Chapter 434

Dif*fract" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diffracted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Diffracting .] [L. diffractus , p. p. of diffringere to break in pieces; dif- = dis- + frangere to break. See Fracture .] To break or separate into parts; to deflect, or decompose by deflection, a<?/ rays of light.

Diffraction <Xpage=410>

Dif*frac"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. diffraction .] (Opt.) The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars.

Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction . Whewell.

Diffraction grating . (Optics) See under Grating . -- Diffraction spectrum . (Optics) See under Spectrum .

Diffractive <Xpage=410>

Dif*frac"tive (?) , a. That produces diffraction.

Diffranchise, Diffranchisement <Xpage=410>

Dif*fran"chise (?) , Dif*fran"chise*ment (?) . See Disfranchise , Disfranchisement .

Diffusate <Xpage=410>

Dif*fus"ate (?) , n. (Chem.) Material which, in the process of catalysis, has diffused or passed through the separating membrane.

Diffuse <Xpage=410>

Dif*fuse" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diffused (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Diffusing .] [L. diffusus , p. p. of diffundere to pour out, to diffuse; dif- = dis- + fundere to pour. See Fuse to melt.] To pour out and cause to spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow on all sides; to send out, or extend, in all directions; to spread; to circulate; to disseminate; to scatter; as to diffuse information.

Thence diffuse His good to worlds and ages infinite. Milton.

We find this knowledge diffused among all civilized nations. Whewell.

Syn. -- To expand; spread; circulate; extend; scatter; disperse; publish; proclaim.

Diffuse <Xpage=410>

Dif*fuse" , v. i. To pass by spreading every way, to diffuse itself.

Diffuse <Xpage=410>

Dif*fuse" (?) , a. [L. diffusus , p. p.] Poured out; widely spread; not restrained; copious; full; esp., of style, opposed to concise or terse ; verbose; prolix; as, a diffuse style; a diffuse writer.

A diffuse and various knowledge of divine and human things. Milton.

Syn. -- Prolix; verbose; wide; copious; full. See Prolix .

Diffused <Xpage=410>

Dif*fused" (?) , a. Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse.

It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne.

-- Dif*fus"ed*ly (#) , adv. -- Dif*fus"ed*ness , n.

Diffusely <Xpage=410>

Dif*fuse"ly (?) , adv. In a diffuse manner.

Diffuseness <Xpage=410>

Dif*fuse"ness , n. The quality of being diffuse; especially, in writing, the use of a great or excessive number of word to express the meaning; copiousness; verbosity; prolixity.

<page="411"> Page 411

Diffuser <Xpage=411>

Dif*fus"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, diffuses.

Diffusibility <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu`si*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality of being diffusible; capability of being poured or spread out.

Diffusible <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"si*ble (?) , a.

1. Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; that may be diffused.

2. (Physiol.) Capable of passing through animal membranes by osmosis.

Diffusibleness <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"si*ble*ness , n. Diffusibility.

Diffusion <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"sion (?) , n. [L. diffusio : cf. F. diffusion .]

1. The act of diffusing, or the state of being diffused; a spreading; extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion.

A diffusion of knowledge which has undermined superstition. Burke.

2. (Physiol.) The act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc., through the body. Unlike absorption , diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.

Syn. -- Extension; spread; propagation; circulation; expansion; dispersion.

Diffusive <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"sive (?) , a. [Cf. F. diffusif .] Having the quality of diffusing; capable of spreading every way by flowing; spreading widely; widely reaching; copious; diffuse. "A plentiful and diffusive perfume."

Hare.

Diffusively <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"sive*ly , adv. In a diffusive manner.

Diffusiveness <Xpage=411>

Dif*fu"sive*ness , n. The quality or state of being diffusive or diffuse; extensiveness; expansion; dispersion. Especially of style: Diffuseness; want of conciseness; prolixity.

The fault that I find with a modern legend, it its diffusiveness . Addison.

Diffusivity <Xpage=411>

Dif`fu*siv"i*ty (?) , n. Tendency to become diffused; tendency, as of heat, to become equalized by spreading through a conducting medium.

Dig <Xpage=411>

Dig (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dug (?) or Digged (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Digging . -- Digged is archaic.] [OE. diggen , perh. the same word as diken , dichen (see Dike , Ditch ); cf. Dan. dige to dig, dige a ditch; or (?) akin to E. 1st dag . <?/<?/<?/.]

1. To turn up, or delve in, (earth) with a spade or a hoe; to open, loosen, or break up (the soil) with a spade, or other sharp instrument; to pierce, open, or loosen, as if with a spade.

Be first to dig the ground. Dryden.

2. To get by digging; as, to dig potatoes, or gold .

3. To hollow out, as a well; to form, as a ditch, by removing earth; to excavate; as, to dig a ditch or a well .

4. To thrust; to poke. [Colloq.]

You should have seen children . . . dig and push their mothers under the sides, saying thus to them: Look, mother, how great a lubber doth yet wear pearls. Robynson (More's Utopia).

To dig down , to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall. -- To dig from , out of , out , &or; up , to get out or obtain by digging; as, to dig coal from or out of a mine; to dig out fossils; to dig up a tree . The preposition is often omitted; as, the men are digging coal, digging iron ore, digging potatoes. -- To dig in , to cover by digging; as, to dig in manure . <-- (b) To entrench oneself so as to give stronger resistance; -- used of warfare. Also figuratively, esp. in the phrase to dig in one's heels . -->

Dig <Xpage=411>

Dig , v. i.

1. To work with a spade or other like implement; to do servile work; to delve.

Dig for it more than for hid treasures. Job iii. 21.

I can not dig ; to beg I am ashamed. Luke xvi. 3.

2. (Mining) To take ore from its bed, in distinction from making excavations in search of ore.

3. To work like a digger; to study ploddingly and laboriously. [Cant, U.S.]

Dig <Xpage=411>

Dig , n.

1. A thrust; a punch; a poke; as, a dig in the side or the ribs . See Dig , v. t. , 4. [Colloq.]

2. A plodding and laborious student. [Cant, U.S.]

Digamist <Xpage=411>

Dig"a*mist (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ to marry. Cf. Bigamist .] One who marries a second time; a deuterogamist.

Hammond.

Digamma <Xpage=411>

Di*gam"ma (?) , n. [Gr. <?/; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ the letter <?/. So called because it resembled two gammas placed one above the other.] (Gr. Gram.) A letter (<?/, <?/) of the Greek alphabet, which early fell into disuse.

&hand; This form identifies it with the Latin F, though in sound it is said to have been nearer V. It was pronounced, probably, much like the English W.

Digammate, Digammated <Xpage=411>

Di*gam"mate (?) , Di*gam"mated (?) , a. Having the digamma or its representative letter or sound; as, the Latin word vis is a digammated form of the Greek <?/ .

Andrews.

Digamous <Xpage=411>

Dig"a*mous (?) , a. Pertaining to a second marriage, that is, one after the death of the first wife or the first husband.

Digamy <Xpage=411>

Dig"a*my (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ a second marriage; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ marriage. Cf. Bigamy .] Act, or state, of being twice married; deuterogamy. [R.]

Digastric <Xpage=411>

Di*gas"tric (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ belly: cf. F. digastrique .] (Anat.) (a) Having two bellies; biventral; -- applied to muscles which are fleshy at each end and have a tendon in the middle, and esp. to the muscle which pulls down the lower jaw. (b) Pertaining to the digastric muscle of the lower jaw; as, the digastric nerves .

Digenea <Xpage=411>

Di*ge"ne*a (?) , n. ; pl . [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ race, offspring.] (Zo\'94l.) A division of Trematoda in which alternate generations occur, the immediate young not resembling their parents.

Digenesis <Xpage=411>

Di*gen"e*sis (?) , n. [Pref. di- + genesis .] (Biol.) The faculty of multiplying in two ways; -- by ova fecundated by spermatic fluid, and asexually, as by buds. See Parthenogenesis .

Digenous <Xpage=411>

Dig"e*nous (?) , a. [Pref. di- + -genous .] (Biol.) Sexually reproductive.

Digenous reproduction . (Biol.) Same as Digenesis .

Digerent <Xpage=411>

Dig"er*ent (?) , . [L. digerens , p. pr. of digerere . See Digest .] Digesting. [Obs.]

Bailey.

Digest <Xpage=411>

Di*gest" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Digested ; p. pr. & vb. n. Digesting .] [L. digestus , p. p. of digerere to separate, arrange, dissolve, digest; di- = dis- + gerere to bear, carry, wear. See Jest .]

1. To distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or application; as, to digest the laws, etc.

Joining them together and digesting them into order. Blair.

We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested . Shak.

2. (Physiol.) To separate (the food) in its passage through the alimentary canal into the nutritive and nonnutritive elements; to prepare, by the action of the digestive juices, for conversion into blood; to convert into chyme.

3. To think over and arrange methodically in the mind; to reduce to a plan or method; to receive in the mind and consider carefully; to get an understanding of; to comprehend.

Feelingly digest the words you speak in prayer. Sir H. Sidney.

How shall this bosom multiplied digest The senate's courtesy? Shak.

4. To appropriate for strengthening and comfort.

Grant that we may in such wise hear them [the Scriptures], read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them. Book of Common Prayer.

5. Hence: To bear comfortably or patiently; to be reconciled to; to brook.

I never can digest the loss of most of Origin's works. Coleridge.

6. (Chem.) To soften by heat and moisture; to expose to a gentle heat in a boiler or matrass, as a preparation for chemical operations.

7. (Med.) To dispose to suppurate, or generate healthy pus, as an ulcer or wound.

8. To ripen; to mature. [Obs.]

Well- digested fruits. Jer. Taylor.

9. To quiet or abate, as anger or grief.

Digest <Xpage=411>

Di*gest" (?) , v. i.

1. To undergo digestion; as, food digests well or ill .

2. (Med.) To suppurate; to generate pus, as an ulcer.

Digest <Xpage=411>

Di"gest (?) , n. [L. digestum , pl. digesta , neut., fr. digestus , p. p.: cf. F. digeste . See Digest , v. t. ] That which is digested; especially, that which is worked over, classified, and arranged under proper heads or titles ; esp. (Law) , a compilation of statutes or decisions analytically arranged. The term is applied in a general sense to the Pandects of Justinian (see Pandect ), but is also specially given by authors to compilations of laws on particular topics; a summary of laws; as, Comyn's Digest ; the United States Digest .

A complete digest of Hindu and Mahommedan laws after the model of Justinian's celebrated Pandects. Sir W. Jones.

They made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy, called the Rights of Man. Burke.

Digestedly <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"ed*ly (?) , adv. In a digested or well-arranged manner; methodically.

Digester <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"er (?) , n.

1. One who digests.

2. A medicine or an article of food that aids digestion, or strengthens digestive power.

Rice is . . . a great restorer of health, and a great digester . Sir W. Temple.

3. A strong closed vessel, in which bones or other substances may be subjected, usually in water or other liquid, to a temperature above that of boiling, in order to soften them.

Digestibility <Xpage=411>

Di*gest`i*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The quality of being digestible.

Digestible <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"i*ble (?) , a. [F. digestible , L. digestibilis .] Capable of being digested.

Digestibleness <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"i*ble*ness , n. The quality of being digestible; digestibility.

Digestion <Xpage=411>

Di*ges"tion (?; 106) , n. [F. digestion , L. digestio .]

1. The act or process of digesting; reduction to order; classification; thoughtful consideration.

2. (Physiol.) The conversion of food, in the stomach and intestines, into soluble and diffusible products, capable of being absorbed by the blood.

3. (Med.) Generation of pus; suppuration.

Digestive <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"ive (?) , a. [F. digestif , L. digestivus .] Pertaining to digestion; having the power to cause or promote digestion; as, the digestive ferments .

Digestive cheese and fruit there sure will be. B. Jonson.

Digestive apparatus , the organs of food digestion, esp. the alimentary canal and glands connected with it. -- Digestive salt , the chloride of potassium.

Digestive <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"ive , n.

1. That which aids digestion, as a food or medicine.

Chaucer.

That digestive [a cigar] had become to me as necessary as the meal itself. Blackw. Mag.

2. (Med.) (a) A substance which, when applied to a wound or ulcer, promotes suppuration . Dunglison . (b) A tonic. [R.]

Digestor <Xpage=411>

Di*gest"or (?) , n. See Digester .

Digesture <Xpage=411>

Di*ges"ture (?; 135) , n. Digestion. [Obs.]

Harvey.

Diggable <Xpage=411>

Dig"ga*ble (?) , a. Capable of being dug.

Digger <Xpage=411>

Dig"ger (?) , n. One who, or that which, digs.

Digger wasp (Zo\'94l.) , any one of the fossorial Hymenoptera.

Diggers <Xpage=411>

Dig"gers (?) , n. pl. ; sing. Digger . (Ethnol.) A degraded tribe of California Indians; -- so called from their practice of digging roots for food.

Digging <Xpage=411>

Dig"ging (?) , n.

1. The act or the place of excavating.

2. pl. Places where ore is dug; especially, certain localities in California, Australia, and elsewhere, at which gold is obtained. [Recent]

3. pl. Region; locality. [Low]

Dight <Xpage=411>

Dight (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dight &or; Dighted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Dighting .] [OF. dihten , AS. dihtan to dictate, command, dispose, arrange, fr. L. dictare to say often, dictate, order; cf. G. dichten to write poetry, fr. L. dictare . See Dictate .]

1. To prepare; to put in order; hence, to dress, or put on; to array; to adorn. [Archaic] "She gan the house to dight ."

Chaucer.

Two harmless turtles, dight for sacrifice. Fairfax.

The clouds in thousand liveries dight . Milton.

2. To have sexual intercourse with. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Dighter <Xpage=411>

Dight"er (?) , n. One who dights. [Obs.]

Digit <Xpage=411>

Dig"it (?) , n. [L. digitus finger; prob. akin to Gr. <?/, of uncertain origin; possibly akin to E. toe . Cf. Dactyl .]

1. (Zo\'94l.) One of the terminal divisions of a limb appendage; a finger or toe.

The ruminants have the "cloven foot," i . e ., two hoofed digits on each foot. Owen.

2. A finger's breadth, commonly estimated to be three fourths of an inch.

3. (Math.) One of the ten figures or symbols, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, by which all numbers are expressed; -- so called because of the use of the fingers in counting and computing.

&hand; By some authorities the symbol 0 is not included with the digits .

4. (Anat.) One twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon; -- a term used to express the quantity of an eclipse; as, an eclipse of eight digits is one which hides two thirds of the diameter of the disk .

Digit <Xpage=411>

Dig"it , v. t. To point at or out with the finger. [R.]

Digital <Xpage=411>

Dig"i*tal (?) , a. [L. digitals .] Of or performance to the fingers, or to digits; done with the fingers; as, digital compression; digital examination.

Digitain <Xpage=411>

Dig"i*ta`in (?) , n. [Cf. F. digitaline .] (a) (Med.) Any one of several extracts of foxglove (Digitalis) , as the "French extract," the "German extract," etc., which differ among themselves in composition and properties. (b) (Chem.) A supposedly distinct vegetable principle as the essential ingredient of the extracts. It is a white, crystalline substance, and is regarded as a glucoside.

Digitalis <Xpage=411>

Dig`i*ta"lis (?) , n. [NL.: cf. F. digitale . So named (according to Linn\'91us) from its finger-shaped corolla.]

1. (Bot.) A genus of plants including the foxglove.

2. (Med.) The dried leaves of the purple foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ), used in heart disease, disturbance of the circulation, etc.

Digitate <Xpage=411>

Dig"i*tate (?) , v. t. [LL. digitatus , p. p. of digitare , fr. L. digitus . See Digit .] To point out as with the finger. [R.]

Robinson (Eudoxa).

Digitate, Digitated <Xpage=411>