1. Loss of hope; utter hopelessness; complete despondency. We in dark dreams are tossing to and fro, Pine with regret, or sicken with despair. Keble. Before he [Bunyan] was ten, his sports were interrupted by fits of remorse and despair. Macaulay.
2. That which is despaired of. "The mere despair of surgery he cures." Shak.
Syn.— Desperation; despondency; hopelessness.
DESPAIRERDe*spair"er, n.
Defn: One who despairs.
DESPAIRFULDe*spair"ful, a.
Defn: Hopeless. [Obs.] Spenser.
DESPAIRINGDe*spair"ing, a.
Defn: Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless.— De*spair"ing*ly, adv.— De*spair"ing*ness, n.
DESPARPLEDe*spar"ple, v. t. & i. Etym: [OF. desparpeillier.]
Defn: To scatter; to disparkle. [Obs.] Mandeville.
DESPATCHDe*spatch", n. & v.
Defn: Same as Dispatch.
DESPECIFICATEDe`spe*cif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [Pref. de- (intens.) + specificate.]
Defn: To discriminate; to separate according to specificsignification or qualities; to specificate; to desynonymize. [R.]Inaptitude and ineptitude have been usefully despecificated. Fitzed.Hall.
DESPECIFICATIONDe*spec`ifi*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Discrimination.
DESPECTDe*spect", n. Etym: [L. despectus, fr. despicere. See Despite, n.]
Defn: Contempt. [R.] Coleridge.
DESPECTIONDe*spec"tion, n. Etym: [L. despectio.]
Defn: A looking down; a despising. [R.] W. Montagu.
DESPEEDDe*speed", v. t.
Defn: To send hastily. [Obs.]Despeeded certain of their crew. Speed.
DESPENDDe*spend", v. t.
Defn: To spend; to squander. See Dispend. [Obs.]Some noble men in Spain can despend Howell.
DESPERADO Des`per*a"do, n.; pl. Desperadoes. Etym: [OSp. desperado, p. p. of desperar, fr. L. desperare. See Desperate.]
Defn: A reckless, furious man; a person urged by furious passions, and regardless of consequence; a wild ruffian.
DESPERATEDes"per*ate, a. Etym: [L. desperatus, p. p. of desperare. SeeDespair, and cf. Desperado.]
1. Without hope; given to despair; hopeless. [Obs.] I am desperate of obtaining her. Shak.
2. Beyond hope; causing despair; extremely perilous; irretrievable; past cure, or, at least, extremely dangerous; as, a desperate disease; desperate fortune.
3. Proceeding from, or suggested by, despair; without regard to danger or safety; reckless; furious; as, a desperate effort. "Desperate expedients." Macaulay.
4. Extreme, in a bad sense; outrageous; — used to mark the extreme predominance of a bad quality. A desperate offendress against nature. Shak. The most desperate of reprobates. Macaulay.
Syn. — Hopeless; despairing; desponding; rash; headlong; precipitate; irretrievable; irrecoverable; forlorn; mad; furious; frantic.
DESPERATEDes"per*ate, n.
Defn: One desperate or hopeless. [Obs.]
DESPERATELYDes"per*ate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a desperate manner; without regard to danger or safety; recklessly; extremely; as, the troops fought desperately. She fell desperately in love with him. Addison.
DESPERATENESSDes"per*ate*ness n.
Defn: Desperation; virulence.
DESPERATIONDes`per*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.]
1. The act of despairing or becoming desperate; a giving up of hope. This desperation of success chills all our industry. Hammond.
2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope; extreme recklessness; reckless fury. In the desperation of the moment, the officers even tried to cut their way through with their swords. W. Irving.
DESPICABILITYDes`pi*ca*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Despicableness. [R.] Carlyle.
DESPICABLE Des"pi*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. despicabilis, fr. despicari to despise; akin to despicere. See Despise.]
Defn: Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless; as, a despicable man; despicable company; a despicable gift.
Syn. — Contemptible; mean; vile; worthless; pitiful; paltry; sordid; low; base. See Contemptible.
DESPICABLENESSDes"pi*ca*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being despicable; meanness; vileness; worthlessness.
DESPICABLYDes"pi*ca*bly, adv.
Defn: In a despicable or mean manner; contemptibly; as, despicably stingy.
DESPICIENCYDes*pi"cien*cy, n. Etym: [L. despicientia. See Despise.]
Defn: A looking down; despection. [Obs.]
DESPISABLEDe*spis"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. despisable.]
Defn: Despicable; contemptible. [R.]
DESPISALDe*spis"al, n.
Defn: A despising; contempt. [R.]A despisal of religion. South.
DESPISE De*spise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despised; p. pr. & vb. n. Despising.] Etym: [OF. despis-, in some forms of despire to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon, despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy, and cf. Despicable, Despite.]
Defn: To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. i. 7. Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them. Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Syn.— To contemn; scorn; disdain; slight; undervalue. See Contemn.
DESPISEDNESSDe*spis"ed*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being despised.
DESPISEMENTDe*spise"ment, n.
Defn: A despising. [R.] Holland.
DESPISERDe*spis"er, n.
Defn: One who despises; a contemner; a scorner.
DESPISINGLYDe*spis"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: Contemptuously.
DESPITE De*spite", n. Etym: [OF. despit, F. dépit, fr. L. despectus contempt, fr. despicere. See Despise, and cf. Spite, Despect.]
1. Malice; malignity; spite; malicious anger; contemptuous hate. With all thy despite against the land of Israel. Ezek. xxv. 6.
2. An act of malice, hatred, or defiance; contemptuous defiance; adeed of contempt.A despite done against the Most High. Milton.In despite, in defiance of another's power or inclination.— In despite of, in defiance of; in spite of. See under Spite."Seized my hand in despite of my efforts to the contrary." W. Irving.— In your despite, in defiance or contempt of you; in spite of you.[Obs.]
DESPITEDe*spite", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despited; p. pr. & vb. n. Despiting.]Etym: [OF. despitier, fr. L. despectare, intens. of despicere. SeeDespite, n.]
Defn: To vex; to annoy; to offend contemptuously. [Obs.] Sir W.Raleigh.
DESPITEDe*spite", prep.
Defn: In spite of; against, or in defiance of; notwithstanding; as, despite his prejudices.
Syn.— See Notwithstanding.
DESPITEFULDe*spite"ful, a. Etym: [See Despite, and cf. Spiteful.]
Defn: Full of despite; expressing malice or contemptuous hate;malicious.— De*spite"ful*ly, adv.— De*spite"ful*ness, n.Haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters. Rom. i. 30.Pray for them which despitefully use you. Matt. v. 44.Let us examine him with despitefulness and fortune. Book of Wisdomii. 19.
DESPITEOUS Des*pit"e*ous, a. Etym: [OE. despitous, OF. despiteus, fr. despit; affected in form by E. piteous. See Despite.]
Defn: Feeling or showing despite; malicious; angry to excess; cruel; contemptuous. [Obs.] "Despiteous reproaches." Holland.
DESPITEOUSLYDes*pit"e*ous*ly, adv.
Defn: Despitefully. [Obs.]
DESPITOUSDe*spit"ous, a.
Defn: Despiteous; very angry; cruel. [Obs.]He was to sinful man not despitous. Chaucer.- De*spit"ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]
DESPOILDe*spoil", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Despoiled; p. pr. & vb. n.Despoiling.] Etym: [OF. despoiller, F. dépouiller, L. despoliare,despoliatum; de- + spoliare to strip, rob, spolium spoil, booty. Cf.Spoil, Despoliation.]
1. To strip, as of clothing; to divest or unclothe. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To deprive for spoil; to plunder; to rob; to pillage; to strip; to divest; — usually followed by of. The clothed earth is then bare, Despoiled is the summer fair. Gower. A law which restored to them an immense domain of which they had been despoiled. Macaulay. Despoiled of innocence, of faith, of bliss. Milton.
Syn.— To strip; deprive; rob; bereave; rifle.
DESPOILDe*spoil", n.
Defn: Spoil. [Obs.] Wolsey.
DESPOILERDe*spoil"er, n.
Defn: One who despoils.
DESPOILMENTDe*spoil"ment, n.
Defn: Despoliation. [R.]
DESPOLIATIONDe*spo`li*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. despoliatio. See Despoil.]
Defn: A stripping or plundering; spoliation. Bailey.
DESPOND De*spond", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Desponded; p. pr. & vb. n. Desponding.] Etym: [L. despond, desponsum, to promise away, promise in marriage, give up, to lose (courage); de- + spond to promise solemnly. See Sponsor.]
Defn: To give up, the will, courage, or spirit; to be thoroughly disheartened; to lose all courage; to become dispirited or depressed; to take an unhopeful view. I should despair, or at least despond. Scott's Letters. Others depress their own minds, [and] despond at the first difficulty. Locke. We wish that . . . desponding patriotism may turn its eyes hitherward, and be assured that foundations of our national power still stand strong. D. Webster.
Syn. — Despond, Dispair. Despair implies a total loss of hope, which despond does not, at least in every case; yet despondency is often more lasting than despair, or than desperation, which impels to violent action.
DESPONDDe*spond" n.
Defn: Despondency. [Obs.]The slough of despond. Bunyan.
DESPONDENCEDe*spond"ence, n.
Defn: Despondency. The people, when once infected, lose their relish for happiness [and] saunter about with looks of despondence. Goldsmith.
DESPONDENCYDe*spond"en*cy, n.
Defn: The state of desponding; loss of hope and cessation of effort; discouragement; depression or dejection of the mind. The unhappy prince seemed, during some days, to be sunk in despondency. Macaulay.
DESPONDENTDe*spond"ent, a. Etym: [L. despondens, -entis, p. pr. of despond.]
Defn: Marked by despondence; given to despondence; low-spirited; as, a despondent manner; a despondent prisoner. — De*spond"ent*ly, adv.
DESPONDERDe*spond"er, n.
Defn: One who desponds.
DESPONDINGLYDe*spond"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: In a desponding manner.
DESPONSAGEDe*spon"sage, n. Etym: [From L. desponsus, p. p. See Despond.]
Defn: Betrothal. [Obs.]Ethelbert . . . went peaceably to King Offa for desponsage ofAthilrid, his daughter. Foxe.
DESPONSATE De*spon"sate, v. t. Etym: [L. desponsatus, p. p. of desponsare, intens. of despondere to betroth. See Despond.]
Defn: To betroth. [Obs.] Johnson.
DESPONSATIONDes`pon*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. desponsatio: cf. OF. desponsation.]
Defn: A betrothing; betrothal. [Obs.] For all this desponsation of her . . . she had not set one step toward the consummation of her marriage. Jer. Taylor.
DESPONSORYDe*spon"so*ry, n.; pl. Desponsories (.
Defn: A written pledge of marriage. Clarendon.
DESPORTDe*sport", v. t. & i.
Defn: See Disport.
DESPOTDes"pot, n. Etym: [F. despote, LL. despotus, fr. Gr. potens. SeePotent.]
1. A master; a lord; especially, an absolute or irresponsible ruler or sovereign. Irresponsible power in human hands so naturally leads to it, that cruelty has become associated with despot and tyrant. C. J. Smith.
2. One who rules regardless of a constitution or laws; a tyrant.
DESPOTATDes"po*tat, n. Etym: [Cf. F. despotat.]
Defn: The station or government of a despot; also, the domain of a despot. Freeman.
DESPOTIC; DESPOTICALDes*pot"ic, Des*pot"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. despotique.]
Defn: Having the character of, or pertaining to, a despot; absolutein power; possessing and abusing unlimited power; evincing despotism;tyrannical; arbitrary.— Des*pot"ic*al*ly, adv.— Des*pot"ic*al*ness, n.
DESPOTISMDes"po*tism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. despotisme.]
1. The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. "The despotism of vice." Byron.
2. A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy. Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor. Bp. Horsley.
DESPOTISTDes"po*tist, n.
Defn: A supporter of despotism. [R.]
DESPOTIZEDes"po*tize, v. t.
Defn: To act the despot.
DESPREADDe*spread", v. t. & i.
Defn: See Dispread.
DESPUMATEDes"pu*mate, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Despumated; p. pr. & vb. n.Despumating.] Etym: [L. despumatus, p. p. of despumare to despume;de- + spumare to foam, froth, spuma froth, scum.]
Defn: To throw off impurities in spume; to work off in foam or scum; to foam.
DESPUMATIONDes`pu*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. despumatio: cf. F. despumation.]
Defn: The act of throwing up froth or scum; separation of the scum or impurities from liquids; scumming; clarification.
DESPUMEDe*spume", v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. despumer. See Despumate.]
Defn: To free from spume or scum. [Obs.]If honey be despumed. Holland.
DESQUAMATE Des"qua*mate, v. i. Etym: [L. desquamatus, p. p. of desquamare to scale off; de- + squama scale.] (Med.)
Defn: To peel off in the form of scales; to scale off, as the skin in certain diseases.
DESQUAMATIONDes`qua*ma"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. desquamation.] (Med.)
Defn: The separation or shedding of the cuticle or epidermis in the form of flakes or scales; exfoliation, as of bones.
DESQUAMATIVE; DESQUAMATORYDe*squam"a*tive, De*squam"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or attended with, desquamation.
DESQUAMATORYDe*squam"a*to*ry, n. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument formerly used in removing the laminæ of exfoliated bones.
DESSDess, n.
Defn: Dais. [Obs.]
DESSERTDes*sert", n. Etym: [F., fr. desservir to remove from table, to clearthe table; pref. des- (L. dis-) + servir to serve, to serve at table.See Serve.]
Defn: A service of pastry, fruits, or sweetmeats, at the close of a feast or entertainment; pastry, fruits, etc., forming the last course at dinner. "An 't please your honor," quoth the peasant, "This same dessert is not so pleasant." Pope. Dessert spoon, a spoon used in eating dessert; a spoon intermediate in size between a teaspoon and a tablespoon. — Dessert-spoonful, n., pl. Dessert-spoonfuls, as much as a dessert spoon will hold, usually reckoned at about two and a half fluid drams.
DESTEMPERDes*tem"per, n. Etym: [Cf. F. détrempe, fr. détremper.]
Defn: A kind of painting. See Distemper.
DESTINDes"tin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. destin.]
Defn: Destiny. [Obs.] Marston.
DESTINABLEDes"ti*na*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. destinable.]
Defn: Determined by destiny; fated. Chaucer.
DESTINABLYDes"ti*na*bly, adv.
Defn: In a destinable manner.
DESTINALDes"ti*nal, a.
Defn: Determined by destiny; fated. [Obs.] "The order destinal."Chaucer.
DESTINATEDes"ti*nate, a. Etym: [L. destinatus, p. p. of destinare. SeeDestine.]
Defn: Destined. [Obs.] "Destinate to hell." Foxe.
DESTINATEDes"ti*nate, v. t.
Defn: To destine, design, or choose. [Obs.] "That name that God . . . did destinate." Udall.
DESTINATION Des`ti*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. destinatio determination: cf. F. destination destination.]
1. The act of destining or appointing.
2. Purpose for which anything is destined; predetermined end, object, or use; ultimate design.
3. The place set for the end of a journey, or to which something is sent; place or point aimed at.
Syn.— Appointment; design; purpose; intention; destiny; lot; fate; end.
DESTINEDes"tine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destined; p. pr. & vb. n. Destining.]Etym: [F. destiner, L. destinare; de + the root of stare to stand.See Stand, and cf. Obstinate.]
Defn: To determine the future condition or application of; to set apart by design for a future use or purpose; to fix, as by destiny or by an authoritative decree; to doom; to ordain or preordain; to appoint; — often with the remoter object preceded by to or for. We are decreed, Reserved, and destined to eternal woe. Milton. Till the loathsome opposite Of all my heart had destined, did obtain. Tennyson. Not enjoyment and not sorrow Is our destined end or way. Longfellow.
Syn. — To design; mark out; determine; allot; choose; intend; devote; consecrate; doom.
DESTINISTDes"ti*nist, n.
Defn: A believer in destiny; a fatalist. [R.]
DESTINY Des"ti*ny, n.; pl. Destinies. Etym: [OE. destinee, destene, F. destinée, from destiner. See Destine.]
1. That to which any person or thing is destined; predetermined state; condition foreordained by the Divine or by human will; fate; lot; doom. Thither he Will come to know his destiny. Shak. No man of woman born, Coward or brave, can shun his destiny. Bryant.
2. The fixed order of things; invincible necessity; fate; a resistless power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or of an individual. But who can turn the stream of destiny Spenser. Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as inevitable as destiny, for it is destiny. Longfellow. The Destinies (Anc. Myth.), the three Parcæ, or Fates; the supposed powers which preside over human life, and determine its circumstances and duration. Marked by the Destinies to be avoided. Shak.
DESTITUENTDe*stit"u*ent, a. Etym: [L. destituens, p. pr. of destituere.]
Defn: Deficient; wanting; as, a destituent condition. [Obs.] Jer.Taylor.
DESTITUTE Des"ti*tute, a. Etym: [L. destitutus, p. p. of destituere to set away, leave alone, forsake; de + statuere to set. See Statute.]
1. Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; — often followed by of. In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. cxli. 8. Totally destitute of all shadow of influence. Burke.
2. Not possessing the necessaries of life; in a condition of want; needy; without possessions or resources; very poor. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented. Heb. xi. 37.
DESTITUTEDes"ti*tute, v. t.
1. To leave destitute; to forsake; to abandon. [Obs.] To forsake or destitute a plantation. Bacon.
2. To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; — followed by of. [Obs.] Destituted of all honor and livings. Holinshed.
3. To disappoint. [Obs.] When his expectation is destituted. Fotherby.
DESTITUTELYDes"ti*tute*ly, adv.
Defn: In destitution.
DESTITUTENESSDes"ti*tute*ness, n.
Defn: Destitution. [R.] Ash.
DESTITUTIONDes`ti*tu"tion, n. Etym: [L. destitutio a forsaking.]
Defn: The state of being deprived of anything; the state or condition of being destitute, needy, or without resources; deficiency; lack; extreme poverty; utter want; as, the inundation caused general destitution.
DESTRER; DEXTRER Des*trer", Dex"trer, n. Etym: [OF. destrier, fr. L. dextra on the right side. The squire led his master's horse beside him, on his right hand. Skeat.]
Defn: A war horse. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DESTRIEDe*strie", v. t.
Defn: To destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DESTROY De*stroy", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Destroyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Destroying.] Etym: [OE. destroien, destruien, destrien, OF. destruire, F. détruire, fr. L. destruere, destructum; de + struere to pile up, build. See Structure.]
1. To unbuild; to pull or tear down; to separate virulently into its constituent parts; to break up the structure and organic existence of; to demolish. But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. Ex. xxxiv. 13.
2. To ruin; to bring to naught; to put an end to; to annihilate; to consume. I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation. Jer. xii. 17.
3. To put an end to the existence, prosperity, or beauty of; to kill. If him by force he can destroy, or, worse, By some false guile pervert. Milton.
Syn. — To demolish; lay waste; consume; raze; dismantle; ruin; throw down; overthrow; subvert; desolate; devastate; deface; extirpate; extinguish; kill; slay. See Demolish.
DESTROYABLEDe*stroy"a*ble, a.
Defn: Destructible. [R.]Plants . . . scarcely destroyable by the weather. Derham.
DESTROYERDe*stroy"er, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. destruior.]
Defn: One who destroys, ruins, kills, or desolates.
DESTRUCTDe*struct", v. t. Etym: [L. destructus, p. p. of destruere. SeeDestroy.]
Defn: To destroy. [Obs.] Mede.
DESTRUCTIBILITYDe*struc`ti*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. destructibilité.]
Defn: The quality of being capable of destruction; destructibleness.
DESTRUCTIBLEDe*struc"ti*ble, a. Etym: [L. destructibilis.]
Defn: Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.
DESTRUCTIBLENESSDe*struc"ti*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being destructible.
DESTRUCTIONDe*struc"tion, n. Etym: [L. destructio: cf. F. destruction. SeeDestroy.]
1. The act of destroying; a tearing down; a bringing to naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying; devastation. The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction. Esth. ix. 5. 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. Shak. Destruction of venerable establishment. Hallam.
2. The state of being destroyed, demolished, ruined, slain, ordevastated.This town came to destruction. Chaucer.Thou castedst them down into destruction. Ps. lxxiii. 18.
2. A destroying agency; a cause of ruin or of devastation; a destroyer. The destruction that wasteth at noonday. Ps. xci. 6.
Syn. — Demolition; subversion; overthrow; desolation; extirpation; extinction; devastation; downfall; extermination; havoc; ruin.
DESTRUCTIONISTDe*struc"tion*ist, n.
1. One who delights in destroying that which is valuable; one whose principles and influence tend to destroy existing institutions; a destructive.
2. (Theol.)
Defn: One who believes in the final destruction or complete annihilation of the wicked; — called also annihilationist. Shipley.
DESTRUCTIVEDe*struc"tive, a. Etym: [L. destructivus: cf. F. destructif.]
Defn: Causing destruction; tending to bring about ruin, death, or devastation; ruinous; fatal; productive of serious evil; mischievous; pernicious; — often with of or to; as, intemperance is destructive of health; evil examples are destructive to the morals of youth. Time's destructive power. Wordsworth. Destructive distillation. See Distillation. — Destructive sorties ( (Logic), a process of reasoning which involves the denial of the first of a series of dependent propositions as a consequence of the denial of the last; a species of reductio ad absurdum. Whately.
Syn. — Mortal; deadly; poisonous; fatal; ruinous; malignant; baleful; pernicious; mischievous.
DESTRUCTIVEDe*struc"tive, n.
Defn: One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.
DESTRUCTIVELYDe*struc"tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a destructive manner.
DESTRUCTIVENESSDe*struc"tive*ness, n.
1. The quality of destroying or ruining. Prynne.
2. (Phren.)
Defn: The faculty supposed to impel to the commission of acts of destruction; propensity to destroy.
DESTRUCTORDe*struc"tor, n. Etym: [L., from destruere. See Destroy, and cf.Destroyer.]
Defn: A destroyer. [R.]Fire, the destructive and the artificial death of things. Boyle.
DESTRUIEDe*struie", v. t.
Defn: To destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DESUDATION Des`u*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. desudatio, fr. desudare to sweat greatly; de + sudare to sweat.] (Med.)
Defn: A sweating; a profuse or morbid sweating, often succeeded by an eruption of small pimples.
DESUETEDe*suete", a. Etym: [L. desuetus, p. p. of desuescere to disuse.]
Defn: Disused; out of use. [R.]
DESUETUDE Des"ue*tude, n. Etym: [L. desuetudo, from desuescere, to grow out of use, disuse; de + suescere to become used or accustomed: cf. F. désuétude. See Custom.]
Defn: The cessation of use; disuse; discontinuance of practice,custom, or fashion.The desuetude abrogated the law, which, before, custom hadestablished. Jer. Taylor.
DESULPHURATEDe*sul"phu*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Desulphurated; p. pr. & vb. n.Desulphurating.]
Defn: To deprive of sulphur.
DESULPHURATIONDe*sul`phu*ra"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. désulfuration.]
Defn: The act or process of depriving of sulphur.
DESULPHURIZEDe*sul"phur*ize, v. t.
Defn: To desulphurate; to deprive of sulphur.— De*sul`phur*i*za"tion, n.
DESULTORILYDes"ul*to*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: In a desultory manner; without method; loosely; immethodically.
DESULTORINESSDes"ul*to*ri*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being desultory or without order or method;unconnectedness.The seeming desultoriness of my method. Boyle.
DESULTORIOUSDes`ul*to"ri*ous, a.
Defn: Desultory. [R.]
DESULTORYDes"ul*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. desultorius, fr. desultor a leaper, fr.desilire, desultum, to leap down; de + salire to leap. SeeSaltation.]
1. Leaping or skipping about. [Obs.] I shot at it [a bird], but it was so desultory that I missed my aim. Gilbert White.
2. Jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless; as, desultory minds. Atterbury. He [Goldsmith] knew nothing accurately; his reading had been desultory. Macaulay.
3. Out of course; by the way; as a digression; not connected with the subject; as, a desultory remark.
Syn. — Rambling; roving; immethodical; discursive; inconstant; unsettled; cursory; slight; hasty; loose.
DESUMEDe*sume", v. t. Etym: [L. desumere; de + sumere to take.]
Defn: To select; to borrow. [Obs.] Sir. M. Hale.
DESYNONYMIZATIONDe`syn*on`y*mi*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of desynonymizing.
DESYNONYMIZEDe`syn*on"y*mize, v. t.
Defn: To deprive of synonymous character; to discriminate in use; — applied to words which have been employed as synonyms. Coleridge. Trench.
DETACHDe*tach", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detached; p. pr. & vb. n. Detaching.]Etym: [F. détacher (cf. It. distaccare, staccare); pref. dé (L. dis)+ the root found also in E. attach. See Attach, and cf. Staccato.]
1. To part; to separate or disunite; to disengage; — the opposite of attach; as, to detach the coats of a bulbous root from each other; to detach a man from a leader or from a party.
2. To separate for a special object or use; — used especially in military language; as, to detach a ship from a fleet, or a company from a regiment.
Syn. — To separate; disunite; disengage; sever; disjoin; withdraw;; draw off. See Detail.
DETACHDe*tach", v. i.
Defn: To push asunder; to come off or separate from anything; todisengage.[A vapor] detaching, fold by fold, From those still heights.Tennyson.
DETACHABLEDe*tach"a*ble, a.
Defn: That can be detached.
DETACHEDDe*tached", a.
Defn: Separate; unconnected, or imperfectly connected; as, detached parcels. "Extensive and detached empire." Burke. Detached escapement. See Escapement.
DETACHMENTDe*tach"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. détachement.]
1. The act of detaching or separating, or the state of being detached.
2. That which is detached; especially, a body of troops or part of a fleet sent from the main body on special service. Troops . . . widely scattered in little detachments. Bancroft.
3. Abstraction from worldly objects; renunciation. A trial which would have demanded of him a most heroic faith and the detachment of a saint. J. H. Newman.
DETAIL De"tail, n. Etym: [F. détail, fr. détailler to cut in pieces, tell in detail; pref. dé- (L. de or dis-) + tailler to cut. See Tailor.]
1. A minute portion; one of the small parts; a particular; an item; - - used chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a scheme or transaction. The details of the campaign in Italy. Motley.
2. A narrative which relates minute points; an account which dwells on particulars.
3. (Mil.)
Defn: The selection for a particular service of a person or a body of men; hence, the person or the body of men so selected. Detail drawing, a drawing of the full size, or on a large scale, of some part of a building, machine, etc. — In detail, in subdivisions; part by part; item; circumstantially; with particularity.
Syn.— Account; relation; narrative; recital; explanation; narration.
DETAILDe"tail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detailed; p. pr. & vb. n. Detailing.]Etym: [Cf. F. détailler to cut up in pieces, tell in detail. SeeDetail, n.]
1. To relate in particulars; to particularize; to report minutely and distinctly; to enumerate; to specify; as, he detailed all the facts in due order.
2. (Mil.)
Defn: To tell off or appoint for a particular service, as an officer, a troop, or a squadron.
Syn. — Detail, Detach. Detail respect the act of individualizing the person or body that is separated; detach, the removing for the given end or object.
DETAILERDe*tail"er, n.
Defn: One who details.
DETAINDe*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detained; p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.]Etym: [F. détenir, L. detinere, detentum; de + tenere to hold. SeeTenable.]
1. To keep back or from; to withhold. Detain not the wages of the hireling. Jer. Taylor.
2. To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay; as, we were detained by an accident. Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. Judges xiii. 15.
3. To hold or keep in custody.
Syn. — To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check; retard; delay; hinder.
DETAINDe*tain", n.
Defn: Detention. [Obs.] Spenser.
DETAINDERDe*tain"der, n. (Law)
Defn: A writ. See Detinue.
DETAINERDe*tain"er, n.
1. One who detains.
2. (Law) (a) The keeping possession of what belongs to another; detention of what is another's, even though the original taking may have been lawful. Forcible detainer is indictable at common law. (b) A writ authorizing the keeper of a prison to continue to keep a person in custody.
DETAINMENTDe*tain"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. detenement.]
Defn: Detention. [R.] Blackstone.
DETECT De*tect", a. Etym: [L. detectus, p. p. of detegere to uncover, detect; de + tegere to cover. See Tegument.]
Defn: Detected. [Obs.] Fabyan.
DETECTDe*tect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detected; p. pr. & vb. n. Detecting.]
1. To uncover; to discover; to find out; to bring to light; as, to detect a crime or a criminal; to detect a mistake in an account. Plain good intention . . . is as easily discovered at the first view, as fraud is surely detected at last. Burke. Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect. Pope.
2. To inform against; to accuse. [Obs.] He was untruly judged to have preached such articles as he was detected of. Sir T. More.
Syn.— To discover; find out; lay bare; expose.
DETECTABLE; DETECTIBLEDe*tect"a*ble, De*tect"i*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being detected or found out; as, parties not detectable. "Errors detectible at a glance." Latham.
DETECTERDe*tect"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, detects or brings to light; one who finds out what another attempts to conceal; a detector.
DETECTIONDe*tec"tion, n. Etym: [L. detectio an uncovering, revealing.]
Defn: The act of detecting; the laying open what was concealed or hidden; discovery; as, the detection of a thief; the detection of fraud, forgery, or a plot. Such secrets of guilt are never from detection. D. Webster.
DETECTIVEDe*tect"ive, a.
Defn: Fitted for, or skilled in, detecting; employed in detecting crime or criminals; as, a detective officer.
DETECTIVEDe*tect"ive, n.
Defn: One who business it is so detect criminals or discover matters of secrecy.
DETECTORDe*tect"or, n. Etym: [L., a revealer.]
Defn: One who, or that which, detects; a detecter. Shak. A deathbed's detector of the heart. Young. Bank-note detector, a publication containing a description of genuine and counterfeit bank notes, designed to enable persons to discriminate between them. — Detector l. See under Lock.
DETECTOR BARDe*tect"or bar. (Railroads)
Defn: A bar, connected with a switch, longer than the distance between any two consecutive wheels of a train (45 to 50 feet), laid inside a rail and operated by the wheels so that the switch cannot be thrown until all the train is past the switch.
DETENEBRATE De*ten"e*brate, v. t. Etym: [L. de + tenebrare to make dark, fr. tenebrae darkness.]
Defn: To remove darkness from. [Obs.] Ash.
DETENT De*tent", n. Etym: [F. détente, fr. détendre to unbend, relax; pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + tendre to stretch. See Distend.] (Mech.)
Defn: That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
DETENTIONDe*ten"tion, n. Etym: [L. detentio: cf. F. détention. See Detain.]
1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.
2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay from necessity.
3. Confinement; restraint; custody. The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of honorable detention at Henry's court. Hallam.
DETERDe*ter", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deterred; p. pr. & vb. n. Deterring.]Etym: [L. deterrere; de + terrere to frighten, terrify. See Terror.]
Defn: To prevent by fear; hence, to hinder or prevent from action byfear of consequences, or difficulty, risk, etc. Addison.Potent enemies tempt and deter us from our duty. Tillotson.My own face deters me from my glass. Prior.
DETERGEDe*terge", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deterged; p. pr. & vb. n. Deterging.]Etym: [L. detergere, detersum; de + tergere to rub or wipe off: cf.F. déterger.]
Defn: To cleanse; to purge away, as foul or offending matter from the body, or from an ulcer.
DETERGENCYDe*ter"gen*cy, n.
Defn: A cleansing quality or power. De Foe.
DETERGENTDe*ter"gent, a. Etym: [L. detergens, -entis, p. pr. of detergere: cf.F. détergent.]
Defn: Cleansing; purging.— n.
Defn: A substance which cleanses the skin, as water or soap; a medicine to cleanse wounds, ulcers, etc.
DETERIORATE De*te"ri*o*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deteriorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deteriorating.] Etym: [L. deterioratus, p. p. of deteriorate to deteriorate, fr. deterior worse, prob. a comparative fr. de down, away.]
Defn: To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair; as, to deteriorate the mind. Whately. The art of war . . . was greatly deteriorated. Southey.
DETERIORATEDe*te"ri*o*rate, v. i.
Defn: To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.Under such conditions, the mind rapidly deteriorates. Goldsmith.
DETERIORATION De*te`ri*o*ra"tion, n. Etym: [LL. deterioratio: cf. F. détérioration.]
Defn: The process of growing worse, or the state of having grown worse.
DETERIORITYDe*te`ri*or"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. deterior worse. See Deteriorate.]
Defn: Worse state or quality; inferiority. "The deteriority of the diet." [R.] Ray.
DETERMENTDe*ter"ment, n. Etym: [From Deter.]
Defn: The act of deterring; also, that which deters. Boyle.
DETERMINABILITYDe*ter`mi*na*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality of being determinable; determinableness. Coleridge.
DETERMINABLE De*ter"mi*na*ble, a. Etym: [L. determinabilis finite. See Determine, v. t.]
Defn: Capable of being determined, definitely ascertained, decided upon, or brought to a conclusion. Not wholly determinable from the grammatical use of the words. South.
DETERMINABLENESSDe*ter"mi*na*ble*ness, n.
Defn: Capability of being determined; determinability.
DETERMINACYDe*ter"mi*na*cy, n.
Defn: Determinateness. [R.]
DETERMINANTDe*ter"mi*nant, a. Etym: [L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf.F. déterminant.]
Defn: Serving to determine or limit; determinative.
DETERMINANTDe*ter"mi*nant, n.
1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination.
2. (Math.)
Defn: The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws; thus, the determinant of the nine numbers. a, b, c,a', b', c',a'\'b7, b'\'b7, c'\'b7, is a b' c'\'b7 — a b'\'b7 c' + a' b'\'b7 c] — a' b c'\'b7 + a'\'b7 b' c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics.
3. (Logic)
Defn: A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. Abp. Thomson.
DETERMINATEDe*ter"mi*nate, a. Etym: [L. determinatus, p. p. of determinare. SeeDetermine.]
1. Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed; established; definite. Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet. Dryden.
2. Conclusive; decisive; positive. The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Acts ii. 23.
3. Determined or resolved upon. [Obs.] My determinate voyage. Shak.
4. Of determined purpose; resolute. [Obs.] More determinate to do than skillful how to do. Sir P. Sidney. Determinate inflorescence (Bot.), that in which the flowering commences with the terminal bud of a stem, which puts a limit to its growth; — also called centrifugal inflorescence. — Determinate problem (Math.), a problem which admits of a limited number of solutions. — Determinate quantities, Determinate equations (Math.), those that are finite in the number of values or solutions, that is, in which the conditions of the problem or equation determine the number.
DETERMINATEDe*ter"mi*nate, v. t.
Defn: To bring to an end; to determine. See Determine. [Obs.] The sly, slow hours shall not determinate The dateless limit of thy dear exile. Shak.
DETERMINATELYDe*ter"mi*nate*ly, adv.
1. In a determinate manner; definitely; ascertainably. The principles of religion are already either determinately true or false, before you think of them. Tillotson.
2. Resolutely; unchangeably. Being determinately . . . bent to marry. Sir P. Sidney.
DETERMINATENESSDe*ter"mi*nate*ness, n.
Defn: State of being determinate.
DETERMINATION De*ter`mi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. determinatio boundary, end: cf. F. détermination.]
1. The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
2. Bringing to an end; termination; limit. A speedy determination of that war. Ludlow.
3. Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion. Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good. Locke.
4. The quality of mind reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness. He only is a well-made man who has a good determination. Emerson.
5. The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
6. That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution. So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain convictions. Hallam.
7. (Med.)
Defn: A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as, a determination of blood to the head.
8. (Physical Sciences)
Defn: The act, process, or result of any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensify, etc.; as, the determination of the ohm or of the wave length of light; the determination of the salt in sea water, or the oxygen in the air.
9. (Logic) (a) The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents. (b) The addition of a differentia to a concept or notion, thus limiting its extent; — the opposite of generalization.
10. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: The act of determining the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted to a friend for the determination of most of these shells.
Syn. — Decision; conclusion; judgment; purpose; resolution; resolve; firmness. See Decision.
DETERMINATIVEDe*ter"mi*na*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. déterminatif.]
Defn: Having power to determine; limiting; shaping; directing; conclusive. Incidents . . . determinative of their course. I. Taylor. Determinative tables (Nat. Hist.), tables presenting the specific character of minerals, plants, etc., to assist in determining the species to which a specimen belongs.
DETERMINATIVEDe*ter"mi*na*tive, n.
Defn: That which serves to determine. Explanatory determinatives . . . were placed after words phonetically expressed, in order to serve as an aid to the reader in determining the meaning. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).
DETERMINATORDe*ter"mi*na`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who determines. [R.] Sir T. Browne.
DETERMINEDe*ter"mine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Determined; p. pr. & vb. n.Determining.] Etym: [F. déterminer, L. determinare, determinatum; de+ terminare limit, terminus limit. See Term.]
1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate. [God] hath determined the times before appointed. Acts xvii. 26.
2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish. The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. Bacon. Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his friend sickness hath determined me Shak.
3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. J. Edwards. Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life. W. Black.
4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; — with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course.
5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name.
6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.
7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately.
8. (Logic)
Defn: To define or limit by adding a differentia.
9. (Physical Sciences)
Defn: To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
DETERMINEDe*ter"mine, v. i.
1. To come to an end; to end; to terminate. [Obs.] He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together. South. Estates may determine on future contingencies. Blackstone.
2. To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; — often with on. "Determine on some course." Shak. He shall pay as the judges determine. Ex. xxi. 22.
DETERMINEDDe*ter"mined, a.
Defn: Decided; resolute. "Adetermined foe."" Sparks.
DETERMINEDLYDe*ter"min*ed*ly, adv.
Defn: In a determined manner; with determination.
DETERMINERDe*ter"min*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, determines or decides.
DETERMINISMDe*ter"min*ism, n. (Metaph.)
Defn: The doctrine that the will is not free, but is inevitably and invincibly determined by motives. Its superior suitability to produce courage, as contrasted with scientific physical determinism, is obvious. F. P. Cobbe.
DETERMINISTDe*ter"min*ist, n. (Metaph.)
Defn: One who believes in determinism. Also adj.; as, determinist theories.
DETERRATION De`ter*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. de + terra earth: cf. F. déterrer to unearth.]
Defn: The uncovering of anything buried or covered with earth; a taking out of the earth or ground. Woodward.
DETERRENCEDe*ter"rence, n.
Defn: That which deters; a deterrent; a hindrance. [R.]
DETERRENTDe*ter"rent, a. Etym: [L. deterrens, p. pr. of deterrere. See Deter.]
Defn: Serving to deter. "The deterrent principle." E. Davis.
DETERRENTDe*ter"rent, n.
Defn: That which deters or prevents.
DETERSIONDe*ter"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. détersion. See Deterge.]
Defn: The act of deterging or cleansing, as a sore.
DETERSIVEDe*ter"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. détersif.]
Defn: Cleansing; detergent.— n.
Defn: A cleansing agent; a detergent.
DETERSIVELYDe*ter"sive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a way to cleanse.
DETERSIVENESSDe*ter"sive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of cleansing.
DETEST De*test", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detested; p. pr. & vb. n. Detesting.] Etym: [L. detestare, detestatum, and detestari, to curse while calling a deity to witness, to execrate, detest; de + testari to be a witness, testify, testis a witness: cf. F. détester. See Testify.]
1. To witness against; to denounce; to condemn. [Obs.]The heresy of Nestorius . . . was detested in the Eastern churches.Fuller.God hath detested them with his own mouth. Bale.
2. To hate intensely; to abhor; to abominate; to loathe; as, we detest what is contemptible or evil. Who dares think one thing, and another tell, My heart detests him as the gates of hell. Pope.
Syn.— To abhor; abominate; execrate. See Hate.
DETESTABILITYDe*test`a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Capacity of being odious. [R.] Carlyle.
DETESTABLEDe*test"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. detestabilis: cf. F. détestable.]
Defn: Worthy of being detested; abominable; extremely hateful; very odious; deserving abhorrence; as, detestable vices. Thou hast defiled my sanctuary will all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations. Ezek. v. 11.
Syn.— Abominable; odious; execrable; abhorred.
DETESTABLENESSDe*test"a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being detestable.
DETESTABLYDe*test"a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a detestable manner.
DETESTATEDe*tes"tate, v. t.
Defn: To detest. [Obs.] Udall.
DETESTATIONDet`es*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. detestatio: cf. F. détestation.]
Defn: The act of detesting; extreme hatred or dislike; abhorrence;loathing.We are heartily agreed in our detestation of civil war. Burke.
DETESTERDe*test"er, n.
Defn: One who detes
DETHRONEDe*throne", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dethroned; p. pr. & vb. n.Dethroning.] Etym: [Pref. de- + throne: cf. F. détrôner; pref. dé-(L. dis-) + trône throne. See Throne.]
Defn: To remove or drive from a throne; to depose; to divest of supreme authority and dignity. "The Protector was dethroned." Hume.
DETHRONEMENTDe*throne"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. détrônement.]
Defn: Deposal from a throne; deposition from regal power.
DETHRONERDe*thron"er, n.
Defn: One who dethrones.
DETHRONIZATIONDe*thron`i*za"tion, n.
Defn: Dethronement. [Obs.] Speed.
DETHRONIZEDe*thron"ize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. LL. dethronizare.]
Defn: To dethrone or unthrone. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
DETINUEDet"i*nue, n. Etym: [OF. detinu, detenu, p. p. of detenir to detain.See Detain.]
Defn: A person or thing detained; (Law)
Defn: a form of action for the recovery of a personal chattel wrongfully detained. Writ of detinue (Law), one that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.
DETONATEDet"o*nate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Detonated; p. pr. & vb. n.Detonating.] Etym: [L. detonare, v. i., to thunder down; de + tonareto thunder; akin to E. thunder. See Thunder, and cf. Detonize.]
Defn: To explode with a sudden report; as, niter detonates with sulphur.
DETONATEDet"o*nate, v. t.
Defn: To cause to explode; to cause to burn or inflame with a sudden report.
DETONATINGDet"o*na`ting, a. & n.
Defn: from Detonate. Detonating gas, a mixture of two volumes of hydrogen with one volume of oxygen, which explodes with a loud report upon ignition. — Detonating powder, any powder or solid substance, as fulminate of mercury, which when struck, explodes with violence and a loud report. — Detonating primer, a primer exploded by a fuse; — used to explode gun cotton in blasting operations. — Detonating tube, a strong tube of glass, usually graduated, closed at one end, and furnished with two wires passing through its sides at opposite points, and nearly meeting, for the purpose of exploding gaseous mixtures by an electric spark, as in gas analysis, etc.
DETONATIONDet`o*na"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. détonation.]
Defn: An explosion or sudden report made by the instantaneous decomposition or combustion of unstable substances' as, the detonation of gun cotton.
DETONATORDet`o*na`tor, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, detonates.
DETONIZATIONDet`o*ni*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of detonizing; detonation.
DETONIZE Det"o*nize, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Detonate.] [imp. & p. p.Detonized; p. pr. & vb. n. Detonizing.]
Defn: To explode, or cause to explode; to burn with an explosion; to detonate.
DETORSIONDe*tor"sion, n.
Defn: Same as Detortion.
DETORTDe*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Detorting.]Etym: [L. detortus, p. p. of detorquere to turn away; de + torquereto turn about, twist: cf. F. détorquer, détordre.]
Defn: To turn form the original or plain meaning; to pervert; to wrest. Hammond.
DETORTIONDe*tor"tion, n.
Defn: The act of detorting, or the state of being detorted; a twisting or warping.
DETOURDe`tour", n. Etym: [F. détour, fr. détourner to turn aside; pref. dé-(L. dis-) + tourner to turn. See Turn.]
Defn: A turning; a circuitous route; a deviation from a direct course; as, the detours of the Mississippi.
DETRACTDe*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detracted; p. pr. & vb. n.Detracting.] Etym: [L. detractus, p. p. of detrahere to detract; de +trahere to draw: cf. F. détracter. See Trace.]
1. To take away; to withdraw. Detract much from the view of the without. Sir H. Wotton.
2. To take credit or reputation from; to defame. That calumnious critic . . . Detracting what laboriously we do. Drayton.
Syn. — To derogate; decry; disparage; depreciate; asperse; vilify; defame; traduce. See Decry.
DETRACTDe*tract", v. i.
Defn: To take away a part or something, especially from one's credit; to lessen reputation; to derogate; to defame; — often with from. It has been the fashion to detract both from the moral and literary character of Cicero. V. Knox.
DETRACTERDe*tract"er, n.
Defn: One who detracts; a detractor.Other detracters and malicious writers. Sir T. North.
DETRACTINGLYDe*tract"ing*ly, adv.