D (continued 4)

3. In a state or posture of defense. Milton.

DEFENSIVE De*fen"sive, n.

Defn: That which defends; a safeguard. Wars preventive, upon just fears, are true defensive. Bacon. To be on the defensive, To stand on the defensive, to be or stand in a state or posture of defense or resistance, in opposition to aggression or attack.

DEFENSIVELY De*fen"sive*ly, adv.

Defn: On the defensive.

DEFENSOR De*fen"sor, n. Etym: [L. See Defenser.]

1. A defender. Fabyan.

2. (Law)

Defn: A defender or an advocate in court; a guardian or protector.

3. (Eccl.)

Defn: The patron of a church; an officer having charge of the temporal affairs of a church.

DEFENSORY De*fen"so*ry, a. Etym: [L. defensorius.]

Defn: Tending to defend; defensive; as, defensory preparations.

DEFER De*fer", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deferred; p. pr. & vb. n. Deferring.] Etym: [OE. differren, F. différer, fr. L. differre to delay, bear different ways; dis- + ferre to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Differ, Defer to offer.]

Defn: To put off; to postpone to a future time; to delay the execution of; to delay; to withhold. Defer the spoil of the city until night. Shak. God . . . will not long defer To vindicate the glory of his name. Milton.

DEFER De*fer", v. i.

Defn: To put off; to delay to act; to wait. Pius was able to defer and temporize at leisure. J. A. Symonds.

DEFER De*fer", v. t. Etym: [F. déférer to pay deference, to yield, to bring before a judge, fr. L. deferre to bring down; de- + ferre to bear. See Bear to support, and cf. Defer to delay, Delate.]

1. To render or offer. [Obs.] Worship deferred to the Virgin. Brevint.

2. To lay before; to submit in a respectful manner; to refer; — with to. Hereupon the commissioners . . . deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland. Bacon.

DEFER De*fer", v. i.

Defn: To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of another, or to authority; — with to. The house, deferring to legal right, acquiesced. Bancroft.

DEFERENCE Def"er*ence, n. Etym: [F. déférence. See 3d Defer.]

Defn: A yielding of judgment or preference from respect to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance. Deference to the authority of thoughtful and sagacious men. Whewell. Deference is the most complicate, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments. Shenstone.

Syn. — Deference, Reverence, Respect. Deference marks an inclination to yield one's opinion, and to acquiesce in the sentiments of another in preference to one's own. Respect marks the estimation that we have for another, which makes us look to him as worthy of high confidence for the qualities of his mind and heart. Reverence denotes a mingling of fear with a high degree of respect and esteem. Age, rank, dignity, and personal merit call for deference; respect should be paid to the wise and good; reverence is due to God, to the authors of our being, and to the sanctity of the laws.

DEFERENT Def"er*ent, a. Etym: [L. deferens, p. pr. of deferre. See 3d Defer.]

Defn: Serving to carry; bearing. [R.] "Bodies deferent." Bacon.

DEFERENT Def"er*ent, n.

1. That which carries or conveys. Though air be the most favorable deferent of sounds. Bacon.

2. (Ptolemaic Astron.)

Defn: An imaginary circle surrounding the earth, in whose periphery either the heavenly body or the center of the heavenly body's epicycle was supposed to be carried round.

DEFERENTIAL Def`er*en"tial, a. Etym: [See Deference.]

Defn: Expressing deference; accustomed to defer.

DEFERENTIALLY Def`er*en"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: With deference.

DEFERMENT De*fer"ment, n. Etym: [See 1st Defer.]

Defn: The act of delaying; postponement. [R.] My grief, joined with the instant business, Begs a deferment. Suckling.

DEFERRER De*fer"rer, n.

Defn: One who defers or puts off.

DEFERVESCENCE; DEFERVESCENCY De`fer*ves"cence, De`fer*ves"cency, n. Etym: [L. defervescere to grow cool.]

1. A subsiding from a state of ebullition; loss of heat; lukewarmness. A defervescency in holy actions. Jer. Taylor.

2. (Med.)

Defn: The subsidence of a febrile process; as, the stage of defervescence in pneumonia.

DEFEUDALIZE De*feu"dal*ize, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of the feudal character or form.

DEFIANCE De*fi"ance, n. Etym: [OF. defiance, desfiance, challenge, fr. desfier to challenge, F. défier. See Defy.]

1. The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat. A war without a just defiance made. Dryden. Stood for her cause, and flung defiance down. Tennyson.

2. A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition. He breathed defiance to my ears. Shak.

3. A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. [Obs.] "Defiance to thy kindness." Ford. To bid defiance, To set at defiance, to defy; to disregard recklessly or contemptuously. Locke.

DEFIANT De*fi"ant, a. Etym: [Cf. F. défiant, p. pr. of défier. See Defy.]

Defn: Full of defiance; bold; insolent; as, a defiant spirit or act. In attitude stern and defiant. Longfellow. — De*fi"ant*ly, adv. — De*fi"ant*ness, n.

DEFIATORY De*fi"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [See Defy.]

Defn: Bidding or manifesting defiance. [Obs.] Shelford.

DEFIBRINATE De*fi"bri*nate, v. t.

Defn: To deprive of fibrin, as fresh blood or lymph by stirring with twigs.

DEFIBRINATION De*fi`bri*na"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of depriving of fibrin.

DEFIBRINIZE De*fi"bri*nize, v. t.

Defn: To defibrinate.

DEFICIENCE De*fi"cience, n.

Defn: Same as Deficiency. Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee Is no deficience found. Milton.

DEFICIENCY De*fi"cien*cy, n.; pl. Deficiencies. Etym: [See Deficient.]

Defn: The state of being deficient; inadequacy; want; failure; imperfection; shortcoming; defect. "A deficiencyof blood." Arbuthnot. [Marlborough] was so miserably ignorant, that his deficiencies made him the ridicule of his contemporaries. Buckle. Deficiency of a curve (Geom.), the amount by which the number of double points on a curve is short of the maximum for curves of the same degree.

DEFICIENT De*fi"cient, a. Etym: [L. deficiens, -entis, p. pr. of deficere to be wanting. See Defect.]

Defn: Wanting, to make up completeness; wanting, as regards a requirement; not sufficient; inadequate; defective; imperfect; incomplete; lacking; as, deficient parts; deficient estate; deficient strength; deficient in judgment. The style was indeed deficient in ease and variety. Macaulay. Deficient number. (Arith.) See under Abundant. — De*fi"cient-ly, adv.

DEFICIT Def"i*cit, n. Etym: [Lit., it is wanting, 3d person pres. indic. of L. deficere, cf. F. déficit. See Defect.]

Defn: Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack; as, a deficit in taxes, revenue, etc. Addison.

DEFIER De*fi"er, n. Etym: [See Defy.]

Defn: One who dares and defies; a contemner; as, a defier of the laws.

DEFIGURATION De*fig`u*ra"tion, n.

Defn: Disfiguration; mutilation. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

DEFIGURE De*fig"ure, v. t. Etym: [Pref. de- (intens.) + figure.]

Defn: To delineate. [Obs.] These two stones as they are here defigured. Weever.

DEFILADE De`fi*lade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defiladed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defilading.] Etym: [Cf. F. défiler to defile, and défilade act of defiling. See 1st Defile.] (Mil.)

Defn: To raise, as a rampart, so as to shelter interior works commanded from some higher point.

DEFILADING De`fi*lad"ing, n. (Mil.)

Defn: The art or act of determining the directions and heights of the lines of rampart with reference to the protection of the interior from exposure to an enemy's fire from any point within range, or from any works which may be erected. Farrow.

DEFILE De*file", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Defiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Defiling.] Etym: [F. défiler; pref. dé-, for des- (L. dis-) + file a row or line. See File a row.]

Defn: To march off in a line, file by file; to file off.

DEFILE De*file", v. t. (Mil.)

Defn: Same as Defilade.

DEFILE De*file", n. Etym: [Cf. F. défilé, fr. défiler to defile.]

1. Any narrow passage or gorge in which troops can march only in a file, or with a narrow front; a long, narrow pass between hills, rocks, etc.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.

DEFILE De*file", v. t. Etym: [OE. defoulen, -foilen, to tread down, OF. defouler; de- + fouler to trample (see Full, v. t.), and OE. defoulen to foul (influenced in form by the older verb defoilen). See File to defile, Foul, Defoul.]

1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute. They that touch pitch will be defiled. Shak.

2. To soil or sully; to tarnish, as reputation; to taint. He is . . . among the greatest prelates of this age, however his character may be defiled by . . . dirty hands. Swift.

3. To injure in purity of character; to corrupt. Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt. Ezek. xx. 7.

4. To corrupt the chastity of; to debauch; to violate. The husband murder'd and the wife defiled. Prior.

5. To make ceremonially unclean; to pollute. That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile therewith. Lev. xxii. 8.

DEFILEMENT De*file"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. défilement. See Defile] (Mil.)

Defn: The protection of the interior walls of a fortification from an enfilading fire, as by covering them, or by a high parapet on the exposed side.

DEFILEMENT De*file"ment, n. Etym: [From 3d Defile.]

Defn: The act of defiling, or state of being defiled, whether physically or morally; pollution; foulness; dirtiness; uncleanness. Defilements of the flesh. Hopkins. The chaste can not rake into such filth without danger of defilement. Addison.

DEFILER De*fil"er, n.

Defn: One who defiles; one who corrupts or violates; that which pollutes.

DEFILIATION De*fil`i*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. de- + filius son.]

Defn: Abstraction of a child from its parents. Lamb.

DEFINABLE De*fin"a*ble, a. Etym: [From Define.]

Defn: Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as, definable limits; definable distinctions or regulations; definable words. — De*fin"a*bly, adv.

DEFINE De*fine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined; p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] Etym: [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. définir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish.]

1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. "To define controversies." Barrow.

2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.

3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument. Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. Sir I. Newton.

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term. They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature. Robynson (More's Utopia).

DEFINE De*fine", v. i.

Defn: To determine; to decide. [Obs.]

DEFINEMENT De*fine"ment, n.

Defn: The act of defining; definition; description. [Obs.] Shak.

DEFINER De*fin"er, n.

Defn: One who defines or explains.

DEFINITE Def"i*nite, a. Etym: [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. défini. See Define.]

1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. Elements combine in definite proportions. Whewell.

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression.

3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] Shak.

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article. Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; — also called a definitive. See Definitive, n. — Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate. — Law of definite proportions (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under Multiple.

DEFINITE Def"i*nite, n.

Defn: A thing defined or determined. [Obs.]

DEFINITELY Def"i*nite*ly, adv.

Defn: In a definite manner; with precision; precisely; determinately.

DEFINITENESS Def"i*nite*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being definite; determinateness; precision; certainty.

DEFINITION Def`i*ni"tion, n. Etym: [L. definitio: cf. F. définition.]

1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, the telescope accurate in definition.

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition. Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for. Locke.

3. Description; sort. [R.] "A new creature of another definition." Jer. Taylor.

4. (Logic)

Defn: An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence.

5. (Opt.)

Defn: Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Syn. — Definition, Explanation, Description. A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. "Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc." Whately.

DEFINITIONAL Def`i*ni"tion*al, a.

Defn: Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition; employed in defining.

DEFINITIVE De*fin"i*tive, a. Etym: [L. definitivus: cf. F. définitif.]

1. Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional; express. A strict and definitive truth. Sir T. Browne. Some definitive . . . scheme of reconciliation. Prescott.

2. Limiting; determining; as, a definitive word.

3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] Shak.

DEFINITIVE De*fin"i*tive, n. (Gram.)

Defn: A word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a common noun, such as the definite article, and some pronouns.

Note: Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians articles. . . . They are of two kinds, either those properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal articles, such as this, that, any, other, some, all, no, none, etc. Harris (Hermes).

DEFINITIVELY De*fin"i*tive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a definitive manner.

DEFINITIVENESS De*fin"i*tive*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being definitive.

DEFINITUDE De*fin"i*tude, n.

Defn: Definiteness. [R.] Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute differences. Sir W. Hamilton.

DEFIX De*fix", v. t. Etym: [L. defixus, p. p. of defigere to fix; de- + figere to fix.]

Defn: To fix; to fasten; to establish. [Obs.] "To defix their princely seat . . . in that extreme province." Hakluyt.

DEFLAGRABILITY Def`la*gra*bil"i*ty, n. (Chem.)

Defn: The state or quality of being deflagrable. The ready deflagrability . . . of saltpeter. Boyle.

DEFLAGRABLE De*fla"gra*ble, a. Etym: [See Deflagrate.] (Chem.)

Defn: Burning with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter; hence, slightly explosive; liable to snap and crackle when heated, as salt.

DEFLAGRATE Def"la*grate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deflagrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflagrating.] Etym: [L. deflagratus, p. p. of deflagrare to burn up; de- + flagrare to flame, burn.] (Chem.)

Defn: To burn with a sudden and sparkling combustion, as niter; also, to snap and crackle with slight explosions when heated, as salt.

DEFLAGRATE Def"la*grate, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by the action of intense heat; to burn or vaporize suddenly; as, to deflagrate refractory metals in the oxyhydrogen flame.

DEFLAGRATION Def`la*gra"tion, n. Etym: [L. deflagratio: cf. F. déflagration.]

1. A burning up; conflagration. "Innumerable deluges and deflagrations." Bp. Pearson.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: The act or process of deflagrating.

DEFLAGRATOR Def"la*gra`tor, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A form of the voltaic battery having large plates, used for producing rapid and powerful combustion.

DEFLATE De*flate", v. t. Etym: [Pref. de- down + L. flare, flatus to blow.]

Defn: To reduce from an inflated condition.

DEFLECT De*flect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deflected; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflecting.] Etym: [L. deflectere; de- + flectere to bend or turn. See Flexible.]

Defn: To cause to turn aside; to bend; as, rays of light are often deflected. Sitting with their knees deflected under them. Lord (1630).

DEFLECT De*flect", v. i.

Defn: To turn aside; to deviate from a right or a horizontal line, or from a proper position, course or direction; to swerve. At some part of the Azores, the needle deflecteth not, but lieth in the true meridian. Sir T. Browne. To deflect from the line of truth and reason. Warburton.

DEFLECTABLE De*flect"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being deflected.

DEFLECTED De*flect"ed, a.

1. Turned aside; deviating from a direct line or course.

2. Bent downward; deflexed.

DEFLECTION De*flec"tion, n. Etym: [L. deflexio, fr. deflectere: cf. F. déflexion.]

1. The act of turning aside, or state of being turned aside; a turning from a right line or proper course; a bending, esp. downward; deviation. The other leads to the same point, through certain deflections. Lowth.

2. (Gunnery)

Defn: The deviation of a shot or ball from its true course.

3. (Opt.)

Defn: A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opaque body; inflection; diffraction.

4. (Engin.)

Defn: The bending which a beam or girder undergoes from its own weight or by reason of a load.

DEFLECTIONIZATION De*flec`tion*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act of freeing from inflections. Earle.

DEFLECTIONIZE De*flec"tion*ize, v. t.

Defn: To free from inflections. Deflectionized languages are said to be analytic. Earle.

DEFLECTIVE De*flect"ive, a.

Defn: Causing deflection. Deflective forces, forces that cause a body to deviate from its course.

DEFLECTOR De*flect"or, n. (Mech.)

Defn: That which deflects, as a diaphragm in a furnace, or a come in a lamp (to deflect and mingle air and gases and help combustion).

DEFLEXED De*flexed", a.

Defn: Bent abruptly downward.

DEFLEXION De*flex"ion, n.

Defn: See Deflection.

DEFLEXURE De*flex"ure, n. Etym: [From L. deflectere, deflexum. See Deflect.]

Defn: A bending or turning aside; deflection. Bailey.

DEFLORATE De*flo"rate, a. Etym: [LL. defloratus, p. p. of deflorare. See Deflour.] (Bot.)

Defn: Past the flowering state; having shed its pollen. Gray.

DEFLORATION Def`lo*ra"tion, n. Etym: [LL. defloratio: cf. F. défloration.]

1. The act of deflouring; as, the defloration if a virgin. Johnson.

2. That which is chosen as the flower or choicest part; careful culling or selection. [R.] The laws of Normandy are, in a great measure, the defloration of the English laws. Sir M. Hale.

DEFLOUR De*flour", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defloured; p. pr. & vb. n. Deflouring.] Etym: [F. déflorer, LL. deflorare; L. de- + flos, floris, flower. See Flower, and cf. Deflorate.]

1. To deprive of flowers.

2. To take away the prime beauty and grace of; to rob of the choicest ornament. He died innocent and before the sweetness of his soul was defloured and ravished from him. Jer. Taylor.

3. To deprive of virginity, as a woman; to violate; to ravish; also, to seduce.

DEFLOURER De*flour"er, n.

Defn: One who deflours; a ravisher.

DEFLOW De*flow", v. i. Etym: [Pref. de- + flow: cf. L. defluere.]

Defn: To flow down. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

DEFLOWER De*flow"er, v. t. Etym: [Pref. de- + flower.]

Defn: Same as Deflour. An earthquake . . . deflowering the gardens. W. Montagu. If a man had deflowered a virgin. Milton.

DEFLOWERER De*flow"er*er, n.

Defn: See Deflourer. Milton.

DEFLUOUS Def"lu*ous, a. Etym: [L. defluus, fr. defluere to flow down; de- + fluere to flow.]

Defn: Flowing down; falling off. [Obs.] Bailey.

DEFLUX De*flux", n. Etym: [L. defluxus, fr. defluere, defluxum.]

Defn: Downward flow. [Obs.] Bacon.

DEFLUXION De*flux"ion, n. Etym: [L. defluxio.] (Med.)

Defn: A discharge or flowing of humors or fluid matter, as from the nose in catarrh; — sometimes used synonymously with inflammation. Dunglison.

DEFLY Def"ly, adv.

Defn: Deftly. [Obs.] Spenser.

DEFOEDATION Def`oe*da"tion, n.

Defn: Defedation. [Obs.]

DEFOLIATE; DEFOLIATED De*fo"li*ate, De*fo"li*a`ted. a.

Defn: Deprived of leaves, as by their natural fall.

DEFOLIATION De*fo`li*a"tion, n. Etym: [LL. defoliare, defoliatum, to shed leaves; L. de- + folium leaf: cf. F. défoliation.]

Defn: The separation of ripened leaves from a branch or stem; the falling or shedding of the leaves.

DEFORCE De*force", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deforced; p. pr. & vb. n. Deforcing.] Etym: [OF. deforcier; de- or des- (L. de or dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See Force, v.] (Law) (a) To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold. (b) (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty. Burrill.

DEFORCEMENT De*force"ment, n. Etym: [OF.] (Law) (a) A keeping out by force or wrong; a wrongful withholding, as of lands or tenements, to which another has a right. (b) (Scots Law) Resistance to an officer in the execution of law. Burrill.

DEFORCEOR De*force"or, n.

Defn: Same as Deforciant. [Obs.]

DEFORCIANT De*for"ciant, n. Etym: [OF. deforciant, p. pr. of deforcier. See Deforce.] (Eng. Law) (a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [Obs.] Burrill.

DEFORCIATION De*for`ci*a"tion, n. (Law)

Defn: Same as Deforcement, n.

DEFOREST De*for"est, v. t.

Defn: To clear of forests; to dis U. S. Agric. Reports.

DEFORM De*form", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deformed; p. pr. & vb. n. Deforming.] Etym: [L. deformare; de- + formare to form, shape, fr. forma: cf. F. déformer. See Form.]

1. To spoil the form of; to mar in form; to misshape; to disfigure. Deformed, unfinished, sent before my time Into this breathing world. Shak.

2. To render displeasing; to deprive of comeliness, grace, or perfection; to dishonor. Above those passions that this world deform. Thomson.

DEFORM De*form", a. Etym: [L. deformis; de- + forma form: cf. OF. deforme, F. difforme. Cf. Difform.]

Defn: Deformed; misshapen; shapeless; horrid. [Obs.] Sight so deform what heart of rock could long Dry-eyed behold Milton.

DEFORMATION Def`or*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. deformatio: cf. F. déformation.]

1. The act of deforming, or state of anything deformed. Bp. Hall.

2. Transformation; change of shape.

DEFORMED De*formed", a.

Defn: Unnatural or distorted in form; having a deformity; misshapen; disfigured; as, a deformed person; a deformed head. — De*form"ed*ly, adv. — De*form"ed*ness, n.

DEFORMER De*form"er, n.

Defn: One who deforms.

DEFORMITY De*form"i*ty, n.; pl. Deformities. Etym: [L. deformitas, fr. deformis: cf. OF. deformeté, deformité, F. difformité. See Deform, v. & a., and cf. Disformity.]

1. The state of being deformed; want of proper form or symmetry; any unnatural form or shape; distortion; irregularity of shape or features; ugliness. To make an envious mountain on my back, Where sits deformity to mock my body. Shak.

2. Anything that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety; irregularity; absurdity; gross deviation from other or the established laws of propriety; as, deformity in an edifice; deformity of character. Confounded, that her Maker's eyes Should look so near upon her foul deformities. Milton.

DEFORSER De*fors"er, n. Etym: [From Deforce.] Etym: [Written also deforsor.]

Defn: A deforciant. [Obs.] Blount.

DEFOUL De*foul", v. t. Etym: [See Defile, v. t.]

1. To tread down. [Obs.] Wyclif.

2. To make foul; to defile. [Obs.] Wyclif.

DEFRAUD De*fraud", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defrauded; p. pr. & vb. n. Defrauding.] Etym: [L. defraudare; de- + fraudare to cheat, fr. fraus, fraudis, fraud: cf. OF. defrauder. See Fraud.]

Defn: To deprive of some right, interest, or property, by a deceitful device; to withhold from wrongfully; to injure by embezzlement; to cheat; to overreach; as, to defraud a servant, or a creditor, or the state; — with of before the thing taken or withheld. We have defrauded no man. 2 Cor. vii. 2. Churches seem injured and defrauded of their rights. Hooker.

DEFRAUDATION De`frau*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. defraudatio: cf. F. défraudation.]

Defn: The act of defrauding; a taking by fraud. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

DEFRAUDER De*fraud"er, n.

Defn: One who defrauds; a cheat; an embezzler; a peculator.

DEFRAUDMENT De*fraud"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. defraudement.]

Defn: Privation by fraud; defrauding. [Obs.] Milton.

DEFRAY De*fray", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defrayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Defraying.] Etym: [F. défrayer; pref. dé- (L. de or dis-) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum, fridum, expense, fine by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace, fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede. See Affray.]

1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc. For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much. Usher.

2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to defray wrath. [Obs.] Spenser.

DEFRAYAL De*fray"al, n.

Defn: The act of defraying; payment; as, the defrayal of necessary costs.

DEFRAYER De*fray"er, n.

Defn: One who pays off expenses.

DEFRAYMENT De*fray"ment, n.

Defn: Payment of charges.

DEFT Deft, a. Etym: [OE. daft, deft, becoming, mild, gentle, stupid (cf. OE. daffe, deffe, fool, coward), AS. dæft (in derivatives only) mild, gentle, fitting, seasonable; akin to dafen, gedafen, becoming, fit, Goth. gadaban to be fit. Cf. Daft, Daff, Dapper.]

Defn: Apt; fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. [Archaic or Poetic] "The deftest way." Shak. "Deftest feats." Gay. The limping god, do deft at his new ministry. Dryden. Let me be deft and debonair. Byron.

DEFTLY Deft"ly, adv. Etym: [Cf. Defly.]

Defn: Aptly; fitly; dexterously; neatly. "Deftly dancing." Drayton. Thyself and office deftly show. Shak.

DEFTNESS Deft"ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being deft. Drayton.

DEFUNCT De*funct". a. Etym: [L. defunctus, p. p. of defungi to acquit one's self of, to perform, finish, depart, die; de + fungi to perform, discharge: cf. F. défunt. See Function.]

Defn: Having finished the course of life; dead; deceased. "Defunct organs." Shak. The boar, defunct, lay tripped up, near. Byron.

DEFUNCT De*funct", n.

Defn: A dead person; one deceased.

DEFUNCTION De*func"tion, n. Etym: [L. defunctio performance, death.]

Defn: Death. [Obs.] After defunction of King Pharamond. Shak.

DEFUNCTIVE De*func"tive, a.

Defn: Funereal. [Obs.] "Defunctive music." Shak.

DEFUSE De*fuse", v. t. Etym: [Cf. Diffuse.]

Defn: To disorder; to make shapeless. [Obs.] Shak.

DEFY De*fy", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defied; p. pr. & vb. n. Defying.] Etym: [F. défier, OF. deffier, desfier, LL. disfidare to disown faith or fidelity, to dissolve the bond of allegiance, as between the vassal and his lord; hence, to challenge, defy; fr. L. dis- + fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Diffident, Affiance.]

1. To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce. [Obs.] I defy the surety and the bond. Chaucer. For thee I have defied my constant mistress. Beau. & Fl.

2. To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion. I once again Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. Milton. I defy the enemies of our constitution to show the contrary. Burke.

DEFY De*fy", n.

Defn: A challenge. [Obs.] Dryden.

DEGAGE Dé`ga`gé", a. [F., p. p. of dégager to disengage. See De-, lst Gage, and cf. Disgage.]

Defn: Unconstrained; easy; free. Vanbrugh.

A graceful and dégagé manner. Poe.

DEGARNISH De*gar"nish, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degarnished; p. pr. & vb. n. Degarnishing.] Etym: [F. dégarnir; pref. dé-, des- (L. dis-) + garnir to furnish. See Garnish, and cf. Disgarnish.]

1. To strip or deprive of entirely, as of furniture, ornaments, etc.; to disgarnish; as, to degarnish a house, etc. [R.]

2. To deprive of a garrison, or of troops necessary for defense; as, to degarnish a city or fort. [R.] Washington.

DEGARNISHMENT De*gar"nish*ment, n.

Defn: The act of depriving, as of furniture, apparatus, or a garrison. [R.]

DEGENDER; DEGENER De*gen"der, De*gen"er, v. i. Etym: [See Degenerate.]

Defn: To degenerate. [Obs.] "Degendering to hate." Spenser. He degenereth into beastliness. Joye.

DEGENERACY De*gen"er*a*cy, n. Etym: [From Degenerate, a.]

1. The act of becoming degenerate; a growing worse. Willful degeneracy from goodness. Tillotson.

2. The state of having become degenerate; decline in good qualities; deterioration; meanness. Degeneracy of spirit in a state of slavery. Addison. To recover mankind out of their universal corruption and degeneracy. S. Clarke.

DEGENERATE De*gen"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. degeneratus, p. p. of degenerare to degenerate, cause to degenerate, fr. degener base, degenerate, that departs from its race or kind; de- + genus race, kind. See Kin relationship.]

Defn: Having become worse than one's kind, or one's former state; having declined in worth; having lost in goodness; deteriorated; degraded; unworthy; base; low. Faint-hearted and degenerate king. Shak. A degenerate and degraded state. Milton. Degenerate from their ancient blood. Swift. These degenerate days. Pope. I had planted thee a noble vine . . . : how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me Jer. ii. 21.

DEGENERATE De*gen"er*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Degenerated; p. pr. & vb. n. Degenerating.]

1. To be or grow worse than one's kind, or than one was originally; hence, to be inferior; to grow poorer, meaner, or more vicious; to decline in good qualities; to deteriorate. When wit transgresseth decency, it degenerates into insolence and impiety. Tillotson.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: To fall off from the normal quality or the healthy structure of its kind; to become of a lower type.

DEGENERATELY De*gen"er*ate*ly, adv.

Defn: In a degenerate manner; unworthily.

DEGENERATENESS De*gen"er*ate*ness, n.

Defn: Degeneracy.

DEGENERATION De*gen`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. dégénération.]

1. The act or state of growing worse, or the state of having become worse; decline; degradation; debasement; degeneracy; deterioration. Our degeneration and apostasy. Bates.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: That condition of a tissue or an organ in which its vitality has become either diminished or perverted; a substitution of a lower for a higher form of structure; as, fatty degeneration of the liver.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.

4. The thing degenerated. [R.] Cockle, aracus, . . . and other degenerations. Sir T. Browne. Amyloid degeneration, Caseous degeneration, etc. See under Amyloid, Caseous, etc.

DEGENERATIONIST De*gen`er*a"tion*ist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: A believer in the theory of degeneration, or hereditary degradation of type; as, the degenerationists hold that savagery is the result of degeneration from a superior state.

DEGENERATIVE De*gen"er*a*tive, a.

Defn: Undergoing or producing degeneration; tending to degenerate.

DEGENEROUS De*gen"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. degener. See Degenerate.]

Defn: Degenerate; base. [Obs.] "Degenerous passions." Dryden. "Degenerous practices." South.

DEGENEROUSLY De*gen"er*ous*ly, adv.

Defn: Basely. [Obs.]

DEGERM De*germ", v. t. (Milling)

Defn: To extract the germs from, as from wheat grains.

DEGERMINATOR De*ger"mi*na`tor, n. (Milling)

Defn: A machine for breaking open the kernels of wheat or other grain and removing the germs.

DEGLAZE De*glaze", v. t.

Defn: To remove the glaze from, as pottery or porcelain, so as to give a dull finish.

DEGLAZING De*glaz"ing, n.

Defn: The process of giving a dull or ground surface to glass by acid or by mechanical means. Knight.

DEGLORIED De*glo"ried, a.

Defn: Deprived of glory; dishonored. [Obs.] "With thorns degloried." G. Fletcher.

DEGLUTINATE De*glu"ti*nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deglutinated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deglutinating.] Etym: [L. deglutinatus, p. p. of deglutinare to deglutinate; de- + glutinare to glue, gluten glue.]

Defn: To loosen or separate by dissolving the glue which unties; to unglue.

DEGLUTINATION De*glu`ti*na"tion, n.

Defn: The act of ungluing.

DEGLUTITION Deg`lu*ti"tion, n. Etym: [L. deglutire to swallow down; de- + glutire to swallow: cf. F. déglutition. See Glut.]

Defn: The act or process of swallowing food; the power of swallowing. The muscles employed in the act of deglutition. Paley.

DEGLUTITIOUS Deg`lu*ti"tious, a.

Defn: Pertaining to deglutition. [R.]

DEGLUTITORY De*glu"ti*to*ry, a.

Defn: Serving for, or aiding in, deglutition.

DEGRADATION Deg`ra*da"tion, n. Etym: [LL. degradatio, from degradare: cf. F. dégradation. See Degrade.]

1. The act of reducing in rank, character, or reputation, or of abasing; a lowering from one's standing or rank in office or society; diminution; as, the degradation of a peer, a knight, a general, or a bishop. He saw many removes and degradations in all the other offices of which he had been possessed. Clarendon.

2. The state of being reduced in rank, character, or reputation; baseness; moral, physical, or intellectual degeneracy; disgrace; abasement; debasement. The . . . degradation of a needy man of letters. Macaulay. Deplorable is the degradation of our nature. South. Moments there frequently must be, when a sidegradation of his state. Blair.

3. Diminution or reduction of strength, efficacy, or value; degeneration; deterioration. The development and degradation of the alphabetic forms can be traced. I. Taylor (The Alphabet).

4. (Geol.)

Defn: A gradual wearing down or wasting, as of rocks and banks, by the action of water, fro

5. (Biol.)

Defn: The state or condition of a species or group which exhibits degraded forms; degeneration. The degradation of the species man is observed in some of its varieties. Dana.

6. (Physiol.)

Defn: Arrest of development, or degeneration of any organ, or of the body as a whole. Degradation of energy, or Dissipation of energy (Physics), the transformation of energy into some form in which it is less available for doing work.

Syn. — Abasement; debasement; reduction; decline.

DEGRADE De*grade", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degraded; p. pr. & vb. n. Degrading.] Etym: [F. dégrader, LL. degradare, fr. L. de- + gradus step, degree. See Grade, and cf. Degree.]

1. To reduce from a higher to a lower rank or degree; to lower in rank' to deprive of office or dignity; to strip of honors; as, to degrade a nobleman, or a general officer. Prynne was sentenced by the Star Chamber Court to be degraded from the bar. Palfrey.

2. To reduce in estimation, character, or reputation; to lessen the value of; to lower the physical, moral, or intellectual character of; to debase; to bring shame or contempt upon; to disgrace; as, vice degrades a man. O miserable mankind, to what fall Degraded, to what wretched state reserved! Milton. He pride . . . struggled hard against this degrading passion. Macaulay.

3. (Geol.)

Defn: To reduce in altitude or magnitude, as hills and mountains; to wear down.

Syn. — To abase; demean; lower; reduce. See Abase.

DEGRADE De*grade", v. i. (Biol.)

Defn: To degenerate; to pass from a higher to a lower type of structure; as, a family of plants or animals degrades through this or that genus or group of genera.

DEGRADED De*grad"ed, a.

1. Reduced in rank, character, or reputation; debased; sunken; low; base. The Netherlands . . . were reduced practically to a very degraded condition. Motley.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: Having the typical characters or organs in a partially developed condition, or lacking certain parts. Some families of plants are degraded dicotyledons. Dana.

3. Etym: [Cf. F. degré step.] (Her.)

Defn: Having steps; — said of a cross each of whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the center; — termed also on degrees.

DEGRADEMENT De*grade"ment, n.

Defn: Deprivation of rank or office; degradation. [R.] Milton.

DEGRADINGLY De*grad"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a degrading manner.

DEGRAS; DEGRAS Dé`gras", Deg"ras, n. [F.; cf. F. gras, a. & n., fat.]

Defn: A semisolid emulsion produced by the treatment of certain skins with oxidized fish oil, which extracts their soluble albuminoids. It was formerly solely a by-product of chamois leather manufacture, but is now made for its own sake, being valuable as a dressing for hides.

DEGRAVATION Deg`ra*va"tion, n. Etym: [L. degravare, degravatum, to make heavy. See Grave, a.]

Defn: The act of making heavy. [Obs.] Bailey.

DEGREASE De*grease", v. t.

Defn: To remove grease or fatty matter from, as wool or silk.

DEGREE De*gree", n. Etym: [F. degré, OF. degret, fr. LL. degradare. See Degrade.]

1. A step, stair, or staircase. [Obs.] By ladders, or else by degree. Rom. of R.

2. One of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice and virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree of comparison.

3. The point or step of progression to which a person has arrived; rank or station in life; position. "A dame of high degree." Dryden. "A knight is your degree." Shak. "Lord or lady of high degree." Lowell.

4. Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as, tastes differ in kind as well as in degree. The degree of excellence which proclaims genius, is different in different times and different places. Sir. J. Reynolds.

5. Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by a college or university, in recognition of their attainments; as, the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor, etc.

Note: In the United States diplomas are usually given as the evidence of a degree conferred. In the humanities the first degree is that of bachelor of arts (B. A. or A. B.); the second that of master of arts (M. A. or A. M.). The degree of bachelor (of arts, science, divinity, law, etc.) is conferred upon those who complete a prescribed course of undergraduate study. The first degree in medicine is that of doctor of medicine (M. D.). The degrees of master and doctor are sometimes conferred, in course, upon those who have completed certain prescribed postgraduate studies, as doctor of philosophy (Ph. D.); but more frequently the degree of doctor is conferred as a complimentary recognition of eminent services in science or letters, or for public services or distinction (as doctor of laws (LL. D.) or doctor of divinity (D. D.), when they are called honorary degrees. The youth attained his bachelor's degree, and left the university. Macaulay.

5. (Genealogy)

Defn: A certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of blood; one remove in the chain of relationship; as, a relation in the third or fourth degree. In the 11th century an opinion began to gain ground in Italy, that third cousins might marry, being in the seventh degree according to the civil law. Hallam.

7. (Arith.)

Defn: Three figures taken together in numeration; thus, 140 is one degree, 222,140 two degrees.

8. (Algebra)

Defn: State as indicated by sum of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a2b2c is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown quantities in any term; thus, ax4 + bx2 = c, and mx2y2 + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth degree.

9. (Trig.)

Defn: A 360th part of the circumference of a circle, which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds.

10. A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer.

11. (Mus.)

Defn: A line or space of the staff.

Note: The short lines and their spaces are added degrees. Accumulation of degrees. (Eng. Univ.) See under Accumulation. — By degrees, step by step; by little and little; by moderate advances. "I 'll leave by degrees." Shak. — Degree of a curve or surface (Geom.), the number which expresses the degree of the equation of the curve or surface in rectilinear coördinates. A straight line will, in general, meet the curve or surface in a number of points equal to the degree of the curve or surface and no more. — Degree of latitude (Geog.), on the earth, the distance on a meridian between two parallels of latitude whose latitudes differ from each other by one degree. This distance is not the same on different parts of a meridian, on account of the flattened figure of the earth, being 68.702 statute miles at the equator, and 69.396 at the poles. — Degree of longitude, the distance on a parallel of latitude between two meridians that make an angle of one degree with each other at the poles — a distance which varies as the cosine of the latitude, being at the equator 69.16 statute miles. — To a degree, to an extreme; exceedingly; as, mendacious to a degree. It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave to a degree on occasions when races more favored by nature are gladsome to excess. Prof. Wilson.

DEGU De"gu, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small South American rodent (Octodon Cumingii), of the family Octodontidæ.

DEGUM De*gum", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Degummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Degumming.]

Defn: To deprive of, or free from, gum; as, to degum ramie.

DEGUST De*gust", v. t. Etym: [L. degustare: cf. F. déguster. See Gust to taste.]

Defn: To taste. [Obs.] Cockeram.

DEGUSTATION Deg`us*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. degustatio: cf. F. dégustation.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Tasting; the appreciation of sapid qualities by the taste organs. Bp. Hall.

DEHISCE De*hisce", v. i. Etym: [L. dehiscere; de- + hiscere to gape.]

Defn: To gape; to open by dehiscence.

DEHISCENCE De*his"cence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déhiscence.]

1. The act of gaping.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: A gaping or bursting open along a definite line of attachment or suture, without tearing, as in the opening of pods, or the bursting of capsules at maturity so as to emit seeds, etc.; also, the bursting open of follicles, as in the ovaries of animals, for the expulsion of their contents.

DEHISCENT De*his"cent, a. Etym: [L. dehiscens, -entis, p. pr. Cf. F. déhiscent.]

Defn: Characterized by dehiscence; opening in some definite way, as the capsule of a plant.

DEHONESTATE De`ho*nes"tate, v. t. Etym: [L. dehonestatus, p. p. of dehonestare to dishonor; de- + honestare to make honorable. Cf. Dishonest, and see Honest.]

Defn: To disparage. [Obs.]

DEHONESTATION De*hon`es*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. dehonestatio.]

Defn: A dishonoring; disgracing. [Obs.] Gauden.

DEHORN De*horn", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dehorned; p. pr. & vb. n. Dehorning.]

Defn: To deprive of horns; to prevent the growth or the horns of (cattle) by burning their ends soon after they start. See Dishorn. "Dehorning cattle." Farm Journal (1886).

DEHORS De*hors", prep. Etym: [F., outside.] (Law)

Defn: Out of; without; foreign to; out of the agreement, record, will, or other instrument.

DEHORS De*hors", n. (Mil.)

Defn: All sorts of outworks in general, at a distance from the main works; any advanced works for protection or cover. Farrow.

DEHORT De*hort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dehorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Dehorting.] Etym: [L. dehortari; de- + hortari to urge, exhort.]

Defn: To urge to abstain or refrain; to dissuade. [Obs.] The apostles vehemently dehort us from unbelief. Bp. Ward. "Exhort" remains, but dehort, a word whose place neither "dissuade" nor any other exactly supplies, has escaped us. Trench.

DEHORTATION De`hor*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. dehortatio.]

Defn: Dissuasion; advice against something. [R.]

DEHORTATIVE De*hort"a*tive, a.

Defn: Dissuasive. [R.]

DEHORTATORY De*hort"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. dehortatorius.]

Defn: Fitted or designed to dehort or dissuade. Bp. Hall.

DEHORTER De*hort"er, n.

Defn: A dissuader; an adviser to the contrary. [Obs.]

DEHUMANIZE De*hu"man*ize, v. t.

Defn: To divest of human qualities, such as pity, tenderness, etc.; as, dehumanizing influences.

DEHUSK De*husk", v. t.

Defn: To remove the husk from. [Obs.] "Wheat dehusked upon the floor." Drant.

DEHYDRATE De*hy"drate, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To deprive of water; to render free from water; as, to dehydrate alcohol.

DEHYDRATION De`hy*dra"tion, n. (Chem.)

Defn: The act or process of freeing from water; also, the condition of a body from which the water has been removed.

DEHYDROGENATE De*hy"dro*gen*ate, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To deprive of, or free from, hydrogen.

DEHYDROGENATION De*hy`dro*gen*a"tion, n. (Chem.)

Defn: The act or process or freeing from hydrogen; also, the condition resulting from the removal of hydrogen.

DEICIDE De"i*cide, n. Etym: [L. deicida a deicide (in sense 2); deus god + cædere to cut, kill: cf. F. déicide.]

1. The act of killing a being of a divine nature; particularly, the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [R.] Earth profaned, yet blessed, with deicide. Prior.

2. One concerned in putting Christ to death.

DEICTIC Deic"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Logic)

Defn: Direct; proving directly; — applied to reasoning, and opposed to elenchtic or refutative.

DEICTICALLY Deic"tic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a manner to show or point out; directly; absolutely; definitely. When Christ spake it deictically. Hammond.

DEIFIC; DEIFICAL De*if"ic, De*if"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. deificus; deus god + facere to make: cf. F. déifigue.]

Defn: Making divine; producing a likeness to God; god-making. "A deifical communion." Homilies.

DEIFICATION De`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [LL. deificare to deify: cf. F. déification. See Deify.]

Defn: The act of deifying; exaltation to divine honors; apotheosis; excessive praise.

DEIFIED De"i*fied, a.

Defn: Honored or worshiped as a deity; treated with supreme regard; godlike.

DEIFIER De"i*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who deifies.

DEIFORM De"i*form, a. Etym: [L. deus a god + -form.]

1. Godlike, or of a godlike form. Dr. H. More.

2. Conformable to the will of God. [R.] Bp. Burnet.

DEIFORMITY De`i*for"mi*ty, n.

Defn: Likeness to deity. [Obs.]

DEIFY De"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deified; p. pr. & vb. n. Deifying.] Etym: [F. déifier, LL. deificare, fr. L. deificus. See Deific, Deity, -fy.]

1. To make a god of; to exalt to the rank of a deity; to enroll among the deities; to apotheosize; as, Julius Cæsar was deified.

2. To praise or revere as a deity; to treat as an object of supreme regard; as, to deify money. He did again to extol and deify the pope. Bacon.

3. To render godlike. By our own spirits are we deified. Wordsworth.

DEIGN Deign, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deigned; p. pr. & vb. n. Deigning.] Etym: [OE. deinen, deignen, OF. degner, deigner, daigner, F. daigner, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy, deign, fr. dignus worthy; akin to decere to be fitting. See Decent, and cf. Dainty, Dignity, Condign, Disdain.]

1. To esteem worthy; to consider worth notice; — opposed to disdain. [Obs.] I fear my Julia would not deign my lines. Shak.

2. To condescend to give or bestow; to stoop to furnish; to vouchsafe; to allow; to grant. Nor would we deign him burial of his men. Shak.

DEIGN Deign, v. i.

Defn: To think worthy; to vouchsafe; to condescend; — followed by an infinitive. O deign to visit our forsaken seats. Pope. Yet not Lord Cranstone deigned she greet. Sir W. Scott. Round turned he, as not deigning Those craven ranks to see. Macaulay.

Note: In early English deign was often used impersonally. Him deyneth not to set his foot to ground. Chaucer.

DEIGNOUS Deign"ous, a. Etym: [For disdeignous, OF. desdeignos, desdaigneus, F. dédaigneux. See Disdain.]

Defn: Haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEIL Deil, n.

Defn: Devil; — spelt also deel. [Scot.] Deil's buckie. See under Buckie.

DEINOCERAS Dei*noc"e*ras, n. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)

Defn: See Dinoceras.

DEINORNIS Dei*nor"nis, n. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)

Defn: See Dinornis.

DEINOSAUR Dei"no*saur, n. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)

Defn: See Dinosaur.

DEINOTHERIUM Dei`no*the"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL.] (Paleon.)

Defn: See Dinotherium.

DEINTEGRATE De*in"te*grate, v. t. Etym: [L. deintegrare to impair; de- + integrare to make whole.]

Defn: To disintegrate. [Obs.]

DEINTEOUS; DEINTEVOUS Dein"te*ous, Dein"te*vous, a.

Defn: Rare; excellent; costly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DEIPAROUS De*ip"a*rous, a. Etym: [L. deus a god + parere to bring forth.]

Defn: Bearing or bringing forth a god; — said of the Virgin Mary. [Obs.] Bailey.

DEIPNOSOPHIST Deip*nos"o*phist, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: One of an ancient sect of philosophers, who cultivated learned conversation at meals.

DEIS De"is, n.

Defn: See Dais.

DEISM De"ism, n. Etym: [L. deus god: cf. F. déisme. See Deity.]

Defn: The doctrine or creed of a deist; the belief or system of those who acknowledge the existence of one God, but deny revelation.

Note: Deism is the belief in natural religion only, or those truths, in doctrine and practice, which man is to discover by the light of reason, independent of any revelation from God. Hence, deism implies infidelity, or a disbelief in the divine origin of the Scriptures.

DEIST De"ist, n. Etym: [L. deus god: cf. F. déiste. See Deity.]

Defn: One who believes in the existence of a God, but denies revealed religion; a freethinker.

Note: A deist, as denying a revelation, is opposed to a Christian; as, opposed to the denier of a God, whether atheist or patheist, a deist is generally denominated theist. Latham.

Syn. — See Infidel.

DEISTIC; DEISTICAL De*is"tic, De*is"tic*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, savoring of, or consisting in, deism; as, a deistic writer; a deistical book. The deistical or antichristian scheme. I. Watts.

DEISTICALLY De*is"tic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: After the manner of deists.

DEISTICALNESS De*is"tic*al*ness, n.

Defn: State of being deistical.

DEITATE De"i*tate, a.

Defn: Deified. [Obs.] Granmer.

DEITY De"i*ty, n.; pl. Deities. Etym: [OE. deite, F. déité, fr. L. deitas, fr. deus a god; akin to divus divine, Jupiter, gen. Jovis, Jupiter, dies day, Gr. d divine, as a noun, god, daiva divine, dy sky, day, hence, the sky personified as a god, and to the first syllable of E. Tuesday, Gael. & Ir. dia God, W. duw. Cf. Divine, Journey, Journal, Tuesday.]

1. The collection of attributes which make up the nature of a god; divinity; godhead; as, the deity of the Supreme Being is seen in his works. They declared with emphasis the perfect deity and the perfect manhood of Christ. Milman.

2. A god or goddess; a heathen god. To worship calves, the deities Of Egypt. Milton. The Deity, God, the Supreme Being. This great poet and philosopher [Simonides], the more he contemplated the nature of the Deity, found that he waded but the more out of his depth. Addison.

DEJECT De*ject", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dejected; p. pr. & vb. n. Dejecting.] Etym: [L. dejectus, p. p. of dejicere to throw down; de- + jacere to throw. See Jet a shooting forth.]

1. To cast down. [Obs. or Archaic] Christ dejected himself even unto the hells. Udall. Sometimes she dejects her eyes in a seeming civility; and many mistake in her a cunning for a modest look. Fuller.

2. To cast down the spirits of; to dispirit; to discourage; to dishearten. Nor think, to die dejects my lofty mind. Pope.

DEJECT De*ject", a. Etym: [L. dejectus, p. p.]

Defn: Dejected. [Obs.]

DEJECTA De*jec"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., neut. pl. from L. dejectus, p. p.]

Defn: Excrements; as, the dejecta of the sick.

DEJECTED De*ject"ed, a.

Defn: Cast down; afflicted; low-spirited; sad; as, a dejected look or countenance. — De*ject"ed*ly, adv. — De*ject"ed*ness, n.

DEJECTER De*ject"er, n.

Defn: One who casts down, or dejects.

DEJECTION De*jec"tion, n. Etym: [L. dejectio a casting down: cf. F. déjection.]

1. A casting down; depression. [Obs. or Archaic] Hallywell.

2. The act of humbling or abasing one's self. Adoration implies submission and dejection. Bp. Pearson.

3. Lowness of spirits occasioned by grief or misfortune; mental depression; melancholy. What besides, Of sorrow, and dejection, and despair, Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring. Milton.

4. A low condition; weakness; inability. [R.] A dejection of appetite. Arbuthnot.

5. (Physiol.) (a) The discharge of excrement. (b) Fæces; excrement. Ray.

DEJECTLY De*ject"ly, adv.

Defn: Dejectedly. [Obs.]

DEJECTORY De*jec"to*ry, a. Etym: [L. dejector a dejecter.]

1. Having power, or tending, to cast down.

2. Promoting evacuations by stool. Ferrand.

DEJECTURE De*jec"ture, n.

Defn: That which is voided; excrements. Arbuthnot.

DEJERATE Dej"er*ate, v. i. Etym: [L. dejeratus, p. p. of dejerare to swear; de- + jurare to swear.]

Defn: To swear solemnly; to take an oath. [Obs.] Cockeram.

DEJERATION Dej`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. dejeratio.]

Defn: The act of swearing solemnly. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

DEJEUNE Dé`jeu`né", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A déjeuner. Take a déjeuné of muskadel and eggs. B. Jonson.

DEJEUNER Dé`jeu`ner", n. Etym: [F. déjeuner breakfast, as a verb, to breakfast. Cf. Dinner.]

Defn: A breakfast; sometimes, also, a lunch or collation.

DE JURE De` ju"re. Etym: [L.]

Defn: By right; of right; by law; — often opposed to be facto.

DEKA- Dek"a-. (Metric System)

Defn: A prefix signifying ten. See Deca-.

DEKABRIST Dek"a*brist, n.

Defn: A Decembrist.

DEKAGRAM Dek"a*gram, n.

Defn: Same as Decagram.

DEKALITER Dek"a*li`ter, n.

Defn: Same as Decaliter.

DEKAMETER Dek"a*me`ter, n.

Defn: Same as Decameter.

DEKASTERE Dek"a*stere`, n.

Defn: Same as Decastere.

DEKLE De"kle, n. (Paper Making)

Defn: See Deckle.

DEL Del, n. Etym: [See Deal, n.]

Defn: Share; portion; part. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DELACERATION De*lac`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. delacerare, delaceratum, to tear in pieces. See Lacerate.]

Defn: A tearing in pieces. [Obs.] Bailey.

DELACRYMATION De*lac`ry*ma"tion, n. Etym: [L. delacrimatio, fr. delacrimare to weep. See Lachrymation.]

Defn: An involuntary discharge of watery humors from the eyes; wateriness of the eyes. [Obs.] Bailey.

DELACTATION De`lac*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. de- + L. lactare to suck milk, from lac milk.]

Defn: The act of weaning. [Obs.] Bailey.

DELAINE De*laine", n. Etym: [See Muslin delaine, under Muslin.]

Defn: A kind of fabric for women's dresses.

DELAMINATION De*lam`i*na"tion, n. (Biol.)

Defn: Formation and separation of laminæ or layers; one of the methods by which the various blastodermic layers of the ovum are differentiated.

Note: This process consists of a concentric splitting of the cells of the blastosphere into an outer layer (epiblast) and an inner layer (hypoblast). By the perforation of the resultant two-walled vesicle, a gastrula results similar to that formed by the process of invagination.

DELAPSATION De`lap*sa"tion, n.

Defn: See Delapsion. Ray.

DELAPSE De*lapse", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Delapsed; p. pr. & vb. n. Delapsing.] Etym: [L. delapsus, p. p. of delabi to fall down; de- + labi to fall or side.]

Defn: To pass down by inheritance; to lapse. [Obs.] Which Anne derived alone the right, before all other, Of the delapsed crown from Philip. Drayton.

DELAPSION De*lap"sion, n.

Defn: A falling down, or out of place; prolapsion.

DELASSATION De`las*sa"tion, n. Etym: [L. delassare, delassatum, to tire out; de- + lassare to tire.]

Defn: Fatigue. Able to continue without delassation. Ray.

DELATE De*late", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delated; p. pr. & vb. n. Delating.] Etym: [L. delatus, used as p. p. of deferre. See Tolerate, and cf. 3d Defer, Delay, v.] [Obs. or Archaic]

1. To carry; to convey. Try exactly the time wherein sound is delated. Bacon.

2. To carry abroad; to spread; to make public. When the crime is delated or notorious. Jer. Taylor.

3. To carry or bring against, as a charge; to inform against; to accuse; to denounce. As men were delated, they were marked down for such a fine. Bp. Burnet.

4. To carry on; to conduct. Warner.

DELATE De*late", v. i.

Defn: To dilate. [Obs.] Goodwin.

DELATION De*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. delatio accusation: cf. F. délation.]

1. Conveyance. [Obs. or Archaic] In delation of sounds, the inclosure of them preserveth them. Bacon.

2. (Law)

Defn: Accusation by an informer. Milman.

DELATOR De*la"tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: An accuser; an informer. [R.] Howell.

DELAWARE Del"a*ware, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American grape, with compact bunches of small, amber-colored berries, sweet and of a good flavor.

DELAWARES Del"a*wares, n. pl.; sing. Delaware. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians formerly inhabiting the valley of the Delaware River, but now mostly located in the Indian Territory.

DELAY De*lay", n.; pl. Delays. Etym: [F. délai, fr. OF. deleer to delay, or fr. L. dilatum, which, though really from a different root, is used in Latin only as a p. p. neut. of differre to carry apart, defer, delay. See Tolerate, and cf. Differ, Delay, v.]

Defn: A putting off or deferring; procrastination; lingering inactivity; stop; detention; hindrance. Without any delay, on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat. Acts xxv. 17. The government ought to be settled without the delay of a day. Macaulay.

DELAY De*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Delaying.] Etym: [OF. deleer, delaier, fr. the noun délai, or directly fr. L. dilatare to enlarge, dilate, in LL., to put off. See Delay, n., and cf. Delate, 1st Defer, Dilate.]

1. To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to prolong the time of or before. My lord delayeth his coming. Matt. xxiv. 48.

2. To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time; to retard the motion, or time of arrival, of; as, the mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow. Thyrsis! whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling brook to hear his madrigal. Milton.

3. To allay; to temper. [Obs.] The watery showers delay the raging wind. Surrey.

DELAY De*lay", v. i.

Defn: To move slowly; to stop for a time; to linger; to tarry. There seem to be certain bounds to the quickness and slowness of the succession of those ideas, . . . beyond which they can neither delay nor hasten. Locke.

DELAYER De*lay"er, n.

Defn: One who delays; one who lingers.

DELAYINGLY De*lay"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: By delays. [R.] Tennyson.

DELAYMENT De*lay"ment, n.

Defn: Hindrance. [Obs.] Gower.

DEL CREDERE Del` cred"er*e. Etym: [It., of belief or trust.] (Mercantile Law)

Defn: An agreement by which an agent or factor, in consideration of an additional premium or commission (called a del credere commission), engages, when he sells goods on credit, to insure, warrant, or guarantee to his principal the solvency of the purchaser, the engagement of the factor being to pay the debt himself if it is not punctually discharged by the buyer when it becomes due.

DELE De"le, imperative sing. of L. delere to destroy. Etym: [Cf. Delete.] (Print.)

Defn: Erase; remove; — a direction to cancel something which has been put in type; usually expressed by a peculiar form of d, thus: .

DELE De"le, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deled; p. pr. & vb. n. Deleing.] Etym: [From the preceding word.] (Print.)

Defn: To erase; to cancel; to delete; to mark for omission.

DELE Dele, v. t. Etym: [See Deal.]

Defn: To deal; to divide; to distribute. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DELEBLE Del"e*ble, a. Etym: [L. delebilis. See 1st Dele.]

Defn: Capable of being blotted out or erased. "An impression easily deleble." Fuller.

DELECTABLE De*lec"ta*ble, a. Etym: [OF. delitable, OF. delitable, F. délectable, fr. L. delectabilis, fr. delectare to delight. See Delight.]

Defn: Highly pleasing; delightful. Delectable both to behold and taste. Milton. — De*lec"ta*ble*ness, n. — De*lec"ta*bly, adv.

DELECTATE De*lec"tate, v. t. Etym: [L. delectatus, p. p. of delectare. See Delight.]

Defn: To delight; to charm. [R.]

DELECTATION De`lec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. delectatio: cf. F. délectation.]

Defn: Great pleasure; delight.

DELECTUS De*lec"tus, n. Etym: [L., selection, from deligere, delectum, to select.]

Defn: A name given to an elementary book for learners of Latin or Greek. G. Eliot.

DELEGACY Del`e*ga*cy, n. Etym: [From Delegate, a.]

1. The act of delegating, or state of being delegated; deputed power. [Obs.] By way of delegacy or grand commission. Sir W. Raleigh.

2. A body of delegates or commissioners; a delegation. [Obs.] Burton.

DELEGATE Del"e*gate, n. Etym: [L. delegatus, p. p. of delegare to send, delegate; de- + legare to send with a commission, to depute. See Legate.]

1. Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar.

2. (a) One elected by the people of a territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right of debating, but not of voting. (b) One sent by any constituency to act as its representative in a convention; as, a delegate to a convention for nominating officers, or for forming or altering a constitution. [U.S.] Court of delegates, formerly, the great court of appeal from the archbishops' courts and also from the court of admiralty. It is now abolished, and the privy council is the immediate court of appeal in such cases. [Eng.]

DELEGATE Del"e*gate, a. Etym: [L. delegatus, p. p.]

Defn: Sent to act for a represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge. "Delegate power." Strype.

DELEGATE Del"e*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delegated; p. pr. & vb. n. Delegating.]

1. To send as one's representative; to empower as an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to commission; to depute; to authorize.

2. To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit. The delegated administration of the law. Locke. Delegated executive power. Bancroft. The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative. J. B. Finch.

DELEGATION Del`e*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. delegatio: cf. F. délégation.]

1. The act of delegating, or investing with authority to act for another; the appointment of a delegate or delegates.

2. One or more persons appointed or chosen, and commissioned to represent others, as in a convention, in Congress, etc.; the collective body of delegates; as, the delegation from Massachusetts; a deputation.

3. (Rom. Law)

Defn: A kind of novation by which a debtor, to be liberated from his creditor, gives him a third person, who becomes obliged in his stead to the creditor, or to the person appointed by him. Pothier.

DELEGATORY Del"e*ga*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. delegatorius pert. to an assignment.]

Defn: Holding a delegated position. Nash.

DELENDA De*len"da, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. delere to destroy.]

Defn: Things to be erased or blotted out.

DELENIFICAL Del`e*nif"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. delenificus; delenire to soothe + facere to make. See Lenient.]

Defn: Assuaging pain. [Obs.] Bailey.

DELETE De*lete", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deleted; p. pr. & vb. n. Deleting.] Etym: [L. deletus, p. p. of delere to destroy. Cf. 1st Dele.]

Defn: To blot out; to erase; to expunge; to dele; to omit. I have, therefore, . . . inserted eleven stanzas which do not appear in Sir Walter Scott's version, and have deleted eight. Aytoun.

DELETERIOUS Del`e*te"ri*ous, a. Etym: [LL. deleterius noxious, Gr. delere to destroy.]

Defn: Hurtful; noxious; destructive; pernicious; as, a deleterious plant or quality; a deleterious example. — Del`e*te"ri*ous*ly, adv. — Del`e*te"ri*ous*ness, n.

DELETERY Del"e*ter*y, a. Etym: [LL. deleterius: cf. F. délétère.]

Defn: Destructive; poisonous. [Obs.] "Deletery medicines." Hudibras.

DELETERY Del"e*ter*y, n.

Defn: That which destroys. [Obs.] They [the Scriptures] are the only deletery of heresies. Jer. Taylor.

DELETION De*le"tion, n. Etym: [L. deletio, fr. delere. See Delete.]

Defn: Act of deleting, blotting out, or erasing; destruction. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. A total deletion of every person of the opposing party. Sir M. Hale.

DELETITIOUS Del`e*ti"tious, a. Etym: [L. deleticius.]

Defn: Of such a nature that anything may be erased from it; — said of paper.

DELETIVE Del"e*tive, a.

Defn: Adapted to destroy or obliterate. [R.] Evelyn.

DELETORY Del"e*to*ry, n. Etym: [See Delete.]

Defn: That which blots out. [Obs.] "A deletory of sin." Jer. Taylor.

DELF Delf, n. Etym: [AS. delf a delving, digging. See Delve.]

Defn: A mine; a quarry; a pit dug; a ditch. [Written also delft, and delve.] [Obs.] The delfts would be so flown with waters, that no gins or machines could . . . keep them dry. Ray.

DELF Delf, n.

Defn: Same as Delftware.

DELFT Delft, n.

Defn: Same as Delftware.

DELFTWARE Delft"ware`, n. (a) Pottery made at the city of Delft in Holland; hence: (b) Earthenware made in imitation of the above; any glazed earthenware made for table use, and the like.

DELIBATE Del"i*bate, v. t. Etym: [L. delibatus, p. p. of delibare to taste; de- + libare to taste.]

Defn: To taste; to take a sip of; to dabble in. [Obs.]

DELIBATION Del`i*ba"tion, n. Etym: [L. delibatio: cf. F. délibation.]

Defn: Act of tasting; a slight trial. [Obs.] Berkeley.

DELIBER Del"i*ber, v. t. & i.

Defn: To deliberate. [Obs.]

DELIBERATE De*lib"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. deliberatus, p. p. of deliberare to deliberate; de- + librare to weigh. See Librate.]

1. Weighing facts and arguments with a view a choice or decision; carefully considering the probable consequences of a step; circumspect; slow in determining; — applied to persons; as, a deliberate judge or counselor. "These deliberate fools." Shak.

2. Formed with deliberation; well-advised; carefully considered; not sudden or rash; as, a deliberate opinion; a deliberate measure or result. Settled visage and deliberate word. Shak.

3. Not hasty or sudden; slow. Hooker. His enunciation was so deliberate. W. Wirt.

DELIBERATE De*lib"er*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deliberated; p. pr. & vb. n. Deliberating.]

Defn: To weigh in the mind; to consider the reasons for and against; to consider maturely; to reflect upon; to ponder; as, to deliberate a question.

DELIBERATE De*lib"er*ate, v. i.

Defn: To take counsel with one's self; to weigh the arguments for and against a proposed course of action; to reflect; to consider; to hesitate in deciding; — sometimes with on, upon, concerning. The woman the deliberation is lost. Addison.

DELIBERATELY De*lib"er*ate*ly, adv.

Defn: With careful consideration, or deliberation; circumspectly; warily; not hastily or rashly; slowly; as, a purpose deliberately formed.

DELIBERATENESS De*lib"er*ate*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being deliberate; calm consideration; circumspection.

DELIBERATION De*lib`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. deliberatio: cf. F. délibération.]

1. The act of deliberating, or of weighing and examining the reasons for and against a choice or measure; careful consideration; mature reflection. Choosing the fairest way with a calm deliberation. W. Montagu.

2. Careful discussion and examination of the reasons for and against a measure; as, the deliberations of a legislative body or council.

DELIBERATIVE De*lib"er*a*tive, a. Etym: [L. deliberativus: cf. F. délibératif.]

Defn: Pertaining to deliberation; proceeding or acting by deliberation, or by discussion and examination; deliberating; as, a deliberative body. A consummate work of deliberative wisdom. Bancroft. The court of jurisdiction is to be distinguished from the deliberative body, the advisers of the crown. Hallam.

DELIBERATIVE De*lib"er*a*tive, n.

1. A discourse in which a question is discussed, or weighed and examined. Bacon.

2. A kind of rhetoric employed in proving a thing and convincing others of its truth, in order to persuade them to adopt it.

DELIBERATIVELY De*lib"er*a*tive*ly, adv.

Defn: In a deliberative manner; circumspectly; considerately.

DELIBERATOR De*lib"er*a`tor, n.

Defn: One who deliberates.

DELIBRATE Del"i*brate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delibrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Delibrating.] Etym: [L. delibratus, p. p. of delibrare to delibrate; de from + liber bark.]

Defn: To strip off the bark; to peel. [Obs.] Ash.

DELIBRATION Del`i*bra"tion, n.

Defn: The act of stripping off the bark. [Obs.] Ash.

DELICACY Del"i*ca*cy, n.; pl. Delicacies. Etym: [From Delicate, a.]

1. The state or condition of being delicate; agreeableness to the senses; delightfulness; as, delicacy of flavor, of odor, and the like. What choice to choose for delicacy best. Milton.

2. Nicety or fineness of form, texture, or constitution; softness; elegance; smoothness; tenderness; and hence, frailty or weakness; as, the delicacy of a fiber or a thread; delicacy of a hand or of the human form; delicacy of the skin; delicacy of frame.

3. Nice propriety of manners or conduct; susceptibility or tenderness of feeling; refinement; fastidiousness; and hence, in an exaggerated sense, effeminacy; as, great delicacy of behavior; delicacy in doing a kindness; delicacy of character that unfits for earnest action. You know your mother's delicacy in this point. Cowper.

4. Addiction to pleasure; luxury; daintiness; indulgence; luxurious or voluptuous treatment. And to those dainty limbs which Nature lent For gentle usage and soft delicacy Milton.

5. Nice and refined perception and discrimination; critical niceness; fastidious accuracy. That Augustan delicacy of taste which is the boast of the great public schools of England. Macaulay.

6. The state of being affected by slight causes; sensitiveness; as, the delicacy of a chemist's balance.

7. That which is alluring, delicate, or refined; a luxury or pleasure; something pleasant to the senses, especially to the sense of taste; a dainty; as, delicacies of the table. The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev. xviii. 3.

8. Pleasure; gratification; delight. [Obs.] He Rome brent for his delicacie. Chaucer.

Syn. — See Dainty.

DELICATE Del"i*cate, a. Etym: [L. delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F. délicat. See Delight.]

1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.] Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went. Piers Plowman. Haarlem is a very delicate town. Evelyn.

2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.

3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, "a delicate creature." Shak.

4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; — said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton.

5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; — said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk.

6. Soft and fair; — said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.

7. Light, or softly tinted; — said of a color; as; as, a delicate blue.

8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; — said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.

9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; — said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health. A delicate and tender prince. Shak.

10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question. There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth. F. W. Robertson.

11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.

13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.

DELICATE Del"i*cate, n.

1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.] With abstinence all delicates he sees. Dryden.

2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person. All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, — those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than their neighbors, — are only of the Corinth metal. Holland.

DELICATELY Del"i*cate*ly, adv.

Defn: In a delicate manner.

DELICATENESS Del"i*cate*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being delicate.

DELICATESSEN Del`i*ca*tes"sen, n. pl. [G., fr. F. délicatesse.]

Defn: Relishes for the table; dainties; delicacies. "A dealer in delicatessen". G. H. Putnam.

DELICES Del"i*ces, n. pl. Etym: [F. délices, fr. L. deliciae.]

Defn: Delicacies; delights. [Obs.] "Dainty delices." Spenser.

DELICIATE De*li"ci*ate, v. t.

Defn: To delight one's self; to indulge in feasting; to revel. [Obs.]

DELICIOUS De*li"cious, a. Etym: [OF. delicieus, F. délicieux, L. deliciosus, fr. deliciae delight, fr. delicere to allure. See Delight.]

1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most sweet or grateful to the senses, especially to the taste; charming. Some delicious landscape. Coleridge. One draught of spring's delicious air. Keble. Were not his words delicious Tennyson.

2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment; luxurious; effeminate. [Obs.] Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy spirit, retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and luxury. Milton.

Syn. — Delicious, Delightful. Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from certain of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as, delicious food; a delicious fragrance. Delightful may also refer to most of the senses (as, delightful music; a delightful prospect; delightful sensations), but has a higher application to matters of taste, feeling, and sentiment; as, a delightful abode, conversation, employment; delightful scenes, etc. Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in decay. Smith. No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen, Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green. Addison.

DELICIOUSLY De*li"cious*ly, adv.

Defn: Delightfully; as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously entertained.

DELICIOUSNESS De*li"cious*ness, n.

1. The quality of being delicious; as, the deliciousness of a repast.

2. Luxury. "To drive away all superfluity and deliciousness." Sir T. North.

DELICT De*lict", n. Etym: [L. delictum fault.] (Law)

Defn: An offense or transgression against law; (Scots Law) an offense of a lesser degree; a misdemeanor. Every regulation of the civil code necessarily implies a delict in the event of its violation. Jeffrey.

DELIGATE Del"i*gate, v. t. Etym: [L. deligatus, p. p. of deligare to bind up; de- + ligare to bind.] (Surg.)

Defn: To bind up; to bandage.

DELIGATION Del`i*ga"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déligation.] (Surg.)

Defn: A binding up; a bandaging. Wiseman.

DELIGHT De*light", n. Etym: [OE. delit, OF. delit, deleit, fr. delitier, to delight. See Delight, v. t.]

1. A high degree of gratification of mind; a high-wrought state of pleasurable feeling; lively pleasure; extreme satisfaction; joy. Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not. Shak. A fool hath no delight in understanding. Prov. xviii. 2.

2. That which gives great pleasure or delight. Heaven's last, best gift, my ever new delight. Milton.

3. Licentious pleasure; lust. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DELIGHT De*light", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Delighting.] Etym: [OE. deliten, OF. delitier, deleitier, F. délecter, fr. L. delectare to entice away, to delight (sc. by attracting or alluring), intens. of delicere to allure, delight; de- + lacere to entice, allure; cf. laqueus a snare. Cf. Delectate, Delicate, Delicious, Dilettante, Elicit, Lace.]

Defn: To give delight to; to affect with great pleasure; to please highly; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear. Inventions to delight the taste. Shak. Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds. Tennyson.

DELIGHT De*light", v. i.

Defn: To have or take great delight or pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; — followed by an infinitive, or by in. Love delights in praises. Shak. I delight to do thy will, O my God. Ps. xl. 8.

DELIGHTABLE De*light"a*ble, a. Etym: [See Delectable.]

Defn: Capable of delighting; delightful. [Obs.] Many a spice delightable. Rom. of R.

DELIGHTED De*light"ed, a.

Defn: Endowed with delight. If virtue no delighted beauty lack. Shak.

Syn. — Glad; pleased; gratified. See Glad.

DELIGHTEDLY De*light"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: With delight; gladly.

DELIGHTER De*light"er, n.

Defn: One who gives or takes delight.

DELIGHTFUL De*light"ful, a.

Defn: Highly pleasing; affording great pleasure and satisfaction. "Delightful bowers." Spenser. "Delightful fruit." Milton.

Syn. — Delicious; charming. See Delicious. — De*light"ful*ly, adv. — De*light"ful*ness, n.

DELIGHTING De*light"ing, a.

Defn: Giving delight; gladdening. — De*light"ing*ly, adv. Jer. Taylor.

DELIGHTLESS De*light"less, a.

Defn: Void of delight. Thomson.

DELIGHTOUS De*light"ous a. Etym: [OF. delitos.]

Defn: Delightful. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

DELIGHTSOME De*light"some, a.

Defn: Very pleasing; delightful. "Delightsome vigor." Grew. Ye shall be a delightsome land, . . . saith the Lord. Mal. iii. 12. — De*light"some*ly, adv. — De*light"some*ness, n.

DELIGNATE De*lig"nate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delignated; p. pr. & vb. n. Delignating.] [Pref. de- + L. lignum wood.]

1.

Defn: To clear or strip of wood (by cutting down trees). [R.] Fuller.

2. To strip or remove the wood from; as, to delignate ramie, in the preparation of ribbons of the fiber for further working.

DELILAH De*li"lah, n.

Defn: The mistress of Samson, who betrayed him (Judges xvi.); hence, a harlot; a temptress. Other Delilahs on a smaller scale Burns met with during his Dumfries sojourn. J. C. Shairp.

DELIMIT De*lim"it, v. t. Etym: [L. delimitare: cf. F. délimitier.]

Defn: To fix the limits of; to demarcate; to bound.

DELIMITATION De*lim`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. delimitatio: cf. F. délimitation.]

Defn: The act or process of fixing limits or boundaries; limitation. Gladstone.

DELINE De*line", v. t.

1. To delineate. [Obs.]

2. To mark out. [Obs.] R. North.

DELINEABLE De*lin"e*a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being, or liable to be, delineated. Feltham.

DELINEAMENT De*lin"e*a*ment, Etym: [See Delineate.]

Defn: Delineation; sketch. Dr. H. More.

DELINEATE De*lin"e*ate, a. Etym: [L. delineatus, p. p. of delineare to delineate; de- + lineare to draw, fr. linea line. See Line.]

Defn: Delineated; portrayed. [R.]

DELINEATE De*lin"e*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delineated; p. pr. & vb. n. Delineating.]

1. To indicate by lines drawn in the form or figure of; to represent by sketch, design, or diagram; to sketch out; to portray; to picture; in drawing and engraving, to represent in lines, as with the pen, pencil, or graver; hence, to represent with accuracy and minuteness. See Delineation. Adventurous to delineate nature's form. Akenside.

2. To portray to the mind or understanding by words; to set forth; to describe. Customs or habits delineated with great accuracy. Walpole.

DELINEATION De*lin`e*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. delineatio: cf. F. délinéation.]

1. The act of representing, portraying, or describing, as by lines, diagrams, sketches, etc.; drawing an outline; as, the delineation of a scene or face; in drawing and engraving, representation by means of lines, as distinguished from representation by means of tints shades; accurate and minute representation, as distinguished from art that is careless of details, or subordinates them excessively.

2. A delineated picture; representation; sketch; description in words. Their softest delineations of female beauty. W. Irving.

Syn. — Sketch; portrait; outline. See Sketch.

DELINEATOR De*lin"e*a`tor, n.

1. One who, or that which, delineates; a sketcher.

2. (Surv.)

Defn: A perambulator which records distances and delineates a profile, as of a road.

DELINEATORY De*lin"e*a*to*ry, a.

Defn: That delineates; descriptive; drawing the outline; delineating.

DELINEATURE De*lin"e*a*ture, n.

Defn: Delineation. [Obs.]

DELINITION Del`i*ni"tion, n. Etym: [L. delinere to smear. See Liniment.]

Defn: A smearing. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

DELINQUENCY De*lin"quen*cy, n.; pl. Delinquencies. Etym: [L. delinquentia, fr. delinquens.]

Defn: Failure or omission of duty; a fault; a misdeed; an offense; a misdemeanor; a crime. The delinquencies of the little commonwealth would be represented in the most glaring colors. Motley.

DELINQUENT De*lin"quent a. Etym: [L. delinquens, -entis, p. pr. of delinquere to fail, be wanting in one's duty, do wrong; de- + linquere to leave. See Loan, n.]

Defn: Failing in duty; offending by neglect of duty.

DELINQUENT De*lin"quent, n.

Defn: One who fails or neglects to perform his duty; an offender or transgressor; one who commits a fault or a crime; a culprit. A delinquent ought to be cited in the place or jurisdiction where the delinquency was committed. Ayliffe.

DELINQUENTLY De*lin"quent*ly, adv.

Defn: So as to fail in duty.

DELIQUATE Del"i*quate, v. i. Etym: [L. deliquatus, p. p. of deliquare to clear off, de- + liquare to make liquid, melt, dissolve.]

Defn: To melt or be dissolved; to deliquesce. [Obs.] Boyle.

DELIQUATE Del"i*quate, v. t.

Defn: To cause to melt away; to dissolve; to consume; to waste. [Obs.] Dilapidating, or rather deliquating, his bishopric. Fuller.

DELIQUATION Del`i*qua"tion, n.

Defn: A melting. [Obs.]

DELIQUESCE Del`i*quesce", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Deliquesced; p. pr. & vb. n. Deliquescing.] Etym: [L. deliquescere to melt, dissolve; de- + liquescere to become fluid, melt, fr. liquere to be fluid. See Liquid.] (Chem.)

Defn: To dissolve gradually and become liquid by attracting and absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts, acids, and alkalies. In very moist air crystals of strontites deliquesce. Black.

DELIQUESCENCE Del`i*ques"cence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déliquescence.]

Defn: The act of deliquescing or liquefying; process by which anything deliquesces; tendency to melt.

DELIQUESCENT Del`i*ques"cent, a. Etym: [L. deliquescens, -entis, p. pr. of deliquescere: cf. F. déliquescent.]

1. Dissolving; liquefying by contact with the air; capable of attracting moisture from the atmosphere and becoming liquid; as, deliquescent salts.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Branching so that the stem is lost in branches, as in most deciduous trees. Gray.

DELIQUIATE De*liq"ui*ate, v. i. Etym: [L. deliquia a flowing off, a gutter, deliquium a flowing down, fr. deliquare. See Deliquate.]

Defn: To melt and become liquid by absorbing water from the air; to deliquesce. Fourcroy.

DELIQUIATION De*liq`ui*a"tion, n.

Defn: The act of deliquating.

DELIQUIUM De*liq"ui*um, n. Etym: [L. See Deliquiate.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: A melting or dissolution in the air, or in a moist place; a liquid condition; as, a salt falls into a deliquium. [R.]

2. A sinking away; a swooning. [Obs.] Bacon.

3. A melting or maudlin mood. Carlyle.

DELIRACY De*lir"a*cy, n. Etym: [See Delirate.]

Defn: Delirium. [Obs.]

DELIRAMENT De*lir"a*ment, n. Etym: [L. deliramentum, fr. delirare. See Delirium.]

Defn: A wandering of the mind; a crazy fancy. [Obs.] Heywood.

DELIRANCY De*lir"an*cy, n.

Defn: Delirium. [Obs.] Gauden.

DELIRANT De*lir"ant, a. Etym: [L. delirans, -antis, p. pr. of delirare. See Delirium.]

Defn: Delirious. [Obs.] Owen.

DELIRATE De*lir"ate, v. t. & i. Etym: [L. deliratus, p. p. of delirare. See Delirium.]

Defn: To madden; to rave. [Obs.] An infatuating and delirating spirit in it. Holland.

DELIRATION Del`i*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. deliratio.]

Defn: Aberration of mind; delirium. J. Motley. Deliration or alienation of the understanding. Mede.

DELIRIANT De*lir"i*ant, n. Etym: [See Delirium.] (Med.)

Defn: A poison which occasions a persistent delirium, or mental aberration (as belladonna).

DELIRIFACIENT De*lir`i*fa"cient, a. Etym: [Delirium + L. faciens, -entis, p. pr. of facere to make.] (Med.)

Defn: Producing, or tending to produce, delirium. — n.

Defn: Any substance which tends to cause delirium.

DELIRIOUS De*lir"i*ous, a. Etym: [From Delirium.]

Defn: Having a delirium; wandering in mind; light-headed; insane; raving; wild; as, a delirious patient; delirious fancies. — De*lir"i*ous*ly, adv. — De*lir"i*ous*ness, n.

DELIRIUM De*lir"i*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. delirare to rave, to wander in mind, prop., to go out of the furrow in plowing; de- + lira furrow, track; perh. akin to G. geleise track, rut, and E. last to endure.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, — usually dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so distinguished from mania, or madness.

2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness. The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at first caught his enthusiastic mind. W. Irving. The delirium of the preceding session (of Parliament). Motley. Delirium tremens (. Etym: [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged use of intoxicating liquors. — Traumatic delirium (Med.), a variety of delirium following injury.

Syn. — Insanity; frenzy; madness; derangement; aberration; mania; lunacy; fury. See Insanity.

DELIT De*lit", n.

Defn: Delight. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DELITABLE De*lit"a*ble, a.

Defn: Delightful; delectable. [Obs.]

DELITESCENCE Del`i*tes"cence, n. Etym: [See Delitescent.]

1. Concealment; seclusion; retirement. The delitescence of mental activities. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. (Med.)

Defn: The sudden disappearance of inflammation.

DELITESCENCY Del`i*tes"cen*cy, n.

Defn: Concealment; seclusion. The mental organization of the novelist must be characterized, to speak craniologically, by an extraordinary development of the passion for delitescency. Sir W. Scott.

DELITESCENT Del`i*tes"cent, a. Etym: [L. delitescens, -entis, p. pr. of delitescere to lie hid.]

Defn: Lying hid; concealed.

DELITIGATE De*lit"i*gate, v. i. Etym: [L. delitigare to rail. See Litigate.]

Defn: To chide; to rail heartily. [Obs.]

DELITIGATION De*lit`i*ga"tion, n.

Defn: Chiding; brawl. [Obs.]

DELIVER De*liv"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delivered; p. pr. & vb. n. Delivering.] Etym: [F. délivrer, LL. deliberare to liberate, give over, fr. L. de + liberare to set free. See Liberate.]

1. To set free from restraint; to set at liberty; to release; to liberate, as from control; to give up; to free; to save; to rescue from evil actual or feared; — often with from or out of; as, to deliver one from captivity, or from fear of death. He that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. Ezek. xxxiii. 5. Promise was that I Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver. Milton.

2. To give or transfer; to yield possession or control of; to part with (to); to make over; to commit; to surrender; to resign; — often with up or over, to or into. Thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand. Gen. xl. 13. The constables have delivered her over. Shak. The exalted mind All sense of woe delivers to the wind. Pope.

3. To make over to the knowledge of another; to communicate; to utter; to speak; to impart. Till he these words to him deliver might. Spenser. Whereof the former delivers the precepts of the art, and the latter the perfection. Bacon.

4. To give forth in action or exercise; to discharge; as, to deliver a blow; to deliver a broadside, or a ball. Shaking his head and delivering some show of tears. Sidney. An uninstructed bowler . . . thinks to attain the jack by delivering his bowl straightforward. Sir W. Scott.

5. To free from, or disburden of, young; to relieve of a child in childbirth; to bring forth; — often with of. She was delivered safe and soon. Gower. Tully was long ere he could be delivered of a few verses, and those poor ones. Peacham.

6. To discover; to show. [Poetic] I 'll deliver Myself your loyal servant. Shak.

7. To deliberate. [Obs.] Chaucer.

8. To admit; to allow to pass. [Obs.] Bacon.

Syn. — To Deliver, Give Forth, Discharge, Liberate, Pronounce, Utter. Deliver denotes, literally, to set free. Hence the term is extensively applied to cases where a thing is made to pass from a confined state to one of greater freedom or openness. Hence it may, in certain connections, be used as synonymous with any or all of the above-mentioned words, as will be seen from the following examples: One who delivers a package gives it forth; one who delivers a cargo discharges it; one who delivers a captive liberates him; one who delivers a message or a discourse utters or pronounces it; when soldiers deliver their fire, they set it free or give it forth.

DELIVER De*liv"er, a. Etym: [OF. delivre free, unfettered. See Deliver, v. t.]

Defn: Free; nimble; sprightly; active. [Obs.] Wonderly deliver and great of strength. Chaucer.

DELIVERABLE De*liv"er*a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being, or about to be, delivered; necessary to be delivered. Hale.

DELIVERANCE De*liv"er*ance, n. Etym: [F. délivrance, fr. délivrer.]

1. The act of delivering or freeing from restraint, captivity, peril, and the like; rescue; as, the deliverance of a captive. He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives. Luke iv. 18. One death or one deliverance we will share. Dryden.

2. Act of bringing forth children. [Archaic] Shak.

3. Act of speaking; utterance. [Archaic] Shak.

Note: In this and in the preceding sense delivery is the word more commonly used.

4. The state of being delivered, or freed from restraint. I do desire deliverance from these officers. Shak.

5. Anything delivered or communicated; esp., an opinion or decision expressed publicly. [Scot.]

6. (Metaph.)

Defn: Any fact or truth which is decisively attested or intuitively known as a psychological or philosophical datum; as, the deliverance of consciousness.

DELIVERER De*liv"er*er, n.

1. One who delivers or rescues; a preserver.

2. One who relates or communicates.

DELIVERESS De*liv"er*ess, n.

Defn: A female de [R.] Evelyn.

DELIVERLY De*liv"er*ly, adv.

Defn: Actively; quickly; nimbly. [Obs.] Swim with your bodies, And carry it sweetly and deliverly. Beau. & Fl.

DELIVERNESS De*liv"er*ness, n.

Defn: Nimbleness; agility. [Obs.]

DELIVERY De*liv"er*y, n.; pl. Deliveries (.

1. The act of delivering from restraint; rescue; release; liberation; as, the delivery of a captive from his dungeon.

2. The act of delivering up or over; surrender; transfer of the body or substance of a thing; distribution; as, the delivery of a fort, of hostages, of a criminal, of goods, of letters.

3. The act or style of utterance; manner of speaking; as, a good delivery; a clear delivery.

4. The act of giving birth; parturition; the expulsion or extraction of a fetus and its membranes.

5. The act of exerting one's strength or limbs. Neater limbs and freer delivery. Sir H. Wotton.

6. The act or manner of delivering a ball; as, the pitcher has a swift delivery.

DELL Dell, n. Etym: [AS. del, akin to E. dale; cf. D. delle, del, low ground. See Dale.]

1. A small, retired valley; a ravine. In dells and dales, concealed from human sight. Tickell.

2. A young woman; a wench. [Obs.] Sweet doxies and dells. B. Jonson.

DELLA CRUSCA Del"la Crus"ca.

Defn: A shortened form of Academia della Crusca, an academy in Florescence, Italy, founded in the 16th century, especially for conversing the purity of the Italian language.

Note: The Accademia della Crusca (literally, academy of the bran or chaff) was so called in allusion to its chief object of bolting or purifying the national language.

DELLACRUSCAN Del`la*crus"can, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Accademia della Crusca in Florence. The Dellacruscan School, a name given in satire to a class of affected English writers, most of whom lived in Florence, about a. d. 1785.

DELOO De"loo, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The duykerbok.

DELOUL De*loul", n. Etym: [Prob. of Arabic or Bedouin origin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A special breed of the dromedary used for rapid traveling; the swift camel; — called also herire, and maharik.

DELPH Delph, n.

Defn: Delftware. Five nothings in five plates of delph. Swift.

DELPH Delph, n. (Hydraul. Engin.)

Defn: The drain on the land side of a sea embankment. Knight.

DELPHIAN Del"phi*an, a.

Defn: Delphic.

DELPHIC Del"phic, a. Etym: [L. Delphicus, fr. Gr. Delphi, a town of Phocis, in Greece, now Kastri.] (Gr. Antiq.)

1. Of or relating to Delphi, or to the famous oracle of that place.

2. Ambiguous; mysterious. "If he is silent or delphic." New York Times.

DELPHIN; DELPHINE Del"phin, Del"phine, a. Etym: [See Dauphin.]

Defn: Pertaining to the dauphin of France; as, the Delphin classics, an edition of the Latin classics, prepared in the reign of Louis XIV., for the use of the dauphin (in usum Delphini).

DELPHIN Del"phin, n. Etym: [L. delphinus a dolphin.] (Chem.)

Defn: A fatty substance contained in the oil of the dolphin and the porpoise; — called also phocenin.

DELPHINE Del"phine, a. Etym: [L. delphinus a dolphin, Gr.

Defn: Pertaining to the dolphin, a genus of fishes.

DELPHINIC Del*phin"ic, a. Etym: [See Delphin, n.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the dolphin; phocenic. Delphinic acid. (Chem.) See Valeric acid, under Valeric. [Obs.]

DELPHINIC Del*phin"ic, a. Etym: [From NL. Delphinium, the name of the genus.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the larkspur; specifically, relating to the stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria).

DELPHININE Del"phi*nine (; 104), n. Etym: [Cf. F. delphinine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A poisonous alkaloid extracted from the stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria), as a colorless amorphous powder.

DELPHINOID Del"phi*noid, a. Etym: [L. delphinus a dolphin + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, the dolphin.

DELPHINOIDEA Del`phi*noi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The division of Cetacea which comprises the dolphins, porpoises, and related forms.

DELPHINUS Del*phi"nus, n. Etym: [L., a dolphin, fr. Gr.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of Cetacea, including the dolphin. See Dolphin,

1.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: The Dolphin, a constellation near the equator and east of Aquila.

DELSARTE; DELSARTE SYSTEM Del*sarte", n., or Delsarte system.

Defn: A system of calisthenics patterned on the theories of François Delsarte (1811 — 71), a French teacher of dramatic and musical expression.

DELTA Del"ta, n.; pl. Deltas. Etym: [Gr. Delta of the Nile.]

Defn: A tract of land shaped like the letter delta (as, the delta of the Ganges, of the Nile, or of the Mississippi.

DELTA CONNECTION Delta connection. (Elec.)

Defn: One of the usual forms or methods for connecting apparatus to a three-phase circuit, the three corners of the delta or triangle, as diagrammatically represented, being connected to the three wires of the supply circuit.

DELTA CURRENT Delta current. (Elec.)

Defn: The current flowing through a delta connection.

DELTAFICATION Del`ta*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Delta + L. facere to make.]

Defn: The formation of a delta or of deltas. [R.]

DELTAIC Del*ta"ic, a.

Defn: Relating to, or like, a delta.

DELTHYRIS Del*thy"ris, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. de`lta the name of the letter thy`ra door.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A name formerly given to certain Silurian brachiopod shells of the genus Spirifer. Delthyris limestone (Geol.), one of the divisions of the Upper Silurian rocks in New York.

DELTIC Del"tic, a.

Defn: Deltaic.

DELTIDIUM Del*tid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. de`lta, the letter (Zoöl.)

Defn: The triangular space under the beak of many brachiopod shells.

DELTOHEDRON Del`to*he"dron, n. Etym: [Gr. de`lta, the letter 'e`dra seat, base.] (Crystallog.)

Defn: A solid bounded by twelve quadrilateral faces. It is a hemihedral form of the isometric system, allied to the tetrahedron.

DELTOID Del"toid, a. Etym: [Gr. deltoeidh`s delta-shaped; de`lta the name of the letter ei^dos form: cf. F. deltoïde. See Delta.]

Defn: Shaped like the Greek Deltoid leaf (Bot.), a leaf in the form of a triangle with the stem inserted at the middle of the base. — Deltoid muscle (Anat.), a triangular muscle in the shoulder which serves to move the arm directly upward.

DELUDABLE De*lud"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being deluded; liable to be imposed on gullible. Sir T. Browne.

DELUDE De*lude", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Deluding.] Etym: [L. deludere, delusum; de- + ludere to play, make sport of, mock. See Ludicrous.]

1. To lead from truth or into error; to mislead the mind or judgment of to beguile; to impose on; to dupe; to make a fool of. To delude the nation by an airy phantom. Burke.

2. To frustrate or disappoint. It deludes thy search. Dryden.

Syn. — To mislead; deceive; beguile; cajole; cheat; dupe. See Deceive.

DELUDER De*lud"er, n.

Defn: One who deludes; a deceiver; an impostor.

DELUGE Del"uge, n. Etym: [F. déluge, L. diluvium, fr. diluere wash away; di- = dis- + luere, equiv. to lavare to wash. See Lave, and cf. Diluvium.]

1. A washing away; an overflowing of the land by water; an inundation; a flood; specifically, The Deluge, the great flood in the days of Noah (Gen. vii.).

2. Fig.: Anything which overwhelms, or causes great destruction. "The deluge of summer." Lowell. A fiery deluge fed With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed. Milton. As I grub up some quaint old fragment of a [London] street, or a house, or a shop, or tomb or burial ground, which has still survived in the deluge. F. Harrison. After me the deluge. (Aprés moi le déluge.) Madame de Pompadour.

DELUGE Del"uge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deluged; p. pr. & vb. n. Deluging.]

1. To overflow with water; to inundate; to overwhelm. The deluged earth would useless grow. Blackmore.

2. To overwhelm, as with a deluge; to cover; to overspread; to overpower; to submerge; to destroy; as, the northern nations deluged the Roman empire with their armies; the land is deluged with woe. At length corruption, like a general fldeluge all. Pope.

DELUNDUNG De*lun"dung, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An East Indian carnivorous mammal (Prionodon gracilis), resembling the civets, but without scent pouches. It is handsomely spotted.

DELUSION De*lu"sion n. Etym: [L. delusio, fr. deludere. See Delude.]

1. The act of deluding; deception; a misleading of the mind. Pope.

2. The state of being deluded or misled.

3. That which is falsely or delusively believed or propagated; false belief; error in belief. And fondly mourned the dear delusion gone. Prior.

Syn. — Delusion, Illusion. These words both imply some deception practiced upon the mind. Delusion is deception from want of knowledge; illusion is deception from morbid imagination. An illusion is a false show, a mere cheat on the fancy or senses. It is, in other words, some idea or image presented to the bodily or mental vision which does not exist in reality. A delusion is a false judgment, usually affecting the real concerns of life. Or, in other words, it is an erroneous view of something which exists indeed, but has by no means the qualities or attributes ascribed to it. Thus we speak of the illusions of fancy, the illusions of hope, illusive prospects, illusive appearances, etc. In like manner, we speak of the delusions of stockjobbing, the delusions of honorable men, delusive appearances in trade, of being deluded by a seeming excellence. "A fanatic, either religious or political, is the subject of strong delusions; while the term illusion is applied solely to the visions of an uncontrolled imagination, the chimerical ideas of one blinded by hope, passion, or credulity, or lastly, to spectral and other ocular deceptions, to which the word delusion is never applied." Whately.