D (continued 3)

Defn: Pertaining to the number nineteen; of nineteen years. [R.] Holder.

DECENT De"cent, a. Etym: [L. decens, decentis, p. pr. of decere to be fitting or becoming; akin to decus glory, honor, ornament, Gr. d to grant, to give; and perh. akin to E. attire, tire: cf. F. décent. Cf. Decorate, Decorum, Deig.]

1. Suitable in words, behavior, dress, or ceremony; becoming; fit; decorous; proper; seemly; as, decent conduct; decent language. Shak. Before his decent steps. Milton.

2. Free from immodesty or obscenity; modest.

3. Comely; shapely; well-formed. [Archaic] A sable stole of cyprus lawn Over thy decent shoulders drawn. Milton. By foreign hands thy decent limbs composed. Pope.

4. Moderate, but competent; sufficient; hence, respectable; fairly good; reasonably comfortable or satisfying; as, a decent fortune; a decent person. A decent retreat in the mutability of human affairs. Burke. — De"cent*ly, adv. — De"cent*ness, n.

DECENTRALIZATION De*cen`tral*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The action of decentralizing, or the state of being decentralized. "The decentralization of France." J. P. Peters.

DECENTRALIZE De*cen"tral*ize, v. t.

Defn: To prevent from centralizing; to cause to withdraw from the center or place of concentration; to divide and distribute (what has been united or concentrated); — esp. said of authority, or the administration of public affairs.

DECEPTIBLE De*cep"ti*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being deceived; deceivable. Sir T. Browne. — De*cep`ti*bil"i*ty (, n.

DECEPTION De*cep"tion, n. Etym: [F. déception, L. deceptio, fr. decipere, deceptum. See Deceive.]

1. The act of deceiving or misleading. South.

2. The state of being deceived or misled. There is one thing relating either to the action or enjoyments of man in which he is not liable to deception. South.

3. That which deceives or is intended to deceive; false representation; artifice; cheat; fraud. There was of course room for vast deception. Motley.

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

DECEPTIOUS De*cep"tious, a. Etym: [LL. deceptiosus.]

Defn: Tending deceive; delusive. [R.] As if those organs had deceptious functions. Shak.

DECEPTIVE De*cep"tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. déceptif. See Deceive.]

Defn: Tending to deceive; having power to mislead, or impress with false opinions; as, a deceptive countenance or appearance. Language altogether deceptive, and hiding the deeper reality from our eyes. Trench. Deceptive cadence (Mus.), a cadence on the subdominant, or in some foreign key, postponing the final close.

DECEPTIVELY De*cep"tive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a manner to deceive.

DECEPTIVENESS De*cep"tive*ness, n.

Defn: The power or habit of deceiving; tendency or aptness to deceive.

DECEPTIVITY De`cep*tiv"i*ty, n.

Defn: Deceptiveness; a deception; a sham. [R.] Carlyle.

DECEPTORY De*cep"to*ry, a. Etym: [L. deceptorius, from decipere.]

Defn: Deceptive. [R.]

DECERN De*cern", v. t. Etym: [L. decernere. See Decree.]

1. To perceive, discern, or decide. [Obs.] Granmer.

2. (Scots Law)

Defn: To decree; to adjudge.

DECERNITURE De*cern"i*ture, n. (Scots Law)

Defn: A decree or sentence of a court. Stormonth.

DECERP De*cerp", v. t. Etym: [L. decerpere; de- + carpere to pluck.]

Defn: To pluck off; to crop; to gather. [Obs.]

DECERPT De*cerpt", a. Etym: [L. decerptus, p. p. of decerpere.]

Defn: Plucked off or away. [Obs.]

DECERPTIBLE De*cerp"ti*ble, a.

Defn: That may be plucked off, cropped, or torn away. [Obs.] Bailey.

DECERPTION De*cerp"tion, n.

1. The act of plucking off; a cropping.

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

DECERTATION De`cer*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. decertatio, fr. decertare, decertatum; de- + certare to contend.]

Defn: Contest for mastery; contention; strife. [R.] Arnway.

DECESSION De*ces"sion, n. Etym: [L. decessio, fr. decedere to depart. See Decease, n.]

Defn: Departure; decrease; — opposed to accesion. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

DECHARM De*charm", v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. décharmer. See Charm.]

Defn: To free from a charm; to disenchant.

DECHRISTIANIZE De*chris"tian*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dechristianized; p. pr. & vb. n. Dechristianizing.]

Defn: To turn from, or divest of, Christianity.

DECIARE Dec"i*are`, n. [F. déciare; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + are. See 2d Are.] (Metric System)

Defn: A measure of area, the tenth part of an are; ten square meters.

DECIDABLE De*cid"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being decided; determinable.

DECIDE De*cide", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decided; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciding.] Etym: [L. decidere; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. décider. Cf. Decision.]

1. To cut off; to separate. [Obs.] Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near, decides us from the rest. Fuller.

2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle. So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. 1 Kings xx. 40. The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then. Shak.

DECIDE De*cide", v. i.

Defn: To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant. Who shall decide, when doctors disagree Pope.

DECIDED De*cid"ed, a.

1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage. "A more decided taste for science." Prescott.

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

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

DECIDEDLY De*cid"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: In a decided manner; indisputably; clearly; thoroughly.

DECIDEMENT De*cide"ment, n.

Defn: Means of forming a decision. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

DECIDENCE Dec"i*dence, n. Etym: [L. decidens falling off.]

Defn: A falling off. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

DECIDER De*cid"er, n.

Defn: One who decides.

DECIDUA De*cid"u*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. deciduus. See Deciduous.] (Anat.)

Defn: The inner layer of the wall of the uterus, which envelops the embryo, forms a part of the placenta, and is discharged with it.

DECIDUATA De*cid`u*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A group of Mammalia in which a decidua is thrown off with, or after, the fetus, as in the human species.

DECIDUATE De*cid"u*ate, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Possessed of, or characterized by, a decidua.

DECIDUITY Dec`i*du"i*ty, n.

Defn: Deciduousness. [R.]

DECIDUOUS De*cid"u*ous, a. Etym: [L. deciduus, fr. dec to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance.] (Biol.)

Defn: Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

DECIDUOUSNESS De*cid"u*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being deciduous.

DECIGRAM; DECIGRAMME Dec"i*gram, Dec"i*gramme, n. Etym: [F. décigramme; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + gramme.]

Defn: A weight in the metric system; one tenth of a gram, equal to 1.5432 grains avoirdupois.

DECIL; DECILE Dec"il, Dec"ile, n. Etym: [F. décil, fr. L. decem tendecile.] (Astrol.)

Defn: An aspect or position of two planets, when they are distant from each other a tenth part of the zodiac, or 36º.

DECILITER; DECILITRE Dec"i*li`ter, Dec"i*li`tre, n. Etym: [F. décilitre; pref. déci- tenth (L. decimus) + litre. See Liter.]

Defn: A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.

DECILLION De*cil"lion, n. Etym: [L. decem ten + the ending of million.]

Defn: According to the English notation, a million involved to the tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [See the Note under Numeration.]

DECILLIONTH De*cil"lionth, a.

Defn: Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity divided by a decillion.

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

DECIMAL Dec"i*mal, a. Etym: [F. décimal (cf. LL. decimalis), fr. L. decimus tenth, fr. decem ten. See Ten, and cf. Dime.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage. Decimal arithmetic, the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens. — Decimal fraction, a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as — Decimal point, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

DECIMAL Dec"i*mal, n.

Defn: A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction. Circulating, or Circulatory, decimal, a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; — called also recurring decimal, repeating decimal, and repetend.

DECIMALISM Dec"i*mal*ism, n.

Defn: The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures, etc.

DECIMALIZE Dec"i*mal*ize, v. t.

Defn: To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the currency. — Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion, n.

DECIMALLY Dec"i*mal*ly, adv.

Defn: By tens; by means of decimals.

DECIMATE Dec"i*mate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decimated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decimating.] Etym: [L. decimatus, p. p. of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), fr. decimus tenth. See Decimal.]

1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. Johnson.

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

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

DECIMATION Dec`i*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. decimatio: cf. F. décimation.]

1. A tithing. [Obs.] State Trials (1630).

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

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

DECIMATOR Dec"i*ma`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. LL. decimator.]

Defn: One who decimates. South.

DECIME Dé`cime", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.

DECIMETER; DECIMETRE Dec"i*me`ter, Dec"i*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. décimètre; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + mètre. See Meter.]

Defn: A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937 inches.

DECIMOSEXTO Dec`i*mo*sex"to, n. Etym: [Prop., in sixteenth; fr. L. decimus tenth + sextus sixth.]

Defn: A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of book; — usually written 16mo or 16º.

DECIMOSEXTO Dec`i*mo*sex"to, a.

Defn: Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book, leaf, size.

DECINE De"cine (; 104), n. Etym: [From L. decem ten.] (Chem.)

Defn: One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the acetylene series; — called also decenylene.

DECIPHER De*ci"pher, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deciphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciphering.] Etym: [Pref. de- + cipher. Formed in imitation of F. déchiffrer. See Cipher.]

1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters.

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

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [R.] You are both deciphered, . . . For villains. Shak.

DECIPHERABLE De*ci"pher*a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not decipherable.

DECIPHERER De*ci"pher*er, n.

Defn: One who deciphers.

DECIPHERESS De*ci"pher*ess, n.

Defn: A woman who deciphers.

DECIPHERMENT De*ci"pher*ment, n.

Defn: The act of deciphering.

DECIPIENCY De*cip"i*en*cy, n. Etym: [L. decipiens, p. pr. of decipere. See Deceive.]

Defn: State of being deceived; hallucination. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

DECIPIUM De*cip"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. decipere to deceive.] (Chem.)

Defn: A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium, yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently called samarium. Symbol Dp. See Samarium.

DECISION De*ci"sion, n. Etym: [L. decisio, fr. decidere, decisum: cf. F. décision. See Decide.]

1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.

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

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

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

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

DECISIVE De*ci*sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. décisif. See Decision.]

1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive, irrevocable doom." Bates. "Decisive campaign." Macaulay. "Decisive proof." Hallam.

2. Marked by promptness and decision. A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character. J. Foster.

Syn. — Decided; positive; conclusive. See Decided. — De*ci"sive*ly, adv. — De*ci"sive*ness, n.

DECISORY De*ci"so*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. décisoire. See Decision.]

Defn: Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide. [R.]

DECISTERE Dec"i*stere, n. Etym: [F. décistère; pref. déci- tenth (fr. L. decimus) + stère a stere.] (Metric System)

Defn: The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere.

DECITIZENIZE De*cit"i*zen*ize, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [R.] We have no law — as the French have — to decitizenize a citizen. Edw. Bates.

DECIVILIZE De*civ"i*lize, v. t.

Defn: To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [R.] Blackwood's Mag.

DECK Deck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decked; p. pr. & vb. n. Decking.] Etym: [D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch. See Thatch.]

1. To cover; to overspread. To deck with clouds the uncolored sky. Milton.

2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to embellish. Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency. Job xl. 10. And deck my body in gay ornaments. Shak. The dew with spangles decked the ground. Dryden.

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

DECK Deck, n. Etym: [D. dek. See Deck, v.]

1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks.

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

2. (arch.)

Defn: The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

3. (Railroad)

Defn: The roof of a passenger car.

4. A pack or set of playing cards. The king was slyly fingered from the deck. Shak.

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

DECKEL Deck"el, n. (Paper Making)

Defn: Same as Deckle.

DECKER Deck"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a coverer; as, a table decker.

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

DECKLE Dec"kle, n. Etym: [Cf. G. deckel cover, lid.] (Paper Making)

Defn: A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine and determines the width of the paper. [Spelt also deckel, and deckle.]

DECKLE EDGE Dec"kle edge`.

Defn: The rough, untrimmed edge of paper left by the deckle; also, a rough edge in imitation of this.

DECKLE-EDGED Dec"kle-edged`, a.

Defn: Having a deckle edge; as, deckle-edged paper; a deckle-edged book.

DECLAIM De*claim", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Declaimed; p. pr. & vb. n. Declaiming.] Etym: [L. declamare; de- + clamare to cry out: cf. F. déclamer. See Claim.]

1. To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration; to harangue; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public speaking; as, the students declaim twice a week.

2. To speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically; to make an empty speech; to rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant. Grenville seized the opportunity to declaim on the repeal of the stamp act. Bancroft.

DECLAIM De*claim", v. t.

1. To utter in public; to deliver in a rhetorical or set manner.

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

DECLAIMANT De*claim"ant, n.

Defn: A declaimer. [R.]

DECLAIMER De*claim"er, n.

Defn: One who declaims; an haranguer.

DECLAMATION Dec`la*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. declamatio, from declamare: cf. F. déclamation. See Declaim.]

1. The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students. The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation. Macaulay.

2. A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.

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

DECLAMATOR Dec"la*ma`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A declaimer. [R.] Sir T. Elyot.

DECLAMATORY De*clam"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. declamatorius: cf. F. déclamatoire.]

1. Pertaining to declamation; treated in the manner of a rhetorician; as, a declamatory theme.

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

DECLARABLE De*clar"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being declared. Sir T. Browne.

DECLARANT De*clar"ant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déclarant, p. pr. of déclarer.] (Law)

Defn: One who declares. Abbott.

DECLARATION Dec`la*ra"tion, n. Etym: [F. déclaration, fr. L. declaratio, fr. declarare. See Declare.]

1. The act of declaring, or publicly announcing; explicit asserting; undisguised token of a ground or side taken on any subject; proclamation; exposition; as, the declaration of an opinion; a declaration of war, etc.

2. That which is declared or proclaimed; announcement; distinct statement; formal expression; avowal. Declarations of mercy and love . . . in the Gospel. Tillotson.

3. The document or instrument containing such statement or proclamation; as, the Declaration of Independence (now preserved in Washington). In 1776 the Americans laid before Europe that noble Declaration, which ought to be hung up in the nursery of every king, and blazoned on the porch of every royal palace. Buckle.

4. (Law)

Defn: That part of the process in which the plaintiff sets forth in order and at large his cause of complaint; the narration of the plaintiff's case containing the count, or counts. See Count, n., 3. Declaration of Independence. (Amer. Hist.) See under Independence. — Declaration of rights. (Eng. Hist) See Bill of rights, under Bill. — Declaration of trust (Law), a paper subscribed by a grantee of property, acknowledging that he holds it in trust for the purposes and upon the terms set forth. Abbott.

DECLARATIVE De*clar"a*tive, a. Etym: [L. declarativus, fr. declarare: cf. F. déclaratif.]

Defn: Making declaration, proclamation, or publication; explanatory; assertive; declaratory. "Declarative laws." Baker. The "vox populi," so declarative on the same side. Swift.

DECLARATIVELY De*clar"a*tive*ly, adv.

Defn: By distinct assertion; not impliedly; in the form of a declaration. The priest shall expiate it, that is, declaratively. Bates.

DECLARATOR Dec"la*ra`tor, n. Etym: [L., an announcer.] (Scots Law)

Defn: A form of action by which some right or interest is sought to be judicially declared.

DECLARATORILY De*clar"a*to*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a declaratory manner.

DECLARATORY De*clar"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. déclaratoire.]

Defn: Making declaration, explanation, or exhibition; making clear or manifest; affirmative; expressive; as, a clause declaratory of the will of the legislature. Declaratory act (Law), an act or statute which sets forth more clearly, and declares what is, the existing law.

DECLARE De*clare", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Declared; p. pr. & vb. n. Declaring.] Etym: [F. déclarer, from L. declarare; de + clarare to make clear, clarus, clear, bright. See Clear.]

1. To make clear; to free from obscurity. [Obs.] "To declare this a little." Boyle.

2. To make known by language; to communicate or manifest explicitly and plainly in any way; to exhibit; to publish; to proclaim; to announce. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son. Milton. The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps. xix. 1.

3. To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; to set forth; to avow; as, he declares the story to be false. I the Lord . . . declare things that are right. Isa. xlv. 19.

4. (Com.)

Defn: To make full statement of, as goods, etc., for the purpose of paying taxes, duties, etc. To declare off, to recede from an agreement, undertaking, contract, etc.; to renounce. — To declare one's self, to avow one's opinion; to show openly what one thinks, or which side he espouses.

DECLARE De*clare", v. i.

1. To make a declaration, or an open and explicit avowal; to proclaim one's self; — often with for or against; as, victory declares against the allies. Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait, And then come smiling, and declare for fate. Dryden.

2. (Law)

Defn: To state the plaintiff's cause of action at law in a legal form; as, the plaintiff declares in trespass.

DECLAREDLY De*clar"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: Avowedly; explicitly.

DECLAREDNESS De*clar"ed*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being declared.

DECLAREMENT De*clare"ment, n.

Defn: Declaration. [Obs.]

DECLARER De*clar"er, n.

Defn: One who makes known or proclaims; that which exhibits. Udall.

DECLASS De*class", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Declassed; p. pr. & vb. n. Declassing.] [Cf. F. déclasser.]

Defn: To remove from a class; to separate or degrade from one's class. North Am. Rev.

DECLENSION De*clen"sion, n. Etym: [Apparently corrupted fr. F. déclinaison, fr. L. declinatio, fr. declinare. See Decline, and cf. Declination.]

1. The act or the state of declining; declination; descent; slope. The declension of the land from that place to the sea. T. Burnet.

2. A falling off towards a worse state; a downward tendency; deterioration; decay; as, the declension of virtue, of science, of a state, etc. Seduced the pitch and height of all his thoughts To base declension. Shak.

3. Act of courteously refusing; act of declining; a declinature; refusal; as, the declension of a nomination.

4. (Gram.) (a) Inflection of nouns, adjectives, etc., according to the grammatical cases. (b) The form of the inflection of a word declined by cases; as, the first or the second declension of nouns, adjectives, etc. (c) Rehearsing a word as declined.

Note: The nominative was held to be the primary and original form, and was likened to a perpendicular line; the variations, or oblique cases, were regarded as fallings (hence called casus, cases, or fallings) from the nominative or perpendicular; and an enumerating of the various forms, being a sort of progressive descent from the noun's upright form, was called a declension. Harris. Declension of the needle, declination of the needle.

DECLENSIONAL De*clen"sion*al, a.

Defn: Belonging to declension. Declensional and syntactical forms. M. Arnold.

DECLINABLE De*clin"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. déclinable. See Decline.]

Defn: Capable of being declined; admitting of declension or inflection; as, declinable parts of speech.

DECLINAL De*clin"al, a.

Defn: Declining; sloping.

DECLINATE Dec"li*nate, a. Etym: [L. declinatus, p. p. of declinare. See Decline.]

Defn: Bent downward or aside; (Bot.) bending downward in a curve; declined.

DECLINATION Dec`li*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. declinatio a bending aside, an avoiding: cf. F. déclination a decadence. See Declension.]

1. The act or state of bending downward; inclination; as, declination of the head.

2. The act or state of falling off or declining from excellence or perfection; deterioration; decay; decline. "The declination of monarchy." Bacon. Summer . . . is not looked on as a time Of declination or decay. Waller.

3. The act of deviating or turning aside; oblique motion; obliquity; withdrawal. The declination of atoms in their descent. Bentley. Every declination and violation of the rules. South.

4. The act or state of declining or refusing; withdrawal; refusal; averseness. The queen's declination from marriage. Stow.

5. (Astron.)

Defn: The angular distance of any object from the celestial equator, either northward or southward.

6. (Dialing)

Defn: The arc of the horizon, contained between the vertical plane and the prime vertical circle, if reckoned from the east or west, or between the meridian and the plane, reckoned from the north or south.

7. (Gram.)

Defn: The act of inflecting a word; declension. See Decline, v. t., 4. Angle of declination, the angle made by a descending line, or plane, with a horizontal plane. — Circle of declination, a circle parallel to the celestial equator. — Declination compass (Physics), a compass arranged for finding the declination of the magnetic needle. — Declination of the compass or needle, the horizontal angle which the magnetic needle makes with the true north-and-south line.

DECLINATOR Dec"li*na`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déclinateur. See Decline.]

1. An instrument for taking the declination or angle which a plane makes with the horizontal plane.

2. A dissentient. [R.] Bp. Hacket.

DECLINATORY De*clin"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [LL. declinatorius, fr. L. declinare: cf. F. déclinatoire.]

Defn: Containing or involving a declination or refusal, as of submission to a charge or sentence. Blackstone. Declinatory plea (O. Eng. Law), the plea of sanctuary or of benefit of clergy, before trial or conviction; — now abolished.

DECLINATURE De*clin"a*ture, n.

Defn: The act of declining or refusing; as, the declinature of an office.

DECLINE De*cline", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Declined; p. pr. & vb. n. Declining.] Etym: [OE. declinen to bend down, lower, sink, decline (a noun), F. décliner to decline, refuse, fr. L. declinare to turn aside, inflect (a part of speech), avoid; de- + clinare to incline; akin to E. lean. See Lean, v. i.]

1. To bend, or lean downward; to take a downward direction; to bend over or hang down, as from weakness, weariness, despondency, etc.; to condescend. "With declining head." Shak. He . . . would decline even to the lowest of his family. Lady Hutchinson. Disdaining to decline, Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries. Byron. The ground at length became broken and declined rapidly. Sir W. Scott.

2. To tend or draw towards a close, decay, or extinction; to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink; to diminish; to lessen; as, the day declines; virtue declines; religion declines; business declines. That empire must decline Whose chief support and sinews are of coin. Waller. And presume to know . . . Who thrives, and who declines. Shak.

3. To turn or bend aside; to deviate; to stray; to withdraw; as, a line that declines from straightness; conduct that declines from sound morals. Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. Ps. cxix. 157.

4. To turn away; to shun; to refuse; — the opposite of accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle.

DECLINE De*cline", v. t.

1. To bend downward; to bring down; to depress; to cause to bend, or fall. In melancholy deep, with head declined. Thomson. And now fair Phoebus gan decline in haste His weary wagon to the western vale. Spenser.

2. To cause to decrease or diminish. [Obs.] "You have declined his means." Beau. & Fl. He knoweth his error, but will not seek to decline it. Burton.

3. To put or turn aside; to turn off or away from; to refuse to undertake or comply with; reject; to shun; to avoid; as, to decline an offer; to decline a contest; he declined any participation with them. Could I Decline this dreadful hour Massinger.

4. (Gram.)

Defn: To inflect, or rehearse in order the changes of grammatical form of; as, to decline a noun or an adjective.

Note: Now restricted to such words as have case inflections; but formerly it was applied both to declension and conjugation. After the first declining of a noun and a verb. Ascham.

5. To run through from first to last; to repeat like a schoolboy declining a noun. [R.] Shak.

DECLINE De*cline", n. Etym: [F. déclin. See Decline, v. i.]

1. A falling off; a tendency to a worse state; diminution or decay; deterioration; also, the period when a thing is tending toward extinction or a less perfect state; as, the decline of life; the decline of strength; the decline of virtue and religion. Their fathers lived in the decline of literature. Swift.

2. (Med.)

Defn: That period of a disorder or paroxysm when the symptoms begin to abate in violence; as, the decline of a fever.

3. A gradual sinking and wasting away of the physical faculties; any wasting disease, esp. pulmonary consumption; as, to die of a decline. Dunglison.

Syn. — Decline, Decay, Consumption. Decline marks the first stage in a downward progress; decay indicates the second stage, and denotes a tendency to ultimate destruction; consumption marks a steady decay from an internal exhaustion of strength. The health may experience a decline from various causes at any period of life; it is naturally subject to decay with the advance of old age; consumption may take place at almost any period of life, from disease which wears out the constitution. In popular language decline is often used as synonymous with consumption. By a gradual decline, states and communities lose their strength and vigor; by progressive decay, they are stripped of their honor, stability, and greatness; by a consumption of their resources and vital energy, they are led rapidly on to a completion of their existence.

DECLINED De*clined", a.

Defn: Declinate.

DECLINER De*clin"er, n.

Defn: He who declines or rejects. A studious decliner of honors. Evelyn.

DECLINOMETER Dec`li*nom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Decline + -meter.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the declination of the magnetic needle.

DECLINOUS De*clin"ous, a.

Defn: Declinate.

DECLIVITOUS; DECLIVOUS De*cliv"i*tous, De*cli"vous, a.

Defn: Descending gradually; moderately steep; sloping; downhill.

DECLIVITY De*cliv"i*ty, n.; pl. Declivities. Etym: [L. declivitas, fr. declivis sloping, downhill; de + clivus a slope, a hill; akin to clinare to incline: cf. F. déclivité. See Decline.]

1. Deviation from a horizontal line; gradual descent of surface; inclination downward; slope; — opposed to acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as descending, being a declivity, which, considered as ascending, is an acclivity.

2. A descending surface; a sloping place. Commodious declivities and channels for the passage of the waters. Derham.

DECOCT De*coct", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decocted; p. pr. & vb. n. Decocting.] Etym: [L. decoctus, p. p. of decoquere to boil down; de- + coquere to cook, boil. See Cook to decoct.]

1. To prepare by boiling; to digest in hot or boiling water; to extract the strength or flavor of by boiling; to make an infusion of.

2. To prepare by the heat of the stomach for assimilation; to digest; to concoct.

3. To warm, strengthen, or invigorate, as if by boiling. [R.] "Decoct their cold blood." Shak.

DECOCTIBLE De*coct"i*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being boiled or digested.

DECOCTION De*coc"tion, n. Etym: [F. décoction, L. decoctio.]

1. The act or process of boiling anything in a watery fluid to extract its virtues. In decoction . . . it either purgeth at the top or settleth at the bottom. Bacon.

2. An extract got from a body by boiling it in water. If the plant be boiled in water, the strained liquor is called the decoction of the plant. Arbuthnot. In pharmacy decoction is opposed to infusion, where there is merely steeping. Latham.

DECOCTURE De*coc"ture, n.

Defn: A decoction. [R.]

DECOHERER De`co*her"er, n. [Pref. de- + coherer.] (Elec.)

Defn: A device for restoring a coherer to its normal condition after it has been affected by an electric wave, a process usually accomplished by some method of tapping or shaking, or by rotation of the coherer.

DECOLLATE De*col"late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decollated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decollating.] Etym: [L. decollatus, p. p. of decollare to behead; de- + collum neck.]

Defn: To sever from the neck; to behead; to decapitate. The decollated head of St. John the Baptist. Burke.

DECOLLATED De*col"la*ted, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Decapitated; worn or cast off in the process of growth, as the apex of certain univalve shells.

DECOLLATION De`col*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. decollatio: cf. F. décollation.]

1. The act of beheading or state of one beheaded; — especially used of the execution of St. John the Baptist.

2. A painting representing the beheading of a saint or martyr, esp. of St. John the Baptist.

DECOLLETAGE Dé`col`le*tage" (da`ko`l'*tazh), n. [F. See Décolleté.] (Costume)

Defn: The upper border or part of a décolleté corsage.

DECOLLETE Dé`col`le*té", a. Etym: [F., p. p. of décolleter to bare the neck and shoulders; dé- + collet collar, fr. L. collum neck.]

Defn: Leaving the neck and shoulders uncovered; cut low in the neck, or low-necked, as a dress.

DECOLLING De*col"ling, n.

Defn: Beheading. [R.] By a speedy dethroning and decolling of the king. Parliamentary History (1648).

DECOLOR De*col"or, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. décolorer, L. decolorare. Cf. Discolor.]

Defn: To deprive of color; to bleach.

DECOLORANT De*col"or*ant, n. Etym: [Cf. F. décolorant, p. pr.]

Defn: A substance which removes color, or bleaches.

DECOLORATE De*col"or*ate, a. Etym: [L. decoloratus, p. p. of decolorare.]

Defn: Deprived of color.

DECOLORATE De*col"or*ate, v. t.

Defn: To decolor.

DECOLORATION De*col`or*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. decoloratio: cf. F. décoloration.]

Defn: The removal or absence of color. Ferrand.

DECOLORIZE De*col"or*ize, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of color; to whiten. Turner. — De*col`or*i*za"tion, n.

DECOMPLEX De"com*plex`, a. Etym: [Pref. de- (intens.) + complex.]

Defn: Repeatedly compound; made up of complex constituents.

DECOMPOSABLE De`com*pos"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being resolved into constituent elements.

DECOMPOSE De`com*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decomposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Decomposing.] Etym: [Cf. F. décomposer. Cf. Discompose.]

Defn: To separate the constituent parts of; to resolve into original elements; to set free from previously existing forms of chemical combination; to bring to dissolution; to rot or decay.

DECOMPOSE De`com*pose", v. i.

Defn: To become resolved or returned from existing combinations; to undergo dissolution; to decay; to rot.

DECOMPOSED De`com*posed", a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Separated or broken up; — said of the crest of birds when the feathers are divergent.

DECOMPOSITE De`com*pos"ite, a. Etym: [Pref. de- (intens.) + composite.]

1. Compounded more than once; compounded with things already composite.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: See Decompound, a., 2.

DECOMPOSITE De`com*pos"ite, n.

Defn: Anything decompounded. Decomposites of three metals or more. Bacon.

DECOMPOSITION De*com`po*si"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. de- (in sense 3 intensive) + composition: cf. F. décomposition. Cf. Decomposition.]

1. The act or process of resolving the constituent parts of a compound body or substance into its elementary parts; separation into constituent part; analysis; the decay or dissolution consequent on the removal or alteration of some of the ingredients of a compound; disintegration; as, the decomposition of wood, rocks, etc.

2. The state of being reduced into original elements.

3. Repeated composition; a combination of compounds. [Obs.] Decomposition of forces. Same as Resolution of forces, under Resolution. — Decomposition of light, the division of light into the prismatic colors.

DECOMPOUND De`com*pound", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decompounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Decompounding.] Etym: [Pref. de- (intens. in sense 1) + compound, v. t.]

1. To compound or mix with that is already compound; to compound a second time.

2. To reduce to constituent parts; to decompose. It divides and decompounds objects into . . . parts. Hazlitt.

DECOMPOUND De`com*pound", a. Etym: [Pref. de- (intens.) + compound, a.]

1. Compound of what is already compounded; compounded a second time.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Several times compounded or divided, as a leaf or stem; decomposite.

DECOMPOUND De`com*pound", n.

Defn: A decomposite.

DECOMPOUNDABLE De`com*pound"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being decompounded.

DECONCENTRATE De`con*cen"trate, v. t.

Defn: To withdraw from concentration; to decentralize. [R.]

DECONCENTRATION De*con`cen*tra"tion, n.

Defn: Act of deconcentrating. [R.]

DECONCOCT De`con*coct", v. t.

Defn: To decompose. [R.] Fuller.

DECONSECRATE De*con"se*crate, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of sacredness; to secularize. — De*con`se*cra"tion, n.

DECORAMENT Dec"o*ra*ment, n. Etym: [L. decoramentum. See Decorate, v. t.]

Defn: Ornament. [Obs.] Bailey.

DECORATE Dec"o*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decorating.] Etym: [L. decoratus, p. p. of decorare, fr. decus ornament; akin to decere to be becoming. See Decent.]

Defn: To deck with that which is becoming, ornamental, or honorary; to adorn; to beautify; to embellish; as, to decorate the person; to decorate an edifice; to decorate a lawn with flowers; to decorate the mind with moral beauties; to decorate a hero with honors. Her fat neck was ornamented with jewels, rich bracelets decorated her arms. Thackeray.

Syn. — To adorn; embellish; ornament; beautify; grace. See Adorn. Decorated style (Arch.), a name given by some writers to the perfected English Gothic architecture; it may be considered as having flourished from about a. d. 1300 to a. d. 1375.

DECORATION Dec`o*ra"tion, n. Etym: [LL. decoratio: cf. F. décoration.]

1. The act of adorning, embellishing, or honoring; ornamentation.

2. That which adorns, enriches, or beautifies; something added by way of embellishment; ornament. The hall was celebrated for . . . the richness of its decoration. Motley.

3. Specifically, any mark of honor to be worn upon the person, as a medal, cross, or ribbon of an order of knighthood, bestowed for services in war, great achievements in literature, art, etc. Decoration Day, a day, May 30, appointed for decorating with flowers the graves of the Union soldiers and sailors, who fell in the Civil War in the United States; Memorial Day. [U.S.]

DECORATION DAY Decoration Day.

Defn: = Memorial Day. [U. S.]

DECORATIVE Dec"o*ra*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. décoratif.]

Defn: Suited to decorate or embellish; adorning. — Dec"o*ra*tive*ness, n. Decorative art, fine art which has for its end ornamentation, rather than the representation of objects or events.

DECORATOR Dec"o*ra`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. F. décorateur.]

Defn: One who decorates, adorns, or embellishes; specifically, an artisan whose business is the decoration of houses, esp. their interior decoration.

DECORE De*core", v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. décorer. See Decorate.]

Defn: To decorate; to beautify. [Obs.] To decore and beautify the house of God. E. Hall.

DECOREMENT De*core"ment, n.

Defn: Ornament. [Obs.]

DECOROUS De*co"rous, a. Etym: [L. dec, fr. decor comeliness, beauty; akin to decere. See Decent, and cf. Decorum.]

Defn: Suitable to a character, or to the time, place, and occasion; marked with decorum; becoming; proper; seemly; befitting; as, a decorous speech; decorous behavior; a decorous dress for a judge. A decorous pretext the war. Motley. — De*co"rous*ly, adv. — De*co"rous*ness, n.

DECORTICATE De*cor"ti*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decorticated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decorticating.] Etym: [L. decorticatus, p. p. of decorticare to bark; de- + cortex bark.]

Defn: To divest of the bark, husk, or exterior coating; to husk; to peel; to hull. "Great barley dried and decorticated." Arbuthnot.

DECORTICATION De*cor`ti*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. decorticatio: cf. F. décortication.]

Defn: The act of stripping off the bark, rind, hull, or outer coat.

DECORTICATOR De*cor"ti*ca`tor, n.

Defn: A machine for decorticating wood, hulling grain, etc.; also, an instrument for removing surplus bark or moss from fruit trees.

DECORUM De*cor"um, n. Etym: [L. dec, fr. dec. See Decorous.]

Defn: Propriety of manner or conduct; grace arising from suitableness of speech and behavior to one's own character, or to the place and occasion; decency of conduct; seemliness; that which is seemly or suitable. Negligent of the duties and decorums of his station. Hallam. If your master Would have a queen his beggar, you must tell him, That majesty, to keep decorum, must No less beg than a kingdom. Shak.

Syn. — Decorum, Dignity. Decorum, in accordance with its etymology, is that which is becoming in outward act or appearance; as, the decorum of a public assembly. Dignity springs from an inward elevation of soul producing a corresponding effect on the manners; as, dignity of personal appearance.

DECOY De*coy", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decoyed; p. pr. & vb. n. Decoying.] Etym: [Pref. de- + coy; orig., to quiet, soothe, caress, entice. See Coy.]

Defn: To lead into danger by artifice; to lure into a net or snare; to entrap; to insnare; to allure; to entice; as, to decoy troops into an ambush; to decoy ducks into a net. Did to a lonely cot his steps decoy. Thomson. E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy, The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy. Goldsmith.

Syn. — To entice; tempt; allure; lure. See Allure.

DECOY De*coy", n.

1. Anything intended to lead into a snare; a lure that deceives and misleads into danger, or into the power of an enemy; a bait.

2. A fowl, or the likeness of one, used by sportsmen to entice other fowl into a net or within shot.

3. A place into which wild fowl, esp. ducks, are enticed in order to take or shoot them.

4. A person employed by officers of justice, or parties exposed to injury, to induce a suspected person to commit an offense under circumstances that will lead to his detection.

DECOY-DUCK De*coy"-duck`, n.

Defn: A duck used to lure wild ducks into a decoy; hence, a person employed to lure others into danger. Beau. & Fl.

DECOYER De*coy"er, n.

Defn: One who decoys another.

DECOY-MAN De*coy"-man`, n.; pl. Decoy-men (.

Defn: A man employed in decoying wild fowl.

DECREASE De*crease", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Decreased; p. pr. & vb. n. Decreasing.] Etym: [OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F. décroître, or from the OF. noun (see Decrease, n.), fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf. Increase.]

Defn: To grow less, — opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December. He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.

Syn. — To Decrease, Diminish. Things usually decrease or fall off by degrees, and from within, or through some cause which is imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold decreases; their affection has decreased. Things commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by disease; his property is diminishing through extravagance; their affection has diminished since their separation their separation. The turn of thought, however, is often such that these words may be interchanged. The olive leaf, which certainly them told The flood decreased. Drayton. Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye; Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. Pope.

DECREASE De*crease", v. t.

Defn: To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means. That might decrease their present store. Prior.

DECREASE De*crease", n. Etym: [OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr. decreistre. See Decrease, v.]

1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.

2. The wane of the moon. Bacon.

DECREASELESS De*crease"less, a.

Defn: Suffering no decrease. [R.] It [the river] flows and flows, and yet will flow, Volume decreaseless to the final hour. A. Seward.

DECREASING De*creas"ing, a.

Defn: Becoming less and less; diminishing. — De*creas"ing*ly, adv. Decreasing series (Math.), a series in which each term is numerically smaller than the preceding term.

DECREATION De`cre*a"tion, n.

Defn: Destruction; — opposed to creation. [R.] Cudworth.

DECREE De*cree", n. Etym: [OE. decre, F. décret, fr. L. decretum, neut. decretus, p. p. of decernere to decide; de- + cernere to decide. See Certain, and cf. Decreet, Decretal.]

1. An order from one having authority, deciding what is to be done by a subordinate; also, a determination by one having power, deciding what is to be done or to take place; edict, law; authoritative ru "The decrees of Venice." Sh There went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. Luke ii. 1. Poor hand, why quiverest thou at this decree Shak.

2. (Law) (a) A decision, order, or sentence, given in a cause by a court of equity or admiralty. (b) A determination or judgment of an umpire on a case submitted to him. Brande.

3. (Eccl.)

Defn: An edict or law made by a council for regulating any business within their jurisdiction; as, the decrees of ecclesiastical councils.

Syn. — Law; regulation; edict; ordinance. See Law.

DECREE De*cree", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decreed; p. pr. & vb. n. Decreeing.]

1. To determine judicially by authority, or by decree; to constitute by edict; to appoint by decree or law; to determine; to order; to ordain; as, a court decrees a restoration of property. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee. Job xxii. 28.

2. To ordain by fate.

DECREE De*cree", v. i.

Defn: To make decrees; — used absolutely. Father eternal! thine is to decree; Mine, both in heaven and earth to do thy will. Milton.

DECREEABLE De*cree"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being decreed.

DECREER De*cre"er, n.

Defn: One who decrees. J. Goodwin.

DECREET De*creet", n. Etym: [Cf. Decree.] (Scots Law)

Defn: The final judgment of the Court of Session, or of an inferior court, by which the question at issue is decided.

DECREMENT Dec"re*ment, n. Etym: [L. decrementum, fr. decrescere. See Decrease.]

1. The state of becoming gradually less; decrease; diminution; waste; loss. Twit me with the decrements of my pendants. Ford. Rocks, mountains, and the other elevations of the earth suffer a continual decrement. Woodward.

2. The quantity lost by gradual diminution or waste; — opposed to Ant: increment.

3. (Crystallog.)

Defn: A name given by Haüy to the successive diminution of the layers of molecules, applied to the faces of the primitive form, by which he supposed the secondary forms to be produced.

4. (Math.)

Defn: The quantity by which a variable is diminished. Equal decrement of life. (a) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which the assumed law of mortality is such that of a given large number of persons, all being now of the same age, an equal number shall die each consecutive year. (b) The decrease of life in a group of persons in which the assumed law of mortality is such that the ratio of those dying in a year to those living through the year is constant, being independent of the age of the persons.

DECREPIT De*crep"it, a. Etym: [L. decrepitus, perhaps orig., noised out, noiseless, applied to old people, who creep about quietly; de- + crepare to make a noise, rattle: cf. F. décrépit. See Crepitate.]

Defn: Broken down with age; wasted and enfeebled by the infirmities of old age; feeble; worn out. "Beggary or decrepit age." Milton. Already decrepit with premature old age. Motley.

Note: Sometimes incorrectly written decrepid.

DECREPITATE De*crep"i*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decrepitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decrepitating.] Etym: [Cf. F. décrépiter.]

Defn: To roast or calcine so as to cause a crackling noise; as, to decrepitate salt.

DECREPITATE De*crep"i*tate, v. i.

Defn: To crackle, as salt in roasting.

DECREPITATION De*crep`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. décrépitation.]

Defn: The act of decrepitating; a crackling noise, such as salt makes when roasting.

DECREPITNESS De*crep"it*ness, n.

Defn: Decrepitude. [R.] Barrow.

DECREPITUDE De*crep"i*tude, n. Etym: [Cf. F. décrépitude.]

Defn: The broken state produced by decay and the infirmities of age; infirm old age.

DECRESCENDO De`cres*cen"do, a. & adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: With decreasing volume of sound; — a direction to performers, either written upon the staff (abbreviated Dec., or Decresc.), or indicated by the sign.

DECRESCENT De*cres"cent, a. Etym: [L. decrescens, p. pr. of decrescere. See Decrease.]

Defn: Becoming less by gradual diminution; decreasing; as, a decrescent moon.

DECRESCENT De*cres"cent, n. (Her.)

Defn: A crescent with the horns directed towards the sinister. Cussans.

DECRETAL De*cre"tal, a. Etym: [L. decretalis, fr. decretum. See Decree.]

Defn: Appertaining to a decree; containing a decree; as, a decretal epistle. Ayliffe.

DECRETAL De*cre"tal, n. Etym: [LL. decretale, neut. of L. decretalis. See Decretal, a.]

1. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: An authoritative order or decree; especially, a letter of the pope, determining some point or question in ecclesiastical law. The decretals form the second part of the canon law.

2. (Canon Law)

Defn: The collection of ecclesiastical decrees and decisions made, by order of Gregory IX., in 1234, by St. Raymond of Pennafort.

DECRETE De*crete", n. Etym: [L. decretum. See Decree.]

Defn: A decree. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DECRETION De*cre"tion, n. Etym: [From L. decrescere, decretum. See Decrease.]

Defn: A decrease. [Obs.] Pearson.

DECRETIST De*cre"tist, n. Etym: [LL. decretista, fr. decretum: cf. F. décrétiste. See Decree, n.]

Defn: One who studies, or professes the knowledge of, the decretals.

DECRETIVE De*cre"tive, a. Etym: [From L. decretum. See Decree, n.]

Defn: Having the force of a decree; determining. The will of God is either decretive or perceptive. Bates.

DECRETORIAL Dec`re*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Decretory; authoritative. Sir T. Browne.

DECRETORILY Dec"re*to*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a decretory or definitive manner; by decree.

DECRETORY Dec"re*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. decretorius, from decretum. See Decree.]

1. Established by a decree; definitive; settled. The decretory rigors of a condemning sentence. South.

2. Serving to determine; critical. "The critical or decretory days." Sir T. Browne.

DECREW De*crew", v. i. Etym: [F. décrue, n., decrease, and décru, p. p. of décroître. See Decrease, and cf. Accrue.]

Defn: To decrease. [Obs.] Spenser.

DECRIAL De*cri"al, n. Etym: [See Decry.]

Defn: A crying down; a clamorous censure; condemnation by censure.

DECRIER De*cri"er, n.

Defn: One who decries.

DECROWN De*crown", v. t.

Defn: To deprive of a crown; to discrown. [R.] Hakewill.

DECRUSTATION De`crus*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. décrustation.]

Defn: The removal of a crust.

DECRY De*cry", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decried; p. pr. & vb. n. Decrying.] Etym: [F. décrier, OF. descrier; pref. des- (L. dis-) + crier to cry. See Cry, and cf. Descry.]

Defn: To cry down; to censure as faulty, mean, or worthless; to clamor against; to blame clamorously; to discredit; to disparage. For small errors they whole plays decry. Dryden. Measures which are extolled by one half of the kingdom are naturally decried by the other. Addison.

Syn. — To Decry, Depreciate, Detract, Disparage. Decry and depreciate refer to the estimation of a thing, the former seeking to lower its value by clamorous censure, the latter by representing it as of little worth. Detract and disparage also refer to merit or value, which the former assails with caviling, insinuation, etc., while the latter willfully underrates and seeks to degrade it. Men decry their rivals and depreciate their measures. The envious detract from the merit of a good action, and disparage the motives of him who performs it.

DECUBATION Dec`u*ba"tion, n. Etym: [From L. decubare; de- + cubare. See Decumbent.]

Defn: Act of lying down; decumbence. [Obs.] Evelyn.

DECUBITUS De*cu"bi*tus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. de- + cubare, to lie down: cf. F. décubitus.] (Med.)

Defn: An attitude assumed in lying down; as, the dorsal decubitus.

DECULASSEMENT; DECULASSMENT Dé`cu`lasse`ment", n. [F.] Also, sometimes, Anglicized Dec`u*lass"ment. (Ordnance)

Defn: An accidental blowing off of, or other serious damage to, the breechblock of a gun; also, a removal of the breechblock for the purpose of disabling the gun.

DECUMAN Dec"u*man, a. Etym: [L. decumanus of the tenth, and by metonymy, large, fr. decem ten.]

Defn: Large; chief; — applied to an extraordinary billow, supposed by some to be every tenth in order. [R.] Also used substantively. "Such decuman billows." Gauden. "The baffled decuman." Lowell.

DECUMBENCE; DECUMBENCY De*cum"bence, De*cum"ben*cy, n.

Defn: The act or posture of lying down. The ancient manner of decumbency. Sir T. Browne.

DECUMBENT De*cum"bent, a. Etym: [L. decumbens, -entis, p. pr. of decumbere; de- + cumbere (only in comp.), cubare to lie down.]

1. Lying down; prostrate; recumbent. The decumbent portraiture of a woman. Ashmole.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Reclining on the ground, as if too weak to stand, and tending to rise at the summit or apex; as, a decumbent stem. Gray.

DECUMBENTLY De*cum"bent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a decumbent posture.

DECUMBITURE De*cum"bi*ture, n.

1. Confinement to a sick bed, or time of taking to one's bed from sickness. Boyle.

2. (Astrol.)

Defn: Aspect of the heavens at the time of taking to one's sick bed, by which the prognostics of recovery or death were made.

DECUPLE Dec"u*ple, a. Etym: [F. décuple, L. decuplus, fr. decem ten.]

Defn: Tenfold. [R.]

DECUPLE Dec"u*ple, n.

Defn: A number ten times repeated. [R.]

DECUPLE Dec"u*ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decupled; p. pr. & vb. n. Decupling.]

Defn: To make tenfold; to multiply by ten. [R.]

DECURION De*cu"ri*on, n. Etym: [L. decurio, decurionis, fr. decuria a squad of ten, fr. decem ten.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A head or chief over ten; especially, an officer who commanded a division of ten soldiers.

DECURIONATE De*cu"ri*on*ate, n. Etym: [L. decurionatus, fr. decurio.]

Defn: The office of a decurion.

DECURRENCE De*cur"rence, n.

Defn: The act of running down; a lapse. [R.] Gauden.

DECURRENT De*cur"rent, a. Etym: [L. decurrens, -entis, p. pr. of decurrere to run down; de- + currere to run: cf. F. décurrent.] (Bot.)

Defn: Extending downward; — said of a leaf whose base extends downward and forms a wing along the stem. — De*cur"rent*ly, adv.

DECURSION De*cur"sion, n. Etym: [L. decursio, fr. decurrere. See Decurrent.]

Defn: A flowing; also, a hostile incursion. [Obs.] Sir M. Hale.

DECURSIVE De*cur"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. décursif. See Decurrent.]

Defn: Running down; decurrent.

DECURSIVELY De*cur"sive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a decursive manner. Decursively pinnate (Bot.), having the leaflets decurrent, or running along the petiole; — said of a leaf.

DECURT De*curt", v. t. Etym: [L. decurtare; de- + curtare.]

Defn: To cut short; to curtail. [Obs.] Bale.

DECURTATION De`cur*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. decurtatio.]

Defn: Act of cutting short. [Obs.]

DECURY Dec"u*ry, n.; pl. Decuries. Etym: [L. decuria, fr. decem ten.]

Defn: A set or squad of ten men under a decurion. Sir W. Raleigh.

DECUSSATE De*cus"sate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decussated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decussating.] Etym: [L. decussatus, p. p. of decussare to cross like an X, fr. decussis (orig. equiv. to decem asses) the number ten, which the Romans represented by X.]

Defn: To cross at an acute angle; to cut or divide in the form of X; to intersect; — said of lines in geometrical figures, rays of light, nerves, etc.

DECUSSATE; DECUSSATED De*cus"sate, De*cus"sa*ted, a.

1. Crossed; intersected.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Growing in pairs, each of which is at right angles to the next pair above or below; as, decussated leaves or branches.

3. (Rhet.)

Defn: Consisting of two rising and two falling clauses, placed in alternate opposition to each other; as, a decussated period.

DECUSSATELY De*cus"sate*ly, adv.

Defn: In a decussate manner.

DECUSSATION De`cus*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. decussatio.]

Defn: Act of crossing at an acute angle, or state of being thus crossed; an intersection in the form of an X; as, the decussation of lines, nerves, etc.

DECUSSATIVE De*cus"sa*tive, a.

Defn: Intersecting at acute angles. Sir T. Browne.

DECUSSATIVELY De*cus"sa*tive*ly, adv.

Defn: Crosswise; in the form of an X. "Anointed decussatively." Sir T. Browne.

DECYL De"cyl, n. Etym: [L. decem ten + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hydrocarbon radical, C10H21, never existing alone, but regarded as the characteristic constituent of a number of compounds of the paraffin series.

DECYLIC De*cyl"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Allied to, or containing, the radical decyl.

DEDALIAN De*dal"ian, a.

Defn: See Dædalian.

DEDALOUS Ded"a*lous, a.

Defn: See Dædalous.

DEDANS De*dans", n. Etym: [F.] (Court Tennis)

Defn: A division, at one end of a tennis court, for spectators.

DEDE Dede, a.

Defn: Dead. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEDECORATE De*dec"o*rate, v. t. Etym: [L. dedecoratus, p. p. of dedecorare to disgrace. See Decorate.]

Defn: To bring to shame; to disgrace. [Obs.] Bailey.

DEDECORATION De*dec`o*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. dedecoratio.]

Defn: Disgrace; dishonor. [Obs.] Bailey.

DEDECOROUS De*dec"o*rous, a. Etym: [L. dedecorus. See Decorous.]

Defn: Disgraceful; unbecoming. [R.] Bailey.

DEDENTITION De`den*ti"tion, n.

Defn: The shedding of teeth. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

DEDICATE Ded"i*cate, p. a. Etym: [L. dedicatus, p. p. of dedicare to affirm, to dedicate; de- + dicare to declare, dedicate; akin to dicere to say. See Diction.]

Defn: Dedicated; set apart; devoted; consecrated. "Dedicate to nothing temporal." Shak.

Syn. — Devoted; consecrated; addicted.

DEDICATE Ded"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dedicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dedicating.]

1. To set apart and consecrate, as to a divinity, or for sacred uses; to devote formally and solemnly; as, to dedicate vessels, treasures, a temple, or a church, to a religious use. Vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, . . . which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord. 2 Sam. viii. 10, 11. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. . . . But in a larger sense we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. A. Lincoln.

2. To devote, set apart, or give up, as one's self, to a duty or service. The profession of a soldier, to which he had dedicated himself. Clarendon.

3. To inscribe or address, as to a patron. He complied ten elegant books, and dedicated them to the Lord Burghley. Peacham.

Syn. — See Addict.

DEDICATEE Ded`i*ca*tee", n.

Defn: One to whom a thing is dedicated; — correlative to dedicator.

DEDICATION Ded`i*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. dedicatio.]

1. The act of setting apart or consecrating to a divine Being, or to a sacred use, often with religious solemnities; solemn appropriation; as, the dedication of Solomon's temple.

2. A devoting or setting aside for any particular purpose; as, a dedication of lands to public use.

3. An address to a patron or friend, prefixed to a book, testifying respect, and often recommending the work to his special protection and favor.

DEDICATOR Ded"i*ca`tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. dédicateur.]

Defn: One who dedicates; more especially, one who inscribes a book to the favor of a patron, or to one whom he desires to compliment.

DEDICATORIAL Ded`i*ca*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Dedicatory.

DEDICATORY Ded"i*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. dédicatoire.]

Defn: Constituting or serving as a dedication; complimental. "An epistle dedicatory." Dryden.

DEDICATORY Ded"i*ca*to*ry, n.

Defn: Dedication. [R.] Milton.

DEDIMUS Ded"i*mus, n. Etym: [L. dedimus we have given, fr. dare to give. So called because the writ began, Dedimus potestatem, etc.] (Law)

Defn: A writ to commission private persons to do some act in place of a judge, as to examine a witness, etc. Bouvier.

DEDITION De*di"tion, n. Etym: [L. deditio, fr. dedere to give away, surrender; de- + dare to give.]

Defn: The act of yielding; surrender. [R.] Sir M. Hale.

DEDOLENT Ded"o*lent, a. Etym: [L. dedolens, p. pr. of dedolere to give over grieving; de- + dolere to grieve.]

Defn: Feeling no compunction; apathetic. [R.] Hallywell.

DEDUCE De*duce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deduced; p. pr. & vb. n. Deducing.] Etym: [L. deducere; de- + ducere to lead, draw. See Duke, and cf. Deduct.]

1. To lead forth. [A Latinism] He should hither deduce a colony. Selden.

2. To take away; to deduct; to subtract; as, to deduce a part from the whole. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

3. To derive or draw; to derive by logical process; to obtain or arrive at as the result of reasoning; to gather, as a truth or opinion, from what precedes or from premises; to infer; — with from or out of. O goddess, say, shall I deduce my rhymes From the dire nation in its early times Pope. Reasoning is nothing but the faculty of deducing unknown truths from principles already known. Locke. See what regard will be paid to the pedigree which deduces your descent from kings and conquerors. Sir W. Scott.

DEDUCEMENT De*duce"ment, n.

Defn: Inference; deduction; thing deduced. [R.] Dryden.

DEDUCIBILITY De*du`ci*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Deducibleness.

DEDUCIBLE De*du"ci*ble, a.

1. Capable of being deduced or inferred; derivable by reasoning, as a result or consequence. All properties of a triangle depend on, and are deducible from, the complex idea of three lines including a space. Locke.

2. Capable of being brought down. [Obs.] As if God [were] deducible to human imbecility. State Trials (1649).

DEDUCIBLENESS De*du"ci*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being deducible; deducibility.

DEDUCIBLY De*du"ci*bly, adv.

Defn: By deduction.

DEDUCIVE De*du"cive, a.

Defn: That deduces; inferential.

DEDUCT De*duct", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deducted; p. pr. & vb. n. Deducting.] Etym: [L. deductus, p. p. of deducere to deduct. See Deduce.]

1. To lead forth or out. [Obs.] A people deducted out of the city of Philippos. Udall.

2. To take away, separate, or remove, in numbering, estimating, or calculating; to subtract; — often with from or out of. Deduct what is but vanity, or dress. Pope. Two and a half per cent should be deducted out of the pay of the foreign troops. Bp. Burnet. We deduct from the computation of our years that part of our time which is spent in . . . infancy. Norris.

3. To reduce; to diminish. [Obs.] "Do not deduct it to days." Massinger.

DEDUCTIBLE De*duct"i*ble, a.

1. Capable of being deducted, taken away, or withdrawn. Not one found honestly deductible From any use that pleased him. Mrs. Browning.

2. Deducible; consequential.

DEDUCTION De*duc"tion, n. Etym: [L. deductio: cf. F. déduction.]

1. Act or process of deducing or inferring. The deduction of one language from another. Johnson. This process, by which from two statements we deduce a third, is called deduction. J. R. Seely.

2. Act of deducting or taking away; subtraction; as, the deduction of the subtrahend from the minuend.

3. That which is deduced or drawn from premises by a process of reasoning; an inference; a conclusion. Make fair deductions; see to what they mount. Pope.

4. That which is deducted; the part taken away; abatement; as, a deduction from the yearly rent.

Syn. — See Induction.

DEDUCTIVE De*duct"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. L. deductivus derivative.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to deduction; capable of being deduced from premises; deducible. All knowledge of causes is deductive. Glanvill. Notions and ideas . . . used in a deductive process. Whewell.

DEDUCTIVELY De*duct"ive*ly, adv.

Defn: By deduction; by way of inference; by consequence. Sir T. Browne.

DEDUCTOR De*duc"tor, n. Etym: [L., a guide. See Deduce.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pilot whale or blackfish.

DEDUIT De*duit", n. Etym: [F. déduit. Cf. Deduct.]

Defn: Delight; pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEDUPLICATION De*du`pli*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. de- + duplication.] (Biol.)

Defn: The division of that which is morphologically one organ into two or more, as the division of an organ of a plant into a pair or cluster.

DEED Deed, a.

Defn: Dead. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEED Deed, n. Etym: [AS. d; akin to OS. dad, D. & Dan. daad, G. thai, Sw. dåd, Goth. d; fr. the root of do. See Do, v. t.]

1. That which is done or effected by a responsible agent; an act; an action; a thing done; — a word of extensive application, including, whatever is done, good or bad, great or small. And Joseph said to them, What deed is this which ye have done Gen. xliv. 15. We receive the due reward of our deeds. Luke xxiii. 41. Would serve his kind in deed and word. Tennyson.

2. Illustrious act; achievement; exploit. "Knightly deeds." Spenser. Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn. Dryden.

3. Power of action; agency; efficiency. [Obs.] To be, both will and deed, created free. Milton.

4. Fact; reality; — whence we have indeed.

5. (Law)

Defn: A sealed instrument in writing, on paper or parchment, duly executed and delivered, containing some transfer, bargain, or contract.

Note: The term is generally applied to conveyances of real estate, and it is the prevailing doctrine that a deed must be signed as well as sealed, though at common law signing was formerly not necessary. Blank deed, a printed form containing the customary legal phraseology, with blank spaces for writing in names, dates, boundaries, etc.

6. Performance; — followed by of. [Obs.] Shak. In deed, in fact; in truth; verily. See Indeed.

DEED Deed, v. t.

Defn: To convey or transfer by deed; as, he deeded all his estate to his eldest son. [Colloq. U. S.]

DEEDFUL Deed"ful, a.

Defn: Full of deeds or exploits; active; stirring. [R.] "A deedful life." Tennyson.

DEEDLESS Deed"less, a.

Defn: Not performing, or not having performed, deeds or exploits; inactive. Deedless in his tongue. Shak.

DEED POLL Deed" poll`. (Law)

Defn: A deed of one part, or executed by only one party, and distinguished from an indenture by having the edge of the parchment or paper cut even, or polled as it was anciently termed, instead of being indented. Burrill.

DEEDY Deed"y, a.

Defn: Industrious; active. [R.] Cowper.

DEEM Deem, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deemed; p. pr. & vb. n. Deeming.] Etym: [OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS. d, fr. d doom; akin to OFries. d, OS. ad, D. doemen, OHG. tuommen, Icel. dæma, Sw. dömma, Dan. dömme, Goth. d. See Doom, n., and cf. Doom, v.]

1. To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn. [Obs.] Claudius . . . Was demed for to hang upon a tree. Chaucer.

2. To account; to esteem; to think; to judge; to hold in opinion; to regard. For never can I deem him less him less than god. Dryden.

DEEM Deem, v. i.

1. To be of opinion; to think; to estimate; to opine; to suppose. And deemest thou as those who pore, With aged eyes, short way before Emerson.

2. To pass judgment. [Obs.] Spenser.

DEEM Deem, n.

Defn: Opinion; judgment. [Obs.] Shak.

DEEMSTER Deem"ster, n. Etym: [Deem + -ster; i. e., doomster. Cf. Dempster.]

Defn: A judge in the Isle of Man who decides controversies without process. Cowell.

DEEP Deep, a. [Compar. Deeper; superl. Deepest.] Etym: [OE. dep, deop, AS. deóp; akin to D. diep, G. tief, Icel. dj, Sw. diup, Dan. dyb, Goth. diups; fr. the root of E. dip, dive. See Dip, Dive.]

1. Extending far below the surface; of great perpendicular dimension (measured from the surface downward, and distinguished from high, which is measured upward); far to the bottom; having a certain depth; as, a deep sea. The water where the brook is deep. Shak.

2. Extending far back from the front or outer part; of great horizontal dimension (measured backward from the front or nearer part, mouth, etc.); as, a deep cave or recess or wound; a gallery ten seats deep; a company of soldiers six files deep. Shadowing squadrons deep. Milton. Safely in harbor Is the king's ship in the deep nook. Shak.

3. Low in situation; lying far below the general surface; as, a deep valley.

4. Hard to penetrate or comprehend; profound; — opposed to shallow or superficial; intricate; mysterious; not obvious; obscure; as, a deep subject or plot. Speculations high or deep. Milton. A question deep almost as the mystery of life. De Quincey. O Lord, . . . thy thought are very deep. Ps. xcii. 5.

5. Of penetrating or far-reaching intellect; not superficial; thoroughly skilled; sagacious; cunning. Deep clerks she dumbs. Shak.

6. Profound; thorough; complete; unmixed; intense; heavy; heartfelt; as, deep distress; deep melancholy; deep horror. "Deep despair." Milton. "Deep silence." Milton. "Deep sleep." Gen. ii. 21. "Deeper darkness." Hoole. "Their deep poverty." 2 Cor. viii. 2. An attitude of deep respect. Motley.

7. Strongly colored; dark; intense; not light or thin; as, deep blue or crimson.

8. Of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy. "The deep thunder." Byron. The bass of heaven's deep organ. Milton.

9. Muddy; boggy; sandy; — said of roads. Chaucer. The ways in that vale were very deep. Clarendon. A deep line of operations (Military), a long line. — Deep mourning (Costume), mourning complete and strongly marked, the garments being not only all black, but also composed of lusterless materials and of such fashion as is identified with mourning garments.

DEEP Deep, adv.

Defn: To a great depth; with depth; far down; profoundly; deeply. Deep-versed in books, and shallow in himself. Milton. Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. Pope.

Note: Deep, in its usual adverbial senses, is often prefixed to an adjective; as, deep-chested, deep-cut, deep-seated, deep-toned, deep- voiced, "deep-uddered kine."

DEEP Deep, n.

1. That which is deep, especially deep water, as the sea or ocean; an abyss; a great depth. Courage from the deeps of knowledge springs. Cowley. The hollow deep of hell resounded. Milton. Blue Neptune storms, the bellowing deeps resound. Pope.

2. That which is profound, not easily fathomed, or incomprehensible; a moral or spiritual depth or abyss. Thy judgments are a great. Ps. xxxvi. 6. Deep of night, the most quiet or profound part of night; dead of night. The deep of night is crept upon our talk. Shak.

DEEPEN Deep"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deepened; p. pr. & vb. n. Deepening.]

1. To make deep or deeper; to increase the depth of; to sink lower; as, to deepen a well or a channel. It would . . . deepen the bed of the Tiber. Addison.

2. To make darker or more intense; to darken; as, the event deepened the prevailing gloom. You must deepen your colors. Peacham.

3. To make more poignant or affecting; to increase in degree; as, to deepen grief or sorrow.

4. To make more grave or low in tone; as, to deepen the tones of an organ. Deepens the murmur of the falling floods. Pope.

DEEPEN Deep"en, v. i.

Defn: To become deeper; as, the water deepens at every cast of the lead; the plot deepens. His blood-red tresses deepening in the sun. Byron.

DEEP-FET Deep"-fet`, a.

Defn: Deeply fetched or drawn. [Obs.] "Deep-fet groans." Shak.

DEEP-LAID Deep"-laid`, a.

Defn: Laid deeply; formed with cunning and sagacity; as, deep-laid plans.

DEEPLY Deep"ly, adv.

1. At or to a great depth; far below the surface; as, to sink deeply.

2. Profoundly; thoroughly; not superficially; in a high degree; intensely; as, deeply skilled in ethics. He had deeply offended both his nobles and people. Bacon. He sighed deeply in his spirit. Mark viii. 12.

3. Very; with a tendency to darkness of color. The deeply red juice of buckthorn berries. Boyle.

4. Gravely; with low or deep tone; as, a deeply toned instrument.

5. With profound skill; with art or intricacy; as, a deeply laid plot or intrigue.

DEEP-MOUTHED Deep"-mouthed`, a.

Defn: Having a loud and sonorous voice. "Deep-mouthed dogs." Dryden.

DEEPNESS Deep"ness, n.

1. The state or quality of being deep, profound, mysterious, secretive, etc.; depth; profundity; — opposed to shallowness. Because they had no deepness of earth. Matt. xiii. 5.

2. Craft; insidiousness. [R.] J. Gregory.

DEEP-READ Deep"-read`, a.

Defn: Profoundly book-learned. "Great writers and deep-read men." L'Estrange.

DEEP-SEA Deep"-sea`, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea; as, a deep-sea line (i. e., a line to take soundings at a great depth); deep-sea lead; deep-sea soundings, explorations, etc.

DEEP-WAISTED Deep"-waist`ed, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Having a deep waist, as when, in a ship, the poop and forecastle are much elevated above the deck.

DEER Deer, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [OE. der, door, animal, wild animal, AS. deór; akin to D. dier, OFries. diar, G. thier, tier, Icel. d, Dan. dyr, Sw. djur, Goth. dius; of unknown origin.

1. Any animal; especially, a wild animal. [Obs.] Chaucer. Mice and rats, and such small deer. Shak. The camel, that great deer. Lindisfarne MS.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A ruminant of the genus Cervus, of many species, and of related genera of the family Cervidæ. The males, and in some species the females, have solid antlers, often much branched, which are shed annually. Their flesh, for which they are hunted, is called venison.

Note: The deer hunted in England is Cervus elaphus, called also stag or red deer; the fallow deer is C. dama; the common American deer is C. Virginianus; the blacktailed deer of Western North America is C. Columbianus; and the mule deer of the same region is C. macrotis. See Axis, Fallow deer, Mule deer, Reindeer.

Note: Deer is much used adjectively, or as the first part of a compound; as, deerkiller, deerslayer, deerslaying, deer hunting, deer stealing, deerlike, etc. Deer mouse (Zoöl.), the white-footed mouse (Hesperomys leucopus) of America. — Small deer, petty game, not worth pursuing; — used metaphorically. (See citation from Shakespeare under the first definition, above.) "Minor critics . . . can find leisure for the chase of such small deer." G. P. Marsh.

DEERBERRY Deer"ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A shrub of the blueberry group (Vaccinium stamineum); also, its bitter, greenish white berry; — called also squaw huckleberry.

DEERGRASS Deer"grass`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American genus (Rhexia) of perennial herbs, with opposite leaves, and showy flowers (usually bright purple), with four petals and eight stamens, — the only genus of the order Melastomaceæ inhabiting a temperate clime.

DEERHOUND Deer"hound`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a large and fleet breed of hounds used in hunting deer; a staghound.

DEERLET Deer"let, n. Etym: [Deer + -let.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A chevrotain. See Kanchil, and Napu.

DEER-NECK Deer"-neck`, n.

Defn: A deerlike, or thin, ill-formed neck, as of a horse.

DEERSKIN Deer"skin`, n.

Defn: The skin of a deer, or the leather which is made from it. Hakluyt. Longfellow.

DEERSTALKER Deer"stalk`er, n.

Defn: One who practices deerstalking.

DEERSTALKING Deer"stalk`ing, n.

Defn: The hunting of deer on foot, by stealing upon them unawares.

DEER'S-TONGUE Deer's"-tongue`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A plant (Liatris odoratissima) whose fleshy leaves give out a fragrance compared to vanilla. Wood.

DEES Dees, n. pl.

Defn: Dice. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEES Dees, n.

Defn: A dais. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEESIS De*e"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)

Defn: An invocation of, or address to, the Supreme Being.

DEESS De"ess, n. Etym: [F. déesse, fem. of dieu god.]

Defn: A goddess. [Obs.] Croft.

DEEV Deev, n. (Hind. & Pers. Myth.)

Defn: See Dev.

DEFACE De*face", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Defacing.] Etym: [OE. defacen to disfigure, efface, OF. desfacier; L. dis- + facies face. See Face, and cf. Efface.]

1. To destroy or mar the face or external appearance of; to disfigure; to injure, spoil, or mar, by effacing or obliterating important features or portions of; as, to deface a monument; to deface an edifice; to deface writing; to deface a note, deed, or bond; to deface a record. "This high face defaced." Emerson. So by false learning is good sense defaced. Pope.

2. Etym: [Cf. F. défaire.]

Defn: To destroy; to make null. [Obs.] [Profane scoffing] doth . . . deface the reverence of religion. Bacon. For all his power was utterly defaste [defaced]. Spenser.

Syn. — See Efface.

DEFACEMENT De*face"ment, n.

1. The act of defacing, or the condition of being defaced; injury to the surface or exterior; obliteration.

2. That which mars or disfigures. Bacon.

DEFACER De*fa"cer, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, defaces or disfigures.

DE FACTO De` fac"to. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Actually; in fact; in reality; as, a king de facto, — distinguished from a king de jure, or by right.

DEFAIL De*fail", v. t. Etym: [F. défaillir to fail; pref. dé- (L. de) + faillir. See Fail, and cf. Default.]

Defn: To cause fail. [Obs.]

DEFAILANCE De*fail"ance, n. Etym: [F. défaillance.]

Defn: Failure; miscarriage. [Obs.] Possibility of defailance in degree or continuance. Comber.

DEFAILURE De*fail"ure, n.

Defn: Failure. [Obs.] Barrow.

DEFALCATE De*fal"cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defalcated; p. pr. & vb. n. Defalcating.] Etym: [LL. defalcatus, p. p. of defalcare to deduct, orig., to cut off with a sickle; L. de- + falx, a sickle. See Falchion.]

Defn: To cut off; to take away or deduct a part of; — used chiefly of money, accounts, rents, income, etc. To show what may be practicably and safely defalcated from the [the estimates]. Burke.

DEFALCATE De*fal"cate, v. i.

Defn: To commit defalcation; to embezzle money held in trust. "Some partner defalcating, or the like." Carlyle.

DEFALCATION De`fal*ca"tion, n. Etym: [LL. defalcatio: cf. F. défalcation.]

1. A lopping off; a diminution; abatement; deficit. Specifically: Reduction of a claim by deducting a counterclaim; set-off. Abbott.

2. That which is lopped off, diminished, or abated.

3. An abstraction of money, etc., by an officer or agent

DEFALCATOR Def"al*ca`tor, n.

Defn: A defaulter or embezzler. [Modern]

DEFALK De*falk", v. t. Etym: [F. défalquer. See Defalcate.]

Defn: To lop off; to bate. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

DEFAMATION Def`a*ma"tion, n. Etym: [OE. diffamacioun, F. diffamation. See Defame.]

Defn: Act of injuring another's reputation by any slanderous communication, written or oral; the wrong of maliciously injuring the good name of another; slander; detraction; calumny; aspersion.

Note: In modern usage, written defamation bears the title of libel, and oral defamation that of slander. Burrill.

DEFAMATORY De*fam"a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Containing defamation; injurious to reputation; calumnious; slanderous; as, defamatory words; defamatory writings.

DEFAME De*fame", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defaming.] Etym: [OE. defamen, diffamen, from F. diffamer, or OF. perh. defamer, fr. L. diffamare (cf. defamatus infamous); dis- (in this word confused with de) + fama a report. See Fame.]

1. To harm or destroy the good fame or reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse.

2. To render infamous; to bring into disrepute. My guilt thy growing virtues did defame; My blackness blotted thy unblemish'd name. Dryden.

3. To charge; to accuse. [R.] Rebecca is . . . defamed of sorcery practiced on the person of a noble knight. Sir W. Scott.

Syn. — To asperse; slander; calumniate; vilify. See Asperse.

DEFAME De*fame", n.

Defn: Dishonor. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEFAMER De*fam"er, n.

Defn: One who defames; a slanderer; a detractor; a calumniator.

DEFAMINGLY De*fam"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a defamatory manner.

DEFAMOUS Def"a*mous, a.

Defn: Defamatory. [Obs.]

DEFATIGABLE De*fat"i*ga*ble, a. Etym: [See Defatigate.]

Defn: Capable of being wearied or tired out. [R.] Glanvill.

DEFATIGATE De*fat"i*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. defatigatus, p. p. of defatigare; de- + fatigare to weary. See Fatigue.]

Defn: To weary or tire out; to fatigue. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

DEFATIGATION De*fat`i*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. defatigatio.]

Defn: Weariness; fatigue. [R.] Bacon.

DEFAULT De*fault", n. Etym: [OE. defaute, OF. defaute, defalte, fem., F. défaut, masc., LL. defalta, fr. a verb meaning, to be deficient, to want, fail, fr. L. de- + fallere to deceive. See Fault.]

1. A failing or failure; omission of that which ought to be done; neglect to do whaas, this evil has happened through the governor's default.

2. Fault; offense; ill deed; wrong act; failure in virtue or wisdom. And pardon craved for his so rash default. Spenser. Regardless of our merit or default. Pope.

3. (Law)

Defn: A neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc. In default of, in case of failure or lack of. Cooks could make artificial birds and fishes in default of the real ones. Arbuthnot. — To suffer a default (Law), to permit an action to be called without appearing to answer.

DEFAULT De*fault", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defaulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Defaulting.]

1. To fail in duty; to offend. That he gainst courtesy so foully did default. Spenser.

2. To fail in fulfilling a contract, agreement, or duty.

3. To fail to appear in court; to let a case go by default.

DEFAULT De*fault", v. t.

1. To fail to perform or pay; to be guilty of neglect of; to omit; as, to default a dividend. What they have defaulted towards him as no king. Milton.

2. (Law)

Defn: To call a defendant or other party whose duty it is to be present in court, and make entry of his default, if he fails to appear; to enter a default against.

3. To leave out of account; to omit. [Obs.] Defaulting unnecessary and partial discourses. Hales.

DEFAULTER De*fault"er, n.

1. One who makes default; one who fails to appear in court when court when called.

2. One who fails to perform a duty; a delinquent; particularly, one who fails to account for public money intrusted to his care; a peculator; a defalcator.

DEFEASANCE De*fea"sance, n. Etym: [OF. defesance, fr. defesant, F. défaisant, p. pr. of defaire, F. défaire, to undo. See Defeat.]

1. A defeat; an overthrow. [Obs.] After his foes' defeasance. Spenser.

2. A rendering null or void.

3. (Law)

Defn: A condition, relating to a deed, which being performed, the deed is defeated or rendered void; or a collateral deed, made at the same time with a feoffment, or other conveyance, containing conditions, on the performance of which the estate then created may be defeated.

Note: Mortgages were usually made in this manner in former times, but the modern practice is to include the conveyance and the defeasance in the same deed.

DEFEASANCED De*fea"sanced, a. (Law)

Defn: Liable to defeasance; capable of being made void or forfeited.

DEFEASIBLE De*fea"si*ble, a. Etym: [See Defeasance.]

Defn: Capable of being annulled or made void; as, a defeasible title. — De*fea"si*ble*ness, n.

DEFEAT De*feat", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defeated; p. pr. & vb. n. Defeating.] Etym: [From F. défait, OF. desfait, p. p. ofe défaire, OF. desfaire, to undo; L. dis- + facere to do. See Feat, Fact, and cf. Disfashion.]

1. To undo; to disfigure; to destroy. [Obs.] His unkindness may defeat my life. Shak.

2. To render null and void, as a title; to frustrate, as hope; to deprive, as of an estate. He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes. Tillotson. The escheators . . . defeated the right heir of his succession. Hallam. In one instance he defeated his own purpose. A. W. Ward.

3. To overcome or vanquish, as an army; to check, disperse, or ruin by victory; to overthrow.

4. To resist with success; as, to defeat an assault. Sharp reasons to defeat the law. Shak.

Syn. — To baffle; disappoint; frustrate.

DEFEAT De*feat", n. Etym: [Cf. F. défaite, fr. défaire. See Defeat, v.]

1. An undoing or annulling; destruction. [Obs.] Upon whose property and most dear life A damned defeat was made. Shak.

2. Frustration by rendering null and void, or by prevention of success; as, the defeat of a plan or design.

3. An overthrow, as of an army in battle; loss of a battle; repulse suffered; discomfiture; — opposed to victory.

DEFEATURE De*fea"ture, n. Etym: [OF. desfaiture a killing, disguising, prop., an undoing. See Defeat, and cf. Disfeature.]

1. Overthrow; defeat. [Obs.] "Nothing but loss in their defeature." Beau. & Fl.

2. Disfigurement; deformity. [Obs.] "Strange defeatures in my face." Shak.

DEFEATURED De*fea"tured, p. p.

Defn: Changed in features; deformed. [R.] Features when defeatured in the . . . way I have described. De Quincey.

DEFECATE Def"e*cate, a. Etym: [L. defaecatus, p. p. of defaecare to defecate; de- + faex, faecis, dregs, less.]

Defn: Freed from anything that can pollute, as dregs, lees, etc.; refined; purified. Till the soul be defecate from the dregs of sense. Bates.

DEFECATE Def"e*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defecated; p. pr. & vb. n. Defecating.]

1. To clear from impurities, as lees, dregs, etc.; to clarify; to purify; to refine. To defecate the dark and muddy oil of amber. Boyle.

2. To free from extraneous or polluting matter; to clear; to purify, as from that which materializes. We defecate the notion from materiality. Glanvill. Defecated from all the impurities of sense. Bp. Warburton.

DEFECATE Def"e*cate, v. i.

1. To become clear, pure, or free. Goldsmith.

2. To void excrement.

DEFECATION Def`e*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. defaecatio: cf. F. défécation.]

1. The act of separating from impurities, as lees or dregs; purification.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act or process of voiding excrement.

DEFECATOR Def"e*ca`tor, n.

Defn: That which cleanses or purifies; esp., an apparatus for removing the feculencies of juices and sirups. Knight.

DEFECT De*fect", n. Etym: [L. defectus, fr. deficere, defectum, to desert, fail, be wanting; de- + facere to make, do. See Fact, Feat, and cf. Deficit.]

1. Want or absence of something necessary for completeness or perfection; deficiency; — opposed to superfluity. Errors have been corrected, and defects supplied. Davies.

2. Failing; fault; imperfection, whether physical or moral; blemish; as, a defect in the ear or eye; a defect in timber or iron; a defect of memory or judgment. Trust not yourself; but, your defects to know, Make use of every friend — any every foe. Pope. Among boys little tenderness is shown to personal defects. Macaulay.

Syn. — Deficiency; imperfection; blemish. See Fault.

DEFECT De*fect", v. i.

Defn: To fail; to become deficient. [Obs.] "Defected honor." Warner.

DEFECT De*fect", v. t.

Defn: To injure; to damage. "None can my life defect." [R.] Troubles of Q. Elizabeth (1639).

DEFECTIBILITY De*fect`i*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Deficiency; imperfection. [R.] Ld. Digby. Jer. Taylor.

DEFECTIBLE De*fect"i*ble, a.

Defn: Liable to defect; imperfect. [R.] "A defectible understanding." Jer. Taylor.

DEFECTION De*fec"tion, n. Etym: [L. defectio: cf. F. défection. See Defect.]

Defn: Act of abandoning a person or cause to which one is bound by allegiance or duty, or to which one has attached himself; desertion; failure in duty; a falling away; apostasy; backsliding. "Defection and falling away from God." Sir W. Raleigh. The general defection of the whole realm. Sir J. Davies.

DEFECTIONIST De*fec"tion*ist, n.

Defn: One who advocates or encourages defection.

DEFECTIOUS De*fec"tious, a.

Defn: Having defects; imperfect. [Obs.] "Some one defectious piece." Sir P. Sidney.

DEFECTIVE De*fect"ive, a. Etym: [L. defectivus: cf. F. défectif. See Defect.]

1. Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; — applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb. — De*fect"ive*ly, adv. — De*fect"ive*ness, n.

DEFECTUOSITY De*fec`tu*os"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. défectuosité.]

Defn: Great imperfection. [Obs.] W. Montagu.

DEFECTUOUS De*fec"tu*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défectueux.]

Defn: Full of defects; imperfect. [Obs.] Barrow.

DEFEDATION Def`e*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. defoedare, defoedatum, to defile; de- + foedare to foul, foedus foul.]

Defn: The act of making foul; pollution. [Obs.]

DEFENCE De*fence", n. & v. t.

Defn: See Defense.

DEFEND De*fend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defended; p. pr. & vb. n. Defending.] Etym: [F. défendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. dint. Cf. Dint, Defense, Fend.]

1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. [A Latinism & Obs.] Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main. Spenser.

2. To prohibit; to forbid. [Obs.] Chaucer. Which God defend that I should wring from him. Shak.

3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; — sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies. The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. Shak. God defend the right! Shak. A village near it was defended by the river. Clarendon.

4. (Law.)

Defn: To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. Burrill.

Syn. — To Defend, Protect. To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked; we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is defended by its guns, and protected by its wall. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. Is. xxxi. 5. Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. Milton.

DEFENDABLE De*fend"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défendable.]

Defn: Capable of being defended; defensible. [R.]

DEFENDANT De*fend"ant, a. Etym: [F. défendant, p. pr. of défendre. See Defend.]

1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive. [Obs.] With men of courage and with means defendant. Shak.

2. Making defense.

DEFENDANT De*fend"ant, n.

1. One who defends; a defender. The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up. Spotswood.

2. (Law)

Defn: A person required to make answer in an action or suit; — opposed to plaintiff. Abbott.

Note: The term is applied to any party of whom a demand is made in court, whether the party denies and defends the claim, or admits it, and suffers a default; also to a party charged with a criminal offense.

DEFENDEE De`fen*dee", n.

Defn: One who is defended. [R. & Ludicrous]

DEFENDER De*fend"er, n. Etym: [Cf. Fender.]

Defn: One who defends; one who maintains, supports, protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator. Provinces . . . left without their ancient and puissant defenders. Motley.

DEFENDRESS De*fend"ress, n.

Defn: A female defender. [R.] Defendress of the faith. Stow.

DEFENSATIVE De*fen"sa*tive, n. Etym: [L. defensare, defensatum, to defend diligently, intens. of defendere. See Defend.]

Defn: That which serves to protect or defend.

DEFENSE; DEFENCE De*fense", De*fence", n. Etym: [F. défense, OF. defense, fem., defens, masc., fr. L. defensa (cf. Fence.]

1. The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger. In cases of defense 't is best to weigh The enemy more mighty than he seems. Shak.

2. That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection. War would arise in defense of the right. Tennyson. God, the widow's champion and defense. Shak.

3. Protecting plea; vindication; justification. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense. Acts xxii. 1.

4. (Law)

Defn: The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action.

5. Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc. A man of great defense. Spenser. By how much defense is better than no skill. Shak.

6. Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance. [Obs.] Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth. Sir W. Temple.

DEFENSE De*fense", v. t.

Defn: To furnish with defenses; to fortify. [Obs.] [Written also defence.] Better manned and more strongly defensed. Hales.

DEFENSELESS De*fense"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of defense; unprepared to resist attack; unable to oppose; unprotected. — De*fense"less*ly, adv. — De*fense"less*ness, n.

DEFENSER De*fens"er, n. Etym: [Cf. F. défenseur, L. defensor. Cf. Defensor.]

Defn: Defender. [Obs.] Foxe.

DEFENSIBILITY De*fen`si*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Capability of being defended.

DEFENSIBLE De*fen"si*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défensable, LL. defensabilis, defensibilis. See Defense, and cf. Defendable.]

1. Capable of being defended; as, a defensible city, or a defensible cause.

2. Capable of offering defense. [Obs.] Shak.

DEFENSIBLENESS De*fen"si*ble*ness, n.

Defn: Capability of being defended; defensibility. Priestley.

DEFENSIVE De*fen"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défensif.]

1. Serving to defend or protect; proper for defense; opposed to offensive; as, defensive armor. A moat defensive to a house. Shak.

2. Carried on by resisting attack or aggression; — opposed to offensive; as, defensive war.