The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 462
2. Any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of the earth.
Ditch <Xpage=436>
Ditch , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ditched (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Ditching .]
1. To dig a ditch or ditches in; to drain by a ditch or ditches; as, to ditch moist land .
2. To surround with a ditch.
Shak.
3. To throw into a ditch; as, the engine was ditched and turned on its side .
Ditch <Xpage=436>
Ditch , v. i. To dig a ditch or ditches.
Swift.
Ditcher <Xpage=436>
Ditch"er (?) , n. One who digs ditches.
Dite <Xpage=436>
Dite (?) , v. t. [See Dight .] To prepare for action or use; to make ready; to dight. [Obs.]
His hideous club aloft he dites . Spenser.
Diterebene <Xpage=436>
Di*ter"e*bene (?) , n. [Pref. di- + terebene .] (Chem.) See Colophene .
Dithecal, Dithecous <Xpage=436>
Di*the"cal (?) , Di*the"cous (?) , a. [Pref. di- + theca .] (Bot.) Having two thec\'91, cells, or compartments.
Ditheism <Xpage=436>
Di"the*ism (?) , n. [Pref. di- + theism : cf. F. dith\'82isme .] The doctrine of those who maintain the existence of two gods or of two original principles (as in Manicheism), one good and one evil; dualism.
Ditheist <Xpage=436>
Di"the*ist , n. One who holds the doctrine of ditheism; a dualist.
Cudworth.
Ditheistic, Ditheistical <Xpage=436>
Di`the*is"tic (?) , Di`the*is"tic*al (?) , a. Pertaining to ditheism; dualistic.
<page="437"> Page 437
Dithionic <Xpage=437>
Di`thi*on"ic (?) , a. [Pref. di- + -thionic .] (Chem.) Containing two equivalents of sulphur; as, dithionic acid .
Dithionic acid (Chem.) , an unstable substance, H2S2O6 , known only in its solutions, and in certain well-defined salts.
Dithyramb <Xpage=437>
Dith"y*ramb (?) , n. [L. dithyrambus , Gr. <?/ a kind of lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus; also, a name of Bacchus; of unknown origin: cf. F. dithyrambe .] A kind of lyric poetry in honor of Bacchus, usually sung by a band of revelers to a flute accompaniment; hence, in general, a poem written in a wild irregular strain.
Bentley.
Dithyrambic <Xpage=437>
Dith`y*ram"bic (?) , a. [L. dithyrambicus , Gr. <?/: cf. F. dithyrambique .] Pertaining to, or resembling, a dithyramb; wild and boisterous. " Dithyrambic sallies." Longfellow . -- n. A dithyrambic poem; a dithyramb.
Dithyrambus <Xpage=437>
Dith`y*ram"bus (?) , n. [L.] See Dithyramb .
Dition <Xpage=437>
Di"tion (?) , n. [L. ditio , dicio : cf. F. dition .] Dominion; rule. [Obs.]
Evelyn.
Ditionary <Xpage=437>
Di"tion*a*ry (?) , a. Under rule; subject; tributary. [Obs.]
Chapman.
Ditionary <Xpage=437>
Di"tion*a*ry , n. A subject; a tributary. [Obs.]
Eden.
Ditokous <Xpage=437>
Di"to*kous (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ a bringing forth, offspring.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) Having two kinds of young, as certain annelids. (b) Producing only two eggs for a clutch, as certain birds do.
Ditolyl <Xpage=437>
Di*tol"yl (?) , n. [Pref. di- + tolyl .] (Chem.) A white, crystalline, aromatic hydrocarbon, C14H14 , consisting of two radicals or residues of toluene.
Ditone <Xpage=437>
Di"tone` (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ of two tones; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ tone.] (Mus.) The Greek major third, which comprehend two major tones (the modern major third contains one major and one minor whole tone).
Ditrichotomous <Xpage=437>
Di`tri*chot"o*mous (?) , a. [Pref. di- + trichotomous .]
1. Divided into twos or threes.
2. (Bot.) Dividing into double or treble ramifications; -- said of a leaf or stem. [R.]
Loudon.
Ditrochean <Xpage=437>
Di`tro*che"an (?) , a. (Pros.) Containing two trochees.
Ditrochee <Xpage=437>
Di*tro"chee (?) , n. [L. ditrochaeus , Gr. <?/; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ trochee.] (Pros.) A double trochee; a foot made up of two trochees.
Ditroite <Xpage=437>
Dit"ro*ite (?) , n. [Named from Ditro in Transylvania.] (Min.) An igneous rock composed of orthoclase, el\'91olite, and sodalite.
Ditt <Xpage=437>
Ditt (?) , n. See Dit , n. , 2. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Dittander <Xpage=437>
Dit*tan"der (?) , n. [See Dittany .] (Bot.) A kind of peppergrass ( Lepidium latifolium ).
Dittany <Xpage=437>
Dit"ta*ny (?) , n. [OE. dytane , detane , dytan , OF. ditain , F. dictame , L. dictamnum , fr. Gr. <?/ , <?/, a plant growing in abundance on Mount Dicte in Crete. Cf. Dittander .] (Bot.) (a) A plant of the Mint family ( Origanum Dictamnus ), a native of Crete . (b) The Dictamnus Fraxinella . See Dictamnus . (c) In America, the Cunila Mariana , a fragrant herb of the Mint family.
Dittied <Xpage=437>
Dit"tied (?) , a. [From Ditty .] Set, sung, or composed as a ditty; -- usually in composition.
Who, with his soft pipe, and smooth- dittied song. Milton.
Ditto <Xpage=437>
Dit"to (?) , n. ; pl. Dittos (<?/) . [It., detto , ditto , fr. L. dictum . See Dictum .] The aforesaid thing; the same (as before). Often contracted to do ., or to two "turned commas" ("), or small marks. Used in bills, books of account, tables of names, etc., to save repetition.
A spacious table in the center, and a variety of smaller dittos in the corners. Dickens.
Ditto <Xpage=437>
Dit"to , adv. As before, or aforesaid; in the same manner; also.
Dittology <Xpage=437>
Dit*tol"o*gy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/. Attic form of <?/ repetition of words: <?/ twofold + <?/ to speak.] A double reading, or twofold interpretation, as of a Scripture text. [R.]
Ditty <Xpage=437>
Dit"ty (?) , n. ; pl. Ditties (#) . [OE. dite , OF. diti\'82 , fr. L. dictatum , p. p. neut. of dictare to say often, dictate, compose. See Dictate , v. t. ]
1. A saying or utterance; especially, one that is short and frequently repeated; a theme.
O, too high ditty for my simple rhyme. Spenser.
2. A song; a lay; a little poem intended to be sung. "Religious, martial, or civil ditties ."
Milton.< And to the warbling lute soft ditties sing. Sandys.
Ditty <Xpage=437>
Dit"ty , v. i. To sing; to warble a little tune.
Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes. Herbert.
Ditty-bag <Xpage=437>
Dit"ty-bag` , n. A sailor's small bag to hold thread, needles, tape, etc.; -- also called sailor's housewife .
Ditty-box <Xpage=437>
Dit"ty-box` (?) , n. A small box to hold a sailor's thread, needless, comb, etc.
Diureide <Xpage=437>
Di*u"re*ide (?) , n. [ Di- + ureide .] (Chem.) One of a series of complex nitrogenous substances regarded as containing two molecules of urea or their radicals, as uric acid or allantoin. Cf. Ureide .
Diuresis <Xpage=437>
Di`u*re"sis (?) , n. [NL. See Diuretic .] (Med.) Free excretion of urine.
Diuretic <Xpage=437>
Di`u*ret"ic (?) , a. [L. diureticus , Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ to make water; <?/ through + <?/ to make water, fr. <?/ urine: cf. F. diur\'82tique .] (Med.) Tending to increase the secretion and discharge of urine. -- n. A medicine with diuretic properties.
Diuretic salt (Med.) , potassium acetate; -- so called because of its diuretic properties.
Diuretical <Xpage=437>
Di`u*ret"ic*al (?) , a. Diuretic. [Obs.]
Boyle.
Diureticalness <Xpage=437>
Di`u*ret"ic*al*ness , n. The quality of being diuretical; diuretic property.
Diurna <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"na (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. L. diurnus belonging to the day.] (Zo\'94l.) A division of Lepidoptera, including the butterflies; -- so called because they fly only in the daytime.
Diurnal <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"nal (?) , a. [L. diurnalis , fr. dies day. See Deity , and cf. Journal .]
1. Relating to the daytime; belonging to the period of daylight, distinguished from the night; -- opposed to nocturnal ; as, diurnal heat; diurnal hours.
2. Daily; recurring every day; performed in a day; going through its changes in a day; constituting the measure of a day; as, a diurnal fever; a diurnal task; diurnal aberration, or diurnal parallax; the diurnal revolution of the earth.
Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring. Shak.
3. (Bot.) Opening during the day, and closing at night; -- said of flowers or leaves.
4. (Zo\'94l.) Active by day; -- applied especially to the eagles and hawks among raptorial birds, and to butterflies (Diurna) among insects.
Diurnal aberration (Anat.) , the aberration of light arising from the effect of the earth's rotation upon the apparent direction of motion of light. -- Diurnal arc , the arc described by the sun during the daytime or while above the horizon; hence, the arc described by the moon or a star from rising to setting. -- Diurnal circle , the apparent circle described by a celestial body in consequence of the earth's rotation. -- Diurnal motion of the earth , the motion of the earth upon its axis which is described in twentyfour hours. -- Diurnal motion of a heavenly body , that apparent motion of the heavenly body which is due to the earth's diurnal motion. -- Diurnal parallax . See under Parallax . -- Diurnal revolution of a planet , the motion of the planet upon its own axis which constitutes one complete revolution.
Syn. -- See Daily .
Diurnal <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"nal (?) , n. [Cf. F. diurnal a prayerbook. See Diurnal , a. ]
1. A daybook; a journal. [Obs.]
Tatler.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A small volume containing the daily service for the "little hours," viz., prime, tierce, sext, nones, vespers, and compline.
3. (Zo\'94l.) A diurnal bird or insect.
Diurnalist <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"nal*ist , n. A journalist. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Diurnally <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"nal*ly , adv. Daily; every day.
Diurnalness <Xpage=437>
Di*ur"nal*ness , n. The quality of being diurnal.
Diurnation <Xpage=437>
Di`ur*na"tion (?) , n.
1. Continuance during the day. [Obs.]
2. (Zo\'94l.) The condition of sleeping or becoming dormant by day, as is the case of the bats.
Diuturnal <Xpage=437>
Di`u*tur"nal (?) , a. [L. diuturnus , fr. diu a long time, by day; akin to dies day.] Of long continuance; lasting. [R.]
Milton.
Diuturnity <Xpage=437>
Di`u*tur"ni*ty (?) , n. [L. diuturnitas .] Long duration; lastingness. [R.]
Sir T. Browne.
Divagation <Xpage=437>
Di`va*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. divagari to wander about; di- = dis- + vagari to stroll about: cf. F. divagation . See Vagary .] A wandering about or going astray; digression.
Let us be set down at Queen's Crawley without further divagation . Thackeray.
Divalent <Xpage=437>
Div"a*lent (?) , a. [Pref. di- + L. valens , valentis , p. pr. See Valence .] (Chem.) Having two units of combining power; bivalent. Cf. Valence .
Divan <Xpage=437>
Di*van" (?) , n. [Per. d\'c6w\'ben a book of many leaves, an account book, a collection of books, a senate, council: cf. Ar. daiw\'ben , F. divan .]
1. A book; esp., a collection of poems written by one author; as, the divan of Hafiz . [Persia]
2. In Turkey and other Oriental countries: A council of state; a royal court. Also used by the poets for a grand deliberative council or assembly.
Pope.
3. A chief officer of state. [India]
4. A saloon or hall where a council is held, in Oriental countries, the state reception room in places, and in the houses of the richer citizens. Cushions on the floor or on benches are ranged round the room.
5. A cushioned seat, or a large, low sofa or couch; especially, one fixed to its place, and not movable.
6. A coffee and smoking saloon. [Colloq.]
Divaricate <Xpage=437>
Di*var"i*cate (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Divaricated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Divaricating .] [L. divaricatus , p. p. of divaricare to stretch apart; di- = dis- + varicare to straddle, fr. varicus straddling, fr. varus stretched outwards.]
1. To part into two branches; to become bifid; to fork.
2. To diverge; to be divaricate.
Woodward.
Divaricate <Xpage=437>
Di*var"i*cate , v. t. To divide into two branches; to cause to branch apart.
Divaricate <Xpage=437>
Di*var"i*cate (?) , a. [L. divaricatus , p. p.]
1. Diverging; spreading asunder; widely diverging.
2. (Biol.) Forking and diverging; widely diverging; as the branches of a tree, or as lines of sculpture, or color markings on animals, etc.
Divaricately <Xpage=437>
Di*var"i*cate*ly , adv. With divarication.
Divarication <Xpage=437>
Di*var`i*ca"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. divarication .]
1. A separation into two parts or branches; a forking; a divergence.
2. An ambiguity of meaning; a disagreement of difference in opinion.
Sir T. Browne.
3. (Biol.) A divergence of lines of color sculpture, or of fibers at different angles.
Divaricator <Xpage=437>
Di*var`i*ca"tor (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the muscles which open the shell of brachiopods; a cardinal muscle. See Illust . of Brachiopoda .
Divast <Xpage=437>
Di*vast" (?) , a. Devastated; laid waste. [Obs.]
Dive <Xpage=437>
Dive (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Dived (?) , colloq . Dove (<?/) , a relic of the AS. strong forms de\'a0f , dofen ; p. pr. & vb. n. Diving .] [OE. diven , duven , AS. d<?/fan to sink, v. t., fr. d<?/fan , v. i.; akin to Icel. d<?/fa , G. taufen , E. dip , deep , and perh. to dove , n. Cf. Dip .]
1. To plunge into water head foremost; to thrust the body under, or deeply into, water or other fluid.
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them. Whately.
&hand; The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form.
All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash. Dr. Hayes.
When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and left the young bird sitting in the water. J. Burroughs.
2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore.
South.
Dive <Xpage=437>
Dive (?) , v. t.
1. To plunge (a person or thing) into water; to dip; to duck. [Obs.]
Hooker.
2. To explore by diving; to plunge into. [R.]
The Curtii bravely dived the gulf of fame. Denham.
He dives the hollow, climbs the steeps. Emerson.
Dive <Xpage=437>
Dive , n.
1. A plunge headforemost into water, the act of one who dives, literally or figuratively.
2. A place of low resort. [Slang]
The music halls and dives in the lower part of the city. J. Hawthorne.
Divedapper <Xpage=437>
Dive"dap`per (?) , n. [See Dive , Didapper .] (Zo\'94l.) A water fowl; the didapper. See Dabchick .
Divel <Xpage=437>
Di*vel" (?) , v. t. [L. divellere ; dit- = dis- + vellere to pluck.] To rend apart. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Divellent <Xpage=437>
Di*vel"lent (?) , a. [L. divellens , p. pr.] Drawing asunder. [R.]
Divellicate <Xpage=437>
Di*vel"li*cate (?) , v. t. [L. di- = vellicatus , p. p. of vellicare to pluck, fr. vellere to pull.] To pull in pieces. [Obs. or R.]
Diver <Xpage=437>
Div"er (?) , n.
1. One who, or that which, dives.
Divers and fishers for pearls. Woodward.
2. Fig.: One who goes deeply into a subject, study, or business. "A diver into causes."
Sir H. Wotton.
3. (Zo\'94l.) Any bird of certain genera, as Urinator (formerly Colymbus ), or the allied genus Colymbus , or Podiceps , remarkable for their agility in diving.
&hand; The northern diver ( Urinator imber ) is the loon; the black diver or velvet scoter ( Oidemia fusca ) is a sea duck. See Loon , and Scoter .
Diverb <Xpage=437>
Di"verb (?) , n. [L. diverbium the colloquial part of a comedy, dialogue; di- = dis- + verbum word.] A saying in which two members of the sentence are contrasted; an antithetical proverb. [Obs.]
Italy, a paradise for horses, a hell for women, as the diverb goes. Burton.
Diverberate <Xpage=437>
Di*ver"ber*ate (?) , v. t. [L. diverberatus , p. p. of diverberare to strike asunder; di- = dis- + verberare . See Verberate .] To strike or sound through. [R.]
Davies (Holy Roode).
Diverberation <Xpage=437>
Di*ver`ber*a"tion (?) , n. A sounding through.
Diverge <Xpage=437>
Di*verge" (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Diverged (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Diverging .] [L. di- = dis- + vergere to bend, incline. See Verge .]
1. To extend from a common point in different directions; to tend from one point and recede from each other; to tend to spread apart; to turn aside or deviate (as from a given direction); -- opposed to converge ; as, rays of light diverge as they proceed from the sun .