Decalcify
Decalcify, de-kal′si-fī, v.i. to deprive of lime: to take the calcareous matter out of bones, teeth, &c.—n. Decalcificā′tion. [L. de, away from, calx, calcis, lime, facĕre, to make.]
English · e-37683-6980Historical source · 1908
Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 36
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Page 36 of 179Decalcomania
Decalcomania, dē-kal-kō-mā′ni-a, n. the process of transferring pictures to marble, glass, wood, &c. [Fr.]
English · e-37683-6981 · brief source recordDecalitre
Decalitre, dek′a-lēt-ėr, n. a French measure, ten litres: equal to 2½ imperial gallons. [Fr.,—Gr. deka, ten, and litra, a pound.]
English · e-37683-6982Decalogue
Decalogue, dek′a-log, n. the ten commandments.—n. Decal′ogist. [Gr. deka, ten, logos, a discourse.]
English · e-37683-6983 · brief source recordDecameron
Decameron, de-kam′e-ron, n. Boccaccio's hundred tales, supposed to be told in ten days.—adj. Decameron′ic. [From Gr. deka, ten, hēmera, a day.]
English · e-37683-6984Decametre
Decametre, dek′a-mēt-ėr, n. a French measure of ten metres, or 32.8 feet. [Fr. décamètre—Gr. deka, ten, metron, a measure. See Metre.]
English · e-37683-6985Decamp
Decamp, de-kamp′, v.i. to go away, esp. secretly.—n. Decamp′ment. [Fr. décamper.]
English · e-37683-6986 · brief source recordDecanal
Decanal, dek′an-al, adj. pertaining to a dean or deanery.
English · e-37683-6987 · brief source recordDecandria
Decandria, de-kan′dri-a, n. a class of plants in the Linnæan system having ten stamens.—adjs. Decan′drian, Decan′drous. [Gr. deka, ten, and anēr, andros, a man.]
English · e-37683-6988Decangular
Decangular, dek-ang′gū-lar, adj. having ten angles. [Gr. deka, ten, and L. angulus, an angle.]
English · e-37683-6989 · brief source recordDecant
Decant, de-kant′, v.t. to pour off, leaving sediment: to pour from one vessel into another.—ns. Decantā′tion; Decant′er, an ornamental bottle for holding decanted liquor. [Fr. décanter (It. decantare)—de, from, and Low L
English · e-37683-6990Decaphyllous
Decaphyllous, dek-a-fil′us, adj. having ten leaves. [Gr. deka, ten, phyllon, a leaf.]
English · e-37683-6991 · brief source recordDecapitate
Decapitate, de-kap′i-tāt, v.t. to take the head from: to behead.—n. Decapitā′tion. [Low L. decapitāre—L. de, from, and caput, capitis, the head.]
English · e-37683-6992Decapod
Decapod, dek′a-pod, n. one of the shellfish which have ten feet or claws, as the crab.—adjs. Deca′podal, Deca′podous. [Gr. deka, ten, and pous, podos, a foot.]
English · e-37683-6993Decarbonate
Decarbonate, de-kär′bon-āt, v.t. to deprive of carbon—also Decar′bonise, Decar′burise.—ns. Decarbonisā′tion, Decarburisā′tion. [De, from, carbon.]
English · e-37683-6994Decastich
Decastich, dek′a-stik, n. a poem of ten lines. [Gr. deka, ten, and stichos, a row, a verse.]
English · e-37683-6995 · brief source recordDecastyle
Decastyle, dek′a-stīl, n. a portico with ten columns in front. [Gr. deka, ten, stylos, a column.]
English · e-37683-6996 · brief source recordDecasyllabic
Decasyllabic, dek-a-sil-ab′ik, adj. having ten syllables. [Gr. deka, ten, syllabē, a syllable.]
English · e-37683-6997 · brief source recordDecaudate
Decaudate, de-kaw′dāt, v.t. to cut off the tail of. [L. de, and cauda, tail.]
English · e-37683-6998 · brief source recordDecay
Decay, dē-kā′, v.i. to fall away from a state of health or excellence: to waste away.—v.t. to cause to waste away: to impair.—n. a falling into a worse or less perfect state: a passing away: loss of fortune: (obs.) misfo
English · e-37683-6999Decease
Decease, dē-sēs′, n. death.—v.i. to die.—p.adj. Deceased′, dead. [O. Fr. deces (Fr. décès)—L. decessus—de, away, cedĕre, cessum, to go.]
English · e-37683-7000Deceit
Deceit, de-sēt′, n. act of deceiving: anything intended to mislead another: fraud: falseness.—adj. Deceit′ful, full of deceit: disposed or tending to deceive: insincere.—adv. Deceit′fully.—n. Deceit′fulness. [O. Fr., fro
English · e-37683-7001Deceive
Deceive, de-sēv′, v.t. to mislead or cause to err: to cheat: to disappoint.—adj. Deceiv′able, that may be deceived: exposed to imposture.—n. Deceiv′ableness.—adj. Deceiv′ably.—n. Deceiv′er. [Fr. décevoir—L. decipĕre, dec
English · e-37683-7002December
December, de-sem′bėr, n. the tenth month among the Romans, who began their year with March: with us, the twelfth month of the year.—adj. Decem′berly, wintry, cold.—n. Decem′brist, one of those who took part in the Russia
English · e-37683-7003Decemdentate
Decemdentate, dē-sem-den′tāt, adj. having ten points or teeth.
English · e-37683-7004 · brief source recordDecemfid
Decemfid, dē-sem′fid, adj. divided into ten parts.
English · e-37683-7005 · brief source recordDecemlocular
Decemlocular, dē-sem-lok′ū-lar, adj. ten-celled.
English · e-37683-7006 · brief source recordDecempedal
Decempedal, dē-sem′ped-al, adj. having ten feet.
English · e-37683-7007 · brief source recordDecemvir
Decemvir, de-sem′vir, n. one of ten magistrates who at one time had absolute power in ancient Rome:—pl. Decem′virs, or (L.) Decemviri (dē-sem′vi-rī).—adj. Decem′viral.—n. Decem′virāte, a body of ten men in office: the te
English · e-37683-7008Decennary
Decennary, de-sen′ar-i, n. a period of ten years—also Decenn′ium.—adj. Decenn′ial, consisting of or happening every ten years. [L. decem, ten, and annus, a year.]
English · e-37683-7009Decennoval
Decennoval, de-sen′ō-val, adj. pertaining to the number 15.
English · e-37683-7010 · brief source recordDecent
Decent, dē′sent, adj. becoming: seemly: proper: modest: moderate: tolerable.—n. Dē′cency, becomingness: modesty.—adv. Dē′cently. [L. decens, decentis, pr.p. of decēre, to be becoming.]
English · e-37683-7011Decentralise
Decentralise, de-sen′tral-īz, v.t. to withdraw from the centre: to transfer functions from the central government to local centres.—n. Decentralisā′tion. [L. de, neg., and centralise.]
English · e-37683-7012Deception
Deception, de-sep′shun, n. act of deceiving: the means by which it is sought to deceive.—n. Deceptibil′ity.—adjs. Decept′ible, capable of being deceived; Decep′tious (Shak.), deceitful; Decep′tive, tending to deceive: mi
English · e-37683-7013Decern
Decern, de-sėrn′, v.t. and v.i. (Scots law) to judge: to decree: to pass judgment. [O. Fr. decerner—L. decernĕre—de, and cernĕre, to distinguish.]
English · e-37683-7014Decession
Decession, de-sesh′un, n. departure. [See Decease.]
English · e-37683-7015 · brief source recordDecharm
Decharm, dē-chärm′, v.t. to disenchant.
English · e-37683-7016 · brief source recordDechristianise
Dechristianise, de-krist′yan-īz, v.t. to turn from Christianity: to destroy Christian elements.
English · e-37683-7017 · brief source recordDeciare
Deciare, de′si-är, n. the tenth part of an are. [Fr.,—L. deci- (in decimus), and are.]
English · e-37683-7018 · brief source recordDecide
Decide, de-sīd′, v.t. to determine: to end: to settle: to resolve.—adjs. Decid′able, capable of being decided; Decid′ed, determined: clear, unmistakable: resolute.—adv. Decid′edly. [O. Fr. decider—L. decidēre—de, away, c
English · e-37683-7019Deciduous
Deciduous, de-sid′ū-us, adj. that fall in autumn, as leaves: not permanent.—n. Decid′ua, a membrane of the uterus discharged after parturition.—adj. Decid′uāte.—n. Decid′uousness.—Deciduous trees, those which annually lo
English · e-37683-7020Decigramme
Decigramme, de′si-gram, n. the tenth part of a gramme. [See Gramme (3).]
English · e-37683-7021 · brief source recordDecilitre
Decilitre, des′i-lē-tėr, n. a measure of capacity equal to 1⁄10 litre.
English · e-37683-7022 · brief source recordDecillion
Decillion, de-sil′yun, n. a million raised to the tenth power: in the French and American notation, a thousand raised to the eleventh power.
English · e-37683-7023Decimal
Decimal, des′i-mal, adj. numbered or proceeding by tens.—n. a fraction having ten or some power of ten for its denominator.—v.t. Dec′imalise, to reduce to the decimal system.—ns. Dec′imalism; Dec′imalist.—adv. Dec′imally
English · e-37683-7024Decimate
Decimate, des′i-māt, v.t. to take the tenth part of: to put to death every tenth man.—ns. Decimā′tion, a military punishment, by which every tenth man was selected by lot and put to death or otherwise punished; Dec′imato
English · e-37683-7025Decime
Decime, de-sēm′, n. a French coin equal to 1⁄10 franc.
English · e-37683-7026 · brief source recordDecimetre
Decimetre, des′i-mē-tėr, n. a measure of length equal to 1⁄10 metre.
English · e-37683-7027 · brief source recordDecipher
Decipher, de-sī′fėr, v.t. to uncipher or read secret writing: to make out what is unintelligible or obscure: to reveal.—adj. Deci′pherable.—n. Deci′pherment. [L. de, neg. and cipher.]
English · e-37683-7028Decision
Decision, de-sizh′un, n. the act of deciding: settlement: judgment: the quality of being decided in character.—adj. Decī′sive, having the power of deciding: showing decision: final: positive.—adv. Decī′sively.—n. Decī′si
English · e-37683-7029Decistère
Decistère, des-i-stār, n. a cubic measure equal to 1⁄10 stere.
English · e-37683-7030 · brief source recordDecitizenise
Decitizenise, dē-sit′i-zen-īz, v.t. to deprive of citizenship.
English · e-37683-7031 · brief source recordDecivilise
Decivilise, dē-siv′i-līz, v.t. to reduce from a civilised to a more savage state.
English · e-37683-7032 · brief source recordDeck
Deck, dek, v.t. to cover: to clothe: to adorn: to furnish with a deck, as a vessel.—n. a covering: a horizontal platform extending from one side of a vessel to the other, thereby joining them together, and forming both a
English · e-37683-7033Deckle
Deckle, dek′l, n. the gauge on a paper-making machine.—n. Deck′le-edge, the raw or ragged edge of handmade paper.—adj. Deck′le-edged, having a rough uncut edge. [Ger.]
English · e-37683-7034Declaim
Declaim, de-klām′, v.i. to make a set or rhetorical speech: to harangue: to recite in public.—ns. Declaim′ant, Declaim′er.—p.adj. Declaim′ing.—ns. Declamā′tion, act of declaiming: a set speech in public: display in speak
English · e-37683-7035Declare
Declare, de-klār′, v.t. to make known: to announce: to assert: to make a full statement of, as of goods at a custom-house.—v.i. to make a statement: to show cards in order to score.—adj. Declār′able, capable of being dec
English · e-37683-7036Declension
Declension, de-klen′shun, n. a falling off: decay: descent: (gram.) change of termination for the oblique cases. [See Decline.]
English · e-37683-7037Decline
Decline, de-klīn′, v.i. to bend or turn away from (a straight line); to deviate: to refuse: to bend down: to fail or decay: to stoop or condescend: to draw to an end.—v.t. to bend down: to turn away from: to refuse: to a
English · e-37683-7038Declivity
Declivity, de-kliv′i-ti, n. a place that declines, or slopes downward, opposite of acclivity: inclination downward: a gradual descent.—adjs. Decliv′itous, Declī′vous. [Fr.,—L. declivitas—de, downward, clivus, sloping, ak
English · e-37683-7039Decoct
Decoct, de-kokt′, v.t. to prepare by boiling: to extract the substance of by boiling: to boil: to devise.—adjs. Decoc′tible, Decoc′tive.—ns. Decoc′tion, an extract of anything got by boiling; Decoc′ture, a substance prep
English · e-37683-7040Decode
Decode, de-kōd′, v.t. to translate the symbols in a code telegram into ordinary language.
English · e-37683-7041 · brief source recordDecollate
Decollate, de-kol′āt, v.t. to behead.—p.adj. Decoll′ated, rounded off, as the apex of a shell.—n. Decollā′tion, the act of beheading: a picture of a decapitation, esp. of the head of St John the Baptist on a charger: the
English · e-37683-7042Decolleté
Decolleté, dā-kol-e-tā′, adj. with neck uncovered: of dress, low cut. [Fr. décolleter, to bare the neck and shoulders. Cf. Decollate.]
English · e-37683-7043Decolour
Decolour, de-kul′ur, v.t. to deprive of colour—also Decol′ourise.—n. Decol′orant, a substance that bleaches or removes colour.—v.t. Decol′orate, to deprive of colour.—ns. Decolorā′tion, removal or absence of colour; Deco
English · e-37683-7044Decomplex
Decomplex, dē′kom-pleks, adj. repeatedly compound.
English · e-37683-7045 · brief source recordDecompose
Decompose, de-kom-poz′, v.t. to separate the parts composing anything: to resolve into original elements.—v.i. to decay, rot.—adj. Decompos′able.—n. Decomposi′tion, act of decomposing: decay or dissolution: also the comp
English · e-37683-7046Decomposite
Decomposite, dē-kom-poz′it, or de-kom′-, adj. compound a second time or more than once. [L. de, and composite.]
English · e-37683-7047 · brief source recordDecompound
Decompound, de-kom-pownd′, v.t. to compound again: to compound things already compounded; also, to divide a thing into its constituent parts.—adj. compounded a second time.—adj. Decompound′able. [L. de, and compound.]
English · e-37683-7048Deconcentrate
Deconcentrate, de-kon-sen′trāt, or de-kon′sen-trāt, v.t. to scatter.—n. Deconcentrā′tion. [De, and concentrate.]
English · e-37683-7049 · brief source recordDeconsecrate
Deconsecrate, de-kon′se-krāt, v.t. to deprive of the character given by consecration: to secularise.—n. Deconsecrā′tion.
English · e-37683-7050Decorate
Decorate, dek′o-rāt, v.t. to ornament, to beautify: to honour with a badge or medal.—adj. Dec′orated.—n. Decorā′tion, ornament: badge of an order.—adj. Dec′orātive, ornamental.—ns. Dec′orātiveness; Dec′orātor.—Decorated
English · e-37683-7051Decorous
Decorous, de-kō′rus, or dek′o-rus, adj. becoming: suitable: proper: decent.—adv. Decō′rously.—ns. Decō′rousness; Decō′rum, that which is becoming in outward appearance: propriety of conduct: decency. [L. decorus, becomin
English · e-37683-7052Decorticate
Decorticate, de-kor′ti-kāt, v.t. to deprive of the bark, husk, or peel.—n. Decorticā′tion. [L. decorticāre, -ātum—de, from, and cortex, bark.]
English · e-37683-7053Decoy
Decoy, de-koy′, v.t. to allure: to entrap: to lure into a trap.—n. anything intended to allure into a snare: an apparatus of hoops and network for trapping wild-ducks—sometimes duck-coy.—n. Decoy′-duck, a wild-duck tamed
English · e-37683-7054Decrassify
Decrassify, dē-kras′i-fī, v.t. to make less crass.
English · e-37683-7055 · brief source recordDecrease
Decrease, de-krēs′, v.i. to become less: to be diminished by degrees in size or power.—v.t. to make less: to lessen gradually.—n. a growing less: loss.—adv. Decreas′ingly. [O. Fr. decrois, a decrease—L. descrescĕre—de, f
English · e-37683-7056Decree
Decree, de-krē′, n. an order by one in authority: an edict or law: a judicial decision: a predetermined purpose.—v.t. to decide or determine by sentence in law: to appoint.—v.i. to make a decree:—pr.p. decree′ing; pa.p.
English · e-37683-7057Decreet
Decreet, de-krēt′, n. (Scots law) a court judgment.
English · e-37683-7058 · brief source recordDecrement
Decrement, dek′re-ment, n. the act or state of decreasing: the quantity lost by decrease. [L. decrementum.]
English · e-37683-7059 · brief source recordDecrepit
Decrepit, de-krep′it, adj. worn out by the infirmities of old age: in the last stage of decay.—ns. Decrep′itness; Decrep′itude, state of being decrepit or worn out with age. [L. decrepitus, noiseless, very old—de, not, c
English · e-37683-7060Decrepitate
Decrepitate, de-krep′i-tāt, v.i. to crackle, as salts when heated.—v.t. to roast so as to cause a continual crackling, to calcine.—n. Decrepitā′tion. [L. de, inten., crepitāre, to rattle much, freq. of crepāre.]
English · e-37683-7061Decrescent
Decrescent, de-kres′ent, adj. becoming gradually less.—n. (mus.) Decrescen′do = Diminuendo (q.v.). [L.]
English · e-37683-7062 · brief source recordDecretal
Decretal, de-krē′tal, adj. pertaining to a decree.—n. a decree, esp. of the pope: a book containing decrees: spec. in pl. the second part of the canon law, the decrees of various popes determining points of ecclesiastica
English · e-37683-7063Decrew
Decrew, de-krōō′, v.i. (Spens.) to decrease. [For decrue—O. Fr. decru, pa.p. of decroistre. See Decrease.]
English · e-37683-7064 · brief source recordDecrown
Decrown, dē-krown′, v.t. to discrown. [Fr. découronner, to discrown.]
English · e-37683-7065 · brief source recordDecrustation
Decrustation, dē-krus-tā′shun, n. the act of removing a crust.
English · e-37683-7066 · brief source recordDecry
Decry, de-krī′, v.t. to cry down: to condemn: to censure as worthless: to blame:—pa.p. decried′.—ns. Decrī′al; Decrī′er. [Fr. de(s) = L. dis, and crier, to cry. See Cry.]
English · e-37683-7067Decuman
Decuman, dek′ū-man, adj. principal, large—of waves, &c.: connected with the principal gate of a Roman camp (near which the 10th cohort of the legion was stationed).—n. a great wave, as every tenth wave was supposed to be
English · e-37683-7068Decumbent
Decumbent, de-kum′bent, adj. lying down: reclining on the ground.—ns. Decubā′tion, Decum′bence, Decum′bency, the act or posture of lying down.—adj. Decū′bital—n. Decū′bitus, a recumbent position, as of one sick in bed: a
English · e-37683-7069Decuple
Decuple, dek′ū-pl, adj. tenfold.—n. a number ten times repeated.—v.t. to make tenfold. [Fr. décuple—L. decem, ten, and plicāre, to fold.]
English · e-37683-7070Decurion
Decurion, dē-kū′ri-on, n. an officer in a Roman army over ten soldiers—a Dec′ury or Decū′ria: any overseer of ten.—n. Decū′rionate. [L.]
English · e-37683-7071Decurrent
Decurrent, de-kur′ent, adj. running or extending downward.—n. Decurr′ency.—adv. Decurr′ently.—n. Decur′sion, a running down: a military manœuvre or parade.—adj. Decur′sive.—adv. Decur′sively. [L. decurrens—de, down, curr
English · e-37683-7072Decurtate
Decurtate, dē-kur′tāt, adj. cut short, abridged.—v.t. to cut short. [L. decurtāre, -ātum, to cut short.]
English · e-37683-7073 · brief source recordDecussate
Decussate, de-kus′āt, v.i. to cross in the form of an X: to cross, as lines, &c.—adjs. Decuss′ate, -d, crossed: arranged in pairs which cross each other, like some leaves.—adv. Decuss′ately.—n. Decussā′tion. [L. decussār
English · e-37683-7074Dedal
Dedal, Dedalian. See Dædal.
English · e-37683-7075 · brief source recordDedicate
Dedicate, ded′i-kāt, v.t. to set apart and consecrate to some sacred purpose: to devote wholly or chiefly: to inscribe to any one.—adj. devoted: (Shak.) dedicated.—ns. Ded′icant, one who dedicates; Dedicatee (ded′i-kā-tē
English · e-37683-7076Dedimus
Dedimus, ded′i-mus, n. a writ commissioning one not a judge to act as a judge—from its first word. [L., dedimus, we have given, dăre, to give.]
English · e-37683-7077Deduce
Deduce, de-dūs′, v.t. to draw from: to infer a truth or opinion from what precedes or from premises.—ns. Deduce′ment, what is deduced; Deducibil′ity, the quality of being deducible.—adj. Deduc′ible, that may be deduced o
English · e-37683-7078Dee
Dee, dē, v.i. Scotch for die.
English · e-37683-7079 · brief source recordDeed
Deed, dēd, n. something done: an act: an exploit: a legal transaction: the written evidence of it.—adj. Deed′ful (Tenn.), marked by deeds or exploits.—adv. Deed′ily.—adjs. Deed′less (Shak.), not having performed deeds; D
English · e-37683-7080Deed
Deed, dēd, a Scotch form of indeed.
English · e-37683-7081 · brief source recordDeem
Deem, dēm, v.t. or v.i. to judge: to think: to believe.—n. (Shak.) opinion.—ns. Deem′ster, Demp′ster, one who pronounces judgment, a judge—esp. one of the two in the Isle of Man. [A.S. déman, to form a judgment—dóm, doom
English · e-37683-7082Deep
Deep, dēp, adj. extending far down or far from the outside: difficult to understand: secret: wise and penetrating: cunning: very still: profound: profoundly learned in a language: intense, heart-felt: sunk low: low or gr
English · e-37683-7083Deer
Deer, dēr, n. a quadruped of several species, as the stag, reindeer, &c.; in M. E., any kind of animal.—ns. Deer′-hair, heath club-rush; Deer′-herd; Deer′-hound; Deer′-lick, a spot of salt ground whither deer come to lic
English · e-37683-7084Deface
Deface, de-fās′, v.t. to destroy or mar the face or external appearance of, to disfigure: to obliterate.—n. Deface′ment, act of defacing: injury to form or appearance: that which defaces.—adv. Defā′cingly. [O. Fr. desfac
English · e-37683-7085Defalcate
Defalcate, de-fal′kāt, v.t. to deduct a part of, of money, &c.: to embezzle money held on trust.—ns. Defalcā′tion, a diminution: a misappropriation of funds entrusted to one; Def′alcātor, a defaulter. [Low L. difalcāre,
English · e-37683-7086Defame
Defame, de-fām′, v.t. to take away or destroy the good fame or reputation of: to speak evil of: to charge falsely.—n. (Spens.) infamy.—n. Defamā′tion, the act of defaming: calumny: slander.—adv. Defam′atorily.—adj. Defam
English · e-37683-7087Default
Default, de-fawlt′, n. a fault, failing, or failure: defect: neglect to do what duty or law requires: failure to account for money entrusted to one's charge: offence.—v.i. to fail through neglect of duty: to fail to appe
English · e-37683-7088Defeasance
Defeasance, de-fēz′ans, n. undoing: defeat.—adjs. Defeas′anced, liable to be forfeited; Defeas′ible, that may be defeated or annulled.—n. Defeas′ibleness.—Deed of defeas′ance (Eng. law), an instrument which defeats the o
English · e-37683-7089Defeat
Defeat, de-fēt′, v.t. to frustrate: to ruin.—n. a frustration of plans: ruin: overthrow, as of an army in battle.—n. Defeat′ure (Spens.), defeat: disfigurement, disguise. [O. Fr. defait, defaire, to undo—L. dis, neg. fac
English · e-37683-7090Defecate
Defecate, def′e-kāt, v.t. to clear from dregs or impurities: to purify from extraneous matter.—v.i. to void excrement.—n. Defecā′tion. [L. defæcāre, -ātum, to cleanse—de, from, fæx, fæcis, dregs.]
English · e-37683-7091Defect
Defect, de-fekt′, n. a deficiency: a want: imperfection: blemish: fault.—n. Defectibil′ity.—adj. Defect′ible, liable to imperfection: deficient.—ns. Defec′tion, a failure, a falling away from duty: revolt; Defec′tionist.
English · e-37683-7092Defence
Defence, de-fens′, n. a defending: protection: vindication: (law) a defendant's plea.—pa.p. Defenc′ed (B.), fortified.—adj. Defence′less.—adv. Defence′lessly.—n. Defence′lessness. [See Defend.]
English · e-37683-7093Defend
Defend, de-fend′, v.t. to keep off anything hurtful: to guard or protect: to maintain against attack: (obs.) to prohibit, forbid: (law) to resist, as a claim: to contest.—adj. Defend′able, that may be defended.—ns. Defen
English · e-37683-7094Defer
Defer, de-fėr′, v.t. to put off to another time: to delay:—pr.p. defer′ring; pa.p. deferred′.—ns. Defer′ment; Defer′rer, a procrastinator.—Deferred annuity (see Annuity); Deferred pay, an allowance paid to soldiers on th
English · e-37683-7095Defer
Defer, de-fėr, v.i. to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.—v.t. to submit to or lay before:—pr.p. defer′ring; pa.p. deferred′.—n. Def′erence, a deferring or yielding in judgment or opinion: regar
English · e-37683-7096Defervescence
Defervescence, de-fer-ves′ens, n. abatement of heat: coolness: decrease of feverish symptoms.—Also Deferves′cency. [L. defervescĕre, to cease boiling—de, down, and fervescĕre, from fervēre, to boil.]
English · e-37683-7097Defeudalise
Defeudalise, dē-fū′dal-īz, v.t. to deprive of feudal character.
English · e-37683-7098 · brief source recordDeffly
Deffly (Spens.). For Deftly.
English · e-37683-7099 · brief source recordDefiance
Defiance, de-fī′ans, n. the act of defying: a challenge to combat: aggressiveness: contempt of opposition.—adj. Defī′ant, full of defiance, insolently bold.—adv. Defī′antly.—n. Defī′antness.—adj. Defī′atory, bidding defi
English · e-37683-7100Defibrinate
Defibrinate, de-fī′bri-nāt, v.t. to deprive of fibrine—also Defī′brinise.—n. Defibrinā′tion.
English · e-37683-7101 · brief source recordDeficient
Deficient, de-fish′ent, adj. wanting.—n. Defic′iency (sometimes Defic′ience), defect.—adv. Defic′iently.—ns. Defic′ientness; Def′icit, deficiency, esp. of revenue, as compared with expenditure. [L., deficĕre.]
English · e-37683-7102Defile
Defile, dē-fīl′, or dē′fīl, v.i. to march off in file or line, or file by file.—n. a long narrow pass or way, in which troops can march only in file, or with a narrow front.—v.t. Defilāde′, to plan a fortification so as
English · e-37683-7103Defile
Defile, de-fīl′, v.t. to pollute or corrupt: to violate.—ns. Defile′ment, act of defiling: foulness; Defil′er. [L. de, and A.S. fýlan, fúl, foul.]
English · e-37683-7104Defiliation
Defiliation, de-fil-i-ā′shun, n. depriving a parent of his child. [L. de, neg., and filius, a son.]
English · e-37683-7105 · brief source recordDefine
Define, de-fīn′, v.t. to fix the bounds or limits of: to determine with precision: to describe accurately: to fix the meaning of.—adj. Defin′able, that may be defined.—n. Define′ment (Shak.), description.—adj. Def′inite,
English · e-37683-7106Deflagrate
Deflagrate, def′la-grāt, v.i. or v.t. to burn down: to burn rapidly.—ns. Deflagrabil′ity, combustibility; Deflagrā′tion; Def′lagrator, a galvanic instrument for producing rapid combustion. [L. deflagrāre—de, down, flagrā
English · e-37683-7107Deflect
Deflect, de-flekt′, v.i. or v.t. to turn aside: to swerve or deviate from a right line or proper course.—p.adj. Deflect′ed (bot.), bent abruptly downward.—ns. Deflec′tion, Deflex′ion, deviation.—adj. Deflec′tive, causing
English · e-37683-7108Deflorate
Deflorate, de-flō′rāt, adj. past the flowering state, as an anther after it has shed its pollen.—n. Deflorā′tion, the act of deflowering.
English · e-37683-7109Deflower
Deflower, Deflour, de-flowr′, v.t. to deprive of flowers: to deprive of grace and beauty: to ravish.—n. Deflow′erer. [O. Fr. deflorer—Low L. deflorāre, to strip flowers off—L. de, neg., flos, floris, a flower.]
English · e-37683-7110Defluent
Defluent, def′lōō-ent, adj. running down, decurrent.—n. Deflux′ion, a discharge of fluid in the body. [L. defluĕre—de, down, fluĕre, fluxum, to flow.]
English · e-37683-7111Defoliate
Defoliate, de-fō′li-āt, v.t. to deprive of leaves.—adjs. Defō′liate, -d.—ns. Defoliā′tion, the falling off of leaves: the time of shedding leaves; Defō′liator. [Low L. defoliāre, -ātum—de, off, folium, a leaf.]
English · e-37683-7112Deforce
Deforce, de-fōrs′, v.t. (law) to keep out of possession by force: (Scots law) to resist an officer of the law in the execution of his duty.—ns. Deforce′ment; Deforc′iant, one who deforces; Deforciā′tion, a legal distress
English · e-37683-7113Deforest
Deforest, de-for′est, v.t. to disforest: to deprive of forests.—n. Deforestā′tion.
English · e-37683-7114 · brief source recordDeform
Deform, de-form′, v.t. to alter or injure the form of: to disfigure.—adj. (Milt.) hideous, unshapely.—n. Deformā′tion.—p.adj. Deformed′, misshapen.—adv. Deform′edly.—ns. Deformed′ness; Deform′er; Deform′ity, state of bei
English · e-37683-7115Defoul
Defoul, de-fowl′, v.t. to defile. [A.S. fúl, foul, whence by vowel change of ú to ý, fýlan.]
English · e-37683-7116 · brief source recordDefraud
Defraud, de-frawd′, v.t. to deprive of by fraud: to withhold wrongfully: to cheat or deceive.—ns. Defraud′ment, Defraudā′tion. [L. defraudāre—de, from, and fraus, fraudis, fraud.]
English · e-37683-7117Defray
Defray, de-frā′, v.t. to discharge the expenses of anything: to pay: (Spens.) to appease:—pr.p. defray′ing; pa.p. defrayed′.—ns. Defray′ment, Defray′al. [O. Fr. defrayer—de, and frais, expense—Low L. fractum, breakage, d
English · e-37683-7118Deft
Deft, deft, adj. handy, clever.—adv. Deft′ly.—n. Deft′ness. [M. E. defte, dafte, simple, meek; A.S. ge-dæfte, meek—dæftan, gedæftan, prepare, make fit; the stem appears in ge-daf-en, to fit.]
English · e-37683-7119Defunct
Defunct, de-funkt′, adj. having finished the course of life, dead.—n. a dead person.—n. Defunc′tion (Shak.), death.—adj. Defunc′tive (Shak.), pertaining to the dead. [L. defungi, defunctus, to finish—de, and fungi, to pe
English · e-37683-7120Defy
Defy, de-fī′, v.t. to challenge: to brave: (obs.) to discard, dislike:—pr.p. defy′ing; pa.p. defied′.—n. (Dryden) a defiance.—n. Defī′er. [O. Fr. defier—Low L. diffidāre, to renounce faith or allegiance—L. dis, asunder,
English · e-37683-7121Dégagé
Dégagé, dā-ga-zhā′, adj. unembarrassed, unconstrained, easy. [Pa.p. of Fr. dégager, to disentangle.]
English · e-37683-7122 · brief source recordDegar′nish
Degar′nish = Disgarnish (q.v.).
English · e-37683-7123 · brief source recordDegenerate
Degenerate, de-jen′ėr-āt, adj. having departed from the high qualities of race or kind: become base—also Degen′erous (obs.).—v.i. to fall from a nobler state: to be or to grow worse.—v.i. Degen′der (Spens.), to degenerat
English · e-37683-7124Degerminator
Degerminator, de-jėr′mi-nā-tor, n. an apparatus for splitting grains and removing the germs. [L. de, neg., and germen, a germ.]
English · e-37683-7125Deglutinate
Deglutinate, de-glōō′tin-āt, v.t. to separate things that are glued together by softening the glue:—pr.p. deglu′tināting; pa.p. deglu′tināted. [L. deglutināre, -ātum—de, neg., and glutināre—gluten, glue.]
English · e-37683-7126Deglutition
Deglutition, deg-lōō-tish′un, n. the act or power of swallowing.—adjs. Deglu′titive, Deglu′titory. [Fr.,—L. de, down, and glutīre, to swallow. See Glut.]
English · e-37683-7127Degrade
Degrade, de-grād′, v.t. to lower in grade or rank: to deprive of office or dignity: to lower in character, value, or position: to disgrace.—n. Degradā′tion, disgrace: degeneration: abortive structural development: a lowe
English · e-37683-7128Degree
Degree, de-grē′, n. a grade or step: one of a series of advances: relative position: rank: extent: a mark of distinction conferred by universities, whether earned by examination or granted as a mark of honour: the 360th
English · e-37683-7129Degust
Degust, dē-gust′, v.t. to taste, to relish.—v.i. to have a relishing taste.—v.t. Degust′āte (same as Degust).—n. Degustā′tion, the act of tasting. [L. de, down, and gustāre, to taste.]
English · e-37683-7130Dehisce
Dehisce, dē-his′, v.i. to gape, to open as the capsules of a plant.—n. Dehis′cence.—adj. Dehis′cent. [L. dehiscens, pr.p. of dehiscĕre—de, inten., and hiscĕre, to gape.]
English · e-37683-7131Dehort
Dehort, de-hort′, v.t. to exhort from, to dissuade.—n. Dehortā′tion, dissuasion.—adjs. Dehor′tative, Dehor′tatory, dissuasive.—n. Dehort′er. [L. dehortāri—de, neg., and hortāri, to exhort.]
English · e-37683-7132Dehumanise
Dehumanise, de-hū′ma-nīz, v.t. to deprive of specifically human qualities. [L. de, neg., and humanise.]
English · e-37683-7133 · brief source recordDehydrate
Dehydrate, de-hī′drāt, v.t. to deprive of water, chemically.—v.i. to lose water.—n. Dehydrā′tion. [L. de, neg., Gr. hydōr.]
English · e-37683-7134Deicide
Deicide, dē′i-sīd, n. the killing of a god: the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [From a supposed Low L. form deicidium—deus, a god, and cædĕre, to kill.]
English · e-37683-7135Deictic
Deictic, dīk′tik, adj. proving directly.—adv. Deic′tically. [Gr. deiktikos—deiknynai, to show.]
English · e-37683-7136 · brief source recordDeid-thraw
Deid-thraw, dēd′-thraw, n. (Scot.) death-throe.
English · e-37683-7137 · brief source recordDeify
Deify, dē′i-fī, v.t. to exalt to the rank of a god: to worship as a deity: to make god-like:—pr.p. dē′ifying; pa.p. dē′ified.—adjs.—Deif′ic, -al, making god-like or divine.—n. Deificā′tion, the act of deifying: a deified
English · e-37683-7138Deign
Deign, dān, v.i. to condescend.—v.t. to give: to allow: (obs.) to favour. [Fr. daigner—L. dignāri, to think worthy—dignus, worthy.]
English · e-37683-7139Deil
Deil, dēl, Scotch form of devil.
English · e-37683-7140 · brief source recordDeinotherium
Deinotherium, dī-no-thē′ri-um, n. = Dinotherium.
English · e-37683-7141 · brief source recordDeiparous
Deiparous, dē-ip′a-rus, adj. bearing a god—of the Virgin. [L. deus, a god, parĕre, to bring forth.]
English · e-37683-7142 · brief source recordDeipnosophist
Deipnosophist, dīp-nos′ō-fist, n. one who converses learnedly at dinner, a table-philosopher—from the title of a work by Athenæus. [Gr. deipnon, dinner, sophistēs—sophos, wise.]
English · e-37683-7143Deist
Deist, dē′ist, n. one who believes in the existence of God, but not in revealed religion.—n. Dē′ism, the creed of a deist.—adjs. Deist′ic, -al.—adv. Deist′ically. [Fr. déiste, déisme—L. deus, a god.]
English · e-37683-7144Deity
Deity, dē′i-ti, n. the divinity: godhead: a god or goddess: the Supreme Being. [Fr.,—Low L. deitas—L. deus, god; Sans. deva—div, to shine.]
English · e-37683-7145Deject
Deject, de-jekt′, v.t. to cast down the countenance or spirits of.—adj. (Shak.) cast down.—adj. Deject′ed, cast down: dispirited.—adv. Deject′edly.—ns. Deject′edness; Dejec′tion, lowness of spirits: (pl.) fæcal discharge
English · e-37683-7146Delaine
Delaine, dē-lān′, n. an untwilled light dress material, originally of wool—also Muslin-de-laine.
English · e-37683-7147 · brief source recordDelapse
Delapse, dē-laps′, v.i. (obs.) to sink down.—n. Delap′sion.
English · e-37683-7148 · brief source recordDelate
Delate, de-lāt′, v.t. to carry on: to publish: to charge with a crime.—ns. Delā′tion; Delat′or. [L. deferre, delātum, to bring a report against, to inform—de, inten., ferre, to bear.]
English · e-37683-7149Delay
Delay, de-lā′, v.t. to put off to another time: to defer: to hinder or retard.—v.i. to pause, linger, or put off time.—n. a putting off or deferring: a lingering: hinderance:—pr.p. delay′ing; pa.p. delayed′.—n. Delay′er.
English · e-37683-7150Delay
Delay, de-lā′, v.t. (Spens.) to temper, dilute, weaken. [Fr. délayer, dilute—L. deliquāre, clarify.]
English · e-37683-7151 · brief source recordDele
Dele, dē′lē, v.t., delete, efface, a direction in proof-reading to remove a superfluous letter or word, usually marked thus [Image: Dele symbol] .—adjs. Del′eble, Del′ible, that can be deleted. [L., imper. of delēre, to
English · e-37683-7152Delectable
Delectable, de-lekt′a-bl, adj. delightful: pleasing.—n. Delect′ableness.—adv. Delect′ably.—n. Delectā′tion, delight. [Fr.,—L. delectabilis—delectāre, to delight.]
English · e-37683-7153Delegate
Delegate, del′e-gāt, v.t. to send as a legate or representative: to entrust or commit to.—n. one who is delegated: a deputy or representative: (U.S.) a person elected to represent a territory in congress, as distinguishe
English · e-37683-7154Delete
Delete, de-lēt′, v.t. to blot out: to erase: to destroy.—n.pl. Delen′da, things to be deleted or erased.—n. Delē′tion.—adjs. Delē′tive, Delē′tory. [L. delēre, delētum, to blot out.]
English · e-37683-7155Deleterious
Deleterious, del-e-tē′ri-us, adj. tending to destroy life: hurtful or destructive: poisonous.—adv. Deletē′riously.—n. Deletē′riousness. [Gr. dēlētērios, hurtful—deleisthai, to hurt.]
English · e-37683-7156Delf
Delf, delf, n. a contraction for Delft′ware, a kind of earthenware originally made at Delft, Holland.
English · e-37683-7157 · brief source recordDelf
Delf, delf, n. a drain, ditch: (her.) a charge representing a square sod. [A.S. dælf—delfan, to dig.]
English · e-37683-7158 · brief source recordDelian
Delian, dē′li-an, adj. pertaining to Delos in the Ægean Sea, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.
English · e-37683-7159 · brief source recordDelibate
Delibate, del′i-bāt, v.t. (obs.) to sip.—n. Delibā′tion.
English · e-37683-7160 · brief source recordDeliberate
Deliberate, de-lib′ėr-āt, v.t. to weigh well in one's mind.—v.i. to consider the reasons for and against anything: to reflect: to consider.—adj. well considered: considering carefully: slow in determining: cautious.—adv.
English · e-37683-7161Delicate
Delicate, del′i-kāt, adj. pleasing to the senses, esp. the taste: dainty: nicely discriminating or perceptive: of a fine, slight texture or constitution: tender: frail, not robust: requiring nice handling: refined in man
English · e-37683-7162Delice
Delice, del′is, n. (Spens.) flower delice, the iris. [See Fleur-de-lis.]
English · e-37683-7163 · brief source recordDelicious
Delicious, de-lish′us, adj. full of delicacies: highly pleasing to the senses: affording exquisite pleasure.—n. Del′ice, (Spens.), delight: a delight or delightful thing.—adv. Deli′ciously, in a delicious manner: (B.) lu
English · e-37683-7164Delict
Delict, de-likt′, n. a transgression, a misdemeanour. [L. delictum, an offence—de, and linquĕre, to leave.]
English · e-37683-7165 · brief source recordDeligation
Deligation, del-i-gā′shun, n. a binding up, ligature.
English · e-37683-7166 · brief source recordDelight
Delight, de-līt′, v.t. to please highly.—v.i. to have or take great pleasure: to be greatly pleased.—n. a high degree of pleasure: extreme satisfaction: that which gives great pleasure.—p.adj. Delight′ed, greatly pleased
English · e-37683-7167Delilah
Delilah, dē-lī′la, n. the Philistine woman who befooled Samson: a courtesan who seduces a man to betray secrets: a light woman, strumpet.—Also Dalī′la.
English · e-37683-7168Delimit
Delimit, de-lim′it, v.t. to fix or mark the limit of.—n. Delimitā′tion.
English · e-37683-7169 · brief source recordDelineate
Delineate, de-lin′e-āt, v.t. to mark out with lines: to represent by a sketch or picture: to portray: to describe accurately in words.—adj. Delin′eable.—ns. Delineā′tion, the act of delineating: a sketch, representation,
English · e-37683-7170Delinquent
Delinquent, de-ling′kwent, adj. failing in duty.—n. one who fails in or leaves his duty: a transgressor: a criminal.—n. Delin′quency, failure in or omission of duty: a fault: a crime.—adv. Delin′quently. [L. delinquens,
English · e-37683-7171Deliquesce
Deliquesce, del-i-kwes′, v.i. to melt and become liquid by absorbing moisture, as certain salts, &c.—v.i. and v.t. Del′iquate, Deliq′uiate, to melt.—ns. Deliques′cence, Deliquiā′tion.—adj. Deliques′cent, liquefying in th
English · e-37683-7172Deliquium
Deliquium, de-lik′wi-um, n. liquefaction by absorption of moisture. [Fr.,—Low L. deliquium—L. de, down, and liquēre, to melt.]
English · e-37683-7173Delirious
Delirious, de-lir′i-us, adj. wandering in mind: light-headed: insane.—n. Delirā′tion, madness, an aberration.—adj. Delirifā′cient, producing delirium.—n. any substance with this quality.—adv. Delir′iously.—ns. Delir′ious
English · e-37683-7174Delitescent
Delitescent, del-i-tes′ent, adj. lying hid or concealed—e.g. the germs of an infectious disease.—n. Delites′cence. [L. delitescens, pr.p. of delitescĕre—de, from, and latescĕre—latēre, to lie hid.]
English · e-37683-7175Deliver
Deliver, de-liv′ėr, v.t. to liberate or set free from restraint or danger: to rescue from evil or fear: to give up or part with: to communicate: to pronounce: to give forth, as a blow, a ball, &c.: to disburden a woman o
English · e-37683-7176Deliverly
Deliverly, de-liv′ėr-li, adv. (Shak.) nimble manner. [O. Fr. delivre, free—L. de, and liber, free.]
English · e-37683-7177 · brief source recordDell
Dell. See Dale.
English · e-37683-7178 · brief source recordDella-Cruscan
Della-Cruscan, del-la-krus′kan, adj. belonging to, or resembling, the old Florentine Accademia della Crusca (1582), esp. of a group of sentimental English poetasters resident in Florence about 1784—crushed by Gifford's B
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