Part 84

DIAPLASIS, d[=i]-ap'la-sis, _n._ (_surg._) reduction, of a dislocation, &c.--_adj._ DIAPLAS'TIC. [Gr.]

DIAPNOIC, d[=i]-ap-n[=o]'ik, _adj._ producing slight perspiration--also DIAPNOT'IC--_n._ a mild diaphoretic.

DIAPOSITIVE, d[=i]-a-poz'i-tiv, _n._ a transparent photographic positive, such as a lantern slide.

DIAPYETIC, d[=i]-a-p[=i]-et'ik, _adj._ producing suppuration.--_n._ a medicine with this property.--_n._ DIAPY[=E]'SIS, suppuration. [Gr.]

DIARCHY, d[=i]'ar-ki, _n._ a form of government in which two persons are jointly vested with supreme power--less correctly D[=I]'NARCHY. [Formed from Gr. _di-_, two, _archein_, to rule.]

DIARRHOEA, DIARRHEA, d[=i]-a-r[=e]'a, _n._ a persistent purging or looseness of the bowels.--_adjs._ DIARRHOE'AL, DIARRHOE'IC, DIARRHOET'IC (also -RH[=E]'AL, -RH[=E]'IC, -RHET'IC). [Gr. _diarroia_--_dia_, through, and _rhein_, to flow.]

DIARTHROSIS, d[=i]-ar-thr[=o]'sis, _n._ the general name for all forms of articulation which admit of the motion of one bone upon another, free arthrosis--including _Enarthrosis_, _Ginglymus_, and _Cyclarthrosis_. [Gr.]

DIARY, d[=i]'a-ri, _n._ a daily record: a journal.--_adjs._ DI[=A]'RIAL, DI[=A]'RIAN.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ D[=I]'ARISE.--_n._ D[=I]'ARIST, one who keeps a diary. [L. _diarium_.]

DIASCORDIUM, d[=i]-a-skor'di-um, _n._ an electuary prepared with scordium or water-germander. [Gr. _dia_, through, and _skordion_.]

DIASKEUAST, d[=i]-as-kew'ast, _n._ a reviser: an interpolator.--_n._ DIASKEU'ASIS, reviewing. [Gr. _diaskeuazein_, to make ready--_dia_, through, _skeuos_, a tool.]

DIASPORA, d[=i]-as'por-a, _n._ dispersion, used collectively for the dispersed Jews after the Babylonian captivity, and also in the apostolic age for the Jews living outside of Palestine. [Gr. _dia_, through, _speirein_, to scatter.]

DIASPORE, d[=i]'a-sp[=o]r, _n._ a grayish, infusible hydrate of aluminium.

DIASTALTIC, d[=i]-a-stal'tik, _adj._ (_Greek mus._) dilated, extended: bold. [Gr., _diastellein_, to expand.]

DIASTASE, d[=i]'as-t[=a]s, _n._ a peculiar ferment developed during the germination of all seeds, which has the power of converting starch into dextrine and then into sugar.--_adj._ DIASTAT'IC--_adv._ DIASTAT'ICALLY. [Gr. _diastasis_, division--_dia_, through, _histanai_, _st[=e]nai_, to stand.]

DIASTASIS, d[=i]-as'ta-sis, _n._ (_surg._) separation of bones without fracture. [Gr.]

DIASTEMA, d[=i]-a-st[=e]'ma, _n._ a natural space between two consecutive teeth, or series of teeth.--_adj._ DIASTEMAT'IC. [Gr.]

DIASTOLE, d[=i]-as'to-l[=e], _n._ dilation of the heart, auricles, and arteries--opp. to _Systole_, or contraction of the same: the protracting of a short syllable, as before a pause.--_adj._ DIASTOL'IC. [Gr. _diastol[=e]_--_dia_, asunder, and _stellein_, to place.]

DIASTYLE, d[=i]'a-st[=i]l, _adj._ (_archit._) marked by wide intercolumniation. [Gr.]

DIATESSARON, d[=i]-a-tes'a-r[=o]n, _n._ a harmony of the four gospels, esp. the earliest, that of Tatian (prob. 110-180 A.D.): (_mus._) the interval of a fourth: an electuary of four ingredients. [Gr., for _dia tessar[=o]n_, through, or composed of four.]

DIATHERMAL, d[=i]-a-th[.e]r'mal, _adj._ letting heat through, permeable by radiating heat--also DIATHER'MANOUS, DIATHER'MOUS, DIATHER'MIC.--_ns._ DIATHER'MANCE, -CY. [Gr. _dia_, through, _thermos_, heat.]

DIATHESIS, d[=i]-ath'e-sis, _n._ a particular condition or habit of body, esp. one predisposing to certain diseases: a habit of mind.--_adj._ DIATHET'IC. [Gr.,--_dia_, asunder, _tithenai_, to place.]

DIATOM, d[=i]'a-tom, _n._ one of an order of microscopic unicellular algæ, of the _Diatomaceæ_.--_adj._ DIATOM[=A]'CEOUS.--_n._ DIAT'OMITE, diatomaceous earth. [Gr. _diatomos_--_dia_, through, _temnein_, to cut.]

DIATOMIC, d[=i]-a-tom'ik, _adj._ consisting of two atoms. [Gr. _di-_, _dis_, two, and _atom_.]

DIATOMOUS, d[=i]-at'[=o]-mus, _adj._ having crystals with one distinct diagonal cleavage.

DIATONIC, d[=i]-a-ton'ik, _adj._ proceeding by the tones and intervals of the natural scale in music.--_adv._ DIATON'ICALLY. [Gr.,--_dia_, through, _tonos_, tone.]

DIATRIBE, d[=i]'a-tr[=i]b, _n._ a continued discourse or disputation: an invective harangue.--_n._ D[=I]'ATR[=I]BIST, a writer or utterer of such. [Gr. _diatrib[=e]_--_dia_, through, _tribein_, to rub, wear away.]

DIB, dib, _v.i._ to dip, as in angling:--_pr.p._ dib'bing; _pa.p._ dibbed. [A form of _dab_.]

DIB, dib, _n._ one of the small bones of a sheep's leg: (_pl._) a children's game, played by throwing up such small bones or stones (DIB'-STONES) from the palm and catching them on the back of the hand--(_Scot._) _Chuckie-stanes_, or _Chucks_: (_slang_) money.

DIBASIC, d[=i]-b[=a]'sik, _adj._ having two bases: of acids, with two atoms of hydrogen replaceable by a base or bases. [Gr. _di-_, two, and _basic_.]

DIBBLE, dib'l, _n._ a pointed tool used for making holes to put seed or plants in--also DIBB'ER.--_v.t._ DIBB'LE, to plant with a dibble.--_v.i._ to make holes: to dip, as in angling.--_n._ DIBB'LER. [Freq. of _dib_, a form of _dab_.]

DIBRANCHIATA, d[=i]-brang-ki-[=a]'ta, _n._ one of the two orders of cephalopoda, having two gills.--_adj._ DIBRAN'CHIATE. [Gr._ di-_, two, _branchia_, gills.]

DICACITY, dik-as'i-ti, _n._ raillery, pert speech.--_adj._ DIC[=A]'CIOUS. [L. _dicax_, sarcastic.]

DICAST, DIKAST, d[=i]'kast, _n._ one of the 6000 Athenians annually chosen to act as judges.--_n._ DICAS'TERY, their court. [Gr. _dikast[=e]s_, _dik[=e]_, justice.]

DICATALECTIC, d[=i]-kat-a-lek'tik, _adj._ doubly catalectic, both at the middle and end of the verse. [Gr. _di-_, double. See CATALECTIC.]

DICE, _pl._ of DIE, 2 (q.v.).--_v.i._ to play with dice.

DICE-COAL, d[=i]s'-k[=o]l, _n._ a kind of coal which readily splits into cubical pieces.

DICENTRA, d[=i]-sen'tra, _n._ a genus of plants including the flower Bleeding-heart (_D. spectabilis_).--Also DIEL'YTRA. [Gr. _di-_, double, _kentron_, a point.]

DICEPHALOUS, d[=i]-sef'a-lus, _adj._ two-headed. [Gr. _dikephalos_--_di-_, double, _kephal[=e]_, a head.]

DICHASTASIS, d[=i]-kas'ta-sis, _n._ spontaneous subdivision.--_adj._ DICHAS'TIC. [Gr.]

DICHLAMYDEOUS, d[=i]-kla-mid'[=e]-us, _adj._ having both a calyx and a corolla.

DICHOGAMY, d[=i]-kog'a-mi, _n._ an arrangement for preventing the self-fertilisation of hermaphrodite flowers, the stamens and stigmas ripening at different times.--_adj._ DICHOG'AMOUS. [Gr. _dicha_, in two, _gamos_, marriage.]

DICHORD, d[=i]'kord, _n._ an ancient two-stringed lute.

DICHOTOMY, d[=i]-kot'o-mi, _n._ a division into two parts.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ DICHOT'OMISE.--_adj._ DICHOT'OMOUS.--_adv._ DICHOT'OMOUSLY. [Gr., from _dicha_, in two, and _temnein_, to cut.]

DICHROISM, d[=i]'kr[=o]-izm, _n._ the property of showing different colours when viewed in different directions exhibited by doubly refracting crystals.--_adjs._ DICHR[=O]'IC, DICHROIS'TIC.--_n._ D[=I]'CHROSCOPE, an instrument for testing the dichroism of crystals.--_adj._ DICHROSCOP'IC.

DICHROMATISM, d[=i]-kr[=o]'ma-tizm, _n._ (_zool._) the quality of presenting, in different individuals, two different colours or systems of colouration.--_adj._ DICHROMAT'IC.

DICHROMISM, d[=i]-kr[=o]'mizm, _n._ an inability to distinguish more than two of the primary colours.--_adj._ DICHR[=O]'MIC.

DICHT, diht, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to wipe.

DICK, dik, _n._ (_slang_) fine words, for _Dictionary_: for _Declaration_, as 'to take one's dick,' and prob. 'up to dick' = excellent, also properly.

DICKENS, dik'enz, _n._ the deuce, the devil, as in 'What the dickens.'--PLAY THE DICKENS WITH, to play the deuce with. [For _devil_, confused with _Dickon_ = Richard.]

DICKER, dik'[.e]r, _n._ (_Amer._) petty trade by barter, &c.--_v.i._ to haggle. [Prob. the obs. _dicker_, the number ten, esp. of hides or skins.]

DICKEY, DICKY, dik'i, _n._ a leathern apron for a gig, &c.: the driver's seat in a carriage: a seat for servants at the back of a carriage: a false shirt-front. [Perh. from _dick_, a prov. Eng. word for a leathern apron; Prob. Dut. _dek_, a cover.]

DICKY, DICKEY, dik'i, _n._ (_East Anglian_) an ass.--_n._ DICK'Y-BIRD, a small bird. [From _Dick_, familiar of Richard--like _Jack_, in jackass.]

DICLINIC, d[=i]-klin'ik, _adj._ (_crystal._) having two of the intersections of the axes oblique.--Also D[=I]'CLINATE, D[=I]'CLINOUS.

DICLINOUS, d[=i]'kli-nus, _adj._ having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers.--_n._ D[=I]'CLINISM. [Gr. _di-_, asunder, and _klin[=e]_, a bed.]

DICOCCOUS, d[=i]-kok'us, _adj._ (_bot._) formed of two cocci.

DICOELOUS, d[=i]-s[=e]'lus, _adj._ cupped or hollowed at both ends.

DICOTYLEDON, d[=i]-kot-i-l[=e]'don, _n._ a plant having two seed-lobes.--_adj._ DICOTYL[=E]'DONOUS. [Gr. _di-_, two, and _cotyledon_.]

DICROTIC, d[=i]-krot'ik, _adj._ double-beating--also D[=I]'CROTOUS.--_n._ D[=I]'CROTISM. [Gr., _di-_, two, _krotos_, beat.]

DICTATE, dik't[=a]t, _v.t._ to tell another what to say or write: to communicate with authority: to point out: to command--(_arch._ DICT).--_n._ an order, rule, or direction: impulse.--_ns._ DICT[=A]'TION, act, art, or practice of dictating: overbearing command; DICT[=A]'TOR, one invested for a time with absolute authority--originally an extraordinary Roman magistrate:--_fem._ DICT[=A]'TRESS, DICT[=A]TRIX.--_adj._ DICTAT[=O]'RIAL, like a dictator: absolute: authoritative.--_adv._ DICTAT[=O]'RIALLY.--_ns._ DICT[=A]'TORSHIP, DIC'TATURE.--_adj._ DIC'TATORY. [L. _dict[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_dic[)e]re_, to say.]

DICTION, dik'shun, _n._ a saying or speaking: manner of speaking or expressing: choice of words: style. [L., from _dic[)e]re_, _dictum_, to say.]

DICTIONARY, dik'shun-a-ri, _n._ a book containing the words of a language alphabetically arranged, with their meanings, etymology, &c.: a lexicon: a work containing information on any department of knowledge, alphabetically arranged. [Low L. _dictionarium_. See DICTION.]

DICTUM, dik'tum, _n._ something said: a saying: an authoritative saying:--_pl._ DIC'TA. [L.]

DICTYOGEN, dik'ti-o-jen, _n._ a plant with net-veined leaves. [Gr. _diktyon_, a net; _-gen[=e]s_, producing.]

DICYNODONT, di-sin'o-dont, _n._ an extinct reptile, allied to tortoises on one hand and mammals on the other. [Formed from Gr. _di-_, two, _cy[=o]n_, dog, and _odous_, _odontos_, tooth.]

DID, did, DIDST, didst, _pa.t._ of DO.

DIDACHE, did'a-k[=e], _n._ the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (see under APOSTLE). [Gr., 'teaching.']

DIDACTIC, -AL, di-dak'tik, -al, _adj._ fitted or intended to teach: instructive: perceptive.--_adv._ DIDAC'TICALLY.--_n._ DIDAC'TICISM.--_n.pl._ DIDACTICS, the art or science of teaching. [Gr. _didaktikos_--_didaskein_, to teach; akin to L. _doc-[=e]re_, _disc-[)e]re_.]

DIDACTYL, d[=i]-dak'til, _adj._ having only two digits--also DIDAC'TYLOUS.--_n._ DIDAC'TYL, an animal with two toes only on each foot.

DIDAPPER, did'ap-[.e]r, _n._ a water-bird that is constantly dipping or diving under water--also called the _Dabchick_. [A compound of _dive_ and _dapper_ (which is a variant of _dipper_). See DIP and DIVE.]

DIDASCALIC, did-as-kal'ik, _adj._ didactic.

DIDDER, did'[.e]r, _v.i._ (_prov._) to shake.

DIDDLE, did'l, _v.t._ to cajole, swindle.--_n._ DIDD'LER.

DIDECAHEDRAL, d[=i]-dek-a-h[=e]'dral, _adj._ (_crystal._), having five planes on each extremity.

DIDELPHIA, d[=i]-del'fi-a, _n.pl._ the marsupialia, or marsupial implacental mammals, one of the three sub-classes of Mammalia.--_adjs._ DIDEL'PHIAN, DIDEL'PHIC. [Gr. _di-_, double, _delphys_, womb.]

DIDO, d[=i]'d[=o], _n._ (_slang_) an antic caper.--CUT UP DIDOES, to behave in an extravagant way.

DIDODECAHEDRAL, d[=i]-do-dek-a-h[=e]'dral, _adj._ of a six-sided-prism, truncated on the lateral edges, and acuminated on the extremities with six planes.

DIDRACHMA, d[=i]-drak'ma, _n._ a double drachma.

DIDUCTION, d[=i]-duk'shun, _n._ separation by withdrawing one part from the other.

DIDUNCULUS, di-dung'k[=u]-lus, _n._ a remarkable genus of pigeons--the tooth-billed pigeon of Samoa.

DIDYMIUM, d[=i]-dim'i-um, _n._ a supposed element discovered in 1841, so named from being, as it were, _twin_ brother of lanthamum.

DIDYMOUS, did'i-mus, _adj._ twin.

DIDYNAMIA, did-i-n[=a]'mi-a, _n._ a class of plants in the Linnæan system having in the flower four stamens in pairs of unequal length.--_adjs._ DIDYN[=A]'MIAN, DIDYN'AMOUS. [Gr. _di-_, double, _dynamis_, strength.]

DIE, d[=i], _v.i._ to lose life: to perish: to wither: to languish: to become insensible:--_pr.p._ dy'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ died (d[=i]d).--_adj._ DIE'-AWAY', languishing.--DIE AWAY, to disappear by degrees, become gradually inaudible; DIE GAME, to keep up one's spirit to the last; DIE HARD, to struggle hard against death, to be long in dying; DIE OFF, to die quickly or in large numbers; DIE OUT, to become extinct, to disappear. [From a Scand. root seen in Ice. _deyja_, Dan. _d[ö]e_, Scot. _dee_; akin to Mid. High Ger. _touwen_, whence Ger. _tod_, _todt_. The A.S. word is _steorfan_, whence our _starve_.]

DIE, d[=i], _n._ a small cube used in gaming by being thrown from a box: any small cubical body: hazard:--_pl._ DICE (d[=i]s).--_n._ DICE'-BOX.--_adj._ DICED, ornamented with square or diamond-shaped figures.--_ns._ DICE'-PLAY; DICE'-PLAY'ER, D[=I]'CER; D[=I]'CING-HOUSE.--THE DIE IS CAST, the question is decided. [O. Fr. _det_, pl. _dez_ (Prov. _dat_, It. _dado_), from Low L. _dadus_--L. _d[=a]tus_, given or cast (_talus_, a piece of bone used in play, being understood). Doublets, _dado_, _date_.]

DIE, d[=i], _n._ a stamp for impressing coin, &c.: the cubical part of a pedestal:--_pl._ DIES (d[=i]z).--_ns._ DIE'-SINK'ER; DIE'-SINK'ING, the engraving of dies; DIE'-STOCK, a contrivance for holding the dies used in screw-cutting; DIE'-WORK, ornamentation of a metal surface by impressions with a die. [See above.]

DIEB, d[=e]b, _n._ a jackal of northern Africa.

DIEGESIS, d[=i]-e-j[=e]'sis, _n._ (_rhet._) in an oration, the narration of the facts. [Gr.]

DIELECTRIC, d[=i]-e-lek'trik, _adj._ non-conducting: transmitting electric effects without conducting.--_n._ a substance through which electric force acts. [Gr. _dia_, through, and _electric_.]

DIELYTRA, d[=i]-el'i-tra, _n._ an erroneous name for _dicentra_.

DIESIS, d[=i]'e-sis, _n._ (_mus._) the difference in tone between a major and a minor semitone: (_print._) the double dagger (++).

DIES IRÆ, d[=i]'[=e]z [=i]'r[=e], _n._ the name given (from the opening words) to a famous hymn on the last judgment (_c._ 1250 A.D.). [L., 'day of wrath.']

DIES NON, d[=i]'[=e]z non, a day on which law courts may not be held. [From L. _dies non juridicus_, same as _dies nefastus_, an unlawful day.]

DIET, d[=i]'et, _n._ mode of living, with especial reference to food: food prescribed by a physician: allowance of provisions.--_v.t._ to furnish with food.--_v.i._ to eat: to take food according to rule.--_n._ DIET[=A]'RIAN, one who observes prescribed rules for diet.--_adj._ D[=I]'ETARY, pertaining to diet or the rules of diet.--_n._ course of diet: allowance of food, esp. in large institutions.--_ns._ D[=I]'ET-DRINK, medicated liquor; D[=I]'ETER (_Shak._), one who diets or prepares food by rule.--_adjs._ DIETET'IC, -AL, pertaining to diet.--_adv._ DIETET'ICALLY.--_ns._ DIETET'ICS, rules for regulating diet; DIETET'IST, one who lays stress on diet; D[=I]'ETIST, an authority on diet. [Fr. _diète_--Low L. _diæta_--Gr. _diaita_, mode of living, diet.]

DIET, d[=i]'et, _n._ an assembly of princes and delegates, the chief national council in several countries in Europe: (_Scots law_) the proceedings under a criminal libel: a clerical or ecclesiastical function in Scotland, a _diet of worship_.--_n._ D[=I]'ETINE, a minor or local diet.--DESERT THE DIET, to abandon criminal proceedings under a particular libel--in Scotch usage. [O. Fr. _diete_--Low L. _diæta_--Gr. _diaita_; or acc. to Littré, from L. _dies_, a (set) day, with which usage cf. Ger. _tag_, a day, _reichstag_.]

DIFFARREATION, di-far-[=e]-[=a]'shun, _n._ the parting of a cake of spelt--a ceremony at a Roman divorce. [L.]

DIFFER, dif'[.e]r, _v.i._ to be unlike, distinct, or various (used by itself, or followed by _with_, _from_, _to_): to disagree (with _from_, _with_): to fall out, dispute (_with_):--_pr.p._ diff'ering; _pa.p._ diff'ered.--_ns._ DIFF'ERENCE, DIFF'ERENCY (_Shak._), dissimilarity: the quality distinguishing one thing from another: a contention or quarrel: the point in dispute: the excess of one quantity or number over another: (_her._) the modification of an achievement of arms to indicate the wearer's relation to the head of the house, as by marks of cadency.--_v.t._ to make a difference between things.--_adj._ DIFF'ERENT, distinct: separate: unlike: not the same (with _from_, not _to_).--_n._ DIFFEREN'TIA (_logic_), the characteristic quality or attribute of a species.--_adj._ DIFFEREN'TIAL, creating a difference: special: (_math._) pertaining to a quantity or difference infinitely small (see CALCULUS).--_adv._ DIFFEREN'TIALLY.--_v.t._ DIFFEREN'TI[=A]TE, to make different: to create a difference between: to classify as different.--_v.i._ to become different by specialisation: (_math._) to obtain the differential or differential coefficient of.--_n._ DIFFERENTI[=A]'TION, the act of distinguishing or describing a thing by giving its differentia: exact definition: a change by which organs or structures become specialised or modified: (_math._) the act or process of differentiating.--_adv._ DIFF'ERENTLY.--DIFFERENTIAL GEAR, gear for communicating differential motion; DIFFERENTIAL MOTION, an apparatus by which the difference of two velocities is communicated, as in the DIFFERENTIAL SCREW, a combination of male and female screws; DIFFERENTIAL THERMOMETER, a thermometer for marking minute differences of temperature. [L. _differre_--_dif_ (= _dis_), apart, _ferre_, to bear.]

DIFFICULT, dif'i-kult, _adj._ not easy: hard to be done: requiring labour and pains: hard to please: not easily persuaded.--_adv._ DIFF'ICULTLY.--_n._ DIFF'ICULTY, laboriousness: obstacle: objection: that which cannot be easily understood or believed: embarrassment of affairs: a quarrel. [The adj. was formed from _difficulty_, in place of the old form _difficile_. Fr. _difficulté_--L. _difficultas_ = _difficilitas_--_difficilis_--_dif_ (= _dis_), neg., and _facilis_, easy.]

DIFFIDENT, dif'i-dent, _adj._ wanting faith in: distrustful of one's self: modest: bashful.--_n._ DIFF'IDENCE, want of confidence: want of self-reliance: modesty: bashfulness.--_adv._ DIFF'IDENTLY. [L., pr.p. of _diffid[)e]re_, to distrust--_dif_ (= _dis_), neg., _f[=i]d[)e]re_, to trust--_f[)i]des_, faith.]

DIFFLUENT, dif'loo-ent, _adj._ tending to flow away readily.

DIFFORM, dif'orm, _adj._ not uniform, irregular in form.--_n._ DIFFOR'MITY.

DIFFRACT, dif-frakt', _v.t._ to break or separate into parts, as rays of light.--_n._ DIFFRAC'TION, a name for certain phenomena connected with light passing through a narrow opening or by the edge of an opaque body: the spreading of the rays, with interference phenomena, coloured and other.--_adj._ DIFFRAC'TIVE.--_n._ DIFFRANGIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ DIFFRAN'GIBLE. [L. _diffring[)e]re_, _diffractum_--_dis_, asunder, _frang[)e]re_, to break.]

DIFFUSE, dif-[=u]z', _v.t._ to pour out all round: to send out in all directions: to scatter: to circulate: to publish.--_v.i._ to spread, as a liquid does.--_pa.p._ and _adj._ DIFFUSED', spread widely: loose.--_adv._ DIFFUS'EDLY.--_ns._ DIFFUS'EDNESS; DIFFUS'ER; DIFFUSIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ DIFFUS'IBLE, that may be diffused.--_ns._ DIFF[=U]'SION, a spreading or scattering abroad: extension: distribution: in the case of gases or liquids in contact, mixture through each other; DIFF[=U]'SION-TUBE, an instrument for determining the rate of diffusion for different gases.--_adj._ DIFFUS'IVE, extending: spreading widely.--_adv._ DIFFUS'IVELY.--_n._ DIFFUS'IVENESS. [L. _diffund[)e]re_, _diff[=u]sum_--_dif_ (= _dis_), asunder, _fund[)e]re_, to pour out.]

DIFFUSE, dif-[=u]s', _adj._ diffused: widely spread: wordy: not concise.--_adv._ DIFFUSE'LY.--_n._ DIFFUSE'NESS.

DIG, dig, _v.t._ to excavate: to turn up the earth: to cultivate with a spade: to poke or thrust, as one's elbow into another's side, or spurs into a horse.--_v.i._ to till the ground; to occupy one's self in digging; (_U.S. slang_) to study hard:--_pr.p._ dig'ging; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ dug, (_B._) digged.--_n._ a thrust, a poke: (_U.S. slang_) a hard student.--_adj._ DIG'GABLE, that may be dug.--_n._ DIG'GER, a person or animal that digs: a machine for digging, as a _steam-digger_.--_n.pl._ DIG'GINGS, places where mining is carried on, esp. for gold: (_slang_, orig. American) lodgings, rooms.--DIG IN, to cover over by digging: to work hard; DIG OUT (_U.S. slang_), to decamp.--DIGGER INDIANS, degraded Indian tribes of California and Nevada, who live by digging roots. [Prob. O. Fr. _diguer_, to dig; of Teut. origin.]

DIGAMMA, d[=i]-gam'ma, _n._ an obsolete letter of the Greek alphabet, having the force of our W. [So called from its form ([Digamma]), like one capital [Gamma] (gamma) placed over another.]

DIGAMY, dig'a-mi, _n._ a second marriage.--_n._ DIG'AMIST.--_adj._ DIG'AMOUS (_bot._), androgynous. [Gr. _dis_, twice, and _gamos_, marriage.]

DIGASTRIC, d[=i]-gas'trik, _adj._ double-bellied, or fleshy at each end, as is one of the muscles of the lower jaw. [Gr. _di-_, double, _gast[=e]r_, the belly.]

DIGENESIS, d[=i]-jen'e-sis, _n._ reproduction by two methods, a sexual followed by an assexual.--_adj._ DIGENET'IC.

DIGEST, di-jest', _v.t._ to dissolve food in the stomach: to soften by heat and moisture: to distribute and arrange: to prepare or classify in the mind: to think over.--_v.i._ to be dissolved in the stomach: to be softened by heat and moisture.--_adv._ DIGEST'EDLY.--_n._ DIGEST'ER, one who digests: a close vessel in which by heat and pressure strong extracts are made from animal and vegetable substances.--_n._ DIGESTIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ DIGEST'IBLE, that may be digested.--_n._ DIGES'TION, the dissolving of the food in the stomach: orderly arrangement: exposing to slow heat, &c.--_adj._ DIGEST'IVE, pertaining to digestion: promoting digestion.--_adv._ DIGEST'IVELY. [L. _diger[)e]re_, _digestum_, to carry asunder or dissolve--_di_ (= _dis_), asunder, and _ger[)e]re_, to bear.]

DIGEST, d[=i]'jest, _n._ a body of laws collected and arranged, esp. the Justinian code of civil laws. [L. _digesta_, neut. pl. of _digestus_, pa.p. of _diger[)e]re_, to carry apart, to arrange.]

DIGHT, d[=i]t, _adj._ disposed, adorned.--_adv._ finely.--Also DIGHT'LY. [A.S. _dihtan_, to arrange, prescribe, from L. _dict[=a]re_, to dictate, whence Ger. _dichten_, to write poetry, and the Scotch verb _dight_, to dress, used of stones, flour, &c.]

DIGIT, dij'it, _n._ a finger's breadth or ¾ inch: from the habit of counting on the fingers, any one of the nine numbers: the twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon.--_adj._ DIG'ITAL, pertaining to the fingers.--_n._ finger: a key of a piano, &c.--_ns._ DIGIT[=A]'LIA, DIG'ITALINE, DIG'ITALIN, the active principles of digitalis; DIGIT[=A]'LIS, a genus of plants, including the foxglove; DIGIT[=A]'RIA, a genus of grasses with digitate spikes.--_adjs._ DIGITATE, -D, consisting of several finger-like sections.--_adv._ DIG'ITATELY.--_n._ DIGIT[=A]'TION, finger-like arrangement: a finger-like process.--_adj._ DIGIT'IFORM, formed like fingers; DIG'ITIGRADE, walking on the toes.--_n._ an animal that walks on its toes, as the lion--opp. to _Plantigrade_.--_ns._ DIG'ITIGRADISM; DIGIT[=O]'RIUM, a small portable instrument used for making the fingers flexible for piano-playing. [L. _digitus_, a finger or toe, akin to Gr. _daktylos_.]

DIGLYPH, d[=i]'glif, _n._ (_archit._) an ornament consisting of a double groove.