2. To return upon one's track; to turn and go back over the same ground, or in an opposite direction. Doubling and turning like a hunted hare. Dryden. Doubling and doubling with laborious walk. Wordsworth.
3. To play tricks; to use sleights; to play false. What penalty and danger you accrue, If you be found to double. J. Webster.
4. (Print.)
Defn: To set up a word or words a second time by mistake; to make a doublet. To double upon (Mil.), to inclose between two fires.
DOUBLEDou"ble, n.
1. Twice as much; twice the number, sum, quantity, length, value, and the like. If the thief be found, let him pay double. Ex. xxii. 7.
2. Among compositors, a doublet (see Doublet,
2.); among pressmen, a sheet that is twice pulled, and blurred.
3. That which is doubled over or together; a doubling; a plait; a fold. Rolled up in sevenfold double Of plagues. Marston.
4. A turn or circuit in running to escape pursues; hence, a trick; a shift; an artifice. These men are too well acquainted with the chase to be flung off by any false steps or doubles. Addison.
5. Something precisely equal or counterpart to another; a counterpart. Hence, a wraith. My charming friend . . . has, I am almost sure, a double, who preaches his afternoon sermons for him. Atlantic Monthly.
6. A player or singer who prepares to take the part of another player in his absence; a substitute.
7. Double beer; strong beer.
8. (Eccl.)
Defn: A feast in which the antiphon is doubled, hat is, said twice, before and after the Psalms, instead of only half being said, as in simple feasts. Shipley.
9. (Lawn Tennis)
Defn: A game between two pairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles.
10. (Mus.)
Defn: An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites.
DOUBLE-ACTINGDou"ble-act`ing, a.
Defn: Acting or operating in two directions or with both motions; producing a twofold result; as, a double-acting engine or pump.
DOUBLE-BANKDou"ble-bank", v. t. (Naut.)
Defn: To row by rowers sitting side by side in twos on a bank or thwart. To double-bank an oar, to set two men to pulling one oar.
DOUBLE-BANKEDDou"ble-banked`, a.
Defn: Applied to a kind of rowing in which the rowers sit side by side in twos, a pair of oars being worked from each bank or thwart.
DOUBLE-BARRELED; DOUBLE-BARRELLEDDou"ble-bar`reled, or Dou"ble-bar`relled, a.
Defn: Having two barrels; — applied to a gun.
DOUBLE-BEAT VALVEDou"ble-beat` valve".
Defn: See under Valve.
DOUBLE-BREASTEDDou"ble-breast`ed, a.
Defn: Folding or lapping over on the breast, with a row of buttons and buttonholes on each side; as, a double-breasted coat.
DOUBLE-CHARGEDou"ble-charge`, v. t.
1. To load with a double charge, as of gunpowder.
2. To overcharge. Shak.
DOUBLE DEALERDou"ble deal"er.
Defn: One who practices double dealing; a deceitful, trickish person.L'Estrange.
DOUBLE DEALINGDou"ble deal"ing.
Defn: False or deceitful dealing. See Double dealing, under Dealing.Shak.
DOUBLE-DECKERDou"ble-deck"er, n.
1. (Naut.)
Defn: A man-of-war having two gun decks.
2. A public conveyance, as a street car, with seats on the roof. [Colloq.]
DOUBLE-DYEDou"ble-dye`, v. t.
Defn: To dye again or twice over.To double-dye their robes in scarlet. J. Webster.
DOUBLE-DYEDDou"ble-dyed`, a.
Defn: Dyed twice; thoroughly or intensely colored; hence; firmly fixed in opinions or habits; as, a double-dyed villain.
DOUBLE-ENDER Dou"ble-end"er, n. (a) (Naut.) A vessel capable of moving in either direction, having bow and rudder at each end. (b) (Railroad)
Defn: A locomotive with pilot at each end. Knight.
DOUBLE-ENTENDREDou"ble-en*ten"dre, n. Etym: [F. double double + entendre to mean.This is a barbarous compound of French words. The true Frenchequivalent is double entente.]
Defn: A word or expression admitting of a double interpretation, one of which is often obscure or indelicate.
DOUBLE-EYEDDou"ble-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having a deceitful look. [R.] "Deceitful meanings is double- eyed." Spenser.
DOUBLE-FACEDDou"ble-faced`, a.
1. Having two faces designed for use; as, a double-faced hammer.
2. Deceitful; hypocritical; treacherous. Milton.
DOUBLE FIRST Dou"ble first`. (Eng. Universities) (a) A degree of the first class both in classics and mathematics. (b) One who gains at examinations the highest honor both in the classics and the mathematics. Beaconsfield.
DOUBLEGANGERDou"ble*gang`er, n. [G. doppelgänger; doppel double + gänger walker.]
Defn: An apparition or double of a living person; a doppelgänger.
Either you are Hereward, or you are his doubleganger.C. Kingsley.
DOUBLE-HANDEDDou"ble-hand"ed, a.
1. Having two hands.
2. Deceitful; deceptive. Glanvill.
DOUBLE-HEADEDDou"ble-head"ed, a.
Defn: Having two heads; bicipital. Double-headed rail (Railroad), a rail whose flanges are duplicates, so that when one is worn the other may be turned uppermost.
DOUBLEHEARTEDDou"ble*heart"ed, a.
Defn: Having a false heart; deceitful; treacherous. Sandys.
DOUBLE-HUNGDou"ble-hung`, a.
Defn: Having both sashes hung with weights and cords; — said of a window.
DOUBLE-LOCKDou"ble-lock`, v. t.
Defn: To lock with two bolts; to fasten with double security. Tatler.
DOUBLE-MILLEDDou"ble-milled`, a.
Defn: Twice milled or fulled, to render more compact or fine; — said of cloth; as, double-milled kerseymere.
DOUBLEMINDEDDou"ble*mind"ed, a.
Defn: Having different minds at different times; unsettled;undetermined.A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Jas. i. 8.
DOUBLENESSDou"ble*ness, n.
1. The state of being double or doubled.
2. Duplicity; insincerity. Chaucer.
DOUBLE PEDRODouble pedro.
Defn: Cinch (the game).
DOUBLE-QUICKDou"ble-quick`, a. (Mil.)
Defn: Of, or performed in, the fastest time or step in marching, next to the run; as, a double-quick step or march.
DOUBLE-QUICKDou"ble-quick`, n.
Defn: Double-quick time, step, or march.
Note: Double-quick time requires 165 steps, each 33 inches in length, to be taken in one minute. The number of steps may be increased up to 180 per minute.
DOUBLE-QUICKDou"ble-quick`, v. i. & t. (Mil.)
Defn: To move, or cause to move, in double-quick time.
DOUBLERDou"bler, n.
1. One who, or that which, doubles.
2. (Elec.)
Defn: An instrument for augmenting a very small quantity of electricity, so as to render it manifest by sparks or the electroscope.
DOUBLE-RIPPERDou"ble-rip"per, n.
Defn: A kind of coasting sled, made of two sleds fastened together with a board, one before the other. [Local, U. S.]
DOUBLE-SHADEDou"ble-shade`, v. t.
Defn: To double the natural darkness of (a place). Milton.
DOUBLE-SURFACEDDou"ble-sur"faced, a.
Defn: Having two surfaces; — said specif. of aëroplane wings or aërocurves which are covered on both sides with fabric, etc., thus completely inclosing their frames.
DOUBLET Doub"let, n. Etym: [In sense 3, OF. doublet; in sense 4, F. doublet, dim. of double double. See Double, a.]
1. Two of the same kind; a pair; a couple.
2. (Print.)
Defn: A word or words unintentionally doubled or set up a second time.
3. A close-fitting garment for men, covering the body from the neck to the waist or a little below. It was worn in Western Europe from the 15th to the 17th century.
4. (Lapidary Work)
Defn: A counterfeit gem, composed of two pieces of crystal, with a color them, and thus giving the appearance of a naturally colored gem. Also, a piece of paste or glass covered by a veneer of real stone.
5. (Opt.)
Defn: An arrangement of two lenses for a microscope, designed to correct spherical aberration and chromatic dispersion, thus rendering the image of an object more clear and distinct. W. H. Wollaston.
6. pl. (See No. 1.)
Defn: Two dice, each of which, when thrown, has the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost; as, to throw doublets.
7. pl. Etym: [Cf. Pr. doblier, dobler draughtboard.]
Defn: A game somewhat like backgammon. Halliwell.
8. One of two or more words in the same language derived by different courses from the same original from; as, crypt and grot are doublets; also, guard and ward; yard and garden; abridge and abbreviate, etc.
DOUBLETHREADEDDou"ble*thread`ed, a.
1. Consisting of two threads twisted together; using two threads.
2. (Mech.)
Defn: Having two screw threads instead of one; — said of a screw in which the pitch is equal to twice the distance between the centers of adjacent threads.
DOUBLE-TONGUEDou"ble-tongue`, n.
Defn: Deceit; duplicity. Now cometh the sin of double-tongue, such as speak fair before folk and wickedly behind. Chaucer.
DOUBLE-TONGUEDDou"ble-tongued`, a.
Defn: Making contrary declarations on the same subject; deceitful. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued. 1 Tim. iii. 8.
DOUBLE-TONGUINGDou"ble-tongu`ing, n. (Mus.)
Defn: A peculiar action of the tongue by flute players in articulating staccato notes; also, the rapid repetition of notes in cornet playing.
DOUBLETREEDou"ble*tree`, n.
Defn: The bar, or crosspiece, of a carriage, to which the singletrees are attached.
DOUBLETSDoub"lets, n. pl.
Defn: See Doublet, 6 and 7.
DOUBLINGDou"bling, n.
1. The act of one that doubles; a making double; reduplication; also, that which is doubled.
2. A turning and winding; as, the doubling of a hunted hare; shift; trick; artifice. Dryden.
3. (Her.)
Defn: The lining of the mantle borne about the shield or escutcheon.
4. The process of redistilling spirits, to improve the strength and flavor. Doubling a cape, promontory, etc. (Naut.), sailing around or passing beyond a cape, promontory, etc.
DOUBLOONDoub*loon", n. Etym: [F. doublon, Sp. doblon. See Double, a., and cf.Dupion.]
Defn: A Spanish gold coin, no longer issued, varying in value at different times from over fifteen dollars to about five. See Doblon in Sup.
DOUBLUREDou`blure", n. [F.]
1. (Bookbinding) The lining of a book cover, esp. one of unusual sort, as of tooled leather, painted vellum, rich brocade, or the like.
2. (Paleon.) The reflexed margin of the trilobite carapace.
DOUBLYDou"bly, adv.
1. In twice the quantity; to twice the degree; as, doubly wise or good; to be doubly sensible of an obligation. Dryden.
2. Deceitfully. "A man that deals doubly." Huloet.
DOUBT Doubt, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dou; p. pr. & vb. n. Doubting.] Etym: [OE. duten, douten, OF. duter, doter, douter, F. douter, fr. L. dubitare; akin to dubius doubtful. See Dubious.]
1. To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined. Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment. Hooker. To try your love and make you doubt of mine. Dryden.
2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. [Obs.]
Syn. — To waver; vacillate; fluctuate; hesitate; demur; scruple; question.
DOUBTDoubt, v. t.
1. To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe; to withhold confidence from; to distrust; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it. To admire superior sense, and doubt their own! Pope. I doubt not that however changed, you keep So much of what is graceful. Tennyson. To doubt not but. I do not doubt but I have been to blame. Dryden. We doubt not now But every rub is smoothed on our way. Shak.
Note: That is, we have no doubt to prevent us from believing, etc. (or notwithstanding all that may be said to the contrary) — but having a preventive sense, after verbs of "doubting" and "denying" that convey a notion of hindrance. E. A. Abbott.
2. To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of. [Obs.]Edmond [was a] good man and doubted God. R. of Gloucester.I doubt some foul play. Shak.That I of doubted danger had no fear. Spenser.
3. To fill with fear; to affright. [Obs.] The virtues of the valiant Caratach More doubt me than all Britain. Beau. & Fl.
DOUBTDoubt, n. Etym: [OE. dute, doute, F. doute, fr. douter to doubt. SeeDoubt, v. i.]
1. A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation. Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know. Sir W. Hamilton. Doubt, in order to be operative in requiring an acquittal, is not the want of perfect certainty (which can never exist in any question of fact) but a defect of proof preventing a reasonable assurance of quilt. Wharton.
2. Uncertainty of condition. Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee. Deut. xxviii. 66.
3. Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread. [Obs.] I stand in doubt of you. Gal. iv. 20. Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt. Spenser.
4. Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled;objection.To every doubt your answer is the same. Blackmore.No doubt, undoubtedly; without doubt.— Out of doubt, beyond doubt. [Obs.] Spenser.
Syn. — Uncertainty; hesitation; suspense; indecision; irresolution; distrust; suspicion; scruple; perplexity; ambiguity; skepticism.
DOUBTABLEDoubt"a*ble, a. Etym: [OF. doutable, L. dubitabilis, from dubitare.Cf. Dubitable.]
1. Capable of being doubted; questionable.
2. Worthy of being feared; redoubtable. [Obs.]
DOUBTANCEDoubt"ance, n. Etym: [OF. doutance. Cf. Dubitancy.]
Defn: State of being in doubt; uncertainty; doubt. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DOUBTERDoubt"er, n.
Defn: One who doubts; one whose opinion is unsettled; one who scruples.
DOUBTFULDoubt"ful, a.
1. Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure. Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I am doubtful. Shak. With doubtful feet and wavering resolution. Milton.
2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like. Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good. Shak. Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [i. e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts] Bancroft.
3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.
4. Of uncertain issue or event. We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight. Milton. The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and doubtful. Macaulay.
5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [Obs.] I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And bosomed with her. Shak.
Syn. — Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined; distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous; problematical; questionable.
DOUBTFULLYDoubt"ful*ly, adv.
Defn: In a doubtful manner.Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. Dryden.
DOUBTFULNESSDoubt"ful*ness, n.
1. State of being doubtful.
2. Uncertainty of meaning; ambiguity; indefiniteness. " The doubtfulness of his expressions." Locke.
3. Uncertainty of event or issue. Bacon.
DOUBTINGDoubt"ing, a.
Defn: That is uncertain; that distrusts or hesitates; having doubts.— Doubt"ing*ly, adv.
DOUBTLESSDoubt"less, a.
Defn: Free from fear or suspicion. [Obs.]Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak.
DOUBTLESSDoubt"less, adv.
Defn: Undoubtedly; without doubt.
DOUBTLESSLYDoubt"less*ly, adv.
Defn: Unquestionably. Beau. & Fl.
DOUBTOUSDoubt"ous, a. Etym: [OF. dotos, douteus, F. douteux.]
Defn: Doubtful. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DOUCDouc, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A monkey (Semnopithecus nemæus), remarkable for its varied and brilliant colors. It is a native of Cochin China.
DOUCE Douce, a. Etym: [F. doux, masc., douce, fem., sweet, fr. L. duleis sweet.]
1. Sweet; pleasant. [Obs.]
2. Sober; prudent; sedate; modest. [Scot.] And this is a douce, honest man. Sir W. Scott.
DOUCEPERE Douce"pere`, n. Etym: [F. les douze pairs the twelve peers of France, renowned in romantic fiction.]
Defn: One of the twelve peers of France, companions of Charlemagne in war. [Written also douzepere.] [Obs.] Big-looking like a doughty doucepere. Spenser.
DOUCET; DOWSETDou"cet, Dow"set, n. Etym: [F. doucet sweet, dim. of doux. SeeDouce.]
1. A custard. [Obs.]
2. A dowcet, or deep's testicle.
DOUCEURDou`ceur", n. Etym: [F., fr. doux sweet. See Douce.]
1. Gentleness and sweetness of manner; agreeableness. Chesterfield.
2. A gift for service done or to be done; an honorarium; a present; sometimes, a bribe. Burke.
DOUCHE Douche, n. Etym: [F., fr. It. doccia, fr. docciare to flow, pour, fr. an assumed LL. ductiare, fr. L. ducere, ductum, to lead, conduct (water). See Duct.]
1. A jet or current of water or vapor directed upon some part of the body to benefit it medicinally; a douche bath.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A syringe.
DOUCINEDou"cine, n. Etym: [F.] (Arch.)
Defn: Same as Cyma, under Cyma.
DOUCKERDouck"er, n. Etym: [From aouck, for duck. See Duck, v. t.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A grebe or diver; — applied also to the golden-eye, pochard, scoter, and other ducks. [Written also ducker.] [Prov. Eng.]
DOUGH Dough, n. Etym: [OE. dagh, dogh, dow, AS. dah; akin to D. deeg, G. teig, Icel. deig, Sw. deg, Dan. deig, Goth. daigs; also, to Goth. deigan to knead, L. fingere to form, shape, Skr. dih to smear; cf. Gr. Feign, Figure, Dairy, Duff.]
1. Paste of bread; a soft mass of moistened flour or meal, kneaded or unkneaded, but not yet baked; as, to knead dough.
2. Anything of the consistency of such paste. To have one's cake dough. See under Cake.
DOUGH-BAKEDDough"-baked`, a.
Defn: Imperfectly baked; hence, not brought to perfection; unfinished; also, of weak or dull understanding. [Colloq.] Halliwell.
DOUGHBIRDDough"bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Eskimo curlew (Numenius borealis). See Curlew.
DOUGHFACEDough"face`, n.
Defn: A contemptuous nickname for a timid, yielding politician, or one who is easily molded. [Political cant, U. S.]
DOUGH-FACEDDough"-faced`, a.
Defn: Easily molded; pliable.
DOUGHFACEISMDough"face`ism, n.
Defn: The character of a doughface; truckling pliability.
DOUGHINESSDough"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being doughy.
DOUGH-KNEADEDDough"-knead`ed, a.
Defn: Like dough; soft.He demeans himself . . . like a dough-kneaded thing. Milton.
DOUGHNUTDough"nut, n.
Defn: A small cake (usually sweetened) fried in a kettle of boiling lard.
DOUGHTILYDough"ti*ly, adv.
Defn: In a doughty manner.
DOUGHTINESSDough"ti*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being doughty; valor; bravery.
DOUGHTRENDough"tren, n. pl. Etym: [See Daughter.]
Defn: Daughters. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DOUGHTY Dough"ty, a. [Compar. Doughtier; superl. Doughtiest.] Etym: [OE. duhti, dohti, douhti, brave, valiant, fit, useful, AS, dyhtig; akin to G. tüchtig, Dan. dygtig, Sw. dygdig virtuous, and fr. AS. dugan to avail, be of use, be strong, akin to D. deugen, OHG. tugan, G. taugen, Icel. & Sw. duga, Dan. due, Goth. dugan, but of uncertain origin; cf. Skr. duh to milk, give milk, draw out, or Gr.
Defn: Able; strong; valiant; redoubtable; as, a doughty hero.Sir Thopas wex [grew] a doughty swain. Chaucer.Doughty families, hugging old musty quarrels to their hearts, buffeteach other from generation to generation. Motley.
Note: Now seldom used, except in irony or burlesque.
DOUGHYDough"y, a.
Defn: Like dough; soft and heavy; pasty; crude; flabby and pale; as, a doughy complexion.
DOULOCRACYDou*loc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A government by slaves. [Written also dulocracy.] Hare.
DOUM PALMDoum" palm` (doom" päm`).
Defn: See Doom palm.
DOUPEDoupe, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The carrion crow. [Written also dob.] [Prov. Eng.]
DOURDour, a. Etym: [Cf. F. dur, L. durus.]
Defn: Hard; inflexible; obstinate; sour in aspect; hardy; bold.[Scot.]A dour wife, a sour old carlin. C. Reade.
DOURADou"ra, n.
Defn: A kind of millet. See Durra.
DOUROUCOULIDou`rou*cou"li, n.
Defn: See Durukuli.
DOUSEDouse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doused; p. pr. & vb. n. Dousing.] Etym:[Cf. Dowse, and OD. donsen to strike with the fist on the back, Sw.dunsa to fall down violently and noisily; perh. akin to E. din.]
1. To plunge suddenly into water; to duck; to immerse; to dowse. Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: To strike or lower in haste; to slacken suddenly; as, douse the topsail.
DOUSEDouse, v. i.
Defn: To fall suddenly into water. Hudibras.
DOUSEDouse, v. t. Etym: [AS. dwæscan. (Skeat.)]
Defn: To put out; to extinguish. [Slang] " To douse the glim." Sir W.Scott.
DOUSING-CHOCKDous"ing-chock`, n. (Shipbuilding)
Defn: One of several pieces fayed across the apron and lapped in the knightheads, or inside planking above the upper deck. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
DOUTDout, v. t. Etym: [Do + out. Cf. Doff.]
Defn: To put out. [Obs.] "It douts the light." Sylvester.
DOUTERDout"er, n.
Defn: An extinguisher for candles. [Obs.]
DOVEDove, n. Etym: [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d; akin to OS. d, D. duif,OHG. t, G. taube, Icel. d, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d; perh. fromthe root of E. dive.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.
Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated for its sweet, plaintive note, is C. turtur or Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of European species, is C. palumbus; the Carolina dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock pigeon. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. Cant. ii. 14.Dove tick (Zoöl.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests doves andother birds.— Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang]
DOVECOT; DOVECOTEDove"cot`, Dove"cote`, n.
Defn: A small house or box, raised to a considerable height above theground, and having compartments, in which domestic pigeons breed; adove house.Like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your Volscians in Corioli.Shak.
DOVE-EYEDDove"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having eyes like a dove; meekeyed; as, dove-eyed Peace.
DOVEKIEDove"kie, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A guillemot (Uria grylle), of the arctic regions. Also applied to the little auk or sea dove. See under Dove.
DOVELETDove"let, n.
Defn: A young or small dove. Booth.
DOVELIKEDove"like`, a.
Defn: Mild as a dove; gentle; pure and lovable. Longfellow.
DOVE PLANTDove" plant`. (Bot.)
Defn: A Central American orchid (Peristeria elata), having a flower stem five or six feet high, with numerous globose white fragrant flowers. The column in the center of the flower resembles a dove; — called also Holy Spirit plant.
DOVER'S POWDERDo"ver's Pow"der. Etym: [From Dr. Dover, an English physician.](Med.)
Defn: A powder of ipecac and opium, compounded, in the United States, with sugar of milk, but in England (as formerly in the United States) with sulphate of potash, and in France (as in Dr. Dover's original prescription) with nitrate and sulphate of potash and licorice. It is an anodyne diaphoretic.
DOVE'S-FOOT Dove's"-foot`, n. (Bot.) (a) A small annual species of Geranium, native in England; — so called from the shape of the leaf. (b) The columbine. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
DOVESHIPDove"ship, n.
Defn: The possession of dovelike qualities, harmlessness and innocence. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
DOVETAILDove"tail`, n. (Carp.)
Defn: A flaring tenon, or tongue (shaped like a bird's tail spread), and a mortise, or socket, into which it fits tightly, making an interlocking joint between two pieces which resists pulling a part in all directions except one. Dovetail molding (Arch.), a molding of any convex section arranged in a sort of zigzag, like a series of dovetails. — Dovetail saw (Carp.), a saw used in dovetailing.
DOVETAILDove"tail`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dovetailed; p. pr. & vb. n.Dovetailing.]
1. (Carp.) (a) To cut to a dovetail. (b) To join by means of dovetails.
2. To fit in or connect strongly, skillfully, or nicely; to fit ingeniously or complexly. He put together a piece of joinery so crossly indented and whimsically dovetailed . . . that it was indeed a very curious show. Burke.
DOVISHDov"ish, a.
Defn: Like a dove; harmless; innocent. "Joined with dovish simplicity." Latimer.
DOWDow, n.
Defn: A kind of vessel. See Dhow.
DOWDow, v. t. Etym: [F. douer. See Dower.]
Defn: To furnish with a dower; to endow. [Obs.] Wyclif.
DOWABLEDow"a*ble, a. Etym: [From Dow, v. t.]
Defn: Capable of being endowed; entitled to dower. Blackstone.
DOWAGERDow"a*ger, n. Etym: [OF. douagiere, fr. douage dower. See Dower.]
1. (Eng. Law)
Defn: A widow endowed, or having a jointure; a widow who either enjoys a dower from her deceased husband, or has property of her own brought by her to her husband on marriage, and settled on her after his decease. Blount. Burrill.
2. A title given in England to a widow, to distinguish her from the wife of her husband's heir bearing the same name; — chiefly applied to widows of personages of rank. With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans. Tennyson. Queen dowager, the widow of a king.
DOWAGERISMDow"a*ger*ism, n.
Defn: The rank or condition of a dowager; formality, as that of a dowager. Also used figuratively. Mansions that have passed away into dowagerism. Thackeray.
DOWCETDow"cet, n. Etym: [See Doucet.]
Defn: One of the testicles of a hart or stag. [Spelt also doucet.] B.Jonson.
DOWDY Dow"dy, a. [Compar. Dowdier; superl. Dowdiest.] Etym: [Scot. dawdie slovenly, daw, da sluggard, drab, Prov. E. dowd flat, dead.]
Defn: Showing a vulgar taste in dress; awkward and slovenly in dress;vulgar-looking.— Dow"di*ly, adv.— Dow"di*ness, n.
DOWDYDow"dy, n.; pl. Dowdies (.
Defn: An awkward, vulgarly dressed, inelegant woman. Shak. Dryden.
DOWDYISHDow"dy*ish, a.
Defn: Like a dowdy.
DOWEL Dow"el, n. Etym: [Cf. G. döbel peg, F. douelle state of a cask, surface of an arch, douille socket, little pipe, cartridge.] (Mech.)
1. A pin, or block, of wood or metal, fitting into holes in the abutting portions of two pieces, and being partly in one piece and partly in the other, to keep them in their proper relative position.
2. A piece of wood driven into a wall, so that other pieces may be nailed to it. Dowel joint, a joint secured by a dowel or dowels. — Dowel pin, a dowel. See Dowel, n.,
1.
DOWELDow"el, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doweled or Dowelled; p. pr. & vb. n.Doweling or Dowelling.]
Defn: To fasten together by dowels; to furnish with dowels; as, a cooper dowels pieces for the head of a cask.
DOWER Dow"er, n. Etym: [F. douaire, LL. dotarium, from L. dotare to endow, portion, fr. dos dower; akin to Gr. dare to give. See 1st Date, and cf. Dot dowry, Dotation.]
1. That with which one is gifted or endowed; endowment; gift. How great, how plentiful, how rich a dower! Sir J. Davies. Man in his primeval dower arrayed. Wordsworth.
2. The property with which a woman is endowed; especially: (a) That which a woman brings to a husband in marriage; dowry. [Obs.] His wife brought in dower Cilicia's crown. Dryden. (b) (Law)
Defn: That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. Blackstone.
Note: Dower, in modern use, is and should be distinguished from dowry. The former is a provision for a widow on her husband's death; the latter is a bride's portion on her marriage. Abbott. Assignment of dower. See under Assignment.
DOWEREDDow"ered, p. a.
Defn: Furnished with, or as with, dower or a marriage portion. Shak.
DOWERLESSDow"er*less, a.
Defn: Destitute of dower; having no marriage portion. Shak.
DOWERYDow"er*y, n.
Defn: See Dower.
DOWITCHERDow"itch*er, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The red-breasted or gray snipe (Macrorhamphus griseus); — called also brownback, and grayback.
DOWLDowl, n.
Defn: Same as Dowle.
DOWLAS Dow"las, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. Doullens, a town of Picardy, in France, formerly celebrated for this manufacture.]
Defn: A coarse linen cloth made in the north of England and inScotland, now nearly replaced by calico. Shak.
DOWLEDowle, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. douille soft. Cf. Ductile.]
Defn: Feathery or wool-like down; filament of a feather. Shak.No feather, or dowle of a feather. De Quincey.
DOWNDown, n. Etym: [Akin to LG. dune, dun, Icel. d, Sw. dun, Dan. duun,G. daune, cf. D. dons; perh. akin to E. dust.]
1. Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool; esp.: (a) (Zoöl.) The soft under feathers of birds. They have short stems with soft rachis and bards and long threadlike barbules, without hooklets. (b) (Bot.) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, as of the thistle. (c) The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear. And the first down begins to shade his face. Dryden.
2. That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down When in the down I sink my head, Sleep, Death's twin brother, times my breath. Tennyson. Thou bosom softness, down of all my cares! Southern.
Down tree (Bot.), a tree of Central America (Ochroma Lagopus), the seeds of which are enveloped in vegetable wool.
DOWNDown, v. t.
Defn: To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down. [R.] Young.
DOWN Down, n. Etym: [OE. dun, doun, AS. d; of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. d hill, fortified hill, Gael. dun heap, hillock, hill, W. din a fortified hill or mount; akin to E. town. See Town, and cf. Down, adv. & prep., Dune.]
1. A bank or rounded hillock of sand thrown up by the wind along or near the shore; a flattish-topped hill; — usually in the plural. Hills afford prospects, as they must needs acknowledge who have been on the downs of Sussex. Ray. She went by dale, and she went by down. Tennyson.
2. A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep; — usually in the plural. [Eng.] Seven thousand broad-tailed sheep grazed on his downs. Sandys.
3. pl.
Defn: A road for shipping in the English Channel or Straits of Dover, near Deal, employed as a naval rendezvous in time of war. On the 11th [June, 1771] we run up the channel . . . at noon we were abreast of Dover, and about three came to an anchor in the Downs, and went ashore at Deal. Cook (First Voyage).
4. pl. Etym: [From the adverb.]
Defn: A state of depression; low state; abasement. [Colloq.]It the downs of life too much outnumber the ups. M. Arnold.
DOWN Down, adv. Etym: [For older adown, AS. ad, ad, prop., from or off the hill. See 3d Down, and cf. Adown, and cf. Adown.]
1. In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; — the opposite of up.
2. Hence, in many derived uses, as: (a) From a higher to a lower position, literally or figuratively; in a descending direction; from the top of an ascent; from an upright position; to the ground or floor; to or into a lower or an inferior condition; as, into a state of humility, disgrace, misery, and the like; into a state of rest; — used with verbs indicating motion. It will be rain to-night. Let it come down. Shak. I sit me down beside the hazel grove. Tennyson. And that drags down his life. Tennyson. There is not a more melancholy object in the learned world than a man who has written himself down. Addison. The French . . . shone down [i. e., outshone] the English. Shak.
(b) In a low or the lowest position, literally or figuratively; at the bottom of a decent; below the horizon; of the ground; in a condition of humility, dejection, misery, and the like; in a state of quiet. I was down and out of breath. Shak. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock. Shak. He that is down needs fear no fall. Bunyan.
3. From a remoter or higher antiquity. Venerable men! you have come down to us from a former generation. D. Webster.
4. From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a thicker consistence; as, to boil down in cookery, or in making decoctions. Arbuthnot.
Note: Down is sometimes used elliptically, standing for go down, come down, tear down, take down, put down, haul down, pay down, and the like, especially in command or exclamation. Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the duke. Shak. If he be hungry more than wanton, bread alone will down. Locke. Down is also used intensively; as, to be loaded down; to fall down; to hang down; to drop down; to pay down. The temple of Herè at Argos was burnt down. Jowett (Thucyd. ). Down, as well as up, is sometimes used in a conventional sense; as, down East. Persons in London say down to Scotland, etc., and those in the provinces, up to London. Stormonth. Down helm (Naut.), an order to the helmsman to put the helm to leeward. — Down on or upon (joined with a verb indicating motion, as go, come, pounce), to attack, implying the idea of threatening power. Come down upon us with a mighty power. Shak. — Down with, take down, throw down, put down; — used in energetic command. "Down with the palace; fire it." Dryden. — To be down on, to dislike and treat harshly. [Slang, U.S.] — To cry down. See under Cry, v. t. — To cut down. See under Cut, v. t. — Up and down, with rising and falling motion; to and fro; hither and thither; everywhere. "Let them wander up and down." Ps. lix. 15.
DOWNDown, prep. Etym: [From Down, adv.]
1. In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well.
2. Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound. Down the country, toward the sea, or toward the part where rivers discharge their waters into the ocean. — Down the sound, in the direction of the ebbing tide; toward the sea.
DOWNDown, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Downed; p. pr. & vb. n. Downing.]
Defn: To cause to go down; to make descend; to put down; to overthrow, as in wrestling; hence, to subdue; to bring down. [Archaic or Colloq.] "To down proud hearts." Sir P. Sidney. I remember how you downed Beauclerk and Hamilton, the wits, once at our house. Madame D'Arblay.
DOWNDown, v. i.
Defn: To go down; to descend. Locke.
DOWNDown, a.
1. Downcast; as, a down look. [R.]
2. Downright; absolute; positive; as, a down denial. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
3. Downward; going down; sloping; as, a down stroke; a down grade; a down train on a railway. Down draught, a downward draft, as in a flue, chimney, shaft of a mine, etc. — Down in the mouth, chopfallen; dejected.
DOWNBEARDown"bear`, v. t.
Defn: To bear down; to depress.
DOWNCASTDown"cast`, a.
Defn: Cast downward; directed to the ground, from bashfulness, modesty, dejection, or guilt. 'T is love, said she; and then my downcast eyes, And guilty dumbness, witnessed my surprise. Dryden. - Down"cast`ly, adv. — Down"cast`ness, n.
DOWNCASTDown"cast`, n.
1. Downcast or melancholy look. That downcast of thine eye. Beau. & Fl.
2. (mining)
Defn: A ventilating shaft down which the air passes in circulating through a mine.
DOWNCOMEDown"come`, n.
1. Sudden fall; downfall; overthrow. Milton.
2. (Iron Manuf.)
Defn: A pipe for leading combustible gases downward from the top of the blast furnace to the hot-blast stoves, boilers, etc., where they are burned.
DOWNCOMER Down"com`er, n. A pipe to conduct something downwards; specif.: (a) (Iron Manuf.) A pipe for leading the hot gases from the top of a blast furnace downward to the regenerators, boilers, etc. (b) (Steam Engin.) In some water-tube boilers, a tube larger in diameter than the water tubes to conduct the water from each top drum to a bottom drum, thus completing the circulation.
DOWNFALLDown"fall`, n.
1. A sudden fall; a body of things falling. Those cataracts or downfalls aforesaid. Holland. Each downfall of a flood the mountains pour. Dryden.
2. A sudden descent from rank or state, reputation or happiness; destruction; ruin. Dire were the consequences which would follow the downfall of so important a place. Motley.
DOWNFALLENDown"fall`en, a.
Defn: Fallen; ruined. Carew.
DOWNFALLINGDown"fall`ing, a.
Defn: Falling down.
DOWNGYVEDDown"gyved`, a.
Defn: Hanging down like gyves or fetters. [Poetic & Rare] Shak.
DOWNHAULDown"haul`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope to haul down, or to assist in hauling down, a sail; as, a staysail downhaul; a trysail downhaul.
DOWNHEARTEDDown"heart`ed, a.
Defn: Dejected; low-spirited.
DOWNHILLDown"hill`, adv.
Defn: Towards the bottom of a hill; as, water runs downhill.
DOWNHILLDown"hill`, a.
Defn: Declivous; descending; sloping. "A downhill greensward."Congrewe.
DOWNHILLDown"hill`, n.
Defn: Declivity; descent; slope.On th' icy downhills of this slippery life. Du Bartas (Trans. ).
DOWNINESSDown"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being downy.
DOWNLOOKEDDown"looked`, a.
Defn: Having a downcast countenance; dejected; gloomy; sullen. [R.]Dryden.
DOWNLYINGDown"ly`ing, n.
Defn: The time of retiring to rest; time of repose. Cavendish. At the downlying, at the travail in childbirth. [Scot.]
DOWNPOURDown"pour`, n.
Defn: A pouring or streaming downwards; esp., a heavy or continuous shower.
DOWNRIGHTDown"right`, adv.
1. Straight down; perpendicularly.
2. In plain terms; without ceremony. We shall chide downright, id I longer stay. Shak.
3. Without delay; at once; completely. [Obs.] She fell downright into a fit. Arbuthnot.
DOWNRIGHTDown"right`, a.
1. Plain; direct; unceremonious; blunt; positive; as, he spoke in his downright way. A man of plain, downright character. Sir W. Scott.
2. Open; artless; undisguised; absolute; unmixed; as, downrightatheism.The downright impossibilities charged upon it. South.Gloomy fancies which in her amounted to downright insanity. Prescott.— Down"right`ly, adv.— Down"right`ness, n.
DOWN-SHAREDown"-share`, n.
Defn: A breastplow used in paring off turf on downs. [Eng.] Knight.
DOWNSITTINGDown"sit`ting, n.
Defn: The act of sitting down; repose; a resting.Thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising. Ps. cxxxix. 2.
DOWNSTAIRSDown"stairs, adv.
Defn: Down the stairs; to a lower floor.— a.
Defn: Below stairs; as, a downstairs room.
DOWNSTEEPYDown"steep`y, a.
Defn: Very steep. [Obs.] Florio.
DOWNSTREAMDown"stream`, adv.
Defn: Down the stream; as, floating downstream.
DOWNSTROKEDown"stroke`, n. (Penmanship)
Defn: A stroke made with a downward motion of the pen or pencil.
DOWNTHROWDown"throw`, n. (Geol.)
Defn: The sudden drop or depression of the strata of rocks on one side of a fault. See Throw, n.
DOWNTROD; DOWNTRODDENDown"trod`, Down"trod`den, a.
Defn: Trodden down; trampled down; abused by superior power. Shak.
DOWNWARD; DOWNWARDS Down"ward, Down"wards, adv. Etym: [AS. ad. See Down, adv., and - ward.]
1. From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards. "Looking downwards." Pope. Their heads they downward bent. Drayton.
2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin. And downward fell into a groveling swine. Milton.
3. From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line. A ring the county wears, That downward hath descended in his house, From son to son, some four or five descents. Shak.
DOWNWARDDown"ward, a.
1. Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous. With downward force That drove the sand along he took his way. Dryden.
2. Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward line of descent.
3. Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward thoughts. Sir P. Sidney.
DOWNWEEDDown"weed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Cudweed, a species of Gnaphalium.
DOWNWEIGHDown`weigh", v. t.
Defn: To weigh or press down.A different sin downweighs them to the bottom. Longfellow.
DOWN-WINDDown"-wind`, adv.
Defn: With the wind.
DOWNYDown"y, a.
1. Covered with down, or with pubescence or soft hairs. "A downy feather." Shak. Plants that . . . have downy or velvet rind upon their leaves. Bacon.
2. Made of, or resembling, down. Hence, figuratively: Soft; placid; soothing; quiet. "A downy shower." Keble. "Downy pillow." Pope. Time steals on with downy feet. Young.
3. Cunning; wary. [Slang, Eng.] Latham.
DOWRALDow"ral, a.
Defn: Of or relating to a dower. [R.]
DOWRESSDow"ress, n.
Defn: A woman entitled to dower. Bouvier.
DOWRYDow"ry, n.; pl. Dowries. Etym: [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium.See Dower.]
1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.
3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower. Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give . . .; but give me the damsel to wife. Gen. xxxiv. 12.
DOWSEDowse, v. t. Etym: [Cf. 1st Douse.]
1. To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.
2. Etym: [Cf. OD. doesen to strike, Norw. dusa to break.]
Defn: To beat or thrash. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
DOWSEDowse, v. i.
Defn: To use the dipping or divining rod, as in search of water, ore,etc.Adams had the reputation of having dowsed successfully for more thana hundred wells. Eng. Cyc.
DOWSEDowse, n.
Defn: A blow on the face. [Low] Colman.
DOWSERDows"er, n.
1. A divining rod used in searching for water, ore, etc., a dowsing rod. [Colloq.]
2. One who uses the dowser or divining rod. Eng. Cyc.
DOWSTDowst, n.
Defn: A dowse. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
DOWVEDow"ve, n.
Defn: A dove. [Obs.] Chaucer.
DOXOLOGICALDox`o*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to doxology; giving praise to God. Howell.
DOXOLOGIZEDox*ol"o*gize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Doxologized; p. pr. & vb. n.Doxologizing.]
Defn: To give glory to God, as in a doxology; to praise God with doxologies.
DOXOLOGYDox*ol"o*gy, n.; pl. Doxologies. Etym: [LL. doxologia, Gr. doxologie.See Dogma, and Legend.]
Defn: In Christian worship: A hymn expressing praise and honor toGod; a form of praise to God designed to be sung or chanted by thechoir or the congregation.David breaks forth into these triumphant praises and doxologies.South.
DOXYDox"y, n.; pl. Doxies. Etym: [See Duck a pet.]
Defn: A loose wench; a disreputable sweetheart. Shak.
DOYENDoy`en", n. [F. See Dean.]
Defn: Lit., a dean; the senior member of a body or group; as, the doyen of French physicians. "This doyen of newspapers." A. R. Colquhoun.
DOYLYDoy"ly, n.
Defn: See Doily.
DOZE Doze, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dozed; p. pr. & vb. n. Dozing.] Etym: [Prob. akin to daze, dizzy: cf. Icel. d to doze, Dan. döse to make dull, heavy, or drowsy, dös dullness, drowsiness, dösig drowsy, AS. dw dull, stupid, foolish. Dizzy.]
Defn: To slumber; to sleep lightly; to be in a dull or stupefiedcondition, as if half asleep; to be drowsy.If he happened to doze a little, the jolly cobbler waked him.L'Estrange.
DOZEDoze, v. t.
1. To pass or spend in drowsiness; as, to doze away one's time.
2. To make dull; to stupefy. [Obs.]I was an hour . . . in casting up about twenty sums, being dozed withmuch work. Pepys.They left for a long time dozed and benumbed. South.
DOZEDoze, n.
Defn: A light sleep; a drowse. Tennyson.
DOZEN Doz"en, n.; pl. Dozen (before another noun), Dozens (. Etym: [OE. doseine, dosein, OF. doseine, F. douzaine, fr. douze twelve, fr. L. duodecim; duo two + decem ten. See Two, Ten, and cf. Duodecimal.]
1. A collection of twelve objects; a tale or set of twelve; with or without of before the substantive which follows. "Some six or seven dozen of Scots." "A dozen of shirts to your back." "A dozen sons." "Half a dozen friends." Shak.
2. An indefinite small number. Milton. A baker's dozen, thirteen; — called also a long dozen.
DOZENTHDoz"enth, a.
Defn: Twelfth. [R.]
DOZERDoz"er, n.
Defn: One who dozes or drowses.
DOZINESSDoz"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being dozy; drowsiness; inclination to sleep.
DOZYDoz"y, a.
Defn: Drowsy; inclined to doze; sleepy; sluggish; as, a dozy head.Dryden.
DOZZLEDDoz"zled, a. [
Defn: Stupid; heavy. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
DRAB Drab, n. Etym: [AS. drabbe dregs, lees; akin to D. drab, drabbe, dregs, G. treber; for sense 1, cf. also Gael. drabag a slattern, drabach slovenly. Cf. Draff.]
1. A low, sluttish woman. King.
2. A lewd wench; a strumpet. Shak.
3. A wooden box, used in salt works for holding the salt when taken out of the boiling pans.
DRABDrab, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Drabbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Drabbing.]
Defn: To associate with strumpets; to wench. Beau. & Fl.
DRAB Drab, n. Etym: [F. drap cloth: LL. drappus, trapus, perh. orig., a firm, solid stuff, cf. F. draper to drape, also to full cloth; prob. of German origin; cf. Icel. drepa to beat, strike, AS. drepan, G. treffen; perh. akin to E. drub. Cf. Drape, Trappings.]
1. A kind of thick woolen cloth of a dun, or dull brownish yellow, or dull gray, color; — called also drabcloth.
2. A dull brownish yellow or dull gray color.
DRABDrab, a.
Defn: Of a color between gray and brown.— n.
Defn: A drab color.
DRABBERDrab"ber, n.
Defn: One who associates with drabs; a wencher. Massinger.
DRABBETDrab"bet, n.
Defn: A coarse linen fabric, or duck.
DRABBISHDrab"bish, a.
Defn: Somewhat drab in color.
DRABBISHDrab"bish, a.
Defn: Having the character of a drab or low wench. "The drabbish sorceress." Drant.
DRABBLEDrab"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Drabbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Drabbling.][Drab, Draff.]
Defn: To draggle; to wet and befoul by draggling; as, to drabble a gown or cloak. Halliwell.
DRABBLEDrab"ble, v. i.
Defn: To fish with a long line and rod; as, to drabble for barbels.
DRABBLERDrab"bler, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A piece of canvas fastened by lacing to the bonnet of a sail, to give it a greater depth, or more drop.
DRABBLE-TAILDrab"ble-tail`, n.
Defn: A draggle-tail; a slattern. Halliwell.
DRACAENADra*cæ"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of liliaceous plants with woody stems and funnel-shaped flowers.
Note: Dracæna Draco, the source of the dragon's blood of theCanaries, forms a tree, sometimes of gigantic size.
DRACANTHDra"canth, n.
Defn: A kind of gum; — called also gum tragacanth, or tragacanth.See Tragacanth.
DRACHMDrachm, n. Etym: [See Drachma.]
1. A drachma.
2. Same as Dram.
DRACHMADrach"ma, n.; pl. E. Drachmas, L. Drachmæ. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Dram.]
1. A silver coin among the ancient Greeks, having a different value in different States and at different periods. The average value of the Attic drachma is computed to have been about 19 cents.
2. A gold and silver coin of modern Greece worth 19.3 cents.
3. Among the ancient Greeks, a weight of about 66.5 grains; among the modern Greeks, a weight equal to a gram.
DRACHMEDrach"me, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: See Drachma.
DRACINDra"cin, n.Etym: [Cf. F. dracine.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Draconin.
DRACODra"co, n. Etym: [L. See Dragon.]
1. (Astron.)
Defn: The Dragon, a northern constellation within which is the north pole of the ecliptic.