December, de-sem′bėr,n.the tenth month among the Romans, who began their year with March: with us, the twelfth month of the year.—adj.Decem′berly, wintry, cold.—n.Decem′brist, one of those who took part in the Russian conspiracy of December 1825. [L.decem, ten.]
Decemdentate, dē-sem-den′tāt,adj.having ten points or teeth.
Decemfid, dē-sem′fid,adj.divided into ten parts.
Decemlocular, dē-sem-lok′ū-lar,adj.ten-celled.
Decempedal, dē-sem′ped-al,adj.having ten feet.
Decemvir, de-sem′vir,n.one of ten magistrates who at one time had absolute power in ancient Rome:—pl.Decem′virs, or (L.)Decemviri(dē-sem′vi-rī).—adj.Decem′viral.—n.Decem′virāte, a body of ten men in office: the term of office of decemvirs. [L.decem, ten, andvir, a man.]
Decennary, de-sen′ar-i,n.a period of ten years—alsoDecenn′ium.—adj.Decenn′ial, consisting of or happening every ten years. [L.decem, ten, andannus, a year.]
Decennoval, de-sen′ō-val,adj.pertaining to the number 15.
Decent, dē′sent,adj.becoming: seemly: proper: modest: moderate: tolerable.—n.Dē′cency, becomingness: modesty.—adv.Dē′cently. [L.decens,decentis, pr.p. ofdecēre, to be becoming.]
Decentralise, de-sen′tral-īz,v.t.to withdraw from the centre: to transfer functions from the central government to local centres.—n.Decentralisā′tion. [L.de, neg., andcentralise.]
Deception, de-sep′shun,n.act of deceiving: the means by which it is sought to deceive.—n.Deceptibil′ity.—adjs.Decept′ible, capable of being deceived;Decep′tious(Shak.), deceitful;Decep′tive, tending to deceive: misleading.—adv.Decep′tively.—n.Decep′tiveness.—adj.Decep′tory, tending to deceive. [O. Fr.,—Low L.deceptio,-nis—decipĕre, to deceive.]
Decern, de-sėrn′,v.t.andv.i.(Scots law) to judge: to decree: to pass judgment. [O. Fr.decerner—L.decernĕre—de, andcernĕre, to distinguish.]
Decession, de-sesh′un,n.departure. [SeeDecease.]
Decharm, dē-chärm′,v.t.to disenchant.
Dechristianise, de-krist′yan-īz,v.t.to turn from Christianity: to destroy Christian elements.
Deciare, de′si-är,n.the tenth part of an are. [Fr.,—L.deci-(indecimus), andare.]
Decide, de-sīd′,v.t.to determine: to end: to settle: to resolve.—adjs.Decid′able, capable of being decided;Decid′ed, determined: clear, unmistakable: resolute.—adv.Decid′edly. [O. Fr.decider—L.decidēre—de, away,cædĕre, to cut.]
Deciduous, de-sid′ū-us,adj.that fall in autumn, as leaves: not permanent.—n.Decid′ua, a membrane of the uterus discharged after parturition.—adj.Decid′uāte.—n.Decid′uousness.—Deciduous trees, those which annually lose and renew their leaves. [L.deciduus—decidĕre,de, from,cadĕre, to fall.]
Decigramme, de′si-gram,n.the tenth part of a gramme. [SeeGramme(3).]
Decilitre, des′i-lē-tėr,n.a measure of capacity equal to1⁄10litre.
Decillion, de-sil′yun,n.a million raised to the tenth power: in the French and American notation, a thousand raised to the eleventh power.
Decimal, des′i-mal,adj.numbered or proceeding by tens.—n.a fraction having ten or some power of ten for its denominator.—v.t.Dec′imalise, to reduce to the decimal system.—ns.Dec′imalism;Dec′imalist.—adv.Dec′imally.—Decimal notation, a system of writing numbers based on ten and powers of ten, like our ordinary system;Decimal system, a system whose units are tens and powers of tens, esp. in the Frenchmetric systemof weights and measures. [Fr.,—Low L.decimalis—decem, ten.]
Decimate, des′i-māt,v.t.to take the tenth part of: to put to death every tenth man.—ns.Decimā′tion, a military punishment, by which every tenth man was selected by lot and put to death or otherwise punished;Dec′imator. [L.decimāre,-ātum—decimus, tenth.]
Decime, de-sēm′,n.a French coin equal to1⁄10franc.
Decimetre, des′i-mē-tėr,n.a measure of length equal to1⁄10metre.
Decipher, de-sī′fėr,v.t.to uncipher or read secret writing: to make out what is unintelligible or obscure: to reveal.—adj.Deci′pherable.—n.Deci′pherment. [L.de, neg. andcipher.]
Decision, de-sizh′un,n.the act of deciding: settlement: judgment: the quality of being decided in character.—adj.Decī′sive, having the power of deciding: showing decision: final: positive.—adv.Decī′sively.—n.Decī′siveness.—adj.Decī′sory, decisive. [SeeDecide.]
Decistère, des-i-stār,n.a cubic measure equal to1⁄10stere.
Decitizenise, dē-sit′i-zen-īz,v.t.to deprive of citizenship.
Decivilise, dē-siv′i-līz,v.t.to reduce from a civilised to a more savage state.
Deck, dek,v.t.to cover: to clothe: to adorn: to furnish with a deck, as a vessel.—n.a covering: a horizontal platform extending from one side of a vessel to the other, thereby joining them together, and forming both a floor and a covering: the part of a pack of cards that remains after the deal, or the part of a pack necessary for playing such games as bezique, &c.—ns.Deck′-car′go, cargo stowed on the deck of a vessel;Deck′-chair, a light chair of spars and canvas, to be used on board ship;Deck′er, the person or thing that decks: a vessel which has a deck or decks, used only in composition, asa three-decker, a ship with three decks;Deck′-hand, a person employed on deck;Deck′-house, a house or box on deck;Deck′ing, adornment;Deck′-load, a deck-cargo;Deck′-pass′age, a passage securing only the right of being on deck, without cabin accommodation;Deck′-pass′enger;Flush′-deck, a deck continuous from stem to stern at the same level (seeQuarter-deck);Gun′-deck, a deck on which guns are carried;Hur′ricane-deck, a light partial deck over the saloon of some steamers;Main′-deck, the deck below the spar-deck;Spar′-deck, the upper deck of a ship. [Dut.dekken, to cover; Ger.decken; akin to L.tegĕre.]
Deckle, dek′l,n.the gauge on a paper-making machine.—n.Deck′le-edge, the raw or ragged edge of handmade paper.—adj.Deck′le-edged, having a rough uncut edge. [Ger.]
Declaim, de-klām′,v.i.to make a set or rhetorical speech: to harangue: to recite in public.—ns.Declaim′ant,Declaim′er.—p.adj.Declaim′ing.—ns.Declamā′tion, act of declaiming: a set speech in public: display in speaking.—adj.Declam′atory, of the nature of declamation: appealing to the passions: noisy and rhetorical merely. [L.declamāre—de, inten.,clamāre, to cry out.]
Declare, de-klār′,v.t.to make known: to announce: to assert: to make a full statement of, as of goods at a custom-house.—v.i.to make a statement: to show cards in order to score.—adj.Declār′able, capable of being declared, exhibited, or proved.—ns.Declar′ant, one who makes a declaration;Declarā′tion, act of declaring: that which is declared: a written affirmation: in the criminal law of Scotland, the statement made by the prisoner before the magistrate: in common law, the pleading in which the plaintiff in an action at law sets forth his case against the defendant.—adjs.Declar′ative,Declar′atory, explanatory.—advs.Declar′atively,Declar′atorily.—n.Declar′ator, a form of action in the Court of Session in Scotland, with the view of having a fact judicially ascertained and declared.—adj.Declared′, avowed.—adv.Decla′redly, avowedly.—Declaratory Act, an act intended to explain an old law which had become obscure or a subject of controversy. [Fr.déclarer, from L.declarāre,-ātum—de, wholly,clarus, clear.]
Declension, de-klen′shun,n.a falling off: decay: descent: (gram.) change of termination for the oblique cases. [SeeDecline.]
Decline, de-klīn′,v.i.to bend or turn away from (a straight line); to deviate: to refuse: to bend down: to fail or decay: to stoop or condescend: to draw to an end.—v.t.to bend down: to turn away from: to refuse: to avoid: (gram.) to give the changes of a word in the oblique cases.—n.a falling off: deviation: decay: a gradual sinking of the bodily faculties, consumption.—adjs.Declin′able, having inflection for the oblique cases;Declī′nal, bending downward;Dec′linant(her.), having the tail hanging down—alsoDec′livant.—ns.Declinā′tion, act of declining: a sloping or bending downward: deviation: (astron.) distance from the celestial equator;Dec′linātor, an instrument determining declination.—adj.Declin′atory, containing a declination or refusal—ns.Declin′ature, act of declining or refusing: (law) a plea declining the jurisdiction of a judge;Declinom′eter, an instrument for measuring thedeclination of the compass—i.e. the deviation of the magnetic needle from the true north. [Fr.décliner—L.de, down, away from,clināre, to bend. SeeLean.]
Declivity, de-kliv′i-ti,n.a place that declines, or slopes downward, opposite ofacclivity: inclination downward: a gradual descent.—adjs.Decliv′itous,Declī′vous. [Fr.,—L.declivitas—de, downward,clivus, sloping, akin toclināre.]
Decoct, de-kokt′,v.t.to prepare by boiling: to extract the substance of by boiling: to boil: to devise.—adjs.Decoc′tible,Decoc′tive.—ns.Decoc′tion, an extract of anything got by boiling;Decoc′ture, a substance prepared by decoction. [L.decoquĕre,decoctum—de, down,coquĕre, to cook.]
Decode, de-kōd′,v.t.to translate the symbols in a code telegram into ordinary language.
Decollate, de-kol′āt,v.t.to behead.—p.adj.Decoll′ated, rounded off, as the apex of a shell.—n.Decollā′tion, the act of beheading: a picture of a decapitation, esp. of the head of St John the Baptist on a charger: the festival of the Baptist, Aug. 29. [L.decollāre—de, from,collum, the neck.]
Decolleté, dā-kol-e-tā′,adj.with neck uncovered: of dress, low cut. [Fr.décolleter, to bare the neck and shoulders. Cf.Decollate.]
Decolour, de-kul′ur,v.t.to deprive of colour—alsoDecol′ourise.—n.Decol′orant, a substance that bleaches or removes colour.—v.t.Decol′orate, to deprive of colour.—ns.Decolorā′tion, removal or absence of colour;Decolorisā′tion. [Fr.décolorer—L.decolorāre—de, from,color, colour.]
Decomplex, dē′kom-pleks,adj.repeatedly compound.
Decompose, de-kom-poz′,v.t.to separate the parts composing anything: to resolve into original elements.—v.i.to decay, rot.—adj.Decompos′able.—n.Decomposi′tion, act of decomposing: decay or dissolution: also the compounding of things already compound. [L.de, neg., andcompose.]
Decomposite, dē-kom-poz′it, orde-kom′-,adj.compound a second time or more than once. [L.de, andcomposite.]
Decompound, de-kom-pownd′,v.t.to compound again: to compound things already compounded; also, to divide a thing into its constituent parts.—adj.compounded a second time.—adj.Decompound′able. [L.de, andcompound.]
Deconcentrate, de-kon-sen′trāt, orde-kon′sen-trāt,v.t.to scatter.—n.Deconcentrā′tion. [De, andconcentrate.]
Deconsecrate, de-kon′se-krāt,v.t.to deprive of the character given by consecration: to secularise.—n.Deconsecrā′tion.
Decorate, dek′o-rāt,v.t.to ornament, to beautify: to honour with a badge or medal.—adj.Dec′orated.—n.Decorā′tion, ornament: badge of an order.—adj.Dec′orātive, ornamental.—ns.Dec′orātiveness;Dec′orātor.—Decorated style(archit.), a style of Gothic architecture, elaborated and richly decorated, which prevailed till near the end of the 14th century.—Decoration Day, May 30th, when the memory of the soldiers who fell in the American Civil War of 1861-65 is honoured by the decoration of their graves, speeches, processions, &c. [L.decorāre,-ātum—decus, what is becoming—decēre, to be becoming.]
Decorous, de-kō′rus, ordek′o-rus,adj.becoming: suitable: proper: decent.—adv.Decō′rously.—ns.Decō′rousness;Decō′rum, that which is becoming in outward appearance: propriety of conduct: decency. [L.decorus, becoming.]
Decorticate, de-kor′ti-kāt,v.t.to deprive of the bark, husk, or peel.—n.Decorticā′tion. [L.decorticāre,-ātum—de, from, andcortex, bark.]
Decoy, de-koy′,v.t.to allure: to entrap: to lure into a trap.—n.anything intended to allure into a snare: an apparatus of hoops and network for trapping wild-ducks—sometimesduck-coy.—n.Decoy′-duck, a wild-duck tamed and trained to entice others into a trap: (fig.) one employed to allure others into a snare. [L.de, down, and O. Fr.coi, quiet; the earlier verbto coywas confused with the Dut.kooi—L.cavea, a cage. SeeCoy.]
Decrassify, dē-kras′i-fī,v.t.to make less crass.
Decrease, de-krēs′,v.i.to become less: to be diminished by degrees in size or power.—v.t.to make less: to lessen gradually.—n.a growing less: loss.—adv.Decreas′ingly. [O. Fr.decrois, a decrease—L.descrescĕre—de, from,crescĕre, to grow.]
Decree, de-krē′,n.an order by one in authority: an edict or law: a judicial decision: a predetermined purpose.—v.t.to decide or determine by sentence in law: to appoint.—v.i.to make a decree:—pr.p.decree′ing;pa.p.decreed′.—adjs.Decree′able, capable of being decreed;Decrē′tive, having the force of a decree;Dec′rētory,Decretō′rial, established by a decree: determining: judicial.—Decree nisi(L.nisi, unless), a decree that becomes absolute unless cause be shown to the contrary—granted esp. in divorce cases. [O. Fr.decret—L.decretum—decernĕre, to decide.]
Decreet, de-krēt′,n.(Scots law) a court judgment.
Decrement, dek′re-ment,n.the act or state of decreasing: the quantity lost by decrease. [L.decrementum.]
Decrepit, de-krep′it,adj.worn out by the infirmities of old age: in the last stage of decay.—ns.Decrep′itness;Decrep′itude, state of being decrepit or worn out with age. [L.decrepitus, noiseless, very old—de, not,crepitus, a noise.]
Decrepitate, de-krep′i-tāt,v.i.to crackle, as salts when heated.—v.t.to roast so as to cause a continual crackling, to calcine.—n.Decrepitā′tion. [L.de, inten.,crepitāre, to rattle much, freq. ofcrepāre.]
Decrescent, de-kres′ent,adj.becoming gradually less.—n.(mus.)Decrescen′do= Diminuendo (q.v.). [L.]
Decretal, de-krē′tal,adj.pertaining to a decree.—n.a decree, esp. of the pope: a book containing decrees: spec. inpl.the second part of the canon law, the decrees of various popes determining points of ecclesiastical law.—n.Decrē′tist, in medieval universities, a student of the decretals, a student of law.—adjs.Decrē′tive;Decrē′tory, pertaining to a decree, judicial. [L.decretalis—decretum.]
Decrew, de-krōō′,v.i.(Spens.) to decrease. [Fordecrue—O. Fr.decru, pa.p. ofdecroistre. SeeDecrease.]
Decrown, dē-krown′,v.t.to discrown. [Fr.découronner, to discrown.]
Decrustation, dē-krus-tā′shun,n.the act of removing a crust.
Decry, de-krī′,v.t.to cry down: to condemn: to censure as worthless: to blame:—pa.p.decried′.—ns.Decrī′al;Decrī′er. [Fr.de(s)= L.dis, andcrier, to cry. SeeCry.]
Decuman, dek′ū-man,adj.principal, large—of waves, &c.: connected with the principal gate of a Roman camp (near which the 10th cohort of the legion was stationed).—n.a great wave, as every tenth wave was supposed to be. [L.decumanus—decem, ten.]
Decumbent, de-kum′bent,adj.lying down: reclining on the ground.—ns.Decubā′tion,Decum′bence,Decum′bency, the act or posture of lying down.—adj.Decū′bital—n.Decū′bitus, a recumbent position, as of one sick in bed: a bed-sore.—adv.Decum′bently.—n.Decum′biture, the time when a sick person takes to bed. [L.decumbens—de, down, andcumbĕre, forcubāre, to lie.]
Decuple, dek′ū-pl,adj.tenfold.—n.a number ten times repeated.—v.t.to make tenfold. [Fr.décuple—L.decem, ten, andplicāre, to fold.]
Decurion, dē-kū′ri-on,n.an officer in a Roman army over ten soldiers—aDec′uryorDecū′ria: any overseer of ten.—n.Decū′rionate. [L.]
Decurrent, de-kur′ent,adj.running or extending downward.—n.Decurr′ency.—adv.Decurr′ently.—n.Decur′sion, a running down: a military manœuvre or parade.—adj.Decur′sive.—adv.Decur′sively. [L.decurrens—de, down,currĕre,cursum, to run.]
Decurtate, dē-kur′tāt,adj.cut short, abridged.—v.t.to cut short. [L.decurtāre,-ātum, to cut short.]
Decussate, de-kus′āt,v.i.to cross in the form of an X: to cross, as lines, &c.—adjs.Decuss′ate,-d, crossed: arranged in pairs which cross each other, like some leaves.—adv.Decuss′ately.—n.Decussā′tion. [L.decussāre,-ātum—decussis, a coin of ten asses (decem asses) marked with X, symbol of ten.]
Dedal,Dedalian. SeeDædal.
Dedicate, ded′i-kāt,v.t.to set apart and consecrate to some sacred purpose: to devote wholly or chiefly: to inscribe to any one.—adj.devoted: (Shak.) dedicated.—ns.Ded′icant, one who dedicates;Dedicatee(ded′i-kā-tē′), one to whom a thing is dedicated;Dedicā′tion, the act of dedicating: an address to a patron, prefixed to a book;Ded′icātor, one who dedicates.—adjs.Dedicatō′rial,Ded′icātory, of or pertaining to a dedication. [L.dedicāre,-ātum—de, down,dicēre, to declare.]
Dedimus, ded′i-mus,n.a writ commissioning one not a judge to act as a judge—from its first word. [L.,dedimus, we have given,dăre, to give.]
Deduce, de-dūs′,v.t.to draw from: to infer a truth or opinion from what precedes or from premises.—ns.Deduce′ment, what is deduced;Deducibil′ity, the quality of being deducible.—adj.Deduc′ible, that may be deduced or inferred.—v.t.Deduct′, to take from: to separate: to subtract.—adj.Deduct′ible.—n.Deduc′tion, (1) the act of deducing: that which is deduced: the drawing of a particular truth from a general, antecedently known, as distinguished fromInduction, rising from particular truths to a general; (2) the act of deducting: that which is deducted: abatement.—adj.Deduct′ive, that is, or that may be, deduced from premises or accepted principles.—adv.Deduct′ively. [L.deducĕre,deductum—de, fromducĕre,ductum, to lead.]
Dee, dē,v.i.Scotch fordie.
Deed, dēd,n.something done: an act: an exploit: a legal transaction: the written evidence of it.—adj.Deed′ful(Tenn.), marked by deeds or exploits.—adv.Deed′ily.—adjs.Deed′less(Shak.), not having performed deeds;Deed′y, industrious, active.—Deed of saying(Shak.), performance of what has been said or promised.—In deed, in reality. [A.S.dæd—dón, to do; Ger.that—thun, to do.]
Deed, dēd, a Scotch form ofindeed.
Deem, dēm,v.t.orv.i.to judge: to think: to believe.—n.(Shak.) opinion.—ns.Deem′ster,Demp′ster, one who pronounces judgment, a judge—esp. one of the two in the Isle of Man. [A.S.déman, to form a judgment—dóm, doom.]
Deep, dēp,adj.extending far down or far from the outside: difficult to understand: secret: wise and penetrating: cunning: very still: profound: profoundly learned in a language: intense, heart-felt: sunk low: low or grave: (of a road) encumbered with mud, sand, or ruts.—adv.in a deep manner.—n.that which is deep: the sea: anything profound or incomprehensible.—adjs.Deep′-browed, of high intellectual powers;Deep′-draw′ing(of ships), requiring considerable depth to float in;Deep′-drawn;Deep′-dyed, thorough-going, extreme—in a bad sense.—v.t.Deep′en, to make deeper in any sense: to increase.—v.i.to become deeper.—adjs.Deep′-fet(Shak.), fetched or drawn from a depth;Deep′-laid.—adv.Deep′ly.—adjs.Deep′-most, deepest;Deep′-mouthed, with deep voice.—n.Deep′ness.—adjs.Deep′-read, profoundly versed;Deep′-sea, pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea;Deep′-seat′ed, firmly seated;Deep′-toned, having a deep tone. [A.S.deóp; Ger.tief. Cf.Dip,Dive.]
Deer, dēr,n.a quadruped of several species, as the stag, reindeer, &c.; in M. E., any kind of animal.—ns.Deer′-hair, heath club-rush;Deer′-herd;Deer′-hound;Deer′-lick, a spot of salt ground whither deer come to lick the earth;Deer′-mouse, a common name for several species of American mice—so called from their agility;Deer′-neck, a thin, ill-shaped neck—of horses;Deer′-skin, the skin of the deer, or leather made therefrom;Deer′-stalk′er;Deer′-stalk′ing, the hunting of deer by stalking, or stealing upon them unawares. [A.S.deór; Ger.thier, Dut.dier; Ice.dýr. There is no connection with Gr.thēr, L.fera, a wild beast.]
Deface, de-fās′,v.t.to destroy or mar the face or external appearance of, to disfigure: to obliterate.—n.Deface′ment, act of defacing: injury to form or appearance: that which defaces.—adv.Defā′cingly. [O. Fr.desfacer—des= L.dis, away,facies, face.]
Defalcate, de-fal′kāt,v.t.to deduct a part of, of money, &c.: to embezzle money held on trust.—ns.Defalcā′tion, a diminution: a misappropriation of funds entrusted to one;Def′alcātor, a defaulter. [Low L.difalcāre,-ātum, to cut away—L.dis-, off,falcāre, to cut—falx,falcis, a sickle.]
Defame, de-fām′,v.t.to take away or destroy the good fame or reputation of: to speak evil of: to charge falsely.—n.(Spens.) infamy.—n.Defamā′tion, the act of defaming: calumny: slander.—adv.Defam′atorily.—adj.Defam′atory, containing defamation: injurious to reputation: calumnious.—p.adj.Defā′ming. [O. Fr.defamer—L.diffamāre—dis, away,fama, report.]
Default, de-fawlt′,n.a fault, failing, or failure: defect: neglect to do what duty or law requires: failure to account for money entrusted to one's charge: offence.—v.i.to fail through neglect of duty: to fail to appear in court when called upon.—n.Default′er, one who fails to appear in court, or to account for money entrusted to his care, or to settle a debt of honour.—Judgment by default, judgment given against a person because he fails to plead or make an appearance in court. [O. Fr.defauteanddefault—de= L.dis, apart, andfaute.]
Defeasance, de-fēz′ans,n.undoing: defeat.—adjs.Defeas′anced, liable to be forfeited;Defeas′ible, that may be defeated or annulled.—n.Defeas′ibleness.—Deed of defeas′ance(Eng. law), an instrument which defeats the operation of some other deed or estate; and that which in the same deed is called a condition, in a separate deed is a defeasance. [O. Fr.defaisance—defaire, to undo.]
Defeat, de-fēt′,v.t.to frustrate: to ruin.—n.a frustration of plans: ruin: overthrow, as of an army in battle.—n.Defeat′ure(Spens.), defeat: disfigurement, disguise. [O. Fr.defait,defaire, to undo—L.dis, neg.facĕre, to do.]
Defecate, def′e-kāt,v.t.to clear from dregs or impurities: to purify from extraneous matter.—v.i.to void excrement.—n.Defecā′tion. [L.defæcāre,-ātum, to cleanse—de, from,fæx,fæcis, dregs.]
Defect, de-fekt′,n.a deficiency: a want: imperfection: blemish: fault.—n.Defectibil′ity.—adj.Defect′ible, liable to imperfection: deficient.—ns.Defec′tion, a failure, a falling away from duty: revolt;Defec′tionist.—adj.Defec′tive, having defect: wanting in some necessary quality: imperfect: faulty: insufficient.—adv.Defect′ively.—n.Defect′iveness.—The defects of one's qualities, virtues carried to excess, the faults apt to accompany or flow from good qualities. [L.deficĕre,defectum, to fail—de, down, andfacĕre, to do.]
Defence, de-fens′,n.a defending: protection: vindication: (law) a defendant's plea.—pa.p.Defenc′ed(B.), fortified.—adj.Defence′less.—adv.Defence′lessly.—n.Defence′lessness. [SeeDefend.]
Defend, de-fend′,v.t.to keep off anything hurtful: to guard or protect: to maintain against attack: (obs.) to prohibit, forbid: (law) to resist, as a claim: to contest.—adj.Defend′able, that may be defended.—ns.Defend′ant, a defender: (law) a person accused or sued;Defendee′, one who is defended;Defend′er;Defen′sative, a protection;Defensibil′ity.—adjs.Defens′ible, that may be defended;Defens′ive,Defen′sory, serving to defend: in a state or posture of defence.—n.that which defends: posture of defence.—adv.Defens′ively.—Defender of the Faith, a title borne by the sovereigns of England since Henry VIII., on whom it was conferred in 1521 for his book against Luther.—Be on the defensive, to be in the position to defend one's self. [L.defendĕre,defensum, to ward off—de, off, and obs.fendĕre, to strike.]
Defer, de-fėr′,v.t.to put off to another time: to delay:—pr.p.defer′ring;pa.p.deferred′.—ns.Defer′ment;Defer′rer, a procrastinator.—Deferred annuity(seeAnnuity);Deferred pay, an allowance paid to soldiers on their discharge, or to their relations on their death;Deferred shares, shares issued by a trading company, but not entitling the holder to a full share of the profits of the company, and sometimes to none at all, until the expiration of a specified time or the occurrence of some event. [L.differre—dis, asunder,ferre, to bear, carry.]
Defer, de-fėr,v.i.to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.—v.t.to submit to or lay before:—pr.p.defer′ring;pa.p.deferred′.—n.Def′erence, a deferring or yielding in judgment or opinion: regard: submission.—adj.Def′erent, bearing away, carrying off.—n.a deferent duct (as opposed to anafferentone) in the human body.—adj.Deferen′tial, expressing deference or respect.—adv.Deferen′tially. [L.deferre—de, down, andferre, to bear.]
Defervescence, de-fer-ves′ens,n.abatement of heat: coolness: decrease of feverish symptoms.—AlsoDeferves′cency. [L.defervescĕre, to cease boiling—de, down, andfervescĕre, fromfervēre, to boil.]
Defeudalise, dē-fū′dal-īz,v.t.to deprive of feudal character.
Deffly(Spens.). ForDeftly.
Defiance, de-fī′ans,n.the act of defying: a challenge to combat: aggressiveness: contempt of opposition.—adj.Defī′ant, full of defiance, insolently bold.—adv.Defī′antly.—n.Defī′antness.—adj.Defī′atory, bidding defiance.—Bid defiance to, to defy.
Defibrinate, de-fī′bri-nāt,v.t.to deprive of fibrine—alsoDefī′brinise.—n.Defibrinā′tion.
Deficient, de-fish′ent,adj.wanting.—n.Defic′iency(sometimesDefic′ience), defect.—adv.Defic′iently.—ns.Defic′ientness;Def′icit, deficiency, esp. of revenue, as compared with expenditure. [L.,deficĕre.]
Defile, dē-fīl′, ordē′fīl,v.i.to march off in file or line, or file by file.—n.a long narrow pass or way, in which troops can march only in file, or with a narrow front.—v.t.Defilāde′, to plan a fortification so as to protect it from enfilading fire.—n.Defile′ment. [Fr.défiler—L.dis, andfilum, a thread.]
Defile, de-fīl′,v.t.to pollute or corrupt: to violate.—ns.Defile′ment, act of defiling: foulness;Defil′er. [L.de, and A.S.fýlan,fúl, foul.]
Defiliation, de-fil-i-ā′shun,n.depriving a parent of his child. [L.de, neg., andfilius, a son.]
Define, de-fīn′,v.t.to fix the bounds or limits of: to determine with precision: to describe accurately: to fix the meaning of.—adj.Defin′able, that may be defined.—n.Define′ment(Shak.), description.—adj.Def′inite, defined: having distinct limits: fixed: exact: clear.—adv.Def′initely.—ns.Def′initeness;Defini′tion, a defining: a description of a thing by its properties: an explanation of the exact meaning of a word, term, or phrase.—adj.Defin′itive, defining or limiting: positive: final.—n.(gram.) an adjective used to limit the signification of a noun.—adv.Defin′itively.—ns.Defin′itiveness;Defin′itude, definitiveness. [Fr.,—L.definīre,-ītum, to set bounds to—de,finis, a limit.]
Deflagrate, def′la-grāt,v.i.orv.t.to burn down: to burn rapidly.—ns.Deflagrabil′ity, combustibility;Deflagrā′tion;Def′lagrator, a galvanic instrument for producing rapid combustion. [L.deflagrāre—de, down,flagrāre, to burn.]
Deflect, de-flekt′,v.i.orv.t.to turn aside: to swerve or deviate from a right line or proper course.—p.adj.Deflect′ed(bot.), bent abruptly downward.—ns.Deflec′tion,Deflex′ion, deviation.—adj.Deflec′tive, causing deflection.—n.Deflec′tor, a diaphragm in a lamp, stove, &c., by which the flame and gases are brought together and the combustion improved.—v.t.Deflex′(zool.,bot.), to bend down.—adj.Deflexed′.—n.Deflex′ure, deviation. [L.de, from, andflectĕre,flexum, to bend, turn.]
Deflorate, de-flō′rāt,adj.past the flowering state, as an anther after it has shed its pollen.—n.Deflorā′tion, the act of deflowering.
Deflower,Deflour, de-flowr′,v.t.to deprive of flowers: to deprive of grace and beauty: to ravish.—n.Deflow′erer. [O. Fr.deflorer—Low L.deflorāre, to strip flowers off—L.de, neg.,flos,floris, a flower.]
Defluent, def′lōō-ent,adj.running down, decurrent.—n.Deflux′ion, a discharge of fluid in the body. [L.defluĕre—de, down,fluĕre,fluxum, to flow.]
Defoliate, de-fō′li-āt,v.t.to deprive of leaves.—adjs.Defō′liate,-d.—ns.Defoliā′tion, the falling off of leaves: the time of shedding leaves;Defō′liator. [Low L.defoliāre,-ātum—de, off,folium, a leaf.]
Deforce, de-fōrs′,v.t.(law) to keep out of possession by force: (Scots law) to resist an officer of the law in the execution of his duty.—ns.Deforce′ment;Deforc′iant, one who deforces;Deforciā′tion, a legal distress. [Fr.de= L.dis, andforce.]
Deforest, de-for′est,v.t.to disforest: to deprive of forests.—n.Deforestā′tion.
Deform, de-form′,v.t.to alter or injure the form of: to disfigure.—adj.(Milt.) hideous, unshapely.—n.Deformā′tion.—p.adj.Deformed′, misshapen.—adv.Deform′edly.—ns.Deformed′ness;Deform′er;Deform′ity, state of being deformed: want of proper form: ugliness: disfigurement: anything that destroys beauty: an ugly feature or characteristic. [L.deformis, ugly—de, from,forma, beauty.]
Defoul, de-fowl′,v.t.to defile. [A.S.fúl, foul, whence by vowel change ofútoý,fýlan.]
Defraud, de-frawd′,v.t.to deprive of by fraud: to withhold wrongfully: to cheat or deceive.—ns.Defraud′ment,Defraudā′tion. [L.defraudāre—de, from, andfraus,fraudis, fraud.]
Defray, de-frā′,v.t.to discharge the expenses of anything: to pay: (Spens.) to appease:—pr.p.defray′ing;pa.p.defrayed′.—ns.Defray′ment,Defray′al. [O. Fr.defrayer—de, andfrais, expense—Low L.fractum, breakage, damage, expense.]
Deft, deft,adj.handy, clever.—adv.Deft′ly.—n.Deft′ness. [M. E.defte,dafte, simple, meek; A.S.ge-dæfte, meek—dæftan,gedæftan, prepare, make fit; the stem appears inge-daf-en, to fit.]
Defunct, de-funkt′,adj.having finished the course of life, dead.—n.a dead person.—n.Defunc′tion(Shak.), death.—adj.Defunc′tive(Shak.), pertaining to the dead. [L.defungi,defunctus, to finish—de, andfungi, to perform.]
Defy, de-fī′,v.t.to challenge: to brave: (obs.) to discard, dislike:—pr.p.defy′ing;pa.p.defied′.—n.(Dryden) a defiance.—n.Defī′er. [O. Fr.defier—Low L.diffidāre, to renounce faith or allegiance—L.dis, asunder, andfīdĕre, to trust—fĭdes, faith.]
Dégagé, dā-ga-zhā′,adj.unembarrassed, unconstrained, easy. [Pa.p. of Fr.dégager, to disentangle.]
Degar′nish=Disgarnish(q.v.).
Degenerate, de-jen′ėr-āt,adj.having departed from the high qualities of race or kind: become base—alsoDegen′erous(obs.).—v.i.to fall from a nobler state: to be or to grow worse.—v.i.Degen′der(Spens.), to degenerate.—ns.Degen′eracy,Degenerā′tion, the act or process of becoming degenerate: the state of being degenerate.—adv.Degen′erately.—n.Degen′erateness.—adj.Degen′erating.—n.Degenerā′tionist, one who believes that the tendency of man is not to improve, but to degenerate.—adj.Degen′erative, tending or causing to degenerate. [L.degenerāre,-ātum, to depart from its kind—de, from, down,genus,genĕris, kind.]
Degerminator, de-jėr′mi-nā-tor,n.an apparatus for splitting grains and removing the germs. [L.de, neg., andgermen, a germ.]
Deglutinate, de-glōō′tin-āt,v.t.to separate things that are glued together by softening the glue:—pr.p.deglu′tināting;pa.p.deglu′tināted. [L.deglutināre,-ātum—de, neg., andglutināre—gluten, glue.]
Deglutition, deg-lōō-tish′un,n.the act or power of swallowing.—adjs.Deglu′titive,Deglu′titory. [Fr.,—L.de, down, andglutīre, to swallow. SeeGlut.]
Degrade, de-grād′,v.t.to lower in grade or rank: to deprive of office or dignity: to lower in character, value, or position: to disgrace.—n.Degradā′tion, disgrace: degeneration: abortive structural development: a lowering in dignity.—p.adjs.Degrad′ed, reduced in rank: base: low: (her.) placed on steps;Degrad′ing, debasing: disgraceful. [Fr.dégrader—L.de, down, andgradus, a step. SeeGrade.]
Degree, de-grē′,n.a grade or step: one of a series of advances: relative position: rank: extent: a mark of distinction conferred by universities, whether earned by examination or granted as a mark of honour: the 360th part of a circle: 60 geographical miles: nearness of relationship: comparative amount of guilt: one of the three stages (positive,comparative,superlative) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.—By degrees, by little and little, gradually;Forbidden degrees, the degrees of consanguinity and affinity within which it is not permitted to marry;Songs of degrees, orSongs of ascents, Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv., either because sung by the Jews returning from captivity, or by the Jews coming up annually to attend the feasts at Jerusalem;To a degree, to a great degree, to an extreme. [Fr.degré—L.de,gradus, a step.]
Degust, dē-gust′,v.t.to taste, to relish.—v.i.to have a relishing taste.—v.t.Degust′āte(same asDegust).—n.Degustā′tion, the act of tasting. [L.de, down, andgustāre, to taste.]
Dehisce, dē-his′,v.i.to gape, to open as the capsules of a plant.—n.Dehis′cence.—adj.Dehis′cent. [L.dehiscens, pr.p. ofdehiscĕre—de, inten., andhiscĕre, to gape.]
Dehort, de-hort′,v.t.to exhort from, to dissuade.—n.Dehortā′tion, dissuasion.—adjs.Dehor′tative,Dehor′tatory, dissuasive.—n.Dehort′er. [L.dehortāri—de, neg., andhortāri, to exhort.]
Dehumanise, de-hū′ma-nīz,v.t.to deprive of specifically human qualities. [L.de, neg., andhumanise.]
Dehydrate, de-hī′drāt,v.t.to deprive of water, chemically.—v.i.to lose water.—n.Dehydrā′tion. [L.de, neg., Gr.hydōr.]
Deicide, dē′i-sīd,n.the killing of a god: the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [From a supposed Low L. formdeicidium—deus, a god, andcædĕre, to kill.]
Deictic, dīk′tik,adj.proving directly.—adv.Deic′tically. [Gr.deiktikos—deiknynai, to show.]
Deid-thraw, dēd′-thraw,n.(Scot.) death-throe.
Deify, dē′i-fī,v.t.to exalt to the rank of a god: to worship as a deity: to make god-like:—pr.p.dē′ifying;pa.p.dē′ified.—adjs.—Deif′ic,-al, making god-like or divine.—n.Deificā′tion, the act of deifying: a deified embodiment.—adj.Dē′iform, god-like in form or character. [Fr.déifier—L.deificāre—deus, a god, andfacĕre, to make.]
Deign, dān,v.i.to condescend.—v.t.to give: to allow: (obs.) to favour. [Fr.daigner—L.dignāri, to think worthy—dignus, worthy.]
Deil, dēl, Scotch form ofdevil.
Deinotherium, dī-no-thē′ri-um,n.=Dinotherium.
Deiparous, dē-ip′a-rus,adj.bearing a god—of the Virgin. [L.deus, a god,parĕre, to bring forth.]
Deipnosophist, dīp-nos′ō-fist,n.one who converses learnedly at dinner, a table-philosopher—from the title of a work by Athenæus. [Gr.deipnon, dinner,sophistēs—sophos, wise.]
Deist, dē′ist,n.one who believes in the existence of God, but not in revealed religion.—n.Dē′ism, the creed of a deist.—adjs.Deist′ic,-al.—adv.Deist′ically. [Fr.déiste,déisme—L.deus, a god.]
Deity, dē′i-ti,n.the divinity: godhead: a god or goddess: the Supreme Being. [Fr.,—Low L.deitas—L.deus, god; Sans.deva—div, to shine.]
Deject, de-jekt′,v.t.to cast down the countenance or spirits of.—adj.(Shak.) cast down.—adj.Deject′ed, cast down: dispirited.—adv.Deject′edly.—ns.Deject′edness;Dejec′tion, lowness of spirits: (pl.) fæcal discharge (alsodejecta).—adj.Dejec′tory, promoting evacuations. [L.dejicĕre,-jectum—de, down,jacĕre, to cast.]
Delaine, dē-lān′,n.an untwilled light dress material, originally of wool—alsoMuslin-de-laine.
Delapse, dē-laps′,v.i.(obs.) to sink down.—n.Delap′sion.
Delate, de-lāt′,v.t.to carry on: to publish: to charge with a crime.—ns.Delā′tion;Delat′or. [L.deferre,delātum, to bring a report against, to inform—de, inten.,ferre, to bear.]
Delay, de-lā′,v.t.to put off to another time: to defer: to hinder or retard.—v.i.to pause, linger, or put off time.—n.a putting off or deferring: a lingering: hinderance:—pr.p.delay′ing;pa.p.delayed′.—n.Delay′er.—adv.Delay′ingly. [O. Fr.delaier—L.differre,dilātum—dis, apart,ferre, to carry.]
Delay, de-lā′,v.t.(Spens.) to temper, dilute, weaken. [Fr.délayer, dilute—L.deliquāre, clarify.]
Dele, dē′lē,v.t., delete, efface, a direction in proof-reading to remove a superfluous letter or word, usually marked thusDele symbol.—adjs.Del′eble,Del′ible, that can be deleted. [L., imper. ofdelēre, to delete.]
Delectable, de-lekt′a-bl,adj.delightful: pleasing.—n.Delect′ableness.—adv.Delect′ably.—n.Delectā′tion, delight. [Fr.,—L.delectabilis—delectāre, to delight.]
Delegate, del′e-gāt,v.t.to send as a legate or representative: to entrust or commit to.—n.one who is delegated: a deputy or representative: (U.S.) a person elected to represent a territory in congress, as distinguished from the representatives of the States.—adj.delegated, deputed.—ns.Delegā′tion,Del′egacy, a delegating: the persons delegated. [L.de, away, andlegare,-ātum, to send as ambassador.]
Delete, de-lēt′,v.t.to blot out: to erase: to destroy.—n.pl.Delen′da, things to be deleted or erased.—n.Delē′tion.—adjs.Delē′tive,Delē′tory. [L.delēre,delētum, to blot out.]
Deleterious, del-e-tē′ri-us,adj.tending to destroy life: hurtful or destructive: poisonous.—adv.Deletē′riously.—n.Deletē′riousness. [Gr.dēlētērios, hurtful—deleisthai, to hurt.]
Delf, delf,n.a contraction forDelft′ware, a kind of earthenware originally made atDelft, Holland.
Delf, delf,n.a drain, ditch: (her.) a charge representing a square sod. [A.S.dælf—delfan, to dig.]
Delian, dē′li-an,adj.pertaining toDelosin the Ægean Sea, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
Delibate, del′i-bāt,v.t.(obs.) to sip.—n.Delibā′tion.
Deliberate, de-lib′ėr-āt,v.t.to weigh well in one's mind.—v.i.to consider the reasons for and against anything: to reflect: to consider.—adj.well considered: considering carefully: slow in determining: cautious.—adv.Delib′erately.—ns.Delib′erateness;Deliberā′tion, the act of deliberating: mature reflection: calmness: coolness.—adj.Delib′erative, proceeding or acting by deliberation.—adv.Delib′eratively. [L.deliberāre,-ātum—de, inten., andlibrāre, to weigh—libra, a balance.]
Delicate, del′i-kāt,adj.pleasing to the senses, esp. the taste: dainty: nicely discriminating or perceptive: of a fine, slight texture or constitution: tender: frail, not robust: requiring nice handling: refined in manners: gentle, polite, considerate: luxurious.—n.Del′icacy, state or quality of being delicate: refinement: nicety: tenderness, weakness: luxuriousness: anything delicate or dainty.—adv.Del′icately, in a delicate manner: (B.) luxuriously.—n.Del′icateness, state of being delicate: (B.) delicacy, luxury.—n.pl.Del′icates(B.), delicacies. [L.delicātus—deliciæ, allurements, luxury—delicĕre—de, inten.,lacĕre, to entice.]
Delice, del′is,n.(Spens.) flower delice, the iris. [SeeFleur-de-lis.]
Delicious, de-lish′us,adj.full of delicacies: highly pleasing to the senses: affording exquisite pleasure.—n.Del′ice, (Spens.), delight: a delight or delightful thing.—adv.Deli′ciously, in a delicious manner: (B.) luxuriously.—n.Deli′ciousness. [L.deliciosus—deliciæ.]
Delict, de-likt′,n.a transgression, a misdemeanour. [L.delictum, an offence—de, andlinquĕre, to leave.]
Deligation, del-i-gā′shun,n.a binding up, ligature.
Delight, de-līt′,v.t.to please highly.—v.i.to have or take great pleasure: to be greatly pleased.—n.a high degree of pleasure: extreme satisfaction: that which gives great pleasure.—p.adj.Delight′ed, greatly pleased: (Shak.) delightful.—adjs.Delight′ful,Delight′some, full of delight.—adv.Delight′fully.—n.Delight′fulness.—adj.Delight′less, affording no delight. [O. Fr.deliter—L.delectāre, inten. ofdelicĕre.]
Delilah, dē-lī′la,n.the Philistine woman who befooled Samson: a courtesan who seduces a man to betray secrets: a light woman, strumpet.—AlsoDalī′la.
Delimit, de-lim′it,v.t.to fix or mark the limit of.—n.Delimitā′tion.
Delineate, de-lin′e-āt,v.t.to mark out with lines: to represent by a sketch or picture: to portray: to describe accurately in words.—adj.Delin′eable.—ns.Delineā′tion, the act of delineating: a sketch, representation, or description (sometimesDelin′eament);Delin′eator. [L.delineāre,-ātum—de, down, andlinea, a line.]
Delinquent, de-ling′kwent,adj.failing in duty.—n.one who fails in or leaves his duty: a transgressor: a criminal.—n.Delin′quency, failure in or omission of duty: a fault: a crime.—adv.Delin′quently. [L.delinquens,-entis, pr.p. ofdelinquĕre—de, inten., andlinquĕre, to leave.]
Deliquesce, del-i-kwes′,v.i.to melt and become liquid by absorbing moisture, as certain salts, &c.—v.i.andv.t.Del′iquate,Deliq′uiate, to melt.—ns.Deliques′cence,Deliquiā′tion.—adj.Deliques′cent, liquefying in the air. [L.deliquescĕre—de, inten.,liquescĕre, to become fluid—liquēre, to be fluid.]
Deliquium, de-lik′wi-um,n.liquefaction by absorption of moisture. [Fr.,—Low L.deliquium—L.de, down, andliquēre, to melt.]
Delirious, de-lir′i-us,adj.wandering in mind: light-headed: insane.—n.Delirā′tion, madness, an aberration.—adj.Delirifā′cient, producing delirium.—n.any substance with this quality.—adv.Delir′iously.—ns.Delir′iousness;Delir′ium, state of being delirious: strong excitement: wild enthusiasm.—Delirium tremens, a delirious disorder of the brain produced by excessive drinking, and often marked by convulsive or trembling symptoms. [L.delirus, crazy—de, from, andlira, a furrow;tremens, the pr.p. oftremĕre, to tremble.]
Delitescent, del-i-tes′ent,adj.lying hid or concealed—e.g. the germs of an infectious disease.—n.Delites′cence. [L.delitescens, pr.p. ofdelitescĕre—de, from, andlatescĕre—latēre, to lie hid.]
Deliver, de-liv′ėr,v.t.to liberate or set free from restraint or danger: to rescue from evil or fear: to give up or part with: to communicate: to pronounce: to give forth, as a blow, a ball, &c.: to disburden a woman of a child in childbirth.—adj.Deliv′erable.—ns.Deliv′erance, act of delivering or freeing: act of transferring from one to another: parturition: the utterance of a judgment or authoritative opinion;Deliv′erer;Deliv′ery, the act of delivering: a giving up: the act or manner of speaking in public, of discharging a shot, of throwing a cricket-ball, of pouring water, &c.: the act of giving birth.—General delivery, the delivery of letters from a post-office window to the persons to whom they are addressed—opp. to house to house delivery;Gaol, orJail,delivery(seeGaol). [Fr.délivrer—L.de, from,liberāre, to set free—liber, free.]
Deliverly, de-liv′ėr-li,adv.(Shak.) nimble manner. [O. Fr.delivre, free—L.de, andliber, free.]
Dell.SeeDale.
Della-Cruscan, del-la-krus′kan,adj.belonging to, or resembling, the old Florentine Accademiadella Crusca(1582), esp. of a group of sentimental English poetasters resident in Florence about 1784—crushed by Gifford'sBaviadin 1794.
Della-Robbia, del-la-rob′ya,n.a term applied to enamelled terra-cotta, said to have been invented by Lucadella Robbia.
Delph, an erroneous spelling ofDelf.
Delphian, del′fi-an,adj.relating toDelphi, a town of ancient Greece, or to the famous oracle which was there.—AlsoDel′phic.
Delphin, del′fin,adj.pertaining to thedauphinof France, or to an edition of the Latin classics prepared for his use, 64 vols., 1674-1730.
Delphinidæ, del-fin′i-dē,n.a family of cetaceans, including dolphins, grampuses, &c. [L.delphinus, a dolphin.]
Delphinium, del-fin′i-um,n.a genus ofRanunculaceæcomprising the larkspurs and stavesacre. [Formed from Gr.delphinion, larkspur.]
Delta, del′ta,n.the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, the capital form of which isΔ: a tract of land of like shape formed at the mouth of a river.—n.Deltaficā′tion, the process of forming a delta.—adj.Del′toid, of the form of the GreekΔ: triangular.—Delta metal, a hard alloy of copper, zinc, and iron—the three metals symbolised by the triangular shape;Deltoid muscle, the large triangular muscle of the shoulder. [Gr.,—Heb.daleth, a tent-door.]
Delubrum, de-lū′brum,n.a temple, shrine, sanctuary: a church having a font, a fort. [L.]
Deluce.SeeFleur-de-lis.
Delude, de-lūd′,v.t.to play or impose upon: to deceive.—adj.Delud′able.—n.Delud′er. [L.deludĕre, to play—de, down,ludĕre,lusum, to play.]
Deluge, del′ūj,n.a great overflow of water: a flood: esp. that in the days of Noah.—v.t.to inundate: to overwhelm as with water. [Fr.,—L.diluvium—diluĕre—dis, away,luĕre, to wash.]
Delundung, de-lun′dung,n.the weasel-cat of Java and Malacca, a small carnivore akin to the civet.
Delusion, de-lū′zhun,n.the act of deluding: the state of being deluded: a false belief: error.—adj.Delū′sional, pertaining to delusions, afflicted with such.—n.Delū′sionist.—adjs.Delū′sive,Delū′sory, apt or tending to delude: deceptive.—adv.Delū′sively.—n.Delū′siveness. [SeeDelude.]
Delve, delv,v.t.andv.i.to dig with a spade.—n.(Spens.) a place dug out, a ditch, a cave.—n.Delv′er. [A.S.delfan, to dig; conn. withdale,dell.]
Demagnetise, de-mag′net-īz,v.t.to deprive of magnetic power.—n.Demagnetisā′tion.
Demagogue, dem′a-gog,n.a leader of the people: a popular and factious orator.—adjs.Demagogic,-al(-goj′).—ns.Demagogism,Demagoguism(dem′a-gog-ism);Dem′agoguery,Demagogy(-goj′). [Fr.,—Gr.dēmogōgos—dēmos, the people,agogos, leading—agein, to lead.]
Demain.SeeDemesne.
Demand, dē-mand′,v.t.to claim: to ask earnestly or authoritatively: to call for: to question.—n.the asking for what is due: an asking for with authority: a claim: earnest inquiry.—adj.Demand′able, that may be demanded.—n.Demand′ant, one who demands: a plaintiff:—fem.Demand′ress.—In great demand, much sought after. [Fr.,—Low L.demandāre, to demand—L.de, from, andmandāre, to put into one's charge.]
Demarcation,Demarkation,de-mark-ā′shun,n.the act of marking off or setting bounds to: division: a fixed limit.—v.t.Demar′cate, to mark off or limit. [Fr.,—dé, off, andmarquer, to mark. SeeMark.]
Dematerialise, dē-ma-tē′ri-al-īz,v.t.to deprive of material qualities.
Deme, dēm,n.a subdivision of ancient Attica and of modern Greece, a township: (biol.) any differentiated aggregate of cells. [Gr.dēmos.]
Demean, de-mēn′,v.t.to conduct (withself): to behave.—n.Demeanour, conduct—(Spens.)Demayne,Demeasnure. [O. Fr.demener—de, inten., andmener, to lead—Low L.mināre, to drive cattle, L.mināri, to threaten.]