Chapter 397

De*cid`u*a"ta (?) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) A group of Mammalia in which a decidua is thrown off with, or after, the fetus, as in the human species.

Deciduate <Xpage=376>

De*cid"u*ate (?; 135) , a. (Anat.) Possessed of, or characterized by, a decidua.

Deciduity <Xpage=376>

Dec`i*du"i*ty (?) , n. Deciduousness. [R.]

Deciduous <Xpage=376>

De*cid"u*ous (?; 135) , a. [L. deciduus , fr. dec<?/dere to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance .] (Biol.) Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

Deciduousness <Xpage=376>

De*cid"u*ous*ness , n. The quality or state of being deciduous.

Decigram, Decigramme <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*gram , Dec"i*gramme (?) , n. [F. d\'82cigramme ; pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus ) + gramme .] A weight in the metric system; one tenth of a gram, equal to 1.5432 grains avoirdupois.

Decil, Decile <Xpage=376>

Dec"il , Dec"ile (?) , n. [F. d\'82cil , fr. L. decem ten<?/ cf. It. decile .] (Astrol.) An aspect or position of two planets, when they are distant from each other a tenth part of the zodiac, or 36&deg;.

Deciliter, Decilitre <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*li`ter , Dec"i*li`tre (?) , n. [F. d\'82cilitre ; pref. d\'82ci- tenth (L. decimus ) + litre . See Liter .] A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.

Decillion <Xpage=376>

De*cil"lion (?) , n. [L. decem ten + the ending of million .] According to the English notation, a million involved to the tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [See the Note under Numeration .]

Decillionth <Xpage=376>

De*cil"lionth (?) , a. Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity divided by a decillion.

Decillionth <Xpage=376>

De*cil"lionth (?) , n. (a) The quotient of unity divided by a decillion. (b) One of a decillion equal parts.

Decimal <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mal (?) , a. [F. d\'82cimal (cf. LL. decimalis ), fr. L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See Ten , and cf. Dime .] Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage.

Decimal arithmetic , the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens. -- Decimal fraction , a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as <?/, <?/, and is usually not expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as <?/2, <?/25. -- Decimal point , a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

Decimal <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mal , n. A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction.

Circulating , &or; Circulatory , decimal , a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; -- called also recurring decimal , repeating decimal , and repetend .

Decimalism <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mal*ism (?) , n. The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures, etc.

Decimalize <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mal*ize (?) , v. t. To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the currency . -- Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion (#) , n.

Decimally <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mal*ly , adv. By tens; by means of decimals.

Decimate <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*mate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Decimated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating (?) .] [L. decimatus , p. p. of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See Decimal .]

1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe.

Johnson.

2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny .

Macaulay.

3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.

Decimation <Xpage=376>

Dec`i*ma"tion (?) , n. [L. decimatio : cf. F. d\'82cimation .]

1. A tithing. [Obs.]

State Trials (1630).

2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment.

Shak.

3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war.

Milman.

Decimator <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*ma`tor (?) , n. [Cf. LL. decimator .] One who decimates.

South.

D\'82cime <Xpage=376>

D\'82`cime" (?) , n. [F.] A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.

Decimeter, Decimetre <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*me`ter , Dec"i*me`tre (?) , n. [F. d\'82cim\'8atre ; pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus ) + m\'8atre . See Meter .] A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937 inches.

Decimosexto <Xpage=376>

Dec`i*mo*sex"to (?) , n. [Prop., in sixteenth; fr. L. decimus tenth + sextus sixth.] A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of book; -- usually written 16mo or 16&deg;.

Decimosexto <Xpage=376>

Dec`i*mo*sex"to , a. Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book, leaf, size .

Decine <Xpage=376>

De"cine (?; 104) , n. [From L. decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15 , of the acetylene series; -- called also decenylene .

Decipher <Xpage=376>

De*ci"pher (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deciphered (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciphering .] [Pref. de- + cipher . Formed in imitation of F. d\'82chiffrer . See Cipher .]

1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters .

2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.]

You are both deciphered , . . . For villains. Shak.

Decipherable <Xpage=376>

De*ci"pher*a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not decipherable .

Decipherer <Xpage=376>

De*ci"pher*er (?) , n. One who deciphers.

Decipheress <Xpage=376>

De*ci"pher*ess (?) , n. A woman who deciphers.

Decipherment <Xpage=376>

De*ci"pher*ment (?) , n. The act of deciphering.

Decipiency <Xpage=376>

De*cip"i*en*cy (?) , n. [L. decipiens , p. pr. of decipere . See Deceive .] State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Decipium <Xpage=376>

De*cip"i*um (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. decipere to deceive.] (Chem.) A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium, yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently called samarium . Symbol Dp. See Samarium .

Decision <Xpage=376>

De*ci"sion (?) , n. [L. decisio , fr. dec\'c6dere , decisum : cf. F. d\'82cision . See Decide .]

1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [Obs.]

Bp. Pearson.

2. The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement; conclusion.

The decision of some dispute. Atterbury.

3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the Supreme Court.

4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision .

Syn. -- Decision , Determination , Resolution . Each of these words has two meanings, one implying the act of deciding, determining, or resolving; and the other a habit of mind as to doing. It is in the last sense that the words are here compared. Decision is a cutting short . It implies that several courses of action have been presented to the mind, and that the choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore, a union of promptitude and energy. Determination is the natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of a thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is the necessary result in a mind which is characterized by firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves) all doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in carrying out one's determinations. Martin Luther was equally distinguished for his prompt decision , his steadfast determination , and his inflexible resolution .

Decisive <Xpage=376>

De*ci*sive (?) , a. [Cf. F. d\'82cisif . See Decision .]

1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive , irrevocable doom." Bates . " Decisive campaign." Macaulay . " Decisive proof."

Hallam.

2. Marked by promptness and decision.

A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character. J. Foster.

Syn. -- Decided; positive; conclusive. See Decided .

-- De*ci"sive*ly , adv. -- De*ci"sive*ness , n.

Decisory <Xpage=376>

De*ci"so*ry (?) , a. [Cf. F. d\'82cisoire . See Decision .] Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide. [R.]

Decistere <Xpage=376>

Dec"i*stere (?) , n. [F. d\'82cist\'8are ; pref. d\'82ci- tenth (fr. L. decimus ) + st\'8are a stere.] (Metric System) The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere .

Decitizenize <Xpage=376>

De*cit"i*zen*ize (?) , v. t. To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.]

We have no law -- as the French have -- to decitizenize a citizen. Edw. Bates.

Decivilize <Xpage=376>

De*civ"i*lize (?) , v. t. To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [R.]

Blackwood's Mag.

Deck <Xpage=376>

Deck (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Decked (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Decking .] [D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch . See Thatch .]

1. To cover; to overspread.

To deck with clouds the uncolored sky. Milton.

2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to embellish.

Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency. Job xl. 10.

And deck my body in gay ornaments. Shak.

The dew with spangles decked the ground. Dryden.

3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel.

Deck <Xpage=376>

Deck , n. [D. dek . See Deck , v. ]

1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks.

&hand; The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one.

Berth deck (Navy) , a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. -- Boiler deck (River Steamers) , the deck on which the boilers are placed. -- Flush deck , any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. -- Gun deck (Navy) , a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck , the lower, the lower gun deck ; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck . -- Half-deck , that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. -- Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.) , the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. -- Orlop deck , the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. -- Poop deck , the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. -- Quarter-deck , the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. -- Spar deck . (a) Same as the upper deck. (b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck. -- Upper deck , the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.

2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.

4. A pack or set of playing cards.

The king was slyly fingered from the deck . Shak.

5. A heap or store. [Obs.]

Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck . Massinger.

Between decks . See under Between . -- Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering) , a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge , which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders. -- Deck curb (Arch.) , a curb supporting a deck in roof construction. -- Deck floor (Arch.) , a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony. -- Deck hand , a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft. -- Deck molding (Arch.) , the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof. -- Deck roof (Arch.) , a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls. -- Deck transom (Shipbuilding) , the transom into which the deck is framed. -- To clear the decks (Naut.) , to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action. -- To sweep the deck (Card Playing) , to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them.

Deckel <Xpage=376>

Deck"el (?) , n. (Paper Making) Same as Deckle .

Decker <Xpage=376>

Deck"er (?) , n.

1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a coverer; as, a table decker .

2. A vessel which has a deck or decks; -- used esp. in composition; as, a single- decker ; a three- decker .

Deckle <Xpage=376>

Dec"kle (?) , n. [Cf. G. deckel cover, lid.] (Paper Making) A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine and determines the width of the paper. [Spelt also deckel , and deckle .]

Declaim <Xpage=376>

De*claim" (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Declaimed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Declaiming .] [L. declamare ; de- + clamare to cry out: cf. F. d\'82clamer . See Claim .]

1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration; to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public speaking; as, the students declaim twice a week .

2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant.

Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the repeal of the stamp act. Bancroft.

<page="377"> Page 377

Declaim <Xpage=377>

De*claim" (?) , v. t.

1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical or set manner.

2. To defend by declamation; to advocate loudly. [Obs.] " Declaims his cause."

South.

Declaimant <Xpage=377>

De*claim"ant (?) , n. A declaimer. [R.]

Declaimer <Xpage=377>

De*claim"er (?) , n. One who declaims; an haranguer.

Declamation <Xpage=377>

Dec`la*ma"tion (?) , n. [L. declamatio , from declamare : cf. F. d\'82clamation . See Declaim .]

1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students .

The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation . Macaulay.

2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.

3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense; as, mere declamation .

Declamator <Xpage=377>

Dec"la*ma`tor (?) , n. [L.] A declaimer. [R.]

Sir T. Elyot.

Declamatory <Xpage=377>

De*clam"a*to*ry (?) , a. [L. declamatorius : cf. F. d\'82clamatoire .]

1. Pertaining to declamation; treated in the manner of a rhetorician; as, a declamatory theme .

2. Characterized by rhetorical display; pretentiously rhetorical; without solid sense or argument; bombastic; noisy; as, a declamatory way or style .

Declarable <Xpage=377>

De*clar"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being declared.

Sir T. Browne.

Declarant <Xpage=377>

De*clar"ant (?) , n. [Cf. F. d\'82clarant , p. pr. of d\'82clarer .] (Law) One who declares.

Abbott.

Declaration <Xpage=377>

Dec`la*ra"tion (?) , n. [F. d\'82claration , fr. L. declaratio , fr. declarare . See Declare .]

1. The act of declaring, or publicly announcing; explicit asserting; undisguised token of a ground or side taken on any subject; proclamation; exposition; as, the declaration of an opinion; a declaration of war, etc.

2. That which is declared or proclaimed; announcement; distinct statement; formal expression; avowal.

Declarations of mercy and love . . . in the Gospel. Tillotson.

3. The document or instrument containing such statement or proclamation; as, the Declaration of Independence (now preserved in Washington) .

In 1776 the Americans laid before Europe that noble Declaration , which ought to be hung up in the nursery of every king, and blazoned on the porch of every royal palace. Buckle.