Dacker
Dacker, dak′ėr, Daker, dā′kėr, v.i. (Scot.) to lounge, saunter.—Also Daik′er.
English · e-37683-6781 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 35
Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.
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Page 35 of 179Dacoit
Dacoit, da-koit′, n. one of a gang of robbers in India and Burma—also Dakoit′.—ns. Dacoit′y, Dacoit′age, robbery by gang-robbers, brigandage. [Hind. dākāīt, a robber.]
English · e-37683-6782Dacryoma
Dacryoma, dak-ri-ō′ma, n. stoppage of the tear duct. [Formed from Gr. dakry, a tear.]
English · e-37683-6783 · brief source recordDactyl
Dactyl, dak′til, n. in Latin and Greek poetry, a foot of three syllables, one long followed by two short, so called from its likeness to the joints of a finger; in English, a foot of three syllables, with the first accen
English · e-37683-6784Dad
Dad, dad, Daddy, dad′i, n. father, a word used by children.—n. Dadd′y-long-legs, the crane-fly, a familiar insect with long body, legs, and antennæ. [Prob. Celt., W. tad, Bret, tad, tat; cf. Gr. tata.]
English · e-37683-6785Dad
Dad, dad, v.t. to throw against something: to dash.—n. a lump: a piece: a blow. [Der. unknown.]
English · e-37683-6786 · brief source recordDaddle
Daddle, dad′l, v.i. to walk in an unsteady manner, as a child or very old person: to totter:—pr.p. dadd′ling; pa.p. dadd′led. [Perh. conn. with Dawdle.]
English · e-37683-6787Daddle
Daddle, dad′l, n. (slang) the hand.
English · e-37683-6788 · brief source recordDaddock
Daddock, dad′ok, n. (prov.) the heart of a rotten tree.
English · e-37683-6789 · brief source recordDado
Dado, dā′do, n. in classical architecture, the cubic block forming the body of a pedestal: a skirting of wood along the lower part of the walls of a room, often represented merely by wall-paper, painting, &c. [It.,—L. da
English · e-37683-6790Dædal
Dædal, dē′dal, Dædalian, de-dā′li-an, adj. formed with art: displaying artistic skill: intricate. [From L. Dædalus, Gr. Daidalos, the mythical artist who constructed the Cretan labyrinth.]
English · e-37683-6791Dæmon
Dæmon, dē′mon, n. a spirit holding a middle place between gods and men, like the dæmon or good genius of Socrates.—adj. Dæ′monic, supernatural: of power or intelligence more than human. [L. dæmon—Gr. daimōn, a spirit, a
English · e-37683-6792Daff
Daff, daf, v.i. to play, to play the fool.—n. Daff′ing (Scot.), foolery, gaiety. [M. E. daf, deaf, prob. Ice. dawfr (Sw. döf, Dan. döv), deaf.]
English · e-37683-6793Daff
Daff, daf, v.t. (Shak.) to put off. [A variant of Doff.]
English · e-37683-6794 · brief source recordDaffodil
Daffodil, daf′o-dil, Daffodilly, daf′o-dil-i, Daffodowndilly, daf′o-down-dil′i, n. a yellow flower of the lily tribe—also called King's spear. [M. E. affodille—O. Fr. asphodile—Gr. asphodelus; the d is prefixed accidenta
English · e-37683-6795Daft
Daft, daft, adj. (Scot.) silly, weak-minded, insane, unreasonably merry.—adv. Daft′ly.—n. Daft′ness. [See Daff.]
English · e-37683-6796 · brief source recordDag
Dag, dag, n. a dagger: a hand-gun or heavy pistol, used in the 15th and 16th centuries.—Also Dagge. [Fr. dague; Celt.; cf. Bret. dag.]
English · e-37683-6797Dagger
Dagger, dag′ėr, n. a short sword for stabbing at close quarters: (print.) a mark of reference ( [Image: Dagger] ), the double dagger ( [Image: Double Dagger] ) being another.—At daggers drawn, in a state of hostility; Lo
English · e-37683-6798Daggle
Daggle, dag′l, v.t. and v.i. to wet or grow wet by dragging on the wet ground.—n. Dagg′le-tail, a slattern.—adj. slatternly. [Freq. of prov. Eng. dag, to sprinkle, from a Scand. root seen in Sw. dagg.]
English · e-37683-6799Dago
Dago, dā′go, n. (U.S.) a name applied loosely to Spanish- and Italian-born men. [Prob. a corr. of Sp. Diego—L. Jacobus.]
English · e-37683-6800Dagoba
Dagoba, dag′o-ba, n. in Ceylon, a dome-like structure of solid masonry, containing relics of a Buddhist saint. [Singh. dāgaba.]
English · e-37683-6801Dagon
Dagon, dā′gon, n. the national god of the Philistines, half-man, half-fish. [Heb. dāgōn—dag, fish.]
English · e-37683-6802 · brief source recordDaguerreotype
Daguerreotype, da-ger′o-tīp, n. a method of taking pictures on metal plates by the light of the sun: a photograph fixed on a plate of copper by a certain process.—adj. Daguer′rēan.—n. Daguerrē′otypy, the art of daguerreo
English · e-37683-6803Dagwood
Dagwood. See Dogwood.
English · e-37683-6804 · brief source recordDahabeeah
Dahabeeah, da-ha-bē′a, n. a Nile-boat with oars, one or two masts, and lateen sails.—Also Dahabi′eh, Dahabi′yeh. [Ar. dahabīya.]
English · e-37683-6805Dahlia
Dahlia, dāl′i-a, n. a genus of garden plants with large flowers. [From Dahl, a Swedish botanist.]
English · e-37683-6806 · brief source recordDaidle
Daidle, dā′dl, v.i. a Scotch form of daddle: also to draggle.—adj. Daid′ling, feeble: dawdling.
English · e-37683-6807 · brief source recordDaiker
Daiker, dā′ker, v.i. (prov.) to deck out.
English · e-37683-6808 · brief source recordDaily
Daily, dā′li, adj. and adv. every day.—n. a daily paper.
English · e-37683-6809 · brief source recordDaimio
Daimio, dī′myo, n. a Japanese territorial noble under the old feudal system. [Jap.]
English · e-37683-6810 · brief source recordDainty
Dainty, dān′ti, adj. pleasant to the palate: delicate: fastidious: (Spens.) elegant.—n. that which is dainty, a delicacy.—adj. Daint (Spens.).—adv. Dain′tily.—n. Dain′tiness. [M. E. deintee, anything worthy or costly. O.
English · e-37683-6811Dairy
Dairy, dā′ri, n. the place where milk is kept, and butter and cheese made: an establishment for the supply of milk.—ns. Dai′ry-farm; Dai′rying; Dai′rymaid; Dai′ryman. [M. E. deye.—Ice. deigja, a dairymaid; orig. a kneade
English · e-37683-6812Dais
Dais, dā′is, n. a raised floor at the upper end of the dining-hall where the high table stood: a raised floor with a seat and canopy: the canopy over an altar, &c. [O. Fr. dais—Low L. discus, a table—L. discus, a quoit—G
English · e-37683-6813Daisy
Daisy, dā′zi, n. a common wild-flower, growing in pastures and meadows—the name given also to other plants, as the Ox-eye daisy, which is a chrysanthemum.—adj. Dai′sied, covered with daisies.—n. Dai′sy-cut′ter, a fast-go
English · e-37683-6814Dak
Dak, däk, Dawk, dawk, n. in India, the mail-post: travelling in palanquins carried by relays of bearers. [Hind. dāk, a relay of men.]
English · e-37683-6815Dakoit
Dakoit. See Dacoit.
English · e-37683-6816 · brief source recordDalai-lama
Dalai-lama. See Lama.
English · e-37683-6817 · brief source recordDale
Dale, dāl, Dell, del, n. the low ground between hills: the valley through which a river flows.—n. Dales′man, specifically, an inhabitant of the dales of the Lake District. [Ice. dalr, Sw. dal; Ger. thal.]
English · e-37683-6818Dali
Dali, dä′li, n. a timber-tree of Guiana, its wood used for staves, &c.
English · e-37683-6819 · brief source recordDalila
Dalila. See Delilah.
English · e-37683-6820 · brief source recordDall
Dall, dal, n. a tile with incised surface: (pl.) rapids.
English · e-37683-6821 · brief source recordDallop
Dallop, dal′op, n. (prov.), a tuft of grass.
English · e-37683-6822 · brief source recordDally
Dally, dal′i, v.i. to lose time by idleness or trifling: to play: to exchange caresses:—pa.p. dall′ied.—ns. Dall′iance, dallying, toying, or trifling: interchange of embraces: delay; Dall′ier, a trifler. [M. E. dalien, t
English · e-37683-6823Dalmahoy
Dalmahoy, dal′ma-hoi, n. a bushy bob-wig, worn in the 18th cent. by chemists, &c.
English · e-37683-6824 · brief source recordDalmatian
Dalmatian, dal-mā′shun, adj. belonging to Dalmatia, a strip of Austrian territory along the Adriatic.—Dalmatian dog, the spotted coach-dog, resembling the pointer in shape.
English · e-37683-6825Dalmatic
Dalmatic, dal-mat′ik, n. a loose-fitting, wide-sleeved ecclesiastical vestment, worn specially by deacons in the R.C. Church, also sometimes by bishops. [Low L. dalmatica, a robe worn by persons of rank in the early Chri
English · e-37683-6826Dalt
Dalt, dält, n. (Scot.) a foster-child. [Gael. dalta.]
English · e-37683-6827 · brief source recordDaltonism
Daltonism, dal′ton-izm, n. colour-blindness: inability to distinguish certain colours.—adj. Daltō′nian. [So called from the chemist John Dalton (1766-1844), who had this infirmity.]
English · e-37683-6828Dam
Dam, dam, n. an embankment to restrain water: the water thus confined.—v.t. to keep back water by a bank:—pr.p. dam′ming; pa.p. dammed. [Teut.; Dut. dam, Ger. damm, &c.]
English · e-37683-6829Dam
Dam, dam, n. a mother, applied to quadrupeds. [A form of dame.]
English · e-37683-6830 · brief source recordDamage
Damage, dam′āj, n. hurt, injury, loss: the value of what is lost: (coll.) cost: (pl.) the pecuniary reparation due for loss or injury sustained by one person through the fault or negligence of another.—v.t. to harm.—v.i.
English · e-37683-6831Daman
Daman, dam′an, n. the Syrian hyrax, the cony of the Bible. [Syrian.]
English · e-37683-6832 · brief source recordDamar
Damar. Same as Dammar.
English · e-37683-6833 · brief source recordDamascene
Damascene, da′mas-ēn, adj. of Damascus.—v.t. same as Damaskeen.
English · e-37683-6834 · brief source recordDamask
Damask, dam′ask, n. figured stuff, originally of silk, now of linen, cotton, or wool, the figure being woven, not printed.—v.t. to flower or variegate, as cloth.—adj. of a red colour, like that of a damask rose.—v.t. Dam
English · e-37683-6835Damboard
Damboard, dam′bōrd, Dambrod, dam′brod, n. (Scot.) a draughtboard, the pieces being dams. [Fr. jeu de dames, copied by the Germans as damenspiel, by the Swedes as damspel, &c., perhaps from the movement of the pieces bein
English · e-37683-6836Dame
Dame, dām, n. the mistress of a house: a matron: a noble lady.—ns. Dame′-school, a school for children kept by a woman; Dame's′-vī′olet, a genus of cruciferous plants, formerly cultivated by ladies in pots for its sweet
English · e-37683-6837Dammar
Dammar, dam′mar, n. a resin, used for making varnish, obtained from a genus of East Indian conifers.
English · e-37683-6838 · brief source recordDamn
Damn, dam, v.t. to censure or condemn: to sentence to eternal punishment: to doom.—n. an oath: a curse.—adj. Dam′nable, deserving or tending to damnation: hateful: pernicious.—n. Dam′nableness.—adv. Dam′nably.—n. Damnā′t
English · e-37683-6839Damoclean
Damoclean, dam-ō-clē′an, adj. like Damocles, flatterer of Dionysius of Syracuse, taught the insecurity of happiness by being made to sit through the feast with a sword suspended by a single hair over his head.
English · e-37683-6840Damosel
Damosel, dam′o-sel, n. Same as Damsel.
English · e-37683-6841 · brief source recordDamp
Damp, damp, n. vapour, mist: moist air: lowness of spirits: (pl.) dangerous vapours in mines, &c.—v.t. to wet slightly: to chill: to discourage: to check: to make dull.—adj. moist, foggy: sometimes in the form Damp′y.—v.
English · e-37683-6842Damsel
Damsel, dam′zel, n. a young unmarried woman: a girl. [O. Fr. damoisele (Fr. demoiselle), a page—Low L. domicellus, dim. of L. dominus, a lord.]
English · e-37683-6843Damson
Damson, dam′zn, n. a rather small oval fruited variety of the common plum, esteemed for preserving. [Shortened from Damascene—Damascus.]
English · e-37683-6844Dan
Dan, dan, n. a title of honour equivalent to Master or Sir. [O. Fr. dan. (Sp. don; Port. dom)—L. dominus, lord. See Dame.]
English · e-37683-6845Dan
Dan, dan, n. (prov.) a box for carrying coal: a tub.
English · e-37683-6846 · brief source recordDanakil
Danakil, dan′a-kil, n. the name given to the numerous nomad and fisher tribes on the coast of North-east Africa. [Ar.]
English · e-37683-6847 · brief source recordDance
Dance, dans, v.i. to move with measured steps to music: to spring.—v.t. to make to dance or jump.—n. the movement of one or more persons with measured steps to music: the tune to which dancing is performed.—ns. Dance′-mū
English · e-37683-6848Dancette
Dancette, dan-set′, n. (her.) a zigzag or indented line or figure: the chevron or zigzag moulding common in Romanesque architecture—also adj. [O. Fr. dent, dant, tooth, notch—L. dens.]
English · e-37683-6849Dandelion
Dandelion, dan-de-lī′un, n. a common plant with a yellow flower, its leaves with jagged tooth-like edges. [Fr. dent de lion, tooth of the lion.]
English · e-37683-6850Dander
Dander, dan′dėr, Daunder, dawn′dėr, v.i. (Scot.) to walk leisurely or idly. [Akin to dandle.]
English · e-37683-6851 · brief source recordDander
Dander, n. a form of Dandruff (vulg.), anger: passion.—Raise a person's dander, to put him in a temper.
English · e-37683-6852 · brief source recordDander
Dander, n. (Scot.) furnace cinders. [Ety. dub.]
English · e-37683-6853 · brief source recordDandle
Dandle, dan′dl, v.t. to play with: to fondle or toss in the arms, as a baby. [Prob. Teut.; cf. Ger. tändeln—tand, a toy.]
English · e-37683-6854Dandriff
Dandriff, dand′rif, Dandruff, dand′ruf, n. a scaly scurf which forms on the surface of the skin under the hair and beard. [Perh. from W. ton, surface, skin, and drwg, bad (Skeat).]
English · e-37683-6855Dandy
Dandy, dan′di, n. a foppish, silly fellow: one who pays much attention to dress.—v.t. Dan′dify, to dress up as a dandy.—adv. Dan′dily, like a dandy.—ns. Dan′dy-brush, a hard brush of whalebone bristles; Dan′dy-cock, a ba
English · e-37683-6856Dandy
Dandy, dan′di, n. a sloop-like vessel having a jigger-mast abaft.—n. Dandy-rigged cutter.
English · e-37683-6857 · brief source recordDandyprat
Dandyprat, dan′di-prat, n. a dwarf: an urchin. [Ety. dub.]
English · e-37683-6858 · brief source recordDane
Dane, dān, n. a native of Denmark.—adj. Dan′ish, belonging to Denmark.—n. the language of the Danes—(Spens.) Danisk.
English · e-37683-6859 · brief source recordDanegeld
Danegeld, dān′geld, n. a tax imposed in the 10th cent., to buy off the Danes or to defend the country against them. [A.S. Dene, Danes, geid, a payment.]
English · e-37683-6860Dang
Dang, dang, v.t. a minced form of damn.
English · e-37683-6861 · brief source recordDanger
Danger, dān′jėr, n. peril, hazard, or risk: insecurity: (obs.) power.—v.t. (Shak.) to endanger.—adj. Dan′gerous, full of danger: unsafe: insecure.—adv. Dan′gerously.—ns. Dan′gerousness; Dan′ger-sig′nal. [O. Fr. dangier,
English · e-37683-6862Dangle
Dangle, dang′gl, v.t. to hang loosely or with a swinging motion: to follow any one about.—v.t. to make to dangle.—n. Dan′gler, one who dangles about others, esp. about women. [Scand., Dan. dangle, to dangle; cf. Ice. din
English · e-37683-6863Daniel
Daniel, dan′yel, n. in phrase A second Daniel, a wise judge, with reference to the interposition of the wise young Daniel to save Susannah, in one of the Apocryphal additions to the book of Daniel.
English · e-37683-6864Danite
Danite, dan′īt, n. one of a secret society amongst the early Mormons. [In allusion to Gen. xlix. 16, 17.]
English · e-37683-6865 · brief source recordDank
Dank, dangk, adj. moist, wet.—n. (Milt.) water.—adj. Dank′ish, somewhat dank or damp. [Perh. conn. with dew. See also Daggle.]
English · e-37683-6866Dannebrog
Dannebrog, dān′e-brog, n. the second of the Danish orders instituted by King Waldemar in 1219. [Dan., 'the Danish banner.']
English · e-37683-6867Danseuse
Danseuse, dong-süz′, n. a female dancer: a ballet dancer. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-6868 · brief source recordDansker
Dansker, dan′skėr, n. (Shak.) a Dane.
English · e-37683-6869 · brief source recordDantean
Dantean, dan′te-an, Dantesque, dan′tesk, adj. like the poet Dante: sublime: austere.—ns. Dan′tist, a Dante scholar; Dantoph′ilist, a lover of Dante.
English · e-37683-6870Danton
Danton, dan′ton, v.t. (Scot.) to subdue, to daunt. [A form of daunt.]
English · e-37683-6871 · brief source recordDanubian
Danubian, dan-ū′bi-an, adj. pertaining to or bordering on the Danube.—Danubian Principalities, a name applied to Moldavia and Wallachia.
English · e-37683-6872Dap
Dap, dap, v.i. to drop the bait gently into the water.
English · e-37683-6873 · brief source recordDaphne
Daphne, daf′nē, n. a genus of shrubs or small trees. [Gr.]
English · e-37683-6874 · brief source recordDapper
Dapper, dap′ėr, adj. quick: little and active: neat: spruce.—n. Dapp′erling, a dapper little fellow. [Dut. dapper, brave; cf. Ger. tapfer, quick, brave.]
English · e-37683-6875Dapple
Dapple, dap′l, adj. marked with spots.—v.t. to variegate with spots.—adjs. Dapp′erly (Scot.), variegated; Dapp′le-bay, of bay colour, variegated with dapples; Dapp′led; Dapp′le-gray. [See Dimple.]
English · e-37683-6876Darbies
Darbies, där′biz, n.pl. (slang) handcuffs. [App. from the personal name Darby.]
English · e-37683-6877 · brief source recordDarbyites
Darbyites, där′bi-īts, n.pl. a name given to the Plymouth Brethren. [From their principal founder, J. N. Darby (1800-82).]
English · e-37683-6878Dare
Dare, dār, v.i. to be bold enough: to venture:—pa.t. durst.—v.t. to challenge: to defy.—n. (Shak.) boldness, a challenge.—n. Dare′-dev′il, a rash, venturesome fellow.—adj. unreasonably rash and reckless.—adjs. Dare′ful (
English · e-37683-6879Dare
Dare, dār, v.t. to frighten, terrify. [M. E. daren, to be in fear; cf. Dan. dirre, to tremble.]
English · e-37683-6880 · brief source recordDare
Dare, dār. Same as Dace.
English · e-37683-6881 · brief source recordDarg
Darg, darg, n. a day's work: (Scot.) a task. [Contr. from dawerk, day-wark, day-work.]
English · e-37683-6882 · brief source recordDaric
Daric, dar′ik, n. an old gold coin larger than an English sovereign, named after Darius I. of Persia.
English · e-37683-6883 · brief source recordDark
Dark, därk, adj. without light: black, or somewhat black: gloomy: difficult to understand: unenlightened: secret: sinister.—n. absence of light: obscurity: a state of ignorance.—adv. (Shak.) in a state of dark.—v.t. Dark
English · e-37683-6884Darling
Darling, där′ling, n. a little dear: one dearly beloved: a favourite. [Dear, and dim. suff. -ling = l-ing.]
English · e-37683-6885 · brief source recordDarn
Darn, därn, v.t. to mend a hole by imitating the texture of the stuff.—n. the place darned.—n. Darn′ing-needle. [W. darn, a piece, a patch.]
English · e-37683-6886Darn
Darn, därn, v.i. a minced form of damn.
English · e-37683-6887 · brief source recordDarnel
Darnel, där′nel, n. an annual of the rye-grass genus, the tares of Scripture. [Prob. conn. with O. Fr. darne, stupid, from its supposed narcotic properties.]
English · e-37683-6888Darraign
Darraign, Darrain. See Derain.
English · e-37683-6889 · brief source recordDart
Dart, därt, n. a pointed weapon for throwing with the hand: anything that pierces.—v.t. to hurl suddenly: to send or shoot forth.—v.i. to start or shoot forth rapidly—freq. Dar′tle.—adv. Dart′ingly. [O. Fr. dart; from a
English · e-37683-6890Dart
Dart. See Dace.
English · e-37683-6891 · brief source recordDarter
Darter, därt′ėr, n. a genus of birds nearly allied to cormorants, heron-like in gait and gesture.
English · e-37683-6892 · brief source recordDartre
Dartre, där′tr, n. herpes.—adj. Dar′trous. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-6893 · brief source recordDarwinism
Darwinism, där′win-ism, n. the theory of the origin of species propounded by C. Darwin (1809-82).—adjs. Darwin′ian, Darwin′ical.
English · e-37683-6894Dash
Dash, dash, v.t. to throw violently: to break by throwing together: to throw water suddenly: to bespatter: to destroy or frustrate: to mix or adulterate.—v.i. to strike against: to break against, as water: to rush with v
English · e-37683-6895Dastard
Dastard, das′tard, n. a cowardly fellow.—adj. shrinking from danger: cowardly.—adj. and adv. Das′tardly.—ns. Das′tardness, Das′tardliness, Das′tardy. [From a Scand. stem dast = Eng. dazed, and Fr. suffix -ard. See Daze.]
English · e-37683-6896Dasymeter
Dasymeter, da-sim′e-tėr, n. an instrument for testing the density of gases. [Gr. dasys, thick, metron, measure.]
English · e-37683-6897 · brief source recordDasypus
Dasypus, das′i-pus, n. a genus of armadillos.
English · e-37683-6898 · brief source recordDasyure
Dasyure, das′i-yōōr, n. a small carnivorous quadruped of Australia and Tasmania. [Formed from Gr. dasys, hairy, oura, tail.]
English · e-37683-6899Data
Data, dā′ta, n.pl. facts given or admitted from which other facts may be deduced:—sing. Dā′tum. [L. datum, data, given—dăre, to give.]
English · e-37683-6900Datary
Datary, dā′ta-ri, n. an officer in the papal chancery, who dates and despatches documents, grants, &c.—n. Datā′ria, the office of such. [Low L. datarius—L. datum—dăre, to give.]
English · e-37683-6901Date
Date, dāt, n. the time of any event: a stipulated time: age, period of time.—v.t. to affix the date to.—v.t. to reckon: to begin.—adj. Date′less, without date: without fixed limit: undatable.—Out of date, antiquated; Up
English · e-37683-6902Date
Date, dāt, n. the fruit of the date-palm.—ns. Date′-palm, Date′-tree, the tree on which it grows, a native of the northern half of Africa and the south-west of Asia; Date′-plum; Date′-sug′ar. [Fr. datte—L. dactylus—Gr. d
English · e-37683-6903Dative
Dative, dāt′iv, adj. that is given or appointed.—n. the dative case, the oblique case of nouns, &c.—generally indicated in English by to or for. [L. dativus.]
English · e-37683-6904Datolite
Datolite, dat′ō-līt, n. a vitreous calcium borosilicate.
English · e-37683-6905 · brief source recordDatum
Datum, dā′tum (see Data).—n. Dā′tum-line, the horizontal base-line from which heights and depths are measured.
English · e-37683-6906 · brief source recordDatura
Datura, dā-tū′ra, n. a genus of plants, of which one, D. stramonium, or thorn-apple, has strongly narcotic properties.—n. Dat′urine, a poisonous alkaloid in the foregoing. [Hind. dhatūrā.]
English · e-37683-6907Daub
Daub, dawb, v.t. to smear: to paint coarsely.—n. a coarse painting.—ns. Daub′er, one who daubs: a coarse painter; Daub′ery, Daub′ry (Shak.), a daubing, or crudely artful device; Daub′ing.—adj. Daub′y, sticky. [O. Fr. dau
English · e-37683-6908Daud
Daud, daud, v.t. (Scot.) to knock, thump.—n. a lump: large piece.—Also Dawd.
English · e-37683-6909 · brief source recordDaughter
Daughter, daw′tėr, n. a female child: a female descendant: woman (generally).—ns. Daugh′ter-in-law, a son's wife; Daugh′terliness; Daugh′terling, a little daughter.—adj. Daugh′terly, like or becoming a daughter. [A.S. do
English · e-37683-6910Daunder
Daunder, Dauner. Same as Dander.
English · e-37683-6911 · brief source recordDaunt
Daunt, dänt, or dawnt, v.t. to frighten: to discourage: to subdue.—adj. Daunt′less, not to be daunted.—adv. Daunt′lessly.—n. Daunt′lessness.—v.t. Daun′ton, to subdue: to dare. [O. Fr. danter (Fr. dompter)—L. domitāre—dom
English · e-37683-6912Dauphin
Dauphin, daw′fin, n. the name given to the eldest son of the king of France, from 1349 down to 1830:—fem. Dau′phiness. [O. Fr. daulphin (Fr. dauphin)—L. delphinus, a dolphin. From the dolphins in the crest of Viennois.]
English · e-37683-6913Daur
Daur, dawr, a Scotch form of dare.
English · e-37683-6914 · brief source recordDautie
Dautie. See Dawtie.
English · e-37683-6915 · brief source recordDauw
Dauw, daw, n. the South African name of Burchell's zebra.
English · e-37683-6916 · brief source recordDavenport
Davenport, dā′ven-port, n. a small ornamental writing-desk. [From the maker.]
English · e-37683-6917 · brief source recordDavenport-trick
Davenport-trick, dā′ven-port-trik, n. the artifice by which a man can free himself from ropes wound round him and tied.
English · e-37683-6918 · brief source recordDavit
Davit, dāv′it, n. one of a pair of pieces of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side or stern, having tackle to raise a boat by. [Cf. Fr. davier, a forceps.]
English · e-37683-6919Davy
Davy, dā′vi, Davy-lamp, dā′vi-lamp, n. the safety-lamp for coal-miners of Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829).
English · e-37683-6920 · brief source recordDavy Jones
Davy Jones, dā′vi jōnz, n. a sailor's familiar name for the (malignant) spirit of the sea, the devil; hence Davy Jones's locker, of the sea, as the grave of men drowned at sea. [Said by some to be a compound of Duffy, a
English · e-37683-6921Daw
Daw, daw, v.i. an old English form of dawn.
English · e-37683-6922 · brief source recordDaw
Daw, daw, n. a bird of the crow kind: a jackdaw.—adj. Daw′ish. [From its cry.]
English · e-37683-6923 · brief source recordDawdle
Dawdle, daw′dl, v.i. to waste time by trifling: to act or move slowly.—n. Daw′dler. [Allied to dandle and dandy.]
English · e-37683-6924 · brief source recordDawk
Dawk. See Dak.
English · e-37683-6925 · brief source recordDawn
Dawn, dawn, v.i. to become day: to begin to grow light: to begin to appear.—n. daybreak: beginning.—Also Dawn′ing. [A.S. dagian, to dawn, dæg, day.]
English · e-37683-6926Dawnering
Dawnering = dandering. [See Dander (1).]
English · e-37683-6927 · brief source recordDawtie
Dawtie, daw′ti, n. (Scot.) a darling: a beloved child—also Daut′ie.—v.t. Daut, to fondle.
English · e-37683-6928 · brief source recordDay
Day, dā, n. the time of light, from sunrise to sunset: the time from morning till night: twenty-four hours, the time the earth takes to make a revolution on her axis—this being the solar or natural day as distinguished f
English · e-37683-6929Day-woman
Day-woman, dā′-woom′an, n. (Shak.) a dairymaid.
English · e-37683-6931 · brief source recordDayak
Dayak. See Dyak.
English · e-37683-6930 · brief source recordDaze
Daze, dāz, v.t. to stun, to stupefy. [Ice. dasa, to be breathless; cf. A.S. dwæs, foolish.]
English · e-37683-6932 · brief source recordDazzle
Dazzle, daz′l, v.t. to daze or overpower with any strong light: to confound by brilliancy, beauty, or cleverness.—ns. Dazz′lement, the act of dazzling: that which dazzles; Dazz′ler; Dazz′ling.—adv. Dazz′lingly. [Freq. of
English · e-37683-6933De profundis
De profundis, dē prō-fun′dis, 'Out of the depths,' the first words of the 130th Psalm—also used as a name for this penitential psalm. [L.]
English · e-37683-7349Deacon
Deacon, dē′kn, n. in Episcopal churches, a member of the order of clergy under priests: in some Presbyterian churches, an officer, distinct from the elders, who attends to the secular affairs of the church: in Congregati
English · e-37683-6934Dead
Dead, ded, adj. without life: death-like: at rest, of a ball: cold and cheerless: without vegetation: utter: unerring.—v.t. to deaden, dull.—adv. in a dead manner.—n. the time of greatest stillness, as 'the dead of night
English · e-37683-6935Deaf
Deaf, def, adj. dull of hearing: unable to hear at all: not willing to hear: inattentive.—v.t. Deaf′en, to make deaf, partly or altogether: to stun: to render impervious to sound.—n. Deaf′ening, stuffing put into floors,
English · e-37683-6936Deal
Deal, dēl, n. a portion; an indefinite quantity: a large quantity; the act of dividing cards: (U.S.) a bargain: a fir or pine board: timber.—v.t. to divide, to distribute: to throw about: to deliver.—v.i. to transact bus
English · e-37683-6937Deambulatory
Deambulatory, dē-am′bū-la-to-ri, n. a passage or aisle round the choir and apse of a church. [L. deambulāre, -ātum, to walk about.]
English · e-37683-6938Dean
Dean, dēn, n. a small valley.—Also Dene. [A.S. denu, a valley. Cf. Den.]
English · e-37683-6939 · brief source recordDean
Dean, dēn, n. a dignitary in cathedral and collegiate churches who presides over the other clergy: the president of faculty in a college; the chief chaplain of the Chapel Royal: the chief judge of the Court of Arches: th
English · e-37683-6940Dear
Dear, dēr, adj. high in price: costly: scarce: highly valued: beloved: (Shak.), earnest, inmost.—n. one who is dear or beloved.—adv. at a high price.—adj. Dear′-bought.—n. Dear′ling (Spens.), a darling.—adj. Dear′-loved.
English · e-37683-6941Dear
Dear, dēr, interj. indicating surprise, pity, or other emotion, as in 'Oh dear!' 'Dear me!' 'Dear, dear!'—prob. elliptical in 'Dear help us!' &c. [Sometimes doubtfully referred to Dio mio (It. 'My God'), or to some compo
English · e-37683-6942Dearn
Dearn, Dearnful, Dernly. See Dern, &c.
English · e-37683-6943 · brief source recordDearth
Dearth, dėrth, n. dearness, high price: scarcity: want: famine; barrenness.—adj. Dearth′ful (Scot.), expensive.
English · e-37683-6944 · brief source recordDearticulate
Dearticulate, dē-ar-tik′ū-lāt, v.t. to disjoint.
English · e-37683-6946 · brief source recordDeasil
Deasil, dē′shēl, n. (Scot.) motion according to the apparent course of the sun—opp. to Withershins.—Also Dea′soil, Dei′sheal, Dea′siul. [Gael.]
English · e-37683-6945Deaspirate
Deaspirate, dē-as′pir-āt, v.t. to remove the aspirate.
English · e-37683-6947 · brief source recordDeath
Death, deth, n. state of being dead: extinction or cessation of life: manner of dying: mortality: a deadly plague: cause of death: spiritual lifelessness: the killing of the animal in hunting.—ns. Death′-add′er, a poison
English · e-37683-6948Deave
Deave, dēv, v.t. (Scot.) to render deaf. [See Deaf.]
English · e-37683-6949 · brief source recordDeaw
Deaw, dū, v.t. (Spens.) to bedew.
English · e-37683-6950 · brief source recordDebacle
Debacle, de-bak′l, n. a breaking up of ice on a river: (geol.) a sudden flood of water leaving its path strewed with debris. [Fr. débâcle; de, and bâcler, to bar—L. baculus, a stick.]
English · e-37683-6951Debar
Debar, de-bär′, v.t. to bar out from: to exclude: to hinder:—pr.p. debar′ring; pa.p. debarred′.—n. Debar′ment. [L. de, from, and bar.]
English · e-37683-6952Debark
Debark, de-bärk′, v.t. or v.i. to land from a ship or boat: to disembark.—ns. Debarkā′tion, Debarcā′tion. [Fr. débarquer—des = L. dis, away, and barque, a ship.]
English · e-37683-6953Debarrass
Debarrass, de-bär′as, v.t. to disembarrass, disentangle, free. [Fr. débarrasser; de, and barre, a bar.]
English · e-37683-6954 · brief source recordDebase
Debase, de-bās′, v.t. to lower: to make mean or of less value: to adulterate.—adj. Debased′, degraded: (her.) reversed.—n. Debase′ment, degradation.—adj. Debas′ing, tending to lower or degrade.—adv. Debas′ingly. [L. de,
English · e-37683-6955Debate
Debate, de-bāt′, n. a contention in words or argument: (obs.) strife.—v.t. to contend for in argument: (arch.) to fight for.—v.i. to deliberate: to join in debate.—adjs. Debat′able, liable to be disputed; Debate′ful (Spe
English · e-37683-6956Debauch
Debauch, de-bawch′, v.t. to lead away from duty or allegiance: to corrupt with lewdness: to pervert.—v.i. to indulge in revelry.—n. a fit of intemperance or debauchery.—p.adj. Debauched′, corrupt: profligate.—adv. Debauc
English · e-37683-6957Debel
Debel, de-bel′, v.t. (Milt.) to conquer in war. [Fr. débeller—L. debellāre—de, from, and bellāre, to carry on war, from bellum, war.]
English · e-37683-6958Debenture
Debenture, de-bent′ūr, n. a written acknowledgment of a debt: a deed of mortgage given by a railway or other company for borrowed money: a certificate entitling an exporter of imported goods to a repayment of the duty pa
English · e-37683-6959Debilitate
Debilitate, de-bil′i-tāt, v.t. to make weak: to impair the strength of.—adj. Deb′ile (arch.), weak, feeble.—ns. Debilitā′tion; Debil′ity, weakness and languor: a weak action of the animal functions. [L. debilitāre, ātum—
English · e-37683-6960Debit
Debit, deb′it, n. a debt or something due: an entry on the debtor side of an account.—v.t. to charge with debt: to enter on the debtor side of an account.—n. Deb′itor (Shak.), a debtor. [L. debitum, what is due, from deb
English · e-37683-6961Debituminise
Debituminise, dē-bi-tū′mi-nīz, v.t. to deprive of bitumen.
English · e-37683-6962 · brief source recordDéblai
Déblai, dā-blā′, n. the earth excavated from a ditch to form a parapet. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-6963 · brief source recordDebonair
Debonair, deb-o-nār′, adj. of good appearance and manners: elegant: courteous: gay.—adv. Debonair′ly.—n. Debonair′ness. [Fr. de, of, bon, good, air, appearance, manner.]
English · e-37683-6964Debosh
Debosh, de-bosh′, an old form of debauch.
English · e-37683-6965 · brief source recordDebouch
Debouch, de-bōōsh′, v.i. to march out from a narrow pass or confined place.—ns. Debouch′ment, the act of debouching; Debouchure′, the mouth of a river or strait. [Fr. déboucher—de, from, bouche, the mouth—L. bucca, the c
English · e-37683-6966Débouché
Débouché, de-boo-shā′, n. an opening, a passage: a market. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-6967 · brief source recordDebris
Debris, de-brē′, n.sing. and pl. rubbish: ruins: a mass of rocky fragments. [Fr., from briser, akin to bruise.]
English · e-37683-6968 · brief source recordDebruised
Debruised, de-brōōzd′, p.adj. (her.) surmounted or partly covered by one of the ordinaries. [O. Fr. debrusier—de, apart, brusier, to break.]
English · e-37683-6969Debt
Debt, det, n. what one owes to another: what one becomes liable to do or suffer: a state of obligation or indebtedness: a duty: (B.) a sin.—p.adj. Debt′ed (Shak.), indebted, obliged to.—ns. Debt′ee, a creditor; Debt′or,
English · e-37683-6970Début
Début, de-bü′ (u sounded as in Scot. gude), n. a beginning or first attempt: a first appearance before the public, as of an actor, &c.—n. Débutant′, one who makes his first appearance before the public:—fem. Débutante′.
English · e-37683-6971Decachord
Decachord, dek′a-kord, n. an ancient musical instrument with ten strings: anything having ten parts. [Gr. dekachordos—deka, ten, and chordē, a string.]
English · e-37683-6972Decacuminated
Decacuminated, dē-ka-kū′mi-nā-ted, adj. having the top cut off.
English · e-37683-6973 · brief source recordDecade
Decade, dek′ād, Decad, dek′ad, n. a group of ten, esp. a series of ten years.—adj. Dec′adal. [Fr. décade—Gr. dekas—deka, ten.]
English · e-37683-6974Decadence
Decadence, dek′a-dens, or de-kā′-, Dec′adency (or de-kā′-), n. state of decay: a term for a school in modern French literature not distinguished for vigour or originality.—adj. Dec′adent (or de-kā′-), decaying.—n. someth
English · e-37683-6975Decagon
Decagon, dek′a-gon, n. a plane figure of ten angles and sides.—adj. Decag′onal. [Gr. deka, and gōnia, an angle.]
English · e-37683-6976 · brief source recordDecagramme
Decagramme, Decagram, dek′a-gram, n. a weight of ten grammes, equal to 0.353 oz. [Fr.,—Gr. deka, ten, and gramma, a weight; L. granum, a grain.]
English · e-37683-6977Decagynia
Decagynia, dek-a-jin′i-a, n. a class of plants in the Linnæan system having ten pistils.—adjs. Decagyn′ian, Decag′ynous. [Gr. deka, ten, gynē, a woman.]
English · e-37683-6978Decahedron
Decahedron, dek-a-hē′dron, n. a solid figure having ten faces.—adj. Decahē′dral. [Gr. deka, and hedra, a seat.]
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