Chapter 404

To deflect from the line of truth and reason. Warburton.

Deflectable <Xpage=382>

De*flect"a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being deflected.

Deflected <Xpage=382>

De*flect"ed , a.

1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or course.

2. Bent downward; deflexed.

Deflection <Xpage=382>

De*flec"tion (?) , n. [L. deflexio , fr. deflectere : cf. F. d\'82flexion .]

1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation.

The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections . Lowth.

2. (Gunnery) The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course.

3. (Opt.) A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction.

4. (Engin.) The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.

Deflectionization <Xpage=382>

De*flec`tion*i*za"tion (?) , n. The act of freeing from inflections.

Earle.

Deflectionize <Xpage=382>

De*flec"tion*ize (?) , v. t. To free from inflections.

Deflectionized languages are said to be analytic. Earle.

Deflective <Xpage=382>

De*flect"ive (?) , a. Causing deflection.

Deflective forces , forces that cause a body to deviate from its course.

Deflector <Xpage=382>

De*flect"or (?) , n. (Mech.) That which deflects, as a diaphragm in a furnace, or a come in a lamp (to deflect and mingle air and gases and help combustion).

Deflexed <Xpage=382>

De*flexed" (?) , a. Bent abruptly downward.

Deflexion <Xpage=382>

De*flex"ion (?) , n. See Deflection .

Deflexure <Xpage=382>

De*flex"ure (?) , n. [From L. deflectere , deflexum . See Deflect .] A bending or turning aside; deflection.

Bailey.

Deflorate <Xpage=382>

De*flo"rate (?) , a. [LL. defloratus , p. p. of deflorare . See Deflour .] (Bot.) Past the flowering state; having shed its pollen.

Gray.

Defloration <Xpage=382>

Def`lo*ra"tion (?) , n. [LL. defloratio : cf. F. d\'82floration .]

1. The act of deflouring; as, the defloration if a virgin .

Johnson.

2. That which is chosen as the flower or choicest part; careful culling or selection. [R.]

The laws of Normandy are, in a great measure, the defloration of the English laws. Sir M. Hale.

Deflour <Xpage=382>

De*flour" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defloured (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflouring .] [F. d\'82florer , LL. deflorare ; L. de- + flos , floris , flower. See Flower , and cf. Deflorate .]

1. To deprive of flowers.

2. To take away the prime beauty and grace of; to rob of the choicest ornament.

He died innocent and before the sweetness of his soul was defloured and ravished from him. Jer. Taylor.

3. To deprive of virginity, as a woman; to violate; to ravish; also, to seduce.

Deflourer <Xpage=382>

De*flour"er (?) , n. One who deflours; a ravisher.

Deflow <Xpage=382>

De*flow" (?) , v. i. [Pref. de- + flow : cf. L. defluere .] To flow down. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Deflower <Xpage=382>

De*flow"er (?) , v. t. [Pref. de- + flower .] Same as Deflour .

An earthquake . . . deflowering the gardens. W. Montagu.

If a man had deflowered a virgin. Milton.

Deflowerer <Xpage=382>

De*flow"er*er (?) , n. See Deflourer .

Milton.

Defluous <Xpage=382>

Def"lu*ous (?) , a. [L. defluus , fr. defluere to flow down; de- + fluere to flow.] Flowing down; falling off. [Obs.]

Bailey.

Deflux <Xpage=382>

De*flux" (?) , n. [L. defluxus , fr. defluere , defluxum .] Downward flow. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Defluxion <Xpage=382>

De*flux"ion (?) , n. [L. defluxio .] (Med.) A discharge or flowing of humors or fluid matter, as from the nose in catarrh; -- sometimes used synonymously with inflammation .

Dunglison.

Defly <Xpage=382>

Def"ly (?) , adv. Deftly. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Def\'d2dation <Xpage=382>

Def`\'d2*da"tion (?) , n. Defedation. [Obs.]

Defoliate, Defoliated <Xpage=382>

De*fo"li*ate (?) , De*fo"li*a`ted (?) . a. Deprived of leaves, as by their natural fall.

Defoliation <Xpage=382>

De*fo`li*a"tion (?) , n. [LL. defoliare , defoliatum , to shed leaves; L. de- + folium leaf: cf. F. d\'82foliation .] The separation of ripened leaves from a branch or stem; the falling or shedding of the leaves.

Deforce <Xpage=382>

De*force" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deforced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deforcing .] [OF. deforcier ; de- or des- (L. de or dis- ) + forcier , F. forcer . See Force , v. ] (Law) (a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold. (b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty.

Burrill.

Deforcement <Xpage=382>

De*force"ment (?) , n. [OF.] (Law) (a) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right. (b) (Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the execution of law.

Burrill.

Deforceor <Xpage=382>

De*force"or (?) , n. Same as Deforciant . [Obs.]

Deforciant <Xpage=382>

De*for"ciant (?) , n. [OF. deforciant , p. pr. of deforcier . See Deforce .] (Eng. Law) (a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [Obs.]

Burrill.

Deforciation <Xpage=382>

De*for`ci*a"tion (?) , n. (Law) Same as Deforcement , n.

<page="383"> Page 383

Deforest <Xpage=383>

De*for"est (?) , v. t. To clear of forests; to dis<?/orest.

U. S. Agric. Reports.

Deform <Xpage=383>

De*form" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deformed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deforming .] [L. deformare ; de- + formare to form, shape, fr. forma : cf. F. d\'82former . See Form .]

1. To spoil the form of; to mar in form; to misshape; to disfigure.

Deformed , unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world. Shak.

2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness, grace, or perfection; to dishonor.

Above those passions that this world deform . Thomson.

Deform <Xpage=383>

De*form" , a. [L. deformis ; de- + forma form: cf. OF. deforme , F. difforme . Cf. Difform .] Deformed; misshapen; shapeless; horrid. [Obs.]

Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Dry-eyed behold? Milton.

Deformation <Xpage=383>

Def`or*ma"tion (?) , n. [L. deformatio : cf. F. d\'82formation .]

1. The act of deforming, or state of anything deformed.

Bp. Hall.

2. Transformation; change of shape.

Deformed <Xpage=383>

De*formed" (?) , a. Unnatural or distorted in form; having a deformity; misshapen; disfigured; as, a deformed person; a deformed head. -- De*form"ed*ly (#) , adv. -- De*form"ed*ness , n.

Deformer <Xpage=383>

De*form"er (?) , n. One who deforms.

Deformity <Xpage=383>

De*form"i*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Deformities (#) . [L. deformitas , fr. deformis : cf. OF. deformet\'82 , deformit\'82 , F. difformit\'82 . See Deform , v. & a. , and cf. Disformity .]

1. The state of being deformed; want of proper form or symmetry; any unnatural form or shape; distortion; irregularity of shape or features; ugliness.

To make an envious mountain on my back, Where sits deformity to mock my body. Shak.

2. Anything that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety; irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation from other or the established laws of propriety; as, deformity in an edifice; deformity of character.

Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look so near upon her foul deformities . Milton.

Deforser <Xpage=383>

De*fors"er (?) , n. [From Deforce .] [Written also deforsor .] A deforciant. [Obs.]

Blount.

Defoul <Xpage=383>

De*foul" (?) , v. t. [See Defile , v. t. ]

1. To tread down. [Obs.]

Wyclif.

2. To make foul; to defile. [Obs.]

Wyclif.

Defraud <Xpage=383>

De*fraud" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defrauded ; p. pr. & vb. n. Defrauding .] [L. defraudare ; de- + fraudare to cheat, fr. fraus , fraudis , fraud: cf. OF. defrauder . See Fraud .] To deprive of some right, interest, or property, by a deceitful device; to withhold from wrongfully; to injure by embezzlement; to cheat; to overreach; as, to defraud a servant, or a creditor, or the state ; -- with of before the thing taken or withheld.

We have defrauded no man. 2 Cor. vii. 2.

Churches seem injured and defrauded of their rights. Hooker.

Defraudation <Xpage=383>

De`frau*da"tion (?) , n. [L. defraudatio : cf. F. d\'82fraudation .] The act of defrauding; a taking by fraud. [R.]

Sir T. Browne.

Defrauder <Xpage=383>

De*fraud"er (?) , n. One who defrauds; a cheat; an embezzler; a peculator.

Defraudment <Xpage=383>

De*fraud"ment (?) , n. [Cf. OF. defraudement .] Privation by fraud; defrauding. [Obs.]

Milton.

Defray <Xpage=383>

De*fray" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defrayed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Defraying .] [F. d\'82frayer ; pref. d\'82- (L. de or dis- ) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum , fridum , expense, fine by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace, fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede . See Affray .]

1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc.

For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much. Usher.

2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to defray wrath . [Obs.]

Spenser.

Defrayal <Xpage=383>

De*fray"al (?) , n. The act of defraying; payment; as, the defrayal of necessary costs .

Defrayer <Xpage=383>

De*fray"er (?) , n. One who pays off expenses.

Defrayment <Xpage=383>

De*fray"ment (?) , n. Payment of charges.

Deft <Xpage=383>

Deft (?) , a. [OE. daft , deft , becoming, mild, gentle, stupid (cf. OE. daffe , deffe , fool, coward), AS. d\'91ft (in derivatives only) mild, gentle, fitting, seasonable; akin to dafen , gedafen , becoming, fit, Goth. gadaban to be fit. Cf. Daft , Daff , Dapper .] Apt; fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. [Archaic or Poetic] "The deftest way." Shak . " Deftest feats."

Gay.

The limping god, do deft at his new ministry. Dryden.

Let me be deft and debonair. Byron.

Deftly <Xpage=383>

Deft"ly , adv. [Cf. Defly .] Aptly; fitly; dexterously; neatly. " Deftly dancing."

Drayton.

Thyself and office deftly show. Shak.

Deftness <Xpage=383>

Deft"ness , n. The quality of being deft.

Drayton.

Defunct <Xpage=383>

De*funct" (?) . a. [L. defunctus , p. p. of defungi to acquit one's self of, to perform, finish, depart, die; de + fungi to perform, discharge: cf. F. d\'82funt . See Function .] Having finished the course of life; dead; deceased. " Defunct organs."

Shak.

The boar, defunct , lay tripped up, near. Byron.

Defunct <Xpage=383>

De*funct" , n. A dead person; one deceased.

Defunction <Xpage=383>

De*func"tion (?) , n. [L. defunctio performance, death.] Death. [Obs.]

After defunction of King Pharamond. Shak.

Defunctive <Xpage=383>

De*func"tive (?) , a. Funereal. [Obs.] " Defunctive music."

Shak.

Defuse <Xpage=383>

De*fuse" (?) , v. t. [Cf. Diffuse .] To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.]

Shak.

Defy <Xpage=383>

De*fy" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defied (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Defying .] [F. d\'82fier , OF. deffier , desfier , LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith , and cf. Diffident , Affiance .]

1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.]

I defy the surety and the bond. Chaucer.

For thee I have defied my constant mistress. Beau. & Fl.

2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.

I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. Milton.

I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary. Burke.

Defy <Xpage=383>

De*fy" (?) , n. A challenge. [Obs.]

Dryden.

Degarnish <Xpage=383>

De*gar"nish (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Degarnished (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Degarnishing .] [F. d\'82garnir ; pref. d\'82- , des- (L. dis- ) + garnir to furnish. See Garnish , and cf. Disgarnish .]

1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of furniture, ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to degarnish a house, etc. [R.]

2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary for defense; as, to degarnish a city or fort . [R.]

Washington.

Degarnishment <Xpage=383>

De*gar"nish*ment (?) , n. The act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a garrison. [R.]

Degender, Degener <Xpage=383>

De*gen"der (?) , De*gen"er (?) , v. i. [See Degenerate .] To degenerate. [Obs.] " Degendering to hate."

Spenser.

He degenereth into beastliness. Joye.

Degeneracy <Xpage=383>

De*gen"er*a*cy (?) , n. [From Degenerate , a. ]

1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse.

Willful degeneracy from goodness. Tillotson.

2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness.

Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery. Addison.

To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy . S. Clarke.

Degenerate <Xpage=383>

De*gen"er*ate (?) , a. [L. degeneratus , p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See Kin relationship.] Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low.

Faint-hearted and degenerate king. Shak.

A degenerate and degraded state. Milton.

Degenerate from their ancient blood. Swift.

These degenerate days. Pope.

I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? Jer. ii. 21.

Degenerate <Xpage=383>

De*gen"er*ate (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Degenerated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Degenerating .]

1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate.

When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. Tillotson.

2. (Biol.) To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a lower type.

Degenerately <Xpage=383>

De*gen"er*ate*ly (?) , adv. In a degenerate manner; unworthily.

Degenerateness <Xpage=383>

De*gen"er*ate*ness , n. Degeneracy.

Degeneration <Xpage=383>

De*gen`er*a"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. d\'82g\'82n\'82ration .]

1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse; decline; degradation; debasement; degeneracy; deterioration.

Our degeneration and apostasy. Bates.

2. (Physiol.) That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure; as, fatty degeneration of the liver .

3. (Biol.) A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.

4. The thing degenerated. [R.]

Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations . Sir T. Browne.

Amyloid degeneration , Caseous degeneration , etc. See under Amyloid , Caseous , etc.

Degenerationist <Xpage=383>