Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 39

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Page 39 of 179

Diatomic

Diatomic, dī-a-tom′ik, adj. consisting of two atoms. [Gr. di-, dis, two, and atom.]

English · e-37683-7581 · brief source record

Diatomous

Diatomous, dī-at′ō-mus, adj. having crystals with one distinct diagonal cleavage.

English · e-37683-7582 · brief source record

Diatonic

Diatonic, dī-a-ton′ik, adj. proceeding by the tones and intervals of the natural scale in music.—adv. Diaton′ically. [Gr.,—dia, through, tonos, tone.]

English · e-37683-7583

Diatribe

Diatribe, dī′a-trīb, n. a continued discourse or disputation: an invective harangue.—n. Dī′atrībist, a writer or utterer of such. [Gr. diatribē—dia, through, tribein, to rub, wear away.]

English · e-37683-7584

Dib

Dib, dib, v.i. to dip, as in angling:—pr.p. dib′bing; pa.p. dibbed. [A form of dab.]

English · e-37683-7585 · brief source record

Dib

Dib, dib, n. one of the small bones of a sheep's leg: (pl.) a children's game, played by throwing up such small bones or stones (Dib′-stones) from the palm and catching them on the back of the hand—(Scot.) Chuckie-stanes

English · e-37683-7586

Dibasic

Dibasic, dī-bā′sik, adj. having two bases: of acids, with two atoms of hydrogen replaceable by a base or bases. [Gr. di-, two, and basic.]

English · e-37683-7587

Dibble

Dibble, dib′l, n. a pointed tool used for making holes to put seed or plants in—also Dibb′er.—v.t. Dibb′le, to plant with a dibble.—v.i. to make holes: to dip, as in angling.—n. Dibb′ler. [Freq. of dib, a form of dab.]

English · e-37683-7588

Dibranchiata

Dibranchiata, dī-brang-ki-ā′ta, n. one of the two orders of cephalopoda, having two gills.—adj. Dibran′chiate. [Gr. di-, two, branchia, gills.]

English · e-37683-7589

Dicacity

Dicacity, dik-as′i-ti, n. raillery, pert speech.—adj. Dicā′cious. [L. dicax, sarcastic.]

English · e-37683-7590 · brief source record

Dicast

Dicast, Dikast, dī′kast, n. one of the 6000 Athenians annually chosen to act as judges.—n. Dicas′tery, their court. [Gr. dikastēs, dikē, justice.]

English · e-37683-7591

Dicatalectic

Dicatalectic, dī-kat-a-lek′tik, adj. doubly catalectic, both at the middle and end of the verse. [Gr. di-, double. See Catalectic.]

English · e-37683-7592

Dice

Dice, pl. of Die, 2 (q.v.).—v.i. to play with dice.

English · e-37683-7593 · brief source record

Dice-coal

Dice-coal, dīs′-kōl, n. a kind of coal which readily splits into cubical pieces.

English · e-37683-7594 · brief source record

Dicentra

Dicentra, dī-sen′tra, n. a genus of plants including the flower Bleeding-heart (D. spectabilis).—Also Diel′ytra. [Gr. di-, double, kentron, a point.]

English · e-37683-7595

Dicephalous

Dicephalous, dī-sef′a-lus, adj. two-headed. [Gr. dikephalos—di-, double, kephalē, a head.]

English · e-37683-7596 · brief source record

Dichastasis

Dichastasis, dī-kas′ta-sis, n. spontaneous subdivision.—adj. Dichas′tic. [Gr.]

English · e-37683-7597 · brief source record

Dichlamydeous

Dichlamydeous, dī-kla-mid′ē-us, adj. having both a calyx and a corolla.

English · e-37683-7598 · brief source record

Dichogamy

Dichogamy, dī-kog′a-mi, n. an arrangement for preventing the self-fertilisation of hermaphrodite flowers, the stamens and stigmas ripening at different times.—adj. Dichog′amous. [Gr. dicha, in two, gamos, marriage.]

English · e-37683-7599

Dichord

Dichord, dī′kord, n. an ancient two-stringed lute.

English · e-37683-7600 · brief source record

Dichotomy

Dichotomy, dī-kot′o-mi, n. a division into two parts.—v.t. and v.i. Dichot′omise.—adj. Dichot′omous.—adv. Dichot′omously. [Gr., from dicha, in two, and temnein, to cut.]

English · e-37683-7601

Dichroism

Dichroism, dī′krō-izm, n. the property of showing different colours when viewed in different directions exhibited by doubly refracting crystals.—adjs. Dichrō′ic, Dichrois′tic.—n. Dī′chroscope, an instrument for testing t

English · e-37683-7602

Dichromatism

Dichromatism, dī-krō′ma-tizm, n. (zool.) the quality of presenting, in different individuals, two different colours or systems of colouration.—adj. Dichromat′ic.

English · e-37683-7603

Dichromism

Dichromism, dī-krō′mizm, n. an inability to distinguish more than two of the primary colours.—adj. Dichrō′mic.

English · e-37683-7604 · brief source record

Dicht

Dicht, diht, v.t. (Scot.) to wipe.

English · e-37683-7605 · brief source record

Dick

Dick, dik, n. (slang) fine words, for Dictionary: for Declaration, as 'to take one's dick,' and prob. 'up to dick' = excellent, also properly.

English · e-37683-7606

Dickens

Dickens, dik′enz, n. the deuce, the devil, as in 'What the dickens.'—Play the dickens with, to play the deuce with. [For devil, confused with Dickon = Richard.]

English · e-37683-7607

Dicker

Dicker, dik′ėr, n. (Amer.) petty trade by barter, &c.—v.i. to haggle. [Prob. the obs. dicker, the number ten, esp. of hides or skins.]

English · e-37683-7608

Dickey

Dickey, Dicky, dik′i, n. a leathern apron for a gig, &c.: the driver's seat in a carriage: a seat for servants at the back of a carriage: a false shirt-front. [Perh. from dick, a prov. Eng. word for a leathern apron; Pro

English · e-37683-7609

Dicky

Dicky, dickey, dik′i, n. (East Anglian) an ass.—n. Dick′y-bird, a small bird. [From Dick, familiar of Richard—like Jack, in jackass.]

English · e-37683-7610

Diclinic

Diclinic, dī-klin′ik, adj. (crystal.) having two of the intersections of the axes oblique.—Also Dī′clinate, Dī′clinous.

English · e-37683-7611 · brief source record

Diclinous

Diclinous, dī′kli-nus, adj. having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers.—n. Dī′clinism. [Gr. di-, asunder, and klinē, a bed.]

English · e-37683-7612

Dicoccous

Dicoccous, dī-kok′us, adj. (bot.) formed of two cocci.

English · e-37683-7613 · brief source record

Dicœlous

Dicœlous, dī-sē′lus, adj. cupped or hollowed at both ends.

English · e-37683-7614 · brief source record

Dicotyledon

Dicotyledon, dī-kot-i-lē′don, n. a plant having two seed-lobes.—adj. Dicotylē′donous. [Gr. di-, two, and cotyledon.]

English · e-37683-7615 · brief source record

Dicrotic

Dicrotic, dī-krot′ik, adj. double-beating—also Dī′crotous.—n. Dī′crotism. [Gr., di-, two, krotos, beat.]

English · e-37683-7616 · brief source record

Dictate

Dictate, dik′tāt, v.t. to tell another what to say or write: to communicate with authority: to point out: to command—(arch. Dict).—n. an order, rule, or direction: impulse.—ns. Dictā′tion, act, art, or practice of dictat

English · e-37683-7617

Diction

Diction, dik′shun, n. a saying or speaking: manner of speaking or expressing: choice of words: style. [L., from dicĕre, dictum, to say.]

English · e-37683-7618

Dictionary

Dictionary, dik′shun-a-ri, n. a book containing the words of a language alphabetically arranged, with their meanings, etymology, &c.: a lexicon: a work containing information on any department of knowledge, alphabeticall

English · e-37683-7619

Dictum

Dictum, dik′tum, n. something said: a saying: an authoritative saying:—pl. Dic′ta. [L.]

English · e-37683-7620 · brief source record

Dictyogen

Dictyogen, dik′ti-o-jen, n. a plant with net-veined leaves. [Gr. diktyon, a net; -genēs, producing.]

English · e-37683-7621 · brief source record

Dicynodont

Dicynodont, di-sin′o-dont, n. an extinct reptile, allied to tortoises on one hand and mammals on the other. [Formed from Gr. di-, two, cyōn, dog, and odous, odontos, tooth.]

English · e-37683-7622

Did

Did, did, Didst, didst, pa.t. of Do.

English · e-37683-7623 · brief source record

Didache

Didache, did′a-kē, n. the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (see under Apostle). [Gr., 'teaching.']

English · e-37683-7624 · brief source record

Didactic

Didactic, -al, di-dak′tik, -al, adj. fitted or intended to teach: instructive: perceptive.—adv. Didac′tically.—n. Didac′ticism.—n.pl. Didactics, the art or science of teaching. [Gr. didaktikos—didaskein, to teach; akin t

English · e-37683-7625

Didactyl

Didactyl, dī-dak′til, adj. having only two digits—also Didac′tylous.—n. Didac′tyl, an animal with two toes only on each foot.

English · e-37683-7626

Didapper

Didapper, did′ap-ėr, n. a water-bird that is constantly dipping or diving under water—also called the Dabchick. [A compound of dive and dapper (which is a variant of dipper). See Dip and Dive.]

English · e-37683-7627

Didascalic

Didascalic, did-as-kal′ik, adj. didactic.

English · e-37683-7628 · brief source record

Didder

Didder, did′ėr, v.i. (prov.) to shake.

English · e-37683-7629 · brief source record

Diddle

Diddle, did′l, v.t. to cajole, swindle.—n. Didd′ler.

English · e-37683-7630 · brief source record

Didecahedral

Didecahedral, dī-dek-a-hē′dral, adj. (crystal.), having five planes on each extremity.

English · e-37683-7631 · brief source record

Didelphia

Didelphia, dī-del′fi-a, n.pl. the marsupialia, or marsupial implacental mammals, one of the three sub-classes of Mammalia.—adjs. Didel′phian, Didel′phic. [Gr. di-, double, delphys, womb.]

English · e-37683-7632

Dido

Dido, dī′dō, n. (slang) an antic caper.—Cut up didoes, to behave in an extravagant way.

English · e-37683-7633 · brief source record

Didodecahedral

Didodecahedral, dī-do-dek-a-hē′dral, adj. of a six-sided-prism, truncated on the lateral edges, and acuminated on the extremities with six planes.

English · e-37683-7634

Didrachma

Didrachma, dī-drak′ma, n. a double drachma.

English · e-37683-7635 · brief source record

Diduction

Diduction, dī-duk′shun, n. separation by withdrawing one part from the other.

English · e-37683-7636 · brief source record

Didunculus

Didunculus, di-dung′kū-lus, n. a remarkable genus of pigeons—the tooth-billed pigeon of Samoa.

English · e-37683-7637 · brief source record

Didymium

Didymium, dī-dim′i-um, n. a supposed element discovered in 1841, so named from being, as it were, twin brother of lanthamum.

English · e-37683-7638

Didymous

Didymous, did′i-mus, adj. twin.

English · e-37683-7639 · brief source record

Didynamia

Didynamia, did-i-nā′mi-a, n. a class of plants in the Linnæan system having in the flower four stamens in pairs of unequal length.—adjs. Didynā′mian, Didyn′amous. [Gr. di-, double, dynamis, strength.]

English · e-37683-7640

Die

Die, dī, v.i. to lose life: to perish: to wither: to languish: to become insensible:—pr.p. dy′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. died (dīd).—adj. Die′-away′, languishing.—Die away, to disappear by degrees, become gradually inaudible;

English · e-37683-7641

Die

Die, dī, n. a small cube used in gaming by being thrown from a box: any small cubical body: hazard:—pl. Dice (dīs).—n. Dice′-box.—adj. Diced, ornamented with square or diamond-shaped figures.—ns. Dice′-play; Dice′-play′e

English · e-37683-7642

Die

Die, dī, n. a stamp for impressing coin, &c.: the cubical part of a pedestal:—pl. Dies (dīz).—ns. Die′-sink′er; Die′-sink′ing, the engraving of dies; Die′-stock, a contrivance for holding the dies used in screw-cutting;

English · e-37683-7643

Dieb

Dieb, dēb, n. a jackal of northern Africa.

English · e-37683-7644 · brief source record

Diegesis

Diegesis, dī-e-jē′sis, n. (rhet.) in an oration, the narration of the facts. [Gr.]

English · e-37683-7645 · brief source record

Dielectric

Dielectric, dī-e-lek′trik, adj. non-conducting: transmitting electric effects without conducting.—n. a substance through which electric force acts. [Gr. dia, through, and electric.]

English · e-37683-7646

Dielytra

Dielytra, dī-el′i-tra, n. an erroneous name for dicentra.

English · e-37683-7647 · brief source record

Dies Iræ

Dies Iræ, dī′ēz ī′rē, n. the name given (from the opening words) to a famous hymn on the last judgment (c. 1250 A.D.). [L., 'day of wrath.']

English · e-37683-7649

Dies non

Dies non, dī′ēz non, a day on which law courts may not be held. [From L. dies non juridicus, same as dies nefastus, an unlawful day.]

English · e-37683-7650

Diesis

Diesis, dī′e-sis, n. (mus.) the difference in tone between a major and a minor semitone: (print.) the double dagger (‡).

English · e-37683-7648

Diet

Diet, dī′et, n. mode of living, with especial reference to food: food prescribed by a physician: allowance of provisions.—v.t. to furnish with food.—v.i. to eat: to take food according to rule.—n. Dietā′rian, one who obs

English · e-37683-7651

Diet

Diet, dī′et, n. an assembly of princes and delegates, the chief national council in several countries in Europe: (Scots law) the proceedings under a criminal libel: a clerical or ecclesiastical function in Scotland, a di

English · e-37683-7652

Diffarreation

Diffarreation, di-far-ē-ā′shun, n. the parting of a cake of spelt—a ceremony at a Roman divorce. [L.]

English · e-37683-7653 · brief source record

Differ

Differ, dif′ėr, v.i. to be unlike, distinct, or various (used by itself, or followed by with, from, to): to disagree (with from, with): to fall out, dispute (with):—pr.p. diff′ering; pa.p. diff′ered.—ns. Diff′erence, Dif

English · e-37683-7654

Difficult

Difficult, dif′i-kult, adj. not easy: hard to be done: requiring labour and pains: hard to please: not easily persuaded.—adv. Diff′icultly.—n. Diff′iculty, laboriousness: obstacle: objection: that which cannot be easily

English · e-37683-7655

Diffident

Diffident, dif′i-dent, adj. wanting faith in: distrustful of one's self: modest: bashful.—n. Diff′idence, want of confidence: want of self-reliance: modesty: bashfulness.—adv. Diff′idently. [L., pr.p. of diffidĕre, to di

English · e-37683-7656

Diffluent

Diffluent, dif′loo-ent, adj. tending to flow away readily.

English · e-37683-7657 · brief source record

Difform

Difform, dif′orm, adj. not uniform, irregular in form.—n. Diffor′mity.

English · e-37683-7658 · brief source record

Diffract

Diffract, dif-frakt′, v.t. to break or separate into parts, as rays of light.—n. Diffrac′tion, a name for certain phenomena connected with light passing through a narrow opening or by the edge of an opaque body: the spre

English · e-37683-7659

Diffuse

Diffuse, dif-ūz′, v.t. to pour out all round: to send out in all directions: to scatter: to circulate: to publish.—v.i. to spread, as a liquid does.—pa.p. and adj. Diffused′, spread widely: loose.—adv. Diffus′edly.—ns. D

English · e-37683-7660

Diffuse

Diffuse, dif-ūs′, adj. diffused: widely spread: wordy: not concise.—adv. Diffuse′ly.—n. Diffuse′ness.

English · e-37683-7661 · brief source record

Dig

Dig, dig, v.t. to excavate: to turn up the earth: to cultivate with a spade: to poke or thrust, as one's elbow into another's side, or spurs into a horse.—v.i. to till the ground; to occupy one's self in digging; (U.S. s

English · e-37683-7662

Digamma

Digamma, dī-gam′ma, n. an obsolete letter of the Greek alphabet, having the force of our W. [So called from its form ( [Image: Digamma] ), like one capital Γ (gamma) placed over another.]

English · e-37683-7663

Digamy

Digamy, dig′a-mi, n. a second marriage.—n. Dig′amist.—adj. Dig′amous (bot.), androgynous. [Gr. dis, twice, and gamos, marriage.]

English · e-37683-7664

Digastric

Digastric, dī-gas′trik, adj. double-bellied, or fleshy at each end, as is one of the muscles of the lower jaw. [Gr. di-, double, gastēr, the belly.]

English · e-37683-7665

Digenesis

Digenesis, dī-jen′e-sis, n. reproduction by two methods, a sexual followed by an assexual.—adj. Digenet′ic.

English · e-37683-7666 · brief source record

Digest

Digest, di-jest′, v.t. to dissolve food in the stomach: to soften by heat and moisture: to distribute and arrange: to prepare or classify in the mind: to think over.—v.i. to be dissolved in the stomach: to be softened by

English · e-37683-7667

Digest

Digest, dī′jest, n. a body of laws collected and arranged, esp. the Justinian code of civil laws. [L. digesta, neut. pl. of digestus, pa.p. of digerĕre, to carry apart, to arrange.]

English · e-37683-7668

Dight

Dight, dīt, adj. disposed, adorned.—adv. finely.—Also Dight′ly. [A.S. dihtan, to arrange, prescribe, from L. dictāre, to dictate, whence Ger. dichten, to write poetry, and the Scotch verb dight, to dress, used of stones,

English · e-37683-7669

Digit

Digit, dij′it, n. a finger's breadth or ¾ inch: from the habit of counting on the fingers, any one of the nine numbers: the twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon.—adj. Dig′ital, pertaining to the fingers.—n. fi

English · e-37683-7670

Diglyph

Diglyph, dī′glif, n. (archit.) an ornament consisting of a double groove.

English · e-37683-7671 · brief source record

Dignify

Dignify, dig′ni-fī, v.t. to invest with honour: to exalt:—pr.p. dig′nifying; pa.p. dig′nified.—n. Dignificā′tion.—adj. Dig′nified, marked with dignity: exalted: noble: grave. [Low L. dignificāre—dignus, worthy, facĕre, t

English · e-37683-7672

Dignity

Dignity, dig′ni-ti, n. the state of being dignified: elevation of mind or character: grandeur of mien: elevation in rank, place, &c.: degree of excellence: preferment: high office: a dignitary.—n. Dig′nitary, one in a di

English · e-37683-7673

Digraph

Digraph, dī′graf, n. two letters expressing but one sound, as ph in digraph. [Gr. di-, twice, graphē, a mark, a character—graphein, to write.]

English · e-37683-7674

Digress

Digress, di-gres′, v.i. to step aside or go from the main subject: to introduce irrelevant matter.—n. Digres′sion, a going from the main point: a part of a discourse not upon the main subject.—adjs. Digres′sional, Digres

English · e-37683-7675

Digynia

Digynia, dī-jin′i-a, n. an order of plants having in the flower two styles or a deeply cleft style.—adjs. Digyn′ian, Dig′ynous. [Gr. dis, twice, and gynē, a woman.]

English · e-37683-7676

Dihedral

Dihedral, dī-hē′dral, adj. having two sides, or two plane faces—also Diē′dral.—n. Dihē′dron. [Gr. di-, two, hedra, a seat.]

English · e-37683-7677

Dihexagonal

Dihexagonal, dī-heks-ag′ō-nal, adj. twelve-sided.

English · e-37683-7678 · brief source record

Dihexahedral

Dihexahedral, dī-heks-a-hē′dral, adj. pertaining to a six-sided prism having three planes on the extremities.—n. Dihexahē′dron.

English · e-37683-7679

Dijudicate

Dijudicate, dī-jōō′di-kāt, v.t. and v.i. to judge between two: to decide.—n. Dijudicā′tion. [L. di, asunder, and judicāre, judge.]

English · e-37683-7680

Dike

Dike, dīk, n. a trench, or the earth dug out and thrown up: a ditch: a mound raised to prevent inundation: in Scotland, a wall (Dry-stane dike, a wall without mortar; Fail-dike, a wall of turf), sometimes even a thorn-he

English · e-37683-7681

Dilacerate

Dilacerate, di-las′ėr-āt, v.t. to rend or tear asunder.—n. Dilacerā′tion. [L. di, asunder, and lacerate.]

English · e-37683-7682 · brief source record

Dilapidate

Dilapidate, di-lap′i-dāt, v.t. to pull stone from stone: to lay waste: to suffer to go to ruin.—adj. Dilap′idated, in ruins.—ns. Dilapidā′tion, the state of ruin: impairing of church property during an incumbency: (pl.)

English · e-37683-7683

Dilate

Dilate, di-lāt′, v.t. to spread out in all directions: to enlarge: the opposite of contract.—v.i. to widen: to swell out: to speak at length.—ns. Dilātabil′ity, Dilāt′ancy, Dilatā′tion, Dilā′tion, expansion.—adjs. Dilāt′

English · e-37683-7684

Dilatory

Dilatory, dil′a-tor-i, adj. slow: given to procrastination: loitering: tending to delay.—adv. Dil′atorily.—n. Dil′atoriness. [L. dilatorius, extending or putting off (time). See Dilate.]

English · e-37683-7685

Dilemma

Dilemma, di-lem′a, n. a form of argument in which the maintainer of a certain proposition is committed to accept one of two alternative propositions each of which contradicts his original contention: a position where eac

English · e-37683-7686

Dilettante

Dilettante, dil-et-an′te, n. one who loves the fine arts, but in a superficial way and without serious purpose (the amateur usually practises them): a dabbler in art, science, or literature:—pl. Dilettan′ti (′tē).—adj. D

English · e-37683-7687

Diligent

Diligent, dil′i-jent, adj. steady and earnest in application: industrious.—n. Dil′igence, steady application: industry: (Scots law) a warrant to produce witnesses, books, &c., or a process by which persons or goods are a

English · e-37683-7688

Dill

Dill, dil, n. an umbelliferous annual, the seeds used in medicine.—n. Dill′-wa′ter, a stomachic and carminative. [A.S. dile; Ger. and Sw. dill.]

English · e-37683-7689

Dilling

Dilling, dil′ing, n. a darling: the youngest child, the weakling of a litter.

English · e-37683-7690 · brief source record

Dilly-bag

Dilly-bag, dil′i-bag, n. an Australian native-made rush or bark-bag.—Also Dill′i, Dill′y.

English · e-37683-7691 · brief source record

Dilly-dally

Dilly-dally, dil′i-dal′i, v.i. to loiter, trifle. [A kind of reduplication of dally. Cf. Shilly-shally.]

English · e-37683-7692 · brief source record

Dilogy

Dilogy, dil′ō-ji, n. repetition: intentional ambiguity.—adj. Dilog′ical.

English · e-37683-7693 · brief source record

Dilucidate

Dilucidate, di-lū′si-dāt, v.t. (obs.) to elucidate.—adj. Dilū′cid.—n. Dilucidā′tion.

English · e-37683-7694 · brief source record

Dilute

Dilute, dil-ūt′, v.t. to make thinner or more liquid: to diminish the strength, flavour, &c. of, by mixing, esp. with water.—v.i. to become mixed.—adj. diminished in strength by mixing with water.—adj. Dil′uent, diluting

English · e-37683-7695

Diluvium

Diluvium, dil-ū′vi-um, n. an inundation or flood: (geol.) a deposit of sand, gravel, &c. made by extraordinary currents of water—also Dilū′vion.—adjs. Dilū′vial, Dilū′vian, pertaining to a flood, esp. that in the time of

English · e-37683-7696

Dim

Dim, dim, adj. not bright or distinct: obscure: mysterious: not seeing clearly.—v.t. to make dark: to obscure.—v.i. to become dim:—pr.p. dim′ming; pa.p. dimmed.—adv. Dim′ly.—adj. Dim′mish, somewhat dim.—n. Dim′ness. [A.S

English · e-37683-7697

Dime

Dime, dīm, n. the tenth part of an American dollar, 10 cents, nearly equal to 5d.—Dime museum, a cheap show; Dime novel, a cheap novel, usually sensational. [Fr., orig. disme, from L. decima (pars, a part, being understo

English · e-37683-7698

Dimension

Dimension, di-men′shun, n. usually in pl., measure in length, breadth, and thickness (the three dimensions of space): extent: size.—adjs. Dimen′sional, concerning dimension (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimens

English · e-37683-7699

Dimerous

Dimerous, dim′e-rus, adj. consisting of two parts: (bot.) with two members in each whorl: (entom.) having two-jointed tarsi.—n. Dim′erism. [Gr., di-, double, meros, a part.]

English · e-37683-7700

Dimeter

Dimeter, dim′e-tėr, adj. containing two metres or measures.—n. a verse of two measures. [L.,—Gr. dimetros—di-, twice, metron, a measure.]

English · e-37683-7701

Dimethylaniline

Dimethylaniline, di-meth-il-an′i-lin, n. an oily liquid: aniline heated with methyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid—from which dyes are obtained. [L. di-, twice, methyl, and aniline.]

English · e-37683-7702

Dimetric

Dimetric, dī-met′rik, adj. (crystal.) tetragonal.

English · e-37683-7703 · brief source record

Dimidiate

Dimidiate, di-mid′i-āt, adj. divided into halves: having a shape that appears as if halved.—v.t. (her.) to represent the half of.—n. Dimidiā′tion. [L. dimidiāre, -ātum, to halve—dimidius; half—dis, twice, medius, the mid

English · e-37683-7704

Diminish

Diminish, di-min′ish, v.t. to make less: to take a part from: to degrade.—v.i. to grow or appear less: to subside.—adj. Dimin′ishable.—p.adj. Dimin′ished, made smaller, humbled: (mus.) lessened by a half-step, as an inte

English · e-37683-7705

Diminuendo

Diminuendo, di-min-ū-en′dō, adv. (mus.) a direction to let the sound die away, marked thus [Image: Diminuendo symbol] . [It.,—L. diminuendus, fut. part. pass. of diminuĕre, diminūtum, to lessen.]

English · e-37683-7706

Diminution

Diminution, dim-in-ū′shun, n. a lessening: degradation.—adj. Dimin′utive, of a diminished size: small: contracted.—n. (gram.) a word formed from another to express a little one of the kind.—adv. Dimin′utively.—n. Dimin′u

English · e-37683-7707

Dimissory

Dimissory, dim′is-or-i, adj. sending away or giving leave to depart to another jurisdiction. [L. dimissorius—dimittĕre, dimissum.]

English · e-37683-7708

Dimity

Dimity, dim′i-ti, n. a kind of stout white cotton cloth, striped or figured in the loom by weaving with two threads. [Through the L., from Gr. dimitos—di-, twice, mitos, a thread.]

English · e-37683-7709

Dimorphism

Dimorphism, dī-mor′fizm, n. (bot.) a state in which two forms of flower, leaf, &c. are produced by the same species of plant: the property of crystallising in two forms.—adjs. Dimor′phic, Dimor′phous. [Gr. di-, twice, mo

English · e-37683-7710

Dimple

Dimple, dim′pl, n. a small hollow: a small natural depression on the face.—v.i. to form dimples.—v.t. to mark with dimples.—p.adj. Dim′pled.—n. Dim′plement.—adj. Dim′ply. [Dim. of dip, with inserted m. Another dim. is da

English · e-37683-7711

Dimyarian

Dimyarian, dim-i-ā′ri-an, adj. double-muscled (of bivalve shells like the clam)—also Dim′yary.—n.pl. Dimyā′ria. [Gr. di-, two, mys, a muscle.]

English · e-37683-7712

Din

Din, din, n. a loud continued noise.—v.t. to assail (the ears) with noise: to annoy with clamour: to obtrude noisily (as to din one's complaints into their ears):—pr.p. din′ning; pa.p. dinned.—adj. Din′ful. [A.S. dyn, dy

English · e-37683-7713

Dinanderie

Dinanderie, dē-nong′de-rē, n. domestic utensils of copper, esp. such as are quaint and artistic—applied also to Indian and Levantine brass-ware. [Fr., from Dinant in Belgium.]

English · e-37683-7714

Dinar

Dinar, dē-när′, n. an ancient Arab gold coin of 65 grains weight. [L. denarius.]

English · e-37683-7715 · brief source record

Dinarchy

Dinarchy. See Diarchy.

English · e-37683-7716 · brief source record

Dindle

Dindle. See Dinnle.

English · e-37683-7717 · brief source record

Dine

Dine, dīn, v.i. to take dinner.—v.t. to give a dinner to.—n. (obs.) dinner-time.—ns. Din′er-out, one who goes much to dinner-parties; Dinette′, a preliminary dinner, luncheon; Din′ing-hall; Din′ing-room; Din′ing-tā′ble.—

English · e-37683-7718

Ding

Ding, ding, v.t. to throw, dash, or hurl: to beat: (arch.) to urge or enforce: (Scot.) to defeat, non-plus—also, as v.i., to be defeated: to descend, fall, as of continued heavy rain or snow falling.—Ding doun (Scot.), t

English · e-37683-7719

Ding

Ding, ding, v.i. to ring, keep sounding.—v.t. to reiterate to a wearisome degree.—n. Ding′-dong, the sound of bells ringing: monotony: sameness. [Imit. Cf. Ring.]

English · e-37683-7720

Dingle

Dingle, ding′gl, n. a little hollow or narrow valley. [Prob. conn. with dimple and dip.]

English · e-37683-7721 · brief source record

Dingle-dangle

Dingle-dangle, ding′gl-dang′gl, adv. hanging loose: swinging backwards and forwards. [A duplication of Dangle.]

English · e-37683-7722 · brief source record

Dingo

Dingo, ding′gō, n. the native dog of Australia.

English · e-37683-7723 · brief source record

Dingy

Dingy, Dingey, ding′gi, n. the smallest ship's boat: in India, a canoe. [Beng. dingī, a boat.]

English · e-37683-7724 · brief source record

Dingy

Dingy, din′ji, adj. of a dim or dark colour: dull: soiled.—n. Din′giness. [Acc. to Skeat = dungy.]

English · e-37683-7725 · brief source record

Dinic

Dinic, din′ik, adj. relating to vertigo or dizziness.—n. a remedy for dizziness. [Gr. dinos, whirling.]

English · e-37683-7726 · brief source record

Dink

Dink, dingk, adj. (Scot.) braw, trim.—v.t. to dress neatly.

English · e-37683-7727 · brief source record

Dinmont

Dinmont, din′mont, n. a Border name for a wether between the first and second shearing.

English · e-37683-7728 · brief source record

Dinner

Dinner, din′ėr, n. the chief meal of the day: a feast.—ns. Dinnerette′, a little dinner; Dinn′er-hour.—adj. Dinn′erless.—ns. Dinn′er-tā′ble; Dinn′er-time; Dinn′er-wag′on, a set of light movable shelves for a dining-room.

English · e-37683-7729

Dinnle

Dinnle, din′l, v.i. (Scot.) to tingle.—n. a thrill.—Also Din′dle.

English · e-37683-7730 · brief source record

Dinoceras

Dinoceras, dī-nos′er-as, n. an extinct genus of mammals found in Wyoming, approaching the elephant in size, and named from three pairs of osseous protuberances on the skull. [Formed from Gr. deinos, terrible, keras, horn

English · e-37683-7731

Dinornis

Dinornis, dī-nor′nis, n. a genus of large extinct birds, the bones of which are found in New Zealand. [Formed from Gr. deinos, terrible, and ornis, a bird.]

English · e-37683-7732

Dinosaur

Dinosaur, dī′no-sawr, n. a gigantic extinct reptile, which attained a length of eighty feet. [Formed from Gr. deinos, terrible, and sauros, lizard.]

English · e-37683-7733

Dinotherium

Dinotherium, dī-no-thē′ri-um, n. an extinct animal of huge size, with elephant-like tusks and trunk. [Gr. deinos, terrible, thērion, a beast.]

English · e-37683-7734

Dint

Dint, dint, n. a blow or stroke: the mark of a blow (often Dent): force: power (as in 'by dint of').—v.t. to make a dint in. [A.S. dynt, a blow; Scot. dunt, a blow with a dull sound, Ice. dyntr.]

English · e-37683-7735

Diocese

Diocese, dī′ō-sēs, n. the circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction.—adj. Diocesan (dī-os′es-an, or dī′ō-sē-san), pertaining to a diocese.—n. a bishop as regards his diocese: one of the clergy in the diocese. [Through

English · e-37683-7736

Diodon

Diodon, dī′o-don, n. a genus of globe-fishes which have all their teeth consolidated on the jaws, so as to make them like the beak of a bird. [Gr. dis, twice, double, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

English · e-37683-7737

Diœcia

Diœcia, dī-ē′shi-a, n. a class of plants having the stamens on one plant and the pistils on another.—adjs. Diœ′cious, Diœ′cian.—adv. Diœ′ciously.—n. Diœ′ciousness. [Gr. di-, twice, oikos, a house.]

English · e-37683-7738

Diogenic

Diogenic, dī-o-jen′ik, adj. resembling the Cynic philosopher Diogenes (412-323 B.C.), cynical.

English · e-37683-7739 · brief source record

Dionæa

Dionæa, dī-ō-nē′a, n. Venus's fly-trap: an American insectivorous plant. [L., from Gr., a name of Aphrodite or Venus, from her mother Diōnē.]

English · e-37683-7740

Dionysia

Dionysia, dī-o-niz′i-a, n.pl. dramatic and orgiastic festivals in honour of Dionysus (Bacchus), god of wine.—adjs. Dionys′iac, Dionys′ian.

English · e-37683-7741

Diophantine

Diophantine, dī-o-fan′tīn, adj. pertaining to the Alexandrian mathematician Diophantus (c. 275 A.D.).—Diophantine analysis, the part of algebra which treats of finding particular rational values for general expressions u

English · e-37683-7742

Diopside

Diopside, dī-op′sid, n. a grayish and readily cleavable variety of pyroxene. [Gr., dia, through, opsis, a view.]

English · e-37683-7743 · brief source record

Diopsis

Diopsis, dī-op′sis, n. a genus of dipterous insects, of the fly family.

English · e-37683-7744 · brief source record

Dioptase

Dioptase, dī-op′tās, n. emerald copper ore.

English · e-37683-7745 · brief source record

Dioptrate

Dioptrate, dī-op′trāt, adj. (entom.) divided transversely.

English · e-37683-7746 · brief source record

Dioptric

Dioptric, -al, dī-op′trik, -al, adj. pertaining to dioptrics.—ns. Diop′ter, an ancient form of theodolite: the index-arm of a graduated circle; Diop′trics, the part of optics which treats of the transmission of light fro

English · e-37683-7747

Diorama

Diorama, dī-ō-rä′ma, n. an exhibition of pictures, illuminated, and viewed through an opening in the wall of a darkened chamber.—adj. Dioram′ic. [Gr. dia, through, horama, a sight.]

English · e-37683-7748

Diorism

Diorism, dī′ō-rizm, n. distinction, definition.—adjs. Dioris′tic, -al.—adv. Dioris′tically. [Gr. diorizein, to divide, dia, through, horos, a boundary.]

English · e-37683-7749

Diorite

Diorite, dī′o-rīt, n. a crystalline granular igneous rock composed of feldspar and hornblende. [Gr. diorizein, to distinguish—dia, through, horos, a boundary.]

English · e-37683-7750

Diorthosis

Diorthosis, dī-or-thō′sis, n. (surg.) the reduction of a dislocation, the correction of a deformity: a critical revision of a text.—adj. Diorthrot′ic. [Gr., dia, through, orthos, straight.]

English · e-37683-7751

Dioscorea

Dioscorea, di-os-kōr′e-a, n. a genus of twining plants, containing the yams.—n. Dioscorā′ceæ, the order to which Dioscorea belongs.—adj. Dioscorā′ceous. [From the 1st-cent. Greek physician Dioscorides.]

English · e-37683-7752

Dioscuri

Dioscuri, di-os-kū′ri, n.pl. Castor and Pollux, as sons of Jupiter. [Gr. Dios, gen. of Zeus (Jupiter), and koros (Ion. kouros), a son, a lad.]

English · e-37683-7753

Diosmosis

Diosmosis, dī-oz-mō′zis, n. the transfusion of a liquid through a membrane.—Also Dios′mose. [Gr. dia, through, ōsmos, a pushing—ōthein, to thrust.]

English · e-37683-7754

Diota

Diota, dī-ō′ta, n. a two-handled Roman vase.

English · e-37683-7755 · brief source record

Diothelism

Diothelism, dī-oth′e-lizm, n. the doctrine that Christ during His life on earth possessed two wills, a human and a divine—opp. to Monothelism—also Dyoth′elism.—n. Dioth′elite, one who holds this.

English · e-37683-7756

Dioxide

Dioxide, dī-oks′īd, n. an oxide containing two equivalents of oxygen to one of a metal. [Gr. di-, twice, and oxide.]

English · e-37683-7757 · brief source record

Dip

Dip, dip, v.t. to dive or plunge into any liquid for a moment: to lower and raise again (as a flag): to baptise by immersion.—v.i. to sink: to enter slightly: to look cursorily: to incline downwards:—pr.p. dip′ping; pa.p

English · e-37683-7758

Dipchick

Dipchick, dip′chik, n. Same as Dabchick.

English · e-37683-7759 · brief source record

Dipetalous

Dipetalous, dī-pet′a-lus, adj. having two petals. [Gr. di-, twice, and petal.]

English · e-37683-7760 · brief source record

Diphtheria

Diphtheria, dif-thē′ri-a, n. a throat disease in which the air-passages become covered and impeded with a leathery membrane, and a dangerous fever is present.—adj. Diphtherit′ic. [A coinage of 1859 from Gr. diphthera, le

English · e-37683-7761

Diphthong

Diphthong, dif′thong, or dip′thong, n. two vowel-sounds pronounced as one syllable.—adj. Diphthong′al, relating to a diphthong.—adv. Diphthong′ally.—n. Diphthongā′tion.—v.t. Diph′thongise. [Through Fr. from Gr. diphthong

English · e-37683-7762

Diphycercal

Diphycercal, dif-i-ser′kal, adj. having the tail symmetrical (of fishes).—Also Diph′ycerc. [Formed from Gr. diphyēs, of double nature, kerkos, a tail.]

English · e-37683-7763

Diphyllous

Diphyllous, dī-fil′us, adj. having two leaves. [Gr. di-, twice, and phyllon, a leaf.]

English · e-37683-7764 · brief source record

Diphyodont

Diphyodont, dif′i-ō-dont, adj. having two sets of teeth.—n. a mammal possessing such.

English · e-37683-7765 · brief source record

Diphysite

Diphysite, dif′i-sīt, n. one who holds the doctrine of Diph′ysitism, or the belief of the existence of two natures in Christ, a divine and a human—opp. to Monophysite; less correctly Dioph′ysite, Diophys′itism. [Gr. di-,

English · e-37683-7766

Dipleidoscope

Dipleidoscope, di-plī′dō-skōp, n. an instrument for ascertaining the moment of passage of the sun or a star over the meridian. [Formed from Gr. diploos, double, eidos, appearance, skopein, to view.]

English · e-37683-7767

Diplex

Diplex, dī′pleks, adj. pertaining to the transmission of two simultaneous messages over one wire in the same direction.

English · e-37683-7768 · brief source record

Diploe

Diploe, dip′lō-ē, n. (anat.) the spongy tissue between the hard inner and outer tables of the skull.

English · e-37683-7769 · brief source record

Diplogenic

Diplogenic, dip-lō-jen′ik, adj. producing two bodies.—n. Diplogen′esis, the production in duplicate of parts normally single. [Gr. diploos, double, genesis, generation.]

English · e-37683-7770

Diploma

Diploma, di-plō′ma, n. a writing conferring some honour or privilege, as a university degree, &c.—v.t. to furnish with a diploma. [L.,—Gr. diplōma, a letter folded double—diploos, double.]

English · e-37683-7771

Diplomacy

Diplomacy, di-plō′ma-si, n. the art of negotiation, esp. of treaties between states: political skill.—n. Diplomat′ic, a minister at a foreign court: (pl.) the science of deciphering ancient writings, as charters, decrees

English · e-37683-7772

Diplopia

Diplopia, dip′-lō′pi-a, n. double vision.

English · e-37683-7773 · brief source record

Diplozoon

Diplozoon, dip-lō-zō′on, n. a remarkable flat worm or Trematode, consisting of two organisms fused together. [Gr. diploos, double, zōon, an animal.]

English · e-37683-7774

Dipnoi

Dipnoi, dip′noi, n.pl. the lung fishes.—adj. Dip′noous, having both lungs and gills.

English · e-37683-7775 · brief source record

Dipody

Dipody, dip′o-di, n. (pros.) a double foot.

English · e-37683-7776 · brief source record

Dipolar

Dipolar, dī-pō′lar, adj. having two poles.

English · e-37683-7777 · brief source record

Dipper

Dipper, dip′ėr, n. a genus of birds in the Thrush family that find their food by diving into streams or lakes: a kind of Baptist or Dunker.

English · e-37683-7778

Diprismatic

Diprismatic, dī-priz-mat′ik, adj. doubly prismatic.

English · e-37683-7779 · brief source record

Dipsacus

Dipsacus, dip′sa-kus, n. the teasel. [Gr. dipsa, thirst, because the leaf-axils hold water.]

English · e-37683-7780 · brief source record

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