DUE, d[=u], _adj._ owed: that ought to be paid or done to another: proper:
appointed, under engagement to be ready, arrive, &c.--_adv._ exactly:
directly.--_n._ that which is owed: what one has a right to: perquisite:
fee or tribute.--_adj._ DUE'FUL (_Spens._), proper, fit.--GIVE THE DEVIL
HIS DUE, to give a fair hearing or fair-play to one of notorious character.
[O. Fr. _deu_, pa.p. of _devoir_--L. _deb[=e]re_, to owe.]
DUE, d[=u], _v.t._ (_Shak._) to endue.
DUEL, d[=u]'el, _n._ a combat between two persons, prearranged, and fought
under fixed conditions, generally on an affair of honour--happily harmless
in France: any fight or struggle between two parties: single combat to
decide a quarrel.--_v.i._ to fight in a duel:--_pr.p._ d[=u]'elling;
_pa.p._ d[=u]'elled.--_ns._ D[=U]'ELLER, D[=U]'ELLIST; D[=U]'ELLING,
fighting in a duel: the practice of fighting in single combat; DUELL'O, a
duel: the laws which regulate duelling.--_adj._ D[=U]'ELSOME, given to
duelling. [It. _duello_--L. _duellum_, the original form of
_bellum_--_duo_, two.]
DUENNA, d[=u]-en'a, _n._ an old lady who acts the part of governess in
Spain: an old lady who acts as guardian to a younger. [Sp. _dueña_, a form
of _doña_, mistress--L. _domina_, fem. of _dominus_, lord.]
DUET, d[=u]-et', DUETTO, d[=u]-et'o, _n._ a composition in music for two
voices, instruments, or instrumentalists.--_ns._ DUETTI'NO, a simple duet;
DUET'TIST. [It. _duetto_, _due_, two--L. _duo_, two.]
DUFF, duf, _n._ dough: a stiff flour pudding boiled in a bag; decaying
vegetable matter, fallen leaves: coaldust. [From _dough_.]
DUFF, duf, _v.t._ to manipulate an article so as to make it look like new:
to alter the brands on stolen cattle.
DUFFEL, duf'l, _n._ a thick, coarse woollen cloth, with a thick nap--also
DUFF'LE: (_U.S._) change of flannels. [Dut., from _Duffel_, a town near
Antwerp.]
DUFFER, duf'[.e]r, _n._ a dull plodding person: a fogy, useless old fellow:
a counterfeit coin: a claim or mine which proves unproductive.--_ns._
DUFF'ERDOM, DUFF'ERISM.
DUFFER, duf'[.e]r, _n._ a peddler of dubious goods, sham jewellery, &c.:
one who fakes up sham articles, or duffs cattle.
DUG, dug, _n._ the nipple of the pap, esp. applied to that of a cow or
other beast. [Cf. Sw. _dægga_, Dan. _dægge_, to suckle a child. See DAIRY.]
DUG, dug, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of DIG.--_n._ DUG'OUT, a boat made by
hollowing out the trunk of a tree.
DUGONG, d[=u]-gong', _n._ a kind of herb-eating whale, from 8 to 20 feet
long, found in Indian seas--the supposed original of the mermaid. [Malayan
_d[=u]yong_.]