DEMIURGE, dem'i-urj, _n._ the maker of the world: among the Gnostics, the
creator of the world and of man, subordinate to God the supreme--also
DEMIUR'GUS.--_adj._ DEMIUR'GIC. [Gr. _d[=e]miourgos_--_d[=e]mos_, the
people, and _ergon_, a work.]
DEMI-VOLT, dem'i-volt, _n._ a half-turn of a horse, the forelegs being
raised in the air. [Fr. _demi-volte_--_demi_, half, and _volte_, a leap.
See VAULT.]
DEMI-WOLF, dem'i-woolf, _n._ (_Shak._) a half-wolf, the offspring of a dog
and a wolf.
DEMOBILISE, de-mob'il-[=i]z, _v.t._ to take out of mobilisation: to
disband.--_n._ DEMOBILIS[=A]'TION. [Fr.]
DEMOCRACY, de-mok'ra-si, _n._ a form of government in which the supreme
power is vested in the people collectively, and is administered by them or
by officers appointed by them: the people, esp. the common people in the
United States, the democratic party--also DEMOC'RATY (_Milt._).--_n._
DEM'OCRAT, one who adheres to or promotes democracy as a principle: a
member of the democratic party in the United States, who preserve carefully
the local liberties of states and of individuals, opposing national
centralisation, and supporting a wide franchise, low tariff duties for the
interests of the revenue rather than protection, and a limited public
expenditure.--_adjs._ DEMOCRAT'IC, -AL, relating to democracy: insisting on
equal rights and privileges for all.--_adv._ DEMOCRAT'ICALLY.--_adj._
DEMOCRATIF[=I]'ABLE, capable of being made democratic.--_v.t._
DEMOCRATISE', to render democratic.--_n._ DEMOC'RATIST, a democrat. [O.
Fr.,--Gr. _d[=e]mokratia_--_d[=e]mos_, the people, and _kratein_, to
rule--_kratos_, strength.]
DEMOGORGON, d[=e]-mo-gor'gon, _n._ a mysterious deity or diabolical
magician first mentioned about 450 A.D., and regarded as an object of
terror. [Gr. _daim[=o]n_, deity, _gorgos_, terrible.]
DEMOGRAPHY, d[=e]-mog'ra-fi, _n._ vital and social statistics, as applied
to the study of nations and races.--_n._ DEMOG'RAPHER.--_adj._
DEMOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. _d[=e]mos_, the people, _graphein_, to write.]
DEMOISELLE, dem-wa-zel', _n._ (_Shak._) a young lady: a crane-like bird of
peculiarly graceful form. [Fr. See DAMSEL.]
DEMOLISH, de-mol'ish, _v.t._ to destroy, lay in ruins, to ruin.--_n._
DEMOLI'TION, act of pulling down: ruin. [Fr. _démolir_--L. _demol[=i]ri_,
to throw down--_de_, down, and _mol[=i]ri_, to build--_moles_, a heap.]
DEMOLOGY, de-mol'o-j[=i], _n._ same as DEMOGRAPHY: the theory of the origin
and development of nations. [Gr. _d[=e]mos_, the people, _logia_, a
discourse.]
DEMON, d[=e]'mon, _n._ an evil spirit, a devil: sometimes like DÆMON, a
friendly spirit or good genius:--_fem._ D[=E]'MONESS.--_adjs._
DEM[=O]'NIAC, DEM[=O]N[=I]'ACAL, pertaining to or like demons or evil
spirits: influenced by demons.--_ns._ DEM[=O]'NIAC, a human being possessed
by a demon or evil spirit.--_adv._ DEMON[=I]'ACALLY.--_n._ DEMON[=I]'ACISM,
state of being a demoniac.--_adj._ DEM[=O]'NIAN (_Milt._).--_ns._
DEM[=O]'NIANISM, DEM[=O]'NIASM, possession by a demon.--_v.t._
D[=E]'MONISE, to convert into a demon: to control or possess by a
demon.--_ns._ D[=E]'MONISM, a belief in demons; D[=E]'MONIST, a believer in
demons; DEMONOC'RACY, the power of demons; DEMONOL'ATRY, the worship of
demons; DEMONOL'ATER, one who worships such; DEMONOLOGY, an account of, or
the study of, demons and their agency.--_adjs._ DEMONOLOG'IC, -AL.--_ns._
DEMONOL'OGIST, a writer on demonology; DEMONOM[=A]'NIA, a form of mania in
which the subject believes himself possessed by devils; DEMON'OMY, the
dominion of demons; D[=E]'MONRY, demoniacal influence. [L. _dæmon_--Gr.
_daim[=o]n_, a spirit, genius; in N. T. and Late Greek, a devil.]
DEMONETISE, d[=e]-mon'e-t[=i]z, _n._ to divest of value as money.--_n._
DEMONETIS[=A]'TION.
DEMONSTRATE, de-mon'str[=a]t, _v.t._ to show or point out clearly: to prove
with certainty.--_adj._ DEMON'STRABLE, that may be demonstrated.--_ns._
DEMON'STRABLENESS, DEMONSTRABIL'ITY.--_adv._ DEMON'STRABLY.--_ns._
DEMONSTR[=A]'TION, a pointing out: proof beyond doubt: expression of the
feelings by outward signs: expression of sympathy with political or social
opinions, with a man or body of men, by a mass-meeting, a procession, &c.:
show: a movement of troops or ships to exhibit military intention, or in
war to deceive the enemy.--_adj._ DEMON'STRATIVE, making evident: proving
with certainty: of the nature of proof: given to the manifestation of one's
feelings.--_adv._ DEMON'STRATIVELY.--_ns._ DEMON'STRATIVENESS;
DEM'ONSTRATOR, one who proves beyond doubt: one who teaches: (_anat._) one
who teaches anatomy from the dissected parts.--_adj._ DEMON'STRATORY,
demonstrative. [L. _demonstr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., and
_monstr[=a]re_, to show.]
DEMORALISE, de-mor'al-[=i]z, _v.t._ to corrupt in morals: to lower the
_morale_--that is, to deprive of spirit and confidence: to throw into
confusion.--_n._ DEMORALIS[=A]'TION, act of demoralising: corruption or
subversion of morals.--_p.adj._ DEMORAL[=I]S'ING.
DEMOS, d[=e]'mos, _n._ the people, esp. the lower classes.--_adj._
DEMOT'IC, pertaining to the people: popular: in Egypt. ant., of a kind of
writing distinguished from the hieratic, or priestly, and from
hieroglyphics. [Gr.]
DEMOSTHENIC, de-mos-then'ik, _adj._ of or like _Demosthenes_, the Athenian
orator: eloquent.
DEMPSTER. Same as DEEMSTER (q.v. under DEEM).
DEMPT, demt (_Spens._). _Pa.p._ of DEEM.
DEMULCENT, de-mul'sent, _adj._ soothing. [L. _demulcent-em_--_de_, and
_mulc[=e]re_, to stroke, to soothe.]
DEMUR, de-mur', _v.i._ to hesitate from uncertainty or before difficulty:
to object:--_pr.p._ demur'ring; _pa.p._ demurred'.--_n._ a stop: pause,
hesitation.--_adj._ DEMUR'RABLE.--_ns._ DEMUR'RAGE, an allowance made for
undue delay or detention of a vessel in port: compensation paid by the
freighter to the owner of the same: allowance for undue detention of
railway-wagons, &c.; DEMUR'RER, one who demurs: (_law_) a plea in law that,
even if the opponent's facts are as he says, they yet do not support his
case. [Fr. _demeurer_--L. _demor[=a]ri_, to loiter, linger--_de_, inten.,
and _mor[=a]ri_, to delay--_mora_, delay.]
DEMURE, de-m[=u]r', _adj._ sober: staid: modest: affectedly modest: making
a show of gravity.--_adv._ DEMURE'LY.--_n._ DEMURE'NESS. [O. Fr. _de (bons)
murs_, of good manners--L. _de_, of, _mores_, manners.]
DEMY, de-m[=i]', _n._ a size of paper 22½ by 17½ in.; in the United States
21 by 16 in. [Fr. _demi_--L. _dimidium_, half--_di_, apart, _medius_, the
middle.]
DEMY, de-m[=i]', _n._ a holder of certain scholarships in Magdalen College,
Oxford.--_n._ DEMY'SHIP. [Ety. same as above.]
DEN, den, _n._ the hollow lair of a wild beast: a kind of pit, a cave: a
haunt of vice or misery: (_coll._) a private retreat for work: (_prov._) a
narrow valley.--_v.i._ to retire to a den. [A.S. _denn_, a cave, and
_denu_, a valley.]
DEN, den, _n._ (_obs._) for good-e'en, good-even.
DENARY, den'ar-i, _adj._ containing ten.--_n._ the number ten.--_n._
DEN[=A]'RIUS, the chief Roman silver coin under the Republic, divided into
ten asses, and worth 9-2/5d. [L. _denarius_--_deni_--_decem_, ten.]
DENATIONALISE, de-nash'un-al-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of national
rights.--_n._ DENATIONALIS[=A]'TION.
DENATURALISE, de-nat'[=u]-ral-[=i]z, _v.t._ to make unnatural; to deprive
of naturalisation.
DENAY, de-n[=a]', _obs._ form of DENY, DENIAL.
DENDRACHATE, den'dra-k[=a]t, _n._ arborescent agate.--MOSS'-AG'ATE. [Gr.
_dendron_, tree, _achat[=e]s_, agate.]
DENDRIFORM, den'dri-form, _adj._ having the appearance of a tree. [Formed
from Gr. _dendron_, a tree, and L. _forma_, form.]
DENDRITE, den'dr[=i]t, _n._ a mineral in which are figures resembling
plants.--_adjs._ DENDRIT'IC, -AL, tree-like, arborescent: marked with
branching figures like plants. [Gr. _dendrit[=e]s_, of a tree--_dendron_, a
tree.]
DENDRODONT, den'dr[=o]-dont, _n._ a fish of extinct fossil genus
_Dendrodus_, having teeth of dendritic structure.--_adj._ having such
teeth.--_n._ DENDRODEN'TINE, the form of branched dentine seen in compound
teeth, produced by the interblending of the dentine, enamel, and cement.
[Gr. _dendron_, a tree, and _odous_, _odontos_, tooth.]
DENDROID, den'droid, _adj._ having the form of a tree. [Gr. _dendron_, a
tree, and _eidos_, form.]
DENDROLITE, den'dro-l[=i]t, _n._ a petrified or fossil plant. [Gr.
_dendron_, a tree, and _lithos_, a stone.]
DENDROLOGY, den-drol'o-ji, _n._ a treatise on trees: the natural history of
trees.--_adj._ DENDROLOG'ICAL.--_n._ DENDROL'OGIST. [Gr. _dendron_, a tree,
and _logia_, a discourse.]
DENDROMETER, d[.e]n-drom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for ascertaining the
height of a tree. [Gr. _dendron_, tree, _metron_, measure.]
DENE, d[=e]n, _n._ a small valley.--_n._ DENE'-HOLE, an ancient artificial
excavation in the chalk formations of Kent and Essex. [A form of _dean_.
Cf. DEN.]
DENEGATION, d[=e]-ne-g[=a]'shun, _n._ denial. [L. _deneg[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_, to deny--_de_, inten., and _neg[=a]re_, to deny.]
DENGUE, deng'g[=a], _n._ an acute tropical epidemic fever, seldom
fatal--also _breakbone-fever_, _dandy-fever_. [The Spanish _dengue_,
refusing, prudery, from L. _deneg[=a]re_, to deny, seems to have been
confused with _dandy-fever_.]
DENIAL, de-n[=i]'al, _n._ act of denying or saying no: contradiction:
refusal: rejection.--_adj._ DEN[=I]'ABLE, that may be denied.--_n._
DEN[=I]'ER, one who denies.
DENIER, de-n[=e]r', _n._ (_Shak._) an old small French silver coin: also
later, a copper coin of the value of 1/12 sou--hence a very trifling sum.
[Fr.,--L. _denarius_.]
DENIGRATION, de-ni-gr[=a]'shun, _n._ a making or becoming black--esp. the
blackening of a man's character.--_v.t._ DEN'IGRATE (_obs._). [L. _de_,
inten., _nigr[=a]re_, to blacken, _niger_, black.]
DENIM, den'im, _n._ coloured twilled cotton goods for overalls, &c.
DENITRATE, d[=e]-n[=i]'tr[=a]t, _v.t._ to free from nitric acid.--_ns._
DENITR[=A]'TION; DEN[=I]'TRIFICATOR.
DENIZEN, den'i-zn, _n._ an inhabitant (human or animal): one admitted to
the rights of a citizen.--_v.t._ to make a denizen of: to provide with
occupants.--_v.i._ to inhabit.--_ns._ DENIZ[=A]'TION, act of making one a
citizen; DEN'IZENSHIP. [O. Fr. _deinzein_--_deinz_, _dens_ (Fr. _dans_),
within--L. _de intus_, from within.]
DENNET, den'et, _n._ a light gig.
DENOMINATE, d[=e]-nom'in-[=a]t, _v.t._ to give a name to: to call.--_adj._
DENOM'INABLE.--_n._ DENOMIN[=A]'TION, the act of naming: a name or title: a
collection of individuals called by the same name: a sect.--_adj._
DENOMIN[=A]'TIONAL, belonging to a denomination or sect.--_n._
DENOMIN[=A]'TIONALISM, a denominational or class spirit or policy: devotion
to the interests of a sect.--_adj._ DENOM'INATIVE, giving or having a
title.--_adv._ DENOM'INATIVELY.--_n._ DENOM'INATOR, he who, or that which,
gives a name: (_arith._) the lower number in a vulgar fraction, which names
the parts into which the integer is divided. [L. _de_, and _nomin[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_, to name--_nomen_, a name.]
DENOTE, d[=e]-n[=o]t', _v.t._ to note or mark off: to indicate by a sign:
to signify or mean: (_log._) to indicate the objects comprehended in a
class.--_adj._ DEN[=O]'TABLE.--_n._ DENOT[=A]'TION, that which a word names
or indicates, in contradistinction to that which it _connotes_ or
signifies.--_adj._ DEN[=O]'TATIVE.--_adv._ DEN[=O]'TATIVELY.--_n._
DEN[=O]TE'MENT (_Shak._), a sign or indication. [Fr.,--L. _denot[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., and _not[=a]re_, to mark--_nota_, a mark or
sign.]
DÉNOUEMENT, d[=a]-n[=oo]'mong, _n._ the unravelling of a plot or story: the
issue, event, or outcome. [Fr. _dénouement_ or _dénoûment_; _dénouer_, to
untie--_de_, neg., and _nouer_, to tie--L. _nodus_, a knot.]
DENOUNCE, de-nowns', _v.t._ to inform against or accuse publicly: (_U.S._)
to claim the right of working a mine, as being abandoned or insufficiently
worked.--_ns._ DENOUNCE'MENT (same as DENUNCIATION); DENOUNC'ER. [Fr.
_dénoncer_--L. _denunti[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and _nunti[=a]re_, to
announce.]
DENSE, dens, _adj._ thick, close, compact: impenetrably stupid.--_n._ a
thicket.--_adv._ DENSE'LY.--_ns._ DENSE'NESS; DENS'ITY, the quality of
being dense: the proportion of mass to bulk or volume: the quantity of
matter per unit of bulk. [L. _densus_, thick.]
DENSIMETER, den-sim'et-[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for ascertaining the
comparative density or specific gravity of a substance. [L. _densus_,
dense, and _metrum_ (Gr. _metron_), measure.]
DENT, dent, _n._ a small hollow made by the pressure or blow of a harder
body on a softer.--_v.t._ to make a mark by means of a blow.--_p.adj._
DENT'ED, marked with dents: indented. [A variant of _dint_.]
DENT, dent, _n._ a notch.--_v.t._ to notch. [Confused with the preceding,
but from Fr. _dent_, tooth--L. _dens_, _dentis_.]
DENTAGRA, den-tag'ra, _n._ a tooth-drawing forceps: toothache.
DENTAL, den'tal, _adj._ belonging to the teeth: produced by the aid of the
teeth.--_n._ an articulation or letter pronounced chiefly with the
teeth.--_adj._ DEN'TARY, belonging to dentition, bearing teeth.--_n._ the
distal element of the jaw of vertebrates below mammals.--DENTAL ENGINE, a
mechanical appliance giving a rotary motion to a dentist's boring
instruments. [L. _dens_, _dentis_, a tooth. See TOOTH.]
DENTATE, -D, den't[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ toothed: notched: set as with teeth.
[L. _dentatus_, toothed, _dens_, a tooth.]
DENTEL. See DENTIL.
DENTEX, den'teks, _n._ a voracious sparoid fish.
DENTICLE, den'ti-kl, _n._ a small tooth.--_adjs._ DENTIC'UL[=A]TE, -D,
having notches.--_n._ DENTICUL[=A]'TION. [L. _denticulus_, dim. of _dens_,
a tooth.]
DENTIFORM, den'ti-form, _adj._ having the form of a tooth or of teeth. [L.
_dens_, _dentis_, tooth, and _forma_, form.]
DENTIFRICE, den'ti-fris, _n._ a substance used in rubbing or cleaning the
teeth. [Fr.,--L. _dentifricium_, from _dens_, and _fric[=a]re_, to rub.]
DENTIGEROUS, den-tij'e-rus, _adj._ bearing teeth.
[Illustration]
DENTIL, den'til, _n._ a denticle: (_pl._) small square blocks or
projections in the bed-mouldings of the cornices of columns--also
DEN'TEL.--_adj._ DEN'TILATED. [See DENTICLE.]
DENTILINGUAL, den-ti-ling'-gwal, _adj._ formed between the teeth and the
tongue, as _th_ in _thin_, _this_.--_n._ a consonant so formed.--Also
DENTOLING'UAL. [L. _dent-_, _dens_, a tooth, _lingua_, the tongue.]
DENTINE, DENTIN, den'tin, _n._ the substance of which the tooth is formed,
under the enamel. [L. _dens_, _dentis_, a tooth.]
DENTIROSTRAL, den-ti-ros'tral, _adj._ having the mandibles of the beak
toothed or notched, as certain birds. [L. _dens_, _dentis_, a tooth, and
_rostrum_, a beak.]
DENTIST, den'tist, _n._ one who remedies diseases of the teeth, or inserts
artificial teeth.--_v.i._ DEN'TISE, to cut one's teeth.--_ns._ DEN'TISTRY,
the business of a dentist; DENTI'TION, the cutting or growing of teeth: the
conformation, number, and arrangement of the teeth.
DENTOID, den'toid, _adj._ formed or shaped like a tooth. [L. _dens_,
_dentis_, a tooth, and Gr. _eidos_, form.]
DENTOLINGUAL. See DENTILINGUAL.
DENUDE, de-n[=u]d', _v.t._ to make nude or naked: to lay bare.--_n._
DENUD[=A]'TION, a making nude or bare: (_geol._) the wearing away of rocks
by water and atmospheric action, whereby the underlying rocks are laid
bare. [L. _denud[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and _nud[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to make
naked--_nudus_, naked.]
DENUNCIATE, de-nun'shi-[=a]t, _v.t._ same as DENOUNCE.--_ns._ DENUNCIATION
(-shi-[=a]'-, or -si-[=a]'-), any formal declaration: act of denouncing: a
threat; DENUN'CIATOR, one who denounces.--_adj._ DENUN'CIATORY, containing
a denunciation: threatening.
DENY, de-n[=i]', _v.t._ to gainsay or declare not to be true: to reject: to
refuse admission to: to disown:--_pr.p._ deny'ing; _pa.p._ denied'.--_adv._
DENY'INGLY.--DENY ONE'S SELF, to deny one's self the indulgence of bodily
appetites and carnal inclinations: to exercise self-denial. [Fr.
_denier_--L. _deneg[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and _neg[=a]re_, to say no. See
NEGATION.]
DEOBSTRUENT, de-ob'str[=oo]-ent, _adj._ (_med._) removing obstructions.
DEODAND, d[=e]'o-dand, _n._ in old English law, a personal chattel which
had been the immediate, accidental cause of the death of a human being,
forfeited to the crown for pious uses. [L. _deo_, to God, _dandum_, that
must be given--_d[)a]re_, to give.]
DEODAR, de-o-där', _n._ a cedar much praised by Indian poets: the _Cedrus
Deodara_ of the Himalayas. [Sans. _Deva-d[=a]ru_, divine tree--a name given
to various coniferous trees growing in sacred places.]
DEODATE, d[=e]'[=o]-d[=a]t, _n._ a gift from God. [L. _deo_, to God,
_datum_, given part, pa.p. of _d[)a]re_, to give.]
DEODORISE, d[=e]-[=o]'dor-[=i]z, _v.t._ to take the odour or smell
from.--_ns._ DEODORIS[=A]'TION; DE[=O]'DORISER, a substance that destroys
or conceals unpleasant smells.
DEONTOLOGY, d[=e]-on-tol'[=o]-ji, _n._ the science of duty, ethics.--_adj._
DEONTOLOG'ICAL.--_n._ DEONTOL'OGIST.
DEOPPILATE, d[=e]-op'i-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to free from obstruction.--_n._
DEOPPIL[=A]'TION.--_adj._ DEOP'PILATIVE.
DEOXIDATE, de-oks'i-d[=a]t, _v.t._ to take oxygen from, or reduce from the
state of an oxide--also DEOX'IDISE.--_ns._ DEOXID[=A]'TION; DEOXID[=I]'SER,
a substance that deoxidises.
DEOXYGENATE, de-oks-ij'en-[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of oxygen.--Also
DEOXY'GENISE.
DEOZONISE, de-[=o]-z[=o]n'[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of ozone.
DEPAINT, de-p[=a]nt', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to paint: depict.
DEPART, de-pärt', _v.i._ to go away: to quit or leave: to die: (_obs._) to
separate from one another.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to separate, divide.--_ns._
DEPART'ER; DEPART'ING; DEPART'URE, act of departing: a going away from a
place: deviation: the distance in nautical miles made good by a ship due
east or west: death.--A NEW DEPARTURE, a change of purpose or method, a new
course of procedure.--THE DEPARTED, the deceased. [Fr. _départir_--L. _de_,
from, and _part[=i]ri_, to part, to divide.]
DEPARTMENT, de-pärt'ment, _n._ a part: a separate part of business or duty:
a section of the administration: a division of a country, esp. of
France.--_adj._ DEPARTMENT'AL.--_adv._ DEPARTMENT'ALLY.
DEPASTURE, de-pas't[=u]r, _v.t._ to eat bare.--_v.i._ to graze.
DEPAUPERISE, de-paw'per-[=i]z, _v.t._ to remove from the state of
paupers.--_v.t._ DEPAU'PERATE, to impoverish.
DEPEINCT, de-p[=a]nt', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to paint.
DEPEND, de-pend', _v.i._ to hang down: to be sustained by or connected with
anything: to be pending: to rely: to rest.--_adjs._ DEPEND'ABLE, that may
be depended on; DEPEND'ENT, depending, relying on, contingent,
relative.--_n._ a subordinate: a hanger-on--also DEPEND'ANT.--_ns._
DEPEND'ENCE, state of being dependent, reliance, trust: that on which one
depends--also DEPEND'ANCE; DEPEND'ENCY, same as DEPENDENCE, in the
additional sense of a foreign territory dependent on the mother-country, a
kind of subordinate colony without self-government.--_adj._ DEPEND'ING,
still undetermined.--_adv._ DEPEND'INGLY. [Fr. _dépendre_--L.
_depend[=e]re_--_de_, from, and _pend[=e]re_, to hang.]
DEPERSONALISE, d[=e]-per'son-al-[=i]z, _v.t._ to take away the
characteristics that constitute the personality of.
DEPHLEGMATE, de-fleg'm[=a]t, _v.t._ (_chem._) to free from water.--_ns._
DEPHLEGM[=A]'TION; DEPHLEGM[=A]'TOR.
DEPHLOGISTICATE, de-flo-jis'ti-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of phlogiston,
once supposed to be the principle of heat.--DEPHLOGISTICATED AIR, the name
given by Priestley to oxygen when discovered by him in 1774.
DEPICT, de-pikt', _v.t._ to paint carefully: to make a likeness of: to
describe minutely. [L. _deping[)e]re_, _depictum_--_de_, inten.,
_ping[)e]re_, to paint.]
DEPICTURE, de-pikt'[=u]r, _v.t._ to picture: to paint: to
represent:--_pr.p._ depict'[=u]ring; _pa.p._ depict'[=u]red.
DEPILATE, dep'i-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to remove the hair from.--_ns._
DEPIL[=A]'TION; DEPIL'ATORY, an application for removing superfluous
hairs.--_adj._ possessing this quality.
DEPLANTATION, d[=e]-plan-t[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of clearing from plants
or of transplanting.
DEPLETE, de-pl[=e]t', _v.t._ to empty, reduce, exhaust.--_n._
DEPL[=E]'TION, the act of emptying or exhausting: (_med._) the act of
relieving congestion or plethora, by purging, blood-letting, or reduction
of the system by abstinence.--_adjs._ DEPL[=E]'TIVE, DEPL[=E]'TORY. [L.
_depl[=e]re_, _depl[=e]tum_, to empty, _de_, neg., _pl[=e]re_, to fill.]
DEPLICATION, dep-li-k[=a]'shun, _n._ an unfolding or unplaiting.
DEPLORE, de-pl[=o]r', _v.t._ to feel or express deep grief for.--_adj._
DEPLOR'ABLE, lamentable: sad.--_n._ DEPLOR'ABLENESS.--_adv._
DEPLOR'ABLY.--_n._ DEPLOR[=A]'TION (_obs._), lamentation.--_adv._
DEPLOR'INGLY. [Fr.,--L. _deplor[=a]re_--_de_, inten., _plor[=a]re_, to
weep.]
DEPLOY, de-ploy', _v.t._ to unfold: to open out or extend.--_v.i._ to open:
to extend from column into line, as a body of troops.--_ns._ DEPLOY',
DEPLOY'MENT. [Fr. _déployer_--L. _dis_, apart, and _plic[=a]re_, to fold.
Doublet of DISPLAY.]
DEPLUME, de-pl[=oo]m', _v.t._ to take the plumes or feathers from.--_n._
DEPLUM[=A]'TION.
DEPOLARISE, de-p[=o]'lar-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of polarity.--_n._
DEPOLARIS[=A]'TION.
DEPONE, de-p[=o]n', _v.t._ to testify upon oath. [L. _depon[)e]re_--_de_,
down, and _pon[)e]re_, to place.]
DEPONENT, de-p[=o]'nent, _adj._ (_gram._) applied to verbs with a passive
form but an active signification.--_n._ one who makes a deposition, esp.
under oath, or whose written testimony is used as evidence in a court of
justice. [L., pr.p. of _depon[)e]re_.]
DEPOPULATE, de-pop'[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of population, to
dispeople.--_v.i._ to become dispeopled.--_adj._ depopulated.--_ns._
DEPOPUL[=A]'TION, act of depopulating: havoc: destruction; DEPOP'ULATOR.
[L. _depopul[=a]ri_, _depopul[=a]tus_--_de_, inten., and _popul[=a]ri_, to
spread over a country, said of a hostile people (L. _populus_)--hence to
ravage, to destroy. Some make it a freq. of _spoli[=a]re_, to plunder.]
DEPORT, de-p[=o]rt', _v.t._ to transport, to exile: to behave.--_ns._
DEPORT[=A]'TION, transportation, exile; DEPORT'MENT, carriage, behaviour.
[Fr.,--L. _deport[=a]re_--_de_, away, and _port[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to
carry.]
DEPOSE, de-p[=o]z', _v.t._ to remove from a high station: to degrade: to
strip: to attest: (_Shak._) to examine on oath.--_adj._ DEPOS'ABLE.--_n._
DEPOS'AL. [Fr.,--L. _de_, from, _paus[=a]re_, to pause, (late) to place.]
DEPOSIT, de-poz'it, _v.t._ to put or set down: to place: to lay up or past:
to entrust.--_n._ that which is deposited or put down: (_geol._) rocks
produced by precipitation from a fluid medium, by settling from a solution
in water: something entrusted to another's care, esp. money put in a bank:
a pledge: a bailment where one entrusts goods to another to be kept without
recompense--in Scots law, DEPOSIT[=A]'TION.--_ns._ DEPOS'ITARY, a person
with whom anything is left for safe keeping: a guardian--sometimes
DEPOS'ITORY.--_adj._ DEPOS'ITIVE.--_ns._ DEPOS'ITOR; DEPOS'ITORY, a place
where anything is deposited--sometimes DEPOS'ITARY. [Fr.,--L. _depositum_,
placed--_depon[)e]re_, from _de_, and _pon[)e]re_, to put down.]
DEPOSITION, dep-o-zish'un, _n._ act of deposing: act of deponing:
declaration, testimony taken authoritatively, to be used as a substitute
for the production of the witness in open court: removal: act of
depositing: what is deposited, sediment.
DEPOT, dep'[=o], de'p[=o], or d[=e]'p[=o], _n._ a place of deposit: a
storehouse: a military station where stores are kept and recruits trained:
the headquarters of a regiment: the portion of a regiment that remains at
home when the rest go on foreign service: (_U.S._) a railway station. [Fr.
_depôt_--L. _depon[)e]re_, _-positum_.]
DEPRAVE, de-pr[=a]v', _v.t._ to make bad or worse: to corrupt.--_n._
DEPRAV[=A]'TION, act of depraving: state of being depraved:
depravity.--_adj._ DEPR[=A]VED', corrupt.--_adv._ DEPR[=A]V'EDLY.--_ns._
DEPR[=A]V'EDNESS; DEPRAVE'MENT, vitiation.--_adv._ DEPR[=A]V'INGLY.--_n._
DEPRAV'ITY, a vitiated or corrupt state of moral character: extreme
wickedness: corruption: (_theol._) the hereditary tendency of man toward
sin: original sin. [Fr.,--L. _deprav[=a]re_--_de_, inten., _pravus_, bad.]
DEPRECATE, dep're-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to try to ward off by prayer: to desire
earnestly the prevention or removal of: to regret deeply: to argue
against.--_adj._ DEP'RECABLE, that is to be deprecated.--_n._
DEPREC[=A]'TION, act of deprecating, earnest prayer, esp. a special
petition against some evil, in litanies.--_adv._ DEP'RECATINGLY.--_adjs._
DEP'RECATIVE, DEP'RECATORY, tending to avert evil by prayer: having the
form of prayer.--_n._ DEP'RECATOR. [L. _deprec[=a]ri_,
_deprec[=a]tus_--_de_, away, and _prec[=a]ri_, to pray.]
DEPRECIATE, de-pr[=e]'shi-[=a]t, _v.t._ to lower the worth of: to
undervalue: to disparage.--_v.i._ to fall in value.--_n._ DEPRECI[=A]'TION,
the falling of value: disparagement.--_adjs._ DEPR[=E]'CIATIVE,
DEPR[=E]'CIATORY, tending to depreciate or lower.--_n._ DEPR[=E]'CIATOR.
[L. _depreti[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, down, and _pretium_, price.]
DEPREDATE, dep're-d[=a]t, _v.t._ to plunder or prey upon: to rob: to lay
waste: to devour.--_ns._ DEPRED[=A]'TION, act of plundering: state of being
depredated; DEP'REDATOR.--_adj._ DEP'REDATORY. [L. _depræd[=a]ri_,
_-[=a]tus_--_de_, inten., and _præd[=a]ri_--_præda_, plunder.]
DEPREHEND, dep're-hend, _v.t._ to catch, seize: to apprehend. [Through Fr.
from L. _deprehend[)e]re_--_de_, and _prehend[)e]re_, to take.]
DEPRESS, de-pres', _v.t._ to press down: to let down: to lower: to humble:
to make subject: to dispirit or cast a gloom over.--_n._ DEPRES'SANT
(_med._), a sedative.--_p.adj._ DEPRESSED', pressed down: lowered: humbled:
dejected: dispirited.--_adj._ DEPRES'SING, able or tending to
depress.--_adv._ DEPRES'SINGLY.--_ns._ DEPRES'SION, a falling in or
sinking: a lowering: a fall of the barometer: a hollow: abasement:
dejection; DEPRES'SOR, an oppressor: a muscle that draws down: a surgical
instrument for squeezing down a soft part. [L. _deprim[)e]re_,
_-pressum_--_de_, down, and _prim[)e]re_, to press.]
DEPRIVE, de-pr[=i]v', _v.t._ to take away from one his own: in take from:
to dispossess: to degrade (a clergyman) from office: to bereave.--_n._
DEPRIV[=A]'TION, act of depriving: state of being deprived: degradation
from office: loss: bereavement: suffering from hardship.--_adj._
DEPRIV'ATIVE.--_n._ DEPRIVE'MENT. [Low L. _depriv[=a]re_, to degrade--L.
_de_, from, and _priv[=a]re_, to deprive--_privus_, one's own.]
DE PROFUNDIS, d[=e] pr[=o]-fun'dis, 'Out of the depths,' the first words of
the 130th Psalm--also used as a name for this penitential psalm. [L.]
DEPTH, depth, _n._ deepness: the measure of deepness down or inwards: a
deep place: the sea: the middle, as depth of winter: abstruseness: extent
of sagacity and penetration.--_adj._ DEPTH'LESS, having no depth.--OUT OF
ONE'S DEPTH, in water where one cannot touch bottom: in water too deep for
one's safety: beyond one's faculties.--THE DEPTHS, the lowest pitch of
humiliation and misery. [Not in A.S.; Skeat makes it Ice. _dýpð_, from
_djúpr_, deep.]
DEPURATE, dep'[=u]-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to purify: sometimes to render
impure.--_ns._ DEPUR[=A]'TION; DEP'URATOR.--_adj._ DEP'URATORY. [Low L.
_depur[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to purify--L. _de_, and _pur[=a]re_, to
purify--_purus_, pure.]
DEPUTE, de-p[=u]t', _v.t._ to appoint or send, as a substitute or agent: to
send with a special commission: to make over one's powers to
another.--_adj._ in Scotland, appointed deputy (as in
_sheriff-depute_--often called simply the _depute_).--_n._ DEPUT[=A]'TION,
act of deputing: the person or persons deputed or appointed to transact
business for another: persons sent to state a case before a government
official.--_v.t._ DEP'UTISE, to appoint as deputy.--_v.i._ to act as
such.--_n._ DEP'UTY, one deputed or appointed to act for another: a
delegate or representative, or substitute. [Fr.,--L. _deput[=a]re_, to cut
off, (late) to select.]
DERACINATE, de-ras'i-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to pluck up by the roots. [Fr.
_déraciner_--L. _de_, and _radix_, _rad[)i]cis_, a root.]
DERAIL, de-r[=a]l', _v.t._ to cause to leave the rails.--_n._ DERAIL'MENT.
DERAIN, de-r[=a]n', _v.t._ to prove: to justify: to win by fighting: to
prepare for battle: to arrange in order of battle.--Also DERAIGN',
DARRAIN', DARRAYNE'. [O. Fr. _derainier_, _desraisnier_--Late L.
_deration[=a]re_, to vindicate--L. _de_ or _dis_, and _ration[=a]re_, to
discourse; _ratio_, reason.]
DERANGE, de-r[=a]nj', _v.t._ to put out of place or order: to
disorder.--_p.adj._ DERANGED', disordered: insane.--_n._ DERANGE'MENT,
disorder; insanity. [Fr. _déranger_--_dé_ (L. _dis_), asunder, and
_ranger_, to rank.]
DERAY, de-r[=a]', _v.t._ to derange.--_v.i._ to go wild.--_n._ tumult,
disorder. [O. Fr. _desreer_--_des_, neg., and _rei_, _roi_, order. See
ARRAY.]
DERBEND, der'bend, _n._ a wayside Turkish guardhouse.
DERBY, där'bi, _n._ a great horse-race held annually on the Derby Day, on
the Wednesday before Whitsuntide, on Epsom Downs, near London, so called
from the Derby stakes, instituted by the Earl of _Derby_ in 1780; a rounded
felt hat with narrow brim.--_ns._ DER'BYSHIRE-NECK, a form of the disease
_goitre_, occurring in Derbyshire; DER'BYSHIRE-SPAR, a fluorspar found in
Derbyshire.
DER-DOING, der-d[=oo]'ing, _adj._ (_Spens._) doing daring deeds. [See
DERRING-DOE.]
DERELICT, der'e-likt, _adj._ forsaken: abandoned.--_n._ anything forsaken
or abandoned.--_n._ DERELIC'TION, act of forsaking, unfaithfulness or
remissness: state of being abandoned: land gained from the water by a
change of water-line. [L. _derelinqu[)e]re_, _-lictum_,--_de_, inten., and
_linqu[)e]re_, to leave.]
DERELIGIONISE, d[=e]-r[=e]-lij'on-[=i]z, _v.t._ to make irreligious.
DERIDE, de-r[=i]d', _v.t._ to laugh at: to mock.--_n._ DERID'ER.--_adj._
DERID'INGLY. [L. _derid[=e]re_--_de_, inten., and _rid[=e]re_, to laugh.]
DERISION, de-rizh'un, _n._ act of deriding: mockery: a
laughing-stock.--_adjs._ DER[=I]'SIVE, DER[=I]S'ORY, mocking.--_adv._
DER[=I]'SIVELY.--_n._ DER[=I]'SIVENESS.
DERIVE, de-r[=i]v', _v.t._ to draw from, as water from a river; to take or
receive from a source or origin: to infer: (_ety._) to trace a word to its
root.--_adj._ DER[=I]V'ABLE.--_adv._ DER[=I]V'ABLY.--_adj._ DER'IVATE,
derived.--_n._ a derivative.--_n._ DERIV[=A]'TION, act of deriving: a
drawing off or from: the tracing of a word to its original root: that which
is derived: descent or evolution of man or animals.--_adj._
DERIV[=A]'TIONAL.--_n._ DERIV[=A]'TIONIST.--_adj._ DERIV'ATIVE, derived or
taken from something else: not radical or original.--_n._ that which is
derived: a word formed from another word.--_adv._ DERIV'ATIVELY. [O. Fr.
_deriver_--L. _deriv[=a]re_--_de_, down from, _rivus_, a river.]
DERM, d[.e]rm, _n._ the skin--also DER'MA, DER'MIS.--_adjs._ DER'MAL,
DER'MIC, DERMAT'IC, pertaining to the skin: consisting of skin.--_n._
DERMATOG'RAPHY, anatomical description of the skin--also
DERMOG'RAPHY.--_adjs._ DER'MATOID, of the form of skin: skin-like;
DERMATOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ DERMATOL'OGIST; DERMATOL'OGY, the branch of
physiology which treats of the skin; DER'MATOPHYTE, a parasitic fungus on
the skin; DER'MATOSKEL'ETON, the bony integument of many reptiles, insects,
and crustaceans--also DERMOSKEL'ETON.--_adj._ DERMOGAS'TRIC, connecting the
skin and the stomach. [Gr. _derma_, _dermatos_, the skin--_derein_, to
flay.]
DERN, d[.e]rn, _adj._ secret: hidden: (_Shak._) dreadful--also
DEARN.--_adjs._ DERN'FUL, DEARN'FUL, solitary: mournful.--_advs._ DERN'LY,
DEARN'LY, secretly: sorrowfully: grievously. [M. E. _dern_, _dærne_--A.S.
_dyrne_, _derne_, secret.]
DEROGATE, der'o-g[=a]t, _v.i._ to lessen by taking away: to
detract.--_adj._ (_Shak._) degenerate.--_adv._ DER'OG[=A]TELY (_Shak._), in
a derogatory manner.--_n._ DEROG[=A]'TION, a taking from: detraction:
depreciation.--_adv._ DEROG'ATORILY.--_n._ DEROG'ATORINESS.--_adj._
DEROG'ATORY, detracting: injurious. [L. _derog[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to
repeal part of a law--_de_, down from, and _rog[=a]re_, to propose a law.]
DERRICK, der'ik, _n._ an apparatus for lifting weights, closely resembling
a crane.--FLOATING DERRICK, a derrick mounted on a special boat: a beam
supported at an angle between the perpendicular and horizontal, with tackle
for raising heavy weights. [From _Derrick_, the name of a hangman in the
early part of the 17th century.]
DERRING-DOE, der'ring-d[=oo], _n._ daring action. [M. E. _dorryng-don_,
_duryng-do_, &c., as in Chaucer; taken over by Spenser in the spellings
_derring-doe_ and _der-doing_, with the noun _derring-doer_. _Daring-do_
should be the modern English form.]
DERRINGER, der'in-jer, _n._ a short-rifled pistol, with one barrel--from
the inventor, an American.
DERTH, d[.e]rth, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as DEARTH.
DERVISH, d[.e]r'vish, _n._ among Mohammedans, a member of one of the
numerous orders of monks who profess poverty and lead an austere life.
[Pers. _darvísh_, a dervish--lit., a poor man.]
DESART, des'art, _n._ an old form of DESERT.
DESCANT, des'kant, _n._ the air in a four-part song: a discourse or
disquisition under several heads.--_v.i._ DESCANT', to discourse at length:
to comment. [O. Fr. _descant_--L. _dis_, apart, and _cantus_, a
song--_cant[=a]re_, to sing.]
DESCEND, d[=e]-send', _v.i._ to climb down: to pass from a higher to a
lower place or condition: to pass from general to particulars: to fall upon
or invade: to be derived.--_v.t._ to go down upon: to go to the bottom
of.--_n._ DESCEND'ANT, one who descends, as offspring from an
ancestor.--_adjs._ DESCEND'ENT, descending or going down: proceeding from
an ancestor; DESCEND'IBLE, that may descend or be descended: capable of
transmission by inheritance, heritable.--_p.adj._ DESCEND'ING.--_n._
DESCEN'SION.--_adj._ DESCEN'SIONAL.--_n._ DESCENT', act of descending:
transmission by succession: motion or progress downward: slope: a falling
upon or invasion: derivation from an ancestor: a generation, a degree in
genealogy: descendants collectively.--DESCENT FROM THE CROSS, a picture
representing Christ being taken down from the cross. [Fr. _descendre_--L.
_descend[)e]re_--_de_, down, _scand[)e]re_, to climb.]
DESCRIBE, d[=e]-skr[=i]b', _v.t._ to trace out or delineate: to give an
account of.--_adj._ DESCRIB'ABLE.--_n._ DESCRIB'ER. [L.
_describ[)e]re_--_de_, down, and _scrib[)e]re_, _scriptum_, to write.]
DESCRIPTION, de-skrip'shun, _n._ act of describing: an account of anything
in words: definition: sort, class, or kind.--_adj._ DESCRIP'TIVE,
containing description.--_adv._ DESCRIP'TIVELY.--_n._ DESCRIP'TIVENESS.
DESCRIVE, de-skr[=i]v', _v.t._ an obsolete form of _describe_.
DESCRY, de-skr[=i]', _v.t._ to discover by the eye: to espy:--_pr.p._
descry'ing; _pa.p._ descried'.--_n._ discovery: (_Shak._) a thing
discovered. [O. Fr. _descrire_ for _descrivre_--L. _describ[)e]re_: a
doublet of _describe_. Others derive the word from O. Fr. _descrier_,
_decryer_, proclaim, announce--_des-_, _de-_, and _crier_, to cry, in which
case it would be a doublet of _decry_.]
DESECRATE, des'e-kr[=a]t, _v.t._ to divert from a sacred purpose: to
profane.--_ns._ DESECRAT'ER, -OR, DESECR[=A]'TION, act of desecrating:
profanation. [L. _desecr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, away from, and
_sacr[=a]re_, to make sacred--_sacer_, sacred.]
DESERT, de-z[.e]rt', _n._ the reward or punishment deserved: claim to
reward: merit--_adj._ DESERT'LESS, without merit. [See DESERVE.]
DESERT, de-z[.e]rt', _v.t._ to leave: to forsake.--_v.i._ to run away: to
quit a service, as the army, without permission.--_ns._ DESERT'ER, one who
deserts or quits a service without permission; DESER'TION, act of
deserting: state of being deserted: wilful abandonment of a legal or moral
duty or obligation. [L. _deser[)e]re_, _desertum_--_de_, neg., and
_ser[)e]re_, to bind.]
DESERT, dez'[.e]rt, _adj._ deserted: desolate: uninhabited: uncultivated: a
desolate or barren place: a wilderness: a solitude. [O. Fr. _desert_--L.
_desertum_, _deser[)e]re_, to desert, unbind.]
DESERVE, de-z[.e]rv', _v.t._ to earn by service: to merit.--_v.i._ to be
worthy of reward.--_adj._ DESERV'ING, worthy.--_n._ desert.--_advs._
DESERV'INGLY, DESERV'EDLY, according to desert: justly. [Fr.,--L.
_deserv[=i]re_--_de_, inten., _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]
DESHABILLE, des-a-bil', _n._ an undress: a careless toilet. [Fr.
_déshabillé_, undressed--_des_ = L. _dis_ = _un_, not, and _habiller_, to
dress.]
DESICCATE, de-sik'[=a]t, or des'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to dry up.--_v.i._ to grow
dry.--_adjs._ DESIC'CANT, DESIC'CATIVE, drying: having the power of
drying.--_n._ an application that tends to dry up sores.--_n._
DESICC[=A]'TION, the act of desiccating: state of being desiccated. [L.
_desicc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to dry up--_de_, and _siccus_, dry.]
DESIDERATE, de-sid'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to long for or earnestly desire a
thing: to want or miss.--_n._ DESIDER[=A]'TION, the act of desiderating:
the thing desiderated.--_adj._ DESID'ERATIVE, implying desire, as in
desiderative verb.--_n._ DESIDER[=A]'TUM, something desired or much
wanted:--_pl._ DESIDER[=A]'TA. [L. _desider[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to long
for. A doublet of _desire_.]
DESIGHTMENT, d[=e]-s[=i]t'ment, _n._ disfigurement.
DESIGN, de-z[=i]n', or de-s[=i]n', _v.t._ to draw: to form a plan of: to
contrive: to intend.--_n._ a drawing or sketch: a plan in outline: a plan
or scheme formed in the mind: plot: intention.--_adj._ DESIGN'ABLE.--_v.t._
DES'IGN[=A]TE, to mark out so as to make known: to show: to name.--_ns._
DESIGN[=A]'TION, a showing or pointing out: name: title;
DES'IGN[=A]TOR.--_adv._ DESIGN'EDLY, by design: intentionally.--_n._
DESIGN'ER, one who furnishes designs or patterns: a plotter.--_adjs._
DESIGN'FUL, full of design; DESIGN'ING, artful: scheming: deceitful.--_n._
the art of making designs or patterns.--_adj._ DESIGN'LESS.--_n._
DESIGN'MENT, the design or sketch of a work: (_Shak._) intention, purpose,
enterprise.--THE ARGUMENT FROM DESIGN, the argument for the existence of
God derived from the evidences of design in creation. [Fr.,--L.
_design[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, and _signum_, a mark.]
DESILVER, de-sil'v[.e]r, _v.t._ to deprive of silver: to extract the silver
from--also DESIL'VERISE.--_n._ DESILVERIS[=A]'TION.
DESINE, de-s[=i]n', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to denote.
DESIPIENCE, de-sip'i-ens, _n._ (_rare_) silliness, nonsense.--_adj._
DESIP'IENT, foolish. [L. _desipiens_, _desip[)e]re_, to be foolish, _de-_,
neg., _sap[)e]re_, to be wise.]
DESIRE, de-z[=i]r', _v.t._ to long for the possession of: to wish for: to
request, ask: (_B._) to regret.--_v.i._ to be in a state of desire.--_n._
an earnest longing for: eagerness to obtain: a prayer or request: the
object desired: lust.--_adj._ DESIR'ABLE, worthy of desire: pleasing:
agreeable.--_ns._ DESIR'ABLENESS, DESIRABIL'ITY.--_adv._
DESIR'ABLY.--_adj._ DESIRE'LESS.--_n._ DESIR'ER.--_adj._ DESIR'OUS, full of
desire: anxious to obtain: eager.--_adv._ DESIR'OUSLY.--_n._ DESIR'OUSNESS.
[Fr. _désirer_--L. _desider[=a]re_. See DESIDERATE.]
DESIST, de-sist', _v.i._ to stop: to forbear.--_ns._ DESIST'ANCE, -ENCE, a
desisting. [Fr.,--L. _desist[)e]re_--_de_, away, and _sist[)e]re_, to cause
to stand.]
DESK, desk, _n._ a sloping table for the use of writers or readers, often
fitted with drawers, &c.: a shut-up writing-box: a pulpit or lectern.--_n._
DESK'-WORK, work done at a desk, professional labours of a clerk or author.
[M. E. _deske_--L. _discus_. It is a variant of _dish_ and _disc_.]
DESMAN, des'man, _n._ a kind of musk-rat, found in Russia and the Pyrenees.
[Sw. _desman_, musk; Ice. _des_, musk.]
DESMID, des'mid, _n._ one of a group of microscopic algæ. [Formed as a dim.
of Gr. _desmos_, a chain.]
DESMINE, des'min, _n._ a zeolitic mineral occurring in clusters. [Gr.
_desmos_, a band.]
DESMODIUM, des-m[=o]'di-um, _n._ a genus of leguminous plants to which the
_D. gyrans_, or telegraph plant, belongs. [Gr. _desmos_, chain, _eidos_,
form.]
DESMOID, des'moid, _adj._ arranged in bundles. [Gr. _desmos_, a chain, a
bundle, and _eidos_, form.]
DESMOLOGY, des-mol'o-ji, _n._ the anatomy of the ligaments.--_ns._
DESMOG'RAPHY, the description of these; DESMOT'OMY, their dissection. [Gr.
_desmos_, a ligament, and _logia_, a discourse.]
DESOLATE, des'o-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to make solitary: to deprive of inhabitants:
to lay waste.--_adj._ solitary: destitute of inhabitants: laid
waste.--_adv._ DES'OLATELY.--_ns._ DES'OLATENESS; DESOLAT'ER, -OR;
DESOL[=A]'TION, waste: destruction: a place desolated.--_adj._ DES'OLATORY.
[L. _desol[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., and _sol[=a]re_, to make
alone--_solus_, alone.]
DESPAIR, de-sp[=a]r', _v.i._ to be without hope: to despond.--_n._ want of
hope: utter hopelessness: that which causes despair.--_adj._ DESPAIR'FUL
(_Spens._).--_p.adj._ DESPAIR'ING, apt to despair: full of despair.--_adv._
DESPAIR'INGLY. [O. Fr. _desperer_--L. _desper[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_,
neg., and _sper[=a]re_, to hope.]
DESPATCH, de-spach', DISPATCH, dis-pach', _v.t._ to send away hastily: to
send out of the world: to put to death: to dispose of: to perform
speedily.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to make haste.--_n._ a sending away in haste:
dismissal: rapid performance: haste: the sending off of the mails: that
which is despatched, as a message, esp. telegraphic.--_ns._ DESPATCH'-BOAT,
a government vessel for carrying despatches; DESPATCH'-BOX, a box for
containing official despatches; DESPATCH'ER.--_adv._ DESPATCH'FUL
(_Milt._), swift.--HAPPY DESPATCH, a playful name given to the Japanese
_hara-kiri_ or judicial suicide; PNEUMATIC DESPATCH (see PNEUMATIC). [O.
Fr. _despeecher_ (mod. Fr. _dépêcher_); acc. to Littré, from an assumed Low
L. _despedic[=a]re_, to remove obstacles (_pedica_, a fetter), the opp. of
_impedic[=a]re_. See IMPEACH.]
DESPERADO, des-p[.e]r-[=a]'d[=o], _n._ a desperate fellow: one reckless of
danger: a madman:--_pl._ DESPER[=A]'DOS. [Sp. _desesperado_--L.
_desper[=a]tus_.]
DESPERATE, des'p[.e]r-[=a]t, _adj._ in a state of despair: hopeless: beyond
hope: fearless of danger: rash: furious.--_adv._ DES'PERATELY.--_ns._
DES'PERATENESS, DESPER[=A]'TION, state of despair: disregard of danger:
fury. [See DESPAIR.]
DESPICABLE, des'pi-ka-bl, _adj._ deserving to be despised: contemptible:
worthless.--_ns._ DES'PICABLENESS, DESPICABIL'ITY.--_adv._ DES'PICABLY. [L.
_despic[)e]re_, to despise.]
DESPIGHT, de-sp[=i]t', an old form of _despite_.
DESPISE, de-sp[=i]z', _v.t._ to look down upon with contempt: to
scorn.--_adj._ DESPIS'ABLE.--_ns._ DESP[=I]'SAL, contempt; DESPIS'EDNESS
(_Milt._); DESPIS'ER. [O. Fr. _despiz_, _despire_--L. _despic[)e]re_--_de_,
down, _spec[)e]re_, to look.]
DESPITE, de-sp[=i]t', _n._ a looking down upon with contempt: violent
malice or hatred.--_prep._ in spite of: notwithstanding.--_adj._
DESPITE'FUL.--_adv._ DESPITE'FULLY.--_n._ DESPITE'FULNESS.--_adj._
DESPIT'EOUS (_Spens._). [O. Fr. _despit_ (mod. _dépit_)--L.
_despectus_--_despic[)e]re_.]
DESPOIL, de-spoil', _v.t._ to spoil completely: to strip: to bereave: to
rob.--_ns._ DESPOIL'ER; DESPOLI[=A]'TION, DESPOIL'MENT. [O. Fr.
_despoiller_ (mod. _dépouiller_)--L. _despoli[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and
_spolium_, spoil.]
DESPOND, de-spond', _v.i._ to lose hope or courage: to despair.--_ns._
DESPOND'ENCE, DESPOND'ENCY, state of being without hope: dejection.--_adj._
DESPOND'ENT, desponding: without courage or hope: sad.--_advs._
DESPOND'ENTLY; DESPOND'INGLY. [L. _despond[=e]re_, to promise, to give up
or devote to, to give up or resign, to lose courage, to despond--_de_,
away, and _spond[=e]re_, to promise.]
DESPOT, des'pot, _n._ one invested with absolute power: a tyrant.--_n._
DES'POTAT, a territory governed by a despot.--_adjs._ DESPOT'IC, -AL,
pertaining to or like a despot: having absolute power: tyrannical.--_adv._
DESPOT'ICALLY.--_ns._ DESPOT'ICALNESS, DES'POTISM, absolute power: tyranny;
DESPOTOC'RACY, government by a despot. [O. Fr. _despot_--Low L.
_despotus_--Gr. _despot[=e]s_, a master.]
DESPUMATE, de-sp[=u]'m[=a]t, or des'p[=u]-m[=a]t, _v.i._ to throw off in
foam or scum.--_n._ DESPUM[=A]'TION. [L. _despum[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_,
off, and _spuma_, foam.]
DESQUAMATE, des'kwa-m[=a]t, _v.i._ to scale off.--_n._ DESQUAM[=A]'TION, a
scaling off: the separation of the cuticle or skin in scales.--_adjs._
DESQUAM'ATIVE, DESQUAM'ATORY. [L. _desquam[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off,
and _squama_, a scale.]
DESSE, des, _n._ (_Spens._) a dais.
DESSERT, dez-[.e]rt', _n._ fruits, confections, &c., served at the close of
an entertainment after the rest has been taken away.--_ns._
DESSERT'-SERV'ICE, the dishes used for dessert; DESSERT'-SPOON, a spoon
smaller than a table-spoon and larger than a tea-spoon, used not so much
for dessert as for pudding. [O. Fr. _dessert_, _desservir_, to clear the
table--_des_, away, and _servir_, to serve--L. _serv[=i]re_.]
DESSIATINE, DESSYATINE, des'ya-tin, _n._ a Russian measure of land, 2.7
English acres. [Russ. _desyatina_, a measure of land, a tenth; _desyati_,
ten.]
DESTEMPER. See DISTEMPER (1).
DESTINE, des'tin, _v.t._ to ordain or appoint to a certain use or state: to
fix: to doom--also DES'TINATE (_obs._).--_ns._ DESTIN[=A]'TION, the purpose
or end to which anything is destined or appointed: end: purpose: design:
fate: place to which one is going; DES'TINY, the purpose or end to which
any person or thing is destined or appointed: unavoidable fate: necessity.
[Fr.,--L. _destin[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and root _sta-_, in _st[=a]re_, to
stand.]
DESTITUTE, des'ti-t[=u]t, _adj._ left alone: forsaken: in want,
needy--_v.t._ to forsake: to deprive.--_n._ DESTITU'TION, the state of
being destitute: deprivation of office: poverty. [L. _destitu[)e]re_,
_-[=u]tum_--_de_, away, and _statu[)e]re_, to place.]
DESTROY, de-stroy', _v.i._ to unbuild or pull down: to overturn: to ruin:
to put an end to:--_pr.p._ destroy'ing:--_pa.p._ destroyed'.--_n._
DESTROY'ER. [O. Fr. _destruire_ (Fr. _détruire_)--L. _destru[)e]re_,
_destructum_--_de_, down, and _stru[)e]re_, to build.]
DESTRUCTION, de-struk'shun, _n._ act of destroying: overthrow: physical or
moral ruin: death: a destructive plague.--_adj._ DESTRUC'TIBLE, liable to
be destroyed.--_ns._ DESTRUCTIBIL'ITY, DESTRUC'TIBLENESS.--_n._
DESTRUC'TIONIST, one engaged in destruction: one who believes in the final
annihilation of the damned.--_adj._ DESTRUC'TIVE, causing destruction:
mischievous: ruinous: deadly.--_adv._ DESTRUC'TIVELY.--_ns._
DESTRUC'TIVENESS; DESTRUC'TIVIST, a representative of destructive
principles, as in Biblical criticism; DESTRUC'TOR, a destroyer: a furnace
for burning up refuse.
DESUDATION, des-[=u]-d[=a]'shun, _n._ a violent sweating: an eruption of
small pimples on children. [L. _desud[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, _de_, inten., and
_sud[=a]re_, to sweat.]
DESUETUDE, des'we-t[=u]d, _n._ disuse: discontinuance of custom, habit, or
practice. [L. _desuetudo_--_desu[=e]tum_, _desuesc[)e]re_--_de_, neg., and
_suesc[)e]re_, to become used.]
DESULPHUR, de-sul'fur, _v.t._ to free of sulphur: to take sulphur out of
the ore--also DESUL'PHUR[=A]TE, DESUL'PHURISE.--_n._ DESULPHUR[=A]'TION.
DESULTORY, des'ul-tor-i, _adj._ jumping from one thing to another: without
rational or logical connection: rambling: hasty: loose.--_adv._
DES'ULTORILY.--_n._ DES'ULTORINESS. [L. _desultorius_, of or pertaining to
a vaulter, inconstant, _desultor_, a vaulter, _desil[=i]re_, _-sultum_, to
leap--_de_, from, and _sal[=i]re_, to jump.]
DETACH, de-tach', _v.t._ to unfasten: to take from or separate: to
withdraw: to send off on special service.--_v.i._ to separate one's
self.--_adj._ DETACH'ABLE.--_p.adj._ DETACHED', unconnected: separate: free
from care, passion, ambition, and worldly bonds.--_adv._
DETACH'EDLY.--_ns._ DETACH'EDNESS; DETACH'MENT, state of being separated:
that which is detached, as a body of troops. [Fr. _détacher_--_de_, neg.,
and root of _attach_.]
DETAIL, de-t[=a]l', _v.t._ to relate minutely: to enumerate: to set apart
for a particular service.--_v.i._ to give details about anything.--_n._
(de-t[=a]l', or d[=e]'t[=a]l) a small part: an item: a particular
account.--_adj._ DETAILED', giving full particulars: exhaustive.--IN
DETAIL, circumstantially, point by point. [O. Fr. _detailler_--_de_,
inten., and _tailler_, to cut. See TAILOR.]
DETAIN, de-t[=a]n', _v.t._ to hold from or back: to stop: to keep: to keep
in custody.--_ns._ DETAIN'ER, one who detains: (_law_) the holding of what
belongs to another: a warrant to a sheriff to keep in custody a person
already in confinement: DETAIN'MENT (same as DETENTION). [O. Fr.
_detenir_--L. _detin[=e]re_--_de_, from, and _ten[=e]re_, to hold.]
DETECT, de-tekt', _v.t._ (_lit._) to uncover--hence to discover: to find
out.--_adjs._ DETECT'ABLE, DETECT'IBLE.--_ns._ DETECT'ER, -OR, one who
detects: an apparatus for detecting something, as a detector-lock, which
shows if it has been tampered with; DETEC'TION, discovery of something
hidden: state of being found out.--_adj._ DETECT'IVE, employed in
detecting.--_n._ a policeman employed in the investigation of special cases
of crime, or in watching special classes of wrong-doers, usually not in
uniform.--PRIVATE DETECTIVE, one employed by a private person to gain
information, or to watch his interests. [L. _detectum_,
_deteg[)e]re_--_de_, neg., and _teg[)e]re_, _tectum_, to cover.]
DETENTION, de-ten'shun, _n._ act of detaining: state of being detained:
confinement: delay.--_n._ DETENT', something to check motion: a catch, esp.
in a clock or watch. [See DETAIN.]
DETER, de-t[.e]r', _v.t._ to frighten from: to hinder or prevent:--_pr.p._
deter'ring; _pa.p._ deterred'.--_n._ DETER'MENT. [L. _deterr[=e]re_--_de_,
from, _terr[=e]re_, to frighten.]
DETERGE, de-t[.e]rj', _v.t._ to wipe off; to cleanse (as a wound).--_ns._
DETERG'ENCE, DETERG'ENCY.--_adj._ DETERG'ENT, cleansing: purging.--_n._
that which cleanses. [L. _deterg[=e]re_, _detersum_--_de_, off, and
_tergere_, to wipe.]
DETERIORATE, de-t[=e]'ri-o-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to make worse.--_v.i._ to grow
worse.--_p.adj._ DET[=E]'RIORATED, spoilt: of inferior quality.--_n._
DETERIOR[=A]'TION, the act of making worse: the state of growing
worse.--_adj._ DET[=E]'RIORATIVE.--_n._ DETERIOR'ITY (_obs._), worse state.
[L. _deterior[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to make worse--_deterior_, worse--obs.
_deter_, lower--_de_, down; cf. _inter-ior_.]
DETERMINE, d[=e]-t[.e]r'min, _v.t._ to put terms or bounds to: to limit: to
fix or settle the form or character of: to influence; to put an end to: to
define.--_v.i._ to come to a decision: to resolve.--_adj._ DETER'MINABLE,
capable of being determined, decided, or finished.--_ns._
DETER'MINABLENESS, DETERMINABIL'ITY.--_adj._ DETER'MINANT, serving to
determine.--_n._ that which serves to determine: in mathematical analysis,
a symbolical method used for different processes, as for the solution of
equations by inspection.--_adj._ DETER'MIN[=A]TE, determined or limited:
fixed: decisive.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to determine.--_adv._
DETER'MIN[=A]TELY.--_n._ DETERMIN[=A]'TION, that which is determined or
resolved on: end: direction to a certain end: resolution: fixedness of
purpose: decision of character.--_adjs._ DETER'MIN[=A]TIVE, that
determines, limits, or defines; DETER'MINED, firm in purpose: fixed:
resolute.--_adv._ DETER'MINEDLY.--_n._ DETER'MINISM, the doctrine that all
things, including the will, are determined by causes--the converse of
free-will: necessitarianism.--_n._ DETER'MINIST.--_adj._ DETERMINIS'TIC.
[Fr.,--L. _determin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, neg., and _terminus_, a
boundary.]
DETERRENT, de-t[.e]r'ent, _adj._ serving to deter.--_n._ anything that
deters or prevents. [See DETER.]