Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 44

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.

35,730 entries179 browse pagesPublic-domain-USOriginal source ↗

Read the edition and extraction limits

Historical scholarship from 1908; not current consensus or editorial verification.
Historical text may contain offensive, obsolete or inaccurate language and classifications.
Public-domain determination applies to the United States; other jurisdictions require separate confirmation.
Chambers consulted earlier dictionaries including Skeat and the New English Dictionary; overlapping claims are not independent scholarly votes.

Coverage: the complete A–Z main-entry clusters and dictionary Addenda. Derivative words remain within their original entry clusters. Non-dictionary appendices and standalone illustrations are excluded.

United States Publisher marks these historical texts public domain in the USA. Transformed book text excludes Gutenberg branding; source attribution is a bibliographic acknowledgment. No non-US public-domain determination is made. Rights statement ↗

Browse the original entries

Page 44 of 179

Drip

Drip, drip, v.i. to fall in drops: to let fall drops.—v.t. to let fall in drops:—pr.p. drip′ping; pa.p. dripped.—n. a falling in drops: that which falls in drops: the edge of a root.—ns. Drip′ping, that which falls in dr

English · e-37683-8581

Drive

Drive, drīv, v.t. to force along: to hurry one on: to guide, as horses drawing a carriage: to convey or carry in a carriage: to force in, as nails with a hammer: to push briskly: to urge, as a point of argument, a bargai

English · e-37683-8582

Drivel

Drivel, driv′l, v.i. to slaver like a child: to be foolish: to speak like an idiot:—pr.p. driv′elling; pa.p. driv′elled.—n. slaver: nonsense.—n. Driv′eller, a fool. [M. E. drevelen, dravelen; related to Dribble.]

English · e-37683-8583

Drivel

Drivel, driv′l, n. (Spens.) a drudge. [Cf. Old Dut. drevel, a scullion.]

English · e-37683-8584 · brief source record

Drizzle

Drizzle, driz′l, v.i. to rain in small drops.—v.t. (Shak.) to shed in small drops.—n. a small, light rain.—adj. Drizz′ly. [Freq. of M. E. dresen—A.S. dreósan, to fall; Norw. drjosa, Goth. driusan.]

English · e-37683-8585

Droger

Droger, Drogher, drō′ger, n. a West Indian coasting vessel, with long masts and lateen sails.

English · e-37683-8586 · brief source record

Drogue

Drogue, drōg, n. the drag of boards, attached to the end of a harpoon-line, checking the progress of a running whale.

English · e-37683-8587 · brief source record

Droguet

Droguet, drō-gā′, n. a ribbed woollen dress fabric, a variety of rep. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-8588 · brief source record

Droich

Droich, drōh, n. a dwarf.—adj. Droich′y, dwarfish. [Gael.]

English · e-37683-8589 · brief source record

Droil

Droil, droil, v.i. to drudge. [Dut. druilen, to loiter.]

English · e-37683-8590 · brief source record

Droit

Droit, drwa, n. right; duty. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-8591 · brief source record

Droll

Droll, drōl, adj. odd: amusing: laughable.—n. one who excites mirth: a jester.—v.i. to practise drollery: to jest.—ns. Droll′ery; Droll′ing.—adjs. Droll′ish, rather droll; Droll′y. [Fr., prob. from Dut. drollig, odd—trol

English · e-37683-8592

Dromedary

Dromedary, drum′e-dar-i, n. a thoroughbred one-humped Arabian camel.—ns. Dromedā′rian, Drom′edarist. [Fr.,—Low L. dromedarius—Gr. dromas, dromados, running—dramein, 2 aor. infin. of trechein, to run.]

English · e-37683-8593

Dromond

Dromond, drom′ond, n. a swift medieval ship of war.—Also Drom′on. [O. Fr.,—Late L. dromo—Gr. dromon—dromos, a running, dramein, to run.]

English · e-37683-8594

Dromos

Dromos, drom′os, n. a Greek race-course: an entrance-passage or avenue, as to a subterranean treasury, &c.—adjs. Drom′ic, -al, pertaining to a race-course: basilican. [Gr.,—dramein, to run.]

English · e-37683-8595

Drone

Drone, drōn, n. the male of the honey-bee: one who lives on the labour of others, like the drone-bee: a lazy, idle fellow.—adj. Dron′ish, like a drone: lazy, idle.—adv. Dron′ishly.—n. Dron′ishness.—adv. Dron′y. [A.S. drá

English · e-37683-8596

Drone

Drone, drōn, v.i. to make a low humming sound.—n. the bass-pipe of a bagpipe.—n. Drone′-pipe, a pipe producing a droning sound. [M. E. drounen, to roar; not found in A.S. Cf. Dut. dreunen, Ger. dröhnen.]

English · e-37683-8597

Drool

Drool, drool, v.i. to slaver—a form of Drivel.

English · e-37683-8598 · brief source record

Droop

Droop, drōōp, v.i. to sink or hang down: to grow weak or faint: to decline.—v.t. to let sink.—n. a drooping position.—adv. Droop′ingly, in a drooping manner. [Ice. drúpa, to droop. See Drop.]

English · e-37683-8599

Drop

Drop, drop, n. a small particle of liquid which falls at one time: a very small quantity of liquid: anything hanging like a drop: a fall: a trap in the gallows scaffold, the fall of which allows the criminal to drop: a d

English · e-37683-8600

Dropsy

Dropsy, drop′si, n. an unnatural collection of water in any part of the body.—adjs. Drop′sical, Drop′sied (Shak.), affected with dropsy.—n. Drop′sicalness. [Through Fr. from L. hydropisis—Gr. hydrōps—hydōr, water.]

English · e-37683-8601

Drosera

Drosera, dros′er-a, n. a genus of small herbaceous plants of the order Droseraceæ, generally inhabiting marshy places. [Formed from Gr. droseros—drosos, dew.]

English · e-37683-8602

Droshky

Droshky, drosh′ki, Drosky, dros′ki, n. a low four-wheeled open carriage much used in Russia. [Russ. drozhki.]

English · e-37683-8603 · brief source record

Drosometer

Drosometer, drō-som′e-ter, n. an instrument for measuring the quantity of dew condensed on the surface of a body left in the open air. [Gr. drosos, dew, metron, measure.]

English · e-37683-8604

Dross

Dross, dros, n. the scum which metals throw off when melting: waste matter: refuse: rust.—n. Dross′iness.—adj. Dross′y, like dross: impure: worthless. [A.S. drós, from dreósan, to fall; cf. Dut. droesem; Ger. druse.]

English · e-37683-8605

Drought

Drought, drowt, Drouth, drowth, n. dryness: want of rain or of water: thirst.—ns. Drought′iness, Drouth′iness.—adjs. Drought′y, Drouth′y, full of drought: very dry: wanting rain, thirsty. [A.S. drúgathe, dryness—drúgian,

English · e-37683-8606

Drouk

Drouk, Drook, drōōk, v.t. to drench: (Scot.) to duck.—p.adjs. Drouk′it, Drook′it. [Ice. drukna, to be drowned; cf. Dan. drukne.]

English · e-37683-8607

Drove

Drove, drōv, pa.t. of Drive.—n. a number of cattle, or other animals, driven.—n. Drov′er, one whose occupation is to drive cattle: (Spens.) a boat. [A.S. dráf—drífan, to drive.]

English · e-37683-8608

Drow

Drow, drow, n. a kind of elves supposed to belong to Shetland, inhabiting caves—also Trow, a variant of troll.

English · e-37683-8609 · brief source record

Drow

Drow, drow, n. (Scot.) a drizzling mist.

English · e-37683-8610 · brief source record

Drown

Drown, drown, v.t. to drench or sink in water: to kill by placing under water: to overpower: to extinguish.—v.t. to be suffocated in water. [A.S. druncnian, to drown—druncen, pa.p. of drincan, to drink. See Drench.]

English · e-37683-8611

Drowse

Drowse, drowz, v.i. to be heavy with sleep: to look heavy and dull.—v.t. to make heavy with sleep: to stupefy.—n. a half-sleeping state.—ns. Drows′ihead, Drows′ihed (Spens.), drowsiness, sleepiness.—adv. Drows′ily.—n. Dr

English · e-37683-8612

Drub

Drub, drub, v.t. to beat or thrash:—pr.p. drub′bing; pa.p. drubbed.—n. Drub′bing, a cudgelling. [Murray suggests Ar. daraba, to beat, bastinado, darb, a beating.]

English · e-37683-8613

Drudge

Drudge, druj, v.i. to work hard: to do very mean work.—n. one who works hard: a slave: a menial servant.—ns. Drudg′er; Drudg′ery, Drudg′ism, the work of a drudge: uninteresting toil: hard or humble labour.—adv. Drudg′ing

English · e-37683-8614

Drug

Drug, drug, n. any substance used in the composition of medicine: an article that cannot be sold, generally owing to overproduction.—v.t. to mix or season with drugs: to dose to excess.—v.i. to prescribe drugs or medicin

English · e-37683-8615

Drug

Drug, drug, n. (Shak.) a drudge.

English · e-37683-8616 · brief source record

Drugget

Drugget, drug′et, n. a woven and felted coarse woollen fabric, chiefly used for covering carpets—hence called in some parts of Britain crumbcloth. [O. Fr. droguet, dim. of drogue, a drug, trash. See above.]

English · e-37683-8617

Druid

Druid, drōō′id, n. a priest among the ancient Celts of Britain, Gaul, and Germany, who worshipped under oak-trees: a member of a benefit society (founded 1781), its lodges called groves:—fem. Dru′idess.—adjs. Druid′ic, -

English · e-37683-8618

Drum

Drum, drum, n. an instrument of percussion, in which a skin of parchment, stretched on a frame of wood or metal, is beaten with an instrument called a drumstick: anything shaped like a drum: the tympanum or middle portio

English · e-37683-8619

Drum

Drum, drum, n. a small hill or ridge of hills, used in many place-names, as Drumglass, Drumsheugh, &c. [Ir. druim, the back.]

English · e-37683-8620

Drumble

Drumble, drum′bl, v.i. (Shak.) to be sluggish.

English · e-37683-8621 · brief source record

Drumly

Drumly, drum′li, adj. (Scot.) muddy: gloomy.

English · e-37683-8622 · brief source record

Drummock

Drummock, drum′ok. Same as Drammock (q.v.).

English · e-37683-8623 · brief source record

Drummond-light

Drummond-light, drum′ond-līt, n. the lime-light or oxy-hydrogen light invented by Captain T. Drummond (1797-1840). [See Lime-light.]

English · e-37683-8624

Drunk

Drunk, drungk, pa.p. of Drink.—p.adj. intoxicated: saturated.—n. a drunken bout: a drunk person.—n. Drunk′ard, one who frequently drinks to excess: a habitual drinker.—p.adj. Drunk′en, given to excessive drinking: worthl

English · e-37683-8625

Drupe

Drupe, drōōp, n. a fleshy fruit containing a stone, as the plum, &c.—adj. Drupā′ceous, producing or pertaining to drupes or stone-fruits.—n. Drup′el, a little drupe. [L. drupa—Gr. dryppa, an over-ripe olive—drypepēs, rip

English · e-37683-8626

Druse

Druse, drōōs, n. (mining) a rock cavity lined with crystals, a geode or vug. [Ger.]

English · e-37683-8627 · brief source record

Druse

Druse, drōōs, n. one of a remarkable people inhabiting a mountainous district in the north of Syria, with a peculiar religion interwoven from the Bible and the Koran.—adj. Drus′ian.

English · e-37683-8628

Druxy

Druxy, druk′si, adj. of timber, having decayed spots concealed by healthy wood.—Also Drick′sie.

English · e-37683-8629 · brief source record

Dry

Dry, drī, adj. free from, deficient in, moisture, sap: not green: not giving milk: thirsty: uninteresting: (obs.) hard: frigid, precise: free from sweetness and fruity flavour (of wines, &c.).—v.t. to free from water or

English · e-37683-8630

Dryad

Dryad, drī′ad, n. (Greek myth.) a nymph of the woods: a forest-tree. [Gr. dryas, from drys, a tree.]

English · e-37683-8631 · brief source record

Dual

Dual, dū′al, adj. consisting of two.—ns. Dū′ad, a pair of objects looked at as one; Dū′al-control′, any joint control or jurisdiction, as of England and France in Egypt; Dū′alism (philos.), that view which seeks to expla

English · e-37683-8632

Dualin

Dualin, dū-al′in, n. an explosive compound of sawdust, saltpetre, and nitro-glycerine.

English · e-37683-8633 · brief source record

Duan

Duan, dū′an, n. a division of a poem, canto. [Gael.]

English · e-37683-8634 · brief source record

Dub

Dub, dub, v.t. to confer knighthood, from the ceremony of striking the shoulder with the flat of a sword: to confer any name or dignity: to smooth with an adze: to rub a softening and waterproof mixture into, as leather:

English · e-37683-8635

Dub

Dub, dub, n. (Scot.) a pool of foul water: a puddle.

English · e-37683-8636 · brief source record

Dubious

Dubious, dū′bi-us, adj. doubtful: undetermined: causing doubt: of uncertain event or issue.—adv. Dū′biously.—ns. Dū′biousness, Dubī′ety, Dubios′ity, doubtfulness. [L. dubius.]

English · e-37683-8637

Dubitate

Dubitate, dū′bi-tāt, v.i. to doubt, hesitate.—adj. Dū′bitable.—ns. Dū′bitancy, Dubitā′tion.—adj. Dū′bitative.—adv. Dū′bitatively. [L. dubitiāre, -ātum.]

English · e-37683-8638

Ducal

Ducal, dū′kal, adj. pertaining to a duke.—adv. Dū′cally.

English · e-37683-8639 · brief source record

Ducat

Ducat, duk′at, n. a gold coin, formerly much used on the Continent, its commonest value being about 9s. 4d., though there were silver ducats in Italy worth 3s. 4d.—n. Ducatoon′, an old silver coin in Venice and elsewhere

English · e-37683-8640

Duchy

Duchy, duch′i, n. the territory of a duke, a dukedom.—ns. Duch′ess, the consort or widow of a duke; Duch′y-court, the court of a duchy, esp. that of the duchy of Lancaster.

English · e-37683-8641

Duck

Duck, duk, n. a kind of coarse cloth for small sails, sacking, &c. [Dut. doeck, linen cloth; Ger. tuch.]

English · e-37683-8642 · brief source record

Duck

Duck, duk, v.t. to dip for a moment in water.—v.i. to dip or dive: to lower the head suddenly: to cringe, yield.—n. a quick plunge, dip: a quick lowering of the head or body, a jerky bow.—ns. Duck′er, one who ducks: a di

English · e-37683-8643

Duck

Duck, duk, n. name given to any member of the family Anatidæ, the prominent marks of which are short webbed feet, with a small hind-toe not reaching the ground, the netted scales in front of the lower leg, and the long b

English · e-37683-8644

Duct

Duct, dukt, n. a tube conveying fluids in animal bodies or plants. [L. ductus—ducĕre, to lead.]

English · e-37683-8645 · brief source record

Ductile

Ductile, duk′til, adj. easily led: yielding: capable of being drawn out into threads.—ns. Ductilim′eter, an instrument for measuring the ductility of metals; Ductil′ity, capacity of being drawn out without breaking. [Fr.

English · e-37683-8646

Dud

Dud, dud, n. (coll.) in pl. poor or ragged clothes, tatters.—n. Dud′dery, a shop where old clothes are sold, rags collectively.—adj. Dud′dy, ragged. [There is a M. E. dudd, birrus, a cloak, which may be Celt.]

English · e-37683-8647

Dudder

Dudder, dud′er, n. (prov.) confusion.

English · e-37683-8648 · brief source record

Dude

Dude, dūd, n. (slang) a fop or dandy, esp. remarkable for the exquisite make and quality of his clothes.—adj. Dū′dish.—n. Dū′dism. [Hardly from dud.]

English · e-37683-8649

Dudeen

Dudeen, dū-dēn′, n. a short clay tobacco-pipe.

English · e-37683-8650 · brief source record

Dudgeon

Dudgeon, duj′un, n. resentment: grudge. [There is an Anglo-Fr. digeon, wood hafts of knives, &c., but a connection cannot be stated. Skeat suggests dubiously W. dygen, malice, dychan, a jeer.]

English · e-37683-8651

Dudgeon

Dudgeon, duj′un, n. the haft of a dagger: a small dagger. [See above.]

English · e-37683-8652 · brief source record

Due

Due, dū, adj. owed: that ought to be paid or done to another: proper: appointed, under engagement to be ready, arrive, &c.—adv. exactly: directly.—n. that which is owed: what one has a right to: perquisite: fee or tribut

English · e-37683-8653

Due

Due, dū, v.t. (Shak.) to endue.

English · e-37683-8654 · brief source record

Duel

Duel, dū′el, n. a combat between two persons, prearranged, and fought under fixed conditions, generally on an affair of honour—happily harmless in France: any fight or struggle between two parties: single combat to decid

English · e-37683-8655

Duenna

Duenna, dū-en′a, n. an old lady who acts the part of governess in Spain: an old lady who acts as guardian to a younger. [Sp. dueña, a form of doña, mistress—L. domina, fem. of dominus, lord.]

English · e-37683-8656

Duet

Duet, dū-et′, Duetto, dū-et′o, n. a composition in music for two voices, instruments, or instrumentalists.—ns. Duetti′no, a simple duet; Duet′tist. [It. duetto, due, two—L. duo, two.]

English · e-37683-8657

Duff

Duff, duf, n. dough: a stiff flour pudding boiled in a bag; decaying vegetable matter, fallen leaves: coaldust. [From dough.]

English · e-37683-8658

Duff

Duff, duf, v.t. to manipulate an article so as to make it look like new: to alter the brands on stolen cattle.

English · e-37683-8659 · brief source record

Duffel

Duffel, duf′l, n. a thick, coarse woollen cloth, with a thick nap—also Duff′le: (U.S.) change of flannels. [Dut., from Duffel, a town near Antwerp.]

English · e-37683-8660

Duffer

Duffer, duf′ėr, n. a dull plodding person: a fogy, useless old fellow: a counterfeit coin: a claim or mine which proves unproductive.—ns. Duff′erdom, Duff′erism.

English · e-37683-8661

Duffer

Duffer, duf′ėr, n. a peddler of dubious goods, sham jewellery, &c.: one who fakes up sham articles, or duffs cattle.

English · e-37683-8662 · brief source record

Dug

Dug, dug, n. the nipple of the pap, esp. applied to that of a cow or other beast. [Cf. Sw. dægga, Dan. dægge, to suckle a child. See Dairy.]

English · e-37683-8663

Dug

Dug, dug, pa.t. and pa.p. of Dig.—n. Dug′out, a boat made by hollowing out the trunk of a tree.

English · e-37683-8664 · brief source record

Dugong

Dugong, dū-gong′, n. a kind of herb-eating whale, from 8 to 20 feet long, found in Indian seas—the supposed original of the mermaid. [Malayan dūyong.]

English · e-37683-8665

Duiker

Duiker, Duyker, dī′kėr, n. a small South African antelope. [Dut.]

English · e-37683-8666 · brief source record

Duke

Duke, dūk, n. the highest order of nobility next below that of prince: (B.) a chieftain: on the Continent, a sovereign prince.—ns. Duke′dom, the title, rank, or territories of a duke; Duke′ling, a petty duke; Duk′ery, a

English · e-37683-8667

Dulcamara

Dulcamara, dul-ka-mā′ra, n. a name for the Bittersweet (q.v.). [Formed from L. dulcis, sweet, amara, bitter.]

English · e-37683-8668 · brief source record

Dulcet

Dulcet, duls′et, adj. sweet to the taste, or to the ear: melodious, harmonious.—n. Dulcificā′tion.—adj. Dulcif′luous, flowing sweetly.—v.t. Dul′cify, to make sweet.—ns. Dulcil′oquy, a soft manner of speaking; Dul′cite, D

English · e-37683-8669

Dulcimer

Dulcimer, dul′si-mėr, n. a musical instrument resembling a flat box, with sounding-board and bridges, across which run wires tuned by pegs at the sides, and played on by striking the wires with a small piece of wood in e

English · e-37683-8670

Dulcinea

Dulcinea, dul-sin′ē-a, or dul-sin-ē′a, n. sweetheart. [From Dulcinea del Toboso, the name given by Don Quixote to the mistress of his imagination.]

English · e-37683-8671

Dule

Dule, dool, n. (Scot.) woe.—n. Dule′-tree, the gallows. [See Dole.]

English · e-37683-8672 · brief source record

Dulia

Dulia, dū-lī′a, n. (R.C. Church) that inferior veneration due to saints and angels.—n. Duloc′racy, government by slaves. [Gr. douleia—doulos, a slave.]

English · e-37683-8673

Dull

Dull, dul, adj. slow of hearing, of learning, or of understanding: insensible: without life or spirit: slow of motion: drowsy: sleepy: sad: downcast: cheerless: not bright or clear: cloudy: dim, obscure: obtuse: blunt.—v

English · e-37683-8674

Dulse

Dulse, duls, n. an edible seaweed, with red, deeply-divided fronds, eaten in Ireland and elsewhere. [Gael, duileasg—duille, a leaf, uisge, water.]

English · e-37683-8675

Duly

Duly, dū′li, adv. properly: fitly: at the proper time. [See Due.]

English · e-37683-8676 · brief source record

Dum-dum

Dum-dum, dum′-dum, n. a soft-nosed expanding bullet, first made at Dum Dum in British India.

English · e-37683-8679 · brief source record

Dumb

Dumb, dum, adj. without the power of speech: silent: soundless.—v.t. (Shak.) to render dumb.—n.pl. Dumb′-bells, double-headed weights swung in the hands for the purpose of developing the arms, muscles of the chest, &c.—n

English · e-37683-8677

Dumbledore

Dumbledore, dum′bl-dōr, n. (prov.) the bumble-bee: the brown cockchafer.

English · e-37683-8678 · brief source record

Dumose

Dumose, dū′mōs, adj. thorny—also Dū′mous.—n. Dumos′ity. [L. dumus, a thorn-bush.]

English · e-37683-8680 · brief source record

Dump

Dump, dump, v.t. to throw down: to unload.—n. a thud: a place for the discharge of loads, or for rubbish: (pl.) money (slang). [Cf. Dan. dumpe, Norw. dumpa, to fall plump.]

English · e-37683-8681

Dump

Dump, dump, n. dullness or gloominess of mind, ill-humour, low spirits—now only used in the pl.: (Shak.) a melancholy strain, any tune.—adj. Dump′ish, depressed in spirits.—adv. Dump′ishly.—n. Dump′ishness. [Prob. relate

English · e-37683-8682

Dump

Dump, dump, n. a deep hole in a river-bed, a pool. [Prob. Norse dump, a pit.]

English · e-37683-8683 · brief source record

Dumpling

Dumpling, dump′ling, n. a kind of thick pudding or mass of paste. [Dim. of dump, in dumpy.]

English · e-37683-8684 · brief source record

Dumpy

Dumpy, dump′i, adj. short and thick.—n. a dumpy person or animal, esp. one of a breed of very short-legged fowls.—n. Dumpi′ness.—v.t. Dum′ple, to make or cook, as a dumpling: to bend into a dumpy shape.—n. Dump′y-lev′el,

English · e-37683-8685

Dun

Dun, dun, adj. of a dark colour, partly brown and black: dark.—v.t. (U.S.) to cure and brown, as cod.—v.i. to become dun-coloured.—ns. Dun′-bird, the pochard; Dun′-cow, the shagreen ray; Dun′-dīv′er, the merganser; Dun′-

English · e-37683-8686

Dun

Dun, dun, v.t. to demand a debt with din or noise: to urge for payment:—pr.p. dun′ning; pa.p. dunned.—n. one who duns: a demand for payment. [Allied to Din.]

English · e-37683-8687

Dun

Dun, dun, n. a hill: a fortified mound. [A.S. dún—Celt.; in many place-names, as Dunbar, Doncaster.]

English · e-37683-8688 · brief source record

Dunce

Dunce, duns, n. one slow at learning: a stupid person.—ns. Dunce′dom, the class of dunces; Dun′cery, stupidity; Dun′ciad, the epic of dunces, the world of dunces—name of a famous poem by Pope.—adjs. Dun′cish, Dunce′-like

English · e-37683-8689

Dunch

Dunch, dunsh, v.t. (Scot.) to push with the elbow: to gore with the horns, as a bull. [Hardly related to Sw. dunka, to beat; Dan. dunke, a thump.]

English · e-37683-8690

Dunder

Dunder, dun′dėr, n. lees, dregs.

English · e-37683-8691 · brief source record

Dunderfunk

Dunderfunk, dun′dėr-fungk, n. ship-biscuit, soaked in water, mixed with fat and molasses, and baked in a pan.—Also Dan′dyfunk.

English · e-37683-8692

Dunderhead

Dunderhead, dun′dėr-hed, n. a stupid person—also Dun′derpate.—adj. Dun′derheaded.—n. Dun′der-headism.

English · e-37683-8693 · brief source record

Dundreary

Dundreary, dun-drēr′i, adj. like Lord Dundreary—in Sothern's creation of the part, a lisping and brainless dandy, wearing long side-whiskers.

English · e-37683-8694

Dune

Dune, dūn, n. a low hill of sand on the seashore. [An earlier form of down, a hill.]

English · e-37683-8695 · brief source record

Dung

Dung, dung, n. the excrement of animals: refuse litter mixed with excrement.—v.t. to manure with dung.—v.i. to void excrement.—ns. Dung′-bee′tle, the dor-beetle: (pl.) the scarabæoid beetles generally; Dung′-fork, a fork

English · e-37683-8696

Dungaree

Dungaree, dung′ga-ri, n. a coarse Indian calico: (pl.) trousers of such.—Also Dung′eree. [Hindi.]

English · e-37683-8697 · brief source record

Dungeon

Dungeon, dun′jun, n. (orig.) the principal tower of a castle: a close, dark prison: a cell under ground.—v.t. to confine in a dungeon.—n. Dun′geoner, a gaoler. [O. Fr. donjon—Low L. domnion-em—L. dominus, a lord.]

English · e-37683-8698

Dunker

Dunker, dungk′ėr, n. a member of a sect of German-American Baptists who practise triple immersion.—Also Tunk′er. [Ger.]

English · e-37683-8699 · brief source record

Dunlin

Dunlin, dun′lin, n. the red-backed sandpiper. [A dim. of dun.]

English · e-37683-8700 · brief source record

Dunlop

Dunlop, dun-lop′, n. a rich cheese made of unskimmed milk—from Dunlop in Ayrshire.

English · e-37683-8701 · brief source record

Dunnage

Dunnage, dun′āj, n. on shipboard, a name applied to loose wood of any kind laid in the bottom of the hold to keep the cargo out of the bilge-water, or wedged between parts of the cargo to keep them steady. [Ety. unknown.

English · e-37683-8702

Dunniewassal

Dunniewassal, Duniwassal, dun-i-was′al, n. (Scot.) a gentleman of inferior rank. [Gael. duin' uasal—duine, a man, uasal, gentle.]

English · e-37683-8703

Dunning

Dunning, dun′ing, n. the process of browning and curing cod-fish.

English · e-37683-8704 · brief source record

Dunnock

Dunnock, dun′ok, n. the hedge-sparrow.

English · e-37683-8705 · brief source record

Dunny

Dunny, dun′i, adj. (prov.) deaf.

English · e-37683-8706 · brief source record

Dunstable

Dunstable, dun′stä-bl, n. a hat, bonnet, &c. of plaited straw, first made at Dunstable in Bedfordshire.—Dunstable road, highway, anything plain and direct.

English · e-37683-8707

Dunt

Dunt, dunt, n. (Scot.) a blow or stroke, the wound made by such.—v.t. to strike, beat. [See Dint.]

English · e-37683-8708 · brief source record

Dunt

Dunt, dunt, n. (prov.) the gid or sturdy in sheep, &c.

English · e-37683-8709 · brief source record

Duo

Duo, dū′o, n. a song in two parts. [L. duo, two.]

English · e-37683-8710 · brief source record

Duodecahedron

Duodecahedron, dū-o-dek-a-hē′dron, n. Same as Dodecahedron.

English · e-37683-8711 · brief source record

Duodecennial

Duodecennial, dū-o-de-sen′i-al, adj. occurring every twelve years. [L. duodecim, twelve, annus, year.]

English · e-37683-8712 · brief source record

Duodecimal

Duodecimal, dū-o-des′i-mal, adj. computed by twelves: twelfth: (pl.) a method of calculating the area of a rectangle when the length and breadth are stated in feet and inches.—adjs. Duodecim′fid, divided into twelve part

English · e-37683-8713

Duodecuple

Duodecuple, dū-o-dek′ū-pl, adj. twelvefold: consisting of twelve. [L. duodecim, plicāre, to fold.]

English · e-37683-8714 · brief source record

Duodenary

Duodenary, dū-ō-den′a-ri, adj. relating to twelve, twelvefold.

English · e-37683-8715 · brief source record

Duodenum

Duodenum, dū-o-dē′num, n. the first portion of the small intestines, so called because about twelve fingers'-breadth in length:—pl. Duodē′na.—adj. Duodē′nal. [Formed from L. duodeni, twelve each.]

English · e-37683-8716

Duoliteral

Duoliteral, dū-ō-lit′er-al, adj. consisting of two letters.

English · e-37683-8717 · brief source record

Duologue

Duologue, dū′ō-log, n. a piece spoken between two.

English · e-37683-8718 · brief source record

Duomo

Duomo, dū-ō′mo, n. a cathedral. [It. See Dome.]

English · e-37683-8719 · brief source record

Dup

Dup, dup, v.t. (Shak.) to undo a door. [From do and up. Cf. don and doff.]

English · e-37683-8720 · brief source record

Dupe

Dupe, dūp, n. one easily cheated: one who is deceived or misled.—v.t. to deceive: to trick.—n. Dupabil′ity.—adj. Dū′pable.—n. Dū′pery, the art of deceiving others. [Fr. dupe; of uncertain origin.]

English · e-37683-8721

Dupion

Dupion, dū′pi-on, n. a cocoon spun by two silkworms together, also the silk of such.—Also Dou′pion. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-8722 · brief source record

Duplex

Duplex, dū′pleks, adj. twofold: double.—adjs. Dū′ple, double: twofold; Dū′plicate, double: twofold.—n. another thing of the same kind: a copy or transcript.—v.t. to double: to fold.—n. Duplicā′tion.—adj. Dū′plicative.—ns

English · e-37683-8723

Dura

Dura. See Durra.

English · e-37683-8724 · brief source record

Dura mater

Dura mater, dū′ra mā′tėr, n. the exterior membrane of the brain and spinal column distinguished from the other two, the arachnoid and the pia mater.

English · e-37683-8726

Durable

Durable, dūr′a-bl, adj. able to last or endure: hardy: permanent.—ns. Dur′ableness, Durabil′ity, quality of being durable: power of resisting decay.—adv. Dur′ably.—ns. Dur′ance, continuance: imprisonment: duress; Dur′ant

English · e-37683-8725

Duramen

Duramen, dū-rā′mėn, n. the inner and fully ripened wood of dicotyledonous trees. [L.,—durus, hard.]

English · e-37683-8727 · brief source record

Durbar

Durbar, dur′bar, n. an audience-chamber: a reception or levee, esp. a reception of native princes held by the Viceroy of India: the body of officials at a native court. [Pers. dar-bár, a prince's court, lit. a 'door of a

English · e-37683-8728

Durdum

Durdum. Same as Dirdum.

English · e-37683-8729 · brief source record

Dure

Dure, dūr, v.i. (obs.) to endure, last, or continue.—adj. Dure′ful (Spens.), enduring, lasting. [Fr. durer—L. durāre—durus, hard.]

English · e-37683-8730

Duress

Duress, dūr′es, or dūr-es′, n. constraint: imprisonment: constraint illegally exercised to force a person to perform some act. [O. Fr. duresse—L. duritia—durus, hard.]

English · e-37683-8731

Durga

Durga, dōōr′ga, the wife of Siva (q.v.).

English · e-37683-8732 · brief source record

Durgan

Durgan, dur′gan, n. a dwarf, any undersized creature.—adj. Dur′gy. [Related to dwarf.]

English · e-37683-8733 · brief source record

Durham

Durham, dur′am, n. one of a particular breed of shorthorned cattle—from the English county.

English · e-37683-8734 · brief source record

Durian

Durian, dū′ri-an, n. a lofty Indian and Malayan fruit-tree (genus Durio), with leaves resembling those of the cherry, and large bunches of pale-yellow flowers.—Also Dū′rion. [Malay duryon.]

English · e-37683-8735

During

During, dū′ring, prep. for the time a thing lasts: in the course of. [Orig. pr.p. of obs. dure, to last.]

English · e-37683-8736 · brief source record

Durmast

Durmast, dur′mast, n. a sub-species or variety of oak.

English · e-37683-8737 · brief source record

Durn

Durn, durn, n. (prov.) a door-post.—Also Dern.

English · e-37683-8738 · brief source record

Duroy

Duroy, dū-roi′, n. an obsolete form of corduroy.

English · e-37683-8739 · brief source record

Durra

Durra, dur′ra, n. a genus of grasses closely allied to sugar-cane and beard-grass—also called Durra millet and Indian millet or Sorgho grass. Much cultivated in Asia, Africa, and the south of Europe.—Also Dour′a, Dhur′ra

English · e-37683-8740

Durst

Durst, durst, pa.t. of Dare, to venture. [A.S. dorste, pa.t. of dear, to dare.]

English · e-37683-8741 · brief source record

Dush

Dush, dush, v.t. (Scot.) to throw down.

English · e-37683-8742 · brief source record

Dusk

Dusk, dusk, adj. darkish: of a dark colour.—n. twilight: partial darkness: darkness of the colour.—v.t. to occasion a dusky appearance.—v.i. Dusk′en, to grow dark.—adv. Dusk′ily.—n. Dusk′iness.—adj. Dusk′ish, rather dusk

English · e-37683-8743

Dust

Dust, dust, n. fine particles of matter: a cloud of powdery matter present in the atmosphere: powder: earth: the grave, where the body becomes dust: a mean condition: gold-dust—hence money.—v.t. to free from dust: to spr

English · e-37683-8744

Dutch

Dutch, duch, adj. belonging to Holland or its people—in old writers rather applied to the Germans: heavy, clumsy, as in Dutch-built, -buttocked, &c.—n. Dutch′man, a native of Holland.—Dutch auction, courage, tiles (see A

English · e-37683-8745

Duty

Duty, dū′ti, n. that which is due: what one is bound by any obligation to do: obedience: military service: respect or regard: one's proper business: tax on goods.—adj. Dū′teous, devoted to duty: obedient.—adv. Dū′teously

English · e-37683-8746

Duumvirate

Duumvirate, dū-um′vi-rāt, n. the union of two men in the same office: a form of government in ancient Rome.—n. Dūum′vir, one of two associated in the same office.—adj. Dūum′viral. [L. duo, two, and vir, a man.]

English · e-37683-8747

Duvet

Duvet, dü-vā′, n. a quilt stuffed with eider-down or swan's-down. [Fr.]

English · e-37683-8748 · brief source record

Dux

Dux, duks, n. a leader: the head boy in a school or class. [L., a leader.]

English · e-37683-8749 · brief source record

Dwale

Dwale, dwāl, n. (bot.) deadly nightshade: a stupefying drink: (her.) a black colour. [Ice. dvöl, dvali, delay, sleep.]

English · e-37683-8750 · brief source record

Dwale

Dwale, dwāl, n. (obs.) error: a heretic.—adj. perverse. [A.S. dwala, error.]

English · e-37683-8751 · brief source record

Dwalm

Dwalm, Dwaum, dwäm, n. (Scot.) a swoon, a sudden sickness.—v.i. to fail in health. [A.S. dwolma, confusion.]

English · e-37683-8752 · brief source record

Dwarf

Dwarf, dwawrf, n. an animal or plant that does not reach the ordinary height: a diminutive man.—v.t. to hinder from growing: to make to appear small.—adjs. Dwarf′ish, Dwarf, like a dwarf: very small: despicable.—adv. Dwa

English · e-37683-8753

Dwell

Dwell, dwel, v.i. to abide in a place: to remain: to rest the attention: to continue long.—v.t. (Milt.) to inhabit, to place:—pr.p. dwell′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. dwelled or dwelt.—ns. Dwell′er; Dwell′ing, the place where on

English · e-37683-8754

Dwindle

Dwindle, dwin′dl, v.i. to grow less: to waste away: to grow feeble: to become degenerate.—v.t. to lessen.—n. decline.—n. Dwin′dlement. [Dim. of Dwine.]

English · e-37683-8755

Dwine

Dwine, dwīn, v.i. to pine: (Scot.) to waste away. [A.S. dwínan, to fade; cf. Ice. dvína, Dan. tvine, to pine away.]

English · e-37683-8756 · brief source record

Dyad

Dyad, dī′ad, n. a pair of units treated as one: (chem.) an atom, radical, or element having a combining power of two units: (biol.) a secondary unit of organisation consisting of an aggregate of monads.—adj. Dyad′ic.

English · e-37683-8757

Dyak

Dyak, dī′ak, n. the Malay name for the race who constitute the bulk of the aboriginal population of Borneo, divided into innumerable tribes, differing pretty widely in language, customs, and degrees of savageness.—Also D

English · e-37683-8758

Dye

Dye, dī, n. (Spens.). Same as Die (2).

English · e-37683-8759 · brief source record

Dye

Dye, dī, v.t. to stain: to give a new colour to:—pr.p. dye′ing; pa.p. dyed.—n. colour: tinge: stain: a colouring liquid.—ns. Dye′-house, a building in which dyeing is done; Dye′ing, the art of imparting colours to textil

English · e-37683-8760

Dying

Dying, dī′ing, pr.p. of Die.—adj. destined for death: mortal: declining: occurring immediately before death, as dying words: supporting a dying person, as a dying-bed: pertaining to death.—n. death.—adv. Dy′ingly.—n. Dy′

English · e-37683-8761

Dyke

Dyke. Same as Dike.

English · e-37683-8762 · brief source record

Dynactinometer

Dynactinometer, din-ak-tin-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the actinic force of light. [Gr. dynamis, force, aktis, aktinos, a ray, metron, a measure.]

English · e-37683-8763

Dynam

Dynam, dī′nam, n. a unit of work, a foot-pound: the resultant of all the forces acting on a body.

English · e-37683-8764 · brief source record

Dynameter

Dynameter, dī-nam′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the magnifying power of a telescope.—adj. Dynamet′rical, pertaining to a dynameter. [Gr. dynamis, power, and metron, a measure.]

English · e-37683-8765

Dynamic

Dynamic, -al, di-nam′ik, -al, adj. relating to force: relating to the effects of forces in nature: causal.—n. Dynam′ic, a moving force.—adv. Dynam′ically.—ns. Dynam′ics, the science which treats of matter and motion, whe

English · e-37683-8766

Dynamite

Dynamite, din′a-mīt, n. a powerful explosive agent, consisting of absorbent matter, as porous silica, saturated with nitro-glycerine.—v.t. to blow up with dynamite.—ns. Dyn′amitard, Dyn′amiter, a ruffian who would use dy

English · e-37683-8767

Dynamo

Dynamo, dī′na-mo, n. a contraction of Dynamo-electric machine, a machine for generating electric currents by means of the relative movement of conductors and magnets.—adjs. Dy′namo-electric, -al.—ns. Dynamog′eny, product

English · e-37683-8768

Dynamometer

Dynamometer, din-am-om′e-tėr, n. originally an instrument for measuring force, such as the pull exerted by a horse in drawing a cart: the name now usually given to instruments for measuring power.—adjs. Dynamomet′ric, -a

English · e-37683-8769

Dynasty

Dynasty, din′as-ti, or d[i]′nas-ti, n. a succession of kings of the same family.—n. Dy′nast, a ruler.—adj. Dynas′tic, belonging to a dynasty. [Gr. dynasteia—dynastēs, a lord, dynasthai, to be able.]

English · e-37683-8770

Dyne

Dyne, dīn, n. the unit of force in the centimetre-gramme-second (C.G.S.) system.

English · e-37683-8771 · brief source record

Dyophysite

Dyophysite, dī-of′i-zīt, n. a holder of the doctrine of the coexistence of two natures, the divine and the human, in Christ—also Diph′ysite.—adjs. Dyophysit′ic, -al.—n. Dyoph′ysitism.

English · e-37683-8772

Dyothelete

Dyothelete, dī-oth′e-lēt, adj. holding the doctrine that Christ had two wills, a divine and a human—also Dyoth′elite.—n. one who holds the foregoing.—ns. Dyoth′elitism, Dyoth′elism.

English · e-37683-8773

Dysæsthesia

Dysæsthesia, dis-es-thē′si-a, n. impaired sensation, partial insensibility.—adj. Dysæsthetic. [Gr., dys, hard, aisthētos—aisthanesthai, to feel.]

English · e-37683-8774

Dyschroa

Dyschroa, dis′krō-a, n. discoloration of the skin from disease.—Also Dys′chroia.

English · e-37683-8775 · brief source record

Dyscrasia

Dyscrasia, dis-krā′si-a, n. (path.) an altered condition of the blood and fluids of the system, leading to constitutional diseases, as dropsy, cancer, delirium tremens, lead-poisoning, &c. [From Gr. dys, bad, krasis, a m

English · e-37683-8776

Dysentery

Dysentery, dis′en-ter-i, n. a form of disease accompanied by discharges from the bowels, and differing from diarrhœa chiefly in being attended by marked fever and pain, as also by the presence of blood and inflammatory p

English · e-37683-8777

Dyslogistic

Dyslogistic, dis-lō-jis′tik, adj. conveying censure, opprobrious.—adv. Dyslogis′tically.—n. Dys′logy, dispraise.

English · e-37683-8778 · brief source record

Dysmenorrhœa

Dysmenorrhœa, dis-men-ō-rē′a, n. difficult or painful menstruation.—adjs. Dysmenorrhœ′al, -ic.

English · e-37683-8779 · brief source record

Dysnomy

Dysnomy, dis′nō-mi, n. bad legislation.

English · e-37683-8780 · brief source record

Jump to a source dictionary page

Keep the source and the verdict separate

A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.

Inspect acquisition and rights →