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D.
D (?) 1. The fourth letter of the
English alphabet, and a vocal consonent. The English letter is
from Latin, which is from Greek, which took it from Phoenician,
the probable ultimate origin being Egyptian. It is related most
nearly to t and th; as, Eng.
deep, G. tief; Eng. daughter, G.
tochter, Gr. /, Skr. duhitr. See
Guide to Pronunciation,
2. (Mus.) The nominal of the second tone
in the model major scale (that in C), or of the fourth tone in
the relative minor scale of C (that in A minor), or of the key
tone in the relative minor of F.
3. As a numeral D stands for 500. in this use it is
not the initial of any word, or even strictly a letter, but one
half of the sign / (or / ) the original Tuscan numeral for
1000.
Dab (?), n. [Perh. corrupted
fr. adept.] A skillful hand; a dabster; an
expert. [Colloq.]
One excels at a plan or the titlepage, another works away at
the body of the book, and the therd is a dab at an
index.
Goldsmith.
Dab, n. [Perh. so named from its
quickness in diving beneath the sand. Cf.
Dabchick.] (Zo\'94l.) A name given
to several species of /ounders, esp. to the European spesies,
Pleuronectes /imanda. TheAmerican rough dab is
Hippoglossoides platessoides.
Dab (?), v. i. [imp.
& p.p. Dabbed (?); p.pr.&
vb.n. Dabbing.] [OE.
dabben to strice; akin to OD. dabben to
pinch, knead, fumble, dabble, and perh. to G. tappen
to grope.] 1. To strike or touch gently, as
with a soft or moist substance; to tap; hence, to besmear with a
dabber.
A sore should . . . be wiped . . . only by dabbing
it over with fine lint.
S. Sharp.
2. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow
or thrust. \'bdTo dab him in the neck.\'b8
Sir T. More.
Dab (?), n. 1. A
gentle blow with the hand or some soft substance; a sudden blow
or hit; a peck.
Astratch of her clame, a dab of her beack.
Hawthorne.
2. A small mass of anything soft or moist.
Dabb (?), n. (Zo\'94l.)
A large, spine-tailed lizard (Uromastix
spinipes), found in Egypt, Arabia, and Palestine; -- called
also dhobb, and
dhabb.
Dab"ber (?), n. That with which
one dabs; hence, a pad or other device used by printers,
engravers, etc., as for dabbing type or engraved plates with
ink.
Dab"ble (?), v. t.
[imp.&p.p Dabbled (?);
p.pr.&vb.n. Dabbling
(?).] [Freq. of dab: cf. OD.
dabbelen.] To wet by little dips or
strokes; to spatter; to sprinkle; to moisten; to wet.
\'bdBright hair dabbled in blood.\'b8
Shak.
Dab"le, v. i. 1. To play in
water, as with the hands; to paddle or splash in mud or
water.
Wher the duck dabbles /mid the rustling
sedge.
Wordsworth.
2. To work in slight or superficial manner; to do
in a small way; to tamper; to meddle.
\'bdDabbling here and there with the text.\'b8
Atterbury.
During the ferst year at Dumfries, Burns for the ferst time
began to dabble in politics.
J. C. Shairp.
Dab"bler (?), n. 1.
One who dabbles.
2. One who dips slightly into anything; a
superficial meddler. \'bdour dabblers in
politics.\'b8
Swift.
Dab"bling*ly (?), adv. In a
dabbling manner.
Dab"chick` (?), n. [For
dabchick. See Dap, Dip, cf.
Dipchick.] (Zo\'94l.) A small
water bird (Podilymbus podiceps), allied to the
grebes, remarkable for its quickness in diving; -- called also
dapchick, dobchick,
dipchick, didapper,
dobber, devil-diver,
hell-diver, and pied-billed
grebe.
\'d8Da*boi"a (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) A large and highly venomous Asiatic
viper (Daboia xanthica).
Dab"ster, n. [Cf. Dab an
expert.] One who is skilled; a master of his business;
a proficient; an adept. [Colloq.]
dabbler;
as, \'bdI am but a dabster with gentle art.\'b8
\'d8Da`ca"po (?). [It., from [the] head or
beginning.] (Mus.) From the beginning; a
direction to return to, and end with, the first strain; --
indicated by the letters D. C. Also, the strain so
repeated.
Dace (?), n. [Written also
dare, dart, fr. F. dard dase,
dart, of German origin. Dace is for an older
darce, fr. an OF. nom. darz. See
Dart a javelin.] (Zo\'94l.) A
small European cyprinoid fish (Squalius leuciscus or
Leuciscus vulgaris); -- called also
dare.
Squalius, Minnilus,
etc. The black-nosed dace is Rhinichthys atronasus the
horned dace is Semotilus corporalis. For red dace, see
Redfin.
\'d8Dachs"hund` (?), n. [G.,
from dachs badger + hund dog.]
(Zo\'94l.) One of a breed of small dogs with
short crooked legs, and long body; -- called also badger
dog. There are two kinds, the rough-haired and the
smooth-haired.
Da"cian (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Dacia or the Dacians. -- n.
A native of ancient Dacia.
Da*coit"y (?), n. The practice
of gang robbery in India; robbery committed by dacoits.
Da*co"tahs (?), n. pl.; sing.
Dacotan (/).
(Ethnol.) Same as Dacotas.
Longfellow.
Dac"tyl (?), n. [L.
dactylus, Gr. / a finger, a dactyl. Cf.
Digit.] 1. (Pros.) A
poetical foot of three sylables (\'f5 \'de \'de), one long
followed by two short, or one accented followed by two
unaccented; as, L. t\'89gm, E.
mer"ciful; -- so called from the similarity of its
arrangement to that of the joints of a finger.
[Written also dactyle.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A finger or
toe; a digit. (b) The claw or terminal joint
of a leg of an insect or crustacean.
Dac"tyl*ar (?), a. 1.
Pertaining to dactyl; dactylic.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Of or pertaining to a
finger or toe, or to the claw of an insect crustacean.
Dac"tyl*et (?), n.
[Dactyl + /et.] A
dactyl. [Obs.]
Dac*tyl"ic (?), a. [L.
dactylicus, Gr. /, fr.
/.] Pertaining to, consisting chiefly or
wholly of, dactyls; as, dactylic verses.
Dac*tyl"ic, n. 1. A line
consisting chiefly or wholly of dactyls; as, these lines are
dactylics.
2. pl. Dactylic meters.
Dac-tyl"i*o*glyph (?), n. [Gr.
/ an engraver of gems; / finger ring
(fr. / finger) + / to engrave.]
(Fine Arts) (a) An engraver of gems for
rings and other ornaments. (b) The
inscription of the engraver's name on a finger ring or gem.
Dac*tyl`i*og"ly*phi (?), n. The
art or process of gem engraving.
Dac*tyl`i*og"ra*phy (?), n.
[Gr. / finger ring +
/graphy.] (Fine Arts) (a)
The art of writing or engraving upon gems.
(b) In general, the literature or history of the
art.
Dac*tyl`i* ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
/ finger ring + /logy.]
(Fine Arts) (a) That branch of
arch\'91ology which has to do with gem engraving.
(b) That branch of arch\'91ology which has to do
with finger rings.
Dac*tyl"i*o*man`cy (?), n. [Gr.
dakty`lios + -mancy.] Divination
by means of finger rings.
Dac"tyl*ist (?), n. A writer of
dactylic verse.
\'d8Dac`tyl*i"tis (?), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. / finger + -itis.]
(Med.) An inflammatory affection of the
fingers.
Gross.
Dac`tyl*i"tis (?), n. [Gr.
/ finger + -logy.] The art of
communicating ideas by certai movement and positions of the
fingers; -- a method of conversing practiced by the deaf and
dumb.
onehand alphabet (which was perfected by Abb\'82 de
l'Ep\'82e, who died in 1789), and the two/hand
alphabet. The latter was probably based on the manual alphabet
published by George Dalgarus of Aberdeen, in 1680. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Dac*tyl"o*man`cy (?), n.
Dactylio mancy. [R.]
Am. Cyc.
Dac`tyl*on"o*my (?), n. [Gr.
/ finger + / law, distribution.]
The art of numbering or counting by the fingers.
Dac`tyl*op"ter*ous (?), a. [Gr.
/ finger + / wing, fin.]
(Zo\'94l.) Having the inferior rays of the
pectoral fins partially or entirely free, as in the
gurnards.
\'d8Dac`ty*lo*the"ca (?), n.
[NL., fr. Gr. / finger, toe + /
case, box.] (Zo\'94l.) The scaly covering
of the toes, as in birds.
Dac`tyl*o*zo"oid (?), n. [Gr.
/ finger + E. zooid.]
(Zo\'94l.) A kind of zooid of Siphonophora which
has an elongated or even vermiform body, with one tentacle, but
no mouth. See Siphonophora.
Dad (?), n. [Prob. of Celtic
origin; cf. Ir. daid, Gael. daidein, W.
tad, OL. /, /, Skr.
t\'beta.] Father; -- a word sometimes used
by children.
I was never so bethumped withwords,
Since I first called my brother's father dad.
Shak.
Dad"le (?), v. i.
[imp. & p.p. Daddled (?),
p.pr. & vb.n. Daddling.]
[Prob. freq. of dade.] To toddle; to
walk unsteadily, like a child or an old man; hence, to do
anything slowly or feebly.
Dad"dock (?), n. [Cf. Prov. E.
dad a large piece.] The rotten body of a
tree. [Prov. Eng.]
Wright.
Dad"dy (?), n. Diminutive of
Dad.
Dryden.
Dad"dy long"legs` (?). 1.
(Zo\'94l.) An arachnidan of the genus
Phalangium, and allied genera, having a small body and
four pairs of long legs; -- called also
harvestman, carter, and
grandfather longlegs.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A name applied to many
species of dipterous insects of the genus Tipula, and
allied genera, with slender bodies, and very long, slender legs;
the crane fly; -- called also father
longlegs.
Dade (?), v. t. [Of. uncertain
origin. Cf. Dandle, Daddle.] To hold
up by leading strings or by the hand, as a child while he
toddles. [Obs.]
Little children when they learn to go
By painful mothers daded to and fro.
Drayton.
Dade, v. i. To walk unsteadily, as a
child in leading strings, or just learning to walk; to move
slowly. [Obs.]
No sooner taught to dade, but from their mother
trip.
Drayton.
Da"do (?), n.; pl.
Dadoes (#). [It. dado
die, cube, pedestal; of the same origin as E. die,
n. See Die, n.]
(Arch.) (a) That part of a pedestal
included between the base and the cornice (or surbase); the die.
See Illust. of Column. Hence:
(b) In any wall, that part of the basement included
between the base and the base course. See Base
course, under Base. (c) In
interior decoration, the lower part of the wall of an apartment
when adorned with moldings, or otherwise specially
decorated.
{ D\'91"dal (?), D\'91*dal"ian
(?) }, a. [L. daedalus
cunningly wrought, fr. Gr. /; cf. / to
work cunningly. The word also alludes to the mythical D\'91dalus
(Gr. /, lit., the cunning worker).]
1. Cunningly or ingeniously formed or working;
skillful; artistic; ingenious.
Our bodies decked in our d\'91dalian arms.
Chapman.
The d\'91dal hand of Nature.
J. Philips.
The doth the d\'91dal earth throw forth to thee,
Out of her fruitful, abundant flowers.
Spenser.
2. Crafty; deceitful. [R.]
Keats.
D\'91d"a*lous (?), a.
(Bot.) Having a variously cut or incised margin;
-- said of leaves.
D\'91"mon (?), n.,
D\'91*mon"ic (/), a.
See Demon, Demonic.
Daff (?), v. t. [Cf.
Doff.] To cast aside; to put off; to
doff. [Obs.]
Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast killed my
child.
Shak.
Daff, n. [See Daft.]
A stupid, blockish fellow; a numskull.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Daff (?), v. i. To act
foolishly; to be foolish or sportive; to toy.
[Scot.]
Jamieson.
Daff, v. t. To daunt. [Prov.
Eng.]
Grose.
Daf"fo*dil (?), n. [OE.
affodylle, prop., the asphodel, fr. LL.
affodillus (cf. D. affodille or OF.
asphodile, aphodille, F.
asphod\'8ale), L. asphodelus, fr. Gr.
/. The initial d in English is not
satisfactorily explained. See Asphodel.]
(Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus
Asphodelus. (b) A plant of the
genus Narcissus (N. Pseudo-narcissus). It
has a bulbous root and beautiful flowers, usually of a yellow
hue. Called also daffodilly,
daffadilly, daffadowndilly,
daffydowndilly, etc.
With damasc roses and daffadowndillies set.
Spenser.
Strow me the ground with daffadowndillies,
And cowslips, and kingcups, and loved lilies.
Spenser.
A college gown
That clad her like an April Daffodilly.
Tennyson
And chance-sown daffodil.
Whittier.
Daft (?), a. [OE.
daft, deft, deft, stupid; prob.
the same word as E. deft. See Deft.]
1. Stupid; folish; idiotic; also, delirious;
insance; as, he has gone daft.
Let us think no more of this daft business
Sir W. Scott.
2. Gay; playful; frolicsome.
[Scot.]
Jamieson.
Daft"ness, n. The quality of being
daft.
Dag (?), n. [Cf. F.
dague, LL. daga, D. dagge (fr.
French); all prob. fr. Celtic; Cf. Gael. dag a pistol,
Armor. dag dagger, W. dager,
dagr, Ir. daigear. Cf.
Dagger.] 1. A dagger; a
poniard. [Obs.]
Johnson.
2. A large pistol formerly used.
[Obs.]
The Spaniards discharged their dags, and hurt
some.
Foxe.
A sort of pistol, called dag, was used about the
same time as hand guns and harquebuts.
Grose.
3. (Zo\'94l.) The unbrunched antler of a
young deer.
Dag, n. [Of Scand. origin; cf. Sw.
dagg, Icel. d\'94gg. Dew.] A misty shower; dew.
[Obs.]
Dag, n. [OE. dagge (cf.
Dagger); or cf. AS. d\'beg what is
dangling.] A loose end; a dangling shred.
Daglocks, clotted locks hanging in dags or jags at
a sheep's tail.
Wedgwood.
Dag, v. t. [1, from Dag dew. 2,
from Dag a loose end.] 1. To daggle
or bemire. [Prov. Eng.]
Johnson.
2. To cut into jags or points; to slash; as, to
dag a garment. [Obs.]
Wright.
Dag, v. i. To be misty; to
drizzle. [Prov. Eng.]
Dag"ger (?), n. [Cf. OE.
daggen to pierce, F. daguer. See
Dag a dagger.] 1. A short weapon
used for stabbing. This is the general term: cf.
Poniard, Stiletto, Bowie knife,
Dirk, Misericorde, Anlace.
2. (Print.) A mark of reference in the
form of a dagger [obelisk.
Dagger moth (Zo\'94l.), any moth of
the genus Apatalea. The larv\'91 are often destructive
to the foliage of fruit trees, etc. -- Dagger of
lath, the wooden weapon given to the Vice in the old
Moralities. Shak. -- Double dagger,
a mark of reference [ -- To look, ,
daggers, to look or speak fiercely or
reproachfully.
Dag"ger, v. t. To pierce with a dagger;
to stab. [Obs.]
Dag"ger, n. [Perh. from
diagonal.] A timber placed diagonally in a
ship's frame.
Knight.
Dagges (?), n. pl. [OE. See
Dag a loose end.] An ornamental cutting of
the edges of garments, introduced about a. d. 1346,
according to the Chronicles of St Albans.
[Obs.]
Halliwell.
Dag"gle (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Daggled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Daggling
(?).] [Freq. of dag, v. t.,
1.] To trail, so as to wet or befoul; to make wet and
limp; to moisten.
The warrior's very plume, I say,
Was daggled by the dashing spray.
Sir W. Scott.
Dag"gle, v. i. To run, go, or trail
one's self through water, mud, or slush; to draggle.
Nor, like a puppy [have I] daggled through the
town.
Pope.
{ Dag"gle-tail` (?),
Dag"gle-tailed` (?), } a.
Having the lower ends of garments defiled by trailing in
mire or filth; draggle-tailed.
Dag"gle-tail` (?), n. A
slovenly woman; a slattern; a draggle-tail.
Dag"lock` (?), n.
[Dag a loose and + lock.] A
dirty or clotted lock of wool on a sheep; a taglock.
Da"go (?), n.; pl.
Dagos (#). [Cf. Sp.
Diego, E. James.] A nickname given to a
person of Spanish (or, by extension, Portuguese or Italian)
descent. [U. S.]
\'d8Da*go"ba (?), n.
[Singhalese d\'begoba.] A dome-shaped
structure built over relics of Buddha or some Buddhist
saint. [East Indies]
Da"gon (?), [Heb. D\'begon, fr.
dag a fish: cf. Gr. /.] The
national god of the Philistines, represented with the face and
hands and upper part of a man, and the tail of a fish.
W. Smith.
This day a solemn feast the people hold
To Dagon, their sea idol.
Milton.
They brought it into the house of Dagon.
1 Sam. v. 2.
Dag"on (?), n. [See
Dag a loose end.] A slip or piece.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dag"swain` (?), n. [From
Dag a loose end?] Acoarse woolen fabric made
of daglocks, or the refuse of wool. \'bdUnder coverlets
made of dagswain.\'b8
Holinshed.
Dag"-tailed` (?), a.
[Dag a loose end + tail.]
Daggle-tailed; having the tail clogged with daglocks.
\'bdDag-tailed sheep.\'b8
Bp. Hall.
{ Da*guer"re*an (?),
Da*guerre"i*an (?), } a.
Pertaining to Daguerre, or to his invention of the
daguerreotype.
Da*guerre"o*type, n. [From
Daguerre the inventor + -type.]
1. An early variety of photograph, produced on a
silver plate, or copper plate covered with silver, and rendered
sensitive by the action of iodine, or iodine and bromine, on
which, after exposure in the camera, the latent image is
developed by the vapor of mercury.
2. The process of taking such pictures.
Da*guerre"o*type (?), v. t.
[imp. & p.p. Daguerreotyped
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Daguerreotyping
(?).] 1. To produce or
represent by the daguerreotype process, as a picture.
2. To impress with great distinctness; to imprint;
to imitate exactly.
{ Da*guerre"o*ty`per (?),
Da*guerre"o*ty`pist (?), } n.
One who takes daguerreotypes.
Da*guerre"o*ty`py (?), n. The
art or process of producing pictures by method of Daguerre.
\'d8Da`ha*be"ah (?), n.
[Ar.] A nile boat /tructed on the model of a
floating house, having large / sails.
Dah"lia (?), n.; pl.
Dahlias (#). [Named after Andrew
Dahl a Swedish botanist.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants native to Mexico and Central America, of
the order Composit\'91; also, any plant or flower of the genus.
The numerous varieties of cultivated dahlias bear conspicuous
flowers which differ in color.
Dah"lin (?), n. [From
Dahlia.] (Chem.) A variety of
starch extracted from the dahlia; -- called also
inulin. See Inulin.
Dai"li*ness (?), n. Daily
occurence. [R.]
Dai"ly (?), a. [AS.
d\'91gl\'c6c; d\'91g day +
-l\'c6c like. See Day.] Happening,
or belonging to, each successive day; diurnal; as,
daily labor; a daily bulletin.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Matt. vi. 11.
Bunyan has told us . . . that in New England his dream was the
daily subject of the conversation of thousands.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Daily, Diurnal.
Daily is Anglo-Saxon, and diurnal is Latin.
The former is used in reference to the ordinary concerns of life;
as, daily wants, daily cares,
daily employments. The latter is appropriated chiefly
by astronomers to what belongs to the astronomical day; as, the
diurnal revolution of the earth.
Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed, which declares his dignity,
And the regard of Heaven on all his ways.
Milton.
Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound
Within the visible diurnal sphere.
Milton.
Dai"ly, n.; pl. Dailies
(/). A publication which appears regularly
every day; as, the morning dailies.
Dai"ly, adv. Every day; day by day;
as, a thing happens daily.
Dai"mi*o (?), n.; pl.
Daimios (#). [Jap., fr. Chin.
tai ming great name.] The title of the
feudal nobles of Japan.<-- usu. written daimyo
-->
The daimios, or territorial nobles, resided in Yedo
and were divided into four classes.
Am. Cyc.
Daint (?), n. [See
Dainty, n.] Something of exquisite
taste; a dainty. [Obs.] -- a.
Dainty. [Obs.]
To cherish him with diets daint.
Spenser.
Dain"ti*fy (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Daintified
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Daintifying.] [Dainty +
-fy.] To render dainty, delicate, or
fastidious. \'bdDaintified emotion.\'b8
Sat. rev.
Dain"ti*ly, adv. In a dainty manner;
nicely; scrupulously; fastidiously; deliciously; prettily.
Dain"ti*ness, n. The quality of being
dainty; nicety; niceness; elegance; delicacy; deliciousness;
fastidiousness; squeamishness.
The daintiness and niceness of our captains
Hakluyt.
More notorious for the daintiness of the provision
. . . than for the massiveness of the dish.
Hakewill.
The duke exeeded in the daintiness of his leg and
foot, and the earl in the fine shape of his hands,
Sir H. Wotton.
Dain"trel (?), n. [From
daint or dainty; cf. OF.
daintier.] Adelicacy.
[Obs.]
Halliwell.
Dain"ty (?), n.; pl.
Dainties (#). [OE.
deinie, dainte, deintie,
deyntee, OF. deinti\'82 delicacy, orig.,
dignity, honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus
worthy. See Deign, and cf. Dignity.]
1. Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure
taken in anything. [Obs.]
I ne told no deyntee of her love.
Chaucer.
2. That which is delicious or delicate; a
delicacy.
That precious nectar may the taste renew
Of Eden's dainties, by our parents lost.
Beau. & Fl.
3. A term of fondness. [Poetic]
B. Jonson.
Syn. -- Dainty, Delicacy.
These words are here compared as denoting articles of food. The
term delicacy as applied to a nice article of any
kind, and hence to articles of food which are particularly
attractive. Dainty is stronger, and denotes some
exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may be provided with all
the delicacies of the season, and its table richly
covered with dainties.
These delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks and the melody of birds.
Milton.
[A table] furnished plenteously with bread,
And dainties, remnants of the last regale.
Cowper.
Dain"ty, a. [Compar.
Daintier (?); superl.
Daintiest.] 1. Rare; valuable;
costly. [Obs.]
Full many a deynt\'82 horse had he in stable.
Chaucer.
dainty maketh
dearth,\'b8 i. e., rarity makes a
thing dear or precious.
2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
Dainty bits
Make rich the ribs.
Shak.
3. Nice; delicate;elegant, in form, manner, or
breeding; well-formed; neat; tender.
Those dainty limbs which nature lent
For gentle usage and soft delicacy.
Milton.
Iwould be the girdle.
About her dainty, dainty waist.
Tennyson.
4. Requirinig daintles. Hence; Overnice; hard to
please; fastidious; sqrupulous; ceremonious.
Thew were a fine and Dainty people.
Bacon.
And let us not be dainty of leave taking,
But shift away.
Shak.
To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy
or fastidiousness. [Obs.]
Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
She, I'll swear, hath corns.
Shak.
Dai"ry (?), n.;pl.
Dairies (#). [OE.
deierie, from deie, daie, maid;
of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. deigja maid, dairymaid,
Sw. deja, orig., a baking maid, fr. Icel.
deig. /66. See Dough.] 1.
The place, room, or house where milk is kept, and converted
into butter or cheese.
What stores my dairies and my folds contain.
Dryden.
2. That department of farming which is concerned in
the production of milk, and its conversion into butter and
cheese.
Grounds were turned much in England either to feeding or
dairy; and this advanced the trade of English
butter.
Temple.
3. A dairy farm. [R.]
Dairy is much used adjectively or in
combination; as, dairy farm, dairy
countries, dairy house or dairyhouse,
dairyroom, dairywork, etc.
Dai"ry*ing, n. The business of
conducting a dairy.
Dai"ry*maid` (?), n. A female
servant whose business is the care of the dairy.
Dai"ry*man (?), n.; pl.
Dairymen (/). A man who keeps or
takes care of a dairy.
Dai"ry*wom`an (?), n.; pl.
Dairywomen (/). A woman who
attends to a dairy.
Da"is (d, n. [OE.
deis, des, table, dais, OF. deis
table, F. dais a canopy, L. discus a quoit,
a dish (from the shape), LL., table, fr. Gr. / a
quoit, a dish. See Dish.] 1. The
high or principal table, at the end of a hall, at which the chief
guests were seated; also, the chief seat at the high table.
[Obs.]
2. A platform slightly raised above the floor of a
hall or large room, giving distinction to the table and seats
placed upon it for the chief guests.
3. A canopy over the seat of a person of
dignity. [Obs.]
Shiply.
Dai"sied (?), a. Full of
daisies; adorned with daisies. \'bdThe daisied
green.\'b8
Langhorne.
The grass all deep and daisied.
G. Eliot.
Dai"sy (?), n.; pl.
Daisies (#). [OE.
dayesye, AS. d\'91ges/eage day's eye,
daisy. See Day, and Eye.]
(Bot.) (a) A genus of low herbs
(Bellis), belonging to the family Composit\'91. The
common English and classical daisy is B.
prennis, which has a yellow disk and white or pinkish
rays. (b) The whiteweed (Chrysanthemum
Leucanthemum), the plant commonly called
daisy in North America; -- called also
oxeye daisy. See Whiteweed.
daisy is also used for composite
plants of other genera, as Erigeron, or
fleabane.
Michaelmas daisy (Bot.), any plant
of the genus Aster, of which there are many species. --
Oxeye daisy (Bot.), the whiteweed. See
Daisy (b).
Dak (?), n. [Hind.
/\'bek.] Post; mail; also, the mail or
postal arrangements; -- spelt also dawk, and
dauk. [India]
Dak boat, a mail boat. Percy
Smith. -- Dak bungalow, a traveler's
rest-house at the and of a dak stage. -- To travel by
dak, to travel by relays of palanquines or other
carriage, as fast as the post along a road.
{ Da"ker (?), Da"kir
(?), } n. [See
Dicker.] (O. Eng. & Scots Law) A
measure of certain commodities by number, usually ten or twelve,
but sometimes twenty; as, a daker of hides consisted
of ten skins; a daker of gloves of ten pairs.
Burrill.
Da"ker hen` (?). [Perh.
fr. W. crecial the daker hen;
crec a sharp noise (creg harsh, hoarse,
crechian to scream) + iar hen; or cf. D.
duiken to dive, plunge.] (Zo\'94l.)
The corncrake or land rail.
Da*koit", n., Da*koit"y,
n. See Dacoit,
Dacoity.
Da*ko"ta group` (?). (Geol.) A
subdivision at the base of the cretaceous formation in Western
North America; -- so named from the region where the strata were
first studied.
Da*ko"tas (?), n. pl.; sing.
Dacota (/). (Ethnol.)
An extensive race or stock of Indians, including many
tribes, mostly dwelling west of the Mississippi River; -- also,
in part, called Sioux. [Written
also Dacotahs.]
\'d8Dal (?), n. [Hind.]
Split pulse, esp. of Cajanus Indicus.
[East Indies]
Dale (?), n. [AS.
d\'91l; akin to LG., D., Sw., Dan., OS., & Goth.
dal, Icel. dalr, OHG. tal, G.
thal, and perth. to Gr. / a rotunda, Skr.
dh\'bera depth. Cf. Dell.]
1. A low place between hills; a vle or
valley.
Where mountaines rise, umbrageous dales
descend.
Thomson.
2. A trough or spout to carry off water, as from a
pump.
Knight.
Dales"man (?), n.; pl.
Dalesmen (/). One living in a
dale; -- a term applied particularly to the inhabitants of the
valleys in the north of England, Norway, etc.
Macaulay.
Dalf (?), imp. of
Delve. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dal"li*ance (?), n. [From
Dally.] 1. The act of dallying,
trifling, or fondling; interchange of caresses; wanton
play.
Look thou be true, do not give dalliance
Too mnch the rein.
Shak.
O, the dalliance and the wit,
The flattery and the strife/
Tennyson.
2. Delay or procrastination.
Shak.
3. Entertaining discourse.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dai"l*er (?), n. One Who
fondles; a trifler; as, dalliers with pleasant
words.
Asham.
Dal"lop (?), n. [Etymol.
unknown.] A tuft or clump. [Obs.]
Tusser.
Dal"ly (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Dallied
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dallying.] [OE. /alien,
dailien; cf. Icel. pylja to talk, G.
dallen, dalen, dahlen, to
trifle, talk nonsense, OSw. tule a droll or funny man;
or AS. dol foolish, E. dull.]
1. To waste time in effeminate or voluptuous
pleasures, or in idleness; to fool away time; to delay
unnecessarily; to tarry; to trifle.
We have trifled too long already; it is madness to
dally any longer.
Calamy.
We have put off God, and dallied with his
grace.
Barrow.
2. To interchange caresses, especially with one of
the opposite sex; to use fondling; to wanton; to sport.
Not dallying with a brace of courtesans.
Shak.
Our aerie . . . dallies with the wind.
Shak.
Dal"ly, v. t. To delay unnecessarily; to
while away.
Dallying off the time with often skirmishes.
Knolles.
\'d8Dal*ma"ni*a (?), n. [From
Dalman, the geologist.] (Paleon.)
A genus of trilobites, of many species, common in the Upper
Silurian and Devonian rocks.
\'d8Dal`ma*ni"tes (?), n. Same
as Dalmania.
Dal*ma"tian (?), a. Of or
pertaining to Dalmatia.
Dalmatian dog (Zo\'94l.), a
carriage dog, shaped like a pointer, and having black or bluish
spots on a white ground; the coach dog.
Dal*mat"i*ca (?), n.,
Dal*mat"ic (/), n. [LL.
dalmatica: cf. F. dalmatique.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) A vestment with wide
sleeves, and with two stripes, worn at Mass by deacons, and by
bishops at pontifical Mass; -- imitated from a dress originally
worn in Dalmatia.
2. A robe worn on state ocasions, as by English
kings at their coronation.
\'d8Dal` se"gno (?). [It., from the
sign.] (Mus.) A direction to go back to the
sign / and repeat from thence to the close. See
Segno.
Dal*to"ni*an (?), n. One
afflicted with color blindness.
Dal"ton*ism (?), n. Inability
to perceive or distinguish certain colors, esp. red; color
blindness. It has various forms and degrees. So called from the
chemist Dalton, who had this infirmity.
Nichol.
Dam (?), n. [OE.
dame mistress, lady; also, mother, dam. See
Dame.] 1. A female parent; -- used
of beasts, especially of quadrupeds; sometimes applied in
contempt to a human mother.
Our sire and dam, now confined to
horses, are a relic of this age (13th century) . . .
.Dame is used of a hen; we now make a great difference
between dame and dam.
T. L. K. Oliphant.
The dam runs lowing up end down,
Looking the way her harmless young one went.
Shak.
2. A kind or crowned piece in the game of
draughts.
Dam, n. [Akin to OLG., D., & Dan.
dam, G. & Sw. damm, Icel. dammr,
and AS. fordemman to stop up, Goth.
Fa\'a3rdammjan.] 1. A barrier to
prevent the flow of a liquid; esp., a bank of earth, or wall of
any kind, as of masonry or wood, built across a water course, to
confine and keep back flowing water.
2. (Metal.) A firebrick wall, or a
stone, which forms the front of the hearth of a blast
furnace.
Dam plate (Blast Furnace), an iron
plate in front of the dam, to strengthen it.
Dam, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dammed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Damming.] 1. To obstruct or
restrain the flow of, by a dam; to confine by constructing a dam,
as a stream of water; -- generally used with in or
up.
I'll have the current in this place dammed up.
Shak.
A weight of earth that dams in the water.
Mortimer.
2. To shut up; to stop up; to close; to
restrain.
The strait pass was dammed
With dead men hurt behind, and cowards.
Shak.
To dam out, to keep out by means of a
dam.
Dam"age (?), n. [OF.
damage, domage, F. dommage, fr.
assumed LL. damnaticum, from L. damnum
damage. See Damn.] 1. Injury or harm
to person, property, or reputation; an inflicted loss of value;
detriment; hurt; mischief.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off
the feet and drinketh damage.
Prov. xxvi. 6.
Great errors and absurdities many commit for want of a friend
to tell them of them, to the great damage both of
their fame and fortune.
Bacon.
2. pl. (Law) The estimated
reparation in money for detriment or injury sustained; a
compensation, recompense, or satisfaction to one party, for a
wrong or injury actually done to him by another.
Consequential damage. See under
Consequential. -- Exemplary damages
(Law), damages imposed by way of example to
others. -- Nominal damages (Law),
those given for a violation of a right where no actual loss
has accrued. -- Vindictive damages, those
given specially for the punishment of the wrongdoer.
Syn. -- Mischief; injury; harm; hurt; detriment; evil; ill.
See Mischief.
Dam"age, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Damages (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Damaging (?).] [Cf.
OF. damagier, domagier. See
Damage, n.] To ocassion damage to
the soudness, goodness, or value of; to hurt; to injure; to
impair.
He . . . came up to the English admiral and gave him a
broadside, with which he killed many of his men and
damaged the ship.
Clarendon.
Dam"age (?), v. i. To receive
damage or harm; to be injured or impaired in soudness or value;
as. some colors in /oth damage in sunlight.
Dam"age*a*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF.
dammageable, for sense 2.] 1.
Capable of being injured or impaired; liable to, or
susceptible of, damage; as, a damageable
cargo.
2. Hurtful; pernicious. [R.]
That it be not demageable unto your royal
majesty.
Hakluit.
Dam"age fea`sant (?). [OF.
damage + F. faisant doing, p. pr. See
Feasible.] (Law) Doing injury;
trespassing, as cattle.
Blackstone.
Da"man (?), n. (Zo\'94l.)
A small herbivorous mammal of the genus Hyrax.
The species found in Palestine and Syria is Hyrax
Syriacus; that of Northern Africa is H. Brucei;
-- called also ashkoko,
dassy, and rock rabbit. See
Cony, and Hyrax.
Dam"ar (?), n. See
Dammar.
Dam"as*cene (?), a. [L.
Damascenus of Damascus, fr. Damascus the
city, Gr. /. See Damask, and cf.
Damaskeen, Damaskin, Damson.]
Of or relating to Damascus.
Dam"as*cene (?), n. A kind of
plume, now called damson. See
Damson.
Dam"as*cene (?), v. t. Same as
Damask, or Damaskeen, v. t.
\'bdDamascened armor.\'b8 Beaconsfield.
\'bdCast and damascened steel.\'b8 Ure.
Da*mas"cus (?), n. [L.]
A city of Syria.
Damascus blade, a sword or scimiter, made
chiefly at Damascus, having a variegated appearance of watering,
and proverbial for excellence. -- Damascus
iron, Damascus twist, metal
formed of thin bars or wires of iron and steel elaborately
twisted and welded together; used for making gun barrels, etc.,
of high quality, in which the surface, when polished and acted
upon by acid, has a damasc appearance. -- Damascus
steel. See Damask steel, under
Damask, a.
Dam"ask (?), n. [From the city
Damascus, L. Damascus, Gr. /,
Heb. Dammesq, Ar. Daemeshq; cf. Heb.
d'meseq damask; cf. It. damasco, Sp.
damasco, F. damas. Cf. Damascene,
Damass\'90.] 1. Damask silk; silk
woven with an elaborate pattern of flowers and the like.
\'bdA bed of ancient damask.\'b8
W. Irving.
2. Linen so woven that a pattern in produced by the
different directions of the thread, without contrast of
color.
3. A heavy woolen or worsted stuff with a pattern
woven in the same way as the linen damask; -- made for furniture
covering and hangings.
4. Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar
markings or \'bdwater\'b8 of such steel.
5. A deep pink or rose color.
Fairfax.
Dam"ask, a. 1. Pertaining to,
or originating at, the city of Damascus; resembling the products
or manufactures of Damascus.
2. Having the color of the damask rose.
But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud,
Feed on her damask cheek.
Shak.
Damask color, a deep rose-color like that of
the damask rose. -- Damask plum, a small
dark-colored plum, generally called damson. --
Damask rose (Bot.), a large, pink,
hardy, and very fragrant variety of rose (Rosa
damascena) from Damascus. \'bdDamask roses have
not been known in England above one hundred years.\'b8
Bacon. -- Damask steel, Damascus steel, steel of the kind
originally made at Damascus, famous for its hardness, and its
beautiful texture, ornamented with waving lines; especially, that
which is inlaid with damaskeening; -- formerly much valued for
sword blades, from its great flexibility and tenacity.
Dam"ask, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Damasked (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Damasking.] To decorate in a
way peculiar to Damascus or attributed to Damascus; particularly:
(a) with flowers and rich designs, as silk; (b)
with inlaid lines of gold, etc., or with a peculiar marking or
\'bdwater,\'b8 as metal. See Damaskeen.
Mingled metal damasked o'er with gold.
Dryde/.
On the soft, downy bank, damasked with flowers.
Milton.
{ Dam"as*keen` (?), Dam"as*ken
(?), } v. t. [F.
damaschinare. See Damascene,
v.] To decorate, as iron, steel, etc., with
a peculiar marking or \'bdwater\'b8 produced in the process of
manufacture, or with designs produced by inlaying or incrusting
with another metal, as silver or gold, or by etching, etc., to
damask.
Damaskeening is is partly mosaic work, partly
engraving, and partly carving.
Ure.
Dam"as*kin (?), n. [Cf. F.
damasquin, adj., It. damaschino, Sp.
damasquino. See Damaskeen.] A
sword of Damask steel.
No old Toledo blades or damaskins.
Howell /.
Da*mas*s\'82" (?), a. [F.
damass\'82, fr. damas. See
Damask.] Woven like damask. --
n. A damass\'82 fabric, esp. one of
linen.
Dam"as*sin (?), n. [F., fr.
damas. See Damask.] A kind of
modified damask or blocade.
Dam1bo*nite (?), n. [Cf. F.
dambonite.] (Chem.) A white
crystalline, sugary substance obtained from an African
caotchouc.
Dam"bose (?), n. (Chem.)
A crystalline vari ety of fruit sugar obtained from
dambonite.
Dame (?), n. [F.
dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina
mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord;
akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and
cf. Dam/ mother, Dan, Danger,
Dangeon, Dungeon, Dominie, Don,
n., Duenna.] 1. A
mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority;
especially, a lady.
Then shall these lords do vex me half so much,
As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife.
Shak.
2. The mistress of a family in common life, or the
mistress of a common school; as, a dame's
school.
In the dame's classes at the village school.
Emerson.
3. A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
4. A mother; -- applied to human beings and
quadrupeds. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dame"wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A cruciferrous plant (Hesperis matronalis),
remarkable for its fragrance, especially toward the close of the
day; -- called also rocket and dame's
violet.
Loudon.
Da`mi*a"na (?), n. [NL.; of
uncertain origin.] (Med.) A Mexican drug,
used as an aphrodisiac.
Turnera and from
Bigelovia veneta.
Wood & Bache.
Da"mi*an*ist (?), n. (Eccl.
Hist.) A follower of Damian, patriarch of Alexandria
in the 6th century, who held heretical opinions on the doctrine
of the Holy Trinity.
{ Dam"mar (?), Dam"ma*ra
(?), } n. [Jav. & Malay.
damar.] An oleoresin used in making
varnishes; dammar gum; dammara resin. It is obtained from certain
resin trees indigenous to the East Indies, esp. Shorea
robusta and the dammar pine.
Dammar pine, (Bot.), a tree of the
Moluccas (Agathis, ), yielding
dammar.
Dam"ma*ra, n. (Bot.) A large
tree of the order Conifer\'91, indigenous to the East
Indies and Australasia; -- called also
Agathis. There are several species.
Damn (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Damned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Damning
(?).] [OE. damnen da/pnen
(with excrescent p), OF. damner,
dampner, F. damner, fr. L.
damnare, damnatum, to condemn, fr.
damnum damage, a fine, penalty. Cf. Condemn,
Damage.] 1. To condemn; to declare
guilty; to doom; to adjudge to punishment; to sentence; to
censhure.
He shall not live; look, with a spot I damn
him.
Shak.
2. (Theol.) To doom to punishment in the
future world; to consign to perdition; to curse.
3. To condemn as bad or displeasing, by open
expression, as by denuciation, hissing, hooting, etc.
You are not so arrant a critic as to damn them [the
works of modern poets] . . . without hearing.
Pope.
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And without sneering teach the rest to sneer.
Pope.
Damn is sometimes used interjectionally,
imperatively, and intensively.
Damn, v. i. To invoke damnation; to
curse. 'While I inwardly damn.\'b8
Goldsmith.
Dam`na*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
quality of being damnable; damnableness.
Sir T. More.
Dam"na*ble (?), a. [L.
damnabilis, fr. damnare: cf. F.
damnable. See Damn.] 1.
Liable to damnation; deserving, or for which one deserves,
to be damned; of a damning nature.
A creature unprepared unmeet for dealth,
And to transport him in the mind hi is,
Were damnable.
Shak.
2. Odious; pernicious; detestable.
Begin, murderer; . . . leave thy damnable
faces.
Shak.
Dam"na*ble*ness, n. The state or quality
of deserving damnation; execrableness.
The damnableness of this most execrable
impiety.
Prynne.
Dam"na*bly, adv. 1. In a manner
to incur sever/ censure, condemnation, or punishment.
2. Odiously; detestably; excessively.
[Low]
Dam*na"tion (?), n. [F.
damnation, L. damnatio, fr.
damnare. See Damn.] 1.
The state of being damned; condemnation; openly expressed
disapprobation.
2. (Theol.) Condemnation to everlasting
punishment in the future state, or the punishment itself.
How can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Matt. xxiii. 33.
Wickedness is sin, and sin is damnation.
Shak.
3. A sin daserving of everlasting punishment.
[R.]
The deep damnation of his taking-off.
Shak.
Dan"na*to*ry (?), a. [L.
damnatorius, fr. damnator a
condemner.] Doo/ing to damnation;
condemnatory. \'bdDamnatory invectives.\'b8
Hallam.
Damned (?), a. 1.
Sentenced to punishment in a future state; condemned;
consigned to perdition.
2. Hateful; detestable; abominable.
But, O, what damned minutes tells he o'er
Who doats, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves.
Shak.
Dam*nif"ic (?), a. [L.
damnificus; damnum damage, loss +
facere to make. See Damn.]
Procuring or causing loss; mischievous; injurious.
Dam`ni*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [LL.
damnificatio.] That which causes damage or
loss.
Dam"ni*fy (?), v. t. [LL.
damnificare, fr. L. damnificus: cf. OF.
damnefier. See Damnific.] To cause
loss or damage to; to injure; to imparir. [R.]
This work will ask as many more officials to make expurgations
and expunctions, that the commonwealth of learning be not
damnified.
Milton.
Damn"ing (?), a. That damns;
damnable; as, damning evidence of guilt.
Damn"ing*ness, n. Tendency to bring
damnation. \'bdThe damningness of them [sins].\'b8
Hammond.
\'d8dam"num (?), n. [L.]
(law) Harm; detriment, either to character or
property.
<-- p. 367 -->
{ Dam"o*sel (?), Dam`o*sel"la
(?), \'d8Da`moi`selle" (?) },
n. See Damsel.
[Archaic]
Dam"our*ite (?), n. [Ater the
French chemist Damour.] (Min.) A
kind of Muscovite, or potash mica, containing water.
Damp (?), n. [Akin to LG., D.,
& Dan. damp vapor, steam, fog, G. dampf,
Icel. dampi, Sw. damb dust, and to MNG.
dimpfen to smoke, imp. dampf.]
1. Moisture; humidity; fog; fogginess; vapor.
Night . . . with black air
Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom.
Milton.
2. Dejection; depression; cloud of the mind.
Even now, while thus I stand blest in thy presence,
A secret damp of grief comes o'er my soul.
Addison.
It must have thrown a damp over your autumn
excursion.
J. D. Forbes.
3. (Mining) A gaseous prodact, formed in
coal mines, old wells, pints, etc.
Choke damp, a damp consisting principally of
carboni/ acid gas; -- so called from its extinguishing flame
and animal life. See Carbonic acid, under
Carbonic. -- Damp sheet, a curtain
in a mine gallery to direct air currents and prevent accumulation
of gas. -- Fire damp, a damp consisting
chiefly of light carbureted hydrogen; -- so called from its
tendence to explode when mixed with atmospheric air and brought
into contact with flame.
Damp (?), a.
[Compar. Damper (?);
superl. Dampest.]
1. Being in a state between dry and wet; moderately
wet; moist; humid.
O'erspread with a damp sweat and holy fear.
Dryden.
2. Dejected; depressed; sunk.
[R.]
All these and more came flocking, but with looks
Downcast and damp.
Milton.
Damp, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Damped (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Damping.] [OE. dampen to
choke, suffocate. See Damp, n.]
1. To render damp; to moisten; to make humid, or
moderately wet; to dampen; as, to damp
cloth.
2. To put out, as fire; to depress or deject; to
deaden; to cloud; to check or restrain, as action or vigor; to
make dull; to weaken; to discourage. \'bdTo damp
your tender hopes.\'b8
Akenside.
Usury dulls and damps all industries, improvements,
and new inventions, wherein money would be stirring if it were
not for this slug.
Bacon.
How many a day has been damped and darkened by an
angry word!
Sir J. Lubbock.
The failure of his enterprise damped the spirit of
the soldiers.
Macaulay.
Damp"en (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dampened
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dampening.] 1. To make damp or
moist; to make slightly wet.
2. To depress; to check; to make dull; to
lessen.
In a way that considerably dampened our
enthusiasm.
The Century.
Damp"en, v. i. To become damp; to
deaden.
Byron.
Damp"er (?), n. That which
damps or checks; as: (a) A valve or movable plate in the
flue or other part of a stove, furnace, etc., used to check or
regulate the draught of air. (b) A contrivance, as in a
pianoforte, to deaden vibrations; or, as in other pieces of
mechanism, to check some action at a particular time.
Nor did Sabrina's presence seem to act as any
damper at the modest little festivities.
W. Black.
Damp"ish (?), a. Moderately
damp or moist.
-- Damp"ish*ly, adv. --
Damp"ish*ness, n.
Damp"ne (?), v. t. To
damn. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Damp"ness, n. Moderate humidity;
moisture; fogginess; moistness.
Damp" off` (?). To decay and perish
through excessive moisture.
Damp"y (?), a. 1.
Somewhat damp. [Obs.]
Drayton.
2. Dejected; gloomy; sorrowful.
[Obs.] \'bdDispel dampy throughts.\'b8
Haywards.
Dam"sel (?), n. [OE.
damosel, damesel, damisel,
damsel, fr. OF. damoisele, damisele,
gentlewoman, F. demoiselle young lady; cf. OF.
damoisel young nobleman, F. damoiseau; fr.
LL. domicella, dominicella, fem.,
domicellus, dominicellus, masc., dim. fr.
L. domina, dominus. See Dame, and
cf. Demoiselle, Doncella.]
1. A young person, either male or female, of noble
or gentle extraction; as, Damsel Pepin;
Damsel Richard, Prince of Wales.
[Obs.]
2. A young unmarried woman; a gerl; a maiden.
With her train of damsels she was gone,
In shady walks the scorching heat to shum.
Dryden.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad, . . .
Goes by to towered Cameleot.
Tennyson.
3. (Milling) An attachment to a
millstone spindle for shaking the hoppe/.
Dam"son (?), n. [OE.
damasin the Damascus plum, fr. L. Damascenus. See
Damascene.] A small oval plum of a blue
color, the fruit of a variety of the Prunus domestica;
-- called also damask plum.
Dan (?), n. [OE.
dan, danz, OF. danz (prop. only
nom.), dan, master, fr. L. dominus. See
Dame.] A title of honor equivalent to
master, or sir. [Obs.]
Old Dan Geoffry, in gently spright
The pure wellhead of poetry did dwell.
Spenser.
What time Dan Abraham left the Chaldee land.
Thomson.
Dan, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Mining) A small truck or sledge used in coal
mines.
Da"na*ide (?), n. [From the
mythical Danaides, who were condemned to fill with
water a vessel full of holes.] (Mach.) A
water wheel having a vertical axis, and an inner and outer
tapering shell, between which are vanes or floats attached
usually to both shells, but sometimes only to one.
Da"na*ite (?), n. [Named after
J. Freeman Dana.] (Min.) A
cobaltiferous variety of arsenopyrite.
Da"na*lite (?), n. [Named after
James Dwight Dana.] (Min.) A
mineral occuring in octahedral crystals, also massive, of a
reddish color. It is a silicate of iron, zinc manganese, and
glicinum, containing sulphur.
Dan"bu*rite (?), n.
(Min.) A borosilicate of lime, first found at
Danbury, Conn. It is near the topaz in form.
Dana.
Dance (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Danced (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Dancing.]
[F. danser, fr. OHG. dans/n to draw;
akin to dinsan to draw, Goth. apinsan, and
prob. from the same root (meaning to stretch) as E.
thin. See Thin.] 1. To
move with measured steps, or to a musical accompaniment; to go
through, either alone or in company with others, with a regulated
succession of movements, (commonly) to the sound of music; to
trip or leap rhytmically.
Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance.
Wiher.
Good shepherd, what fair swain is this
Which dances with your dauther?
Shak.
2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure
by motion; to caper; to frisk; to skip about.
Then, 'tis time to dance off.
Thackeray.
More dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw.
Shak.
Shadows in the glassy waters dance.
Byron.
Where rivulets dance their wayward round.
Wordsworth.
To dance on a rope, To dance on
nothing, to be hanged.
Dance (?), v. t. To cause to
dance, or move nimbly or merrily about, or up and down; to
dandle.
To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind.
Shak.
Thy grandsire loved thee well;
Many a time he danced thee on his knee.
Shak.
To dance attendance, to come and go
obsequiously; to be or remain in waiting, at the beck and call of
another, with a view to please or gain favor.
A man of his place, and so near our favor,
To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasure.
Shak.
Dance, n. [F. danse, of
German origin. See Dance, v. i.]
1. The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of
one who dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the
persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord with
music.
2. (Mus.) A tune by which dancing is
regulated, as the minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc.
dance was used ironically, by
the older writers, of many proceedings besides dancing.
Of remedies of love she knew parchance
For of that art she couth the olde dance.
Chaucer.
Dance of Death (Art), an
allegorical representation of the power of death over all, -- the
old, the young, the high, and the low, being led by a dancing
skeleton. -- Morris dance. See
Morris. -- To lead one a dance, to
cause one to go through a series of movements or experiences as
if guided by a partner in a dance not understood.
Dan"cer (?), n. One who dances
or who practices dancing.
The merry dancers, beams of the northern
lights when they rise and fall alternately without any
considerable change of length. See Aurora borealis,
under Aurora.
Dan"cer*ess, n. A female dancer.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.
Dan`cet`t\'82" (?), a. [Cf. F.
danch\'82 dancett\'82, dent tooth.]
(Her.) Deeply indented; having large teeth; thus,
a fess dancett\'82 has only three teeth in the whole
width of the escutcheon.
Dan"cing (?), p. a. & vb. n.
from Dance.
Dancing girl, one of the women in the East
Indies whose profession is to dance in the temples, or for the
amusement of spectators. There are various classes of dancing
girls. -- Dancing master, a teacher of
dancing. -- Dancing school, a school or place
where dancing is taught.
Dan"cy (?), a. (Her.)
Same as Dancett\'82.
Dan"de*li`on (?), n. [F.
dent de lion lion's tooth, fr. L. dens
tooth + leo lion. See Tooth, n.,
and Lion.] (Bot.) A well-known
plant of the genus Taraxacum (T.
officinale, formerly called T. Dens-leonis and
Leontodos Taraxacum) bearing large, yellow, compound
flowers, and deeply notched leaves.
Dan"der (?), n. [Corrupted from
dandruff.]
1. Dandruff or scurf on the head.
2. Anger or vexation; rage [Low]
Halliwell.
Dan"der, v. i. [See
Dandle.] To wander about; to saunter; to talk
incoherently. [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
\'d8Dan"di (?), n. [Hind.
/, fr. / an oar.] A boatman;
an oarsman. [India]
Dan"die (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) One of a breed of small terriers; --
called also Dandie Dinmont.
Dan"di*fied (?), a. Made up
like a dandy; having the dress or manners of a dandy;
buckish.
Dan"di*fy (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dandified
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dandifying.] [Dandy +
-fy.] To cause to resemble a dandy; to make
dandyish.
Dan"di*prat (?), n.
[Dandy + brat child.]
1. A little fellow; -- in sport or contempt.
\'bdA dandiprat hop-thumb.\'b8
Stanyhurst.
2. A small coin.
Henry VII. stamped a small coin called
dandiprats.
Camden.
Dan"dle (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dandled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dandling
(?).] [Cf. G. d\'84ndeln to
trifly, dandle, OD. & Prov. G. danten, G.
tand trifly, prattle; Scot. dandill,
dander, to go about idly, to trifly.]
1. To move up and down on one's knee or in one's
arms, in affectionate play, as an infant.
Ye shall be dandled . . . upon her knees.
Is./
2. To treat with fondness, as if a child; to
fondle; to toy with; to pet.
They have put me in a silk gown and gaudy fool's cap; I as
ashamed to be dandled thus.
Addison.
The book, thus dandled into popularity by bishops
and good ladies, contained many pieces of nursery eloquence.
Jeffrey.
3. To play with; to put off or delay by trifles; to
wheedle. [Obs.]
Captains do so dandle their doings, and dally in
the service, as it they would not have the enemy subdued.
Spenser.
Dan"dler (?), n. One who
dandles or fondles.
Dan"driff (?), n. See
Dandruff.
Swift.
Dandruff (?), n. [Prob. from W.
toncrust, peel, skin + AS. dr/f dirty,
draffy, or W. drwg bad: cf. AS. tan a
letter, an eruption. A scurf which forms
on the head, and comes off in small or particles.
[Written also dandriff.]
Dan"dy (?), n.; pl.
Dandies (#). [Cf. F.
dandin, ninny, silly fellow, dandiner to
waddle, to play the fool; prob. allied to E. dandle.
Senses 2&3 are of uncertain etymol.] 1. One
who affects special finery or gives undue attention to dress; a
fop; a coxcomb.
2. (Naut.) (a) A sloop or
cutter with a jigger on which a lugsail is set.
(b) A small sail carried at or near the stern of
small boats; -- called also jigger, and
mizzen.
3. A dandy roller. See below.
Dandy brush, a yard whalebone brush. --
Dandy fever. See Dengue. --
Dandy line, a kind of fishing line to which are
attached several crosspieces of whalebone which carry a hook at
each end. -- Dandy roller, a roller sieve
used in machines for making paper, to press out water from the
pulp, and set the paper.
Dan"dy-cock` (/), n. masc.,
Dan"dy-hen` (/), n. fem.
[See Dandy.] A bantam fowl.
Dan"dy*ish, a. Like a dandy.
Dan"dy*ism (?), n. The manners
and dress of a dandy; foppishness.
Byron.
Dan"dy*ise (?), v. t. & i. To
make, or to act, like a dandy; to dandify.
Dan"dy*ling (?), n.
[Dandy + /ling.] A little
or insignificant dandy; a contemptible fop.
Dane (?), n. [LL.
Dani: cf. AS. Dene.] A native,
or a naturalized inhabitant, of Denmark.
Great Dane. (Zo\'94l.) See
Danish dog, under Danish.
{ Dane"geld` (?), Dane"gelt`
(?) }, n. [AS.
danegeld. See Dane, and Geld,
n.] (Eng. Hist.) An annual tax
formerly laid on the English nation to buy off the ravages of
Danish invaders, or to maintain forces to oppose them. It
afterward became a permanent tax, raised by an assessment, at
first of one shilling, afterward of two shillings, upon every
hide of land throughout the realm.
Wharton's Law Dict. Tomlins.
Dane"wort` (?), n. (Bot.)
A fetid European species of elder (Sambucus
Ebulus); dwarf elder; wallwort; elderwort; -- called also
Daneweed, Dane's weed, and
Dane's-blood. [Said to grow on spots
where battles were fought against the Danes.]
Dang (?), imp. of
Ding. [Obs.]
Dang, v. t. [Cf. Ding.]
To dash. [Obs.]
Till she, o'ercome with anguish, shame, and rage,
Danged down to hell her loathsome carriage.
Marlowe.
Dan"ger (?), n. [OE.
danger, daunger, power, arrogance, refusal,
difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with
same meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL.
dominiarium power, authority, from L.
dominium power, property. See Dungeon,
Domain, Dame.] 1.
Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.]
In dangerhad he . . . the young girls.
Chaucer.
2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to
penalty. [Obs.] See In one's
danger, below.
You stand within his danger, do you not?
Shak.
Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in
dangerof this statute.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil;
peril; risk; insecurity.
4. Difficulty; sparingness.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
5. Coyness; disdainful behavior.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
In one's danger, in one's power; liable to a
penalty to be inflicted by him. [Obs.] This sense is
retained in the proverb, \'bdOut of debt out of
danger.\'b8
Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be
not.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
-- To do danger, to cause danger.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Syn. -- Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy. --
Danger, Peril, Hazard, Risk,
Jeopardy. Danger is the generic term, and
implies some contingent evil in prospect. Peril is
instant or impending danger; as, in peril of one's
life. Hazard arises from something fortuitous or
beyond our control; as, the hazard of the seas.
Risk is doubtful or uncertain danger, often incurred
voluntarily; as, to risk an engagement.
Jeopardy is extreme danger. Danger of a
contagious disease; the perils of shipwreck; the
hazards of speculation; the risk of daring
enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy.
Dan"ger, v. t. To endanger.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Dan"ger*ful (?), a. Full of
danger; dangerous. [Obs.] --
Dan"ger*ful*ly, adv.
[Obs.]
Udall.
Dan"ger*less, a. Free from danger.
[R.]
Dan"ger*ous (?), a. [OE.,
haughty, difficult, dangerous, fr. OF. dangereus, F.
dangereux. See Danger.]
1. Attended or beset with danger; full of risk;
perilous; hazardous; unsafe.
Our troops set forth to-morrow; stay with us;
The ways are dangerous.
Shak.
It is dangerous to assert a negative.
Macaulay.
2. Causing danger; ready to do harm or
injury.
If they incline to think you dangerous
To less than gods.
Milton.
3. In a condition of danger, as from illness;
threatened with death. [Colloq.]
Forby. Bartlett.
4. Hard to suit; difficult to please.
[Obs.]
My wages ben full strait, and eke full small;
My lord to me is hard and dangerous.
Chaucer.
5. Reserved; not affable. [Obs.]
\'bdOf his speech dangerous.\'b8
Chaucer.
-- Dan"ger*ous*ly, adv. --
Dan"ger*ous*ness, n.
Dan"gle (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Dangled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dangling
(?).] [Akin to Dan. dangle,
dial. Sw. dangla, Dan. dingle, Sw.
dingla, Icel. dingla; perh. from E.
ding.] To hang loosely, or with a swinging
or jerking motion.
he'd rather on a gibbet dangle
Than miss his dear delight, to wrangle.
Hudibras.
From her lifted hand
Dangled a length of ribbon.
Tennyson.
To dangle about after, to hang upon importunately; to court
the favor of; to beset.
The Presbyterians, and other fanatics that dangle
after them,
are well inclined to pull down the present establishment.
Swift.
Dan"gle (?), v. t. To cause to
dangle; to swing, as something suspended loosely; as, to
dangle the feet.
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and
plume.
Sir W. Scott.
Dan"gle*ber`ry (?), n.
(Bot.) A dark blue, edible berry with a white
bloom, and its shrub (Gaylussacia frondosa) closely
allied to the common huckleberry. The bush is also called
blue tangle, and is found from New England to
Kentucky, and southward.
Dan"gler (?), n. One who
dangles about or after others, especially after women; a
trifler. \'bd Danglers at toilets.\'b8
Burke.
Dan"i*el (?), n. A Hebrew
prophet distinguished for sagacity and ripeness of judgment in
youth; hence, a sagacious and upright judge.
A Daniel come to judgment.
Shak.
Dan"ish (?), a. [See
Dane.] Belonging to the Danes, or to their
language or country. -- n. The
language of the Danes.
Danish dog (Zo\'94l.), one of a
large and powerful breed of dogs reared in Denmark; -- called
also great Dane. See Illustration in
Appendix.
Dan"ite (?), n. 1. A
descendant of Dan; an Israelite of the tribe of Dan.
Judges xiii. 2.
2. [So called in remembrance of the prophecy in
Gen. xlix. 17, \'bdDan shall be a serpent by the
way,\'b8 etc.] One of a secret association of Mormons,
bound by an oath to obey the heads of the church in all
things. [U. S.]
Dank (?), a. [Cf. dial, Sw.
dank a moist place in a field, Icel.
d\'94kk pit, pool; possibly akin to E. damp
or to daggle dew.] Damp; moist; humid;
wet.
Now that the fields are dank and ways are mire.
Milton.
Cheerless watches on the cold, dank ground.
Trench.
Dank, n. Moisture; humidity;
water. [Obs.]
Dank, n. A small silver coin current in
Persia.
Dank"ish, a. Somewhat dank. --
Dank"ish*ness, n.
In a dark and dankish vault at home.
Shak.
Dan"ne*brog (?), n. The ancient
battle standard of Denmark, bearing figures of cross and
crown.
Order of Dannebrog, an ancient Danish order of
knighthood.
\'d8Dan`seuse" (?), n. [F., fr.
danser to dance.] a professional female
dancer; a woman who dances at a public exhibition as in a
ballet.
Dansk (?), a. [Dan.]
Danish. [Obs.]
Dansk"er (?), n. A Dane.
[Obs.]
Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris.
Shak.
Dan*te"an (?), a. Relatingto,
emanating from or resembling, the poet Dante or his
writings.
Dan*tesque" (?), a. [Cf. It.
Dantesco.] Dantelike; Dantean.
Earle.
Da*nu"bi*an (?), a.
Pertainingto, or bordering on, the river Danube.
Dap (?), v. i. [Cf.
Dip.] (Angling) To drop the bait
gently on the surface of the water.
To catch a club by dapping with a grasshoper.
Walton.
Da*pat"ic*al (?), a. [L.
dapaticus, fr. daps feast.]
Sumptuous in cheer. [Obs.]
Bailey.
Daph"ne (?), n. [L., a laurel
tree, from Gr. /.] 1.
(Bot.) A genus of diminutive Shrubs, mostly
evergreen, and with fragrant blossoms.
2. (Myth.) A nymph of Diana, fabled to
have been changed into a laurel tree.
Daph"ne*tin (?), n.
(Chem.) A colorless crystalline substance,
C9H6O4, extracted from daphnin.
\'d8Daph"ni*a (?), n.
[NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A genus of the genus
Daphnia.
Daph"nin (?), n. [Cf. F.
daphnine.] (Chem.) (a)
A dark green bitter resin extracted from the mezereon
(Daphne mezereum) and regarded as the essential
principle of the plant. [R.] (b)
A white, crystalline, bitter substance, regarded as a
glucoside, and extracted from Daphne mezereum and
D. alpina.
Daph"no*man`cy (?), n. [Gr.
da`fnh the laurel +
-mancy.] Divination by means of the
laurel.
\'d8Dap"i*fer (?), n. [L.,
daps a feast + ferre to bear.]
One who brings meat to the table; hence, in some countries,
the official title of the grand master or steward of the king's
or a nobleman's household.
Dap"per (?), a. [OE.
daper; prob. fr. D. dapper brave, valiant;
akin to G. tapfer brave, OHG. taphar heavy,
weighty, OSlav. dobr good, Russ.
dobrui. Cf. Deft.] Little and
active; spruce; trim; smart; neat in dress or appearance;
lively.
He wondered how so many provinces could be held in subjection
by such a dapper little man.
Milton.
The dapper ditties that I wont devise.
Spenser.
Sharp-nosed, dapper steam yachts.
Julian Hawthorne.
Dap"per*ling (?), n. A dwarf; a
dandiprat. [r.]
Dap"ple (?), n. [Cf. Icel.
depill a spot, a dot, a dog with spots over the eyes,
dapi a pool, and E. dimple.] One
of the spots on a dappled animal.
He has . . . as many eyes on his body as my gray mare hath
dapples.
Sir P. Sidney.
{ Dap"ple (?), Dap"pled
(?) }, a. Marked with spots of
different shades of color; spotted; variegated; as, a
dapple horse.
Some dapple mists still floated along the
peaks.
Sir W. Scott.
dapple-bay; dapple-gray.
His steed was all dapple-gray.
Chaucer.
O, swiftly can speed my dapple-gray steed.
Sir W. Scott.
Dap"ple, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dappled (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Dappling.] To variegate with
spots; to spot.
The gentle day, . . .
Dapples the drowsy east with spots of gray.
Shak.
The dappled pink and blushing rose.
Prior.
Dar"bies (?), n. pl. Manacles;
handcuffs. [Cant]
Jem Clink will fetch you the darbies.
Sir W. Scott.
Derbies bands.\'b8
Dar"by (?), n. A plasterer's
float, having two handles; -- used in smoothing ceilings,
etc.
Dar"by*ite (?), n. One of the
Plymouth Brethren, or of a sect among them; -- so called from
John N. Darby, one of the leaders of the
Brethren.
Dar*da"ni*an (?), a. & n.[From
L. Dardania, poetic name of Troy.]
Trojan.
Dare (?), v. i.
[imp. Durst (?) or
Dared (/); p. p. Dared;
p. pr. & vb. n. Daring.]
[OE. I dar, dear, I dare, imp.
dorste, durste, AS. ic dear I
dare, imp. dorste. inf. durran; akin to OS.
gidar, gidorsta, gidurran, OHG.
tar, torsta, turran, Goth.
gadar, gada\'a3rsta, Gr.
tharsei^n, tharrei^n,
to be bold, tharsy`s bold, Skr.
Dhrsh to be bold. To have
adequate or sufficient courage for any purpose; to be bold or
venturesome; not to be afraid; to venture.
I dare do all that may become a man; Who
dares do more is none.
Shak.
Why then did not the ministers use their new law? Bacause they
durst not, because they could not.
Macaulay.
Who dared to sully her sweet love with
suspicion.
Thackeray.
The tie of party was stronger than the tie of blood, because a
partisan was more ready to dare without asking
why.
Jowett (Thu/yd.).
I dare, is really an
old past tense, so that the third person is he dare,
but the form he dares is now often used, and will
probably displace the obsolescent he dare, through
grammatically as incorrect as he shalls or he
cans.
Skeat.
The pore dar plede (the poor man dare
plead).
P. Plowman.
You know one dare not discover you.
Dryden.
The fellow dares nopt deceide me.
Shak.
Here boldly spread thy hands, no venom'd weed
Dares blister them, no slimly snail dare
creep.
Beau. & Fl.
durst was also used as the
present. Sometimes the old form dare is found for
durst or dared.
Dare, v. y. [imp. & p.
p. Dared; p. pr. & vb. n.
Daring.] 1. To have courage
for; to attempt courageously; to venture to do or to
undertake.
What high concentration of steady feeling makes men
dare every thing and do anything?
Bagehot.
To wrest it from barbarism, to dare its
solitudes.
The Century.
2. To challenge; to provoke; to defy.
Time, I dare thee to discover
Such a youth and such a lover.
Dryden.
Dare, n. 1. The quality of
daring; venturesomeness; boldness; dash. [R.]
It lends a luster . . .
A large dare to our great enterprise.
Shak.
2. Defiance; challenge.
Childish, unworthy dares
Are not enought to part our powers.
Chapman.
Sextus Pompeius
Hath given the dare to C\'91sar.
Shak.
Dare, v. i. [OE. darien, to
lie hidden, be timid.] To lurk; to lie hid.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dare, v. t. To terrify; to daunt.
[Obs.]
For I have done those follies, those mad mischiefs,
Would dare a woman.
Beau. & Fl.
To dare larks, to catch them by producing
terror through to use of mirrors, scarlet cloth, a hawk, etc., so
that they lie still till a net is thrown over them.
Nares.
Dare, n. [See Dace.]
(Zo\'94l.) A small fish; the dace.
Dare"-dev`il (?), n. A reckless
fellow. Also used adjectively; as, dare-devil
excitement.
A humorous dare-devil -- the very man
To suit my prpose.
Ld. Lytton.
Dare"-dev`il*try (?), n; pl.
Dare-deviltries (/). Reckless
mischief; the action of a dare-devil.
Dare"ful (?), a. Full af daring
or of defiance; adveturous. [R.]
Shak.
Dar"er (?), n. One who dares or
defies.
{ Darg, Dargue (?) },
n. [Scot., contr. fr. day work.]
A day's work; also, a fixed amount of work, whether more or
less than that of a day. [Local, Eng. & Scott]
Dar"ic (?), n. [Gr. /, of
Persian origin.]
1. (Antiq.) (a) A gold coin of
ancient Persia, weighing usually a little more than 128 grains,
and bearing on one side of the figure of an archer.
(b) A silver coin of about 86 grains, having the
figure of an archer, and hence, in modern times, called a
daric.
2. Any very pure gold coin.
Dar"ing (?), n. Boldness;
fearlessness; adventurousness; also, a daring act.
Dar"ing, a. Bold; fearless; adventurous;
as, daring spirits. --
Dar"ing*ly, adv. --
Dar"ing*ness, n.
Dark (?), a. [OE.
dark, derk, deork, AS.
dearc, deorc; cf. Gael. & Ir.
dorch, dorcha, dark, black, dusky.]
1. Destitute, or partially destitute, of light; not
receiving, reflecting, or radiating light; wholly or partially
black, or of some deep shade of color; not light-colored; as,
a dark room; a dark day; dark cloth;
dark paint; a dark complexion.
O dark, dark, dark, amid the
blaze of noon,
Irrecoverable dark, total eclipse
Without all hope of day!
milton.
In the dark and silent grave.
Sir W. Raleigh.
2. Not clear to the understanding; not easily /
through; obscure; mysterious; hidden.
The dark problems of existence.
Shairp.
What may seem dark at the first, will afterward be
found more plain.
Hooker.
What's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light
word?
Shak.
3. Destitute of knowledge and culture; in moral or
intellectual darkness; unrefined; ignorant.
The age wherin he lived was dark, but he
Cobld not want light who taught the world oto see.
Denhan.
The tenth century used to be reckoned by medi\'91val
historians as the darkest part of this intellectual
night.
Hallam.
4. Evincing blaxk or foul traits of character;
vile; wicked; atrocious; as, a dark villain; a
dark deed.
Left him at large to his own dark designs.
Milton.
5. Foreboding evil; gloomy; jealous;
suspicious.
More dark and dark our woes.
Shak.
A deep melancholy took possesion of him, and gave a
dark tinge to all his views of human nature.
Macaulay.
There is, in every true woman-s heart, a spark of heavenly
fire, which beams and blazes in the dark hour of
adversity.
W. Irving.
6. Deprived of sight; blind.
[Obs.]
He was, I think, at this time quite dark, and so
had been for some years.
Evelyn.
Dark is sometimes used to qualify another
adjective; as, dark blue, dark green, and
sometimes it forms the first part of a compound; as,
dark-haired, dark-eyed, dark-colored,
dark-seated, dark-working.
A dark horse, in racing or politics, a horse
or a candidate whose chances of success are not known, and whose
capabilities have not been made the subject of general comment or
of wagers. [Colloq.] -- Dark
house, Dark room, a house or room in
which madmen were confined. [Obs.]
Shak. -- Dark lantern. See
Lantern. -- The Dark Ages, a period
of stagnation and obscurity in literature and art, lasting,
according to Hallam, nearly 1000 years, from about 500 to about
1500 A. D.. See Middle Ages, under
Middle. -- The Dark and Bloody Ground,
a phrase applied to the State of Kentucky, and said to be the
significance of its name, in allusion to the frequent wars that
were waged there between Indians. -- The dark
day, a day (May 19, 1780) when a remarkable and
unexplained darkness extended over all New England. --
To keep dark, to reveal nothing.
[Low]
Dark (?), n. 1.
Absence of light; darkness; obscurity; a place where there
is little or no light.
Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out.
Shak.
2. The condition of ignorance; gloom;
secrecy.
Look, what you do, you do it still i' th' dark.
Shak.
Till we perceive by our own understandings, we are as muc/
in the dark, and as void of knowledge, as before.
Locke.
3. (Fine Arts) A dark shade or dark
passage in a painting, engraving, or the like; as, the light
and darks are well contrasted.
The lights may serve for a repose to the darks, and
the darks to the lights.
Dryden.
Dark, v. t. To darken to obscure.
[Obs.]
Milton.
Dark"en (?), v. t.
[Imp. & p. p. Darkened
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Darkening
(?).] [AS. deorcian. See
Dark, a.] 1. To make dark
or black; to deprite of light; to obscure; as, a
darkened room.
They [locusts] covered the face of the whole earth, so that
the land was darkened.
Ex. x. 15.
So spake the Sovran Voice; and clouds began
To darken all the hill.
Milton.
2. To render dim; to deprive of vision.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not
see.
Rom. xi. 10.
3. To cloud, obscure, or perplex; to render less
clear or intelligible.
Such was his wisdom that his confidence did seldom
darkenhis foresight.
Bacon.
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without
knowledge?
Job. xxxviii. 2.
4. To cast a gloom upon.
With these forced thoughts, I prithee, darken not
The mirth of the feast.
Shak.
5. To make foul; to sully; to tarnish.
I must not think there are
Evils enough to darken all his goodness.
Shak.
Dark"en, v. i. To grow or darker.
Dark"en*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, darkens.
Dark"en*ing, n. Twilight;
gloaming. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Wright.
Dark"ful (?), a. Full of
darkness. [Obs.]
Dark"ish (?), a. Somewhat dark;
dusky.
Dar"kle (?), v. i. [Freq. of
dark.] To grow dark; to show
indistinctly.
Thackeray.
Dark"ling (?), adv.
[Dark + the adverbial suffix
-ling.] In the dark.
[Poetic]
So, out went the candle, and we were left
darkling.
Shak.
As the wakeful bird
Sings darkling.
Milton.
Dark"ling, p. pr. & a. 1.
Becoming dark or gloomy; frowing.
His honest brows darkling as he looked towards
me.
Thackeray.
2. Dark; gloomy. \'bdThe darkling
precipice.\'b8
Moore.
Dark"ly, adv. 1. With imperfect
light, clearness, or knowledge; obscurely; dimly; blindly;
uncertainly.
What fame to future times conveys but darkly
down.
Dryden.
so softly dark and darkly pure.
Byron.
2. With a dark, gloomy, cruel, or menacing
look.
Looking darkly at the clerguman.
Hawthorne.
Dark"ness, n. 1. The absence of
light; blackness; obscurity; gloom.
And darkness was upon the face of the deep.
Gen. i. 2.
2. A state of privacy; secrecy.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in
light.
Matt. x. 27.
3. A state of ignorance or error, especially on
moral or religious subjects; hence, wickedness; impurity.
Men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil.
John. iii. 19.
Pursue these sons of darkness: drive them out
From all heaven's bounds.
Milton.
4. Want of clearness or perspicuity; obscurity;
as, the darkness of a subject, or of a
discussion.
5. A state of distress or trouble.
A day of clouds and of thick darkness.
Joel. ii. 2.
Prince of darkness, the Devil; Satan. \'bdIn
the power of the Prince of darkness.\'b8
Locke.
Syn. -- Darkness, Dimness,
Obscurity, Gloom.
Darkness arises from a total, and dimness
from a partial, want of light. A thing is obscure when
so overclouded or covered as not to be easily perceived. As tha
shade or obscurity increases, it deepens into
gloom. What is dark is hidden from view;
what is obscure is difficult to perceive or penetrate;
the eye becomes dim with age; an impending storm fills
the atmosphere with gloom. When taken figuratively,
these words have a like use; as, the darkness of
ignorance; dimness of discernment;
obscurity of reasoning; gloom of
superstition.
Dark"some (?), a. Dark; gloomy;
obscure; shaded; cheerless. [Poetic]
He brought him through a darksome narrow pass
To a broad gate, all built of beaten gold.
Spenser.
Dark"y (?), n. A negro.
[Sleng]
Dar"ling (?), n. [OE.
derling, deorling, AS.
de\'a2rling; de\'a2re dear +
-ling. See Dear, and -ling.]
One dearly beloved; a favorite.
And can do naught but wail her darling's loss.
Shak.
Dar"ling, a. Dearly beloved; regarded
with especial kindness and tenderness; favorite. \'bdSome
darling science.\'b8 I. Watts.
\'bdDarling sin.\'b8 Macaulay.
\'d8Dar`ling*to"ni*a (?), n.
[NL. Named after Dr. William Darlington, a
botanist of West Chester, Penn.] (Bot.) A
genus of California pitcher plants consisting of a single
species. The long tubular leaves are hooded at the top, and
frequently contain many insects drowned in the secretion of the
leaves.
Darn (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Darned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Darning.]
[OE. derne, prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W.
darnio to piece, break in pieces, W. & Arm. to E.
tear. Cf. Tear, v. t.]
To mend as a rent or hole, with interlacing stitches of yarn
or thread by means of a needle; to sew together with yarn or
thread.
He spent every day ten hours in his closet, in
darning his stockins.
Swift.
Darning last. See under Last. --
Darning needle. (a) A long, strong needle
for mending holes or rents, especially in stockings.
(b) (Zo\'94l.) Any species of dragon fly,
having a long, cylindrical body, resembling a needle. These flies
are harmless and without stings. [In this sense, usually
written with a hyphen.] Called also devil's
darning-needle.
Darn, n. A place mended by
darning.
Darn, v. t. A colloquial euphemism for
Damn.
Dar"nel (?), n. [OE.
darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin; cf.
dial. F. darnelle, Sw. d\'86r-repe; perh.
named from a supposed intoxicating quality of the plant, and akin
to Sw. d\'86ra to infatuate, OD. door
foolish, G. thor fool, and Ee.
dizzy.] (Bot.) Any grass of the
genus Lolium, esp. the Lolium temulentum
(bearded darnel), the grains of which have been reputed
poisonous. Other species, as Lolium perenne (rye grass
or ray grass), and its variety L. Italicum (Italian
rye grass), are highly esteemed for pasture and for making
hay.
darnel our early herbalists
comprehended all kinds of cornfield weeds.
Dr. Prior.
Darn"er (?), n. One who mends
by darning.
{ Dar"nex (?), Dar"nic
(?), } n. Same as
Dornick.
\'d8Da*roo", n. (Bot.) The
Egyptian sycamore (Ficus Sycamorus). See
Sycamore.
Darr (?), n. (Zo\'94l.)
The European black tern.
{ Dar"raign, Dar"rain, }
(?), v. t. [OF. deraisnier to
explain, defend, to maintain in legal action by proof and
reasonings, LL. derationare; de- +
rationare to discourse, contend in law, fr. L.
ratio reason, in LL., legal cause. Cf.
Arraign, and see Reason.] 1.
To make ready to fight; to array. [Obs.]
Darrain your battle, for they are at hand.
Shak.
2. To fight out; to contest; to decide by
combat. [Obs.] \'bdTo darrain the
battle.\'b8
Chaucer .
Dar"rein, a. [OF. darrein,
darrain, fr. an assumed LL. deretranus; L.
de + retro back, backward.]
(Law) Last; as, darrein continuance,
the last continuance.
Dart (?), n. [OF.
dart, of German origin; cf. OHG. tart
javelin, dart, AS. dara/, daro/, Sw.
dart dagger, Icel. darra/r dart.]
1. A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown
by the hand; a short lance; a javelin; hence, any sharp-pointed
missile weapon, as an arrow.
And he [Joab] took three darts in his hand, and
thrust them through the heart of Absalom.
2 Sa. xviii. 14.
2. Anything resembling a dart; anything that
pierces or wounds like a dart.
The artful inquiry, whose venomed dart
Scarce wounds the hearing while it stabs the heart.
Hannan More.
3. A spear set as a prize in running.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
4. (Zo\'94l.) A fish; the dace. See
Dace.
Dart sac (Zo\'94l.), a sac
connected with the reproductive organs of land snails, which
contains a dart, or arrowlike structure.
Dart, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Darted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Darting.] 1. To throw with a
sudden effort or thrust, as a dart or other missile weapon; to
hurl or launch.
2. To throw suddenly or rapidly; to send forth; to
emit; to shoot; as, the sun darts forth his
beams.
Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart?
Pope.
Dart, v. i. 1. To fly or pass
swiftly, as a dart.
2. To start and run with velocity; to shoot rapidly
along; as, the deer darted from the
thicket.
Dar"tars (?), n. [F.
dartre eruption, dandruff. /240.] A kind
of scab or ulceration on the skin of lambs.
Dart"er (?), n. 1. One
who darts, or who throw darts; that which darts.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The snakebird, a water
bird of the genus Plotus; -- so called because it
darts out its long, snakelike neck at its prey. See
Snakebird.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A small fresh-water
etheostomoid fish. The group includes numerous genera and
species, all of them American. See Etheostomoid.
Dart"ing*ly (?), adv. Like a
dart; rapidly.
Dar"tle (?), v. t. & i. To
pierce or shoot through; to dart repeatedly: -- frequentative of
dart.
My star that dartles the red and the blue.
R. Browning.
Dar*to"ic (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the dartos.
Dar"toid (?), a.
[Dartos + -oid.]
(Anat.) Like the dartos; dartoic; as,
dartoid tissue.
\'d8Dar"tos (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. / flayed.] (Anat.) A thin
layer of peculiar contractile tissue directly beneath the skin of
the scrotum.
Dar"trous (?), a. [F.
dartreux. See Dartars.]
(Med.) Relating to, or partaking of the nature
of, the disease called tetter; herpetic.
Dartroud diathesis, A morbid condition of the
system predisposing to the development of certain skin deseases,
such as eczema, psoriasis, and pityriasis. Also called
rheumic diathesis, and hipretism.
Piffard.
Dar*win"i*an (?), a. [From the
name of Charles Darwin, an English scientist.]
Pertaining to Darwin; as, the Darwinian theory,
a theory of the manner and cause of the supposed development of
living things from certain original forms or elements.
natural
selection or the survival of the fillest. He
also argues that natural selection is capable of modifying and
producing organisms fit for their circumstances. See
Development theory, under
Development.
Dar*win"i*an, n. An advocate of
Darwinism.
Dar*win"i*an*ism (?), n.
Darwinism.
Dar"win*ism (?), n.
(Biol.) The theory or doctrines put forth by
Darwin. See above.
Huxley.
Dase (?), v. t. See
Daze. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dase"we (?), v. i. [OE.
dasewen, daswen; cf. AS.
dysegian to be foolish.] To become
dim-sighted; to become dazed or dazzled.
[Obs.]
Chauscer.
Dash (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dashed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Dashing.]
[Of. Scand. origin; cf. Dan daske to beat,
strike, Sw. & Icel. daska, Dan. & Sw. dask
blow.] 1. To throw with violence or haste; to
cause to strike violently or hastily; -- often used with
against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton
of the water, it maketh a sound.
Bacon.
2. To break, as by throwing or by collision; to
shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's
vessel.
Ps. ii. 9.
A brave vessel, . . .
Dashed all to pieces.
Shak.
To perplex and dash
Maturest counsels.
Milton.
3. To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to
abash; to depress.
South.
Dash the proud games/er in his gilded car.
Pope.
4. To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner;
to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an
inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch
here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to
dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such
particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured
applications.
Addison.
The very source and fount of day
Is dashed with wandering isles of night.
Tennyson.
5. To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to
execute rapidly, or with careless haste; -- with off;
as, to dash off a review or sermon.
6. To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out;
-- with out; as, to dash out a
word.
Dash, v. i. To rust with violence; to
move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves
dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
Dryden.
On each hand the gushing waters play,
And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
Thomson.
Dash, n. 1. Violent striking
together of two bodies; collision; crash.
2. A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin;
as, his hopes received a dash.
3. A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a
partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of
water; red with a dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
Addison.
4. A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a
quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold
dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Shak.
5. Energy in style or action; animation;
spirit.
6. A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish;
as, to make or cut a great dash.
[Low]
7. (Punctuation) A mark or line [--], in
writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition
in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or
significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of
sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or
parenthesis.
John Wilson.
8. (Mus.) (a) The sign of
staccato, a small mark [/] denoting that the note over which it
is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
(b) The line drawn through a figure in the thorough
bass, as a direction to raise the interval a semitone.
9. (Racing) A short, spirited effort or
trial of speed upon a race course; -- used in horse racing, when
a single trial constitutes the race.
Dash"board` (?), n. 1.
A board placed on the fore part of a carriage, sleigh, or
other vechicle, to intercept water, mud, or snow, thrown up by
the heels of the horses; -- in England commonly called
splashboard.
2. (Naut.) (a) The float of a
paddle wheel. (b) A screen at the bow af a
steam launch to keep off the spray; -- called also
sprayboard.
Dash"er (?), n. 1.
That which dashes or agitates; as, the dasher
of a churn.
2. A dashboard or splashboard. [U.
S.]
3. One who makes an ostentatious parade.
[Low]
Dash"ing, a. Bold; spirited;
showy.
The dashing and daring spirit is preferable to the
listless.
T. Campbell.
Dash"ing*ly, adv. Conspicuously;
showily. [Colloq.]
A dashingly dressed gentleman.
Hawthorne.
Dash"ism (?), n. The character
of making ostentatious or blustering parade or show.
[R. & Colloq.]
He must fight a duel before his claim to . . .
dashism can be universally allowed.
V. Knox.
Dash"pot` (?), n. (Mach.)
A pneumatic or hydraulic cushion for a falling weight, as in
the valve gear of a steam engine, to prevent shock.
<-- letters refer to illustration -->
a), attached to the weight,
falls freely until it enters a space (as below the openings,
b) from which the air or liquid can escape but slowly
(as through cock c), when its fall is gradually
checked.
A cataract of an engine is sometimes called a
dashpot.
Dash"y (?), a. [From
Dash.] Calculated to arrest attention;
ostentatiously fashionable; showy. [Colloq.]
Das"tard (?), n. [Prob. from
Icel. d\'91str exhausted. breathless, p. p. of
d\'91sa to groan, lose one's breath; cf.
dasask to become exhausted, and E.
daze.] One who meanly shrinks from danger;
an arrant coward; a poltroon.
You are all recreants and dashtards, and delight to
live in slavery to the nobility.
Shak.
Das"tard, a. Meanly shrinking from
danger; cowardly; dastardly. \'bdTheir dastard
souls.\'b8
Addison.
Das"tard, v. t. To dastardize.
[R.]
Dryden.
Das"tard*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dastardized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dastardizing.] To make cowardly; to
intimidate; to dispirit; as, to dastardize my
courage.
Dryden.
Das"tard*li*ness (?), n. The
quality of being dastardly; cowardice; base fear.
Das"tard*ly, a. Meanly timid; cowardly;
base; as, a dastardly outrage.
Das"tard*ness, n. Dastardliness.
Das"tard*y (?), n. Base
timidity; cowardliness.
Das"we (?), v. i. See
Dasewe [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Da*sym"e*ter (?), n. [Gr.
/ rough, thick + -meter.]
(Physics) An instrument for testing the density
of gases, consisting of a thin glass globe, which is weighed in
the gas or gases, and then in an atmosphere of known
density.
Das`y*p\'91"dal (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Dasyp\'91dic.
\'d8Das`y*p\'91"des (?), n. pl.
[NL., from Gr. / hairy, shaggy +
/, /, a child.]
(Zo\'94l.) Those birds whose young are covered
with down when hatched.
Das`y*p\'91"dic (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to the Dasyp\'91des;
ptilop\'91dic.
Das"y*ure (?), n. [Gr.
/ thick, shaggy + / tail: cf. F.
dasyure.] (Zo\'94l.) A
carnivorous marsupial quadruped of Australia, belonging to the
genus Dasyurus. There are several species.
Das`y*u"rine (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to, or like, the
dasyures.
\'d8Da"ta (?), n. pl. [L.
pl. of datum.] See
Datum.
Dat"a*ble (?), a. That may be
dated; having a known or ascertainable date.
\'bdDatable almost to a year.\'b8
The Century.
\'d8Da*ta"ri*a (?), n. [LL.,
fr. L. datum given.] (R. C. Ch.)
Formerly, a part of the Roman chancery; now, a separate
office from which are sent graces or favors, cognizable in
foro externo, such as appointments to benefices. The name
is derived from the word datum, given or dated (with
the indications of the time and place of granting the gift or
favor).
Da"ta*ry (?), n. [LL.
datarius. See Dataria.] 1.
(R. C. Ch.) An officer in the pope's court,
having charge of the Dataria.
2. The office or employment of a datary.
Date, n.[F. datte, L.
dactylus, fr. Gr. /, prob. not the same
word as / finger, but of Semitic origin.]
(Bot.) The fruit of the date palm; also, the date
palm itself.
Date palm, Date tree
(Bot.), the genus of palms which bear dates, of
which common species is Ph\'d2nix dactylifera.
See Illust. -- Date plum (Bot.),
the fruit of several species of Diospyros,
including the American and Japanese persimmons, and the European
lotus (D. Lotus). -- Date shell,
Date fish (Zo\'94l.), a
bivalve shell, or its inhabitant, of the genus Pholas,
and allied genera. See Pholas.
<-- p. 370 -->
Date (?), n. [F.
date, LL. data, fr. L. datus
given, p.p. of dare to give; akin to Gr.
/, OSlaw. dati, Skr. d\'be.
Cf. Datum, Dose, Dato,
Die.] 1. That addition to a writing,
inscription, coin, etc., which specifies the time (as day, month,
and year) when the writing or inscription was given, or executed,
or made; as, the date of a letter, of a will, of a
deed, of a coin. etc.
And bonds without a date, they say, are void.
Dryden.
2. The point of time at which a transaction or
event takes place, or is appointed to take place; a given point
of time; epoch; as, the date of a battle.
He at once,
Down the long series of eventful time,
So fixed the dates of being, so disposed
To every living soul of every kind
The field of motion, and the hour of rest.
Akenside.
3. Assigned end; conclusion.
[R.]
What Time would spare, from Steel receives its
date.
Pope.
4. Given or assigned length of life;
dyration. [Obs.]
Good luck prolonged hath thy date.
Spenser.
Through his life's whole date.
Chapman.
To bear date, to have the date named on the
face of it; -- said of a writing.
Date, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dating.] [Cf. F. dater. See
2d Date.] 1. To note the time of
writing or executing; to express in an instrument the time of its
execution; as, to date a letter, a bond, a deed, or
a charter.
2. To note or fix the time of, as of an event; to
give the date of; as, to date the building of the
pyramids.
dated at or from a
place.
The letter is dated at Philadephia.
G. T. Curtis.
You will be suprised, I don't question, to find among your
correspondencies in foreign parts, a letter dated from
Blois.
Addison.
In the countries of his jornal seems to have been written;
parts of it are dated from them.
M. Arnold.
Date, v. i. To have beginning; to begin;
to be dated or reckoned; -- with from.
The Batavian republic dates from the successes of
the French arms.
E. Everett.
Date"less, a. Without date; having no
fixed time.
Dat"er (?), n. One who
dates.
Da*tis"cin (?), n.
(Chem.) A white crystalline glucoside extracted
from the bastard hemp (Datisca cannabina).
Da"tive (?), a. [L.
dativus appropriate to giving, fr. dare to
give. See 2d Date.] 1. (Gram.)
Noting the case of a noun which expresses the remoter
object, and is generally indicated in English by to or
for with the objective.
2. (Law) (a) In one's gift;
capable of being disposed of at will and pleasure, as an
office. (b) Removable, as distinguished from
perpetual; -- said of an officer. (c) Given
by a magistrate, as distinguished from being cast upon a party by
the law.
Burril. Bouvier.
Dative executor, one appointed by the judge of
probate, his office answering to that of an
administrator.
Da"tive, n. [L.
dativus.] The dative case. See
Dative, a., 1.
Da"tive*ly, adv. As a gift.
[R.]
Dat"o*lite (?), n. [From. Gr.
/ to divide + -lite; in allusion to the
granular structure of a massive variety.] (Min.)
A borosilicate of lime commonly occuring in glassy,,
greenish crystals. [Written also
datholite.]
\'d8Da"tum (?), n.; pl.
Data (#). [L. See 2d
Date.] 1. Something given or
admitted; a fact or principle granted; that upon which an
inference or an argument is based; -- used chiefly in the
plural.
Any writer, therefore, who . . . furnishes us with
data sufficient to determine the time in which he
wrote.
Priestley.
2. pl. (Math.) The
quantities or relations which are assumed to be given in any
problem.
Datum line (Surv.), the horizontal
or base line, from which the heights of points are reckoned or
measured, as in the plan of a railway, etc.
\'d8Da*tu"ra (?), n. [NL.; cf.
Skr. dhatt/ra, Per. & Ar. tat/ra,
Tat/la.] (Bot.) A genus of
solanaceous plants, with large funnel-shaped flowers and a
four-celled, capsular fruit.
D.
stramonium), with a prickly capsule (see Illust.
of capsule), white flowers and green stem, and D.
tatula, with a purplish tinge of the stem and flowers. Both
are narcotic and dangerously poisonous.
Da*tu"rine (?), n. [From
Datura.] (Chem.) Atropine; --
called also daturia and
daturina.
Daub (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Daubed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Daubing.]
[OE. dauben to smear, OF. dauber to
plaster, fr. L. dealbare to whitewash, plaster;
de- + albare to whiten, fr.
albus white, perh. also confused with W.
dwb plaster, dwbio to plaster, Ir. & OGael.
dob plaster. See Alb, and cf.
Dealbate.] 1. To smear with soft,
adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to
bedaub; to besmear.
She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it
with slime and with pitch.
Ex. ii. 3.
2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring
colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece.
I. Watts.
A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over.
Dryden.
3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior;
to disguise; to conceal.
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of
virtue.
Shak.
4. To flatter excessively or glossy.
[R.]
I can safely say, however, that, without any
daubing at all,
I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant.
Smollett.
5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily.
[R.]
Let him be daubed with lace.
Dryden.
Daub (?), v. i. To smear; to
play the flatterer.
His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter.
South.
Daub, n. 1. A viscous, sticky
application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear.
2. (Paint.) A picture coarsely
executed.
Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture? . . . 'T is a
melancholy daub, my lord.
Sterne.
Daub"er (?), n. 1. One
who, or that which, daubs; especially, a coarse, unskillful
painter.
2. (Copperplate Print.) A pad or ball of
rags, covered over with canvas, for inking plates; a
dabber.
3. A low and gross flattere.
4. (Zo\'94l.) The mud wasp; the mud
dauber.
{ Daub"er*y (?), Daub"ry
(?) }, n. A daubing; specious
coloring; false pretenses.
She works by charms, by spells, by the figure, and such
daubery as this is.
Shak.
Daub"ing, n. 1. The act of one
who daubs; that which is daubed.
2. A rough coat of mortar put upon a wall to give
it the appearance of stone; rough-cast.
3. In currying, a mixture of fish oil and tallow
worked into leather; -- called also
dubbing.
Knight.
Dau"bree*lite (?), n. [From
Daubr\'82e, a French mineralogist.]
(Min.) A sulphide of chromium observed in some
meteoric irons.
Daub"y (?), a. Smeary; viscous;
glutinous; adhesive. \'bdDauby wax.\'b8
Daugh"ter (?), n.; pl.
Daughters (#); obs. pl.
Daughtren (#). [OE.
doughter, doghter, dohter, AS.
dohtor, dohter; akin to OS.
dohtar, D. dochter, G. tochter,
Icel. d/tir, Sw. dotter, Dan.
dotter, datter, Goth.
da\'a3htar,, OSlav. d/shti, Russ.
doche, Lith. dukt/, Gr. /,
Zen/. dughdhar, Skr. duhit/; possibly
originally, the milker, cf. Skr. duh to milk.
1. The female offspring of
the human species; a female child of any age; -- applied also to
the lower animals.
2. A female descendant; a woman.
This woman, being a daughter of Abraham.
Luke xiii. 16.
Dinah, the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto
Jacob, went out to see the daughter of the land.
Gen. xxxiv. 1.
3. A son's wife; a daughter-in-law.
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters.
Ruth. i. 11.
4. A term of adress indicating parental
interest.
Daughter, be of good comfort.
Matt. ix. 22.
Daughter cell (Biol.), one of the
cells formed by cell division. See Cell division,
under Division.
Daugh"ter-in-law` (?), n.; pl.
Daughters-in-law. The wife of one's son.
Daugh"ter*li*ness (?), n. The
state of a daughter, or the conduct becoming a daughter.
Daugh"ter*ly, a. Becoming a daughter;
filial.
Sir Thomas liked her natural and dear daughterly
affection towards him.
Cavendish.
Dauk (?), v. t. See
Dawk, v. t., to cut or gush.
Daun (?), n. A variant of
Dan, a title of honor. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Daunt (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Daunted; p. pr.
& vb. n. Daunting.] [OF.
danter, F. dompter to tame, subdue, fr. L.
domitare, v. intens. of domare to tame. See
Tame.] 1. To overcome; to
conquer. [Obs.]
2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by
fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten.
Some presences daunt and discourage us.
Glanvill.
Syn. -- To dismay; appall. See Dismay.
Daunt"er (?), n. One who
daunts.
Daunt"less, a. Incapable of being
daunted; undaunted; bold; fearless; intrepid.
Dauntless he rose, and to the fight returned.
Dryden.
-- Daunt"less*ly, adv. --
Daunt"less*ness, n.
Dau"phin (?), n. [F.
dauphin, prop., a dolphin, from L.
delphinus. See Dolphin. The name was given,
for some reason unexplained, to Guigo, count of Vienne, in the
12th century, and was borne by succeeding counts of Vienne. In
1349, Dauphiny was bequeathed to Philippe de Valois, king of
France, on condition that the heir of the crown should always
hold the title of Dauphin de Viennois.] The
title of the eldest son of the king of France, and heir to the
crown. Since the revolution of 1830, the title has been
discontinued.
{ Dau"phin*ess (?), Dau"phine (?) }, n. The
title of the wife of the dauphin.
\'d8Dauw (?), n. [D.]
(Zo\'94l.) The striped quagga, or Burchell's
zebra, of South Africa (Asinus Burchellii); -- called
also peechi, or
peetsi.
Dav"en*port (?), n. [From the
name of the original maker. Encyc. Dict.] A
kind of small writing table, generally somewhat ornamental, and
forming a piece of furniture for the parlor or boudoir.
A much battered davenport in one of the windows, at
which sat a lady writing.
A. B. Edwards.
Da*vid"ic (?), a. Of or
pertaining to David, the king and psalmist of Israel, or to his
family.
Dav"it (?), n. [Cf. F.
davier forceps, davit, cooper's instrument, G.
david davit; all probably from the proper name
David.] (Naut.) (a) A
spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the
flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the
sides of the ship; -- called also the fish
davit. (b) pl. Curved
arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern,
having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig
it out for lowering, etc.; -- called also boat
davits.
Totten.
Da"vy Jones" (?). The spirit of the sea;
sea devil; -- a term used by sailors.
This same Davy Jones, according to the mythology of
sailors, is the fiend that presides over all the evil spirits of
the deep, and is seen in various shapes warning the devoted
wretch of death and woe.
Smollett.
Davy Jones's Locker, the ocean, or bottom of
the ocean. -- Gone to Davy Jones's Locker,
dead, and buried in the sea; thrown overboard.
Da"vy lamp` (?). See Safety
lamp, under Lamp.
Da"vyne (?), n. [See
Davyum.] (Min.) A variety of
nephelite from Vesuvius.
Da"vy*um (?), n. [Named after
Sir Humphry Davy, the English chemist.]
(Chem.) A rare metallic element found in platinum
ore. It is a white malleable substance. Symbol Da. Atomic weight
154.<-- ? Europium is 152(the closest)? -->
Daw (?), n. [OE.
dawe; akin to OHG. t\'beha, MHG.
t\'behe, t\'behele, G. dohle.
Cf. Caddow.] (Zo\'94l.) A European
bird of the Crow family (Corvus monedula), often
nesting in church towers and ruins; a jackdaw.
The loud daw, his throat
displaying, draw
The whole assembly of his fellow daws.
Waller.
daw was reckoned as a silly bird, and
a daw meant a simpleton. See in Shakespeare: --
\'bdThen thou dwellest with daws too.\'b8
(Coriolanus iv. 5, 1. 47.)
Skeat.
Daw, v. i. [OE. dawen. See
Dawn.] To dawn. [Obs.] See
Dawn.
Daw, v. t. [Contr. fr.
Adaw.] 1. To rouse.
[Obs.]
2. To daunt; to terrify. [Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Daw"dle (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Dawdled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dawdling
(?).] [Cf. Daddle.]
To waste time in trifling employment; to trifle; to
saunter.
Come some evening and dawdle over a dish of tea
with me.
Johnson.
We . . . dawdle up and down Pall Mall.
Thackeray.
Daw"dle, v. t. To waste by trifling;
as, to dawdle away a whole morning.
Daw"dle, n. A dawdler.
Colman & Carrick.
Daw"dler (?), n. One who wastes
time in trifling employments; an idler; a trifler.
Dawe (?), n. [See
Day.] Day. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Daw"ish (?), a. Like a
daw.
\'d8Dawk (?), n. See
Dak.
Dawk, v. t. [Prov. E. dauk to
cut or pierce with a jerk; cf. OE. dalk a dimple. Cf.
Ir. tolch, tollachd, tolladh, a
hole, crevice, toll to bore, pierce, W.
tyllu.] To cut or mark with an incision; to
gash.
Moxon.
Dawk, n. A hollow, crack, or cut, in
timber.
Moxon.
Dawn (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Dawned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Dawning.]
[OE. dawnen, dawen, dagen,
daien, AS. dagian to become day, to dawn,
fr. d\'91g day; akin to D. dagen, G.
tagen, Icel. daga, Dan. dages,
Sw. dagas. See Day. /71.] 1.
To begin to grow light in the morning; to grow light; to
break, or begin to appear; as, the day dawns; the
morning dawns.
In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn
toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene . . . to
see the sepulcher.
Matt. xxviii. 1.
2. To began to give promise; to begin to appear or
to expand. \'bdIn dawning youth.\'b8
Dryden.
When life awakes, and dawns at every line.
Pope.
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid.
Heber,
Dawn, n. 1. The break of day;
the first appeareance of light in the morning; show of
approaching sunrise.
And oft at dawn, deep noon, or falling eve.
Thomson.
No sun, no moon, no morn, no noon,
No dawn, no dusk, no proper time of day.
Hood.
2. First opening or expansion; first appearance;
beginning; rise. \'bdThe dawn of time.\'b8
Thomson.
These tender circumstances diffuse a dawn of
serenity over the soul.
Pope.
Daw"son*ite (?), n. [Named
after J. W. Dawson of Montreal.]
(Min.) A hydrous carbonate of alumina and soda,
occuring in white, bladed crustals.
Day (?), n. [OE.
day, dai,, dei, AS.
d\'91g; akin to OS., D., Dan., & Sw. dag,
G, tag, Icel. dagr, Goth. dags;
cf. Skr. dah (for dhagh ?) to burn. \'fb69.
Cf. Dawn.]
1. The time of light, or interval between one night
and the next; the time between sunrise and sunset, or from dawn
to darkness; hence, the light; sunshine.
2. The period of the earth's revolution on its
axis. -- ordinarily divided into twenty-four hours. It is
measured by the interval between two successive transits of a
celestial body over the same meridian, and takes a specific name
from that of the body. Thus, if this is the sun, the day (the
interval between two successive transits of the sun's center over
the same meridian) is called a solar day; if it is
a star, a sidereal day; if it is the moon, a
lunar day. See Civil day,
Sidereal day, below.
3. Those hours, or the daily recurring period,
allotted by usage or law for work.
4. A specified time or period; time, considered
with reference to the existence or prominence of a person or
thing; age; time.
A man who was great among the Hellenes of his
day.
Jowett (Thucyd. )
If my debtors do not keep their day, . . .
I must with patience all the terms attend.
Dryden.
5. (Preceded by the) Some day in
particular, as some day of contest, some anniversary, etc.
The field of Agincourt,
Fought on the day of Crispin Crispianus.
Shak.
His name struck fear, his conduct won the day.
Roscommon.
Day is much used in self-explaining
compounds; as, daybreak, daylight,
workday, etc.
<-- p. 371 -->
Anniversary day. See Anniversary,
n. -- Astronomical day, a period
equal to the mean solar day, but beginning at noon instead of at
midnight, its twenty-four hours being numbered from 1 to 24;
also, the sidereal day, as that most used by astronomers. --
Born days. See under Born. --
Canicular days. See Dog day. --
Civil day, the mean solar day, used in the
ordinary reckoning of time, and among most modern nations
beginning at mean midnight; its hours are usually numbered in two
series, each from 1 to 12. This is the period recognized by
courts as constituting a day. The Babylonians and Hindoos began
their day at sunrise, the Athenians and Jews at sunset, the
ancient Egyptians and Romans at midnight. -- Day
blindness. (Med.) See
Nyctalopia. -- Day by day, Day after day, daily; every day;
continually; without intermission of a day. See under
By. \'bdDay by day we magnify thee.\'b8
Book of Common Prayer. -- Days in bank
(Eng. Law), certain stated days for the return of
writs and the appearance of parties; -- so called because
originally peculiar to the Court of Common Bench, or Bench
(bank) as it was formerly termed.
Burrill. -- Day in court, a day for
the appearance of parties in a suit. -- Days of
devotion (R. C. Ch.), certain festivals on
which devotion leads the faithful to attend mass.
Shipley. -- Days of grace. See
Grace. -- Days of obligation (R. C.
Ch.), festival days when it is obligatory on the
faithful to attend Mass. Shipley. -- Day
owl, (Zo\'94l.), an owl that flies by day.
See Hawk owl. -- Day rule (Eng.
Law), an order of court (now abolished) allowing a
prisoner, under certain circumstances, to go beyond the prison
limits for a single day. -- Day school, one
which the pupils attend only in daytime, in distinction from a
boarding school. -- Day sight. (Med.)
See Hemeralopia. -- Day's work
(Naut.), the account or reckoning of a ship's
course for twenty-four hours, from noon to noon. --
From day to day, as time passes; in the course of
time; as, he improves from day to day. --
Jewish day, the time between sunset and
sunset. -- Mean solar day (Astron.),
the mean or average of all the apparent solar days of the
year. -- One day, One of these
days, at an uncertain time, usually of the
future, rarely of the past; sooner or later. \'bdWell, niece, I
hope to see you one day fitted with a husband.\'b8
Shak. -- Only from day to day,
without certainty of continuance; temporarily.
Bacon. -- Sidereal day, the interval
between two successive transits of the first point of Aries over
the same meridian. The Sidereal day is 23 h. 56 m. 4.09
s. of mean solar time. -- To win the day, to
gain the victory, to be successful. S. Butler. --
Week day, any day of the week except Sunday; a
working day. -- Working day. (a) A
day when work may be legally done, in distinction from Sundays
and legal holidays. (b) The number of hours,
determined by law or custom, during which a workman, hired at a
stated price per day, must work to be entitled to a day's
pay.
Day"aks (?), n. pl.
(Ethnol.) See Dyaks.
Day"book (?), n. A journal of
accounts; a primary record book in which are recorded the debts
and credits, or accounts of the day, in their order, and from
which they are transferred to the journal.
Day"break` (?), n. The time of
the first appearance of light in the morning.
Day"-coal` (?), n.
(Mining) The upper stratum of coal, as nearest
the light or surface.
Day"dream` (?), n. A vain fancy
speculation; a reverie; a castle in the air; unfounded
hope.
Mrs. Lambert's little daydream was over.
Thackeray.
Day"dream`er (?), n. One given
to draydreams.
Day"flow`er (?), n.
(Bot.) A genus consisting mostly of tropical
perennial herbs (Commelina), having ephemeral
flowers.
Day"fly` (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) A neuropterous insect of the genus
Ephemera and related genera, of many species, and
inhabiting fresh water in the larval state; the ephemeral fly; --
so called because it commonly lives but one day in the winged or
adult state. See Ephemeral fly, under
Ephemeral.<-- the Mayfly? = ephemerid of order
ephemeroptera -->
Day"-la`bor (?), n. Labor hired
or performed by the day.
Milton.
Day"-la`bor*er (?), n. One who
works by the day; -- usually applied to a farm laborer, or to a
workman who does not work at any particular trade.
Goldsmith.
Day"light` (?), n.
1. The light of day as opposed to the darkness of
night; the light of the sun, as opposed to that of the moon or to
artificial light.
2. pl. The eyes. [Prov.
Eng.]
Wright.
Day" lil`y (?). (Bot.) (a)
A genus of plants (Hemerocallis) closely
resembling true lilies, but having tuberous rootstocks instead of
bulbs. The common species have long narrow leaves and either
yellow or tawny-orange flowers. (b) A genus
of plants (Funkia) differing from the last in having
ovate veiny leaves, and large white or blue flowers.
Day"maid` (?), n. A
dairymaid. [Obs.]
Day"mare` (?), n.
[Day + mare incubus.]
(Med.) A kind of incubus which occurs during
wakefulness, attended by the peculiar pressure on the chest which
characterizes nightmare.
Dunglison.
Day"-net` (?), n. A net for
catching small birds.
Day"-peep` (?), n. The
dawn. [Poetic]
Milton.
Days"man (?), n. [From
day in the sense of day fixed for
trial.] An umpire or arbiter; a mediator.
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us.
Job ix. 33.
Day"spring (?), n. The
beginning of the day, or first appearance of light; the dawn;
hence, the beginning.
Milton.
The tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring
from on high hath visited us.
Luke i. 78.
Day"-star` (?), n.
1. The morning star; the star which ushers in the
day.
A dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star
arise in your hearts.
2 Peter i. 19.
2. The sun, as the orb of day.
[Poetic]
So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed,
And yet anon repairs his drooping head,
And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled ore Flames in the
forehead of the morning sky.
Milton.
Day"time` (?), n. The time
during which there is daylight, as distinguished from the
night.
Day"wom`an (?), n. A
dairymaid. [Obs.]
Daze (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dazed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Dazing.]
[OE. dasen, prob. from Icel. dasask to
become weary, a reflexive verb; cf. Sw. dasa to lie
idle, and OD. daesen to be foolish, insane,
daes, dwaes, D. dwaas, foolish,
insane, AS. dw/s, dysig, stupid.
///. Cf. Dizzy, Doze.] To
stupefy with excess of light; with a blow, with cold, or with
fear; to confuse; to benumb.
While flashing beams do daze his feeble eyen.
Spenser.
Such souls,
Whose sudden visitations daze the world.
Sir H. Taylor.
He comes out of the room in a dazed state, that is
an odd though a sufficient substitute for interest.
Dickens.
Daze, n. 1. The state of being
dazed; as, he was in a daze.
[Colloq.]
2. (Mining) A glittering stone.
Daz"zle (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dazzled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dazzling
(?).] [Freq. of daze.]
1. To overpower with light; to confuse the sight of
by brilliance of light.
Those heavenly shapes
Will dazzle now the earthly, with their blaze
Insufferably bright.
Milton.
An unreflected light did never yet
Dazzle the vision feminine.
Sir H. Taylor.
2. To bewilder or surprise with brilliancy or
display of any kind. \'bdDazzled and drove back
his enemies.\'b8
Shak.
Daz"zle, v. i. 1. To be
overpoweringly or intensely bright; to excite admiration by
brilliancy.
Ah, friend! to dazzle, let the vain design.
Pope.
2. To be overpowered by light; to be confused by
excess of brightness.
An overlight maketh the eyes dazzle.
Bacon.
I dare not trust these eyes;
They dance in mists, and dazzle with surprise.
Dryden.
Daz"zle, n. A light of dazzling
brilliancy.
Daz"zle*ment (?), n. Dazzling
flash, glare, or burst of light.
Donne.
Daz"zling*ly (?), adv. In a
dazzling manner.
De- (?). A prefix from Latin de
down, from, away; as in debark, decline,
decease, deduct, decamp. In
words from the French it is equivalent to Latin dis-
apart, away; or sometimes to de. Cf. Dis-. It
is negative and opposite in derange,
deform, destroy, etc. It is intensive in
deprave, despoil, declare,
desolate, etc.
Dea"con (?), n. [OE.
diakne, deakne, deken, AS.
diacon, deacon, L. diaconus, fr.
Gr. / a servant or minister, a minister of the church; of
uncertain origin. In sense 2 prob. confused with
dean.]
1. (Eccl.) An officer in Christian
churches appointed to perform certain subordinate duties varying
in different communions. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal
churches, a person admitted to the lowest order in the ministry,
subordinate to the bishops and priests. In Presbyterian churches,
he is subordinate to the minister and elders, and has charge of
certain duties connected with the communion service and the care
of the poor. In Congregational churches, he is subordinate to the
pastor, and has duties as in the Presbyterian church.
2. The chairman of an incorporated company.
[Scot.]
Dea"con (?), v. t. To read
aloud each line of (a psalm or hymn) before singing it, --
usually with off. [Colloq. New.
Eng.] See Line, v. t.
lining out the psalm.
Dea"con*ess (?), n.
(Eccl.) A female deacon; as: (a)
(Primitive Ch.) One of an order of women whose
duties resembled those of deacons. (b) (Ch.
of Eng. and Prot. Epis. Ch.) A woman set apart for
church work by a bishop. (c) A woman chosen
as a helper in church work, as among the
Congregationalists.
Dea"con*hood (?), n. The state
of being a deacon; office of a deacon; deaconship.
Dea"con*ry (?), n. See
Deaconship.
Dea"con*ship, n. The office or ministry
of a deacon or deaconess.
Dead (?), a. [OE.
ded, dead, deed, AS.
de\'a0d; akin to OS. d/d, D.
dood, G. todt, tot, Icel.
dau/r, Sw. & Dan. d\'94d, Goth.
daubs; prop. p. p. of an old verb meaning to
die. See Die, and cf. Death.]
1. Deprived of life; -- opposed to alive
and living; reduced to that state of a being in which
the organs of motion and life have irrevocably ceased to perform
their functions; as, a dead tree; a dead
man. \'bdThe queen, my lord, is dead.\'b8
Shak.
The crew, all except himself, were dead of
hunger.
Arbuthnot.
Seek him with candle, bring him dead or living.
Shak.
2. Destitute of life; inanimate; as,
dead matter.
3. Resembling death in appearance or quality;
without show of life; deathlike; as, a dead
sleep.
4. Still as death; motionless; inactive; useless;
as, dead calm; a dead load or
weight.
5. So constructed as not to transmit sound;
soundless; as, a dead floor.
6. Unproductive; bringing no gain; unprofitable;
as, dead capital; dead stock in
trade.
7. Lacking spirit; dull; lusterless; cheerless;
as, dead eye; dead fire; dead
color, etc.
8. Monotonous or unvaried; as, a dead
level or pain; a dead wall. \'bdThe ground is
a dead flat.\'b8
C. Reade.
9. Sure as death; unerring; fixed; complete;
as, a dead shot; a dead
certainty.
I had them a dead bargain.
Goldsmith.
10. Bringing death; deadly.
Shak.
11. Wanting in religious spirit and vitality;
as, dead faith; dead works.
\'bdDead in trespasses.\'b8
Eph. ii. 1.
12. (Paint.) (a) Flat; without
gloss; -- said of painting which has been applied purposely to
have this effect. (b) Not brilliant; not
rich; thus, brown is a dead color, as compared with
crimson.
13. (Law) Cut off from the rights of a
citizen; deprived of the power of enjoying the rights of
property; as, one banished or becoming a monk is civilly
dead.
14. (Mach.) Not imparting motion or
power; as, the dead spindle of a lathe, etc.
See Spindle.
Dead ahead (Naut.), directly ahead;
-- said of a ship or any object, esp. of the wind when blowing
from that point toward which a vessel would go. -- Dead
angle (Mil.), an angle or space which can
not be seen or defended from behind the parapet. --
Dead block, either of two wooden or iron blocks
intended to serve instead of buffers at the end of a freight
car. -- Dead calm (Naut.), no wind
at all. -- Dead center, Dead
point (Mach.), either of two points
in the orbit of a crank, at which the crank and connecting rod
lie a straight line. It corresponds to the end of a stroke; as,
A and B are dead centers of the crank
mechanism in which the crank C drives, or is driven by,
the lever L. -- Dead color
(Paint.), a color which has no gloss upon it.
-- Dead coloring (Oil paint.), the
layer of colors, the preparation for what is to follow. In modern
painting this is usually in monochrome. -- Dead
door (Shipbuilding), a storm shutter fitted
to the outside of the quarter-gallery door. -- Dead
flat (Naut.), the widest or midship
frame. -- Dead freight (Mar. Law),
a sum of money paid by a person who charters a whole vessel
but fails to make out a full cargo. The payment is made for the
unoccupied capacity. Abbott. -- Dead
ground (Mining), the portion of a vein in
which there is no ore. -- Dead hand, a hand
that can not alienate, as of a person civilly dead. \'bdSerfs
held in dead hand.\'b8 Morley. See
Mortmain. -- Dead head
(Naut.), a rough block of wood used as an anchor
buoy. -- Dead heat, a heat or course between
two or more race horses, boats, etc., in which they come out
exactly equal, so that neither wins. -- Dead
horse, an expression applied to a debt for wages paid in
advance. [Law] -- Dead language,
a language which is no longer spoken or in common use by a
people, and is known only in writings, as the Hebrew, Greek, and
Latin. -- Dead letter. (a) A letter
which, after lying for a certain fixed time uncalled for at the
post office to which it was directed, is then sent to the general
post office to be opened. (b) That which has
lost its force or authority; as, the law has become a dead
letter. -- Dead-letter office, a
department of the general post office where dead letters are
examined and disposed of. -- Dead level, a
term applied to a flat country. -- Dead lift,
a direct lift, without assistance from mechanical advantage,
as from levers, pulleys, etc.; hence, an extreme emergency.
\'bd(As we say) at a dead lift.\'b8 Robynson
(More's Utopia). -- Dead line
(Mil.), a line drawn within or around a military
prison, to cross which involves for a prisoner the penalty of
being instantly shot. -- Dead load (Civil
Engin.), a constant, motionless load, as the weight of
a structure, in distinction from a moving load, as a train of
cars, or a variable pressure, as of wind. -- Dead
march (Mus.), a piece of solemn music
intended to be played as an accompaniment to a funeral
procession. -- Dead nettle (Bot.),
a harmless plant with leaves like a nettle (Lamium
album). -- Dead oil (Chem.),
the heavy oil obtained in the distillation of coal tar, and
containing phenol, naphthalus, etc. -- Dead plate
(Mach.), a solid covering over a part of a fire
grate, to prevent the entrance of air through that part. --
Dead pledge, a mortgage. See
Mortgage. -- Dead point.
(Mach.) See Dead center. --
Dead reckoning (Naut.), the method of
determining the place of a ship from a record kept of the courses
sailed as given by compass, and the distance made on each course
as found by log, with allowance for leeway, etc., without the aid
of celestial observations. -- Dead rise, the
transverse upward curvature of a vessel's floor. --
Dead rising, an elliptical line drawn on the sheer
plan to determine the sweep of the floorheads throughout the
ship's length. -- Dead-Sea apple. See under
Apple. -- Dead set. See under
Set. -- Dead shot. (a) An
unerring marksman. (b) A shot certain to be
made. -- Dead smooth, the finest cut made; --
said of files. -- Dead wall (Arch.),
a blank wall unbroken by windows or other openings. --
Dead water (Naut.), the eddy water
closing in under a ship's stern when sailing. -- Dead
weight. (a) A heavy or oppressive burden.
Dryden. (b) (Shipping) A
ship's lading, when it consists of heavy goods; or, the heaviest
part of a ship's cargo. (c) (Railroad)
The weight of rolling stock, the live weight being the load.
Knight. -- Dead wind (Naut.),
a wind directly ahead, or opposed to the ship's course.
-- To be dead, to die.
[Obs.]
I deme thee, thou must algate be dead.
Chaucer.
Syn. -- Inanimate; deceased; extinct. See
Lifeless.
Dead (?), adv. To a degree
resembling death; to the last degree; completely; wholly.
[Colloq.]
I was tired of reading, and dead sleepy.
Dickens.
Dead drunk, so drunk as to be
unconscious.
Dead (?), n.
1. The most quiet or deathlike time; the period of
profoundest repose, inertness, or gloom; as, the
dead of winter.
When the drum beat at dead of night.
Campbell.
2. One who is dead; -- commonly used
collectively.
And Abraham stood up from before his dead.
Gen. xxiii. 3.
Dead, v. t. To make dead; to deaden; to
deprive of life, force, or vigor. [Obs.]
Heaven's stern decree,
With many an ill, hath numbed and deaded me.
Chapman.
Dead, v. i. To die; to lose life or
force. [Obs.]
So iron, as soon as it is out of the fire, deadeth
straightway.
Bacon.
Dead` beat" (?). See Beat,
n., 7. [Low, U.S.]
Dead"beat` (?), a.
(Physics) Making a beat without recoil; giving
indications by a single beat or excursion; -- said of
galvanometers and other instruments in which the needle or index
moves to the extent of its deflection and stops with little or no
further oscillation.
Deadbeat escapement. See under
Escapement.
Dead"born` (?), a.
Stillborn.
Pope.
Dead"en (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deadened
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deadening.] [From Dead; cf.
AS. d/dan to kill, put to death. See Dead,
a.]
1. To make as dead; to impair in vigor, force,
activity, or sensation; to lessen the force or acuteness of; to
blunt; as, to deaden the natural powers or feelings;
to deaden a sound.
<-- p. 372 -->
As harper lays his open palm
Upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations.
Longfellow.
2. To lessen the velocity or momentum of; to
retard; as, to deaden a ship's headway.
3. To make vapid or spiritless; as, to
deaden wine.
4. To deprive of gloss or brilliancy; to obscure;
as, to deaden gilding by a coat of size.
Dead"en*er (?), n. One who, or
that which, deadens or checks.
Dead"-eye` (?), n.
(Naut.) A round, flattish, wooden block,
encircled by a rope, or an iron band, and pierced with three
holes to receive the lanyard; -- used to extend the shrouds and
stays, and for other purposes. Called also deadman's
eye.
Totten.
Dead"head` (?), n.
1. One who receives free tickets for theaters,
public conveyances, etc. [Colloq. U. S.]
2. (Naut.) A buoy. See under
Dead, a.
Dead"*heart`ed (?), a. Having a
dull, faint heart; spiritless; listless. --
Dead"*heart`ed*ness,
n.
Bp. Hall.
Dead"house` (?), n. A morgue; a
place for the temporary reception and exposure of dead
bodies.
Dead"ish, a. Somewhat dead, dull, or
lifeless; deathlike.
The lips put on a deadish paleness.
A. Stafford.
Dead"latch` (?), n. A kind of
latch whose bolt may be so locked by a detent that it can not be
opened from the inside by the handle, or from the outside by the
latch key.
Knight.
Dead"light` (?), n.
(Naut.) A strong shutter, made to fit open ports
and keep out water in a storm.
Dead"li*hood (?), n. State of
the dead. [Obs.]
Dead"li*ness, n. The quality of being
deadly.
Dead"lock` (?), n.
1. A lock which is not self-latching, but requires
a key to throw the bolt forward.
2. A counteraction of things, which produces an
entire stoppage; a complete obstruction of action.
Things are at a deadlock.
London Times.
The Board is much more likely to be at a deadlock
of two to two.
The Century.
Dead"ly (?), a.
1. Capable of causing death; mortal; fatal;
destructive; certain or likely to cause death; as, a
deadly blow or wound.
2. Aiming or willing to destroy; implacable;
desperately hostile; flagitious; as, deadly
enemies.
Thy assailant is quick, skillful, and deadly.
Shak.
3. Subject to death; mortal.
[Obs.]
The image of a deadly man.
Wyclif (Rom. i. 23).
Deadly nightshade (Bot.), a
poisonous plant; belladonna. See under
Nightshade.
Dead"ly, adv.
1. In a manner resembling, or as if produced by,
death. \'bdDeadly pale.\'b8
Shak.
2. In a manner to occasion death; mortally.
The groanings of a deadly wounded man.
Ezek. xxx. 24.
3. In an implacable manner; destructively.
4. Extremely. [Obs.]
\'bdDeadly weary.\'b8 Orrery. \'bdSo
deadly cunning a man.\'b8
Arbuthnot.
Dead"ness, n. The state of being
destitute of life, vigor, spirit, activity, etc.; dullness;
inertness; languor; coldness; vapidness; indifference; as,
the deadness of a limb, a body, or a tree; the
deadness of an eye; deadness of the affections;
the deadness of beer or cider; deadness to the
world, and the like.
Dead"-pay` (?), n. Pay drawn
for soldiers, or others, really dead, whose names are kept on the
rolls.
O you commanders,
That, like me, have no dead-pays.
Massinger.
Dead"-reck`on*ing (?), n.
(Naut.) See under Dead,
a.
Deads (?), n. pl.
(Mining) The substances which inclose the ore on
every side.
Dead"-stroke` (?), a.
(Mech.) Making a stroke without recoil;
deadbeat.
Dead-stroke hammer (Mach.), a power
hammer having a spring interposed between the driving mechanism
and the hammer head, or helve, to lessen the recoil of the hammer
and reduce the shock upon the mechanism.
Dead"wood` (?), n.
1. (Naut.) A mass of timbers built into
the bow and stern of a vessel to give solidity.
2. Dead trees or branches; useless material.
<-- unproductive workers! -->
Dead"works` (?), n. pl.
(Naut.) The parts of a ship above the water when
she is laden.
Deaf (?; 277), a. [OE.
def, deaf, deef, AS.
de\'a0f; akin to D. doof, G.
taub, Icel. daufr, Dan. d\'94v,
Sw. d\'94f, Goth. daubs, and prob. to E.
dumb (the original sense being, dull as applied to one
of the senses), and perh. to Gr. / (for /) blind, / smoke,
vapor, folly, and to G. toben to rage. Cf.
Dumb.]
1. Wanting the sense of hearing, either wholly or
in part; unable to perceive sounds; hard of hearing; as, a
deaf man.
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf.
Shak.
2. Unwilling to hear or listen; determinedly
inattentive; regardless; not to be persuaded as to facts,
argument, or exhortation; -- with to; as,
deaf to reason.
O, that men's ears should be
To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!
Shak.
3. Deprived of the power of hearing;
deafened.
Deaf with the noise, I took my hasty flight.
Dryden.
4. Obscurely heard; stifled; deadened.
[R.]
A deaf murmur through the squadron went.
Dryden.
5. Decayed; tasteless; dead; as, a
deaf nut; deaf corn. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
If the season be unkindly and intemperate, they [peppers] will
catch a blast; and then the seeds will be deaf, void,
light, and naught.
Holland.
Deaf and dumb, without the sense of hearing or
the faculty of speech. See Deaf-mute.
Deaf (?; 277), v. t. To
deafen. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Deaf"en (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deafened
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deafening.] [From Deaf.]
1. To make deaf; to deprive of the power of
hearing; to render incapable of perceiving sounds
distinctly.
Deafened and stunned with their promiscuous
cries.
Addison.
2. (Arch.) To render impervious to
sound, as a partition or floor, by filling the space within with
mortar, by lining with paper, etc.
Deaf"en*ing, n. The act or process of
rendering impervious to sound, as a floor or wall; also, the
material with which the spaces are filled in this process;
pugging.
Deaf"ly, adv. Without sense of sounds;
obscurely.
Deaf"ly, a. Lonely; solitary.
[Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
Deaf"-mute` (?), n. A person
who is deaf and dumb; one who, through deprivation or defect of
hearing, has either failed the acquire the power of speech, or
has lost it. [See Illust. of
Dactylology.]
Deaf-mutes are still so called, even when, by
artificial methods, they have been taught to speak
imperfectly.
Deaf"-mut`ism (?), n. The
condition of being a deaf-mute.
Deaf"ness (?), n.
1. Incapacity of perceiving sounds; the state of
the organs which prevents the impression which constitute
hearing; want of the sense of hearing.
2. Unwillingness to hear; voluntary rejection of
what is addressed to the understanding.
Nervous deafness, a variety of deafness
dependent upon morbid change in some portion of the nervous
system, especially the auditory nerve.
Deal (?), n. [OE.
del, deel, part, AS. d/l; akin
to OS. d/l, D. & Dan. deel, G.
theil, teil, Icel. deild, Sw.
del, Goth. dails. ///. Cf. 3d
Dole.]
1. A part or portion; a share; hence, an indefinite
quantity, degree, or extent, degree, or extent; as, a
deal of time and trouble; a deal of
cold.
Three tenth deals [parts of an ephah] of flour.
Num. xv. 9.
As an object of science it [the Celtic genius] may count for a
good deal . . . as a spiritual power.
M. Arnold.
She was resolved to be a good deal more
circumspect.
W. Black.
some,
every, never a, a thousand,
etc.; as, some deal; but these are now obsolete or
vulgar. In general, we now qualify the word with great
or good, and often use it adverbially, by
being understood; as, a great deal of time and pains;
a great (or good) deal better or
worse; that is, better by a great deal, or by a great
part or difference.
2. The process of dealing cards to the players;
also, the portion disturbed.
The deal, the shuffle, and the cut.
Swift.
3. Distribution; apportionment.
[Colloq.]
4. An arrangement to attain a desired result by a
combination of interested parties; -- applied to stock
speculations and political bargains. [Slang]
5. [Prob. from D. deel a plank,
threshing floor. See Thill.] The division of
a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; particularly,
a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and
exceeding six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called
a batten; if shorter, a deal end.
Whole deal is a general term for planking
one and one half inches thick.
6. Wood of the pine or fir; as, a floor of
deal.
Deal tree, a fir tree.
Dr. Prior.
Deal, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dealt (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dealing.] [OE. delen, AS.
d/lan, fr. d/l share; akin to OS.
d/lian, D. deelen, G. theilen,
teilen, Icel. deila, Sw. dela,
Dan. dele, Goth. dailjan. See
Deal, n.]
1. To divide; to separate in portions; hence, to
give in portions; to distribute; to bestow successively; --
sometimes with out.
Is not to deal thy bread to the hungry?
Is. lviii. 7.
And Rome deals out her blessings and her gold.
Tickell.
The nightly mallet deals resounding blows.
Gay.
Hissing through the skies, the feathery deaths were
dealt.
Dryden.
2. Specifically: To distribute, as cards, to the
players at the commencement of a game; as, to deal
the cards; to deal one a jack.
Deal, v. i.
1. To make distribution; to share out in portions,
as cards to the players.
2. To do a distributing or retailing business, as
distinguished from that of a manufacturer or producer; to
traffic; to trade; to do business; as, he deals in
flour.
They buy and sell, they deal and traffic.
South.
This is to drive to wholesale trade, when all other petty
merchants deal but for parcels.
Dr. H. More.
3. To act as an intermediary in business or any
affairs; to manage; to make arrangements; -- followed by
between or with.
Sometimes he that deals between man and man,
raiseth his own credit with both, by pretending greater interest
than he hath in either.
Bacon.
4. To conduct one's self; to behave or act in any
affair or towards any one; to treat.
If he will deal clearly and impartially, . . . he
will acknowledge all this to be true.
Tillotson.
5. To contend (with); to treat (with), by way of
opposition, check, or correction; as, he has turbulent
passions to deal with.
To deal by, to treat, either well or ill; as,
to deal well by servants. \'bdSuch an one
deals not fairly by his own mind.\'b8
Locke. -- To deal in. (a)
To have to do with; to be engaged in; to practice; as, they
deal in political matters. (b) To buy
and sell; to furnish, as a retailer or wholesaler; as, they
deal in fish. -- To deal with.
(a) To treat in any manner; to use, whether well or
ill; to have to do with; specifically, to trade with.
\'bdDealing with witches.\'b8 Shak.
(b) To reprove solemnly; to expostulate
with.
The deacons of his church, who, to use their own phrase,
\'bddealt with him\'b8 on the sin of rejecting the aid
which Providence so manifestly held out.
Hawthorne.
Return . . . and I will deal well with
thee.
Gen. xxxii. 9.
De*al"bate (?), v. t. [L.
dealbatus, p. p. of dealbare. See
Daub.] To whiten. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
De`al*ba"tion (?), n. [L.
dealbatio: cf. F. d\'82albation.]
Act of bleaching; a whitening. [Obs.]
Deal"er (?), n.
1. One who deals; one who has to do, or has
concern, with others; esp., a trader, a trafficker, a shopkeeper,
a broker, or a merchant; as, a dealer in dry goods;
a dealer in stocks; a retail dealer.
2. One who distributes cards to the players.
Deal"fish` (?), n. [From
deal a long, narrow plank.]
(Zo\'94l.) A long, thin fish of the arctic seas
(Trachypterus arcticus).
Deal"ing, n. The act of one who deals;
distribution of anything, as of cards to the players; method of
business; traffic; intercourse; transaction; as, to have
dealings with a person.
Double dealing, insincere, treacherous
dealing; duplicity. -- Plain dealing, fair,
sincere, honorable dealing; honest, outspoken expression of
opinion.
Dealth (?), n. Share
dealt. [Obs.]
De*am"bu*late (?), v. i. [L.
deambulare, deambulatum; de- +
ambulare to walk.] To walk abroad.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.
De*am`bu*la"tion (?), n. [L.
deambulatio.] A walking abroad; a
promenading. [Obs.]
Sir T. Elyot.
De*am"bu*la*to*ry (?), a. [Cf.
LL. deambulator a traveler.] Going about
from place to place; wandering; of or pertaining to a
deambulatory. [Obs.]
\'bdDeambulatory actors.\'b8
Bp. Morton.
De*am"bu*la*to*ry, n. [L.
deambulatorium.] A covered place in which
to walk; an ambulatory.
Dean (?), n. [OE.
dene, deene, OF. deien,
dien, F. doyen, eldest of a corporation, a
dean, L. decanus the chief of ten, one set over ten
persons, e. g., over soldiers or over
monks, from decem ten. See Ten, and cf.
Decemvir.]
1. A dignitary or presiding officer in certain
ecclesiastical and lay bodies; esp., an ecclesiastical dignitary,
subordinate to a bishop.
Dean of cathedral church, the chief officer of
a chapter; he is an ecclesiastical magistrate next in degree to
bishop, and has immediate charge of the cathedral and its
estates. -- Dean of peculiars, a dean holding
a preferment which has some peculiarity relative to spiritual
superiors and the jurisdiction exercised in it.
[Eng.] -- Rural dean, one
having, under the bishop, the especial care and inspection of the
clergy within certain parishes or districts of the
diocese.
2. The collegiate officer in the universities of
Oxford and Cambridge, England, who, besides other duties, has
regard to the moral condition of the college.
Shipley.
3. The head or presiding officer in the faculty of
some colleges or universities.
4. A registrar or secretary of the faculty in a
department of a college, as in a medical, or theological, or
scientific department. [U.S.]
5. The chief or senior of a company on occasion of
ceremony; as, the dean of the diplomatic corps;
-- so called by courtesy.
Cardinal dean, the senior cardinal bishop of
the college of cardinals at Rome. Shipley. --
Dean and chapter, the legal corporation and
governing body of a cathedral. It consists of the dean, who is
chief, and his canons or prebendaries. -- Dean of
arches, the lay judge of the court of arches. --
Dean of faculty, the president of an incorporation
or barristers; specifically, the president of the incorporation
of advocates in Edinburgh. -- Dean of guild,
a magistrate of Scotch burghs, formerly, and still, in some
burghs, chosen by the Guildry, whose duty is to superintend the
erection of new buildings and see that they conform to the
law. -- Dean of a monastery, Monastic
dean, a monastic superior over ten monks.
-- Dean's stall. See Decanal stall,
under Decanal.
Dean"er*y (?), n.; pl.
Deaneries (/).
1. The office or the revenue of a dean. See the
Note under Benefice, n., 3.
2. The residence of a dean.
Shak.
3. The territorial jurisdiction of a dean.
Each archdeaconry is divided into rural deaneries,
and each deanery is divided into parishes.
Blackstone.
Dean"ship, n. The office of a
dean.
I dont't value your deanship a straw.
Swift.
Dear (?), a.
[Compar. Dearer (?);
superl. Dearest (?).]
[OE. dere, deore, AS.
de\'a2re; akin to OS. diuri, D.
duur, OHG. tiuri, G. theuer,
teuer, Icel. d/r, Dan. & Sw.
dyr. Cf. Darling, Dearth.]
1. Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly;
expensive.
The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear.
Shak.
2. Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of
price; as, a dear year.
3. Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished;
precious. \'bdHear me, dear lady.\'b8
Shak.
Neither count I my life dear unto myself.
Acts xx. 24.
And the last joy was dearer than the rest.
Pope.
Dear as remember'd kisses after death.
Tennyson.
4. Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in
mind; engaging the attention. (a) Of agreeable
things and interests.
[I'll] leave you to attend him: some dear cause
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile.
Shak.
His dearest wish was to escape from the bustle and
glitter of Whitehall.
Macaulay.
(b) Of disagreeable things and antipathies.
In our dear peril.
Shak.
Would I had met my dearest foe in heaven
Or ever I had seen that day.
Shak.
Dear, n. A dear one; lover;
sweetheart.
That kiss I carried from thee, dear.
Shak.
Dear, adv. Dearly; at a high
price.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear.
Shak.
Dear, v. t. To endear.
[Obs.]
Shelton.
Dear"born (?), n. A
four-wheeled carriage, with curtained sides.
Dear"-bought` (?), a. Bought at
a high price; as, dear-bought experience.
<-- p. 373 -->
Deare (?), variant of Dere,
v. t. & n. [Obs.]
Dear"ie (?), n. Same as
Deary.
Dickens.
Dear"ling (?), n. A
darling. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Dear"-loved` (?), a. Greatly
beloved.
Shak.
Dear"ly, adv.
1. In a dear manner; with affection; heartily;
earnestly; as, to love one dearly.
2. At a high rate or price; grievously.
He buys his mistress dearly with his throne.
Dryden.
3. Exquisitely. [Obs.]
Shak.
Dearn (?), a. [AS.
derne, dyrne, dierne, hidden,
secret. Cf. Derne.] Secret; lonely; solitary;
dreadful. [Obs.] Shak. --
Dearn"ly, adv.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dearn, v. t. Same as
Darn. [Obs.]
Dear"ness (?), n.
1. The quality or state of being dear; costliness;
excess of price.
The dearness of corn.
Swift.
2. Fondness; preciousness; love; tenderness.
The dearness of friendship.
Bacon.
Dearth (?), n. [OE.
derthe, fr. dere. See Dear.]
Scarcity which renders dear; want; lack; specifically, lack
of food on account of failure of crops; famine.
There came a dearth over all the land of Egypt.
Acts vii. 11.
He with her press'd, she faint with dearth.
Shak.
Dearth of plot, and narrowness of imagination.
Dryden.
De`ar*tic"u*late (?), v. t. To
disjoint.
Dear"worth` (?), a. [See
Derworth.] Precious.
[Obs.]
Piers Plowman.
Dear"y (?), n. A dear; a
darling. [Familiar]
De"as (?), n. See
Dais. [Scot.]
Death (?), n. [OE.
deth, dea/, AS. de\'a0/;
akin to OS. d//, D. dood, G.
tod, Icel. dau/i, Sw. & Dan.
d\'94d, Goth. daupus; from a verb meaning
to die. See Die, v. i., and cf.
Dead.]
1. The cessation of all vital phenomena without
capability of resuscitation, either in animals or plants.
Local death is going on at times and in
all parts of the living body, in which individual cells and
elements are being cast off and replaced by new; a process
essential to life. General death is of two kinds;
death of the body as a whole (somatic or
systemic death), and death of the tissues. By the
former is implied the absolute cessation of the functions of the
brain, the circulatory and the respiratory organs; by the latter
the entire disappearance of the vital actions of the ultimate
structural constituents of the body. When death takes place, the
body as a whole dies first, the death of the tissues sometimes
not occurring until after a considerable interval.
Huxley.
2. Total privation or loss; extinction; cessation;
as, the death of memory.
The death of a language can not be exactly compared
with the death of a plant.
J. Peile.
3. Manner of dying; act or state of passing from
life.
A death that I abhor.
Shak.
Let me die the death of the righteous.
Num. xxiii. 10.
4. Cause of loss of life.
Swiftly flies the feathered death.
Dryden.
He caught his death the last county sessions.
Addison.
5. Personified: The destroyer of life, --
conventionally represented as a skeleton with a scythe.
Death! great proprietor of all.
Young.
And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that at on
him was Death.
Rev. vi. 8.
6. Danger of death. \'bdIn deaths
oft.\'b8
2 Cor. xi. 23.
7. Murder; murderous character.
Not to suffer a man of death to live.
Bacon.
8. (Theol.) Loss of spiritual
life.
To be /////// m///// is
death.
Rom. viii. 6.
9. Anything so dreadful as to be like death.
It was death to them to think of entertaining such
doctrines.
Atterbury.
And urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto
death.
Judg. xvi. 16.
Death is much used adjectively and as the
first part of a compound, meaning, in general, of or
pertaining to death, causing or
presaging death; as, deathbed or
death bed; deathblow or death
blow, etc.
Black death. See Black death, in the
Vocabulary. -- Civil death, the separation of
a man from civil society, or the debarring him from the enjoyment
of civil rights, as by banishment, attainder, abjuration of the
realm, entering a monastery, etc. Blackstone. --
Death adder. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A
kind of viper found in South Africa (Acanthophis
tortor); -- so called from the virulence of its venom.
(b) A venomous Australian snake of the family
Elapid\'91, of several species, as the
Hoplocephalus superbus and Acanthopis
antarctica. -- Death bell, a bell that
announces a death.
The death bell thrice was heard to ring.
Mickle.
-- Death candle, a light like that of a candle,
viewed by the superstitious as presaging death. --
Death damp, a cold sweat at the coming on of
death. -- Death fire, a kind of ignis fatuus
supposed to forebode death.
And round about in reel and rout,
The death fires danced at night.
Coleridge.
-- Death grapple, a grapple or struggle for
life. -- Death in life, a condition but
little removed from death; a living death. [Poetic]
\'bdLay lingering out a five years' death in life.\'b8
Tennyson. -- Death knell, a stroke
or tolling of a bell, announcing a death. -- Death
rate, the relation or ratio of the number of deaths to
the population.
At all ages the death rate is higher in towns than
in rural districts.
Darwin.
-- Death rattle, a rattling or gurgling in the
throat of a dying person. -- Death's door,
the boundary of life; the partition dividing life from
death. -- Death stroke, a stroke causing
death. -- Death throe, the spasm of
death. -- Death token, the signal of
approaching death. -- Death warrant. (a)
(Law) An order from the proper authority for the
execution of a criminal. (b) That which puts an
end to expectation, hope, or joy. -- Death wound.
(a) A fatal wound or injury. (b)
(Naut.) The springing of a fatal leak. --
Spiritual death (Scripture), the
corruption and perversion of the soul by sin, with the loss of
the favor of God. -- The gates of death, the
grave.
Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?
Job xxxviii. 17.
-- The second death, condemnation to eternal
separation from God. Rev. ii. 11. -- To be the
death of, to be the cause of death to; to make die.
\'bdIt was one who should be the death of both his
parents.\'b8 Milton.
Syn. -- Death, Decrase,
Departure, Release.
Death applies to the termination of every form of
existence, both animal and vegetable; the other words only to the
human race. Decease is the term used in law for the
removal of a human being out of life in the ordinary course of
nature. Demise was formerly confined to decease of
princes, but is now sometimes used of distinguished men in
general; as, the demise of Mr. Pitt.
Departure and release are peculiarly terms
of Christian affection and hope. A violent death is
not usually called a decease. Departure
implies a friendly taking leave of life. Release
implies a deliverance from a life of suffering or sorrow.
Death"bed (?), n. The bed in
which a person dies; hence, the closing hours of life of one who
dies by sickness or the like; the last sickness.
That often-quoted passage from Lord Hervey in which the
Queen's deathbed is described.
Thackeray.
Death"bird` (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) Tengmalm's or Richardson's owl
(Nyctale Tengmalmi); -- so called from a superstition
of the North American Indians that its note presages death.
Death"blow` (?), n. A mortal or
crushing blow; a stroke or event which kills or destroys.
The deathblow of my hope.
Byron.
Death"ful (?), a.
1. Full of death or slaughter; murderous;
destructive; bloody.
These eyes behold
The deathful scene.
Pope.
2. Liable to undergo death; mortal.
The deathless gods and deathful earth.
Chapman.
Death"ful*ness, n. Appearance of
death.
Jer. Taylor.
Death"less, a. Not subject to death,
destruction, or extinction; immortal; undying; imperishable;
as, deathless beings; deathless
fame.
Death"like` (?), a.
1. Resembling death.
A deathlike slumber, and a dead repose.
Pope.
2. Deadly. [Obs.]
\'bdDeathlike dragons.\'b8
Shak.
Death"li*ness (?), n. The
quality of being deathly; deadliness.
Southey.
Death"ly, a. Deadly; fatal; mortal;
destructive.
Death"ly, adv. Deadly; as,
deathly pale or sick.
Death's"-head` (?), n. A naked
human skull as the emblem of death; the head of the conventional
personification of death.
I had rather be married to a death's-head with a
bone in his mouth.
Shak.
Death's-head moth (Zo\'94l.), a
very large European moth (Acherontia atropos), so
called from a figure resembling a human skull on the back of the
thorax; -- called also death's-head
sphinx.
Death's"-herb` (?), n. The
deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna).
Dr. Prior.
Deaths"man (?), n. An
executioner; a headsman or hangman. [Obs.]
Shak.
Death"ward (?), adv. Toward
death.
Death"watch` (?; 224), n.
1. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A small
beetle (Anobium tessellatum and other allied species).
By forcibly striking its head against woodwork it makes a ticking
sound, which is a call of the sexes to each other, but has been
imagined by superstitious people to presage death.
(b) A small wingless insect, of the family
Psocid\'91, which makes a similar but fainter sound;
-- called also deathtick.
She is always seeing apparitions and hearing
deathwatches.
Addison.
I did not hear the dog howl, mother, or the
deathwatch beat.
Tennyson.
2. The guard set over a criminal before his
execution.
De*au"rate (?), a. [L.
deauratus, p. p. of deaurare to gild;
de- + aurum gold.] Gilded.
[Obs.]
De*au"rate (?), v. t. To
gild. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De`au*ra"tion (?), n. Act of
gilding. [Obs.]
Deave (?), v. t. [See
Deafen.] To stun or stupefy with noise; to
deafen. [Scot.]
De*bac"chate (?), v. i. [L.
debacchatus, p. p. of debacchari to rage;
de- + bacchari to rage like a
bacchant.] To rave as a bacchanal.
[R.]
Cockeram.
De`bac*cha"tion (?), n. [L.
debacchatio.] Wild raving or
debauchery. [R.]
Prynne.
De*ba"cle (?), n. [F.
d\'82b\'83cle, fr. d\'82b\'83cler to unbar,
break loose; pref. d\'82- (prob. = L. dis)
+ b\'83cler to bolt, fr. L. baculum a
stick.] (Geol.) A breaking or bursting
forth; a violent rush or flood of waters which breaks down
opposing barriers, and hurls forward and disperses blocks of
stone and other d\'82bris.
De*bar" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Debarred
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Debarring.] [Pref. de- +
bar.] To cut off from entrance, as if by a
bar or barrier; to preclude; to hinder from approach, entry, or
enjoyment; to shut out or exclude; to deny or refuse; -- with
from, and sometimes with of.
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord imposed
Labor, as to debar us when we need
Refreshment.
Milton.
Their wages were so low as to debar them, not only
from the comforts but from the common decencies of civilized
life.
Buckle.
De*barb" (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + L. barba beard.] To
deprive of the beard. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De"bark" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Debarked
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Debarking.] [F.
d\'82barquer; pref. d\'82- (L.
dis-) + barque. See Bark the
vessel, and cf. Disbark.] To go ashore from a
ship or boat; to disembark; to put ashore.
De`bar*ka"tion (?), n.
Disembarkation.
The debarkation, therefore, had to take place by
small steamers.
U. S. Grant.
De*bar"ment (?), n. Hindrance
from approach; exclusion.
De*bar"rass (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82barrasser. See Embarrass.] To
disembarrass; to relieve. [R.]
De*base" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Debased
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Debasing.] [Pref. de- +
base. See Base, a., and cf.
Abase.] To reduce from a higher to a lower
state or grade of worth, dignity, purity, station, etc.; to
degrade; to lower; to deteriorate; to abase; as, to
debase the character by crime; to debase the
mind by frivolity; to debase style by vulgar
words.
The coin which was adulterated and debased.
Hale.
It is a kind of taking God's name in vain to debase
religion with such frivolous disputes.
Hooker.
And to debase the sons, exalts the sires.
Pope.
Syn. -- To abase; degrade. See Abase.
De*based" (?), a. (Her.)
Turned upside down from its proper position; inverted;
reversed.
De*base"ment (?), n. The act of
debasing or the state of being debased.
Milton.
De*bas"er (?), n. One who, or
that which, debases.
De*bas"ing*ly, adv. In a manner to
debase.
De*bat"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF.
debatable. See Debate.] Liable to
be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or contention;
open to question or dispute; as, a debatable
question.
The Debatable Land Ground, a tract of land between the Esk and
the Sark, claimed by both England and Scotland; the Batable
Ground.
De*bate" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr.
& vb. n. Debating.] [OF.
debatre, F. d\'82battre; L. de +
batuere to beat. See Batter, v.
t., and cf. Abate.]
1. To engage in combat for; to strive for.
Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the
cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in
Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
Prescott.
2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive
to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to
argue for and against.
A wise council . . . that did debate this
business.
Shak.
Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself.
Prov. xxv. 9.
Syn. -- To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See
Argue, and Discuss.
De*bate", v. i.
1. To engage in strife or combat; to fight.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Well could he tourney and in lists debate.
Spenser.
2. To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to
deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different
arguments in the mind; -- often followed by on or
upon.
He presents that great soul debating upon the
subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
Tatler.
De*bate", n. [F. d\'82bat,
fr. d\'82battre. See Debate, v.
t.]
1. A fight or fighting; contest; strife.
[Archaic]
On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great
debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . .
fourscore.
R. of Gloucester.
But question fierce and proud reply
Gave signal soon of dire debate.
Sir W. Scott.
2. Contention in words or arguments; discussion for
the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in
argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament
or in Congress.
Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate.
Pope.
3. Subject of discussion. [R.]
Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.
Milton.
De*bate"ful (?), a. Full of
contention; contentious; quarrelsome. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De*bate"ful*ly, adv. With
contention. [Obs.]
De*bate"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF.
debatement a beating.] Controversy;
deliberation; debate. [R.]
A serious question and debatement with myself.
Milton.
De*bat"er (?), n. One who
debates; one given to argument; a disputant; a
controvertist.
Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters.
Shak.
De*bat"ing, n. The act of discussing or
arguing; discussion.
Debating society club, a society or club for the purpose of
debate and improvement in extemporaneous speaking.
De*bat"ing*ly, adv. In the manner of a
debate.
De*bauch" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Debauched
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Debauching.] [F.
d\'82baucher, prob. originally, to entice away from
the workshop; pref. d\'82- (L. dis- or
de) + OF. bauche, bauge, hut,
cf. F. bauge lair of a wild boar; prob. from G. or
Icel., cf. Icel. b\'belkr. See Balk,
n.] To lead away from purity or excellence;
to corrupt in character or principles; to mar; to vitiate; to
pollute; to seduce; as, to debauch one's self by
intemperance; to debauch a woman; to debauch an
army.
Learning not debauched by ambition.
Burke.
A man must have got his conscience thoroughly
debauched and hardened before he can arrive to the
height of sin.
South.
Her pride debauched her judgment and her eyes.
Cowley.
De*bauch", n. [Cf. F.
d\'82bauche.]
1. Excess in eating or drinking; intemperance;
drunkenness; lewdness; debauchery.
The first physicians by debauch were made.
Dryden.
2. An act or occasion of debauchery.
Silenus, from his night's debauch,
Fatigued and sick.
Cowley.
De*bauched" (?), a. Dissolute;
dissipated. \'bdA coarse and debauched look.\'b8
Ld. Lytton.
De*bauch"ed*ly (?), adv. In a
profligate manner.
De*bauch"ed*ness, n. The state of being
debauched; intemperance.
Bp. Hall.
Deb`au*chee" (?), n. [F.
d\'82/bauch\'82, n., properly p. p. of
d\'82baucher. See Debauch, v.
t.] One who is given to intemperance or
bacchanalian excesses; a man habitually lewd; a libertine.
De*bauch"er (?), n. One who
debauches or corrupts others; especially, a seducer to
lewdness.
<-- p. 374 -->
De*bauch"er*y (?), n.; pl.
Debaucheries (/).
1. Corruption of fidelity; seduction from virtue,
duty, or allegiance.
The republic of Paris will endeavor to complete the
debauchery of the army.
Burke.
2. Excessive indulgence of the appetites;
especially, excessive indulgence of lust; intemperance;
sensuality; habitual lewdness.
Oppose . . . debauchery by temperance.
Sprat.
De*bauch"ment (?), n. The act
of corrupting; the act of seducing from virtue or duty.
De*bauch"ness, n. Debauchedness.
[Obs.]
De*beige" (?), n. [F.
de of + beige the natural color of
wool.] A kind of woolen or mixed dress goods.
[Written also debage.]
De*bel" (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82beller. See Debellate.] To
conquer. [Obs.]
Milton.
De*bel"late (?), v. t. [L.
debellatus, p. p. of debellare to subdue;
de- + bellum war.] To subdue; to
conquer in war. [Obs.]
Speed.
Deb`el*la"tion (?), n. [LL.
debellatio.] The act of conquering or
subduing. [Obs.]
\'d8De be"ne es"se (?). [L.]
(Law) Of well being; of formal sufficiency for
the time; conditionally; provisionally.
Abbott.
De*ben"ture (?; 135), n. [L.
debentur they are due, fr. debere to owe;
cf. F. debentur. So called because these receipts
began with the words Debentur mihi.]
1. A writing acknowledging a debt; a writing or
certificate signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due
to some person; the sum thus due.
2. A customhouse certificate entitling an exporter
of imported goods to a drawback of duties paid on their
importation.
Burrill.
It is applied in England to deeds of mortgage given by
railway companies for borrowed money; also to municipal and other
bonds and securities for money loaned.
De*ben"tured (?; 135), a.
Entitled to drawback or debenture; as,
debentured goods.
Deb"ile (?), a. [L.
debilis: cf. F. d\'82bile. See
Debility.] Weak. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*bil"i*tant (?), a. [L.
debilitants, p. pr.] (Med.)
Diminishing the energy of organs; reducing excitement;
as, a debilitant drug.
De*bil"i*tate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Debilitated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Debilitating.] [L.
debilitatus, p. p. of debilitare to
debilitate, fr. debilis. See Debility.]
To impair the strength of; to weaken; to enfeeble; as,
to debilitate the body by intemperance.
Various ails debilitate the mind.
Jenyns.
The debilitated frame of Mr. Bertram was exhausted
by this last effort.
Sir W. Scott.
De*bil`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
debilitatio: cf. F. d\'82bilitation.]
The act or process of debilitating, or the condition of one
who is debilitated; weakness.
De*bil"i*ty (?), n. [L.
debilitas, fr. debilis weak, prob. fr.
de- + habilis able: cf. F.
d\'82bilit\'82. See Able,
a.] The state of being weak; weakness;
feebleness; languor.
The inconveniences of too strong a perspiration, which are
debility, faintness, and sometimes sudden death.
Arbuthnot.
Syn. -- Debility, Infirmity,
Imbecility. An infirmity
belongs, for the most part, to particular members, and is often
temporary, as of the eyes, etc. Debility is more
general, and while it lasts impairs the ordinary functions of
nature. Imbecility attaches to the whole frame, and
renders it more or less powerless. Debility may be
constitutional or may be the result or superinduced causes;
Imbecility is always constitutional;
infirmity is accidental, and results from sickness or
a decay of the frame. These words, in their figurative uses, have
the same distinctions; we speak of infirmity of will,
debility of body, and an Imbecility which
affects the whole man; but Imbecility is often used
with specific reference to feebleness of mind.
Deb"it (?), n. [L.
debitum what is due, debt, from debere to
owe: cf. F. d\'82bit. See Debt.] A
debt; an entry on the debtor (Dr.) side of an account; -- mostly
used adjectively; as, the debit side of an
account.
Deb"it, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Debited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Debiting.]
1. To charge with debt; -- the opposite of, and
correlative to, credit; as, to debit a
purchaser for the goods sold.
2. (Bookkeeping) To enter on the debtor
(Dr.) side of an account; as, to debit the amount of
goods sold.
Deb"it*or (?), n. [L. See
Debtor.] A debtor. [Obs.]
Shak.
De`bi*tu`mi*ni*za"tion (?), n.
The act of depriving of bitumen.
De`bi*tu"mi*nize (?), v. t. To
deprive of bitumen.
\'d8D\'82`blai" (?), n.
[F.] (Fort.) The cavity from which the
earth for parapets, etc. (remblai), is taken.
Deb`o*nair" (?), a. [OE.
debonere, OF. de bon aire,
debonaire, of good descent or lineage, excellent,
debonair, F. d\'82bonnaire debonair; de of
(L. de) + bon good (L. bonus) +
aire. See Air, and Bounty, and cf.
Bonair.] Characterized by courteousness,
affability, or gentleness; of good appearance and manners;
graceful; complaisant.
Was never prince so meek and debonair.
Spenser.
Deb`o*nair"i*ty (?), n. [OF.
debonairet\'82, F.
d\'82bonnairet\'82.] Debonairness.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Deb`o*nair"ly, adv. Courteously;
elegantly.
Deb`o*nair"ness, n. The quality of being
debonair; good humor; gentleness; courtesy.
Sterne.
De*bosh" (?), v. t. [Old form
of debauch.] To debauch.
[Obs.] \'bdA deboshed lady.\'b8
Beau. & Fl.
De*bosh"ment (?), n.
Debauchment. [Obs.]
De*bouch" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Debouched
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Debouching.] [F.
d\'82boucher; pref. d\'82- (L.
dis- or de) + boucher to stop
up, fr. bouche mouth, fr. L. bucca the
cheek. Cf. Disembogue.] To march out from a
wood, defile, or other confined spot, into open ground; to
issue.
Battalions debouching on the plain.
Prescott.
\'d8D\'82`bou`ch\'82" (?), n.
[F.] A place for exit; an outlet; hence, a market
for goods.
The d\'82bouch\'82s were ordered widened to afford
easy egress.
The Century.
\'d8D\'82`bou`chure" (?), n.
[F.] The outward opening of a river, of a valley,
or of a strait.
\'d8D\'82`bris" (?), n. [F.,
fr. pref. d\'82- (L. dis) +
briser to break, shatter; perh. of Celtic
origin.]
1. (Geol.) Broken and detached
fragments, taken collectively; especially, fragments detached
from a rock or mountain, and piled up at the base.
2. Rubbish, especially such as results from the
destruction of anything; remains; ruins.
De*bruised" (?), a. [Cf. OF.
debruisier to shatter, break. Cf.
Bruise.] (Her.) Surmounted by an
ordinary; as, a lion is debruised when a bend or
other ordinary is placed over it, as in the cut.
The lion of England and the lilies of France without the baton
sinister, under which, according to the laws of heraldry, they
where debruised in token of his illegitimate
birth.
Macaulay.
Debt (?), n. [OE.
dette, F. dette, LL. debita, fr.
L. debitus owed, p. p. of debere to owe,
prop., to have on loan; de- + habere to
have. See Habit, and cf. Debit,
Due.]
1. That which is due from one person to another,
whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound
to pay to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing owed;
obligation; liability.
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldier's debt.
Shak.
When you run in debt, you give to another power
over your liberty.
Franklin.
2. A duty neglected or violated; a fault; a sin; a
trespass. \'bdForgive us our debts.\'b8
Matt. vi. 12.
3. (Law) An action at law to recover a
certain specified sum of money alleged to be due.
Burrill.
Bond debt, Book debt,
etc. See under Bond, Book, etc. --
Debt of nature, death.
Debt"ed, p. a. Indebted; obliged
to. [R.]
I stand debted to this gentleman.
Shak.
Debt*ee" (?), n. (Law)
One to whom a debt is due; creditor; -- correlative to
debtor.
Blackstone.
Debt"less (?), a. Free from
debt.
Chaucer.
Debt"or (?), n. [OE.
dettur, dettour, OF. detor,
detur, detour, F. d\'82biteur,
fr. L. debitor, fr. debere to owe. See
Debt.] One who owes a debt; one who is
indebted; -- correlative to creditor.
[I 'll] bring your latter hazard back again,
And thankfully rest debtor for the first.
Shak.
In Athens an insolvent debtor became slave to his
creditor.
Mitford.
Debtors for our lives to you.
Tennyson.
De*bul"li*ate (?), v. i. [Pref.
d\'82- + L. bullire to boil.] To
boil over. [Obs.]
Deb`u*li"tion (?), n. [See
Debulliate.] A bubbling or boiling
over. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*burse" (?), v. t. & i.
[Pref. de + L. bursa purse.]
To disburse. [Obs.]
Ludlow.
De"bu*scope (?), n. [From the
inventor, Debus, a French optician +
-scope.] (Opt.) A modification
of the kaleidoscope; -- used to reflect images so as to form
beautiful designs.
\'d8D\'82`but" (?), n. [F.
d\'82but, prop., the first cast or throw at play, fr.
but aim, mark. See Butt an end.] A
beginning or first attempt; hence, a first appearance before the
public, as of an actor or public speaker.
\'d8D\'82`bu`tant" (?), n.;
fem. D\'82`bu`tante" (/). [F., p.
pr. of d\'82buter to have the first throw, to make
one's d\'82but. See D\'82but.] A
person who makes his (or her) first appearance before the
public.
Dec"a- (?). [Cf. Ten.]
A prefix, from Gr. de`ka, signifying
ten; specifically (Metric System), a prefix
signifying the weight or measure that is ten times the
principal unit.
\'d8De*cac`e*ra"ta (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. de`ka ten + ke`ras a
horn.] (Zo\'94l.) The division of
Cephalopoda which includes the squids, cuttlefishes, and others
having ten arms or tentacles; -- called also
Decapoda. [Written also
Decacera.] See Dibranchiata.
{ Dec"a*chord (?), Dec`a*chor"don
(?), } n. [Gr.
deka`chordos tenstringed; de`ka ten +
chordj` a string.]
1. An ancient Greek musical instrument of ten
strings, resembling the harp.
2. Something consisting of ten parts.
W. Watson.
Dec`u*cu"mi*na`ted (?), a. [L.
decacuminare to cut off the top. See
Cacuminate.] Having the point or top cut
off. [Obs.]
Bailey.
Dec"ad (?), n. A decade.
Averill was a decad and a half his elder.
Tennyson.
Dec"a*dal (?), a. Pertaining to
ten; consisting of tens.
Dec"ade (?), n. [F.
d\'82cade, L. decas, -adis, fr.
Gr. /, fr. / ten. See Ten.] A group or
division of ten; esp., a period of ten years; a decennium;
as, a decade of years or days; a decade of
soldiers; the second decade of Livy.
[Written also decad.]
During this notable decade of years.
Gladstone.
{ De*ca"dence (?), De*ca"den*cy
(?), } n. [LL.
decadentia; L. de- + cadere to
fall: cf. F. d\'82cadence. See Decay.]
A falling away; decay; deterioration; declension. \'bdThe
old castle, where the family lived in their
decadence.'
Sir W. Scott.
De*ca"dent (?), a. Decaying;
deteriorating.
Dec"a*dist (?), n. A writer of
a book divided into decades; as, Livy was a
decadist. [R.]
Dec"a*gon (?), n. [Pref.
deca- + Gr. / a corner or angle: cf. F.
d\'82cagone.] (Geom.) A plane
figure having ten sides and ten angles; any figure having ten
angles. A regular decagon is one that has all its
sides and angles equal.
De*cag"o*nal (?), a. Pertaining
to a decagon; having ten sides.
{ Dec"a*gram, Dec"a*gramme }
(?), n. [F. d\'82cagramme;
Gr. / ten + F. gramme. See Gram.]
A weight of the metric system; ten grams, equal to about
154.32 grains avoirdupois.
\'d8Dec`a*gyn"i*a (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / ten + / a woman, a female.]
(Bot.) A Linn\'91an order of plants characterized
by having ten styles.
{ Dec`a*gyn"i*an (?),
Dec*cag"y*nous (?), } a.
[Cf. F. d\'82cagyne.] (Bot.)
Belonging to the Decagynia; having ten styles.
Dec`a*he"dral (?), a. Having
ten sides.
Dec`a*he"dron (?), n.; pl. E.
Decahedrons (#), L. Decahedra
(#). [Pref. deca- + Gr.
'e`dra a seat, a base, fr. 'e`zesthai to
sit: cf. F. d\'82ca\'8adre.] (Geom.)
A solid figure or body inclosed by ten plane surfaces.
[Written also, less correctly,
decaedron.]
De*cal`ci*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
The removal of calcareous matter.
De*cal"ci*fy (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decalcified
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decalcifying.] To deprive of calcareous
matter; thus, to decalcify bones is to remove the
stony part, and leave only the gelatin.
{ De*cal`co*ma"ni*a (?),
De*cal`co*ma"nie (?), } n.
[F. d\'82calcomanie.] The art or
process of transferring pictures and designs to china, glass,
marble, etc., and permanently fixing them thereto.
{ Dec"a*li`ter, Dec"a*li`tre }
(?), n. [F. d\'82calitre; Gr.
/ ten + F. litre. See Liter.] A
measure of capacity in the metric system; a cubic volume of ten
liters, equal to about 610.24 cubic inches, that is, 2.642 wine
gallons.
Dec"a*log (?; 115), n.
Decalogue.
De*cal"o*gist (?), n. One who
explains the decalogue.
J. Gregory.
Dec"a*logue (?; 115), n. [F.
d\'82calogue, L. decalogus, fr. Gr. /;
/ ten + / speech, / to speak, to say. See
Ten.] The Ten Commandments or precepts given
by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, and originally written on two
tables of stone.
De*cam"e*ron (?), n. [It.
decamerone, fr. Gr. / ten + / part; though quite
generally supposed to be derived from / day: cf. F.
d\'82cam\'82ron.] A celebrated collection
of tales, supposed to be related in ten days; -- written in the
14th century, by Boccaccio, an Italian.
{ Dec"a*me`ter, Dec"a*me`tre }
(?), n. [F. d\'82cam\'8atre;
Gr. / ten + m\'8atre. See Meter.]
A measure of length in the metric system; ten meters, equal
to about 393.7 inches.
De*camp" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Decamped (?;
215); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decamping.] [F. d\'82camper;
pref. d\'82- (L. dis) + camp
camp. See Camp.]
1. To break up a camp; to move away from a camping
ground, usually by night or secretly.
Macaulay.
2. Hence, to depart suddenly; to run away; --
generally used disparagingly.
The fathers were ordered to decamp, and the house
was once again converted into a tavern.
Goldsmith.
De*camp"ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82campement.] Departure from a camp; a
marching off.
Dec"a*nal (?; 277), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82canal. See Dean.] Pertaining
to a dean or deanery.
His rectorial as well as decanal residence.
Churton.
Decanal side, the side of the choir on which
the dean's tall is placed. -- Decanal stall,
the stall allotted to the dean in the choir, on the right or
south side of the chancel.
Shipley.
\'d8De*can"dri*a (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / ten + /, /, a man.]
(Bot.) A Linn\'91an class of plants characterized
by having ten stamens.
{ De*can"dri*an (?), De*can"drous
(?), } a. [Cf. F.
d\'82candre.] (Bot.) Belonging
to the Decandria; having ten stamens.
Dec"ane (?), n. [See
Deca-.] (Chem.) A liquid
hydrocarbon, C10H22, of the paraffin series,
including several isomeric modifications.
Dec*an"gu*lar (?), a. [Pref.
deca- + angular.] Having ten
angles.
\'d8De*ca"ni (?), a. [L., lit.,
of the dean.] Used of the side of the choir on which
the dean's stall is placed; decanal; -- correlative to
cantoris; as, the decanal, or decani,
side.
De*cant" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decanted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Decanting.] [F.
d\'82canter (cf. It. decantare), prop., to
pour off from the edge of a vessel; pref. d\'82- (L.
de) + OF. cant (It. canto) edge,
border, end. See Cant an edge.] To pour off
gently, as liquor, so as not to disturb the sediment; or to pour
from one vessel into another; as, to decant
wine.
De*can"tate (?), v. t. To
decant. [Obs.]
De`can*ta"tion (?; 277), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82cantation.] The act of
pouring off a clear liquor gently from its lees or sediment, or
from one vessel into another.
De*cant"er (?), n.
1. A vessel used to decant liquors, or for
receiving decanted liquors; a kind of glass bottle used for
holding wine or other liquors, from which drinking glasses are
filled.
2. One who decants liquors.
De*caph"yl*lous (?), a. [Pref.
deca- + Gr. / leaf: cf. F.
d\'82caphylle.] (Bot.) Having
ten leaves.
De*cap"i*tate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decapitated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Decapitating.] [LL.
decapitatus, p. p. of decapitare; L.
de- + caput head. See
Chief.]
1. To cut off the head of; to behead.
2. To remove summarily from office.
[Colloq. U. S.]
De*cap`i*ta"tion (?), n. [LL.
decapitatio: cf. F. d\'82capitation.]
The act of beheading; beheading.
Dec"a*pod (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82capode.] (Zo\'94l.) A
crustacean with ten feet or legs, as a crab; one of the Decapoda.
Also used adjectively.
<-- p. 375 -->
\'d8De*cap"o*da (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / ten + /, /, foot.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) The order of Crustacea
which includes the shrimps, lobsters, crabs, etc.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A division of the
dibranchiate cephalopods including the cuttlefishes and squids.
See Decacera.
{ Dec*cap"o*dal (?),
Dec*cap"o*dous (?), } a.
(Zo\'94l.) Belonging to the decapods; having ten
feet; ten-footed.
De*car"bon*ate (?), v. t. To
deprive of carbonic acid.
De*car`bon*i*za"tion (?), n.
The action or process of depriving a substance of
carbon.
De*car"bon*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decarbonized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decarbonizing.] To deprive of carbon;
as, to decarbonize steel; to decarbonize
the blood.
Decarbonized iron. See Malleable
iron. -- Decarbonized steel, homogenous
wrought iron made by a steel process, as that of Bessemer; ingot
iron.
De*car"bon*i`zer (?), n. He
who, or that which, decarbonizes a substance.
De*car`bu*ri*za"tion (?), n.
The act, process, or result of decarburizing.
De*car"bu*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of carbon; to remove the carbon from.
De*card" (?), v. t. To
discard. [Obs.]
You have cast those by, decarded them.
J. Fletcher.
De*car"di*nal*ize (?), v. t. To
depose from the rank of cardinal.
Dec"a*stere (?), n. [L.
d\'82cast\'8are; Gr. / ten + F. st\'8are
a stere.] (Metric System) A measure of
capacity, equal to ten steres, or ten cubic meters.
Dec"a*stich (?), n. [Pref.
deca- + Gr. / a row, a line of writing, a
verse.] A poem consisting of ten lines.
Dec"a*style (?), a. [Gr. /;
/ ten + / a column.] (Arch.) Having ten
columns in front; -- said of a portico, temple, etc. --
n. A portico having ten pillars or columns
in front.
Dec`a*syl*lab"ic (?), a. [Pref.
deca- + syllabic: cf. F.
d\'82casyllabique, d\'82casyllable.]
Having, or consisting of, ten syllables.
Dec`a*to"ic (?), a.
(Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from,
decane.
De*cay" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Decayed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decaying.] [OF. decaeir,
dechaer, decheoir, F.
d\'82choir, to decline, fall, become less; L.
de- + cadere to fall. See
Chance.] To pass gradually from a sound,
prosperous, or perfect state, to one of imperfection, adversity,
or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become
weak, corrupt, or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a
tree decays; fortunes decay; hopes
decay.
Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay.
Goldsmith.
De*cay", v. t.
1. To cause to decay; to impair.
[R.]
Infirmity, that decays the wise.
Shak.
2. To destroy. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*cay", n.
1. Gradual failure of health, strength, soundness,
prosperity, or of any species of excellence or perfection;
tendency toward dissolution or extinction; corruption;
rottenness; decline; deterioration; as, the decay of
the body; the decay of virtue; the decay of the
Roman empire; a castle in decay.
Perhaps my God, though he be far before,
May turn, and take me by the hand, and more -
May strengthen my decays.
Herbert.
His [Johnson's] failure was not to be ascribed to intellectual
decay.
Macaulay.
Which has caused the decay of the consonants to
follow somewhat different laws.
James Byrne.
2. Destruction; death. [Obs.]
Spenser.
3. Cause of decay. [R.]
He that plots to be the only figure among ciphers, is the
decay of the whole age.
Bacon.
Syn. -- Decline; consumption. See Decline.
De*cayed" (?), a. Fallen, as to
physical or social condition; affected with decay; rotten;
as, decayed vegetation or vegetables; a
decayed fortune or gentleman. --
De*cay"ed*ness (#),
n.
De*cay"er (?), n. A causer of
decay. [R.]
De*cease" (?), n. [OE.
deses, deces, F. d\'82c\'8as,
fr. L. decessus departure, death, fr.
decedere to depart, die; de- +
cedere to withdraw. See Cease,
Cede.] Departure, especially departure from
this life; death.
His decease, which he should accomplish at
Jerusalem.
Luke ix. 31.
And I, the whilst you mourn for his decease,
Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase.
Spenser.
Syn. -- Death; departure; dissolution; demise; release. See
Death.
De*cease", v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Deceased (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Deceasing.] To depart from
this life; to die; to pass away.
She's dead, deceased, she's dead.
Shak.
When our summers have deceased.
Tennyson.
Inasmuch as he carries the malignity and the lie with him, he
so far deceases from nature.
Emerson.
De*ceased" (?), a. Passed away;
dead; gone.
The deceased, the dead person.
De*cede" (?), v. i. [L.
decedere. See Decease, n.]
To withdraw. [Obs.]
Fuller.
De*ce"dent (?), a. [L.
decedens, p. pr. of decedere.]
Removing; departing.
Ash.
De*ce"dent, n. A deceased person.
Bouvier.
De*ceit" (?), n. [OF.
deceit, des/ait, decept (cf.
deceite, de/oite), fr. L.
deceptus deception, fr. decipere. See
Deceive.]
1. An attempt or disposition to deceive or lead
into error; any declaration, artifice, or practice, which
misleads another, or causes him to believe what is false; a
contrivance to entrap; deception; a wily device; fraud.
Making the ephah small and the shekel great, and falsifying
the balances by deceit.
Amos viii. 5.
Friendly to man, far from deceit or guile.
Milton.
Yet still we hug the dear deceit.
N. Cotton.
2. (Law) Any trick, collusion,
contrivance, false representation, or underhand practice, used to
defraud another. When injury is thereby effected, an action
of deceit, as it called, lies for compensation.
Syn. -- Deception; fraud; imposition; duplicity; trickery;
guile; falsifying; double-dealing; stratagem. See
Deception.
De*ceit"ful (?), a. Full of, or
characterized by, deceit; serving to mislead or insnare;
trickish; fraudulent; cheating; insincere.
Harboring foul deceitful thoughts.
Shak.
De*ceit"ful*ly, adv. With intent to
deceive.
De*ceit"ful*ness, n.
1. The disposition to deceive; as, a man's
deceitfulness may be habitual.
2. The quality of being deceitful; as, the
deceitfulness of a man's practices.
3. Tendency to mislead or deceive. \'bdThe
deceitfulness of riches.\'b8
Matt. xiii. 22.
De*ceit"less, a. Free from deceit.
Bp. Hall.
De*ceiv"a*ble (?), a. [F.
d\'82cevable.]
1. Fitted to deceive; deceitful.
[Obs.]
The fraud of deceivable traditions.
Milton.
2. Subject to deceit; capable of being
misled.
Blind, and thereby deceivable.
Milton.
De*ceiv"a*ble*ness, n.
1. Capability of deceiving.
With all deceivableness of unrighteousness.
2 Thess. ii. 10.
2. Liability to be deceived or misled; as, the
deceivableness of a child.
De*ceiv"a*bly, adv. In a deceivable
manner.
De*ceive" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deceived
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deceiving.] [OE. deceveir,
F. d\'82cevoir, fr. L. decipere to catch,
insnare, deceive; de- + capere to take,
catch. See Capable, and cf. Deceit,
Deception.]
1. To lead into error; to cause to believe what is
false, or disbelieve what is true; to impose upon; to mislead; to
cheat; to disappoint; to delude; to insnare.
Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim. iii. 13.
Nimble jugglers that deceive the eye.
Shak.
What can 'scape the eye
Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart?
Milton.
2. To beguile; to amuse, so as to divert the
attention; to while away; to take away as if by deception.
These occupations oftentimes deceived
The listless hour.
Wordsworth.
3. To deprive by fraud or stealth; to
defraud. [Obs.]
Plant fruit trees in large borders, and set therein fine
flowers, but thin and sparingly, lest they deceive the
trees.
Bacon.
Syn. -- Deceive, Delude,
Mislead. Deceive is a general
word applicable to any kind of misrepresentation affecting faith
or life. To delude, primarily, is to make sport of, by
deceiving, and is accomplished by playing upon one's imagination
or credulity, as by exciting false hopes, causing him to
undertake or expect what is impracticable, and making his failure
ridiculous. It implies some infirmity of judgment in the victim,
and intention to deceive in the deluder. But it is often used
reflexively, indicating that a person's own weakness has made him
the sport of others or of fortune; as, he deluded
himself with a belief that luck would always favor him.
To mislead is to lead, guide, or direct in a wrong
way, either willfully or ignorantly.
De*ceiv"er (?), n. One who
deceives; one who leads into error; a cheat; an impostor.
The deceived and the deceiver are his.
Job xii. 16.
Syn. -- Deceiver, Impostor.
A deceiver operates by stealth and in private upon
individuals; an impostor practices his arts on the
community at large. The one succeeds by artful falsehoods, the
other by bold assumption. The faithless friend and the fickle
lover are deceivers; the false prophet and the
pretended prince are impostors.
De*cem"ber (?), n. [F.
d\'82cembre, from L. December, fr.
decem ten; this being the tenth month among the early
Romans, who began the year in March. See Ten.]
1. The twelfth and last month of the year,
containing thirty-one days. During this month occurs the winter
solstice.
2. Fig.: With reference to the end of the year and
to the winter season; as, the December of his
life.
De`cem*den"tate (?), a. [L.
decem ten + E. dentate.] Having
ten points or teeth.
De*cem"fid (?), a. [L.
decem ten + root of findere to
cleave.] (Bot.) Cleft into ten parts.
De`cem*loc"u*lar (?), a. [L.
decem ten + E. locular.]
(Bot.) Having ten cells for seeds.
De*cem"pe*dal (?), a. [L.
decem ten + E. pedal.]
1. Ten feet in length.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having ten feet;
decapodal. [R.]
Bailey.
De*cem"vir (?), n.; pl. E.
Decemvirs (#), L. Decemviri
(#). [L., fr. decem ten +
vir a man.]
1. One of a body of ten magistrates in ancient
Rome.
decemvirs was given to
various bodies of Roman magistrates. The most celebrated
decemvirs framed \'bdthe laws of the Twelve Tables,\'b8 about 450
B. C., and had absolute authority for three
years.
2. A member of any body of ten men in
authority.
De*cem"vi*ral (?), a. [L.
decemviralis.] Pertaining to the decemvirs
in Rome.
De*cem"vi*rate (?), n. [L.
decemviratus.]
1. The office or term of office of the decemvirs in
Rome.
2. A body of ten men in authority.
De*cem"vir*ship (?), n. The
office of a decemvir.
Holland.
De"cence (?), n. Decency.
[Obs.]
Dryden.
De"cen*cy (?), n.; pl.
Decencies (#). [L.
decentia, fr. decens: cf. F.
d\'82cence. See Decent.]
1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable,
or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social
intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality;
becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or
indecorum; modesty.
Observances of time, place, and of decency in
general.
Burke.
Immodest words admit of no defense,
For want of decency is want of sense.
Roscommon.
2. That which is proper or becoming.
The external decencies of worship.
Atterbury.
Those thousand decencies, that daily flow
From all her words and actions.
Milton.
De"cene (?), n. [L.
decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the
higher hydrocarbons, C10H20, of the ethylene
series.
De*cen"na*ry (?), n.; pl.
Decennaries (#). [L.
decennium a period of ten years; decem ten
+ annus a year.]
1. A period of ten years.
2. (O. Eng. Law) A tithing consisting of
ten neighboring families.
Burrill.
De*cen"ni*al (?), a. [See
Decennary.] Consisting of ten years;
happening every ten years; as, a decennial period;
decennial games.
Hallam.
De*cen"ni*al, n. A tenth year or tenth
anniversary.
\'d8De*cen"ni*um (?), n.; pl.
Decenniums (#), L. Decennia
(#). [L.] A period of ten
years. \'bdThe present decennium.\'b8
Hallam. \'bdThe last decennium of Chaucer's
life.\'b8
A. W. Ward.
{ De*cen"no*val (?),
De*cen"no*va*ry (?), } a.
[L. decem ten + novem nine.]
Pertaining to the number nineteen; of nineteen years.
[R.]
Holder.
De"cent (?), a. [L.
decens, decentis, p. pr. of
decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to
decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. / to seem good, to
seem, think; cf. Skr. d/c to grant, to give; and
perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F.
d\'82cent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum,
Deig/.]
1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony;
becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent
conduct; decent language.
Shak.
Before his decent steps.
Milton.
2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.
3. Comely; shapely; well-formed.
[Archaic]
A sable stole of cyprus lawn
Over thy decent shoulders drawn.
Milton.
By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed.
Pope.
4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence,
respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying;
as, a decent fortune; a decent
person.
A decent retreat in the mutability of human
affairs.
Burke.
-- De"cent*ly, adv. --
De"cent*ness, n.
De*cen`tral*i*za"tion (?), n.
The action of decentralizing, or the state of being
decentralized. \'bdThe decentralization of
France.\'b8
J. P. Peters.
De*cen"tral*ize (?), v. t. To
prevent from centralizing; to cause to withdraw from the center
or place of concentration; to divide and distribute (what has
been united or concentrated); -- esp. said of authority, or the
administration of public affairs.
De*cep"ti*ble (?), a. Capable
of being deceived; deceivable. Sir T. Browne. --
De*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (/),
n.
De*cep"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82ception, L. deceptio, fr.
decipere, deceptum. See
Deceive.]
1. The act of deceiving or misleading.
South.
2. The state of being deceived or misled.
There is one thing relating either to the action or enjoyments
of man in which he is not liable to deception.
South.
3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive;
false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud.
There was of course room for vast deception.
Motley.
Syn. -- Deception, Deceit, Fraud,
Imposition. Deception usually
refers to the act, and deceit to the habit of the
mind; hence we speak of a person as skilled in
deception and addicted to deceit. The
practice of deceit springs altogether from design, and
that of the worst kind; but a deception does not
always imply aim and intention. It may be undesigned or
accidental. An imposition is an act of deception
practiced upon some one to his annoyance or injury; a
fraud implies the use of stratagem, with a view to
some unlawful gain or advantage.
De*cep"tious (?), a. [LL.
deceptiosus.] Tending deceive;
delusive. [R.]
As if those organs had deceptious functions.
Shak.
De*cep"tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82ceptif. See Deceive.] Tending
to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with false
opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or
appearance.
Language altogether deceptive, and hiding the
deeper reality from our eyes.
Trench.
Deceptive cadence (Mus.), a cadence
on the subdominant, or in some foreign key, postponing the final
close.
De*cep"tive*ly, adv. In a manner to
deceive.
De*cep"tive*ness, n. The power or habit
of deceiving; tendency or aptness to deceive.
De`cep*tiv"i*ty (?), n.
Deceptiveness; a deception; a sham. [R.]
Carlyle.
De*cep"to*ry (?), a. [L.
deceptorius, from decipere.]
Deceptive. [R.]
De*cern" (?), v. t. [L.
decernere. See Decree.]
1. To perceive, discern, or decide.
[Obs.]
Granmer.
2. (Scots Law) To decree; to
adjudge.
<-- p. 376 -->
De*cern"i*ture (?; 135), n.
(Scots Law) A decree or sentence of a
court.
Stormonth.
De*cerp" (?), v. t. [L.
decerpere; de- + carpere to
pluck.] To pluck off; to crop; to gather.
[Obs.]
De*cerpt" (?), a. [L.
decerptus, p. p. of decerpere.]
Plucked off or away. [Obs.]
De*cerp"ti*ble (?), a. That may
be plucked off, cropped, or torn away. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*cerp"tion (?), n.
1. The act of plucking off; a cropping.
2. That which is plucked off or rent away; a
fragment; a piece.
Glanvill.
De`cer*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
decertatio, fr. decertare,
decertatum; de- + certare to
contend.] Contest for mastery; contention;
strife. [R.]
Arnway.
De*ces"sion (?), n. [L.
decessio, fr. decedere to depart. See
Decease, n.] Departure; decrease;
-- opposed to accesion. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
De*charm" (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82charmer. See Charm.] To free
from a charm; to disenchant.
De*chris"tian*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dechristianized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dechristianizing.] To turn from, or
divest of, Christianity.
De*cid"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being decided; determinable.
De*cide" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decided; p. pr.
& vb. n. Deciding.] [L.
dec\'c6dere; de- + caedere to
cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F.
d\'82cider. Cf. Decision.]
1. To cut off; to separate.
[Obs.]
Our seat denies us traffic here;
The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.
Fuller.
2. To bring to a termination, as a question,
controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or
party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to
settle.
So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided
it.
1 Kings xx. 40.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.
Shak.
De*cide", v. i. To determine; to form a
definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision;
as, the court decided in favor of the
defendant.
Who shall decide, when doctors disagree?
Pope.
De*cid"ed (?), a.
1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable;
unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided
advantage. \'bdA more decided taste for
science.\'b8
Prescott.
2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of
fixed purpose; fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a
decided opinion or purpose.
Syn. -- Decided, Decisive.
We call a thing decisive when it has the power or
quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak of
it as decided when it is so fully settled as to leave
no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a
decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is
one about which there is no question; a decisive
victory is one which ends the contest. Decisive is
applied only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a
decisive decree, a decisive judgment.
Decided is applied equally to persons and things. Thus
we speak of a man as decided in his whole of conduct;
and as having a decided disgust, or a
decided reluctance, to certain measures. \'bdA politic
caution, a guarded circumspection, were among the ruling
principles of our forefathers in their most decided
conduct.\'b8 Burke. \'bdThe sentences of superior judges
are final, decisive, and irrevocable.
Blackstone.
De*cid"ed*ly, adv. In a decided manner;
indisputably; clearly; thoroughly.
De*cide"ment (?), n. Means of
forming a decision. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Dec"i*dence (?), n. [L.
decidens falling off.] A falling off.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*cid"er (?), n. One who
decides.
\'d8De*cid"u*a (?; 135), n.
[NL., fr. L. deciduus. See
Deciduous.] (Anat.) The inner
layer of the wall of the uterus, which envelops the embryo, forms
a part of the placenta, and is discharged with it.
\'d8De*cid`u*a"ta (?), n. pl.
[NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of Mammalia
in which a decidua is thrown off with, or after, the fetus, as in
the human species.
De*cid"u*ate (?; 135), a.
(Anat.) Possessed of, or characterized by, a
decidua.
Dec`i*du"i*ty (?), n.
Deciduousness. [R.]
De*cid"u*ous (?; 135), a. [L.
deciduus, fr. dec/dere to fall off;
de- + cadere to fall. See
Chance.] (Biol.) Falling off, or
subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain
stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in
autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers,
etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages,
or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the
deciduous membrane.
De*cid"u*ous*ness, n. The quality or
state of being deciduous.
{ Dec"i*gram, Dec"i*gramme }
(?), n. [F. d\'82cigramme;
pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) +
gramme.] A weight in the metric system; one
tenth of a gram, equal to 1.5432 grains avoirdupois.
{ Dec"il, Dec"ile } (?),
n. [F. d\'82cil, fr. L.
decem ten/ cf. It. decile.]
(Astrol.) An aspect or position of two planets,
when they are distant from each other a tenth part of the zodiac,
or 36
{ Dec"i*li`ter, Dec"i*li`tre }
(?), n. [F. d\'82cilitre;
pref. d\'82ci- tenth (L. decimus) +
litre. See Liter.] A measure of
capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter,
equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.
De*cil"lion (?), n. [L.
decem ten + the ending of million.]
According to the English notation, a million involved to the
tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to
the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the
eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [See
the Note under Numeration.]
De*cil"lionth (?), a.
Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity
divided by a decillion.
De*cil"lionth (?), n. (a)
The quotient of unity divided by a decillion.
(b) One of a decillion equal parts.
Dec"i*mal (?), a. [F.
d\'82cimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr. L.
decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See
Ten, and cf. Dime.] Of or pertaining
to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold
increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next
smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal
coinage.
Decimal arithmetic, the common arithmetic, in
which numeration proceeds by tens. -- Decimal
fraction, a fraction in which the denominator is some
power of 10, as /, /, and is usually not expressed, but is
signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as
/2, /25. -- Decimal point, a dot or full
stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left
of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.
Dec"i*mal, n. A number expressed in the
scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as
synonymous with a decimal fraction.
Circulating, Circulatory,
decimal, a decimal fraction in which the
same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as,
0.354354354; -- called also recurring decimal,
repeating decimal, and
repetend.
Dec"i*mal*ism (?), n. The
system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures,
etc.
Dec"i*mal*ize (?), v. t. To
reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the
currency. -- Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion
(#), n.
Dec"i*mal*ly, adv. By tens; by means of
decimals.
Dec"i*mate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decimated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating
(?).] [L. decimatus, p. p.
of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr.
decimus tenth. See Decimal.]
1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe.
Johnson.
2. To select by lot and punish with death every
tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a
punishment for mutiny.
Macaulay.
3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to
decimate an army in battle; to decimate a
people by disease.
Dec`i*ma"tion (?), n. [L.
decimatio: cf. F. d\'82cimation.]
1. A tithing. [Obs.]
State Trials (1630).
2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for
punishment.
Shak.
3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of
people by pestilence or war.
Milman.
Dec"i*ma`tor (?), n. [Cf. LL.
decimator.] One who decimates.
South.
\'d8D\'82`cime" (?), n.
[F.] A French coin, the tenth part of a franc,
equal to about two cents.
{ Dec"i*me`ter, Dec"i*me`tre }
(?), n. [F. d\'82cim\'8atre;
pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) +
m\'8atre. See Meter.] A measure of
length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937
inches.
Dec`i*mo*sex"to (?), n. [Prop.,
in sixteenth; fr. L. decimus tenth + sextus
sixth.] A book consisting of sheets, each of which is
folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less
definitely, a size of book; -- usually written 16mo or
16
Dec`i*mo*sex"to, a. Having sixteen
leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book,
leaf, size.
De"cine (?; 104), n. [From L.
decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the
higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the
acetylene series; -- called also
decenylene.
De*ci"pher (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deciphered
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deciphering.] [Pref. de- +
cipher. Formed in imitation of F.
d\'82chiffrer. See Cipher.]
1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers
into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter
written in secret characters.
2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the
meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly
obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.
3. To stamp; to detect; to discover.
[R.]
You are both deciphered, . . .
For villains.
Shak.
De*ci"pher*a*ble (?), a.
Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not
decipherable.
De*ci"pher*er (?), n. One who
deciphers.
De*ci"pher*ess (?), n. A woman
who deciphers.
De*ci"pher*ment (?), n. The act
of deciphering.
De*cip"i*en*cy (?), n. [L.
decipiens, p. pr. of decipere. See
Deceive.] State of being deceived;
hallucination. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*cip"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr.
L. decipere to deceive.] (Chem.)
A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium,
yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently
called samarium. Symbol Dp. See
Samarium.
De*ci"sion (?), n. [L.
decisio, fr. dec\'c6dere,
decisum: cf. F. d\'82cision. See
Decide.]
1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a
part. [Obs.]
Bp. Pearson.
2. The act of deciding; act of settling or
terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter
at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement;
conclusion.
The decision of some dispute.
Atterbury.
3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially
of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question
or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a
decision of the Supreme Court.
4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed
determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great
decision.
Syn. -- Decision, Determination,
Resolution. Each of these words has two
meanings, one implying the act of deciding, determining, or
resolving; and the other a habit of mind as to doing.
It is in the last sense that the words are here compared.
Decision is a cutting short. It implies
that several courses of action have been presented to the mind,
and that the choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore,
a union of promptitude and energy. Determination is
the natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of a
thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is
the necessary result in a mind which is characterized by
firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves) all
doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in carrying out
one's determinations. Martin Luther was equally distinguished for
his prompt decision, his steadfast
determination, and his inflexible
resolution.
De*ci*sive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82cisif. See Decision.]
1. Having the power or quality of deciding a
question or controversy; putting an end to contest or
controversy; final; conclusive. \'bdA decisive,
irrevocable doom.\'b8 Bates. \'bdDecisive
campaign.\'b8 Macaulay. \'bdDecisive
proof.\'b8
Hallam.
2. Marked by promptness and decision.
A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive
character.
J. Foster.
Syn. -- Decided; positive; conclusive. See
Decided.
-- De*ci"sive*ly, adv. --
De*ci"sive*ness, n.
De*ci"so*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82cisoire. See Decision.] Able
to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide.
[R.]
Dec"i*stere (?), n. [F.
d\'82cist\'8are; pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr.
L. decimus) + st\'8are a stere.]
(Metric System) The tenth part of the stere or
cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere.
De*cit"i*zen*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.]
We have no law -- as the French have -- to
decitizenize a citizen.
Edw. Bates.
De*civ"i*lize (?), v. t. To
reduce from civilization to a savage state.
[R.]
Blackwood's Mag.
Deck (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decked (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Decking.]
[D. dekken to cover; akin to E.
thatch. See Thatch.]
1. To cover; to overspread.
To deck with clouds the uncolored sky.
Milton.
2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially,
to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn;
to embellish.
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency.
Job xl. 10.
And deck my body in gay ornaments.
Shak.
The dew with spangles decked the ground.
Dryden.
3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel.
Deck, n. [D. dek. See
Deck, v.]
1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal
sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one
deck; larger ships have two or three decks.
Berth deck (Navy), a deck next
below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are
swung. -- Boiler deck (River
Steamers), the deck on which the boilers are
placed. -- Flush deck, any continuous,
unbroken deck from stem to stern. -- Gun deck
(Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the
ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper
one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower
gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle
gun deck. -- Half-deck, that portion of
the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast
and the cabin. -- Hurricane deck (River
Steamers, etc.), the upper deck, usually a light deck,
erected above the frame of the hull. -- Orlop
deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are
stowed, usually below the water line. -- Poop
deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop
cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast
aft. -- Quarter-deck, the part of the upper
deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is
one. -- Spar deck. (a) Same as the
upper deck. (b) Sometimes a light deck fitted
over the upper deck. -- Upper deck, the
highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.
2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a
mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.
3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger
car.
4. A pack or set of playing cards.
The king was slyly fingered from the deck.
Shak.
5. A heap or store. [Obs.]
Who . . . hath such trinkets
Ready in the deck.
Massinger.
Between decks. See under
Between. -- Deck bridge (Railroad
Engineering), a bridge which carries the track upon the
upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge,
which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the
girders. -- Deck curb (Arch.), a
curb supporting a deck in roof construction. -- Deck
floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as
a roof, as of a belfry or balcony. -- Deck hand,
a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected
to go aloft. -- Deck molding (Arch.),
the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction
with the lower slope of the roof. -- Deck roof
(Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not
surmounted by parapet walls. -- Deck transom
(Shipbuilding), the transom into which the deck is
framed. -- To clear the decks (Naut.),
to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for
battle; to prepare for action. -- To sweep the
deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the
stakes on the table by winning them.
Deck"el (?), n. (Paper
Making) Same as Deckle.
Deck"er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a
coverer; as, a table decker.
2. A vessel which has a deck or decks; -- used esp.
in composition; as, a single-decker; a
three-decker.
Dec"kle (?), n. [Cf. G.
deckel cover, lid.] (Paper Making)
A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a
hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which
rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine and
determines the width of the paper. [Spelt also
deckel, and deckle.]
De*claim" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Declaimed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Declaiming.] [L. declamare;
de- + clamare to cry out: cf. F.
d\'82clamer. See Claim.]
1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech
or oration; to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem,
etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public
speaking; as, the students declaim twice a
week.
2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak
pompously, noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to
rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant.
Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the
repeal of the stamp act.
Bancroft.
<-- p. 377 -->
De*claim" (?), v. t.
1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical
or set manner.
2. To defend by declamation; to advocate
loudly. [Obs.] \'bdDeclaims his
cause.\'b8
South.
De*claim"ant (?), n. A
declaimer. [R.]
De*claim"er (?), n. One who
declaims; an haranguer.
Dec`la*ma"tion (?), n. [L.
declamatio, from declamare: cf. F.
d\'82clamation. See Declaim.]
1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical
delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the
public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and
colleges; as, the practice declamation by
students.
The public listened with little emotion, but with much
civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation.
Macaulay.
2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.
3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound
than sense; as, mere declamation.
Dec"la*ma`tor (?), n.
[L.] A declaimer. [R.]
Sir T. Elyot.
De*clam"a*to*ry (?), a. [L.
declamatorius: cf. F.
d\'82clamatoire.]
1. Pertaining to declamation; treated in the manner
of a rhetorician; as, a declamatory
theme.
2. Characterized by rhetorical display;
pretentiously rhetorical; without solid sense or argument;
bombastic; noisy; as, a declamatory way or
style.
De*clar"a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being declared.
Sir T. Browne.
De*clar"ant (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82clarant, p. pr. of d\'82clarer.]
(Law) One who declares.
Abbott.
Dec`la*ra"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82claration, fr. L. declaratio, fr.
declarare. See Declare.]
1. The act of declaring, or publicly announcing;
explicit asserting; undisguised token of a ground or side taken
on any subject; proclamation; exposition; as, the
declaration of an opinion; a declaration of
war, etc.
2. That which is declared or proclaimed;
announcement; distinct statement; formal expression;
avowal.
Declarations of mercy and love . . . in the
Gospel.
Tillotson.
3. The document or instrument containing such
statement or proclamation; as, the Declaration of
Independence (now preserved in Washington).
In 1776 the Americans laid before Europe that noble
Declaration, which ought to be hung up in the nursery
of every king, and blazoned on the porch of every royal
palace.
Buckle.
4. (Law) That part of the process in
which the plaintiff sets forth in order and at large his cause of
complaint; the narration of the plaintiff's case containing the
count, or counts. See Count, n., 3.
Declaration of Independence. (Amer.
Hist.) See under Independence. --
Declaration of rights. (Eng. Hist) See
Bill of rights, under Bill. --
Declaration of trust (Law), a paper
subscribed by a grantee of property, acknowledging that he holds
it in trust for the purposes and upon the terms set
forth.
Abbott.
De*clar"a*tive (?), a. [L.
declarativus, fr. declarare: cf. F.
d\'82claratif.] Making declaration,
proclamation, or publication; explanatory; assertive;
declaratory. \'bdDeclarative laws.\'b8
Baker.
The \'bdvox populi,\'b8 so declarative on the same
side.
Swift.
De*clar"a*tive*ly, adv. By distinct
assertion; not impliedly; in the form of a declaration.
The priest shall expiate it, that is,
declaratively.
Bates.
Dec"la*ra`tor (?), n. [L., an
announcer.] (Scots Law) A form of action by
which some right or interest is sought to be judicially
declared.
De*clar"a*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In
a declaratory manner.
De*clar"a*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82claratoire.] Making declaration,
explanation, or exhibition; making clear or manifest;
affirmative; expressive; as, a clause declaratory of
the will of the legislature.
Declaratory act (Law), an act or
statute which sets forth more clearly, and declares what is, the
existing law.
De*clare" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p.
Declared (#); p. pr. &
vb. n. Declaring.]
[F. d\'82clarer, from L. declarare;
de + clarare to make clear,
clarus, clear, bright. See Clear.]
1. To make clear; to free from obscurity.
[Obs.] \'bdTo declare this a little.\'b8
Boyle.
2. To make known by language; to communicate or
manifest explicitly and plainly in any way; to exhibit; to
publish; to proclaim; to announce.
This day I have begot whom I declare
My only Son.
Milton.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
Ps. xix. 1.
3. To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; to
set forth; to avow; as, he declares the story to be
false.
I the Lord . . . declare things that are right.
Isa. xlv. 19.
4. (Com.) To make full statement of, as
goods, etc., for the purpose of paying taxes, duties, etc.
To declare off, to recede from an agreement,
undertaking, contract, etc.; to renounce. -- To declare
one's self, to avow one's opinion; to show openly what
one thinks, or which side he espouses.
De*clare", v. i.
1. To make a declaration, or an open and explicit
avowal; to proclaim one's self; -- often with for or
against; as, victory declares against the
allies.
Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait,
And then come smiling, and declare for fate.
Dryden.
2. (Law) To state the plaintiff's cause
of action at law in a legal form; as, the plaintiff
declares in trespass.
De*clar"ed*ly (?), adv.
Avowedly; explicitly.
De*clar"ed*ness, n. The state of being
declared.
De*clare"ment (?), n.
Declaration. [Obs.]
De*clar"er (?), n. One who
makes known or proclaims; that which exhibits.
Udall.
De*clen"sion (?), n.
[Apparently corrupted fr. F. d\'82clinaison, fr.
L. declinatio, fr. declinare. See
Decline, and cf. Declination.]
1. The act or the state of declining; declination;
descent; slope.
The declension of the land from that place to the
sea.
T. Burnet.
2. A falling off towards a worse state; a downward
tendency; deterioration; decay; as, the declension
of virtue, of science, of a state, etc.
Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts
To base declension.
Shak.
3. Act of courteously refusing; act of declining; a
declinature; refusal; as, the declension of a
nomination.
4. (Gram.) (a) Inflection of
nouns, adjectives, etc., according to the grammatical
cases. (b) The form of the inflection of a
word declined by cases; as, the first or the second
declension of nouns, adjectives, etc.
(c) Rehearsing a word as declined.
oblique cases, were regarded as
fallings (hence called casus, cases, or fallings) from
the nominative or perpendicular; and an enumerating of the
various forms, being a sort of progressive descent from the
noun's upright form, was called a declension.
Harris.
Declension of the needle, declination of the
needle.
De*clen"sion*al (?), a.
Belonging to declension.
Declensional and syntactical forms.
M. Arnold.
De*clin"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82clinable. See Decline.]
Capable of being declined; admitting of declension or
inflection; as, declinable parts of
speech.
De*clin"al (?), a. Declining;
sloping.
Dec"li*nate (?), a. [L.
declinatus, p. p. of declinare. See
Decline.] Bent downward or aside;
(Bot.) bending downward in a curve; declined.
Dec`li*na"tion (?), n. [L.
declinatio a bending aside, an avoiding: cf. F.
d\'82clination a decadence. See
Declension.]
1. The act or state of bending downward;
inclination; as, declination of the head.
2. The act or state of falling off or declining
from excellence or perfection; deterioration; decay;
decline. \'bdThe declination of monarchy.\'b8
Bacon.
Summer . . . is not looked on as a time
Of declination or decay.
Waller.
3. The act of deviating or turning aside; oblique
motion; obliquity; withdrawal.
The declination of atoms in their descent.
Bentley.
Every declination and violation of the rules.
South.
4. The act or state of declining or refusing;
withdrawal; refusal; averseness.
The queen's declination from marriage.
Stow.
5. (Astron.) The angular distance of any
object from the celestial equator, either northward or
southward.
6. (Dialing) The arc of the horizon,
contained between the vertical plane and the prime vertical
circle, if reckoned from the east or west, or between the
meridian and the plane, reckoned from the north or south.
7. (Gram.) The act of inflecting a word;
declension. See Decline, v. t., 4.
Angle of declination, the angle made by a
descending line, or plane, with a horizontal plane. --
Circle of declination, a circle parallel to the
celestial equator. -- Declination compass
(Physics), a compass arranged for finding the
declination of the magnetic needle. --
Declination of the compass needle, the horizontal angle which the
magnetic needle makes with the true north-and-south
line.
Dec"li*na`tor (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82clinateur. See Decline.]
1. An instrument for taking the declination or
angle which a plane makes with the horizontal plane.
2. A dissentient. [R.]
Bp. Hacket.
De*clin"a*to*ry (?; 277), a.
[LL. declinatorius, fr. L. declinare:
cf. F. d\'82clinatoire.] Containing or
involving a declination or refusal, as of submission to a charge
or sentence.
Blackstone.
Declinatory plea (O. Eng. Law), the
plea of sanctuary or of benefit of clergy, before trial or
conviction; -- now abolished.
De*clin"a*ture (?; 135), n. The
act of declining or refusing; as, the declinature of
an office.
De*cline" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Declined
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Declining.] [OE. declinen to
bend down, lower, sink, decline (a noun), F.
d\'82cliner to decline, refuse, fr. L.
declinare to turn aside, inflect (a part of speech),
avoid; de- + clinare to incline; akin to E.
lean. See Lean, v. i.]
1. To bend, or lean downward; to take a downward
direction; to bend over or hang down, as from weakness,
weariness, despondency, etc.; to condescend. \'bdWith
declining head.\'b8
Shak.
He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his
family.
Lady Hutchinson.
Disdaining to decline,
Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries.
Byron.
The ground at length became broken and declined
rapidly.
Sir W. Scott.
2. To tend or draw towards a close, decay, or
extinction; to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished
or impaired; to fail; to sink; to diminish; to lessen; as,
the day declines; virtue declines; religion
declines; business declines.
That empire must decline
Whose chief support and sinews are of coin.
Waller.
And presume to know . . .
Who thrives, and who declines.
Shak.
3. To turn or bend aside; to deviate; to stray; to
withdraw; as, a line that declines from
straightness; conduct that declines from sound
morals.
Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Ps. cxix. 157.
4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the
opposite of accept or consent; as, he
declined, upon principle.
De*cline", v. t.
1. To bend downward; to bring down; to depress; to
cause to bend, or fall.
In melancholy deep, with head declined.
Thomson.
And now fair Phoebus gan decline in haste
His weary wagon to the western vale.
Spenser.
2. To cause to decrease or diminish.
[Obs.] \'bdYou have declined his
means.\'b8
Beau. & Fl.
He knoweth his error, but will not seek to decline
it.
Burton.
3. To put or turn aside; to turn off or away from;
to refuse to undertake or comply with; reject; to shun; to avoid;
as, to decline an offer; to decline a
contest; he declined any participation with
them.
Could I
Decline this dreadful hour?
Massinger.
4. (Gram.) To inflect, or rehearse in
order the changes of grammatical form of; as, to
decline a noun or an adjective.
After the first declining of a noun and a verb.
Ascham.
5. To run through from first to last; to repeat
like a schoolboy declining a noun. [R.]
Shak.
De*cline" (?), n. [F.
d\'82clin. See Decline, v.
i.]
1. A falling off; a tendency to a worse state;
diminution or decay; deterioration; also, the period when a thing
is tending toward extinction or a less perfect state; as, the
decline of life; the decline of strength; the
decline of virtue and religion.
Their fathers lived in the decline of
literature.
Swift.
2. (Med.) That period of a disorder or
paroxysm when the symptoms begin to abate in violence; as,
the decline of a fever.
3. A gradual sinking and wasting away of the
physical faculties; any wasting disease, esp. pulmonary
consumption; as, to die of a decline.
Dunglison.
Syn. -- Decline, Decay,
Consumption. Decline marks the
first stage in a downward progress; decay indicates
the second stage, and denotes a tendency to ultimate destruction;
consumption marks a steady decay from an internal
exhaustion of strength. The health may experience a
decline from various causes at any period of life; it
is naturally subject to decay with the advance of old
age; consumption may take place at almost any period
of life, from disease which wears out the constitution. In
popular language decline is often used as synonymous
with consumption. By a gradual decline,
states and communities lose their strength and vigor; by
progressive decay, they are stripped of their honor,
stability, and greatness; by a consumption of their
resources and vital energy, they are led rapidly on to a
completion of their existence.
De*clined" (?), a.
Declinate.
De*clin"er (?), n. He who
declines or rejects.
A studious decliner of honors.
Evelyn.
Dec`li*nom"e*ter (?), n.
[Decline + -meter.]
(Physics) An instrument for measuring the
declination of the magnetic needle.
De*clin"ous (?), a.
Declinate.
{ De*cliv"i*tous (?), De*cli"vous
(?), } a. Descending gradually;
moderately steep; sloping; downhill.
De*cliv"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Declivities (#). [L.
declivitas, fr. declivis sloping, downhill;
de + clivus a slope, a hill; akin to
clinare to incline: cf. F. d\'82clivit\'82.
See Decline.]
1. Deviation from a horizontal line; gradual
descent of surface; inclination downward; slope; -- opposed to
acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as
descending, being a declivity, which,
considered as ascending, is an
acclivity.
2. A descending surface; a sloping place.
Commodious declivities and channels for the passage
of the waters.
Derham.
De*coct" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decocted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Decocting.] [L.
decoctus, p. p. of decoquere to boil down;
de- + coquere to cook, boil. See
Cook to decoct.]
1. To prepare by boiling; to digest in hot or
boiling water; to extract the strength or flavor of by boiling;
to make an infusion of.
2. To prepare by the heat of the stomach for
assimilation; to digest; to concoct.
3. To warm, strengthen, or invigorate, as if by
boiling. [R.] \'bdDecoct their cold
blood.\'b8
Shak.
De*coct"i*ble (?), a. Capable
of being boiled or digested.
De*coc"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82coction, L. decoctio.]
1. The act or process of boiling anything in a
watery fluid to extract its virtues.
In decoction . . . it either purgeth at the top or
settleth at the bottom.
Bacon.
2. An extract got from a body by boiling it in
water.
If the plant be boiled in water, the strained liquor is called
the decoction of the plant.
Arbuthnot.
In pharmacy decoction is opposed to infusion, where
there is merely steeping.
Latham.
De*coc"ture (?; 135), n. A
decoction. [R.]
De*col"late (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decollated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Decollating.] [L.
decollatus, p. p. of decollare to behead;
de- + collum neck.] To sever
from the neck; to behead; to decapitate.
The decollated head of St. John the Baptist.
Burke.
De*col"la*ted (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Decapitated; worn or cast off in the
process of growth, as the apex of certain univalve shells.
De`col*la"tion (?), n. [L.
decollatio: cf. F. d\'82collation.]
1. The act of beheading or state of one beheaded;
-- especially used of the execution of St. John the
Baptist.
2. A painting representing the beheading of a saint
or martyr, esp. of St. John the Baptist.
\'d8D\'82`col`le*t\'82" (?), a.
[F., p. p. of d\'82colleter to bare the neck and
shoulders; d\'82- + collet collar, fr. L.
collum neck.] Leaving the neck and
shoulders uncovered; cut low in the neck, or low-necked, as a
dress.
De*col"ling (?), n.
Beheading. [R.]
By a speedy dethroning and decolling of the
king.
Parliamentary History (1648).
De*col"or (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82colorer, L. decolorare. Cf.
Discolor.] To deprive of color; to
bleach.
De*col"or*ant (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82colorant, p. pr.] A substance which
removes color, or bleaches.
De*col"or*ate (?), a. [L.
decoloratus, p. p. of decolorare.]
Deprived of color.
De*col"or*ate (?), v. t. To
decolor.
<-- p. 378 -->
De*col`or*a"tion (?), n. [L.
decoloratio: cf. F. d\'82coloration.]
The removal or absence of color.
Ferrand.
De*col"or*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of color; to whiten. Turner. --
De*col`or*i*za"tion (#),
n.
De"com*plex` (?), a. [Pref.
de- (intens.) + complex.]
Repeatedly compound; made up of complex constituents.
De`com*pos"a*ble (?), a.
Capable of being resolved into constituent elements.
De`com*pose" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decomposed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decomposing.] [Cf. F.
d\'82composer. Cf. Discompose.] To
separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into original
elements; to set free from previously existing forms of chemical
combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or decay.
De`com*pose", v. i. To become resolved
or returned from existing combinations; to undergo dissolution;
to decay; to rot.
De`com*posed" (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Separated or broken up; -- said of the
crest of birds when the feathers are divergent.
De`com*pos"ite (?), a. [Pref.
de- (intens.) + composite.]
1. Compounded more than once; compounded with
things already composite.
2. (Bot.) See Decompound,
a., 2.
De`com*pos"ite, n. Anything
decompounded.
Decomposites of three metals or more.
Bacon.
De*com`po*si"tion (?), n.
[Pref. de- (in sense 3 intensive) +
composition: cf. F. d\'82composition. Cf.
Decomposition.]
1. The act or process of resolving the constituent
parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts;
separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or
dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of
the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the
decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.
2. The state of being reduced into original
elements.
3. Repeated composition; a combination of
compounds. [Obs.]
Decomposition of forces. Same as
Resolution of forces, under Resolution.
-- Decomposition of light, the division of light
into the prismatic colors.
De`com*pound" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decompounded;
p. pr. & vb. n. Decompounding.]
[Pref. de- (intens. in sense 1) +
compound, v. t.]
1. To compound or mix with that is already
compound; to compound a second time.
2. To reduce to constituent parts; to
decompose.
It divides and decompounds objects into . . .
parts.
Hazlitt.
De`com*pound", a. [Pref. de-
(intens.) + compound, a.]
1. Compound of what is already compounded;
compounded a second time.
2. (Bot.) Several times compounded or
divided, as a leaf or stem; decomposite.
De`com*pound", n. A decomposite.
De`com*pound"a*ble (?), a.
Capable of being decompounded.
De`con*cen"trate (?), v. t. To
withdraw from concentration; to decentralize.
[R.]
De*con`cen*tra"tion (?), n. Act
of deconcentrating. [R.]
De`con*coct" (?), v. t. To
decompose. [R.]
Fuller.
De*con"se*crate (?), v. t. To
deprive of sacredness; to secularize. --
De*con`se*cra"tion (#),
n.
Dec"o*ra*ment (?), n. [L.
decoramentum. See Decorate, v.
t.] Ornament. [Obs.]
Bailey.
Dec"o*rate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decorated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decorating
(?).] [L. decoratus, p. p.
of decorare, fr. decus ornament; akin to
decere to be becoming. See Decent.]
To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or
honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to
decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to
decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the
mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with
honors.
Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets
decorated her arms.
Thackeray.
Syn. -- To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See
Adorn.
Decorated style (Arch.), a name
given by some writers to the perfected English Gothic
architecture; it may be considered as having flourished from
about a. d. 1300 to a. d. 1375.
Dec`o*ra"tion (?), n. [LL.
decoratio: cf. F. d\'82coration.]
1. The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring;
ornamentation.
2. That which adorns, enriches, or beautifies;
something added by way of embellishment; ornament.
The hall was celebrated for . . . the richness of its
decoration.
Motley.
3. Specifically, any mark of honor to be worn upon
the person, as a medal, cross, or ribbon of an order of
knighthood, bestowed for services in war, great achievements in
literature, art, etc.
Decoration Day, a day, May 30, appointed for
decorating with flowers the graves of the Union soldiers and
sailors, who fell in the Civil War in the United States; Memorial
Day. [U.S.]
Dec"o*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82coratif.] Suited to decorate or
embellish; adorning. --
Dec"o*ra*tive*ness, n.
Decorative art, fine art which has for its end
ornamentation, rather than the representation of objects or
events.
Dec"o*ra`tor (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82corateur.] One who decorates, adorns,
or embellishes; specifically, an artisan whose business is the
decoration of houses, esp. their interior decoration.
De*core" (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82corer. See Decorate.] To
decorate; to beautify. [Obs.]
To decore and beautify the house of God.
E. Hall.
De*core"ment (?), n.
Ornament. [Obs.]
De*co"rous (?; 277), a. [L.
dec/rus, fr. decor comeliness, beauty;
akin to decere. See Decent, and cf.
Decorum.] Suitable to a character, or to the
time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum; becoming; proper;
seemly; befitting; as, a decorous speech;
decorous behavior; a decorous dress for a
judge.
A decorous pretext the war.
Motley.
-- De*co"rous*ly, adv. --
De*co"rous*ness, n.
De*cor"ti*cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decorticated;
p. pr. & vb. n. Decorticating.]
[L. decorticatus, p. p. of decorticare
to bark; de- + cortex bark.] To
divest of the bark, husk, or exterior coating; to husk; to peel;
to hull. \'bdGreat barley dried and
decorticated.\'b8
Arbuthnot.
De*cor`ti*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
decorticatio: cf. F.
d\'82cortication.] The act of stripping off
the bark, rind, hull, or outer coat.
De*cor"ti*ca`tor (?), n. A
machine for decorticating wood, hulling grain, etc.; also, an
instrument for removing surplus bark or moss from fruit
trees.
De*cor"um (?), n. [L.
dec/rum, fr. dec/rus. See
Decorous.] Propriety of manner or conduct;
grace arising from suitableness of speech and behavior to one's
own character, or to the place and occasion; decency of conduct;
seemliness; that which is seemly or suitable.
Negligent of the duties and decorums of his
station.
Hallam.
If your master
Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him,
That majesty, to keep decorum, must
No less beg than a kingdom.
Shak.
Syn. -- Decorum, Dignity.
Decorum, in accordance with its etymology, is that
which is becoming in outward act or appearance;
as, the decorum of a public assembly.
Dignity springs from an inward elevation of soul
producing a corresponding effect on the manners; as,
dignity of personal appearance.
De*coy" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decoyed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decoying.] [Pref. de- +
coy; orig., to quiet, soothe, caress, entice. See
Coy.] To lead into danger by artifice; to
lure into a net or snare; to entrap; to insnare; to allure; to
entice; as, to decoy troops into an ambush; to
decoy ducks into a net.
Did to a lonely cot his steps decoy.
Thomson.
E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.
Goldsmith.
Syn. -- To entice; tempt; allure; lure. See
Allure.
De*coy", n.
1. Anything intended to lead into a snare; a lure
that deceives and misleads into danger, or into the power of an
enemy; a bait.
2. A fowl, or the likeness of one, used by
sportsmen to entice other fowl into a net or within shot.
3. A place into which wild fowl, esp. ducks, are
enticed in order to take or shoot them.
4. A person employed by officers of justice, or
parties exposed to injury, to induce a suspected person to commit
an offense under circumstances that will lead to his
detection.
De*coy"-duck` (?), n. A duck
used to lure wild ducks into a decoy; hence, a person employed to
lure others into danger.
Beau. & Fl.
De*coy"er (?), n. One who
decoys another.
De*coy"-man` (?), n.; pl.
Decoy-men (/). A man employed in
decoying wild fowl.
De*crease" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Decreased
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decreasing.] [OE. decrecen,
fr. OF. decreistre, F. d\'82cro\'8ctre, or
from the OF. noun (see Decrease, n.), fr. L.
decrescere to grow less; de +
crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf.
Increase.] To grow less, -- opposed to
increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree,
number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence;
as, they days decrease in length from June to
December.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
John iii. 30.
Syn. -- To Decrease, Diminish.
Things usually decrease or fall off by
degrees, and from within, or through some cause which is
imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold
decreases; their affection has decreased.
Things commonly diminish by an influence from without,
or one which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by
disease; his property is diminishing through
extravagance; their affection has diminished since
their separation their separation. The turn of thought, however,
is often such that these words may be interchanged.
The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood decreased.
Drayton.
Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
Pope.
De*crease", v. t. To cause to grow less;
to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases
one's means.
That might decrease their present store.
Prior.
De*crease", n. [OE. decrees,
OF. decreis, fr. decreistre. See
Decrease, v.]
1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay;
as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
2. The wane of the moon.
Bacon.
De*crease"less, a. Suffering no
decrease. [R.]
It [the river] flows and flows, and yet will flow,
Volume decreaseless to the final hour.
A. Seward.
De*creas"ing, a. Becoming less and less;
diminishing. -- De*creas"ing*ly,
adv.
Decreasing series (Math.), a series
in which each term is numerically smaller than the preceding
term.
De`cre*a"tion (?), n.
Destruction; -- opposed to creation.
[R.]
Cudworth.
De*cree" (?), n. [OE.
decre, F. d\'82cret, fr. L.
decretum, neut. decretus, p. p. of
decernere to decide; de- +
cernere to decide. See Certain, and cf.
Decreet, Decretal.]
1. An order from one having authority, deciding
what is to be done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one
having power, deciding what is to be done or to take place;
edict, law; authoritative ru// decision. \'bdThe
decrees of Venice.\'b8
Sh///.
There went out a decree from C\'91sar Augustus that
all the world should be taxed.
Luke ii. 1.
Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree?
Shak.
2. (Law) (a) A decision, order,
or sentence, given in a cause by a court of equity or
admiralty. (b) A determination or judgment of
an umpire on a case submitted to him.
Brande.
3. (Eccl.) An edict or law made by a
council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction;
as, the decrees of ecclesiastical
councils.
Syn. -- Law; regulation; edict; ordinance. See
Law.
De*cree" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decreed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decreeing.]
1. To determine judicially by authority, or by
decree; to constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to
determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees
a restoration of property.
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established unto thee.
Job xxii. 28.
2. To ordain by fate.
De*cree", v. i. To make decrees; -- used
absolutely.
Father eternal! thine is to decree;
Mine, both in heaven and earth to do thy will.
Milton.
De*cree"a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being decreed.
De*cre"er (?), n. One who
decrees.
J. Goodwin.
De*creet" (?), n. [Cf.
Decree.] (Scots Law) The final
judgment of the Court of Session, or of an inferior court, by
which the question at issue is decided.
Dec"re*ment (?), n. [L.
decrementum, fr. decrescere. See
Decrease.]
1. The state of becoming gradually less; decrease;
diminution; waste; loss.
Twit me with the decrements of my pendants.
Ford.
Rocks, mountains, and the other elevations of the earth suffer
a continual decrement.
Woodward.
2. The quantity lost by gradual diminution or
waste; -- opposed to increment.
3. (Crystallog.) A name given by Ha\'81y
to the successive diminution of the layers of molecules, applied
to the faces of the primitive form, by which he supposed the
secondary forms to be produced.
4. (Math.) The quantity by which a
variable is diminished.
Equal decrement of life. (a) The
decrease of life in a group of persons in which the assumed law
of mortality is such that of a given large number of persons, all
being now of the same age, an equal number shall die each
consecutive year. (b) The decrease of life in a
group of persons in which the assumed law of mortality is such
that the ratio of those dying in a year to those living through
the year is constant, being independent of the age of the
persons.
De*crep"it (?), a. [L.
decrepitus, perhaps orig., noised out, noiseless,
applied to old people, who creep about quietly; de- +
crepare to make a noise, rattle: cf. F.
d\'82cr\'82pit. See Crepitate.]
Broken down with age; wasted and enfeebled by the
infirmities of old age; feeble; worn out. \'bdBeggary or
decrepit age.\'b8
Milton.
Already decrepit with premature old age.
Motley.
decrepid.
De*crep"i*tate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decrepitated;
p. pr. & vb. n. Decrepitating.]
[Cf. F. d\'82cr\'82piter.] To roast or
calcine so as to cause a crackling noise; as, to
decrepitate salt.
De*crep"i*tate, v. i. To crackle, as
salt in roasting.
De*crep`i*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82cr\'82pitation.] The act of
decrepitating; a crackling noise, such as salt makes when
roasting.
De*crep"it*ness (?), n.
Decrepitude. [R.]
Barrow.
De*crep"i*tude (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82cr\'82pitude.] The broken state
produced by decay and the infirmities of age; infirm old
age.
\'d8De`cres*cen"do (?), a. & adv.
[It.] (Mus.) With decreasing volume of
sound; -- a direction to performers, either written upon the
staff (abbreviated Dec., or Decresc.), or
indicated by the sign.
De*cres"cent (?), a. [L.
decrescens, p. pr. of decrescere. See
Decrease.] Becoming less by gradual
diminution; decreasing; as, a decrescent
moon.
De*cres"cent, n. (Her.) A
crescent with the horns directed towards the sinister.
Cussans.
De*cre"tal (?), a. [L.
decretalis, fr. decretum. See
Decree.] Appertaining to a decree; containing
a decree; as, a decretal epistle.
Ayliffe.
De*cre"tal, n. [LL.
decretale, neut. of L. decretalis. See
Decretal, a.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) An authoritative order or
decree; especially, a letter of the pope, determining some point
or question in ecclesiastical law. The decretals form the second
part of the canon law.
2. (Canon Law) The collection of
ecclesiastical decrees and decisions made, by order of Gregory
IX., in 1234, by St. Raymond of Pennafort.
De*crete" (?), n. [L.
decretum. See Decree.] A
decree. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*cre"tion (?), n. [From L.
decrescere, decretum. See
Decrease.] A decrease.
[Obs.]
Pearson.
De*cre"tist (?), n. [LL.
decretista, fr. decretum: cf. F.
d\'82cr\'82tiste. See Decree,
n.] One who studies, or professes the
knowledge of, the decretals.
De*cre"tive (?), a. [From L.
decretum. See Decree, n.]
Having the force of a decree; determining.
The will of God is either decretive or
perceptive.
Bates.
Dec`re*to"ri*al (?), a.
Decretory; authoritative.
Sir T. Browne.
Dec"re*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a
decretory or definitive manner; by decree.
Dec"re*to*ry (?), a. [L.
decretorius, from decretum. See
Decree.]
1. Established by a decree; definitive;
settled.
The decretory rigors of a condemning sentence.
South.
2. Serving to determine; critical. \'bdThe
critical or decretory days.\'b8
Sir T. Browne.
<-- p. 379 -->
De*crew" (?), v. i. [F.
d\'82crue, n., decrease, and
d\'82cru, p. p. of d\'82cro\'8ctre. See
Decrease, and cf. Accrue.] To
decrease. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De*cri"al (?), n. [See
Decry.] A crying down; a clamorous censure;
condemnation by censure.
De*cri"er (?), n. One who
decries.
De*crown" (?), v. t. To deprive
of a crown; to discrown. [R.]
Hakewill.
De`crus*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf.
OF. d\'82crustation.] The removal of a
crust.
De*cry" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decried
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Decrying.] [F. d\'82crier,
OF. descrier; pref. des- (L.
dis-) + crier to cry. See Cry, and
cf. Descry.] To cry down; to censure as
faulty, mean, or worthless; to clamor against; to blame
clamorously; to discredit; to disparage.
For small errors they whole plays decry.
Dryden.
Measures which are extolled by one half of the kingdom are
naturally decried by the other.
Addison.
Syn. -- To Decry, Depreciate,
Detract, Disparage.
Decry and depreciate refer to the
estimation of a thing, the former seeking to lower its value by
clamorous censure, the latter by representing it as of little
worth. Detract and disparage also refer to
merit or value, which the former assails with caviling,
insinuation, etc., while the latter willfully underrates and
seeks to degrade it. Men decry their rivals and
depreciate their measures. The envious
detract from the merit of a good action, and
disparage the motives of him who performs it.
Dec`u*ba"tion (?), n. [From L.
decubare; de- + cubare. See
Decumbent.] Act of lying down;
decumbence. [Obs.]
Evelyn.
\'d8De*cu"bi*tus (?), n. [NL.,
fr. L. de- + cubare, to lie down: cf. F.
d\'82cubitus.] (Med.) An
attitude assumed in lying down; as, the dorsal
decubitus.
Dec"u*man (?), a. [L.
decumanus of the tenth, and by metonymy, large, fr.
decem ten.] Large; chief; -- applied to an
extraordinary billow, supposed by some to be every tenth in
order. [R.] Also used substantively. \'bdSuch
decuman billows.\'b8 Gauden. \'bdThe baffled
decuman.\'b8
Lowell.
{ De*cum"bence (?), De*cum"ben*cy
(?), } n. The act or posture of
lying down.
The ancient manner of decumbency.
Sir T. Browne.
De*cum"bent (?), a. [L.
decumbens, -entis, p. pr. of
decumbere; de- + cumbere (only
in comp.), cubare to lie down.]
1. Lying down; prostrate; recumbent.
The decumbent portraiture of a woman.
Ashmole.
2. (Bot.) Reclining on the ground, as if
too weak to stand, and tending to rise at the summit or apex;
as, a decumbent stem.
Gray.
De*cum"bent*ly, adv. In a decumbent
posture.
De*cum"bi*ture (?; 135), n.
1. Confinement to a sick bed, or time of taking to
one's bed from sickness.
Boyle.
2. (Astrol.) Aspect of the heavens at
the time of taking to one's sick bed, by which the prognostics of
recovery or death were made.
Dec"u*ple (?), a. [F.
d\'82cuple, L. decuplus, fr.
decem ten.] Tenfold.
[R.]
Dec"u*ple, n. A number ten times
repeated. [R.]
Dec"u*ple, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Decupled (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Decupling (?).] To
make tenfold; to multiply by ten. [R.]
De*cu"ri*on (?), n. [L.
decurio, decurionis, fr. decuria
a squad of ten, fr. decem ten.] (Rom.
Antiq.) A head or chief over ten; especially, an
officer who commanded a division of ten soldiers.
De*cu"ri*on*ate (?), n. [L.
decurionatus, fr. decurio.] The
office of a decurion.
De*cur"rence (?), n. The act of
running down; a lapse. [R.]
Gauden.
De*cur"rent (?), a. [L.
decurrens, -entis, p. pr. of
decurrere to run down; de- +
currere to run: cf. F. d\'82current.]
(Bot.) Extending downward; -- said of a leaf
whose base extends downward and forms a wing along the
stem. -- De*cur"rent*ly,
adv.
De*cur"sion (?), n. [L.
decursio, fr. decurrere. See
Decurrent.] A flowing; also, a hostile
incursion. [Obs.]
Sir M. Hale.
De*cur"sive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82cursif. See Decurrent.]
Running down; decurrent.
De*cur"sive*ly, adv. In a decursive
manner.
Decursively pinnate (Bot.), having
the leaflets decurrent, or running along the petiole; -- said of
a leaf.
De*curt" (?), v. t. [L.
decurtare; de- + curtare.]
To cut short; to curtail. [Obs.]
Bale.
De`cur*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
decurtatio.] Act of cutting short.
[Obs.]
Dec"u*ry (?), n.; pl.
Decuries (#). [L.
decuria, fr. decem ten.] A set
or squad of ten men under a decurion.
Sir W. Raleigh.
De*cus"sate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Decussated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Decussating.] [L.
decussatus, p. p. of decussare to cross
like an X, fr. decussis (orig. equiv. to decem
asses) the number ten, which the Romans represented by
X.] To cross at an acute angle; to cut or divide in
the form of X; to intersect; -- said of lines in geometrical
figures, rays of light, nerves, etc.
{ De*cus"sate (?), De*cus"sa*ted
(?), } a.
1. Crossed; intersected.
2. (Bot.) Growing in pairs, each of
which is at right angles to the next pair above or below; as,
decussated leaves or branches.
3. (Rhet.) Consisting of two rising and
two falling clauses, placed in alternate opposition to each
other; as, a decussated period.
De*cus"sate*ly (?), adv. In a
decussate manner.
De`cus*sa"tion (?), n. [L.
decussatio.] Act of crossing at an acute
angle, or state of being thus crossed; an intersection in the
form of an X; as, the decussation of lines, nerves,
etc.
De*cus"sa*tive (?), a.
Intersecting at acute angles.
Sir T. Browne.
De*cus"sa*tive*ly, adv. Crosswise; in
the form of an X. \'bdAnointed
decussatively.\'b8
Sir T. Browne.
De"cyl (?), n. [L.
decem ten + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, C10H21, never
existing alone, but regarded as the characteristic constituent of
a number of compounds of the paraffin series.
De*cyl"ic (?), a. (Chem.)
Allied to, or containing, the radical decyl.
De*dal"ian (?), a. See
D\'91dalian.
Ded"a*lous (?), a. See
D\'91dalous.
\'d8De*dans" (?), n. [F.]
(Court Tennis) A division, at one end of a tennis
court, for spectators.
Dede (?), a. Dead.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*dec"o*rate (?), v. t. [L.
dedecoratus, p. p. of dedecorare to
disgrace. See Decorate.] To bring to shame;
to disgrace. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*dec`o*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
dedecoratio.] Disgrace; dishonor.
[Obs.]
Bailey.
De*dec"o*rous (?), a. [L.
dedecorus. See Decorous.]
Disgraceful; unbecoming. [R.]
Bailey.
De`den*ti"tion (?), n. The
shedding of teeth. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
Ded"i*cate (?), p. a. [L.
dedicatus, p. p. of dedicare to affirm, to
dedicate; de- + dicare to declare,
dedicate; akin to dicere to say. See
Diction.] Dedicated; set apart; devoted;
consecrated. \'bdDedicate to nothing
temporal.\'b8
Shak.
Syn. -- Devoted; consecrated; addicted.
Ded"i*cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dedicated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Dedicating.]
1. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity,
or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to
dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a
religious use.
Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which also king
David did dedicate unto the Lord.
2 Sam. viii. 10, 11.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as
a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. . . . But in a larger sense we can not
dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow
this ground.
A. Lincoln.
2. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self,
to a duty or service.
The profession of a soldier, to which he had
dedicated himself.
Clarendon.
3. To inscribe or address, as to a patron.
He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them
to the Lord Burghley.
Peacham.
Syn. -- See Addict.
Ded`i*ca*tee" (?), n. One to
whom a thing is dedicated; -- correlative to
dedicator.
Ded`i*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
dedicatio.]
1. The act of setting apart or consecrating to a
divine Being, or to a sacred use, often with religious
solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the
dedication of Solomon's temple.
2. A devoting or setting aside for any particular
purpose; as, a dedication of lands to public
use.
3. An address to a patron or friend, prefixed to a
book, testifying respect, and often recommending the work to his
special protection and favor.
Ded"i*ca`tor (?), n. [L.: cf.
F. d\'82dicateur.] One who dedicates; more
especially, one who inscribes a book to the favor of a patron, or
to one whom he desires to compliment.
Ded`i*ca*to"ri*al (?), a.
Dedicatory.
Ded"i*ca*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82dicatoire.] Constituting or serving as
a dedication; complimental. \'bdAn epistle
dedicatory.\'b8
Dryden.
Ded"i*ca*to*ry, n. Dedication.
[R.]
Milton.
\'d8Ded"i*mus (?), n. [L.
dedimus we have given, fr. dare to give. So
called because the writ began, Dedimus potestatem,
etc.] (Law) A writ to commission private
persons to do some act in place of a judge, as to examine a
witness, etc.
Bouvier.
De*di"tion (?), n. [L.
deditio, fr. dedere to give away,
surrender; de- + dare to give.]
The act of yielding; surrender. [R.]
Sir M. Hale.
Ded"o*lent (?), a. [L.
dedolens, p. pr. of dedolere to give over
grieving; de- + dolere to grieve.]
Feeling no compunction; apathetic. [R.]
Hallywell.
De*duce" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deduced
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deducing.] [L. deducere;
de- + ducere to lead, draw. See
Duke, and cf. Deduct.]
1. To lead forth. [A Latinism]
He should hither deduce a colony.
Selden.
2. To take away; to deduct; to subtract; as, to
deduce a part from the whole.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
3. To derive or draw; to derive by logical process;
to obtain or arrive at as the result of reasoning; to gather, as
a truth or opinion, from what precedes or from premises; to
infer; -- with from or out of.
O goddess, say, shall I deduce my rhymes
From the dire nation in its early times?
Pope.
Reasoning is nothing but the faculty of deducing
unknown truths from principles already known.
Locke.
See what regard will be paid to the pedigree which
deduces your descent from kings and conquerors.
Sir W. Scott.
De*duce"ment (?), n. Inference;
deduction; thing deduced. [R.]
Dryden.
De*du`ci*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Deducibleness.
De*du"ci*ble (?), a.
1. Capable of being deduced or inferred; derivable
by reasoning, as a result or consequence.
All properties of a triangle depend on, and are
deducible from, the complex idea of three lines
including a space.
Locke.
2. Capable of being brought down.
[Obs.]
As if God [were] deducible to human imbecility.
State Trials (1649).
De*du"ci*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being deducible; deducibility.
De*du"ci*bly (?), adv. By
deduction.
De*du"cive (?), a. That
deduces; inferential.
De*duct" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deducted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deducting.] [L.
deductus, p. p. of deducere to deduct. See
Deduce.]
1. To lead forth or out. [Obs.]
A people deducted out of the city of Philippos.
Udall.
2. To take away, separate, or remove, in numbering,
estimating, or calculating; to subtract; -- often with
from or out of.
Deduct what is but vanity, or dress.
Pope.
Two and a half per cent should be deducted out of
the pay of the foreign troops.
Bp. Burnet.
We deduct from the computation of our years that
part of our time which is spent in . . . infancy.
Norris.
3. To reduce; to diminish.
[Obs.] \'bdDo not deduct it to days.\'b8
Massinger.
De*duct"i*ble (?), a.
1. Capable of being deducted, taken away, or
withdrawn.
Not one found honestly deductible
From any use that pleased him.
Mrs. Browning.
2. Deducible; consequential.
De*duc"tion (?), n. [L.
deductio: cf. F. d\'82duction.]
1. Act or process of deducing or inferring.
The deduction of one language from another.
Johnson.
This process, by which from two statements we deduce a third,
is called deduction.
J. R. Seely.
2. Act of deducting or taking away; subtraction;
as, the deduction of the subtrahend from the
minuend.
3. That which is deduced or drawn from premises by
a process of reasoning; an inference; a conclusion.
Make fair deductions; see to what they mount.
Pope.
4. That which is deducted; the part taken away;
abatement; as, a deduction from the yearly
rent.
Syn. -- See Induction.
De*duct"ive (?), a. [Cf. L.
deductivus derivative.] Of or pertaining to
deduction; capable of being deduced from premises;
deducible.
All knowledge of causes is deductive.
Glanvill.
Notions and ideas . . . used in a deductive
process.
Whewell.
De*duct"ive*ly, adv. By deduction; by
way of inference; by consequence.
Sir T. Browne.
\'d8De*duc"tor (?), n. [L., a
guide. See Deduce.] (Zo\'94l.) The
pilot whale or blackfish.
De*duit" (?), n. [F.
d\'82duit. Cf. Deduct.] Delight;
pleasure. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*du`pli*ca"tion (?), n.
[Pref. de- + duplication.]
(Biol.) The division of that which is
morphologically one organ into two or more, as the division of an
organ of a plant into a pair or cluster.
Deed (?), a. Dead.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Deed, n. [AS. d/d; akin to
OS. d\'bed, D. & Dan. daad, G.
thai, Sw. d\'86d, Goth. d/ds;
fr. the root of do. See Do, v.
t.]
1. That which is done or effected by a responsible
agent; an act; an action; a thing done; -- a word of extensive
application, including, whatever is done, good or bad, great or
small.
And Joseph said to them, What deed is this which ye
have done?
Gen. xliv. 15.
We receive the due reward of our deeds.
Luke xxiii. 41.
Would serve his kind in deed and word.
Tennyson.
2. Illustrious act; achievement; exploit.
\'bdKnightly deeds.\'b8
Spenser.
Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn.
Dryden.
3. Power of action; agency; efficiency.
[Obs.]
To be, both will and deed, created free.
Milton.
4. Fact; reality; -- whence we have
indeed.
5. (Law) A sealed instrument in writing,
on paper or parchment, duly executed and delivered, containing
some transfer, bargain, or contract.
Blank deed, a printed form containing the
customary legal phraseology, with blank spaces for writing in
names, dates, boundaries, etc.
6. Performance; -- followed by of.
[Obs.]
Shak.
In deed, in fact; in truth; verily. See
Indeed.
Deed, v. t. To convey or transfer by
deed; as, he deeded all his estate to his eldest
son. [Colloq. U. S.]
Deed"ful (?), a. Full of deeds
or exploits; active; stirring. [R.] \'bdA
deedful life.\'b8
Tennyson.
Deed"less, a. Not performing, or not
having performed, deeds or exploits; inactive.
Deedless in his tongue.
Shak.
Deed" poll` (?). (Law) A deed
of one part, or executed by only one party, and distinguished
from an indenture by having the edge of the parchment or paper
cut even, or polled as it was anciently termed,
instead of being indented.
Burrill.
Deed"y (?), a. Industrious;
active. [R.]
Cowper.
Deem (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deemed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Deeming.]
[OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS.
d/man, fr. d/m doom; akin to OFries.
d/ma, OS. ad/mian, D.
doemen, OHG. tuommen, Icel.
d\'91ma, Sw. d\'94mma, Dan.
d\'94mme, Goth. d/mjan. See
Doom, n., and cf. Doom,
v.]
1. To decide; to judge; to sentence; to
condemn. [Obs.]
Claudius . . . Was demed for to hang upon a
tree.
Chaucer.
2. To account; to esteem; to think; to judge; to
hold in opinion; to regard.
For never can I deem him less him less than
god.
Dryden.
Deem, v. i.
1. To be of opinion; to think; to estimate; to
opine; to suppose.
And deemest thou as those who pore,
With aged eyes, short way before?
Emerson.
2. To pass judgment. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Deem, n. Opinion; judgment.
[Obs.]
Shak.
<-- p. 380 -->
Deem"ster (?), n. [Deem +
-ster; i. e., doomster. Cf. Dempster.]
A judge in the Isle of Man who decides controversies without
process.
Cowell.
Deep (?), a.
[Compar. Deeper (?);
superl. Deepest (?).]
[OE. dep, deop, AS.
de\'a2p; akin to D. diep, G.
tief, Icel. dj/pr, Sw. diup,
Dan. dyb, Goth. diups; fr. the root of E.
dip, dive. See Dip,
Dive.]
1. Extending far below the surface; of great
perpendicular dimension (measured from the surface downward, and
distinguished from high, which is measured upward);
far to the bottom; having a certain depth; as, a
deep sea.
The water where the brook is deep.
Shak.
2. Extending far back from the front or outer part;
of great horizontal dimension (measured backward from the front
or nearer part, mouth, etc.); as, a deep cave or
recess or wound; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of
soldiers six files deep.
Shadowing squadrons deep.
Milton.
Safely in harbor
Is the king's ship in the deep nook.
Shak.
3. Low in situation; lying far below the general
surface; as, a deep valley.
4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; --
opposed to shallow or superficial;
intricate; mysterious; not obvious; obscure; as, a
deep subject or plot.
Speculations high or deep.
Milton.
A question deep almost as the mystery of life.
De Quincey.
O Lord, . . . thy thought are very deep.
Ps. xcii. 5.
5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not
superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning.
Deep clerks she dumbs.
Shak.
6. Profound; thorough; complete; unmixed; intense;
heavy; heartfelt; as, deep distress; deep
melancholy; deep horror. \'bdDeep
despair.\'b8 Milton. \'bdDeep silence.\'b8
Milton. \'bdDeep sleep.\'b8 Gen. ii.
21. \'bdDeeper darkness.\'b8 >Hoole.
\'bdTheir deep poverty.\'b8 2 Cor. viii. 2.
An attitude of deep respect.
Motley.
7. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or
thin; as, deep blue or crimson.
8. Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp;
grave; heavy. \'bdThe deep thunder.\'b8
Byron.
The bass of heaven's deep organ.
Milton.
9. Muddy; boggy; sandy; -- said of roads.
Chaucer.
The ways in that vale were very deep.
Clarendon.
A deep line of operations (Military),
a long line. -- Deep mourning
(Costume), mourning complete and strongly marked,
the garments being not only all black, but also composed of
lusterless materials and of such fashion as is identified with
mourning garments.
Deep, adv. To a great depth; with depth;
far down; profoundly; deeply.
Deep-versed in books, and shallow in himself.
Milton.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
Pope.
Deep, in its usual adverbial senses, is
often prefixed to an adjective; as, deep-chested,
deep-cut, deep-seated, deep-toned,
deep-voiced, \'bddeep-uddered kine.\'b8
Deep, n.
1. That which is deep, especially deep water, as
the sea or ocean; an abyss; a great depth.
Courage from the deeps of knowledge springs.
Cowley.
The hollow deep of hell resounded.
Milton.
Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing deeps
resound.
Pope.
2. That which is profound, not easily fathomed, or
incomprehensible; a moral or spiritual depth or abyss.
Thy judgments are a great.
Ps. xxxvi. 6.
Deep of night, the most quiet or profound part
of night; dead of night.
The deep of night is crept upon our talk.
Shak.
Deep"en (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deepened
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deepening.]
1. To make deep or deeper; to increase the depth
of; to sink lower; as, to deepen a well or a
channel.
It would . . . deepen the bed of the Tiber.
Addison.
2. To make darker or more intense; to darken;
as, the event deepened the prevailing
gloom.
You must deepen your colors.
Peacham.
3. To make more poignant or affecting; to increase
in degree; as, to deepen grief or sorrow.
4. To make more grave or low in tone; as, to
deepen the tones of an organ.
Deepens the murmur of the falling floods.
Pope.
Deep"en, v. i. To become deeper; as,
the water deepens at every cast of the lead; the plot
deepens.
His blood-red tresses deepening in the sun.
Byron.
Deep"-fet` (?), a. Deeply
fetched or drawn. [Obs.]
\'bdDeep-fet groans.\'b8
Shak.
Deep"-laid` (?), a. Laid
deeply; formed with cunning and sagacity; as,
deep-laid plans.
Deep"ly, adv.
1. At or to a great depth; far below the surface;
as, to sink deeply.
2. Profoundly; thoroughly; not superficially; in a
high degree; intensely; as, deeply skilled in
ethics.
He had deeply offended both his nobles and
people.
Bacon.
He sighed deeply in his spirit.
Mark viii. 12.
3. Very; with a tendency to darkness of
color.
The deeply red juice of buckthorn berries.
Boyle.
4. Gravely; with low or deep tone; as, a
deeply toned instrument.
5. With profound skill; with art or intricacy;
as, a deeply laid plot or intrigue.
Deep"-mouthed` (?), a. Having a
loud and sonorous voice. \'bdDeep-mouthed
dogs.\'b8
Dryden.
Deep"ness, n.
1. The state or quality of being deep, profound,
mysterious, secretive, etc.; depth; profundity; -- opposed to
shallowness.
Because they had no deepness of earth.
Matt. xiii. 5.
2. Craft; insidiousness. [R.]
J. Gregory.
Deep"-read` (?), a. Profoundly
book-learned. \'bdGreat writers and deep-read
men.\'b8
L'Estrange.
Deep"-sea` (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea; as, a
deep-sea line (i. e., a line to take soundings
at a great depth); deep-sea lead; deep-sea
soundings, explorations, etc.
Deep"-waist`ed (?), a.
(Naut.) Having a deep waist, as when, in a ship,
the poop and forecastle are much elevated above the deck.
Deer (?), n. sing. & pl. [OE.
der, door, animal, wild animal, AS.
de\'a2r; akin to D. dier, OFries.
diar, G. thier, tier, Icel.
d/r, Dan. dyr, Sw. djur, Goth.
dius; of unknown origin. ///.]
1. Any animal; especially, a wild animal.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Mice and rats, and such small deer.
Shak.
The camel, that great deer.
Lindisfarne MS.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A ruminant of the genus
Cervus, of many species, and of related genera of the
family Cervid\'91. The males, and in some species the
females, have solid antlers, often much branched, which are shed
annually. Their flesh, for which they are hunted, is called
venison.
Cervus
elaphus, called also stag or red
deer; the fallow deer is C. dama; the common
American deer is C. Virginianus; the blacktailed deer
of Western North America is C. Columbianus; and the
mule deer of the same region is C. macrotis. See
Axis, Fallow deer, Mule deer,
Reindeer.
Deer is much used adjectively, or as the
first part of a compound; as, deerkiller,
deerslayer, deerslaying, deer
hunting, deer stealing, deerlike,
etc.
Deer mouse (Zo\'94l.), the
white-footed mouse (Hesperomys leucopus) of
America. -- Small deer, petty game, not worth
pursuing; -- used metaphorically. (See citation from Shakespeare
under the first definition, above.) \'bdMinor critics . . .
can find leisure for the chase of such small deer.\'b8
G. P. Marsh.
Deer"ber`ry (?), n.
(Bot.) A shrub of the blueberry group
(Vaccinium stamineum); also, its bitter, greenish
white berry; -- called also squaw
huckleberry.
Deer"grass` (?), n.
(Bot.) An American genus (Rhexia) of
perennial herbs, with opposite leaves, and showy flowers (usually
bright purple), with four petals and eight stamens, -- the only
genus of the order Melastomace\'91 inhabiting a
temperate clime.
Deer"hound` (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) One of a large and fleet breed of
hounds used in hunting deer; a staghound.
Deer"let (?), n.
[Deer + -let.]
(Zo\'94l.) A chevrotain. See Kanchil,
and Napu.
Deer"-neck` (?), n. A deerlike,
or thin, ill-formed neck, as of a horse.
Deer"skin` (?), n. The skin of
a deer, or the leather which is made from it.
Hakluyt. Longfellow.
Deer"stalk`er (?), n. One who
practices deerstalking.
Deer"stalk`ing, n. The hunting of deer
on foot, by stealing upon them unawares.
Deer's"-tongue` (?), n.
(Bot.) A plant (Liatris odoratissima)
whose fleshy leaves give out a fragrance compared to
vanilla.
Wood.
Dees (?), n. pl. Dice.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dees, n. A dais.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
\'d8De*e"sis (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. / supplication.] (Rhet.) An
invocation of, or address to, the Supreme Being.
De"ess (?), n. [F.
d\'82esse, fem. of dieu god.] A
goddess. [Obs.]
Croft.
\'d8Deev (?), n. (Hind. & Pers.
Myth.) See Dev.
De*face" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defaced
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Defacing.] [OE. defacen to
disfigure, efface, OF. desfacier; L. dis- +
facies face. See Face, and cf.
Efface.]
1. To destroy or mar the face or external
appearance of; to disfigure; to injure, spoil, or mar, by
effacing or obliterating important features or portions of;
as, to deface a monument; to deface an
edifice; to deface writing; to deface a note,
deed, or bond; to deface a record. \'bdThis
high face defaced.\'b8
Emerson.
So by false learning is good sense defaced.
Pope.
2. [Cf. F. d\'82faire.] To
destroy; to make null. [Obs.]
[Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence
of religion.
Bacon.
For all his power was utterly defaste
[defaced].
Spenser.
Syn. -- See Efface.
De*face"ment (?), n.
1. The act of defacing, or the condition of being
defaced; injury to the surface or exterior; obliteration.
2. That which mars or disfigures.
Bacon.
De*fa"cer (?), n. One who, or
that which, defaces or disfigures.
\'d8De` fac"to (?). [L.]
Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de
facto, -- distinguished from a king de jure, or by
right.
De*fail" (?), v. t. [F.
d\'82faillir to fail; pref. d\'82- (L.
de) + faillir. See Fail, and cf.
Default.] To cause fail.
[Obs.]
De*fail"ance (?), n. [F.
d\'82faillance.] Failure;
miscarriage. [Obs.]
Possibility of defailance in degree or
continuance.
Comber.
De*fail"ure (?), n.
Failure. [Obs.]
Barrow.
De*fal"cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defalcated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defalcating.] [LL.
defalcatus, p. p. of defalcare to deduct,
orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de- +
falx, a sickle. See Falchion.] To
cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; -- used chiefly of
money, accounts, rents, income, etc.
To show what may be practicably and safely
defalcated from the [the estimates].
Burke.
De*fal"cate, v. i. To commit
defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust. \'bdSome
partner defalcating, or the like.\'b8
Carlyle.
De`fal*ca"tion (?), n. [LL.
defalcatio: cf. F. d\'82falcation.]
1. A lopping off; a diminution; abatement; deficit.
Specifically: Reduction of a claim by deducting a counterclaim;
set-off.
Abbott.
2. That which is lopped off, diminished, or
abated.
3. An abstraction of money, etc., by an officer or
agent/ having it in trust; an embezzlement.
Def"al*ca`tor (?), n. A
defaulter or embezzler. [Modern]
De*falk" (?), v. t. [F.
d\'82falquer. See Defalcate.] To
lop off; to bate. [Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Def`a*ma"tion (?), n. [OE.
diffamacioun, F. diffamation. See
Defame.] Act of injuring another's reputation
by any slanderous communication, written or oral; the wrong of
maliciously injuring the good name of another; slander;
detraction; calumny; aspersion.
libel, and oral defamation that of
slander.
Burrill.
De*fam"a*to*ry (?), a.
Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious;
slanderous; as, defamatory words;
defamatory writings.
De*fame" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defamed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Defaming.] [OE. defamen,
diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh.
defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf.
defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word
confused with de) + fama a report. See
Fame.]
1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation
of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to
dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.
2. To render infamous; to bring into
disrepute.
My guilt thy growing virtues did defame;
My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name.
Dryden.
3. To charge; to accuse. [R.]
Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on
the person of a noble knight.
Sir W. Scott.
Syn. -- To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See
Asperse.
De*fame", n. Dishonor.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*fam"er (?), n. One who
defames; a slanderer; a detractor; a calumniator.
De*fam"ing*ly, adv. In a defamatory
manner.
Def"a*mous (?), a.
Defamatory. [Obs.]
De*fat"i*ga*ble (?), a. [See
Defatigate.] Capable of being wearied or
tired out. [R.]
Glanvill.
De*fat"i*gate (?), v. t. [L.
defatigatus, p. p. of defatigare;
de- + fatigare to weary. See
Fatigue.] To weary or tire out; to
fatigue. [R.]
Sir T. Herbert.
De*fat`i*ga"tion (?), n. [L.
defatigatio.] Weariness; fatigue.
[R.]
Bacon.
De*fault" (?), n. [OE.
defaute, OF. defaute, defalte,
fem., F. d\'82faut, masc., LL. defalta, fr.
a verb meaning, to be deficient, to want, fail, fr. L.
de- + fallere to deceive. See
Fault.]
1. A failing or failure; omission of that which
ought to be done; neglect to do wha/duty or law requires;
as, this evil has happened through the governor's
default.
2. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in
virtue or wisdom.
And pardon craved for his so rash default.
Spenser.
Regardless of our merit or default.
Pope.
3. (Law) A neglect of, or failure to
take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a
failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the
defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors,
witnesses, etc.
In default of, in case of failure or lack
of.
Cooks could make artificial birds and fishes in default
of the real ones.
Arbuthnot.
-- To suffer a default (Law), to permit
an action to be called without appearing to answer.
De*fault", v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Defaulted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Defaulting.]
1. To fail in duty; to offend.
That he gainst courtesy so foully did default.
Spenser.
2. To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or
duty.
3. To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by
default.
De*fault", v. t.
1. To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of
neglect of; to omit; as, to default a
dividend.
What they have defaulted towards him as no
king.
Milton.
2. (Law) To call a defendant or other
party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of
his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default
against.
3. To leave out of account; to omit.
[Obs.]
Defaulting unnecessary and partial discourses.
Hales.
De*fault"er (?), n.
1. One who makes default; one who fails to appear
in court when court when called.
2. One who fails to perform a duty; a delinquent;
particularly, one who fails to account for public money intrusted
to his care; a peculator; a defalcator.
De*fea"sance (?), n. [OF.
defesance, fr. defesant, F.
d\'82faisant, p. pr. of defaire, F.
d\'82faire, to undo. See Defeat.]
1. A defeat; an overthrow.
[Obs.]
After his foes' defeasance.
Spenser.
2. A rendering null or void.
3. (Law) A condition, relating to a
deed, which being performed, the deed is defeated or rendered
void; or a collateral deed, made at the same time with a
feoffment, or other conveyance, containing conditions, on the
performance of which the estate then created may be
defeated.
<-- p. 381 -->
De*fea"sanced (?), a.
(Law) Liable to defeasance; capable of being made
void or forfeited.
De*fea"si*ble (?), a. [See
Defeasance.] Capable of being annulled or
made void; as, a defeasible title. --
De*fea"si*ble*ness, n.
De*feat" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defeated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defeating.] [From F.
d\'82fait, OF. desfait, p. p. ofe
d\'82faire, OF. desfaire, to undo; L.
dis- + facere to do. See Feat,
Fact, and cf. Disfashion.]
1. To undo; to disfigure; to destroy.
[Obs.]
His unkindness may defeat my life.
Shak.
2. To render null and void, as a title; to
frustrate, as hope; to deprive, as of an estate.
He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can
defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his
hopes.
Tillotson.
The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of his
succession.
Hallam.
In one instance he defeated his own purpose.
A. W. Ward.
3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check,
disperse, or ruin by victory; to overthrow.
4. To resist with success; as, to
defeat an assault.
Sharp reasons to defeat the law.
Shak.
Syn. -- To baffle; disappoint; frustrate.
De*feat", n. [Cf. F.
d\'82faite, fr. d\'82faire. See
Defeat, v.]
1. An undoing or annulling; destruction.
[Obs.]
Upon whose property and most dear life
A damned defeat was made.
Shak.
2. Frustration by rendering null and void, or by
prevention of success; as, the defeat of a plan or
design.
3. An overthrow, as of an army in battle; loss of a
battle; repulse suffered; discomfiture; -- opposed to
victory.
De*fea"ture (?; 135), n. [OF.
desfaiture a killing, disguising, prop., an undoing.
See Defeat, and cf. Disfeature.]
1. Overthrow; defeat. [Obs.]
\'bdNothing but loss in their defeature.\'b8
Beau. & Fl.
2. Disfigurement; deformity.
[Obs.] \'bdStrange defeatures in my
face.\'b8
Shak.
De*fea"tured (?; 135), p. p.
Changed in features; deformed. [R.]
Features when defeatured in the . . . way I have
described.
De Quincey.
Def"e*cate (?), a. [L.
defaecatus, p. p. of defaecare to defecate;
de- + faex, faecis, dregs,
less.] Freed from anything that can pollute, as dregs,
lees, etc.; refined; purified.
Till the soul be defecate from the dregs of
sense.
Bates.
Def"e*cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defecated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defecating.]
1. To clear from impurities, as lees, dregs, etc.;
to clarify; to purify; to refine.
To defecate the dark and muddy oil of amber.
Boyle.
2. To free from extraneous or polluting matter; to
clear; to purify, as from that which materializes.
We defecate the notion from materiality.
Glanvill.
Defecated from all the impurities of sense.
Bp. Warburton.
Def"e*cate (?), v. i.
1. To become clear, pure, or free.
Goldsmith.
2. To void excrement.
Def`e*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
defaecatio: cf. F. d\'82f\'82cation.]
1. The act of separating from impurities, as lees
or dregs; purification.
2. (Physiol.) The act or process of
voiding excrement.
Def"e*ca`tor (?), n. That which
cleanses or purifies; esp., an apparatus for removing the
feculencies of juices and sirups.
Knight.
De*fect" (?), n. [L.
defectus, fr. deficere,
defectum, to desert, fail, be wanting; de-
+ facere to make, do. See Fact,
Feat, and cf. Deficit.]
1. Want or absence of something necessary for
completeness or perfection; deficiency; -- opposed to
superfluity.
Errors have been corrected, and defects
supplied.
Davies.
2. Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical
or moral; blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a
defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or
judgment.
Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know,
Make use of every friend -- any every foe.
Pope.
Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal
defects.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See
Fault.
De*fect", v. i. To fail; to become
deficient. [Obs.] \'bdDefected
honor.\'b8
Warner.
<-- 2. Abandon one country or faction, and join another. -->
De*fect", v. t. To injure; to
damage. \'bdNone can my life defect.\'b8
[R.]
Troubles of Q. Elizabeth (1639).
De*fect`i*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Deficiency; imperfection. [R.]
Ld. Digby. Jer. Taylor.
De*fect"i*ble (?), a. Liable to
defect; imperfect. [R.] \'bdA
defectible understanding.\'b8
Jer. Taylor.
De*fec"tion (?), n. [L.
defectio: cf. F. d\'82fection. See
Defect.] Act of abandoning a person or cause
to which one is bound by allegiance or duty, or to which one has
attached himself; desertion; failure in duty; a falling away;
apostasy; backsliding. \'bdDefection and falling
away from God.\'b8
Sir W. Raleigh.
The general defection of the whole realm.
Sir J. Davies.
De*fec"tion*ist, n. One who advocates or
encourages defection.
De*fec"tious (?), a. Having
defects; imperfect. [Obs.] \'bdSome one
defectious piece.\'b8
Sir P. Sidney.
De*fect"ive (?), a. [L.
defectivus: cf. F. d\'82fectif. See
Defect.]
1. Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a
part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; -- applied either to natural
or moral qualities; as, a defective limb;
defective timber; a defective copy or account;
a defective character; defective
rules.
2. (Gram.) Lacking some of the usual
forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective
noun or verb. -- De*fect"ive*ly,
adv. -- De*fect"ive*ness,
n.
De*fec`tu*os"i*ty (?; 135), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82fectuosit\'82.] Great
imperfection. [Obs.]
W. Montagu.
De*fec"tu*ous (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82fectueux.] Full of defects;
imperfect. [Obs.]
Barrow.
Def`e*da"tion (?), n. [L.
defoedare, defoedatum, to defile;
de- + foedare to foul, foedus
foul.] The act of making foul; pollution.
[Obs.]
De*fence" (?), n. & v. t. See
Defense.
De*fend" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defended; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defending.] [F.
d\'82fendre, L. defendere; de- +
fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr.
/ to strike, and E. dint. Cf. Dint,
Defense, Fend.]
1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to
repel. [A Latinism & Obs.]
Th' other strove for to defend
The force of Vulcan with his might and main.
Spenser.
2. To prohibit; to forbid.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Which God defend that I should wring from him.
Shak.
3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to
secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to
uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to
defend a cause; to defend character; to
defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by
from or against; as, to defend
one's self from, or against, one's
enemies.
The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the
city.
Shak.
God defend the right!
Shak.
A village near it was defended by the river.
Clarendon.
4. (Law.) To deny the right of the
plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to
oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit.
Burrill.
Syn. -- To Defend, Protect.
To defend is literally to ward off; to
protect is to cover so as to secure against
approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked;
we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion.
A fortress is defended by its guns, and
protected by its wall.
As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend
Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it.
Is. xxxi. 5.
Leave not the faithful side
That gave thee being, still shades thee and
protects.
Milton.
De*fend"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82fendable.] Capable of being defended;
defensible. [R.]
De*fend"ant (?), a. [F.
d\'82fendant, p. pr. of d\'82fendre. See
Defend.]
1. Serving, or suitable, for defense;
defensive. [Obs.]
With men of courage and with means defendant.
Shak.
2. Making defense.
De*fend"ant, n.
1. One who defends; a defender.
The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had
cast up.
Spotswood.
2. (Law) A person required to make
answer in an action or suit; -- opposed to
plaintiff.
Abbott.
De`fen*dee" (?), n. One who is
defended. [R. & Ludicrous]
De*fend"er (?), n. [Cf.
Fender.] One who defends; one who maintains,
supports, protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a
vindicator.
Provinces . . . left without their ancient and puissant
defenders.
Motley.
De*fend"ress (?), n. A female
defender. [R.]
Defendress of the faith.
Stow.
De*fen"sa*tive (?), n. [L.
defensare, defensatum, to defend
diligently, intens. of defendere. See
Defend.] That which serves to protect or
defend.
{ De*fense", De*fence" }
(?), n. [F. d\'82fense, OF.
defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L.
defensa (cf. Fence.]
1. The act of defending, or the state of being
defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of defense 't is best to weigh
The enemy more mighty than he seems.
Shak.
2. That which defends or protects; anything
employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or
maintain security; a guard; a protection.
War would arise in defense of the right.
Tennyson.
God, the widow's champion and defense.
Shak.
3. Protecting plea; vindication;
justification.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
Acts xxii. 1.
4. (Law) The defendant's answer or plea;
an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's
or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the
defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's
action.
5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan
or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing,
etc.
A man of great defense.
Spenser.
By how much defense is better than no skill.
Shak.
6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
[Obs.]
Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen
under a certain breadth.
Sir W. Temple.
De*fense", v. t. To furnish with
defenses; to fortify. [Obs.] [Written
also defence.]
Better manned and more strongly defensed.
Hales.
De*fense"less, a. Destitute of defense;
unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose; unprotected.
-- De*fense"less*ly, adv. --
De*fense"less*ness, n.
De*fens"er (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82fenseur, L. defensor. Cf.
Defensor.] Defender.
[Obs.]
Foxe.
De*fen`si*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Capability of being defended.
De*fen"si*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82fensable, LL. defensabilis,
defensibilis. See Defense, and cf.
Defendable.]
1. Capable of being defended; as, a
defensible city, or a defensible
cause.
2. Capable of offering defense.
[Obs.]
Shak.
De*fen"si*ble*ness (?), n.
Capability of being defended; defensibility.
Priestley.
De*fen"sive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82fensif.]
1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for
defense; opposed to offensive; as,
defensive armor.
A moat defensive to a house.
Shak.
2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; --
opposed to offensive; as, defensive
war.
3. In a state or posture of defense.
Milton.
De*fen"sive, n. That which defends; a
safeguard.
Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true
defensive.
Bacon.
To be on the defensive, To stand on the
defensive, to be or stand in a state or posture
of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or
attack.
De*fen"sive*ly, adv. On the
defensive.
De*fen"sor (?), n. [L. See
Defenser.]
1. A defender.
Fabyan.
2. (Law) A defender or an advocate in
court; a guardian or protector.
3. (Eccl.) The patron of a church; an
officer having charge of the temporal affairs of a church.
De*fen"so*ry (?), a. [L.
defensorius.] Tending to defend; defensive;
as, defensory preparations.
De*fer" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deferred
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deferring.] [OE. differren,
F. diff\'82rer, fr. L. differre to delay,
bear different ways; dis- + ferre to bear.
See Bear to support, and cf. Differ,
Defer to offer.] To put off; to postpone to a
future time; to delay the execution of; to delay; to
withhold.
Defer the spoil of the city until night.
Shak.
God . . . will not long defer
To vindicate the glory of his name.
Milton.
De*fer", v. i. To put off; to delay to
act; to wait.
Pius was able to defer and temporize at
leisure.
J. A. Symonds.
De*fer", v. t. [F.
d\'82f\'82rer to pay deference, to yield, to bring
before a judge, fr. L. deferre to bring down;
de- + ferre to bear. See Bear to
support, and cf. Defer to delay, Delate.]
1. To render or offer. [Obs.]
Worship deferred to the Virgin.
Brevint.
2. To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner;
to refer; -- with to.
Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the
matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
Bacon.
De*fer", v. i. To yield deference to the
wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to
authority; -- with to.
The house, deferring to legal right,
acquiesced.
Bancroft.
Def"er*ence (?), n. [F.
d\'82f\'82rence. See 3d Defer.] A
yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or
opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect;
complaisance.
Deference to the authority of thoughtful and
sagacious men.
Whewell.
Deference is the most complicate, the most
indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments.
Shenstone.
Syn. -- Deference, Reverence,
Respect. Deference marks an
inclination to yield one's opinion, and to acquiesce in the
sentiments of another in preference to one's own.
Respect marks the estimation that we have for another,
which makes us look to him as worthy of high confidence for the
qualities of his mind and heart. Reverence denotes a
mingling of fear with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age,
rank, dignity, and personal merit call for deference;
respect should be paid to the wise and good;
reverence is due to God, to the authors of our being,
and to the sanctity of the laws.
Def"er*ent (?), a. [L.
deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See 3d
Defer.] Serving to carry; bearing.
[R.] \'bdBodies deferent.\'b8
Bacon.
Def"er*ent, n.
1. That which carries or conveys.
Though air be the most favorable deferent of
sounds.
Bacon.
2. (Ptolemaic Astron.) An imaginary
circle surrounding the earth, in whose periphery either the
heavenly body or the center of the heavenly body's epicycle was
supposed to be carried round.
Def`er*en"tial (?), a. [See
Deference.] Expressing deference; accustomed
to defer.
Def`er*en"tial*ly, adv. With
deference.
De*fer"ment (?), n. [See 1st
Defer.] The act of delaying;
postponement. [R.]
My grief, joined with the instant business,
Begs a deferment.
Suckling.
De*fer"rer (?), n. One who
defers or puts off.
{ De`fer*ves"cence (?),
De`fer*ves"cency (?), } n.
[L. defervescere to grow cool.]
1. A subsiding from a state of ebullition; loss of
heat; lukewarmness.
A defervescency in holy actions.
Jer. Taylor.
2. (Med.) The subsidence of a febrile
process; as, the stage of defervescence in
pneumonia.
De*feu"dal*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of the feudal character or form.
De*fi"ance (?), n. [OF.
defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr.
desfier to challenge, F. d\'82fier. See
Defy.]
1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or
provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to
combat.
A war without a just defiance made.
Dryden.
Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down.
Tennyson.
2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight;
disposition to resist; contempt of opposition.
He breathed defiance to my ears.
Shak.
3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection.
[Obs.] \'bdDefiance to thy kindness.\'b8
Ford.
To bid defiance, To set at
defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or
contemptuously.
Locke.
De*fi"ant (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82fiant, p. pr. of d\'82fier. See
Defy.] Full of defiance; bold; insolent;
as, a defiant spirit or act.
In attitude stern and defiant.
Longfellow.
-- De*fi"ant*ly, adv. --
De*fi"ant*ness, n.
<-- p. 382 -->
De*fi"a*to*ry (?), a. [See
Defy.] Bidding or manifesting defiance.
[Obs.]
Shelford.
De*fi"bri*nate (?), v. t. To
deprive of fibrin, as fresh blood or lymph by stirring with
twigs.
De*fi`bri*na"tion (?), n. The
act or process of depriving of fibrin.
De*fi"bri*nize (?), v. t. To
defibrinate.
De*fi"cience (?), n. Same as
Deficiency.
Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee
Is no deficience found.
Milton.
De*fi"cien*cy (?), n.; pl.
Deficiencies (#). [See
Deficient.] The state of being deficient;
inadequacy; want; failure; imperfection; shortcoming;
defect. \'bdA deficiencyof blood.\'b8
Arbuthnot.
[Marlborough] was so miserably ignorant, that his
deficiencies made him the ridicule of his
contemporaries.
Buckle.
Deficiency of a curve (Geom.), the
amount by which the number of double points on a curve is short
of the maximum for curves of the same degree.
De*fi"cient (?), a. [L.
deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of
deficere to be wanting. See Defect.]
Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a
requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect;
incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts;
deficient estate; deficient strength;
deficient in judgment.
The style was indeed deficient in ease and
variety.
Macaulay.
Deficient number. (Arith.) See
under Abundant.
-- De*fi"cient-ly,
adv.
Def"i*cit (?), n. [Lit.,
it is wanting, 3d person pres. indic. of L.
deficere, cf. F. d\'82ficit. See
Defect.] Deficiency in amount or quality; a
falling short; lack; as, a deficit in taxes,
revenue, etc.
Addison.
De*fi"er (?), n. [See
Defy.] One who dares and defies; a contemner;
as, a defier of the laws.
De*fig`u*ra"tion (?), n.
Disfiguration; mutilation. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
De*fig"ure (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- (intens.) + figure.] To
delineate. [Obs.]
These two stones as they are here defigured.
Weever.
De`fi*lade" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defiladed; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defilading.] [Cf. F.
d\'82filer to defile, and d\'82filade act
of defiling. See 1st Defile.] (Mil.)
To raise, as a rampart, so as to shelter interior works
commanded from some higher point.
De`fi*lad"ing, n. (Mil.) The
art or act of determining the directions and heights of the lines
of rampart with reference to the protection of the interior from
exposure to an enemy's fire from any point within range, or from
any works which may be erected.
Farrow.
De*file" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Defiled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Defiling.] [F. d\'82filer;
pref. d\'82-, for des- (L. dis-)
+ file a row or line. See File a row.]
To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.
De*file", v. t. (Mil.) Same
as Defilade.
De*file" (?; 277), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82fil\'82, fr. d\'82filer to
defile.]
1. Any narrow passage or gorge in which troops can
march only in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass
between hills, rocks, etc.
2. (Mil.) The act of defilading a
fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect
the interior. See Defilade.
De*file" (?), v. t. [OE.
defoulen, -foilen, to tread down, OF.
defouler; de- + fouler to
trample (see Full, v. t.), and OE.
defoulen to foul (influenced in form by the older verb
defoilen). See File to defile, Foul,
Defoul.]
1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to
dirty; to befoul; to pollute.
They that touch pitch will be defiled.
Shak.
2. To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to
taint.
He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age, however
his character may be defiled by . . . dirty hands.
Swift.
3. To injure in purity of character; to
corrupt.
Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt.
Ezek. xx. 7.
4. To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to
violate.
The husband murder'd and the wife defiled.
Prior.
5. To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute.
That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall
not eat to defile therewith.
Lev. xxii. 8.
De*file"ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82filement. See Defile]
(Mil.) The protection of the interior walls of a
fortification from an enfilading fire, as by covering them, or by
a high parapet on the exposed side.
De*file"ment, n. [From 3d
Defile.] The act of defiling, or state of
being defiled, whether physically or morally; pollution;
foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness.
Defilements of the flesh.
Hopkins.
The chaste can not rake into such filth without danger of
defilement.
Addison.
De*fil"er (?), n. One who
defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which pollutes.
De*fil`i*a"tion (?), n. [L.
de- + filius son.] Abstraction
of a child from its parents.
Lamb.
De*fin"a*ble (?), a. [From
Define.] Capable of being defined, limited,
or explained; determinable; describable by definition;
ascertainable; as, definable limits;
definable distinctions or regulations;
definable words. --
De*fin"a*bly, adv.
De*fine" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defined
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Defining.] [OE. definer,
usually, to end, to finish, F. d\'82finir to define,
L. definire to limit, define; de- +
finire to limit, end, finis boundary,
limit, end. See Final, Finish.]
1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination;
to end. \'bdTo define controversies.\'b8
Barrow.
2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries
of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent
of a kingdom or country.
3. To determine with precision; to mark out with
distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the
defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.
Sir I. Newton.
4. To determine the precise signification of; to
fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to
expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a
phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to
nature.
Robynson (More's Utopia).
De*fine" (?), v. i. To
determine; to decide. [Obs.]
De*fine"ment (?), n. The act of
defining; definition; description. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*fin"er (?), n. One who
defines or explains.
Def"i*nite (?), a. [L.
definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F.
d\'82fini. See Define.]
1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in
extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite
dimensions; a definite measure; a definite
period or interval.
Elements combine in definite proportions.
Whewell.
2. Having certain limits in signification;
determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a
definite word, term, or expression.
3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.]
Shak.
4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting;
determining; as, the definite article.
Definite article (Gram.), the
article the, which is used to designate a particular
person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; --
also called a definitive. See Definitive,
n. -- Definite inflorescence.
(Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence,
under Determinate. -- Law of definite
proportions (Chem.), the essential law of
chemical combination that every definite compound always contains
the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two
or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the
relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of
multiple proportions, under Multiple.
Def"i*nite, n. A thing defined or
determined. [Obs.]
Def"i*nite*ly, adv. In a definite
manner; with precision; precisely; determinately.
Def"i*nite*ness, n. The state of being
definite; determinateness; precision; certainty.
Def`i*ni"tion (?), n. [L.
definitio: cf. F. d\'82finition.]
1. The act of defining; determination of the
limits; as, the telescope accurate in
definition.
2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the
signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an
explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the
definition of \'bdcircle;\'b8 the definition of
\'bdwit;\'b8 an exact definition; a loose
definition.
Definition being nothing but making another
understand by words what the term defined stands for.
Locke.
3. Description; sort. [R.] \'bdA
new creature of another definition.\'b8
Jer. Taylor.
4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the
constituents which make up the logical essence.
5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as
of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in
detail.
Syn. -- Definition, Explanation,
Description. A definition is
designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an
explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or
misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a
description enters into striking particulars with a
view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not
therefore true, though often said, that description is
only an extended definition. \'bdLogicians distinguish
definitions into essential and
accidental. An essential definition states
what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that
which is to be defined; and an accidental definition
lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it,
viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects,
etc.\'b8
Whately.
Def`i*ni"tion*al (?), a.
Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition;
employed in defining.
De*fin"i*tive (?), a. [L.
definitivus: cf. F. d\'82finitif.]
1. Determinate; positive; final; conclusive;
unconditional; express.
A strict and definitive truth.
Sir T. Browne.
Some definitive . . . scheme of reconciliation.
Prescott.
2. Limiting; determining; as, a
definitive word.
3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*fin"i*tive, n. (Gram.) A
word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a
common noun, such as the definite article, and some
pronouns.
Definitives . . . are commonly called by
grammarians articles. . . . They are of two kinds,
either those properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal
articles, such as this, that,
any, other, some,
all, no, none, etc.
Harris (Hermes).
De*fin"i*tive*ly, adv. In a definitive
manner.
De*fin"i*tive*ness, n. The quality of
being definitive.
De*fin"i*tude (?), n.
Definiteness. [R.]
Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute
differences.
Sir W. Hamilton.
De*fix" (?), v. t. [L.
defixus, p. p. of defigere to fix;
de- + figere to fix.] To fix; to
fasten; to establish. [Obs.] \'bdTo
defix their princely seat . . . in that extreme
province.\'b8
Hakluyt.
Def`la*gra*bil"i*ty (?), n.
(Chem.) The state or quality of being
deflagrable.
The ready deflagrability . . . of saltpeter.
Boyle.
De*fla"gra*ble (?; 277), a.
[See Deflagrate.] (Chem.)
Burning with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter;
hence, slightly explosive; liable to snap and crackle when
heated, as salt.
Def"la*grate (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Deflagrated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deflagrating.] [L.
deflagratus, p. p. of deflagrare to burn
up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.]
(Chem.) To burn with a sudden and sparkling
combustion, as niter; also, to snap and crackle with slight
explosions when heated, as salt.
Def"la*grate, v. t. (Chem.)
To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by
the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as,
to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen
flame.
Def`la*gra"tion (?), n. [L.
deflagratio: cf. F. d\'82flagration.]
1. A burning up; conflagration.
\'bdInnumerable deluges and deflagrations.\'b8
Bp. Pearson.
2. (Chem.) The act or process of
deflagrating.
Def"la*gra`tor (?), n.
(Chem.) A form of the voltaic battery having
large plates, used for producing rapid and powerful
combustion.
De*flate" (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- down + L. flare, flatus to
blow.] To reduce from an inflated condition.
De*flect" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deflected; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deflecting.] [L.
deflectere; de- + flectere to
bend or turn. See Flexible.] To cause to turn
aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often
deflected.
Sitting with their knees deflected under them.
Lord (1630).
De*flect", v. i. To turn aside; to
deviate from a right or a horizontal line, or from a proper
position, course or direction; to swerve.
At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth
not, but lieth in the true meridian.
Sir T. Browne.
To deflect from the line of truth and reason.
Warburton.
De*flect"a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being deflected.
De*flect"ed, a.
1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or
course.
2. Bent downward; deflexed.
De*flec"tion (?), n. [L.
deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf. F.
d\'82flexion.]
1. The act of turning aside, or state of being
turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a
bending, esp. downward; deviation.
The other leads to the same point, through certain
deflections.
Lowth.
2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or
ball from its true course.
3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of
light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection;
diffraction.
4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or
girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a
load.
De*flec`tion*i*za"tion (?), n.
The act of freeing from inflections.
Earle.
De*flec"tion*ize (?), v. t. To
free from inflections.
Deflectionized languages are said to be
analytic.
Earle.
De*flect"ive (?), a. Causing
deflection.
Deflective forces, forces that cause a body to
deviate from its course.
De*flect"or (?), n.
(Mech.) That which deflects, as a diaphragm in a
furnace, or a come in a lamp (to deflect and mingle air and gases
and help combustion).
De*flexed" (?), a. Bent
abruptly downward.
De*flex"ion (?), n. See
Deflection.
De*flex"ure (?), n. [From L.
deflectere, deflexum. See
Deflect.] A bending or turning aside;
deflection.
Bailey.
De*flo"rate (?), a. [LL.
defloratus, p. p. of deflorare. See
Deflour.] (Bot.) Past the
flowering state; having shed its pollen.
Gray.
Def`lo*ra"tion (?), n. [LL.
defloratio: cf. F. d\'82floration.]
1. The act of deflouring; as, the
defloration if a virgin.
Johnson.
2. That which is chosen as the flower or choicest
part; careful culling or selection. [R.]
The laws of Normandy are, in a great measure, the
defloration of the English laws.
Sir M. Hale.
De*flour" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defloured
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deflouring.] [F.
d\'82florer, LL. deflorare; L.
de- + flos, floris, flower. See
Flower, and cf. Deflorate.]
1. To deprive of flowers.
2. To take away the prime beauty and grace of; to
rob of the choicest ornament.
He died innocent and before the sweetness of his soul was
defloured and ravished from him.
Jer. Taylor.
3. To deprive of virginity, as a woman; to violate;
to ravish; also, to seduce.
De*flour"er (?), n. One who
deflours; a ravisher.
De*flow" (?), v. i. [Pref.
de- + flow: cf. L.
defluere.] To flow down.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*flow"er (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + flower.] Same as
Deflour.
An earthquake . . . deflowering the gardens.
W. Montagu.
If a man had deflowered a virgin.
Milton.
De*flow"er*er (?), n. See
Deflourer.
Milton.
Def"lu*ous (?), a. [L.
defluus, fr. defluere to flow down;
de- + fluere to flow.] Flowing
down; falling off. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*flux" (?), n. [L.
defluxus, fr. defluere,
defluxum.] Downward flow.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
De*flux"ion (?), n. [L.
defluxio.] (Med.) A discharge or
flowing of humors or fluid matter, as from the nose in catarrh;
-- sometimes used synonymously with
inflammation.
Dunglison.
Def"ly (?), adv. Deftly.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
Def`\'d2*da"tion (?), n.
Defedation. [Obs.]
{ De*fo"li*ate (?),
De*fo"li*a`ted (?). } a.
Deprived of leaves, as by their natural fall.
De*fo`li*a"tion (?), n. [LL.
defoliare, defoliatum, to shed leaves; L.
de- + folium leaf: cf. F.
d\'82foliation.] The separation of ripened
leaves from a branch or stem; the falling or shedding of the
leaves.
De*force" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deforced
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deforcing.] [OF. deforcier;
de- or des- (L. de or
dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See
Force, v.] (Law)
(a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold
wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold.
(b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution
of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of
his duty.
Burrill.
De*force"ment (?), n.
[OF.] (Law) (a) A keeping out
by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or
tenements, to which another has a right. (b)
(Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the
execution of law.
Burrill.
De*force"or (?), n. Same as
Deforciant. [Obs.]
De*for"ciant (?), n. [OF.
deforciant, p. pr. of deforcier. See
Deforce.] (Eng. Law) (a)
One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an
estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious
action of fine was brought. [Obs.]
Burrill.
De*for`ci*a"tion (?), n.
(Law) Same as Deforcement,
n.
<-- p. 383 -->
De*for"est (?), v. t. To clear
of forests; to dis/orest.
U. S. Agric. Reports.
De*form" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deformed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deforming.] [L. deformare;
de- + formare to form, shape, fr.
forma: cf. F. d\'82former. See
Form.]
1. To spoil the form of; to mar in form; to
misshape; to disfigure.
Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time
Into this breathing world.
Shak.
2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness,
grace, or perfection; to dishonor.
Above those passions that this world deform.
Thomson.
De*form", a. [L. deformis;
de- + forma form: cf. OF.
deforme, F. difforme. Cf.
Difform.] Deformed; misshapen; shapeless;
horrid. [Obs.]
Sight so deform what heart of rock could long
Dry-eyed behold?
Milton.
Def`or*ma"tion (?), n. [L.
deformatio: cf. F. d\'82formation.]
1. The act of deforming, or state of anything
deformed.
Bp. Hall.
2. Transformation; change of shape.
De*formed" (?), a. Unnatural or
distorted in form; having a deformity; misshapen; disfigured;
as, a deformed person; a deformed
head. -- De*form"ed*ly
(#), adv. -- De*form"ed*ness,
n.
De*form"er (?), n. One who
deforms.
De*form"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Deformities (#). [L.
deformitas, fr. deformis: cf. OF.
deformet\'82, deformit\'82, F.
difformit\'82. See Deform, v. &
a., and cf. Disformity.]
1. The state of being deformed; want of proper form
or symmetry; any unnatural form or shape; distortion;
irregularity of shape or features; ugliness.
To make an envious mountain on my back,
Where sits deformity to mock my body.
Shak.
2. Anything that destroys beauty, grace, or
propriety; irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation from other or
the established laws of propriety; as, deformity in
an edifice; deformity of character.
Confounded, that her Maker's eyes
Should look so near upon her foul deformities.
Milton.
De*fors"er (?), n. [From
Deforce.] [Written also
deforsor.] A deforciant.
[Obs.]
Blount.
De*foul" (?), v. t. [See
Defile, v. t.]
1. To tread down. [Obs.]
Wyclif.
2. To make foul; to defile.
[Obs.]
Wyclif.
De*fraud" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defrauded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Defrauding.] [L.
defraudare; de- + fraudare to
cheat, fr. fraus, fraudis, fraud: cf. OF.
defrauder. See Fraud.] To deprive
of some right, interest, or property, by a deceitful device; to
withhold from wrongfully; to injure by embezzlement; to cheat; to
overreach; as, to defraud a servant, or a creditor,
or the state; -- with of before the thing taken
or withheld.
We have defrauded no man.
2 Cor. vii. 2.
Churches seem injured and defrauded of their
rights.
Hooker.
De`frau*da"tion (?), n. [L.
defraudatio: cf. F. d\'82fraudation.]
The act of defrauding; a taking by fraud.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*fraud"er (?), n. One who
defrauds; a cheat; an embezzler; a peculator.
De*fraud"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF.
defraudement.] Privation by fraud;
defrauding. [Obs.]
Milton.
De*fray" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defrayed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Defraying.] [F. d\'82frayer;
pref. d\'82- (L. de or dis-) +
frais expense, fr. LL. fredum,
fridum, expense, fine by which an offender obtained
peace from his sovereign, or more likely, atoned for an offense
against the public peace, fr. OHG. fridu peace, G.
friede. See Affray.]
1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to
provide for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc.
For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying
his cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much.
Usher.
2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to
satisfy; as, to defray wrath.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
De*fray"al (?), n. The act of
defraying; payment; as, the defrayal of necessary
costs.
De*fray"er (?), n. One who pays
off expenses.
De*fray"ment (?), n. Payment of
charges.
Deft (?), a. [OE.
daft, deft, becoming, mild, gentle, stupid
(cf. OE. daffe, deffe, fool, coward), AS.
d\'91ft (in derivatives only) mild, gentle, fitting,
seasonable; akin to dafen, gedafen,
becoming, fit, Goth. gadaban to be fit. Cf.
Daft, Daff, Dapper.] Apt;
fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. [Archaic or
Poetic] \'bdThe deftest way.\'b8
Shak. \'bdDeftest feats.\'b8
Gay.
The limping god, do deft at his new ministry.
Dryden.
Let me be deft and debonair.
Byron.
Deft"ly, adv. [Cf.
Defly.] Aptly; fitly; dexterously;
neatly. \'bdDeftly dancing.\'b8
Drayton.
Thyself and office deftly show.
Shak.
Deft"ness, n. The quality of being
deft.
Drayton.
De*funct" (?). a. [L.
defunctus, p. p. of defungi to acquit one's
self of, to perform, finish, depart, die; de +
fungi to perform, discharge: cf. F.
d\'82funt. See Function.] Having
finished the course of life; dead; deceased.
\'bdDefunct organs.\'b8
Shak.
The boar, defunct, lay tripped up, near.
Byron.
De*funct", n. A dead person; one
deceased.
De*func"tion (?), n. [L.
defunctio performance, death.] Death.
[Obs.]
After defunction of King Pharamond.
Shak.
De*func"tive (?), a.
Funereal. [Obs.]
\'bdDefunctive music.\'b8
Shak.
De*fuse" (?), v. t. [Cf.
Diffuse.] To disorder; to make
shapeless. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*fy" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Defied (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.]
[F. d\'82fier, OF. deffier,
desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or
fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the
vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L.
dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and
cf. Diffident, Affiance.]
1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance,
faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce.
[Obs.]
I defy the surety and the bond.
Chaucer.
For thee I have defied my constant mistress.
Beau. & Fl.
2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to
combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to
treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to
defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the
arguments of an opponent; to defy public
opinion.
I once again
Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
Milton.
I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the
contrary.
Burke.
De*fy" (?), n. A
challenge. [Obs.]
Dryden.
De*gar"nish (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Degarnished
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Degarnishing.] [F.
d\'82garnir; pref. d\'82-, des-
(L. dis-) + garnir to furnish. See
Garnish, and cf. Disgarnish.]
1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of
furniture, ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to
degarnish a house, etc. [R.]
2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary
for defense; as, to degarnish a city or
fort. [R.]
Washington.
De*gar"nish*ment (?), n. The
act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a
garrison. [R.]
{ De*gen"der (?), De*gen"er
(?), } v. i. [See
Degenerate.] To degenerate.
[Obs.] \'bdDegendering to hate.\'b8
Spenser.
He degenereth into beastliness.
Joye.
De*gen"er*a*cy (?), n. [From
Degenerate, a.]
1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing
worse.
Willful degeneracy from goodness.
Tillotson.
2. The state of having become degenerate; decline
in good qualities; deterioration; meanness.
Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery.
Addison.
To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and
degeneracy.
S. Clarke.
De*gen"er*ate (?), a. [L.
degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to
degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base,
degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- +
genus race, kind. See Kin
relationship.] Having become worse than one's kind, or
one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in
goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low.
Faint-hearted and degenerate king.
Shak.
A degenerate and degraded state.
Milton.
Degenerate from their ancient blood.
Swift.
These degenerate days.
Pope.
I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou
turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine
unto me?
Jer. ii. 21.
De*gen"er*ate (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Degenerated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Degenerating.]
1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one
was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or
more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate.
When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into
insolence and impiety.
Tillotson.
2. (Biol.) To fall off from the normal
quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a
lower type.
De*gen"er*ate*ly (?), adv. In a
degenerate manner; unworthily.
De*gen"er*ate*ness, n. Degeneracy.
De*gen`er*a"tion (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82g\'82n\'82ration.]
1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state
of having become worse; decline; degradation; debasement;
degeneracy; deterioration.
Our degeneration and apostasy.
Bates.
2. (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue
or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or
perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of
structure; as, fatty degeneration of the
liver.
3. (Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from
natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any
particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.
4. The thing degenerated. [R.]
Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations.
Sir T. Browne.
Amyloid degeneration, Caseous
degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid,
Caseous, etc.
De*gen`er*a"tion*ist, n. (Biol.)
A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary
degradation of type; as, the degenerationists hold
that savagery is the result of degeneration from a superior
state.
De*gen"er*a*tive (?), a.
Undergoing or producing degeneration; tending to
degenerate.
De*gen"er*ous (?), a. [L.
degener. See Degenerate.]
Degenerate; base. [Obs.]
\'bdDegenerous passions.\'b8 Dryden.
\'bdDegenerous practices.\'b8
South.
De*gen"er*ous*ly, adv. Basely.
[Obs.]
De*glaz"ing (?), n. The process
of giving a dull or ground surface to glass by acid or by
mechanical means.
Knight.
De*glo"ried (?), a. Deprived of
glory; dishonored. [Obs.] \'bdWith thorns
degloried.\'b8
G. Fletcher.
De*glu"ti*nate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deglutinated;
p. pr. & vb. n. Deglutinating.]
[L. deglutinatus, p. p. of deglutinare
to deglutinate; de- + glutinare to glue,
gluten glue.] To loosen or separate by
dissolving the glue which unties; to unglue.
De*glu`ti*na"tion (?), n. The
act of ungluing.
Deg`lu*ti"tion (?), n. [L.
deglutire to swallow down; de- +
glutire to swallow: cf. F. d\'82glutition.
See Glut.] The act or process of swallowing
food; the power of swallowing.
The muscles employed in the act of deglutition.
Paley.
Deg`lu*ti"tious (?), a.
Pertaining to deglutition. [R.]
De*glu"ti*to*ry (?), a. Serving
for, or aiding in, deglutition.
Deg`ra*da"tion (?), n. [LL.
degradatio, from degradare: cf. F.
d\'82gradation. See Degrade.]
1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or
reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank
in office or society; diminution; as, the
degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a
bishop.
He saw many removes and degradations in all the
other offices of which he had been possessed.
Clarendon.
2. The state of being reduced in rank, character,
or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual
degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement.
The . . . degradation of a needy man of
letters.
Macaulay.
Deplorable is the degradation of our nature.
South.
Moments there frequently must be, when a si//er is
sensible of the degradation of his state.
Blair.
3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy,
or value; degeneration; deterioration.
The development and degradation of the alphabetic
forms can be traced.
I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
4. (Geol.) A gradual wearing down or
wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, fro//
etc.
5. (Biol.) The state or condition of a
species or group which exhibits degraded forms;
degeneration.
The degradation of the species man is observed in
some of its varieties.
Dana.
6. (Physiol.) Arrest of development, or
degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole.
Degradation of energy, Dissipation
of energy (Physics), the
transformation of energy into some form in which it is less
available for doing work.
Syn. -- Abasement; debasement; reduction; decline.
De*grade" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Degraded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Degrading.] [F.
d\'82grader, LL. degradare, fr. L.
de- + gradus step, degree. See
Grade, and cf. Degree.]
1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or
degree; to lower in rank' to deprive of office or dignity; to
strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a
general officer.
Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be
degraded from the bar.
Palfrey.
2. To reduce in estimation, character, or
reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral,
or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or
contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a
man.
O miserable mankind, to what fall
Degraded, to what wretched state reserved!
Milton.
He pride . . . struggled hard against this
degrading passion.
Macaulay.
3. (Geol.) To reduce in altitude or
magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.
Syn. -- To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See
Abase.
De*grade", v. i. (Biol.) To
degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure;
as, a family of plants or animals degrades through
this or that genus or group of genera.
De*grad"ed (?), a.
1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation;
debased; sunken; low; base.
The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very
degraded condition.
Motley.
2. (Biol.) Having the typical characters
or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain
parts.
Some families of plants are degraded
dicotyledons.
Dana.
3. [Cf. F. degr\'82 step.]
(Her.) Having steps; -- said of a cross each of
whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave
the center; -- termed also on degrees.
De*grade"ment (?), n.
Deprivation of rank or office; degradation.
[R.]
Milton.
De*grad"ing*ly, adv. In a degrading
manner.
Deg`ra*va"tion (?), n. [L.
degravare, degravatum, to make heavy. See
Grave, a.] The act of making
heavy. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*gree" (?), n. [F.
degr\'82, OF. degret, fr. LL.
degradare. See Degrade.]
1. A step, stair, or staircase.
[Obs.]
By ladders, or else by degree.
Rom. of R.
2. One of a series of progressive steps upward or
downward, in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in
progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice
and virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree
of comparison.
3. The point or step of progression to which a
person has arrived; rank or station in life; position.
\'bdA dame of high degree.\'b8 Dryden. \'bdA
knight is your degree.\'b8 Shak. \'bdLord or
lady of high degree.\'b8
Lowell.
4. Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as,
tastes differ in kind as well as in degree.
The degree of excellence which proclaims genius, is
different in different times and different places.
Sir. J. Reynolds.
5. Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by
a college or university, in recognition of their attainments;
as, the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor,
etc.
bachelor of arts (B. A. or A. B.);
the second that of master of arts (M. A. or A. M.).
The degree of bachelor (of arts,
science, divinity, law, etc.) is
conferred upon those who complete a prescribed course of
undergraduate study. The first degree in medicine is that of
doctor of medicine (M. D.). The degrees of
master and doctor are sometimes conferred,
in course, upon those who have completed certain prescribed
postgraduate studies, as doctor of philosophy (Ph.
D.); but more frequently the degree of doctor is
conferred as a complimentary recognition of eminent services in
science or letters, or for public services or distinction (as
doctor of laws (LL. D.) or doctor of
divinity (D. D.), when they are called honorary
degrees.
<-- by 1960 the Ph. D. was more common than the honorary degree.
-->
The youth attained his bachelor's degree, and left
the university.
Macaulay.
5. (Genealogy) A certain distance or
remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of
blood; one remove in the chain of relationship; as, a
relation in the third or fourth degree.
In the 11th century an opinion began to gain ground in Italy,
that third cousins might marry, being in the seventh
degree according to the civil law.
Hallam.
<-- p. 384 -->
7. (Arith.) Three figures taken together
in numeration; thus, 140 is one degree, 222,140 two
degrees.
8. (Algebra) State as indicated by sum
of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is
indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors;
thus, a2b2c is a term of
the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or
radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the
greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown quantities in any
term; thus, ax4 + bx2 = c,
and mx2y2 + nyx = p, are
both equations of the fourth degree.
9. (Trig.) A 360th part of the
circumference of a circle, which part is taken as the principal
unit of measure for arcs and angles. The degree is divided into
60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds.
10. A division, space, or interval, marked on a
mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer.
11. (Mus.) A line or space of the
staff.
added
degrees.
Accumulation of degrees. (Eng. Univ.)
See under Accumulation. -- By
degrees, step by step; by little and little; by
moderate advances. \'bdI 'll leave by
degrees.\'b8 Shak. -- Degree of a curve (Geom.), the number which expresses
the degree of the equation of the curve or surface in rectilinear
co\'94rdinates. A straight line will, in general, meet the curve
or surface in a number of points equal to the degree of the curve
or surface and no more. -- Degree of latitude
(Geog.), on the earth, the distance on a meridian
between two parallels of latitude whose latitudes differ from
each other by one degree. This distance is not the same on
different parts of a meridian, on account of the flattened figure
of the earth, being 68.702 statute miles at the equator, and
69.396 at the poles. -- Degree of longitude,
the distance on a parallel of latitude between two meridians
that make an angle of one degree with each other at the poles --
a distance which varies as the cosine of the latitude, being at
the equator 69.16 statute miles. -- To a degree,
to an extreme; exceedingly; as, mendacious to a
degree.
It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave to a
degree on occasions when races more favored by nature are
gladsome to excess.
Prof. Wilson.
\'d8De"gu (?), n. [Native
name.] (Zo\'94l.) A small South American
rodent (Octodon Cumingii), of the family
Octodontid\'91.
De*gust" (?), v. t. [L.
degustare: cf. F. d\'82guster. See
Gust to taste.] To taste.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.
Deg`us*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
degustatio: cf. F. d\'82gustation.]
(Physiol.) Tasting; the appreciation of sapid
qualities by the taste organs.
Bp. Hall.
De*hisce" (?), v. i. [L.
dehiscere; de- + hiscere to
gape.] To gape; to open by dehiscence.
De*his"cence (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82hiscence.]
1. The act of gaping.
2. (Biol.) A gaping or bursting open
along a definite line of attachment or suture, without tearing,
as in the opening of pods, or the bursting of capsules at
maturity so as to emit seeds, etc.; also, the bursting open of
follicles, as in the ovaries of animals, for the expulsion of
their contents.
De*his"cent (?), a. [L.
dehiscens, -entis, p. pr. Cf. F.
d\'82hiscent.] Characterized by dehiscence;
opening in some definite way, as the capsule of a plant.
De`ho*nes"tate (?), v. t. [L.
dehonestatus, p. p. of dehonestare to
dishonor; de- + honestare to make
honorable. Cf. Dishonest, and see
Honest.] To disparage.
[Obs.]
De*hon`es*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
dehonestatio.] A dishonoring;
disgracing. [Obs.]
Gauden.
De*horn" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dehorned
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dehorning.] To deprive of horns; to
prevent the growth or the horns of (cattle) by burning their ends
soon after they start. See Dishorn.
\'bdDehorning cattle.\'b8
Farm Journal (1886).
\'d8De*hors" (?), prep. [F.,
outside.] (Law) Out of; without; foreign
to; out of the agreement, record, will, or other
instrument.
\'d8De*hors", n. (Mil.) All
sorts of outworks in general, at a distance from the main works;
any advanced works for protection or cover.
Farrow.
De*hort" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dehorted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Dehorting.] [L.
dehortari; de- + hortari to
urge, exhort.] To urge to abstain or refrain; to
dissuade. [Obs.]
The apostles vehemently dehort us from
unbelief.
Bp. Ward.
\'bdExhort\'b8 remains, but dehort, a word whose
place neither \'bddissuade\'b8 nor any other exactly supplies,
has escaped us.
Trench.
De`hor*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
dehortatio.] Dissuasion; advice against
something. [R.]
De*hort"a*tive (?), a.
Dissuasive. [R.]
De*hort"a*to*ry (?), a. [L.
dehortatorius.] Fitted or designed to
dehort or dissuade.
Bp. Hall.
De*hort"er (?), n. A dissuader;
an adviser to the contrary. [Obs.]
De*hu"man*ize (?), v. t. To
divest of human qualities, such as pity, tenderness, etc.;
as, dehumanizing influences.
De*husk" (?), v. t. To remove
the husk from. [Obs.] \'bdWheat
dehusked upon the floor.\'b8
Drant.
De*hy"drate (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deprive of water; to render free from
water; as, to dehydrate alcohol.
De`hy*dra"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) The act or process of freeing from water;
also, the condition of a body from which the water has been
removed.
De*hy"dro*gen*ate (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deprive of, or free from,
hydrogen.
De*hy`dro*gen*a"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) The act or process or freeing from
hydrogen; also, the condition resulting from the removal of
hydrogen.
De"i*cide (?), n. [L.
deicida a deicide (in sense 2); deus god +
c\'91dere to cut, kill: cf. F.
d\'82icide.]
1. The act of killing a being of a divine nature;
particularly, the putting to death of Jesus Christ.
[R.]
Earth profaned, yet blessed, with deicide.
Prior.
2. One concerned in putting Christ to death.
Deic"tic (?), a. [Gr. /
serving to show or point out, fr. / to show.]
(Logic) Direct; proving directly; -- applied to
reasoning, and opposed to elenchtic or
refutative.
Deic"tic*al*ly (?), adv. In a
manner to show or point out; directly; absolutely;
definitely.
When Christ spake it deictically.
Hammond.
{ De*if"ic (?), De*if"ic*al
(?), } a. [L. deificus;
deus god + facere to make: cf. F.
d\'82ifigue.] Making divine; producing a
likeness to God; god-making. \'bdA deifical
communion.\'b8
Homilies.
De`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [LL.
deificare to deify: cf. F. d\'82ification.
See Deify.] The act of deifying; exaltation
to divine honors; apotheosis; excessive praise.
De"i*fied (?), a. Honored or
worshiped as a deity; treated with supreme regard; godlike.
De"i*fi`er (?), n. One who
deifies.
De"i*form (?), a. [L.
deus a god + -form.]
1. Godlike, or of a godlike form.
Dr. H. More.
2. Conformable to the will of God.
[R.]
Bp. Burnet.
De`i*for"mi*ty (?), n. Likeness
to deity. [Obs.]
De"i*fy (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deified
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deifying.] [F. d\'82ifier,
LL. deificare, fr. L. deificus. See
Deific, Deity, -fy.]
1. To make a god of; to exalt to the rank of a
deity; to enroll among the deities; to apotheosize; as,
Julius C\'91sar was deified.
2. To praise or revere as a deity; to treat as an
object of supreme regard; as, to deify
money.
He did again to extol and deify the pope.
Bacon.
3. To render godlike.
By our own spirits are we deified.
Wordsworth.
Deign (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deigned
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deigning.] [OE. deinen,
deignen, OF. degner, deigner,
daigner, F. daigner, fr. L.
dignari to deem worthy, deign, fr. dignus
worthy; akin to decere to be fitting. See
Decent, and cf. Dainty, Dignity,
Condign, Disdain.]
1. To esteem worthy; to consider worth notice; --
opposed to disdain. [Obs.]
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines.
Shak.
2. To condescend to give or bestow; to stoop to
furnish; to vouchsafe; to allow; to grant.
Nor would we deign him burial of his men.
Shak.
Deign, v. i. To think worthy; to
vouchsafe; to condescend; -- followed by an infinitive.
O deign to visit our forsaken seats.
Pope.
Yet not Lord Cranstone deigned she greet.
Sir W. Scott.
Round turned he, as not deigning
Those craven ranks to see.
Macaulay.
In early English deign was often used
impersonally.
Him deyneth not to set his foot to ground.
Chaucer.
Deign"ous (?), a. [For
disdeignous, OF. desdeignos,
desdaigneus, F. d\'82daigneux. See
Disdain.] Haughty; disdainful.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Deil (?), n. Devil; -- spelt
also deel. [Scot.]
Deil's buckie. See under
Buckie.
\'d8Dei*noc"e*ras (?), n.
[NL.] (Paleon.) See
Dinoceras.
\'d8Dei*nor"nis (?), n.
[NL.] (Paleon.) See
Dinornis.
\'d8Dei"no*saur (?), n.
[NL.] (Paleon.) See
Dinosaur.
\'d8Dei`no*the"ri*um (?), n.
[NL.] (Paleon.) See
Dinotherium.
De*in"te*grate (?), v. t. [L.
deintegrare to impair; de- +
integrare to make whole.] To
disintegrate. [Obs.]
{ Dein"te*ous (?), Dein"te*vous
(?) }, a. Rare; excellent;
costly. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*ip"a*rous (?), a. [L.
deus a god + parere to bring forth.]
Bearing or bringing forth a god; -- said of the Virgin
Mary. [Obs.]
Bailey.
Deip*nos"o*phist (?), n. [Gr.
/; / a meal + / a wise man, sophist.] One of an
ancient sect of philosophers, who cultivated learned conversation
at meals.
De"is (?), n. See
Dais.
De"ism (?), n. [L.
deus god: cf. F. d\'82isme. See
Deity.] The doctrine or creed of a deist; the
belief or system of those who acknowledge the existence of one
God, but deny revelation.
Deism is the belief in natural religion
only, or those truths, in doctrine and practice, which man is to
discover by the light of reason, independent of any revelation
from God. Hence, deism implies infidelity,
or a disbelief in the divine origin of the Scriptures.
De"ist (?), n. [L.
deus god: cf. F. d\'82iste. See
Deity.] One who believes in the existence of
a God, but denies revealed religion; a freethinker.
deist, as denying a revelation, is
opposed to a Christian; as, opposed to the denier of a God,
whether atheist or patheist, a
deist is generally denominated
theist.
Latham.
Syn. -- See Infidel.
{ De*is"tic (?), De*is"tic*al
(?), } a. Pertaining to, savoring
of, or consisting in, deism; as, a deistic writer; a
deistical book.
The deistical or antichristian scheme.
I. Watts.
De*is"tic*al*ly, adv. After the manner
of deists.
De*is"tic*al*ness, n. State of being
deistical.
De"i*tate (?), a.
Deified. [Obs.]
Granmer.
De"i*ty (?), n.; pl.
Deities (#). [OE.
deite, F. d\'82it\'82, fr. L.
deitas, fr. deus a god; akin to
divus divine, Jupiter, gen.
Jovis, Jupiter, dies day, Gr. / divine,
/, gen. ///, Zeus, Skr. d/va divine, as a
noun, god, daiva divine, dy/ sky, day,
hence, the sky personified as a god, and to the first syllable of
E. Tuesday, Gael. & Ir. dia God, W.
duw. Cf. Divine, Journey,
Journal, Tuesday.]
1. The collection of attributes which make up the
nature of a god; divinity; godhead; as, the deity of
the Supreme Being is seen in his works.
They declared with emphasis the perfect deity and
the perfect manhood of Christ.
Milman.
2. A god or goddess; a heathen god.
To worship calves, the deities
Of Egypt.
Milton.
The Deity, God, the Supreme Being.
This great poet and philosopher [Simonides], the more he
contemplated the nature of the Deity, found that he
waded but the more out of his depth.
Addison.
De*ject" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dejected; p.
pr. & vb. n. Dejecting.] [L.
dejectus, p. p. of dejicere to throw down;
de- + jacere to throw. See Jet a
shooting forth.]
1. To cast down. [Obs. or
Archaic]
Christ dejected himself even unto the hells.
Udall.
Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming
civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest
look.
Fuller.
2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to
discourage; to dishearten.
Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind.
Pope.
De*ject", a. [L. dejectus, p.
p.] Dejected. [Obs.]
\'d8De*jec"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.,
neut. pl. from L. dejectus, p. p.]
Excrements; as, the dejecta of the
sick.
De*ject"ed, a. Cast down; afflicted;
low-spirited; sad; as, a dejected look or
countenance. -- De*ject"ed*ly,
adv. -- De*ject"ed*ness,
n.
De*ject"er (?), n. One who
casts down, or dejects.
De*jec"tion (?), n. [L.
dejectio a casting down: cf. F.
d\'82jection.]
1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or
Archaic]
Hallywell.
2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self.
Adoration implies submission and dejection.
Bp. Pearson.
3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or
misfortune; mental depression; melancholy.
What besides,
Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair,
Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring.
Milton.
4. A low condition; weakness; inability.
[R.]
A dejection of appetite.
Arbuthnot.
5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge
of excrement. (b) F\'91ces; excrement.
Ray.
De*ject"ly (?), adv.
Dejectedly. [Obs.]
De*jec"to*ry (?), a. [L.
dejector a dejecter.]
1. Having power, or tending, to cast down.
2. Promoting evacuations by stool.
Ferrand.
De*jec"ture (?; 135), n. That
which is voided; excrements.
Arbuthnot.
Dej"er*ate (?), v. i. [L.
dejeratus, p. p. of dejerare to swear;
de- + jurare to swear.] To swear
solemnly; to take an oath. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Dej`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
dejeratio.] The act of swearing
solemnly. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
\'d8D\'82`jeu`n\'82" (?), n.
[F.] A d\'82jeuner.
Take a d\'82jeun\'82 of muskadel and eggs.
B. Jonson.
\'d8D\'82`jeu`ner" (?), n. [F.
d\'82jeuner breakfast, as a verb, to breakfast. Cf.
Dinner.] A breakfast; sometimes, also, a
lunch or collation.
\'d8De` ju"re (?). [L.] By
right; of right; by law; -- often opposed to be
facto.
Dek"a- (?). (Metric System) A
prefix signifying ten. See Deca-.
Dek"a*gram (?), n. Same as
Decagram.
Dek"a*li`ter (?), n. Same as
Decaliter.
Dek"a*me`ter (?), n. Same as
Decameter.
Dek"a*stere` (?), n. Same as
Decastere.
De"kle (?), n. (Paper
Making) See Deckle.
Del (?), n. [See Deal,
n.] Share; portion; part.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*lac`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
delacerare, delaceratum, to tear in pieces.
See Lacerate.] A tearing in pieces.
[Obs.]
Bailey.
De*lac`ry*ma"tion (?), n. [L.
delacrimatio, fr. delacrimare to weep. See
Lachrymation.] An involuntary discharge of
watery humors from the eyes; wateriness of the eyes.
[Obs.]
Bailey.
De`lac*ta"tion (?), n. [Pref.
de- + L. lactare to suck milk, from
lac milk.] The act of weaning.
[Obs.]
Bailey.
De*laine" (?), n. [See
Muslin delaine, under Muslin.] A
kind of fabric for women's dresses.
De*lam`i*na"tion (?), n.
(Biol.) Formation and separation of lamin\'91 or
layers; one of the methods by which the various blastodermic
layers of the ovum are differentiated.
De`lap*sa"tion (?), n. See
Delapsion.
Ray.
De*lapse" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Delapsed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Delapsing.] [L. delapsus, p.
p. of delabi to fall down; de- +
labi to fall or side.] To pass down by
inheritance; to lapse. [Obs.]
Which Anne derived alone the right, before all other,
Of the delapsed crown from Philip.
Drayton.
<-- p. 385 -->
De*lap"sion (?), n. A falling
down, or out of place; prolapsion.
De`las*sa"tion (?), n. [L.
delassare, delassatum, to tire out;
de- + lassare to tire.]
Fatigue.
Able to continue without delassation.
Ray.
De*late" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delated; p. pr.
& vb. n. Delating.] [L.
delatus, used as p. p. of deferre. See
Tolerate, and cf. 3d Defer, Delay,
v.] [Obs. or Archaic]
1. To carry; to convey.
Try exactly the time wherein sound is delated.
Bacon.
2. To carry abroad; to spread; to make
public.
When the crime is delated or notorious.
Jer. Taylor.
3. To carry or bring against, as a charge; to
inform against; to accuse; to denounce.
As men were delated, they were marked down for such
a fine.
Bp. Burnet.
4. To carry on; to conduct.
Warner.
De*late", v. i. To dilate.
[Obs.]
Goodwin.
De*la"tion (?), n. [L.
delatio accusation: cf. F.
d\'82lation.]
1. Conveyance. [Obs. or Archaic]
In delation of sounds, the inclosure of them
preserveth them.
Bacon.
2. (Law) Accusation by an
informer.
Milman.
De*la"tor (?), n. [L.]
An accuser; an informer. [R.]
Howell.
Del"a*ware (?), n. (Bot.)
An American grape, with compact bunches of small,
amber-colored berries, sweet and of a good flavor.
Del"a*wares (?), n. pl.; sing.
Delaware. (Ethnol.) A tribe
of Indians formerly inhabiting the valley of the Delaware River,
but now mostly located in the Indian Territory.
De*lay" (?), n.; pl.
Delays (#). [F.
d\'82lai, fr. OF. deleer to delay, or fr.
L. dilatum, which, though really from a different
root, is used in Latin only as a p. p. neut. of
differre to carry apart, defer, delay. See
Tolerate, and cf. Differ, Delay,
v.] A putting off or deferring;
procrastination; lingering inactivity; stop; detention;
hindrance.
Without any delay, on the morrow I sat on the
judgment seat.
Acts xxv. 17.
The government ought to be settled without the
delay of a day.
Macaulay.
De*lay", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Delayed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Delaying.] [OF.
deleer, delaier, fr. the noun
d\'82lai, or directly fr. L. dilatare to
enlarge, dilate, in LL., to put off. See Delay,
n., and cf. Delate, 1st Defer,
Dilate.]
1. To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to
prolong the time of or before.
My lord delayeth his coming.
Matt. xxiv. 48.
2. To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a
time; to retard the motion, or time of arrival, of; as, the
mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow.
Thyrsis! whose artful strains have oft delayed
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal.
Milton.
3. To allay; to temper. [Obs.]
The watery showers delay the raging wind.
Surrey.
De*lay", v. i. To move slowly; to stop
for a time; to linger; to tarry.
There seem to be certain bounds to the quickness and slowness
of the succession of those ideas, . . . beyond which they can
neither delay nor hasten.
Locke.
De*lay"er (?), n. One who
delays; one who lingers.
De*lay"ing*ly, adv. By delays.
[R.]
Tennyson.
De*lay"ment (?), n.
Hindrance. [Obs.]
Gower.
\'d8Del` cred"er*e (?). [It., of belief or
trust.] (Mercantile Law) An agreement by
which an agent or factor, in consideration of an additional
premium or commission (called a del credere
commission), engages, when he sells goods on credit, to insure,
warrant, or guarantee to his principal the solvency of the
purchaser, the engagement of the factor being to pay the debt
himself if it is not punctually discharged by the buyer when it
becomes due.
De"le (?), imperative sing. of
L. delere to destroy. [Cf.
Delete.] (Print.) Erase; remove;
-- a direction to cancel something which has been put in type;
usually expressed by a peculiar form of d, thus:
De"le, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Deled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deleing.] [From the preceding
word.] (Print.) To erase; to cancel; to
delete; to mark for omission.
Dele (?), v. t. [See
Deal.] To deal; to divide; to
distribute. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Del"e*ble (?; 277), a. [L.
delebilis. See 1st Dele.] Capable
of being blotted out or erased. \'bdAn impression easily
deleble.\'b8
Fuller.
De*lec"ta*ble (?), a. [OF.
delitable, OF. delitable, F.
d\'82lectable, fr. L. delectabilis, fr.
delectare to delight. See Delight.]
Highly pleasing; delightful.
Delectable both to behold and taste.
Milton.
-- De*lec"ta*ble*ness, n. --
De*lec"ta*bly, adv.
De*lec"tate (?), v. t. [L.
delectatus, p. p. of delectare. See
Delight.] To delight; to charm.
[R.]
De`lec*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
delectatio: cf. F. d\'82lectation.]
Great pleasure; delight.
\'d8De*lec"tus (?), n. [L.,
selection, from deligere, delectum, to
select.] A name given to an elementary book for
learners of Latin or Greek.
G. Eliot.
Del`e*ga*cy (?), n. [From
Delegate, a.]
1. The act of delegating, or state of being
delegated; deputed power. [Obs.]
By way of delegacy or grand commission.
Sir W. Raleigh.
2. A body of delegates or commissioners; a
delegation. [Obs.]
Burton.
Del"e*gate (?), n. [L.
delegatus, p. p. of delegare to send,
delegate; de- + legare to send with a
commission, to depute. See Legate.]
1. Any one sent and empowered to act for another;
one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a
commissioner; a vicar.
2. (a) One elected by the people of a
territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right
of debating, but not of voting. (b) One sent
by any constituency to act as its representative in a convention;
as, a delegate to a convention for nominating
officers, or for forming or altering a constitution.
[U.S.]
Court of delegates, formerly, the great court
of appeal from the archbishops' courts and also from the court of
admiralty. It is now abolished, and the privy council is the
immediate court of appeal in such cases.
[Eng.]
Del"e*gate (?), a. [L.
delegatus, p. p.] Sent to act for a
represent another; deputed; as, a delegate
judge. \'bdDelegate power.\'b8
Strype.
Del"e*gate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delegated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Delegating
(?).]
1. To send as one's representative; to empower as
an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to
commission; to depute; to authorize.
2. To intrust to the care or management of another;
to transfer; to assign; to commit.
The delegated administration of the law.
Locke.
Delegated executive power.
Bancroft.
The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power,
delegated by the people to the legislative.
J. B. Finch.
Del`e*ga"tion (?), n. [L.
delegatio: cf. F. d\'82l\'82gation.]
1. The act of delegating, or investing with
authority to act for another; the appointment of a delegate or
delegates.
2. One or more persons appointed or chosen, and
commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in
Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the
delegation from Massachusetts; a deputation.
3. (Rom. Law) A kind of novation by
which a debtor, to be liberated from his creditor, gives him a
third person, who becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor,
or to the person appointed by him.
Pothier.
Del"e*ga*to*ry (?), a. [L.
delegatorius pert. to an assignment.]
Holding a delegated position.
Nash.
\'d8De*len"da (?), n. pl. [L.,
fr. delere to destroy.] Things to be erased
or blotted out.
Del`e*nif"ic*al (?), a. [L.
delenificus; delenire to soothe +
facere to make. See Lenient.]
Assuaging pain. [Obs.]
Bailey.
De*lete" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deleted; p. pr.
& vb. n. Deleting.] [L.
deletus, p. p. of delere to destroy. Cf.
1st Dele.] To blot out; to erase; to expunge;
to dele; to omit.
I have, therefore, . . . inserted eleven stanzas which do not
appear in Sir Walter Scott's version, and have deleted
eight.
Aytoun.
Del`e*te"ri*ous (?), a. [LL.
deleterius noxious, Gr. /, fr. / to hurt, damage;
prob. akin to L. delere to destroy.]
Hurtful; noxious; destructive; pernicious; as, a
deleterious plant or quality; a deleterious
example. -- Del`e*te"ri*ous*ly,
adv. -- Del`e*te"ri*ous*ness,
n.
Del"e*ter*y (?), a. [LL.
deleterius: cf. F.
d\'82l\'82t\'8are.] Destructive;
poisonous. [Obs.] \'bdDeletery
medicines.\'b8
Hudibras.
Del"e*ter*y, n. That which
destroys. [Obs.]
They [the Scriptures] are the only deletery of
heresies.
Jer. Taylor.
De*le"tion (?), n. [L.
deletio, fr. delere. See
Delete.] Act of deleting, blotting out, or
erasing; destruction. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
A total deletion of every person of the opposing
party.
Sir M. Hale.
Del`e*ti"tious (?), a. [L.
deleticius.] Of such a nature that anything
may be erased from it; -- said of paper.
Del"e*tive (?), a. Adapted to
destroy or obliterate. [R.]
Evelyn.
Del"e*to*ry (?), n. [See
Delete.] That which blots out.
[Obs.] \'bdA deletory of sin.\'b8
Jer. Taylor.
Delf (?), n. [AS.
delf a delving, digging. See Delve.]
A mine; a quarry; a pit dug; a ditch. [Written
also delft, and delve.]
[Obs.]
The delfts would be so flown with waters, that no
gins or machines could . . . keep them dry.
Ray.
Delf, n. Same as
Delftware.
Delft (?), n. Same as
Delftware.
Delft"ware` (?), n. (a)
Pottery made at the city of Delft in Holland;
hence: (b) Earthenware made in imitation of
the above; any glazed earthenware made for table use, and the
like.
Del"i*bate (?), v. t. [L.
delibatus, p. p. of delibare to taste;
de- + libare to taste.] To
taste; to take a sip of; to dabble in. [Obs.]
Del`i*ba"tion (?), n. [L.
delibatio: cf. F. d\'82libation.]
Act of tasting; a slight trial. [Obs.]
Berkeley.
Del"i*ber (?), v. t. & i. To
deliberate. [Obs.]
De*lib"er*ate (?), a. [L.
deliberatus, p. p. of deliberare to
deliberate; de- + librare to weigh. See
Librate.]
1. Weighing facts and arguments with a view a
choice or decision; carefully considering the probable
consequences of a step; circumspect; slow in determining; --
applied to persons; as, a deliberate judge or
counselor. \'bdThese deliberate fools.\'b8
Shak.
2. Formed with deliberation; well-advised;
carefully considered; not sudden or rash; as, a
deliberate opinion; a deliberate measure or
result.
Settled visage and deliberate word.
Shak.
3. Not hasty or sudden; slow.
Hooker.
His enunciation was so deliberate.
W. Wirt.
De*lib"er*ate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deliberated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deliberating.] To
weigh in the mind; to consider the reasons for and against; to
consider maturely; to reflect upon; to ponder; as, to
deliberate a question.
De*lib"er*ate, v. i. To take counsel
with one's self; to weigh the arguments for and against a
proposed course of action; to reflect; to consider; to hesitate
in deciding; -- sometimes with on, upon,
concerning.
The woman the deliberation is lost.
Addison.
De*lib"er*ate*ly (?), adv. With
careful consideration, or deliberation; circumspectly; warily;
not hastily or rashly; slowly; as, a purpose
deliberately formed.
De*lib"er*ate*ness, n. The quality of
being deliberate; calm consideration; circumspection.
De*lib`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
deliberatio: cf. F.
d\'82lib\'82ration.]
1. The act of deliberating, or of weighing and
examining the reasons for and against a choice or measure;
careful consideration; mature reflection.
Choosing the fairest way with a calm
deliberation.
W. Montagu.
2. Careful discussion and examination of the
reasons for and against a measure; as, the
deliberations of a legislative body or
council.
De*lib"er*a*tive (?), a. [L.
deliberativus: cf. F.
d\'82lib\'82ratif.] Pertaining to
deliberation; proceeding or acting by deliberation, or by
discussion and examination; deliberating; as, a
deliberative body.
A consummate work of deliberative wisdom.
Bancroft.
The court of jurisdiction is to be distinguished from the
deliberative body, the advisers of the crown.
Hallam.
De*lib"er*a*tive, n.
1. A discourse in which a question is discussed, or
weighed and examined.
Bacon.
2. A kind of rhetoric employed in proving a thing
and convincing others of its truth, in order to persuade them to
adopt it.
De*lib"er*a*tive*ly, adv. In a
deliberative manner; circumspectly; considerately.
De*lib"er*a`tor (?), n. One who
deliberates.
Del"i*brate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delibrated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Delibrating.] [L.
delibratus, p. p. of delibrare to
delibrate; de from + liber bark.]
To strip off the bark; to peel. [Obs.]
Ash.
Del`i*bra"tion (?), n. The act
of stripping off the bark. [Obs.]
Ash.
Del"i*ca*cy (?), n.; pl.
Delicacies (#). [From
Delicate, a.]
1. The state or condition of being delicate;
agreeableness to the senses; delightfulness; as,
delicacy of flavor, of odor, and the like.
What choice to choose for delicacy best.
Milton.
2. Nicety or fineness of form, texture, or
constitution; softness; elegance; smoothness; tenderness; and
hence, frailty or weakness; as, the delicacy of a
fiber or a thread; delicacy of a hand or of the human
form; delicacy of the skin; delicacy of
frame.
3. Nice propriety of manners or conduct;
susceptibility or tenderness of feeling; refinement;
fastidiousness; and hence, in an exaggerated sense, effeminacy;
as, great delicacy of behavior; delicacy in
doing a kindness; delicacy of character that unfits for
earnest action.
You know your mother's delicacy in this point.
Cowper.
4. Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness;
indulgence; luxurious or voluptuous treatment.
And to those dainty limbs which Nature lent
For gentle usage and soft delicacy?
Milton.
5. Nice and refined perception and discrimination;
critical niceness; fastidious accuracy.
That Augustan delicacy of taste which is the boast
of the great public schools of England.
Macaulay.
6. The state of being affected by slight causes;
sensitiveness; as, the delicacy of a chemist's
balance.
7. That which is alluring, delicate, or refined; a
luxury or pleasure; something pleasant to the senses, especially
to the sense of taste; a dainty; as, delicacies of
the table.
The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the
abundance of her delicacies.
Rev. xviii. 3.
8. Pleasure; gratification; delight.
[Obs.]
He Rome brent for his delicacie.
Chaucer.
Syn. -- See Dainty.
Del"i*cate (?), a. [L.
delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and
tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F.
d\'82licat. See Delight.]
1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous;
alluring. [R.]
Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil
went.
Piers Plowman.
Haarlem is a very delicate town.
Evelyn.
2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly; hence,
adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine;
elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate
flavor.
3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as,
\'bda delicate creature.\'b8
Shak.
4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of
a thread, or the like; as, delicate
cotton.
5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of
texture; as, delicate lace or silk.
6. Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface;
as, a delicate cheek; a delicate
complexion.
7. Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as;
as, a delicate blue.
8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or
offend; considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings;
as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions;
delicate thoughtfulness.
9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble;
frail; effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as,
a delicate child; delicate health.
A delicate and tender prince.
Shak.
10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or
hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate
subject or question.
There are some things too delicate and too sacred
to be handled rudely without injury to truth.
F. W. Robertson.
11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty;
fastidious.
12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly
critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate
taste; a delicate ear for music.
13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight
changes; as, a delicate thermometer.
Del"i*cate, n.
1. A choice dainty; a delicacy.
[R.]
With abstinence all delicates he sees.
Dryden.
<-- p. 386 -->
2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate
person.
All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, --
those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than
their neighbors, -- are only of the Corinth metal.
Holland.
Del"i*cate*ly (?), adv. In a
delicate manner.
Del"i*cate*ness, n. The quality of being
delicate.
Del"i*ces (?), n. pl. [F.
d\'82lices, fr. L. deliciae.]
Delicacies; delights. [Obs.] \'bdDainty
delices.\'b8
Spenser.
De*li"ci*ate (?), v. t. To
delight one's self; to indulge in feasting; to revel.
[Obs.]
De*li"cious (?), a. [OF.
delicieus, F. d\'82licieux, L.
deliciosus, fr. deliciae delight, fr.
delicere to allure. See Delight.]
1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most
sweet or grateful to the senses, especially to the taste;
charming.
Some delicious landscape.
Coleridge.
One draught of spring's delicious air.
Keble.
Were not his words delicious?
Tennyson.
2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment;
luxurious; effeminate. [Obs.]
Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy
spirit, retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and
luxury.
Milton.
Syn. -- Delicious, Delightful.
Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from
certain of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as,
delicious food; a delicious fragrance.
Delightful may also refer to most of the senses (as,
delightful music; a delightful prospect;
delightful sensations), but has a higher application
to matters of taste, feeling, and sentiment; as, a
delightful abode, conversation, employment;
delightful scenes, etc.
Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in
decay.
Smith.
No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen,
Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green.
Addison.
De*li"cious*ly, adv. Delightfully;
as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously
entertained.
De*li"cious*ness, n.
1. The quality of being delicious; as, the
deliciousness of a repast.
2. Luxury. \'bdTo drive away all superfluity
and deliciousness.\'b8
Sir T. North.
De*lict" (?), n. [L.
delictum fault.] (Law) An
offense or transgression against law; (Scots Law) an
offense of a lesser degree; a misdemeanor.
Every regulation of the civil code necessarily implies a
delict in the event of its violation.
Jeffrey.
Del"i*gate (?), v. t. [L.
deligatus, p. p. of deligare to bind up;
de- + ligare to bind.]
(Surg.) To bind up; to bandage.
Del`i*ga"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82ligation.] (Surg.) A
binding up; a bandaging.
Wiseman.
De*light" (?), n. [OE.
delit, OF. delit, deleit, fr.
delitier, to delight. See Delight, v.
t.]
1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a
high-wrought state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure;
extreme satisfaction; joy.
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt
not.
Shak.
A fool hath no delight in understanding.
Prov. xviii. 2.
2. That which gives great pleasure or
delight.
Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight.
Milton.
3. Licentious pleasure; lust.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*light", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Delighted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Delighting.] [OE. deliten,
OF. delitier, deleitier, F.
d\'82lecter, fr. L. delectare to entice
away, to delight (sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of
delicere to allure, delight; de- +
lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus a
snare. Cf. Delectate, Delicate,
Delicious, Dilettante, Elicit,
Lace.] To give delight to; to affect with
great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape
delights the eye; harmony delights the
ear.
Inventions to delight the taste.
Shak.
Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds.
Tennyson.
De*light", v. i. To have or take great
delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; --
followed by an infinitive, or by in.
Love delights in praises.
Shak.
I delight to do thy will, O my God.
Ps. xl. 8.
De*light"a*ble (?), a. [See
Delectable.] Capable of delighting;
delightful. [Obs.]
Many a spice delightable.
Rom. of R.
De*light"ed, a. Endowed with
delight.
If virtue no delighted beauty lack.
Shak.
Syn. -- Glad; pleased; gratified. See Glad.
De*light"ed*ly, adv. With delight;
gladly.
De*light"er (?), n. One who
gives or takes delight.
De*light"ful (?), a. Highly
pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction.
\'bdDelightful bowers.\'b8 Spenser.
\'bdDelightful fruit.\'b8
Milton.
Syn. -- Delicious; charming. See Delicious.
-- De*light"ful*ly, adv. --
De*light"ful*ness, n.
De*light"ing, a. Giving delight;
gladdening. -- De*light"ing*ly,
adv.
Jer. Taylor.
De*light"less, a. Void of delight.
Thomson.
De*light"ous (?) a. [OF.
delitos.] Delightful.
[Obs.]
Rom. of R.
De*light"some (?), a. Very
pleasing; delightful. \'bdDelightsome vigor.\'b8
Grew.
Ye shall be a delightsome land, . . . saith the
Lord.
Mal. iii. 12.
-- De*light"some*ly, adv. --
De*light"some*ness, n.
De*li"lah (?), n. The mistress
of Samson, who betrayed him (Judges xvi.); hence, a
harlot; a temptress.
Other Delilahs on a smaller scale Burns met with
during his Dumfries sojourn.
J. C. Shairp.
De*lim"it (?), v. t. [L.
delimitare: cf. F. d\'82limitier.]
To fix the limits of; to demarcate; to bound.
De*lim`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
delimitatio: cf. F. d\'82limitation.]
The act or process of fixing limits or boundaries;
limitation.
Gladstone.
De*line" (?), v. t.
1. To delineate. [Obs.]
2. To mark out. [Obs.]
R. North.
De*lin"e*a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being, or liable to be, delineated.
Feltham.
De*lin"e*a*ment (?), /. [See
Delineate.] Delineation; sketch.
Dr. H. More.
De*lin"e*ate (?), a. [L.
delineatus, p. p. of delineare to
delineate; de- + lineare to draw, fr.
linea line. See Line.] Delineated;
portrayed. [R.]
De*lin"e*ate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delineated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Delineating.]
1. To indicate by lines drawn in the form or figure
of; to represent by sketch, design, or diagram; to sketch out; to
portray; to picture; in drawing and engraving, to represent in
lines, as with the pen, pencil, or graver; hence, to represent
with accuracy and minuteness. See Delineation.
Adventurous to delineate nature's form.
Akenside.
2. To portray to the mind or understanding by
words; to set forth; to describe.
Customs or habits delineated with great
accuracy.
Walpole.
De*lin`e*a"tion (?), n. [L.
delineatio: cf. F.
d\'82lin\'82ation.]
1. The act of representing, portraying, or
describing, as by lines, diagrams, sketches, etc.; drawing an
outline; as, the delineation of a scene or
face; in drawing and engraving, representation by means of
lines, as distinguished from representation by means of tints
shades; accurate and minute representation, as distinguished from
art that is careless of details, or subordinates them
excessively.
2. A delineated picture; representation; sketch;
description in words.
Their softest delineations of female beauty.
W. Irving.
Syn. -- Sketch; portrait; outline. See
Sketch.
De*lin"e*a`tor (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, delineates; a
sketcher.
2. (Surv.) A perambulator which records
distances and delineates a profile, as of a road.
De*lin"e*a*to*ry (?), a. That
delineates; descriptive; drawing the outline; delineating.
De*lin"e*a*ture (?; 135), n.
Delineation. [Obs.]
Del`i*ni"tion (?), n. [L.
delinere to smear. See Liniment.]
A smearing. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
De*lin"quen*cy (?), n.; pl.
Delinquencies (#). [L.
delinquentia, fr. delinquens.]
Failure or omission of duty; a fault; a misdeed; an offense;
a misdemeanor; a crime.
The delinquencies of the little commonwealth would
be represented in the most glaring colors.
Motley.
De*lin"quent (?) a. [L.
delinquens, -entis, p. pr. of
delinquere to fail, be wanting in one's duty, do
wrong; de- + linquere to leave. See
Loan, n.] Failing in duty;
offending by neglect of duty.
De*lin"quent, n. One who fails or
neglects to perform his duty; an offender or transgressor; one
who commits a fault or a crime; a culprit.
A delinquent ought to be cited in the place or
jurisdiction where the delinquency was committed.
Ayliffe.
De*lin"quent*ly, adv. So as to fail in
duty.
Del"i*quate (?), v. i. [L.
deliquatus, p. p. of deliquare to clear
off, de- + liquare to make liquid, melt,
dissolve.] To melt or be dissolved; to
deliquesce. [Obs.]
Boyle.
Del"i*quate, v. t. To cause to melt
away; to dissolve; to consume; to waste.
[Obs.]
Dilapidating, or rather deliquating, his
bishopric.
Fuller.
Del`i*qua"tion (?), n. A
melting. [Obs.]
Del`i*quesce" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Deliquesced
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deliquescing.] [L.
deliquescere to melt, dissolve; de- +
liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr.
liquere to be fluid. See Liquid.]
(Chem.) To dissolve gradually and become liquid
by attracting and absorbing moisture from the air, as certain
salts, acids, and alkalies.
In very moist air crystals of strontites
deliquesce.
Black.
Del`i*ques"cence (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82liquescence.] The act of
deliquescing or liquefying; process by which anything
deliquesces; tendency to melt.
Del`i*ques"cent (?), a. [L.
deliquescens, -entis, p. pr. of
deliquescere: cf. F.
d\'82liquescent.]
1. Dissolving; liquefying by contact with the air;
capable of attracting moisture from the atmosphere and becoming
liquid; as, deliquescent salts.
2. (Bot.) Branching so that the stem is
lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees.
Gray.
De*liq"ui*ate (?), v. i. [L.
deliquia a flowing off, a gutter, deliquium
a flowing down, fr. deliquare. See
Deliquate.] To melt and become liquid by
absorbing water from the air; to deliquesce.
Fourcroy.
De*liq`ui*a"tion (?), n. The
act of deliquating.
\'d8De*liq"ui*um (?), n. [L.
See Deliquiate.]
1. (Chem.) A melting or dissolution in
the air, or in a moist place; a liquid condition; as, a salt
falls into a deliquium. [R.]
2. A sinking away; a swooning.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
3. A melting or maudlin mood.
Carlyle.
De*lir"a*cy (?), n. [See
Delirate.] Delirium.
[Obs.]
De*lir"a*ment (?), n. [L.
deliramentum, fr. delirare. See
Delirium.] A wandering of the mind; a crazy
fancy. [Obs.]
Heywood.
De*lir"an*cy (?), n.
Delirium. [Obs.]
Gauden.
De*lir"ant (?), a. [L.
delirans, -antis, p. pr. of
delirare. See Delirium.]
Delirious. [Obs.]
Owen.
De*lir"ate (?), v. t. & i. [L.
deliratus, p. p. of delirare. See
Delirium.] To madden; to rave.
[Obs.]
An infatuating and delirating spirit in it.
Holland.
Del`i*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
deliratio.] Aberration of mind;
delirium.
J. Motley.
Deliration or alienation of the understanding.
Mede.
De*lir"i*ant (?), n. [See
Delirium.] (Med.) A poison which
occasions a persistent delirium, or mental aberration (as
belladonna).
De*lir`i*fa"cient (?), a.
[Delirium + L. faciens,
-entis, p. pr. of facere to make.]
(Med.) Producing, or tending to produce,
delirium. -- n. Any substance which
tends to cause delirium.
De*lir"i*ous (?), a. [From
Delirium.] Having a delirium; wandering in
mind; light-headed; insane; raving; wild; as, a
delirious patient; delirious
fancies. -- De*lir"i*ous*ly,
adv. -- De*lir"i*ous*ness,
n.
De*lir"i*um (?), n. [L., fr.
delirare to rave, to wander in mind, prop., to go out
of the furrow in plowing; de- + lira
furrow, track; perh. akin to G. geleise track, rut,
and E. last to endure.]
1. (Med.) A state in which the thoughts,
expressions, and actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent;
mental aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually
dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so distinguished
from mania, or madness.
2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm;
madness.
The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at
first caught his enthusiastic mind.
W. Irving.
The delirium of the preceding session (of
Parliament).
Motley.
Delirium tremens (/). [L.,
trembling delirium] (Med.), a violent
delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged use of
intoxicating liquors. -- Traumatic delirium
(Med.), a variety of delirium following
injury.
Syn. -- Insanity; frenzy; madness; derangement; aberration;
mania; lunacy; fury. See Insanity.
De*lit" (?), n. Delight.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*lit"a*ble (?), a.
Delightful; delectable. [Obs.]
Del`i*tes"cence (?), n. [See
Delitescent.]
1. Concealment; seclusion; retirement.
The delitescence of mental activities.
Sir W. Hamilton.
2. (Med.) The sudden disappearance of
inflammation.
Del`i*tes"cen*cy (?), n.
Concealment; seclusion.
The mental organization of the novelist must be characterized,
to speak craniologically, by an extraordinary development of the
passion for delitescency.
Sir W. Scott.
Del`i*tes"cent (?), a. [L.
delitescens, -entis, p. pr. of
delitescere to lie hid.] Lying hid;
concealed.
De*lit"i*gate (?), v. i. [L.
delitigare to rail. See Litigate.]
To chide; to rail heartily. [Obs.]
De*lit`i*ga"tion (?), n.
Chiding; brawl. [Obs.]
De*liv"er (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delivered
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Delivering.] [F.
d\'82livrer, LL. deliberare to liberate,
give over, fr. L. de + liberare to set
free. See Liberate.]
1. To set free from restraint; to set at liberty;
to release; to liberate, as from control; to give up; to free; to
save; to rescue from evil actual or feared; -- often with
from or out of; as, to deliver
one from captivity, or from fear of death.
He that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
Ezek. xxxiii. 5.
Promise was that I
Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver.
Milton.
2. To give or transfer; to yield possession or
control of; to part with (to); to make over; to commit; to
surrender; to resign; -- often with up or
over, to or into.
Thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand.
Gen. xl. 13.
The constables have delivered her over.
Shak.
The exalted mind
All sense of woe delivers to the wind.
Pope.
3. To make over to the knowledge of another; to
communicate; to utter; to speak; to impart.
Till he these words to him deliver might.
Spenser.
Whereof the former delivers the precepts of the
art, and the latter the perfection.
Bacon.
4. To give forth in action or exercise; to
discharge; as, to deliver a blow; to
deliver a broadside, or a ball.
Shaking his head and delivering some show of
tears.
Sidney.
An uninstructed bowler . . . thinks to attain the jack by
delivering his bowl straightforward.
Sir W. Scott.
5. To free from, or disburden of, young; to relieve
of a child in childbirth; to bring forth; -- often with
of.
She was delivered safe and soon.
Gower.
Tully was long ere he could be delivered of a few
verses, and those poor ones.
Peacham.
6. To discover; to show.
[Poetic]
I 'll deliver
Myself your loyal servant.
Shak.
7. To deliberate. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
8. To admit; to allow to pass.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
Syn. -- To Deliver, Give Forth,
Discharge, Liberate, Pronounce,
Utter. Deliver denotes,
literally, to set free. Hence the term is extensively
applied to cases where a thing is made to pass from a
confined state to one of greater freedom or openness.
Hence it may, in certain connections, be used as synonymous with
any or all of the above-mentioned words, as will be seen from the
following examples: One who delivers a package
gives it forth; one who delivers a cargo
discharges it; one who delivers a captive
liberates him; one who delivers a message
or a discourse utters or pronounces it;
when soldiers deliver their fire, they set it
free or give it forth.
De*liv"er, a. [OF. delivre
free, unfettered. See Deliver, v. t.]
Free; nimble; sprightly; active. [Obs.]
Wonderly deliver and great of strength.
Chaucer.
De*liv"er*a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being, or about to be, delivered; necessary to be
delivered.
Hale.
De*liv"er*ance (?), n. [F.
d\'82livrance, fr. d\'82livrer.]
1. The act of delivering or freeing from restraint,
captivity, peril, and the like; rescue; as, the
deliverance of a captive.
He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives.
Luke iv. 18.
One death or one deliverance we will share.
Dryden.
2. Act of bringing forth children.
[Archaic]
Shak.
3. Act of speaking; utterance.
[Archaic]
Shak.
delivery is the word more commonly used.
4. The state of being delivered, or freed from
restraint.
I do desire deliverance from these officers.
Shak.
5. Anything delivered or communicated; esp., an
opinion or decision expressed publicly.
[Scot.]
6. (Metaph.) Any fact or truth which is
decisively attested or intuitively known as a psychological or
philosophical datum; as, the deliverance of
consciousness.
De*liv"er*er (?), n.
1. One who delivers or rescues; a preserver.
2. One who relates or communicates.
<-- p. 387 -->
De*liv"er*ess (?), n. A female
de///. [R.]
Evelyn.
De*liv"er*ly, adv. Actively; quickly;
nimbly. [Obs.]
Swim with your bodies,
And carry it sweetly and deliverly.
Beau. & Fl.
De*liv"er*ness, n. Nimbleness;
agility. [Obs.]
De*liv"er*y, n.; pl.
Deliveries (/).
1. The act of delivering from restraint; rescue;
release; liberation; as, the delivery of a captive
from his dungeon.
2. The act of delivering up or over; surrender;
transfer of the body or substance of a thing; distribution;
as, the delivery of a fort, of hostages, of a
criminal, of goods, of letters.
3. The act or style of utterance; manner of
speaking; as, a good delivery; a clear
delivery.
4. The act of giving birth; parturition; the
expulsion or extraction of a fetus and its membranes.
5. The act of exerting one's strength or
limbs.
Neater limbs and freer delivery.
Sir H. Wotton.
6. The act or manner of delivering a ball; as,
the pitcher has a swift delivery.
Dell (?), n. [AS.
del, akin to E. dale; cf. D.
delle, del, low ground. See
Dale.]
1. A small, retired valley; a ravine.
In dells and dales, concealed from human sight.
Tickell.
2. A young woman; a wench.
[Obs.]
Sweet doxies and dells.
B. Jonson.
\'d8Del"la Crus"ca (?). A shortened form
of Academia della Crusca, an academy in Florescence,
Italy, founded in the 16th century, especially for conversing the
purity of the Italian language.
academy
of the bran or chaff) was so called in allusion
to its chief object of bolting or purifying the national
language.
Del`la*crus"can (?), a. Of or
pertaining to the Accademia della Crusca in Florence.
The Dellacruscan School, a name given in
satire to a class of affected English writers, most of whom lived
in Florence, about a. d. 1785.
\'d8De"loo (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) The duykerbok.
\'d8De*loul" (?), n. [Prob. of
Arabic or Bedouin origin.] (Zo\'94l.) A
special breed of the dromedary used for rapid traveling; the
swift camel; -- called also herire, and
maharik.
Delph (?), n. Delftware.
Five nothings in five plates of delph.
Swift.
Delph, n. (Hydraul. Engin.)
The drain on the land side of a sea embankment.
Knight.
Del"phi*an (?), a.
Delphic.
Del"phic (?), a. [L.
Delphicus, fr. Gr. /, fr. /, L. Delphi,
a town of Phocis, in Greece, now Kastri.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
1. Of or relating to Delphi, or to the famous
oracle of that place.
2. Ambiguous; mysterious. \'bdIf he is silent
or delphic.\'b8
New York Times.
{ Del"phin, Del"phine }
(?), a. [See Dauphin.]
Pertaining to the dauphin of France; as, the
Delphin classics, an edition of the Latin classics,
prepared in the reign of Louis XIV., for the use of the dauphin
(in usum Delphini).
Del"phin, n. [L. delphinus a
dolphin.] (Chem.) A fatty substance
contained in the oil of the dolphin and the porpoise; -- called
also phocenin.
Del"phine (?), a. [L.
delphinus a dolphin, Gr. /, /.]
Pertaining to the dolphin, a genus of fishes.
Del*phin"ic (?), a. [See
Delphin, n.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the dolphin; phocenic.
Delphinic acid. (Chem.) See
Valeric acid, under Valeric.
[Obs.]
Del*phin"ic, a. [From NL.
Delphinium, the name of the genus.]
(Chem.) Pertaining to, or derived from, the
larkspur; specifically, relating to the stavesacre
(Delphinium staphisagria).
Del"phi*nine (?; 104), n. [Cf.
F. delphinine.] (Chem.) A
poisonous alkaloid extracted from the stavesacre (Delphinium
staphisagria), as a colorless amorphous powder.
Del"phi*noid (?), a. [L.
delphinus a dolphin + -oid.]
(Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to, or resembling, the
dolphin.
\'d8Del`phi*noi"de*a (?), n. pl.
[NL.] (Zo\'94l.) The division of
Cetacea which comprises the dolphins, porpoises, and related
forms.
\'d8Del*phi"nus (?), n. [L., a
dolphin, fr. Gr. /, /.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) A genus of Cetacea,
including the dolphin. See Dolphin, 1.
2. (Astron.) The Dolphin, a
constellation near the equator and east of Aquila.
Del"ta (?), n.; pl.
Deltas (#). [Gr. /, the name of
the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet (the capital form of
which is Delta of
the Nile.] A tract of land shaped like the letter
delta (as, the
delta of the Ganges, of the Nile, or of the
Mississippi.
Del`ta*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
[Delta + L. facere to make.]
The formation of a delta or of deltas.
[R.]
Del*ta"ic (?), a. Relating to,
or like, a delta.
\'d8Del*thy"ris (?), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. de`lta the name of the letter thy`ra door.] (Zo\'94l.) A name
formerly given to certain Silurian brachiopod shells of the genus
Spirifer.
Delthyris limestone (Geol.), one of
the divisions of the Upper Silurian rocks in New York.
Del"tic (?), a. Deltaic.
\'d8Del*tid"i*um (?), n. [NL.,
fr. Gr. de`lta, the letter
(Zo\'94l.) The triangular space under the beak of
many brachiopod shells.
Del`to*he"dron (?), n. [Gr.
de`lta, the letter 'e`dra seat,
base.] (Crystallog.) A solid bounded by
twelve quadrilateral faces. It is a hemihedral form of the
isometric system, allied to the tetrahedron.
Del"toid (?), a. [Gr.
deltoeidh`s delta-shaped; de`lta the name
of the letter ei^dos form: cf. F.
delto\'8bde. See Delta.] Shaped
like the Greek / (delta); delta-shaped; triangular.
Deltoid leaf (Bot.), a leaf in the
form of a triangle with the stem inserted at the middle of the
base. -- Deltoid muscle (Anat.), a
triangular muscle in the shoulder which serves to move the arm
directly upward.
De*lud"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being deluded; liable to be imposed on gullible.
Sir T. Browne.
De*lude" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deluded; p. pr.
& vb. n. Deluding.] [L.
deludere, delusum; de- +
ludere to play, make sport of, mock. See
Ludicrous.]
1. To lead from truth or into error; to mislead the
mind or judgment of to beguile; to impose on; to dupe; to make a
fool of.
To delude the nation by an airy phantom.
Burke.
2. To frustrate or disappoint.
It deludes thy search.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To mislead; deceive; beguile; cajole; cheat; dupe.
See Deceive.
De*lud"er (?), n. One who
deludes; a deceiver; an impostor.
Del"uge (?), n. [F.
d\'82luge, L. diluvium, fr.
diluere wash away; di- = dis- +
luere, equiv. to lavare to wash. See
Lave, and cf. Diluvium.]
1. A washing away; an overflowing of the land by
water; an inundation; a flood; specifically, The Deluge, the
great flood in the days of Noah (Gen. vii.).
2. Fig.: Anything which overwhelms, or causes great
destruction. \'bdThe deluge of summer.\'b8
Lowell.
A fiery deluge fed
With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed.
Milton.
As I grub up some quaint old fragment of a [London] street, or
a house, or a shop, or tomb or burial ground, which has still
survived in the deluge.
F. Harrison.
After me the deluge.
(Apr\'82s moi le d\'82luge.)
Madame de Pompadour.
Del"uge, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Deluged (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Deluging.]
1. To overflow with water; to inundate; to
overwhelm.
The deluged earth would useless grow.
Blackmore.
2. To overwhelm, as with a deluge; to cover; to
overspread; to overpower; to submerge; to destroy; as, the
northern nations deluged the Roman empire with their
armies; the land is deluged with woe.
At length corruption, like a general fl/// . . .
Shall deluge all.
Pope.
\'d8De*lun"dung (?), n. [Native
name.] (Zo\'94l.) An East Indian
carnivorous mammal (Prionodon gracilis), resembling
the civets, but without scent pouches. It is handsomely
spotted.
De*lu"sion (?) n. [L.
delusio, fr. deludere. See
Delude.]
1. The act of deluding; deception; a misleading of
the mind.
Pope.
2. The state of being deluded or misled.
3. That which is falsely or delusively believed or
propagated; false belief; error in belief.
And fondly mourned the dear delusion gone.
Prior.
Syn. -- Delusion, Illusion.
These words both imply some deception practiced upon the mind.
Delusion is deception from want of knowledge;
illusion is deception from morbid imagination. An
illusion is a false show, a mere cheat on the fancy or
senses. It is, in other words, some idea or image presented to
the bodily or mental vision which does not exist in reality. A
delusion is a false judgment, usually affecting the
real concerns of life. Or, in other words, it is an erroneous
view of something which exists indeed, but has by no means the
qualities or attributes ascribed to it. Thus we speak of the
illusions of fancy, the illusions of hope,
illusive prospects, illusive appearances,
etc. In like manner, we speak of the delusions of
stockjobbing, the delusions of honorable men,
delusive appearances in trade, of being
deluded by a seeming excellence.
\'bdA fanatic, either religious or political, is the subject of
strong delusions; while the term illusion
is applied solely to the visions of an uncontrolled imagination,
the chimerical ideas of one blinded by hope, passion, or
credulity, or lastly, to spectral and other ocular deceptions, to
which the word delusion is never applied.\'b8
Whately.
De*lu"sion*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to delusions; as, delusional
monomania.
De*lu"sive (?), a. [See
Delude.] Apt or fitted to delude; tending to
mislead the mind; deceptive; beguiling; delusory; as,
delusive arts; a delusive dream.
Delusive and unsubstantial ideas.
Whewell.
-- De*lu"sive*ly, adv. --
De*lu"sive*ness, n.
De*lu"so*ry (?) a. Delusive;
fallacious.
Glanvill.
Delve (?) v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Delved (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Delving.]
[AS. delfan to dig; akin to OS.
bidelban to bury, D. delven to dig, MHG.
telben, and possibly to E. dale. Cf.
Delf a mine.]
1. To dig; to open (the ground) as with a
spade.
Delve of convenient depth your thrashing
floo//
Dryden.
2. To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to
fathom.
I can not delve him to the root.
Shak.
Delve, v. i. To dig or labor with a
spade, or as with a spade; to labor as a drudge.
Delve may I not: I shame to beg.
Wyclif (Luke xvi. 3).
Delve, n. [See Delve, v.
t., and cf. Delf a mine.] A place dug;
a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.
Which to that shady delve him brought at
last////
///penser.
The very tigers from their delves
Look out.
Moore.
Delv"er (?), n. One who digs,
as with a spade.
De*mag"net*ize (?), v. t.
1. To deprive of magnetic properties. See
Magnetize.
If the bar be rapidly magnetized and
demagnetized.
A. Cyc.
2. To free from mesmeric influence; to demesmerize.
-- De*mag`net*i*za"tion, n.
-- De*mag"net*i`zer (#),
n.
Dem"a*gog (?; 115), n.
Demagogue.
{ Dem`a*gog"ic (?),
Dem`a*gog"ic*al (?), } a.
[Gr. /: cf. F. d\'82magogique.]
Relating to, or like, a demagogue; factious.
Dem"a*gog*ism (?; 115), n. The
practices of a demagogue.
Dem"a*gogue (?; 115), n. [Gr.
/ a popular leader; commonly in a bad sense, a leader of the
mob; / the people + / leading, fr. / to lead; akin to E.
act: cf. F. d\'82magogue.] A
leader of the rabble; one who attempts to control the multitude
by specious or deceitful arts; an unprincipled and factious mob
orator or political leader.
Dem"a*gog`y (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82magogie, Gr. / leadership of the people.]
Demagogism.
De*main" (?), n. [See
Demesne.]
1. Rule; management. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. (Law) See Demesne.
De*mand" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demanded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Demanding.] [F.
demander, LL. demandare to demand, summon,
send word, fr. L. demandare to give in charge,
intrust; de- + mandare to commit to one's
charge, commission, order, command. Cf. Mandate,
Commend.]
1. To ask or call for with authority; to claim or
seek from, as by authority or right; to claim, as something due;
to call for urgently or peremptorily; as, to demand
a debt; to demand obedience.
This, in our foresaid holy father's name,
Pope Innocent, I do demand of thee.
Shak.
2. To inquire authoritatively or earnestly; to ask,
esp. in a peremptory manner; to question.
I did demand what news from Shrewsbury.
Shak.
3. To require as necessary or useful; to be in
urgent need of; hence, to call for; as, the case
demands care.
4. (Law) To call into court; to
summon.
Burrill.
De*mand", v. i. To make a demand; to
inquire.
The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And
what shall we do?
Luke iii. 14.
De*mand", n. [F. demande, fr.
demander. See Demand, v. t.]
1. The act of demanding; an asking with authority;
a peremptory urging of a claim; a claiming or challenging as due;
requisition; as, the demand of a creditor; a note
payable on demand.
The demand [is] by the word of the holy ones.
Dan. iv. 17.
He that has confidence to turn his wishes into
demands will be but a little way from thinking he
ought to obtain them.
Locke.
2. Earnest inquiry; question; query.
Shak.
3. A diligent seeking or search; manifested want;
desire to posses; request; as, a demand for certain
goods; a person's company is in great demand.
In 1678 came forth a second edition [Pilgrim's Progress] with
additions; and the demand became immense.
Macaulay.
4. That which one demands or has a right to demand;
thing claimed as due; claim; as, demands on an
estate.
5. (Law) (a) The asking or
seeking for what is due or claimed as due. (b)
The right or title in virtue of which anything may be
claimed; as, to hold a demand against a
person. (c) A thing or amount claimed to
be due.
De*mand"a*ble (?), a. That may
be demanded or claimed. \'bdAll sums
demandable.\'b8
Bacon.
De*mand"ant (?) n. [F.
demandant, p. pr. of demander.]
One who demands; the plaintiff in a real action; any
plaintiff.
De*mand"er (?), n. One who
demands.
De*mand"ress (?), n. A woman
who demands.
De*man"toid (?), n. [G.
demant diamond + -oid.]
(Min.) A yellow-green, transparent variety of
garnet found in the Urals. It is valued as a gem because of its
brilliancy of luster, whence the name.
De*mar"cate (?), v. t. [See
Demarcation.] To mark by bounds; to set the
limits of; to separate; to discriminate.
Wilkinson.
De`mar*ca"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82marcation; pref. d\'82- (L.
de) + marquer to mark, of German origin.
See Mark.] The act of marking, or of
ascertaining and setting a limit; separation; distinction.
The speculative line of demarcation, where
obedience ought to end and resistance must begin, is faint,
obscure, and not easily definable.
Burke.
De*march" (?), n. [F.
d\'82marche. See March, n.]
March; walk; gait. [Obs.]
De*march (?), n. [Gr. /; /
people + / to rule.] A chief or ruler of a deme or
district in Greece.
De`mar*ka"tion, n. Same as
Demarcation.
De`ma*te"ri*al*ize (?), v. t.
To deprive of material or physical qualities or
characteristics.
Dematerializing matter by stripping if of
everything which . . . has distinguished matter.
Milman.
Deme (?), n. [Gr. /.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A territorial
subdivision of Attica (also of modern Greece), corresponding to a
township.
Jowett (Thucyd).
2. (Biol.) An undifferentiated aggregate
of cells or plastids.
De*mean" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demeaned
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demeaning.] [OF. demener to
conduct, guide, manage, F. se d\'82mener to
struggle/ pref. d\'82- (L. de) +
mener to lead, drive, carry on, conduct, fr. L.
minare to drive animals by threatening cries, fr.
minari to threaten. See Menace.]
1. To manage; to conduct; to treat.
[Our] clergy have with violence demeaned the
matter.
Milton.
2. To conduct; to behave; to comport; -- followed
by the reflexive pronoun.
They have demeaned themselves
Like men born to renown by life or death.
Shak.
They answered . . . that they should demean
themselves according to their instructions.
Clarendon.
<-- p. 388 -->
3. To debase; to lower; to degrade; -- followed by
the reflexive pronoun.
Her son would demean himself by a marriage with an
artist's daughter.
Thackeray.
mean.
De*mean" (?), n. [OF.
demene. See Demean, v. t.]
1. Management; treatment. [Obs.]
Vile demean and usage bad.
Spenser.
2. Behavior; conduct; bearing; demeanor.
[Obs.]
With grave demean and solemn vanity.
West.
De*mean", n. [See
Demesne.]
1. Demesne. [Obs.]
2. pl. Resources; means.
[Obs.]
You know
How narrow our demeans are.
Massinger.
De*mean"ance (?), n.
Demeanor. [Obs.]
Skelton.
De*mean"or (?), n. [Written
also demeanour.] [For
demeanure, fr. demean. See Demean,
v. t.]
1. Management; treatment; conduct.
[Obs.]
God commits the managing so great a trust . . . wholly to the
demeanor of every grown man.
Milton.
2. Behavior; deportment; carriage; bearing;
mien.
His demeanor was singularly pleasing.
Macaulay.
The men, as usual, liked her artless kindness and simple
refined demeanor.
Thackeray.
De*mean"ure (?), n.
Behavior. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De"men*cy (?), n. [L.
dementia, fr. demens mad. See
Dement.] Dementia; loss of mental powers. See
Insanity.
De*ment" (?), v. t. [L.
dementare, fr. demens, -mentis,
out of one's mind, mad; de + mens mind. See
Mental, and cf. Dementate.] To
deprive of reason; to make mad. [R.]
Bale.
De*ment", a. [L. demens,
-mentis.] Demented; dementate.
[R.]
J. H. Newman.
De*men"tate (?), a. [L.
dementatus, p. p. See Dement, v.
t.] Deprived of reason.
Arise, thou dementate sinner!
Hammond.
De*men"tate (?) v. t. To
deprive of reason; to dement. [R.]
Burton.
De`men*ta"tion (?), n. The act
of depriving of reason; madness.
Whitlock.
De*ment"ed (?), a. [From
Dement.] Insane; mad; of unsound mind.
-- De*ment"ed*ness, n.
\'d8De*men"ti*a (?), n. [L.,
fr. demens. See Dement.] Insanity;
madness; esp. that form which consists in weakness or total loss
of thought and reason; mental imbecility; idiocy.
De*meph"i*tize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demephitized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demephitizing.] [Cf. F.
m\'82phitiser to infect with
mephitis.] To purify from mephitic.
-- De*meph`i*ti*za"tion,
n.
De*merge" (?), v. t. [L.
demergere.] To plunge down into; to sink;
to immerse. [Obs.]
The water in which it was demerged.
Boyle.
De*mer"it (?), n. [F.
d\'82m\'82rite demerit (in sense 2), OF.
demerite demerit (in sense 1), fr. L.
demerere to deserve well, LL., to deserve well or ill;
de- + merere to deserve. See De-,
and Merit.]
1. That which one merits or deserves, either of
good or ill; desert. [Obs.]
By many benefits and demerits whereby they obliged
their adherents, [they] acquired this reputation.
Holland.
2. That which deserves blame; ill desert; a fault;
a vice; misconduct; -- the opposite of merit.
They see no merit or demerit in any man or any
action.
Burke.
Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or
offense.
Sir W. Temple.
3. The state of one who deserves ill.
De*mer"it, v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82m\'82riter to deserve ill. See Demerit,
n.]
1. To deserve; -- said in reference to both praise
and blame. [Obs.]
If I have demerited any love or thanks.
Udall.
Executed as a traitor . . . as he well
demerited.
State Trials (1645).
2. To depreciate or cry down.
[R.]
Bp. Woolton.
De*mer"it, v. i. To deserve praise or
blame.
De*merse" (?), v. t. [L.
demersus, p. p. of demergere. See
Merge.] To immerse. [Obs.]
Boyle.
De*mersed" (?), a. (Bot.)
Situated or growing under water, as leaves; submersed.
De*mer"sion (?) n. [L.
demersio.]
1. The act of plunging into a fluid; a
drowning.
2. The state of being overwhelmed in water, or as
if in water.
Ray.
De*mes"mer*ize (?), v. t. To
relieve from mesmeric influence. See Mesmerize.
De*mesne" (?), n. [OE.
demeine, demain, rule, demesne, OF.
demeine, demaine, demeigne,
domaine, power, F. domaine domain, fr. L.
dominium property, right of ownership, fr.
dominus master, proprietor, owner. See Dame,
and cf. DEmain, Domain, Danger,
Dungeon.] (Law) A lord's chief
manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which
has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land
adjoining, kept for the proprietor's own use.
[Written also demain.]
Wharton's Law Dict. Burrill.
Ancient demesne. (Eng. Law) See
under Ancient.
De*mesn"i*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a demesne; of the nature of a demesne.
Dem"i- (?). [F. demi-, fr. L.
dimidius half; di- = dis- +
medius middle. See Medium, and cf.
Demy, Dimidiate.] A prefix,
signifying half.
De*mi" (?), n. See
Demy, n.
Dem"i*bas"tion (?; 106), n.
[Cf. F. demi-bastion.] (Fort.)
A half bastion, or that part of a bastion consisting of one
face and one flank.
Dem"i*bri*gade" (?), n. [Cf. F.
demi-brigade.] A half brigade.
Dem"i*ca`dence (?) n.
(Mus.) An imperfect or half cadence, falling on
the dominant instead of on the key note.
Dem"i*can"non (?), n. (Mil.
Antiq.) A kind of ordnance, carrying a ball weighing
from thirty to thirty-six pounds.
Shak.
Dem"i*cir`cle (?), n. [Cf. F.
demi-cercle.] An instrument for measuring
angles, in surveying, etc. It resembles / protractor, but has
an alidade, sights, and a compass.
Dem"i*cul"ver*in (?), n. (Mil.
Antiq.) A kind of ordnance, carrying a ball weighing
from nine to thirteen pounds.
Dem"i*de"i*fy (?) v. t. To
deify in part.
Cowper.
Dem"i*dev`il (?), n. A half
devil.
Shak.
Dem"i*god (?), n. A half god,
or an inferior deity; a fabulous hero, the offspring of a deity
and a mortal.
Dem"i*god`dess (?), n. A female
demigod.
Dem"i*gorge` (?), n. [Cf. F.
demi-gorge.] (Fort.) Half the
gorge, or entrance into a bastion, taken from the angle of the
flank to the center of the bastion.
Dem"i*grate (?), v. i. [L.
demigrare, demigratum, to emigrate. See
De-, and Migrate.] To
emigrate. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
Dem`i*gra"tion (?) n. [L.
demigratio.] Emigration.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Dem"i*groat` (?), n. A half
groat.
Dem"i-is`and (?), n.
Peninsula. [Obs.]
Knolles.
Dem"i*john (?), n. [F.
dame-jeanne, i. e., Lady Jane, a corruption of Ar.
damaj\'bena, damj\'bena, prob. fr.
Damaghan a town in the Persian province of Khorassan,
one famous for its glass works.] A glass vessel or
bottle with a large body and small neck, inclosed in
wickerwork.
Dem"i*lance` (?), n. A light
lance; a short spear; a half pike; also, a demilancer.
Dem"i*lan`cer (?), n. A soldier
of light cavalry of the 16th century, who carried a
demilance.
Dem"i*lune` (?), n. [F.
demi-lune.]
1. (Fort.) A work constructed beyond the
main ditch of a fortress, and in front of the curtain between two
bastions, intended to defend the curtain; a ravelin. See
Ravelin.
2. (Physiol.) A crescentic mass of
granular protoplasm present in the salivary glands.
Dem"i*man` (?), n. A half
man. [R.]
Knolles.
Dem`i*monde" (?), n. [F.;
demi + monde world, L. mundus.]
Persons of doubtful reputation; esp., women who are kept as
mistresses, though not public prostitutes; demireps.
Literary demimonde, writers of the lowest
kind.
Dem"i*na"tured (?; 135), a.
Having half the nature of another. [R.]
Shak.
Dem"i*qua`ver (?), n.
(Mus.) A note of half the length of the quaver; a
semiquaver. [R.]
{ Dem`i*re*lief" (?),
Dem`i*re*lie"vo (?), } n.
Half relief. See Demi-rilievo.
Dem"*rep` (?), n. [Contr. fr.
demi-reputation.] A woman of doubtful
reputation or suspected character; an adventuress.
[Colloq.]
De Quincey.
\'d8Dem"i-ri*lie"vo (?), n.
[Pref. demi- + It. rilievo.]
(Fine Arts) (a) Half relief; sculpture
in relief of which the figures project from the background by one
half their full roundness. (b) A work of
sculpture of the above character. See
Alto-rilievo.
De*mis`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
(Law) The state of being demisable.
De*mis"a*ble (?), a. [From
Demise.] (Law) Capable of being
leased; as, a demisable estate.
De*mise" (?), n. [F.
d\'82mettre, p. p. d\'82mis,
d\'82mise, to put away, lay down; pref.
d\'82- (L. de or dis-) +
mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere
to send. See Mission, and cf. Dismiss,
Demit.]
1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an
heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or
transmission of the crown or royal authority to a
successor.
2. The decease of a royal or princely person;
hence, also, the death of any illustrious person.
After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in
1737, they [drawing-rooms] were held but twice a week.
P. Cunningham.
3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of
an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the
latter.
Bouvier.
demise of the crown is a transfer of
the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus,
when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by
the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity
was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king
or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that
event the crown is transferred to a successor.
Blackstone.
Demise and redemise, a conveyance where there
are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or
something out of it.
Syn. -- Death; decease; departure. See Death.
De*mise", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Demised (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Demising.]
1. To transfer or transmit by succession or
inheritance; to grant or bestow by will; to bequeath.
\'bdPower to demise my lands.\'b8
Swift.
What honor
Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
Shak.
2. To convey; to give. [R.]
His soul is at his conception demised to him.
Hammond.
3. (Law) To convey, as an estate, be
lease; to lease.
Dem`i*sem"i*qua`ver (?), /. n.
(Mus.) A short note, equal in time to the half of
a semiquaver, or the thirty-second part of a whole note.
De*miss" (?), a. [L.
demissus, p. p. of demittere.]
Cast down; humble; submissive. [Obs.]
He down descended like a most demiss
And abject thrall.
Spenser.
De*mis"sion (?), n. [L.
demissio, fr. demittere. See
Demit.]
1. The act of demitting, or the state of being
demitted; a letting down; a lowering; dejection.
\'bdDemission of mind.\'b8
Hammond.
Demission of sovereign authority.
L'Estrange.
2. Resignation of an office.
[Scot.]
De*mis"sion*a*ry (?), a.
1. Pertaining to transfer or conveyance; as, a
demissionary deed.
2. Tending to lower, depress, or degrade.
De*miss"ive (?), a. [See
Demiss.] Downcast; submissive; humble.
[R.]
They pray with demissive eyelids.
Lord (1630).
De*miss"ly, adv. In a humble
manner. [Obs.]
Dem"i*suit` (?), n. (Mil.
Antiq.) A suit of light armor covering less than the
whole body, as having no protection for the legs below the
things, no vizor to the helmet, and the like.
De*mit" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demitted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Demitting.] [L.
demittere to send or bring down, to lower;
de- + mittere to send. Cf.
Demise.]
1. To let fall; to depress. [R.]
They [peacocks] demit and let fall the same [i.
e., their train].
Sir T. Browne.
2. To yield or submit; to humble; to lower; as,
to demit one's self to humble duties.
[R.]
3. To lay down, as an office; to resign.
[Scot.]
General Conway demitted his office.
Hume.
Dem"i*tint` (?), n. (Fine
Arts) (a) That part of a painting, engraving,
or the like, which is neither in full darkness nor full
light. (b) The shade itself; neither the
darkest nor the lightest in a composition. Also called half
tint.
Dem"i*tone` (?), n.
(Mus.) Semitone. [R.]
Dem"i*urge (?), n. [Gr.
dhmioyrgo`s a worker for the people, a workman,
especially the marker of the world, the Creator;
dh`mios belonging to the people (fr. dh^mos
the people) + 'e`rgon a work.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) The chief magistrate in
some of the Greek states.
2. God, as the Maker of the world.
3. According to the Gnostics, an agent or one
employed by the Supreme Being to create the material universe and
man.
Dem`i*ur"gic (?), a. [Gr.
/.] Pertaining to a demiurge; formative;
creative. \'bdDemiurgic power.\'b8
De Quincey.
Dem"*vill` (?), n. (Old
Law) A half -vill, consisting of five freemen or
frankpledges.
Blackstone.
Dem"i*volt` (?), n. [Cf. F.
demi-volte.] (Man.) A half
vault; one of the seven artificial motions of a horse, in which
he raises his fore legs in a particular manner.
Dem"i*wolf` (?), n. A half
wolf; a mongrel dog, between a dog and a wolf.
De*mob`i*li*za"tion (?), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82mobilisation. See
Mobilization.] (Mil.) The
disorganization or disarming of troops which have previously been
mobilized or called into active service; the change from a war
footing to a peace footing.
De*mob"i*lize (?), v. t. [Cf.
F. d\'82mobiliser.] (Mil.) To
disorganize, or disband and send home, as troops which have been
mobilized.
De*moc"ra*cy (?), n.; pl.
Democracies (#). [F.
d\'82mocratie, fr. Gr. dhmokrati`a;
dh^mos the people + kratei^n to be strong,
to rule, kra`tos strength.]
1. Government by the people; a form of government
in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by
the people.
2. Government by popular representation; a form of
government in which the supreme power is retained by the people,
but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation
and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional
representative government; a republic.
3. Collectively, the people, regarded as the source
of government.
Milton.
4. The principles and policy of the Democratic
party, so called. [U.S.]
Dem"o*crat (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82mocrate.]
1. One who is an adherent or advocate of democracy,
or government by the people.
Whatever they call him, what care I,
Aristocrat, democrat, autocrat.
Tennyson.
2. A member of the Democratic party.
[U.S.]
Dem`o*crat"ic (?), a. [Gr. /:
cf. F. d\'82mocratique.]
1. Pertaining to democracy; favoring democracy, or
constructed upon the principle of government by the people.
2. Relating to a political party so called.
3. Befitting the common people; -- opposed to
aristocratic.
The Democratic party, the name of one of the
chief political parties in the United States.
Dem`o*crat"ic*al (?), a.
Democratic.
The democratical was democratically received.
Algernon Sidney.
Dem`o*crat"ic*al*ly, adv. In a
democratic manner.
De*moc"ra*tism (?), n. The
principles or spirit of a democracy. [R.]
De*moc"ra*tist (?), n. A
democrat. [R.]
Burke.
De*moc"ra*tize (?) v. t. To
render democratic.
De*moc"ra*ty (?), n.
Democracy. [Obs.]
Milton.
<-- p. 389 -->
De`mo*gor"gon (?), n. [First
me//// <-- ##***NOTE: -- several lines missing from
original, which is torn here! ** --> the scholiast,
//////////, deity + gorgo`s
fierce, //] , A mysterious, terrible, and evil
divinity, regarded by some as the author of creation, by others
as a great magician who was supposed to command the spirits of
the lower world. See Gorgon.
Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name
Of Demogorgon.
Milton.
De*mog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr. /
the people + -graphy.] The study of races,
as to births, marriages, mortality, health, etc. --
Dem`o*graph"ic, a.
\'d8De`moi`selle" (?), n. [F.
See Damsel.]
1. A young lady; a damsel; a lady's maid.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The Numidian crane
(Antropoides virgo); -- so called on account of the
grace and symmetry of its form and movements.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A beautiful, small dragon
fly of the genus Agrion.
De*mol"ish (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demolished
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demolishing.] [F.
d\'82molir, fr. L. demoliri, p. p.
demolitus; de- + moliri to set a
thing in motion, to work, construct, from moles a huge
mass or structure. See Mole a mound, and
Finish.] To throw or pull down; to raze; to
destroy the fabric of; to pull to pieces; to ruin; as, to
demolish an edifice, or a wall.
I expected the fabric of my book would long since have been
demolished, and laid even with the ground.
Tillotson.
Syn. -- To Demolish, Overturn,
Destroy, Dismantle, Raze. That is
overturned or overthrown which had stood
upright; that is destroyed whose component parts are scattered;
that is demolished which had formed a mass or
structure; that is dismantled which is stripped of its
covering, as a vessel of its sails, or a fortress of its
bastions, etc.; that is razed which is brought down
smooth, and level to the ground. An ancient pillar is
overturned or overthrown as the result of
decay; as city is destroyed by an invasion of its
enemies; a monument, the walls of a castle, a church, or any
structure, real or imaginary, may be demolished; a
fortress may be dismantled from motives of prudence,
in order to render it defenseless; a city may be razed
by way of punishment, and its ruins become a memorial of
vengeance.
De*mol"ish`er (?), n. One who,
or that which, demolishes; as, a demolisher of
towns.
De*mol"ish*ment (?), n.
Demolition.
Dem`o*li"tion (?; 277), n. [L.
demolitio, fr. demoliri: cf. F.
d\'82molition. See Demolish.] The
act of overthrowing, pulling down, or destroying a pile or
structure; destruction by violence; utter overthrow; -- opposed
to construction; as, the demolition of a
house, of military works, of a town, or of hopes.
Dem`o*li"tion*ist, n. A
demolisher. [R.]
Carlyle.
De"mon (?), n. [F.
d\'82mon, L. daemon a spirit, an evil
spirit, fr. Gr. / a divinity; of uncertain origin.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A spirit, or immaterial
being, holding a middle place between men and deities in pagan
mythology.
The demon kind is of an in///mediate nature
between the divine and the human.
Sydenham.
2. One's genius; a tutelary spirit or internal
voice; as, the demon of Socrates.
[Often written d\'91mon.]
3. An evil spirit; a devil.
That same demon that hath gulled thee thus.
Shak.
De"mon*ess (?), n. A female
demon.
De*mon`e*ti*za"tion (?), n. The
act of demonetizing, or the condition of being demonetized.
De*mon"e*tize (?; see Monetary),
v. t. To deprive of current value; to withdraw
from use, as money.
They [gold mohurs] have been completely demonetized
by the [East India] Company.
R. Cobden.
{ De*mo"ni*ac (?), Dem`o*ni"a*cal
(?; 277), } a. [L.
daemoniacus, fr. daemon; cf. F.
d\'82moniaque. See Demon.]
1. Pertaining to, or characteristic of, a demon or
evil spirit; devilish; as, a demoniac being;
demoniacal practices.
Sarcastic, demoniacal laughter.
Thackeray.
2. Influenced or produced by a demon or evil
spirit; as, demoniac or demoniacal
power. \'bdDemoniac frenzy.\'b8
Milton.
De*mo"ni*ac (?), n.
1. A human being possessed by a demon or evil
spirit; one whose faculties are directly controlled by a
demon.
The demoniac in the gospel was sometimes cast into
the fire.
Bates.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of
Anabaptists who maintain that the demons or devils will finally
be saved.
Dem`o*ni"a*cal*ly (?), adv. In
a demoniacal manner.
Dem`o*ni"a*cism (?), n. The
state of being demoniac, or the practices of demoniacs.
De*mo"ni*al (?), a. Of or
pertaining to a demon. [Obs.]
Cudworth.
De*mo"ni*an (?), a. Relating
to, or having the nature of, a demon.
\'bdDemonian spirits.\'b8
Milton.
De*mo"ni*an*ism (?), n. The
state of being possessed by a demon or by demons.
De*mo"ni*asm (?), n. See
Demonianism. [R.]
De*mo"nic (?), a. [L.
daemonicus, Gr. daimoniko`s.] Of
or pertaining to a demon or to demons; demoniac.
\'bdDemonic ambushes.\'b8
Lowell.
De"mon*ism (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82monisme.] The belief in demons or
false gods.
The established theology of the heathen world . . . rested
upon the basis of demonism.
Farmer.
De"mon*ist, n. A believer in, or
worshiper of, demons.
De"mon*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demonized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demonizing.] [Cf. LL.
daemonizare to be possessed by a demon, Gr.
/.]
1. To convert into a demon; to infuse the
principles or fury of a demon into.
2. To control or possess by a demon.
De`mon*oc"ra*cy (?), n. [Gr.
dai`mwn demon + kra`tos strength: cf. F.
d\'82monocratie.] The power or government
of demons.
A demonocracy of unclean spirits.
H. Taylor.
De`mon*og"ra*pher (?), n.
[Demon + -graph +
-er.] A demonologist.
[R.]
Am. Cyc.
De`mon*ol"a*try (?), n. [Gr.
dai`mwn demon + latrei`a worship, / to
serve, worship: cf. F. d\'82monol\'83trie.]
The worship of demons.
De`mon*ol"o*ger (?), n. One
versed in demonology.
R. North.
{ De`mon*o*log"ic (?),
De`mon*o*log"ic*al (?), } a.
[Cf. F. d\'82monologique.] Of or
Pertaining to demonology.
De`mon*ol"o*gist (?), n. One
who writes on, or is versed in, demonology.
De`mon*ol"o*gy (?; 277), n.
[Demon + -logy: cf. F.
d\'82monologie.] A treatise on demons; a
supposititious science which treats of demons and their
manifestations.
Sir W. Scott.
De`mon*om"a*gy (?), n. [Gr.
dai`mwn demon + magic.] Magic in which the
aid of demons is invoked; black or infernal magic.
Bp. Hurd.
De*mon`o*ma"ni*a (?), n.
[Demon + mania.] A form of
madness in which the patient conceives himself possessed of
devils.
De*mon"o*mist (?) n. One in
subjection to a demon, or to demons. [R.]
Sir T. Herbert.
De*mon"o*my (?), n. [Gr. /
demon + / law.] The dominion of demons.
[R.]
Sir T. Herbert.
De"mon*ry (?), n. Demoniacal
influence or possession.
J. Baillie.
De"mon*ship, n. The state of a
demon.
Mede.
De*mon`stra*bil"i*ty (?), n.
The quality of being demonstrable; demonstrableness.
De*mon"stra*ble (?), a. [L.
demonstrabilis: cf. OF. demonstrable, F.
d\'82montrable.]
1. Capable of being demonstrated; that can be
proved beyond doubt or question.
The grand articles of our belief are as
demonstrable as geometry.
Glanvill.
2. Proved; apparent. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*mon"stra*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being demonstrable; demonstrability.
De*mon"stra*bly, adv. In a demonstrable
manner; incontrovertibly; clearly.
Cases that demonstrably concerned the public
cause.
Clarendon.
De*mon"strance (?), n. [OF.
demonstrance.] Demonstration; proof.
[Obs.]
Holland.
Dem"on*strate (?; 277), v. t.
[L. demonstratus, p. p. of demonstrare
to demonstrate; de- + monstrare to show.
See Monster.]
1. To point out; to show; to exhibit; to make
evident.
Shak.
2. To show, or make evident, by reasoning or proof;
to prove by deduction; to establish so as to exclude the
possibility of doubt or denial.
We can not demonstrate these things so as to show
that the contrary often involves a contradiction.
Tillotson.
3. (Anat.) To exhibit and explain (a
dissection or other anatomical preparation).
Dem"on*stra`ter, n. See
Demonstrator.
Dem`on*stra"tion (?), n. [L.
demonstratio: cf. F.
d\'82monstration.]
1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof;
especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable
evidence, to the senses or reason.
Those intervening ideas which serve to show the agreement of
any two others are called \'bdproofs;\'b8 and where agreement or
disagreement is by this means plainly and clearly perceived, it
is called demonstration.
Locke.
2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward
signs; a manifestation; a show.
Did your letters pierce the queen to any
demonstration of grief?
Shak.
Loyal demonstrations toward the prince.
Prescott.
3. (Anat.) The exhibition and
explanation of a dissection or other anatomical
preparation.
4. (Mil.) a decisive exhibition of force, or a
movement indicating an attack.
5. (Logic) The act of proving by the
syllogistic process, or the proof itself.
6. (Math.) A course of reasoning showing
that a certain result is a necessary consequence of assumed
premises; -- these premises being definitions, axioms, and
previously established propositions.
Direct, Positive,
demonstration (Logic & Math.),
one in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence
of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; --
opposed to Indirect, Negative,
demonstration (called also
reductio ad absurdum), in which the correct
conclusion is an inference from the demonstration that any other
hypothesis must be incorrect.
De*mon"stra*tive (?), a. [F.
d\'82monstratif, L. demonstrativus.]
1. Having the nature of demonstration; tending to
demonstrate; making evident; exhibiting clearly or
conclusively. \'bdDemonstrative figures.\'b8
Dryden.
An argument necessary and demonstrative.
Hooker.
2. Expressing, or apt to express, much; displaying
feeling or sentiment; as, her nature was
demonstrative.
3. Consisting of eulogy or of invective.
\'bdDemonstrative eloquence.\'b8
Blair.
Demonstrative pronoun (Gram.), a
pronoun distinctly designating that to which it refers.
De*mon"stra*tive, n. (Gram.)
A demonstrative pronoun; as, \'bdthis\'b8 and
\'bdthat\'b8 are demonstratives.
De*mon"stra*tive*ly (?), adv.
In a manner fitted to demonstrate; clearly; convincingly;
forcibly.
De*mon"stra*tive*ness, n. The state or
quality of being demonstrative.
Dem"on*stra`tor (?; 277), n.
[L.: cf. F. d\'82monstrateur.]
1. One who demonstrates; one who proves anything
with certainty, or establishes it by indubitable evidence.
2. (Anat.) A teacher of practical
anatomy.
De*mon"stra*to*ry (?), a.
Tending to demonstrate; demonstrative.
Johnson.
De*mor"age (?; 48), n.
Demurrage. [Obs.]
Pepys (1663).
De*mor`al*i*za"tion (?), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82moralisation.] The act of
corrupting or subverting morals. Especially: The act of
corrupting or subverting discipline, courage, hope, etc., or the
state of being corrupted or subverted in discipline, courage,
etc.; as, the demoralization of an army or
navy.
De*mor"al*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Demoralized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demoralizing.] [F.
d\'82moraliser; pref. d\'82- (L.
dis- or de) + moraliser. See
Moralize.] To corrupt or undermine in morals;
to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on; to render
corrupt or untrustworthy in morals, in discipline, in courage,
spirit, etc.; to weaken in spirit or efficiency.
The demoralizing example of profligate power and
prosperous crime.
Walsh.
The vices of the nobility had demoralized the
army.
Bancroft.
Dem`os*then"ic (?), a. [L.
Demosthenicus: cf. F.
D\'82mosth\'82nique.] Pertaining to, or in
the style of, Demosthenes, the Grecian orator.
De*mot"ic (?), a. [Gr. /, fr.
/ the people: cf. F. d\'82motique.] Of
or pertaining to the people; popular; common.
Demotic alphabet character, a form of writing used in Egypt
after six or seven centuries before Christ, for books, deeds, and
other such writings; a simplified form of the hieratic character;
-- called also epistolographic character, and
enchorial character. See
Enchorial.
De*mount" (?), v. i. To
dismount. [R.]
Demp"ne (?) v. t. To damn; to
condemn. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
{ Demp"ster (?; 215), Dem"ster
(?), } n. [See
Deemster.]
1. A deemster.
2. (O. Scots Law) An officer whose duty
it was to announce the doom or sentence pronounced by the
court.
De*mulce" (?), v. t. [L.
demulcere; de- + mulcere to
stroke, soothe.] To soothe; to mollify; to pacify; to
soften. [R.]
Sir T. Elyot.
De*mul"cent (?), a. [L.
demulcens, p. pr. of demulcere.]
Softening; mollifying; soothing; assuasive; as, oil is
demulcent.
De*mul"cent, n. (Med.) A
substance, usually of a mucilaginous or oily nature, supposed to
be capable of soothing an inflamed nervous membrane, or
protecting i/ from irritation. Gum Arabic, glycerin, olive oil,
etc., are demulcents.
De*mul"sion (?), n. The act of
soothing; that which soothes.
Feltham.
De*mur" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Demurred
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Demurring.] [OF. demurer,
demorer, demourer, to linger, stay, F.
demeurer, fr. L. demorari; de- +
morari to delay, tarry, stay, mora delay;
prob. originally, time for thinking, reflection, and akin to
memor mindful. See Memory.]
1. To linger; to stay; to tarry.
[Obs.]
Yet durst not demur nor abide upon the camp.
Nicols.
2. To delay; to pause; to suspend proceedings or
judgment in view of a doubt or difficulty; to hesitate; to put
off the determination or conclusion of an affair.
Upon this rub, the English embassadors thought fit to
demur.
Hayward.
3. To scruple or object; to take exception; as,
I demur to that statement.
4. (Law) To interpose a demurrer. See
Demurrer, 2.
De*mur", v. t.
1. To suspend judgment concerning; to doubt of or
hesitate about. [Obs.]
The latter I demur, for in their looks
Much reason, and in their actions, oft appears.
Milton.
2. To cause delay to; to put off.
[Obs.]
He demands a fee,
And then demurs me with a vain delay.
Quarles.
De*mur", n. [OF. demor,
demore, stay, delay. See Demur, v.
i.] Stop; pause; hesitation as to proceeding;
suspense of decision or action; scruple.
All my demurs but double his attacks;
At last he whispers, \'bdDo; and we go snacks.\'b8
Pope.
De*mure" (?), a. [Perh. from
OF. de murs (i. e., de bonnes murs of good
manners); de of + murs, mours,
meurs, mors, F. m/urs, fr. L.
mores (sing. mos) manners, morals (see
Moral); or more prob. fr. OF. me\'81r, F.
m\'96r mature, ripe (see Mature) in a phrase
preceded by de, as de m\'96re conduite of
mature conduct.]
1. Of sober or serious mien; composed and decorous
in bearing; of modest look; staid; grave.
Sober, steadfast, and demure.
Milton.
Nan was very much delighted in her demure way, and
that delight showed itself in her face and in her clear bright
eyes.
W. Black.
2. Affectedly modest, decorous, or serious; making
a show of gravity.
A cat lay, and looked so demure, as if there had
been neither life nor soul in her.
L'Estrange.
Miss Lizzy, I have no doubt, would be as demure and
coquettish, as if ten winters more had gone over her head.
Miss Mitford.
De*mure", v. i. To look demurely.
[Obs.]
Shak.
De*mure"ly, adv. In a demure manner;
soberly; gravely; -- now, commonly, with a mere show of gravity
or modesty.
They . . . looked as demurely as they could; for 't
was a hanging matter to laugh unseasonably.
Dryden.
<-- p. 390 -->
De*mure"ness (?), n. The state
of being demure; gravity; the show of gravity or modesty.
De*mur"i*ty (?), n. Demureness;
also, one who is demure.
Sir T. Browne.
De*mur"ra*ble (?), a. That may
be demurred to.
Stormonth.
De*mur"rage (?), n. [Cf. OF.
demorage delay. See Demur.]
(Law) (a) The detention of a vessel by
the freighter beyond the time allowed in her charter party for
loading, unloading, or sailing. (b) The
allowance made to the master or owner of the ship for such delay
or detention.
The claim for demurrage ceases as soon as the ship
is cleared out and ready for sailing.
M\'bfCulloch.
De*mur"ral (?), n. Demur; delay
in acting or deciding.
The same causes of demurral existed which prevented
British troops from assisting in the expulsion of the French from
Rome.
Southey.
De*mur"rer (?), n.
1. One who demurs.
2. (Law) A stop or pause by a party to
an action, for the judgment of the court on the question,
whether, assuming the truth of the matter alleged by the opposite
party, it is sufficient in law to sustain the action or defense,
and hence whether the party resting is bound to answer or proceed
further.
Demurrer to evidence, an exception taken by a
party to the evidence offered by the opposite party, and an
objecting to proceed further, on the allegation that such
evidence is not sufficient in law to maintain the issue, and a
reference to the court to determine the point.
Bouvier.
De*my" (?), n.; pl.
Demies (#). [See
Demi-.]
1. A printing and a writing paper of particular
sizes. See under Paper.
2. A half fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford.
[Written also demi.]
He was elected into Magdalen College as a demy; a
term by which that society denominates those elsewhere called
\'bdscholars,\'b8 young men who partake of the founder's
benefaction, and succeed in their order to vacant
fellowships.
Johnson.
De*my", a. Pertaining to, or made of,
the size of paper called demy; as, a demy
book.
Den (?), n. [AS.
denn; perh. akin to G. tenne floor,
thrashing floor, and to AS. denu valley.]
1. A small cavern or hollow place in the side of a
hill, or among rocks; esp., a cave used by a wild beast for
shelter or concealment; as, a lion's den; a
den of robbers.
2. A squalid place of resort; a wretched dwelling
place; a haunt; as, a den of vice.
\'bdThose squalid dens, which are the reproach of
great capitals.\'b8
Addison.
3. Any snug or close retreat where one goes to be
alone. [Colloq.]
4. [AS. denu.] A narrow glen;
a ravine; a dell. [Old Eng. & Scotch]
Shak.
Den, v. i. To live in, or as in, a
den.
The sluggish salvages that den below.
G. Fletcher.
De*nar"co*tize (?), v. t. To
deprive of narcotine; as, to denarcotize
opium. -- De*nar`co*ti*za"tion
(#), n.
\'d8De*na"ri*us (?), n.; pl.
Denarii (#). [L. See 2d
Denier.] A Roman silver coin of the value of
about fourteen cents; the \'bdpenny\'b8 of the New Testament; --
so called from being worth originally ten of the
pieces called as.
Den"a*ry (?), a. [L.
denarius. See 2d Denier.]
Containing ten; tenfold; proceeding by tens; as, the
denary, or decimal, scale.
Den"a*ry, n.
1. The number ten; a division into ten.
2. A coin; the Anglicized form of
denarius.
Udall.
De*na`tion*al*i*za"tion (?), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82nationalisation.] The or
process of denationalizing.
De*na"tion*al*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denationalized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Denationalizing.] [Cf. F.
d\'82nationaliser.] To divest or deprive of
national character or rights.
Bonaparte's decree denationalizes, as he calls it,
all ships that have touched at a British port.
Cobbett.
An expatriated, denationalized race.
G. Eliot.
De*nat"u*ral*ize (?; 135), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denaturalized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Denaturalizing.] [Cf. F.
d\'82naturaliser.]
1. To render unnatural; to alienate from
nature.
2. To renounce the natural rights and duties of; to
deprive of citizenship; to denationalize. [R.]
They also claimed the privilege, when aggrieved, of
denaturalizing themselves, or, in other words, of
publicly renouncing their allegiance to their sovereign, and of
enlisting under the banners of his enemy.
Prescott.
De*nay" (?), v. t. [See
Deny.] To deny. [Obs.]
That with great rage he stoutly doth denay.
Spenser.
De*nay", n. Denial; refusal.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Den"dra*chate (?), n. [L.
dendrachates; Gr. / a tree + / agate: cf. F.
dendrachate, dendragate.]
(Min.) Arborescent or dendritic agate.
Den"dri*form (?), a. [Gr. /
tree + -form.] Resembling in structure a
tree or shrub.
Den"drite (?), n. [Gr. /,
fem. /, of a tree, fr. / a tree: cf. F.
dendrite.] (Min.) A stone or
mineral on or in which are branching figures resembling shrubs or
trees, produced by a foreign mineral, usually an oxide of
manganese, as in the moss agate; also, a crystallized mineral
having an arborescent form, e. g., gold or
silver; an arborization.
{ Den*drit"ic (?), Den*drit"ic*al
(?), } a. Pertaining to a
dendrite, or to arborescent crystallization; having a form
resembling a shrub or tree; arborescent.
\'d8Den`dro*c/"la (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / tree + / hollow.]
(Zo\'94l.) A division of the Turbellaria in which
the digestive cavity gives off lateral branches, which are often
divided into smaller branchlets.
{ Den"droid (?), Den*droid"al
(?), } a. [Gr. / treelike; /
tree + / form: cf. F. dendro\'8bde.]
Resembling a shrub or tree in form; treelike.
Den"dro*lite (?), n. [Gr. /
tree + -lite: cf. F. dendrolithe.]
(Paleon.) A petrified or fossil shrub, plant, or
part of a plant.
Den*drol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in the natural history of trees.
Den*drol"o*gous (?), a.
Relating to dendrology.
Den*drol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. /
tree + -logy: cf. F. dendrologie.]
A discourse or treatise on trees; the natural history of
trees.
Den*drom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. /
tree + -meter: cf. F.
dendrom\'8atre.] An instrument to measure
the height and diameter of trees.
Den"e*gate (?), v. t. [L.
denegatus, p. p. of denegare. See
Deny.] To deny. [Obs.]
Den`e*ga"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82n\'82gation.] Denial.
[Obs.]
Den"gue (?), n. [See Note,
below.] (Med.) A specific epidemic disease
attended with high fever, cutaneous eruption, and severe pains in
the head and limbs, resembling those of rheumatism; -- called
also breakbone fever. It occurs in India,
Egypt, the West Indies, etc., is of short duration, and rarely
fatal.
dandy fever, from
the stiffness and constraint which it grave to the limbs and
body. The Spaniards of the neighboring islands mistook the term
for their word dengue, denoting prudery, which might
also well express stiffness, and hence the term dengue
became, as last, the name of the disease.
Tully.
De*ni"a*ble (?), a. [See
Deny.] Capable of being, or liable to be,
denied.
De*ni"al (?), n. [See
Deny.]
1. The act of gainsaying, refusing, or disowning;
negation; -- the contrary of affirmation.
You ought to converse with so much sincerity that your bare
affirmation or denial may be sufficient.
Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. A refusal to admit the truth of a statement,
charge, imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing
stated or maintained; a contradiction.
3. A refusal to grant; rejection of a
request.
The commissioners, . . . to obtain from the king's subjects as
much as they would willingly give, . . . had not to complain of
many peremptory denials.
Hallam.
4. A refusal to acknowledge; disclaimer of
connection with; disavowal; -- the contrary of
confession; as, the denial of a fault
charged on one; a denial of God.
Denial of one's self, a declining of some
gratification; restraint of one's appetites or propensities;
self-denial.
De*ni"ance (?), n.
Denial. [Obs.]
E. Hall.
De*ni"er (?), n. One who
denies; as, a denier of a fact, or of the faith, or
of Christ.
\'d8De*nier" (?), n. [F.
denier, fr. L. denarius a Roman silver coin
orig. equiv. to ten asses, later, a copper, fr. deni
ten by ten, fr. the root of decem ten; akin to E.
ten. See Ten, and cf. Denary,
Dinar.] A small copper coin of insignificant
value.
My dukedom to a beggarly denier.
Shak.
Den"i*grate (?), v. t. [L.
denigrare; de- + nigrare to
blacken, niger black.]
1. To blacken thoroughly; to make very black.
Boyle.
2. Fig.: To blacken or sully; to defame.
[R.]
To denigrate the memory of Voltaire.
Morley.
Den`i*gra"tion (?), n. [L.
denigratio.]
1. The act of making black.
Boyle.
2. Fig.: A blackening; defamation.
The vigorous denigration of science.
Morley.
Den"i*gra`tor (?), n. One who,
or that which, blackens.
Den"im (?), n. [Of uncertain
origin.] A coarse cotton drilling used for overalls,
etc.
Den`i*tra"tion (?), n. [Pref.
de- + nitrate.] A disengaging,
or removal, of nitric acid.
De*ni`tri*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
The act or process of freeing from nitrogen; also, the
condition resulting from the removal of nitrogen.
De*ni"tri*fy (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + nitrogen + -fy.]
To deprive of, or free from, nitrogen.
Den`i*za"tion (?), n. The act
of making one a denizen or adopted citizen; naturalization.
Hallam.
De*nize" (?), v. t. To make a
denizen; to confer the rights of citizenship upon; to
naturalize. [Obs.]
There was a private act made for denizing the
children of Richard Hill/.
Strype.
Den"i*zen (?), n. [OF.
denzein, deinzein, prop., one living (a
city or country); opposed to forain foreign, and fr.
denz within, F. dans, fr. L. de
intus, prop., from within, intus being from
in in. See In, and cf.
Foreign.]
1. A dweller; an inhabitant.
\'bdDenizens of air.\'b8
Pope.
Denizens of their own free, independent state.
Sir W. Scott.
2. One who is admitted by favor to all or a part of
the rights of citizenship, where he did not possess them by
birth; an adopted or naturalized citizen.
3. One admitted to residence in a foreign
country.
Ye gods,
Natives, or denizens, of blest abodes.
Dryden.
Den"i*zen, v. t.
1. To constitute (one) a denizen; to admit to
residence, with certain rights and privileges.
As soon as denizened, they domineer.
Dryden.
2. To provide with denizens; to populate with
adopted or naturalized occupants.
There [islets] were at once denizened by various
weeds.
J. D. Hooker.
Den`i*zen*a"tion (?), n.
Denization; denizening.
Abbott.
Den"i*zen*ize (?), v. t. To
constitute (one) a denizen; to denizen.
Abbott.
Den"i*zen*ship, n. State of being a
denizen.
Den"mark sat"in (?). See under
Satin.
Den"net (?), n. A light, open,
two-wheeled carriage for one horse; a kind of gig. (\'bdThe term
and vehicle common about 1825.\'b8 Latham.)
De*nom"i*na*ble (?), a. Capable
of being denominated or named.
Sir T. Browne.
De*nom"i*nate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denominated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Denominating
(?).] [L. denominatus, p. p.
of denominare to name; de- +
nominare to call by name. See
Nominate.] To give a name to; to characterize
by an epithet; to entitle; to name; to designate.
Passions commonly denominating selfish.
Hume.
De*nom"i*nate (?), a. [L.
denominatus, p. p.] Having a specific name
or denomination; specified in the concrete as opposed to
abstract; thus, 7 feet is a denominate
quantity, while 7 is mere abstract quantity or number. See
Compound number, under Compound.
De*nom`i*na"tion (?), n. [L.
denominatio metonymy: cf. F.
d\'82nomination a naming.]
1. The act of naming or designating.
2. That by which anything is denominated or styled;
an epithet; a name, designation, or title; especially, a general
name indicating a class of like individuals; a category; as,
the denomination of units, or of thousands, or of
fourths, or of shillings, or of tons.
Those [qualities] which are classed under the
denomination of sublime.
Burke.
3. A class, or society of individuals, called by
the same name; a sect; as, a denomination of
Christians.
Syn. -- Name; appellation; title. See Name.
De*nom`i*na"tion*al (?), a.
Pertaining to a denomination, especially to a sect or
society. \'bdDenominational differences.\'b8
Buckle.
De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ism (?), n.
A denominational or class spirit or policy; devotion to the
interests of a sect or denomination.
De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ist, n. One imbued
with a denominational spirit.
The Century.
De*nom`i*na"tion*al*ly, adv. In a
denominational manner; by denomination or sect.
De*nom`i*na"tive (?), a. [Cf.
F. d\'82nominatif.]
1. Conferring a denomination or name.
2. (Logic) Connotative; as, a
denominative name.
3. Possessing, or capable of possessing, a distinct
denomination or designation; denominable.
The least denominative part of time is a
minute.
Cocker.
4. (Gram.) Derived from a substantive or
an adjective; as, a denominative verb.
De*nom`i*na"tive, n. A denominative name
or term; denominative verb.
Jer. Taylor. Harkness.
De*nom`i*na"tive*ly, adv. By
denomination.
De*nom"i*na`tor (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82nominateur.]
1. One who, or that which, gives a name; origin or
source of a name.
This opinion that Aram . . . was the father and
denomination of the Syrians in general.
Sir W. Raleigh.
2. (Arith.) That number placed below the
line in vulgar fractions which shows into how many parts the
integer or unit is divided.
denominator,
showing that the integer is divided into five parts; and the
numerator, 3, shows how many parts are taken.
3. (Alg.) That part of any expression
under a fractional form which is situated below the horizontal
line signifying division.
denominator is not
necessarily a number, but may be any expression, either positive
or negative, real or imaginary.
Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. )
De*not"a*ble (?), a. [From
Denote.] Capable of being denoted or
marked.
Sir T. Browne.
De*no"tate (?), v. t. [L.
denotatus, p. p. of denotare.]
To mark off; to denote. [Archaic]
These terms denotate a longer time.
Burton.
What things should be denotated and signified by
the color.
Urquhart.
De`no*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
denotatio: cf. F. d\'82notation.]
The marking off or separation of anything.
Hammond.
De*not"a*tive (?), a. Having
power to denote; designating or marking off.
Proper names are pre\'89minently denotative;
telling us that such as object has such a term to denote it, but
telling us nothing as to any single attribute.
Latham.
De*note" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denoted; p. pr.
& vb. n. Denoting.] [L.
denotare; de- + notare to mark,
nota mark, sign, note: cf. F. d\'82noter.
See Note.]
1. To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible
sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out;
as, the hands of the clock denote the
hour.
The better to denote her to the doctor.
Shak.
2. To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to
mean.
A general expression to denote wickedness of every
sort.
Gilpin.
De*note"ment (?), n. Sign;
indication. [R.]
De*not"ive (?), a. Serving to
denote.
\'d8D\'82`noue`ment" (?), n.
[F. d\'82nouement, fr. d\'82nouer to
untie; pref. d\'82- (L. dis-) +
nouer to tie, fr. L. nodus knot, perh. for
gnodus and akin to E. knot.]
1. The unraveling or discovery of a plot; the
catastrophe, especially of a drama or a romance.
2. The solution of a mystery; issue; outcome.
<-- p. 391 -->
De*nounce" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denounced
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Denouncing.] [F.
d\'82noncer, OF. denoncier, fr. L.
denuntiare, denunciare; de- +
nunciare, nuntiare, to announce, report,
nuntius a messenger, message. See Nuncio, and
cf. Denunciate.]
1. To make known in a solemn or official manner; to
declare; to proclaim (especially an evil).
[Obs.]
Denouncing wrath to come.
Milton.
I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely
perish.
Deut. xxx. 18.
2. To proclaim in a threatening manner; to threaten
by some outward sign or expression.
His look denounced desperate.
Milton.
3. To point out as deserving of reprehension or
punishment, etc.; to accuse in a threatening manner; to invoke
censure upon; to stigmatize.
Denounced for a heretic.
Sir T. More.
To denounce the immoralities of Julius
C\'91sar.
Brougham.
De*nounce"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF.
denoncement.] Solemn, official, or menacing
announcement; denunciation. [Archaic]
False is the reply of Cain, upon the denouncement
of his curse.
Sir T. Browne.
De*noun"cer (?) n. One who
denounces, or declares, as a menace.
Here comes the sad denouncer of my fate.
Dryden.
Dense (?), a. [L.
densus; akin to Gr. / thick with hair or leaves:
cf. F. dense.]
1. Having the constituent parts massed or crowded
together; close; compact; thick; containing much matter in a
small space; heavy; opaque; as, a dense crowd; a
dense forest; a dense fog.
All sorts of bodies, firm and fluid, dense and
rare.
Ray.
To replace the cloudy barrier dense.
Cowper.
2. Stupid; gross; crass; as, dense
ignorance.
Dense"ly, adv. In a dense, compact
manner.
Dense"less, n. The quality of being
dense; density.
Den*sim"e*ter (?), n. [L.
densus dense + -meter: cf. F.
densim\'8atre.] An instrument for
ascertaining the specific gravity or density of a
substance.
Den"si*ty (?), n. [L.
densitas; cf. F. densit\'82.]
1. The quality of being dense, close, or thick;
compactness; -- opposed to rarity.
2. (Physics) The ratio of mass, or
quantity of matter, to bulk or volume, esp. as compared with the
mass and volume of a portion of some substance used as a
standard.
specific gravity, and the
same is true of gases when referred to air as a standard.
3. (Photog.) Depth of shade.
Abney.
Dent (?), n. [A variant of
Dint.]
1. A stroke; a blow. [Obs.]
\'bdThat dent of thunder.\'b8
Chaucer.
2. A slight depression, or small notch or hollow,
made by a blow or by pressure; an indentation.
A blow that would have made a dent in a pound of
butter.
De Quincey.
Dent, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dented; p. pr. & vb. n.
Denting.] To make a dent upon; to
indent.
The houses dented with bullets.
Macaulay.
Dent, n. [F., fr. L. dens,
dentis, tooth. See Tooth.]
(Mach.) A tooth, as of a card, a gear wheel,
etc.
Knight.
Den"tal (?), a. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F.
dental. See Tooth.]
1. Of or pertaining to the teeth or to dentistry;
as, dental surgery.
2. (Phon.) Formed by the aid of the
teeth; -- said of certain articulations and the letters
representing them; as, d t are dental
letters.
Dental formula (Zo\'94l.), a brief
notation used by zo\'94logists to denote the number and kind of
teeth of a mammal. -- Dental surgeon, a
dentist.
Den"tal, n. [Cf. F. dentale.
See Dental, a.]
1. An articulation or letter formed by the aid of
the teeth.
2. (Zo\'94l.) A marine mollusk of the
genus Dentalium, with a curved conical shell
resembling a tooth. See Dentalium.
Den"tal*ism (?), n. The quality
of being formed by the aid of the teeth.
\'d8Den*ta"li*um (?), n. [NL.,
fr. L. dens, dentis, tooth.]
(Zo\'94l.) A genus of marine mollusks belonging
to the Scaphopoda, having a tubular conical shell.
Den"ta*ry (?), a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or bearing, teeth. --
n. The distal bone of the lower jaw in
many animals, which may or may not bear teeth.
{ Den"tate (?), Den"ta*ted
(?), } a. [L. dentatus,
fr. dens, dentis, tooth.]
1. (Bot.) Toothed; especially, with the
teeth projecting straight out, not pointed either forward or
backward; as, a dentate leaf.
2. (Zo\'94l.) Having teeth or toothlike
points. See Illust. of Antenn\'91.
Den"tate-cil"i*ate (?), a.
(Bot.) Having the margin dentate and also ciliate
or fringed with hairs.
Den"tate*ly (?), adv. In a
dentate or toothed manner; as, dentately ciliated,
etc.
Den"tate-sin"u*ate (?), a.
(Bot.) Having a form intermediate between dentate
and sinuate.
Den*ta"tion (?), n. Formation
of teeth; toothed form. [R.]
How did it [a bill] get its barb, its
dentation?
Paley.
Dent"ed (?), a. [From
Dent, v. t.] Indented; impressed
with little hollows.
Dent"el (?), n. Same as
Dentil.
\'d8Den*telle" (?), n.
[F.] (Bookbinding) An ornamental
tooling like lace.
Knight.
\'d8Den*tel"li (?), n. pl.
[It., sing. dentello, prop., little tooth, dim.
of dente tooth, L. dens, dentis.
Cf. Dentil.] Modillions.
Spectator.
\'d8Den"tex (?), n. [NL., cf.
L. dentix a sort of sea fish.]
(Zo\'94l.) An edible European marine fish
(Sparus dentex, or Dentex vulgaris) of the
family Percid\'91.
\'d8Den`ti*ce"te (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. dens, dentis, tooth +
cetus, pl. cete, whale, Gr. /.]
(Zo\'94l.) The division of Cetacea in which the
teeth are developed, including the sperm whale, dolphins,
etc.
Den"ti*cle (?), n. [L.
denticulus a little tooth, dim. of dens,
dentis, tooth. See Dental, and cf.
Dentelli.] A small tooth or projecting
point.
{ Den*tic"u*late (?),
Den*tic"u*la`ted (?), } a.
[L. denticulatus, fr. denticulus. See
Denticle.] Furnished with denticles; notched
into little toothlike projections; as, a denticulate
leaf of calyx. --
Den*tic"u*late*ly (#),
adv.
Den*tic`u*la"tion (?), n.
1. The state of being set with small notches or
teeth.
Grew.
2. (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) A diminutive tooth;
a denticle.
Den*tif"er*ous (?), a. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth +
-ferous.] Bearing teeth; dentigerous.
Den"ti*form (?), a. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth + -form: cf.
F. dentiforme.] Having the form of a tooth
or of teeth; tooth-shaped.
Den"ti*frice (?), n. [L.
dentifricium; dens, dentis,
tooth + fricare to rub: cf. F. dentifrice.
See Tooth, and Friction.] A powder
or other substance to be used in cleaning the teeth; tooth
powder.
Den*tig"er*ous (?), a. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth +
-gerous.] Bearing teeth or toothlike
structures.
Den"til (?), n. [LL.
dentillus, for L. denticulus. Cf.
Dentelli, Denticle, Dentile.]
(Arch.) A small square block or projection in
cornices, a number of which are ranged in an ornamental band; --
used particularly in the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite
orders.
Den`ti*la"bi*al (?), a. Formed
by the teeth and the lips, or representing a sound so
formed. -- n. A dentilabial sound or
letter.
Den"ti*la`ted (?), a.
Toothed.
Den`ti*la"tion (?), n.
Dentition.
Den"ti*lave (?), n. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth + lavare to
wash.] A wash for cleaning the teeth.
Den"tile (?), n. [LL.
dentillus, for L. denticulus. See
Dentil.] (Zo\'94l.) A small tooth,
like that of a saw.
Den`ti*lin"gual (?), a. [L.
dens tooth + E. lingual.]
Produced by applying the tongue to the teeth or to the gums;
or representing a sound so formed. -- n.
A dentilingual sound or letter.
The letters of this fourth, dentilingual or
linguidental, class, viz., d, t, s, z, l, r.
Am. Cyc.
Den*til"o*quist (?), n. One who
speaks through the teeth, that is, with the teeth closed.
Den*til"o*quy (?), n. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth + loqui to
speak.] The habit or practice of speaking through the
teeth, or with them closed.
Den"ti*al (?), a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to dentine.
Den"tine (?), n. [Cf. F.
dentine.] (Anat.) The dense
calcified substance of which teeth are largely composed. It
contains less animal matter than bone, and in the teeth of man is
situated beneath the enamel.
Den"ti*phone (?), n. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth + Gr. / sound.]
An instrument which, placed against the teeth, conveys sound
to the auditory nerve; an audiphone.
Knight.
\'d8Den`ti*ros"ter (?), n.; pl.
Dentirostres (#). [NL., fr. L.
dens, dentis, tooth + rostrum
bill, beak: cf. F. dentirostre.]
(Zo\'94l.) A dentirostral bird.
Den`ti*ros"tral (?), a.
(Zo\'94l.) Having a toothed bill; -- applied to a
group of passerine birds, having the bill notched, and feeding
chiefly on insects, as the shrikes and vireos. See
Illust. (N) under Beak.
Den`ti*ros"trate (?), a.
Dentirostral.
Den"ti*scalp (?), n. [L.
dens tooth + scalpere to scrape.]
An instrument for scraping the teeth.
Den"tist (?), n. [From L.
dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F.
dentiste. See Tooth.] One whose
business it is to clean, extract, or repair natural teeth, and to
make and insert artificial ones; a dental surgeon.
{ Den*tis"tic (?), Den*tis"ti*cal
(?), } a. Pertaining to dentistry
or to dentists. [R.]
Den"tist*ry (?), n. The art or
profession of a dentist; dental surgery.
Den*ti"tion (?), n. [L.
dentitio, fr. dentire to cut teeth, fr.
dens, dentis, tooth. See
Dentist.]
1. The development and cutting of teeth;
teething.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The system of teeth
peculiar to an animal.
Den"tize (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Dentized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dentizing.] [L. dens,
dentis, tooth.] To breed or cut new
teeth. [R.]
The old countess . . . did dentize twice or
thrice.
Bacon.
Den"toid (?), a. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth +
-oid.] Shaped like a tooth;
tooth-shaped.
Den`to*lin"gual (?), a.
Dentilingual.
Den"ture (?; 135), n. [L.
dens, dentis, tooth: cf. F.
denture, OF. denteure.]
(Dentistry) An artificial tooth, block, or set of
teeth.
De*nud"ate (?), v. t. [L.
denudatus, p. p. of denudare. See
Denude.] To denude. [Obs. or
R.]
Den`u*da"tion (?; 277), n. [L.
denudatio: cf. F. d\'82nudation.]
1. The act of stripping off covering, or removing
the surface; a making bare.
2. (Geol.) The laying bare of rocks by
the washing away of the overlying earth, etc.; or the excavation
and removal of them by the action of running water.
De*nude" (?), v. t. [L.
denudare; de- + nudare to make
naked or bare, nudus naked. See Nude.]
To divest of all covering; to make bare or naked; to strip;
to divest; as, to denude one of clothing, or
lands.
De*nun"ci*ate (?), v. t. [L.
denuntiatus, denunciatus, p. p. of
denuntiare, -ciare. See
Denounce.] To denounce; to condemn publicly
or solemnly. [R.]
To denunciate this new work.
Burke.
De*nun`ci*a"tion (?), n. [L.
denuntiatio, -ciatio.]
1. Proclamation; announcement; a publishing.
[Obs.]
Public . . . denunciation of banns before
marriage.
Bp. Hall.
2. The act of denouncing; public menace or
accusation; the act of inveighing against, stigmatizing, or
publicly arraigning; arraignment.
3. That by which anything is denounced; threat of
evil; public menace or accusation; arraignment.
Uttering bold denunciations of ecclesiastical
error.
Motley.
De*nun"ci*a*tive (?), a. [L.
denuntiativus, -ciativus, monitory.]
Same as Denunciatory.
Farrar.
De*nun"ci*a`tor (?), n. [L.
denuntiator, -ciator, a police
officer.] One who denounces, publishes, or proclaims,
especially intended or coming evil; one who threatens or
accuses.
De*nun"ci*a*to*ry (?), a.
Characterized by or containing a denunciation; minatory;
accusing; threatening; as, severe and denunciatory
language.
De`nu*tri"tion (?), n.
(Physiol.) The opposition of nutrition; the
failure of nutrition causing the breaking down of tissue.
De*ny" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Denied (?);
p. pr. & vb. n. Denying.]
[OE. denien, denaien, OF.
denier, deneer, F. d\'82nier,
fr. L. denegare; de- + negare to
say no, deny. See Negation.]
1. To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to
contradict; -- opposed to affirm, allow, or
admit.
deny what another says, or we
deny the truth of an assertion, the force of it, or
the assertion itself.
2. To refuse (to do something or to accept
something); to reject; to decline; to renounce.
[Obs.] \'bdIf you deny to dance.\'b8
Shak.
3. To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to
gratify or yield to; as, to deny a
request.
Who finds not Providence all good and wise,
Alike in what it gives, and what denies?
Pope.
To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious
inclination, than to gratify it.
J. Edwards.
4. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for,
and the like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to
disavow.
The falsehood of denying his opinion.
Bancroft.
Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved.
Keble.
To deny one's self, to decline the
gratification of appetites or desires; to practice
self-denial.
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross.
Matt. xvi. 24.
De*ny", v. i. To answer in ///
negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she
was afraid.
Gen. xviii. 15.
De*ny"ing*ly, adv. In the manner of one
denies a request.
Tennyson.
De`ob*struct" (?), v. t. To
remove obstructions or impediments in; to clear from anything
that hinders the passage of fluids; as, to
deobstruct the pores or lacteals.
Arbuthnot.
De*ob"stru*ent (?), a.
(Med.) Removing obstructions; having power to
clear or open the natural ducts of the fluids and secretions of
the body; aperient. -- n.
(Med.) A medicine which removes obstructions; an
aperient.
De"o*dand` (?), n. [LL.
deodandum, fr. L. Deo dandum to be given to
God.] (Old Eng. Law) A personal chattel
which had caused the death of a person, and for that reason was
given to God, that is, forfeited to the crown, to be applied to
pious uses, and distributed in alms by the high almoner. Thus, if
a cart ran over a man and killed him, it was forfeited as a
deodand.
Deodands are unknown in American law, and
in 1846 were abolished in England.
De`o*dar" (?), n. [Native name,
fr. Skr. d//ad\'beru, prop., timber of the
gods.] (Bot.) A kind of cedar (Cedrus
Deodara), growing in India, highly valued for its size and
beauty as well as for its timber, and also grown in England as an
ornamental tree.
De"o*date` (?), n. [L.
Deo to God (Deus God) + datum
thing given.] A gift or offering to God.
[Obs.]
Wherein that blessed widow's deodate was laid
up.
Hooker.
De*o"dor*ant (?), n. A
deodorizer.
De*o`dor*i*za"tion (?), n. The
act of depriving of odor, especially of offensive odors resulting
from impurities.
De*o"dor*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of odor, especially of such as results from
impurities.
De*o"dor*i`zer (?), n. He who,
or that which, deodorizes; esp., an agent that destroys offensive
odors.
De*on"er*ate (?), v. t. [L.
deoneratus, p. p. of deonerare. See
Onerate.] To unload; to disburden.
[Obs.]
Cockeram.
De*on`to*log"ic*al (?), a.
Pertaining to deontology.
De`on*tol"o*gist (?), n. One
versed in deontology.
De`on*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. /
gen. /, necessity, obligation (p. neut. of / it is necessary)
+ -logy.] The science relat/ to duty or
moral obligation.
J. Bentham.
De`o*per"cu*late (?), a.
(Bot.) Having the lid removed; -- said of the
capsules of mosses.
De*op"pi*late (?), v. t. To
free from obstructions; to clear a passage through.
[Obs.]
Boyle.
De*op`pi*la"tion (?), n.
Removal of whatever stops up the passages.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
<-- p. 392 -->
De*op"pi*la*tive (?), a. & n.
(Med.) Deobstruent; aperient.
[Obs.]
Harvey.
De*or`di*na"tion (?), n. [LL.
deordinatio depraved morality.] Disorder;
dissoluteness. [Obs.]
Excess of ri/t and deordination.
Jer. Taylor.
De*os"cu*late (?), v. t. [L.
deosculatus, p. p. of deosculari. See
Osculate.] To kiss warmly.
[Obs.] -- De*os`cu*la"tion
(#), n. [Obs.]
De*ox"i*date (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deoxidize.
De*ox`i*da"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) The act or process of reducing from the
state of an oxide.
De*ox`i*di*za"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) Deoxidation.
De*ox"i*dize (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deprive of oxygen; to reduce from the
state of an oxide.
De*ox"i*di`zer (?), n.
(Chem.) That which removes oxygen; hence, a
reducing agent; as, nascent hydrogen is a
deoxidizer.
De*ox"y*gen*ate (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deoxidize. [Obs.]
De*ox`y*gen*a"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) The act or operation of depriving of
oxygen.
De*ox"y*gen*ize (?), v. t.
(Chem.) To deoxidize.
De*paint" (?), p. p. [F.
d\'82peint, p. p. of d\'82peindre to paint,
fr. L. depingere. See Depict, p.
p.] Painted. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*paint", v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Depainted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Depainting.]
1. To paint; to picture; hence, to describe; to
delineate in words; to depict. [Obs.]
And do unwilling worship to the saint
That on his shield depainted he did see.
Spenser.
In few words shall see the nature of many memorable persons .
. . depainted.
Holland.
2. To mark with, or as with, color; to color.
Silver drops her vermeil cheeks depaint.
Fairfax.
De*paint"er (?) n. One who
depaints. [Obs.]
De*par"dieux` (?), interj.
[OF., a corruption of de part Dieu, lit., on the
part of God.] In God's name; certainly.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*part" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Departed; p.
pr. & vb. n. Departing.] [OE.
departen to divide, part, depart, F.
d\'82partir to divide, distribute, se
d\'82partir to separate one's self, depart; pref.
d\'82- (L. de) + partir to
part, depart, fr. L. partire, partiri, to
divide, fr. pars part. See Part.]
1. To part; to divide; to separate.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2. To go forth or away; to quit, leave, or
separate, as from a place or a person; to withdraw; -- opposed to
arrive; -- often with from before the
place, person, or thing left, and for or to
before the destination.
I will depart to mine own land.
Num. x. 30.
Ere thou from hence depart.
Milton.
He which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart.
Shak.
3. To forsake; to abandon; to desist or deviate
(from); not to adhere to; -- with from;
as, we can not depart from our rules; to
depart from a title or defense in legal
pleading.
If the plan of the convention be found to depart
from republican principles.
Madison.
4. To pass away; to perish.
The glory is departed from Israel.
1 Sam. iv. 21.
5. To quit this world; to die.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace.
Luke ii. 29.
To depart with, to resign; to part with.
[Obs.]
Shak.
De*part", v. t.
1. To part thoroughly; to dispart; to divide; to
separate. [Obs.]
Till death departed them, this life they lead.
Chaucer.
2. To divide in order to share; to apportion.
[Obs.]
And here is gold, and that full great plentee,
That shall departed been among us three.
Chaucer.
3. To leave; to depart from. \'bdHe
departed this life.\'b8 Addison. \'bdEre I
depart his house.\'b8
Shak.
De*part", n. [Cf. F.
d\'82part, fr. d\'82partir.]
1. Division; separation, as of compound substances
into their ingredients. [Obs.]
The chymists have a liquor called water of
depart.
Bacon.
2. A going away; departure; hence, death.
[Obs.]
At my depart for France.
Shak.
Your loss and his depart.
Shak.
De*part"a*ble (?), a.
Divisible. [Obs.]
Bacon.
De*part"er (?), n.
1. One who refines metals by separation.
[Obs.]
2. One who departs.
De*part"ment (?), n. [F.
d\'82partement, fr. d\'82partir. See
Depart, v. i.]
1. Act of departing; departure.
[Obs.]
Sudden departments from one extreme to another.
Wotton.
2. A part, portion, or subdivision.
3. A distinct course of life, action, study, or the
like; appointed sphere or walk; province.
Superior to Pope in Pope's own peculiar department
of literature.
Macaulay.
4. Subdivision of business or official duty;
especially, one of the principal divisions of executive
government; as, the treasury department; the war
department; also, in a university, one of the
divisions of instructions; as, the medical
department; the department of
physics.
5. A territorial division; a district; esp., in
France, one of the districts composed of several arrondissements
into which the country is divided for governmental purposes;
as, the Department of the Loire.
6. A military subdivision of a country; as, the
Department of the Potomac.
De`part*men"tal (?), a.
Pertaining to a department or division.
Burke.
De*par"ture (?; 135), n. [From
Depart.]
1. Division; separation; putting away.
[Obs.]
No other remedy . . . but absolute departure.
Milton.
2. Separation or removal from a place; the act or
process of departing or going away.
Departure from this happy place.
Milton.
3. Removal from the present life; death;
decease.
The time of my departure is at hand.
2 Tim. iv. 6.
His timely departure . . . barred him from the
knowledge of his son's miseries.
Sir P. Sidney.
4. Deviation or abandonment, as from or of a rule
or course of action, a plan, or a purpose.
Any departure from a national standard.
Prescott.
5. (Law) The desertion by a party to any
pleading of the ground taken by him in his last antecedent
pleading, and the adoption of another.
Bouvier.
6. (Nav. & Surv.) The distance due east
or west which a person or ship passes over in going along an
oblique line.
To take a departure (Nav. & Surv.),
to ascertain, usually by taking bearings from a landmark, the
position of a vessel at the beginning of a voyage as a point from
which to begin her dead reckoning; as, the ship took her
departure from Sandy Hook.
Syn. -- Death; demise; release. See Death.
De*pas"cent (?), a. [L.
depascens, p. pr. of depascere;
de- + pascere to feed.]
Feeding. [R.]
De*pas"ture (?; 135), v. t. & i.
To pasture; to feed; to graze; also, to use for
pasture. [R.]
Cattle, to graze and departure in his grounds.
Blackstone.
A right to cut wood upon or departure land.
Washburn.
De*pa"tri*ate (?), v. t. & i.
[L. de- + patria one's country.]
To withdraw, or cause to withdraw, from one's country; to
banish. [Obs.]
A subject born in any state
May, if he please, depatriate.
Mason.
De*pau"per*ate (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Depauperated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depauperating
(?).] [LL. depauperatus, p.
p. depauperare to impoverish; L. de- +
pauperare to make poor, pauper poor.]
To make poor; to impoverish.
Liming does not depauperate; the ground will last
long, and bear large grain.
Mortimer.
Humility of mind which depauperates the spirit.
Jer. Taylor.
De*pau"per*ate (?), a. [L.
depauperatus, p. p.] (Bot.)
Falling short of the natural size, from being impoverished
or starved.
Gray.
De*pau"per*ize (?), v. t. To
free from paupers; to rescue from poverty.
[R.]
De*peach" (?), v. t. [L.
d\'82p\'88cher. See Dispatch.] To
discharge. [Obs.]
As soon as the party . . . before our justices shall be
depeached.
Hakluyt.
De*pec"ti*ble (?), a. [L.
depectere to comb off; de- +
pectere to comb.] Tough; thick; capable of
extension. [Obs.]
Some bodies are of a more depectible nature than
oil.
Bacon.
De*pec`u*la"tion (?), n. [L.
depeculari, p. p. depeculatus, to rob. See
Peculate.] A robbing or embezzlement.
[Obs.]
Depeculation of the public treasure.
Hobbes.
De*peinct" (?), v. t. [See
Depaint.] To paint. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De*pend" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Depended; p.
pr. & vb. n. Depending.] [F.
d\'82pendre, fr. L. depend/re;
de- + pend/re to hang. See
Pendant.]
1. To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened
or attached to something above.
And ever-living lamps depend in rows.
Pope.
2. To hang in suspense; to be pending; to be
undetermined or undecided; as, a cause depending in
court.
You will not think it unnatural that those who have an object
depending, which strongly engages their hopes and
fears, should be somewhat inclined to superstition.
Burke.
3. To rely for support; to be conditioned or
contingent; to be connected with anything, as a cause of
existence, or as a necessary condition; -- followed by
on or upon, formerly by
of.
The truth of God's word dependeth not of the truth
of the congregation.
Tyndale.
The conclusion . . . that our happiness depends
little on political institutions, and much on the temper and
regulation of our own minds.
Macaulay.
Heaven forming each on other to depend.
Pope.
4. To trust; to rest with confidence; to rely; to
confide; to be certain; -- with on or upon;
as, we depend on the word or assurance of our
friends; we depend on the mail at the usual
hour.
But if you 're rough, and use him like a dog,
Depend upon it -- he 'll remain incog.
Addison.
5. To serve; to attend; to act as a dependent or
retainer. [Obs.]
Shak.
6. To impend. [Obs.]
Shak.
De*pend"a*ble (?), a. Worthy of
being depended on; trustworthy. \'bdDependable
friendships.\'b8
Pope.
{ De*pend"ant (?), De*pend"ance
(?), n., De*pend"an*cy (?)
}, n. See Dependent,
Dependence, Dependency.
dependant,
dependance, dependancy are from the French;
the forms dependent, etc., are from the Latin. Some
authorities give preference to the form dependant when
the word is a noun, thus distinguishing it from the adjective,
usually written dependent.
De*pend"ence (?), n. [LL.
dependentia, fr. L. dependens. See
Dependent, and cf. Dependance.]
1. The act or state of depending; state of being
dependent; a hanging down or from; suspension from a
support.
2. The state of being influenced and determined by
something; subjection (as of an effect to its
cause).
The cause of effects, and the dependence of one
thing upon another.
Bp. Burnet.
3. Mutu/// /onnection and support;
concatenation; systematic ///er relation.
So dark a/// so intricate of purpose, without any
dependence or order.
Sir T. More.
4. Subjection to the direction or disposal of
another; inability to help or provide for one's self.
Reduced to a servile dependence on their mercy.
Burke.
5. A resting with confidence; reliance;
trust.
Affectionate dependence on the Creator is the
spiritual life of the soul.
T. Erskine.
6. That on which one depends or relies; as, he
was her sole dependence.
7. That which depends; anything dependent or
suspended; anything attached a subordinate to, or contingent on,
something else.
Like a large cluster of black grapes they show
And make a large dependence from the bough.
Dryden.
8. A matter depending, or in suspense, and still to
be determined; ground of controversy or quarrel.
[Obs.]
To go on now with my first dependence.
Beau. & Fl.
De*pend"en*cy (?), n.; pl.
Dependencies (/).
1. State of being dependent; dependence; state of
being subordinate; subordination; concatenation; connection;
reliance; trust.
Any long series of action, the parts of which have very much
dependency each on the other.
Sir J. Reynolds.
<-- #sic. "action" is the singular. Why? -->
So that they may acknowledge their dependency on
the crown of England.
Bacon.
2. A thing hanging down; a dependence.
3. That which is attached to something else as its
consequence, subordinate, satellite, and the like.
This earth and its dependencies.
T. Burnet.
Modes I call such complex ideas which . . . are considered as
dependencies on or affections of substances.
Locke.
4. A territory remote from the kingdom or state to
which it belongs, but subject to its dominion; a colony; as,
Great Britain has its dependencies in Asia, Africa, and
America.
Dependence is more used in the abstract,
and dependency in the concrete. The latter is usually
restricted in meaning to 3 and 4.
De*pend"ent (?), a. [L.
dependens, -entis, p. pr.
dependere. See Depend, and cf.
Dependant.]
1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough
or leaf.
2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for
support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform
anything, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not
self-sustaining; contingent or conditioned; subordinate; -- often
with on or upon; as, dependent
on God; dependent upon friends.
England, long dependent and degraded, was again a
power of the first rank.
Macaulay.
Dependent covenant or
contract (Law), one not binding
until some connecting stipulation is performed. --
Dependent variable (Math.), a varying
quantity whose changes are arbitrary, but are regarded as
produced by changes in another variable, which is called the
independent variable.
De*pend"ent, n.
1. One who depends; one who is sustained by
another, or who relies on another for support of favor; a
hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of
dependents.
A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play
their part as witnesses.
Hallam.
2. That which depends; corollary;
consequence.
With all its circumstances and dependents.
Prynne.
Dependant.
De*pend"ent*ly, adv. In a dependent
manner.
De*pend"er (?), n. One who
depends; a dependent.
De*pend"ing*ly, adv. As having
dependence.
Hale.
De*peo"ple (?), v. t. To
depopulate. [Obs.]
De*per"dit (?), n. [LL.
deperditum, fr. L. deperditus, p. p. of
deperdere; de- + perdere to
lose, destroy.] That which is lost or destroyed.
[R.]
Paley.
De*per"dite*ly (?), adv. Hopelessly;
despairingly; in the manner of one ruined; as,
deperditely wicked. [Archaic]
Dep`er*di"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82perdition.] Loss; destruction.
[Archaic]
Sir T. Browne.
De*per"ti*ble (?), a. [See
Depart.] Divisible. [Obs.]
Bacon.
De*phlegm" (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + phlegm water; cf. F.
d\'82phlegmer, d\'82flegmer.]
(O. Chem.) To rid of phlegm or water; to
dephlegmate. [Obs.]
Boyle.
De*phleg"mate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dephlegmated;
p. pr. & vb. n. Dephlegmating.]
[See Dephlegm.] (Chem.) To
deprive of superabundant water, as by evaporation or
distillation; to clear of aqueous matter; to rectify; -- used of
spirits and acids.
De`phleg*ma"tion (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82flegmation.] (Chem.) The
operation of separating water from spirits and acids, by
evaporation or repeated distillation; -- called also
concentration, especially when acids are the
subject of it. [Obs.]
De*phleg"ma*tor (?), n. An
instrument or apparatus in which water is separated by
evaporation or distillation; the part of a distilling apparatus
in which the separation of the vapors is effected.
De*phleg"ma*to*ry (?), a.
Pertaining to, or producing, dephlegmation.
De*phlegm"ed*ness (?), n. A
state of being freed from water. [Obs.]
Boyle.
De`phlo*gis"tic*cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dephlogisticated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dephlogisticating.] [Pref.
de- + phlosticate: cf. F.
d\'82phlogistiguer.] (O. Chem.)
To deprive of phlogiston, or the supposed principle of
inflammability.
Priestley.
Dephlogisticated air, oxygen gas; -- so called
by Dr. Priestly and others of his time.
-- De`phlo*gis`ti*ca"tion (#),
n.
De*phos`phor*i*za"tion (?), n.
The act of freeing from phosphorous.
De*pict" (?), p. p. [L.
depictus, p. p. of depingere to depict;
de- + pingere to paint. See Paint,
and cf. Depaint, p. p.]
Depicted.
Lydgate.
<-- p. 393 -->
De*pict" (?), p. p. [L.
depictus, p. p. of depinger/ to depict;
de- + pingere to paint. See Paint,
and cf. Depaint, p. p.]
Depicted.
Lydgate.
De*pict" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depicted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Depicting.] 1.
To form a colored likeness of; to represent by a picture; to
paint; to portray.
His arms are fairly depicted in his chamber.
Fuller.
2. To represent in words; to describe
vividly.
C\'91sar's gout was then depicted in energetic
language.
Motley.
De*pic"tion (?), n. [L.
depictio.] A painting or depicting; a
representation.
De*pic"ture (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depictured
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depicturing.] To make a picture of; to
paint; to picture; to depict.
Several persons were depictured in caricature.
Fielding.
Dep"i*late (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depilated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Depilating.] [L.
depilatus, p. p. of depilare to depilate;
de- + pilare to put forth hairs,
pilus hair.] To strip of hair; to
husk.
Venner.
Dep`i*la"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82pilation.] Act of pulling out or
removing the hair; unhairing.
Dryden.
De*pil"a*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82pilatoire.] Having the quality or
power of removing hair. -- n. An
application used to take off hair.
Dep"i*lous (?), a. [Pref.
de- + pilous: cf. L.
depilis.] Hairless.
Sir t. Browne.
De*pla"nate (?), a. [L.
deplanetus, p. p. of deplanare to make
level. See Plane, v. t.]
(Bot.) Flattened; made level or even.
De*plant" (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + plan: cf. F. d\'82planter,
L. deplantare to take off a twig. See Plant,
v. t.] To take up (plants); to
transplant. [R.]
De`plan*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82plantation.] Act of taking up plants
from beds.
De*plete" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depleted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Depleting.] [From L.
deplere to empty out; de- +
plere to fill. Forined like replete,
complete. See Fill, Full,
a.] 1. (Med.) To empty
or unload, as the vessels of human system, by bloodletting or by
medicine.
Copland.
2. To reduce by destroying or consuming the vital
powers of; to exhaust, as a country of its strength or resources,
a treasury of money, etc.
Saturday Review.
De*ple"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82pl\'82tion.]
1. The act of depleting or emptying.
2. (Med.) the act or process of
diminishing the quantity of fluid in the vessels by bloodletting
or otherwise; also excessive evacuation, as in severe
diarrhea.
De*ple"tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82pl\'82tif.] Able or fitted to
deplete. -- n. A substance used to
deplete.
De*ple"to*ry (?), a. Serving to
deplete.
Dep`li*ca"tion (?), n. [LL.
deplicare to unfold; L. de- +
plicare to fold.] An unfolding, untwisting,
or unplaiting. [Obs.]
W. Montagu.
Dep`loi*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf.
Exploitation, Deploy.] Same as
Exploitation.
De*plor`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Deplorableness.
Stormonth.
De*plor"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82plorable.] Worthy of being deplored or
lamented; lamentable; causing grief; hence, sad; calamitous;
grievous; wretched; as, life's evils are
deplorable.
Individual sufferers are in a much more deplorable
conditious than any others.
Burke.
De*plor"a*ble*ness, n. State of being
deplorable.
De*plor"a*bly, adv. In a deplorable
manner.
De*plo"rate (?), a. [L.
deploratus, p. p. of deplorare. See
Deplore.] Deplorable.
[Obs.]
A more deplorate estate.
Baker.
Dep`lo*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
deploratio: cf. F. d\'82ploration.]
The act of deploring or lamenting; lamentation.
Speed.
De*plore" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deplored
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deploring.] [L. deplorare;
de- + plorare to cry out, wail, lament;
prob. akin to pluere to rain, and to E. flow: cf. F.
d\'82plorer. Cf. Flow.] 1. To feel or to
express deep and poignant grief for; to bewail; to lament; to
mourn; to sorrow over.
To find her, or forever to deplore
Her loss.
Milton.
As some sad turtle his lost love deplores.
Pope.
2. To complain of. [Obs.]
Shak.
3. To regard as hopeless; to give up.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
Syn. -- To Deplore, Mourn,
Lament, Bewail, Bemoan.
Mourn is the generic term, denoting a state of grief
or sadness. To lament is to express grief by outcries,
and denotes an earnest and strong expression of sorrow. To
deplore marks a deeper and more prolonged emotion. To
bewail and to bemoan are appropriate only
to cases of poignant distress, in which the grief finds utterance
either in wailing or in moans and sobs. A man laments
his errors, and deplores the ruin they have brought on
his family; mothers bewail or bemoan the
loss of their children.
De*plore", v. i. To lament.
Gray.
De*plor"ed*ly (?), adv.
Lamentably.
De*plor"ed*ness, n. The state of being
deplored or deplorable. [R.]
Bp. Hail.
De*plore"ment (?), n.
Deploration. [Obs.]
De*plor"re (?), n. One who
deplores.
De*plor"ing*ly, adv. In a deploring
manner.
De*ploy" (?), v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Deployed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deploying.] [F. d\'82ployer;
pref. d\'82/ = d\'82s (L. dis)
+ ployer, equiv. to plier to fold, fr. L.
plicare. See Ply, and cf.
Display.] (Mil.) To open out; to
unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in such a way that they
shall display a wider front and less depth; -- the reverse of
ploy; as, to deploy a column of troops
into line of battle.
{ De*ploy" (?), De*ploy"ment
(?), } n. (Mil.) The
act of deploying; a spreading out of a body of men in order to
extend their front.
-Wilhelm.
Deployments . . . which cause the soldier to turn
his back to the enemy are not suited to war.H.L.
Scott.
De*plu"mate (?), a. [LL.
diplumatus, p. p. of deplumare. See
Deplume.] (Zo\'94l.) Destitute or
deprived of features; deplumed.
Dep`lu*ma"tion (?), n. [See
Deplumate.] 1. The stripping or
falling off of plumes or feathers.
Bp. Stillingfleet
2. (Med.) A disease of the eyelids,
attended with loss of the eyelashes.
Thomas.
De*plume" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deplumed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depluming.] [LL. deplumare;
L. de- + plumare to cover with feathers,
pluma feather: cf. deplumis featherless,
and F. d\'82plumer.] 1. To strip
or pluck off the feather of; to deprive of of plumage.
On the depluming of the pope every bird had his own
feather.
Fuller.
2. To lay bare; to expose.
The exposure and depluming of the leading humbugs
of the age.
De Quincey.
De*po`lar*i*za"tion (?), n.
[Cf. F. d\'82polarisation.] The act of
depriving of polarity, or the result of such action; reduction to
an unpolarized condition.
Depolarization of light (Opt.), a
change in the plane of polarization of rays, especially by a
crystalline medium, such that the light which had been
extinguished by the analyzer reappears as if the polarization had
been anulled. The word is inappropriate, as the ray does not
return to the unpolarized condition.
De*po"lar*ize (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depolarized
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depolarizing.] [Pref. de- +
polarize: cf. F. d\'82polarizer.]
1. (Opt.) To deprive of polarity; to
reduce to an unpolarized condition.
2. (Elec.) To free from polarization, as
the negative plate of the voltaic battery.
De*po"lar*i`zer (?), n.
(Elec.) A substance used to prevent polarization,
as upon the negative plate of a voltaic battery.
De*pol"ish (?), v. t. To remove
the polish or glaze from.
De*pol"ish*ing (?), n.
(Ceramics) The process of removing the vitreous
glaze from porcelain, leaving the dull luster of the surface of
ivory porcelian.
Knight.
De*pone" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deponed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deponing.] [L. deponere,
depositum, to put down, in LL., to assert under oath;
de- + ponere to put, place. See
Position, and cf. Deposit.]
1. To lay, as a stake; to wager.
[Obs.]
Hudibras.
2. To lay down. [R.]
Southey.
3. To assert under oath; to depose. [A
Scotticism]
Sprot deponeth that he entered himself thereafter
in conference.
State Trials(1606).
De*pone", v. i. To testify under oath;
to depose; to bear witness. [A Scotticism]
The fairy Glorians, whose credibility on this point can not be
called in question, depones to the confinement of
Merlin in a tree.
Dunlop.
De*po"nent (?), n. [L.
deponenes, -entis, laying down. See
Depone, v. t.] 1.
(Law) One who deposes or testifies under oath;
one who gives evidence; usually, one who testifies in
writing.
2. (Gr. & Lat. Gram.) A deponent
verb.
Syn. -- Deponent, Affiant.
These are legal terms describing a person who makes a written
declaration under oath, with a view to establish certain facts.
An affiant is one who makes an affidavit, or
declaration under oath, in order to establish the truth of what
he says. A deponenet is one who makes a deposition, or
gives written testimony under oath, to be used in the trial of
some case before a court of justice. See under
Deposition.
De*po"nent, a. [L. deponens,
-entis, laying down (its proper passive meaning), p.
pr. of deponere: cf. F. d\'82ponent. See
Depone.] (Gram.) Having a passive
form with an active meaning, as certain latin and Greek
verbs.
De*pop"u*la*cy (?), n.
Depopulation; destruction of population.
[R.]
Chapman.
De*pop"u*late (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depopulated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depopulating
(?).] [L. depopulatus, p. p.
of depopulari to ravage; de- +
populari to ravage, fr. populus people: cf.
OF. depopuler, F. d\'82peupler. See
People.] To deprive of inhabitants, whether
by death or by expulsion; to reduce greatly the populousness of;
to dispeople; to unpeople.
Where is this viper,
That would depopulate the city?
Shak.
laying waste or
destroying, being limited to the loss of inhabitants; as, an army
or a famine may depopulate a country. It rarely
expresses an entire loss of inhabitants, but often a great
diminution of their numbers; as, the deluge
depopulated the earth.
De*pop"u*late, v. i. To become
dispeopled. [R.]
Whether the country be depopulating or not.
Goldsmith.
De*pop`u*la"tion (?), n. [L.
depopulatio pillaging: cf. F.
d\'82population depopulation.] The act of
depopulating, or condition of being depopulated; destruction or
explusion of inhabitants.
The desolation and depopulation [of St.Quentin]
were now complete.
Motley.
De*pop"u*la`tor (?), n. [L.,
pillager.] One who depopulates; a dispeopler.
De*port" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deported; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deporting.] [F.
d\'82porter to transport for life, OF., to divert,
amuse, from L. deportare to carry away; de-
+ portare to carry. See Port demeanor.]
1. To transport; to carry away; to exile; to send
into banishment.
He told us he had been deported to Spain.
Walsh.
2. To carry or demean; to conduct; to behave; --
followed by the reflexive pronoun.
Let an ambassador deport himself in the most
graceful manner befor a prince.
Pope.
De*port" (?), n. Behavior;
carrige; demeanor; deportment. [Obs.]
\'bdGoddesslike deport.\'b8
Milton.
De`por*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
depotatio: cf.F. d\'82portation.]
The act of deporting or exiling, or the state of being
deported; banishment; transportation.
In their deportations, they had often the favor of
their conquerors.
Atterbury.
De*port"ment (?), n. [F.
d\'82portement misconduct, OF., demeanor. See
Deport.] Manner of deporting or demeaning
one's self; manner of acting; conduct; carrige; especially,
manner of acting with respect to the courtesies and duties of
life; behavior; demeanor; bearing.
The gravity of his deportment carried him safe
through many difficulties.
Swift.
De*por"ture (?), n.
Deportment. [Obs.]
Stately port and majestical deporture.
Speed.
De*pos"a*ble (?), a. Capable of
being deposed or deprived of office.
Howell.
De*pos"al (?), n. The act of
deposing from office; a removal from the throne.
Fox.
De*pose" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deposed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deposing.][FF. d\'82poser,
in the sense of L. deponere to put down; but from
pref. d\'82- (L. de) + poser to
place. See Pose, Pause.] 1.
To lay down; to divest one's self of; to lay aside.
[Obs.]
Thus when the state one Edward did depose,
A greater Edward in his room arose.
Dryden.
2. To let fall; to deposit.
[Obs.]
Additional mud deposed upon it.
Woodward.
3. To remove from a throne or other high station;
to dethrone; to divest or deprive of office.
A tyrant over his subjects, and therefore worthy to be
deposed.
Prynne.
4. To testify under oath; to bear testimony to; --
now usually said of bearing testimony which is officially written
down for future use.
Abbott.
To depose the yearly rent or valuation of
lands.
Bacon.
5. To put under oath. [Obs.]
Depose him in the justice of his cause.
Shak.
De*pose", v. i. To bear witness; to
testify under oath; to make deposition.
Then, seeing't was he that made you to despose,
Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.
Shak.
De*pos"er (?), n. 1.
One who deposes or degrades from office.
2. One who testifies or deposes; a deponent.
De*pos"it (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depoited; p.
pr. & vb. n. Depositing.] [L.
depositus, p. p. of deponere. See
Depone, and cf. Deposit, n.]
1. To lay down; to place; to put; to let fall or
throw down (as sediment); as, a crocodile deposits
her eggs in the sand; the waters deposited a rich
alluvium.
The fear is deposited in conscience.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To lay up or away for safekeeping; to put up; to
store; as, to deposit goods in a
warehouse.
3. To lodge in some one's hands for sale keeping;
to commit to the custody of another; to intrust; esp., to place
in a bank, as a sum of money subject to order.
4. To lay aside; to rid one's self of.
[Obs.]
If what is written prove useful to you, to the
depositing that which i can not deem an error.
Hammond.
deposite.
De*pos"it, n. [L. depositum,
fr. depositus, p. p. of deponere: cf. F.
d\'82p\'93t, OF. depost. See
Deposit, v. t., and cf.
Depot.] 1. That is deposited, or
laid or thrown down; as, a deposit in a flue;
especially, matter precipitated from a solution (as the siliceous
deposits of hot springs), or that which is mechanically deposited
(as the mud, gravel, etc., deposits of a river).
The deposit already formed affording to the
succeeding portion of the charged fluid a basis.
Kirwan.
2. (Mining) A natural occurrence of a
useful mineral under the conditions to invite exploitation.
Raymond.
3. That which is placed anywhere, or in any one's
hands, for safe keeping; somthing intrusted to the care of
another; esp., money lodged with a bank or banker, subject to
order; anything given as pledge or security.
4. (Law) (a) A bailment of
money or goods to be kept gratuitously for the bailor.
(b) Money lodged with a party as earnest or
security for the performance of a duty assumed by the person
depositing.
5. A place of deposit; a depository.
[R.]
Bank of deposit. See under Bank.
-- In deposit, or On deposit,
in trust or safe keeping as a deposit; as, coins were
recieved on deposit.
De*pos"i*ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Depositaries (#). [L.
depositarius, fr. deponere. See
Deposit.]
1. One with whom anything is lodged in the trust;
one who receives a deposit; -- the correlative of
depositor.
I . . . made you my guardians, my depositaries.
Shak.
The depositaries of power, who are mere delegates
of the people.J.S.
Mill.
2. A storehouse; a depository.
Bp. Hurd.
3. (Law) One to whom goods are bailed,
to be kept for the bailor without a recompense.
Kent.
Dep`o*si"tion (?), n. [L.
depositio, fr. deponere: cf. F.
d\'82position. See Deposit.]
1. The act of depositing or deposing; the act of
laying down or thrown down; precipitation.
The deposition of rough sand and rolled
pebbles.
H. Miller.
2. The act of bringing before the mind;
presentation.
The influence of princes upon the dispositions of their courts
needs not the deposition of their examples, since it
hath the authority of a known principle.
W. Montagu.
<-- p. 394 -->
3. The act of setting aside a sovereign or a public
officer; deprivation of authority and dignity; displacement;
removal.
deposition differs from an
abdication, an abdication being voluntary,
and a deposition compulsory.
4. That which is deposited; matter laid or thrown
down; sediment; alluvial matter; as, banks are sometimes
depositions of alluvial matter.
5. An opinion, example, or statement, laid down or
asserted; a declaration.
6. (Law) The act of laying down one's
testimony in writing; also, testimony laid or taken down in
writting, under oath or affirmation, befor some competent
officer, and in reply to interrogatories and
cross-interrogatories.
Syn. -- Deposition, Affidavit.
Affidavit is the wider term. It denotes any
authorized ex parte written statement of a person,
sworn to or affirmed before some competent magistrate. It is made
without cross-examination, and requires no notice to an opposing
party. It is generally signed by the party making it, and may be
drawn up by himself or any other person. A deposition
is the written testimony of a witness, taken down in due form of
law, and sworn to or affirmed by the deponent. It must be taken
before some authorized magistrate, and upon a prescribed or
reasonable notice to the opposing party, that may attend and
cross-examine. It is generally written down from the mouth of the
witness by the magistrate, or some person for him, and in his
presence.
De*pos"i*tor (?), n. [L., fr.
deponere. See Depone.] One who
makes a deposit, especially of money in bank; -- the correlative
of depository.
De*pos"i*to*ry (?), n.; pl.
Depositories (/).
1. A place where anything is deposited for sale or
keeping; as, warehouse is a depository for goods; a
clerk's office is a depository for records.
2. One with whom something is deposited; a
depositary.
I am the sole depository of my own secret, and it
shall perish with me.
Junius.
\'d8De*po"i*tum (?), n.
[L.] Deposit.
De*po"i*ture (?), n. The act of
depositing; deposition. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
De"pot (?), n. [F.
d\'82p\'93t, OF. depost, fr. L.
depositum a deposit. See Deposit,
n.]
1. A place of deposit storing of goods; a
warehouse; a storehouse.
The islands of Guernsey and Jersey are at present the great
depots of this kingdom.
Brit Critic (1794).
2. (Mil.) (a) A military
station where stores and provisions are kept, or where recruits
are assembled and drilled. (b) (Eng. &
France) The headquarters of a regiment, where all
supplies are recieved and distributed, recruits are assembled and
instructed, infirm or disabled soldiers are taken care of, and
all the wants of the regiment are provided for.
3. A railway station; a building for the
accommodation and protection of railway passenges or
freight. [U. S.]
Syn. -- See Station.
Dep"per (?), a. Deeper.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dep`ra*va"tion (?), n. [L.
depravitio, from depravare: cf. F.
d\'82pravation. See Deprave.]
1. Detraction; depreciation.
[Obs.]
To stubborn critics, apt, without a theme,
For depravation.
Shak.
2. The act of depraving, or making anything bad;
the act of corrupting.
3. The state of being depraved or degenerated;
degeneracy; depravity.
The depravation of his moral character destroyed
his judgment.
Sir G. C. Lewis.
4. (Med.) Change for the worse;
deterioration; morbid perversion.
Syn. -- Depravity; corruption. See Depravity.
De*prave" (?), n. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depraved
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depraving.] [L. depravare,
depravatum; de- + pravus
crooked, distorted, perverse, wicked.] 1. To
speak ill of; to depreciate; to malign; to revile.
[Obs.]
And thou knowest, conscience, I came not to chide
Nor deprave thy person with a proud heart.
Piers Plowman.
2. To make bad or worse; to vitiate; to
corrupt.
Whose pride depraves each other better part.
Spenser.
Syn. -- To corrupt; vitiate; contaminate; pollute.
De*prav"ed*ly (?), adv. In a
depraved manner.
De*prav"ed*ness, n. Depravity.
Hammond.
De*prave"ment (?), n.
Depravity. [Obs.] Milton.
De*prav"er (?), n. One who
deprave or corrupts.
De*prav"ing*ly, adv. In a depraving
manner.
De*prav"i*ty (?), n. [From
Deprave: cf. L. pravitas crookedness,
perverseness.] The stae of being depraved or
corrupted; a vitiated state of moral character; general badness
of character; wickedness of mind or heart; absence of religious
feeling and principle.
Total depravity. See Original sin,
and Calvinism.
Syn. -- Corruption; vitiation; wickedness; vice;
contamination; degeneracy. -- Depravity,
Depravation, Corruption. Depravilty
is a vitiated state of mind or feeling; as, the
depravity of the human heart; depravity of
public morals. Depravation points to the act or
process of making depraved, and hence to the end thus
reached; as, a gradual depravation of principle; a
depravation of manners, of the heart, etc.
Corruption is the only one of these words which
applies to physical substances, and in reference to these denotes
the process by which their component parts are dissolved. Hence,
when figuratively used, it denotes an utter vitiation of
principle or feeling. Depravity applies only to the
mind and heart: we can speak of a depraved taste, or a
corrupt taste; in the first we introduce the notion
that there has been the influence of bad training to pervert; in
the second, that there is a want of true principle to pervert; in
the second, that there is a want of true principles to decide.
The other two words have a wider use: we can speak of the
depravation or the corruption of taste and
public sentiment. Depravity is more or less open;
corruption is more or less disguised in its operations. What is
depraved requires to be reformed; what is
corrupt requires to be purified.
Dep"re*ca*ble (?), a. [L.
deprecabilis exorable.] That may or should
be deprecated.
Paley.
Dep"re*cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deprecated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deprecating
(?).] [L. deprecatus, p. p.
of deprecari to avert by player, to deprecate;
de- + precari to pray. See
Pray.] To pray against, as an evil; to seek
to avert by player; to desire the removal of; to seek deliverance
from; to express deep regret for; to disapprove of
strongly.
His purpose was deprecated by all round him, and he
was with difficulty induced to adandon it.
Sir W. Scott.
Dep"re*ca`ting (?), adv. In a
deprecating manner.
Dep`re*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
deprecatio; cf. F.
d\'82pr\'82cation.] 1. The act of
deprecating; a praying against evil; prayer that an evil may be
removed or prevented; strong expression of disapprobation.
Humble deprecation.
Milton.
2. Entreaty for pardon; petitioning.
3. An imprecation or curse.
[Obs.]
Gilpin.
Dep"re*ca*tive (?), a. [L.
deprecativus: cf. F.
d\'82pr\'82catif.] Serving to deprecate;
deprecatory.
-- Dep"re*ca*tive*ly,
adv.
Dep"re*ca`tor (?), n.
[L.] One who deprecates.
Dep"re*ca*to*ry (?), a. [L.
deprecatorius.] Serving to deprecate;
tending to remove or avert evil by prayer; apologetic.
Humble and deprecatory letters.
Bacon.
De*pre"ci*ate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depreciated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depreciating
(?).] [L. depretiatus,
depreciatus, p. p. of depretiare,
-ciare, to depreciate; de- +
pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See
Price.] To lessen in price or estimated
value; to lower the worth of; to represent as of little value or
claim to esteem; to undervalue.
Addison.
Which . . . some over-severe phoilosophers may look upon
fastidiously, or undervalue and depreciate.
Cudworth.
To prove that the Americans ought not to be free, we are
obliged to depreciate the value of freedom itself.
Burke.
Syn. -- To decry; disparage; traduce; lower; detract;
underrate. See Decry.
De*pre"ci*ate, v. i. To fall in value;
to become of less worth; to sink in estimation; as, a paper
currency will depreciate, unless it is convertible into
specie.
De*pre`ci*a"tion (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82pr\'82ciation.] 1. The act
of lessening, or seeking to lessen, price, value, or
reputation.
2. The falling of value; reduction of worth.
Burke.
3. the state of being depreciated.
De*pre"ci*a`tive (?), a.
Tending, or intended, to depreciate; expressing
depreciation; undervaluing. --
De*pre"ci*a`tive*ly,
adv.
De*pre"ci*a`tor (?), n.
[L.] One who depreciates.
De*pre"ci*a*to*ry (?), a.
Tending to depreciate; undervaluing; depreciative.
Dep"re*da*ble (?), a. Liable to
depredation. [Obs.] \'bdMade less
depredable.\'b8
Bacon.
Dep"re*date (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depredated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depredating
(?).] [L. depraedatus, p. p.
of depraedari to plunder; de- +
praedari to plunder, praeda plunder, prey.
See Prey.] To subject to plunder and pillage;
to despoil; to lay waste; to prey upon.
It makes the substance of the body . . . less apt to be
consumed and depredated by the spirits.
Bacon.
Dep"re*date, v. i. To take plunder or
prey; to commit waste; as, the troops depredated on
the country.
Dep`re*da"tion (?), n. [L.
depraedatio: cf. F.
d\'82pr\'82dation.] The act of depredating,
or the state of being depredated; the act of despoiling or making
inroads; as, the sea often makes depredation on the
land.
Dep"re*da`tor (?), n. [L.
depraedator.] One who plunders or pillages;
a spoiler; a robber.
Dep"re*da`to*ry (?), a. Tending
or designed to depredate; characterized by depredation;
plundering; as, a depredatory incursion.
De*pre"i*cate (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- (intensive) + predicate.] To
proclaim; to celebrate. [R.]
Dep`re*hend" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deprehended; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deprehending.] [L.
deprehendere, deprehensum; de- +
prehendere to lay hold of, seize. See
Prehensile.] 1. To take unwares or
by surprise; to seize, as a person commiting an unlawful act; to
catch; to apprehend.
The deprehended adulteress.Jer.
Taylor.
2. To detect; to discover; to find out.
The motion . . . are to be deprehended by
experience.
Bacon.
Dep`re*hen"si*ble (?), a. That
may be caught or discovered; apprehensible.
[Obs.]
Petty.
-- Dep`re*hen"si*ble*ness, n.
[Obs.]
Dep`re*hen"sion (?), n. [L.
deprehensio.] A catching; discovery.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
De*press" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depressed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depressing.] [L. depressus,
p. p. of deprimere; de- +
premere to press. See Press.]
1. To press down; to cause to sink; to let fall; to
lower; as, to depress the muzzle of a gun; to
depress the eyes. \'bdWith lips
depressed.\'b8
Tennyson.
2. To bring down or humble; to abase, as
pride.
3. To cast a gloom upon; to sadden; as, his
spirits were depressed.
4. To lessen the activity of; to make dull;
embarrass, as trade, commerce, etc.
5. To lessen in price; to cause to decline in
value; to cheapen; to depreciate.
6. (Math.) To reduce (an equation) in a
lower degree.
To depress the pole (Naut.), to
cause the sidereal pole to appear lower or nearer the horizon, as
by sailing toward the equator.
Syn. -- To sink; lower; abase; cast down; deject; humble;
degrade; dispirit; discourage.
De*press", a. [L. depressus,
p. p.] Having the middle lower than the border;
concave. [Obs.]
If the seal be depress or hollow.
Hammond.
De*press"ant (?), n.
(Med.) An agent or remedy which lowers the vital
powers.
De*pressed" (?), a. 1.
Pressed or forced down; lowed; sunk; dejected; dispirited;
sad; humbled.
2. (Bot.) (a) Concave on the
upper side; -- said of a leaf whose disk is lower than the
border. (b) Lying flat; -- said of a stem or
leaf which lies close to the ground.
3. (Zo\'94l.) Having the vertical
diameter shorter than the horizontal or transverse; -- said of
the bodies of animals, or of parts of the bodies.
De*press"ing*ly, adv. In a depressing
manner.
De*pres"sion (?), n. [L.
depressio: cf. F. d\'82pression.]
1. The act of depressing.
2. The state of being depressed; a sinking.
3. A falling in of the surface; a sinking below its
true place; a cavity or hollow; as, roughness consists in
little protuberances and depressions.
4. Humiliation; abasement, as of pride.
5. Dejection; despondency; lowness.
In a great depression of spirit.
Baker.
6. Diminution, as of trade, etc.; inactivity;
dullness.
7. (Astron.) The angular distance of a
celestial object below the horizon.
8. (Math.) The operation of reducing to
a lower degree; -- said of equations.
9. (Surg.) A method of operating for
cataract; couching. See Couch, v. t.,
8.
Angle of depression (Geod.), one
which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane. --
Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.),
the number of degreees that the dew-point is lower than the
actual temperature of the atmosphere. -- Depression of
the pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes
toward the equator. -- Depression of the visible
horizon. (Astron.) Same as Dip of the
horizon, under Dip.
Syn. -- Abasement; reduction; sinking; fall; humiliation;
dejection; melancholy.
De*press"ive (?), a. Able or
tending to depress or cast down. --
De*press"ive*ness, n.
De*pres`so*mo"tor (?), a.
(Med.) Depressing or diminishing the capacity for
movement, as depressomotor nerves, which lower or
inhibit muscular activity. -- n. Any
agent that depresses the activity of the motor centers, as
bromides, etc.
De*press"or (?), n. 1.
One who, or that which, presses down; an oppressor.
2. (Anat.) A muscle that depresses or
tends to draw down a part.
Depressor nerve (Physiol.), a nerve
which lowers the activity of an organ; as, the depressor
nerve of the heart.
Dep"ri*ment (?), a. [L.
deprimens, p. pr. of deprimere. See
Depress.] Serving to depress.
[R.] \'bdDepriment muscles.\'b8
Derham.
De*pri"sure (?), n. [F.
d\'82priser to undervalue; pref. d\'82- (L.
dis-) + priser to prize, fr.
prix price, fr. L. pretium. See
Dispraise.] Low estimation; disesteem;
contempt. [Obs.]
De*priv"a*ble (?), a. Capable
of being, or liable to be, deprived; liable to be deposed.
Kings of Spain . . . deprivable for their
tyrannies.
Prynne.
Dep`ri*va"tion (?), n. [LL.
deprivatio.]
1. The act of depriving, dispossessing, or
bereaving; the act of deposing or divesting of some
dignity.
2. The state of being deprived; privation; loss;
want; bereavement.
3. (Eccl. Law) the taking away from a
clergyman his benefice, or other spiritual promotion or
dignity.
Deprivation may be a beneficio
or ab officio; the first takes away the living, the
last degrades and deposes from the order.
De*prive" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deprived
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Depriving.] [LL. deprivare,
deprivatium, to divest of office; L. de- +
privare to bereave, deprive: cf. OF.
depriver. See Private.] 1.
To take away; to put an end; to destroy.
[Obs.]
'Tis honor to deprive dishonored life.
Shak.
2. To dispossess; to bereave; to divest; to hinder
from possessing; to debar; to shut out from; -- with a remoter
object, usually preceded by of.
God hath deprived her of wisdom.
Job xxxix. 17.
It was seldom that anger deprived him of power over
himself.
Macaulay.
3. To divest of office; to depose; to dispossess of
dignity, especially ecclesiastical.
A miniser deprived for inconformity.
Bacon.
Syn. -- To strip; despoil; rob; abridge.
De*prive"ment (?), n.
Deprivation. [R.]
De*priv"er (?), n. One who, or
that which, deprives.
De*pros"trate (?), a. Fully
prostrate; humble; low; rude. [Obs.]
How may weak mortal ever hope to file
His unsmooth tongue, and his deprostrate style.
G. Fletcher.
De`pro*vin"cial*ize (?), v. t.
To divest of provincial quality or characteristics.
Depth (?), n. [From
Deep; akin to D. diepte, Icel.
d/pt, d/p/, Goth.
diupi/a.] 1. The quality of
being deep; deepness; perpendicular measurement downward from the
surface,or horizontal measurement backward from the front;
as, the depth of a river; the depth of a
body of troops.
2. Profoundness; extent or degree of intensity;
abundance; completeness; as, depth of knowledge, or
color.
Mindful of that heavenly love
Which knows no end in depth or height.
Keble.
3. Lowness; as, depth of
sound.
4. That which is deep; a deep, or the deepest, part
or place; the deep; the middle part; as, the depth
of night, or of winter.
From you unclouded depth above.
Keble.
The depth closed me round about.
Jonah ii. 5.
5. (Logic) The number of simple elements
which an abstract conception or notion includes; the
comprehension or content.
6. (Horology) A pair of toothed wheels
which work together. [R.]
<-- p. 395 -->
Depth of a sail (Naut.), the extent
of a square sail from the head rope to the foot rope; the length
of the after leach of a staysail or boom sail; -- commonly called
the drop of sail.
Depth"en (?), v. t. To
deepen. [Obs.]
Depth"less, a.
1. Having no depth; shallow.
2. Of measureless depth; unfathomable.
In clouds of depthless night.
Francis.
De*pu"ce*late (?), v. t. [L.
de + LL. pucella virgin, F.
pucelle: cf. F. d\'82puceler.]
To deflour; to deprive of virginity.
[Obs.]
Bailey.
De*pu"di*cate (?), v. t. [L.
depudicatus, p. p. of depudicare.]
To deflour; to dishonor. [Obs.]
De*pulse" (?), v. t. [L.
depulsus, p. p. of depellere to drive out;
de- + pellere to drive.] To
drive away. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
De*pul"sion (?), n. [L.
depulsio.] A driving or thrusting
away. [R.]
Speed.
De*pul"so*ry (?), a. [L.
depulsorius.] Driving or thrusting away;
averting. [R.]
Holland.
Dep"u*rant (?), a. & n.
(Med.) Depurative.
Dep"u*rate (?), a. [LL.
depuratus, p. p. of depurare to purify; L.
de- + purare to purify, purus
clean, pure. Cf. Depure.] Depurated;
cleansed; freed from impurities.
Boyle.
Dep"u*rate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Depurated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Depurating
(?).] To free from impurities,
heterogeneous matter, or feculence; to purify; to cleanse.
To depurate the mass of blood.
Boyle.
Dep`u*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82puration.] The act or process of
depurating or freeing from foreign or impure matter, as a liquid
or wound.
Dep"u*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82puratif.] (Med.) Purifying
the blood or the humors; depuratory. -- n.
A depurative remedy or agent; or a disease which is believed
to be depurative.
Dep"u*ra`tor (?), n. One who,
or that which, cleanses.
Dep"u*ra*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82puratoire.] Depurating; tending to
depurate or cleanse; depurative.
De*pure" (?), v. t. [F.
d\'82purer. See Depurate.] To
depurate; to purify. [Obs.]
He shall first be depured and cleansed before that
he shall be laid up for pure gold in the treasures of God.
Sir T. More.
De*pur"ga*to*ry (?), a. Serving
to purge; tending to cleanse or purify. [Obs.]
Cotgrave.
Dep`u*ri"tion (?), n. See
Depuration.
Dep"u*ta*ble (?), a. Fit to be
deputed; suitable to act as a deputy.
Carlyle.
Dep`u*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82putation. See Depute.]
1. The act of deputing, or of appointing or
commissioning a deputy or representative; office of a deputy or
delegate; vicegerency.
The authority of conscience stands founded upon its
vicegerency and deputation under God.
South.
2. The person or persons deputed or commissioned by
another person, party, or public body to act in his or its
behalf; delegation; as, the general sent a
deputation to the enemy to propose a truce.
By deputation, or In
deputation, by delegated authority; as
substitute; through the medium of a deputy.
[Obs.]
Say to great C\'91sar this: In deputation
I kiss his conquering hand.
Shak.
Dep"u*ta`tor (?), n. One who
deputes, or makes a deputation. [R.]
Locke.
De*pute" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deputed; p. pr.
& vb. n. Deputing.] [F.
d\'82puter, fr. L. deputare to esteem,
consider, in LL., to destine, allot; de- +
putare to clean, prune, clear up, set in order,
reckon, think. See Pure.] 1. To
appoint as deputy or agent; to commission to act in one's place;
to delegate.
There is no man deputed of the king to hear
thee.
2. Sam. xv. 3.
Some persons, deputed by a meeting.
Macaulay.
2. To appoint; to assign; to choose.
[R.]
The most conspicuous places in cities are usually
deputed for the erection of statues.
Barrow.
De*pute", n. A person deputed; a
deputy. [Scot.]
Dep"u*tize (?), v. t. To
appoint as one's deputy; to empower to act in one's stead; to
depute.
Dep"u*ty (?), n.; pl.
Deputies (#). [F.
d\'82put\'82, fr. LL. deputatus. See
Depute.] 1. One appointed as the
substitue of another, and empowered to act for him, in his name
or his behalf; a substitute in office; a lieutenant; a
representative; a delegate; a vicegerent; as, the
deputy of a prince, of a sheriff, of a township,
etc.
There was then [in the days of Jehoshaphat] no king in Edom; a
deputy was king.
1 Kings xxii. 47.
God's substitute,
His deputy anointed in His sight.
Shak.
Deputy is used in combination with the
names of various executive officers, to denote an assistant
empowered to act in their name; as, deputy collector,
deputy marshal, deputy sheriff.
2. A member of the Chamber of Deputies.
[France]
Chamber of Deputies, one of the two branches
of the French legilative assembly; -- formerly called Corps
L\'82gislatif. Its members, called deputies, are
elected by the people voting in districts.
Syn. -- Substitute; representative; legate; delegate; envoy;
agent; factor.
De*quan"ti*tate (?), v. t. [L.
de- + quantatas, -atis. See
Quantity.] To diminish the quantity of; to
disquantity. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*rac"i*nate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deracinated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deracinating
(?).] [F. d\'82raciner;
pref. d\'82- (L. dis) + racine
root, fr. an assumed LL. radicina, fr. L.
radix, radicis, root.] To pluck
up by the roots; to extirpate. [R.]
While that the colter rusts
That should deracinate such savagery.
Shak.
De*ra`i*na"tion (?), n. The act
of pulling up by the roots; eradication. [R.]
{ De*raign", De*rain" }
(?), v. t. [See
Darraign.] (Old Law) To prove or
to refute by proof; to clear (one's self).
[Obs.]
{ De*raign"ment, De*rain"ment }
(?), n. [See Darraign.]
1. The act of deraigning. [Obs.]
2. The renunciation of religious or monastic
vows. [Obs.]
Blount.
De*rail" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Derailed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Derailing.] To cause to run off from
the rails of a railroad, as a locomotive.
Lardner.
De*rail"ment (?), n. The act of
going off, or the state of being off, the rails of a
railroad.
De*range" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deranged
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deranging.] [F. d\'82ranger;
pref. d\'82- = d\'82s- (L. dis)
+ ranger to range. See Range, and cf.
Disarrange, Disrank.]
1. To put out of place, order, or rank; to disturb
the proper arrangement or order of; to throw into disorder,
confusion, or embarrassment; to disorder; to disarrange; as,
to derange the plans of a commander, or the affairs of a
nation.
2. To disturb in action or function, as a part or
organ, or the whole of a machine or organism.
A sudden fall deranges some of our internal
parts.
Blair.
3. To disturb in the orderly or normal action of
the intellect; to render insane.
Syn. -- To disorder; disarrange; displace; unsettle;
disturb; confuse; discompose; ruffle; disconcert.
De*ranged" (?), a. Disordered;
especially, disordered in mind; crazy; insane.
The story of a poor deranged parish lad.
Lamb.
De*range"ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82rangement.] The act of deranging or
putting out of order, or the state of being deranged;
disarrangement; disorder; confusion; especially, mental disorder;
insanity.
Syn. -- Disorder; confusion; embarrassment; irregularity;
disturbance; insanity; lunacy; madness; delirium; mania. See
Insanity.
De*ran"ger (?), n. One who
deranges.
De*ray" (?), n. [OF.
derroi, desroi, desrei; pref.
des- (L. dis-) + roi,
rei, rai, order. See Array.]
Disorder; merriment. [Obs.]
\'d8Der"bi*o (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) A large European food fish
(Lichia glauca).
Der"by (?; usually ? in Eng.;
85), n.
1. A race for three-old horses, run annually at
Epsom (near London), for the Derby stakes. It was instituted by
the 12th Earl of Derby, in 1780.
Derby Day, the day of the annual race for the
Derby stakes, -- Wednesday of the week before
Whitsuntide.
2. A stiff felt hat with a dome-shaped crown.
Der"by*shire spar" (?). (Min.)
A massive variety of fluor spar, found in Derbyshire,
England, and wrought into vases and other ornamental work.
Der*do"ing (?), a. [See
Dere, v. t.] Doing daring or
chivalrous deeds. [Obs.] \'bdIn
derdoing arms.\'b8
Spenser.
Dere (?), v. t. [AS.
derian to hurt.] To hurt; to harm; to
injure. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dere, n. Harm. [Obs.]
Robert of Brunne.
{ De*reine, De*reyne" (?)
}, v. t. Same as Darraign.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Der"e*lict (?), a. [L.
derelictus, p. p. of derelinquere to
forsake wholly, to abandon; de- +
relinquere to leave. See Relinquish.]
1. Given up or forsaken by the natural owner or
guardian; left and abandoned; as, derelict
lands.
The affections which these exposed or derelict
children bear to their mothers, have no grounds of nature or
assiduity but civility and opinion.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Lost; adrift; hence, wanting; careless;
neglectful; unfaithful.
They easily prevailed, so as to seize upon the vacant,
unoccupied, and derelict minds of his [Chatham's]
friends; and instantly they turned the vessel wholly out of the
course of his policy.
Burke.
A government which is either unable or unwilling to redress
such wrongs is derelict to its highest duties.
J. Buchanan.
Der"e*lict, n. (Law) (a)
A thing voluntary abandoned or willfully cast away by its
proper owner, especially a ship abandoned at sea.
(b) A tract of land left dry by the sea, and fit
for cultivation or use.
Der`e*lic"tion (?), n. [L.
derelictio.]
1. The act of leaving with an intention not to
reclaim or resume; an utter forsaking abandonment.
Cession or dereliction, actual or tacit, of other
powers.
Burke.
2. A neglect or omission as if by willful
abandonment.
A total dereliction of military duties.
Sir W. Scott.
3. The state of being left or abandoned.
4. (Law) A retiring of the sea,
occasioning a change of high-water mark, whereby land is
gained.
De`re*li"gion*ize (?), v. t. To
make irreligious; to turn from religion. [R.]
He would dereligionize men beyond all others.
De Quincey.
Dere"ling (?), n.
Darling. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dere"ling (?), n.
Darling. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Derf (?), a. [Icel.
djafr.] Strong; powerful; fierce.
[Obs.] -- Derf"ly,
adv. [Obs.]
De*ride" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Derided; p. pr.
& vb. n. Deriding.] [L.
deridere, derisum; de- +
rid/re to laugh. See Ridicule.]
To laugh at with contempt; to laugh to scorn; to turn to
ridicule or make sport of; to mock; to scoff at.
And the Pharisees, also, . . . derided him.
Luke xvi. 14.
Sport that wrinkled Care derides.
And Laughter holding both his sides.
Milton.
Syn. -- To mock; laugh at; ridicule; insult; taunt; jeer;
banter; rally. -- To Deride,
Ridicule, Mock, Taunt. A man may
ridicule without any unkindness of feeling; his object
may be to correct; as, to ridicule the follies of
the age. He who derides is actuated by a severe a
contemptuous spirit; as, to deride one for his
religious principles. To mock is stronger, and
denotes open and scornful derision; as, to mock at
sin. To taunt is to reproach with the keenest
insult; as, to taunt one for his misfortunes.
Ridicule consists more in words than in actions;
derision and mockery evince themselves in
actions as well as words; taunts are always expressed
in words of extreme bitterness.
De*rid"er (?), n. One who
derides, or laughs at, another in contempt; a mocker; a
scoffer.
De*rid"ing*ly, adv. By way of derision
or mockery.
De*ri"sion (?), n. [L.
derisio: cf. F. d\'82rision. See
Deride.]
1. The act of deriding, or the state of being
derided; mockery; scornful or contemptuous treatment which holds
one up to ridicule.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall
have them in derision.
Ps. ii. 4.
Sa/an beheld their plight,
And to his mates thus in derision called.
Milton.
2. An object of derision or scorn; a
laughing-stock.
I was a derision to all my people.
Lam. iii. 14.
Syn. -- Scorn; mockery; contempt; insult; ridicule.
De*ri"sive (?), a. Expressing,
serving for, or characterized by, derision.
\'bdDerisive taunts.\'b8 Pope. --
De*ri"sive*ly, adv. --
De*ri"sive*ness, n.
De*ri"so*ry (?), a. [L.
derisorius: cf. F. d\'82risoire.]
Derisive; mocking.
Shaftesbury.
De*riv"a*ble (?), a. [From
Derive.] That can be derived; obtainable by
transmission; capable of being known by inference, as from
premises or data; capable of being traced, as from a radical;
as, income is derivable from various
sources.
All honor derivable upon me.
South.
The exquisite pleasure derivable from the true and
beautiful relations of domestic life.
H. G. Bell.
The argument derivable from the doxologies.
J. H. Newman.
De*riv"a*bly, adv. By derivation.
De*riv"al (?), n.
Derivation. [R.]
The derival of e from a.
Earle.
Der"i*vate (?), a. [L.
derivatus, p. p. of derivare. See
Derive.] Derived; derivative.
[R.] H. Taylor. -- n.
A thing derived; a derivative.
[R.]
Der"i*vate (?), v. t. To
derive. [Obs.]
Huloet.
Der`i*va"tion (?), n. [L.
derivatio: cf. F. d\'82rivation. See
Derive.]
1. A leading or drawing off of water from a stream
or source. [Obs.]
T. Burnet.
2. The act of receiving anything from a source; the
act of procuring an effect from a cause, means, or condition, as
profits from capital, conclusions or opinions from
evidence.
As touching traditional communication, . . . I do not doubt
but many of those truths have had the help of that
derivation.
Sir M. Hale.
3. The act of tracing origin or descent, as in
grammar or genealogy; as, the derivation of a word
from an Aryan root.
4. The state or method of being derived; the
relation of origin when established or asserted.
5. That from which a thing is derived.
6. That which is derived; a derivative; a
deduction.
From the Euphrates into an artificial derivation of
that river.
Gibbon.
7. (Math.) The operation of deducing one
function from another according to some fixed law, called the
law of derivation, as the of differentiation or of
integration.
8. (Med.) A drawing of humors or fluids
from one part of the body to another, to relieve or lessen a
morbid process.
Der`i*va"tion*al (?), a.
Relating to derivation.
Earle.
De*riv"a*tive (?), a. [L.
derivativus: cf. F. d\'82rivatif.]
Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical, original, or
fundamental; originating, deduced, or formed from something else;
secondary; as, a derivative conveyance; a
derivative word.
Derivative circulation, a modification of the
circulation found in some parts of the body, in which the
arteries empty directly into the veins without the interposition
of capillaries.
Flint.
-- De*riv"a*tive*ly, adv. --
De*riv"a*tive*ness, n.
De*riv"a*tive, n.
1. That which is derived; anything obtained or
deduced from another.
2. (Gram.) A word formed from another
word, by a prefix or suffix, an internal modification, or some
other change; a word which takes its origin from a root.
3. (Mus.) A chord, not fundamental, but
obtained from another by inversion; or, vice versa, a
ground tone or root implied in its harmonics in an actual
chord.
4. (Med.) An agent which is adapted to
produce a derivation (in the medical sense).
5. (Math.) A derived function; a
function obtained from a given function by a certain algebraic
process.
Differential
coefficient, under Differential.
6. (Chem.) A substance so related to
another substance by modification or partial substitution as to
be regarded as derived from it; thus, the amido compounds are
derivatives of ammonia, and the hydrocarbons are
derivatives of methane, benzene, etc.
De*rive" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Derived
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deriving.] [F. d\'82river,
L. derivare; de- + rivus stream,
brook. See Rival.]
1. To turn the course of, as water; to divert and
distribute into subordinate channels; to diffuse; to communicate;
to transmit; -- followed by to, into,
on, upon. [Obs.]
For fear it [water] choke up the pits . . . they [the workman]
derive it by other drains.
Holland.
Her due loves derived to that vile witch's
share.
Spenser.
Derived to us by tradition from Adam to Noah.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To receive, as from a source or origin; to
obtain by descent or by transmission; to draw; to deduce; --
followed by from.
<-- p. 396 -->
3. To trace the origin, descent, or derivation of;
to recognize transmission of; as, he derives this
word from the Anglo-Saxon.
From these two causes . . . an ancient set of physicians
derived all diseases.
Arbuthnot.
4. (Chem.) To obtain one substance from
another by actual or theoretical substitution; as, to
derive an organic acid from its corresponding
hydrocarbon.
Syn. -- To trace; deduce; infer.
De*rive" (?), v. i. To flow; to
have origin; to descend; to proceed; to be deduced.
Shak.
Power from heaven
Derives, and monarchs rule by gods appointed.
Prior.
De*rive"ment (?), n. That which
is derived; deduction; inference. [Obs.]
I offer these derivements from these subjects.
W. Montagu.
De*riv"er (?), n. One who
derives.
Derk (?), a. Dark.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
-derm (?). [See Derm,
n.] A suffix or terminal formative, much
used in anatomical terms, and signifying skin,
integument, covering; as,
blastoderm, ectoderm, etc.
Derm (?), n. [Gr. /, /,
skin, fr. / to skin, flay: cf. F. derme. See
Tear, v. t.]
1. The integument of animal; the skin.
2. (Anat.) See Dermis.
\'d8Der"ma (?), n. [NL. See
Derm.] (Anat.) See
Dermis.
Derm"al (?), a. [From
Derm.]
1. Pertaining to the integument or skin of animals;
dermic; as, the dermal secretions.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to the dermis or
true skin.
\'d8Der*map"te*ra (?),
Der*map"ter*an (/), n.
(Zo\'94l.) See Dermoptera,
Dermopteran.
{ Der*mat"ic (?), Der"ma*tine
(?), } a. [Gr. /, /, fr. /
skin.] Of or pertaining to the skin.
Der`ma*ti"tis (?), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. /, /, skin + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the skin.
Der*mat"o*gen (?), n. [Gr. /,
/, skin + -gen.] (Bot.)
Nascent epidermis, or external cuticle of plants in a
forming condition.
Der*mat"o*gen (?), n. [Gr. /,
/, skin + -gen.] (Bot.)
Nascent epidermis, or external cuticle of plants in a
forming condition.
Der*ma*tog"ra*phy (?), n. [Gr.
/, /, skin + -graphy.] An anatomical
description of, or treatise on, the skin.
Der"ma*toid (?), a. [Gr. /,
/, skin + -oid: cf. F. dermato\'8bde. Cf.
Dermoid.] Resembling /kin; skinlike.
Der`ma*tol"o*gist (?), n. One
who discourses on the skin and its diseases; one versed in
dermatology.
Der`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
/, /, skin + -logy: cf. F.
dermatologie.] The science which treats of
the skin, its structure, functions, and diseases.
Der`ma*to*path"ic (?), a. [Gr.
/, /, skin + / suffering.] (Med.) Of
or pertaining to skin diseases, or their cure.
Der*mat"o*phyte (?), n. [Gr.
/, /, skin + / plant.] (Med.) A
vegetable parasite, infesting the skin.
\'d8Der*mes"tes (?), n. [NL.,
from Gr. /; / skin + root of / to eat.]
(Zo\'94l.) A genus of coleopterous insects, the
larv\'91 of which feed animal substances. They are very
destructive to dries meats, skins, woolens, and furs. The most
common species is D. lardarius, known as the
bacon beetle.
Der*mes"toid (?), a.
[Dermestes + -oid.]
(Zo\'94l.) Pertaining to or resembling the genus
Dermestes.
The carpet beetle, called the buffalo moth, is a
dermestoid beetle.
Pop. Sci. Monthly.
Der"mic (?), a.
1. Relating to the derm or skin.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to the dermis;
dermal.
Underneath each nail the deep or dermic layer of
the integument is peculiarly modified.
Huxley.
Dermic remedies (Med.), such as act
through the skin.
\'d8Der"mis (?), n. [NL. See
Derm.] (Anat.) The deep sensitive
layer of the skin beneath the scarfskin or epidermis; -- called
also true skin, derm,
derma, corium,
cutis, and enderon. See
Skin, and Illust. in Appendix.
\'d8Der`mo*bran`chi*a"ta (?), n. pl.
[NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of nudibranch
mollusks without special gills.
Der`mo*bran"chi*ate (?), a.
[Derm + branchiate.]
(Zo\'94l.) Having the skin modified to serve as a
gill.
Der`mo*h\'91"mal (?), a.
(Anat.) Pertaining to, or in relation with, both
dermal and h\'91mal structures; as, the
dermoh\'91mal spines or ventral fin rays of
fishes.
Der"moid (?), a.
[Derm + -oid: cf. F.
dermo\'8bde.] Same as
Dermatoid.
Dermoid cyst (Med.), a cyst
containing skin, or structures connected with skin, such as
hair.
Der`mo*neu"ral (?), a.
(Anat.) Pertaining to, or in relation with, both
dermal and neural structures; as, the dermoneural
spines or dorsal fin rays of fishes.
Owen.
Der`mo*path"ic (?), a.
(Med.) Dermatopathic.
Der"mo*phyte (?), n. A
dermatophyte.
\'d8Der*mop"te*ra (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / skin + / wing.]
1. (Zo\'94l.) The division of insects
which includes the earwigs (Forticulid\'91).
2. (Zo\'94l.) A group of lemuroid
mammals having a parachutelike web of skin between the fore and
hind legs, of which the colugo (Galeopithecus) is the
type. See Colugo.
3. (Zo\'94l.) An order of Mammalia; the
Cheiroptera.
[Written also Dermaptera, and
Dermatoptera.]
Der*mop"ter*an (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) An insect which has the anterior pair
of wings coriaceous, and does not use them in flight, as the
earwig.
\'d8Der*mop"te*ri (?), n. pl.
[NL.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as
Dermopterygii.
\'d8Der*mop`te*ryg"i*i (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / skin + / wing, fin, dim. of /
wing.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of fishlike
animals including the Marsipobranchiata and Leptocardia.
Der`mo*skel"e*ton (?), n.
[Derm + skeleton.]
(Anat.) See Exoskeleton.
\'d8Der`mos*to"sis (?), n.
[NL., from Gr. / skin + / bone.]
(Physiol.) Ossification of the dermis.
Dern (?), n. [Etymol.
uncertain.] A gatepost or doorpost. [Local
Eng.]
C. Kingsley.
Dern, a. [See Dearn,
a.]
1. Hidden; concealed; secret.
[Obs.] \'bdYe must be full dern.\'b8
Chaucer.
2. Solitary; sad. [Obs.]
Dr. H. More.
Derne (?), v. t. & i. [AS.
dyrnan to hide. See Dern, a.,
Dearn, a.] To hide; to
skulk. [Scot.]
He at length escaped them by derning himself in a
foxearth.
H. Miller.
Dern"ful (?), a. Secret; hence,
lonely; sad; mournful. [Obs.]
\'bdDernful noise.\'b8
Spenser.
\'d8Der`nier" (?), a. [F., from
OF. darrein, derrain. See
Darrein.] Last; final.
Dernier ressort (/) [F.],
last resort or expedient.
Dern"ly (?), adv. Secretly;
grievously; mournfully. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Der"o*gant (?), a. [L.
derogans, p. pr.] Derogatory.
[R.]
T. Adams.
Der"o*gate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Derogated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Derogating
(?).] [L. derogatus, p. p.
of derogare to derogate; de- +
rogare to ask, to ask the people about a law. See
Rogation.]
1. To annul in part; to repeal partly; to restrict;
to limit the action of; -- said of a law.
By several contrary customs, . . . many of the civil and canon
laws are controlled and derogated.
Sir M. Hale.
2. To lessen; to detract from; to disparage; to
depreciate; -- said of a person or thing. [R.]
Anything . . . that should derogate, minish, or
hurt his glory and his name.
Sir T. More.
Der"o*gate (?), v. i.
1. To take away; to detract; to withdraw; --
usually with from.
If we did derogate from them whom their industry
hath made great.
Hooker.
It derogates little from his fortitude, while it
adds infinitely to the honor of his humanity.
Burke.
2. To act beneath one-s rank, place, birth, or
character; to degenerate. [R.]
You are a fool granted; therefore your issues, being foolish,
do not derogate.
Shak.
Would Charles X. derogate from his ancestors? Would
he be the degenerate scion of that royal line?
Hazlitt.
Der"o*gate (?), n. [L.
derogatus, p. p.] Diminished in value;
dishonored; degraded. [R.]
Shak.
Der"o*gate*ly, adv. In a derogatory
manner.
Der`o*ga"tion (?), n. [L.
derogatio: cf. F. d\'82rogation.]
1. The act of derogating, partly repealing, or
lessening in value; disparagement; detraction; depreciation; --
followed by of, from, or
to.
I hope it is no derogation to the Christian
religion.
Locke.
He counted it no derogation of his manhood to be
seen to weep.
F. W. Robertson.
2. (Stock Exch.) An alteration of, or
subtraction from, a contract for a sale of stocks.
De*rog"a*tive (?), a.
Derogatory. -- De*rog"a*tive*ly,
adv. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
Der"o*ga`tor (?), n. [L.]
A detractor.
De*rog"a*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In
a derogatory manner; disparagingly.
Aubrey.
De*rog"a*to*ri*ness, n. Quality of being
derogatory.
De*rog"a*to*ry (?), a. Tending
to derogate, or lessen in value; expressing derogation;
detracting; injurious; -- with from to, or
unto.
Acts of Parliament derogatory from the power of
subsequent Parliaments bind not.
Blackstone.
His language was severely censured by some of his brother
peers as derogatory to their other.
Macaulay.
Derogatory clause in a testament (Law),
a sentence of secret character inserted by the testator
alone, of which he reserves the knowledge to himself, with a
condition that no will he may make thereafter shall be valid,
unless this clause is inserted word for word; -- a precaution to
guard against later wills extorted by violence, or obtained by
suggestion.
\'d8Der`o*tre"ma*ta (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / skin + /, /, hole.]
(Zo\'94l.) The tribe of aquatic Amphibia which
includes Amphiuma, Menopoma, etc. They have permanent gill
openings, but no external gills; -- called also
Cryptobranchiata. [Written also
Derotrema.]
Der"re (?), a. Dearer.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Der"rick (?), n. [Orig., a
gallows, from a hangman named Derrick. The name is of
Dutch origin; D. Diederik, Dierryk, prop.
meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS. pe\'a2dric, E.
Theodoric, G. Dietrich. See Dutch,
and Rich.] A mast, spar, or tall frame,
supported at the top by stays or guys, with suitable tackle for
hoisting heavy weights, as stones in building.
Derrick crane, a combination of the derrick
and the crane, having facility for hoisting and also for swinging
the load horizontally.
Der"ring, a. Daring or warlike.
[Obs.]
Drad for his derring doe and bloody deed.
Spenser.
Der"rin*ger (?), n. [From the
American inventor.] A kind of short-barreled pocket
pistol, of very large caliber, often carrying a half-ounce
ball.
Derth (?), n. Dearth;
scarcity. [Obs.]
Spenser.
\'d8Der`tro*the"ca (?), n.
[NL., fr. Gr. / beak + / box, case.]
(Zo\'94l.) The horny covering of the end of the
bill of birds.
{ Der"vish (?), Der"vise
(?), Der"vis (?), }
n. [Per. derw/sch, fr. OPer.
derew to beg, ask alms: cf. F.
derviche.] A Turkish or Persian monk,
especially one who professes extreme poverty and leads an austere
life.
Der"worth (?), a. [AS.
de\'a2rwurpe, lit., dearworth.]
Precious. [Obs.]
Piers Plowman.
Des"cant (?), n. [OF.
descant, deschant, F.
d\'82chant, discant, LL.
discantus, fr. L. dis + cantus singing,
melody, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, and
cf. Descant, v. i., Discant.]
1. (Mus.) (a) Originally, a
double song; a melody or counterpoint sung above the plain song
of the tenor; a variation of an air; a variation by ornament of
the main subject or plain song. (b) The upper
voice in part music. (c) The
canto, cantus, or soprano voice; the
treble.
Grove.
Twenty doctors expound one text twenty ways, as children make
descant upon plain song.
Tyndale.
She [the nightingale] all night long her amorous
descant sung.
Milton.
d\'82chant, of the 12th century.
2. A discourse formed on its theme, like variations
on a musical air; a comment or comments.
Upon that simplest of themes how magnificent a
descant!
De Quincey.
Des*cant" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Descanted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Descanting.] [From
descant; n.; or directly fr. OF.
descanter, deschanter; L. dis- +
cantare to sing.]
1. To sing a variation or accomplishment.
2. To comment freely; to discourse with fullness
and particularity; to discourse at large.
A virtuous man should be pleased to find people
descanting on his actions.
Addison.
Des*cant"er (?), n. One who
descants.
De*scend" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Descended; p.
pr. & vb. n. Descending.] [F.
descendre, L. descendere,
descensum; de- + scandere to
climb. See Scan.]
1. To pass from a higher to a lower place; to move
downwards; to come or go down in any way, as by falling, flowing,
walking, etc.; to plunge; to fall; to incline downward; -- the
opposite of ascend.
The rain descended, and the floods came.
Matt. vii. 25.
We will here descend to matters of later date.
Fuller.
2. To enter mentally; to retire.
[Poetic]
[He] with holiest meditations fed,
Into himself descended.
Milton.
3. To make an attack, or incursion, as if from a
vantage ground; to come suddenly and with violence; -- with
on or upon.
And on the suitors let thy wrath descend.
Pope.
4. To come down to a lower, less fortunate,
humbler, less virtuous, or worse, state or station; to lower or
abase one's self; as, he descended from his high
estate.
5. To pass from the more general or important to
the particular or less important matters to be considered.
6. To come down, as from a source, original, or
stock; to be derived; to proceed by generation or by
transmission; to fall or pass by inheritance; as, the beggar
may descend from a prince; a crown descends to
the heir.
7. (Anat.) To move toward the south, or
to the southward.
8. (Mus.) To fall in pitch; to pass from
a higher to a lower tone.
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.
De*scend"ant (?), a. [F.
descendant, p. pr. of descendre. Cf.
Descendent.] Descendent.
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.
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.
De*scend"er (?), n. One who
descends.
De*scend`i*bil"i*ty (?), n. The
quality of being descendible; capability of being transmitted
from ancestors; as, the descendibility of an
estate.
De*scend"i*ble (?), a.
1. Admitting descent; capable of being
descended.
2. That may descend from an ancestor to an
heir. \'bdA descendant estate.\'b8
Sir W. Jones.
De*scend"ing, a. Of or pertaining to
descent; moving downwards.
Descending constellations 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.
De*scend"ing*ly, adv. In a descending
manner.
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.]
<-- p. 397 -->
De*scen"sion*al (?), a.
Pertaining to descension.
Johnson.
De*scen"sive (?), a. Tending to
descend; tending downwards; descending.
Smart.
De*scen"so*ry (?), n. [NL.
descensorium: cf. OF. descensoire. See
Descend.] A vessel used in alchemy to extract
oils.
De*scent" (?), n. [F.
descente, fr. descendre; like
vente, from vendre. See
Descend.]
1. The act of descending, or passing downward;
change of place from higher to lower.
2. Incursion; sudden attack; especially, hostile
invasion from sea; -- often followed by upon or
on; as, to make a descent upon the
enemy.
The United Provinces . . . ordered public prayer to God, when
they feared that the French and English fleets would make a
descent upon their coasts.
Jortin.
3. Progress downward, as in station, virtue, as in
station, virtue, and the like, from a higher to a lower state,
from a higher to a lower state, from the more to the less
important, from the better to the worse, etc.
2. Derivation, as from an ancestor; procedure by
generation; lineage; birth; extraction.
Dryden.
5. (Law) Transmission of an estate by
inheritance, usually, but not necessarily, in the descending
line; title to inherit an estate by reason of
consanguinity.
Abbott.
6. Inclination downward; a descending way; inclined
or sloping surface; declivity; slope; as, a steep
descent.
7. That which is descended; descendants;
issue.
If care of our descent perplex us most,
Which must be born to certain woe.
Milton.
8. A step or remove downward in any scale of
gradation; a degree in the scale of genealogy; a
generation.
No man living is a thousand descents removed from
Adam himself.
Hooker.
9. Lowest place; extreme downward place.
[R.]
And from the extremest upward of thy head,
To the descent and dust below thy foot.
Shak.
10. (Mus.) A passing from a higher to a
lower tone.
Syn. -- Declivity; slope; degradation; extraction; lineage;
assault; invasion; attack.
De*scrib"a*ble (?), a. That can
be described; capable of description.
De*scribe" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Described
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Describing.] [L. describere,
descriptum; de- + scribere to
write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F.
d\'82crire. See Scribe, and cf.
Descry.]
1. To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to
delineate; to trace or mark out; as, to describe a
circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a
way as to describe a circle.
2. To represent by words written or spoken; to give
an account of; to make known to others by words or signs; as,
the geographer describes countries and
cities.
3. To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to
mark off; to class. [Obs.]
Passed through the land, and described it by cities
into seven parts in a book.
Josh. xviii. 9.
Syn. -- To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount;
narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize.
De*scribe", v. i. To use the faculty of
describing; to give a description; as, Milton
describes with uncommon force and beauty.
De*scrib"ent (?), n. [L.
describens, p. pr. of describere.]
(Geom.) Same as Generatrix.
De*scrib"er (?), n. One who
describes.
De*scri"er (?), n. One who
descries.
De*scrip"tion (?), n. [F.
description, L. descriptio. See
Describe.]
1. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or
signs.
2. A sketch or account of anything in words; a
portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the
essential qualities of a thing or species.
Milton has descriptions of morning.
D. Webster.
3. A class to which a certain representation is
applicable; kind; sort.
A difference . . . between them and another
description of public creditors.
A. Hamilton.
The plates were all of the meanest description.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Account; definition; recital; relation; detail;
narrative; narration; explanation; delineation; representation;
kind; sort. See Definition.
De*scrip"tive (?), a. [L.
descriptivus: cf. F. descriptif.]
Tending to describe; having the quality of representing;
containing description; as, a descriptive figure; a
descriptive phrase; a descriptive narration; a
story descriptive of the age.
Descriptive anatomy, that part of anatomy
which treats of the forms and relations of parts, but not of
their textures. -- Descriptive geometry, that
branch of geometry. which treats of the graphic solution of
problems involving three dimensions, by means of projections upon
auxiliary planes.
Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. )
-- De*scrip"tive*ly, adv. --
De*scrip"tive*ness, n.
De*scrive" (?), v. t. [OF.
descrivre. See Describe.] To
describe. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De*scry" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Descried
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Descrying.] [OE. descrien,
discrien, to espy, prob. from the proclaiming of what
was espied, fr. OF. descrier to proclaim, cry down,
decry, F. d\'82crier. The word was confused somewhat
with OF. descriven, E. describe, OF.
descrivre, from L. describere. See
Decry.]
1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects
distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to
discover.
And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.
Judg. i. 23.
Edmund, I think, is gone . . . to descry
The strength o' the enemy.
Shak.
And now their way to earth they had descried.
Milton.
2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal.
[R.]
His purple robe he had thrown aside, lest it should
descry him.
Milton.
Syn. -- To see; behold; espy; discover; discern.
De*scry" (?), 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.
Des"e*cate (?), v. t. [L.
desecare to cut off.] To cut, as with a
scythe; to mow. [Obs.]
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.
Des"e*cra`ter (?), n. One who
desecrates; a profaner.
Harper's Mag.
Des`e*cra"tion (?), n. The act
of desecrating; profanation; condition of anything
desecrated.
Des"e*cra`tor (?), n. One who
desecrates. \'bdDesecrators of the church.\'b8
Morley.
De*seg`men*ta"tion (?), n.
(Anat.) The loss or obliteration of division into
segments; as, a desegmentation of the
body.
De*sert" (?), n. [OF.
deserte, desserte, merit, recompense, fr.
deservir, desservir, to merit. See
Deserve.] That which is deserved; the reward
or the punishment justly due; claim to recompense, usually in a
good sense; right to reward; merit.
According to their deserts will I judge them.
Ezek. vii. 27.
Andronicus, surnamed Pius
For many good and great deserts to Rome.
Shak.
His reputation falls far below his desert.
A. Hamilton.
Syn. -- Merit; worth; excellence; due.
Des"ert (?), n. [F.
d\'82sert, L. desertum, from
desertus solitary, desert, pp. of deserere
to desert; de- + serere to join together.
See Series.]
1. A deserted or forsaken region; a barren tract
incapable of supporting population, as the vast sand plains of
Asia and Africa are destitute and vegetation.
A dreary desert and a gloomy waste.
Pope.
2. A tract, which may be capable of sustaining a
population, but has been left unoccupied and uncultivated; a
wilderness; a solitary place.
He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her
desert like the garden of the Lord.
Is. li. 3.
Also figuratively.
Before her extended
Dreary and vast and silent, the desert of life.
Longfellow.
Des"ert, a. [Cf. L. desertus,
p. p. of deserere, and F. d\'82sert. See 2d
Desert.] Of or pertaining to a desert;
forsaken; without life or cultivation; unproductive; waste;
barren; wild; desolate; solitary; as, they landed on a
desert island.
He . . . went aside privately into a desert
place.
Luke ix. 10.
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Gray.
Desert flora (Bot.), the assemblage
of plants growing naturally in a desert, or in a dry and
apparently unproductive place. -- Desert hare
(Zo\'94l.), a small hare (Lepus
sylvaticus, var. Arizon\'91) inhabiting the
deserts of the Western United States. -- Desert
mouse (Zo\'94l.), an American mouse
(Hesperomys eremicus), living in the Western
deserts.
De*sert" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deserted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Deserting.] [Cf. L.
desertus, p. p. of deserere to desert, F.
d\'82serter. 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. \'bdThe
deserted fortress.\'b8
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.
De*sert", v. i. To abandon a service
without leave; to quit military service without permission,
before the expiration of one's term; to abscond.
The soldiers . . . deserted in numbers.
Bancroft.
Syn. -- To abandon; forsake; leave; relinquish; renounce;
quit; depart from; abdicate. See Abandon.
De*sert"er (/), n. One who
forsakes a duty, a cause or a party, a friend, or any one to whom
he owes service; especially, a soldier or a seaman who abandons
the service without leave; one guilty of desertion.
De*sert"ful (?), a.
Meritorious. [R.]
Beau. & Fl.
De*ser"tion (?), n. [L.
desertio: cf. F. d\'82sertion.]
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.
De*sert"less (?), a. Without
desert. [R.]
De*sert"less*ly, adv.
Undeservedly. [R.]
Beau. & Fl.
Des"ert*ness (?), n. A deserted
condition. [R.] \'bdThe desertness
of the country.\'b8
Udall.
{ De*sert"rix (?), De*sert"rice
(?), } n. [L.
desertrix.] A feminine deserter.
Milton.
De*serve" (?), 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.
De*serve" (?), v. i. To be
worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with
well.
One man may merit or deserve of another.
South.
De*serv"ed*ly (?), adv.
According to desert (whether good or evil); justly.
De*serv"ed*ness, n.
Meritoriousness.
De*serv"er (?), n. One who
deserves.
De*serv"ing, n. Desert; merit.
A person of great deservings from the republic.
Swift.
De*serv"ing, a. Meritorious; worthy;
as, a deserving or act. --
De*serv"ing*ly, adv.
Des`ha*bille (?), n. [F.
d\'82shabill\'82, fr. d\'82shabiller to
undress; pref. d\'82s- (L. dis-) +
habiller to dress. See Habiliment, and cf.
Dishabille.] An undress; a careless
toilet.
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.
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.
Des"ic*cate, v. i. To become dry.
Des`ic*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
dessiccation.] The act of desiccating, or
the state of being desiccated.
De*sic"ca*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
dessicatif.] Drying; tending to dry.
Ferrand. -- n. (Med.)
An application for drying up secretions.
Des"ic*ca`tor (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, desiccates.
2. (Chem.) A short glass jar fitted with
an air-tight cover, and containing some desiccating agent, as
sulphuric acid or calcium chloride, above which is suspended the
material to be dried, or preserved from moisture.
De*sic"ca*to*ry (?), a.
Desiccative.
De*sid"er*a*ble (?), a.
Desirable. [R.] \'bdGood and
desiderable things.\'b8
Holland.
\'d8De*sid`e*ra"ta (?), n. pl.
See Desideratum.
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.
De*sid`er*a"tion (?), n. [L.
desideratio.] Act of desiderating; also,
the thing desired. [R.]
Jeffrey.
De*sid"er*a*tive (?), a. [L.
desiderativus.] Denoting desire; as,
desiderative verbs.
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.
\'d8De*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.
{ 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.]
De*sid"i*ous*ness, n. The state or
quality of being desidiose, or indolent.
[Obs.]
N. Bacon.
De*sight" (?), n. [Pref.
de- + sight.] An unsightly
object. [Obs.]
De*sight"ment (?), n. The act
of making unsightly; disfigurement. [R.]
To substitute jury masts at whatever desightment or
damage in risk.
London Times.
De*sign" (?; 277), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Designed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Designing.] [F. d\'82signer
to designate, cf. F. dessiner to draw,
dessin drawing, dessein a plan or scheme;
all, ultimately, from L. designare to designate;
de- + signare to mark, mark out,
signum mark, sign. See Sign, and cf.
Design, n., Designate.]
1. To draw preliminary outline or main features of;
to sketch for a pattern or model; to delineate; to trace out; to
draw.
Dryden.
2. To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to
indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint.
We shall see
Justice design the victor's chivalry.
Shak.
Meet me to-morrow where the master
And this fraternity shall design.
Beau. & Fl.
3. To create or produce, as a work of art; to form
a plan or scheme of; to form in idea; to invent; to project; to
lay out in the mind; as, a man designs an essay, a
poem, a statue, or a cathedral.
4. To intend or purpose; -- usually with
for before the remote object, but sometimes with
to.
Ask of politicians the end for which laws were originally
designed.
Burke.
He was designed to the study of the law.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To sketch; plan; purpose; intend; propose; project;
mean.
De*sign", v. i. To form a design or
designs; to plan.
Design for, to intend to go to.
[Obs.] \'bdFrom this city she designed for
Collin [Cologne].\'b8
Evelyn.
<-- p. 398 -->
De*sign" (?), n. [Cf.
dessein, dessin.]
1. A preliminary sketch; an outline or pattern of
the main features of something to be executed, as of a picture, a
building, or a decoration; a delineation; a plan.
2. A plan or scheme formed in the mind of something
to be done; preliminary conception; idea intended to be expressed
in a visible form or carried into action; intention; purpose; --
often used in a bad sense for evil intention or purpose; scheme;
plot.
The vast design and purpos/ of the King.
Tennyson.
The leaders of that assembly who withstood the
designs of a besotted woman.
Hallam.
A . . . settled design upon another man's life.
Locke.
How little he could guess the secret designs of the
court!
Macaulay.
3. Specifically, intention or purpose as revealed
or inferred from the adaptation of means to an end; as, the
argument from design.
4. The realization of an inventive or decorative
plan; esp., a work of decorative art considered as a new
creation; conception or plan shown in completed work; as,
this carved panel is a fine design, or of a fine
design.
5. (Mus.) The invention and conduct of
the subject; the disposition of every part, and the general order
of the whole.
Arts of design, those into which the designing
of artistic forms and figures enters as a principal part, as
architecture, painting, engraving, sculpture. -- School
of design, one in which are taught the invention and
delineation of artistic or decorative figures, patterns, and the
like.
Syn. -- Intention; purpose; scheme; project; plan;
idea. -- Design, Intention,
Purpose. Design has reference to something
definitely aimed at. Intention points to the feelings
or desires with which a thing is sought. Purpose has
reference to a settled choice or determination for its
attainment. \'bdI had no design to injure you,\'b8
means it was no part of my aim or object. \'bdI had no
intention to injure you,\'b8 means, I had no wish or
desire of that kind. \'bdMy purpose was directly the
reverse,\'b8 makes the case still stronger.
Is he a prudent man . . . that lays designs only
for a day, without any prospect to the remaining part of his
life?
Tillotson.
I wish others the same intention, and greater
successes.
Sir W. Temple.
It is the purpose that makes strong the vow.
Shak.
Des"ig*na*ble (?), a. Capable
of being designated or distinctly marked out;
distinguishable.
Boyle.
Des"ig*nate (?), a. [L.
designatus, p. p. of designare. See
Design, v. t.] Designated;
appointed; chosen. [R.]
Sir G. Buck.
Des"ig*nate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Designated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Designating.]
1. To mark out and make known; to point out; to
name; to indicate; to show; to distinguish by marks or
description; to specify; as, to designate the
boundaries of a country; to designate the rioters who
are to be arrested.
2. To call by a distinctive title; to name.
3. To indicate or set apart for a purpose or duty;
-- with to or for; to designate
an officer for or to the command of a post or station.
Syn. -- To name; denominate; style; entitle; characterize;
describe.
Des`ig*na"tion (?), n. [L.
designatio: cf. F. d\'82signation.]
1. The act of designating; a pointing out or
showing; indication.
2. Selection and appointment for a purpose;
allotment; direction.
3. That which designates; a distinguishing mark or
name; distinctive title; appellation.
The usual designation of the days of the week.
Whewell.
4. Use or application; import; intention;
signification, as of a word or phrase.
Finite and infinite seem . . . to be attributed primarily, in
their first designation, only to those things have
parts.
Locke.
Des"ig*na*tive (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82signatif.] Serving to designate or
indicate; pointing out.
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.
Des"ig*na*to*ry (?), a. Serving
to designate; designative; indicating. [R.]
De*sign"ed*ly (?), adv. By
design; purposely; intentionally; -- opposed to
accidentally, ignorantly, or
inadvertently.
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.
De*sign"ful (?), a. Full of
design; scheming. [R.] --
De*sign"ful*ness, n.
[R.]
Barrow.
De*sign"ing, a. Intriguing; artful;
scheming; as, a designing man.
De*sign"ing, n. The act of making
designs or sketches; the act of forming designs or plans.
De*sign"less, a. Without design.
[Obs.] -- De*sign"less*ly,
adv. [Obs.]
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.
De*sil"ver (?), v. t. To
deprive of silver; as, to desilver lead.
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.
De*sil"ver*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive, or free from, silver; to remove silver from.
Des"i*nence (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82sinence.] Termination; ending.
Bp. Hall.
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.] \'bdTheir
desinent parts, fish.\'b8
B. Jonson.
Des`i*nen"tial (?), a. [Cf. F.
d\'82sinentiel.] Terminal.
Furthermore, b, as a desinential
element, has a dynamic function.
Fitzed. Hall.
De*sip"i*ent (?), a. [L.
desipiens, p. pr. of desipere to be
foolish; de- + sapere to be wise.]
Foolish; silly; trifling. [R.]
De*sir`a*bil"i*ty, n. The state or
quality of being desirable; desirableness.
De*sir"a*ble (?), a. [F.
d\'82sirable, 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.
De*sir"a*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being desirable.
The desirableness of the Austrian alliance.
Froude.
De*sir"a*bly, adv. In a desirable
manner.
De*sire" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Desired
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Desiring.] [F. d\'82sirer,
L. desiderare, origin uncertain, perh. fr.
de- + sidus star, constellation, and hence
orig., to turn the eyes from the stars. Cf. Consider,
and Desiderate, and see Sidereal.]
1. To long for; to wish for earnestly; to
covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ex. xxxiv. 24.
Ye desire your child to live.
Tennyson.
2. To express a wish for; to entreat; to
request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord?
2 Kings iv. 28.
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.
Shak.
3. To require; to demand; to claim.
[Obs.]
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Spenser.
4. To miss; to regret. [Obs.]
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired
when she dies.
Jer. Taylor.
Syn. -- To long for; hanker after; covet; wish; ask;
request; solicit; entreat; beg. -- To
Desire, Wish. In desire the feeling
is usually more eager than in wish. \'bdI
wish you to do this\'b8 is a milder form of command
than \'bdI desire you to do this,\'b8 though the
feeling prompting the injunction may be the susage>
C. J. Smith.
De*sire", n. [F. d\'82sir,
fr. d\'82sirer. See Desire, v.
t.]
1. The natural longing that is excited by the
enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or
effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or
enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know.
Milton.
2. An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother brought
To yield consent to my desire.
Tennyson.
3. Anything which is desired; an object of
longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Hag. ii. 7.
4. Excessive or morbid longing; lust;
appetite.
5. Grief; regret. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Syn. -- Wish; appetency; craving; inclination; eagerness;
aspiration; longing.
De*sire"ful (?), a. Filled with
desire; eager. [R.]
The desireful troops.
Godfrey (1594).
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.
De*sire"less, a. Free from desire.
Donne.
De*sir"er (?), n. One who
desires, asks, or wishes.
De*sir"ous (?), a. [F.
d\'82sireux, 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.
De*sir"ous*ly, adv. With desire;
eagerly.
De*sir"ous*ness, n. The state of being
desirous.
De*sist" (?; 277), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Desisted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Desisting.] [L.
desistere; de- + sistere to
stand, stop, fr. stare to stand: cf. F.
d\'82sister. 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.
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.
De*sist"ive (?), a. [See
Desist.] Final; conclusive; ending.
[R.]
De*si"tion (?), n. [See
Desinent.] An end or ending.
[R.]
Des"i*tive (?), a. Final;
serving to complete; conclusive. [Obs.]
\'bdDesitive propositions.\'b8
I. Watts.
Des"i*tive, n. (Logic) A
proposition relating to or expressing an end or conclusion.
[Obs.]
I. Watts.
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 \'bdthe
clerical profession.\'b8
Desk, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Desked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Desking.] To shut up, as in a desk; to
treasure.
Desk"work` (?), n. Work done at
a desk, as by a clerk or writer.
Tennyson.
Des"man (?), n. [Cf. Sw.
desman musk.] (Zo\'94l.) An
amphibious, insectivorous mammal found in Russia (Myogale
moschata). It is allied to the moles, but is called
muscrat by some English writers. [Written
also d\'91sman.]
{ Des"mid (?), Des*mid"i*an
(?), } n. [Gr. / chain + /
form.] (Bot.) A microscopic plant of the
family Desmidi\'91, a group of unicellular alg\'91 in
which the species have a greenish color, and the cells generally
appear as if they consisted of two coalescing halves.
Des"mine (?), n. [Gr. /, /,
bundle, fr. / to bind.] (Min.) Same as
Stilbite. It commonly occurs in bundles or tufts of
crystals.
\'d8Des`mo*bac*te"ri*a (?), n. pl.
[Gr. / bond + E. bacteria.] See
Microbacteria.
Des"mo*dont (?), n. [Gr. /
bond + /, /, tooth.] (Zo\'94l.) A
member of a group of South American blood-sucking bats, of the
genera Desmodus and Diphylla. See
Vampire.
Des*mog"na*thous (?), a. [Gr.
desmo`s bond + / jaw.] (Zo\'94l.)
Having the maxillo-palatine bones united; -- applied to a
group of carinate birds (Desmognath\'91), including
various wading and swimming birds, as the ducks and herons, and
also raptorial and other kinds.
Des"moid (?), a. [Gr.
desmo`s ligament + -oid.]
(Anat.) Resembling, or having the characteristics
of, a ligament; ligamentous.
Des*mol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr.
desmo`s ligament + -logy.] The
science which treats of the ligaments. [R.]
\'d8Des`mo*my*a"ri*a (?), n. pl.
[NL., fr. Gr. / bond + / muscle.]
(Zo\'94l.) The division of Tunicata which
includes the Salp\'91. See Salpa.
\'d8Des"o*late (?), a. [L.
desolatus, p. p. of desolare to leave
alone, forsake; de- + solare to make
lonely, solus alone. See Sole,
a.]
1. Destitute or deprived of inhabitants; deserted;
uninhabited; hence, gloomy; as, a desolate isle; a
desolate wilderness; a desolate
house.
I will make Jerusalem . . . a den of dragons, and I will make
the cities of Judah desolate, without an
inhabitant.
Jer. ix. 11.
And the silvery marish flowers that throng
The desolate creeks and pools among.
Tennyson.
2. Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected;
destroyed; as, desolate altars.
3. Left alone; forsaken; lonely; comfortless.
Have mercy upon, for I am desolate.
Ps. xxv. 16.
Voice of the poor and desolate.
Keble.
4. Lost to shame; dissolute.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
5. Destitute of; lacking in.
[Obs.]
I were right now of tales desolate.
Chaucer.
Syn. -- Desert; uninhabited; lonely; waste.
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.
Des"o*late*ly (?), adv. In a
desolate manner.
Des"o*late*ness, n. The state of being
desolate.
Des"o*la`ter (?), n. One who,
or that which, desolates or lays waste.
Mede.
Des`o*la"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82solation, L. desolatio.]
1. The act of desolating or laying waste;
destruction of inhabitants; depopulation.
Unto the end of the war desolations are
determined.
Dan. ix. 26.
2. The state of being desolated or laid waste;
ruin; solitariness; destitution; gloominess.
You would have sold your king to slaughter, . . .
And his whole kingdom into desolation.
Shak.
3. A place or country wasted and forsaken.
How is Babylon become a desolation!
Jer. l. 23.
Syn. -- Waste; ruin; destruction; havoc; devastation;
ravage; sadness; destitution; melancholy; gloom;
gloominess.
Des"o*la`tor (?), n. [L.]
Same as Desolater.
Byron.
Des"o*la*to*ry (?), a. [L.
desolatorius.] Causing desolation.
[R.]
Bp. Hall.
De`so*phis"ti*cate (?), v. t.
To clear from sophism or error. [R.]
Hare.
Des`ox*al"ic (?), a. [F. pref.
des- from + E. oxalic.]
(Chem.) Made or derived from oxalic acid; as,
desoxalic acid.
De*spair" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Despaired
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Despairing.] [OE. despeiren,
dispeiren, OF. desperer, fr. L.
desperare; de- + sperare to
hope; akin to spes hope, and perh. to
spatium space, E. space, speed;
cf. OF. espeir hope, F. espoir. Cf.
Prosper, Desperate.] To be hopeless;
to have no hope; to give up all hope or expectation; -- often
with of.
We despaired even of life.
2 Cor. i. 8.
Never despair of God's blessings here.
Wake.
Syn. -- See Despond.
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.
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.
<-- p. 399 -->
2. That which is despaired of. \'bdThe mere
despair of surgery he cures.\'b8
Shak.
Syn. -- Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.
De*spair"er (?), n. One who
despairs.
De*spair"ful (?), a.
Hopeless. [Obs.]
Spenser.
De*spair"ing, a. Feeling or expressing
despair; hopeless. -- De*spair"ing*ly,
adv. -- De*spair"ing*ness,
n.
De*spar"ple (?), v. t. & i.
[OF. desparpeillier.] To scatter; to
disparkle. [Obs.]
Mandeville.
De*spatch" (?), n. & v. Same as
Dispatch.
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.
De*spec`fi*ca"tion (?), n.
Discrimination.
De*spect" (?), n. [L.
despectus, fr. despicere. See
Despite, n.] Contempt.
[R.]
Coleridge.
De*spec"tion (?), n. [L.
despectio.] A looking down; a
despising. [R.]
W. Montagu.
De*speed" (?), v. t. To send
hastily. [Obs.]
Despeeded certain of their crew.
Speed.
De*spend" (?), v. t. To spend;
to squander. See Dispend. [Obs.]
Some noble men in Spain can despend /50,000.
Howell.
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.
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. \'bdDesperate
expedients.\'b8
Macaulay.
4. Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; -- used to
mark the extreme predominance of a bad quality.
A desperate offendress against nature.
Shak.
The most desperate of reprobates.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Hopeless; despairing; desponding; rash; headlong;
precipitate; irretrievable; irrecoverable; forlorn; mad; furious;
frantic.
Des"per*ate, n. One desperate or
hopeless. [Obs.]
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.
Des"per*ate*ness n. Desperation;
virulence.
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.
Des`pi*ca*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Despicableness. [R.]
Carlyle.
Des"pi*ca*ble (?), a. [L.
despicabilis, fr. despicari to despise;
akin to despicere. See Despise.]
Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile;
worthless; as, a despicable man; despicable
company; a despicable gift.
Syn. -- Contemptible; mean; vile; worthless; pitiful;
paltry; sordid; low; base. See Contemptible.
Des"pi*ca*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being despicable; meanness; vileness; worthlessness.
Des"pi*ca*bly (?), adv. In a
despicable or mean manner; contemptibly; as,
despicably stingy.
Des*pi"cien*cy (?), n. [L.
despicientia. See Despise.] A
looking down; despection. [Obs.]
De*spis"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF.
despisable.] Despicable;
contemptible. [R.]
De*spis"al (?), n. A despising;
contempt. [R.]
A despisal of religion.
South.
De*spise" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Despised
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Despising.] [OF. despis-, in
some forms of despire to despise, fr. L.
despicere, despectum, to look down upon,
despise; de- + spicere, specere,
to look. See Spy, and cf. Despicable,
Despite.] To look down upon with disfavor or
contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion
or contemptuous dislike of.
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov. i. 7.
Men naturally despise those who court them, but
respect those who do not give way to them.
Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Syn. -- To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See
Contemn.
De*spis"ed*ness, n. The state of being
despised.
De*spise"ment (?), n. A
despising. [R.]
Holland.
De*spis"er (?), n. One who
despises; a contemner; a scorner.
De*spis"ing*ly, adv.
Contemptuously.
De*spite" (?), n. [OF.
despit, F. d\'82pit, 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. \'bdSeized my hand
in despite of my efforts to the contrary.\'b8 W.
Irving. -- In your despite, in defiance
or contempt of you; in spite of you.
[Obs.]
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.
De*spite", prep. In spite of; against,
or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his
prejudices.
Syn. -- See Notwithstanding.
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.
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.] \'bdDespiteous reproaches.\'b8
Holland.
Des*pit"e*ous*ly, adv.
Despitefully. [Obs.]
De*spit"ous (?), a. Despiteous;
very angry; cruel. [Obs.]
He was to sinful man not despitous.
Chaucer.
- De*spit"ous*ly, adv.
[Obs.]
De*spoil" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Despoiled
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Despoiling.] [OF.
despoiller, F. d\'82pouiller, L.
despoliare, despoliatum; de- +
spoliare to strip, rob, spolium spoil,
booty. Cf. Spoil, Despoliation.]
1. To strip, as of clothing; to divest or
unclothe. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
2. To deprive for spoil; to plunder; to rob; to
pillage; to strip; to divest; -- usually followed by
of.
The clothed earth is then bare,
Despoiled is the summer fair.
Gower.
A law which restored to them an immense domain of which they
had been despoiled.
Macaulay.
Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss.
Milton.
Syn. -- To strip; deprive; rob; bereave; rifle.
De*spoil", n. Spoil.
[Obs.]
Wolsey.
De*spoil"er (?), n. One who
despoils.
De*spoil"ment (?), n.
Despoliation. [R.]
De*spo`li*a"tion (?), n. [L.
despoliatio. See Despoil.] A
stripping or plundering; spoliation.
Bailey.
De*spond" (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Desponded; p.
pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] [L.
despond/re, desponsum, to promise away,
promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- +
spond/re to promise solemnly. See
Sponsor.] To give up, the will, courage, or
spirit; to be thoroughly disheartened; to lose all courage; to
become dispirited or depressed; to take an unhopeful view.
I should despair, or at least despond.
Scott's Letters.
Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at
the first difficulty.
Locke.
We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn
its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our
national power still stand strong.
D. Webster.
Syn. -- Despond, Dispair.
Despair implies a total loss of hope, which
despond does not, at least in every case; yet
despondency is often more lasting than
despair, or than desperation, which impels
to violent action.
De*spond" n. Despondency.
[Obs.]
The slough of despond.
Bunyan.
De*spond"ence (?), n.
Despondency.
The people, when once infected, lose their relish for
happiness [and] saunter about with looks of
despondence.
Goldsmith.
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.
De*spond"ent (?), a. [L.
despondens, -entis, p. pr. of
despond/re.] Marked by despondence; given
to despondence; low-spirited; as, a despondent
manner; a despondent prisoner. --
De*spond"ent*ly, adv.
De*spond"er (?), n. One who
desponds.
De*spond"ing*ly, adv. In a desponding
manner.
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.
De*spon"sate (?), v. t. [L.
desponsatus, p. p. of desponsare, intens.
of despondere to betroth. See Despond.]
To betroth. [Obs.]
Johnson.
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.
De*spon"so*ry (?), n.; pl.
Desponsories (/). A written pledge of
marriage.
Clarendon.
De*sport" (?), v. t. & i. See
Disport.
Des"pot (?), n. [F.
despote, LL. despotus, fr. Gr. / master,
lord, the second part of which is akin to / 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.
Des"po*tat (?), n. [Cf. F.
despotat.] The station or government of a
despot; also, the domain of a despot.
Freeman.
{ Des*pot"ic (?), Des*pot"ic*al
(?), } a. [Gr. /: cf. F.
despotique.] Having the character of, or
pertaining to, a despot; absolute in power; possessing and
abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism; tyrannical;
arbitrary. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ly,
adv. -- Des*pot"ic*al*ness,
n.
Des"po*tism (?), n. [Cf. F.
despotisme.]
1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot;
absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny.
\'bdThe despotism of vice.\'b8
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.
Des"po*tist, n. A supporter of
despotism. [R.]
Des"po*tize (?), v. t. To act
the despot.
De*spread" (?), v. t. & i. See
Dispread.
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.
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.
De*spume" (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
despumer. See Despumate.] To free
from spume or scum. [Obs.]
If honey be despumed.
Holland.
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.
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.
{ De*squam"a*tive (?),
De*squam"a*to*ry (?), } a.
Of, pertaining to, or attended with, desquamation.
De*squam"a*to*ry, n. (Surg.)
An instrument formerly used in removing the lamin\'91 of
exfoliated bones.
Dess (?), n. Dais.
[Obs.]
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.
\'bdAn 't please your honor,\'b8 quoth the peasant,
\'bdThis same dessert is not so pleasant.\'b8
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.
Des*tem"per (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82trempe, fr. d\'82tremper.]
A kind of painting. See Distemper.
Des"tin (?), n. [Cf. F.
destin.] Destiny. [Obs.]
Marston.
Des"ti*na*ble (?), a. [Cf. OF.
destinable.] Determined by destiny;
fated.
Chaucer.
Des"ti*na*bly, adv. In a destinable
manner.
Des"ti*nal (?), a. Determined
by destiny; fated. [Obs.] \'bdThe order
destinal.\'b8
Chaucer.
Des"ti*nate (?), a. [L.
destinatus, p. p. of destinare. See
Destine.] Destined. [Obs.]
\'bdDestinate to hell.\'b8
Foxe.
Des"ti*nate (?), v. t. To
destine, design, or choose. [Obs.] \'bdThat
name that God . . . did destinate.\'b8
Udall.
Des`ti*na"tion (?), n. [L.
destinatio determination: cf. F.
destination destination.]
1. The act of destining or appointing.
2. Purpose for which anything is destined;
predetermined end, object, or use; ultimate design.
3. The place set for the end of a journey, or to
which something is sent; place or point aimed at.
Syn. -- Appointment; design; purpose; intention; destiny;
lot; fate; end.
Des"tine (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Destined
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Destining.] [F. destiner, L.
destinare; de + the root of
stare to stand. See Stand, and cf.
Obstinate.] To determine the future condition
or application of; to set apart by design for a future use or
purpose; to fix, as by destiny or by an authoritative decree; to
doom; to ordain or preordain; to appoint; -- often with the
remoter object preceded by to or for.
We are decreed,
Reserved, and destined to eternal woe.
Milton.
Till the loathsome opposite
Of all my heart had destined, did obtain.
Tennyson.
Not enjoyment and not sorrow
Is our destined end or way.
Longfellow.
Syn. -- To design; mark out; determine; allot; choose;
intend; devote; consecrate; doom.
Des"ti*nist (?), n. A believer
in destiny; a fatalist. [R.]
Des"ti*ny (?), n.; pl.
Destinies (#). [OE.
destinee, destene, F.
destin\'82e, from destiner. See
Destine.]
1. That to which any person or thing is destined;
predetermined state; condition foreordained by the Divine or by
human will; fate; lot; doom.
Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Shak.
No man of woman born,
Coward or brave, can shun his destiny.
Bryant.
2. The fixed order of things; invincible necessity;
fate; a resistless power or agency conceived of as determining
the future, whether in general or of an individual.
But who can turn the stream of destiny?
Spenser.
Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as inevitable as
destiny, for it is destiny.
Longfellow.
The Destinies (Anc. Myth.), the
three Parc\'91, or Fates; the supposed powers which preside over
human life, and determine its circumstances and
duration.
Marked by the Destinies to be avoided.
Shak.
<-- p. 400 -->
<-- p. 400 -->
De*stit"u*ent (?; 135), a. [L.
destituens, p. pr. of destituere.]
Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent
condition. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
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.
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.
Des"ti*tute*ly, adv. In
destitution.
Des"ti*tute*ness, n. Destitution.
[R.]
Ash.
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.
{ 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.
De*strie" (?), v. t. To
destroy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*stroy" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Destroyed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Destroying.] [OE. destroien,
destruien, destrien, OF.
destruire, F. d\'82truire, fr. L.
destruere, destructum; de +
struere to pile up, build. See
Structure.]
1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate
virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure
and organic existence of; to demolish.
But ye shall destroy their altars, break their
images, and cut down their groves.
Ex. xxxiv. 13.
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to;
to annihilate; to consume.
I will utterly pluck up and destroy that
nation.
Jer. xii. 17.
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or
beauty of; to kill.
If him by force he can destroy, or, worse,
By some false guile pervert.
Milton.
Syn. -- To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle;
ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate;
deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See
Demolish.
De*stroy"a*ble (?), a.
Destructible. [R.]
Plants . . . scarcely destroyable by the
weather.
Derham.
De*stroy"er (?), n. [Cf. OF.
destruior.] One who destroys, ruins, kills,
or desolates.
De*struct" (?), v. t. [L.
destructus, p. p. of destruere. See
Destroy.] To destroy.
[Obs.]
Mede.
De*struc`ti*bil"i*ty (?), n.
[Cf. F. destructibilit\'82.] The
quality of being capable of destruction; destructibleness.
De*struc"ti*ble (?), a. [L.
destructibilis.] Liable to destruction;
capable of being destroyed.
De*struc"ti*ble*ness, n. The quality of
being destructible.
De*struc"tion (?), n. [L.
destructio: cf. F. destruction. See
Destroy.]
1. The act of destroying; a tearing down; a
bringing to naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying;
devastation.
The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword,
and slaughter, and destruction.
Esth. ix. 5.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
Shak.
Destruction of venerable establishment.
Hallam.
2. The state of being destroyed, demolished,
ruined, slain, or devastated.
This town came to destruction.
Chaucer.
Thou castedst them down into destruction.
Ps. lxxiii. 18.
2. A destroying agency; a cause of ruin or of
devastation; a destroyer.
The destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Ps. xci. 6.
Syn. -- Demolition; subversion; overthrow; desolation;
extirpation; extinction; devastation; downfall; extermination;
havoc; ruin.
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.
De*struc"tive (?), a. [L.
destructivus: cf. F. destructif.]
Causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or
devastation; ruinous; fatal; productive of serious evil;
mischievous; pernicious; -- often with of or
to; as, intemperance is destructive of
health; evil examples are destructive to the morals of
youth.
Time's destructive power.
Wordsworth.
Destructive distillation. See
Distillation. -- Destructive sorties
(/) (Logic), a process of reasoning
which involves the denial of the first of a series of dependent
propositions as a consequence of the denial of the last; a
species of reductio ad absurdum.
Whately.
Syn. -- Mortal; deadly; poisonous; fatal; ruinous;
malignant; baleful; pernicious; mischievous.
De*struc"tive, n. One who destroys; a
radical reformer; a destructionist.
De*struc"tive*ly, adv. In a destructive
manner.
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.
De*struc"tor (?), n. [L., from
destruere. See Destroy, and cf.
Destroyer.] A destroyer.
[R.]
Fire, the destructive and the artificial death of
things.
Boyle.
De*struie" (?), v. t. To
destroy. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
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.
De*suete" (?), a. [L.
desuetus, p. p. of desuescere to
disuse.] Disused; out of use. [R.]
Des"ue*tude (?), n. [L.
desuetudo, from desuescere, to grow out of
use, disuse; de + suescere to become used
or accustomed: cf. F. d\'82su\'82tude. 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.
De*sul"phu*rate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Desulphurated;
p. pr. & vb. n. Desulphurating.]
To deprive of sulphur.
De*sul`phu*ra"tion (?), n. [Cf.
F. d\'82sulfuration.] The act or process of
depriving of sulphur.
De*sul"phur*ize (?), v. t. To
desulphurate; to deprive of sulphur. --
De*sul`phur*i*za"tion (#),
n.
Des"ul*to*ri*ly (?), adv. In a
desultory manner; without method; loosely; immethodically.
Des"ul*to*ri*ness, n. The quality of
being desultory or without order or method;
unconnectedness.
The seeming desultoriness of my method.
Boyle.
Des`ul*to"ri*ous (?), a.
Desultory. [R.]
Des"ul*to*ry (?), a. [L.
desultorius, fr. desultor a leaper, fr.
desilire, desultum, to leap down;
de + salire to leap. See
Saltation.]
1. Leaping or skipping about.
[Obs.]
I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that
I missed my aim.
Gilbert White.
2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject
to another, without order or rational connection; without logical
sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as,
desultory minds.
Atterbury.
He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading had been
desultory.
Macaulay.
3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not
connected with the subject; as, a desultory
remark.
Syn. -- Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive;
inconstant; unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
De*sume" (?), v. t. [L.
desumere; de + sumere to
take.] To select; to borrow. [Obs.]
Sir. M. Hale.
De`syn*on`y*mi*za"tion (?), n.
The act of desynonymizing.
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.
De*tach" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detached
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Detaching.] [F. d\'82tacher
(cf. It. distaccare, staccare); pref.
d\'82 (L. dis) + the root found also in E.
attach. See Attach, and cf.
Staccato.]
1. To part; to separate or disunite; to disengage;
-- the opposite of attach; as, to detach
the coats of a bulbous root from each other; to detach a
man from a leader or from a party.
2. To separate for a special object or use; -- used
especially in military language; as, to detach a
ship from a fleet, or a company from a regiment.
Syn. -- To separate; disunite; disengage; sever; disjoin;
withdraw;; draw off. See Detail.
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.
De*tach"a*ble (?), a. That can
be detached.
De*tached" (?), a. Separate;
unconnected, or imperfectly connected; as, detached
parcels. \'bdExtensive and detached
empire.\'b8
Burke.
Detached escapement. See
Escapement.
De*tach"ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82tachement.]
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.
De"tail (?; 277), n. [F.
d\'82tail, fr. d\'82tailler to cut in
pieces, tell in detail; pref. d\'82- (L. de
or dis-) + tailler to cut. See
Tailor.]
1. A minute portion; one of the small parts; a
particular; an item; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the
details of a scheme or transaction.
The details of the campaign in Italy.
Motley.
2. A narrative which relates minute points; an
account which dwells on particulars.
3. (Mil.) The selection for a particular
service of a person or a body of men; hence, the person or the
body of men so selected.
Detail drawing, a drawing of the full size, or
on a large scale, of some part of a building, machine, etc.
-- In detail, in subdivisions; part by part; item;
circumstantially; with particularity.
Syn. -- Account; relation; narrative; recital; explanation;
narration.
De"tail (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detailed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Detailing.] [Cf. F.
d\'82tailler to cut up in pieces, tell in detail. See
Detail, n.]
1. To relate in particulars; to particularize; to
report minutely and distinctly; to enumerate; to specify; as,
he detailed all the facts in due order.
2. (Mil.) To tell off or appoint for a
particular service, as an officer, a troop, or a squadron.
Syn. -- Detail, Detach.
Detail respect the act of individualizing the
person or body that is separated; detach, the removing
for the given end or object.
De*tail"er (?), n. One who
details.
De*tain" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detained
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Detaining.] [F. d\'82tenir,
L. detinere, detentum; de +
tenere to hold. See Tenable.]
1. To keep back or from; to withhold.
Detain not the wages of the hireling.
Jer. Taylor.
2. To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to
delay; as, we were detained by an
accident.
Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready
a kid for thee.
Judges xiii. 15.
3. To hold or keep in custody.
Syn. -- To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check;
retard; delay; hinder.
De*tain", n. Detention.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
De*tain"der (?), n. (Law)
A writ. See Detinue.
De*tain"er (?), 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.
De*tain"ment (?), n. [Cf. OF.
detenement.] Detention.
[R.]
Blackstone.
De*tect" (?), a. [L.
detectus, p. p. of detegere to uncover,
detect; de + tegere to cover. See
Tegument.] Detected.
[Obs.]
Fabyan.
De*tect" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detected; p.
pr. & vb. n. Detecting.]
1. To uncover; to discover; to find out; to bring
to light; as, to detect a crime or a criminal; to
detect a mistake in an account.
Plain good intention . . . is as easily discovered at the
first view, as fraud is surely detected at last.
Burke.
Like following life through creatures you dissect,
You lose it in the moment you detect.
Pope.
2. To inform against; to accuse.
[Obs.]
He was untruly judged to have preached such articles as he was
detected of.
Sir T. More.
Syn. -- To discover; find out; lay bare; expose.
{ De*tect"a*ble (?),
De*tect"i*ble (?), } a.
Capable of being detected or found out; as, parties not
detectable. \'bdErrors detectible
at a glance.\'b8
Latham.
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.
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.
De*tect"ive (?), a. Fitted for,
or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting crime or
criminals; as, a detective officer.
De*tect"ive, n. One who business it is
so detect criminals or discover matters of secrecy.
De*tect"or (?), n. [L., a
revealer.] One who, or that which, detects; a
detecter.
Shak.
A deathbed's detector of the heart.
Young.
Bank-note detector, a publication containing a
description of genuine and counterfeit bank notes, designed to
enable persons to discriminate between them. --
Detector l//k. See under
Lock.
De*ten"e*brate (?), v. t. [L.
de + tenebrare to make dark, fr.
tenebrae darkness.] To remove darkness
from. [Obs.]
Ash.
De*tent" (?), n. [F.
d\'82tente, fr. d\'82tendre to unbend,
relax; pref. d\'82- (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.
De*ten"tion (?), n. [L.
detentio: cf. F. d\'82tention. 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.
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.
De*terge" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deterged
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Deterging.] [L. detergere,
detersum; de + tergere to rub or
wipe off: cf. F. d\'82terger.] To cleanse;
to purge away, as foul or offending matter from the body, or from
an ulcer.
De*ter"gen*cy (?), n. A
cleansing quality or power.
De Foe.
De*ter"gent (?), a. [L.
detergens, -entis, p. pr. of
detergere: cf. F. d\'82tergent.]
Cleansing; purging. -- n. A
substance which cleanses the skin, as water or soap; a medicine
to cleanse wounds, ulcers, etc.
De*te"ri*o*rate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Deteriorated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deteriorating
(?).] [L. deterioratus, p.
p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr.
deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de
down, away.] To make worse; to make inferior in
quality or value; to impair; as, to deteriorate the
mind.
Whately.
The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated.
Southey.
<-- p. 401 -->
De*te"ri*o*rate (?), v. i. To
grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.
Under such conditions, the mind rapidly
deteriorates.
Goldsmith.
De*te`ri*o*ra"tion (?), n. [LL.
deterioratio: cf. F.
d\'82t\'82rioration.] The process of
growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
De*te`ri*or"i*ty (?), n. [L.
deterior worse. See Deteriorate.]
Worse state or quality; inferiority. \'bdThe
deteriority of the diet.\'b8 [R.]
Ray.
De*ter"ment (?), n. [From
Deter.] The act of deterring; also, that
which deters.
Boyle.
De*ter`mi*na*bil"i*ty (?), n.
The quality of being determinable; determinableness.
Coleridge.
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.
De*ter"mi*na*ble*ness, n. Capability of
being determined; determinability.
De*ter"mi*na*cy (?), n.
Determinateness. [R.]
De*ter"mi*nant (?), a. [L.
determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F.
d\'82terminant.] Serving to determine or
limit; determinative.
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\'b7, b\'b7,
c\'b7,
a\'b7\'b7, b\'b7\'b7, c\'b7\'b7,
is a b\'b7 c\'b7\'b7 -- a b\'b7\'b7 c\'b7 + a\'b7
b\'b7\'b7 c] -- a\'b7 b c\'b7\'b7 + a\'b7\'b7 b\'b7 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.
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.
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.
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.
De*ter"mi*nate*ness, n. State of being
determinate.
De*ter`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L.
determinatio boundary, end: cf. F.
d\'82termination.]
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 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, intensify, etc.; as, the determination of
the ohm or of the wave length of light; the
determination of the salt in sea water, or the oxygen in
the air.
9. (Logic) (a) The act of
defining a concept or notion by giving its essential
constituents. (b) The addition of a
differentia to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent; --
the opposite of generalization.
10. (Nat. Hist.) The act of determining
the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the
referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to
which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a
friend for the determination of most of these
shells.
Syn. -- Decision; conclusion; judgment; purpose; resolution;
resolve; firmness. See Decision.
De*ter"mi*na*tive (?), a. [Cf.
F. d\'82terminatif.] 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.
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).
De*ter"mi*na`tor (?), n.
[L.] One who determines. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
De*ter"mine (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Determined
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Determining.] [F.
d\'82terminer, 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.
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. \'bdDetermine on some
course.\'b8
Shak.
He shall pay as the judges determine.
Ex. xxi. 22.
De*ter"mined (?), a. Decided;
resolute. \'bdAdetermined foe.\'bd\'b8
Sparks.
De*ter"min*ed*ly (?), adv. In a
determined manner; with determination.
De*ter"min*er (?), n. One who,
or that which, determines or decides.
De*ter"min*ism (?), n.
(Metaph.) The doctrine that the will is not free,
but is inevitably and invincibly determined by motives.
Its superior suitability to produce courage, as contrasted
with scientific physical determinism, is obvious.
F. P. Cobbe.
De*ter"min*ist, n. (Metaph.)
One who believes in determinism. Also adj.;
as, determinist theories.
De`ter*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
de + terra earth: cf. F.
d\'82terrer to unearth.] The uncovering of
anything buried or covered with earth; a taking out of the earth
or ground.
Woodward.
De*ter"rence (?), n. That which
deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]
De*ter"rent (?), a. [L.
deterrens, p. pr. of deterrere. See
Deter.] Serving to deter. \'bdThe
deterrent principle.\'b8
E. Davis.
De*ter"rent, n. That which deters or
prevents.
De*ter"sion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82tersion. See Deterge.] The
act of deterging or cleansing, as a sore.
De*ter"sive (?), a. [Cf.
d\'82tersif.] Cleansing; detergent.
-- n. A cleansing agent; a
detergent.
De*ter"sive*ly, adv. In a way to
cleanse.
De*ter"sive*ness, n. The quality of
cleansing.
De*test" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detested; p.
pr. & vb. n. Detesting.] [L.
detestare, detestatum, and
detestari, to curse while calling a deity to witness,
to execrate, detest; de + testari to be a
witness, testify, testis a witness: cf. F.
d\'82tester. See Testify.]
1. To witness against; to denounce; to
condemn. [Obs.]
The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the
Eastern churches.
Fuller.
God hath detested them with his own mouth.
Bale.
2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to
loathe; as, we detest what is contemptible or
evil.
Who dares think one thing, and another tell,
My heart detests him as the gates of hell.
Pope.
Syn. -- To abhor; abominate; execrate. See
Hate.
De*test`a*bil"i*ty (?), n.
Capacity of being odious. [R.]
Carlyle.
De*test"a*ble (?), a. [L.
detestabilis: cf. F. d\'82testable.]
Worthy of being detested; abominable; extremely hateful;
very odious; deserving abhorrence; as, detestable
vices.
Thou hast defiled my sanctuary will all thy
detestable things, and with all thine
abominations.
Ezek. v. 11.
Syn. -- Abominable; odious; execrable; abhorred.
De*test"a*ble*ness, n. The quality or
state of being detestable.
De*test"a*bly, adv. In a detestable
manner.
De*test"tate (?), v. t. To
detest. [Obs.]
Udall.
Det`es*ta"tion (?; 277), n. [L.
detestatio: cf. F. d\'82testation.]
The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence;
loathing.
We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil
war.
Burke.
De*test"er (?), n. One who
detes//
De*throne" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Dethroned
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dethroning.] [Pref. de- +
throne: cf. F. d\'82tr\'93ner; pref.
d\'82- (L. dis-) + tr\'93ne
throne. See Throne.] To remove or drive from
a throne; to depose; to divest of supreme authority and
dignity. \'bdThe Protector was dethroned.\'b8
Hume.
De*throne"ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82tr\'93nement.] Deposal from a throne;
deposition from regal power.
De*thron"er (?), n. One who
dethrones.
De*thron`i*za"tion (?), n.
Dethronement. [Obs.]
Speed.
De*thron"ize (?), v. t. [Cf.
LL. dethronizare.] To dethrone or
unthrone. [Obs.]
Cotgrave.
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.
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.
Det"o*nate, v. t. To cause to explode;
to cause to burn or inflame with a sudden report.
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.
Det`o*na"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82tonation.] An explosion or sudden
report made by the instantaneous decomposition or combustion of
unstable substances' as, the detonation of gun
cotton.
Det`o*na`tor (?), n. One who,
or that which, detonates.
Det`o*ni*za"tion (?), n. The
act of detonizing; detonation.
Det"o*nize (?), 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.
De*tor"sion (?), n. Same as
Detortion.
De*tort" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detorted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Detorting.] [L.
detortus, p. p. of detorquere to turn away;
de + torquere to turn about, twist: cf. F.
d\'82torquer, d\'82tordre.] To
turn form the original or plain meaning; to pervert; to
wrest.
Hammond.
De*tor"tion (?), n. The act of
detorting, or the state of being detorted; a twisting or
warping.
De`tour" (?), n. [F.
d\'82tour, fr. d\'82tourner to turn aside;
pref. d\'82- (L. dis-) + tourner
to turn. See Turn.] A turning; a circuitous
route; a deviation from a direct course; as, the
detours of the Mississippi.
De*tract" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detracted; p.
pr. & vb. n. Detracting.] [L.
detractus, p. p. of detrahere to detract;
de + trahere to draw: cf. F.
d\'82tracter. See Trace.]
1. To take away; to withdraw.
Detract much from the view of the without.
Sir H. Wotton.
2. To take credit or reputation from; to
defame.
That calumnious critic . . .
Detracting what laboriously we do.
Drayton.
Syn. -- To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse;
vilify; defame; traduce. See Decry.
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.
De*tract"er (?), n. One who
detracts; a detractor.
Other detracters and malicious writers.
Sir T. North.
De*tract"ing*ly, adv. In a detracting
manner.
De*trac"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82traction, L. detractio.]
1. A taking away or withdrawing.
[Obs.]
The detraction of the eggs of the said wild
fowl.
Bacon.
2. The act of taking away from the reputation or
good name of another; a lessening or cheapening in the estimation
of others; the act of depreciating another, from envy or malice;
calumny.
Syn. -- Depreciation; disparagement; derogation; slander;
calumny; aspersion; censure.
De*trac"tious (?), a.
Containing detraction; detractory. [R.]
Johnson.
De*tract"ive (?), a.
1. Tending to detractor draw.
[R.]
2. Tending to lower in estimation;
depreciative.
De*tract"ive*ness, n. The quality of
being detractive.
De*trac"or (?), n. [L.: cf. F.
d\'82tracteur.] One who detracts; a
derogator; a defamer.
His detractors were noisy and scurrilous.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Slanderer; calumniator; defamer; vilifier.
De*tract"o*ry (?), a.
Defamatory by denial of desert; derogatory;
calumnious.
Sir T. Browne.
De*tract"ress, n. A female
detractor.
Addison.
De*train" (?), v. i. & t. To
alight, or to cause to alight, from a railway train.
[Eng.]
London Graphic.
De*trect" (?), v. t. [L.
detrectare; de + tractare,
intens. of trahere to draw.] To refuse; to
decline. [Obs.] \'bdTo detrect the
battle.\'b8
Holinshed.
<-- p. 402 -->
Det"ri*ment (?), n. [L.
detrimentum, fr. deterere,
detritum, to rub or wear away; de +
terere to rub: cf. F. d\'82triment. See
Trite.]
1. That which injures or causes damage; mischief;
harm; diminution; loss; damage; -- used very generically; as,
detriments to property, religion, morals,
etc.
I can repair
That detriment, if such it be.
Milton.
2. A charge made to students and barristers for
incidental repairs of the rooms they occupy.
[Eng.]
Syn. -- Injury; loss; damage; disadvantage; prejudice; hurt;
mischief; harm.
Det"ri*ment (?), v. t. To do
injury to; to hurt. [Archaic]
Other might be determined thereby.
Fuller.
Det`ri*men"tal (?), a. Causing
detriment; injurious; hurtful.
Neither dangerous nor detrimental to the donor.
Addison.
Syn. -- Injurious; hurtful; prejudicial; disadvantageous;
mischievous; pernicious.
Det`ri*men"tal*ness, n. The quality of
being detrimental; injuriousness.
De*tri"tal (?), a.
(Geol.) Pertaining to, or composed of,
detritus.
De*trite" (?), a. [L.
detritus, p. p.] Worn out.
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).
De*tri"tus (?), n. [F.
d\'82tritus, 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.
d\'82bris 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.
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.
De*tun"cate (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Detruncated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Detruncating.] [L.
detruncatus, p. p. of detruncare to cut
off; de + truncare to maim, shorten, cut
off. See Truncate.] To shorten by cutting; to
cut off; to lop off.
De`trun*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
detruncatio: cf. F. d\'82troncation.]
The act of lopping or cutting off, as the head from the
body.
De*tru"sion (?), n. [L.
detrusio. See Detrude.] The act of
thrusting or driving down or outward; outward thrust. --
De*tru"sive, a.
Dette (?), n. Debt.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dette"les (?), a. Free from
debt. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
De`tu*mes"cence (?), n. [L.
detumescere to cease swelling; de +
tumescere, tumere, to swell.]
Diminution of swelling; subsidence of anything
swollen. [R.]
Cudworth.
\'d8De"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.]
De*turb" (?), v. t. [L.
deturbare.] To throw down.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
De*tur"bate (?), v. t. [LL.
deturbatus, p. p. of deturbare, fr. L.
deturbare to thrust down.] To evict; to
remove. [Obs.]
Foxe.
Det`ur*ba"tion (?), n. The act
of deturbating. [Obs.]
De*turn" (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + turn. Cf. Detour.]
To turn away. [Obs.]
Sir K. Digby.
De*tur"pate (?), v. t. [L.
deturpare; de + turpare to make
ugly, defile, turpis ugly, foul.] To
defile; to disfigure. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Det`ur*pa"tion (?), n. A making
foul. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Deuce (?), 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 when/ver each side has won three strokes in the same
game (also reckoned \'bd40 all\'b8), and reverted to as often as
a tie is made until one of the sides secures two successive
strokes following a tie or deuce, which decides the
game.
Deuce, n. [Cf. LL. dusius,
Armor, dus, te\'96z, 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]
Deu"ced (?), a. Devilish;
excessive; extreme. [Low] --
Deu"ced*ly, adv.
Deuse (?), n.; Deu"sed
(/), a. See Deuce,
Deuced.
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.
Deu`ter*og"a*mist (?), n. [See
Deuterogamy.] One who marries the second
time.
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.
Deu`ter*o*gen"ic (?), a. [Gr.
/ second + root of / to be born.] (Geol.)
Of secondary origin; -- said of certain rocks whose material
has been derived from older rocks.
Deu`ter*on"o*mist (?), n. The
writer of 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.
{ \'d8Deu`ter*o*pa*thi"a (?),
Deu`ter*op"a*thy (?), } n.
[NL. deuteropathia, fr. Gr. / second + /
suffering, fr. /, /, to suffer: cf. F.
deut\'82ropathie.] (Med.) A
sympathetic affection of any part of the body, as headache from
an overloaded stomach.
Deu`ter*o*path"ic (?), a.
Pertaining to deuteropathy; of the nature of
deuteropathy.
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.
Deu`ter*o*zo"oid (?), n. [Gr.
/ second + E. zooid.] (Zo\'94l.)
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.
Deut`hy*drog"u*ret (?), n.
(Chem.) Same as Deutohydroguret.
Deu"to- (?) Deut-
(d\'d4t-) [Contr. from Gr. / second.]
(Chem.) A prefix which formerly properly
indicated the second in a regular series of compound
in the series, and not to its composition, but which is now
generally employed in the same sense as bi- or
di-, although little used.
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.]
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.
Deu`to*plas"tic (?), a. [Pref.
deuto- + Gr. / plastic.] (Biol.)
Pertaining to, or composed of, deutoplasm.
Deu`to*sul"phu*ret (?), n.
[Pref. deuto- + sulphuret.]
(Chem.) A disulphide. [Obs.]
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.
\'d8Deut"zi*a (?), n. [NL.
Named after Jan Deutz of Holland.]
(Bot.) A genus of shrubs with pretty white
flowers, much cultivated.
\'d8Dev (?), \'d8De"va
(/), n. [Skr. d/va. Cf.
Deity.] (Hind. Myth.) A god; a
deity; a divine being; an idol; a king.
\'d8De`va*na"ga*ri (?), n.
[Skr. d/van\'begar\'c6; d/va god +
nagara city, i. e., divine
city.] The character in which Sanskrit is
written.
De*vap`o*ra"tion (?), n. The
change of vapor into water, as in the formation of rain.
De*vast" (?), v. t. [Cf. F.
d\'82vaster. See Devastate.] To
devastate. [Obs.]
Bolingbroke.
Dev"as*tate (?; 277), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Devastated; p.
pr. & vb. n. Devastating.] [L.
devastatus, p. p. of devastare to
devastate; de + vastare to lay waste,
vastus waste. See Vast.] To lay
waste; to ravage; to desolate.
Whole countries . . . were devastated.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- To waste; ravage; desolate; destroy; demolish;
plunder; pillage.
Dev`as*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82vastation.]
1. The act of devastating, or the state of being
devastated; a laying waste.
Even now the devastation is begun,
And half the business of destruction done.
Goldsmith.
2. (Law) Waste of the goods of the
deceased by an executor or administrator.
Blackstone.
Syn. -- Desolation; ravage; waste; havoc; destruction; ruin;
overthrow.
Dev"as*ta`tor (?), n.
[L.] One who, or that which, devastates.
Emerson.
\'d8Dev`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.
\'d8De"va*ta (?), n. [Hind.,
fr. Skr. d/va god.] (Hind. Myth.)
A deity; a divine being; a good spirit; an idol.
[Written also dewata.]
Deve (?), a. [See
Deaf.] Deaf. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dev"el*in (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) The European swift. [Prov.
Eng.]
De*vel"op (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Developed
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Developing.] [F.
d\'82veloper; d\'82- (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 place
(Geom.), to produce on the plane an equivalent
surface, as if by rolling the curved surface so that all parts
shall successively touch the plane.
Syn. -- To uncover; unfold; evolve; promote; project; lay
open; disclose; exhibit; unravel; disentangle.
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.
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.
De*vel"op*er (?), n.
1. One who, or that which, develops.
2. (Photog.) A reagent by the action of
which the latent image upon a photographic plate, after exposure
in the camera, or otherwise, is developed and visible.
De*vel"op*ment (?), n. [Cf. F.
d\'82veloppement.] [Written also
developement.]
1. The act of developing or disclosing that which
is unknown; a gradual unfolding process by which anything is
developed, as a plan or method, or an image upon a photographic
plate; gradual advancement or growth through a series of
progressive changes; also, the result of developing, or a
developed state.
A new development of imagination, taste, and
poetry.
Channing.
2. (Biol.) The series of changes which
animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the
embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of
organization.
3. (Math.) (a) The act or
process of changing or expanding an expression into another of
equivalent value or meaning. (b) The
equivalent expression into which another has been
developed.
4. (mus.) The elaboration of a theme or
subject; the unfolding of a musical idea; the evolution of a
whole piece or movement from a leading theme or motive.
Development theory (Biol.), the
doctrine that animals and plants possess the power of passing by
slow and successive stages from a lower to a higher state of
organization, and that all the higher forms of life now in
existence were thus developed by uniform laws from lower forms,
and are not the result of special creative acts. See the Note
under Darwinian.
Syn. -- Unfolding; disclosure; unraveling; evolution;
elaboration; growth.
De*vel`op*men"tal (?), a.
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, the process of
development; as, the developmental power of a
germ.
Carpenter.
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.]
{ De*ver"gence (?), De*ver"gen*cy
(?), } n. See
Divergence. [Obs.]
De*vest" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Devested; p.
pr. & vb. n. Devesting.] [L.
devestire to undress; de +
vestire to dress: cf. OF. devestir, F.
d\'82v\'88tir. Cf. Divest.]
1. To divest; to undress.
Shak.
2. To take away, as an authority, title, etc., to
deprive; to alienate, as an estate.
divest, except in the legal sense.
De*vest", v. i. (Law) To be
taken away, lost, or alienated, as a title or an estate.
De*vex" (?), a. [L.
devexus, from devehere to carry
down.] Bending down; sloping.
[Obs.]
De*vex", n. Devexity.
[Obs.]
May (Lucan).
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.)
\'d8De"vi (?), n.;
fem. of Deva. A goddess.
De"vi*ant (?), a.
Deviating. [Obs.]
De"vi*ate (?), v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Deviated
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deviating
(?).] [L. deviare to
deviate; de + viare to go, travel,
via way. See Viaduct.] To go out
of the way; to turn aside from a course or a method; to stray or
go astray; to err; to digress; to diverge; to vary.
Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take,
May boldly deviate from the common track.
Pope.
Syn. -- To swerve; stray; wander; digress; depart; deflect;
err.
De"vi*ate, v. t. To cause to
deviate. [R.]
To deviate a needle.
J. D. Forbes.
De`vi*a"tion (?), n. [LL.
deviatio: cf. F. d\'82viation.]
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.
<-- p. 403 -->
2. (Com.) The voluntary and unnecessary
departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual
course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the
underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation of a falling body (Physics),
that deviation from a strictly vertical line of descent which
occurs in a body falling freely, in consequence of the rotation
of the earth. -- Deviation of the compass,
the angle which the needle of a ship's compass makes with the
magnetic meridian by reason of the magnetism of the iron parts of
the ship. -- Deviation of the line of the
vertical, the difference between the actual direction
of a plumb line and the direction it would have if the earth were
a perfect ellipsoid and homogeneous, -- caused by the attraction
of a mountain, or irregularities in the earth's
density.
De"vi*a`tor (?), n. [L., a
forsaker.] One who, or that which, deviates.
De"vi*a*to*ry (?), a. Tending
to deviate; devious; as, deviatory
motion. [R.]
Tully.
De*vice" (?), n. [OE.
devis, devise, will, intention, opinion,
invention, fr. F. devis architect's plan and estimates
(in OF., division, plan, wish), devise device (in
sense 3), in OF. also, division, wish, last will, fr.
deviser. See Devise, v. t., and
cf. Devise, n.]
1. That which is devised, or formed by design; a
contrivance; an invention; a project; a scheme; often, a scheme
to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice.
His device in against Babylon, to destroy it.
Jer. li. 11.
Their recent device of demanding benevolences.
Hallam.
He disappointeth the devices of the crafty.
Job v. 12.
2. Power of devising; invention; contrivance.
I must have instruments of my own device.
Landor.
3. (a) An emblematic design, generally
consisting of one or more figures with a motto, used apart from
heraldic bearings to denote the historical situation, the
ambition, or the desire of the person adopting it. See
Cognizance. (b) Improperly, an
heraldic bearing.
Knights-errant used to distinguish themselves by
devices on their shields.
Addison.
A banner with this strange device -
Excelsior.
Longfellow.
4. Anything fancifully conceived.
Shak.
5. A spectacle or show. [Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
6. Opinion; decision. [Obs.]
Rom. of R.
Syn. -- Contrivance; invention; design; scheme; project;
stratagem; shift. -- Device,
Contrivance. Device implies more of inventive
power, and contrivance more of skill and dexterity in
execution. A device usually has reference to something
worked out for exhibition or show; a contrivance
usually respects the arrangement or disposition of things with
reference to securing some end. Devices were worn by
knights-errant on their shields; contrivances are
generally used to promote the practical convenience of life. The
word device is often used in a bad sense; as, a
crafty device; contrivance is almost
always used in a good sense; as, a useful
contrivance.
De*vice"ful (?), a. Full of
devices; inventive. [R.]
A carpet, rich, and of deviceful thread.
Chapman.
De*vice"ful*ly, adv. In a deviceful
manner. [R.]
Dev"il (?), n. [AS.
de\'a2fol, de\'a2ful; akin to G.
/eufel, Goth. diaba\'a3lus; 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. \'bdThat devil Glendower.\'b8 \'bdThe
devil drunkenness.\'b8
Shak.
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil?
John vi. 70.
4. An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis,
or, ironically, of negation. [Low]
The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a
timepleaser.
Shak.
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there.
Pope.
5. (Cookery) A dish, as a bone with the
meat, broiled and excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne
pepper.
Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting oysters, and
preparing devils on the gridiron.
Sir W. Scott.
6. (Manuf.) A machine for tearing or
cutting rags, cotton, etc.
Blue devils. See under Blue. --
Cartesian devil. See under
Cartesian. -- Devil bird
(Zo\'94l.), one of two or more South African
drongo shrikes (Edolius retifer, and E.
remifer), believed by the natives to be connected with
sorcery. -- Devil may care, reckless, defiant
of authority; -- used adjectively. Longfellow. --
Devil's apron (Bot.), the large kelp
(Laminaria saccharina, and L. longicruris)
of the Atlantic ocean, having a blackish, leathery expansion,
shaped somewhat like an apron. -- Devil's
coachhorse. (Zo\'94l.) (a) The
black rove beetle (Ocypus olens).
[Eng.] (b) A large, predacious,
hemipterous insect (Prionotus cristatus); the wheel
bug. [U.S.] -- Devil's
darning-needle. (Zo\'94l.) See under
Darn, v. t. -- Devil's
fingers, Devil's hand
(Zo\'94l.), the common British starfish
(Asterias rubens); -- also applied to a sponge with
stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.] --
Devil's riding-horse (Zo\'94l.), the
American mantis (Mantis Carolina). -- The
Devil's tattoo, a drumming with the fingers or feet.
\'bdJack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his
boot heels.\'b8 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. \'bdWithout fearing the printer's
devil or the sheriff's officer.\'b8 Macaulay.
-- Tasmanian devil (Zo\'94l.), a very
savage carnivorous marsupial of Tasmania (Dasyurus, ). -- To play devil with,
to molest extremely; to ruin. [Low]
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.
<-- 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. -->
Dev"il-div`er (?), Dev"il bird`
(/), n.. (Zo\'94l.) A
small water bird. See Dabchick.
Dev"il*ess (?), n. A
she-devil. [R.]
Sterne.
Dev"il*et (?), n. A little
devil. [R.]
Barham.
Dev"il*fish` (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) (a) A huge ray (Manta
birostris 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.
Dev"il*ing, n. A young devil.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Dev"il*ish, a.
1. Resembling, characteristic of, or pertaining to,
the devil; diabolical; wicked in the extreme.
\'bdDevilish wickedness.\'b8
Sir P. Sidney.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish.
James iii. 15.
2. Extreme; excessive. [Colloq.]
Dryden.
Syn. -- Diabolical; infernal; hellish; satanic; wicked;
malicious; detestable; destructive.
-- Dev"il*ish*ly, adv. --
Dev"il*ish*ness, n.
Dev"il*ism (?), n. The state of
the devil or of devils; doctrine of the devil or of devils.
Bp. Hall.
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.
Dev"il*kin (?), n. A little
devil; a devilet.
Dev"il*ment (?), n.
Deviltry.
Bp. Warburton.
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.
Dev"il's darn"ing-nee`dle. (Zo\'94l.) A
dragon fly. See Darning needle, under Darn,
v. t.
Dev"il*ship, n. The character or person
of a devil or the devil.
Cowley.
Dev"il*try (?), n.; pl.
Deviltries (/). Diabolical
conduct; malignant mischief; devilry.
C. Reade.
Dev"il*wood` (?), n.
(Bot.) A kind of tree (Osmanthus
Americanus), allied to the European olive.
De"vi*ous (?), a. [L.
devius; de + via way. See
Viaduct.]
1. Out of a straight line; winding; varying from
directness; as, a devious path or way.
2. Going out of the right or common course; going
astray; erring; wandering; as, a devious
step.
Syn. -- Wandering; roving; rambling; vagrant.
-- De"vi*ous*ly, adv. --
De"vi*ous*ness, n.
De*vir"gin*ate (?), a. [L.
devirginatus, p. p. of devirginare.]
Deprived of virginity. [R.]
De*vir"gin*ate (?), v. t. To
deprive of virginity; to deflour. [R.]
Sandys.
De*vir`gi*na"tion (?), n. [L.
devirginatio.] A deflouring.
[R.]
Feltham.
De*vis"a*ble (?), a. [From
Devise.]
1. Capable of being devised, invented, or
contrived.
2. Capable of being bequeathed, or given by
will.
De*vis"al (?), n. A
devising.
Whitney.
De*vise" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Devised
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Devising.] [OF. deviser to
distribute, regulate, direct, relate, F., to chat, fr. L.
divisus divided, distributed, p. p. of
dividere. See Divide, and cf.
Device.]
1. To form in the mind by new combinations of
ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of
parts; to formulate by thought; to contrive; to excogitate; to
invent; to plan; to scheme; as, to devise an engine,
a new mode of writing, a plan of defense, or an
argument.
To devise curious works.
Ex. CCTV. 32.
Devising schemes to realize his ambitious
views.
Bancroft.
2. To plan or scheme for; to purpose to
obtain.
For wisdom is most riches; fools therefore
They are which fortunes do by vows devise.
Spenser.
3. To say; to relate; to describe.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
4. To imagine; to guess. [Obs.]
Spenser.
5. (Law) To give by will; -- used of
real estate; formerly, also, of chattels.
Syn. -- To bequeath; invent; discover; contrive; excogitate;
imagine; plan; scheme. See Bequeath.
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.
Devise was formerly followed by
of; as, let us devise of ease.
Spenser.
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.
De*vise" (?), n. Device. See
Device. [Obs.]
Dev`i*see" (?), n. (Law)
One to whom a devise is made, or real estate given by
will.
De*vis"er (?), n. One who
devises.
De*vis"or (?), n. (Law)
One who devises, or gives real estate by will; a testator;
-- correlative to devisee.
Dev"i*ta*ble (?), a. [L.
devitare to avoid; de + vitare
to shun, avoid.] Avoidable. [Obs.]
De*vi"tal*ize (?), v. t. To
deprive of life or vitality. --
De*vi`tal*i*za"tion (#),
n.
Dev`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L.
devitatio.] An avoiding or escaping; also,
a warning. [Obs.]
Bailey.
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.
De*vit"ri*fy (?), v. t. To
deprive of glasslike character; to take away vitreous luster and
transparency from.
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.
Dev`o*ca"tion (?), n. [L.
devocare to call off or away; de +
vocare to call.] A calling off or
away. [R.]
Hallywell.
De*void" (?), v. t. [OE.
devoiden to leave, OF. desvuidier,
desvoidier, to empty out. See Void.]
To empty out; to remove.
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.
\'d8De*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. \'bdDo now your devoid,
young knights!\'b8
Chaucer.
Dev"o*lute (?), v. t. [L.
devolutus, p. p. of devolvere. See
Devolve.] To devolve.
[Obs.]
Foxe.
Dev`o*lu"tion (?), n. [LL.
devolutio: cf. F. d\'82volution.]
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.
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.
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.
De*volve"ment (?), n. The act
or process of devolving;; devolution.
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.
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.
De*vo"ni*an, n. The Devonian age or
formation.
Dev`o*ra"tion (?), n. [L.
devoratio. See Devour.] The act of
devouring. [Obs.]
Holinshed.
De*vo"ta*ry (?), n. [See
Devote, Votary.] A votary.
[Obs.]
J. Gregory.
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.
<-- p. 404 -->
Thy servant who is devoted to thy fear.
Ps. cxix. 38.
They devoted themselves unto all wickedness.
Grew.
A leafless and simple branch . . . devoted to the
purpose of climbing.
Gray.
Syn. -- To addict; apply; dedicate; consecrate; resign;
destine; doom; consign. See Addict.
De*vote" (?), a. [L.
devotus, p. p.] Devoted; addicted;
devout. [Obs.]
Milton.
De*vote", n. A devotee.
[Obs.]
Sir E. Sandys.
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.
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.
De*vote"ment (?), n. The state
of being devoted, or set apart by a vow. [R.]
Bp. Hurd.
De*vot"er (?), n. One who
devotes; a worshiper.
De*vo"tion (?), n. [F.
d\'82votion, 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. \'bdThe love
of public devotion.\'b8
Hooker.
4. Disposal; power of disposal.
[Obs.]
They are entirely at our devotion, and may be
turned backward and forward, as we please.
Godwin.
5. A thing consecrated; an object of
devotion. [R.]
Churches and altars, priests and all devotions,
Tumbled together into rude chaos.
Beau. & Fl.
Days of devotion. See under
Day.
Syn. -- Consecration; devoutness; religiousness; piety;
attachment; devotedness; ardor; earnestness.
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.
{ De*vo"tion*al*ist, De*vo"tion*ist,
} n. One given to devotion, esp. to
excessive formal devotion.
De*vo`tion*al"i*ty (?), n. The
practice of a devotionalist.
A. H. Clough.
De*vo"tion*al*ly (?), adv. In a
devotional manner; toward devotion.
\'d8De*vo"to (?), n.
[It.] A devotee.
Dr. J. Scott.
De*vo"tor (?), n. [L.]
A worshiper; one given to devotion.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
De*vour" (?), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Devoured
(?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Devouring.] [F. d\'82vorer,
fr. L. devorare; de + vorare to
eat greedily, swallow up. See Voracious.]
1. To eat up with greediness; to consume
ravenously; to feast upon like a wild beast or a glutton; to prey
upon.
Some evil beast hath devoured him.
Gen. xxxvii. 20.
2. To seize upon and destroy or appropriate
greedily, selfishly, or wantonly; to consume; to swallow up; to
use up; to waste; to annihilate.
Famine and pestilence shall devour him.
Ezek. vii. 15.
I waste my life and do my days devour.
Spenser.
3. To enjoy with avidity; to appropriate or take in
eagerly by the senses.
Longing they look, and gaping at the sight,
Devour her o'er with vast delight.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To consume; waste; destroy; annihilate.
De*vour"a*ble (?), a. That may
be devoured.
De*vour"er (?), n. One who, or
that which, devours.
De*vour"ing*ly, adv. In a devouring
manner.
De*vout" (?), a. [OE.
devot, devout, F. d\'82vot, from
L. devotus devoted, p. p. of devovere. See
Devote, v. t.]
1. Devoted to religion or to religious feelings and
duties; absorbed in religious exercises; given to devotion;
pious; reverent; religious.
A devout man, and one that feared God.
Acts x. 2.
We must be constant and devout in the worship of
God.
Rogers.
2. Expressing devotion or piety; as, eyes
devout; sighs devout; a devout
posture.
Milton.
3. Warmly devoted; hearty; sincere; earnest;
as, devout wishes for one's welfare.
The devout, devoutly religious persons, those
who are sincerely pious.
Syn. -- Holy; pure; religious; prayerful; pious; earnest;
reverent; solemn; sincere.
De*vout", n.
1. A devotee. [Obs.]
Sheldon.
2. A devotional composition, or part of a
composition; devotion. [Obs.]
Milton.
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.
De*vout"less, a. Destitute of
devotion. -- De*vout"less*ly,
adv. -- De*vout"less*ness,
n.
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.
De*vout"ness, n. Quality or state of
being devout.
De*vove" (?), v. t. [See
Devote, v. t.] To devote.
[Obs.]
Cowley.
De*vow" (?), v. t. [F.
d\'82vouer, 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.
De*vul"gar*ize (?), v. t. To
free from what is vulgar, common, or narrow.
Shakespeare and Plutarch's \'bdLives\'b8 are very
devulgarizing books.
E. A. Abbott.
Dew (?), n. [AS.
de\'a0w; akin to D. dauw, G.
thau, tau, Icel. d\'94gg, Sw.
dagg, Dan. dug; cf. Skr. dhav,
dh\'bev, to flow. ///. Cf. Dag
dew.]
1. Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool
bodies upon their surfaces, particularly at night.
Her tears fell with the dews at even.
Tennyson.
2. Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and
in a refreshing manner. \'bdThe golden dew of
sleep.\'b8
Shak.
3. An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor.
\'bdThe dew of his youth.\'b8
Longfellow.
Dew is used in combination; as,
dew-bespangled, dew-drenched,
dewdrop, etc.
Dew, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Dewing.] To wet with dew or as with
dew; to bedew; to moisten; as with dew.
The grasses grew
A little ranker since they dewed them so.
A. B. Saxton.
Dew, a. & n. Same as Due, or
Duty. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Dew"ber`ry (?), n. (Bot.)
(a) The fruit of certain species of bramble
(Rubus); in England, the fruit of R.
c\'91sius, which has a glaucous bloom; in America, that of
R. canadensis and R. hispidus, species of
low blackberries. (b) The plant which bears
the fruit.
Feed him with apricots and dewberries.
Shak.
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.
Dew"drop` (?), n. A drop of
dew.
Shak.
Dew"fall` (?), n. The falling
of dew; the time when dew begins to fall.
Dew"i*ness (?), n. State of
being dewy.
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.
Dew"lapped` (?), a. Furnished
with a dewlap.
Dew"less, a. Having no dew.
Tennyson.
Dew"-point` (?), n.
(Meteor.) The temperature at which dew begins to
form. It varies with the humidity and temperature of the
atmosphere.
Dew"ret` (?), v. t.
[Dew + ret, v. t.] To ret
or rot by the process called 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.
Dew"rot` (?), v. t. To rot, as
flax or hemp, by exposure to rain, dew, and sun. See
Dewretting.
Dew"worm` (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) See Earthworm.
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.
Dex"ter (?), a. [L.,; akin to
Gr. /, /, Skr. dakshi/a (cf. daksh to
be strong, suit); Goth. taihswa, OHG. zeso.
Cf. Dexterous.]
1. Pertaining to, or situated on, the right hand;
right, as opposed to sinister, or
left.
On sounding wings a dexter eagle flew.
Pope.
2. (Her.) On the right-hand side of a
shield, i. e., towards the right hand of
its wearer. To a spectator in front, as in a pictorial
representation, this would be the left side.
Dexter chief, 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.
Dex*ter"i*cal (?), a.
Dexterous. [Obs.]
Dex*ter"i*ty (?), n. [L.
dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F.
dext\'82rit\'82. See Dexter.]
1. Right-handedness.
2. Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill
and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as,
dexterity with the chisel.
In youth quick bearing and dexterity.
Shak.
3. Readiness in the use or control of the mental
powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or
difficult affair; adroitness.
His wisdom . . . was turned . . . into a dexterity
to deliver himself.
Bacon.
He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and
dexterity.
Hallam.
Syn. -- Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill;
cleverness; art; ability; address; tact; facility; aptness;
aptitude; faculty. See Skill.
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.
\'bdDexterous sleights of hand.\'b8
Trench.
Syn. -- Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able;
ready; apt; handy; versed.
Dex"ter*ous*ly (?), adv. In a
dexterous manner; skillfully.
Dex"ter*ous*ness, n. The quality of
being dexterous; dexterity.
Dex"trad (?), adv. [L.
dextra the right hand + ad to.]
(Anat.) Toward the right side; dextrally.
Dex"tral (?), a. [From
Dexter.] Right, as opposed to
sinistral, or left.
Dextral shell (Zo\'94l.), 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.
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.
Dex"tral*ly (?)(/), adv.
Towards the right; as, the hands of a watch rotate
dextrally.
Dex*trer" (?), n. A war horse;
a destrer. [Obs.] \'bdBy him baiteth his
dextrer.\'b8
Chaucer.
Dex"trin (?), n. [Cf. F.
dextrine, G. dextrin. See
Dexter.] (Chem.) A translucent,
gummy, amorphous substance, nearly tasteless and odorless, used
as a substitute for gum, for sizing, etc., and obtained from
starch by the action of heat, acids, or diastase. It is of
somewhat variable composition, containing several carbohydrates
which change easily to their respective varieties of sugar. It is
so named from its rotating the plane of polarization to the
right; -- called also British gum,
Alsace gum, gommelin,
leiocome, etc. See Achro\'94dextrin,
and Erythrodextrin.
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.
Dex*trog"er*ous (?), a.
(Physics & Chem.) See
Dextrogyrate.
Dex`tro*glu"cose` (?), n.
[Dextro- + glucose.]
(Chem.) Same as Dextrose.
Dex`tro*gy"rate (?), a.
[Dextro- + gyrate.] (Chem.
& Opt.) Same as Dextrorotatory.
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.
Dex`tro*ro"ta*ry (?), a.
(Physics & Chem.) See
Dextrotatory.
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.
{ 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.]
Turning from the left to the right, in the ascending line,
as in the spiral inclination of the stem of the common
morning-gl\'a2ry.
Dex"trose` (?), n. [See
Dexter.] (Chem.) A sirupy, or
white crystalline, variety of sugar, C6H12O6 (so
called from turning the plane of polarization to the right),
occurring in many ripe fruits. Dextrose and levulose are obtained
by the inversion of cane sugar or sucrose, and hence called
invert sugar. Dextrose is chiefly obtained by the
action of heat and acids on starch, and hence called also
starch sugar. It is also formed from starchy
food by the action of the amylolytic ferments of saliva and
pancreatic juice.<-- called also glucose. -->
grape sugar; the sirupy products as
glucose, or mixing sirup. These are
harmless, but are only about half as sweet as cane or
sucrose.
Dex"trous (?), a.,
Dex"trous*ly, adv., Dex"trous*ness,
n. Same as Dexterous,
Dexterously, etc.
Dey (?), n. [See
Dairy.] A servant who has charge of the
dairy; a dairymaid. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Dey (?), n.; pl.
Deys (#). [Turk.
d\'bei, orig., a maternal uncle, then a friendly title
formerly given to middle-aged or old people, especially among the
Janizaries; and hence, in Algiers, consecrated at length to the
commanding officer of that corps, who frequently became afterward
pasha or regent of that province; hence the European misnomer of
dey, as applied to the latter: cf. F.
dey.] The governor of Algiers; -- so called
before the French conquest in 1830.
Deye (?), v. i. To die.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
{ Deyn"te, Deyn"tee (?) },
n. & a. See Dainty.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
De*zinc`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n.
The act or process of freeing from zinc; also, the condition
resulting from the removal of zinc.
De*zinc"i*fy (?), v. t. [Pref.
de- + zinc + -fy.] To deprive
of, or free from, zinc.
\'d8Dhole (?), n.
(Zo\'94l.) 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.
\'d8Dho"ny (?), n. A Ceylonese
boat. See Doni.
<-- p. 405 -->
\'d8Dhoor"ra, \'d8Dhour"ra, Dhur"ra (/), n. Indian
millet. See Durra.
\'d8Dhow (?), n. [Ar.
d\'beo?] A coasting vessel of Arabia, East
Africa, and the Indian Ocean. It has generally but one mast and a
lateen sail. [Also written dow.]
Di- (?). [Gr. / 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.
{ Di"a- (?), Di- }.
[Gr. / 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.
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.
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.
Di`a*be"tes (?), n. [NL., from
Gr. /, fr. / to pass or cross over. See
Diabase.] (Med.) A disease which
is attended with a persistent, excessive discharge of urine. Most
frequently the urine is not only increased in quantity, but
contains saccharine matter, in which case the disease is
generally fatal.
\'d8Diabetes mellitus [NL., sweet
diabetes], that form of diabetes in which the urine
contains saccharine matter. -- \'dhDiabetes
insipidus [NL., lit., diabetes], the form of
diabetes in which the urine contains no abnormal
constituent.
{ 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.
{ \'d8Dia`ble*rie" (?),
Di*ab"le*y (?), } n. [F.
diablerie, fr. diable devil, L.
diabolus. See Devil.] Devilry;
sorcery or incantation; a diabolical deed; mischief.
{ Di`a*bol"ic (?), Di`a*bol"ic*al
(?), } a. [L.
diabolicus, Gr. / devilish, slanderous: cf. F.
diabolique. See Devil.] Pertaining
to the devil; resembling, or appropriate, or appropriate to, the
devil; devilish; infernal; impious; atrocious; nefarious;
outrageously wicked; as, a diabolic or
diabolical temper or act.
\'bdDiabolic power.\'b8 Milton. \'bdThe
diabolical institution.\'b8 Motley. --
Di`a*bol"ic*al*ly, adv. --
Di`a*bol"ic*al*ness, n.
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.
Di*ab"o*lism (?), n.
1. Character, action, or principles appropriate to
the devil.
2. Possession by the devil.
Bp. Warburton.
Di*ab"o*lize (?), v. t. To
render diabolical. [R.]
Di`a*ca*thol"i*con (?), n.
[Pref. dia- + catholicon.]
(Med.) A universal remedy; -- name formerly to a
purgative electuary.
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.
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.
{ \'d8Di*ach"y*lon (?),
\'d8Di*ach"y*lum (?), } n.
[NL. diachylum, fr. Gr. / very juicy; /
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.
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.
\'d8Di`a*co"di*um (?), n. [L.,
from Gr. / / from poppy heads; / through, from + / head,
a poppy head.] A sirup made of poppies.
Di*ac"o*nal (?), a. [LL.
diaconalis: cf. F. diaconal. Cf.
Deacon.] Of or pertaining to a deacon.
Di*ac"o*nate (?), n. [L.
diaconatus: cf. F. diaconat.]
The office of a deacon; deaconship; also, a body or board of
deacons.
Di*ac"o*nate, a. Governed by
deacons. \'bdDiaconate church.\'b8
T. Goodwin.
\'d8Di*ac"o*pe (?), n. [L., fr.
Gr. / a cutting in two; / through + /.]
(Gram.) Tmesis.
Di`a*cous"tic (?), a. [Pref.
di- + acoustic.] Pertaining to
the science or doctrine of refracted sounds.
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.
{ Di`a*crit"ic (?),
Di`a*crit"ic*al (?), } a.
[Gr. /, fr. / to separate, distinguish; / 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, \'be,
\'bdDiacritical points.\'b8
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.
Di`ac*tin"ic (?), a. [Pref.
di- + actinic.] (Physics)
Capable of transmitting the chemical or actinic rays of
light; as, diactinic media.
\'d8Di`a*del"phi*a (?), n.;
pl. [NL., fr. Gr. / = / twice + /
brother.] (Bot.) A Linn\'91an class of
plants whose stamens are united into two bodies or bundles by
their filaments.
{ 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).
Di"a*dem (?), n. [F.
diad\'8ame, L. diadema, fr. Gr. /, fr.
/ to bind round; / through, across + / to bind; cf. Skr.
d\'be 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. \'bdThe regal
diadem.\'b8
Milton.
2. Regal power; sovereignty; empire; -- considered
as symbolized by the crown.
3. (Her.) An arch rising from the rim of
a crown (rarely also of a coronet), and uniting with others over
its center.
Diadem lemur. (Zo\'94l.) See
Indri. -- Diadem spider
(Zo\'94l.), the garden spider.
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.
Di"a*drom (?), n. [Gr. / a
running through; / through + /, used as inf. aor. of / to
run.] A complete course or vibration; time of
vibration, as of a pendulum. [Obs.]
Locke.
{ Di*\'91r"e*sis, Di*er"e*sis }
(?; 277), n.; pl. Di\'91reses
Diereses (#). [L.
diaeresis, Gr. /, fr. / to divide; / through,
asunder + / to take. See Heresy.]
1. (Gram.) The separation or resolution
of one syllable into two; -- the opposite of
syn\'91resis.
2. A mark consisting of two dots [as,
co\'94perate, a\'89rial.
Di`\'91*ret"ic (?), a. [Gr. /
dividing.] (Med.) Caustic.
[Obs.]
Di`a*ge`o*trop"ic (?), a. [Gr.
/ through, at variance + / earth + / turning.]
(Bot.) Relating to, or exhibiting,
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.
Di"a*glyph (?), n. [Gr. / to
engrave; / through + / to carve.] An
intaglio.
Mollett.
{ 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.
Di`ag*nose" (?), v. t. & i. To
ascertain by diagnosis; to diagnosticate. See
Diagnosticate.
Di`ag*no"sis (?), n.; pl.
Diagnoses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. /,
fr. / to distinguish; / through, asunder + / to know. See
Know.]
1. (Med.) The art or act of recognizing
the presence of disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding
as to its character; also, the decision arrived at.
2. Scientific determination of any kind; the
concise description of characterization of a species.
3. Critical perception or scrutiny; judgment based
on such scrutiny; esp., perception pf, 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.
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.
Di`ag*nos"tic, n. The mark or symptom by
which one disease is known or distinguished from others.
Di`ag*nos"ti*cate (?), v. t. & i.
[From Diagnostic.] To make a diagnosis
of; to recognize by its symptoms, as a disease.
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.
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.
Di*ag"o*nal (?), a. [L.
diagonalis, fr. Gr. / from to angle; / 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 -- 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.
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.
Di*ag"o*nal*ly, adv. In a diagonal
direction.
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.
Di"a*gram (?), n. [Gr. /, fr.
/ to mark out by lines; / 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
Di"a*gram, v. t. To put into the form of
a diagram.
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.
Di"a*graph (?), n. [Gr. / to
draw: cf. F. diagraphe. See Diagram.]
A drawing instrument, combining a protractor and
scale.
{ Di`a*graph"ic (?),
Di`a*graph"ic*al (?), } a.
[Cf. F. diagraphique.]
Descriptive.
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.
Di`a*he`li*o*trop"ic (?), a.
[Gr. / through, at variance + / sun + /
turning.] (Bot.) Relating or, or
manifesting, 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.
Di"al (?), n. [LL.
dialis daily, fr. L. dies day. See
Deity.]
1. An instrument, formerly much used for showing
the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a
graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar
and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually
parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either
horizontal or vertical.
2. The graduated face of a timepiece, on which the
time of day is shown by pointers or hands.
3. A miner's compass.
Dial bird (Zo\'94l.), 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.
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.
Di"a*lect (?), n. [F.
dialecte, L. dialectus, fr. Gr. /, fr.
/ to converse, discourse. See Dialogue.]
1. Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language;
tongue; form of speech.
This book is writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect.
Bunyan.
The universal dialect of the world.
South.
2. The form of speech of a limited region or
people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a
variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by
local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic
and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire
dialect; the dialect of the learned.
In the midst of this Babel of dialects there
suddenly appeared a standard English language.
Earle.
[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every quarter in
their native dialect.
Prescott.
Syn. -- Language; idiom; tongue; speech; phraseology. See
Language, and Idiom.
Di`a*lec"tal (?), a. Relating
to a dialect; dialectical; as, a dialectical
variant.
Di`a*lec"tic (?), n. Same as
Dialectics.
Plato placed his dialectic above all sciences.
Liddell & Scott.
{ 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.
<-- p. 406 -->
Di`a*lec"tic*al*ly (?), adv. In
a dialectical manner.
Di`a*lec*ti"cian (?), n. [Cf.
F. dialecticien.] One versed in dialectics;
a logician; a reasoner.
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.
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.
Di`a*lec*tol"o*gy (?), n.
[Dialect + -logy.] That
branch of philology which is devoted to the consideration of
dialects.
Beck.
Di`a*lec"tor (?), n. One
skilled in dialectics.
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.
Di"al*ist, n. A maker of dials; one
skilled in dialing.
\'d8Di*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.
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.
Di"al*lel (?), a. [Gr. /
crossing.] Meeting and intersecting, as lines; not
parallel; -- opposed to parallel.
[Obs.]
Ash.
Di*al"lyl (?), n. (Chem.)
A volatile, pungent, liquid hydrocarbon,
C6H10, consisting of two allyl radicals, and
belonging to the acetylene series.
Di`a*log"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. /
belonging to discourse.] Relating to a dialogue;
dialogistical.
Burton.
Di`a*log"ic*al*ly, adv. In the manner or
nature of a dialogue.
Goldsmith.
Di*al"o*gism (?), n. [Gr. /,
fr. /: cf. F. dialogisme. See
Dialogue.] An imaginary speech or discussion
between two or more; dialogue.
Fulke.
Di*al"o*gist (?), n. [L.
dialogista: cf. F. dialogiste.]
1. A speaker in a dialogue.
2. A writer of dialogues.
P. Skelton.
{ 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.
Di*al"o*gite (?), n. [From Gr.
/ an arguing.] (Min.) Native carbonate of
manganese; rhodochrosite.
Di*al"o*gize (?), v. t. [Gr.
/: cf. F. dialogiser.] To discourse in
dialogue.
Fotherby.
Di"a*logue (?; 115), n. [OE.
dialogue, L. dialogus, fr. Gr. /, fr. /
to converse, / 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.
Di"a*logue, v. i. [Cf. F.
dialoguer.] To take part in a dialogue; to
dialogize. [R.]
Shak.
Di"a*logue, v. t. To express as in
dialogue. [R.]
And dialogued for him what he would say.
Shak.
Di`al*y*pet"al*ous (?), a. [Gr.
/ through, asunder + / to loose + / leaf.]
(Bot.) Having separate petals;
polypetalous.
\'d8Di*al"y*sis (?), n.; pl.
Dialyses (#). [L., separation, fr.
Gr. /, fr. / to part asunder, dissolve; / through + / to
loose.]
1. (Gram.) Di\'91resis. See
Di\'91resis, 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.
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.
Di*al"y*zate (?), n.
(Chem.) The material subjected to dialysis.
Di`a*ly*za"tion (?), n.
(Chem.) The act or process of dialysis.
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.]
Di"a*lyzed (?), a. Prepared by
diffusion through an animal membrane; as, dialyzed
iron.
Di"a*ly`zer (?), n. The
instrument or medium used to effect chemical dialysis.
Di`a*mag"net (?), n. [Pref.
dia- + magnet.] A body having
diamagnetic polarity.
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.
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.
Di`a*mag*net"ic*al*ly (?), adv.
In the manner of, or according to, diamagnetism.
Di`a*mag"net*ism (?), n.
1. The science which treats of diamagnetic
phenomena, and of the properties of diamagnetic bodies.
2. That form or condition of magnetic action which
characterizes diamagnetics.
Di`a*man*tif"er*ous (?),