Desudation, des-ū-dā′shun,n.a violent sweating: an eruption of small pimples on children. [L.desudāre,-ātum,de, inten., andsudāre, to sweat.]
Desuetude, des′we-tūd,n.disuse: discontinuance of custom, habit, or practice. [L.desuetudo—desuētum,desuescĕre—de, neg., andsuescĕre, to become used.]
Desulphur, de-sul′fur,v.t.to free of sulphur: to take sulphur out of the ore—alsoDesul′phurāte,Desul′phurise.—n.Desulphurā′tion.
Desultory, des′ul-tor-i,adj.jumping from one thing to another: without rational or logical connection: rambling: hasty: loose.—adv.Des′ultorily.—n.Des′ultoriness. [L.desultorius, of or pertaining to a vaulter, inconstant,desultor, a vaulter,desilīre,-sultum, to leap—de, from, andsalīre, to jump.]
Detach, de-tach′,v.t.to unfasten: to take from or separate: to withdraw: to send off on special service.—v.i.to separate one's self.—adj.Detach′able.—p.adj.Detached′, unconnected: separate: free from care, passion, ambition, and worldly bonds.—adv.Detach′edly.—ns.Detach′edness;Detach′ment, state of being separated: that which is detached, as a body of troops. [Fr.détacher—de, neg., and root ofattach.]
Detail, de-tāl′,v.t.to relate minutely: to enumerate: to set apart for a particular service.—v.i.to give details about anything.—n.(de-tāl′, ordē′tāl) a small part: an item: a particular account.—adj.Detailed′, giving full particulars: exhaustive.—In detail, circumstantially, point by point. [O. Fr.detailler—de, inten., andtailler, to cut. SeeTailor.]
Detain, de-tān′,v.t.to hold from or back: to stop: to keep: to keep in custody.—ns.Detain′er, one who detains: (law) the holding of what belongs to another: a warrant to a sheriff to keep in custody a person already in confinement:Detain′ment(same asDetention). [O. Fr.detenir—L.detinēre—de, from, andtenēre, to hold.]
Detect, de-tekt′,v.t.(lit.) to uncover—hence to discover: to find out.—adjs.Detect′able,Detect′ible.—ns.Detect′er,-or, one who detects: an apparatus for detecting something, as a detector-lock, which shows if it has been tampered with;Detec′tion, discovery of something hidden: state of being found out.—adj.Detect′ive, employed in detecting.—n.a policeman employed in the investigation of special cases of crime, or in watching special classes of wrong-doers, usually not in uniform.—Private detective, one employed by a private person to gain information, or to watch his interests. [L.detectum,detegĕre—de, neg., andtegĕre,tectum, to cover.]
Detention, de-ten′shun,n.act of detaining: state of being detained: confinement: delay.—n.Detent′, something to check motion: a catch, esp. in a clock or watch. [SeeDetain.]
Deter, de-tėr′,v.t.to frighten from: to hinder or prevent:—pr.p.deter′ring;pa.p.deterred′.—n.Deter′ment. [L.deterrēre—de, from,terrēre, to frighten.]
Deterge, de-tėrj′,v.t.to wipe off; to cleanse (as a wound).—ns.Deterg′ence,Deterg′ency.—adj.Deterg′ent, cleansing: purging.—n.that which cleanses. [L.detergēre,detersum—de, off, andtergere, to wipe.]
Deteriorate, de-tē′ri-o-rāt,v.t.to make worse.—v.i.to grow worse.—p.adj.Detē′riorated, spoilt: of inferior quality.—n.Deteriorā′tion, the act of making worse: the state of growing worse.—adj.Detē′riorative.—n.Deterior′ity(obs.), worse state. [L.deteriorāre,-ātum, to make worse—deterior, worse—obs.deter, lower—de, down; cf.inter-ior.]
Determine, dē-tėr′min,v.t.to put terms or bounds to: to limit: to fix or settle the form or character of: to influence; to put an end to: to define.—v.i.to come to a decision: to resolve.—adj.Deter′minable, capable of being determined, decided, or finished.—ns.Deter′minableness,Determinabil′ity.—adj.Deter′minant, serving to determine.—n.that which serves to determine: in mathematical analysis, a symbolical method used for different processes, as for the solution of equations by inspection.—adj.Deter′mināte, determined or limited: fixed: decisive.—v.t.(Shak.) to determine.—adv.Deter′minātely.—n.Determinā′tion, that which is determined or resolved on: end: direction to a certain end: resolution: fixedness of purpose: decision of character.—adjs.Deter′minātive, that determines, limits, or defines;Deter′mined, firm in purpose: fixed: resolute.—adv.Deter′minedly.—n.Deter′minism, the doctrine that all things, including the will, are determined by causes—the converse of free-will: necessitarianism.—n.Deter′minist.—adj.Determinis′tic. [Fr.,—L.determināre,-ātum—de, neg., andterminus, a boundary.]
Deterrent, de-tėr′ent,adj.serving to deter.—n.anything that deters or prevents. [SeeDeter.]
Detersion, de-tėr′shun,n.act of cleansing. [SeeDeterge.]
Detersive, de-tėr′siv,n.Same asDetergent.
Detest, de-test′,v.t.to hate intensely.—adj.Detest′able, worthy of being detested: extremely hateful: abominable.—n.Detest′ableness.—adv.Detest′ably.—n.Detestā′tion, extreme hatred. [Fr.,—L.detestāri—de, inten., andtestāri, to call to witness, execrate—testis, a witness.]
Dethrone, de-thrōn′,v.t.to remove from a throne.—ns.Dethrone′ment;Dethronisā′tion.
Detonate, det′o-nāt,v.i.to explode.—v.t.to cause to explode.—ns.Detonā′tion, an explosion with report;Det′onator, a detonating substance: an apparatus for the explosion of a detonating substance, as a percussion-cap.—Detonating powder, powder, such as the fulminates, which explodes easily by impact or heating, and which may be used to cause other substances to explode. [L.detonāre,-ātum—de, down, andtonāre, to thunder.]
Detort, de-tort′,v.t.to distort.—ns.Detor′sion,Detor′tion. [L.detorquēre,detortum;de, away, andtorquere, twist.]
Detour, de-tōōr′,n.a winding: a circuitous way. [Fr.dé, for L.dis, asunder, andtour, a turning.]
Detract, de-trakt′,v.t.to take away, abate: to defame.—v.i.to take away reputation (withfrom): to reduce in degree: diminish.—ns.Detract′er,-or:—fem.Detract′ress.—adv.Detract′ingly.—n.Detrac′tion, depreciation: slander.—adjs.Detract′ive,Detrac′tious,Detract′ory, tending to detract: derogatory. [L.de, from, andtrahĕre, to draw.]
Detrain, de-trān′,v.t.to set down out of a railway train, as troops.—v.i.to come out of a train.
Detriment, det′ri-ment,n.diminution: damage: loss.—adj.Detriment′al. [L.detrimentum—de, off, andterĕre,tritum, to rub.]
Detritus, de-trī′tus,n.a mass of substance gradually rubbed or worn off solid bodies: an aggregate of broken or loosened fragments, esp. of rock.—n.Detri′tion, a wearing away. [L.,—de, off, andterĕre,tritum, to rub.]
Detrude, de-trōōd′,v.t.to thrust down.—n.Detru′sion. [L.de, down, andtrudĕre, to thrust]
Detruncate, de-trung′kāt,v.t.to cut off from the trunk: to lop off: to shorten.—n.Detruncā′tion. [L.detruncāre,-ātum—de, off,truncāre, lop.]
Detumescence, dē-tū-mes′ens,n.diminution of swelling—opp. toIntumescence.
Deuce, dūs,n.a card or die with two spots: (lawn tennis) a term denoting that each side has gained three points ('forty all').—n.Deuce′-ace, a throw of two dice, one of which turns up deuce and the other ace. [Fr.deux, two—L.duos, accus. ofduo, two.]
Deuce, dūs,n.the devil—in exclamatory phrases.—adj.Deuced(dū′sed, or dūst), devilish: excessive.—adv.confoundedly.
Deuterocanonical, dū′tėr-o-ka-non′ik-al,adj.pertaining to a second canon of inferior authority—the O. T. Apocrypha and the N. T. Antilegomena. [Gr.deuteros, second,kanōn, rule.]
Deuterogamy, dū-tėr-og′a-mi,n.second marriage, esp. of the clergy, after the death of the first wife.—n.Deuterog′amist, one who allows such. [Gr.deuteros, second,gamos, marriage.]
Deuteronomy, dū-tėr-on′o-mi, ordū′tėr-on-o-mi,n.the fifth book of the Pentateuch, containing a repetition of the decalogue and laws given in Exodus.—adjs.Deuteronom′ic,-al.—ns.Deuteron′omist,Deu′tero-Isā′iah, the assumed author of the later prophecies of Isaiah. [Gr.deuteros, second,nomos, law.]
Deuteroscopy, dū-tėr-os′ko-pi,n.second-sight. [Gr.deuteros, second,skopia—skopein, to look.]
Deutoplasm, dū′tō-plasm,n.secondary, nutritive plasm, or food-yolk.—adjs.Deutoplas′mic,Deutoplas′tic.
Deutoxide, dūt-oks′īd,n.an old name for a compound of two parts of oxygen with one of a base. [Gr.deuteros, second, andoxide.]
Deutzia, dewt′si-a, ordoit′si-a,n.a genus of saxifragaceous plants with panicles of white flowers, introduced from China and Japan. [Named afterDeutz, a Dutch naturalist.]
Devall, de-val′,v.i.(Scot.) to cease.—n.a stop.
Devanagari, dā-va-nä′ga-ri,n.the character in which Sanskrit is usually written and printed. [Sans. 'town-script of the gods,' a term app. coined by an Indian scholar.]
Devaporation, dē-vap-ō-rā′shun,n.the change of vapour into water.
Devastate, dev′as-tāt,v.t.to lay waste: to plunder.—ns.Devastā′tion, act of devastating: state of being devastated: havoc;Devastā′vit, a waste of the estate of a deceased person by the executor. [L.devastāre,ātum—de, inten.,vastāre, to lay waste.]
Develop, dē-vel′op,v.t.to unroll: to unfold: to lay open by degrees: to promote the growth of: (phot.) to make the latent picture visible by chemical applications.—v.i.to grow into: to open out: to evolve:—pr.p.devel′oping;pa.p.devel′oped.—n.Devel′opment, a gradual unfolding: a gradual growth: evolution: (math.) the expression of a function in the form of a series.—adj.Development′al, pertaining to development.—adv.Development′ally.—Doctrine of development, the theory of the evolution of new species from lower forms. [Fr.développer, opposite ofenvelopper; both perh. from a Teut. root found in Eng.lap, to wrap.]
Devest, de-vest′,v.t.(law) to alienate: to deprive of: to strip. [A form ofdivest.]
Deviate, dē′vi-āt,v.i.to go from the way: to turn aside from a certain course: to err.—v.t.to cause to diverge.—ns.Deviā′tion, a going out of the way: a turning aside; error;Dē′viator, one who deviates.—Deviation of the compass, departure of the mariner's compass from the magnetic needle, due to the ship's magnetism—either from the iron of which it is built or the iron which it carries. [L.deviāre,-ātum—de, from,via, a way.]
Device, de-vīs′,n.that which is devised or designed: contrivance: power of devising: genius: (her.) the emblem borne upon a shield: a picture of some kind, with a motto illustrative of a man's life or character, borne by an individual rather than by a family.—adj.Device′ful(Spens.), full of devices. [O. Fr.devise. SeeDevise.]
Devil, dev′l,v.t.(cook.) to season highly and broil.—v.i.to perform another man's drudgery (esp. to devil for a barrister).
Devil, dev′l,n.the supreme spirit of evil, Satan: any evil spirit: a false god: a very wicked person: a fellow, as in 'Poor devil:' an expletive, in 'What the devil,' &c.—ns.Dev′ildom;Dev′iless;Dev′ilet;Dev′il-fish, a name for the fishing-frog or angler, for the giant-ray of the United States, and for other large and ugly fishes;Dev′il-in-the-bush, a garden flower, also calledLove-in-a-mist.—adj.Dev′ilish, fiendish, malignant.—adv.(coll.) very: exceedingly.—adv.Dev′ilishly.—ns.Dev′ilism;Dev′ilkin.—adj.Dev′il-may-care, reckless, audacious.—ns.Dev′ilment;Dev′il-on-the-neck, an old instrument of torture;Dev′ilry;Dev′ilship;Dev′iltry;Dev′il-wor′ship, the worship of the devil, or of devils;Dev′il-wor′shipper.—Devil a bit, not at all;Devil of a mess, a very bad mess.—Devil's advocate, a name given to the Promoter of the Faith, an advocate at the papal court, whose duty it is to propose all reasonable objections against a person's claims to canonisation;Devil's bit, a popular name for scabious;Devil's books, playing-cards;Devil's coach-horse, a large dark-coloured beetle;Devil's dozen, thirteen (like baker's dozen);Devil's dung, a popular name for asafœtida;Devil's dust, shoddy made by a machine called thedevil;Devil's own, a name given to the 88th Regiment in the Peninsular war, as also to the Inns of Court volunteers;Devil's snuff-box, the puff-ball, a kind of fungus;Devil's tattoo(seeTattoo);Devil to pay, serious trouble ahead—said to be from the difficulty ofpaying, or caulking, an awkward and inaccessible seam in a ship.—Cartesian devil(seeCartesian);Printer's devil, the youngest apprentice in a printing-office: a printer's errand-boy;Tasmanian devil, the ursine dasyure, a Tasmanian carnivore.—Play the devil with, to bring to utter ruin. [A.S.deóful,deófol—L.diabolus—Gr.diabolos, fromdiaballein, to throw across, to slander, fromdia, across, andballein, to throw; cf. Ger.teufel, Fr.diable, It.diavolo, Sp.diablo.]
Devious, dē′vi-us,adj.from or out of the way: roundabout: erring.—adv.Dē′viously.—n.Dē′viousness. [L.devius. SeeDeviate.]
Devise, de-vīz′,v.t.to imagine: to scheme: to contrive: to give by will: to bequeath.—v.i.to consider, scheme.—n.act of bequeathing: a will: property bequeathed by will.—adj.Devis′able.—ns.Devis′al;Devisē[e]′, one to whom real estate is bequeathed;Devis′er, one who contrives;Devis′or, one who bequeaths. [O. Fr.deviser,devise—Low L.divisa, a division of goods, a mark, a device—L.dividĕre,divisum, to divide.]
Devitalise, de-vī′ta-līz,v.t.to deprive of vitality or life-giving qualities.—n.Devitalisā′tion.
Devitrify, de-vit′ri-fī,v.t.to take away or greatly diminish the vitreous quality of.—n.Devitrificā′tion, loss or diminution of the vitreous nature.
Devocalise, de-vō′ka-līz,v.t.to make voiceless: to reduce the vowel element in a sound or syllable.
Devoid, de-void′,adj.destitute: free from. [O. Fr.desvoidier,des—L.dis-, away,voidier—L.viduāre,viduus, deprived.]
Devoir, dev-wawr′,n.what is due, duty: service: an act of civility. [Fr.,—L.debēre, to owe.]
Devolution, dev-ol-ū′shun,n.a passing from one person to another. [SeeDevolve.]
Devolve, de-volv′,v.t.to roll down: to hand down: to deliver over.—v.i.to roll down: to fall or pass over.—n.Devolve′ment. [L.devolvĕre,-volūtum—de, down,volvĕre,-ūtum, to roll.]
Devonian, de-vō′ni-an,adj.belonging toDevonshire: belonging to a system of geological strata which abound in Devonshire, closely corresponding to Old Red Sandstone.
Devonport, dev′on-pōrt,n.a small ornamental writing-table, fitted with drawers, &c.
Devonshire cream=Clotted cream. SeeClot.
Devote, de-vōt′,v.t.to vow: to set apart or dedicate by solemn act: to doom: to give up wholly.—adj.Devōt′ed, given up, as by a vow: doomed: strongly attached: zealous.—adv.Devōt′edly.—ns.Devōt′edness;Devotēē′, one wholly or superstitiously devoted, esp. to religion: a fanatic;Devōte′ment(Shak.);Devō′tion, consecration: giving up of the mind to the worship of God: piety: prayer: strong affection or attachment: ardour: (pl.) prayers: (obs.) religious offerings: alms.—adj.Devō′tional.—ns.Devō′tionalist,Devō′tionist.—adv.Devō′tionally. [L.devovēre,devōtum—de, a way, andvovēre, to vow.]
Devour, de-vowr′,v.t.to swallow greedily: to eat up: to consume or waste with violence or wantonness: to destroy: to gaze intently on.—n.Devour′er.—adj.Devour′ing.—adv.Devour′ingly.—n.Devour′ment. [O. Fr.devorer—L.devorāre—de, inten., andvorāre, to swallow. SeeVoracious.]
Devout, de-vowt′,adj.given up to religious thoughts and exercises: pious: solemn: earnest.—adv.Devout′ly.—n.Devout′ness. [O. Fr.devot—L.devotus. SeeDevote.]
Dew, dū,n.moisture deposited from the air on cooling, esp. at night, in minute specks upon the surface of objects: early freshness (esp. inDew of his youth).—v.t.to wet with dew: to moisten.—ns.Dew′berr′y, a kind of bramble or blackberry having a bluish dew-like bloom on the fruit;Dew′-claw, a rudimentary inner toe of a dog's hind-foot;Dew′drop;Dew′fall, the falling of dew, the time it falls;Dew′point, the temperature at which dew begins to form;Dew′-rett′ing, the process of rotting away the gummy part of hemp or flax by exposure on the grass to dew and rain;Dew′stone, a Nottinghamshire limestone;Dew′-worm, the common earthworm.—adj.Dew′y.—Mountain dew(slang), whisky, originally illicitly distilled or smuggled spirits. [A.S.deáw; cf. Ice.dögg, Ger.thau, dew.]
Dew, dū,n.an obsolete spelling ofdue.
Dewan, dē-wan′,n.in India, a financial minister, the native steward of a business-house.—ns.Dewan′i,Dewan′ny, the office of dewan. [Hind.]
Dewitt, dē-wit′,v.t.to lynch—from the fate of Jan and CorneliusDe Wittin Holland in 1672.
Dewlap, dū′lap,n.the pendulous skin under the throat of oxen, dogs, &c.: the fleshy wattle of the turkey.—adjs.Dew′lapped,Dew′lapt. [Prob.dewand A.S.læppa, a loose hanging piece.]
Dexter, deks′tėr,adj.on the right-hand side: right: (her.) of that side of the shield on the right-hand side of the wearer, to the spectator'sleft.—n.Dexter′ity, right-handedness: cleverness: readiness and skill: adroitness.—adjs.Dex′terous,Dex′trous, right-handed: adroit: subtle.—adv.Dex′terously.—n.Dex′terousness.—adj.Dex′tral, right, as opposed to left.—n.Dextral′ity, right-handedness.—adv.Dex′trally.—adjs.Dex′tro-gȳ′rate, causing to turn to the right hand;Dex′trorse,Dextror′sal, rising from right to left. [L.dexter; Gr.dexios, Sans.dakshina, on the right, on the south.]
Dextrine, deks′trin,n.starch altered by the action of acids, diastase, or heat till it loses its gelatinous character, so called because when viewed through polarised light it turns the plane of polarisation to the right.—n.Dex′trose, a glucose sugar, found in grapes, &c., and manufactured from starch by means of sulphuric acid. [Fr.,—L.dexter.]
Dey, dā,n.a dairy-maid. [SeeDairy.]
Dey, dā,n.a name given to the pasha or governor of Algiers before the French conquest. [Turk,dái, orig. a maternal uncle, a familiar title of the chief of the Janizaries.]
Dharma, där′ma,n.the righteousness that underlies the law: the law. [Sans.]
Dhobie, dō′bi,n.an Indian washerman. [Hind.]
Dhole, dōl,n.the Indian wild dog. [Ind. word.]
Dhooly, dōō′li,n.a covered litter.—AlsoDoo′lie. [Hind.doli.]
Arab Dhow.
Dhow, dow,n.a native vessel on the eastern African and western Indian coasts, with lateen sails: an Arab slaver.
Dhurra.Same asDurra.
Diabase, dī′a-bās,n.a compact igneous rock, an altered form of basalt—included under the popular namesgreenstoneandtrap.—adj.Diabā′sic.
Diabaterial, dī-a-ba-tē′ri-al,adj.crossing the boundaries. [Gr.diabatos—dia, across,bainein, to go.]
Diabetes, dī-a-bē′tēz,n.a disease marked by a morbid and excessive discharge of urine.—adjs.Diabet′ic,-al. [Gr., fromdiabainein,dia, through, andbainein, to go.]
Diablerie,Diablery, di-ab-le-rē′,n.magic: the black art: sorcery. [Fr.,—diable. SeeDevil.]
Diabolic,-al, dī-a-bol′ik, -al,adj.devilish.—adv.Diabol′ically.—v.t.Diab′olise, to render devilish.—ns.Diab′olism, devilish conduct: sorcery or black magic;Diabol′ogy, the doctrine of devils. [L.,—Gr.diabolikos,diabolos, the devil. SeeDevil.]
Diacatholicon, dī-a-ka-thol′i-kon,n.a purgative electuary.
Diacaustic, dī-a-kaws′tik,adj.pertaining to curves formed by the intersections of rays of refracted light.—n.a curve so formed. [Formed from Gr.dia, through, andcaustic.]
Diachastic, dī-a-kas′tik,adj.cleaving apart. [Gr.]
Diachylon, dī-ak′i-lon,Diachylum,dī-ak′i-lum,n.common sticking-plaster. [Gr.diachylos—dia, andchylos, juice.]
Diachyma, dī-ak′i-ma,n.the parenchyma of leaves. [Gr.dia, through,chyma, juice.]
Diacodium, dī-a-kō′di-um,n.a syrup of poppies. [L.,—Gr.dia, through,kōdeia, a poppy-head.]
Diaconate, dī-ak′o-nāt,n.the office of a deacon.—adj.Diac′onal, pertaining to a deacon.
Diaconicon, dī-a-kon′i-kon,n.a sacristy for sacred vessels, in a Greek church, on the south side of the bema or sanctuary.
Diacoustic, dī-a-kows′tik,adj.pertaining to the refraction of sound through various mediums.—n.Diacous′tics, the branch of physics which deals with refracted sounds. [Formed from Gr.dia, through, andacoustics.]
Diacritic,-al, dī-a-krit′ik, -al,adj.distinguishing between—used of marks or points attached to the letters of various languages. [Gr.diakritikos,diakrinein—dia, between, andkrinein, to distinguish. SeeCritic.]
Diactine, dī-ak′tin,adj.having two rays.—AlsoDiac′tinal.
Diactinic, dī-ak-tin′ik,adj.capable of transmitting the actinic rays of the sun.
Diadelphous, dī-a-del′fus,adj.grouped together in two sets—of the stamens of plants.—n.Dī′adelph. [Formed from Gr.di-, double, andadelphos, brother.]
Diadem, dī′a-dem,n.a band or fillet worn round the head as a badge of royalty: a crown: royalty.—adj.Dī′ademed, wearing a diadem.—Diadem spider, the common garden spider—from its markings. [O. Fr.diademe—L.diadema—Gr.diadēma—dia, round, anddeein, to bind.]
Diadexis, dī-a-dek′sis,n.(path.) the transformation of one disease into another, differing both in location and character. [Gr.]
Diadochi, dī-ad′o-kī,n.the generals who became monarchs of the various kingdoms (Syria, Egypt, &c.) into which the empire of Alexander the Great split after his death (323B.C.). [Gr.diadochos, succeeding, a successor;diadechesthai, to succeed.]
Diadrom, dī′a-drom,n.a course or passing: a vibration. [Gr.]
Diæresis,Dieresis, dī-ēr′e-sis,n.a mark (¨) placed over one of two vowels to show that each is to be pronounced separately, asaërial:—pl.Diær′eses,Dier′eses. [Gr.,—dia, apart,hairein, to take.]
Diaglyph, dī′a-glif,n.an intaglio. [Gr.]
Diagnosis, dī-ag-nō′sis,n.the distinguishing a disease by means of its symptoms: a brief description:—pl.Diagnō′ses.—v.t.Dī′agnose, to ascertain from symptoms, as a disease.—adj.Dīagnos′tic, distinguishing: characteristic.—n.that by which anything is known: a symptom.—n.pl.Diagnos′tics, the branch of medicine to which the skill in noting and interpreting symptoms belongs. [Gr.,dia, between,gnōsis—gnōnai, to know.]
Diagometer, dī-a-gom′e-tėr,n.a form of electroscope for ascertaining conducting power. [Gr.diagein, to conduct,metron, a measure.]
Diagonal, dī-ag′o-nal,adj.through the corners, or from an angle to an opposite angle of a four or many sided figure.—n.a straight line so drawn.—adv.Diag′onally.—Diagonal scale, a scale for laying down small fractions of the unit of measurement, the parallel lines drawn lengthwise on its surface being divided into sections by lines drawn crosswise, and in one end section being intersected by a series of other parallel lines drawn obliquely at equal distances across them. [Fr.,—L.diagonalis, from Gr.diagōnios—dia, through, andgōnia, a corner.]
Diagram, dī′a-gram,n.a figure or plan drawn in outline to illustrate any statement: a record traced by an automatic indicator.—adj.Diagrammat′ic.—adv.Diagrammat′ically.—n.Dī′agraph, an instrument for enabling unskilled persons to draw objects in outline.—adj.Diagraph′ic. [L.,—Gr.diagramma—dia, round,graphein, to write.]
Diaheliotropic, dī-a-hē-li-ō-trop′ik,adj.(bot.) turning transversely to the light.—n.Diaheliot′ropism. [Gr.dia, across, andheliotropic.]
Dial, dī′al,n.an instrument for showing the time of day by the sun's shadow: a timepiece: the face of a watch or clock: a circular plate on which a movable index shows the degree of pressure, &c.—v.t.to measure, as with a dial.—ns.Dī′alist, a maker of dials: one skilled in dialling;Dī′alling, the art of constructing dials: the science which explains the measuring of time by the sun-dial: surveying by help of a compass with sights, such as is called a 'miner's dial;'Dīal-plate. [M. E.dial—Low L.dialis, daily—L.dies, a day.]
Dialect, dī′a-lekt,n.a variety or form of a language peculiar to a district: a non-literary vernacular: a peculiar manner of speaking.—adj.Dialect′al.—adv.Dialect′ally.—ns.Dialect′icism;Dialectol′ogist;Dialectol′ogy. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr.dialektos, speech, manner of speech, peculiarity of speech—dia, between,legein, to speak.]
Dialectic,-al, dī-a-lek′tik, -al,adj.pertaining to dialect or to discourse: pertaining to dialectics: logical.—ns.Dialec′tic,Dialect′ics, art of discussing: that branch of logic which teaches the rules and modes of reasoning.—adv.Dialec′tically.—n.Dialecti′cian, one skilled in dialectics, a logician. [Gr.dialektikos.]
Diallage, dī-al′a-jē,n.(rhet.) a figure of speech by which arguments, after having been considered from various points of view, are all brought to bear upon one point. [Gr.]
Diallage, dī′al-āj,n.a mineral nearly allied to augite, brown, gray, or green in colour, laminated in structure, with a metallic lustre when broken across.—adjs.Diallag′ic,Dial′lagoid. [Gr.diallagē, change—dia, between,allassein, to change—allos, other.]
Dialogite, dī-al′ō-jīt,n.a rose-red carbonate of manganese—alsoRhodochrosite.
Dialogue, dī′a-log,n.conversation between two or more persons, esp. of a formal or imaginary nature.—v.i.andv.t.(Shak.) to put into dialogue form.—adjs.Dialog′ic,Dialogist′ic,-al(-loj-), in the form of a dialogue.—v.i.Dial′ogise(′oj-), to discourse in dialogue.—n.Dial′ogist(′oj-), a speaker in, or writer of, a dialogue. [Fr.,—L.dialogus—Gr.dialogos, a conversation—dialegesthai, to discourse.]
Dialuric, dī-a-lū′rik,adj.pertaining to alloxan and uric acid.—n.Dialū′rate, a salt of dialuric acid.
Dialysis, dī-al′i-sis,n.(chem.) the separation of substances by diffusion through a membranous septum or partition: diæresis: dissolution:—pl.Dial′yses.—adj.Dialys′able.—v.t.Dī′alyse, to separate by dialysis.—n.Dī′alyser.—adj.Dialyt′ic. [Gr.dialysis—dia, asunder,lyein, to loose.]
Diamagnetic, dī-a-mag-net′ik,adj.cross-magnetic—applied to any substance, such as a rod of bismuth or glass, which, when suspended between the poles of a magnet, arranges itself across the line joining the poles (a rod of iron or of sealing-wax so held arranges itself parallel to the line joining the poles, and is said to beParamagnetic).—adv.Diamagnet′ically.—n.Diamag′netism, the form of magnetic action possessed by diamagnetic bodies: the branch of magnetism which deals with diamagnetic phenomena. [Gr.dia, through,magnētēs,magnēs, a magnet.]
Diamantiferous, dī-a-man-tif′er-us,adj.yielding diamonds. [Fr.diamantifère.]
Diamesogamous, dī-a-me-sog′a-mus,adj.(bot.) fertilised by intermediary means.
Diameter, dī-am′e-tėr,n.the measure through or across: a straight line passing through the centre of a circle or other figure, terminated at both ends by the circumference.—adjs.Diam′etral,Diamet′ric,-al, in the direction of a diameter: pertaining to the diameter: like the opposite ends of the diameter (as indiametrical opposition).—advs.Diam′etrally, in a diametral manner;Diamet′rically, exactly.—Tactical diameter, the space covered by a steamer in turning 180° out of her original course. [Through Fr. and L. from Gr.diametros—dia, through,metrein, to measure.]
Diamond, dī′a-mond,n.the most valuable of all gems, and the hardest of all substances: a four-sided figure with two obtuse and two acute angles: one of the four suits of cards: one of the smallest kinds of English printing type.—adj.resembling diamonds: made of diamonds: marked with diamonds: lozenge-shaped, rhombic.—ns.Dī′amond-bee′tle, a beautiful sparkling South American weevil;Dī′amond-cut′ting, diamond-setting;Dī′amond-drill, an annular borer whose bit is set with borts;Dī′amond-dust,Dī′amond-pow′der, the powder made by the friction of diamonds on one another in the course of polishing.—adjs.Dī′amonded, furnished with diamonds;Diamondif′erous, yielding diamonds.—n.Dī′amond-wheel, a wheel covered with diamond-dust and oil for polishing diamonds and other precious stones.—Diamond cut diamond, the case of an encounter between two very sharp persons.—Rough diamond, an uncut diamond: a person of great worth, though of rude exterior and unpolished manners. [M. E.adamaunt—O. Fr.adamant—L.adamanta, accus. ofadamas—Gr.adamas,adamantos, adamant—a, not,damaein, to tame.]
Diana, di-ā′na, ordī-an′a,n.an ancient Italian goddess of light, the moon-goddess, representative of chastity and hunting, afterwards identified with the Greek Artemis.—Diana of the Ephesians, a goddess of fertility worshipped atEphesus.
Diandria, dī-an′dri-a,n.a class of plants in the Linnæan system having two stamens.—n.Dian′der, a plant with two stamens.—adjs.Dian′drian,Dian′drous. [Gr.dis, twice, double,anēr,andros, a man.]
Dianodal, dī-a-nō′dal,adj.(math.) passing through a node.
Dianoetic, dī-a-nō-et′ik,adj.capable of thought, thinking: belonging to the ratiocinative faculties of the mind. [Gr.dianoētikos—dia, through,noein, to think.]
Dianthus, dī-an′thus,n.the genus of herbaceous flowers to which carnations and pinks belong. [Gr.dianthēs—dis,di-, two,anthos, a flower.]
Diapason, dī-a-pā′zon,n.a whole octave: a harmony: a full volume of various sounds in concord: correct pitch: the two foundation-stops of an organ (openandstopped diapason)—(Spens.)Dī′apase. [Gr.dia, through, andpasōn, gen. pl. ofpas, all—part of the Gr. phrase,dia pasōn chordōn symphōnia, concord through all the notes.]
Diapedesis, dī-a-pe-dē′sis,n.(physiol.) the migration of white blood-corpuscles through the walls of the blood-vessels without apparent rupture.—adj.Diapedet′ic. [Gr.,dia, through,pēdan, to leap.]
Diapente, dī-a-pen′tē,n.(mus.) the interval of a fifth: a composition in pharmacy of five ingredients. [Gr.]
Diaper Work.
Diaper, dī′a-pėr,n.unbleached linen cloth woven in slightly defined figures, used for towels, &c.: a pattern for ornamentation, woven, not coloured, in textiles: a floral or geometric pattern in low relief in architecture, often repeated over a considerable surface.—v.t.to variegate with figures, as diaper.—n.Dī′apering. [O. Fr.diaspre,diapre—Low L.diasprus—Byzantine Gr.diaspros,dia, through,aspros, white.]
Diaphanous, dī-af′a-nus,adj.shining or appearing through, transparent, clear—alsoDiaphan′ic.—ns.Dī′aphane, a diaphanous figured silk fabric;Diaphanom′eter, an instrument for testing the transparency of the air;Diaphan′oscope, a darkened box for viewing transparent positive photographs;Diaphan′otype, a picture produced by colouring on the back a positive lightly printed on translucent paper, and placing this exactly over a strong duplicate print.—adv.Diaph′anously.—ns.Diaph′anousness,Diaphanē′ity. [Gr.diaphanes—dia, through, andphainein, to show, shine.]
Diaphonics, dī-a-fon′iks,n.Same asDiacoustics. [Gr.dia, through,phonē, sound.]
Diaphoretic, dī-a-fo-ret′ik,adj.promoting perspiration.—n.a sudorific or medicine that increases perspiration.—n.Diaphorē′sis, perspiration artificially induced. [Gr.,—diaphorein, to carry off—dia, through,pherein, to bear.]
Diaphragm, dī′a-fram,n.a thin partition or dividing membrane: the midriff, a structure separating the chest from the abdomen: a metal plate with a central hole, for cutting off side-rays in a camera, &c.—adjs.Diaphragmat′ic,Diaphrag′mal.—n.Diaphragmatī′tis, inflammation of the diaphragm. [Gr.diaphragma—dia, across,phragnynai, to fence.]
Diaphysis, dī-af′i-sis,n.(bot.) an abnormal elongation of the axis of a flower or of an inflorescence: (anat.) the continuity of a bone between its two ends. [Gr.dia, through,phyesthai, to grow.]
Diaplasis, dī-ap′la-sis,n.(surg.) reduction, of a dislocation, &c.—adj.Diaplas′tic. [Gr.]
Diapnoic, dī-ap-nō′ik,adj.producing slight perspiration—alsoDiapnot′ic—n.a mild diaphoretic.
Diapositive, dī-a-poz′i-tiv,n.a transparent photographic positive, such as a lantern slide.
Diapyetic, dī-a-pī-et′ik,adj.producing suppuration.—n.a medicine with this property.—n.Diapyē′sis, suppuration. [Gr.]
Diarchy, dī′ar-ki,n.a form of government in which two persons are jointly vested with supreme power—less correctlyDī′narchy. [Formed from Gr.di-, two,archein, to rule.]
Diarrhœa,Diarrhea,dī-a-rē′a,n.a persistent purging or looseness of the bowels.—adjs.Diarrhœ′al,Diarrhœ′ic,Diarrhœt′ic(also-rhē′al,-rhē′ic,-rhet′ic). [Gr.diarroia—dia, through, andrhein, to flow.]
Diarthrosis, dī-ar-thrō′sis,n.the general name for all forms of articulation which admit of the motion of one bone upon another, free arthrosis—includingEnarthrosis,Ginglymus, andCyclarthrosis. [Gr.]
Diary, dī′a-ri,n.a daily record: a journal.—adjs.Diā′rial,Diā′rian.—v.t.orv.i.Dī′arise.—n.Dī′arist, one who keeps a diary. [L.diarium.]
Diascordium, dī-a-skor′di-um,n.an electuary prepared with scordium or water-germander. [Gr.dia, through, andskordion.]
Diaskeuast, dī-as-kew′ast,n.a reviser: an interpolator.—n.Diaskeu′asis, reviewing. [Gr.diaskeuazein, to make ready—dia, through,skeuos, a tool.]
Diaspora, dī-as′por-a,n.dispersion, used collectively for the dispersed Jews after the Babylonian captivity, and also in the apostolic age for the Jews living outside of Palestine. [Gr.dia, through,speirein, to scatter.]
Diaspore, dī′a-spōr,n.a grayish, infusible hydrate of aluminium.
Diastaltic, dī-a-stal′tik,adj.(Greek mus.) dilated, extended: bold. [Gr.,diastellein, to expand.]
Diastase, dī′as-tās,n.a peculiar ferment developed during the germination of all seeds, which has the power of converting starch into dextrine and then into sugar.—adj.Diastat′ic—adv.Diastat′ically. [Gr.diastasis, division—dia, through,histanai,stēnai, to stand.]
Diastasis, dī-as′ta-sis,n.(surg.) separation of bones without fracture. [Gr.]
Diastema, dī-a-stē′ma,n.a natural space between two consecutive teeth, or series of teeth.—adj.Diastemat′ic. [Gr.]
Diastole, dī-as′to-lē,n.dilation of the heart, auricles, and arteries—opp. toSystole, or contraction of the same: the protracting of a short syllable, as before a pause.—adj.Diastol′ic. [Gr.diastolē—dia, asunder, andstellein, to place.]
Diastyle, dī′a-stīl,adj.(archit.) marked by wide intercolumniation. [Gr.]
Diatessaron, dī-a-tes′a-rōn,n.a harmony of the four gospels, esp. the earliest, that of Tatian (prob. 110-180 A.D.): (mus.) the interval of a fourth: an electuary of four ingredients. [Gr., fordia tessarōn, through, or composed of four.]
Diathermal, dī-a-thėr′mal,adj.letting heat through, permeable by radiating heat—alsoDiather′manous,Diather′mous,Diather′mic.—ns.Diather′mance,-cy. [Gr.dia, through,thermos, heat.]
Diathesis, dī-ath′e-sis,n.a particular condition or habit of body, esp. one predisposing to certain diseases: a habit of mind.—adj.Diathet′ic. [Gr.,—dia, asunder,tithenai, to place.]
Diatom, dī′a-tom,n.one of an order of microscopic unicellular algæ, of theDiatomaceæ.—adj.Diatomā′ceous.—n.Diat′omite, diatomaceous earth. [Gr.diatomos—dia, through,temnein, to cut.]
Diatomic, dī-a-tom′ik,adj.consisting of two atoms. [Gr.di-,dis, two, andatom.]
Diatomous, dī-at′ō-mus,adj.having crystals with one distinct diagonal cleavage.
Diatonic, dī-a-ton′ik,adj.proceeding by the tones and intervals of the natural scale in music.—adv.Diaton′ically. [Gr.,—dia, through,tonos, tone.]
Diatribe, dī′a-trīb,n.a continued discourse or disputation: an invective harangue.—n.Dī′atrībist, a writer or utterer of such. [Gr.diatribē—dia, through,tribein, to rub, wear away.]
Dib, dib,v.i.to dip, as in angling:—pr.p.dib′bing;pa.p.dibbed. [A form ofdab.]
Dib, dib,n.one of the small bones of a sheep's leg: (pl.) a children's game, played by throwing up such small bones or stones (Dib′-stones) from the palm and catching them on the back of the hand—(Scot.)Chuckie-stanes, orChucks: (slang) money.
Dibasic, dī-bā′sik,adj.having two bases: of acids, with two atoms of hydrogen replaceable by a base or bases. [Gr.di-, two, andbasic.]
Dibble, dib′l,n.a pointed tool used for making holes to put seed or plants in—alsoDibb′er.—v.t.Dibb′le, to plant with a dibble.—v.i.to make holes: to dip, as in angling.—n.Dibb′ler. [Freq. ofdib, a form ofdab.]
Dibranchiata, dī-brang-ki-ā′ta,n.one of the two orders of cephalopoda, having two gills.—adj.Dibran′chiate. [Gr.di-, two,branchia, gills.]
Dicacity, dik-as′i-ti,n.raillery, pert speech.—adj.Dicā′cious. [L.dicax, sarcastic.]
Dicast,Dikast, dī′kast,n.one of the 6000 Athenians annually chosen to act as judges.—n.Dicas′tery, their court. [Gr.dikastēs,dikē, justice.]
Dicatalectic, dī-kat-a-lek′tik,adj.doubly catalectic, both at the middle and end of the verse. [Gr.di-, double. SeeCatalectic.]
Dice,pl.ofDie, 2 (q.v.).—v.i.to play with dice.
Dice-coal, dīs′-kōl,n.a kind of coal which readily splits into cubical pieces.
Dicentra, dī-sen′tra,n.a genus of plants including the flower Bleeding-heart (D. spectabilis).—AlsoDiel′ytra. [Gr.di-, double,kentron, a point.]
Dicephalous, dī-sef′a-lus,adj.two-headed. [Gr.dikephalos—di-, double,kephalē, a head.]
Dichastasis, dī-kas′ta-sis,n.spontaneous subdivision.—adj.Dichas′tic. [Gr.]
Dichlamydeous, dī-kla-mid′ē-us,adj.having both a calyx and a corolla.
Dichogamy, dī-kog′a-mi,n.an arrangement for preventing the self-fertilisation of hermaphrodite flowers, the stamens and stigmas ripening at different times.—adj.Dichog′amous. [Gr.dicha, in two,gamos, marriage.]
Dichord, dī′kord,n.an ancient two-stringed lute.
Dichotomy, dī-kot′o-mi,n.a division into two parts.—v.t.andv.i.Dichot′omise.—adj.Dichot′omous.—adv.Dichot′omously. [Gr., fromdicha, in two, andtemnein, to cut.]
Dichroism, dī′krō-izm,n.the property of showing different colours when viewed in different directions exhibited by doubly refracting crystals.—adjs.Dichrō′ic,Dichrois′tic.—n.Dī′chroscope, an instrument for testing the dichroism of crystals.—adj.Dichroscop′ic.
Dichromatism, dī-krō′ma-tizm,n.(zool.) the quality of presenting, in different individuals, two different colours or systems of colouration.—adj.Dichromat′ic.
Dichromism, dī-krō′mizm,n.an inability to distinguish more than two of the primary colours.—adj.Dichrō′mic.
Dicht, diht,v.t.(Scot.) to wipe.
Dick, dik,n.(slang) fine words, forDictionary: forDeclaration, as 'to take one's dick,' and prob. 'up to dick' = excellent, also properly.
Dickens, dik′enz,n.the deuce, the devil, as in 'What the dickens.'—Play the dickens with, to play the deuce with. [Fordevil, confused withDickon= Richard.]
Dicker, dik′ėr,n.(Amer.) petty trade by barter, &c.—v.i.to haggle. [Prob. the obs.dicker, the number ten, esp. of hides or skins.]
Dickey,Dicky, dik′i,n.a leathern apron for a gig, &c.: the driver's seat in a carriage: a seat for servants at the back of a carriage: a false shirt-front. [Perh. fromdick, a prov. Eng. word for a leathern apron; Prob. Dut.dek, a cover.]
Dicky,dickey, dik′i,n.(East Anglian) an ass.—n.Dick′y-bird, a small bird. [FromDick, familiar of Richard—likeJack, in jackass.]
Diclinic, dī-klin′ik,adj.(crystal.) having two of the intersections of the axes oblique.—AlsoDī′clinate,Dī′clinous.
Diclinous, dī′kli-nus,adj.having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers.—n.Dī′clinism. [Gr.di-, asunder, andklinē, a bed.]
Dicoccous, dī-kok′us,adj.(bot.) formed of two cocci.
Dicœlous, dī-sē′lus,adj.cupped or hollowed at both ends.
Dicotyledon, dī-kot-i-lē′don,n.a plant having two seed-lobes.—adj.Dicotylē′donous. [Gr.di-, two, andcotyledon.]
Dicrotic, dī-krot′ik,adj.double-beating—alsoDī′crotous.—n.Dī′crotism. [Gr.,di-, two,krotos, beat.]
Dictate, dik′tāt,v.t.to tell another what to say or write: to communicate with authority: to point out: to command—(arch.Dict).—n.an order, rule, or direction: impulse.—ns.Dictā′tion, act, art, or practice of dictating: overbearing command;Dictā′tor, one invested for a time with absolute authority—originally an extraordinary Roman magistrate:—fem.Dictā′tress,Dictātrix.—adj.Dictatō′rial, like a dictator: absolute: authoritative.—adv.Dictatō′rially.—ns.Dictā′torship,Dic′tature.—adj.Dic′tatory. [L.dictāre,-ātum—dicĕre, to say.]
Diction, dik′shun,n.a saying or speaking: manner of speaking or expressing: choice of words: style. [L., fromdicĕre,dictum, to say.]
Dictionary, dik′shun-a-ri,n.a book containing the words of a language alphabetically arranged, with their meanings, etymology, &c.: a lexicon: a work containing information on any department of knowledge, alphabetically arranged. [Low L.dictionarium. SeeDiction.]
Dictum, dik′tum,n.something said: a saying: an authoritative saying:—pl.Dic′ta. [L.]
Dictyogen, dik′ti-o-jen,n.a plant with net-veined leaves. [Gr.diktyon, a net;-genēs, producing.]
Dicynodont, di-sin′o-dont,n.an extinct reptile, allied to tortoises on one hand and mammals on the other. [Formed from Gr.di-, two,cyōn, dog, andodous,odontos, tooth.]
Did, did,Didst, didst,pa.t.ofDo.
Didache, did′a-kē,n.the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (see underApostle). [Gr., 'teaching.']
Didactic,-al, di-dak′tik, -al,adj.fitted or intended to teach: instructive: perceptive.—adv.Didac′tically.—n.Didac′ticism.—n.pl.Didactics, the art or science of teaching. [Gr.didaktikos—didaskein, to teach; akin to L.doc-ēre,disc-ĕre.]
Didactyl, dī-dak′til,adj.having only two digits—alsoDidac′tylous.—n.Didac′tyl, an animal with two toes only on each foot.
Didapper, did′ap-ėr,n.a water-bird that is constantly dipping or diving under water—also called theDabchick. [A compound ofdiveanddapper(which is a variant ofdipper). SeeDipandDive.]
Didascalic, did-as-kal′ik,adj.didactic.
Didder, did′ėr,v.i.(prov.) to shake.
Diddle, did′l,v.t.to cajole, swindle.—n.Didd′ler.
Didecahedral, dī-dek-a-hē′dral,adj.(crystal.), having five planes on each extremity.
Didelphia, dī-del′fi-a,n.pl.the marsupialia, or marsupial implacental mammals, one of the three sub-classes of Mammalia.—adjs.Didel′phian,Didel′phic. [Gr.di-, double,delphys, womb.]
Dido, dī′dō,n.(slang) an antic caper.—Cut up didoes, to behave in an extravagant way.
Didodecahedral, dī-do-dek-a-hē′dral,adj.of a six-sided-prism, truncated on the lateral edges, and acuminated on the extremities with six planes.
Didrachma, dī-drak′ma,n.a double drachma.
Diduction, dī-duk′shun,n.separation by withdrawing one part from the other.
Didunculus, di-dung′kū-lus,n.a remarkable genus of pigeons—the tooth-billed pigeon of Samoa.
Didymium, dī-dim′i-um,n.a supposed element discovered in 1841, so named from being, as it were,twinbrother of lanthamum.
Didymous, did′i-mus,adj.twin.
Didynamia, did-i-nā′mi-a,n.a class of plants in the Linnæan system having in the flower four stamens in pairs of unequal length.—adjs.Didynā′mian,Didyn′amous. [Gr.di-, double,dynamis, strength.]
Die, dī,v.i.to lose life: to perish: to wither: to languish: to become insensible:—pr.p.dy′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.died (dīd).—adj.Die′-away′, languishing.—Die away, to disappear by degrees, become gradually inaudible;Die game, to keep up one's spirit to the last;Die hard, to struggle hard against death, to be long in dying;Die off, to die quickly or in large numbers;Die out, to become extinct, to disappear. [From a Scand. root seen in Ice.deyja, Dan.d[ö]e, Scot.dee; akin to Mid. High Ger.touwen, whence Ger.tod,todt. The A.S. word issteorfan, whence ourstarve.]
Die, dī,n.a small cube used in gaming by being thrown from a box: any small cubical body: hazard:—pl.Dice(dīs).—n.Dice′-box.—adj.Diced, ornamented with square or diamond-shaped figures.—ns.Dice′-play;Dice′-play′er,Dī′cer;Dī′cing-house.—The die is cast, the question is decided. [O. Fr.det, pl.dez(Prov.dat, It.dado), from Low L.dadus—L.dātus, given or cast (talus, a piece of bone used in play, being understood). Doublets,dado,date.]
Die, dī,n.a stamp for impressing coin, &c.: the cubical part of a pedestal:—pl.Dies(dīz).—ns.Die′-sink′er;Die′-sink′ing, the engraving of dies;Die′-stock, a contrivance for holding the dies used in screw-cutting;Die′-work, ornamentation of a metal surface by impressions with a die. [See above.]
Dieb, dēb,n.a jackal of northern Africa.
Diegesis, dī-e-jē′sis,n.(rhet.) in an oration, the narration of the facts. [Gr.]
Dielectric, dī-e-lek′trik,adj.non-conducting: transmitting electric effects without conducting.—n.a substance through which electric force acts. [Gr.dia, through, andelectric.]
Dielytra, dī-el′i-tra,n.an erroneous name fordicentra.
Diesis, dī′e-sis,n.(mus.) the difference in tone between a major and a minor semitone: (print.) the double dagger (‡).
Dies Iræ, dī′ēzī′rē,n.the name given (from the opening words) to a famous hymn on the last judgment (c.1250A.D.). [L., 'day of wrath.']
Dies non, dī′ēz non, a day on which law courts may not be held. [From L.dies non juridicus, same asdies nefastus, an unlawful day.]
Diet, dī′et,n.mode of living, with especial reference to food: food prescribed by a physician: allowance of provisions.—v.t.to furnish with food.—v.i.to eat: to take food according to rule.—n.Dietā′rian, one who observes prescribed rules for diet.—adj.Dī′etary, pertaining to diet or the rules of diet.—n.course of diet: allowance of food, esp. in large institutions.—ns.Dī′et-drink, medicated liquor;Dī′eter(Shak.), one who diets or prepares food by rule.—adjs.Dietet′ic,-al, pertaining to diet.—adv.Dietet′ically.—ns.Dietet′ics, rules for regulating diet;Dietet′ist, one who lays stress on diet;Dī′etist, an authority on diet. [Fr.diète—Low L.diæta—Gr.diaita, mode of living, diet.]
Diet, dī′et,n.an assembly of princes and delegates, the chief national council in several countries in Europe: (Scots law) the proceedings under a criminal libel: a clerical or ecclesiastical function in Scotland, adiet of worship.—n.Dī′etine, a minor or local diet.—Desert the diet, to abandon criminal proceedings under a particular libel—in Scotch usage. [O. Fr.diete—Low L.diæta—Gr.diaita; or acc. to Littré, from L.dies, a (set) day, with which usage cf. Ger.tag, a day,reichstag.]
Diffarreation, di-far-ē-ā′shun,n.the parting of a cake of spelt—a ceremony at a Roman divorce. [L.]
Differ, dif′ėr,v.i.to be unlike, distinct, or various (used by itself, or followed bywith,from,to): to disagree (withfrom,with): to fall out, dispute (with):—pr.p.diff′ering;pa.p.diff′ered.—ns.Diff′erence,Diff′erency(Shak.), dissimilarity: the quality distinguishing one thing from another: a contention or quarrel: the point in dispute: the excess of one quantity or number over another: (her.) the modification of an achievement of arms to indicate the wearer's relation to the head of the house, as by marks of cadency.—v.t.to make a difference between things.—adj.Diff′erent, distinct: separate: unlike: not the same (withfrom, notto).—n.Differen′tia(logic), the characteristic quality or attribute of a species.—adj.Differen′tial, creating a difference: special: (math.) pertaining to a quantity or difference infinitely small (seeCalculus).—adv.Differen′tially.—v.t.Differen′tiāte, to make different: to create a difference between: to classify as different.—v.i.to become different by specialisation: (math.) to obtain the differential or differential coefficient of.—n.Differentiā′tion, the act of distinguishing or describing a thing by giving its differentia: exact definition: a change by which organs or structures become specialised or modified: (math.) the act or process of differentiating.—adv.Diff′erently.—Differential gear, gear for communicating differential motion;Differential motion, an apparatus by which the difference of two velocities is communicated, as in theDifferential screw, a combination of male and female screws;Differential thermometer, a thermometer for marking minute differences of temperature. [L.differre—dif(=dis), apart,ferre, to bear.]