Part 79

DECUMAN, dek'[=u]-man, _adj._ principal, large--of waves, &c.: connected with the principal gate of a Roman camp (near which the 10th cohort of the legion was stationed).--_n._ a great wave, as every tenth wave was supposed to be. [L. _decumanus_--_decem_, ten.]

DECUMBENT, de-kum'bent, _adj._ lying down: reclining on the ground.--_ns._ DECUB[=A]'TION, DECUM'BENCE, DECUM'BENCY, the act or posture of lying down.--_adj._ DEC[=U]'BITAL--_n._ DEC[=U]'BITUS, a recumbent position, as of one sick in bed: a bed-sore.--_adv._ DECUM'BENTLY.--_n._ DECUM'BITURE, the time when a sick person takes to bed. [L. _decumbens_--_de_, down, and _cumb[)e]re_, for _cub[=a]re_, to lie.]

DECUPLE, dek'[=u]-pl, _adj._ tenfold.--_n._ a number ten times repeated.--_v.t._ to make tenfold. [Fr. _décuple_--L. _decem_, ten, and _plic[=a]re_, to fold.]

DECURION, d[=e]-k[=u]'ri-on, _n._ an officer in a Roman army over ten soldiers--a DEC'URY or DEC[=U]'RIA: any overseer of ten.--_n._ DEC[=U]'RIONATE. [L.]

DECURRENT, de-kur'ent, _adj._ running or extending downward.--_n._ DECURR'ENCY.--_adv._ DECURR'ENTLY.--_n._ DECUR'SION, a running down: a military manoeuvre or parade.--_adj._ DECUR'SIVE.--_adv._ DECUR'SIVELY. [L. _decurrens_--_de_, down, _curr[)e]re_, _cursum_, to run.]

DECURTATE, d[=e]-kur't[=a]t, _adj._ cut short, abridged.--_v.t._ to cut short. [L. _decurt[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cut short.]

DECUSSATE, de-kus'[=a]t, _v.i._ to cross in the form of an X: to cross, as lines, &c.--_adjs._ DECUSS'ATE, -D, crossed: arranged in pairs which cross each other, like some leaves.--_adv._ DECUSS'ATELY.--_n._ DECUSS[=A]'TION. [L. _decuss[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_decussis_, a coin of ten asses (_decem asses_) marked with X, symbol of ten.]

DEDAL, DEDALIAN. See DÆDAL.

DEDICATE, ded'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to set apart and consecrate to some sacred purpose: to devote wholly or chiefly: to inscribe to any one.--_adj._ devoted: (_Shak._) dedicated.--_ns._ DED'ICANT, one who dedicates; DEDICATEE (ded'i-k[=a]-t[=e]'), one to whom a thing is dedicated; DEDIC[=A]'TION, the act of dedicating: an address to a patron, prefixed to a book; DED'IC[=A]TOR, one who dedicates.--_adjs._ DEDICAT[=O]'RIAL, DED'IC[=A]TORY, of or pertaining to a dedication. [L. _dedic[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, down, _dic[=e]re_, to declare.]

DEDIMUS, ded'i-mus, _n._ a writ commissioning one not a judge to act as a judge--from its first word. [L., _dedimus_, we have given, _d[)a]re_, to give.]

DEDUCE, de-d[=u]s', _v.t._ to draw from: to infer a truth or opinion from what precedes or from premises.--_ns._ DEDUCE'MENT, what is deduced; DEDUCIBIL'ITY, the quality of being deducible.--_adj._ DEDUC'IBLE, that may be deduced or inferred.--_v.t._ DEDUCT', to take from: to separate: to subtract.--_adj._ DEDUCT'IBLE.--_n._ DEDUC'TION, (1) the act of deducing: that which is deduced: the drawing of a particular truth from a general, antecedently known, as distinguished from _Induction_, rising from particular truths to a general; (2) the act of deducting: that which is deducted: abatement.--_adj._ DEDUCT'IVE, that is, or that may be, deduced from premises or accepted principles.--_adv._ DEDUCT'IVELY. [L. _deduc[)e]re_, _deductum_--_de_, from _duc[)e]re_, _ductum_, to lead.]

DEE, d[=e], _v.i._ Scotch for _die_.

DEED, d[=e]d, _n._ something done: an act: an exploit: a legal transaction: the written evidence of it.--_adj._ DEED'FUL (_Tenn._), marked by deeds or exploits.--_adv._ DEED'ILY.--_adjs._ DEED'LESS (_Shak._), not having performed deeds; DEED'Y, industrious, active.--DEED OF SAYING (_Shak._), performance of what has been said or promised.--IN DEED, in reality. [A.S. _dæd_--_dón_, to do; Ger. _that_--_thun_, to do.]

DEED, d[=e]d, a Scotch form of _indeed_.

DEEM, d[=e]m, _v.t._ or _v.i._ to judge: to think: to believe.--_n._ (_Shak._) opinion.--_ns._ DEEM'STER, DEMP'STER, one who pronounces judgment, a judge--esp. one of the two in the Isle of Man. [A.S. _déman_, to form a judgment--_dóm_, doom.]

DEEP, d[=e]p, _adj._ extending far down or far from the outside: difficult to understand: secret: wise and penetrating: cunning: very still: profound: profoundly learned in a language: intense, heart-felt: sunk low: low or grave: (of a road) encumbered with mud, sand, or ruts.--_adv._ in a deep manner.--_n._ that which is deep: the sea: anything profound or incomprehensible.--_adjs._ DEEP'-BROWED, of high intellectual powers; DEEP'-DRAW'ING (of ships), requiring considerable depth to float in; DEEP'-DRAWN; DEEP'-DYED, thorough-going, extreme--in a bad sense.--_v.t._ DEEP'EN, to make deeper in any sense: to increase.--_v.i._ to become deeper.--_adjs._ DEEP'-FET (_Shak._), fetched or drawn from a depth; DEEP'-LAID.--_adv._ DEEP'LY.--_adjs._ DEEP'-MOST, deepest; DEEP'-MOUTHED, with deep voice.--_n._ DEEP'NESS.--_adjs._ DEEP'-READ, profoundly versed; DEEP'-SEA, pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea; DEEP'-SEAT'ED, firmly seated; DEEP'-TONED, having a deep tone. [A.S. _deóp_; Ger. _tief_. Cf. DIP, DIVE.]

DEER, d[=e]r, _n._ a quadruped of several species, as the stag, reindeer, &c.; in M. E., any kind of animal.--_ns._ DEER'-HAIR, heath club-rush; DEER'-HERD; DEER'-HOUND; DEER'-LICK, a spot of salt ground whither deer come to lick the earth; DEER'-MOUSE, a common name for several species of American mice--so called from their agility; DEER'-NECK, a thin, ill-shaped neck--of horses; DEER'-SKIN, the skin of the deer, or leather made therefrom; DEER'-STALK'ER; DEER'-STALK'ING, the hunting of deer by stalking, or stealing upon them unawares. [A.S. _deór_; Ger. _thier_, Dut. _dier_; Ice. _dýr_. There is no connection with Gr. _th[=e]r_, L. _fera_, a wild beast.]

DEFACE, de-f[=a]s', _v.t._ to destroy or mar the face or external appearance of, to disfigure: to obliterate.--_n._ DEFACE'MENT, act of defacing: injury to form or appearance: that which defaces.--_adv._ DEF[=A]'CINGLY. [O. Fr. _desfacer_--_des_ = L. _dis_, away, _facies_, face.]

DEFALCATE, de-fal'k[=a]t, _v.t._ to deduct a part of, of money, &c.: to embezzle money held on trust.--_ns._ DEFALC[=A]'TION, a diminution: a misappropriation of funds entrusted to one; DEF'ALC[=A]TOR, a defaulter. [Low L. _difalc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cut away--L. _dis-_, off, _falc[=a]re_, to cut--_falx_, _falcis_, a sickle.]

DEFAME, de-f[=a]m', _v.t._ to take away or destroy the good fame or reputation of: to speak evil of: to charge falsely.--_n._ (_Spens._) infamy.--_n._ DEFAM[=A]'TION, the act of defaming: calumny: slander.--_adv._ DEFAM'ATORILY.--_adj._ DEFAM'ATORY, containing defamation: injurious to reputation: calumnious.--_p.adj._ DEF[=A]'MING. [O. Fr. _defamer_--L. _diffam[=a]re_--_dis_, away, _fama_, report.]

DEFAULT, de-fawlt', _n._ a fault, failing, or failure: defect: neglect to do what duty or law requires: failure to account for money entrusted to one's charge: offence.--_v.i._ to fail through neglect of duty: to fail to appear in court when called upon.--_n._ DEFAULT'ER, one who fails to appear in court, or to account for money entrusted to his care, or to settle a debt of honour.--JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT, judgment given against a person because he fails to plead or make an appearance in court. [O. Fr. _defaute_ and _default_--_de_ = L. _dis_, apart, and _faute_.]

DEFEASANCE, de-f[=e]z'ans, _n._ undoing: defeat.--_adjs._ DEFEAS'ANCED, liable to be forfeited; DEFEAS'IBLE, that may be defeated or annulled.--_n._ DEFEAS'IBLENESS.--DEED OF DEFEAS'ANCE (_Eng. law_), an instrument which defeats the operation of some other deed or estate; and that which in the same deed is called a condition, in a separate deed is a defeasance. [O. Fr. _defaisance_--_defaire_, to undo.]

DEFEAT, de-f[=e]t', _v.t._ to frustrate: to ruin.--_n._ a frustration of plans: ruin: overthrow, as of an army in battle.--_n._ DEFEAT'URE (_Spens._), defeat: disfigurement, disguise. [O. Fr. _defait_, _defaire_, to undo--L. _dis_, neg. _fac[)e]re_, to do.]

DEFECATE, def'e-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to clear from dregs or impurities: to purify from extraneous matter.--_v.i._ to void excrement.--_n._ DEFEC[=A]'TION. [L. _defæc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cleanse--_de_, from, _fæx_, _fæcis_, dregs.]

DEFECT, de-fekt', _n._ a deficiency: a want: imperfection: blemish: fault.--_n._ DEFECTIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ DEFECT'IBLE, liable to imperfection: deficient.--_ns._ DEFEC'TION, a failure, a falling away from duty: revolt; DEFEC'TIONIST.--_adj._ DEFEC'TIVE, having defect: wanting in some necessary quality: imperfect: faulty: insufficient.--_adv._ DEFECT'IVELY.--_n._ DEFECT'IVENESS.--THE DEFECTS OF ONE'S QUALITIES, virtues carried to excess, the faults apt to accompany or flow from good qualities. [L. _defic[)e]re_, _defectum_, to fail--_de_, down, and _fac[)e]re_, to do.]

DEFENCE, de-fens', _n._ a defending: protection: vindication: (_law_) a defendant's plea.--_pa.p._ DEFENC'ED (_B._), fortified.--_adj._ DEFENCE'LESS.--_adv._ DEFENCE'LESSLY.--_n._ DEFENCE'LESSNESS. [See DEFEND.]

DEFEND, de-fend', _v.t._ to keep off anything hurtful: to guard or protect: to maintain against attack: (_obs._) to prohibit, forbid: (_law_) to resist, as a claim: to contest.--_adj._ DEFEND'ABLE, that may be defended.--_ns._ DEFEND'ANT, a defender: (_law_) a person accused or sued; DEFENDEE', one who is defended; DEFEND'ER; DEFEN'SATIVE, a protection; DEFENSIBIL'ITY.--_adjs._ DEFENS'IBLE, that may be defended; DEFENS'IVE, DEFEN'SORY, serving to defend: in a state or posture of defence.--_n._ that which defends: posture of defence.--_adv._ DEFENS'IVELY.--DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, a title borne by the sovereigns of England since Henry VIII., on whom it was conferred in 1521 for his book against Luther.--BE ON THE DEFENSIVE, to be in the position to defend one's self. [L. _defend[)e]re_, _defensum_, to ward off--_de_, off, and obs. _fend[)e]re_, to strike.]

DEFER, de-f[.e]r', _v.t._ to put off to another time: to delay:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_ns._ DEFER'MENT; DEFER'RER, a procrastinator.--DEFERRED ANNUITY (see ANNUITY); DEFERRED PAY, an allowance paid to soldiers on their discharge, or to their relations on their death; DEFERRED SHARES, shares issued by a trading company, but not entitling the holder to a full share of the profits of the company, and sometimes to none at all, until the expiration of a specified time or the occurrence of some event. [L. _differre_--_dis_, asunder, _ferre_, to bear, carry.]

DEFER, de-f[.e]r, _v.i._ to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.--_v.t._ to submit to or lay before:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_n._ DEF'ERENCE, a deferring or yielding in judgment or opinion: regard: submission.--_adj._ DEF'ERENT, bearing away, carrying off.--_n._ a deferent duct (as opposed to an _afferent_ one) in the human body.--_adj._ DEFEREN'TIAL, expressing deference or respect.--_adv._ DEFEREN'TIALLY. [L. _deferre_--_de_, down, and _ferre_, to bear.]

DEFERVESCENCE, de-fer-ves'ens, _n._ abatement of heat: coolness: decrease of feverish symptoms.--Also DEFERVES'CENCY. [L. _defervesc[)e]re_, to cease boiling--_de_, down, and _fervesc[)e]re_, from _ferv[=e]re_, to boil.]

DEFEUDALISE, d[=e]-f[=u]'dal-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of feudal character.

DEFFLY (_Spens._). For DEFTLY.

DEFIANCE, de-f[=i]'ans, _n._ the act of defying: a challenge to combat: aggressiveness: contempt of opposition.--_adj._ DEF[=I]'ANT, full of defiance, insolently bold.--_adv._ DEF[=I]'ANTLY.--_n._ DEF[=I]'ANTNESS.--_adj._ DEF[=I]'ATORY, bidding defiance.--BID DEFIANCE TO, to defy.

DEFIBRINATE, de-f[=i]'bri-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of fibrine--also DEF[=I]'BRINISE.--_n._ DEFIBRIN[=A]'TION.

DEFICIENT, de-fish'ent, _adj._ wanting.--_n._ DEFIC'IENCY (sometimes DEFIC'IENCE), defect.--_adv._ DEFIC'IENTLY.--_ns._ DEFIC'IENTNESS; DEF'ICIT, deficiency, esp. of revenue, as compared with expenditure. [L., _defic[)e]re_.]

DEFILE, d[=e]-f[=i]l', or d[=e]'f[=i]l, _v.i._ to march off in file or line, or file by file.--_n._ a long narrow pass or way, in which troops can march only in file, or with a narrow front.--_v.t._ DEFIL[=A]DE', to plan a fortification so as to protect it from enfilading fire.--_n._ DEFILE'MENT. [Fr. _défiler_--L. _dis_, and _filum_, a thread.]

DEFILE, de-f[=i]l', _v.t._ to pollute or corrupt: to violate.--_ns._ DEFILE'MENT, act of defiling: foulness; DEFIL'ER. [L. _de_, and A.S. _fýlan_, _fúl_, foul.]

DEFILIATION, de-fil-i-[=a]'shun, _n._ depriving a parent of his child. [L. _de_, neg., and _filius_, a son.]

DEFINE, de-f[=i]n', _v.t._ to fix the bounds or limits of: to determine with precision: to describe accurately: to fix the meaning of.--_adj._ DEFIN'ABLE, that may be defined.--_n._ DEFINE'MENT (_Shak._), description.--_adj._ DEF'INITE, defined: having distinct limits: fixed: exact: clear.--_adv._ DEF'INITELY.--_ns._ DEF'INITENESS; DEFINI'TION, a defining: a description of a thing by its properties: an explanation of the exact meaning of a word, term, or phrase.--_adj._ DEFIN'ITIVE, defining or limiting: positive: final.--_n._ (_gram._) an adjective used to limit the signification of a noun.--_adv._ DEFIN'ITIVELY.--_ns._ DEFIN'ITIVENESS; DEFIN'ITUDE, definitiveness. [Fr.,--L. _defin[=i]re_, _-[=i]tum_, to set bounds to--_de_, _finis_, a limit.]

DEFLAGRATE, def'la-gr[=a]t, _v.i._ or _v.t._ to burn down: to burn rapidly.--_ns._ DEFLAGRABIL'ITY, combustibility; DEFLAGR[=A]'TION; DEF'LAGRATOR, a galvanic instrument for producing rapid combustion. [L. _deflagr[=a]re_--_de_, down, _flagr[=a]re_, to burn.]

DEFLECT, de-flekt', _v.i._ or _v.t._ to turn aside: to swerve or deviate from a right line or proper course.--_p.adj._ DEFLECT'ED (_bot._), bent abruptly downward.--_ns._ DEFLEC'TION, DEFLEX'ION, deviation.--_adj._ DEFLEC'TIVE, causing deflection.--_n._ DEFLEC'TOR, a diaphragm in a lamp, stove, &c., by which the flame and gases are brought together and the combustion improved.--_v.t._ DEFLEX' (_zool._, _bot._), to bend down.--_adj._ DEFLEXED'.--_n._ DEFLEX'URE, deviation. [L. _de_, from, and _flect[)e]re_, _flexum_, to bend, turn.]

DEFLORATE, de-fl[=o]'r[=a]t, _adj._ past the flowering state, as an anther after it has shed its pollen.--_n._ DEFLOR[=A]'TION, the act of deflowering.

DEFLOWER, DEFLOUR, de-flowr', _v.t._ to deprive of flowers: to deprive of grace and beauty: to ravish.--_n._ DEFLOW'ERER. [O. Fr. _deflorer_--Low L. _deflor[=a]re_, to strip flowers off--L. _de_, neg., _flos_, _floris_, a flower.]

DEFLUENT, def'l[=oo]-ent, _adj._ running down, decurrent.--_n._ DEFLUX'ION, a discharge of fluid in the body. [L. _deflu[)e]re_--_de_, down, _flu[)e]re_, _fluxum_, to flow.]

DEFOLIATE, de-f[=o]'li-[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of leaves.--_adjs._ DEF[=O]'LIATE, -D.--_ns._ DEFOLI[=A]'TION, the falling off of leaves: the time of shedding leaves; DEF[=O]'LIATOR. [Low L. _defoli[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off, _folium_, a leaf.]

DEFORCE, de-f[=o]rs', _v.t._ (_law_) to keep out of possession by force: (_Scots law_) to resist an officer of the law in the execution of his duty.--_ns._ DEFORCE'MENT; DEFORC'IANT, one who deforces; DEFORCI[=A]'TION, a legal distress. [Fr. _de_ = L. _dis_, and _force_.]

DEFOREST, de-for'est, _v.t._ to disforest: to deprive of forests.--_n._ DEFOREST[=A]'TION.

DEFORM, de-form', _v.t._ to alter or injure the form of: to disfigure.--_adj._ (_Milt._) hideous, unshapely.--_n._ DEFORM[=A]'TION.--_p.adj._ DEFORMED', misshapen.--_adv._ DEFORM'EDLY.--_ns._ DEFORMED'NESS; DEFORM'ER; DEFORM'ITY, state of being deformed: want of proper form: ugliness: disfigurement: anything that destroys beauty: an ugly feature or characteristic. [L. _deformis_, ugly--_de_, from, _forma_, beauty.]

DEFOUL, de-fowl', _v.t._ to defile. [A.S. _fúl_, foul, whence by vowel change of _ú_ to _ý_, _fýlan_.]

DEFRAUD, de-frawd', _v.t._ to deprive of by fraud: to withhold wrongfully: to cheat or deceive.--_ns._ DEFRAUD'MENT, DEFRAUD[=A]'TION. [L. _defraud[=a]re_--_de_, from, and _fraus_, _fraudis_, fraud.]

DEFRAY, de-fr[=a]', _v.t._ to discharge the expenses of anything: to pay: (_Spens._) to appease:--_pr.p._ defray'ing; _pa.p._ defrayed'.--_ns._ DEFRAY'MENT, DEFRAY'AL. [O. Fr. _defrayer_--_de_, and _frais_, expense--Low L. _fractum_, breakage, damage, expense.]

DEFT, deft, _adj._ handy, clever.--_adv._ DEFT'LY.--_n._ DEFT'NESS. [M. E. _defte_, _dafte_, simple, meek; A.S. _ge-dæfte_, meek--_dæftan_, _gedæftan_, prepare, make fit; the stem appears in _ge-daf-en_, to fit.]

DEFUNCT, de-funkt', _adj._ having finished the course of life, dead.--_n._ a dead person.--_n._ DEFUNC'TION (_Shak._), death.--_adj._ DEFUNC'TIVE (_Shak._), pertaining to the dead. [L. _defungi_, _defunctus_, to finish--_de_, and _fungi_, to perform.]

DEFY, de-f[=i]', _v.t._ to challenge: to brave: (_obs._) to discard, dislike:--_pr.p._ defy'ing; _pa.p._ defied'.--_n._ (_Dryden_) a defiance.--_n._ DEF[=I]'ER. [O. Fr. _defier_--Low L. _diffid[=a]re_, to renounce faith or allegiance--L. _dis_, asunder, and _f[=i]d[)e]re_, to trust--_f[)i]des_, faith.]

DÉGAGÉ, d[=a]-ga-zh[=a]', _adj._ unembarrassed, unconstrained, easy. [Pa.p. of Fr. _dégager_, to disentangle.]

DEGAR'NISH = DISGARNISH (q.v.).

DEGENERATE, de-jen'[.e]r-[=a]t, _adj._ having departed from the high qualities of race or kind: become base--also DEGEN'EROUS (_obs._).--_v.i._ to fall from a nobler state: to be or to grow worse.--_v.i._ DEGEN'DER (_Spens._), to degenerate.--_ns._ DEGEN'ERACY, DEGENER[=A]'TION, the act or process of becoming degenerate: the state of being degenerate.--_adv._ DEGEN'ERATELY.--_n._ DEGEN'ERATENESS.--_adj._ DEGEN'ERATING.--_n._ DEGENER[=A]'TIONIST, one who believes that the tendency of man is not to improve, but to degenerate.--_adj._ DEGEN'ERATIVE, tending or causing to degenerate. [L. _degener[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to depart from its kind--_de_, from, down, _genus_, _gen[)e]ris_, kind.]

DEGERMINATOR, de-j[.e]r'mi-n[=a]-tor, _n._ an apparatus for splitting grains and removing the germs. [L. _de_, neg., and _germen_, a germ.]

DEGLUTINATE, de-gl[=oo]'tin-[=a]t, _v.t._ to separate things that are glued together by softening the glue:--_pr.p._ deglu'tin[=a]ting; _pa.p._ deglu'tin[=a]ted. [L. _deglutin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, neg., and _glutin[=a]re_--_gluten_, glue.]

DEGLUTITION, deg-l[=oo]-tish'un, _n._ the act or power of swallowing.--_adjs._ DEGLU'TITIVE, DEGLU'TITORY. [Fr.,--L. _de_, down, and _glut[=i]re_, to swallow. See GLUT.]

DEGRADE, de-gr[=a]d', _v.t._ to lower in grade or rank: to deprive of office or dignity: to lower in character, value, or position: to disgrace.--_n._ DEGRAD[=A]'TION, disgrace: degeneration: abortive structural development: a lowering in dignity.--_p.adjs._ DEGRAD'ED, reduced in rank: base: low: (_her._) placed on steps; DEGRAD'ING, debasing: disgraceful. [Fr. _dégrader_--L. _de_, down, and _gradus_, a step. See GRADE.]

DEGREE, de-gr[=e]', _n._ a grade or step: one of a series of advances: relative position: rank: extent: a mark of distinction conferred by universities, whether earned by examination or granted as a mark of honour: the 360th part of a circle: 60 geographical miles: nearness of relationship: comparative amount of guilt: one of the three stages (_positive_, _comparative_, _superlative_) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.--BY DEGREES, by little and little, gradually; FORBIDDEN DEGREES, the degrees of consanguinity and affinity within which it is not permitted to marry; SONGS OF DEGREES, or _Songs of ascents_, Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv., either because sung by the Jews returning from captivity, or by the Jews coming up annually to attend the feasts at Jerusalem; TO A DEGREE, to a great degree, to an extreme. [Fr. _degré_--L. _de_, _gradus_, a step.]

DEGUST, d[=e]-gust', _v.t._ to taste, to relish.--_v.i._ to have a relishing taste.--_v.t._ DEGUST'[=A]TE (same as DEGUST).--_n._ DEGUST[=A]'TION, the act of tasting. [L. _de_, down, and _gust[=a]re_, to taste.]

DEHISCE, d[=e]-his', _v.i._ to gape, to open as the capsules of a plant.--_n._ DEHIS'CENCE.--_adj._ DEHIS'CENT. [L. _dehiscens_, pr.p. of _dehisc[)e]re_--_de_, inten., and _hisc[)e]re_, to gape.]

DEHORT, de-hort', _v.t._ to exhort from, to dissuade.--_n._ DEHORT[=A]'TION, dissuasion.--_adjs._ DEHOR'TATIVE, DEHOR'TATORY, dissuasive.--_n._ DEHORT'ER. [L. _dehort[=a]ri_--_de_, neg., and _hort[=a]ri_, to exhort.]

DEHUMANISE, de-h[=u]'ma-n[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of specifically human qualities. [L. _de_, neg., and _humanise_.]

DEHYDRATE, de-h[=i]'dr[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of water, chemically.--_v.i._ to lose water.--_n._ DEHYDR[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, neg., Gr. _hyd[=o]r_.]

DEICIDE, d[=e]'i-s[=i]d, _n._ the killing of a god: the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [From a supposed Low L. form _deicidium_--_deus_, a god, and _cæd[)e]re_, to kill.]

DEICTIC, d[=i]k'tik, _adj._ proving directly.--_adv._ DEIC'TICALLY. [Gr. _deiktikos_--_deiknynai_, to show.]

DEID-THRAW, d[=e]d'-thraw, _n._ (_Scot_.) death-throe.

DEIFY, d[=e]'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to exalt to the rank of a god: to worship as a deity: to make god-like:--_pr.p._ d[=e]'ifying; _pa.p._ d[=e]'ified.--_adjs._--DEIF'IC, -AL, making god-like or divine.--_n._ DEIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of deifying: a deified embodiment.--_adj._ D[=E]'IFORM, god-like in form or character. [Fr. _déifier_--L. _deific[=a]re_--_deus_, a god, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

DEIGN, d[=a]n, _v.i._ to condescend.--_v.t._ to give: to allow: (_obs._) to favour. [Fr. _daigner_--L. _dign[=a]ri_, to think worthy--_dignus_, worthy.]

DEIL, d[=e]l, Scotch form of _devil_.

DEINOTHERIUM, d[=i]-no-th[=e]'ri-um, _n._ = DINOTHERIUM.

DEIPAROUS, d[=e]-ip'a-rus, _adj._ bearing a god--of the Virgin. [L. _deus_, a god, _par[)e]re_, to bring forth.]

DEIPNOSOPHIST, d[=i]p-nos'[=o]-fist, _n._ one who converses learnedly at dinner, a table-philosopher--from the title of a work by Athenæus. [Gr. _deipnon_, dinner, _sophist[=e]s_--_sophos_, wise.]

DEIST, d[=e]'ist, _n._ one who believes in the existence of God, but not in revealed religion.--_n._ D[=E]'ISM, the creed of a deist.--_adjs._ DEIST'IC, -AL.--_adv._ DEIST'ICALLY. [Fr. _déiste_, _déisme_--L. _deus_, a god.]

DEITY, d[=e]'i-ti, _n._ the divinity: godhead: a god or goddess: the Supreme Being. [Fr.,--Low L. _deitas_--L. _deus_, god; Sans. _deva_--_div_, to shine.]

DEJECT, de-jekt', _v.t._ to cast down the countenance or spirits of.--_adj._ (_Shak._) cast down.--_adj._ DEJECT'ED, cast down: dispirited.--_adv._ DEJECT'EDLY.--_ns._ DEJECT'EDNESS; DEJEC'TION, lowness of spirits: (_pl._) fæcal discharge (also _dejecta_).--_adj._ DEJEC'TORY, promoting evacuations. [L. _dejic[)e]re_, _-jectum_--_de_, down, _jac[)e]re_, to cast.]

DELAINE, d[=e]-l[=a]n', _n._ an untwilled light dress material, originally of wool--also _Muslin-de-laine_.

DELAPSE, d[=e]-laps', _v.i._ (_obs._) to sink down.--_n._ DELAP'SION.

DELATE, de-l[=a]t', _v.t._ to carry on: to publish: to charge with a crime.--_ns._ DEL[=A]'TION; DELAT'OR. [L. _deferre_, _del[=a]tum_, to bring a report against, to inform--_de_, inten., _ferre_, to bear.]

DELAY, de-l[=a]', _v.t._ to put off to another time: to defer: to hinder or retard.--_v.i._ to pause, linger, or put off time.--_n._ a putting off or deferring: a lingering: hinderance:--_pr.p._ delay'ing; _pa.p._ delayed'.--_n._ DELAY'ER.--_adv._ DELAY'INGLY. [O. Fr. _delaier_--L. _differre_, _dil[=a]tum_--_dis_, apart, _ferre_, to carry.]

DELAY, de-l[=a]', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to temper, dilute, weaken. [Fr. _délayer_, dilute--L. _deliqu[=a]re_, clarify.]

DELE, d[=e]'l[=e], _v.t._, delete, efface, a direction in proof-reading to remove a superfluous letter or word, usually marked thus [Dele symbol].--_adjs._ DEL'EBLE, DEL'IBLE, that can be deleted. [L., imper. of _del[=e]re_, to delete.]

DELECTABLE, de-lekt'a-bl, _adj._ delightful: pleasing.--_n._ DELECT'ABLENESS.--_adv._ DELECT'ABLY.--_n._ DELECT[=A]'TION, delight. [Fr.,--L. _delectabilis_--_delect[=a]re_, to delight.]