Part 68

DEFEND, de-fend', _v.t._ to keep off anything hurtful: to guard or protect: to maintain against attack: (_obs._) to prohibit, forbid: (_law_) to resist, as a claim: to contest.--_adj._ DEFEND'ABLE, that may be defended.--_ns._ DEFEND'ANT, a defender: (_law_) a person accused or sued; DEFENDEE', one who is defended; DEFEND'ER; DEFEN'SATIVE, a protection; DEFENSIBIL'ITY.--_adjs._ DEFENS'IBLE, that may be defended; DEFENS'IVE, DEFEN'SORY, serving to defend: in a state or posture of defence.--_n._ that which defends: posture of defence.--_adv._ DEFENS'IVELY.--DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, a title borne by the sovereigns of England since Henry VIII., on whom it was conferred in 1521 for his book against Luther.--BE ON THE DEFENSIVE, to be in the position to defend one's self. [L. _defend[)e]re_, _defensum_, to ward off--_de_, off, and obs. _fend[)e]re_, to strike.]

DEFER, de-f[.e]r', _v.t._ to put off to another time: to delay:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_ns._ DEFER'MENT; DEFER'RER, a procrastinator.--DEFERRED ANNUITY (see ANNUITY); DEFERRED PAY, an allowance paid to soldiers on their discharge, or to their relations on their death; DEFERRED SHARES, shares issued by a trading company, but not entitling the holder to a full share of the profits of the company, and sometimes to none at all, until the expiration of a specified time or the occurrence of some event. [L. _differre_--_dis_, asunder, _ferre_, to bear, carry.]

DEFER, de-f[.e]r, _v.i._ to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.--_v.t._ to submit to or lay before:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_n._ DEF'ERENCE, a deferring or yielding in judgment or opinion: regard: submission.--_adj._ DEF'ERENT, bearing away, carrying off.--_n._ a deferent duct (as opposed to an _afferent_ one) in the human body.--_adj._ DEFEREN'TIAL, expressing deference or respect.--_adv._ DEFEREN'TIALLY. [L. _deferre_--_de_, down, and _ferre_, to bear.]

DEFERVESCENCE, de-fer-ves'ens, _n._ abatement of heat: coolness: decrease of feverish symptoms.--Also DEFERVES'CENCY. [L. _defervesc[)e]re_, to cease boiling--_de_, down, and _fervesc[)e]re_, from _ferv[=e]re_, to boil.]

DEFEUDALISE, d[=e]-f[=u]'dal-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of feudal character.

DEFFLY (_Spens._). For DEFTLY.

DEFIANCE, de-f[=i]'ans, _n._ the act of defying: a challenge to combat: aggressiveness: contempt of opposition.--_adj._ DEF[=I]'ANT, full of defiance, insolently bold.--_adv._ DEF[=I]'ANTLY.--_n._ DEF[=I]'ANTNESS.--_adj._ DEF[=I]'ATORY, bidding defiance.--BID DEFIANCE TO, to defy.

DEFIBRINATE, de-f[=i]'bri-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of fibrine--also DEF[=I]'BRINISE.--_n._ DEFIBRIN[=A]'TION.

DEFICIENT, de-fish'ent, _adj._ wanting.--_n._ DEFIC'IENCY (sometimes DEFIC'IENCE), defect.--_adv._ DEFIC'IENTLY.--_ns._ DEFIC'IENTNESS; DEF'ICIT, deficiency, esp. of revenue, as compared with expenditure. [L., _defic[)e]re_.]

DEFILE, d[=e]-f[=i]l', or d[=e]'f[=i]l, _v.i._ to march off in file or line, or file by file.--_n._ a long narrow pass or way, in which troops can march only in file, or with a narrow front.--_v.t._ DEFIL[=A]DE', to plan a fortification so as to protect it from enfilading fire.--_n._ DEFILE'MENT. [Fr. _d['e]filer_--L. _dis_, and _filum_, a thread.]

DEFILE, de-f[=i]l', _v.t._ to pollute or corrupt: to violate.--_ns._ DEFILE'MENT, act of defiling: foulness; DEFIL'ER. [L. _de_, and A.S. _f['y]lan_, _f['u]l_, foul.]

DEFILIATION, de-fil-i-[=a]'shun, _n._ depriving a parent of his child. [L. _de_, neg., and _filius_, a son.]

DEFINE, de-f[=i]n', _v.t._ to fix the bounds or limits of: to determine with precision: to describe accurately: to fix the meaning of.--_adj._ DEFIN'ABLE, that may be defined.--_n._ DEFINE'MENT (_Shak._), description.--_adj._ DEF'INITE, defined: having distinct limits: fixed: exact: clear.--_adv._ DEF'INITELY.--_ns._ DEF'INITENESS; DEFINI'TION, a defining: a description of a thing by its properties: an explanation of the exact meaning of a word, term, or phrase.--_adj._ DEFIN'ITIVE, defining or limiting: positive: final.--_n._ (_gram._) an adjective used to limit the signification of a noun.--_adv._ DEFIN'ITIVELY.--_ns._ DEFIN'ITIVENESS; DEFIN'ITUDE, definitiveness. [Fr.,--L. _defin[=i]re_, _-[=i]tum_, to set bounds to--_de_, _finis_, a limit.]

DEFLAGRATE, def'la-gr[=a]t, _v.i._ or _v.t._ to burn down: to burn rapidly.--_ns._ DEFLAGRABIL'ITY, combustibility; DEFLAGR[=A]'TION; DEF'LAGRATOR, a galvanic instrument for producing rapid combustion. [L. _deflagr[=a]re_--_de_, down, _flagr[=a]re_, to burn.]

DEFLECT, de-flekt', _v.i._ or _v.t._ to turn aside: to swerve or deviate from a right line or proper course.--_p.adj._ DEFLECT'ED (_bot._), bent abruptly downward.--_ns._ DEFLEC'TION, DEFLEX'ION, deviation.--_adj._ DEFLEC'TIVE, causing deflection.--_n._ DEFLEC'TOR, a diaphragm in a lamp, stove, &c., by which the flame and gases are brought together and the combustion improved.--_v.t._ DEFLEX' (_zool._, _bot._), to bend down.--_adj._ DEFLEXED'.--_n._ DEFLEX'URE, deviation. [L. _de_, from, and _flect[)e]re_, _flexum_, to bend, turn.]

DEFLORATE, de-fl[=o]'r[=a]t, _adj._ past the flowering state, as an anther after it has shed its pollen.--_n._ DEFLOR[=A]'TION, the act of deflowering.

DEFLOWER, DEFLOUR, de-flowr', _v.t._ to deprive of flowers: to deprive of grace and beauty: to ravish.--_n._ DEFLOW'ERER. [O. Fr. _deflorer_--Low L. _deflor[=a]re_, to strip flowers off--L. _de_, neg., _flos_, _floris_, a flower.]

DEFLUENT, def'l[=oo]-ent, _adj._ running down, decurrent.--_n._ DEFLUX'ION, a discharge of fluid in the body. [L. _deflu[)e]re_--_de_, down, _flu[)e]re_, _fluxum_, to flow.]

DEFOLIATE, de-f[=o]'li-[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of leaves.--_adjs._ DEF[=O]'LIATE, -D.--_ns._ DEFOLI[=A]'TION, the falling off of leaves: the time of shedding leaves; DEF[=O]'LIATOR. [Low L. _defoli[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, off, _folium_, a leaf.]

DEFORCE, de-f[=o]rs', _v.t._ (_law_) to keep out of possession by force: (_Scots law_) to resist an officer of the law in the execution of his duty.--_ns._ DEFORCE'MENT; DEFORC'IANT, one who deforces; DEFORCI[=A]'TION, a legal distress. [Fr. _de_ = L. _dis_, and _force_.]

DEFOREST, de-for'est, _v.t._ to disforest: to deprive of forests.--_n._ DEFOREST[=A]'TION.

DEFORM, de-form', _v.t._ to alter or injure the form of: to disfigure.--_adj._ (_Milt._) hideous, unshapely.--_n._ DEFORM[=A]'TION.--_p.adj._ DEFORMED', misshapen.--_adv._ DEFORM'EDLY.--_ns._ DEFORMED'NESS; DEFORM'ER; DEFORM'ITY, state of being deformed: want of proper form: ugliness: disfigurement: anything that destroys beauty: an ugly feature or characteristic. [L. _deformis_, ugly--_de_, from, _forma_, beauty.]

DEFOUL, de-fowl', _v.t._ to defile. [A.S. _f['u]l_, foul, whence by vowel change of _['u]_ to _['y]_, _f['y]lan_.]

DEFRAUD, de-frawd', _v.t._ to deprive of by fraud: to withhold wrongfully: to cheat or deceive.--_ns._ DEFRAUD'MENT, DEFRAUD[=A]'TION. [L. _defraud[=a]re_--_de_, from, and _fraus_, _fraudis_, fraud.]

DEFRAY, de-fr[=a]', _v.t._ to discharge the expenses of anything: to pay: (_Spens._) to appease:--_pr.p._ defray'ing; _pa.p._ defrayed'.--_ns._ DEFRAY'MENT, DEFRAY'AL. [O. Fr. _defrayer_--_de_, and _frais_, expense--Low L. _fractum_, breakage, damage, expense.]

DEFT, deft, _adj._ handy, clever.--_adv._ DEFT'LY.--_n._ DEFT'NESS. [M. E. _defte_, _dafte_, simple, meek; A.S. _ge-daefte_, meek--_daeftan_, _gedaeftan_, prepare, make fit; the stem appears in _ge-daf-en_, to fit.]

DEFUNCT, de-funkt', _adj._ having finished the course of life, dead.--_n._ a dead person.--_n._ DEFUNC'TION (_Shak._), death.--_adj._ DEFUNC'TIVE (_Shak._), pertaining to the dead. [L. _defungi_, _defunctus_, to finish--_de_, and _fungi_, to perform.]

DEFY, de-f[=i]', _v.t._ to challenge: to brave: (_obs._) to discard, dislike:--_pr.p._ defy'ing; _pa.p._ defied'.--_n._ (_Dryden_) a defiance.--_n._ DEF[=I]'ER. [O. Fr. _defier_--Low L. _diffid[=a]re_, to renounce faith or allegiance--L. _dis_, asunder, and _f[=i]d[)e]re_, to trust--_f[)i]des_, faith.]

D['E]GAG['E], d[=a]-ga-zh[=a]', _adj._ unembarrassed, unconstrained, easy. [Pa.p. of Fr. _d['e]gager_, to disentangle.]

DEGAR'NISH = DISGARNISH (q.v.).

DEGENERATE, de-jen'[.e]r-[=a]t, _adj._ having departed from the high qualities of race or kind: become base--also DEGEN'EROUS (_obs._).--_v.i._ to fall from a nobler state: to be or to grow worse.--_v.i._ DEGEN'DER (_Spens._), to degenerate.--_ns._ DEGEN'ERACY, DEGENER[=A]'TION, the act or process of becoming degenerate: the state of being degenerate.--_adv._ DEGEN'ERATELY.--_n._ DEGEN'ERATENESS.--_adj._ DEGEN'ERATING.--_n._ DEGENER[=A]'TIONIST, one who believes that the tendency of man is not to improve, but to degenerate.--_adj._ DEGEN'ERATIVE, tending or causing to degenerate. [L. _degener[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to depart from its kind--_de_, from, down, _genus_, _gen[)e]ris_, kind.]

DEGERMINATOR, de-j[.e]r'mi-n[=a]-tor, _n._ an apparatus for splitting grains and removing the germs. [L. _de_, neg., and _germen_, a germ.]

DEGLUTINATE, de-gl[=oo]'tin-[=a]t, _v.t._ to separate things that are glued together by softening the glue:--_pr.p._ deglu'tin[=a]ting; _pa.p._ deglu'tin[=a]ted. [L. _deglutin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, neg., and _glutin[=a]re_--_gluten_, glue.]

DEGLUTITION, deg-l[=oo]-tish'un, _n._ the act or power of swallowing.--_adjs._ DEGLU'TITIVE, DEGLU'TITORY. [Fr.,--L. _de_, down, and _glut[=i]re_, to swallow. See GLUT.]

DEGRADE, de-gr[=a]d', _v.t._ to lower in grade or rank: to deprive of office or dignity: to lower in character, value, or position: to disgrace.--_n._ DEGRAD[=A]'TION, disgrace: degeneration: abortive structural development: a lowering in dignity.--_p.adjs._ DEGRAD'ED, reduced in rank: base: low: (_her._) placed on steps; DEGRAD'ING, debasing: disgraceful. [Fr. _d['e]grader_--L. _de_, down, and _gradus_, a step. See GRADE.]

DEGREE, de-gr[=e]', _n._ a grade or step: one of a series of advances: relative position: rank: extent: a mark of distinction conferred by universities, whether earned by examination or granted as a mark of honour: the 360th part of a circle: 60 geographical miles: nearness of relationship: comparative amount of guilt: one of the three stages (_positive_, _comparative_, _superlative_) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.--BY DEGREES, by little and little, gradually; FORBIDDEN DEGREES, the degrees of consanguinity and affinity within which it is not permitted to marry; SONGS OF DEGREES, or _Songs of ascents_, Psalms cxx.-cxxxiv., either because sung by the Jews returning from captivity, or by the Jews coming up annually to attend the feasts at Jerusalem; TO A DEGREE, to a great degree, to an extreme. [Fr. _degr['e]_--L. _de_, _gradus_, a step.]

DEGUST, d[=e]-gust', _v.t._ to taste, to relish.--_v.i._ to have a relishing taste.--_v.t._ DEGUST'[=A]TE (same as DEGUST).--_n._ DEGUST[=A]'TION, the act of tasting. [L. _de_, down, and _gust[=a]re_, to taste.]

DEHISCE, d[=e]-his', _v.i._ to gape, to open as the capsules of a plant.--_n._ DEHIS'CENCE.--_adj._ DEHIS'CENT. [L. _dehiscens_, pr.p. of _dehisc[)e]re_--_de_, inten., and _hisc[)e]re_, to gape.]

DEHORT, de-hort', _v.t._ to exhort from, to dissuade.--_n._ DEHORT[=A]'TION, dissuasion.--_adjs._ DEHOR'TATIVE, DEHOR'TATORY, dissuasive.--_n._ DEHORT'ER. [L. _dehort[=a]ri_--_de_, neg., and _hort[=a]ri_, to exhort.]

DEHUMANISE, de-h[=u]'ma-n[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of specifically human qualities. [L. _de_, neg., and _humanise_.]

DEHYDRATE, de-h[=i]'dr[=a]t, _v.t._ to deprive of water, chemically.--_v.i._ to lose water.--_n._ DEHYDR[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, neg., Gr. _hyd[=o]r_.]

DEICIDE, d[=e]'i-s[=i]d, _n._ the killing of a god: the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [From a supposed Low L. form _deicidium_--_deus_, a god, and _caed[)e]re_, to kill.]

DEICTIC, d[=i]k'tik, _adj._ proving directly.--_adv._ DEIC'TICALLY. [Gr. _deiktikos_--_deiknynai_, to show.]

DEID-THRAW, d[=e]d'-thraw, _n._ (_Scot_.) death-throe.

DEIFY, d[=e]'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to exalt to the rank of a god: to worship as a deity: to make god-like:--_pr.p._ d[=e]'ifying; _pa.p._ d[=e]'ified.--_adjs._--DEIF'IC, -AL, making god-like or divine.--_n._ DEIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of deifying: a deified embodiment.--_adj._ D[=E]'IFORM, god-like in form or character. [Fr. _d['e]ifier_--L. _deific[=a]re_--_deus_, a god, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

DEIGN, d[=a]n, _v.i._ to condescend.--_v.t._ to give: to allow: (_obs._) to favour. [Fr. _daigner_--L. _dign[=a]ri_, to think worthy--_dignus_, worthy.]

DEIL, d[=e]l, Scotch form of _devil_.

DEINOTHERIUM, d[=i]-no-th[=e]'ri-um, _n._ = DINOTHERIUM.

DEIPAROUS, d[=e]-ip'a-rus, _adj._ bearing a god--of the Virgin. [L. _deus_, a god, _par[)e]re_, to bring forth.]

DEIPNOSOPHIST, d[=i]p-nos'[=o]-fist, _n._ one who converses learnedly at dinner, a table-philosopher--from the title of a work by Athenaeus. [Gr. _deipnon_, dinner, _sophist[=e]s_--_sophos_, wise.]

DEIST, d[=e]'ist, _n._ one who believes in the existence of God, but not in revealed religion.--_n._ D[=E]'ISM, the creed of a deist.--_adjs._ DEIST'IC, -AL.--_adv._ DEIST'ICALLY. [Fr. _d['e]iste_, _d['e]isme_--L. _deus_, a god.]

DEITY, d[=e]'i-ti, _n._ the divinity: godhead: a god or goddess: the Supreme Being. [Fr.,--Low L. _deitas_--L. _deus_, god; Sans. _deva_--_div_, to shine.]

DEJECT, de-jekt', _v.t._ to cast down the countenance or spirits of.--_adj._ (_Shak._) cast down.--_adj._ DEJECT'ED, cast down: dispirited.--_adv._ DEJECT'EDLY.--_ns._ DEJECT'EDNESS; DEJEC'TION, lowness of spirits: (_pl._) faecal discharge (also _dejecta_).--_adj._ DEJEC'TORY, promoting evacuations. [L. _dejic[)e]re_, _-jectum_--_de_, down, _jac[)e]re_, to cast.]

DELAINE, d[=e]-l[=a]n', _n._ an untwilled light dress material, originally of wool--also _Muslin-de-laine_.

DELAPSE, d[=e]-laps', _v.i._ (_obs._) to sink down.--_n._ DELAP'SION.

DELATE, de-l[=a]t', _v.t._ to carry on: to publish: to charge with a crime.--_ns._ DEL[=A]'TION; DELAT'OR. [L. _deferre_, _del[=a]tum_, to bring a report against, to inform--_de_, inten., _ferre_, to bear.]

DELAY, de-l[=a]', _v.t._ to put off to another time: to defer: to hinder or retard.--_v.i._ to pause, linger, or put off time.--_n._ a putting off or deferring: a lingering: hinderance:--_pr.p._ delay'ing; _pa.p._ delayed'.--_n._ DELAY'ER.--_adv._ DELAY'INGLY. [O. Fr. _delaier_--L. _differre_, _dil[=a]tum_--_dis_, apart, _ferre_, to carry.]

DELAY, de-l[=a]', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to temper, dilute, weaken. [Fr. _d['e]layer_, dilute--L. _deliqu[=a]re_, clarify.]

DELE, d[=e]'l[=e], _v.t._, delete, efface, a direction in proof-reading to remove a superfluous letter or word, usually marked thus [Dele symbol].--_adjs._ DEL'EBLE, DEL'IBLE, that can be deleted. [L., imper. of _del[=e]re_, to delete.]

DELECTABLE, de-lekt'a-bl, _adj._ delightful: pleasing.--_n._ DELECT'ABLENESS.--_adv._ DELECT'ABLY.--_n._ DELECT[=A]'TION, delight. [Fr.,--L. _delectabilis_--_delect[=a]re_, to delight.]

DELEGATE, del'e-g[=a]t, _v.t._ to send as a legate or representative: to entrust or commit to.--_n._ one who is delegated: a deputy or representative: (_U.S._) a person elected to represent a territory in congress, as distinguished from the representatives of the States.--_adj._ delegated, deputed.--_ns._ DELEG[=A]'TION, DEL'EGACY, a delegating: the persons delegated. [L. _de_, away, and _legare_, _-[=a]tum_, to send as ambassador.]

DELETE, de-l[=e]t', _v.t._ to blot out: to erase: to destroy.--_n.pl._ DELEN'DA, things to be deleted or erased.--_n._ DEL[=E]'TION.--_adjs._ DEL[=E]'TIVE, DEL[=E]'TORY. [L. _del[=e]re_, _del[=e]tum_, to blot out.]

DELETERIOUS, del-e-t[=e]'ri-us, _adj._ tending to destroy life: hurtful or destructive: poisonous.--_adv._ DELET[=E]'RIOUSLY.--_n._ DELET[=E]'RIOUSNESS. [Gr. _d[=e]l[=e]t[=e]rios_, hurtful--_deleisthai_, to hurt.]

DELF, delf, _n._ a contraction for DELFT'WARE, a kind of earthenware originally made at _Delft_, Holland.

DELF, delf, _n._ a drain, ditch: (_her._) a charge representing a square sod. [A.S. _daelf_--_delfan_, to dig.]

DELIAN, d[=e]'li-an, _adj._ pertaining to _Delos_ in the Aegean Sea, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

DELIBATE, del'i-b[=a]t, _v.t._ (_obs._) to sip.--_n._ DELIB[=A]'TION.

DELIBERATE, de-lib'[.e]r-[=a]t, _v.t._ to weigh well in one's mind.--_v.i._ to consider the reasons for and against anything: to reflect: to consider.--_adj._ well considered: considering carefully: slow in determining: cautious.--_adv._ DELIB'ERATELY.--_ns._ DELIB'ERATENESS; DELIBER[=A]'TION, the act of deliberating: mature reflection: calmness: coolness.--_adj._ DELIB'ERATIVE, proceeding or acting by deliberation.--_adv._ DELIB'ERATIVELY. [L. _deliber[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, inten., and _libr[=a]re_, to weigh--_libra_, a balance.]

DELICATE, del'i-k[=a]t, _adj._ pleasing to the senses, esp. the taste: dainty: nicely discriminating or perceptive: of a fine, slight texture or constitution: tender: frail, not robust: requiring nice handling: refined in manners: gentle, polite, considerate: luxurious.--_n._ DEL'ICACY, state or quality of being delicate: refinement: nicety: tenderness, weakness: luxuriousness: anything delicate or dainty.--_adv._ DEL'ICATELY, in a delicate manner: (_B._) luxuriously.--_n._ DEL'ICATENESS, state of being delicate: (_B._) delicacy, luxury.--_n.pl._ DEL'ICATES (_B._), delicacies. [L. _delic[=a]tus_--_deliciae_, allurements, luxury--_delic[)e]re_--_de_, inten., _lac[)e]re_, to entice.]

DELICE, del'is, _n._ (_Spens._) flower delice, the iris. [See FLEUR-DE-LIS.]

DELICIOUS, de-lish'us, _adj._ full of delicacies: highly pleasing to the senses: affording exquisite pleasure.--_n._ DEL'ICE, (_Spens._), delight: a delight or delightful thing.--_adv._ DELI'CIOUSLY, in a delicious manner: (_B._) luxuriously.--_n._ DELI'CIOUSNESS. [L. _deliciosus_--_deliciae_.]

DELICT, de-likt', _n._ a transgression, a misdemeanour. [L. _delictum_, an offence--_de_, and _linqu[)e]re_, to leave.]

DELIGATION, del-i-g[=a]'shun, _n._ a binding up, ligature.

DELIGHT, de-l[=i]t', _v.t._ to please highly.--_v.i._ to have or take great pleasure: to be greatly pleased.--_n._ a high degree of pleasure: extreme satisfaction: that which gives great pleasure.--_p.adj._ DELIGHT'ED, greatly pleased: (_Shak._) delightful.--_adjs._ DELIGHT'FUL, DELIGHT'SOME, full of delight.--_adv._ DELIGHT'FULLY.--_n._ DELIGHT'FULNESS.--_adj._ DELIGHT'LESS, affording no delight. [O. Fr. _deliter_--L. _delect[=a]re_, inten. of _delic[)e]re_.]

DELILAH, d[=e]-l[=i]'la, _n._ the Philistine woman who befooled Samson: a courtesan who seduces a man to betray secrets: a light woman, strumpet.--Also DAL[=I]'LA.

DELIMIT, de-lim'it, _v.t._ to fix or mark the limit of.--_n._ DELIMIT[=A]'TION.

DELINEATE, de-lin'e-[=a]t, _v.t._ to mark out with lines: to represent by a sketch or picture: to portray: to describe accurately in words.--_adj._ DELIN'EABLE.--_ns._ DELINE[=A]'TION, the act of delineating: a sketch, representation, or description (sometimes DELIN'EAMENT); DELIN'EATOR. [L. _deline[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, down, and _linea_, a line.]

DELINQUENT, de-ling'kwent, _adj._ failing in duty.--_n._ one who fails in or leaves his duty: a transgressor: a criminal.--_n._ DELIN'QUENCY, failure in or omission of duty: a fault: a crime.--_adv._ DELIN'QUENTLY. [L. _delinquens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _delinqu[)e]re_--_de_, inten., and _linqu[)e]re_, to leave.]

DELIQUESCE, del-i-kwes', _v.i._ to melt and become liquid by absorbing moisture, as certain salts, &c.--_v.i._ and _v.t._ DEL'IQUATE, DELIQ'UIATE, to melt.--_ns._ DELIQUES'CENCE, DELIQUI[=A]'TION.--_adj._ DELIQUES'CENT, liquefying in the air. [L. _deliquesc[)e]re_--_de_, inten., _liquesc[)e]re_, to become fluid--_liqu[=e]re_, to be fluid.]

DELIQUIUM, de-lik'wi-um, _n._ liquefaction by absorption of moisture. [Fr.,--Low L. _deliquium_--L. _de_, down, and _liqu[=e]re_, to melt.]

DELIRIOUS, de-lir'i-us, _adj._ wandering in mind: light-headed: insane.--_n._ DELIR[=A]'TION, madness, an aberration.--_adj._ DELIRIF[=A]'CIENT, producing delirium.--_n._ any substance with this quality.--_adv._ DELIR'IOUSLY.--_ns._ DELIR'IOUSNESS; DELIR'IUM, state of being delirious: strong excitement: wild enthusiasm.--DELIRIUM TREMENS, a delirious disorder of the brain produced by excessive drinking, and often marked by convulsive or trembling symptoms. [L. _delirus_, crazy--_de_, from, and _lira_, a furrow; _tremens_, the pr.p. of _trem[)e]re_, to tremble.]

DELITESCENT, del-i-tes'ent, _adj._ lying hid or concealed--e.g. the germs of an infectious disease.--_n._ DELITES'CENCE. [L. _delitescens_, pr.p. of _delitesc[)e]re_--_de_, from, and _latesc[)e]re_--_lat[=e]re_, to lie hid.]

DELIVER, de-liv'[.e]r, _v.t._ to liberate or set free from restraint or danger: to rescue from evil or fear: to give up or part with: to communicate: to pronounce: to give forth, as a blow, a ball, &c.: to disburden a woman of a child in childbirth.--_adj._ DELIV'ERABLE.--_ns._ DELIV'ERANCE, act of delivering or freeing: act of transferring from one to another: parturition: the utterance of a judgment or authoritative opinion; DELIV'ERER; DELIV'ERY, the act of delivering: a giving up: the act or manner of speaking in public, of discharging a shot, of throwing a cricket-ball, of pouring water, &c.: the act of giving birth.--GENERAL DELIVERY, the delivery of letters from a post-office window to the persons to whom they are addressed--opp. to house to house delivery; GAOL, or JAIL, DELIVERY (see GAOL). [Fr. _d['e]livrer_--L. _de_, from, _liber[=a]re_, to set free--_liber_, free.]

DELIVERLY, de-liv'[.e]r-li, _adv._ (_Shak._) nimble manner. [O. Fr. _delivre_, free--L. _de_, and _liber_, free.]

DELL. See DALE.

DELLA-CRUSCAN, del-la-krus'kan, _adj._ belonging to, or resembling, the old Florentine Accademia _della Crusca_ (1582), esp. of a group of sentimental English poetasters resident in Florence about 1784--crushed by Gifford's _Baviad_ in 1794.

DELLA-ROBBIA, del-la-rob'ya, _n._ a term applied to enamelled terra-cotta, said to have been invented by Luca _della Robbia_.

DELPH, an erroneous spelling of DELF.

DELPHIAN, del'fi-an, _adj._ relating to _Delphi_, a town of ancient Greece, or to the famous oracle which was there.--Also DEL'PHIC.

DELPHIN, del'fin, _adj._ pertaining to the _dauphin_ of France, or to an edition of the Latin classics prepared for his use, 64 vols., 1674-1730.

DELPHINIDAE, del-fin'i-d[=e], _n._ a family of cetaceans, including dolphins, grampuses, &c. [L. _delphinus_, a dolphin.]

DELPHINIUM, del-fin'i-um, _n._ a genus of _Ranunculaceae_ comprising the larkspurs and stavesacre. [Formed from Gr. _delphinion_, larkspur.]

DELTA, del'ta, _n._ the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, the capital form of which is [Delta]: a tract of land of like shape formed at the mouth of a river.--_n._ DELTAFIC[=A]'TION, the process of forming a delta.--_adj._ DEL'TOID, of the form of the Greek [Delta]: triangular.--DELTA METAL, a hard alloy of copper, zinc, and iron--the three metals symbolised by the triangular shape; DELTOID MUSCLE, the large triangular muscle of the shoulder. [Gr.,--Heb. _daleth_, a tent-door.]

DELUBRUM, de-l[=u]'brum, _n._ a temple, shrine, sanctuary: a church having a font, a fort. [L.]

DELUCE. See FLEUR-DE-LIS.

DELUDE, de-l[=u]d', _v.t._ to play or impose upon: to deceive.--_adj._ DELUD'ABLE.--_n._ DELUD'ER. [L. _delud[)e]re_, to play--_de_, down, _lud[)e]re_, _lusum_, to play.]

DELUGE, del'[=u]j, _n._ a great overflow of water: a flood: esp. that in the days of Noah.--_v.t._ to inundate: to overwhelm as with water. [Fr.,--L. _diluvium_--_dilu[)e]re_--_dis_, away, _lu[)e]re_, to wash.]

DELUNDUNG, de-lun'dung, _n._ the weasel-cat of Java and Malacca, a small carnivore akin to the civet.

DELUSION, de-l[=u]'zhun, _n._ the act of deluding: the state of being deluded: a false belief: error.--_adj._ DEL[=U]'SIONAL, pertaining to delusions, afflicted with such.--_n._ DEL[=U]'SIONIST.--_adjs._ DEL[=U]'SIVE, DEL[=U]'SORY, apt or tending to delude: deceptive.--_adv._ DEL[=U]'SIVELY.--_n._ DEL[=U]'SIVENESS. [See DELUDE.]

DELVE, delv, _v.t._ and _v.i._ to dig with a spade.--_n._ (_Spens._) a place dug out, a ditch, a cave.--_n._ DELV'ER. [A.S. _delfan_, to dig; conn. with _dale_, _dell_.]

DEMAGNETISE, de-mag'net-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of magnetic power.--_n._ DEMAGNETIS[=A]'TION.

DEMAGOGUE, dem'a-gog, _n._ a leader of the people: a popular and factious orator.--_adjs._ DEMAGOGIC, -AL (-goj').--_ns._ DEMAGOGISM, DEMAGOGUISM (dem'a-gog-ism); DEM'AGOGUERY, DEMAGOGY (-goj'). [Fr.,--Gr. _d[=e]mog[=o]gos_--_d[=e]mos_, the people, _agogos_, leading--_agein_, to lead.]

DEMAIN. See DEMESNE.

DEMAND, d[=e]-mand', _v.t._ to claim: to ask earnestly or authoritatively: to call for: to question.--_n._ the asking for what is due: an asking for with authority: a claim: earnest inquiry.--_adj._ DEMAND'ABLE, that may be demanded.--_n._ DEMAND'ANT, one who demands: a plaintiff:--_fem._ DEMAND'RESS.--IN GREAT DEMAND, much sought after. [Fr.,--Low L. _demand[=a]re_, to demand--L. _de_, from, and _mand[=a]re_, to put into one's charge.]

DEMARCATION, DEMARKATION, de-mark-[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of marking off or setting bounds to: division: a fixed limit.--_v.t._ DEMAR'CATE, to mark off or limit. [Fr.,--_d['e]_, off, and _marquer_, to mark. See MARK.]

DEMATERIALISE, d[=e]-ma-t[=e]'ri-al-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of material qualities.

DEME, d[=e]m, _n._ a subdivision of ancient Attica and of modern Greece, a township: (_biol._) any differentiated aggregate of cells. [Gr. _d[=e]mos_.]

DEMEAN, de-m[=e]n', _v.t._ to conduct (with _self_): to behave.--_n._ DEMEANOUR, conduct--(_Spens._) DEMAYNE, DEMEASNURE. [O. Fr. _demener_--_de_, inten., and _mener_, to lead--Low L. _min[=a]re_, to drive cattle, L. _min[=a]ri_, to threaten.]

DEMEAN, de-m[=e]n', _v.t._ to make mean: to lower. [More prob. on the analogy of _debase_, from _de_, and _mean_, low, than the same word as the preceding with specialised sense.]

DEMENT, de-ment', _v.t._ to drive crazy, render insane.--_adj._ insane, demented.--_n._ a demented person.--_v.t._ DEMENT'[=A]TE, to dement.--_p.adj._ DEMENT'ED, out of one's mind: insane: suffering from dementia. [L. _demens_, _dementis_, out of one's mind--_de_, from, and _mens_, the mind.]

D['E]MENTI, d[=a]-mong-t[=e], _n._ a contradiction. [Fr. _d['e]mentir_, to give the lie to.]

DEMENTIA, de-men'shi-a, _n._ general mental enfeeblement, with loss of memory, reason, feeling, and will: often the consequence of acute mania. [L. _de_, neg., and _mens_, _mentis_, mind.]

DEMERIT, de-mer'it, _n._ ill-desert: fault: crime. [O. Fr. _demerite_, desert, also a fault--Low L. _demeritum_, a fault, _demer[=e]re_, to deserve--L. _de_, fully, _mer[=e]re_, to deserve.]

DEMERSED, d[=e]-merst', _adj._ (_bot._) growing under water.--_n._ DEMER'SION.

DEMESMERISE, de-mes'mer-[=i]z, _v.t._ to relieve from mesmeric influence.--_n._ DEMESMERIS[=A]'TION.

DEMESNE, de-m[=e]n', DEMAIN, de-m[=a]n', _n._ a manor-house, with lands adjacent to it not let out to tenants: any estate in land. [Forms of _domain_.]

DEMI-BASTION, dem'i-bast'yun, _n._ a kind of half-bastion, consisting of one face and one flank. [Fr. _demi_--L. _dimidius_, half, and _bastion_.]

DEMI-CADENCE, dem'i-k[=a]'dens, _n._ (_mus._) a half-cadence.

DEMI-CANNON, dem'i-kan'un, _n._ (_Shak._) an old gun which threw a ball of from 30 to 36 lbs.

DEMI-CULVERIN, dem'i-cul've-rin, _n._ an old kind of cannon which threw a shot of 9 or 10 lbs.

DEMI-DEIFY, dem'i-d[=e]'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to treat as a demi-god.

DEMI-DEVIL, dem'i-dev'il, _n._ a half-devil.

DEMI-DISTANCE, dem'i-dis'tans, _n._ (_fort._) the distance between the outward polygons and the flank.

DEMI-DITONE, dem'i-d[=i]-t[=o]n, _n._ (_mus._) a minor third.

DEMIGOD, dem'i-god, _n._ half a god: one whose nature is partly divine, esp. a hero fabled to be the offspring of a god and a mortal:--_fem._ DEM'I-GODD'ESS. [Fr. _demi_, half, and _god_.]

DEMI-GORGE, dem'i-gorj, _n._ (_fort._) the part of the polygon remaining after the flank is raised, going from the curtain to the angle of the polygon.

DEMI-JOHN, dem'i-jon, _n._ a glass bottle with a full body and narrow neck, enclosed in wicker-work. [Fr. _dame-jeanne_, Dame Jane, analogous to _Bellarmine_, _gray-beard_. Not from the town _Damaghan_.]

DEMI-LANCE, dem'i-lans, _n._ a short, light spear of the 16th century; a soldier armed with such a weapon.

DEMI-LUNE, dem'i-l[=oo]n, _n._ (_fort._) a half-moon: an old name for _Ravelin_. [L. _demi_, half, and Fr. _lune_--L. _luna_, the moon.]

DEMI-MONDE, dem'i-mond, _n._ women in an equivocal position, kept women: the prostitute class generally.

DEMIREP, dem'i-rep, _n._ a woman of dubious reputation.--_n._ DEM'IREPDOM, shady women collectively. [Said to be a contraction of _demi-reputation_.]

DEMISE, d[=e]-m[=i]z', _n._ a transferring: death, esp. of a sovereign or a distinguished person: a transfer of the crown or of an estate to a successor.--_v.t._ to send down to a successor: to bequeath by will.--_adj._ DEM[=I]'SABLE. [O. Fr. _demise_, pa.p. of _desmettre_, to lay down--L. _dimitt[)e]re_, to send away--L. _dis_, aside, and _mitt[)e]re_, _missum_, to send.]

[Illustration]

DEMI-SEMIQUAVER, dem'i-sem'i-kw[=a]-v[.e]r, _n._ (_mus._) a note equal in time to the half of a semiquaver. [Fr. _demi_, half, and _semiquaver_.]

DEMISS, de-mis', _adj._ (_Spens._) humble. [L. _demissus_, pa.p. of _demitt[)e]re_. See DEMISE.]

DEMISSION, de-mish'un, _n._ a lowering: degradation: depression: relinquishment: resignation.--_adj._ DEMISS'IVE (_obs._), humble.--_adv._ DEMISS'LY. [L. _demission-em_. See DEMISE.]

DEMIT, de-mit', _v.t._ to dismiss: to relinquish: to resign. [See DEMISE.]

DEMIURGE, dem'i-urj, _n._ the maker of the world: among the Gnostics, the creator of the world and of man, subordinate to God the supreme--also DEMIUR'GUS.--_adj._ DEMIUR'GIC. [Gr. _d[=e]miourgos_--_d[=e]mos_, the people, and _ergon_, a work.]

DEMI-VOLT, dem'i-volt, _n._ a half-turn of a horse, the forelegs being raised in the air. [Fr. _demi-volte_--_demi_, half, and _volte_, a leap. See VAULT.]

DEMI-WOLF, dem'i-woolf, _n._ (_Shak._) a half-wolf, the offspring of a dog and a wolf.

DEMOBILISE, de-mob'il-[=i]z, _v.t._ to take out of mobilisation: to disband.--_n._ DEMOBILIS[=A]'TION. [Fr.]