.

He shall pay as the judges determine.
Ex. xxi. 22.


word: Determinism
definition:
Determinism

De*ter"min*ism
(?)
n.
(Metaph.)
The doctrine that the will is not free, but is inevitably and invincibly determined by motives, preceding events, and natural laws.

Its superior suitability to produce courage, as contrasted with scientific physical determinism, is obvious.
F. P. Cobbe.


word: Determinist
definition:
Determinist

De*ter"min*ist
n.
(Metaph.)
One who believes in determinism. Also adj.; as, determinist theories.


word: deterministic
definition:
deterministic

de*ter`min*ist"ic
a.
1.
of or pertaining to determinism; as, deterministic theories.

2.
causally determined and not subject to random chance.


word: Deterration
definition:
Deterration

De`ter*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. de + terra earth: cf. F. déterrer to unearth.]
The uncovering of anything buried or covered with earth; a taking out of the earth or ground.
Woodward.


word: Deterrent
definition:
Deterrent

De*ter"rent
(?)
a.
[L. deterrens, p. pr. of deterrere. See Deter.]
Serving to deter.
deterrent
E. Davis.


word: Detersion
definition:
Detersion

De*ter"sion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. détersion. See Deterge.]
The act of deterging or cleansing, as a sore.


word: Detersive
definition:
Detersive

De*ter"sive
(?)
a.
[Cf. détersif.]
Cleansing; detergent.
n. A cleansing agent; a detergent.


word: Detest
definition:
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. détester. 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.


word: Detestable
definition:
Detestable

De*test"a*ble
(?)
a.
[L. detestabilis: cf. F. détestable.]
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.


word: Detestation
definition:
Detestation

Det`es*ta"tion
(?; 277)
n.
[L. detestatio: cf. F. détestation.]
The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence; loathing.

We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil war.
Burke.


word: dethrone
definition:
dethrone

de*throne"
(de̝*thr&omacrn")
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dethroned (de̝*thr&omacrnd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Dethroning.]
[Pref. de- + throne: cf. F. détrôner; pref. dé- (L. dis-) + trône throne. See Throne.]
To remove or drive from a throne; to depose; to divest of supreme authority and dignity.
dethroned
Hume.


word: dethronement
definition:
dethronement

de*throne"ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. détrônement.]
Deposal from a throne; deposition from regal power.


word: Dethronize
definition:
Dethronize

De*thron"ize
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. LL. dethronizare.]
To dethrone or unthrone.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.


word: Detinue
definition:
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.


word: Detonate
definition:
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.


word: Detonating
definition:
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.


word: Detonation
definition:
Detonation

Det`o*na"tion
(dĕt`o̝*nā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. détonation.]
An explosion or sudden report made by the instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances; as, the detonation of gun cotton.


word: Detonator
definition:
Detonator

Det"o*na`tor
(dĕt"o̝*nā`tẽr)
n.
One that detonates
specif.:
(a)
An explosive whose action is practically instantaneous.
(b)
Something used to detonate a charge, as a detonating fuse.
(c)
A case containing detonating powder, the explosion of which serves as a signal, as on railroads.
(d)
A gun fired by a percussion cap.
[Obs.]


word: Detonize
definition:
Detonize

Det"o*nize
(dĕt"o̝*nīz)
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.


word: Detort
definition:
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. détorquer, détordre.]
To turn form the original or plain meaning; to pervert; to wrest.
Hammond.


word: Detortion
definition:
Detortion

De*tor"tion
(?)
n.
The act of detorting, or the state of being detorted; a twisting or warping.


word: Detour
definition:
Detour

De`tour"
(?)
n.
[F. détour, fr. détourner to turn aside; pref. dé- (L. dis-) + tourner to turn. See Turn.]
A turning; a circuitous route; a deviation from a direct course; as, the detours of the Mississippi.


word: detox
definition:
detox

detox
n.
1.
the hospital ward or clinic in which patients are detoxified; -- often used attributively.

Syn. -- detox ward.
2.
detoxification.


word: detoxify
definition:
detoxify

detoxify
v. t.
1.
to remove poison from; to rid of the effects of poison.

Syn. -- detoxicate.

2.
to render (a poisonous substance) non-toxic or harmless.


word: detoxification
definition:
detoxification

detoxification
n.
1.
a medically supervised treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol intended to rid the body of the addictive substances.

2.
treatment for poisoning by counteracting its toxic properties.

3.
conversion (of a poisonous substance) to a non-toxic or harmless state.


word: Detract
definition:
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. détracter. 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.


word: Detract₂
definition:
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.


word: Detracter
definition:
Detracter

De*tract"er
(?)
n.
One who detracts; a detractor.

Other detracters and malicious writers.
Sir T. North.


word: Detraction
definition:
Detraction

De*trac"tion
(?)
n.
[F. détraction, 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.


word: Detractive
definition:
Detractive

De*tract"ive
(?)
a.
1.
Tending to detractor draw.
[R.]

2.
Tending to lower in estimation; depreciative.


word: Detractor
definition:
Detractor

De*tract"or
(?)
n.
[L.: cf. F. détracteur.]
One who detracts; a derogator; a defamer.

His detractors were noisy and scurrilous.
Macaulay.


word: Detractory
definition:
Detractory

De*tract"o*ry
(?)
a.
Defamatory by denial of desert; derogatory; calumnious.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Detrain
definition:
Detrain

De*train"
(?)
v. i. & t.
To alight, or to cause to alight, from a railway train.
[Eng.]
London Graphic.


word: Detrect
definition:
Detrect

De*trect"
(?)
v. t.
[L. detrectare; de + tractare, intens. of trahere to draw.]
To refuse; to decline.
[Obs.]
detrect
Holinshed.


word: detribalization
definition:
detribalization

detribalization
n.
the act of causing tribal people to abandon their customs and adopt urban ways of living.

Syn. -- detribalisation.


word: detribalize
definition:
detribalize

detribalize
v. t.
to cause (members of a tribe) to lose their cultural identity and adopt other customs.


word: Detriment
definition:
Detriment

Det"ri*ment
(dĕt"rĭ*ment)
n.
[L. detrimentum, fr. deterere, detritum, to rub or wear away; de + terere to rub: cf. F. détriment. 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.]


word: Detriment₂
definition:
Detriment

Det"ri*ment
(?)
v. t.
To do injury to; to hurt.
[Archaic]

Other might be determined thereby.
Fuller.


word: Detrimental
definition:
Detrimental

Det`ri*men"tal
(?)
a.
Causing detriment; injurious; hurtful.

Neither dangerous nor detrimental to the donor.
Addison.


word: Detrition
definition:
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).


word: Detritus
definition:
Detritus

De*tri"tus
(?)
n.
[F. détritus, 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.

&hand_; For large portions, the word débris 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.


word: Detrude
definition:
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.


word: Detruncate
definition:
Detruncate

De*trun"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.


word: Detruncation
definition:
Detruncation

De`trun*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. detruncatio: cf. F. détroncation.]
The act of lopping or cutting off, as the head from the body.


word: Detrusion
definition:
Detrusion

De*tru"sion
(?)
n.
[L. detrusio. See Detrude.]
The act of thrusting or driving down or outward; outward thrust.
De*tru"sive, a.


word: Detumescence
definition:
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.


word: Detur
definition:
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.]


word: Deturbate
definition:
Deturbate

De*tur"bate
(?)
v. t.
[LL. deturbatus, p. p. of deturbare, fr. L. deturbare to thrust down.]
To evict; to remove.
[Obs.]
Foxe.


word: Deturpate
definition:
Deturpate

De*tur"pate
(?)
v. t.
[L. deturpare; de + turpare to make ugly, defile, turpis ugly, foul.]
To defile; to disfigure.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Deuce
definition:
Deuce

Deuce
(dūs)
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.


word: Deuce₂
definition:
Deuce

Deuce
n.
[Cf. LL. dusius, Armor, dus, teûz, 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]


word: Deuterocanonical
definition:
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.


word: Deuterogamy
definition:
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.


word: Deuterogenic
definition:
Deuterogenic

Deu`ter*o*gen"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; second + root of gi`gnesqai to be born.]
(Geol.)
Of secondary origin; -- said of certain rocks whose material has been derived from older rocks.


word: Deuteronomy
definition:
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.


word: Deuteropathy
definition:
Deuteropathy

Deuteropathia

{ &VerbarDeu`ter*o*pa*thi"a (?), Deu`ter*op"a*thy (?), }
n.
[NL. deuteropathia, fr. Gr. _; second + _; suffering, fr. _;, _;, to suffer: cf. F. deutéropathie.]
(Med.)
A sympathetic affection of any part of the body, as headache from an overloaded stomach.


word: Deuteroscopy
definition:
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.


word: Deuterozooid
definition:
Deuterozooid

Deu`ter*o*zo"oid
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; second + E. zooid.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Deut-
definition:
Deut-

Deuto-

Deu"to- (?) or Deut- (dūt-)
[Contr. from Gr. dey`teros 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.


word: Deutohydroguret
definition:
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.]


word: Deutoplasm
definition:
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.


word: Deutoplastic
definition:
Deutoplastic

Deu`to*plas"tic
(?)
a.
[Pref. deuto- + Gr. _; plastic.]
(Biol.)
Pertaining to, or composed of, deutoplasm.


word: Deutoxide
definition:
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.


word: Deutzia
definition:
Deutzia

Deut"zi*a
(?)
n.
[NL. Named after Jan Deutz of Holland.]
(Bot.)
A genus of shrubs with pretty white flowers, much cultivated.


word: Deva
definition:
Deva

Dev

&VerbarDev (?), or  &VerbarDe"va (_;)
n.
[Skr. d_;va.  Cf. Deity.]
(Hind. Myth.)
A god; a deity; a divine being; an idol; a king.


word: Devanagari
definition:
Devanagari

De`va*na"ga*ri
(?)
n.
[Skr. dēvanāgarī; dēva god + nagara city, i. e., divine city.]
The script or characters in which Sanskrit and Hindi are written.


word: Devastate
definition:
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.


word: devastated
definition:
devastated

devastated
adj.
same as desolated.

Syn. -- blasted, desolate, desolated, ravaged, ruined, wasted.


word: devastating
definition:
devastating

devastating
adj.
1.
highly critical; making light of; as, a devastating portrait of human folly.

Syn. -- annihilating, withering.

2.
causing or capable of causing complete destruction; as, a devastating hurricane.

Syn. -- annihilative.


word: Devastation
definition:
Devastation

Dev`as*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. dévastation.]
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.


word: Devastavit
definition:
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.


word: Devata
definition:
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.]


word: Develop
definition:
Develop

De*vel"op
(de̝*vĕl"&obreve_;p)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Developed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Developing.]
[F. déveloper; dé- (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.


word: Develop₂
definition:
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.


word: Developable
definition:
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.


word: developed
definition:
developed

developed
adj.
1.
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful; as, the developed qualities of the Hellenic outlook; the state's well-developed industries.  Oppositre of undeveloped.
formulated
mature

2.
made more useful and profitable as by building or laying out roads; -- of real estate.
new houses are springing up on the developed tract of land near the river

Syn. -- improved.


word: developing
definition:
developing

developing
adj.
1.
not industrialized but undergoing industrialization; -- sometimes used as a euphemism for "undeveloped"; -- of nations.

Syn. -- underdeveloped.

2.
[pr. p. of develop (WN definition 5)]
becoming or arising; as, the rushing yellow of the developing day.


word: developing₂
definition:
developing

developing
n.
the process of treating a photosensitive material with chemicals in order to make a latent image visible.

Syn. -- development.


word: Developer
definition:
Developer

De*vel"op*er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, develops.

2.
(Photog.)
A chemical bath or reagent used in developing photographs.
By the action of the developer, the latent image on a photographic plate or film, not perceptible to the eye after exposure in the camera, is developed and becomes visible.

3.
(Dyeing)
A reagent used to produce an ingrain color by its action upon some substance on the fiber.

4.
a corporation or individual who finances or organizes a real estate development{5}.


word: Development
definition:
Development

De*vel"op*ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. développement.]
[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.

5.
A tract of land on which a number of buildings have been constructed; -- especially used for tract on which from two to hundreds of houses have been constructed by a commercial developer{4} for sale to individuals.

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.


word: Developmental
definition:
Developmental

De*vel`op*men"tal
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the process of development; as, the developmental power of a germ.
Carpenter.


word: Devenustate
definition:
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.]


word: Devest
definition:
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. dévêtir.  Cf. Divest.]
1.
To divest; to undress.
Shak.

2.
To take away, as an authority, title, etc., to deprive; to alienate, as an estate.

&hand_; This word is now generally written divest, except in the legal sense.


word: Devexity
definition:
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.)


word: deviance
definition:
deviance

deviance
n.
1.
an aberrant state or condition.

Syn. -- aberrance, aberrancy, aberration.

2.
deviate behavior.

Syn. -- deviation.


word: Deviant
definition:
Deviant

De"vi*ant
(?)
a.
1.
Deviating.
[Obs.]

2.
having behavior or characteristics differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviant behavior.

Syn. -- deviate.


word: Deviate
definition:
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.


word: deviate
definition:
deviate

de"vi*ate
(dē"ve̝*ĭt)
a.
having behavior differing from that which is normal or expected, especially in an undesirable or socially disapproved manner; as, deviate behavior.

Syn. -- deviant.


word: deviate₂
definition:
deviate

de"vi*ate
(dē"ve̝*ĭt)
n.
a person having behavior differing from that which is normal or socially acceptable; -- used especially to characterize persons whose sexual behavior is considered morally unacceptable.

Syn. -- deviant.


word: deviation
definition:
deviation

de`vi*a"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. deviatio: cf. F. déviation.]
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.

3.
(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.

4.
(Statistics, Physics)
the difference between an expected value of an observation or measurement and the actual value.

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.


word: Device
definition:
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.
7.
any artifactual object designed to perform an action or process, with or without an operator in attendance.


word: Deviceful
definition:
Deviceful

De*vice"ful
(?)
a.
Full of devices; inventive.
[R.]

A carpet, rich, and of deviceful thread.
Chapman.


word: Devil
definition:
Devil

Dev"il
(?)
n.
[AS. deófol, deóful; akin to G. _;eufel, Goth. diabaúlus; 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.
devil
devil
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 (Zool.), one of two or more South African drongo shrikes (Edolius retifer, and Edolius 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 Laminaria longicruris) of the Atlantic ocean, having a blackish, leathery expansion, shaped somewhat like an apron. -- Devil's coachhorse. (Zool.) (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. (Zool.) See under Darn, v. t. -- Devil's fingers, Devil's hand (Zool.), the common British starfish (Asterias rubens); -- also applied to a sponge with stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.] -- Devil's riding-horse (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), a very savage carnivorous marsupial of Tasmania (Dasyurus ursinus syn.  Diabolus ursinus). -- To play devil with, to molest extremely; to ruin. [Low]


word: devil
definition:
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.


word: Devil bird
definition:
Devil bird

Devil-diver

Dev"il-div`er (?), Dev"il bird` (_;)
n.
(Zool.)
A small water bird. See Dabchick.


word: deviled egg
definition:
deviled egg

deviled egg
a hard-boiled egg, sliced into halves and with the yolk removed and replaced with a paste, usually made from the yolk and mayonnaise, seasoned with salt and/or spices such as paprika.


word: Devilfish
definition:
Devilfish

Dev"il*fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(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.


word: Devilish
definition:
Devilish

Dev"il*ish
a.
1.
Resembling, characteristic of, or pertaining to, the devil; diabolical; wicked in the extreme.
Devilish
Sir P. Sidney.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James iii. 15.

2.
Extreme; excessive.
[Colloq.]
Dryden.


word: Devilism
definition:
Devilism

Dev"il*ism
(?)
n.
The state of the devil or of devils; doctrine of the devil or of devils.
Bp. Hall.


word: Devilize
definition:
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.


word: devil-may-care
definition:
devil-may-care

devil-may-care
adj.
1.
cheerfully irresponsible.

Syn. -- carefree, happy-go-lucky, harum-scarum, slaphappy.

2.
marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness.

Syn. -- raffish, rakish.


word: Devilry
definition:
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.


word: Devil's darning-needle
definition:
Devil's darning-needle

Dev"il's darn"ing-nee`dle
(Zool.)
A dragon fly. See Darning needle, under Darn, v. t.


word: Deviltry
definition:
Deviltry

Dev"il*try
(?)
n.
pl. Deviltries (_;).
Diabolical conduct; malignant mischief; devilry.
C. Reade.


word: Devilwood
definition:
Devilwood

Dev"il*wood`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A kind of tree (Osmanthus Americanus), allied to the European olive.


word: Devious
definition:
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.


word: Devirginate
definition:
Devirginate

De*vir"gin*ate
(?)
a.
[L. devirginatus, p. p. of devirginare.]
Deprived of virginity.
[R.]


word: Devisable
definition:
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.


word: Devise
definition:
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.


word: Devise₂
definition:
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.

&hand_; Devise was formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease.
Spenser.


word: Devise₃
definition:
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.


word: Devisor
definition:
Devisor

De*vis"or
(?)
n.
(Law)
One who devises, or gives real estate by will; a testator; -- correlative to devisee.


word: Devitable
definition:
Devitable

Dev"i*ta*ble
(?)
a.
[L. devitare to avoid; de + vitare to shun, avoid.]
Avoidable.
[Obs.]


word: Devitation
definition:
Devitation

Dev`i*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. devitatio.]
An avoiding or escaping; also, a warning.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Devitrification
definition:
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.


word: Devitrify
definition:
Devitrify

De*vit"ri*fy
(?)
v. t.
To deprive of glasslike character; to take away vitreous luster and transparency from.


word: Devocalize
definition:
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.


word: Devocation
definition:
Devocation

Dev`o*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. devocare to call off or away; de + vocare to call.]
A calling off or away.
[R.]
Hallywell.


word: Devoid
definition:
Devoid

De*void"
(?)
v. t.
[OE. devoiden to leave, OF. desvuidier, desvoidier, to empty out. See Void.]
To empty out; to remove.


word: Devoid₂
definition:
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.


word: Devoir
definition:
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.
devoid
Chaucer.


word: Devolute
definition:
Devolute

Dev"o*lute
(?)
v. t.
[L. devolutus, p. p. of devolvere. See Devolve.]
To devolve.
[Obs.]
Foxe.


word: Devolution
definition:
Devolution

Dev`o*lu"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. devolutio: cf. F. dévolution.]
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.


word: Devolve
definition:
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.


word: Devolve₂
definition:
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.


word: Devon
definition:
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.


word: Devonian
definition:
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.


word: Devoration
definition:
Devoration

Dev`o*ra"tion
(?)
n.
[L. devoratio. See Devour.]
The act of devouring.
[Obs.]
Holinshed.


word: Devote
definition:
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.


word: Devoted
definition:
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.


word: Devotee
definition:
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.


word: Devotion
definition:
Devotion

De*vo"tion
(?)
n.
[F. dévotion, 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.
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.


word: Devotional
definition:
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.


word: Devotionist
definition:
Devotionist

Devotionalist

{ De*vo"tion*al*ist, De*vo"tion*ist, }
n.
One given to devotion, esp. to excessive formal devotion.


word: Devour
definition:
Devour

De*vour"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Devoured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Devouring.]
[F. dévorer, 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.


word: Devout
definition:
Devout

De*vout"
(?)
a.
[OE. devot, devout, F. dévot, 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.


word: Devout₂
definition:
Devout

De*vout"
n.
1.
A devotee.
[Obs.]
Sheldon.

2.
A devotional composition, or part of a composition; devotion.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Devoutful
definition:
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.


word: Devoutly
definition:
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.


word: Devow
definition:
Devow

De*vow"
(?)
v. t.
[F. dévouer, 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.


word: Devulgarize
definition:
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.


word: Dew
definition:
Dew

Dew
(dū)
n.
[AS. deáw; akin to D. dauw, G. thau, tau, Icel. dögg, Sw. dagg, Dan. dug; cf. Skr. dhav, dhāv, to flow. √72.  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.
dew
Shak.

3.
An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor.
dew
Longfellow.

&hand_; Dew is used in combination; as, dew-bespangled, dew-drenched, dewdrop, etc.


word: Dew₂
definition:
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.


word: Dewar flask
definition:
Dewar flask

Dewar vessel

Dewar

Dew"ar (dū"ẽr), Dew"ar ves`sel, Dew"ar flask
[After Sir James Dewar, British physicist.]
A double-walled glass vessel for holding liquid air, liquid nitrogen, etc., having the space between the walls exhausted so as to prevent conduction of heat, and sometimes having the glass silvered to prevent absorption of radiant heat; -- called also, according to the particular shape, Dewar bulb, Dewar tube, etc.


word: Dewberry
definition:
Dewberry

Dew"ber`ry
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
The fruit of certain species of bramble (Rubus); in England, the fruit of Rubus cæsius, which has a glaucous bloom; in America, that of Rubus canadensis and Rubus hispidus, species of low blackberries.
(b)
The plant which bears the fruit.

Feed him with apricots and dewberries.
Shak.


word: Dewclaw
definition:
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.


word: Dewlap
definition:
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.


word: Dew-point
definition:
Dew-point

Dew"-point`
(?)
n.
(Meteor.)
The temperature at which dew begins to form. It varies with the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere.


word: Dewretting
definition:
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.


word: Dewrot
definition:
Dewrot

Dew"rot`
(?)
v. t.
To rot, as flax or hemp, by exposure to rain, dew, and sun. See Dewretting.


word: Dewy
definition:
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.


word: Dexedrine
definition:
Dexedrine

Dexedrine
n.
an isomer of amphetamine used as a central nervous system stimulant (Dexedrine is a trademark).

Syn. -- dextroamphetamine sulphate.


word: Dexter
definition:
Dexter

Dex"ter
(dĕks"tẽr)
a.
[L.,; akin to Gr. _;, _;, Skr. dakshi&nsdot_;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.


word: Dexter₂
definition:
Dexter

Dex"ter
n.
[Prob. so named after the original breeder.]
One of a breed of small hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, valuable both for beef and milk. They are usually chiefly black, sometimes red, and somewhat resemble a small shorthorn in build. Called also Dexter Kerry.


word: Dexterity
definition:
Dexterity

Dex*ter"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F. dextérité. 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.


word: Dexterous
definition:
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
Trench.


word: Dextrad
definition:
Dextrad

Dex"trad
(?)
adv.
[L. dextra the right hand + ad to.]
(Anat.)
Toward the right side; dextrally.


word: Dextral
definition:
Dextral

Dex"tral
(?)
a.
[From Dexter.]
Right, as opposed to sinistral, or left.

Dextral shell (Zool.), 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.


word: Dextrality
definition:
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.


word: Dextrin
definition:
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 Achroodextrin, and Erythrodextrin.


word: Dextro-
definition:
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.


word: Dextronic
definition:
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.


word: Dextrorotatory
definition:
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.


word: Dextrorse
definition:
Dextrorse

Dextrorsal

{ Dex*tror"sal (?), Dex"trorse` (?), }
a.
[L. dextrorsum, contr. fr. dextrovorsum, dextroversum, toward the right side; dexter right + versus, vorsus, p. p. of vertere, vortere, to turn.]
(Botany)
Turning from the left to the right, in the ascending line, as in the spiral inclination of the stem of the common morning-glory; as, dextrorse vines.

&hand_; 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.


word: Dextrose
definition:
Dextrose

Dex"trose`
(dĕks"tr&omacrs`)
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, and also called glucose. Dextrose and levulose are obtained by the inversion of cane sugar or sucrose, and hence the mixture is called 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.

&hand_; 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 sugar or sucrose.


word: Dextrousness
definition:
Dextrousness

Dextrously

Dextrous

Dex"trous (?), a., Dex"trous*ly, adv., Dex"trous*ness, n.
Same as Dexterous, Dexterously, etc.


word: Dey₂
definition:
Dey

Dey
(?)
n.
pl. Deys (#).
[Turk. dāi, 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.


word: Dezincification
definition:
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.


word: Dharma
definition:
Dharma

Dharma
prop. n.
(Hinduism)
The basic principles of the cosmos; also: an ancient sage in Hindu mythology worshipped as a god by some lower castes;.


word: Dhole
definition:
Dhole

Dhole
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dhurra
definition:
Dhurra

Dhourra

Dhoorra

&VerbarDhoor"ra, &VerbarDhour"ra, or Dhur"ra (_;)
n.
Indian millet. See Durra.


word: Dhow
definition:
Dhow

Dhow
(?)
n.
[Ar. dāo?]
A coasting vessel of Arabia, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean. It has generally but one mast and a lateen sail.
[Also written dow.]


word: Di-
definition:
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.


word: Di-₂
definition:
Di-

Dia-

{ Di"a- (?), 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.


word: Diabase
definition:
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.


word: Diabaterial
definition:
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.


word: diabetes
definition:
diabetes

di`a*be"tes
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. _;, fr. _; to pass or cross over. See Diabase.]
(Med.)
Any of several diseases which is attended with a persistent, excessive discharge of urine; when used without qualification, the term usually refers to diabetes mellitus. The most common form is diabetes mellitus, in which the urine is not only increased in quantity, but contains saccharine matter, and the condition if untreated is generally fatal.

&hand_;  The two major subtypes recognized are diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.  In diabetes insipidus there is excretion of large amounts of urine of relatively low density, accompanied by extreme thirst, but the urine contains no abnormal constituent.  The more serious form diabetes mellitus (from Latin mellitus, sweetened with honey) is a metabolic disease in which the utilization of carbohydrate is reduced and that of lipids and proteins is increased.  This form is caused by a deficiency in insulin (which is mostly formed in the pancreas), and may be accompanied by glucosuria, hyperglycemia, elecrolyte loss, ketoacidosis, and sometimes coma.  It has severe long-term effects, including damage to the nerves, the retina, and the kidney, and degeneration of blood vessels which may lead to poor circulation, especially in the limbs, subsequent infection, and eventual loss of limbs.
   Diabetes mellitus itself has recognized variants, being divided into insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.  Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is also called adult-onset diabetes (abbreviated NIDDM), and is the less severe form of diabetes mellitus, occurring mostly in obese individuals over the age of 35.  It may be treated by diet and oral hypoglycemic agents, though occasionally serious degenerative effects may develop.  Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (abbreviated IDDM), also called type I diabetes, is a severe form of the disease, usually starting when the affected person is young (hence also called juvenile-onset diabetes).  In addition to the increased urine (polyuria) common to all forms of diabetes, this form is characterized by low levels of insulin in the blood, ketoacidosis, increased appetite, and increased fluid intake, and may lead to weight loss and eventually the severe degenerative effects mentioned above.  Treatment requires administration of insulin and careful regulation of the diet.
Stedman

&VerbarDiabetes mellitus [NL., sweet diabetes], that form of diabetes in which the urine contains saccharine matter. -- &VerbarDiabetes insipidus [NL., lit., diabetes], the form of diabetes in which the urine contains no abnormal constituent.


word: Diabetical
definition:
Diabetical

Diabetic

{ Di`a*bet"ic (?), Di`a*bet"ic*al (?), }
a.
Pertaining to diabetes; as, diabetic or diabetical treatment.
Quian.

Diabetic sugar. (Chem.) Same as Dextrose.


word: Diabley
definition:
Diabley

Diablerie

{ &VerbarDia`ble*rie" (?), Di*ab"le*y (?), }
n.
[F. diablerie, fr. diable devil, L. diabolus. See Devil.]
Devilry; sorcery or incantation; a diabolical deed; mischief.


word: Diabolical
definition:
Diabolical

Diabolic

{ Di`a*bol"ic (?), Di`a*bol"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. diabolicus, Gr. _; devilish, slanderous: cf. F. diabolique. See Devil.]
1.
Pertaining to the devil; resembling, or appropriate, or appropriate to, the devil; befitting hell or satan; devilish; infernal; impious; as, a diabolic or diabolical temper or act; the diabolical expression on his face; fires lit up a diabolic scene.
Diabolic
Milton.
diabolical
Motley.

Syn. -- devilish, mephistophelian, mephistophelean.

2.
showing a wicked cunning or ingenuity; as, the cold calculation and diabolic art of some statesmen.

Syn. -- devilish, mephistophelian, mephistophelean.

3.
extremely evil or cruel; atrocious; outrageously wicked; as, diabolical sorcerers under the influence of devils; diabolical torturers taking pleasure in their craft.

Syn. -- demonic, fiendish, hellish, infernal, nefarious, satanic.


word: Diabolify
definition:
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.


word: Diabolism
definition:
Diabolism

Di*ab"o*lism
(?)
n.
1.
Character, action, or principles appropriate to the devil.

2.
Possession by the devil.
Bp. Warburton.


word: Diabolo
definition:
Diabolo

Di*ab"o*lo
(dĭ*ăb"o̝*l&omacr)
n.
An old game or sport (revived under this name) consisting in whirling on a string, fastened to two sticks, a small somewhat spool-shaped object (called the diabolo) so as to balance it on a string, toss it in the air and catch it, etc.


word: Diacatholicon
definition:
Diacatholicon

Di`a*ca*thol"i*con
(?)
n.
[Pref. dia- + catholicon.]
(Med.)
A universal remedy; -- a name formerly given to a purgative electuary.


word: Diacaustic
definition:
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.


word: Diacaustic₂
definition:
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.


word: Diachylum
definition:
Diachylum

Diachylon

{ &VerbarDi*ach"y*lon (?), &VerbarDi*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.


word: Diacid
definition:
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.


word: Diacodium
definition:
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.


word: Diaconal
definition:
Diaconal

Di*ac"o*nal
(?)
a.
[LL. diaconalis: cf. F. diaconal.  Cf. Deacon.]
Of or pertaining to a deacon.


word: Diaconate
definition:
Diaconate

Di*ac"o*nate
(?)
n.
[L. diaconatus: cf. F. diaconat.]
The office of a deacon; deaconship; also, a body or board of deacons.


word: Diacoustic
definition:
Diacoustic

Di`a*cous"tic
(?)
a.
[Pref. di- + acoustic.]
Pertaining to the science or doctrine of refracted sounds.


word: Diacoustics
definition:
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.


word: Diacritical
definition:
Diacritical

Diacritic

{ Di`a*crit"ic (?), 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, ā, ă, ä, &omacr, &obreve_;, etc.
Diacritical
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.


word: Diactinic
definition:
Diactinic

Di`ac*tin"ic
(?)
a.
[Pref. di- + actinic.]
(Physics)
Capable of transmitting the chemical or actinic rays of light; as, diactinic media.


word: Diadelphia
definition:
Diadelphia

Di`a*del"phi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; brother.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan class of plants whose stamens are united into two bodies or bundles by their filaments.


word: Diadelphous
definition:
Diadelphous

Diadelphian

{ Di`a*del"phi*an (?), 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).


word: Diadem
definition:
Diadem

Di"a*dem
(?)
n.
[F. diadème, L. diadema, fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to bind round; dia` through, across + _; to bind; cf. Skr. dā 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.
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. (Zool.) See Indri. -- Diadem spider (Zool.), the garden spider.


word: Diadem₂
definition:
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.


word: Diadrom
definition:
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.


word: Dieresis
definition:
Dieresis

Diaeresis

{ Di*ær"e*sis, Di*er"e*sis  }
(?; 277)
n.
pl. Diæreses 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 synæresis.

2.
A mark consisting of two dots [¨], placed over the second of two adjacent vowels, to denote that they are to be pronounced as distinct letters; as, coöperate, aërial.


word: Diageotropic
definition:
Diageotropic

Di`a*ge`o*trop"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. dia` through, at variance + _; earth + _; turning.]
(Bot.)
Relating to, or exhibiting, diageotropism.


word: Diageotropism
definition:
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.


word: Diaglyphtic
definition:
Diaglyphtic

Diaglyphic

{ Di`a*glyph"ic (?), Di`a*glyph"tic (?), }
a.
Represented or formed by depressions in the general surface; as, diaglyphic sculpture or engraving; -- opposed to anaglyphic.


word: Diagnose
definition:
Diagnose

Di`ag*nose"
(?)
v. t. & i.
To ascertain by diagnosis; to diagnosticate. See Diagnosticate.


word: diagnosing
definition:
diagnosing

diagnosing
n.
the act or process of identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon.

Syn. -- diagnosis.


word: Diagnosis
definition:
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.
Hence, the act or process of identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon, especially the abnormal behavior of an animal or artifactual device; as, diagnosis of a vibration in an automobile; diagnosis of the failure of a sales campaign; diagnosis of a computer malfunction.

3.
Scientific determination of any kind; the concise description of characterization of a species.

4.
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.


word: Diagnostic
definition:
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.


word: Diagnostic₂
definition:
Diagnostic

Di`ag*nos"tic
n.
The mark or symptom by which one disease is known or distinguished from others.


word: Diagnosticate
definition:
Diagnosticate

Di`ag*nos"ti*cate
(?)
v. t. & i.
[From Diagnostic.]
To make a diagnosis of; to recognize by its symptoms, as a disease.


word: Diagnostics
definition:
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.


word: Diagometer
definition:
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.


word: Diagonal
definition:
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° 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.


word: Diagonal₂
definition:
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.


word: Diagonial
definition:
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.


word: Diagram
definition:
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


word: Diagrammatic
definition:
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.


word: Diagraph
definition:
Diagraph

Di"a*graph
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; to draw: cf. F. diagraphe. See Diagram.]
A drawing instrument, combining a protractor and scale.


word: Diagraphical
definition:
Diagraphical

Diagraphic

{ Di`a*graph"ic (?), Di`a*graph"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. diagraphique.]
Descriptive.


word: Diagraphics
definition:
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.


word: Diaheliotropic
definition:
Diaheliotropic

Di`a*he`li*o*trop"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;  through, at variance + _; sun + _; turning.]
(Bot.)
Relating or, or manifesting, diaheliotropism.


word: Diaheliotropism
definition:
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.


word: Dial
definition:
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 (Zool.), 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.


word: Dial₂
definition:
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.


word: Dialect
definition:
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.


word: Dialectic
definition:
Dialectic

Di`a*lec"tic
(?)
n.
Same as Dialectics.

Plato placed his dialectic above all sciences.
Liddell & Scott.


word: Dialectical
definition:
Dialectical

Dialectic

{ Di`a*lec"tic (?), 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.


word: Dialectician
definition:
Dialectician

Di`a*lec*ti"cian
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. dialecticien.]
One versed in dialectics; a logician; a reasoner.


word: Dialectics
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Dialectology
definition:
Dialectology

Di`a*lec*tol"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Dialect  + -logy.]
That branch of philology which is devoted to the consideration of dialects.
Beck.


word: Dialing
definition:
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.


word: Diallage
definition:
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.


word: Diallage₂
definition:
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.


word: Diallel
definition:
Diallel

Di"al*lel
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; crossing.]
Meeting and intersecting, as lines; not parallel; -- opposed to parallel.
[Obs.]
Ash.


word: Diallyl
definition:
Diallyl

Di*al"lyl
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A volatile, pungent, liquid hydrocarbon, C6H10, consisting of two allyl radicals.


word: Dialogical
definition:
Dialogical

Di`a*log"ic*al
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; belonging to discourse.]
Relating to a dialogue; dialogistical.
Burton.


word: Dialogism
definition:
Dialogism

Di*al"o*gism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _;: cf. F. dialogisme. See Dialogue.]
An imaginary speech or discussion between two or more; dialogue.
Fulke.


word: Dialogist
definition:
Dialogist

Di*al"o*gist
(?)
n.
[L. dialogista: cf. F. dialogiste.]
1.
A speaker in a dialogue.

2.
A writer of dialogues.
P. Skelton.


word: Dialogistical
definition:
Dialogistical

Dialogistic

{ Di*al`o*gis"tic (?), 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.


word: Dialogite
definition:
Dialogite

Di*al"o*gite
(?)
n.
[From Gr. _; an arguing.]
(Min.)
Native carbonate of manganese; rhodochrosite.


word: Dialogue
definition:
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.


word: Dialogue₂
definition:
Dialogue

Di"a*logue
v. i.
[Cf. F. dialoguer.]
To take part in a dialogue; to dialogize.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Dialogue₃
definition:
Dialogue

Di"a*logue
v. t.
To express as in dialogue.
[R.]

And dialogued for him what he would say.
Shak.


word: Dialypetalous
definition:
Dialypetalous

Di`al*y*pet"al*ous
(?)
a.
[Gr. dia` through, asunder + _; to loose + _; leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having separate petals; polypetalous.


word: Dialysis
definition:
Dialysis

Di*al"y*sis
(?)
n.
pl. Dialyses (#).
[L., separation, fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to part asunder, dissolve; dia` through + _; to loose.]
1.
(Gram.)
Diæresis. See Diæresis, 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.


word: Dialytic
definition:
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.


word: Dialyze
definition:
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.]


word: Diamagnetic
definition:
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.


word: Diamagnetic₂
definition:
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.  Contrasted with paramagnetic and ferromagnetic.


word: Diamagnetism
definition:
Diamagnetism

Di`a*mag"net*ism
(?)
n.
1.
The science which treats of diamagnetic phenomena, and of the properties of diamagnetic bodies.

2.
The magnetic action which characterizes diamagnetic substances, the magnetic moments of which tend to oppose an externally applied magnetic field.  Contrasted with paramagnetism and ferromagnetism.


word: Diameter
definition:
Diameter

Di*am"e*ter
(?)
n.
[F. diamètre, 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Diametral
definition:
Diametral

Di*am"e*tral
(?)
a.
[Gr. F. diamétral.]
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.


word: Diametrical
definition:
Diametrical

Diametric

{ Di*am"e*tric (?), 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.


word: Diametrically
definition:
Diametrically

Di*am"e*tric*al*ly
adv.
In a diametrical manner; directly; as, diametrically opposite.

Whose principles were diametrically opposed to his.
Macaulay.


word: Diamide
definition:
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.


word: Diamido-
definition:
Diamido-

Di*am"i*do-
(_;)
a.
(Chem.)
A prefix or combining form of Diamine.
[Also used adjectively.]


word: Diamine
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Diamond
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.

 &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 (Zool.), a large South American weevil (Entimus imperialis), remarkable for its splendid luster and colors, due to minute brilliant scales. -- Diamond bird (Zool.), a small Australian bird (Pardalotus punctatus, family Ampelidæ.). 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 (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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.


word: Diamond₂
definition:
Diamond

Di"a*mond
(?; 277)
a.
Resembling a diamond; made of, or abounding in, diamonds; as, a diamond chain; a diamond field.


word: Diamond jubilee
definition:
Diamond jubilee

Diamond anniversary

{ Diamond anniversary, Diamond jubilee, etc. }
an anniversary celebrated upon the completion of sixty, or, according to some, seventy-five, years from the beginning of the event commemorated.


word: Diamond-back
definition:
Diamond-back

Di"a*mond-back`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The salt-marsh terrapin of the Atlantic coast (Malacoclemmys palustris).


word: Diamonded
definition:
Diamonded

Di"a*mond*ed
a.
1.
Having figures like a diamond or lozenge.

2.
Adorned with diamonds; diamondized.
Emerson.


word: Diamondize
definition:
Diamondize

Di"a*mond*ize
(?)
v. t.
To set with diamonds; to adorn; to enrich.
[R.]

Diamondizing of your subject.
B. Jonson.


word: Diamylene
definition:
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.


word: Diana
definition:
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 (Zool.), a handsome, white-bearded monkey of West Africa (Cercopithecus Diana).


word: Diandria
definition:
Diandria

Di*an"dri*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _;, _;, a man, a male.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan class of plants having two stamens.


word: Diandrous
definition:
Diandrous

Di*an"drous
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. diandre.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the class Diandria; having two stamens.


word: Dianium
definition:
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.]


word: Dianoetic
definition:
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.


word: Dianoialogy
definition:
Dianoialogy

Di`a*noi*al"o*gy
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; thought + -logy.]
The science of the dianoetic faculties, and their operations.
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Dianthus
definition:
Dianthus

Di*an"thus
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, gen. _;, Zeus + 'a`nqos flower.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants containing some of the most popular of cultivated flowers, including the pink, carnation, and Sweet William.


word: Diapasm
definition:
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.]


word: Diapason
definition:
Diapason

Di`a*pa"son
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. diapasw^n (i. e., "h dia` pasw^n chordw^n symfoni`a the concord of the first and last notes, the octave); dia` through + pasw^n, gen. pl. of pa^s all: cf. F. diapason.  Cf. Panacea.]
1.
(Gr. Mus.)
The octave, or interval which includes all the tones of the diatonic scale.  Compare disdiapason.

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; the entire compass of tones of a voice or an instrument.

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.


word: Diapedesis
definition:
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.


word: Diapensiaceae
definition:
Diapensiaceae

Diapensiaceae
n.
a natural family of northern temperate low evergreen plants; in some classifications placed in its own order Diapensiales.

Syn. -- family Diapensiaceae, diapensia family.


word: Diapensiales
definition:
Diapensiales

Diapensiales
n.
an order of plants, used in some classifications as coextensive with the family Diapensiaceae.

Syn. -- order Diapensiales.


word: Diapente
definition:
Diapente

Di`a*pen"te
(-pĕn"te̝)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. dia`pente a fifth; dia` through + pe`nte five: cf. F. diapente.]
1.
(Anc. Mus.)
The interval of the fifth.

2.
(Med.)
A composition of five ingredients.


word: Diaper
definition:
Diaper

Di"a*per
(dī"ȧ*pẽr)
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.


word: Diaper₂
definition:
Diaper

Di"a*per
(?)
v. t.
1.
To ornament with figures, etc., arranged in the pattern called diaper, as cloth in weaving.
Diapered
H. Van Laun.

Engarlanded and diapered
With in wrought flowers.
Tennyson.

2.
To put a diaper on (a child).


word: Diaphane
definition:
Diaphane

Di"a*phane
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. diaphane diaphanous. See Diaphanous.]
A woven silk stuff with transparent and colored figures; diaper work.


word: Diaphaned
definition:
Diaphaned

Di"a*phaned
(?)
a.
[Cf. OF. diaphaner to make transparent. See Diaphanous.]
Transparent or translucent.
[R.]


word: Diaphaneity
definition:
Diaphaneity

Di`a*pha*ne"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. diaphanéité. See Diaphanous.]
The quality of being diaphanous; transparency; pellucidness.


word: Diaphanic
definition:
Diaphanic

Di`a*phan"ic
(?)
a.
[See Diaphanous.]
Having power to transmit light; transparent; diaphanous.


word: Diaphanometer
definition:
Diaphanometer

Di`a*pha*nom"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; transparent + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the transparency of the air.


word: Diaphanoscope
definition:
Diaphanoscope

Di`a*phan"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; transparent + -scope.]
(Photog.)
A dark box constructed for viewing transparent pictures, with or without a lens.


word: Diaphanotype
definition:
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.


word: Diaphanous
definition:
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.


word: Diaphemetric
definition:
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.


word: Diaphonical
definition:
Diaphonical

Diaphonic

{ Di`a*phon"ic (?), Di`a*phon"ic*al (?) }
a.
[Gr. dia` through + _; sound, tone.]
Diacoustic.


word: Diaphoresis
definition:
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.


word: Diaphoretical
definition:
Diaphoretical

Diaphoretic

{ Di`a*pho*ret"ic (?), Di`a*pho*ret"ic*al (?), }
a.
[L. diaphoreticus, Gr. _;: cf. F. diaphorétique. See Diaphoresis.]
Having the power to increase perspiration.


word: Diaphoretic
definition:
Diaphoretic

Di`a*pho*ret"ic
n.
(Med.)
A medicine or agent which promotes perspiration.

&hand_; Diaphoretics differ from sudorifics; the former only increase the insensible perspiration, the latter excite the sensible discharge called sweat.
Parr.


word: Diaphote
definition:
Diaphote

Di"a*phote
(?)
n.
[Pref. dia- + Gr. _;, light.]
(Elec.)
An instrument designed for transmitting pictures by telegraph.
Fallows.


word: Diaphragm
definition:
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.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Diaphragmatic
definition:
Diaphragmatic

Di`a*phrag*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. diaphragmatique.]
Pertaining to a diaphragm; as, diaphragmatic respiration; the diaphragmatic arteries and nerves.


word: Diaphysis
definition:
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.


word: Diapnoic
definition:
Diapnoic

Di`ap*no"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; outlet for the wind, exhalation, fr. _; to blow through; dia` through + _; to blow, breathe: cf. F. diapnoïque.]
(Med.)
Slightly increasing an insensible perspiration; mildly diaphoretic.
n. A gentle diaphoretic.


word: Diapophysis
definition:
Diapophysis

Di`a*poph"y*sis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Dia-, and Apophysis.]
(Anat.)
The dorsal transverse, or tubercular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra.


word: Diarchy
definition:
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.


word: Diarian
definition:
Diarian

Diarial

{ Di*a"ri*al (?), Di*a"ri*an (?), }
a.
[See Diary.]
Pertaining to a diary; daily.


word: Diarrhoea
definition:
Diarrhoea

Diarrhea

{ Di`ar*rhe"a, Di`ar*rhœ"a }
(dī`ar*rē"ȧ)
n.
[L. diarrhoea, Gr. dia`rroia, fr. dia`rrei^n to flow through; dia` + "rei^n 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.


word: Diarrhoeal
definition:
Diarrhoeal

Diarrheal

{ Di`ar*rhe"al, Di`ar*rhœ"al  }
a.
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to diarrhea; like diarrhea.


word: Diarrhoetic
definition:
Diarrhoetic

Diarrhetic

{ Di`ar*rhet"ic, Di`ar*rhœt"ic  }
(?)
a.
(Med.)
Producing diarrhea, or a purging.


word: Diarthrosis
definition:
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.


word: Diary
definition:
Diary

Di"a*ry
(dī"ȧ*r&ybreve_;)
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.


word: Diaspora
definition:
Diaspora

Di*as"po*ra
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;. See Diaspore.]
Lit., “Dispersion.” -- applied collectively: (a) To those Jews who, after the Exile, were scattered through the Old World, and afterwards to Jewish Christians living among heathen. Cf. James i. 1. (b) By extension, to Christians isolated from their own communion, as among the Moravians to those living, usually as missionaries, outside of the parent congregation.


word: Diaspore
definition:
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.


word: Diastase
definition:
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 enzyme, capable of converting starch and dextrin into sugar.

&hand_; The name is more particularly applied to that enzyme formed during the germination of grain, as in the malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to designate the amylolytic enzyme contained in animal fluids, as in the saliva.


word: Diastasis
definition:
Diastasis

Di*as"ta*sis
(?)
n.
[NL. See Diastase.]
(Surg.)
A forcible separation of bones without fracture.


word: Diastatic
definition:
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.


word: Diastem
definition:
Diastem

Di"a*stem
(?)
n.
[L. diastema, Gr. _;, fr. _;: cf. F. diastème.]
(a)
Intervening space; interval.
(b)
(Anc. Mus.)
An interval.


word: Diastema
definition:
Diastema

Di`a*ste"ma
(?)
n.
[L. See Diastem.]
(Anat.)
A vacant space, or gap, esp. between teeth in a jaw.


word: Diaster
definition:
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.


word: Diastole
definition:
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.


word: Diastyle
definition:
Diastyle

Di"a*style
(?)
n.
[L. diastylus, Gr. _;; dia` through, asunder + _; pillar, column: cf. F. diastyle.]
(Arch.)
See under Intercolumniation.


word: Diatessaron
definition:
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.


word: Diathermal
definition:
Diathermal

Di`a*ther"mal
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; thoroughly warm; dia` through + _; warm, hot.  Cf. Diathermous.]
Freely permeable by radiant heat.


word: Diathermaneity
definition:
Diathermaneity

Diathermancy

{ Di`a*ther"man*cy (?), Di`a*ther`ma*ne"i*ty (?), }
n.
[See Diathermanous.]
The property of transmitting radiant heat; the quality of being diathermous.
Melloni.


word: Diathermanism
definition:
Diathermanism

Di`a*ther"ma*nism
(?)
n.
The doctrine or the phenomena of the transmission of radiant heat.
Nichol.


word: Diathermanous
definition:
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.


word: Diathermic
definition:
Diathermic

Di`a*ther"mic
(?)
a.
Affording a free passage to heat; as, diathermic substances.
Melloni.


word: Diathermometer
definition:
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.


word: Diathesis
definition:
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.


word: Diathetic
definition:
Diathetic

Di`a*thet"ic
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or dependent on, a diathesis or special constitution of the body; as, diathetic disease.


word: Diatom
definition:
Diatom

Di"a*tom
(dī`ȧ*t&obreve_;m)
n.
[Gr. dia`tomos cut in two. See Diatomous.]
1.
(Bot.)
One of the Diatomaceæ, a family of minute unicellular Algæ having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariæ, 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.


word: diatomaceous
definition:
diatomaceous

di`a*to*ma"ceous
(dī`ȧ*to̝*mā"shŭs)
a.
[See Diatomous.]
consisting of or containing diatoms or their fossils; as, diatomaceous earth (used as a component of dynamite).


word: diatomaceous earth
definition:
diatomaceous earth

di`a*to*ma"ceous earth`
(Geol.)
a deposit of fine, usually white, siliceous material, composed mainly of the shells of the microscopic plants called diatoms; also called infusorial earth, kieselguhr, and diatomite. It is used in polishing powder, and in the manufacture of dynamite.


word: diatomic
definition:
diatomic

di`a*tom"ic
(dī`ȧ*t&obreve_;m"ĭk)
a.
[Pref. di- + atomic.]
(Chem.)
(a)
Containing two atoms.
(b)
Having two replaceable atoms or radicals.


word: Diatomophyceae
definition:
Diatomophyceae

Diatomophyceae
n.
a class of marine and freshwater eukaryotic algae comprising the diatoms.

Syn. -- Bacillariophyceae, class Bacillariophyceae, class Diatomophyceae.


word: Diatomous
definition:
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.


word: Diatonic
definition:
Diatonic

Di`a*ton"ic
(dī`ȧ*t&obreve_;n"ĭk)
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.


word: Diatribe
definition:
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.


word: Diatryma
definition:
Diatryma

Di`a*try"ma
(?)
n.
[NL., from Gr. dia` through + _; hole.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct eocene bird from New Mexico, larger than the ostrich.


word: Diazeutic
definition:
Diazeutic

Diazeuctic

{ Di`a*zeuc"tic (?), 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.]


word: Diazo-
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Diazotize
definition:
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.


word: Dib₂
definition:
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.


word: Dibasic
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Dibble
definition:
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.


word: Dibble₂
definition:
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.


word: Dibble₃
definition:
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.


word: dibrach
definition:
dibrach

dibrach
n.
(Prosody)
a foot of two short (unstressed-unstressed) syllables.

Syn. -- pyrrhic.


word: dibranch
definition:
dibranch

dibranch
n.
a cephalopod having two gills; a member of the Dibranchiata.

Syn. -- dibranchiate, dibranchiate mollusk.


word: Dibranchia
definition:
Dibranchia

Dibranchia
n.
1.
comprising all living cephalopods except the family Nautilidae: the orders Octopoda (octopuses) and Decapoda (squids and cuttlefish).

Syn. -- Dibranchiata, subclass ta, Dibranchia, subclass Dibranchia.


word: Dibranchiata
definition:
Dibranchiata

Di*bran`chi*a"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; gills.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: dibs
definition:
dibs

dibs
(dĭbz)
n.
1.
A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East.
Johnston.

2.
A small amount of money.

3.
A right or claim, such as the right of use, or of first choice; as, I have dibs on the binoculars after Jim is finished..


word: dibstone
definition:
dibstone

dib"stone`
(dĭb"st&omacrn`; 110)
n.
A pebble used in a child's game called dibstones.
Locke.


word: dibutyl
definition:
dibutyl

di*bu"tyl
(di̝*bū"tĭl)
n.
[Pref. di- + butyl.]
(Chem.)
A liquid hydrocarbon, C8H18, of the alkane series, being one of several octanes, and consisting of two butyl radicals.  Cf. Octane.


word: dicacious
definition:
dicacious

di*ca"cious
(dĭ*kā"shŭs)
a.
[L. dicax, dicacis, fr. dicere to say.]
Talkative; pert; saucy.
[Obs.]


word: dicacity
definition:
dicacity

di*cac"i*ty
(dĭ*kăs"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[L. dicacitas: cf. F. dicacité. See Dicacious.]
Pertness; sauciness.
[Obs.]


word: dicalcic
definition:
dicalcic

di*cal"cic
(di̝*kăl"sĭk)
a.
[Pref. di- + calcic.]
(Chem.)
Having two atoms or equivalents of calcium to the molecule.


word: dicarbonic
definition:
dicarbonic

di`car*bon"ic
(dī`kär*b&obreve_;n"ĭk)
a.
[Pref. di- + carbonic.]
(Chem.)
Containing two carbon residues, or two carboxyl groups or radicals; as, oxalic acid is the simplest dicarbonic acid.  In the latter sense, synonymous with dicarboxylic; as, succinic acid is a dicarboxylic acid.


word: dicast
definition:
dicast

di"cast
(dī"kȧst)
n.
[Gr. dikasth`s, fr. dika`zein to judge, di`kh right, judgment, justice.]
A functionary in ancient Athens resembling closely to the modern juryman.


word: dicastery
definition:
dicastery

di*cas"ter*y
(?)
n.
[Gr. dikasth`rion, fr. dikasth`s juryman. See Dicast.]
A court of justice; judgment hall.
[R.]
J. S. Mill.


word: dice
definition:
dice

dice
(dīs)
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.


word: dice₂
definition:
dice

dice
(dīs)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. diced (dīst); p. pr. & vb. n. dicing.]
To play games with dice.

I . . . diced not above seven times a week.
Shak.


word: dice₃
definition:
dice

dice
(dīs)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Diced (dīst); p. pr. & vb. n. Dicing.]
1.
(Cooking)
To cut into small cubes; as, to slice and dice carrots.

2.
To ornament with squares, diamonds, or cubes.


word: Dicentra
definition:
Dicentra

Di*cen"tra
(di̝*sĕn"trȧ)
Prop. n.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + ke`ntron 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 (Dicentra spectabilis).
[Corruptly written dielytra.]


word: dicephalous
definition:
dicephalous

di*ceph"a*lous
(di̝*sĕf"ȧ*lŭs)
a.
[Gr. dike`falos; di- = di`s- twice + kefalh` head.]
Having two heads on one body; double-headed.


word: Dicer
definition:
Dicer

Di"cer
(?)
n.
A player at dice; a dice player; a gamester.

As false as dicers' oaths.
Shak.


word: Dichastic
definition:
Dichastic

Di*chas"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; to part asunder, fr. _; in two, asunder, fr. di`s- twice.]
(Biol.)
Capable of subdividing spontaneously.


word: Dichlamydeous
definition:
Dichlamydeous

Di`chla*myd"e*ous
(dī`klȧ*mĭd"e̝*ŭs)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + chlamy`s, chlamy`dos, a cloak.]
(Bot.)
Having two coverings, a calyx and a corolla.


word: Dichogamy
definition:
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.


word: Dichotomize
definition:
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.
dichotomized
Whewell.


word: Dichotomize₂
definition:
Dichotomize

Di*chot"o*mize
v. i.
To separate into two parts; to branch dichotomously; to become dichotomous.


word: Dichotomous
definition:
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.


word: Dichotomy
definition:
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.


word: Dichroic
definition:
Dichroic

Di*chro"ic
(?)
a.
[See Dichroism.]
Having the property of dichroism; as, a dichroic crystal.


word: Dichroism
definition:
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.


word: Dichroite
definition:
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.


word: Dichromate
definition:
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.


word: Dichromatic
definition:
Dichromatic

Di`chro*mat"ic
(?)
a.
[Pref. di- + chromatic: cf. Gr. _;.]
1.
Having or exhibiting two colors.

2.
(Zool.)
Having two color varieties, or two phases differing in color, independently of age or sex, as in certain birds and insects.


word: Dichromic
definition:
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.


word: Dichroscope
definition:
Dichroscope

Di"chro*scope
(?)
n.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; color + _; to view.]
An instrument for examining the dichroism of crystals.


word: Dickens
definition:
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.


word: Dicker
definition:
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.


word: Dicky
definition:
Dicky

Dickey

{ Dick"ey, Dick"y  }
(?)
n.
1.
1.
A false detachable shirt front or bosom.
[Also spelled dickie.]

2.
A gentleman's shirt collar.
[Local, U. S.]

3.
A hat; esp., in U. S., a stiff hat or derby; in Eng., a straw hat.
[Slang]

4.
(a)
A seat for the driver (In a carriage); -- called also dickey box or dickie seat.
(b)
A seat at the back for servants.

5.
One of various animals
specif.:
(a)
A donkey.
(b)
Any small bird; -- called also dickeybird or dickey bird.
[Colloq.]
(c)
The hedge sparrow.
[Dial. Eng.]
(d)
The haddock.


word: dickey bird
definition:
dickey bird

dickeybird

dickeybird, dickey bird
n.
Any small bird; as, adults talking to children sometimes call small birds dickeybirds.
[informal]

Syn. -- dickybird.


word: dickie
definition:
dickie

dickie
n.
1.
A small 3rd seat in the back of an old-fashioned 2-seat car.
[British English]

Syn. -- dickey, dicky, dickey-seat, dickie-seat, dicky-seat, dickey box.

2.
An article of clothing worn by men, consisting of a detachable insert (usually starched), worn suspended from the neck, which simulates the front of a shirt.

Syn. -- dickey, dicky, shirtfront.


word: dickie-seat
definition:
dickie-seat

dickie-seat
n.
1.
A small 3rd seat in the back of an old-fashioned 2-seat car.
[British English]

Syn. -- dickey, dickie, dicky, dickey-seat, dicky-seat, dickey box.


word: Dicksonia
definition:
Dicksonia

Dicksonia
prop. n.
A genus of tree ferns of temperate Australasia having bipinnatifid or tripinnatifid fronds and usually marginal sori; in some classification systems it is placed in the family Cyatheaceae.

Syn. -- genus Dicksonia.


word: Dicksoniaceae
definition:
Dicksoniaceae

Dicksoniaceae
prop. n.
1.
A family of plants comprising the tree ferns; it includes the genera Dicksonia; Cibotium; Culcita; and Thyrsopteris.

Syn. -- family Dicksoniaceae.


word: dicky
definition:
dicky

dicky
adj.
Faulty.
[British informal]

Syn. -- dickey.

I've got this dicky heart
John le Carre


word: dicky-seat
definition:
dicky-seat

dicky-seat
n.
1.
same as dickie-seat.

Syn. -- dickey, dickie, dicky, dickey-seat, dickie-seat.


word: Diclinic
definition:
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.


word: Diclinous
definition:
Diclinous

Dic"li*nous
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; = _; bed.]
Having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers.
Gray.


word: Dicoccous
definition:
Dicoccous

Di*coc"cous
(?)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; grain, seed.]
(Bot.)
Composed of two coherent, one-seeded carpels; as, a dicoccous capsule.


word: dicot
definition:
dicot

di"cot
(dī"k&obreve_;t)
n.
[by shortening from dicotyledon.]
(Bot.)
same as dicotyledon.

Syn. -- dicotyledon, dicotyl.


word: dicotyl
definition:
dicotyl

di*cot"yl
(di̝*k&obreve_;t"'l)
n.
[by shortening from dicotyledon.]
(Bot.)
same as dicotyledon.

Syn. -- dicotyledon, dicot.


word: dicotyledon
definition:
dicotyledon

di*cot`y*le"don
(di̝*k&obreve_;t`ĭ*lē"dŭn)
n.
[Pref. di- + cotyledon.]
(Bot.)
A plant whose seeds divide into two seed lobes, or cotyledons, in germinating.

Syn. -- dicot, dicotyl.


word: Dicotyledonae
definition:
Dicotyledonae

Dicotyledonae
n.
(Bot.)
a class of plants comprising those seed plants that produce an embryo with two cotyledons and net-veined leaves; divided into six (not always well distinguished) subclasses (or superorders): Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae (considered primitive); Caryophyllidae (an early and distinctive offshoot); and three more or less advanced groups: Dilleniidae; Rosidae; Asteridae.

Syn. -- Dicotyledones, class Dicotyledones, class Dicotyledonae, Magnoliopsida, class Magnoliopsida.


word: Dicotyledones
definition:
Dicotyledones

Dicotyledones
n.
(Bot.)
same as Dicotyledonae.

Syn. -- Dicotyledones, class Dicotyledones, class Dicotyledonae, Magnoliopsida, class Magnoliopsida.


word: dicotyledonous
definition:
dicotyledonous

di*cot`y*led"on*ous
(di̝*k&obreve_;t`ĭ*lĕd"ŭn*ŭs)
a.
(Bot.)
Having two cotyledons or seed lobes; as, a dicotyledonous plant.


word: Dicrotic
definition:
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.


word: Dicrotism
definition:
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.


word: Dictamnus
definition:
Dictamnus

Dic*tam"nus
(dĭk*tăm"nŭs)
n.
[L. See Dittany.]
(Bot.)
A suffrutescent herb, Dictamnus Fraxinella (the only species), with strong perfume and showy flowers. The volatile oil of the leaves is highly inflammable.


word: Dictaphone
definition:
Dictaphone

Dic"ta*phone
(?)
n.
[Dictate + -phone, as in telephone.]
A form of phonographic recorder and reproducer adapted for use in dictation, as in business.


word: Dictate
definition:
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.


word: Dictate₂
definition:
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.


word: Dictate₃
definition:
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.


word: Dictation
definition:
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.


word: Dictator
definition:
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.


word: Dictatorial
definition:
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.


word: Dictatorship
definition:
Dictatorship

Dic*ta"tor*ship
(?)
n.
The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power.


word: Dictatress
definition:
Dictatress

Dic*ta"tress
(?)
n.
A woman who dictates or commands.

Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen.
Byron.


word: Dictature
definition:
Dictature

Dic*ta"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[L. dictatura: cf. F. dictature.]
Office of a dictator; dictatorship.
[R.]
Bacon.


word: Diction
definition:
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.


word: Dictionary
definition:
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.


word: Dictograph
definition:
Dictograph

Dic"to*graph
(dĭk"to̝*grȧf)
n.
[L. dictum a thing said + E. -graph.]
A telephonic instrument for office or other similar use, having a sound-magnifying device enabling the ordinary mouthpiece to be dispensed with. Much use has been made of it for overhearing, or for recording, conversations for the purpose of obtaining evidence for use in litigation.

&hand_; The makers of this instrument spell it dictograph.


word: Dictum
definition:
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.


word: Dictyogen
definition:
Dictyogen

Dic*ty"o*gen
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; a net + -gen.]
(Bot.)
A plant with net-veined leaves, and monocotyledonous embryos, belonging to the class Dictyogenæ, proposed by Lindley for the orders Dioscoreaceæ, Smilaceæ, Trilliaceæ, etc.


word: Dicyanide
definition:
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.


word: Dicyemata
definition:
Dicyemata

Di`cy*e"ma*ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; an embryo.]
(Zool.)
An order of worms parasitic in cephalopods. They are remarkable for the extreme simplicity of their structure. The embryo exists in two forms.


word: Dicynodont
definition:
Dicynodont

Di*cyn"o*dont
(?)
n.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; dog + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, 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.


word: Didactical
definition:
Didactical

Didactic

{ Di*dac"tic (?), Di*dac"tic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to teach; akin to L. docere to teach: cf. F. didactique. See Docile.]
1.
Fitted or intended to teach; conveying instruction; preceptive; instructive; teaching some moral lesson; as, didactic essays.
Didactical
Jer. Taylor.

The finest didactic poem in any language.
Macaulay.

2.
excessively prone to instruct, even those who do not wish to be instructed; -- of people.
[Pejorative]

Syn. -- didactic.


word: Didactyl
definition:
Didactyl

Di*dac"tyl
(?)
n.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; finger, toe: cf. F. didactyle.]
(Zool.)
An animal having only two digits.


word: Didapper
definition:
Didapper

Di"dap`per
(?)
n.
[For divedapper. See Dive, Dap, Dip, and cf. Dabchick.]
(Zool.)
See Dabchick.


word: Didascalic
definition:
Didascalic

Di`das*cal"ic
(?)
a.
[L. didascalius, Gr. _;, fr. _; to teach: cf. F. didascalique.]
Didactic; preceptive.
[R.]
Prior.


word: Diddle₂
definition:
Diddle

Did"dle
v. t.
[Perh. from AS. dyderian to deceive, the letter r being changed to l.]
To cheat or overreach.
[Colloq.]
Beaconsfield.


word: Diddler
definition:
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.


word: Didelphia
definition:
Didelphia

Di*del"phi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; = _; matrix, uterus.]
(Zool.)
The subclass of Mammalia which includes the marsupials. See Marsupialia.


word: Didelphys
definition:
Didelphys

Di*del"phys
(?)
n.
[NL. See Didelphia.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dido
definition:
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.


word: Didonia
definition:
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.


word: Didrachma
definition:
Didrachma

Didrachm

{ Di"drachm (?), Di*drach"ma (?), }
n.
[Gr. _;; di- = di`s- twice + _; a drachm.]
A two-drachma piece; an ancient Greek silver coin, worth nearly forty cents.


word: Diduction
definition:
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.


word: Didymium
definition:
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.


word: Didymous
definition:
Didymous

Did"y*mous
(dĭd"ĭ*mŭs)
a.
[Gr. di`dymos twofold, twin.]
(Bot.)
Growing in pairs or twins.


word: Didynamia
definition:
Didynamia

Did`y*na"mi*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; power.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan class of plants having four stamens disposed in pairs of unequal length.


word: Didynamous
definition:
Didynamous

Di*dyn"a*mous
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Didynamia; containing four stamens disposed in pairs of unequal length.


word: Die
definition:
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. döe, Sw. dö, 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.
[1913 Webster]
“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.


word: Die₂
definition:
Die

Die
n.
pl. in 1 and (usually) in 2, Dice (dīs); in 4 & 5, Dies (dīz).
[OE. dee, die, F. dé, 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.


word: Dieffenbachia
definition:
Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia
n.
a genus of evergreen perennial herbs of tropical America with lush foliage and poisonous sap; often cultivated as houseplants.

Syn. -- genus Dieffenbachia.


word: Diegesis
definition:
Diegesis

Di`e*ge"sis
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to narrate; dia` through + _; to lead.]
A narrative or history; a recital or relation.


word: diehard
definition:
diehard

die"hard`
(dī"härd`)
n.
1.
one who stubbornly adheres to traditional and outdated views.

Syn. -- traditionalist.

2.
one who vigorously defends an apparently hopeless position, a lost cause, etc.


word: diehard₂
definition:
diehard

die"hard`
(dī"härd`)
a.
stubbornly and vigorously resisting in the face of seemingly hopeless odds; as, diehard opposition.

Syn. -- never-say-die.


word: Dielectric
definition:
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.


word: Diencephalon
definition:
Diencephalon

Di`en*ceph"a*lon
(?)
n.
[NL. See Dia-, and Encephalon.]
(Anat.)
The interbrain or thalamencephalon; -- sometimes abbreviated to dien.  See Thalamencephalon.


word: Diervilla
definition:
Diervilla

Diervilla
n.
small genus of low deciduous shrubs; the bush honeysuckles.

Syn. -- genus Diervilla.


word: Diesel motor
definition:
Diesel motor

Diesel engine

Diesel

{ Diesel, Die"sel en`gine or Die"sel mo`tor (dē"zel) }
[After Dr. Rudolf Diesel, of Munich, the inventor.]
A type of internal-combustion engine in which the air drawn in by the suction stroke is so highly compressed that the heat generated ignites the fuel (usually a heavy oil), the fuel being automatically sprayed into the cylinder under pressure. The Diesel engine has a very high thermal efficiency.


word: Dies Irae
definition:
Dies Irae

Di"es I"ræ
(?)
Day of wrath; -- the name and beginning of a famous mediæval Latin hymn on the Last Judgment.

  The text of the Dies Irae follows:
                    DIES IRAE
    attributed to Tomaso de Celano
========================================================= 
    Latin                          English
========================================================= 
Dies irae, dies illa          The day of wrath, that day
solvet saeclum in favilla:    which will reduce the world to ashes,
teste David cum Sibylla.      as foretold by David and the Sybil.
                              
Quantus tremor est futurus,   What terror there will be,
quando judex est venturus,    when the Lord will come
cuncta stricte discussurus!   to rigorously judge all!
                              
Tuba mirum spargens sonum     The trumpet, scattering a wondrous sound
per sepulcra regionum,        among the graves of all the lands,
coget omnes ante thronum.     will assemble all before the Throne.
                              
Mors stupebit et natura,      Death and Nature will be astounded
cum resurget creatura,        when they see a creature rise again
judicanti responsura.         to answer to the Judge.
                              
Liber scriptus proferetur,    The book will be brought forth
in quo totum continetur,      in which all deeds are noted,
unde mundus judicetur.        for which humanity will answer.
                              
Judex ergo cum sedebit,       When the judge will be seated,
quidquid latet apparebit,     all that is hidden will appear,
nil inultum remanebit.        and nothing will go unpunished.
                              
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus? Alas, what will I then say?
Quem patronum rogaturus,      To what advocate shall I appeal,
cum vix justus sit securus?   when even the just tremble?
                              
Rex tremendae majestatis,     O king of redoutable majesty,
qui salvandos salvas gratis,  who freely saves the elect,
salva me fons pietatis.       save me, o fount of piety!
                              
Recordare Jesu pie,           Remember, good Jesus,
quod sum causa tuae viae,     that I am the cause of your journey,
ne me perdas illa die.        do not lose me on that day.
                              
Quaerens me sedisti lassus,   You wearied yourself in finding me.
redemisti crucem passus,      You have redeemed me through the cross.
tantus labor non sit cassus.  Let not such great efforts be in vain.
                              
Juste judex ultionis,         O judge of vengeance, justly
donum fac remissionis         make a gift of your forgiveness
ante diem rationis.           before the day of reckoning.
                              
Ingemisco tanquam reus,       I lament like a guilty one.
culpa rubet vultus meus,      My faults cause me to blush,
supplicanti parce, Deus.      I beg you, spare me.
                              
Qui Mariam absolvisti,        You who have absolved Mary
et latronem exaudisti,        and have heard the thief's prayer,
mihi quoque spem dedisti.     have also given me hope.
                              
Preces meae non sunt dignae:  My prayers are not worthy,
sed tu bonus fac benigne,     but you, o Good One, please grant freely
ne perenni cremer igne.       that I do not burn in the eternal fire.
 
Inter oves locum praesta,     Give me a place among the sheep,
et ab haedis me sequestra,    separate me from the goats
statuens in parte dextra.     by placing me at your right.
                              
Confutatis maledictis,        Having destroyed the accursed,
flammis acribus addictis:     condemned them to the fierce flames,
voca me cum benedictis.       Count me among the blessed.
                              
Oro Supplex Et Acclinis,      I prostrate myself, supplicating,
Cor Contritum Quasi Cinis,    my heart in ashes, repentant;
Gere Curam Mei Finis.         take good care of my last moment!
                              
Lacrimosa dies illa,          That tearful day,
qua resurget ex favilla       when shall rise again from the ashes
judicandus homo reus.         sinful man to be judged.
Huic ergo parce, Deus:        Therefore pardon him, o God.
                             
pie Jesu Domine,              Holy Lord Jesus,
dona eis requiem.             give them rest.

Amen.                         Amen.


word: Diesis
definition:
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 ‡; -- called also double dagger.  It is used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote

Syn. -- double obelisk.


word: Dies non
definition:
Dies non

Di"es non"
(?)
[L. dies non juridicus.]
(Law)
A day on which courts are not held, as Sunday or any legal holiday.


word: diestrual
definition:
diestrual

diestrous

diestrous diestrual
adj.
in a period of sexual inactivity; -- of animals that have several estrous cycles in one breeding season.

Syn. -- dioestrous, dioestrual.


word: diestrus
definition:
diestrus

diestrus
n.
a state or interval of sexual inactivity or quiescence between periods of activity; -- of animals having several estrous cycles in one breeding season.

Syn. -- diestrum.


word: Diet
definition:
Diet

Di"et
(?)
n.
[F. diète, L. diaeta, fr. Gr. _; manner of living.]
1.
Course of living or nourishment; what is eaten and drunk habitually; food; victuals; fare.
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.


word: Diet₂
definition:
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.


word: Diet₃
definition:
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.


word: Diet₄
definition:
Diet

Di"et
n.
[F. diète, 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.
Specifically:
Any of various national or local assemblies;
as,
(a)
Occasionally, the Reichstag of the German Empire, Reichsrath of the Austrian Empire, the federal legislature of Switzerland, etc.
(b)
The legislature of Denmark, Sweden, Japan, or Hungary.
(c)
The state assembly or any of various local assemblies in the states of the German Empire, as the legislature (Landtag) of the kingdom of Prussia, and the Diet of the Circle (Kreistag) in its local government.
(d)
The local legislature (Landtag) of an Austrian province.
(e)
The federative assembly of the old Germanic Confederation (1815 -- 66).
(f)
In the old German or Holy Roman Empire, the great formal assembly of counselors (the Imperial Diet or Reichstag) or a small, local, or informal assembly of a similar kind (the Court Diet, or Hoftag).
The most celebrated Imperial Diets are the three following, all held under Charles V.: Diet of Worms, 1521, the object of which was to check the Reformation and which condemned Luther as a heretic; Diet of Spires, or Diet of  Speyer, 1529, which had the same object and issued an edict against the further dissemination of the new doctrines, against which edict Lutheran princes and deputies protested (hence Protestants): Diet of Augsburg, 1530, the object of which was the settlement of religious disputes, and at which the Augsburg Confession was presented but was denounced by the emperor, who put its adherents under the imperial ban.


word: Dietarian
definition:
Dietarian

Di`e*ta"ri*an
(?)
n.
One who lives in accordance with prescribed rules for diet; a dieter.


word: Dietary₂
definition:
Dietary

Di"et*a*ry
n.
pl. Dietaries (_;).
A rule of diet; a fixed allowance of food, as in workhouse, prison, etc.


word: Dieter
definition:
Dieter

Di"et*er
(?)
n.
One who diets; one who prescribes, or who partakes of, food, according to hygienic rules.


word: Dietetical
definition:
Dietetical

Dietetic

{ Di`e*tet"ic (?), Di`e*tet"ic*al (?), }
a.
[Gr. _;: cf. F. diététique. See Diet.]
Of or performance to diet, or to the rules for regulating the kind and quantity of food to be eaten.


word: Dietetics
definition:
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.


word: Dietetist
definition:
Dietetist

Di`e*tet"ist
n.
A physician who applies the rules of dietetics to the cure of diseases.
Dunglison.


word: Diethylamine
definition:
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.


word: Dietine
definition:
Dietine

Di"et*ine
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. diétine.]
A subordinate or local assembly; a diet of inferior rank.


word: Diffarreation
definition:
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.


word: Differ
definition:
Differ

Dif"fer
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Differed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Differing.]
[L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear, carry: cf. F. différer. 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.
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.


word: Differ₂
definition:
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.


word: Difference
definition:
Difference

Dif"fer*ence
(?)
n.
[F. différence, 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.


word: Difference₂
definition:
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.


word: Different
definition:
Different

Dif"fer*ent
(?)
a.
[L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of differre: cf. F. différent.]
1.
Distinct; separate; not the same; other.
different
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.

&hand_; Different is properly followed by from. Different to, for different from, is a common English colloquialism. Different than is quite inadmissible.


word: differentia
definition:
differentia

dif`fer*en"ti*a
(?)
n.
pl. Differentiæ (#).
[L. See Difference.]
1.
(Logic)
The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species, by which it is distinguished from other members of its genus; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference; as, a proper definition must have both genus and differentia.

2.
the set of characteristics distinguishing an entity from related entities.


word: differentiable
definition:
differentiable

differentiable
adj.
1.
(Math.)
possessing a differential coefficient or derivative; -- of a mathematical expression.

2.
capable of being perceived as different; as, differentiable species.


word: differentiated
definition:
differentiated

differentiated
adj.
1.
made different (especially in the course of development) or shown to be different; as, the differentiated markings of butterflies; the regionally differentiated results.  Opposite of undifferentiated.

2.
(Biol.)
exhibiting biological specialization; adapted during development to a specific function or environment; as, differentiated cells.


word: differential
definition:
differential

dif`fer*en"tial
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. différentiel.]
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.


word: Differential
definition:
Differential

Dif`fer*en"tial
n.
1.
(Math.)
An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.

&hand_; 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.


word: Differentiate
definition:
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.


word: Differentiate₂
definition:
Differentiate

Dif`fer*en"ti*ate
v. i.
(Biol.)
To acquire a distinct and separate character.
Huxley.


word: Differentiation
definition:
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.


word: Difficile
definition:
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.


word: Difficult
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Difficulty
definition:
Difficulty

Dif"fi*cul*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Difficulties (#).
[L. difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- + facilis easy: cf. F. difficulté. 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.


word: Diffidence
definition:
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.


word: Diffident
definition:
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.


word: Diffidently
definition:
Diffidently

Dif"fi*dent*ly
adv.
In a diffident manner.

To stand diffidently against each other with their thoughts in battle array.
Hobbes.


word: Diffind
definition:
Diffind

Dif*find
(?)
v. t.
[L. diffindere, diffissum; dif- = dis- + findere to split.]
To split.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Diffinitive
definition:
Diffinitive

Dif*fin"i*tive
(?)
a.
[For definitive.]
Definitive; determinate; final.
[Obs.]
Sir H. Wotton.


word: Difflation
definition:
Difflation

Dif*fla"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. difflatio, fr. L. difflare, difflatum, to disperse by blowing.]
A blowing apart or away.
[Obs.]
Bailey.


word: Diffluency
definition:
Diffluency

Diffluence

{ Dif"flu*ence (?), Dif"flu*en*cy (?), }
n.
A flowing off on all sides; fluidity.
[R.]


word: Diffluent
definition:
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.


word: Difform
definition:
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.


word: Difformity
definition:
Difformity

Dif*form"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. difformité. See Difform, Deformity.]
Irregularity of form; diversity of form; want of uniformity.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Diffract
definition:
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.


word: Diffraction
definition:
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.


word: Diffranchisement
definition:
Diffranchisement

Diffranchise

{ Dif*fran"chise (?), Dif*fran"chise*ment (?) }
See Disfranchise, Disfranchisement.


word: Diffusate
definition:
Diffusate

Dif*fus"ate
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
Material which, in the process of catalysis, has diffused or passed through the separating membrane.


word: Diffuse
definition:
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.


word: Diffuse₃
definition:
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.


word: Diffused
definition:
Diffused

Dif*fused"
(?)
a.
Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse.

It grew to be a widely diffused opinion.
Hawthorne.


word: Diffuseness
definition:
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.


word: Diffusibility
definition:
Diffusibility

Dif*fu`si*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
The quality of being diffusible; capability of being poured or spread out.


word: Diffusible
definition:
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.


word: Diffusion
definition:
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.


word: Diffusive
definition:
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.
diffusive
Hare.


word: Diffusiveness
definition:
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.


word: Diffusivity
definition:
Diffusivity

Dif`fu*siv"i*ty
(?)
n.
Tendency to become diffused; tendency, as of heat, to become equalized by spreading through a conducting medium.


word: Dig
definition:
Dig

Dig
(dĭg)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dug (dŭg) or Digged (dĭgd); 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. √67.]
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).

5.
To like; enjoy; admire.
The whole class digs Pearl Jam.
[Colloq.]

To dig down, to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall. -- To dig from, To dig out of, To dig out,  To dig 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, (a) to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure. (b) To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; -- used of warfare or negotiating situations.  -- to dig in one's heels To offer stubborn resistance.


word: Dig₂
definition:
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 hard or drudge;
specif.
U. S.
To study ploddingly and laboriously.
[Colloq.]

Peter dug at his books all the harder.
Paul L. Ford.

4.
(Mach.)
Of a tool: To cut deeply into the work because ill set, held at a wrong angle, or the like, as when a lathe tool is set too low and so sprung into the work.
To dig out, to depart; to leave, esp. hastily; decamp. [Slang, U. S.]


word: dig
definition:
dig

dig
(dĭg)
v. t.
1.
To understand; as, do you dig me?.
[slang]

2.
To notice; to look at; as, dig that crazy hat!.
[slang]

3.
To appreciate and enjoy; as, he digs classical music as well as rock.
[slang]


word: Dig₃
definition:
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.]

3.
A tool for digging.
[Dial. Eng.]

4.
An act of digging.

5.
An amount to be dug.

6.
(Mining)
same as Gouge.

7.
a critical and sometimes sarcastic or insulting remark, but often good-humored; as, celebrities at a roast must suffer through countless digs.

8.
An archeological excavation site.


word: Digamist
definition:
Digamist

Dig"a*mist
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; = _;  twice + _; to marry.  Cf. Bigamist.]
One who marries a second time; a deuterogamist.
Hammond.


word: Digamma
definition:
Digamma

Di*gam"ma
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;; _; = _;  twice + ga`mma the letter Γ. 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Digammated
definition:
Digammated

Digammate

{ Di*gam"mate (?), 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 'i`s.
Andrews.


word: Digamous
definition:
Digamous

Dig"a*mous
(?)
a.
Pertaining to a second marriage, that is, one after the death of the first wife or the first husband.


word: Digamy
definition:
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.]


word: Digastric
definition:
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.


word: Digenea
definition:
Digenea

Di*ge"ne*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; race, offspring.]
(Zool.)
A division of Trematoda in which alternate generations occur, the immediate young not resembling their parents.


word: Digenesis
definition:
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.


word: Digenous
definition:
Digenous

Dig"e*nous
(?)
a.
[Pref. di- + -genous.]
(Biol.)
Sexually reproductive.

Digenous reproduction. (Biol.) Same as Digenesis.


word: Digest
definition:
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.


word: Digest₂
definition:
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.


word: Digest₃
definition:
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
(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.


word: Digester
definition:
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.


word: Digestion
definition:
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.


word: Digestive
definition:
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.


word: Digestive₂
definition:
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.]


word: Digger
definition:
Digger

Dig"ger
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, digs.

Digger wasp (Zool.), any one of the fossorial Hymenoptera.


word: Diggers
definition:
Diggers

Dig"gers
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Digger
(Ethnol.)
A degraded tribe of California Indians; -- so called from their practice of digging roots for food.


word: Digging
definition:
Digging

Dig"ging
(?)
n.
1.
The act or the place of digging or excavating.

Syn. -- excavation, dig.

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]

4.
a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion).

Syn. -- ransacking, rummage.


word: Dight
definition:
Dight

Dight
(dīt)
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]
dight.
Chaucer.

Two harmless turtles, dight for sacrifice.
Fairfax.

The clouds in thousand liveries dight.
Milton.

2.
To have sexual intercourse with.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: digit
definition:
digit

dig"it
(dĭj"ĭt)
n.
[L. digitus finger; prob. akin to Gr. da`ktylos, of uncertain origin; possibly akin to E. toe.  Cf. Dactyl.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: digital
definition:
digital

dig"i*tal
(dĭj"ĭ*tal)
a.
[L. digitals.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the fingers; done with the fingers; as, digital compression; digital examination.

2.
of or pertaining to digits{3}; expressed in digits{3}, or using digits{3}; as, a digital display; a digital clock.

3.
(Computers)
performing internal logical and arithmetic operations by means of digits, usually represented as binary numbers.  Contrasted to analog, wherein variables are represented as coninuous physical quantities such as voltages or the position of a pointer on a continuous scale; as, a digital computer.

&hand_;  In digital computers, physical quantities in analog form, such as images, sounds, distances, voltages, etc., must first be converted to an internal digital representation before calculations can be performed on them.  The conversion may be done by the data enterer, by approximation, in the case of numerical values, or by analog-to-digital conversion in the case of light or sound intensities.  The latter case uses special equipment to convert the physical impulses into a digital value, using a pre-defined encoding system.


word: digital computer
definition:
digital computer

digital computer
n.
1.
(Computers)
a computer that represents information by numerical digits with a fixed number of values; -- most commonly each piece of information is internally represented in binary code, as an array of bits, which are information units each of which can take only two values.  The possible values of each bit are conventionally represented as the numbers 1 or 0.
The bits of information are usually further organized, maniplulated, and discussed as nybbles (4 bits, rarely used), bytes (8 bits, most commonly used), or words (from 16 to 128 bits, and in the future probably more).  A word is usually defined as the number of bits that are processed at one time by the central procesor unit.

Syn. -- .


word: digitalin
definition:
digitalin

dig"i*ta`lin
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. digitaline.]
(a)
(Medicine, Pharmacy)
Any one of several extracts of foxglove (Digitalis), as the “French extract,” the “German extract,” etc., which differ among themselves in composition and properties.  Both Digitalis lanata and Digitalis purpurea have been used to prepare such extracts.
(b)
(Chem.)
the distinctive chemical substance, a steroid glycoside, which is the essential ingredient of the extracts of foxglove. It is a white, crystalline substance (C36H56O14), and is a 3-substituted diglucoside of a steroid.  It is a powerful cardiac stimulant and is used as a cardiotonic for treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure.  Chemically it is (3β,5β,16β)-3-[6-Deoxy-4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-methyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)oxy]-14,16-dihyroxy-card-20(22)-enolide.  The related compounds digitoxin and digoxin are also extracted from the foxglove.  The class of steroid glycosides having cardiotonic properties are refered to as the cardiac glycosides.
MI11

Syn. -- digitalinum verum, Diginorgin, Schmiedeberg's digitalin, digitalis, digitalis glycoside.


word: Digitalis
definition:
Digitalis

Dig`i*ta"lis
(?)
n.
[NL.: cf. F. digitale. So named (according to Linnæus) from its finger-shaped corolla.]
1.
(Bot.)
A genus of plants of the family Schrophulariaceae, including the foxglove.

2.
(Med.)
The dried leaves of the purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), formerly used in heart disease, disturbance of the circulation, etc.  Its use has been largely replaced by that of the pure active ingredient, digitalin. See digitalin.


word: digitalization
definition:
digitalization

digitalization
n.
1.
the administration of digitalis for the treatment of certain heart disorders.

Syn. -- digitalisation.

2.
the effect produced by the administraation of dititalis.


word: digitalize
definition:
digitalize

digitalize
v. t.
1.
to record digitally, e. g. on digital tape or compact disks.

Syn. -- digitize.

2.
to convert from a non-digital form (such as a voltage or an image or an analog recording) to a digital{2} form, for storage or transmission.

Syn. -- digitize.


word: Digitaria
definition:
Digitaria

Digitaria
n.
a genus of plants including the crab grass (Digitaria sanguinalis); finger grass.

Syn. -- genus Digitaria.


word: digitate
definition:
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).


word: Digitated
definition:
Digitated

Digitate

{ Dig"i*tate (?), 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.


word: Digitation
definition:
Digitation

Dig`i*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. digitation.]
A division into fingers or fingerlike processes; also, a fingerlike process.


word: Digitiform
definition:
Digitiform

Dig"i*ti*form
(?)
a.
[L. digitus a finger + -form.]
Formed like a finger or fingers; finger-shaped; as, a digitiform root.


word: Digitigrade
definition:
Digitigrade

Dig"i*ti*grade
(?)
a.
[L. digitus finger, toe + gradi to step, walk: cf. F. digitigrade.]
(Zool.)
Walking on the toes; -- distinguished from plantigrade.


word: Digitigrade₂
definition:
Digitigrade

Dig"i*ti*grade
n.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Digitipartite
definition:
Digitipartite

Dig`i*ti*par"tite
(?)
a.
[L. digitus finger + partite.]
(Bot.)
Parted like the fingers.


word: digitize
definition:
digitize

dig"i*tize
(dĭj"ĭ*tīz)
v. t.
[Digit + -ize.]
1.
To finger; as, to digitize a pen.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.
2.
(Computers)
To convert (information, a signal, an image) into a form expressible in numbers or in binary notation.  The original signal before digitization is usually in analog form.
Digitization allows convenient storage, accurate reproduction, modification and other manipulations by digital computers.


word: Digitorium
definition:
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.


word: digitoxin
definition:
digitoxin

dig`i*tox"in
(dĭj`ĭ*t&obreve_;k"sĭn)
n.
(Chem.)
A steroid glycoside, one of the cardiotonic chemical substances which is extracted from the foxglove.  It is a white, crystalline substance (C41H64O13), and is a 3-substituted triglucoside of a steroid, related structurally to digitalin and digoxin.  It is used as a cardiotonic for treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure.  Chemically it is (3β,5β)-3-[(O-2,6-Dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1→4)-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-14-hydroxy-card-20(22)-enolide.  The related compounds digitalin and digoxin are also extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata and Digitalis purpurea).  The class of steroid glycosides having cardiotonic properties are refered to as the cardiac glycoside group.
MI11


word: Digitule
definition:
Digitule

Dig"i*tule
(?)
n.
[L. digitulus, dim. of digitus.]
(Zool.)
A little finger or toe, or something resembling one.


word: Digladiate
definition:
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 Æschines and Demosthenes.
Hales.


word: Diglottism
definition:
Diglottism

Di*glot"tism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; speaking two languages; di- = di`s- twice + _; tongue. See Glottis.]
Bilingualism.
[R.]
Earle.


word: Diglyph
definition:
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.


word: Dignation
definition:
Dignation

Dig*na"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dignatio.]
The act of thinking worthy; honor.
[Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.


word: Digne
definition:
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.


word: dignify
definition:
dignify

dig"ni*fy
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dignified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dignifying.]
[OF. dignifier, fr. LL. dignificare; 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 dignify our feast.
B. Jonson.


word: dignitary
definition:
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.


word: Dignity
definition:
Dignity

Dig"ni*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Dignities (#).
[OE. dignete, dignite, OF. digneté, dignité, F. dignité, 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 mien, manner, style, etc.

A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and 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.
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.


word: Dignotion
definition:
Dignotion

Dig*no"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dignoscere to distinguish; di- = dis- + gnoscere, noscere, to learn to know.]
Distinguishing mark; diagnostic.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: digoxin
definition:
digoxin

di*gox"in
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
a steroid glycoside, one of the cardiotonic chemical substances which is extracted from the foxglove. It is a white, crystalline substance (C41H64O14), and is a 3-substituted triglucoside of a steroid, related structurally to digitalin and digitoxin.  It is used as a cardiotonic for treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure.  Chemically it is (3β,5β,12β)-3-[(O-2,6-Dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-O-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-12,14-dihydroxy-card-20(22)-enolide.  The related compounds digitalin and digoxin are also extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata and Digitalis purpurea).  The class of steroid glycosides having cardiotonic properties are refered to as the cardiac glycosides.
MI11


word: Digraph
definition:
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.


word: Digress
definition:
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.


word: Digression
definition:
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.]


word: Digressional
definition:
Digressional

Di*gres"sion*al
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or having the character of, a digression; departing from the main purpose or subject.
T. Warton.


word: Digressive
definition:
Digressive

Di*gress"ive
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. digressif.]
Departing from the main subject; partaking of the nature of digression.
Johnson.


word: Digynia
definition:
Digynia

Di*gyn"i*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; a woman, a female.]
(Bot.)
A Linnæan order of plants having two styles.


word: Digynous
definition:
Digynous

Digynian

{ Di*gyn"i*an (?), Dig"y*nous (?), }
a.
[Cf. F. digyne.]
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Digynia; having two styles.


word: Dihedral
definition:
Dihedral

Di*he"dral
(?)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; a seat, bottom, base, fr. _; to sit.  Cf. Diedral.]
1.
Having two plane faces; as, the dihedral summit of a crystal.

2.
Of a kite or an aëroplane, having wings that make with one another a dihedral angle, esp. when the angle between the upper sides is less than 180°.

3.
(Aëronautics)
Of wing pairs, inclined at an upward angle to each other.

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.


word: Dihexagonal
definition:
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.


word: Diiambus
definition:
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 (_; _; _; _;).


word: Diiodide
definition:
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.


word: di-iodotyrosine
definition:
di-iodotyrosine

diiodotyrosine

di*i`o*do*tyr"o*sine, di-iodotyrosine
n.
(Chem., Med.)
a chemical substance consisting of tyrosine with two hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring replaced by iodine atoms.
The isomer 3,5-diiodotyrosine is an inhibitor of thyroid function.


word: Diisatogen
definition:
Diisatogen

Di`i*sat"o*gen
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + isatine + -gen.]
(Chem.)
A red crystalline nitrogenous substance of artificial production, which by reduction passes directly to indigo.


word: Dijudicate
definition:
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.


word: Dijudication
definition:
Dijudication

Di*ju`di*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dijudicatio.]
The act of dijudicating; judgment.
[R.]
Cockeram.


word: Dika
definition:
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.


word: Dike
definition:
Dike

Dike
(dī)
n.
[OE. dic, dike, diche, ditch, AS. dīc dike, ditch; akin to D. dijk dike, G. deich, and prob. teich pond, Icel. dīki dike, ditch, Dan. dige; perh. akin to Gr. tei^chos (for qei^chos) wall, and even E. dough; or perh. to Gr. ti^fos 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.


word: Dike₂
definition:
Dike

Dike
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Diked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Diking.]
[OE. diken, dichen, AS. dīcian 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.


word: Dike₃
definition:
Dike

Dike
v. i.
To work as a ditcher; to dig.
[Obs.]

He would thresh and thereto dike and delve.
Chaucer.


word: Diker
definition:
Diker

Dik"er
(?)
n.
1.
A ditcher.
Piers Plowman.

2.
One who builds stone walls; usually, one who builds them without lime.
[Scot.]


word: Dilacerate
definition:
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.


word: Dilaceration
definition:
Dilaceration

Di*lac`er*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dilaceratio: cf. F. dilacération.]
The act of rending asunder.
Arbuthnot.


word: Dilaniate
definition:
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.


word: Dilapidate
definition:
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.


word: Dilapidate₂
definition:
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.


word: Dilapidated
definition:
Dilapidated

Di*lap"i*da`ted
(?)
a.
Decayed; fallen into partial ruin; injured by bad usage or neglect.

A deserted and dilapidated buildings.
Cooper.


word: Dilapidation
definition:
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.


word: Dilatability
definition:
Dilatability

Di*la`ta*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. dilatabilité.]
The quality of being dilatable, or admitting expansion; -- opposed to contractibility.
Ray.


word: Dilatable
definition:
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.


word: Dilatation
definition:
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.]
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.


word: Dilatator
definition:
Dilatator

Dil`a*ta"tor
(?)
n.
[NL.  Cf. L. dilatator a propagator.]
(Anat.)
A muscle which dilates any part; a dilator.


word: Dilate
definition:
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.


word: Dilate₂
definition:
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.


word: Dilated
definition:
Dilated

Di*lat"ed
a.
1.
Expanded; enlarged.
Shak.

2.
(Bot.)
Widening into a lamina or into lateral winglike appendages.

3.
(Zool.)
Having the margin wide and spreading.


word: Dilation₂
definition:
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.


word: Dilatometer
definition:
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.


word: Dilator
definition:
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.


word: Dilatoriness
definition:
Dilatoriness

Dil"a*to*ri*ness
n.
The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness; sluggishness.


word: Dilatory
definition:
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 his 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.


word: dildo
definition:
dildo

dil"do
(dĭl"do̝)
n.
A burden in popular songs.
[Obs.]

Delicate burthens of dildos and fadings.
Shak.


word: dildo₂
definition:
dildo

dil"do
(dĭl"do̝)
n.
a device shaped like an erect penis, used by some women for sexual stimulation.
[Slang]


word: Dilection
definition:
Dilection

Di*lec"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dilectio: dilection. See Diligent.]
Love; choice.
[Obs.]
T. Martin.


word: Dilemma
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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 elude 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.


word: Dilettant
definition:
Dilettant

Dil"et*tant`
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to dilettanteism; amateur; as, dilettant speculation.
Carlyle.


word: Dilettant₂
definition:
Dilettant

Dil`et*tant"
(?)
n.
A dilettante.

Though few art lovers can be connoisseurs, many are dilettants.
Fairholt.


word: Dilettante
definition:
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.


word: Dilettanteism
definition:
Dilettanteism

Dil`et*tan"te*ism
(?)
n.
The state or quality of being a dilettante; the desultory pursuit of art, science, or literature.


word: Diligence
definition:
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 festé reverence.
Chaucer.
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.


word: Diligency
definition:
Diligency

Dil"i*gen*cy
(?)
n.
[L. diligentia.]
Diligence; care; persevering endeavor.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Diligent
definition:
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.


word: Diligently
definition:
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.


word: Dill
definition:
Dill

Dill
(dĭl)
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.


word: Dill₂
definition:
Dill

Dill
v. t.
[OE. dillen, fr. dul dull, a.]
To still; to calm; to soothe, as one in pain.
[Obs.]


word: dillenia
definition:
dillenia

dillenia
n.
any of several evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Dillenia grown for their foliage and nodding magnolialike flowers which are followed by fruit that is used in curries and jellies and preserves.


word: Dilleniaceae
definition:
Dilleniaceae

Dilleniaceae
n.
a natural family of chiefly tropical shrubs and trees and climbers having leathery leaves or flattened leaflike stems, including the genera Dillenia and Hibbertia.

Syn. -- family Dilleniaceae.


word: Dilleniidae
definition:
Dilleniidae

Dilleniidae
n.
a group of families of more or less advanced trees and shrubs and herbs having either polypetalous or gamopetalous corollas and often with ovules attached to the walls of the ovary; it contains 69 families including Ericaceae and Cruciferae and Malvaceae; it is sometimes classified as a superorder.

Syn. -- subclass Dilleniidae.


word: Dilling
definition:
Dilling

Dil"ling
(dĭl"lĭng)
n.
A darling; a favorite.
[Obs.]

Whilst the birds billing,
Each one with his dilling.
Drayton.


word: Dilluing
definition:
Dilluing

Dil*lu"ing
(dĭl*lū"ĭng)
n.
(Min.)
A process of sorting ore by washing in a hand sieve.
[Written also deluing.]


word: dilly₂
definition:
dilly

dil"ly
(dĭl"l&ybreve_;)
n.
something remarkable, highly unusual, or exceptionally effective; as, a dilly of a movie; when I make a mistake, it's a dilly.


word: Dilogy
definition:
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.]


word: Dilucid
definition:
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.]


word: Dilucidate
definition:
Dilucidate

Di*lu"ci*date
(?)
v. t.
[L. dilucidatus, p. p. of dilucidare.]
To elucidate.
[Obs.]
Boyle.


word: Diluent
definition:
Diluent

Dil"u*ent
(?)
a.
[L. diluens, p. pr. diluere. See Dilute.]
Diluting; making thinner or weaker by admixture, esp. of water.
Arbuthnot.


word: Diluent₂
definition:
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.


word: Dilute
definition:
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.


word: Dilute₃
definition:
Dilute

Di*lute"
(?)
a.
[L. dilutus, p. p.]
Diluted; thin; weak.

A dilute and waterish exposition.
Hopkins.


word: Dilution
definition:
Dilution

Di*lu"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. dilution.]
The act of diluting, or the state of being diluted.
Arbuthnot.


word: Diluvial
definition:
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.


word: Diluvialist
definition:
Diluvialist

Di*lu"vi*al*ist
n.
One who explains geological phenomena by the Noachian deluge.
Lyell.


word: Diluvian
definition:
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.


word: Diluvium
definition:
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.

&hand_; The accumulation of matter by the ordinary operation of water is termed alluvium.


word: Dim
definition:
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.

&hand_; Obvious compounds: dim-eyed; dim-sighted, etc.


word: Dim₂
definition:
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.


word: Dimble
definition:
Dimble

Dim"ble
(?)
n.
[Prob. orig., a cavity, and the same word as dimple. See Dimple.]
A bower; a dingle.
[Obs.]
Drayton.


word: Dime
definition:
Dime

Dime
(dīm)
n.
[F. dîme 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; -- they were popular from ca. 1850 to ca. 1920.  Sometimes the term is still applied to any novel of the type, though the price has greatly increased.


word: Dimension
definition:
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, a2b2c 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.
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 ÷ time; the dimensions of work are mass × (length)2 ÷ (time)2; the dimensions of density are mass ÷ (length)3.
Dimensional lumber, 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.


word: Dimensionless
definition:
Dimensionless

Di*men"sion*less
(?)
a.
Without dimensions; having no appreciable or noteworthy extent.
Milton.


word: Dimensive
definition:
Dimensive

Di*men"sive
(?)
a.
Without dimensions; marking dimensions or the limits.

Who can draw the soul's dimensive lines?
Sir J. Davies.


word: Dimera
definition:
Dimera

Dim"e*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; part.]
(Zool.)
(a)
A division of Coleoptera, having two joints to the tarsi.
(b)
A division of the Hemiptera, including the aphids.


word: Dimerous
definition:
Dimerous

Dim"er*ous
(?)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; part.]
Composed of, or having, two parts of each kind.

&hand_; A dimerous flower has two sepals, two petals, two stamens, and two pistils.


word: Dimeter
definition:
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.


word: Dimethyl
definition:
Dimethyl

Di*meth"yl
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + methyl.]
(Chem.)
Ethane; -- sometimes so called because regarded as consisting of two methyl radicals. See Ethane.


word: Dimication
definition:
Dimication

Dim`i*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dimicatio, fr. dimicare to fight.]
A fight; contest.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Dimidiate
definition:
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.


word: Dimidiate₂
definition:
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.


word: Dimidiation
definition:
Dimidiation

Di*mid`i*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dimidiatio.]
The act of dimidiating or halving; the state of being dimidiate.


word: Diminish
definition:
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 scale, 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.


word: Diminish₂
definition:
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.


word: Diminuendo
definition:
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.


word: Diminuent
definition:
Diminuent

Di*min"u*ent
(?)
a.
[L. diminuens, p. pr. of diminuere. See Diminish.]
Lessening.
Bp. Sanderson.


word: Diminution
definition:
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.


word: Diminutival
definition:
Diminutival

Di*min`u*ti"val
(?)
a.
Indicating diminution; diminutive.
Diminutival
Earle.
n. A diminutive. Earle.


word: Diminutive
definition:
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.


word: Diminutive₂
definition:
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.

&hand_; The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as scribble.


word: Diminutiveness
definition:
Diminutiveness

Di*min"u*tive*ness
n.
The quality of being diminutive; smallness; littleness; minuteness.


word: Dimission
definition:
Dimission

Di*mis"sion
(?)
n.
[L. dimissio. See Dimit, and cf. Dismission.]
Leave to depart; a dismissing.
[Obs.]
Barrow.


word: Dimissory
definition:
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.


word: Dimit
definition:
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.]


word: Dimity
definition:
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, démitte.  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.


word: Dimmy
definition:
Dimmy

Dimmish

{ Dim"mish (?), Dim"my (?), }
a.
Somewhat dim; as, dimmish eyes.
Dimmy
Sir P. Sidney.


word: Dimness
definition:
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.


word: Dimorph
definition:
Dimorph

Di"morph`
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; two-formed; di`s- twice (see Di-) + morfh` form.]
(Crystallog.)
Either one of the two forms of a dimorphous substance; as, calcite and aragonite are dimorphs.


word: Dimorphism
definition:
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.


word: Dimorphous
definition:
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.


word: Dimple
definition:
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.


word: Dimple₂
definition:
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.


word: Dimplement
definition:
Dimplement

Dim"ple*ment
(?)
n.
The state of being dimpled, or marked with gentle depressions.
[R.]

The ground's most gentle dimplement.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Dimply
definition:
Dimply

Dim"ply
(?)
a.
Full of dimples, or small depressions; dimpled; as, the dimply pool.
Thomson.


word: dim-witted
definition:
dim-witted

dim-witted
adj.
mentally retarded; relatively slow in mental function.

Syn. -- half-witted, simple, simple-minded.


word: Dimyaria
definition:
Dimyaria

Dimya

&VerbarDim"y*a (?), Dim`y*a"ri*a (_;)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; = _; + _; to close.]
(Zool.)
An order of lamellibranchiate mollusks having an anterior and posterior adductor muscle, as the common clam. See Bivalve.


word: Din
definition:
Din

Din
(dĭn)
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.


word: Din₂
definition:
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.


word: Dinaphthyl
definition:
Dinaphthyl

Di*naph"thyl
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + naphthylene.]
(Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, C20H14, obtained from naphthylene, and consisting of a doubled naphthylene radical.


word: Dinar
definition:
Dinar

Di"nar
(dī"nẽr or de̝*när")
n.
[Ar. dīnār, from Gr. dhna`rion, fr. L. denarius. See Denier.]
1.
A petty money of accounts of Persia; 100 dinars consituted a rial.

2.
An ancient gold coin of the East, issued by various Islamic countries.

3.
the unit of currency of Yugoslavia.  One dinar equals 100 paras.  Abbreviated Din.


word: Dine
definition:
Dine

Dine
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Dined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dining.]
[F. dîner, 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.


word: Dine₂
definition:
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.]
dine
Chaucer.


word: Diner-out
definition:
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.


word: Dinetical
definition:
Dinetical

Di*net"ic*al
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; to whirl round.]
Revolving on an axis.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Ding
definition:
Ding

Ding
(dĭng)
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. dänga, 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.


word: Ding₂
definition:
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]


word: ding-a-ling
definition:
ding-a-ling

ding"-a-ling
a stupid or foolish person; -- used in a deprecatory or contemptuous sense.
[slang]

Syn. -- dingdong, doofus.


word: ding-dong
definition:
ding-dong

dingdong

ding"dong`, 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.
3.
a stupid or foolish person; -- used in a deprecatory or contemptuous sense.
[slang]

Syn. -- ding-a-ling, doofus.


word: Dingdong theory
definition:
Dingdong theory

Ding"dong` the"o*ry
(Philol.)
The theory which maintains that the primitive elements of language are reflex expressions induced by sensory impressions; that is, as stated by Max Müller, the creative faculty gave to each general conception as it thrilled for the first time through the brain a phonetic expression; -- jocosely so called from the analogy of the sound of a bell induced by the stroke of the clapper.


word: Dinghy
definition:
Dinghy

Dingy

Dingey

{ Din"gey (?), Din"gy, Din"ghy  }
n.
[Bengalee dingi.]
1.
a small boat propelled by oars or sails, used in the East Indies, in sheltered waters.
[Written also dinghey.]
Malcom.

2.
a small boat intended to be used as a tender or lifeboat, carried or towed by a ship.  It may be propelled by oars, sail, or a motor.

3.
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled.

Syn. -- dory, rowboat.


word: Dingle
definition:
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.


word: Dingo
definition:
Dingo

Din"go
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dingthrift
definition:
Dingthrift

Ding"thrift`
(?)
n.
A spendthrift.
[Obs.]

Wilt thou, therefore, a drunkard be,
A dingthrift and a knave?
Drant.


word: Dingy
definition:
Dingy

Din"gy
(dĭn"j&ybreve_;)
a.
[Compar. Dingier (?); superl. Dingiest.]
[Prob. fr. dung.  Cf. Dungy.]
Soiled; sullied; of a dark or dusky color; dark brown; dirty.
dingy
Macaulay.


word: Dinichthys
definition:
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.


word: Dining
definition:
Dining

Din"ing
(?)
n. & a.
from Dine, a.

&hand_; Used either adjectively or as the first part of a compound; as, dining hall or dining-hall, dining room, dining table, etc.


word: dining hall
definition:
dining hall

dining-hall

dininghall

dininghall, dining-hall, dining hall
n.
a large room at a college or university, used especially for dining.


word: dining room
definition:
dining room

diningroom

diningroom, dining room
n.
a room used for dining.  In a residence, it usually contains a dining table and some furniture, such as a buffet or sideboard, for storing tableware and dining utensils.


word: dink₂
definition:
dink

dink
n.
[ca. 1985, acronym from double income no kids.]
either of a married couple who both are employed and have no children.  The term is often used as the prototype of midde-class persons with higher-than-average disposable income.


word: dink₄
definition:
dink

dink
n.
an Asian person, especially a Vietnamese; -- used contemptuously, considered disparaging and offensive.
[U.S. slang]

Syn. -- slant, slope.


word: dinky
definition:
dinky

dinky
adj.
1.
small and insignificant; shabby or unimpressive; as, he drove to work in a dinky old Volkswagen; we stayed in a dinky little hotel.
[informal]

2.
pretty and neat; fashionable or well-dressed; as, what a dinky little hat.
[British informal]


word: dinner
definition:
dinner

din"ner
(?)
n.
[F. dîner, fr. dîner to dine. See Dine.]
1.
The principal meal of the day, eaten in some countries about midday, but in others (especially in the U. S. and in large cities) at a later hour.

2.
An entertainment; a feast.

A grand political dinner.
Tennyson.

&hand_; 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.


word: Dinnerless
definition:
Dinnerless

Din"ner*less
a.
Having no dinner; as, the naughty child was sent to bed dinnerless.
Fuller.


word: dinnertime
definition:
dinnertime

dinnertime
n.
the time when people eat dinner, usually the time for the evening meal.

Syn. -- suppertime.


word: Dinoceras
definition:
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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Dinocerata
definition:
Dinocerata

Dinocerata
n.
a small order of primitive ungulates of the Paleocene and Eocene.

Syn. -- order Dinocerata.


word: Dinoflagellata
definition:
Dinoflagellata

Dinoflagellata
n.
and order of plankton, in some classifications it is considered a phylum of the kingdom Protista; in others it is included in the plant phylum Pyrrophyta.  Its members usually have two flagella, one of which extends from its center.

Syn. -- order Dinoflagellata, Cilioflagellata, order Cilioflagellata.


word: dinoflagellate
definition:
dinoflagellate

dinoflagellate
n.
a member of the Dinoflagellata, chiefly marine protozoa having two flagella.  The dinoflagellates form a chief constituent of plankton.


word: Dinornis
definition:
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.]


word: Dinosaurian
definition:
Dinosaurian

Dinosaur

{ Di"no*saur (?), Di`no*sau"ri*an (?), }
n.
[Gr. _; terrible + _; lizard.]
(Paleon.)
One of the Dinosauria.
[Written also deinosaur, and deinosaurian.]


word: Dinosauria
definition:
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.


word: Dinotherium
definition:
Dinotherium

Dinothere

{ Di"no*there (?), &VerbarDi`no*the"ri*um (?), }
n.
[NL. dinotherium, fr. Gr. deino`s terrible + qhri`on beast.]
(Paleon.)
A large extinct proboscidean mammal from the miocene beds of Europe and Asia. It is remarkable for a pair of tusks directed downward from the decurved apex of the lower jaw.


word: Dint
definition:
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.]
dint
Milton.
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.


word: Dint₂
definition:
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.


word: Dinumeration
definition:
Dinumeration

Di*nu`mer*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. dinumeratio; di- = dis- + numerare to count, fr. numerus number.]
Enumeration.
[Obs.]
Bullokar.


word: Diocesan
definition:
Diocesan

Di*oc"e*san
(?; 277)
a.
[LL. dioecesanus: cf. F. diocésain.]
Of or pertaining to a diocese; as, diocesan missions.


word: Diocesan₂
definition:
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.


word: Diocese
definition:
Diocese

Di"o*cese
(?)
n.
pl. Dioceses (#).
[OE. diocise, OF. diocise, F. diocése, 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.]


word: Diodon
definition:
Diodon

Di"o*don
(?)
n.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, a tooth: cf. F. diodon.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.
(Zool.)
A genus of whales.


word: Diodont
definition:
Diodont

Di"o*dont
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Diodon.
n. A fish of the genus Diodon, or an allied genus.


word: Dioecia
definition:
Dioecia

Di*œ"ci*a
(di̝*ē"shĭ*ȧ)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. di = di`s twice + o'i^kos a house.]
1.
(Bot.)
A Linnæan class of plants having the stamens and pistils on different plants.

2.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dioecious
definition:
Dioecious

Dioecian

{ Di*œ"cian (?), Di*œ"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 monœcious.


word: Dioeciously
definition:
Dioeciously

Di*œ"cious*ly
adv.
(Biol.)
In a diœcious manner.

Diœciously hermaphrodite (Bot.), having flowers structurally perfect, but practically diœcious, -- those on one plant producing no pollen, and those on another no ovules.


word: dioestrual
definition:
dioestrual

dioestrous

dioestrous dioestrual
adj.
in a period of sexual inactivity; -- of animals that have several estrous cycles in one breeding season.

Syn. -- diestrous, diestrual.


word: Diogenes
definition:
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 (Zool.), 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.


word: Diomedea
definition:
Diomedea

Di*om`e*de"a
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Zool.)
A genus of large sea birds, including the albatross. See Albatross.


word: Dionaea
definition:
Dionaea

Di`o*næ"a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; a name of Aphrodite.]
(Bot.)
An insectivorous plant. See Venus's flytrap.


word: Dionysia
definition:
Dionysia

Di`o*ny"si*a
(?)
n. pl.
[L., fr. Gr. _;.]
(Class. Antiq.)
Any of the festivals held in honor of the Olympian god Dionysus. They correspond to the Roman Bacchanalia; the greater Dionysia were held at Athens in March or April, and were celebrated with elaborate performances of both tragedies and comedies.


word: Dionysiac
definition:
Dionysiac

Di`o*ny"si*ac
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Dionysus or to the Dionysia; Bacchic; as, a Dionysiac festival; the Dionysiac theater at Athens.


word: Dionysian
definition:
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.


word: Diophantine
definition:
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 x2 + y2 an exact square.


word: Diopside
definition:
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.


word: Dioptase
definition:
Dioptase

Di*op"tase
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; = dia` through + _; to see: cf. F. dioptase.]
(Min.)
A hydrous silicate of copper, occurring in emerald-green crystals.


word: Dioptra
definition:
Dioptra

Diopter

{ Di*op"ter (?), &VerbarDi*op"tra (?), }
n.
[L. dioptra, fr. Gr. _;. See 2d Dioptric.]
An optical instrument, invented by Hipparchus, for taking altitudes, leveling, etc.


word: Dioptre
definition:
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.


word: Dioptric
definition:
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.


word: Dioptrical
definition:
Dioptrical

Dioptric

{ Di*op"tric (?), 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
Nichol.

Dioptric curve (Geom.), a Cartesian oval. See under Cartesian.


word: Dioptrics
definition:
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.


word: Diorama
definition:
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.


word: Diorism
definition:
Diorism

Di"o*rism
(?)
n.
[Gr. _;, fr. _; to distinguish; _; = dia` through + _; to divide from, fr. _; a boundary.]
Definition; logical direction.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Dioristic
definition:
Dioristic

Di`o*ris"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;.]
Distinguishing; distinctive; defining.
[R.]
Di`o*ris"tic*al*ly (#), adv. [R.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Diorite
definition:
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.


word: Diorthotic
definition:
Diorthotic

Di`or*thot"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _;; _; = _; + _; to set straight.]
Relating to the correcting or straightening out of something; corrective.


word: Dioscorea
definition:
Dioscorea

Di`os*co"re*a
(?)
n.
[NL. Named after Dioscorides the Greek physician.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants, the roots of which are eaten as yams. See Yam.


word: Dioscoreaceae
definition:
Dioscoreaceae

Dioscoreaceae
n.
1.
a natural family of tuberous plants including the yams.

Syn. -- family Dioscoreaceae, yam family.


word: Diota
definition:
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.


word: Dioxide
definition:
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.


word: Dioxindol
definition:
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.


word: Dip
definition:
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. döpa, 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.


word: Dip₂
definition:
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
Macaulay.

5.
To incline downward from the plane of the horizon; as, strata of rock dip.

6.
To dip snuff.
[Southern U.S.]


word: Dip₃
definition:
Dip

Dip
n.
1.
The action of dipping or plunging for a moment into a liquid.
dip
Glover.

2.
Inclination downward; direction below a horizontal line; slope; pitch.

3.
a hollow or depression in a surface, especially in the ground.

4.
A liquid, as a sauce or gravy, served at table with a ladle or spoon.
[Local, U.S.]
Bartlett.

5.
A dipped candle.
[Colloq.]
Marryat.

6.
A gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the performer, resting on his hands, lets his arms bend and his body sink until his chin is level with the bars, and then raises himself by straightening his arms.

7.
In the turpentine industry, the viscid exudation, which is dipped out from incisions in the trees; as, virgin dip (the runnings of the first year), yellow dip (the runnings of subsequent years).

8.
(Aëronautics)
A sudden drop followed by a climb, usually to avoid obstacles or as the result of getting into an airhole.

9.
a liquid, in which objects are soaked by dipping; e.g.,  a parasiticide or insecticide solution into which animals are dipped (see sheep-dip).

10.
a sauce into which foods are dipped to enhance the flavor; e. g., an onion dip made from sour cream and dried onions, into which potato chips are dipped.

11.
a pickpocket.
[slang]

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.


word: Diphenyl
definition:
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.


word: Diphtheria
definition:
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.


word: Diphtheric
definition:
Diphtheric

Diphtherial

{ Diph*the"ri*al (?), Diph*ther"ic (?), }
a.
Relating to diphtheria; diphtheritic.


word: Diphtheritic
definition:
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.


word: Diphthong
definition:
Diphthong

Diph"thong
(?; 115, 277)
n.
[L. diphthongus, Gr. _;; di- = di`s- twice + _; voice, sound, fr. _; to utter a sound: cf. F. diphthongue.]
(Orthoëpy)
(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.


word: Diphthongal
definition:
Diphthongal

Diph*thon"gal
(?; 115)
a.
Relating or belonging to a diphthong; having the nature of a diphthong.
Diph*thon"gal*ly, adv.


word: Diphthongalize
definition:
Diphthongalize

Diph*thon"gal*ize
(?; 115)
v. t.
To make into a diphthong; to pronounce as a diphthong.


word: Diphthongize
definition:
Diphthongize

Diph"thong*ize
(?)
v. t. & i.
To change into a diphthong, as by affixing another vowel to a simple vowel.
diphthongized
H. Sweet.


word: Diphycercal
definition:
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.


word: Diphygenic
definition:
Diphygenic

Diph`y*gen"ic
(-jĕn"ĭk)
a.
[Gr. difyh`s of double form + -genic.]
(Zool.)
Having two modes of embryonic development.


word: Diphyllous
definition:
Diphyllous

Diph"yl*lous
(dĭf"ĭl*lŭs or di̝*fĭl"-)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + fy`llon leaf: cf. F. diphylle.]
(Bot.)
Having two leaves, as a calyx, etc.


word: Diphyodont
definition:
Diphyodont

Diph"y*o*dont
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; double (di- = di`s- twice + _; to produce) + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, 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.


word: Diphyozooid
definition:
Diphyozooid

Diph`y*o*zo"oid
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; of double from + E. zooid.]
(Zool.)
One of the free-swimming sexual zooids of Siphonophora.


word: Dipleidoscope
definition:
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.


word: Diplex
definition:
Diplex

Di"plex
(?)
a.
[Pref. di- + -plex, as in duplex.]
(Teleg.)
Pertaining to the sending of two messages in the same direction at the same time. Diplex and contraplex are the two varieties of duplex.


word: Diploblastic
definition:
Diploblastic

Dip`lo*blas"tic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; doublet + -blast + -ic.]
(Biol.)
Characterizing the ovum when it has two primary germinal layers.


word: Diplocardiac
definition:
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.


word: Diplococcus
definition:
Diplococcus

Dip`lo*coc"cus
(?)
n.
pl. Diplococci (#).
[NL., fr. Gr. diplo`os twofold + ko`kkos grain, seed.]
(Biol.)
A form of micrococcus in which cocci are united in a binary manner. See Micrococcus.


word: Diploe
definition:
Diploe

Dip"lo*ë
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; fold, fr. _; twofold, double.]
(Anat.)
The soft, spongy, or cancellated substance between the plates of the skull.


word: Diplogenic
definition:
Diplogenic

Dip`lo*gen"ic
(?)
a.
[Gr. _; double + the root of _; to produce.]
Partaking of the nature of two bodies; producing two substances.
Wright.


word: Diplograph
definition:
Diplograph

Dip"lo*graph
(?)
n.
[Gr. _; double + -graph.]
An instrument used for double writing, as one for producing embossed writing for the blind and ordinary writing at the same time.
Dip`lo*graph"ic*al (#), a. -- Dip*log"ra*phy (#), n.


word: diploid
definition:
diploid

dip"loid
(dĭp"loid)
n.
[Gr. diplo`os twofold + -oid.]
1.
(Crystallog.)
A solid bounded by twenty-four similar quadrilateral faces. It is a hemihedral form of the hexoctahedron.

2.
(Biol.)
a cell or organism having a number of chromosomes corresponding to two copies of each chromosome; a diploid cell or organism.

A:  I'm not interested in diploids.
B: Oh, how I wish your parents had felt the same way!


word: diploid₂
definition:
diploid

dip"loid
(dĭp"loid)
a.
[Gr. diplo`os twofold + -oid.]
(Biol.)
having a number of chromosomes corresponding to two copies of each chromosome; having double the basic number of chromosomes, as seen in a haploid cell.  Contrasted to haploid and polyploid.
in diploid cells, although the number of chromosomes is double that in haploid cells, it is not always true that there are two copies of every chromosome, since the two sex chromosomes in males will differ from each other.  In females, and for other chromosomes, however, there are generally two copies of each, giving rise to the classical hereditary and sorting patterns of Mendelian genetics.


word: Diploma
definition:
Diploma

Di*plo"ma
(?)
n.
pl. Diplomas (#).
[L., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; to double, fr. diplo`os 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.


word: Diplomacy
definition:
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.


word: Diplomatical
definition:
Diplomatical

Diplomatic

{ Dip`lo*mat"ic (?), 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.


word: Diplomatic
definition:
Diplomatic

Dip`lo*mat"ic
n.
A minister, official agent, or envoy to a foreign court; a diplomatist.


word: Diplomatically
definition:
Diplomatically

Dip`lo*mat"ic*al*ly
adv.
According to the rules of diplomacy; in the manner of a diplomatist; artfully.


word: Diplomatics
definition:
Diplomatics

Dip`lo*mat"ics
(?)
n.
The science of diplomas, or the art of deciphering ancient writings, and determining their age, authenticity, etc.; paleography.


word: Diplomatist
definition:
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 diplomatists whom his country then possessed.
Macaulay.


word: Diplopy
definition:
Diplopy

Diplopia

{ &VerbarDi*plo"pi*a (?), Dip"lo*py (?), }
n.
[NL. diplopia, from Gr. _; double + the root of _; sight: cf. F. diplopie.]
(Med.)
The act or state of seeing double.

&hand_; 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.


word: Diplopoda
definition:
Diplopoda

Di*plop"o*da
(?)
n. pl.
[Gr. _; double + -poda.]
(Zool.)
An order of myriapods having two pairs of legs on each segment; the Chilognatha.


word: Diplostemonous
definition:
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.


word: diplotene
definition:
diplotene

diplotene
n.
(Cell biol.)
the fourth stage of the prophase of meiosis, when the paired chromosomes being to separate.  This stage follows the pachytene.


word: Dipneumona
definition:
Dipneumona

Dip*neu"mo*na
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; = _; lung.]
(Zool.)
A group of spiders having only two lunglike organs.
[Written also Dipneumones.]


word: Dipnoi
definition:
Dipnoi

Dip"no*i
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; _; with two breathing apertures; di- = di`s- twice + _; breath.]
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dipodomys
definition:
Dipodomys

Dipodomys
n.
a genus of rodents of the family Heteromyidae, comprising the genus of kangaroo rats which live in arid regions of Mexico and the western U. S.
An Australian rodent of the genus Notomys is also referred to as a kangaroo rat, as is the potoroo.  See kangaroo rat

Syn. -- genus Dipodomys.


word: Dipogon
definition:
Dipogon

Dipogon
n.
a genus of plants consisting of one species, the Australian pea.

Syn. -- genus Dipogon.


word: Dipody
definition:
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.


word: dipped
definition:
dipped

dipped
adj.
having an abnormal sagging of the spine, especially in horses.

Syn. -- sway-backed.


word: Dippel's oil
definition:
Dippel's oil

Dip"pel's oil`
(?)
(Chem.)
[From the name of the inventor.]
See Bone oil, under Bone.


word: Dipper
definition:
Dipper

Dip"per
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, dips; especially, a vessel used to dip water or other liquid; a ladle.

2.
(Zool.)
(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.


word: Dipping
definition:
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.


word: Dipropargyl
definition:
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.


word: Dipropyl
definition:
Dipropyl

Di*pro"pyl
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + propyl.]
(Chem.)
One of the hexane paraffins, found in petroleum, consisting of two propyl radicals. See Hexane.


word: Diprotodon
definition:
Diprotodon

Di*pro"to*don
(?)
n.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; first + 'odoy`s, 'odo`ntos, 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.


word: Dipsas
definition:
Dipsas

Dip"sas
(?)
n.
[L., fr. Gr. _;, fr. _; thirst.]
1.
A serpent whose bite was fabled to produce intense thirst.
Milton.

2.
(Zool.)
A genus of harmless colubrine snakes.


word: Dipsy
definition:
Dipsy

Dipsie

Dipsey

{ Dip"sey, Dip"sie, Dip"sy  }
(?)
a.
Deep-sea; as, a dipsey line; a dipsy lead.
[Sailor's Cant]


word: Dipsy₂
definition:
Dipsy

Dipsie

Dipsey

{ Dip"sey, Dip"sie, Dip"sy  }
n.
1.
A sinker attached to a fishing line; also, a line having several branches, each with such a sinker, used in deep-sea fishing.
[Local, U. S.]

2.
(Naut.)
A deep-sea lead.
[Rare]


word: Dipsomania
definition:
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.


word: dipstick
definition:
dipstick

dipstick
n.
a graduated rod dipped into a container to indicate the fluid level; as, to check the oil level in a car with a dipstick.


word: Diptera
definition:
Diptera

Dip"te*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. _; with two wings, di- = di`s- twice + _; feather, wing: cf. F. diptère.]
(Zool.)
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 maxillæ) with which they pierce the skin of animals. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, their larvæ (called maggots) being usually without feet.


word: Dipteral
definition:
Dipteral

Dip"ter*al
(?)
a.
1.
(Zool.)
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.


word: Dipterocarpus
definition:
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.


word: Dipterous
definition:
Dipterous

Dip"ter*ous
(?)
a.
1.
(Zool.)
Having two wings, as certain insects; belonging to the order Diptera.

2.
(Bot.)
Having two wings; two-winged.


word: Dipterygian
definition:
Dipterygian

Dip`ter*yg"i*an
(?)
a.
[Gr. di- = di`s- twice + _; a fin, dim. of _; wing.]
(Zool.)
Having two dorsal fins; -- said of certain fishes.


word: Dipteryx
definition:
Dipteryx

Dipteryx
n.
a genus of tropical American trees which produce a black seed called the tonka bean.

Syn. -- Coumarouna, genus Coumarouna, genus Dipteryx.


word: Diptote
definition:
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.


word: Diptych
definition:
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.
(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.


word: Dipyre
definition:
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.


word: Dipyridine
definition:
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.


word: Dipyridyl
definition:
Dipyridyl

Di*pyr"i*dyl
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + pyridine + -yl.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline nitrogenous base, C10H8N2, obtained by the reduction of pyridine.


word: Diradiation
definition:
Diradiation

Di*ra`di*a"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. di- + radiation.]
The emission and diffusion of rays of light.


word: Dire
definition:
Dire

Dire
(dīr)
a.
[Compar. Direr (dīr"ẽr); 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.


word: Direct
definition:
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.

6.
(Political Science)
Pertaining to, or effected immediately by, action of the people through their votes instead of through one or more representatives or delegates; as, direct nomination, direct legislation.

Direct action. (a) (Mach.) See Direct-acting. (b) (Trade unions) See Syndicalism, below. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] -- 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 evidence, 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.


word: Direct₂
definition:
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.


word: Direct₃
definition:
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.


word: Direct₄
definition:
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).


word: Direct-acting
definition:
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.


word: Direct-coupled
definition:
Direct-coupled

Di*rect"-cou"pled
(?)
a.
Coupled without intermediate connections, as an engine and a dynamo.
Direct-coupled antenna (Wireless Teleg.), an antenna connected electrically with one point of a closed oscillation circuit in syntony with it and earthed.


word: Direct current
definition:
Direct current

Direct current
(Elec.)
(a)
A current flowing in one direction only; -- distinguished from alternating current. When steady and not pulsating a direct current is often called a continuous current.
(b)
A direct induced current, or momentary current of the same direction as the inducing current, produced by stopping or removing the latter; also, a similar current produced by removal of a magnet.


word: directed
definition:
directed

directed
adj.
1.
having a specified direction; often used in combination; as, goal-directed.

2.
marked with a destination; -- of mail or parcels; as, I throw away all mail directed to `resident'.  Opposite of unaddressed.

Syn. -- addressed.


word: Directer
definition:
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.


word: Direction
definition:
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.


word: directional
definition:
directional

directional
adj.
1.
of or pertaining to direction (definition 2).

2.
serving to indicate direction.

3.
(Radio)
transmitting radio signals in a specific direction, or receiving signals only from a narrow angle of directions, thus serving to indicate the direction from which radio signals are coming.  Used of antennas; as, a directional antenna.


word: directionality
definition:
directionality

directionality
n.
the property of a microphone or antenna of being more sensitive to signal arriving from one direction than from another.

Syn. -- directivity.


word: directionless
definition:
directionless

directionless
adj.
1.
purposeless.  Opposite of purposeful.

Syn. -- adrift(predicate), afloat(predicate), aimless, planless, rudderless, undirected.


word: Directive
definition:
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.


word: directivity
definition:
directivity

directivity
n.
the property of a microphone or antenna of being more sensitive to sounds coming from one direction than from another.

Syn. -- directionality.


word: Directly
definition:
Directly

Di*rect"ly
adv.
1.
In a direct manner; in a straight line or course.
directly
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.
Directly
'
Shak.

8.
Immediately after; as soon as.

Directly he stopped, the coffin was removed.
Dickens.

&hand_; 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.


word: Directness
definition:
Directness

Di*rect"ness
(?)
n.
The quality of being direct; straightness; straightforwardness; immediateness.


word: Direct nomination
definition:
Direct nomination

Direct nomination
(Political Science)
The nomination or designation of candidates for public office by direct popular vote rather than through the action of a convention or body of elected nominating representatives or delegates. The term is applied both to the nomination of candidates without any nominating convention, and, loosely, to the nomination effected, as in the case of candidates for president or senator of the United States, by the election of nominating representatives pledged or instructed to vote for certain candidates dssignated by popular vote.


word: Directoire style
definition:
Directoire style

Di`rec`toire" style
(?)
(Dressmaking)
A style of dress prevalent at the time of the French Directory, characterized by great extravagance of design and imitating the Greek and Roman costumes.


word: Director
definition:
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.


word: Directorate
definition:
Directorate

Di*rect"o*rate
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. directorat.]
The office of director; also, a body of directors taken jointly.


word: Directorial
definition:
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.


word: Directory
definition:
Directory

Di*rect"o*ry
(?)
a.
[L. directorius.]
Containing directions; enjoining; instructing; directorial.


word: Directory₂
definition:
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.


word: Direct primary
definition:
Direct primary

Direct primary
(Political Science)
A primary by which direct nominations of candidates for office are made.


word: Directrix
definition:
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.


word: Direful
definition:
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.


word: Dirempt
definition:
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.


word: Diremption
definition:
Diremption

Di*remp"tion
(?)
n.
[L. diremptio.]
A tearing apart; violent separation.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.


word: Direption
definition:
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.


word: Direptitiously
definition:
Direptitiously

Di*rep*ti"tious*ly
adv.
With plundering violence; by violent injustice.
[R.]
Strype.


word: Dirge
definition:
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.


word: Dirige
definition:
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.


word: Dirigent₂
definition:
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.


word: dirigisme
definition:
dirigisme

dir`i*gisme"
(?)
n.
[L. dirigere to direct.]
The practice or inclination to direct (activities) by a central authority; as, the linguistic dirigisme of prescriptivists clashes with the modern tendency toward acceptance of multiculturalism.  See also dirigiste.


word: dirigiste
definition:
dirigiste

dir`i*giste"
(?)
a.
[L. dirigere to direct.]
Directed by a central authority; as, a dirigiste economy; with respect to economics, opposed to free-market.  See also dirigisme.


word: Diriment
definition:
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.


word: Dirk
definition:
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.


word: Dirk₂
definition:
Dirk

Dirk
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dirked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dirking.]
To stab with a dirk.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Dirl
definition:
Dirl

Dirl
(?)
v. i. & t.
[Cf. Drill, Thrill.]
To thrill; to vibrate; to penetrate.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.


word: Dirt
definition:
Dirt

Dirt
(dẽrt)
n.
[OE. drit; kin to Icel. drit excrement, drīta to dung, OD. drijten to dung, AS. gedrītan.]
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.


word: dirt-cheap
definition:
dirt-cheap

dirt-cheap
adj.
costing much less than standard price; as, the store went out of business and sold their remaining stock for dirt-cheap prices.

Syn. -- bargain-priced, cut-rate, cut-price.


word: Dirtiness
definition:
Dirtiness

Dirt"i*ness
n.
The state of being dirty; filthiness; foulness; nastiness; baseness; sordidness.


word: Dirty
definition:
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.


word: Dirty₂
definition:
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.


word: dis-
definition:
dis-

dis-
(?; 258)
1.
A prefix from the Latin, whence F. dés, or sometimes dé-, 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.

&hand_; 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 orthoëpists. See Disable, Disgrace, and the other words, beginning with dis-, in this Dictionary.

2.
A prefix from Gr. di`s- twice. See Di-.


word: dis
definition:
dis

dis
v. t.
[shortened from disrespect.]
[imp. & p. p. dissed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. dissing (?).]
to treat in a disrespectful manner; to insult, disparage or belittle.
[slang]


word: disa
definition:
disa

disa
n.
any orchid of the genus Disa, a genus of beautiful orchids with dark green leaves and usually hooded flowers; -- they are much prized as emblematic flowers in their native regions.


word: disability
definition:
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.


word: Disable₂
definition:
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.]
disabled
Shak.


word: disabled
definition:
disabled

disabled
adj.
1.
injured so as to be unable to function; as, disabled veterans.

Syn. -- hors de combat, out of action.

2.
unable to function at normal capacity.

Syn. -- handicapped, incapacitated.


word: disabling
definition:
disabling

disabling
adj.
1.
causing or having caused disability; rendering disabled; as, disabling injury.

Syn. -- crippling, incapacitating.

2.
depriving of legal right; rendering legally disqualified; as, certain disabling restrictions disqualified him for citizenship.
enabling

Syn. -- disqualifying.


word: disabuse
definition:
disabuse

dis`a*buse"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disabused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disabusing.]
[Pref. dis- + abuse; cf. F. désabuser.]
To set free from mistakes; to undeceive; to disengage from fallacy or deception; to set right; -- often used with of; as, to disabuse one of his illusions.

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.


word: disaccommodate
definition:
disaccommodate

dis`ac*com"mo*date
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. dis- + accommodate.]
To put to inconvenience; to incommode.
[R.]
Bp. Warburton.


word: Disaccommodation
definition:
Disaccommodation

Dis`ac*com`mo*da"tion
(?)
n.
A state of being unaccommodated or unsuited.
[R.]
Sir M. Hale.


word: Disaccord
definition:
Disaccord

Dis`ac*cord"
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. F. désaccorder to cause discord.]
To refuse to assent.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Disaccustom
definition:
Disaccustom

Dis`ac*cus"tom
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. F. désaccoutumer.]
To destroy the force of habit in; to wean from a custom.
Johnson.


word: Disacknowledge
definition:
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.


word: Disacquaint
definition:
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.


word: Disacquaintance
definition:
Disacquaintance

Dis`ac*quaint"ance
(?)
n.
Neglect of disuse of familiarity, or familiar acquaintance.
[Obs.]
South.


word: Disacryl
definition:
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.


word: Disadvance
definition:
Disadvance

Dis`ad*vance"
(?; 61)
v. t. & i.
[Pref. dis- + advance: cf. OF. desavancier.]
To draw back, or cause to draw back.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Disadvantage
definition:
Disadvantage

Dis`ad*van"tage
(?; 48, 61)
n.
[Cf. F. désavantage.]
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.


word: Disadvantage₂
definition:
Disadvantage

Dis`ad*van"tage
v. t.
[Cf. F. désavantager.]
To injure the interest of; to be detrimental to.


word: Disadvantageous
definition:
Disadvantageous

Dis*ad`van*ta"geous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. désavantageux.]
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.


word: Disadventure
definition:
Disadventure

Dis`ad*ven"ture
(?; 135)
n.
[Pref. dis- + adventure: cf. OF. desaventure.]
Misfortune; mishap.
[Obs.]
Sir W. Raleigh.


word: Disaffect
definition:
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.


word: Disaffected
definition:
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.


word: Disaffection
definition:
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.


word: Disaffectionate
definition:
Disaffectionate

Dis`af*fec"tion*ate
(?)
a.
Not disposed to affection; unfriendly; disaffected.
[R.]
Blount.


word: Disaffirm
definition:
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.


word: Disaffirmance
definition:
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.


word: Disafforest
definition:
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.


word: Disaggregate
definition:
Disaggregate

Dis*ag"gre*gate
(dĭs*ăg"gre̝*gāt)
v. t.
To destroy the aggregation of; to separate into component parts, as an aggregate mass.


word: Disaggregation
definition:
Disaggregation

Dis*ag`gre*ga"tion
(dĭs*ăg`gre̝*gā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. désagrégation.]
The separation of an aggregate body into its component parts.


word: Disagree
definition:
Disagree

Dis`a*gree"
(dĭs`ȧ*grē")
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Disagreed (dĭs`ȧ*grēd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Disagreeing.]
[Pref. dis- + agree: cf. F. désagréer 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.

&hand_; Usually followed by with, sometimes by to, rarely by from; as, I disagree to your proposal.


word: Disagreeable
definition:
Disagreeable

Dis`a*gree"a*ble
(dĭs`ȧ*grē"ȧ*b'l)
a.
[Cf. F. désagréable.]
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.


word: Disagreeableness
definition:
Disagreeableness

Dis`a*gree"a*ble*ness
n.
The state or quality of being; disagreeable; unpleasantness.


word: Disagreement
definition:
Disagreement

Dis`a*gree"ment
(dĭs`ȧ*grē"ment)
n.
[Cf. F. désagrément 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.


word: Disallow
definition:
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 Cæsar we may at all times disallow, but the statutes of God for no reason we may reject.
Milton.

&hand_; This verb was sometimes followed by of; as, “What follows, if we disallow of this?” Shak. See Allow.


word: Disallowable
definition:
Disallowable

Dis`al*low"a*ble
(?)
a.
Not allowable; not to be suffered.
Raleigh.
Dis`al*low"a*ble*ness, n.


word: Disally
definition:
Disally

Dis`al*ly"
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. dis- + ally: cf. F. désaltier.]
To part, as an alliance; to sunder.
[R.]
Disallied
Milton.


word: Disanchor
definition:
Disanchor

Dis*an"chor
(?)
v. t. & i.
[Pref. dis- + anchor: cf. F. désancrer.]
To raise the anchor of, as a ship; to weigh anchor.
[Obs.]
Heywood.


word: Disanimate
definition:
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.


word: Disanimation
definition:
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.


word: Disannex
definition:
Disannex

Dis`an*nex"
(?)
v. t.
To disunite; to undo or repeal the annexation of.
State Trials (1608).


word: Disannul
definition:
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.

&hand_; The prefix in this word an its derivatives is intensive, and not negative.


word: Disanoint
definition:
Disanoint

Dis`a*noint"
(?)
v. t.
To invalidate the consecration of; as, to disanoint a king.
[Obs.]
Milton.


word: Disapparel
definition:
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).


word: Disappear
definition:
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.


word: Disappearance
definition:
Disappearance

Dis`ap*pear"ance
(?)
n.
The act of disappearing; cessation of appearance; removal from sight; vanishing.
Addison.


word: Disappearing
definition:
Disappearing

Dis`ap*pear"ing
p. pr. & vb. n. of Disappear.
Disappearing carriage (Ordnance), a carriage for heavy coast guns on which the gun is raised above the parapet for firing and upon discharge is lowered behind the parapet for protection. The standard type of disappearing carriage in the coast artillery of the United States army is the Buffington-Crozier carriage, in which the gun trunnions are secured at the upper and after ends of a pair of heavy levers, at the lower ends of which is attached a counterweight of lead. The levers are pivoted at their middle points, which are, with the top carriage, permitted restrained motion along the slightly inclined chassis rails. The counterweight is held in place by a pawl and ratchet. When the gun is loaded the pawl is released and the counterweight sinks, raising the gun to the firing position above the parapet. The recoil following the discharge returns the gun to the loading position, the counterweight rising until the pawl engages the ratchet.


word: Disappendent
definition:
Disappendent

Dis`ap*pend"ent
(?)
a.
Freed from a former connection or dependence; disconnected.
[R.]


word: Disappoint
definition:
Disappoint

Dis`ap*point"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disapointed; p. pr. & vb. n. Disappointing.]
[OF. desapointier, F. désappointer; 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.

&hand_; 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.


word: Disappointed
definition:
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.


word: disappointing
definition:
disappointing

disappointing
a.
defeating one's expectations or hopes; failing to fulfill one's expectations or hopes; as, a disappointing result; a disappointing crop yield.


word: disappointing₂
definition:
disappointing

disappointing
n.
the act of disappointing someone.

Syn. -- disappointment, dashing hopes.


word: Disappointment
definition:
Disappointment

Dis`ap*point"ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. désappointement.]
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 than our pleasure in the fruition of them.
Addison.

In disappointment thou canst bless.
Keble.

2.
That which disappoints.


word: Disappreciate
definition:
Disappreciate

Dis`ap*pre"ci*ate
(?)
v. t.
[See Appreciate.]
To undervalue; not to esteem.
Dis`ap*pre`ci*a"tion (#), n.


word: Disapprobation
definition:
Disapprobation

Dis*ap`pro*ba"tion
(?)
n.
[Pref. dis- + approbation: cf. F. désapprobation.  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.


word: Disappropriate
definition:
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.


word: Disappropriate₂
definition:
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.


word: Disapprove
definition:
Disapprove

Dis`ap*prove
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disapproved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disapproving.]
[Pref. dis- + approve: cf. F. déapprouver.  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.

&hand_; This verb is often followed by of; as, to disapprove of an opinion, of such conduct. See Approve.


word: Disarm
definition:
Disarm

Dis*arm"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disarming (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disarming.]
[OE. desarmen, F. désarmer; pref. dés- (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.


word: Disarmature
definition:
Disarmature

Dis*ar"ma*ture
(?; 135)
n.
[Pref. dis- + armature.]
The act of divesting of armature.
[R.]


word: Disarmed
definition:
Disarmed

Dis*armed"
(?)
a.
1.
Deprived of arms.

2.
(Her.)
Deprived of claws, and teeth or beaks.
Cussans.


word: disarming
definition:
disarming

disarming
adj.
1.
capable of allaying suspicion or hostility and inspiring confidence; as, a disarming smile.

2.
capable of allaying hostility.


word: Disarrange
definition:
Disarrange

Dis`ar*range"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disarranged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disarranging.]
[Pref. dis- + arrange: cf. F. désarranger.]
To unsettle or disturb the order or due arrangement of; to throw out of order.


word: disarranged
definition:
disarranged

disarranged
adj.
having the arrangement disturbed; not put in order; as, her disarranged hair.  Opposite of arranged.


word: Disarrangement
definition:
Disarrangement

Dis`ar*range"ment
(?)
n.
The act of disarranging, or the state of being disarranged; confusion; disorder.
Cowper.


word: Disarray
definition:
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.


word: Disarray₂
definition:
Disarray

Dis`ar*ray"
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. désarroi.]
1.
Want of array or regular order; disorder; confusion.

Disrank the troops, set all in disarray.
Daniel.

2.
Confused attire; undress.
Spenser.


word: Disarticulate
definition:
Disarticulate

Dis`ar*tic"u*late
(?)
v. t.
To sunder; to separate, as joints.
Dis`ar*tic`u*la"tion (#), n.


word: disassemble
definition:
disassemble

dis`as*sem"ble
v. t.
1.
to take apart; to disconnect the parts of; to convert a whole into its constituent pieces.

Syn. -- dismantle, take apart, break apart, break up.
2.
(Computers)
to convert a computer program in machine language into an equivalent assembly-language file.


word: disassemble₂
definition:
disassemble

dis`as*sem"ble
v. i.
to be able to come apart easily; to be converted into constituent parts; as, the rifle disassembles into small pieces for concealment.


word: disassembler
definition:
disassembler

dis`as*sem"bler
n.
(Computers)
a computer program that takes as input a computer program in machine language and produces an equivalent assembly-language file.


word: Disassimilation
definition:
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; -- now more commonly called catabolism.

The breaking down of already existing chemical compounds into simpler ones, sometimes called disassimilation.
Martin.


word: Disassimilative
definition:
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.


word: Disassociate
definition:
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.


word: Disaster
definition:
Disaster

Dis*as"ter
(?)
n.
[F. désastre; pref. dés- (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.


word: Disaster₂
definition:
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.


word: Disastrous
definition:
Disastrous

Dis*as"trous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. désastreux. 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; ending in utter failure or ruin; as, a disastrous day; a disastrous termination of an undertaking.

Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances.
Shak.


word: Disattire
definition:
Disattire

Dis`at*tire"
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. dis- + attire: cf. OF. desatirier.]
To unrobe; to undress.
Spenser.


word: Disauthorize
definition:
Disauthorize

Dis*au"thor*ize
(?)
v. t.
To deprive of credit or authority; to discredit.
[R.]
W. Wotton.


word: Disavaunce
definition:
Disavaunce

Dis`a*vaunce"
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. Disadvance.]
To retard; to repel; to do damage to.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Disavow
definition:
Disavow

Dis`a*vow"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disavowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disavowing.]
[F. désavouer; pref. dés- (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.


word: Disavowal
definition:
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.


word: Disband
definition:
Disband

Dis*band"
(?; see Dis-)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disbanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Disbanding.]
[Pref. dis- + band: cf. OF. desbander, F. débander, 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.


word: Disband₂
definition:
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.


word: Disbar
definition:
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.


word: Disbark
definition:
Disbark

Dis*bark"
(?)
v. t.
[Pref. dis- + bark a small ship: cf. OF. desbarquer, F. débarquer.  Cf. Debark, Disembark.]
To disembark.
Pope.


word: Disbase
definition:
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.


word: Disbelief
definition:
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.


word: Disbelieve
definition:
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.


word: Disbeliever
definition:
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.


word: Disbench
definition:
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.


word: Disblame
definition:
Disblame

Dis*blame"
(?)
v. t.
[OE. desblamen, OF. desblasmer; pref. des- (L. dis-) + blasmer, F. blâmer, to blame.]
To clear from blame.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Disboscation
definition:
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.


word: Disbranch
definition:
Disbranch

Dis*branch"
(?)
v. t.
[See Branch, v.]
To divest of a branch or branches; to tear off.
Shak.


word: Disbud
definition:
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.


word: Disburden
definition:
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.


word: Disburse
definition:
Disburse

Dis*burse"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Disbursed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disbursing.]
[OF. desbourser, F. débourser; 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.


word: Disbursement
definition:
Disbursement

Dis*burse"ment
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. déboursement.]
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.


word: Disburthen
definition:
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]


word: Disc
definition:
Disc

Disc
(dĭsk)
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.


word: Discalceate
definition:
Discalceate

Dis*cal"ce*ate
(?)
v. t.
[L. discalceatus unshod; dis- + calceus shoe.]
To pull off shoes or sandals from.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.


word: Discalceation
definition:
Discalceation

Dis*cal`ce*a"tion
(?)
n.
The act of pulling off the shoes or sandals.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Discalced
definition:
Discalced

Dis*calced"
(?)
a.
Unshod; barefooted; -- in distinction from calced.
discalced
Cardinal Manning's St. Teresa.


word: Discard
definition:
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.


word: Discarnate
definition:
Discarnate

Dis*car"nate
(?)
a.
[L. dis- + carnatus fleshy, fr. caro, carnis, flesh.]
Stripped of flesh.
[Obs.]
Discarnate
Glanvill.


word: Discede
definition:
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.


word: Discept
definition:
Discept

Dis*cept"
(?)
v. i.
[L. disceptare.]
To debate; to discuss.
[R.]

One dissertates, he is candid;
Two must discept, -- has distinguished.
R. Browning.


word: Disceptation
definition:
Disceptation

Dis`cep*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[L. disceptatio.]
Controversy; disputation; discussion.
[Archaic]

Verbose janglings and endless disceptations.
Strype.


word: Discern
definition:
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.


word: Discern₂
definition:
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.


word: Discerner
definition:
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.


word: Discernible
definition:
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.


word: Discerningly
definition:
Discerningly

Dis*cern"ing*ly
adv.
In a discerning manner; with judgment; judiciously; acutely.
Garth.


word: Discernment
definition:
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.


word: Discerp
definition:
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.


word: Discerptibility
definition:
Discerptibility

Discerpibility

{ Dis*cerp`i*bil"i*ty (?), Dis*cerp`ti*bil"i*ty (?) }
n.
Capability or liableness to be discerped.
[R.]
Wollaston.


word: Discerptible
definition:
Discerptible

Discerpible

{ Dis*cerp"i*ble (?), Dis*cerp"ti*ble (?) }
a.
[See Discerp.]
Capable of being discerped.
[R.]


word: Discerption
definition:
Discerption

Dis*cerp"tion
(?)
n.
[L. discerptio.]
The act of pulling to pieces, or of separating the parts.
Bp. Hall.


word: Discession
definition:
Discession

Dis*ces"sion
(?)
n.
[L. discessio, fr. discedere, discessum. See Discede.]
Departure.
[Obs.]


word: Discharge
definition:
Discharge

Dis*charge"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Discharged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Discharging.]
[OE. deschargen, dischargen, OF. deschargier, F. décharger; 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.

13.
(Textile Dyeing & Printing)
To bleach out or to remove or efface, as by a chemical process; as, to discharge the color from a dyed fabric in order to form light figures on a dark ground.

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.


