Demean, de-mēn′,v.t.to make mean: to lower. [More prob. on the analogy ofdebase, fromde, andmean, low, than the same word as the preceding with specialised sense.]
Dement, de-ment′,v.t.to drive crazy, render insane.—adj.insane, demented.—n.a demented person.—v.t.Dement′Äte, to dement.—p.adj.Dement′ed, out of one's mind: insane: suffering from dementia. [L.demens,dementis, out of one's mind—de, from, andmens, the mind.]
Démenti, dÄ-mong-tÄ“,n.a contradiction. [Fr.démentir, to give the lie to.]
Dementia, de-men′shi-a,n.general mental enfeeblement, with loss of memory, reason, feeling, and will: often the consequence of acute mania. [L.de, neg., andmens,mentis, mind.]
Demerit, de-mer′it,n.ill-desert: fault: crime. [O. Fr.demerite, desert, also a fault—Low L.demeritum, a fault,demerēre, to deserve—L.de, fully,merēre, to deserve.]
Demersed, dē-merst′,adj.(bot.) growing under water.—n.Demer′sion.
Demesmerise, de-mes′mer-Ä«z,v.t.to relieve from mesmeric influence.—n.DemesmerisÄ′tion.
Demesne, de-mÄ“n′,Demain,de-mÄn′,n.a manor-house, with lands adjacent to it not let out to tenants: any estate in land. [Forms ofdomain.]
Demi-bastion, dem′i-bast′yun,n.a kind of half-bastion, consisting of one face and one flank. [Fr.demi—L.dimidius, half, andbastion.]
Demi-cadence, dem′i-kÄ′dens,n.(mus.) a half-cadence.
Demi-cannon, dem′i-kan′un,n.(Shak.) an old gun which threw a ball of from 30 to 36 lbs.
Demi-culverin, dem′i-cul′ve-rin,n.an old kind of cannon which threw a shot of 9 or 10 lbs.
Demi-deify, dem′i-dē′i-fī,v.t.to treat as a demi-god.
Demi-devil, dem′i-dev′il,n.a half-devil.
Demi-distance, dem′i-dis′tans,n.(fort.) the distance between the outward polygons and the flank.
Demi-ditone, dem′i-dÄ«-tÅn,n.(mus.) a minor third.
Demigod, dem′i-god,n.half a god: one whose nature is partly divine, esp. a hero fabled to be the offspring of a god and a mortal:—fem.Dem′i-godd′ess. [Fr.demi, half, andgod.]
Demi-gorge, dem′i-gorj,n.(fort.) the part of the polygon remaining after the flank is raised, going from the curtain to the angle of the polygon.
Demi-john, dem′i-jon,n.a glass bottle with a full body and narrow neck, enclosed in wicker-work. [Fr.dame-jeanne, Dame Jane, analogous toBellarmine,gray-beard. Not from the townDamaghan.]
Demi-lance, dem′i-lans,n.a short, light spear of the 16th century; a soldier armed with such a weapon.
Demi-lune, dem′i-lÅÅn,n.(fort.) a half-moon: an old name forRavelin. [L.demi, half, and Fr.lune—L.luna, the moon.]
Demi-monde, dem′i-mond,n.women in an equivocal position, kept women: the prostitute class generally.
Demirep, dem′i-rep,n.a woman of dubious reputation.—n.Dem′irepdom, shady women collectively. [Said to be a contraction ofdemi-reputation.]
Demise, dē-mīz′,n.a transferring: death, esp. of a sovereign or a distinguished person: a transfer of the crown or of an estate to a successor.—v.t.to send down to a successor: to bequeath by will.—adj.Demī′sable. [O. Fr.demise, pa.p. ofdesmettre, to lay down—L.dimittĕre, to send away—L.dis, aside, andmittĕre,missum, to send.]
Demi-semiquaver
Demi-semiquaver, dem′i-sem′i-kwÄ-vÄ—r,n.(mus.) a note equal in time to the half of a semiquaver. [Fr.demi, half, andsemiquaver.]
Demiss, de-mis′,adj.(Spens.) humble. [L.demissus, pa.p. ofdemittĕre. SeeDemise.]
Demission, de-mish′un,n.a lowering: degradation: depression: relinquishment: resignation.—adj.Demiss′ive(obs.), humble.—adv.Demiss′ly. [L.demission-em. SeeDemise.]
Demit, de-mit′,v.t.to dismiss: to relinquish: to resign. [SeeDemise.]
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—alsoDemiur′gus.—adj.Demiur′gic. [Gr.dēmiourgos—dēmos, the people, andergon, 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, andvolte, a leap. SeeVault.]
Demi-wolf, dem′i-woolf,n.(Shak.) a half-wolf, the offspring of a dog and a wolf.
Demobilise, de-mob′il-Ä«z,v.t.to take out of mobilisation: to disband.—n.DemobilisÄ′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—alsoDemoc′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.Democratifī′able, capable of being made democratic.—v.t.Democratise′, to render democratic.—n.Democ′ratist, a democrat. [O. Fr.,—Gr.dēmokratia—dēmos, the people, andkratein, to rule—kratos, strength.]
Demogorgon, dÄ“-mo-gor′gon,n.a mysterious deity or diabolical magician first mentioned about 450A.D., and regarded as an object of terror. [Gr.daimÅn, deity,gorgos, terrible.]
Demography, dē-mog′ra-fi,n.vital and social statistics, as applied to the study of nations and races.—n.Demog′rapher.—adj.Demograph′ic. [Gr.dēmos, the people,graphein, to write.]
Demoiselle, dem-wa-zel′,n.(Shak.) a young lady: a crane-like bird of peculiarly graceful form. [Fr. SeeDamsel.]
Demolish, de-mol′ish,v.t.to destroy, lay in ruins, to ruin.—n.Demoli′tion, act of pulling down: ruin. [Fr.démolir—L.demolīri, to throw down—de, down, andmolīri, to build—moles, a heap.]
Demology, de-mol′o-jī,n.same asDemography: the theory of the origin and development of nations. [Gr.dēmos, the people,logia, a discourse.]
Demon, dē′mon,n.an evil spirit, a devil: sometimes likeDæmon, a friendly spirit or good genius:—fem.Dē′moness.—adjs.DemÅ′niac,DemÅnī′acal, pertaining to or like demons or evil spirits: influenced by demons.—ns.DemÅ′niac, a human being possessed by a demon or evil spirit.—adv.Demonī′acally.—n.Demonī′acism, state of being a demoniac.—adj.DemÅ′nian(Milt.).—ns.DemÅ′nianism,DemÅ′niasm, possession by a demon.—v.t.Dē′monise, to convert into a demon: to control or possess by a demon.—ns.Dē′monism, a belief in demons;Dē′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;DemonomÄ′nia, a form of mania in which the subject believes himself possessed by devils;Demon′omy, the dominion of demons;Dē′monry, demoniacal influence. [L.dæmon—Gr.daimÅn, a spirit, genius; in N. T. and Late Greek, a devil.]
Demonetise, dÄ“-mon′e-tÄ«z,n.to divest of value as money.—n.DemonetisÄ′tion.
Demonstrate, de-mon′strÄt,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.DemonstrÄ′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.demonstrÄre,-Ätum—de, inten., andmonstrÄre, to show.]
Demoralise, de-mor′al-Ä«z,v.t.to corrupt in morals: to lower themorale—that is, to deprive of spirit and confidence: to throw into confusion.—n.DemoralisÄ′tion, act of demoralising: corruption or subversion of morals.—p.adj.DemoralÄ«s′ing.
Demos, dē′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 likeDemosthenes, the Athenian orator: eloquent.
Dempster.Same asDeemster(q.v. underDeem).
Dempt, demt (Spens.).Pa.p.ofDeem.
Demulcent, de-mul′sent,adj.soothing. [L.demulcent-em—de, andmulcēre, 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.demorÄri, to loiter, linger—de, inten., andmorÄri, to delay—mora, delay.]
Demure, de-mūr′,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-mī′,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-mī′,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, anddenu, a valley.]
Den, den,n.(obs.) for good-e'en, good-even.
Denary, den′ar-i,adj.containing ten.—n.the number ten.—n.DenÄ′rius, the chief Roman silver coin under the Republic, divided into ten asses, and worth 92â„5d. [L.denarius—deni—decem, ten.]
Denationalise, de-nash′un-al-Ä«z,v.t.to deprive of national rights.—n.DenationalisÄ′tion.
Denaturalise, de-nat′ū-ral-īz,v.t.to make unnatural; to deprive of naturalisation.
Denay, de-nÄ′,obs.form ofDeny,Denial.
Dendrachate, den′dra-kÄt,n.arborescent agate.—Moss′-ag′ate.[Gr.dendron, tree,achatÄ“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′drīt,n.a mineral in which are figures resembling plants.—adjs.Dendrit′ic,-al, tree-like, arborescent: marked with branching figures like plants. [Gr.dendritēs, of a tree—dendron, a tree.]
Dendrodont, den′drÅ-dont,n.a fish of extinct fossil genusDendrodus, 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, andodous,odontos, tooth.]
Dendroid, den′droid,adj.having the form of a tree. [Gr.dendron, a tree, andeidos, form.]
Dendrolite, den′dro-līt,n.a petrified or fossil plant. [Gr.dendron, a tree, andlithos, 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, andlogia, a discourse.]
Dendrometer, dėn-drom′e-tėr,n.an instrument for ascertaining the height of a tree. [Gr.dendron, tree,metron, measure.]
Dene, dēn,n.a small valley.—n.Dene′-hole, an ancient artificial excavation in the chalk formations of Kent and Essex. [A form ofdean. Cf.Den.]
Denegation, dÄ“-ne-gÄ′shun,n.denial. [L.denegÄre,-Ätum, to deny—de, inten., andnegÄre, to deny.]
Dengue, deng′gÄ,n.an acute tropical epidemic fever, seldom fatal—alsobreakbone-fever,dandy-fever. [The Spanishdengue, refusing, prudery, from L.denegÄre, to deny, seems to have been confused withdandy-fever.]
Denial, de-nī′al,n.act of denying or saying no: contradiction: refusal: rejection.—adj.Denī′able, that may be denied.—n.Denī′er, one who denies.
Denier, de-nÄ“r′,n.(Shak.) an old small French silver coin: also later, a copper coin of the value of1â„12sou—hence a very trifling sum. [Fr.,—L.denarius.]
Denigration, de-ni-grÄ′shun,n.a making or becoming black—esp. the blackening of a man's character.—v.t.Den′igrate(obs.). [L.de, inten.,nigrÄre, to blacken,niger, black.]
Denim, den′im,n.coloured twilled cotton goods for overalls, &c.
Denitrate, dÄ“-nī′trÄt,v.t.to free from nitric acid.—ns.DenitrÄ′tion;Denī′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.DenizÄ′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, dÄ“-nom′in-Ät,v.t.to give a name to: to call.—adj.Denom′inable.—n.DenominÄ′tion, the act of naming: a name or title: a collection of individuals called by the same name: a sect.—adj.DenominÄ′tional, belonging to a denomination or sect.—n.DenominÄ′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, andnominÄre,-Ätum, to name—nomen, a name.]
Denote, dÄ“-nÅt′,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.DenÅ′table.—n.DenotÄ′tion, that which a word names or indicates, in contradistinction to that which itconnotesor signifies.—adj.DenÅ′tative.—adv.DenÅ′tatively.—n.DenÅte′ment(Shak.), a sign or indication. [Fr.,—L.denotÄre,-Ätum—de, inten., andnotÄre, to mark—nota, a mark or sign.]
Dénouement, dÄ-nÅÅ′mong,n.the unravelling of a plot or story: the issue, event, or outcome. [Fr.dénouementordénoûment;dénouer, to untie—de, neg., andnouer, 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 asDenunciation);Denounc′er. [Fr.dénoncer—L.denuntiÄre—de, inten., andnuntiÄre, 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-ėr,n.an instrument for ascertaining the comparative density or specific gravity of a substance. [L.densus, dense, andmetrum(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 ofdint.]
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. SeeTooth.]
Dentate,-d, den′tÄt, -ed,adj.toothed: notched: set as with teeth. [L.dentatus, toothed,dens, a tooth.]
Dentel.SeeDentil.
Dentex, den′teks,n.a voracious sparoid fish.
Denticle, den′ti-kl,n.a small tooth.—adjs.Dentic′ulÄte,-d, having notches.—n.DenticulÄ′tion. [L.denticulus, dim. ofdens, a tooth.]
Dentiform, den′ti-form,adj.having the form of a tooth or of teeth. [L.dens,dentis, tooth, andforma, form.]
Dentifrice, den′ti-fris,n.a substance used in rubbing or cleaning the teeth. [Fr.,—L.dentifricium, fromdens, andfricÄre, to rub.]
Dentigerous, den-tij′e-rus,adj.bearing teeth.
(a) Dentil.
Dentil, den′til,n.a denticle: (pl.) small square blocks or projections in the bed-mouldings of the cornices of columns—alsoDen′tel.—adj.Den′tilated. [SeeDenticle.]
Dentilingual, den-ti-ling′-gwal,adj.formed between the teeth and the tongue, asthinthin,this.—n.a consonant so formed.—AlsoDentoling′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, androstrum, 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.SeeDentilingual.
Denude, de-nÅ«d′,v.t.to make nude or naked: to lay bare.—n.DenudÄ′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.denudÄre—de, inten., andnudÄre,-Ätum, to make naked—nudus, naked.]
Denunciate, de-nun′shi-Ät,v.t.same asDenounce.—ns.Denunciation(-shi-Ä′-, or-si-Ä′-), any formal declaration: act of denouncing: a threat;Denun′ciator, one who denounces.—adj.Denun′ciatory, containing a denunciation: threatening.
Deny, de-nī′,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.denegÄre—de, inten., andnegÄre, to say no. SeeNegation.]
Deobstruent, de-ob′strÅÅ-ent,adj.(med.) removing obstructions.
Deodand, dē′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—dăre, to give.]
Deodar, de-o-där′,n.a cedar much praised by Indian poets: theCedrus Deodaraof the Himalayas. [Sans.Deva-dÄru, divine tree—a name given to various coniferous trees growing in sacred places.]
Deodate, dē′Å-dÄt,n.a gift from God. [L.deo, to God,datum, given part, pa.p. ofdăre, to give.]
Deodorise, dÄ“-Å′dor-Ä«z,v.t.to take the odour or smell from.—ns.DeodorisÄ′tion;DeÅ′doriser, a substance that destroys or conceals unpleasant smells.
Deontology, dÄ“-on-tol′Å-ji,n.the science of duty, ethics.—adj.Deontolog′ical.—n.Deontol′ogist.
Deoppilate, dÄ“-op′i-lÄt,v.t.to free from obstruction.—n.DeoppilÄ′tion.—adj.Deop′pilative.
Deoxidate, de-oks′i-dÄt,v.t.to take oxygen from, or reduce from the state of an oxide—alsoDeox′idise.—ns.DeoxidÄ′tion;Deoxidī′ser, a substance that deoxidises.
Deoxygenate, de-oks-ij′en-Ät,v.t.to deprive of oxygen.—AlsoDeoxy′genise.
Deozonise, de-Å-zÅn′īz,v.t.to deprive of ozone.
Depaint, de-pÄnt′,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, andpartīri, 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′tūr,v.t.to eat bare.—v.i.to graze.
Depauperise, de-paw′per-īz,v.t.to remove from the state of paupers.—v.t.Depau′perate, to impoverish.
Depeinct, de-pÄnt′,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—alsoDepend′ant.—ns.Depend′ence, state of being dependent, reliance, trust: that on which one depends—alsoDepend′ance;Depend′ency, same asDependence, 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.dependēre—de, from, andpendēre, to hang.]
Depersonalise, dē-per′son-al-īz,v.t.to take away the characteristics that constitute the personality of.
Dephlegmate, de-fleg′mÄt,v.t.(chem.) to free from water.—ns.DephlegmÄ′tion;DephlegmÄ′tor.
Dephlogisticate, de-flo-jis′ti-kÄt,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.depingĕre,depictum—de, inten.,pingĕre, to paint.]
Depicture, de-pikt′ūr,v.t.to picture: to paint: to represent:—pr.p.depict′ūring;pa.p.depict′ūred.
Depilate, dep′i-lÄt,v.t.to remove the hair from.—ns.DepilÄ′tion;Depil′atory, an application for removing superfluous hairs.—adj.possessing this quality.
Deplantation, dÄ“-plan-tÄ′shun,n.the act of clearing from plants or of transplanting.
Deplete, de-plēt′,v.t.to empty, reduce, exhaust.—n.Deplē′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.Deplē′tive,Deplē′tory. [L.deplēre,deplētum, to empty,de, neg.,plēre, to fill.]
Deplication, dep-li-kÄ′shun,n.an unfolding or unplaiting.
Deplore, de-plÅr′,v.t.to feel or express deep grief for.—adj.Deplor′able, lamentable: sad.—n.Deplor′ableness.—adv.Deplor′ably.—n.DeplorÄ′tion(obs.), lamentation.—adv.Deplor′ingly. [Fr.,—L.deplorÄre—de, inten.,plorÄre, 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, andplicÄre, to fold. Doublet ofdisplay.]
Deplume, de-plÅÅm′,v.t.to take the plumes or feathers from.—n.DeplumÄ′tion.
Depolarise, de-pÅ′lar-Ä«z,v.t.to deprive of polarity.—n.DepolarisÄ′tion.
Depone, de-pÅn′,v.t.to testify upon oath. [L.deponÄ•re—de, down, andponÄ•re, to place.]
Deponent, de-pÅ′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. ofdeponÄ•re.]
Depopulate, de-pop′ū-lÄt,v.t.to deprive of population, to dispeople.—v.i.to become dispeopled.—adj.depopulated.—ns.DepopulÄ′tion, act of depopulating: havoc: destruction;Depop′ulator. [L.depopulÄri,depopulÄtus—de, inten., andpopulÄri, to spread over a country, said of a hostile people (L.populus)—hence to ravage, to destroy. Some make it a freq. ofspoliÄre, to plunder.]
Deport, de-pÅrt′,v.t.to transport, to exile: to behave.—ns.DeportÄ′tion, transportation, exile;Deport′ment, carriage, behaviour. [Fr.,—L.deportÄre—de, away, andportÄre,-Ätum, to carry.]
Depose, de-pÅz′,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,pausÄre, 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,DepositÄ′tion.—ns.Depos′itary, a person with whom anything is left for safe keeping: a guardian—sometimesDepos′itory.—adj.Depos′itive.—ns.Depos′itor;Depos′itory, a place where anything is deposited—sometimesDepos′itary. [Fr.,—L.depositum, placed—deponÄ•re, fromde, andponÄ•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′Å,de′pÅ, ordē′pÅ,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.deponÄ•re,-positum.]
Deprave, de-prÄv′,v.t.to make bad or worse: to corrupt.—n.DepravÄ′tion, act of depraving: state of being depraved: depravity.—adj.DeprÄved′, corrupt.—adv.DeprÄv′edly.—ns.DeprÄv′edness;Deprave′ment, vitiation.—adv.DeprÄv′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.depravÄre—de, inten.,pravus, bad.]
Deprecate, dep′re-kÄt,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.DeprecÄ′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.deprecÄri,deprecÄtus—de, away, andprecÄri, to pray.]
Depreciate, de-prē′shi-Ät,v.t.to lower the worth of: to undervalue: to disparage.—v.i.to fall in value.—n.DepreciÄ′tion, the falling of value: disparagement.—adjs.Deprē′ciative,Deprē′ciatory, tending to depreciate or lower.—n.Deprē′ciator. [L.depretiÄre,-Ätum—de, down, andpretium, price.]
Depredate, dep′re-dÄt,v.t.to plunder or prey upon: to rob: to lay waste: to devour.—ns.DepredÄ′tion, act of plundering: state of being depredated;Dep′redator.—adj.Dep′redatory. [L.deprædÄri,-Ätus—de, inten., andprædÄri—præda, plunder.]
Deprehend, dep′re-hend,v.t.to catch, seize: to apprehend. [Through Fr. from L.deprehendĕre—de, andprehendĕre, 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.deprimĕre,-pressum—de, down, andprimĕre, to press.]
Deprive, de-prÄ«v′,v.t.to take away from one his own: in take from: to dispossess: to degrade (a clergyman) from office: to bereave.—n.DeprivÄ′tion, act of depriving: state of being deprived: degradation from office: loss: bereavement: suffering from hardship.—adj.Depriv′ative.—n.Deprive′ment. [Low L.deprivÄre, to degrade—L.de, from, andprivÄre, to deprive—privus, one's own.]
De profundis, dÄ“prÅ-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, fromdjúpr, deep.]
Depurate, dep′ū-rÄt,v.t.to purify: sometimes to render impure.—ns.DepurÄ′tion;Dep′urator.—adj.Dep′uratory. [Low L.depurÄre,-Ätum, to purify—L.de, andpurÄre, to purify—purus, pure.]
Depute, de-pÅ«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 insheriff-depute—often called simply thedepute).—n.DeputÄ′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.deputÄre, to cut off, (late) to select.]
Deracinate, de-ras′i-nÄt,v.t.to pluck up by the roots. [Fr.déraciner—L.de, andradix,radÄcis, a root.]
Derail, de-rÄl′,v.t.to cause to leave the rails.—n.Derail′ment.
Derain, de-rÄn′,v.t.to prove: to justify: to win by fighting: to prepare for battle: to arrange in order of battle.—AlsoDeraign′,Darrain′,Darrayne′. [O. Fr.derainier,desraisnier—Late L.derationÄre, to vindicate—L.deordis, andrationÄre, to discourse;ratio, reason.]
Derange, de-rÄnj′,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, andranger, to rank.]
Deray, de-rÄ′,v.t.to derange.—v.i.to go wild.—n.tumult, disorder. [O. Fr.desreer—des, neg., andrei,roi, order. SeeArray.]
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 ofDerbyin 1780; a rounded felt hat with narrow brim.—ns.Der′byshire-neck, a form of the diseasegoitre, occurring in Derbyshire;Der′byshire-spar, a fluorspar found in Derbyshire.
Der-doing, der-dÅÅ′ing,adj.(Spens.) doing daring deeds. [SeeDerring-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.derelinquĕre,-lictum,—de, inten., andlinquĕre, to leave.]
Dereligionise, dē-rē-lij′on-īz,v.t.to make irreligious.
Deride, de-rīd′,v.t.to laugh at: to mock.—n.Derid′er.—adj.Derid′ingly. [L.deridēre—de, inten., andridēre, to laugh.]
Derision, de-rizh′un,n.act of deriding: mockery: a laughing-stock.—adjs.Derī′sive,Derīs′ory, mocking.—adv.Derī′sively.—n.Derī′siveness.
Derive, de-rÄ«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.DerÄ«v′able.—adv.DerÄ«v′ably.—adj.Der′ivate, derived.—n.a derivative.—n.DerivÄ′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.DerivÄ′tional.—n.DerivÄ′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.derivÄre—de, down from,rivus, a river.]
Derm, dėrm,n.the skin—alsoDer′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—alsoDermog′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—alsoDermoskel′eton.—adj.Dermogas′tric, connecting the skin and the stomach. [Gr.derma,dermatos, the skin—derein, to flay.]
Dern, dėrn,adj.secret: hidden: (Shak.) dreadful—alsoDearn.—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-gÄt,v.i.to lessen by taking away: to detract.—adj.(Shak.) degenerate.—adv.Der′ogÄtely(Shak.), in a derogatory manner.—n.DerogÄ′tion, a taking from: detraction: depreciation.—adv.Derog′atorily.—n.Derog′atoriness.—adj.Derog′atory, detracting: injurious. [L.derogÄre,-Ätum, to repeal part of a law—de, down from, androgÄre, 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. [FromDerrick, the name of a hangman in the early part of the 17th century.]
Derring-doe, der′ring-dÅÅ,n.daring action. [M. E.dorryng-don,duryng-do, &c., as in Chaucer; taken over by Spenser in the spellingsderring-doeandder-doing, with the nounderring-doer.Daring-doshould be the modern English form.]
Derringer, der′in-jer,n.a short-rifled pistol, with one barrel—from the inventor, an American.
Derth, dÄ—rth,n.(Spens.). Same asDearth.
Dervish, dÄ—r′vish,n.among Mohammedans, a member of one of the numerous orders of monks who profess poverty and lead an austere life. [Pers.darvÃsh, a dervish—lit., a poor man.]
Desart, des′art,n.an old form ofDesert.
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, andcantus, a song—cantÄre, to sing.]
Descend, dē-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.descendĕre—de, down,scandĕre, to climb.]
Describe, dē-skrīb′,v.t.to trace out or delineate: to give an account of.—adj.Describ′able.—n.Describ′er. [L.describĕre—de, down, andscribĕre,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-skrīv′,v.t.an obsolete form ofdescribe.
Descry, de-skrī′,v.t.to discover by the eye: to espy:—pr.p.descry′ing;pa.p.descried′.—n.discovery: (Shak.) a thing discovered. [O. Fr.descrirefordescrivre—L.describĕre: a doublet ofdescribe. Others derive the word from O. Fr.descrier,decryer, proclaim, announce—des-,de-, andcrier, to cry, in which case it would be a doublet ofdecry.]
Desecrate, des′e-krÄt,v.t.to divert from a sacred purpose: to profane.—ns.Desecrat′er,-or,DesecrÄ′tion, act of desecrating: profanation. [L.desecrÄre,-Ätum—de, away from, andsacrÄre, to make sacred—sacer, sacred.]
Desert, de-zėrt′,n.the reward or punishment deserved: claim to reward: merit—adj.Desert′less, without merit. [SeeDeserve.]
Desert, de-zėrt′,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.deserĕre,desertum—de, neg., andserĕre, to bind.]
Desert, dez′ėrt,adj.deserted: desolate: uninhabited: uncultivated: a desolate or barren place: a wilderness: a solitude. [O. Fr.desert—L.desertum,deserĕre, to desert, unbind.]
Deserve, de-zėrv′,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.deservīre—de, inten.,servīre, to serve.]
Deshabille, des-a-bil′,n.an undress: a careless toilet. [Fr.déshabillé, undressed—des= L.dis=un, not, andhabiller, to dress.]
Desiccate, de-sik′Ät, ordes′i-kÄt,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.DesiccÄ′tion, the act of desiccating: state of being desiccated. [L.desiccÄre,-Ätum, to dry up—de, andsiccus, dry.]
Desiderate, de-sid′ėr-Ät,v.t.to long for or earnestly desire a thing: to want or miss.—n.DesiderÄ′tion, the act of desiderating: the thing desiderated.—adj.Desid′erative, implying desire, as in desiderative verb.—n.DesiderÄ′tum, something desired or much wanted:—pl.DesiderÄ′ta. [L.desiderÄre,-Ätum, to long for. A doublet ofdesire.]
Desightment, dē-sīt′ment,n.disfigurement.
Design, de-zÄ«n′, orde-sÄ«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′ignÄte, to mark out so as to make known: to show: to name.—ns.DesignÄ′tion, a showing or pointing out: name: title;Des′ignÄtor.—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.designÄre,-Ätum—de, andsignum, a mark.]
Desilver, de-sil′vÄ—r,v.t.to deprive of silver: to extract the silver from—alsoDesil′verise.—n.DesilverisÄ′tion.
Desine, de-sīn′,v.t.(Spens.) to denote.
Desipience, de-sip′i-ens,n.(rare) silliness, nonsense.—adj.Desip′ient, foolish. [L.desipiens,desipĕre, to be foolish,de-, neg.,sapĕre, to be wise.]
Desire, de-zÄ«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.desiderÄre. SeeDesiderate.]
Desist, de-sist′,v.i.to stop: to forbear.—ns.Desist′ance,-ence, a desisting. [Fr.,—L.desistĕre—de, away, andsistĕre, 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 ofdishanddisc.]
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-mÅ′di-um,n.a genus of leguminous plants to which theD. gyrans, or telegraph plant, belongs. [Gr.desmos, chain,eidos, form.]
Desmoid, des′moid,adj.arranged in bundles. [Gr.desmos, a chain, a bundle, andeidos, 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, andlogia, a discourse.]
Desolate, des′o-lÄt,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;DesolÄ′tion, waste: destruction: a place desolated.—adj.Des′olatory. [L.desolÄre,-Ätum—de, inten., andsolÄre, to make alone—solus, alone.]
Despair, de-spÄr′,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.desperÄre,-Ätum—de, neg., andsperÄre, 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 Japanesehara-kirior judicial suicide;Pneumatic despatch(seePneumatic). [O. Fr.despeecher(mod. Fr.dépêcher); acc. to Littré, from an assumed Low L.despedicÄre, to remove obstacles (pedica, a fetter), the opp. ofimpedicÄre. SeeImpeach.]
Desperado, des-pÄ—r-Ä′dÅ,n.a desperate fellow: one reckless of danger: a madman:—pl.DesperÄ′dos. [Sp.desesperado—L.desperÄtus.]
Desperate, des′pÄ—r-Ät,adj.in a state of despair: hopeless: beyond hope: fearless of danger: rash: furious.—adv.Des′perately.—ns.Des′perateness,DesperÄ′tion, state of despair: disregard of danger: fury. [SeeDespair.]
Despicable, des′pi-ka-bl,adj.deserving to be despised: contemptible: worthless.—ns.Des′picableness,Despicabil′ity.—adv.Des′picably. [L.despicĕre, to despise.]
Despight, de-spīt′, an old form ofdespite.
Despise, de-spīz′,v.t.to look down upon with contempt: to scorn.—adj.Despis′able.—ns.Despī′sal, contempt;Despis′edness(Milt.);Despis′er. [O. Fr.despiz,despire—L.despicĕre—de, down,specĕre, to look.]
Despite, de-spīt′,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—despicĕre.]
Despoil, de-spoil′,v.t.to spoil completely: to strip: to bereave: to rob.—ns.Despoil′er;DespoliÄ′tion,Despoil′ment. [O. Fr.despoiller(mod.dépouiller)—L.despoliÄre—de, inten., andspolium, 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.despondēre, to promise, to give up or devote to, to give up or resign, to lose courage, to despond—de, away, andspondēre, 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.despotēs, a master.]
Despumate, de-spū′mÄt, ordes′pÅ«-mÄt,v.i.to throw off in foam or scum.—n.DespumÄ′tion. [L.despumÄre,-Ätum—de, off, andspuma, foam.]
Desquamate, des′kwa-mÄt,v.i.to scale off.—n.DesquamÄ′tion, a scaling off: the separation of the cuticle or skin in scales.—adjs.Desquam′ative,Desquam′atory. [L.desquamÄre,-Ätum—de, off, andsquama, a scale.]
Desse, des,n.(Spens.) a dais.
Dessert, dez-ėrt′,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, andservir, to serve—L.servīre.]
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.SeeDistemper(1).
Destine, des′tin,v.t.to ordain or appoint to a certain use or state: to fix: to doom—alsoDes′tinate(obs.).—ns.DestinÄ′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.destinÄre—de, inten., and rootsta-, instÄre, to stand.]
Destitute, des′ti-tūt,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.destituĕre,-ūtum—de, away, andstatuĕre, 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.destruĕre,destructum—de, down, andstruĕre, 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.