Chapter 9

The title of decemvirs was given to various bodies of Roman magistrates. The most celebrated decemvirs framed "the laws of the Twelve Tables," about 450 B. C., and had absolute authority for three years.

2. A member of any body of ten men in authority.

De*cem"vi*ral (?), a. [L. decemviralis.] Pertaining to the decemvirs in Rome.

De*cem"vi*rate (?), n. [L. decemviratus.] 1. The office or term of office of the decemvirs in Rome.

2. A body of ten men in authority.

De*cem"vir*ship (?), n. The office of a decemvir. Holland.

De"cence (?), n. Decency. [Obs.] Dryden.

De"cen*cy (?), n.; pl. Decencies (#). [L. decentia, fr. decens: cf. F. décence. See Decent.] 1. The quality or state of being decent, suitable, or becoming, in words or behavior; propriety of form in social intercourse, in actions, or in discourse; proper formality; becoming ceremony; seemliness; hence, freedom from obscenity or indecorum; modesty.

Observances of time, place, and of decency in general.

Burke.

Immodest words admit of no defense, For want of decency is want of sense.

Roscommon.

2. That which is proper or becoming.

The external decencies of worship.

Atterbury.

Those thousand decencies, that daily flow From all her words and actions.

Milton.

De"cene (?), n. [L. decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H20, of the ethylene series.

De*cen"na*ry (?), n.; pl. Decennaries (#). [L. decennium a period of ten years; decem ten + annus a year.] 1. A period of ten years.

2. (O. Eng. Law) A tithing consisting of ten neighboring families. Burrill.

De*cen"ni*al (?), a. [See Decennary.] Consisting of ten years; happening every ten years; as, a decennial period; decennial games. Hallam.

De*cen"ni*al, n. A tenth year or tenth anniversary.

||De*cen"ni*um (?), n.; pl. Decenniums (#), L. Decennia (#). [L.] A period of ten years. "The present decennium." Hallam. "The last decennium of Chaucer's life." A. W. Ward.

{ De*cen"no*val (?), De*cen"no*va*ry (?), } a. [L. decem ten + novem nine.] Pertaining to the number nineteen; of nineteen years. [R.] Holder.

De"cent (d"sent), a. [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. dokei^n to seem good, to seem, think; cf. Skr. dç to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. décent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deign.] 1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language. Shak.

Before his decent steps.

Milton.

2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.

3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic]

A sable stole of cyprus lawn Over thy decent shoulders drawn.

Milton.

By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed.

Pope.

4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person.

A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs.

Burke.

-- De"cent*ly, adv. -- De"cent*ness, n.

De*cen`tral*i*za"tion (?), n. The action of decentralizing, or the state of being decentralized. "The decentralization of France." J. P. Peters.

De*cen"tral*ize (?), v. t. To prevent from centralizing; to cause to withdraw from the center or place of concentration; to divide and distribute (what has been united or concentrated); -- esp. said of authority, or the administration of public affairs.

De*cep"ti*ble (?), a. Capable of being deceived; deceivable. Sir T. Browne. -- De*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (&?;), n.

De*cep"tion (?), n. [F. déception, L. deceptio, fr. decipere, deceptum. See Deceive.] 1. The act of deceiving or misleading. South.

2. The state of being deceived or misled.

There is one thing relating either to the action or enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to deception.

South.

3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud.

There was of course room for vast deception.

Motley.

Syn. -- Deception, Deceit, Fraud, Imposition. Deception usually refers to the act, and deceit to the habit of the mind; hence we speak of a person as skilled in deception and addicted to deceit. The practice of deceit springs altogether from design, and that of the worst kind; but a deception does not always imply aim and intention. It may be undesigned or accidental. An imposition is an act of deception practiced upon some one to his annoyance or injury; a fraud implies the use of stratagem, with a view to some unlawful gain or advantage.

De*cep"tious (?), a. [LL. deceptiosus.] Tending deceive; delusive. [R.]

As if those organs had deceptious functions.

Shak.

De*cep"tive (?), a. [Cf. F. déceptif. See Deceive.] Tending to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with false opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or appearance.

Language altogether deceptive, and hiding the deeper reality from our eyes.

Trench.

Deceptive cadence (Mus.), a cadence on the subdominant, or in some foreign key, postponing the final close.

De*cep"tive*ly, adv. In a manner to deceive.

De*cep"tive*ness, n. The power or habit of deceiving; tendency or aptness to deceive.

De`cep*tiv"i*ty (?), n. Deceptiveness; a deception; a sham. [R.] Carlyle.

De*cep"to*ry (?), a. [L. deceptorius, from decipere.] Deceptive. [R.]

De*cern" (?), v. t. [L. decernere. See Decree.] 1. To perceive, discern, or decide. [Obs.] Granmer.

2. (Scots Law) To decree; to adjudge.

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De*cern"i*ture (?; 135), n. (Scots Law) A decree or sentence of a court. Stormonth.

De*cerp" (?), v. t. [L. decerpere; de- + carpere to pluck.] To pluck off; to crop; to gather. [Obs.]

De*cerpt" (?), a. [L. decerptus, p. p. of decerpere.] Plucked off or away. [Obs.]

De*cerp"ti*ble (?), a. That may be plucked off, cropped, or torn away. [Obs.] Bailey.

De*cerp"tion (?), n. 1. The act of plucking off; a cropping.

2. That which is plucked off or rent away; a fragment; a piece. Glanvill.

De`cer*ta"tion (?), n. [L. decertatio, fr. decertare, decertatum; de- + certare to contend.] Contest for mastery; contention; strife. [R.] Arnway.

De*ces"sion (?), n. [L. decessio, fr. decedere to depart. See Decease, n.] Departure; decrease; -- opposed to accesion. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

De*charm" (?), v. t. [Cf. F. décharmer. See Charm.] To free from a charm; to disenchant.

De*chris"tian*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dechristianized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dechristianizing.] To turn from, or divest of, Christianity.

De*cid"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being decided; determinable.

De*cide" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decided; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciding.] [L. decdere; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. décider. Cf. Decision.] 1. To cut off; to separate. [Obs.]

Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

Fuller.

2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.

So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

1 Kings xx. 40.

The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

Shak.

De*cide", v. i. To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant.

Who shall decide, when doctors disagree?

Pope.

De*cid"ed (?), a. 1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage. "A more decided taste for science." Prescott.

2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose; fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion or purpose.

Syn. -- Decided, Decisive. We call a thing decisive when it has the power or quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak of it as decided when it is so fully settled as to leave no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is one about which there is no question; a decisive victory is one which ends the contest. Decisive is applied only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a decisive decree, a decisive judgment. Decided is applied equally to persons and things. Thus we speak of a man as decided in his whole of conduct; and as having a decided disgust, or a decided reluctance, to certain measures. "A politic caution, a guarded circumspection, were among the ruling principles of our forefathers in their most decided conduct." Burke. "The sentences of superior judges are final, decisive, and irrevocable. Blackstone.

De*cid"ed*ly, adv. In a decided manner; indisputably; clearly; thoroughly.

De*cide"ment (?), n. Means of forming a decision. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Dec"i*dence (?), n. [L. decidens falling off.] A falling off. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

De*cid"er (?), n. One who decides.

||De*cid"u*a (?; 135), n. [NL., fr. L. deciduus. See Deciduous.] (Anat.) The inner layer of the wall of the uterus, which envelops the embryo, forms a part of the placenta, and is discharged with it.

||De*cid`u*a"ta (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A group of Mammalia in which a decidua is thrown off with, or after, the fetus, as in the human species.

De*cid"u*ate (?; 135), a. (Anat.) Possessed of, or characterized by, a decidua.

Dec`i*du"i*ty (?), n. Deciduousness. [R.]

De*cid"u*ous (?; 135), a. [L. deciduus, fr. dec&?;dere to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.] (Biol.) Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

De*cid"u*ous*ness, n. The quality or state of being deciduous.

{ Dec"i*gram, Dec"i*gramme } (?), n. [F. décigramme; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + gramme.] A weight in the metric system; one tenth of a gram, equal to 1.5432 grains avoirdupois.

{ Dec"il, Dec"ile } (?), n. [F. décil, fr. L. decem ten&?; cf. It. decile.] (Astrol.) An aspect or position of two planets, when they are distant from each other a tenth part of the zodiac, or 36°.

{ Dec"i*li`ter, Dec"i*li`tre } (?), n. [F. décilitre; pref. déci- tenth (L. decimus) + litre. See Liter.] A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.

De*cil"lion (?), n. [L. decem ten + the ending of million.] According to the English notation, a million involved to the tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [See the Note under Numeration.]

De*cil"lionth (?), a. Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity divided by a decillion.

De*cil"lionth (?), n. (a) The quotient of unity divided by a decillion. (b) One of a decillion equal parts.

Dec"i*mal (?), a. [F. décimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr. L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See Ten, and cf. Dime.] Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage.

Decimal arithmetic, the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens. -- Decimal fraction, a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as , , and is usually not expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as .2, .25. -- Decimal point, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

Dec"i*mal, n. A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction.

Circulating, or Circulatory, decimal, a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; - - called also recurring decimal, repeating decimal, and repetend.

Dec"i*mal*ism (?), n. The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures, etc.

Dec"i*mal*ize (?), v. t. To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the currency. -- Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion (#), n.

Dec"i*mal*ly, adv. By tens; by means of decimals.

Dec"i*mate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decimated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating (?).] [L. decimatus, p. p. of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See Decimal.] 1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. Johnson.

2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny. Macaulay.

3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.

Dec`i*ma"tion (?), n. [L. decimatio: cf. F. décimation.] 1. A tithing. [Obs.] State Trials (1630).

2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment. Shak.

3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war. Milman.

Dec"i*ma`tor (?), n. [Cf. LL. decimator.] One who decimates. South.

||Dé`cime" (?), n. [F.] A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.

{ Dec"i*me`ter, Dec"i*me`tre } (?), n. [F. décimètre; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + mètre. See Meter.] A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937 inches.

Dec`i*mo*sex"to (?), n. [Prop., in sixteenth; fr. L. decimus tenth + sextus sixth.] A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of book; - - usually written 16mo or 16°.

Dec`i*mo*sex"to, a. Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book, leaf, size.

De"cine (?; 104), n. [From L. decem ten.] (Chem.) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the acetylene series; -- called also decenylene.

De*ci"pher (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deciphered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Deciphering.] [Pref. de- + cipher. Formed in imitation of F. déchiffrer. See Cipher.] 1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters.

2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.]

You are both deciphered, . . . For villains.

Shak.

De*ci"pher*a*ble (?), a. Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not decipherable.

De*ci"pher*er (?), n. One who deciphers.

De*ci"pher*ess (?), n. A woman who deciphers.

De*ci"pher*ment (?), n. The act of deciphering.

De*cip"i*en*cy (?), n. [L. decipiens, p. pr. of decipere. See Deceive.] State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

De*cip"i*um (?), n. [NL., fr. L. decipere to deceive.] (Chem.) A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium, yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently called samarium. Symbol Dp. See Samarium.

De*ci"sion (?), n. [L. decisio, fr. decdere, decisum: cf. F. décision. See Decide.] 1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

2. The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement; conclusion.

The decision of some dispute.

Atterbury.

3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the Supreme Court.

4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision.

Syn. -- Decision, Determination, Resolution. Each of these words has two meanings, one implying the act of deciding, determining, or resolving; and the other a habit of mind as to doing. It is in the last sense that the words are here compared. Decision is a cutting short. It implies that several courses of action have been presented to the mind, and that the choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore, a union of promptitude and energy. Determination is the natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of a thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is the necessary result in a mind which is characterized by firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves) all doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in carrying out one's determinations. Martin Luther was equally distinguished for his prompt decision, his steadfast determination, and his inflexible resolution.

De*ci*sive (?), a. [Cf. F. décisif. See Decision.] 1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive, irrevocable doom." Bates. "Decisive campaign." Macaulay. "Decisive proof." Hallam.

2. Marked by promptness and decision.

A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character.

J. Foster.

Syn. -- Decided; positive; conclusive. See Decided.

-- De*ci"sive*ly, adv. -- De*ci"sive*ness, n.

De*ci"so*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. décisoire. See Decision.] Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide. [R.]

Dec"i*stere (?), n. [F. décistère; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + stère a stere.] (Metric System) The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere.

De*cit"i*zen*ize (?), v. t. To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.]

We have no law -- as the French have -- to decitizenize a citizen.

Edw. Bates.

De*civ"i*lize (?), v. t. To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [R.] Blackwood's Mag.

Deck (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Decking.] [D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch. See Thatch.] 1. To cover; to overspread.

To deck with clouds the uncolored sky.

Milton.

2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to embellish.

Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency.

Job xl. 10.

And deck my body in gay ornaments.

Shak.

The dew with spangles decked the ground.

Dryden.

3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel.

Deck, n. [D. dek. See Deck, v.] 1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks.

The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one.

Berth deck (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. -- Boiler deck (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers are placed. -- Flush deck, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. -- Gun deck (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck. -- Half-deck, that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. -- Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. -- Orlop deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. -- Poop deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. -- Quarter-deck, the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. -- Spar deck. (a) Same as the upper deck. (b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck. -- Upper deck, the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.

2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.

4. A pack or set of playing cards.

The king was slyly fingered from the deck.

Shak.

5. A heap or store. [Obs.]

Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck.

Massinger.

Between decks. See under Between. -- Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders. -- Deck curb (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof construction. -- Deck floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony. -- Deck hand, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft. -- Deck molding (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof. -- Deck roof (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls. -- Deck transom (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the deck is framed. -- To clear the decks (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action. -- To sweep the deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them.

Deck"el (?), n. (Paper Making) Same as Deckle.

Deck"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a coverer; as, a table decker.

2. A vessel which has a deck or decks; -- used esp. in composition; as, a single-decker; a three- decker.

Dec"kle (dk"k'l), n. [Cf. G. deckel cover, lid.] (Paper Making) A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine and determines the width of the paper. [Spelt also deckel, and dekle.]

De*claim" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Declaimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Declaiming.] [L. declamare; de- + clamare to cry out: cf. F. déclamer. See Claim.] 1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration; to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public speaking; as, the students declaim twice a week.

2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant.

Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the repeal of the stamp act.

Bancroft.

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De*claim" (?), v. t. 1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical or set manner.

2. To defend by declamation; to advocate loudly. [Obs.] "Declaims his cause." South.

De*claim"ant (?), n. A declaimer. [R.]

De*claim"er (?), n. One who declaims; an haranguer.

Dec`la*ma"tion (?), n. [L. declamatio, from declamare: cf. F. déclamation. See Declaim.] 1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students.

The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation.

Macaulay.

2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.

3. Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense; as, mere declamation.

Dec"la*ma`tor (?), n. [L.] A declaimer. [R.] Sir T. Elyot.

De*clam"a*to*ry (?), a. [L. declamatorius: cf. F. déclamatoire.] 1. Pertaining to declamation; treated in the manner of a rhetorician; as, a declamatory theme.

2. Characterized by rhetorical display; pretentiously rhetorical; without solid sense or argument; bombastic; noisy; as, a declamatory way or style.

De*clar"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being declared. Sir T. Browne.

De*clar"ant (?), n. [Cf. F. déclarant, p. pr. of déclarer.] (Law) One who declares. Abbott.

Dec`la*ra"tion (?), n. [F. déclaration, fr. L. declaratio, fr. declarare. See Declare.] 1. The act of declaring, or publicly announcing; explicit asserting; undisguised token of a ground or side taken on any subject; proclamation; exposition; as, the declaration of an opinion; a declaration of war, etc.

2. That which is declared or proclaimed; announcement; distinct statement; formal expression; avowal.

Declarations of mercy and love . . . in the Gospel.

Tillotson.