Part 82

DESCANT, des'kant, _n._ the air in a four-part song: a discourse or disquisition under several heads.--_v.i._ DESCANT', to discourse at length: to comment. [O. Fr. _descant_--L. _dis_, apart, and _cantus_, a song--_cant[=a]re_, to sing.]

DESCEND, d[=e]-send', _v.i._ to climb down: to pass from a higher to a lower place or condition: to pass from general to particulars: to fall upon or invade: to be derived.--_v.t._ to go down upon: to go to the bottom of.--_n._ DESCEND'ANT, one who descends, as offspring from an ancestor.--_adjs._ DESCEND'ENT, descending or going down: proceeding from an ancestor; DESCEND'IBLE, that may descend or be descended: capable of transmission by inheritance, heritable.--_p.adj._ DESCEND'ING.--_n._ DESCEN'SION.--_adj._ DESCEN'SIONAL.--_n._ DESCENT', act of descending: transmission by succession: motion or progress downward: slope: a falling upon or invasion: derivation from an ancestor: a generation, a degree in genealogy: descendants collectively.--DESCENT FROM THE CROSS, a picture representing Christ being taken down from the cross. [Fr. _descendre_--L. _descend[)e]re_--_de_, down, _scand[)e]re_, to climb.]

DESCRIBE, d[=e]-skr[=i]b', _v.t._ to trace out or delineate: to give an account of.--_adj._ DESCRIB'ABLE.--_n._ DESCRIB'ER. [L. _describ[)e]re_--_de_, down, and _scrib[)e]re_, _scriptum_, to write.]

DESCRIPTION, de-skrip'shun, _n._ act of describing: an account of anything in words: definition: sort, class, or kind.--_adj._ DESCRIP'TIVE, containing description.--_adv._ DESCRIP'TIVELY.--_n._ DESCRIP'TIVENESS.

DESCRIVE, de-skr[=i]v', _v.t._ an obsolete form of _describe_.

DESCRY, de-skr[=i]', _v.t._ to discover by the eye: to espy:--_pr.p._ descry'ing; _pa.p._ descried'.--_n._ discovery: (_Shak._) a thing discovered. [O. Fr. _descrire_ for _descrivre_--L. _describ[)e]re_: a doublet of _describe_. Others derive the word from O. Fr. _descrier_, _decryer_, proclaim, announce--_des-_, _de-_, and _crier_, to cry, in which case it would be a doublet of _decry_.]

DESECRATE, des'e-kr[=a]t, _v.t._ to divert from a sacred purpose: to profane.--_ns._ DESECRAT'ER, -OR, DESECR[=A]'TION, act of desecrating: profanation. [L. _desecr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, away from, and _sacr[=a]re_, to make sacred--_sacer_, sacred.]

DESERT, de-z[.e]rt', _n._ the reward or punishment deserved: claim to reward: merit--_adj._ DESERT'LESS, without merit. [See DESERVE.]

DESERT, de-z[.e]rt', _v.t._ to leave: to forsake.--_v.i._ to run away: to quit a service, as the army, without permission.--_ns._ DESERT'ER, one who deserts or quits a service without permission; DESER'TION, act of deserting: state of being deserted: wilful abandonment of a legal or moral duty or obligation. [L. _deser[)e]re_, _desertum_--_de_, neg., and _ser[)e]re_, to bind.]

DESERT, dez'[.e]rt, _adj._ deserted: desolate: uninhabited: uncultivated: a desolate or barren place: a wilderness: a solitude. [O. Fr. _desert_--L. _desertum_, _deser[)e]re_, to desert, unbind.]

DESERVE, de-z[.e]rv', _v.t._ to earn by service: to merit.--_v.i._ to be worthy of reward.--_adj._ DESERV'ING, worthy.--_n._ desert.--_advs._ DESERV'INGLY, DESERV'EDLY, according to desert: justly. [Fr.,--L. _deserv[=i]re_--_de_, inten., _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]

DESHABILLE, des-a-bil', _n._ an undress: a careless toilet. [Fr. _déshabillé_, undressed--_des_ = L. _dis_ = _un_, not, and _habiller_, to dress.]

DESICCATE, de-sik'[=a]t, or des'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to dry up.--_v.i._ to grow dry.--_adjs._ DESIC'CANT, DESIC'CATIVE, drying: having the power of drying.--_n._ an application that tends to dry up sores.--_n._ DESICC[=A]'TION, the act of desiccating: state of being desiccated. [L. _desicc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to dry up--_de_, and _siccus_, dry.]

DESIDERATE, de-sid'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to long for or earnestly desire a thing: to want or miss.--_n._ DESIDER[=A]'TION, the act of desiderating: the thing desiderated.--_adj._ DESID'ERATIVE, implying desire, as in desiderative verb.--_n._ DESIDER[=A]'TUM, something desired or much wanted:--_pl._ DESIDER[=A]'TA. [L. _desider[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to long for. A doublet of _desire_.]

DESIGHTMENT, d[=e]-s[=i]t'ment, _n._ disfigurement.

DESIGN, de-z[=i]n', or de-s[=i]n', _v.t._ to draw: to form a plan of: to contrive: to intend.--_n._ a drawing or sketch: a plan in outline: a plan or scheme formed in the mind: plot: intention.--_adj._ DESIGN'ABLE.--_v.t._ DES'IGN[=A]TE, to mark out so as to make known: to show: to name.--_ns._ DESIGN[=A]'TION, a showing or pointing out: name: title; DES'IGN[=A]TOR.--_adv._ DESIGN'EDLY, by design: intentionally.--_n._ DESIGN'ER, one who furnishes designs or patterns: a plotter.--_adjs._ DESIGN'FUL, full of design; DESIGN'ING, artful: scheming: deceitful.--_n._ the art of making designs or patterns.--_adj._ DESIGN'LESS.--_n._ DESIGN'MENT, the design or sketch of a work: (_Shak._) intention, purpose, enterprise.--THE ARGUMENT FROM DESIGN, the argument for the existence of God derived from the evidences of design in creation. [Fr.,--L. _design[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, and _signum_, a mark.]

DESILVER, de-sil'v[.e]r, _v.t._ to deprive of silver: to extract the silver from--also DESIL'VERISE.--_n._ DESILVERIS[=A]'TION.

DESINE, de-s[=i]n', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to denote.

DESIPIENCE, de-sip'i-ens, _n._ (_rare_) silliness, nonsense.--_adj._ DESIP'IENT, foolish. [L. _desipiens_, _desip[)e]re_, to be foolish, _de-_, neg., _sap[)e]re_, to be wise.]

DESIRE, de-z[=i]r', _v.t._ to long for the possession of: to wish for: to request, ask: (_B._) to regret.--_v.i._ to be in a state of desire.--_n._ an earnest longing for: eagerness to obtain: a prayer or request: the object desired: lust.--_adj._ DESIR'ABLE, worthy of desire: pleasing: agreeable.--_ns._ DESIR'ABLENESS, DESIRABIL'ITY.--_adv._ DESIR'ABLY.--_adj._ DESIRE'LESS.--_n._ DESIR'ER.--_adj._ DESIR'OUS, full of desire: anxious to obtain: eager.--_adv._ DESIR'OUSLY.--_n._ DESIR'OUSNESS. [Fr. _désirer_--L. _desider[=a]re_. See DESIDERATE.]

DESIST, de-sist', _v.i._ to stop: to forbear.--_ns._ DESIST'ANCE, -ENCE, a desisting. [Fr.,--L. _desist[)e]re_--_de_, away, and _sist[)e]re_, to cause to stand.]

DESK, desk, _n._ a sloping table for the use of writers or readers, often fitted with drawers, &c.: a shut-up writing-box: a pulpit or lectern.--_n._ DESK'-WORK, work done at a desk, professional labours of a clerk or author. [M. E. _deske_--L. _discus_. It is a variant of _dish_ and _disc_.]

DESMAN, des'man, _n._ a kind of musk-rat, found in Russia and the Pyrenees. [Sw. _desman_, musk; Ice. _des_, musk.]

DESMID, des'mid, _n._ one of a group of microscopic algæ. [Formed as a dim. of Gr. _desmos_, a chain.]

DESMINE, des'min, _n._ a zeolitic mineral occurring in clusters. [Gr. _desmos_, a band.]

DESMODIUM, des-m[=o]'di-um, _n._ a genus of leguminous plants to which the _D. gyrans_, or telegraph plant, belongs. [Gr. _desmos_, chain, _eidos_, form.]

DESMOID, des'moid, _adj._ arranged in bundles. [Gr. _desmos_, a chain, a bundle, and _eidos_, form.]

DESMOLOGY, des-mol'o-ji, _n._ the anatomy of the ligaments.--_ns._ DESMOG'RAPHY, the description of these; DESMOT'OMY, their dissection. [Gr. _desmos_, a ligament, and _logia_, a discourse.]

DESOLATE, des'o-l[=a]t, _v.t._ to make solitary: to deprive of inhabitants: to lay waste.--_adj._ solitary: destitute of inhabitants: laid waste.--_adv._ DES'OLATELY.--_ns._ DES'OLATENESS; DESOLAT'ER, -OR; DESOL[=A]'TION, waste: destruction: a place desolated.--_adj._ DES'OLATORY. [L. _desol[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., and _sol[=a]re_, to make alone--_solus_, alone.]

DESPAIR, de-sp[=a]r', _v.i._ to be without hope: to despond.--_n._ want of hope: utter hopelessness: that which causes despair.--_adj._ DESPAIR'FUL (_Spens._).--_p.adj._ DESPAIR'ING, apt to despair: full of despair.--_adv._ DESPAIR'INGLY. [O. Fr. _desperer_--L. _desper[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, neg., and _sper[=a]re_, to hope.]

DESPATCH, de-spach', DISPATCH, dis-pach', _v.t._ to send away hastily: to send out of the world: to put to death: to dispose of: to perform speedily.--_v.i._ (_Shak._) to make haste.--_n._ a sending away in haste: dismissal: rapid performance: haste: the sending off of the mails: that which is despatched, as a message, esp. telegraphic.--_ns._ DESPATCH'-BOAT, a government vessel for carrying despatches; DESPATCH'-BOX, a box for containing official despatches; DESPATCH'ER.--_adv._ DESPATCH'FUL (_Milt._), swift.--HAPPY DESPATCH, a playful name given to the Japanese _hara-kiri_ or judicial suicide; PNEUMATIC DESPATCH (see PNEUMATIC). [O. Fr. _despeecher_ (mod. Fr. _dépêcher_); acc. to Littré, from an assumed Low L. _despedic[=a]re_, to remove obstacles (_pedica_, a fetter), the opp. of _impedic[=a]re_. See IMPEACH.]

DESPERADO, des-p[.e]r-[=a]'d[=o], _n._ a desperate fellow: one reckless of danger: a madman:--_pl._ DESPER[=A]'DOS. [Sp. _desesperado_--L. _desper[=a]tus_.]

DESPERATE, des'p[.e]r-[=a]t, _adj._ in a state of despair: hopeless: beyond hope: fearless of danger: rash: furious.--_adv._ DES'PERATELY.--_ns._ DES'PERATENESS, DESPER[=A]'TION, state of despair: disregard of danger: fury. [See DESPAIR.]

DESPICABLE, des'pi-ka-bl, _adj._ deserving to be despised: contemptible: worthless.--_ns._ DES'PICABLENESS, DESPICABIL'ITY.--_adv._ DES'PICABLY. [L. _despic[)e]re_, to despise.]

DESPIGHT, de-sp[=i]t', an old form of _despite_.

DESPISE, de-sp[=i]z', _v.t._ to look down upon with contempt: to scorn.--_adj._ DESPIS'ABLE.--_ns._ DESP[=I]'SAL, contempt; DESPIS'EDNESS (_Milt._); DESPIS'ER. [O. Fr. _despiz_, _despire_--L. _despic[)e]re_--_de_, down, _spec[)e]re_, to look.]

DESPITE, de-sp[=i]t', _n._ a looking down upon with contempt: violent malice or hatred.--_prep._ in spite of: notwithstanding.--_adj._ DESPITE'FUL.--_adv._ DESPITE'FULLY.--_n._ DESPITE'FULNESS.--_adj._ DESPIT'EOUS (_Spens._). [O. Fr. _despit_ (mod. _dépit_)--L. _despectus_--_despic[)e]re_.]

DESPOIL, de-spoil', _v.t._ to spoil completely: to strip: to bereave: to rob.--_ns._ DESPOIL'ER; DESPOLI[=A]'TION, DESPOIL'MENT. [O. Fr. _despoiller_ (mod. _dépouiller_)--L. _despoli[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and _spolium_, spoil.]

DESPOND, de-spond', _v.i._ to lose hope or courage: to despair.--_ns._ DESPOND'ENCE, DESPOND'ENCY, state of being without hope: dejection.--_adj._ DESPOND'ENT, desponding: without courage or hope: sad.--_advs._ DESPOND'ENTLY; DESPOND'INGLY. [L. _despond[=e]re_, to promise, to give up or devote to, to give up or resign, to lose courage, to despond--_de_, away, and _spond[=e]re_, to promise.]

DESPOT, des'pot, _n._ one invested with absolute power: a tyrant.--_n._ DES'POTAT, a territory governed by a despot.--_adjs._ DESPOT'IC, -AL, pertaining to or like a despot: having absolute power: tyrannical.--_adv._ DESPOT'ICALLY.--_ns._ DESPOT'ICALNESS, DES'POTISM, absolute power: tyranny; DESPOTOC'RACY, government by a despot. [O. Fr. _despot_--Low L. _despotus_--Gr. _despot[=e]s_, a master.]

DESPUMATE, de-sp[=u]'m[=a]t, or des'p[=u]-m[=a]t, _v.i._ to throw off in foam or scum.--_n._ DESPUM[=A]'TION. [L. _despum[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off, and _spuma_, foam.]

DESQUAMATE, des'kwa-m[=a]t, _v.i._ to scale off.--_n._ DESQUAM[=A]'TION, a scaling off: the separation of the cuticle or skin in scales.--_adjs._ DESQUAM'ATIVE, DESQUAM'ATORY. [L. _desquam[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off, and _squama_, a scale.]

DESSE, des, _n._ (_Spens._) a dais.

DESSERT, dez-[.e]rt', _n._ fruits, confections, &c., served at the close of an entertainment after the rest has been taken away.--_ns._ DESSERT'-SERV'ICE, the dishes used for dessert; DESSERT'-SPOON, a spoon smaller than a table-spoon and larger than a tea-spoon, used not so much for dessert as for pudding. [O. Fr. _dessert_, _desservir_, to clear the table--_des_, away, and _servir_, to serve--L. _serv[=i]re_.]

DESSIATINE, DESSYATINE, des'ya-tin, _n._ a Russian measure of land, 2.7 English acres. [Russ. _desyatina_, a measure of land, a tenth; _desyati_, ten.]

DESTEMPER. See DISTEMPER (1).

DESTINE, des'tin, _v.t._ to ordain or appoint to a certain use or state: to fix: to doom--also DES'TINATE (_obs._).--_ns._ DESTIN[=A]'TION, the purpose or end to which anything is destined or appointed: end: purpose: design: fate: place to which one is going; DES'TINY, the purpose or end to which any person or thing is destined or appointed: unavoidable fate: necessity. [Fr.,--L. _destin[=a]re_--_de_, inten., and root _sta-_, in _st[=a]re_, to stand.]

DESTITUTE, des'ti-t[=u]t, _adj._ left alone: forsaken: in want, needy--_v.t._ to forsake: to deprive.--_n._ DESTITU'TION, the state of being destitute: deprivation of office: poverty. [L. _destitu[)e]re_, _-[=u]tum_--_de_, away, and _statu[)e]re_, to place.]

DESTROY, de-stroy', _v.i._ to unbuild or pull down: to overturn: to ruin: to put an end to:--_pr.p._ destroy'ing:--_pa.p._ destroyed'.--_n._ DESTROY'ER. [O. Fr. _destruire_ (Fr. _détruire_)--L. _destru[)e]re_, _destructum_--_de_, down, and _stru[)e]re_, to build.]

DESTRUCTION, de-struk'shun, _n._ act of destroying: overthrow: physical or moral ruin: death: a destructive plague.--_adj._ DESTRUC'TIBLE, liable to be destroyed.--_ns._ DESTRUCTIBIL'ITY, DESTRUC'TIBLENESS.--_n._ DESTRUC'TIONIST, one engaged in destruction: one who believes in the final annihilation of the damned.--_adj._ DESTRUC'TIVE, causing destruction: mischievous: ruinous: deadly.--_adv._ DESTRUC'TIVELY.--_ns._ DESTRUC'TIVENESS; DESTRUC'TIVIST, a representative of destructive principles, as in Biblical criticism; DESTRUC'TOR, a destroyer: a furnace for burning up refuse.

DESUDATION, des-[=u]-d[=a]'shun, _n._ a violent sweating: an eruption of small pimples on children. [L. _desud[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, _de_, inten., and _sud[=a]re_, to sweat.]

DESUETUDE, des'we-t[=u]d, _n._ disuse: discontinuance of custom, habit, or practice. [L. _desuetudo_--_desu[=e]tum_, _desuesc[)e]re_--_de_, neg., and _suesc[)e]re_, to become used.]

DESULPHUR, de-sul'fur, _v.t._ to free of sulphur: to take sulphur out of the ore--also DESUL'PHUR[=A]TE, DESUL'PHURISE.--_n._ DESULPHUR[=A]'TION.

DESULTORY, des'ul-tor-i, _adj._ jumping from one thing to another: without rational or logical connection: rambling: hasty: loose.--_adv._ DES'ULTORILY.--_n._ DES'ULTORINESS. [L. _desultorius_, of or pertaining to a vaulter, inconstant, _desultor_, a vaulter, _desil[=i]re_, _-sultum_, to leap--_de_, from, and _sal[=i]re_, to jump.]

DETACH, de-tach', _v.t._ to unfasten: to take from or separate: to withdraw: to send off on special service.--_v.i._ to separate one's self.--_adj._ DETACH'ABLE.--_p.adj._ DETACHED', unconnected: separate: free from care, passion, ambition, and worldly bonds.--_adv._ DETACH'EDLY.--_ns._ DETACH'EDNESS; DETACH'MENT, state of being separated: that which is detached, as a body of troops. [Fr. _détacher_--_de_, neg., and root of _attach_.]

DETAIL, de-t[=a]l', _v.t._ to relate minutely: to enumerate: to set apart for a particular service.--_v.i._ to give details about anything.--_n._ (de-t[=a]l', or d[=e]'t[=a]l) a small part: an item: a particular account.--_adj._ DETAILED', giving full particulars: exhaustive.--IN DETAIL, circumstantially, point by point. [O. Fr. _detailler_--_de_, inten., and _tailler_, to cut. See TAILOR.]

DETAIN, de-t[=a]n', _v.t._ to hold from or back: to stop: to keep: to keep in custody.--_ns._ DETAIN'ER, one who detains: (_law_) the holding of what belongs to another: a warrant to a sheriff to keep in custody a person already in confinement: DETAIN'MENT (same as DETENTION). [O. Fr. _detenir_--L. _detin[=e]re_--_de_, from, and _ten[=e]re_, to hold.]

DETECT, de-tekt', _v.t._ (_lit._) to uncover--hence to discover: to find out.--_adjs._ DETECT'ABLE, DETECT'IBLE.--_ns._ DETECT'ER, -OR, one who detects: an apparatus for detecting something, as a detector-lock, which shows if it has been tampered with; DETEC'TION, discovery of something hidden: state of being found out.--_adj._ DETECT'IVE, employed in detecting.--_n._ a policeman employed in the investigation of special cases of crime, or in watching special classes of wrong-doers, usually not in uniform.--PRIVATE DETECTIVE, one employed by a private person to gain information, or to watch his interests. [L. _detectum_, _deteg[)e]re_--_de_, neg., and _teg[)e]re_, _tectum_, to cover.]

DETENTION, de-ten'shun, _n._ act of detaining: state of being detained: confinement: delay.--_n._ DETENT', something to check motion: a catch, esp. in a clock or watch. [See DETAIN.]

DETER, de-t[.e]r', _v.t._ to frighten from: to hinder or prevent:--_pr.p._ deter'ring; _pa.p._ deterred'.--_n._ DETER'MENT. [L. _deterr[=e]re_--_de_, from, _terr[=e]re_, to frighten.]

DETERGE, de-t[.e]rj', _v.t._ to wipe off; to cleanse (as a wound).--_ns._ DETERG'ENCE, DETERG'ENCY.--_adj._ DETERG'ENT, cleansing: purging.--_n._ that which cleanses. [L. _deterg[=e]re_, _detersum_--_de_, off, and _tergere_, to wipe.]

DETERIORATE, de-t[=e]'ri-o-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to make worse.--_v.i._ to grow worse.--_p.adj._ DET[=E]'RIORATED, spoilt: of inferior quality.--_n._ DETERIOR[=A]'TION, the act of making worse: the state of growing worse.--_adj._ DET[=E]'RIORATIVE.--_n._ DETERIOR'ITY (_obs._), worse state. [L. _deterior[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to make worse--_deterior_, worse--obs. _deter_, lower--_de_, down; cf. _inter-ior_.]

DETERMINE, d[=e]-t[.e]r'min, _v.t._ to put terms or bounds to: to limit: to fix or settle the form or character of: to influence; to put an end to: to define.--_v.i._ to come to a decision: to resolve.--_adj._ DETER'MINABLE, capable of being determined, decided, or finished.--_ns._ DETER'MINABLENESS, DETERMINABIL'ITY.--_adj._ DETER'MINANT, serving to determine.--_n._ that which serves to determine: in mathematical analysis, a symbolical method used for different processes, as for the solution of equations by inspection.--_adj._ DETER'MIN[=A]TE, determined or limited: fixed: decisive.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to determine.--_adv._ DETER'MIN[=A]TELY.--_n._ DETERMIN[=A]'TION, that which is determined or resolved on: end: direction to a certain end: resolution: fixedness of purpose: decision of character.--_adjs._ DETER'MIN[=A]TIVE, that determines, limits, or defines; DETER'MINED, firm in purpose: fixed: resolute.--_adv._ DETER'MINEDLY.--_n._ DETER'MINISM, the doctrine that all things, including the will, are determined by causes--the converse of free-will: necessitarianism.--_n._ DETER'MINIST.--_adj._ DETERMINIS'TIC. [Fr.,--L. _determin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, neg., and _terminus_, a boundary.]

DETERRENT, de-t[.e]r'ent, _adj._ serving to deter.--_n._ anything that deters or prevents. [See DETER.]

DETERSION, de-t[.e]r'shun, _n._ act of cleansing. [See DETERGE.]

DETERSIVE, de-t[.e]r'siv, _n._ Same as DETERGENT.

DETEST, de-test', _v.t._ to hate intensely.--_adj._ DETEST'ABLE, worthy of being detested: extremely hateful: abominable.--_n._ DETEST'ABLENESS.--_adv._ DETEST'ABLY.--_n._ DETEST[=A]'TION, extreme hatred. [Fr.,--L. _detest[=a]ri_--_de_, inten., and _test[=a]ri_, to call to witness, execrate--_testis_, a witness.]

DETHRONE, de-thr[=o]n', _v.t._ to remove from a throne.--_ns._ DETHRONE'MENT; DETHRONIS[=A]'TION.

DETONATE, det'o-n[=a]t, _v.i._ to explode.--_v.t._ to cause to explode.--_ns._ DETON[=A]'TION, an explosion with report; DET'ONATOR, a detonating substance: an apparatus for the explosion of a detonating substance, as a percussion-cap.--DETONATING POWDER, powder, such as the fulminates, which explodes easily by impact or heating, and which may be used to cause other substances to explode. [L. _deton[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, down, and _ton[=a]re_, to thunder.]

DETORT, de-tort', _v.t._ to distort.--_ns._ DETOR'SION, DETOR'TION. [L. _detorqu[=e]re_, _detortum_; _de_, away, and _torquere_, twist.]

DETOUR, de-t[=oo]r', _n._ a winding: a circuitous way. [Fr. _dé_, for L. _dis_, asunder, and _tour_, a turning.]

DETRACT, de-trakt', _v.t._ to take away, abate: to defame.--_v.i._ to take away reputation (with _from_): to reduce in degree: diminish.--_ns._ DETRACT'ER, -OR:--_fem._ DETRACT'RESS.--_adv._ DETRACT'INGLY.--_n._ DETRAC'TION, depreciation: slander.--_adjs._ DETRACT'IVE, DETRAC'TIOUS, DETRACT'ORY, tending to detract: derogatory. [L. _de_, from, and _trah[)e]re_, to draw.]

DETRAIN, de-tr[=a]n', _v.t._ to set down out of a railway train, as troops.--_v.i._ to come out of a train.

DETRIMENT, det'ri-ment, _n._ diminution: damage: loss.--_adj._ DETRIMENT'AL. [L. _detrimentum_--_de_, off, and _ter[)e]re_, _tritum_, to rub.]

DETRITUS, de-tr[=i]'tus, _n._ a mass of substance gradually rubbed or worn off solid bodies: an aggregate of broken or loosened fragments, esp. of rock.--_n._ DETRI'TION, a wearing away. [L.,--_de_, off, and _ter[)e]re_, _tritum_, to rub.]

DETRUDE, de-tr[=oo]d', _v.t._ to thrust down.--_n._ DETRU'SION. [L. _de_, down, and _trud[)e]re_, to thrust]

DETRUNCATE, de-trung'k[=a]t, _v.t._ to cut off from the trunk: to lop off: to shorten.--_n._ DETRUNC[=A]'TION. [L. _detrunc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off, _trunc[=a]re_, lop.]

DETUMESCENCE, d[=e]-t[=u]-mes'ens, _n._ diminution of swelling--opp. to _Intumescence_.

DEUCE, d[=u]s, _n._ a card or die with two spots: (_lawn tennis_) a term denoting that each side has gained three points ('forty all').--_n._ DEUCE'-ACE, a throw of two dice, one of which turns up deuce and the other ace. [Fr. _deux_, two--L. _duos_, accus. of _duo_, two.]

DEUCE, d[=u]s, _n._ the devil--in exclamatory phrases.--_adj._ DEUCED (d[=u]'sed, or d[=u]st), devilish: excessive.--_adv._ confoundedly.

DEUTEROCANONICAL, d[=u]'t[.e]r-o-ka-non'ik-al, _adj._ pertaining to a second canon of inferior authority--the O. T. Apocrypha and the N. T. Antilegomena. [Gr. _deuteros_, second, _kan[=o]n_, rule.]

DEUTEROGAMY, d[=u]-t[.e]r-og'a-mi, _n._ second marriage, esp. of the clergy, after the death of the first wife.--_n._ DEUTEROG'AMIST, one who allows such. [Gr. _deuteros_, second, _gamos_, marriage.]

DEUTERONOMY, d[=u]-t[.e]r-on'o-mi, or d[=u]'t[.e]r-on-o-mi, _n._ the fifth book of the Pentateuch, containing a repetition of the decalogue and laws given in Exodus.--_adjs._ DEUTERONOM'IC, -AL.--_ns._ DEUTERON'OMIST, DEU'TERO-IS[=A]'IAH, the assumed author of the later prophecies of Isaiah. [Gr. _deuteros_, second, _nomos_, law.]

DEUTEROSCOPY, d[=u]-t[.e]r-os'ko-pi, _n._ second-sight. [Gr. _deuteros_, second, _skopia_--_skopein_, to look.]

DEUTOPLASM, d[=u]'t[=o]-plasm, _n._ secondary, nutritive plasm, or food-yolk.--_adjs._ DEUTOPLAS'MIC, DEUTOPLAS'TIC.

DEUTOXIDE, d[=u]t-oks'[=i]d, _n._ an old name for a compound of two parts of oxygen with one of a base. [Gr. _deuteros_, second, and _oxide_.]

DEUTZIA, dewt'si-a, or doit'si-a, _n._ a genus of saxifragaceous plants with panicles of white flowers, introduced from China and Japan. [Named after _Deutz_, a Dutch naturalist.]

DEVALL, de-val', _v.i._ (_Scot._) to cease.--_n._ a stop.

DEVANAGARI, d[=a]-va-nä'ga-ri, _n._ the character in which Sanskrit is usually written and printed. [Sans. 'town-script of the gods,' a term app. coined by an Indian scholar.]

DEVAPORATION, d[=e]-vap-[=o]-r[=a]'shun, _n._ the change of vapour into water.

DEVASTATE, dev'as-t[=a]t, _v.t._ to lay waste: to plunder.--_ns._ DEVAST[=A]'TION, act of devastating: state of being devastated: havoc; DEVAST[=A]'VIT, a waste of the estate of a deceased person by the executor. [L. _devast[=a]re_, _[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., _vast[=a]re_, to lay waste.]