DAMAR. Same as DAMMAR.
DAMASCENE, da'mas-[=e]n, _adj._ of _Damascus_.--_v.t._ same as DAMASKEEN.
DAMASK, dam'ask, _n._ figured stuff, originally of silk, now of linen,
cotton, or wool, the figure being woven, not printed.--_v.t._ to flower or
variegate, as cloth.--_adj._ of a red colour, like that of a damask
rose.--_v.t._ DAMASKEEN', to decorate metal (esp. steel) by inlaying or
encrusting on it patterns like damask in other metals: to ornament with
flowery patterns, to damask.--_ns._ DAMASKEEN'ING, DAMASCEEN'ING, the
watered or striated structure seen in certain sword-blades and other
weapons: the ornamental incrustation with gold and silver of steel and iron
surfaces; DAMASKIN', a Damascus blade: a damaskeened blade; DAM'ASK-PLUM,
the damson; DAM'ASK-ROSE, a species of pink-rose; DAM'ASK-STEEL, Damascus
steel; DAM'ASSIN, damask with flowered patterns in gold or silver
thread.--DAMASCUS BLADE, a Damascus sword, the surface marked by wavy and
variegating lines. [From _Damascus_, in Syria, where damask was orig.
made.]
DAMBOARD, dam'b[=o]rd, DAMBROD, dam'brod, _n._ (_Scot._) a draughtboard,
the pieces being _dams_. [Fr. _jeu de dames_, copied by the Germans as
_damenspiel_, by the Swedes as _damspel_, &c., perhaps from the movement of
the pieces being like those of the queen (_reine_ or _dame_) in chess.]
DAME, d[=a]m, _n._ the mistress of a house: a matron: a noble lady.--_ns._
DAME'-SCHOOL, a school for children kept by a woman; DAME'S'-V[=I]'OLET, a
genus of cruciferous plants, formerly cultivated by ladies in pots for its
sweet scent at night. [Fr. _dame_--L. _domina_, a mistress, fem. of
_dominus_, a master.]
DAMMAR, dam'mar, _n._ a resin, used for making varnish, obtained from a
genus of East Indian conifers.
DAMN, dam, _v.t._ to censure or condemn: to sentence to eternal punishment:
to doom.--_n._ an oath: a curse.--_adj._ DAM'NABLE, deserving or tending to
damnation: hateful: pernicious.--_n._ DAM'NABLENESS.--_adv._
DAM'NABLY.--_n._ DAMN[=A]'TION, condemnation: (_theol._) the punishment of
the impenitent in the future state: eternal punishment.--_adj._ DAM'NATORY,
consigning to damnation.--_p.adj._ DAMNED, sentenced to everlasting
punishment: hateful: a profane intensive, meaning merely thorough (often
written d----d, and softened into _darned_, _dashed_, &c.).--_adv._ very,
exceedingly.--_adj._ DAMNIF'IC.--_n._ DAMNIFIC[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ DAM'NIFY,
to cause loss to.--_adj._ DAM'NING, exposing to condemnation. [Fr.
_damner_--L. _damn[=a]re_, to condemn--_damnum_, loss.]
DAMOCLEAN, dam-[=o]-cl[=e]'an, _adj._ like _Damocles_, flatterer of
Dionysius of Syracuse, taught the insecurity of happiness by being made to
sit through the feast with a sword suspended by a single hair over his
head.
DAMOSEL, dam'o-sel, _n._ Same as DAMSEL.
DAMP, damp, _n._ vapour, mist: moist air: lowness of spirits: (_pl._)
dangerous vapours in mines, &c.--_v.t._ to wet slightly: to chill: to
discourage: to check: to make dull.--_adj._ moist, foggy: sometimes in the
form DAMP'Y.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ DAMP'EN, to make or become damp or
moist.--_n._ DAMP'ER, that which checks or moderates: a mechanical
appliance for reducing currents, musical vibration, &c.: (_Australia_) a
kind of unfermented bread.--_adj._ DAMP'ISH, somewhat damp.--_n._
DAMP'ISHNESS.--_adv._ DAMP'LY.--_n._ DAMP'NESS.--DAMPING OFF (_hort._), the
death of plants from excess of moisture. [M. E. _dampen_; akin to Dut.
_damp_, Ger. _dampf_, vapour.]
DAMSEL, dam'zel, _n._ a young unmarried woman: a girl. [O. Fr. _damoisele_
(Fr. _demoiselle_), a page--Low L. _domicellus_, dim. of L. _dominus_, a
lord.]
DAMSON, dam'zn, _n._ a rather small oval fruited variety of the common
plum, esteemed for preserving. [Shortened from _Damascene_--_Damascus_.]
DAN, dan, _n._ a title of honour equivalent to Master or Sir. [O. Fr.
_dan_. (Sp. _don_; Port. _dom_)--L. _dominus_, lord. See DAME.]
DAN, dan, _n._ (_prov._) a box for carrying coal: a tub.
DANAKIL, dan'a-kil, _n._ the name given to the numerous nomad and fisher
tribes on the coast of North-east Africa. [Ar.]
DANCE, dans, _v.i._ to move with measured steps to music: to
spring.--_v.t._ to make to dance or jump.--_n._ the movement of one or more
persons with measured steps to music: the tune to which dancing is
performed.--_ns._ DANCE'-M[=U]'SIC, music specially arranged for
accompanying dancing; DANC'ER, one who practises dancing; DANC'ING, the act
or art of moving in the dance; DANC'ING-GIRL, a professional dancer;
DANC'ING-MAS'TER, a teacher of dancing.--DANCE A BEAR (_obs._), to exhibit
a performing bear; DANCE ATTENDANCE, to wait obsequiously; DANCE OF DEATH,
a series of allegorical paintings symbolising the universal power of death,
represented as a skeleton; DANCE UPON NOTHING, to be hanged.--LEAD A PERSON
A DANCE, to set him on an undertaking under false hopes: to delude.--MERRY
DANCERS, the aurora. [O. Fr. _danser_, from Teut.; Old High Ger. _danson_,
to draw along.]
DANCETTE, dan-set', _n._ (_her._) a zigzag or indented line or figure: the
chevron or zigzag moulding common in Romanesque architecture--also _adj._
[O. Fr. _dent_, _dant_, tooth, notch--L. _dens_.]
DANDELION, dan-de-l[=i]'un, _n._ a common plant with a yellow flower, its
leaves with jagged tooth-like edges. [Fr. _dent de lion_, tooth of the
lion.]
DANDER, dan'd[.e]r, DAUNDER, dawn'd[.e]r, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to walk
leisurely or idly. [Akin to _dandle_.]
DANDER, _n._ a form of DANDRUFF (_vulg._), anger: passion.--RAISE A
PERSON'S DANDER, to put him in a temper.