Chapter 407

2. One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation from Massachusetts ; a deputation.

3. (Rom. Law) A kind of novation by which a debtor, to be liberated from his creditor, gives him a third person, who becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor, or to the person appointed by him.

Pothier.

Delegatory <Xpage=385>

Del"e*ga*to*ry (?) , a. [L. delegatorius pert. to an assignment.] Holding a delegated position.

Nash.

Delenda <Xpage=385>

De*len"da (?) , n. pl. [L., fr. delere to destroy.] Things to be erased or blotted out.

Delenifical <Xpage=385>

Del`e*nif"ic*al (?) , a. [L. delenificus ; delenire to soothe + facere to make. See Lenient .] Assuaging pain. [Obs.]

Bailey.

Delete <Xpage=385>

De*lete" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deleted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deleting .] [L. deletus , p. p. of delere to destroy. Cf. 1st Dele .] To blot out; to erase; to expunge; to dele; to omit.

I have, therefore, . . . inserted eleven stanzas which do not appear in Sir Walter Scott's version, and have deleted eight. Aytoun.

Deleterious <Xpage=385>

Del`e*te"ri*ous (?) , a. [LL. deleterius noxious, Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to hurt, damage; prob. akin to L. delere to destroy.] Hurtful; noxious; destructive; pernicious; as, a deleterious plant or quality; a deleterious example. -- Del`e*te"ri*ous*ly , adv. -- Del`e*te"ri*ous*ness , n.

Deletery <Xpage=385>

Del"e*ter*y (?) , a. [LL. deleterius : cf. F. d\'82l\'82t\'8are .] Destructive; poisonous. [Obs.] " Deletery medicines."

Hudibras.

Deletery <Xpage=385>

Del"e*ter*y , n. That which destroys. [Obs.]

They [the Scriptures] are the only deletery of heresies. Jer. Taylor.

Deletion <Xpage=385>

De*le"tion (?) , n. [L. deletio , fr. delere . See Delete .] Act of deleting, blotting out, or erasing; destruction. [Obs.]

Jer. Taylor.

A total deletion of every person of the opposing party. Sir M. Hale.

Deletitious <Xpage=385>

Del`e*ti"tious (?) , a. [L. deleticius .] Of such a nature that anything may be erased from it; -- said of paper.

Deletive <Xpage=385>

Del"e*tive (?) , a. Adapted to destroy or obliterate. [R.]

Evelyn.

Deletory <Xpage=385>

Del"e*to*ry (?) , n. [See Delete .] That which blots out. [Obs.] "A deletory of sin."

Jer. Taylor.

Delf <Xpage=385>

Delf (?) , n. [AS. delf a delving, digging. See Delve .] A mine; a quarry; a pit dug; a ditch. [Written also delft , and delve .] [Obs.]

The delfts would be so flown with waters, that no gins or machines could . . . keep them dry. Ray.

Delf <Xpage=385>

Delf , n. Same as Delftware .

Delft <Xpage=385>

Delft (?) , n. Same as Delftware .

Delftware <Xpage=385>

Delft"ware` (?) , n. (a) Pottery made at the city of Delft in Holland; hence: (b) Earthenware made in imitation of the above; any glazed earthenware made for table use, and the like.

Delibate <Xpage=385>

Del"i*bate (?) , v. t. [L. delibatus , p. p. of delibare to taste; de- + libare to taste.] To taste; to take a sip of; to dabble in. [Obs.]

Delibation <Xpage=385>

Del`i*ba"tion (?) , n. [L. delibatio : cf. F. d\'82libation .] Act of tasting; a slight trial. [Obs.]

Berkeley.

Deliber <Xpage=385>

Del"i*ber (?) , v. t. & i. To deliberate. [Obs.]

Deliberate <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*ate (?) , a. [L. deliberatus , p. p. of deliberare to deliberate; de- + librare to weigh. See Librate .]

1. Weighing facts and arguments with a view a choice or decision; carefully considering the probable consequences of a step; circumspect; slow in determining; -- applied to persons; as, a deliberate judge or counselor . "These deliberate fools."

Shak.

2. Formed with deliberation; well-advised; carefully considered; not sudden or rash; as, a deliberate opinion; a deliberate measure or result.

Settled visage and deliberate word. Shak.

3. Not hasty or sudden; slow.

Hooker.

His enunciation was so deliberate . W. Wirt.

Deliberate <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*ate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deliberated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Deliberating .] To weigh in the mind; to consider the reasons for and against; to consider maturely; to reflect upon; to ponder; as, to deliberate a question .

Deliberate <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*ate , v. i. To take counsel with one's self; to weigh the arguments for and against a proposed course of action; to reflect; to consider; to hesitate in deciding; -- sometimes with on , upon , concerning .

The woman the deliberation is lost. Addison.

Deliberately <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*ate*ly (?) , adv. With careful consideration, or deliberation; circumspectly; warily; not hastily or rashly; slowly; as, a purpose deliberately formed .

Deliberateness <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*ate*ness , n. The quality of being deliberate; calm consideration; circumspection.

Deliberation <Xpage=385>

De*lib`er*a"tion (?) , n. [L. deliberatio : cf. F. d\'82lib\'82ration .]

1. The act of deliberating, or of weighing and examining the reasons for and against a choice or measure; careful consideration; mature reflection.

Choosing the fairest way with a calm deliberation . W. Montagu.

2. Careful discussion and examination of the reasons for and against a measure; as, the deliberations of a legislative body or council .

Deliberative <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*a*tive (?) , a. [L. deliberativus : cf. F. d\'82lib\'82ratif .] Pertaining to deliberation; proceeding or acting by deliberation, or by discussion and examination; deliberating; as, a deliberative body .

A consummate work of deliberative wisdom. Bancroft.

The court of jurisdiction is to be distinguished from the deliberative body, the advisers of the crown. Hallam.

Deliberative <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*a*tive , n.

1. A discourse in which a question is discussed, or weighed and examined.

Bacon.

2. A kind of rhetoric employed in proving a thing and convincing others of its truth, in order to persuade them to adopt it.

Deliberatively <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*a*tive*ly , adv. In a deliberative manner; circumspectly; considerately.

Deliberator <Xpage=385>

De*lib"er*a`tor (?) , n. One who deliberates.

Delibrate <Xpage=385>

Del"i*brate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Delibrated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Delibrating .] [L. delibratus , p. p. of delibrare to delibrate; de from + liber bark.] To strip off the bark; to peel. [Obs.]

Ash.

Delibration <Xpage=385>

Del`i*bra"tion (?) , n. The act of stripping off the bark. [Obs.]

Ash.

Delicacy <Xpage=385>

Del"i*ca*cy (?) , n. ; pl. Delicacies (#) . [From Delicate , a. ]

1. The state or condition of being delicate; agreeableness to the senses; delightfulness; as, delicacy of flavor, of odor, and the like .

What choice to choose for delicacy best. Milton.

2. Nicety or fineness of form, texture, or constitution; softness; elegance; smoothness; tenderness; and hence, frailty or weakness; as, the delicacy of a fiber or a thread; delicacy of a hand or of the human form; delicacy of the skin; delicacy of frame.

3. Nice propriety of manners or conduct; susceptibility or tenderness of feeling; refinement; fastidiousness; and hence, in an exaggerated sense, effeminacy; as, great delicacy of behavior; delicacy in doing a kindness; delicacy of character that unfits for earnest action.

You know your mother's delicacy in this point. Cowper.

4. Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness; indulgence; luxurious or voluptuous treatment.

And to those dainty limbs which Nature lent For gentle usage and soft delicacy ? Milton.

5. Nice and refined perception and discrimination; critical niceness; fastidious accuracy.

That Augustan delicacy of taste which is the boast of the great public schools of England. Macaulay.

6. The state of being affected by slight causes; sensitiveness; as, the delicacy of a chemist's balance .

7. That which is alluring, delicate, or refined; a luxury or pleasure; something pleasant to the senses, especially to the sense of taste; a dainty; as, delicacies of the table .

The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies . Rev. xviii. 3.

8. Pleasure; gratification; delight. [Obs.]

He Rome brent for his delicacie . Chaucer.

Syn. -- See Dainty .

Delicate <Xpage=385>

Del"i*cate (?) , a. [L. delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F. d\'82licat . See Delight .]

1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.]

Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went. Piers Plowman.

Haarlem is a very delicate town. Evelyn.

2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.

3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, "a delicate creature ."

Shak.

4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton .

5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk .

6. Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.

7. Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as; as, a delicate blue .

8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.

9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health.

A delicate and tender prince. Shak.

10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question .

There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth. F. W. Robertson.

11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.

13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer .

Delicate <Xpage=385>

Del"i*cate , n.

1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]

With abstinence all delicates he sees. Dryden.

<page="386"> Page 386

2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, -- those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than their neighbors, -- are only of the Corinth metal. Holland.

Delicately <Xpage=386>

Del"i*cate*ly (?) , adv. In a delicate manner.

Delicateness <Xpage=386>

Del"i*cate*ness , n. The quality of being delicate.

Delices <Xpage=386>

Del"i*ces (?) , n. pl. [F. d\'82lices , fr. L. deliciae .] Delicacies; delights. [Obs.] "Dainty delices ."

Spenser.

Deliciate <Xpage=386>

De*li"ci*ate (?) , v. t. To delight one's self; to indulge in feasting; to revel. [Obs.]

Delicious <Xpage=386>

De*li"cious (?) , a. [OF. delicieus , F. d\'82licieux , L. deliciosus , fr. deliciae delight, fr. delicere to allure. See Delight .]

1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most sweet or grateful to the senses, especially to the taste; charming.

Some delicious landscape. Coleridge.

One draught of spring's delicious air. Keble.

Were not his words delicious ? Tennyson.

2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment; luxurious; effeminate. [Obs.]

Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy spirit, retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and luxury. Milton.

Syn. -- Delicious , Delightful . Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from certain of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as, delicious food; a delicious fragrance. Delightful may also refer to most of the senses (as, delightful music; a delightful prospect; delightful sensations), but has a higher application to matters of taste, feeling, and sentiment; as, a delightful abode, conversation, employment; delightful scenes, etc.

Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in decay. Smith.

No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen, Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green. Addison.

Deliciously <Xpage=386>

De*li"cious*ly , adv. Delightfully; as, to feed deliciously ; to be deliciously entertained.

Deliciousness <Xpage=386>

De*li"cious*ness , n.

1. The quality of being delicious; as, the deliciousness of a repast .

2. Luxury. "To drive away all superfluity and deliciousness ."

Sir T. North.

Delict <Xpage=386>

De*lict" (?) , n. [L. delictum fault.] (Law) An offense or transgression against law; (Scots Law) an offense of a lesser degree; a misdemeanor.

Every regulation of the civil code necessarily implies a delict in the event of its violation. Jeffrey.

Deligate <Xpage=386>

Del"i*gate (?) , v. t. [L. deligatus , p. p. of deligare to bind up; de- + ligare to bind.] (Surg.) To bind up; to bandage.

Deligation <Xpage=386>

Del`i*ga"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. d\'82ligation .] (Surg.) A binding up; a bandaging.

Wiseman.

Delight <Xpage=386>

De*light" (?) , n. [OE. delit , OF. delit , deleit , fr. delitier , to delight. See Delight , v. t. ]

1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a high-wrought state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure; extreme satisfaction; joy.

Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Shak.

A fool hath no delight in understanding. Prov. xviii. 2.

2. That which gives great pleasure or delight.

Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight . Milton.

3. Licentious pleasure; lust. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Delight <Xpage=386>

De*light" , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Delighted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Delighting .] [OE. deliten , OF. delitier , deleitier , F. d\'82lecter , fr. L. delectare to entice away, to delight (sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of delicere to allure, delight; de- + lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus a snare. Cf. Delectate , Delicate , Delicious , Dilettante , Elicit , Lace .] To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear.

Inventions to delight the taste. Shak.

Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds. Tennyson.

Delight <Xpage=386>

De*light" , v. i. To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; -- followed by an infinitive, or by in .

Love delights in praises. Shak.

I delight to do thy will, O my God. Ps. xl. 8.

Delightable <Xpage=386>

De*light"a*ble (?) , a. [See Delectable .] Capable of delighting; delightful. [Obs.]

Many a spice delightable . Rom. of R.

Delighted <Xpage=386>

De*light"ed , a. Endowed with delight.

If virtue no delighted beauty lack. Shak.

Syn. -- Glad; pleased; gratified. See Glad .

Delightedly <Xpage=386>

De*light"ed*ly , adv. With delight; gladly.

Delighter <Xpage=386>

De*light"er (?) , n. One who gives or takes delight.

Delightful <Xpage=386>

De*light"ful (?) , a. Highly pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction. " Delightful bowers." Spenser . " Delightful fruit."

Milton.

Syn. -- Delicious; charming. See Delicious .

-- De*light"ful*ly , adv. -- De*light"ful*ness , n.

Delighting <Xpage=386>

De*light"ing , a. Giving delight; gladdening. -- De*light"ing*ly , adv .

Jer. Taylor.

Delightless <Xpage=386>

De*light"less , a. Void of delight.

Thomson.

Delightous <Xpage=386>

De*light"ous (?) a. [OF. delitos .] Delightful. [Obs.]

Rom. of R.

Delightsome <Xpage=386>

De*light"some (?) , a. Very pleasing; delightful. " Delightsome vigor."

Grew.

Ye shall be a delightsome land, . . . saith the Lord. Mal. iii. 12.

-- De*light"some*ly , adv. -- De*light"some*ness , n.

Delilah <Xpage=386>

De*li"lah (?) , n. The mistress of Samson, who betrayed him ( Judges xvi. ); hence, a harlot; a temptress.

Other Delilahs on a smaller scale Burns met with during his Dumfries sojourn. J. C. Shairp.

Delimit <Xpage=386>

De*lim"it (?) , v. t. [L. delimitare : cf. F. d\'82limitier .] To fix the limits of; to demarcate; to bound.

Delimitation <Xpage=386>

De*lim`i*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. delimitatio : cf. F. d\'82limitation .] The act or process of fixing limits or boundaries; limitation.

Gladstone.

Deline <Xpage=386>

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

1. To delineate. [Obs.]