Part 78

DEBEL, de-bel', _v.t._ (_Milt._) to conquer in war. [Fr. _débeller_--L. _debell[=a]re_--_de_, from, and _bell[=a]re_, to carry on war, from _bellum_, war.]

DEBENTURE, de-bent'[=u]r, _n._ a written acknowledgment of a debt: a deed of mortgage given by a railway or other company for borrowed money: a certificate entitling an exporter of imported goods to a repayment of the duty paid on their importation.--_p.adj._ DEBENT'URED, entitled to drawback or debenture, as goods. [L. _debentur_, there are due, 3d pers. pl. pass. of _deb[=e]re_, to owe--the first word of the receipt.]

DEBILITATE, de-bil'i-t[=a]t, _v.t._ to make weak: to impair the strength of.--_adj._ DEB'ILE (_arch._), weak, feeble.--_ns._ DEBILIT[=A]'TION; DEBIL'ITY, weakness and languor: a weak action of the animal functions. [L. _debilit[=a]re_, _[=a]tum_--_debilis_, weak--_de_, not, _habilis_, able. See ABILITY.]

DEBIT, deb'it, _n._ a debt or something due: an entry on the debtor side of an account.--_v.t._ to charge with debt: to enter on the debtor side of an account.--_n._ DEB'ITOR (_Shak._), a debtor. [L. _debitum_, what is due, from _deb[=e]re_, to owe.]

DEBITUMINISE, d[=e]-bi-t[=u]'mi-n[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of bitumen.

DÉBLAI, d[=a]-bl[=a]', _n._ the earth excavated from a ditch to form a parapet. [Fr.]

DEBONAIR, deb-o-n[=a]r', _adj._ of good appearance and manners: elegant: courteous: gay.--_adv._ DEBONAIR'LY.--_n._ DEBONAIR'NESS. [Fr. _de_, of, _bon_, good, _air_, appearance, manner.]

DEBOSH, de-bosh', an old form of _debauch_.

DEBOUCH, de-b[=oo]sh', _v.i._ to march out from a narrow pass or confined place.--_ns._ DEBOUCH'MENT, the act of debouching; DEBOUCHURE', the mouth of a river or strait. [Fr. _déboucher_--_de_, from, _bouche_, the mouth--L. _bucca_, the cheek.]

DÉBOUCHÉ, de-boo-sh[=a]', _n._ an opening, a passage: a market. [Fr.]

DEBRIS, de-br[=e]', _n.sing._ and _pl._ rubbish: ruins: a mass of rocky fragments. [Fr., from _briser_, akin to _bruise_.]

DEBRUISED, de-br[=oo]zd', _p.adj._ (_her._) surmounted or partly covered by one of the ordinaries. [O. Fr. _debrusier_--_de_, apart, _brusier_, to break.]

DEBT, det, _n._ what one owes to another: what one becomes liable to do or suffer: a state of obligation or indebtedness: a duty: (_B._) a sin.--_p.adj._ DEBT'ED (_Shak._), indebted, obliged to.--_ns._ DEBT'EE, a creditor; DEBT'OR, one who owes a debt: the side of an account on which debts are charged.--DEBT OF HONOUR, a debt not recognised by law, but binding in honour--esp. gambling and betting debts; DEBT OF NATURE, death.--ACTIVE DEBT, a debt due to one, as opposed to _Passive debt_, a debt one owes; FLOATING DEBT, miscellaneous public debt, like exchequer and treasury bills, as opposed to _Funded debt_, that which has been converted into perpetual annuities like consols in Britain.--IN ONE'S DEBT, under a pecuniary obligation to one. [O. Fr. _dette_--L. _debitum_, _deb[=e]re_, to owe.]

DÉBUT, de-bü' (_u_ sounded as in Scot. _gude_), _n._ a beginning or first attempt: a first appearance before the public, as of an actor, &c.--_n._ DÉBUTANT', one who makes his first appearance before the public:--_fem._ DÉBUTANTE'. [Fr. _début_, a first stroke--_débuter_--_de_, from, _but_, aim, mark.]

DECACHORD, dek'a-kord, _n._ an ancient musical instrument with ten strings: anything having ten parts. [Gr. _dekachordos_--_deka_, ten, and _chord[=e]_, a string.]

DECACUMINATED, d[=e]-ka-k[=u]'mi-n[=a]-ted, _adj._ having the top cut off.

DECADE, dek'[=a]d, DECAD, dek'ad, _n._ a group of ten, esp. a series of ten years.--_adj._ DEC'ADAL. [Fr. _décade_--Gr. _dekas_--_deka_, ten.]

DECADENCE, dek'a-dens, or de-k[=a]'-, DEC'ADENCY (or de-k[=a]'-), _n._ state of decay: a term for a school in modern French literature not distinguished for vigour or originality.--_adj._ DEC'ADENT (or de-k[=a]'-), decaying.--_n._ something decaying or decayed. [Fr.,--Low L. _decadentia_, from L. _de_, down--_cad[)e]re_, to fall.]

DECAGON, dek'a-gon, _n._ a plane figure of ten angles and sides.--_adj._ DECAG'ONAL. [Gr. _deka_, and _g[=o]nia_, an angle.]

DECAGRAMME, DECAGRAM, dek'a-gram, _n._ a weight of ten grammes, equal to 0.353 oz. [Fr.,--Gr. _deka_, ten, and _gramma_, a weight; L. _granum_, a grain.]

DECAGYNIA, dek-a-jin'i-a, _n._ a class of plants in the Linnæan system having ten pistils.--_adjs._ DECAGYN'IAN, DECAG'YNOUS. [Gr. _deka_, ten, _gyn[=e]_, a woman.]

DECAHEDRON, dek-a-h[=e]'dron, _n._ a solid figure having ten faces.--_adj._ DECAH[=E]'DRAL. [Gr. _deka_, and _hedra_, a seat.]

DECALCIFY, de-kal'si-f[=i], _v.i._ to deprive of lime: to take the calcareous matter out of bones, teeth, &c.--_n._ DECALCIFIC[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, away from, _calx_, _calcis_, lime, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

DECALCOMANIA, d[=e]-kal-k[=o]-m[=a]'ni-a, _n._ the process of transferring pictures to marble, glass, wood, &c. [Fr.]

DECALITRE, dek'a-l[=e]t-[.e]r, _n._ a French measure, ten litres: equal to 2½ imperial gallons. [Fr.,--Gr. _deka_, ten, and _litra_, a pound.]

DECALOGUE, dek'a-log, _n._ the ten commandments.--_n._ DECAL'OGIST. [Gr. _deka_, ten, _logos_, a discourse.]

DECAMERON, de-kam'e-ron, _n._ Boccaccio's hundred tales, supposed to be told in ten days.--_adj._ DECAMERON'IC. [From Gr. _deka_, ten, _h[=e]mera_, a day.]

DECAMETRE, dek'a-m[=e]t-[.e]r, _n._ a French measure of ten metres, or 32.8 feet. [Fr. _décamètre_--Gr. _deka_, ten, _metron_, a measure. See METRE.]

DECAMP, de-kamp', _v.i._ to go away, esp. secretly.--_n._ DECAMP'MENT. [Fr. _décamper_.]

DECANAL, dek'an-al, _adj._ pertaining to a dean or deanery.

DECANDRIA, de-kan'dri-a, _n._ a class of plants in the Linnæan system having ten stamens.--_adjs._ DECAN'DRIAN, DECAN'DROUS. [Gr. _deka_, ten, and _an[=e]r_, _andros_, a man.]

DECANGULAR, dek-ang'g[=u]-lar, _adj._ having ten angles. [Gr. _deka_, ten, and L. _angulus_, an angle.]

DECANT, de-kant', _v.t._ to pour off, leaving sediment: to pour from one vessel into another.--_ns._ DECANT[=A]'TION; DECANT'ER, an ornamental bottle for holding decanted liquor. [Fr. _décanter_ (It. _decantare_)--_de_, from, and Low L. _cantus_, a side or corner.]

DECAPHYLLOUS, dek-a-fil'us, _adj._ having ten leaves. [Gr. _deka_, ten, _phyllon_, a leaf.]

DECAPITATE, de-kap'i-t[=a]t, _v.t._ to take the head from: to behead.--_n._ DECAPIT[=A]'TION. [Low L. _decapit[=a]re_--L. _de_, from, and _caput_, _capitis_, the head.]

DECAPOD, dek'a-pod, _n._ one of the shellfish which have ten feet or claws, as the crab.--_adjs._ DECA'PODAL, DECA'PODOUS. [Gr. _deka_, ten, and _pous_, _podos_, a foot.]

DECARBONATE, de-kär'bon-[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of carbon--also DECAR'BONISE, DECAR'BURISE.--_ns._ DECARBONIS[=A]'TION, DECARBURIS[=A]'TION. [_De_, from, _carbon_.]

DECASTICH, dek'a-stik, _n._ a poem of ten lines. [Gr. _deka_, ten, and _stichos_, a row, a verse.]

DECASTYLE, dek'a-st[=i]l, _n._ a portico with ten columns in front. [Gr. _deka_, ten, _stylos_, a column.]

DECASYLLABIC, dek-a-sil-ab'ik, _adj._ having ten syllables. [Gr. _deka_, ten, _syllab[=e]_, a syllable.]

DECAUDATE, de-kaw'd[=a]t, _v.t._ to cut off the tail of. [L. _de_, and _cauda_, tail.]

DECAY, d[=e]-k[=a]', _v.i._ to fall away from a state of health or excellence: to waste away.--_v.t._ to cause to waste away: to impair.--_n._ a falling into a worse or less perfect state: a passing away: loss of fortune: (_obs._) misfortune.--_p.adj._ DECAYED', reduced in circumstances.--_n._ DECAYED'NESS. [O. Fr. _decair_--L. _de_, from _cad[)e]re_, to fall.]

DECEASE, d[=e]-s[=e]s', _n._ death.--_v.i._ to die.--_p.adj._ DECEASED', dead. [O. Fr. _deces_ (Fr. _décès_)--L. _decessus_--_de_, away, _ced[)e]re_, _cessum_, to go.]

DECEIT, de-s[=e]t', _n._ act of deceiving: anything intended to mislead another: fraud: falseness.--_adj._ DECEIT'FUL, full of deceit: disposed or tending to deceive: insincere.--_adv._ DECEIT'FULLY.--_n._ DECEIT'FULNESS. [O. Fr., from L. _decip[)e]re_, _deceptum_, to deceive.]

DECEIVE, de-s[=e]v', _v.t._ to mislead or cause to err: to cheat: to disappoint.--_adj._ DECEIV'ABLE, that may be deceived: exposed to imposture.--_n._ DECEIV'ABLENESS.--_adj._ DECEIV'ABLY.--_n._ DECEIV'ER. [Fr. _décevoir_--L. _decip[)e]re_, _deceptum_--_de_, from _cap[)e]re_, to take, catch.]

DECEMBER, de-sem'b[.e]r, _n._ the tenth month among the Romans, who began their year with March: with us, the twelfth month of the year.--_adj._ DECEM'BERLY, wintry, cold.--_n._ DECEM'BRIST, one of those who took part in the Russian conspiracy of December 1825. [L. _decem_, ten.]

DECEMDENTATE, d[=e]-sem-den't[=a]t, _adj._ having ten points or teeth.

DECEMFID, d[=e]-sem'fid, _adj._ divided into ten parts.

DECEMLOCULAR, d[=e]-sem-lok'[=u]-lar, _adj._ ten-celled.

DECEMPEDAL, d[=e]-sem'ped-al, _adj._ having ten feet.

DECEMVIR, de-sem'vir, _n._ one of ten magistrates who at one time had absolute power in ancient Rome:--_pl._ DECEM'VIRS, or (L.) DECEMVIRI (d[=e]-sem'vi-r[=i]).--_adj._ DECEM'VIRAL.--_n._ DECEM'VIR[=A]TE, a body of ten men in office: the term of office of decemvirs. [L. _decem_, ten, and _vir_, a man.]

DECENNARY, de-sen'ar-i, _n._ a period of ten years--also DECENN'IUM.--_adj._ DECENN'IAL, consisting of or happening every ten years. [L. _decem_, ten, and _annus_, a year.]

DECENNOVAL, de-sen'[=o]-val, _adj._ pertaining to the number 15.

DECENT, d[=e]'sent, _adj._ becoming: seemly: proper: modest: moderate: tolerable.--_n._ D[=E]'CENCY, becomingness: modesty.--_adv._ D[=E]'CENTLY. [L. _decens_, _decentis_, pr.p. of _dec[=e]re_, to be becoming.]

DECENTRALISE, de-sen'tral-[=i]z, _v.t._ to withdraw from the centre: to transfer functions from the central government to local centres.--_n._ DECENTRALIS[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, neg., and _centralise_.]

DECEPTION, de-sep'shun, _n._ act of deceiving: the means by which it is sought to deceive.--_n._ DECEPTIBIL'ITY.--_adjs._ DECEPT'IBLE, capable of being deceived; DECEP'TIOUS (_Shak._), deceitful; DECEP'TIVE, tending to deceive: misleading.--_adv._ DECEP'TIVELY.--_n._ DECEP'TIVENESS.--_adj._ DECEP'TORY, tending to deceive. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _deceptio_, _-nis_--_decip[)e]re_, to deceive.]

DECERN, de-s[.e]rn', _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Scots law_) to judge: to decree: to pass judgment. [O. Fr. _decerner_--L. _decern[)e]re_--_de_, and _cern[)e]re_, to distinguish.]

DECESSION, de-sesh'un, _n._ departure. [See DECEASE.]

DECHARM, d[=e]-chärm', _v.t._ to disenchant.

DECHRISTIANISE, de-krist'yan-[=i]z, _v.t._ to turn from Christianity: to destroy Christian elements.

DECIARE, de'si-är, _n._ the tenth part of an are. [Fr.,--L. _deci-_ (in _decimus_), and _are_.]

DECIDE, de-s[=i]d', _v.t._ to determine: to end: to settle: to resolve.--_adjs._ DECID'ABLE, capable of being decided; DECID'ED, determined: clear, unmistakable: resolute.--_adv._ DECID'EDLY. [O. Fr. _decider_--L. _decid[=e]re_--_de_, away, _cæd[)e]re_, to cut.]

DECIDUOUS, de-sid'[=u]-us, _adj._ that fall in autumn, as leaves: not permanent.--_n._ DECID'UA, a membrane of the uterus discharged after parturition.--_adj._ DECID'U[=A]TE.--_n._ DECID'UOUSNESS.--DECIDUOUS TREES, those which annually lose and renew their leaves. [L. _deciduus_--_decid[)e]re_, _de_, from, _cad[)e]re_, to fall.]

DECIGRAMME, de'si-gram, _n._ the tenth part of a gramme. [See GRAMME (3).]

DECILITRE, des'i-l[=e]-t[.e]r, _n._ a measure of capacity equal to 1/10 litre.

DECILLION, de-sil'yun, _n._ a million raised to the tenth power: in the French and American notation, a thousand raised to the eleventh power.

DECIMAL, des'i-mal, _adj._ numbered or proceeding by tens.--_n._ a fraction having ten or some power of ten for its denominator.--_v.t._ DEC'IMALISE, to reduce to the decimal system.--_ns._ DEC'IMALISM; DEC'IMALIST.--_adv._ DEC'IMALLY.--DECIMAL NOTATION, a system of writing numbers based on ten and powers of ten, like our ordinary system; DECIMAL SYSTEM, a system whose units are tens and powers of tens, esp. in the French _metric system_ of weights and measures. [Fr.,--Low L. _decimalis_--_decem_, ten.]

DECIMATE, des'i-m[=a]t, _v.t._ to take the tenth part of: to put to death every tenth man.--_ns._ DECIM[=A]'TION, a military punishment, by which every tenth man was selected by lot and put to death or otherwise punished; DEC'IMATOR. [L. _decim[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_decimus_, tenth.]

DECIME, de-s[=e]m', _n._ a French coin equal to 1/10 franc.

DECIMETRE, des'i-m[=e]-t[.e]r, _n._ a measure of length equal to 1/10 metre.

DECIPHER, de-s[=i]'f[.e]r, _v.t._ to uncipher or read secret writing: to make out what is unintelligible or obscure: to reveal.--_adj._ DECI'PHERABLE.--_n._ DECI'PHERMENT. [L. _de_, neg. and _cipher_.]

DECISION, de-sizh'un, _n._ the act of deciding: settlement: judgment: the quality of being decided in character.--_adj._ DEC[=I]'SIVE, having the power of deciding: showing decision: final: positive.--_adv._ DEC[=I]'SIVELY.--_n._ DEC[=I]'SIVENESS.--_adj._ DEC[=I]'SORY, decisive. [See DECIDE.]

DECISTÈRE, des-i-st[=a]r, _n._ a cubic measure equal to 1/10 stere.

DECITIZENISE, d[=e]-sit'i-zen-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of citizenship.

DECIVILISE, d[=e]-siv'i-l[=i]z, _v.t._ to reduce from a civilised to a more savage state.

DECK, dek, _v.t._ to cover: to clothe: to adorn: to furnish with a deck, as a vessel.--_n._ a covering: a horizontal platform extending from one side of a vessel to the other, thereby joining them together, and forming both a floor and a covering: the part of a pack of cards that remains after the deal, or the part of a pack necessary for playing such games as bezique, &c.--_ns._ DECK'-CAR'GO, cargo stowed on the deck of a vessel; DECK'-CHAIR, a light chair of spars and canvas, to be used on board ship; DECK'ER, the person or thing that decks: a vessel which has a deck or decks, used only in composition, as _a three-decker_, a ship with three decks; DECK'-HAND, a person employed on deck; DECK'-HOUSE, a house or box on deck; DECK'ING, adornment; DECK'-LOAD, a deck-cargo; DECK'-PASS'AGE, a passage securing only the right of being on deck, without cabin accommodation; DECK'-PASS'ENGER; FLUSH'-DECK, a deck continuous from stem to stern at the same level (see QUARTER-DECK); GUN'-DECK, a deck on which guns are carried; HUR'RICANE-DECK, a light partial deck over the saloon of some steamers; MAIN'-DECK, the deck below the spar-deck; SPAR'-DECK, the upper deck of a ship. [Dut. _dekken_, to cover; Ger. _decken_; akin to L. _teg[)e]re_.]

DECKLE, dek'l, _n._ the gauge on a paper-making machine.--_n._ DECK'LE-EDGE, the raw or ragged edge of handmade paper.--_adj._ DECK'LE-EDGED, having a rough uncut edge. [Ger.]

DECLAIM, de-kl[=a]m', _v.i._ to make a set or rhetorical speech: to harangue: to recite in public.--_ns._ DECLAIM'ANT, DECLAIM'ER.--_p.adj._ DECLAIM'ING.--_ns._ DECLAM[=A]'TION, act of declaiming: a set speech in public: display in speaking.--_adj._ DECLAM'ATORY, of the nature of declamation: appealing to the passions: noisy and rhetorical merely. [L. _declam[=a]re_--_de_, inten., _clam[=a]re_, to cry out.]

DECLARE, de-kl[=a]r', _v.t._ to make known: to announce: to assert: to make a full statement of, as of goods at a custom-house.--_v.i._ to make a statement: to show cards in order to score.--_adj._ DECL[=A]R'ABLE, capable of being declared, exhibited, or proved.--_ns._ DECLAR'ANT, one who makes a declaration; DECLAR[=A]'TION, act of declaring: that which is declared: a written affirmation: in the criminal law of Scotland, the statement made by the prisoner before the magistrate: in common law, the pleading in which the plaintiff in an action at law sets forth his case against the defendant.--_adjs._ DECLAR'ATIVE, DECLAR'ATORY, explanatory.--_advs._ DECLAR'ATIVELY, DECLAR'ATORILY.--_n._ DECLAR'ATOR, a form of action in the Court of Session in Scotland, with the view of having a fact judicially ascertained and declared.--_adj._ DECLARED', avowed.--_adv._ DECLA'REDLY, avowedly.--DECLARATORY ACT, an act intended to explain an old law which had become obscure or a subject of controversy. [Fr. _déclarer_, from L. _declar[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, wholly, _clarus_, clear.]

DECLENSION, de-klen'shun, _n._ a falling off: decay: descent: (_gram._) change of termination for the oblique cases. [See DECLINE.]

DECLINE, de-kl[=i]n', _v.i._ to bend or turn away from (a straight line); to deviate: to refuse: to bend down: to fail or decay: to stoop or condescend: to draw to an end.--_v.t._ to bend down: to turn away from: to refuse: to avoid: (_gram._) to give the changes of a word in the oblique cases.--_n._ a falling off: deviation: decay: a gradual sinking of the bodily faculties, consumption.--_adjs._ DECLIN'ABLE, having inflection for the oblique cases; DECL[=I]'NAL, bending downward; DEC'LINANT (_her._), having the tail hanging down--also DEC'LIVANT.--_ns._ DECLIN[=A]'TION, act of declining: a sloping or bending downward: deviation: (_astron._) distance from the celestial equator; DEC'LIN[=A]TOR, an instrument determining declination.--_adj._ DECLIN'ATORY, containing a declination or refusal--_ns._ DECLIN'ATURE, act of declining or refusing: (_law_) a plea declining the jurisdiction of a judge; DECLINOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the DECLINATION OF THE COMPASS--i.e. the deviation of the magnetic needle from the true north. [Fr. _décliner_--L. _de_, down, away from, _clin[=a]re_, to bend. See LEAN.]

DECLIVITY, de-kliv'i-ti, _n._ a place that declines, or slopes downward, opposite of _acclivity_: inclination downward: a gradual descent.--_adjs._ DECLIV'ITOUS, DECL[=I]'VOUS. [Fr.,--L. _declivitas_--_de_, downward, _clivus_, sloping, akin to _clin[=a]re_.]

DECOCT, de-kokt', _v.t._ to prepare by boiling: to extract the substance of by boiling: to boil: to devise.--_adjs._ DECOC'TIBLE, DECOC'TIVE.--_ns._ DECOC'TION, an extract of anything got by boiling; DECOC'TURE, a substance prepared by decoction. [L. _decoqu[)e]re_, _decoctum_--_de_, down, _coqu[)e]re_, to cook.]

DECODE, de-k[=o]d', _v.t._ to translate the symbols in a code telegram into ordinary language.

DECOLLATE, de-kol'[=a]t, _v.t._ to behead.--_p.adj._ DECOLL'ATED, rounded off, as the apex of a shell.--_n._ DECOLL[=A]'TION, the act of beheading: a picture of a decapitation, esp. of the head of St John the Baptist on a charger: the festival of the Baptist, Aug. 29. [L. _decoll[=a]re_--_de_, from, _collum_, the neck.]

DECOLLETÉ, d[=a]-kol-e-t[=a]', _adj._ with neck uncovered: of dress, low cut. [Fr. _décolleter_, to bare the neck and shoulders. Cf. DECOLLATE.]

DECOLOUR, de-kul'ur, _v.t._ to deprive of colour--also DECOL'OURISE.--_n._ DECOL'ORANT, a substance that bleaches or removes colour.--_v.t._ DECOL'ORATE, to deprive of colour.--_ns._ DECOLOR[=A]'TION, removal or absence of colour; DECOLORIS[=A]'TION. [Fr. _décolorer_--L. _decolor[=a]re_--_de_, from, _color_, colour.]

DECOMPLEX, d[=e]'kom-pleks, _adj._ repeatedly compound.

DECOMPOSE, de-kom-poz', _v.t._ to separate the parts composing anything: to resolve into original elements.--_v.i._ to decay, rot.--_adj._ DECOMPOS'ABLE.--_n._ DECOMPOSI'TION, act of decomposing: decay or dissolution: also the compounding of things already compound. [L. _de_, neg., and _compose_.]

DECOMPOSITE, d[=e]-kom-poz'it, or de-kom'-, _adj._ compound a second time or more than once. [L. _de_, and _composite_.]

DECOMPOUND, de-kom-pownd', _v.t._ to compound again: to compound things already compounded; also, to divide a thing into its constituent parts.--_adj._ compounded a second time.--_adj._ DECOMPOUND'ABLE. [L. _de_, and _compound_.]

DECONCENTRATE, de-kon-sen'tr[=a]t, or de-kon'sen-tr[=a]t, _v.t._ to scatter.--_n._ DECONCENTR[=A]'TION. [_De_, and _concentrate_.]

DECONSECRATE, de-kon'se-kr[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of the character given by consecration: to secularise.--_n._ DECONSECR[=A]'TION.

DECORATE, dek'o-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to ornament, to beautify: to honour with a badge or medal.--_adj._ DEC'ORATED.--_n._ DECOR[=A]'TION, ornament: badge of an order.--_adj._ DEC'OR[=A]TIVE, ornamental.--_ns._ DEC'OR[=A]TIVENESS; DEC'OR[=A]TOR.--DECORATED STYLE (_archit._), a style of Gothic architecture, elaborated and richly decorated, which prevailed till near the end of the 14th century.--DECORATION DAY, May 30th, when the memory of the soldiers who fell in the American Civil War of 1861-65 is honoured by the decoration of their graves, speeches, processions, &c. [L. _decor[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_decus_, what is becoming--_dec[=e]re_, to be becoming.]

DECOROUS, de-k[=o]'rus, or dek'o-rus, _adj._ becoming: suitable: proper: decent.--_adv._ DEC[=O]'ROUSLY.--_ns._ DEC[=O]'ROUSNESS; DEC[=O]'RUM, that which is becoming in outward appearance: propriety of conduct: decency. [L. _decorus_, becoming.]

DECORTICATE, de-kor'ti-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of the bark, husk, or peel.--_n._ DECORTIC[=A]'TION. [L. _decortic[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, from, and _cortex_, bark.]

DECOY, de-koy', _v.t._ to allure: to entrap: to lure into a trap.--_n._ anything intended to allure into a snare: an apparatus of hoops and network for trapping wild-ducks--sometimes _duck-coy_.--_n._ DECOY'-DUCK, a wild-duck tamed and trained to entice others into a trap: (_fig._) one employed to allure others into a snare. [L. _de_, down, and O. Fr. _coi_, quiet; the earlier verb _to coy_ was confused with the Dut. _kooi_--L. _cavea_, a cage. See COY.]

DECRASSIFY, d[=e]-kras'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make less crass.

DECREASE, de-kr[=e]s', _v.i._ to become less: to be diminished by degrees in size or power.--_v.t._ to make less: to lessen gradually.--_n._ a growing less: loss.--_adv._ DECREAS'INGLY. [O. Fr. _decrois_, a decrease--L. _descresc[)e]re_--_de_, from, _cresc[)e]re_, to grow.]

DECREE, de-kr[=e]', _n._ an order by one in authority: an edict or law: a judicial decision: a predetermined purpose.--_v.t._ to decide or determine by sentence in law: to appoint.--_v.i._ to make a decree:--_pr.p._ decree'ing; _pa.p._ decreed'.--_adjs._ DECREE'ABLE, capable of being decreed; DECR[=E]'TIVE, having the force of a decree; DEC'R[=E]TORY, DECRET[=O]'RIAL, established by a decree: determining: judicial.--DECREE NISI (L. _nisi_, unless), a decree that becomes absolute unless cause be shown to the contrary--granted esp. in divorce cases. [O. Fr. _decret_--L. _decretum_--_decern[)e]re_, to decide.]

DECREET, de-kr[=e]t', _n._ (_Scots law_) a court judgment.

DECREMENT, dek're-ment, _n._ the act or state of decreasing: the quantity lost by decrease. [L. _decrementum_.]

DECREPIT, de-krep'it, _adj._ worn out by the infirmities of old age: in the last stage of decay.--_ns._ DECREP'ITNESS; DECREP'ITUDE, state of being decrepit or worn out with age. [L. _decrepitus_, noiseless, very old--_de_, not, _crepitus_, a noise.]

DECREPITATE, de-krep'i-t[=a]t, _v.i._ to crackle, as salts when heated.--_v.t._ to roast so as to cause a continual crackling, to calcine.--_n._ DECREPIT[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, inten., _crepit[=a]re_, to rattle much, freq. of _crep[=a]re_.]

DECRESCENT, de-kres'ent, _adj._ becoming gradually less.--_n._ (_mus._) DECRESCEN'DO = Diminuendo (q.v.). [L.]

DECRETAL, de-kr[=e]'tal, _adj._ pertaining to a decree.--_n._ a decree, esp. of the pope: a book containing decrees: spec. in _pl._ the second part of the canon law, the decrees of various popes determining points of ecclesiastical law.--_n._ DECR[=E]'TIST, in medieval universities, a student of the decretals, a student of law.--_adjs._ DECR[=E]'TIVE; DECR[=E]'TORY, pertaining to a decree, judicial. [L. _decretalis_--_decretum_.]

DECREW, de-kr[=oo]', _v.i._ (_Spens._) to decrease. [For _decrue_--O. Fr. _decru_, pa.p. of _decroistre_. See DECREASE.]

DECROWN, d[=e]-krown', _v.t._ to discrown. [Fr. _découronner_, to discrown.]

DECRUSTATION, d[=e]-krus-t[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of removing a crust.

DECRY, de-kr[=i]', _v.t._ to cry down: to condemn: to censure as worthless: to blame:--_pa.p._ decried'.--_ns._ DECR[=I]'AL; DECR[=I]'ER. [Fr. _de(s)_ = L. _dis_, and _crier_, to cry. See CRY.]