Chapter 31

Di"et (?), n. [F. diète, L. diaeta, fr. Gr. &?; manner of living.] 1. Course of living or nourishment; what is eaten and drunk habitually; food; victuals; fare. "No inconvenient diet." Milton.

2. A course of food selected with reference to a particular state of health; prescribed allowance of food; regimen prescribed.

To fast like one that takes diet.

Shak.

Diet kitchen, a kitchen in which diet is prepared for invalids; a charitable establishment that provides proper food for the sick poor.

Di"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dieted; p. pr. & vb. n. Dieting.] 1. To cause to take food; to feed. [R.] Shak.

2. To cause to eat and drink sparingly, or by prescribed rules; to regulate medicinally the food of.

She diets him with fasting every day.

Spenser.

Di"et, v. i. 1. To eat; to take one's meals. [Obs.]

Let him . . . diet in such places, where there is good company of the nation, where he traveleth.

Bacon.

2. To eat according to prescribed rules; to ear sparingly; as, the doctor says he must diet.

Di"et, n. [F. diète, LL. dieta, diaeta, an assembly, a day's journey; the same word as diet course of living, but with the sense changed by L. dies day: cf. G. tag day&?; and Reichstag.] A legislative or administrative assembly in Germany, Poland, and some other countries of Europe; a deliberative convention; a council; as, the Diet of Worms, held in 1521.

Di`e*ta"ri*an (?), n. One who lives in accordance with prescribed rules for diet; a dieter.

Di"et*a*ry (?), a. Pertaining to diet, or to the rules of diet.

Di"et*a*ry, n.; pl. Dietaries (&?;). A rule of diet; a fixed allowance of food, as in workhouse, prison, etc.

Di"et*er (?), n. One who diets; one who prescribes, or who partakes of, food, according to hygienic rules.

{ Di`e*tet"ic (?), Di`e*tet"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;: cf. F. diététique. See Diet.] Of or performance to diet, or to the rules for regulating the kind and quantity of food to be eaten.

Di`e*tet"ic*al*ly, adv. In a dietetical manner.

Di`e*tet"ics (?), n. That part of the medical or hygienic art which relates to diet or food; rules for diet.

To suppose that the whole of dietetics lies in determining whether or not bread is more nutritive than potatoes.

H. Spencer.

Di`e*tet"ist, n. A physician who applies the rules of dietetics to the cure of diseases. Dunglison.

Di*eth`yl*am"ine (?), n. [Pref. di- + ethylamine.] (Chem.) A colorless, volatile, alkaline liquid, NH(C2H5)2, having a strong fishy odor resembling that of herring or sardines. Cf. Methylamine.

Di*et"ic (?), a. Dietetic.

Di*et"ic*al (?), a. Dietetic. [R.] Ferrand.

Di"et*ine (?), n. [Cf. F. diétine.] A subordinate or local assembly; a diet of inferior rank.

{ Di"et*ist (?), Di`e*ti"tian (?), } n. One skilled in dietetics. [R.]

Dif*fame` (?), n. [See Defame.] Evil name; bad reputation; defamation. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Dif*far`re*a"tion (?), n. [L. diffarreatio; dif- = farreum a spelt cake. See Confarreation.] A form of divorce, among the ancient Romans, in which a cake was used. See Confarreation.

Dif"fer (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Differed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Differing.] [L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear, carry: cf. F. différer. See 1st Bear, and cf. Defer, Delay.] 1. To be or stand apart; to disagree; to be unlike; to be distinguished; -- with from.

One star differeth from another star in glory.

1 Cor. xv. 41.

Minds differ, as rivers differ.

Macaulay.

2. To be of unlike or opposite opinion; to disagree in sentiment; -- often with from or with.

3. To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend.

We 'll never differ with a crowded pit.

Rowe.

Syn. -- To vary; disagree; dissent; dispute; contend; oppose; wrangle. -- To Differ with, Differ from. Both differ from and aiffer with are used in reference to opinions; as, "I differ from you or with you in that opinion."" In all other cases, expressing simple unlikeness, differ from is used; as, these two persons or things differ entirely from each other.

Severely punished, not for differing from us in opinion, but for committing a nuisance.

Macaulay.

Davidson, whom on a former occasion we quoted, to differ from him.

M. Arnold.

Much as I differ from him concerning an essential part of the historic basis of religion.

Gladstone.

I differ with the honorable gentleman on that point.

Brougham.

If the honorable gentleman differs with me on that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and shall always rejoice to differ.

Canning.

Dif"fer, v. t. To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. [R.]

But something 'ts that differs thee and me.

Cowley.

Dif"fer*ence (?), n. [F. différence, L. differentia.] 1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?

Differencies of administration, but the same Lord.

1 Cor. xii. 5.

2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.

What was the difference? It was a contention in public.

Shak.

Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could.

T. Ellwood.

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3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.

The marks and differences of sovereignty.

Davies.

4. Choice; preference. [Obs.]

That now he chooseth with vile difference To be a beast, and lack intelligence.

Spenser.

5. (Her.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.

6. (Logic) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.

7. (Math.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.

Ascensional difference. See under Ascensional.

Syn. -- Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife.

Dif"fer*ence (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Differenced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Differencing.] To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.

Thou mayest difference gods from men.

Chapman.

Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject.

Milton.

So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons.

Sir W. Scott.

Dif"fer*ent (?), a. [L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of differre: cf. F. différent.] 1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. "Five different churches." Addison.

2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence.

Men are as different from each other, as the regions in which they are born are different.

Dryden.

Different is properly followed by from. Different to, for different from, is a common English colloquialism. Different than is quite inadmissible.

||Dif`fer*en"ti*a (?), n.; pl. Differentiæ (#). [L. See Difference.] (Logic) The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference.

Dif`fer*en"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. différentiel.] 1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate.

For whom he produced differential favors.

Motley.

2. (Math.) Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.

3. (Mech.) Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism.

Differential calculus. (Math.) See under Calculus. -- Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself, when these increments are made indefinitely small. -- Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected shaft. -- Differential duties (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not imposed equally upon the same products imported from different countries. -- Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect upon the needle. -- Differential gearing, a train of toothed wheels, usually an epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a differential motion. -- Differential motion, a mechanism in which a simple differential combination produces such a change of motion or force as would, with ordinary compound arrangements, require a considerable train of parts. It is used for overcoming great resistance or producing very slow or very rapid motion. -- Differential pulley. (Mach.) (a) A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle as the differential windlass. (b) A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing. -- Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component screws. -- Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a colored liquid, used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the colored fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. -- Differential windlass, or Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example of a differential motion.

Dif`fer*en"tial, n. 1. (Math.) An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.

According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero.

2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities.

3. (Elec.) (a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar action contrary to that of the other. (b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all. Knight.

Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. -- Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials.

Dif`fer*en"tial*ly (?), adv. In the way of differentiation.

Dif`fer*en"ti*ate (?), v. t. 1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize.

The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than.

Earle.

Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification.

Dr. Murray.

2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. Earle.

3. (Math.) To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.

Dif`fer*en"ti*ate, v. i. (Biol.) To acquire a distinct and separate character. Huxley.

Dif`fer*en`ti*a"tion (?), n. 1. The act of differentiating.

Further investigation of the Sanskrit may lead to differentiation of the meaning of such of these roots as are real roots.

J. Peile.

2. (Logic) The act of distinguishing or describing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination.

3. (Biol.) The gradual formation or production of organs or parts by a process of evolution or development, as when the seed develops the root and the stem, the initial stem develops the leaf, branches, and flower buds; or in animal life, when the germ evolves the digestive and other organs and members, or when the animals as they advance in organization acquire special organs for specific purposes.

4. (Metaph.) The supposed act or tendency in being of every kind, whether organic or inorganic, to assume or produce a more complex structure or functions.

Dif`fer*en"ti*a`tor (?), n. One who, or that which, differentiates.

Dif"fer*ent*ly (?), adv. In a different manner; variously.

Dif"fer*ing*ly, adv. In a differing or different manner. Boyle.

Dif"fi*cile (?), a. [L. difficilis: cf. F. difficile. See Difficult.] Difficult; hard to manage; stubborn. [Obs.] -- Dif"fi*cile*ness, n. [Obs.] Bacon.

Dif`fi*cil"i*tate (?), v. t. To make difficult. [Obs.] W. Montagu.

Dif"fi*cult (?), a. [From Difficulty.] 1. Hard to do or to make; beset with difficulty; attended with labor, trouble, or pains; not easy; arduous.

Difficult implies the notion that considerable mental effort or skill is required, or that obstacles are to be overcome which call for sagacity and skill in the agent; as, a difficult task; hard work is not always difficult work; a difficult operation in surgery; a difficult passage in an author.

There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, and difficult world, alone.

Hawthorne.

2. Hard to manage or to please; not easily wrought upon; austere; stubborn; as, a difficult person.

Syn. -- Arduous; painful; crabbed; perplexed; laborious; unaccommodating; troublesome. See Arduous.

Dif"fi*cult, v. t. To render difficult; to impede; to perplex. [R.] Sir W. Temple.

Dif"fi*cult*ate (?), v. t. To render difficult; to difficilitate. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Dif"fi*cult*ly, adv. With difficulty. Cowper.

Dif"fi*cult*ness, n. Difficulty. [R.] Golding.

Dif"fi*cul*ty (?), n.; pl. Difficulties (#). [L. difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- + facilis easy: cf. F. difficulté. See Facile.] 1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do; hardness; arduousness; -- opposed to easiness or facility; as, the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of difficulty.

Not being able to promote them [the interests of life] on account of the difficulty of the region.

James Byrne.

2. Something difficult; a thing hard to do or to understand; that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires skill and perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the difficulties of a science; difficulties in theology.

They lie under some difficulties by reason of the emperor's displeasure.

Addison.

3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an objection; a cavil.

Measures for terminating all local difficulties.

Bancroft.

4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.

In days of difficulty and pressure.

Tennyson.

Syn. -- Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment; perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial; objection; cavil. See Impediment.

Dif*fide" (?), v. i. [L. diffidere. See Diffident.] To be distrustful. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

Dif"fi*dence (?), n. [L. diffidentia.] 1. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others. [Archaic]

That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me down even to a diffidence of God's mercy.

Donne.

2. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness.

It is good to speak on such questions with diffidence.

Macaulay.

An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness of address.

W. Irving.

Syn. -- Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See Humility, and Bashfulness.

Dif"fi*den*cy (?), n. See Diffidence. [Obs.]

Dif"fi*dent (?), a. [L. diffidens, -entis, p. pr. of diffidere; dif- = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Defy.] 1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic]

You were always extremely diffident of their success.

Melmoth.

2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve.

The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in prayer.

Longfellow.

Syn. -- Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.

Dif"fi*dent*ly, adv. In a diffident manner.

To stand diffidently against each other with their thoughts in battle array.

Hobbes.

Dif*find (?), v. t. [L. diffindere, diffissum; dif- = dis- + findere to split.] To split. [Obs.] Bailey.

Dif*fine" (?), v. t. To define. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Dif*fin"i*tive (?), a. [For definitive.] Definitive; determinate; final. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

Dif*fis"sion (?), n. [See Diffind.] Act of cleaving or splitting. [R.] Bailey.

Dif*fla"tion (?), n. [LL. difflatio, fr. L. difflare, difflatum, to disperse by blowing.] A blowing apart or away. [Obs.] Bailey.

{ Dif"flu*ence (?), Dif"flu*en*cy (?), } n. A flowing off on all sides; fluidity. [R.]

Dif"flu*ent (?), a. [L. diffluens, p. pr. of diffluere to flow off; dif- = dis- + fluere to flow.] Flowing apart or off; dissolving; not fixed. [R.] Bailey.

Dif"form` (?), a. [Cf. F. difforme, fr. L. dif- = dis- + forma form. Cf. Deform.] Irregular in form; -- opposed to uniform; anomalous; hence, unlike; dissimilar; as, to difform corolla, the parts of which do not correspond in size or proportion; difform leaves.

The unequal refractions of difform rays.

Sir I. Newton.

Dif*form"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. difformité. See Difform, Deformity.] Irregularity of form; diversity of form; want of uniformity. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Dig (dg), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dug (dg) or Digged (dgd); 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. &radic;67.] 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).