disengagement (-in geij´mэnt) •n. 1 a disengaging or being disengaged 2 freedom from obligation, occupation, etc.; ease; leisure 3 withdrawal from a stated policy, previous involvement or position, etc.; specif., withdrawal of military forces, political influence, etc. from an area
disentail (dis'in teil´) •vt. Law to free from entail
disentangle (dis'in tæŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to free from something that entangles, confuses, etc.; extricate; disengage 2 to straighten out (anything tangled, confused, etc.); unravel; untangle •vi. to get free from a tangle dis'en·tan´gle·ment •n.
disenthrall or disenthral (dis'in θröl´) •vt. to free from bondage or slavery; liberate
disepalous (dai sep´эl эs) •adj. Bot. having two sepals
disequilibrate (dis'i kwil´i breit', dis´-) -brat'ed, -brat'ing •vt. to destroy the equilibrium in or of; throw out of balance dis'e·quil'i·bra´tion •n.
disequilibrium (dis'i:'kwi lib´ri: эm, dis´-) pl. -ri·ums or -ri·a (-э) •n. lack or destruction of equilibrium, esp. in the economy
disestablish (dis'i stæb´lish, dis´i stæb'-) •vt. 1 to deprive of the status of being established 2 to deprive (a state church) of official sanction and support by the government dis'es·tab´lish·ment •n.
disesteem (dis'i sti:m´, dis´i sti:m') •vt. to hold in low esteem; dislike; despise; slight •n. lack of esteem; disfavor
diseur (di: zöř´) •n. an entertainer who performs monologues, dramatic impersonations, etc. di·seuse (-zöz´) •n.fem. [Fr, lit., speaker < base dis- of dire (L dicere), to say, speak]
disfavor (dis fei´vэr) •n. 1 an unfavorable opinion; dislike; disapproval 2 the state of being disliked or disapproved of {he fell into disfavor with his patron} 3 an unkind or harmful act; disservice •vt. to regard or treat unfavorably; slight
disfeature (dis fi:´chэr) -tured, -tur·ing •vt. to impair the features of; disfigure
disfigure (dis fig´yэr) -ured, -ur·ing •vt. to hurt the appearance or attractiveness of; deform; deface; mar [ME disfiguren < OFr desfigurer < des-, DIS- + figurer < L figurare, to fashion, form < figura, FIGURE]
disfigurement (-mэnt) •n. 1 a disfiguring or being disfigured 2 anything that disfigures; blemish; defect; deformity Also dis·fig'u·ra´tion (-yэ rei´shэn)
disfranchise (dis fræn´chaiz', dis´-) -chised', -chis'ing •vt. 1 to deprive of the rights of citizenship, esp. of the right to vote 2 to deprive of a privilege, right, or power dis·fran´chise·ment (-chiz mэnt) •n.
disfrock (dis fräk´) •vt. UNFROCK
disgorge (dis görj´) -gorged´, -gorg´ing •vt., vi. 1 to force (something swallowed) out through the throat; vomit 2 to give up (something) against one's will 3 to pour forth (its contents) dis·gorge´ment •n. [OFr desgorger: see DIS- & GORGE]
disgrace (dis greis´) •n. 1 the state of being in disfavor, as because of bad conduct 2 loss of favor or respect; public dishonor; ignominy; disrepute; shame 3 a person or thing that brings shame, dishonor, or reproach (to one, etc.) •vt. -graced´, -grac´ing [Fr disgracier < It disgraziare < the n.] 1 to bring shame or dishonor upon; be a discredit to; be unworthy of {to disgrace one's family} 2 to dismiss from a position of favor; punish by degrading; humiliate [Fr disgrâce < It disgrazia < dis- (L dis-), not + grazia, favor < L gratia: see GRACE]
disgraceful (dis greis´fэl) •adj. causing or characterized by disgrace; shameful dis·grace´ful·ly •adv. dis·grace´ful·ness •n.
disgruntle (dis grûnt´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. to make peevishly discontented; displease and make sulky dis·grun´tle·ment •n. [DIS- + obs. gruntle, freq. of GRUNT]
disguise (dis gaiz´) -guised´, -guis´ing •vt. 1 to make appear, sound, etc. different from usual so as to be unrecognizable {to disguise one's voice} 2 to hide or obscure the existence or real nature of {to disguise an emotion} 3 [Obs.] to alter or disfigure •n. 1 any clothes, equipment, manner, etc. used for disguising 2 the state of being disguised 3 the act or practice of disguising Also [Now Rare] dis·guise´ment dis·guis´ed·ly (-gaiz´id li:) •adv. dis·guis´er •n. [ME disgisen < OFr desguiser, to change costume: see DIS- & GUISE]
disgust (dis gûst´) •n. a sickening distaste or dislike; deep aversion; repugnance •vt. to cause to feel disgust; be sickening, repulsive, or very distasteful to [MFr desgouster < des- (see DIS-) + L gustare, to taste] •vi. to arouse disgust dis·gust´ed •adj. dis·gust´ed·ly •adv. dis·gust´ing •adj. dis·gust´ing·ly •adv. [MFr desgoust, distaste < des- (see DIS-) + L gustus, a taste, relish: see GUSTO]
disgustful (-fэl) •adj. 1 causing disgust; disgusting 2 full of disgust dis·gust´ful·ly •adv.
dish (dish) •n. 1 a) any container, generally shallow and concave and of porcelain, earthenware, glass, plastic, etc. for serving or holding food b) [pl.] plates, bowls, saucers, cups, etc., collectively 2 a) the food in a dish b) a particular kind of food, or food prepared in a certain way {one's favorite dish} 3 a dishful 4 a dish-shaped object, as the reflector of a dish antenna 5 a dishlike concavity, or the amount of this Æ 6 a) [Slang] a sexually attractive person, esp. a young woman b) [Colloq.] a favorite thing; preference •vt. 1 to serve (food) in a dish: usually with up or out 2 to shape (an object, surface, or hole) like a dish: make concave: usually with out 3 [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] to cheat, frustrate, ruin, etc. •vi. to be or become dish-shaped; cave in Æ dish it out [Slang] to subject others to difficulty, criticism, hardship, ridicule, etc. [ME < OE disc, dish, plate < PGmc *diskuz < L discus: see DISCUS]
dish antenna a radio transmitting or receiving antenna consisting of a dish-shaped reflector and one or more leads
dish towel a towel for drying dishes
dishabille (dis'э bi:l´) •n. 1 the state of being dressed only partially or in night clothes 2 [Now Rare] clothing worn in this state [Fr déshabillé, pp. of déshabiller, to undress < dés- (see DIS-) + habiller, to dress, altered (after habit: see HABIT) < OFr abillier, to prepare, orig., to dress a log < bille, log: see BILLET²]
disharmonize (dis här´mэ naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt., vi. to put or be out of harmony
disharmony (dis här´mэ ni:, dis´-) •n. absence of harmony; discord dis'har·mo´ni·ous (-här mou´ni: эs) •adj.
dishcloth (dish´klöθ') •n. a cloth for washing dishes
dishcloth gourd 1 any of a genus (Luffa) of tropical vines of the gourd family, having thin-shelled, large, cylindrical fruits with dense fibrous interior tissues used for dishcloths or filters 2 this fruit
dishearten (dis härt´ªn, dis´-) •vt. to deprive of courage or enthusiasm; discourage; depress; daunt dis·heart´en·ing •adj. dis·heart´en·ing·ly •adv. dis·heart´en·ment •n.
dished (disht) •adj. 1 dish-shaped; concave 2 farther apart at the top than at the bottom: said of a pair of wheels having camber
dishevel (di shev´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vt. 1 to cause (hair, clothing, etc.) to become disarranged and untidy, as by pulling or loosening, etc.; tousle or rumple 2 to cause the hair or clothes of (a person) to become thus disarranged di·shev´el·ment •n. [back-form. < fol.]
disheveled or dishevelled (-эld) •adj. 1 disarranged and untidy; tousled; rumpled: said of hair, clothing, etc. 2 having disheveled hair or clothing [ME discheveled < OFr deschevelé (pp. of descheveler, to tousle < des-, DIS- + chevel, hair < L capillus) + -ed, -ED]
dishful (dish´ful') pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a dish holds
dishonest (dis än´ist) •adj. not honest; lying, cheating, etc. dis·hon´est·ly •adv. SYN.—dishonest implies the act or practice of telling a lie, or of cheating, deceiving, stealing, etc. [a dishonest official]; deceitful implies an intent to make someone believe what is not true, as by giving a false appearance, using fraud, etc. [a deceitful advertisement]; lying suggests only the act of telling a falsehood [curb your lying tongue]; untruthful is used as a somewhat softened substitute for lying, esp. with reference to statements, reports, etc. [an untruthful account] —ANT. honest [ME < OFr deshoneste, altered (after des-, DIS-) < L dehonestus: see DE- & HONEST]
dishonesty (dis än´is ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being dishonest; dishonest behavior; deceiving, stealing, etc. 2 pl. -ties a dishonest act or statement; fraud, lie, etc. [ME dishoneste < OFr deshonesté]
dishonor (dis än´эr, dis´-) •n. 1 a) loss of honor, respect, or reputation b) state of shame; disgrace; ignominy 2 a person, thing, or action that brings dishonor; discredit 3 the act of refusing or failing to pay a check, draft, bill of exchange, etc. •vt. 1 to treat disrespectfully; insult 2 to bring shame or discredit upon; disgrace 3 to violate the virginity or chastity of 4 to refuse or fail to pay (a check, draft, bill of exchange, etc.) dis·hon´or·er •n. [ME deshonour < OFr deshonor: see DIS- & HONOR]
dishonorable (-э bэl) •adj. causing or deserving dishonor; not honorable; shameful; disgraceful dis·hon´or·a·ble·ness •n. dis·hon´or·a·bly •adv.
dishpan (dish´pæn') •n. a pan in which dishes, cooking utensils, etc. are washed
dishrag (-ræg') •n. DISHCLOTH
dishwasher (-wösh'эr) •n. 1 a machine for washing dishes, cooking utensils, etc. 2 a person, esp. an employee as of a restaurant, who washes dishes, etc.
dishwater (-wöt'эr) •n. water in which dishes, cooking utensils, etc. are, or have been, washed
dishy (dish´i:) dish´i·er, dish´i·est •adj. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] attractive, esp. sexually so
disillusion (dis'i lu:´zhэn) •vt. 1 to free from illusion or false ideas; disenchant 2 to take away the ideals or idealism of and make disappointed, bitter, etc. •n. DISILLUSIONMENT
disillusionment (-mэnt) •n. 1 an act of disillusioning 2 the fact or state of being disillusioned
disincentive (dis'in sen´tiv) •n. a thing or factor that keeps one from doing something; deterrent
disinclination (dis'in'klэ nei´shэn) •n. a dislike or lack of desire; aversion; reluctance
disincline (dis'in klain´) -clined´, -clin´ing •vt. to make unwilling
disinclined (-klaind´) •adj. unwilling; reluctant SYN. RELUCTANT
disinfect (dis'in fekt´) •vt. to destroy the harmful bacteria, viruses, etc. in or on; sterilize dis'in·fec´tion •n. [Fr désinfecter: see DIS- & INFECT]
disinfectant (dis'in fek´tэnt) •adj. disinfecting •n. anything that disinfects; means for destroying harmful bacteria, viruses, etc. [Fr désinfectant]
disinfest (dis'in fest´, dis´in fest') •vt. to remove insects, small rodents, or other pests from dis·in·fes·ta·tion (dis'in'fes tei´shэn) •n.
disinflation (dis'in flei´shэn, dis-) •n. a reduction of the general level of prices, designed to increase purchasing power but prevent deflation dis'in·fla´tion·ar'y •adj.
disinformation (dis'in'fэr mei´shэn, dis´-) •n. deliberately false information leaked by a government, as to confuse another nation's intelligence operations
disingenuous (dis'in jen´yu: эs, dis´-) •adj. not straightforward; not candid or frank; insincere dis'in·gen´u·ous·ly •adv. dis'in·gen´u·ous·ness •n.
disinherit (dis'in her´it, dis´-) •vt. 1 to deprive (esp. an heir) of an inheritance or the right to inherit 2 to deprive of any right or established privilege dis'in·her´it·ance •n. [altered (after INHERIT) < earlier disherit]
disintegrate (dis in´tэ greit', dis´-) -grat'ed, -grat'ing •vt., vi. 1 to separate into parts or fragments; break up; disunite 2 to undergo or cause to undergo a nuclear transformation as a result of radioactive decay or a nuclear reaction SYN. DECAY dis'in'te·gra´tion •n. dis·in´te·gra'tive •adj. dis·in´te·gra'tor •n.
disinter (dis'in tør´, dis´-) -terred´, -ter´ring •vt. 1 to remove from a grave, tomb, etc.; dig up; exhume 2 to bring (something hidden) to light dis'in·ter´ment •n. [Fr děsenterrer: see DIS- & INTER]
disinterest (dis in´trist, -tэr ist; dis´-) •n. 1 lack of personal or selfish interest; disinterestedness 2 lack of interest or concern; indifference
disinterested (-in´tris tid, -tэr is-; also, -in´tэr es'-) •adj. 1 not influenced by personal interest or selfish motives; impartial; unbiased 2 uninterested; indifferent: although objected to by some, this usage is a revival of an obsolete meaning SYN. INDIFFERENT dis·in´ter·est·ed·ly •adv. dis·in´ter·est·ed·ness •n.
disintermediation (dis'in'tэr mi:'di: ei´shэn) •n. the withdrawal of funds from banks and savings institutions in order to invest them at higher rates of interest, as in government securities
disinvestment (dis'in vest´mэnt, dis´-) •n. a diminution or expenditure of capital investment, as in the failure to replenish inventories or in the sale of a capital item
disjecta membra (dis jek´tэ mem´brэ) scattered parts or fragments, as of an author's writings [L]
disjoin (dis join´, dis´join') •vt. to undo the joining of; separate; detach •vi. [Obs.] to become separated [ME disjoinen < OFr desjoindre < L disjungere: see DIS- & JOIN]
disjoint (dis joint´, dis´joint') •adj. 1 [Obs.] disjointed 2 Math. of sets having no members in common •vt. [< the adj.] 1 to put out of joint; dislocate 2 to take apart joint by joint; dismember 3 to destroy the unity, connections, or orderliness of •vi. to come apart at the joints; go out of joint [ME < OFr desjoint, pp. of desjoindre: see DISJOIN]
disjointed (-id) •adj. 1 out of joint 2 dismembered 3 disconnected; without unity or coherence dis·joint´ed·ly •adv. dis·joint´ed·ness •n.
disjunct (dis jûŋkt´, dis´jûŋkt') •adj. 1 disjoined; separated 2 Music having to do with progression by intervals greater than a second 3 Zool. having the body sharply divided by deep furrows, as in the divisions into head, thorax, and abdomen in most insects [L disjunctus, pp. of disjungere: see DISJOIN]
disjunction (dis jûŋk´shэn, dis´-) •n. 1 a disjoining or being disjoined; separation: also dis·junc´ture (-chэr) 2 a) Logic the relation between the alternatives of a disjunctive proposition b) a disjunctive proposition [ME disjunccioun < L disjunctio]
disjunctive (-tiv) •adj. 1 disjoining; separating or causing to separate 2 having to do with disjunction 3 Gram. indicating a contrast or an alternative between words, clauses, etc. {in John or Bob may go, but their sister may not, or and but are disjunctive conjunctions} 4 Logic designating or including a compound proposition consisting of two alternatives joined by or •n. Gram. a disjunctive conjunction dis·junc´tive·ly •adv. [ME disjunctif < L disjunctivus]
disk (disk) •n. 1 a thin, flat, circular thing of any material 2 anything like this in form {the moon's disk} 3 Anat. a layer of fibrous connective tissue with small masses of cartilage among the fibers, occurring between adjacent vertebrae 4 Bot. a) DISK FLOWER b) a circular nectary around the center of some flowers 5 a thin, flat, circular plate coated with ferromagnetic particles, on which computer data can be stored 6 DISC 7 [Obs.] DISCUS [L discus: see DISCUS]
disk flower any of the tubular flowers that make up the central disk of the flower head of a composite plant
disk harrow DISC HARROW
disk jockey DISC JOCKEY
disk wheel a wheel made solid from rim to hub instead of having spokes
diskette (di sket´) •n. FLOPPY DISK
dislike (dis laik´) -liked´, -lik´ing •vt. to have a feeling of not liking; feel aversion to; have objections to •n. a feeling of not liking; distaste; aversion; antipathy dis·lik´a·ble or dis·like´a·ble •adj.
dislocate (dis´lou keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to put out of place; specif., to displace (a bone) from its proper position at a joint 2 to upset the order of; disarrange; disrupt [< ML dislocatus, pp. of dislocare: see DIS- & LOCATE]
dislocation (dis'lou kei´shэn) •n. 1 a dislocating or being dislocated 2 an imperfection in the atomic structure of a crystal, usually consisting of one or more missing or disordered atoms in the crystal lattice
dislodge (dis läj´, dis´-) -lodged´, -lodg´ing •vt. to force from a position or place where lodged, hiding, etc.; drive out •vi. to leave a lodging place dis·lodg´ment •n. [ME disloggen < OFr deslogier: see DIS- & LODGE]
disloyal (dis loi´эl, dis´-) •adj. not loyal or faithful; faithless SYN. FAITHLESS dis·loy´al·ly •adv. [OFr desloial: see DIS- & LOYAL]
disloyalty (-ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being disloyal 2 pl. -ties a disloyal act
dismal (diz´mэl) •adj. 1 causing gloom or misery; depressing 2 dark and gloomy; bleak; dreary 3 depressed; miserable dis´mal·ly •adv. [ME, orig. n., evil days (of the medieval calendar) < OFr dis mal < ML dies mali, evil days: see DEITY & MAL-]
Dismal Swamp marshy, forested region between Norfolk, Va. & Albemarle Sound, N.C.: c. 30 mi. (48 km) long; traversed by a canal that is part of the Intracoastal Waterway
dismantle (dis mænt´ªl, dis´-) -tled, -tling •vt. 1 to strip of covering 2 to strip (a house, ship, etc.) of furniture, equipment, means of defense, etc. 3 to take apart; disassemble SYN. STRIP¹ dis·man´tle·ment •n. dis·man´tler •n. [OFr desmanteller, to take off one's cloak: see DIS- & MANTLE]
dismast (dis mæst´) •vt. to remove or destroy the mast or masts of
dismay (dis mei´) •vt. to make afraid or discouraged at the prospect of trouble or danger; fill with apprehension or alarm; daunt •n. a loss of courage or confidence at the prospect of trouble or danger; consternation SYN.—dismay suggests fear or, esp. in modern usage, discouragement at the prospect of some difficulty or problem which one does not quite know how to resolve [dismayed at his lack of understanding]; appall suggests terror or (now more commonly) dismay at a shocking but apparently unalterable situation [an appalling death rate]; horrify suggests horror or loathing (or, in a weakened sense, irritation) at that which shocks or offends one [horrified at the suggestion]; daunt implies a becoming disheartened in the performance of an act that requires some courage [never daunted by adversity] [ME dismayen < Anglo-Fr *desmaier < des-, intens. + OFr esmayer, to deprive of power < VL *exmagare < L ex-, from + Gmc base *mag, power: see MAIN¹]
dismember (dis mem´bэr) •vt. 1 to remove the limbs of by cutting or tearing 2 to pull or cut to pieces; separate into parts; divide up or mutilate dis·mem´ber·ment •n. [ME dismembren < OFr desmembrer: see DIS- & MEMBER]
dismiss (dis mis´) •vt. 1 to send away; cause or allow to leave 2 to remove or discharge from a duty, office, position, or employment 3 to put out of one's mind {to dismiss one's fears} 4 Law to discontinue or reject (a claim or action) SYN. EJECT dis·miss´i·ble •adj. [ME dismissen < ML dismissus, pp. of dismittere, for L dimittere, to send away < dis-, from + mittere, to send: see MISSION]
dismissal (dis mis´эl) •n. 1 a dismissing or being dismissed 2 an order for the dismissing of someone Also [Archaic] dis·mis´sion (-mish´эn)
dismissive (-mis´iv) •adj. 1 [Rare] dismissing or expressing dismissal 2 haughty or contemptuous
dismount (dis maunt´; for vt. 1 & 3 often, & for n. usually, dis´maunt') •vi. to get off or down, as from a horse, bicycle, etc.; alight •vt. 1 to remove (a thing) from its mounting or setting 2 to cause to dismount, as from a horse 3 to take apart; dismantle •n. the act of dismounting
Disney (diz´ni:), Walt(er Elias) 1901-66; U.S. motion-picture producer, esp. of animated cartoons
Disneyland (diz´ni: lænd') •n. a place or condition of unreality, fantasy, incongruity, etc. [after an amusement center in Anaheim, Calif., created by prec.]
disobedience (dis'ou bi:´di: эns, -э bi:´-; dis´-) •n. refusal to obey; failure to follow rules, commands, etc.; insubordination [ME < OFr desobedience: see DIS- & OBEDIENCE]
disobedient (-эnt) •adj. not obedient; refusing or failing to obey; insubordinate; refractory dis'o·be´di·ent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr desobedient]
disobey (dis'ou bei´, -э bei´; dis´-) •vt., vi. to refuse or fail to obey [ME disobeien < OFr desobeir: see DIS- & OBEY]
disoblige (dis'э blaij´, -ou blaij´; dis´-) -bliged´, -blig´ing •vt. 1 to refuse to oblige or do a favor for 2 to slight; offend 3 to inconvenience; incommode dis'o·blig´ing •adj. dis'o·blig´ing·ly •adv. [Fr désobliger: see DIS- & OBLIGE]
disoperation (dis'äp эr ei´shэn) •n. Ecol. a coaction that is harmful to the organisms involved
disorder (dis ör´dэr, dis´-) •n. 1 a lack of order; confusion; jumble 2 a breach of public peace; riot 3 a disregard of system; irregularity 4 an upset of normal function; ailment •vt. 1 to throw into disorder; disarrange 2 to upset the normal functions or health of SYN. CONFUSION [prob. < Fr désordre]
disordered (-dэrd) •adj. 1 put out of order; jumbled 2 not normal in health or function; ill
disorderly (dis ör´dэr li:, dis´-) •adj. 1 not orderly; untidy; unsystematic 2 causing a disturbance; unruly; riotous 3 Law violating public peace, safety, or order •adv. [Archaic] in a disorderly manner dis·or´der·li·ness •n.
disorderly conduct Law any petty offense against public peace, safety, or order
disorderly house any establishment where offenses against public peace, safety, or order habitually occur; esp., a house of prostitution
disorganize (dis ör´gэ naiz', dis´-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to break up the order, arrangement, or system of; throw into confusion or disorder dis·or'gan·i·za´tion •n. [Fr désorganiser: see DIS- & ORGANIZE]
disorient (dis ör´i: ent') •vt. 1 orig., to turn away from the east 2 to cause to lose one's bearings 3 to confuse mentally, esp. with respect to time, place, and the identity of persons and objects Also dis·o´ri·en·tate' (-эn teit'), -tat'ed, -tat'ing dis·o'ri·en·ta´tion •n. [Fr désorienter: see DIS- & ORIENT, vt.]
disown (dis oun´) •vt. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own; repudiate; cast off
disparage (di spær´ij) -aged, -ag·ing •vt. 1 to lower in esteem; discredit 2 to speak slightingly of; show disrespect for; belittle dis·par´ag·ing •adj. dis·par´ag·ing·ly •adv. SYN.—to disparage is to attempt to lower in esteem, as by insinuation, invidious comparison, faint praise, etc.; to depreciate is to lessen (something) in value as by implying that it has less worth than is usually attributed to it [he depreciated her generosity]; decry implies vigorous public denunciation, often from the best of motives [to decry corruption in government]; belittle is equivalent to depreciate, but stresses a contemptuous attitude in the speaker or writer; minimize suggests an ascription of the least possible value or importance [don't minimize your own efforts] —ANT. extol, praise, magnify [ME disparagen < OFr desparagier, to marry one of inferior rank < des- (see DIS-) + parage, rank < per, PEER¹]
disparagement (-mэnt) •n. 1 a disparaging or being disparaged; detraction 2 anything that discredits
disparate (dis´pэ rэt; also di spær´it) •adj. essentially not alike; distinct or different in kind; unequal SYN. DIFFERENT dis´pa·rate·ly •adv. dis´pa·rate·ness •n. [L disparatus, pp. of disparare, to separate < dis-, apart, not + parare, to make equal < par, equal: see PAR]
disparity (di spær´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 inequality or difference, as in rank, amount, quality, etc. 2 unlikeness; incongruity [Fr disparité < ML disparitas < L dispar, unequal: see DIS- & PAR]
dispart (dis pärt´) •vt., vi. [Archaic] to divide into parts; separate [prob. < It dispartire < L, to divide < dis-, apart, from + partire, to part, divide < pars, PART]
dispassionate (dis pæsh´э nэt) •adj. free from passion, emotion, or bias; calm; impartial SYN. FAIR¹ dis·pas´sion •n. dis·pas´sion·ate·ly •adv.
dispatch (di spæch´; for n., esp. 4-5, also dis´pæch') •vt. 1 to send off or out promptly, usually on a specific errand or official business 2 to put an end to; kill 3 to finish quickly or promptly 4 [Colloq.] to eat up quickly •n. 1 a dispatching; sending out or off 2 an act of killing 3 efficient speed; promptness 4 a message, esp. an official message 5 a news story sent to a newspaper or broadcaster, as by a correspondent SYN. HASTE, KILL¹ [Sp despachar & It dispacciare, to send off, lit., to remove impediments, hence facilitate < OFr despeechier < des- (see DIS-) + (em)peechier, to impede < LL impedicare, to entangle < L in-, in + pedica, a shackle < pes, FOOT]
dispatcher (di spæch´эr; dis´pæch'-) •n. 1 a person who dispatches Æ 2 a transportation worker who sends out trains, buses, trucks, etc., according to a schedule
dispel (di spel´) -pelled´, -pel´ling •vt. to scatter and drive away; cause to vanish; disperse SYN. SCATTER [ME dispellen < L dispellere < dis-, apart + pellere, to drive: see FELT]
dispensable (di spen´sэ bэl) •adj. 1 that can be dispensed, dealt out, or administered 2 that can be dispensed with; not important 3 open to DISPENSATION (sense 6) dis·pen'sa·bil´i·ty •n. [ML(Ec) dispensabilis]
dispensary (di spen´sэ ri:) pl. -ries •n. a room or place, as in a school, camp, or factory, where medicines and first-aid treatment are available [< ML dispensarius, one who dispenses, steward]
dispensation (dis'pэn sei´shэn) •n. 1 a dispensing, or giving out; distribution 2 anything dispensed or distributed 3 the system by which anything is administered; management 4 any release or exemption from an obligation 5 Law the suspension of a statute in a specific case for extenuating reasons 6 R.C.Ch. an exemption or release from the provisions of a specific church law 7 Theol. a) the ordering of events under divine authority b) any religious system dis'pen·sa´tion·al •adj. [ME dispensacioun < OFr despensation < L dispensatio, management, charge < pp. of dispensare, DISPENSE]
dispensator (dis´pэn seit'эr) •n. [Obs.] one who dispenses; distributor or administrator [ME dispensatour < L dispensator, manager < pp. of dispensare, DISPENSE]
dispensatory (di spen´sэ tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a handbook on the preparation and use of medicines; pharmacopeia 2 [Obs.] a dispensary [ML dispensatorium < LL dispensatorius, of management or control < L dispensare: see DISPENSE]
dispense (di spens´) -pensed´, -pens´ing •vt. 1 to give or deal out; distribute 2 to prepare and give out (medicines, prescriptions, etc.) 3 to administer {to dispense the law justly} 4 to exempt; excuse SYN. DISTRIBUTE dispense with 1 to get rid of; do away with 2 to do without; manage without [ME dispensen < OFr despenser < L dispensare, to pay out < pp. of dispendere, to weigh out < dis-, out + pendere, to weigh: see PENDANT]
dispenser (di spen´sэr) •n. a person or thing that dispenses; specif., a container, machine, etc. designed to dispense its contents in handy units or portions
dispeople (dis pi:´pэl, dis´-) -pled, -pling •vt. [Obs.] DEPOPULATE
dispermous (dai spør´mэs) •adj. Bot. having two seeds [DI-¹ + -SPERMOUS]
dispersal (di spør´sэl) •n. a dispersing or being dispersed; distribution
disperse (di spørs´) -persed´, -pers´ing •vt. 1 to break up and scatter in all directions; spread about; distribute widely 2 to dispel (mist, etc.) 3 to break up (light) into its component colored rays •vi. to break up and move in different directions; scatter SYN. SCATTER dis·pers´er •n. dis·pers´i·ble •adj. [ME dispersen < L dispersus, pp. of dispergere, to scatter abroad < dis-, out + spargere, to scatter, strew: see SPARK¹]
disperse system a two-phase colloidal system consisting of the colloidal particles (disperse phase) and the medium in which they are suspended (disperse medium)
dispersing agent Chem. a surface-active substance added to a suspension, usually a colloid, to improve the separation of particles and to prevent settling or clumping Also dis·per·sant (di spørs´эnt)
dispersion (di spør´zhэn, -shэn) •n. 1 a dispersing or being dispersed 2 the breaking up of light into component colored rays, as by means of a prism 3 the resolution of a complex electromagnetic radiation into components in accordance with some characteristic, as wavelength 4 the variation or scattering of data around some average or central value 5 a colloidal system with its dispersed particles and the medium in which these are suspended 6 [D-] DIASPORA (sense 1) [ME dispersioun < OFr dispersion < L dispersio]
dispersive (di spør´siv) •adj. dispersing or tending to disperse dis·per´sive·ly •adv.
dispersoid (di spør´soid) •n. a colloidal system, as an emulsion, in which the colloidal particles are quite small and well suspended in the disperse medium
dispirit (di spir´it) •vt. to lower the spirits of; make sad, discouraged, or apathetic; depress; deject dis·pir´it·ed •adj. dis·pir´it·ed·ly •adv.
dispiteous (dis pit´i: эs) •adj. [Archaic] without pity or mercy; ruthless [ME < OFr despiteus: see DESPITE & -OUS]
displace (dis pleis´, dis´-) -placed´, -plac´ing •vt. 1 to move from its usual or proper place 2 to remove from office; discharge 3 to take the place of; supplant or replace (a person or thing that one is the cause of or occasion for removing, pushing aside, etc.) {a ship displaces a certain amount of water, factory workers that have been displaced by machines} SYN. REPLACE [OFr desplacer: see DIS- & PLACE]
displaced person a person forced from his country, esp. as a result of war, and left homeless elsewhere
displacement (dis pleis´mэnt, dis´-) •n. 1 a displacing or being displaced 2 a) the weight or volume of a fluid displaced by a floating object; specif., the weight of water, in long tons, displaced by a ship b) the volume displaced by a stroke of a piston 3 the difference between a later position of a thing and its original position 4 Geol. a fault 5 Psychiatry a defense mechanism in which an emotion or idea, usually repressed, is transferred to another, more acceptable object
displant (dis plænt´) •vt. [Obs.] to transplant, dislodge, or displace
display (di splei´) •vt. 1 [Obs.] to unfold; spread out; unfurl 2 to unfold to the eye; put or spread out so as to be seen; exhibit 3 to unfold to the mind; disclose; reveal 4 to print conspicuously, as in large or fancy type •n. 1 a displaying; exhibition 2 anything displayed; exhibit 3 showy exhibition; ostentation 4 a) a manifestation {a display of courage} b) a mere show of something that is not genuine {a display of sympathy} 5 a visual representation of data, as on a computer video screen •adj. designating printing type in larger sizes, used for headings, advertisements, etc. SYN. SHOW [ME displeien < OFr despleier < L displicare, to scatter, unfold < dis-, apart + plicare, to fold: see PLY¹]
displease (dis pli:z´, dis´-) -pleased´, -pleas´ing •vt., vi. to fail to please or to be disagreeable (to); annoy; offend; irritate [ME displesen < OFr desplaisir < VL *displacere, for L displicere < dis-, not + placere: see PLEASE]
displeasure (-plezh´эr) •n. 1 the fact or feeling of being displeased; dissatisfaction, disapproval, annoyance, etc. 2 [Archaic] discomfort, sorrow, trouble, etc. SYN. OFFENSE [ME displesir < OFr desplaisir, inf. used as n.: see DISPLEASE]
disport (di spört´) •vi. to indulge in amusement; play; frolic •vt. to amuse or divert (oneself) •n. [Archaic] a disporting; amusement; play [ME disporten, to bear, support < OFr desporter < des- (see DIS-) + porter < L portare, to carry: see PORT³]
disposable (di spou´zэ bэl) •adj. 1 that can be thrown away after use {disposable bottles} 2 that can be disposed; not restricted to any specific use
disposable income the income that a person has for spending, saving, or investing after all taxes have been paid
disposal (di spou´zэl) •n. 1 the act of disposing; specif., a) arrangement in a particular order {the disposal of furniture in a room} b) a dealing with matters or settling of affairs c) a giving away; transfer; bestowal d) a getting rid of 2 the power to dispose of 3 a device installed in the drain of a kitchen sink to grind up garbage that is then flushed down the drain at one's disposal available to use as one wishes
dispose (di spouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to place in a certain order or arrangement 2 to arrange (matters); settle or regulate (affairs) 3 to make willing; incline 4 to make susceptible or liable •vi. to have the power to arrange or settle affairs dispose of 1 to deal with conclusively; settle 2 to give away or sell 3 to get rid of; throw away [ME disposen < OFr disposer, to put apart, hence arrange < perf. stem of L disponere, to arrange: see DIS- & POSITION]
disposed (-spouzd´) •adj. inclined; having a certain tendency: often preceded by an adverb {to feel well-disposed toward someone}
disposer (di spou´zэr) •n. 1 one that disposes 2 DISPOSAL (sense 3)
disposition (dis'pэ zish´эn) •n. 1 a putting in order or being put in order; arrangement {the disposition of the troops} 2 management or settlement of affairs 3 a selling or giving away, as of property 4 a getting rid of something {the disposition of wastes} 5 the power or authority to arrange, settle, or manage; control 6 an inclination or tendency {a disposition to quarrel} 7 one's customary frame of mind; one's nature or temperament dis'po·si´tion·al •adj. SYN.—disposition refers to the normal or prevailing aspect of one's nature [a genial disposition]; temperament refers to the balance of traits that are manifested in one's behavior or thinking [an artistic temperament]; temper refers to one's basic emotional nature, esp. as regards relative quickness to anger [a hot temper, an even temper]; character is applied to the sum of moral qualities associated with a distinctive individual [a weak character] and, unqualified, suggests moral strength, self-discipline, etc. [a man of character]; personality is applied to the sum of physical, mental, and emotional qualities that distinguish one as a person [a negative personality] and, unqualified, suggests attractiveness or charm [a girl with personality] [ME disposicioun < OFr disposition < L dispositio < dispositus, pp. of disponere, to arrange: see DIS- & POSITION]
dispossess (dis'pэ zes´) •vt. to deprive of the possession of something, esp. land, a house, etc.; oust dis'pos·ses´sion (-zesh´эn) •n. dis'pos·ses´sor •n.
disposure (di spou´zhэr) •n. [Archaic] disposition or disposal (in various senses)
dispraise (dis preiz´, dis´-; dis´preiz') -praised´, -prais´ing •vt. to speak of with disapproval or disparagement; censure •n. a dispraising; blame dis·prais´ing·ly •adv. [ME dispreisen < OFr despreisier, to blame: see DIS- & PRAISE]
disprize (dis praiz´, dis´-) -prized´, -priz´ing •vt. [Archaic] to regard as of low value; not prize [ME disprisen < OFr despriser, var. of despreisier: see DISPRAISE]
disproof (dis pru:f´, dis´-; dis´pru:f') •n. 1 the act of disproving; refutation 2 evidence that disproves
disproportion (dis'prэ pör´shэn, dis´-) •n. a lack of proportion; lack of symmetry; disparity •vt. to cause to be disproportionate dis'pro·por´tion·al •adj. dis'pro·por´tion·al·ly •adv.
disproportionate (-shэ nэt) •adj. not proportionate; not in proportion dis'pro·por´tion·ate·ly •adv.
disprove (dis pru:v´, dis´-; dis´pru:v') -proved´, -proved´ or -prov´en, -prov´ing •vt. to prove to be false or in error; refute dis·prov´a·ble •adj. SYN.—disprove implies the presenting of evidence or reasoned arguments that demonstrate an assertion, etc. to be false or erroneous; refute implies a more thorough assembly of evidence and a more careful development of argument, hence suggests conclusiveness of proof against; confute suggests the overwhelming or silencing of a person by argument or proof; controvert implies a disputing or denying of statements, arguments, etc. in an endeavor to refute them; rebut stresses formality in refuting an argument, such as is observed in debate, court procedure, etc. [ME disproven < OFr desprover: see DIS- & PROVE]
disputable (dis´pyu:t'э bэl, -pyэ tэ-; di spyu:t´э-) •adj. that can be disputed; debatable dis'put'a·bil´i·ty •n. dis´put'a·bly •adv. [L disputabilis]
disputant (dis´pyu: tэnt, di spyu:t´ªnt) •adj. disputing •n. a person who disputes or debates [L disputans, prp. of disputare]
disputation (dis'pyu: tei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of disputing; dispute 2 discussion marked by formal debate, often as an exercise [ME disputacioun < L disputatio]
disputatious (dis'pyu: tei´shэs) •adj. inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; contentious: also dis·pu·ta·tive (dis pyu:t´э tiv) dis'pu·ta´tious·ly •adv. dis'pu·ta´tious·ness •n.
dispute (di spyu:t´) -put´ed, -put´ing •vi. 1 to argue; debate 2 to quarrel •vt. 1 to argue or debate (a question); discuss pro and con 2 to question the truth of; doubt 3 to oppose in any way; resist 4 to fight for; contest {to dispute every foot of ground} •n. 1 a disputing; argument; debate 2 a quarrel 3 [Obs.] a fight SYN. DISCUSS, ARGUMENT beyond dispute 1 not open to dispute or question; settled 2 indisputably in dispute still being argued about; not settled [ME disputen < OFr desputer < L disputare, lit., to compute, discuss, hence argue about < dis-, apart + putare, to think: see PUTATIVE]
disqualify (dis kwöl´э fai', dis´-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to make unfit or unqualified; incapacitate 2 to make or declare ineligible; take a right or privilege away from, as of further participation in a sport, for breaking rules dis·qual'i·fi·ca´tion (-fi kei´shэn) •n.
disquiet (dis kwai´эt, dis´-) •vt. to make anxious, uneasy, or restless; disturb; fret •n. a disturbed or uneasy feeling; anxiety; restlessness •adj. [Archaic] restless; uneasy dis·qui´et·ing •adj. dis·qui´et·ing·ly •adv.
disquietude (-kwai э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. a disturbed or uneasy condition; restlessness; anxiety
disquisition (dis'kwi zish´эn) •n. a formal discussion of some subject, often in writing; discourse or treatise [L disquisitio < disquisitus, pp. of disquirere, to investigate < dis-, apart + quaerere, to seek]
Disraeli (diz rei´li:), Benjamin 1st Earl of Beaconsfield 1804-81; Brit. statesman & writer: prime minister (1868; 1874-80)
disrate (dis reit´, dis´-; dis´reit') -rat´ed, -rat´ing •vt. to lower in rating or rank; demote
disregard (dis'ri gärd´) •vt. 1 to pay little or no attention to 2 to treat without due respect; slight •n. 1 lack of attention; neglect 2 lack of due regard or respect SYN. NEGLECT dis're·gard´ful •adj.
disrelish (dis rel´ish, dis´-) •n., vt. dislike
disremember (dis'ri mem´bэr, dis´-) •vt. [Dial. or Colloq.] to forget; be unable to remember
disrepair (dis'ri per´, dis´ri per') •n. the condition of needing repairs; state of neglect; dilapidation
disreputable (dis rep´yu: tэ bэl) •adj. 1 not reputable; having or causing a bad reputation; discreditable 2 not fit to be seen; dirty, shabby, etc. dis·rep´u·ta·bly •adv.
disrepute (dis'ri pyu:t´, dis´ri pyu:t') •n. lack or loss of repute; bad reputation; disgrace; disfavor
disrespect (dis'ri spekt´, dis´ri spekt') •n. lack of respect or esteem; discourtesy •vt. to have or show lack of respect for
disrespectable (-э bэl) •adj. not respectable
disrespectful (-fэl) •adj. having or showing lack of respect; discourteous; impolite; rude dis're·spect´ful·ly •adv. dis're·spect´ful·ness •n.
disrobe (dis roub´, dis´-) -robed´, -rob´ing •vt., vi. to undress
disrupt (dis rûpt´, dis´-) •vt., vi. 1 to break apart; split up; rend asunder 2 to disturb or interrupt the orderly course of (a social affair, meeting, etc.) dis·rupt´er or dis·rup´tor •n. dis·rup´tion •n. [< L disruptus, pp. of disrumpere, to break apart < dis-, apart (see DIS-) + rumpere, to break: see RUPTURE]
disruptive (-rûp´tiv) •adj. 1 causing disruption 2 produced by disruption dis·rup´tive·ly •adv.
disruptive discharge a sudden and large increase in electric current through an insulating medium, caused by failure of the medium under stress
dissatisfaction (dis'sæt is fæk´shэn, dis sæt'is-) •n. 1 the condition of being dissatisfied or displeased; discontent 2 anything that dissatisfies
dissatisfactory (-tэ ri:) •adj. not satisfactory; unsatisfactory
dissatisfied (dis´sæt´is faid', dis-) •adj. 1 not satisfied; displeased 2 showing dissatisfaction
dissatisfy (-fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. to fail to satisfy; make discontented; displease
disseat (dis si:t´, dis´-) •vt. [Archaic] UNSEAT
dissect (di sekt´; also dai sekt´, dai´sekt') •vt. 1 to cut apart piece by piece; separate into parts, as a body for purposes of study; anatomize 2 to examine or analyze closely [< L dissectus, pp. of dissecare, to cut apart < dis-, apart + secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
dissected (-id) •adj. 1 cut up into parts 2 Bot. consisting of many lobes or segments, as some leaves 3 Geol. cut by erosion into valleys and hills
dissection (di sek´shэn; also dai sek´-, dai´sek'-) •n. 1 a dissecting or being dissected 2 anything dissected, as a plant or animal for study 3 analysis part by part; detailed examination [LL dissectio]
dissector (-tэr) •n. 1 a person who dissects 2 an instrument used in dissecting
disseize (dis si:z´) -seized´, -seiz´ing •vt. Law to deprive wrongfully of real property; dispossess unlawfully: also spelled dis·seise´ [ME disseisen < Anglo-Fr disseisir < OFr dessaisir: see DIS- & SEIZE]
disseizee or disseisee (dis'si: zi:´, dis si:'zi:´) •n. Law a disseized person
disseizin or disseisin (dis si:´zin) •n. Law a disseizing or being disseized; unlawful dispossession from real property [ME disseisine < OFr dessaisine < dessaisir]
disseizor or disseisor (-zэr, -zör') •n. Law a person who disseizes [ME disseisour]
dissemble (di sem´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 to conceal under a false appearance; disguise {to dissemble fear by smiling} 2 [Obs.] to pretend to be in a state of; simulate; feign {to dissemble innocence} 3 [Obs.] to pretend not to notice; ignore •vi. to conceal the truth, or one's true feelings, motives, etc., by pretense; behave hypocritically dis·sem´blance •n. dis·sem´bler •n. [ME dissemblen < OFr dessembler < des-, DIS- + sembler < L simulare: see SIMULATE]
disseminate (di sem´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. to scatter far and wide; spread abroad, as if sowing; promulgate widely dis·sem'i·na´tion •n. dis·sem´i·na'tive •adj. dis·sem´i·na'tor •n. [< L disseminatus, pp. of disseminare, lit., to scatter seed, hence disseminate < dis-, apart + seminare, to sow < semen, SEED]
disseminule (di sem´э nyu:l') •n. Biol. a detachable plant organ or structure of an organism capable of being dispersed and of propagating, as a seed, resting egg, etc. [prec. + -ULE]
dissension (di sen´shэn) •n. a difference of opinion; disagreement or, esp., violent quarreling or wrangling SYN. DISCORD [ME dissencion < OFr dissension < L dissensio < dissensus, pp. of dissentire: see DISSENT]
dissent (di sent´) •vi. 1 to differ in belief or opinion; disagree: often with from 2 to reject the doctrines and forms of an established church •n. the act of dissenting; specif., a) the rendering of a minority opinion in the decision of a law case b) religious nonconformity dis·sent´ing •adj. dis·sent´ing·ly •adv. [ME dissenten < L dissentire < dis-, apart + sentire, to feel, think: see SEND¹]
dissenter (-эr) •n. 1 a person who dissents 2 [sometimes D-] a British Protestant who does not belong to the Anglican Church; Nonconformist
dissentient (di sen´shэnt) •adj. dissenting, esp. from the majority opinion •n. a person who dissents; dissenter [L dissentiens, prp. of dissentire]
dissentious (-shэs) •adj. [Now Rare] of or inclined to dissension; quarrelsome; contentious
dissepiment (di sep´э mэnt) •n. Biol. a separating membrane or partition, as that between adjacent carpels of a compound ovary [L dissaepimentum < dis-, from + saepire, to fence in: see SEPTUM]
dissertation (dis'эr tei´shэn) •n. a formal and lengthy discourse or treatise on some subject, esp. one based on original research and written in partial fulfillment of requirements for a doctorate: see THESIS [LL dissertatio < L dissertare, to discuss, argue, freq. of disserere < dis-, apart + serere, to join: see SERIES]
disserve (dis sørv´, dis´-) -served´, -serv´ing •vt. [Rare] to do a disservice to; harm
disservice (-sør´vis) •n. harmful action; injury [DIS- + SERVICE¹]
dissever (di sev´эr) •vt. 1 to cause to part; sever; separate 2 to divide into parts •vi. to separate or part; disunite dis·sev´er·ance or dis·sev´er·ment •n. [ME disseveren < OFr dessevrer < LL disseparare < L dis-, intens. + separare, to SEPARATE]
dissidence (dis´э dэns) •n. disagreement; dissent [L dissidentia < dissidens, prp. of dissidere, to disagree < dis-, apart + sidere, SIT]
dissident (-dэnt) •adj. not agreeing; dissenting •n. a dissident person; dissenter dis´si·dent·ly •adv. [L dissidens: see DISSIDENCE]
dissilient (di sil´i: эnt) •adj. springing or bursting apart, as some plant capsules or pods [L dissiliens, prp. of dissilire, to leap or burst apart < dis-, apart + salire, to leap: see SALIENT]
dissimilar (dis sim´э lэr, dis´-) •adj. not similar or alike; different SYN. DIFFERENT dis·sim´i·lar·ly •adv.
dissimilarity (dis'sim'э lær´э ti:, dis´sim´-) •n. 1 absence of similarity; unlikeness; difference 2 pl. -ties an instance or point of difference or unlikeness
dissimilate (di sim´э leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to make dissimilar 2 to cause to undergo dissimilation •vi. to become dissimilar dis·sim´i·la'tive •adj. [DIS- + (AS)SIMILATE]
dissimilation (di sim'э lei´shэn) •n. 1 a making or becoming dissimilar 2 Linguis. a process of linguistic change in which one of two similar or identical phonemes within a word or phrase becomes unlike the other (Ex.: OFr marbre becomes Eng marble; L peregrinus becomes It pellegrino)
dissimilitude (dis'si mil´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. dissimilarity; difference [ME < L dissimilitudo < dissimilis, unlike < dis-, not + similis, like]
dissimulate (di sim´yu: leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. to hide (one's feelings, motives, etc.) by pretense; dissemble dis·sim'u·la´tion •n. dis·sim´u·la'tor •n. Etymology [ME dissimulaten < pp. of L dissimulare: see DIS- & SIMULATE]
dissipate (dis´э peit') -pat'ed, -pat'ing •vt. 1 to break up and scatter; dispel; disperse 2 to drive completely away; make disappear 3 to waste or squander •vi. 1 to be dissipated; disperse or vanish 2 to spend much time and energy on indulgence in pleasure, esp. drinking, gambling, etc., to the point of harming oneself SYN. SCATTER dis´si·pat'er or dis´si·pa'tor •n. dis´si·pa'tive •adj. [ME dissipaten < L dissipatus, pp. of dissipare, to scatter < dis-, apart + supare, to throw < IE base *swep- > Sans svapū, broom, LowG swabbeln, to SWAB]
dissipated (-id) •adj. 1 scattered 2 squandered or wasted 3 characterized by, or showing the harmful effects of, dissipation
dissipation (dis'э pei´shэn) •n. 1 a scattering or being scattered; dispersion 2 a wasting or squandering 3 an idle or frivolous amusement or diversion 4 indulgence in pleasure to the point of harming oneself; intemperance; dissoluteness [ME dissipacioun < L dissipatio: see DISSIPATE]
dissociable (di sou´shi: э bэl, -shэ-) •adj. that can be dissociated; separable; distinguishable dis·so'ci·a·bil´i·ty •n. [Fr < L dissociabilis]
dissocial (dis sou´shэl, dis´-) •adj. unsocial or unsociable
dissociate (di sou´shi: eit'; also, -si: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to break the ties or connection between; sever association with; separate; disunite 2 to cause to undergo dissociation •vi. 1 to part company; stop associating 2 to undergo dissociation dissociate oneself from to deny or repudiate any connection with [< L dissociatus, pp. of dissociare < dis-, apart + sociare, to join < socius, companion: see SOCIAL]
dissociation (di sou'si: ei´shэn, -shi:-) •n. 1 a dissociating or being dissociated; separation 2 Chem. the breaking up of a compound into simpler components, as with heat or a solvent, frequently in a reversible manner so that the components may recombine 3 Psychol. a) a split in the conscious process in which a group of mental activities breaks away from the main stream of consciousness and functions as a separate unit, as if belonging to another person b) the abnormal separation of related ideas, thoughts, or emotions dis·so´ci·a'tive •adj. [L dissociatio]
dissoluble (di säl´yu: bэl, dis´э lэ bэl) •adj. that can be dissolved dis·sol'u·bil´i·ty •n. [L dissolubilis < dissolvere: see DISSOLVE]
dissolute (dis´э lu:t') •adj. dissipated and immoral; profligate; debauched dis´so·lute'ly •adv. dis´so·lute'ness •n. [L dissolutus, loosened, lax, unrestrained; pp. of dissolvere: see DISSOLVE]
dissolution (dis'э lu:´shэn) •n. a dissolving or being dissolved; specif., a) a breaking up or into parts; disintegration b) the termination, as of a business, association, or union c) the ending of life; death d) the dismissal of an assembly or adjournment of a meeting [ME dissolucioun < L dissolutio]
dissolve (di zälv´, -zölv´) -solved´, -solv´ing •vt., vi. 1 to make or become liquid; liquefy; melt 2 to merge with a liquid; pass or make pass into solution 3 to break up; disunite; decompose; disintegrate 4 to end by or as by breaking up; terminate 5 to disappear or make disappear 6 Film, TV to combine or be combined in a lap dissolve Film, TV short for LAP DISSOLVE •n. SYN. ADJOURN, MELT dissolve in (or into) tears weep dis·solv´a·ble •adj. dis·solv´er •n. [ME dissolven < L dissolvere, to loosen < dis-, apart + solvere, to loosen: see SOLVE]
dissolvent (-эnt) •adj. that can dissolve other substances •n. a dissolvent substance; solvent [L dissolvens, prp. of dissolvere]
dissonance (dis´э nэns) •n. 1 an inharmonious sound or combination of sounds; discord 2 any lack of harmony or agreement; incongruity 3 Music a chord that sounds incomplete or unfulfilled until resolved to a harmonious chord [ME dissonaunce < LL dissonantia < L dissonans, prp. of dissonare, to be discordant < dis-, apart + sonus, a SOUND¹]
dissonant (-nэnt) •adj. 1 characterized by or constituting a dissonance; discordant 2 opposing in opinion, temperament, etc.; incompatible; incongruous dis´so·nant·ly •adv.
dissuade (di sweid´) -suad´ed, -suad´ing •vt. 1 to turn (a person) aside (from a course, etc.) by persuasion or advice 2 [Obs.] to advise against (an action) dis·suad´er •n. [L dissuadere < dis-, away, from + suadere, to persuade: see SWEET]
dissuasion (di swei´zhэn) •n. the act of dissuading [ME dissuasioun < L dissuasio]
dissuasive (-siv) •adj. trying or meant to dissuade dis·sua´sive·ly •adv.
dissyllable (dis sil´э bэl, dis´sil'-) •n. DISYLLABLE dis·syl·lab·ic (dis'si læb´ik) •adj.
dissymmetry (dis sim´э tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 a lack or deficiency of symmetry 2 symmetry in opposite directions, as of a person's hands dis·sym·met·ri·cal (dis'si me´tri kэl) or dis'sym·me´tric •adj.
dist 1 distance 2 district
Dist Atty District Attorney
distaff (dis´tæf') •n. 1 a staff on which fibers, as flax or wool, are wound before being spun into thread 2 woman's work or concerns 3 [Archaic] woman, or women in general •adj. female; specif., designating the maternal side of a family [ME distaf < OE distæf < dis-, flax (see DIZEN) + stæf, STAFF¹]
distain (di stein´) •vt. [Archaic] 1 to discolor; stain 2 to stain the honor of; disgrace [ME disteinen < OFr desteindre < L dis- + tingere, to wet, TINGE]
distal (dis´tэl) •adj. Anat. farthest from the center or the point of attachment or origin; terminal: opposed to PROXIMAL dis´tal·ly •adv. [DIST(ANT) + -AL: formed in contrast to PROXIMAL]
distance (dis´tэns) •n. 1 the fact or condition of being separated or removed in space or time; remoteness 2 a gap, space, or interval between two points, lines, objects, etc. 3 an interval between two points in time 4 the length of a line between two points {the distance between Paris and Rome} 5 a remoteness in relationship; dissimilarity; disparity {the distance between wealth and poverty} 6 a remoteness in behavior; coolness of manner; reserve 7 a remote point in space {away in the distance} 8 a faraway point of time {at this distance we cannot know Neanderthal man} 9 Painting the depicting of distance, as in a landscape 10 Horse Racing a space that is a certain distance back from the finish line: in order to be qualified for future heats, a horse must have reached this space by the time the winner has completed the course •vt. -tanced, -tanc·ing 1 to place or hold at some distance 2 a) to place (oneself) at an emotional distance from something b) to cause to be at a mental or emotional distance from an audience, reader, etc. 3 to do better or more than; leave behind; outdo; outdistance go the distance to last through an activity; specif., to pitch an entire baseball game without being replaced keep at a distance to be reserved or cool toward; treat aloofly keep one's distance to be or remain aloof or reserved [ME distaunce < OFr distance < L distantia < distans, prp. of distare, to stand apart < dis-, apart + stare, STAND]
distant (dis´tэnt) •adj. 1 having a gap or space between; separated 2 widely separated; far apart or far away in space or time 3 at a measured interval; away {a town 100 miles distant} 4 far apart in relationship; remote {a distant cousin} 5 cool in manner; aloof; reserved 6 from or at a distance {a distant sound} 7 faraway or dreamy {a distant look} SYN. FAR dis´tant·ly •adv. [ME distaunt < L distans: see DISTANCE]
distaste (dis teist´, dis´teist') •n. dislike or aversion (for) •vt. -tast´ed, -tast´ing [Archaic] 1 to have a distaste for; dislike 2 to displease, offend •vi. [Obs.] to be distasteful
distasteful (-fэl) •adj. 1 unpleasant to taste 2 causing distaste; disagreeable dis·taste´ful·ly •adv. dis·taste´ful·ness •n.
distemper¹ (dis tem´pэr) •vt. 1 [Obs.] to make bad-tempered; disturb; ruffle 2 to upset or unbalance the functions of; derange; disorder •n. 1 a mental or physical derangement or disorder; disease 2 any of several infectious diseases of animals, characterized by rhinitis, fever, etc.; specif., a) an infectious virus disease of young dogs b) strangles, a disease of horses 3 civil disorder or turmoil [ME distemperen < OFr destemprer or ML distemperare, to disorder (esp. the tempers, or four humors) < L dis-, apart + temperare, to mix in proportion: see TEMPER]
distemper² (dis tem´pэr) •vt. 1 to mix (colors or pigments) with water and glue, size, or some other binding medium 2 to paint with such a mixture •n. 1 a method of painting using distempered pigment, as for wall decoration 2 a painting done in this way 3 distempered paint 4 any of various water-based paints, as whitewash, calcimine, etc. [OFr destemprer < ML distemperare, to mix, dilute < L dis-, intens. + temperare: see DISTEMPER1]
distemperature (dis tem´pэr э chэr) •n. [Archaic] a disordered condition, esp. of the body or the mind [< DISTEMPER¹, after TEMPERATURE]
distend (di stend´) •vt., vi. 1 to stretch out 2 to expand, as by pressure from within; make or become swollen SYN. EXPAND [ME distenden < L distendere < dis-, apart + tendere, to stretch: see TEND²]
distensible (-sten´sэ bэl) •adj. that can be distended [< LL distensus (L distentus), pp. of distendere]
distention or distension (-sten´shэn) •n. a distending or being distended; inflation; expansion [L distentio]
distich (dis´tik') •n. two successive lines of verse regarded as a unit; couplet [L distichon < Gr < distichos, having two rows < di-, two + stichos, a row, verse < base of steichein, to step: see STILE¹]
distichous (dis´ti kэs) •adj. Bot. arranged in two vertical rows, as leaves on opposite sides of a stem dis´tich·ous·ly •adv. [< LL distichus < Gr distichos (see DISTICH) + -OUS]
distill or distil (di stil´) -tilled´, -till´ing •vi. 1 to fall in drops; trickle; drip 2 to undergo distillation 3 to be produced as the essence of something •vt. 1 to cause or allow to fall in drops 2 to subject to, or purify or refine by, distillation {to distill water} 3 to remove, extract, or produce by distillation {to distill whiskey} 4 to purify, refine, or concentrate as if by distillation {to distill one's style} 5 to draw out or obtain the part that is essential, pure, etc. {to distill the meaning of a poem} [ME distillen < OFr distiller < L distillare, for destillare, to trickle down < de-, down + stillare, to drop < stilla, a drop: see STONE]
distillate (dis´tэ leit', -lit; also di stil´it) •n. 1 a product of distillation; liquid obtained by distilling 2 the essence of anything [< L distillatus, pp. of distillare]
distillation (dis'tэ lei´shen) •n. 1 a distilling; specif., the process of first heating a mixture to separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts, and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a more nearly pure or refined substance 2 anything distilled; distillate
distilled (di stild´) •adj. produced by distillation
distiller (di stil´эr) •n. 1 a person or apparatus that distills 2 a person, company, etc. in the business of making alcoholic liquors produced by distillation
distillery (di stil´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. a place where distilling is carried on; specif., an establishment where alcoholic liquors are distilled
distinct (di stiŋkt´) •adj. 1 not alike; different 2 not the same; separate; individual 3 clearly perceived or marked off; clear; plain {a distinct image} 4 well-defined; unmistakable; definite {a distinct success} 5 [Old Poet.] decorated or variegated SYN. DIFFERENT dis·tinct´ly •adv. dis·tinct´ness •n. [ME & OFr < L distinctus, pp. of distinguere: see DISTINGUISH]
distinction (di stiŋk´shэn) •n. 1 the act of making or keeping distinct; differentiation between or among things 2 the condition of being different; difference 3 that which makes or keeps distinct; quality, mark, or feature that differentiates 4 the state of getting special recognition or honor; fame; eminence {a singer of distinction} 5 the quality that makes one seem superior or worthy of special recognition {to serve with distinction} 6 a mark or sign of special recognition or honor [ME distinccioun < OFr distinction < L distinctio < pp. of distinguere: see DISTINGUISH]
distinctive (di stiŋk´tiv) •adj. making distinct; distinguishing from others; characteristic SYN. CHARACTERISTIC dis·tinc´tive·ly •adv. dis·tinc´tive·ness •n. [ME < ML distinctivus]
distinctive feature Linguis. any of the set of phonetic characteristics that, when variously grouped together, distinguish one phoneme from another {the bundle of distinctive features for the phoneme /m/ includes {+ consonant} and {+ nasal}, while the one for the phoneme /p/ includes {+ consonant} and {- nasal}}
distingué (di: stæŋ gei´) •adj. having an air of distinction; distinguished Also, sometimes, dis·tin·guée´ •adj.fem. [Fr]
distinguish (di stiŋ´gwish) •vt. 1 to separate or mark off by differences; perceive or show the difference in; differentiate 2 to be an essential characteristic of; characterize 3 to perceive clearly; recognize plainly by any of the senses 4 to separate and classify 5 to make famous or eminent; give distinction to {to distinguish oneself in battle} •vi. to make a distinction (between or among) dis·tin´guish·a·ble •adj. dis·tin´guish·a·bly •adv. SYN.—distinguish implies a recognizing or marking apart from others by special features or characteristic qualities [to distinguish good from evil]; discriminate, in this connection, suggests a distinguishing of minute or subtle differences between similar things [to discriminate scents]; differentiate suggests the noting or ascertaining of specific differences between things by comparing in detail their distinguishing qualities or features see also DISCERN [< L distinguere, to separate, discriminate < dis-, apart + -stinguere, to prick < IE base *steig-, to prick, pierce (> STICK, Ger sticken, to embroider, Gr stigma) + -ISH, sense 2]
distinguished (-gwisht) •adj. 1 celebrated; eminent 2 having an air of distinction SYN. FAMOUS
Distinguished Flying Cross Æ 1 a U.S. military decoration awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight 2 a British Royal Air Force decoration awarded for gallantry while flying in combat
Distinguished Service Cross Æ 1 a U.S. Army decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat 2 a British Royal Navy decoration awarded for distinguished service against the enemy
Distinguished Service Medal Æ 1 a U.S. military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility 2 a British Royal Navy or Marines decoration awarded for distinguished service in time of war
Distinguished Service Order a British military decoration awarded in recognition of special services in action
distome (dai´stoum') •n. any of various digenetic, parasitic flukes, with an anterior oral sucker and the posterior sucker located on the ventral surface [< ModL Distoma, name of the type genus: see DI-¹ & STOMA]
distort (di stört´) •vt. 1 to twist out of shape; change the usual or normal shape, form, or appearance of 2 to misrepresent; misstate; pervert {to distort the facts} 3 to modify (a wave, sound, signal, etc.) so as to produce an unfaithful reproduction SYN. DEFORM dis·tort´er •n. [< L distortus, pp. of distorquere, distort < dis-, intens. + torquere, to twist: see TORT]
distortion (di stör´shэn) •n. 1 a distorting or being distorted 2 anything distorted dis·tor´tion·al •adj. [L distortio]
distr 1 distributed 2 distribution 3 distributor
distract (di strækt´) •vt. 1 to draw (the mind, attention, etc.) away in another direction; divert 2 to draw in conflicting directions; create conflict or confusion in 3 [Obs.] to drive insane; craze dis·tract´ed •adj. dis·tract´ed·ly •adv. dis·tract´i·ble •adj. dis·tract´ing •adj. dis·tract´ing·ly •adv. [ME distracten < L distractus, pp. of distrahere, to draw apart < dis-, apart + trahere, DRAW]
distraction (di stræk´shэn) •n. 1 a distracting or being distracted; confusion 2 anything that distracts; specif., a) a mental intrusion or cause of confusion b) anything that gives mental relaxation; amusement; diversion 3 great mental disturbance or distress dis·trac´tive •adj. [ME distraccioun < L distractio]
distrain (di strein´) •vt., vi. Law to seize and hold (property) as security or indemnity for a debt dis·train´a·ble •adj. dis·train´er or dis·trai´nor •n. [ME distreinen < OFr destreindre < ML distringere, to force by seizure of goods < L, to pull asunder, detain < dis-, apart + stringere, to draw tight, stretch: see STRICT]
distrainee (dis'trein i:´) •n. a person whose property has been distrained [prec. + -EE¹]
distraint (di streint´) •n. Law the action of distraining; seizure [ME distreint < OFr destreinte]
distrait (di strei´) •adj. absent-minded; inattentive SYN. ABSENT-MINDED [ME < OFr destrait, pp. of distraire < L distrahere: see DISTRACT]
distraught (di ströt´) •adj. 1 extremely troubled; mentally confused; distracted; harassed 2 driven mad; crazed SYN. ABSENT-MINDED [ME, var. of prec.]
distress (di stres´) •vt. 1 to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; pain 2 to cause discomfort to; trouble 3 to exhaust or weaken with strain of any sort 4 [Archaic] to constrain (to do something) 5 Law to distrain •n. 1 the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc. 2 anything that distresses; affliction 3 a state of danger or trouble; bad straits 4 Law a) distraint b) the property distrained dis·tress´ing •adj. dis·tress´ing·ly •adv. SYN.—distress implies mental or physical strain imposed by pain, trouble, worry, or the like and usually suggests a state or situation that can be relieved [distress caused by famine]; suffering stresses the actual enduring of pain, distress, or tribulation [the suffering of the wounded]; agony suggests mental or physical torment so excruciating that the body or mind is convulsed with the force of it [in mortal agony]; anguish has equal force but is more often applied to acute mental suffering [the anguish of despair] [ME distressen < OFr destrecier, orig., to constrain (to do something) < destrece, constraint < ML destrescia < L districtus, pp. of distringere: see DISTRAIN]
distressed (-strest´) •adj. 1 full of distress; anxious, suffering, troubled, etc. 2 given the appearance of being antique, as by having the finish marred {distressed walnut} 3 designating or of an area in which there is widespread unemployment, poverty, etc. 4 designating or of goods, esp. repossessed goods, sold at low prices or at a loss
distressful (di stres´fэl) •adj. 1 causing distress; painful; grievous 2 feeling, expressing, or full of distress
distributary (di strib´yu: ter'i:) pl. -tar'ies •n. any branch of a river that flows away from the main stream and does not rejoin it [< fol., by analogy with TRIBUTARY]
distribute (di strib´yu:t, -yut) -ut·ed, -ut·ing •vt. 1 to divide and give out in shares; allot 2 to scatter or spread out, as over a surface 3 to divide and arrange according to a classification; classify 4 to put (things) in various distinct places 5 [Obs.] to administer, as justice 6 Printing to break up (set type) and put the letters back in the proper boxes 7 Law to apportion (an intestate's property) to those entitled to it 8 Logic to use (a term) in such a way as to refer to all members of its extension dis·trib´ut·a·ble •adj. SYN.—distribute implies a dealing out of portions or a spreading about of units among a number of recipients [to distribute leaflets]; dispense suggests the careful measuring out of that which is distributed [to dispense drugs]; divide suggests separation of a whole into parts to be shared [an inheritance divided among five children]; dole implies a distributing of money, food, etc. in charity or in a sparing or niggardly manner [ME distributen < L distributus, pp. of distribuere, to distribute < dis-, apart + tribuere, to allot: see TRIBUTE]
distributed processing a system consisting of a network of microcomputers performing certain functions and linked with a main computer used for more complex tasks
distributee (di strib'yu: ti:´) •n. Law one of those to whom an intestate's property is to be apportioned
distribution (dis'tri byu:´shэn) •n. 1 a distributing or being distributed; specif., a) apportionment by law (of funds, property, etc.) b) the process by which commodities get to final consumers, including storing, selling, shipping, and advertising c) frequency of occurrence or extent of existence 2 anything distributed; portion; share 3 the result of distributing; arrangement 4 Statistics the relative arrangement of the elements of a statistical population based on some criterion, as frequency, time, or location dis'tri·bu´tion·al •adj. [ME distribucioun < L distributio]
distribution class FORM CLASS
distribution ratio Chem. the ratio of concentrations of a solute distributed between two immiscible solvents in contact with each other, as iodine in water and chloroform
distributive (di strib´yu: tiv', -yut iv) •adj. 1 distributing or tending to distribute 2 relating to distribution 3 Gram. referring individually to all members of a group {each and either are distributive words} 4 Math. of the principle in multiplication that allows the multiplier to be used separately with each term of the multiplicand •n. a distributive word or expression dis·trib´u·tive·ly •adv. [ME & OFr distributif < LL distributivus]
distributor (di strib´yut эr) •n. a person or thing that distributes; specif., Æ a) an agent or business firm that distributes goods to consumers or dealers Æ b) a device for distributing electric current to the spark plugs of a gasoline engine so that they fire in proper order dis·trib´u·tor·ship' •n.
district (dis´trikt) •n. 1 a geographical or political division made for a specific purpose {a school district} 2 any region; part of a country, city, etc. {the business district} Æ vt. to divide into districts [Fr < ML districtus, orig., control; hence in feudal law, a territory within which a lord had jurisdiction < L: see DISTRESS]
district attorney a lawyer serving in a specified judicial district as prosecutor for the State or for the Federal government in criminal cases
district court 1 the Federal trial court sitting in each judicial district of the U.S. 2 in some States, the court of general jurisdiction in each judicial district
District of Columbia federal district of the U.S., on the N bank of the Potomac River: 69 sq. mi. (179 sq. km); pop. 607,000; coextensive with the city of Washington: abbrev. DC or D.C. [after Christopher COLUMBUS]
distrust (dis trûst´) •n. a lack of trust, of faith, or of confidence; doubt; suspicion •vt. to have no trust, faith, or confidence in; doubt; suspect
distrustful (-fэl) •adj. distrusting; doubting distrustful of suspicious of; having no confidence in dis·trust´ful·ly •adv. dis·trust´ful·ness •n.
disturb (di størb´) •vt. 1 to break up the quiet or serenity of; agitate (what is quiet or still) 2 to upset mentally or emotionally; make uneasy or anxious 3 to break up the settled order or orderly working of {to disturb the books on a shelf} 4 to break in on; interrupt 5 to inconvenience {don't disturb yourself} dis·turb´er •n. SYN.—disturb implies the unsettling of normal mental calm or powers of concentration by worry, interruption, etc. [to disturb one's train of thought]; discompose implies the upsetting of one's self-possession [her sudden outburst discomposed him]; to perturb is to cause to have a troubled or alarmed feeling [the bad news perturbed him]; agitate suggests an arousing of intense mental or emotional excitement [he was so agitated, he could not answer] [ME distourben < OFr distourber < L disturbare, to drive asunder < dis-, intens. + turbare, to disorder < turba, a crowd, mob: see TURBID]
disturbance (di stør´bэns) •n. 1 a) a disturbing or being disturbed b) any departure from normal 2 anything that disturbs 3 the state of being worried, troubled, or anxious 4 commotion; disorder [ME < OFr distourbance]
disulfate (dai sûl´feit') •n. 1 PYROSULFATE 2 a chemical compound containing two sulfate groups per molecule Cf. BISULFATE
disulfide (dai sûl´faid') •n. 1 a chemical compound in which two sulfur atoms are united with a single radical or with a single atom of an element; bisulfide 2 an organic compound in which the SS group is attached to two different carbon atoms
disulfuric acid (dai'sûl fyur´ik) PYROSULFURIC ACID
disunion (dis yu:n´yэn) •n. 1 the breaking up or ending of union; separation 2 lack of unity; discord
disunionist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who advocates or tries to cause disunion Æ 2 a person favoring secession, as in the Civil War; secessionist dis·un´ion·ism' •n.
disunite (dis'yu: nait´) -nit´ed, -nit´ing •vt. to destroy or take away the unity of; divide or separate •vi. to become separated or divided
disunity (dis yu:n´э ti:) •n. lack of unity
disuse (-yu:z´; for n., -yu:s´) -used´, -us´ing •vt. to stop using •n. the fact or state of being or becoming unused; lack of use
disutility (dis'yu: til´э ti:) •n. a lack of utility; quality of being harmful, inconvenient, etc.
disvalue (dis væl´yu:) -val´ued, -val´u·ing •vt. to regard as of little or no value; depreciate •n. negative value
disyllable (dai sil´э bэl, dai´sil'-; also di sil´-) •n. a word of two syllables di·syl·lab·ic (dai'si læb´ik, di'-) •adj. [altered, by analogy with SYLLABLE, < Fr dissyllabe < L disyllabus < Gr disyllabos, of two syllables < di-, two + syllabē, SYLLABLE]
dit (dit) •n. the dot character in Morse code [echoic]
ditch (dich) •n. a long, narrow channel dug into the earth, as a trough for drainage or irrigation •vt. 1 to border with a ditch 2 to make a ditch or ditches in Æ 3 a) to cause (a car, wagon, etc.) to go into a ditch b) to derail (a train) 4 to set (a disabled aircraft) down on water and abandon it Æ 5 [Slang] a) to get rid of b) to get away from (an unwanted companion, etc.) •vi. 1 to dig a ditch or ditches 2 to ditch a disabled plane [ME dich < OE dic, a ditch, drain: see DIKE¹]
ditheism (dai´θi: iz'эm) •n. belief in two supreme gods; dualism
dither (dið´эr) •vi. to be nervously excited or confused •n. a nervously excited or confused condition [ME dideren, prob. akin to daderen, DODDER¹]
dithionic acid (dai'θai än´ik) an acid, H2S2O6, having two sulfur atoms in each molecule and existing only in salts or solutions [DI-¹ + THIONIC]
dithyramb (diθ´э ræm'; also, -ræmb') •n. 1 in ancient Greece, an impassioned choric hymn in honor of Dionysus 2 any extravagantly emotional speech or writing dith'y·ram´bic (-bik) •adj., n. [L dithyrambus < Gr dithyrambos]
Ditmars (dit´märz), Raymond Lee 1876-1942; U.S. naturalist & zoo curator
ditsy (dit´si:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. [Slang] silly, inane, disorganized, eccentric, etc.: also spelled dit´zy [? altered < DIZZY]
dittany (dit´ªn i:) pl. -nies •n. 1 a creeping, woolly herb (Origanum dictamnus) of the mint family, native to Crete 2 GAS PLANT Æ 3 a small perennial herb (Cunila origanoides) of the mint family, found in E U.S. [ME ditane < OFr ditan < L dictamnum < Gr diktamnon, ? after Diktē, Mount Dicte, in Crete, where it grew]
ditto (dit´ou) pl. -tos •n. 1 the same (as something said or appearing above or before) 2 a duplicate; another of the same 3 DITTO MARK •adv. as said above; as before; likewise •vt. -toed, -to·ing 1 to duplicate or make copies of 2 to indicate repetition of, by using ditto marks 3 to do again; repeat [It (Tuscan), var. of detto, said < L dictus, pp. of dicere, to say: see DICTION]
ditto mark a mark (") used in itemized lists or tables to show that a word, figure, or passage above is to be repeated
ditty (dit´i:) pl. -ties •n. a short, simple song [ME dite < OFr dité < L dictatum, thing dictated, neut. pp. of dictare: see DICTATE]
ditty bag (or box) a small bag (or box) used as by sailors for holding sewing equipment, toilet articles, etc. [< ? obs. dutty, coarse calico, orig. Anglo-Ind, prob. < Hindi dhōtī, loincloth]
ditz (dits) •n. [Slang] a person thought of as being flighty, eccentric, silly, etc. [back-form. < DITSY]
Diu (di:´u) small island just off the coast of Gujarat state, NW India: formerly part of Portuguese India: see GOA
diuresis (dai'yu: ri:´sis) pl. -ses •n. an increased or excessive excretion of urine [ModL < Gr diourein < dia-, through + ourein, to urinate < ouron, URINE]
diuretic (-ret´ik) •adj. increasing the excretion of urine •n. a diuretic drug or other substance di'u·ret´i·cal·ly •adv. [ME diuretik < LL diureticus < Gr diourētikos < diourein: see DIURESIS]
diurnal (dai ør´nэl) •adj. 1 occurring each day; daily 2 of, done, or happening in the daytime: opposed to NOCTURNAL 3 a) Bot. opening in the daytime and closing at night (said of a flower) b) Zool. active in the daytime •n. 1 [Archaic] a daily newspaper 2 Eccles. a service book containing prayers for the daytime canonical hours and for compline di·ur´nal·ly •adv. [ME < L diurnalis < diurnus, daily < dies, day: see DEITY]
div 1 dividend 2 division 3 divisor 4 divorced Div Division
diva (di:´vэ) pl. -vas or -ve (-ve) •n. a leading woman singer, esp. in grand opera [It < L, goddess, fem. of divus, god: see DEITY]
divagate (dai´vэ geit'; also div´э-) -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vi. 1 to wander about 2 to stray from the subject; digress di'va·ga´tion •n. [< pp. of LL divagari, to wander about < L dis-, from + vagari, to wander: see VAGABOND]
divalent (dai´vei'lэnt, dai vei´-) •adj. Chem. 1 having two valences 2 having a valence of two See -VALENT
divan (for 2 & 3, dai´væn' or di væn´; for 1 & 4, di vän´ or di væn´) •n. 1 in the Ottoman Empire, a) a council of state or the room in which it was held b) the audience chamber of a government office 2 a large, low couch or sofa, usually without armrests or back 3 a coffee room, café, or smoking room [Turk dīwān < Pers, orig., bundle of written sheets, hence accounts, customhouse, council room, appropriate furniture]
divaricate (dai vær´i keit', di-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vi., vt. to spread widely apart; separate into diverging parts or branches; fork; branch •adj. spreading or branching far apart; widely diverging [< L divaricatus, pp. of divaricare, to spread apart < dis-, apart + varicare, to straddle: see PREVARICATE]
divarication (dai vær'i kei´shэn, di-) •n. 1 a divaricating, or branching 2 a difference of opinion
divaricator (dai vær´i keit'эr, di-) •n. the muscle that stretches apart the shells of a brachiopod
dive (daiv) dived or dove, dived, div´ing •vi. 1 to plunge headfirst into water 2 to go underwater; submerge, as a submarine or skin diver 3 to plunge the hand or body suddenly into something {to dive into a foxhole} 4 to bring oneself zestfully or with abandon into something {to dive into one's work} 5 to make a steep, sudden descent or take a sudden drop, as an airplane •vt. 1 to cause to dive; specif., to send (one's airplane) into a dive 2 [Archaic] to explore or penetrate by or as by diving •n. 1 a plunge into water headfirst; esp., any of various formalized plunges performed as in a competition 2 any sudden plunge or submersion 3 a sharp descent or sudden drop, as of an airplane 4 [Colloq.] a cheap, disreputable saloon, gambling place, etc. Æ take a dive [Slang] to lose a prizefight purposely by pretending to get knocked out [ME diven < OE dyfan, to immerse, caus. of dufan, to dive, akin to ON d##fa, to plunge, dūfa, a wave < IE base *dheup-, DEEP]
dive bomber an airplane designed to release bombs while diving steeply at a target dive´bomb' •vt., vi.
diver (dai´vэr) •n. one that dives; specif., a) a person who works or explores underwater, usually breathing air supplied through a special mask or helmet b) any of several diving water birds, esp. a loon
diverge (dai vørj´; also di-) -verged´, -verg´ing •vi. 1 to go or move in different directions from a common point or from each other; branch off {paths that diverge} 2 to take on gradually a different form or become a different kind {diverging customs} 3 to depart from a given viewpoint, practice, etc.; differ {diverging opinions} •vt. to make diverge SYN. DEVIATE [ML divergere (for LL devergere) < L dis-, apart + vergere, to turn: see VERGE²]
divergence (-vør´jэns) •n. 1 a diverging, separating, or branching off 2 a becoming different in form or kind 3 departure from a particular viewpoint, practice, etc. 4 difference of opinion; disagreement Also di·ver´gen·cy, pl. -cies [ML divergentia]
divergent (-vør´jэnt) •adj. 1 diverging 2 varying from one another or from a norm; deviating; different 3 causing divergence 4 not convergent, as a mathematical sequence SYN. DIFFERENT di·ver´gent·ly •adv. [ML divergens, prp. of divergere]
divers (dai´vэrz) •adj. 1 several; various 2 [Archaic] diverse [ME & OFr divers(e): see DIVERSE]
diverse (dэ vørs´, dai-; dai´vørs') •adj. 1 different; dissimilar 2 varied; diversified SYN. DIFFERENT di·verse´ly •adv. di·verse´ness •n. [ME & OFr < L diversus, pp. of divertere, to turn aside < dis-, apart + vertere, to turn: see VERSE]
diversified (dэ vør´sэ faid', dai-) •adj. varied
diversify (dэ vør´sэ fai', dai-) -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to make diverse; give variety to; vary 2 to divide up (investments, liabilities, etc.) among different companies, securities, etc. 3 to expand (a business, line of products, etc.) by increasing the variety of things produced or of operations undertaken •vi. to undertake expansion of a line of products or otherwise multiply business operations di·ver'si·fi·ca´tion •n. [ME diversifien < OFr diversifier < ML diversificare, to make different < L diversus (see DIVERSE) + facere, DO¹]
diversion (dэ vør´zhэn, -shэn; dai-) •n. 1 a diverting or turning aside {diversion of funds from the treasury} 2 distraction of attention {diversion of the enemy} 3 anything that diverts or distracts the attention; specif., a pastime or amusement [ME diversioun < ML diversio (for LL deversio)]
diversionary (-er'i:) •adj. 1 having the nature of a diversion 2 Mil. serving to distract the enemy from the main point of attack {diversionary tactics}
diversionist (-ist) •n. a person engaged in diversionary activity or tactics
diversity (dэ vør´sэ ti:, dai-) pl. -ties •n. 1 quality, state, fact, or instance of being diverse; difference 2 variety [ME diversite < OFr diverseté]
divert (dэ vørt´, dai-) •vt. 1 to turn (a person or thing) aside from a course, direction, etc. into another; deflect 2 to distract the attention of 3 to amuse; entertain SYN. AMUSE [ME diverten < OFr divertir < L divertere: see DIVERSE]
diverticulitis (dai'vэr tik'yu: lait´is) •n. inflammation of a diverticulum [see -ITIS]
diverticulosis (-lou´sis) •n. the abnormal condition of having a number of diverticula protruding from the wall of the intestinal tract [see -OSIS]
diverticulum (dai'vэr tik´yu: lэm) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. Anat. a normal or abnormal pouch or sac opening out from a tubular organ or main cavity [L diverticulum, var. of deverticulum, a bypath < devertere, to turn aside: see DE- & VERSE]
divertimento (di ver'ti men´tou) pl. -ti (-ti:) •n.or -tos any of various light, melodic instrumental compositions in several movements [It: see DIVERT]
diverting (dэ vørt´iŋ, dai-) •adj. that diverts; esp., amusing or entertaining di·vert´ing·ly •adv.
divertissement (di: veř ti:s mäñ´; E di vørt´is mэnt) 1 a diversion; amusement 2 a short ballet, etc. performed between the acts of a play or opera; entr'acte 3 DIVERTIMENTO [Fr: see DIVERT]
Dives (dai´vi:z') traditional name of the rich man in a parable: cf. Luke 16:19-31 •n. any rich man [ME: so named < use of L dives, rich, in the parable in the Vulg.]
divest (dэ vest´, dai-) •vt. 1 to strip (of clothing, equipment, etc.) 2 to deprive or dispossess (of rank, rights, etc.) 3 to disencumber or rid (of something unwanted) 4 Law DEVEST SYN. STRIP¹ [altered < DEVEST]
divestiture (-э chэr) •n. a divesting or being divested Also di·vest´ment or di·ves´ture
divide (dэ vaid´) di·vid´ed, di·vid´ing •vt. 1 to separate into parts; split up; sever 2 to separate into groups; classify 3 to make or keep separate by or as by a boundary or partition 4 to give out in shares; apportion; distribute 5 to cause disagreement between or among; alienate 6 to separate (a parliamentary body) into groups in voting on a question 7 Math. a) to separate into equal parts by a divisor b) to function as a divisor of 8 Mech. to mark off the divisions of; graduate; gradate •vi. 1 to be or become separate; part 2 to differ in opinion; disagree 3 to separate into groups in voting on a question: said of a parliament, esp. that of the United Kingdom 4 to share 5 Math. to do division •n. 1 the act of dividing Æ 2 a ridge that divides two drainage areas; watershed SYN. DISTRIBUTE, SEPARATE di·vid´a·ble •adj. [ME dividen < L dividere, to separate, divide, distribute < di- (< dis-, apart) + base seen in vidua, WIDOW < IE base *weidh-, to separate (prob. < wi-, apart + dhē, set, DO¹)]
divided (-id) •adj. 1 a) separated into parts; parted b) having a center strip, as of turf, separating traffic moving in opposite directions {a divided highway} c) having distinct indentations or notches reaching to the base or midrib, as in certain compound leaves 2 disagreeing or differing in opinion
dividend (div´э dend', -dэnd) •n. 1 the number or quantity to be divided 2 a) a sum or quantity, usually of money, to be divided among stockholders, creditors, members of a cooperative, etc. b) an individual's share of such a sum or quantity 3 a gift of something extra; bonus 4 the refund made under some insurance policies to the insured from the year's surplus profit SYN. BONUS [< L dividendum, that which is to be divided < dividendus, ger. of dividere]
divider (dэ vaid´эr) •n. a person or thing that divides; specif., a) [pl.] an instrument for dividing lines, measuring or marking off distances, etc.; compasses b) a screen, set of shelves, etc. used to separate a room into distinct areas
divi-divi (div´i: div´i:) •n. 1 a small tropical American tree (Caesalpinia coriaria) of the caesalpinia family 2 its curled, astringent pods, which yield tannic acid [Sp < Carib word]
divination (div'э nei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or practice of trying to foretell the future or explore the unknown by occult means 2 a prophecy; augury 3 a successful guess; clever conjecture di·vin·a·to·ry (dэ vin´э tör'i:) •adj. [ME divinacioun < L divinatio < divinatus, pp. of divinare: see DIVINE]
divine (dэ vain´) •adj. 1 of or like God or a god 2 given or inspired by God; holy; sacred 3 devoted to God; religious; sacrosanct 4 having to do with theology 5 supremely great, good, etc. 6 [Colloq.] very pleasing, attractive, etc. •n. 1 a member of the clergy 2 a theologian •vt. -vined´, -vin´ing [ME devinen < OFr deviner < L divinare < divinus] 1 to prophesy 2 to guess; conjecture 3 to find out by intuition •vi. 1 to engage in divination 2 to make a conjecture 3 to use a divining rod SYN. HOLY di·vine´ly •adv. di·vin´er •n. [ME & OFr < L divinus < divus, god, DEITY]
Divine Comedy a long narrative poem in Italian, written (c. 1307-21) by Dante Alighieri: it deals with the author's imagined journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise
Divine Liturgy Eastern Orthodox Ch. the Eucharistic rite
Divine Office the Psalms, readings, prayers, etc. used at the canonical hours
divine right of kings the former belief that royal authority to rule comes only from God
diving bell (daiv´iŋ) a large, hollow, bell-shaped apparatus supplied with air through a hose, in which persons can work underwater
diving board a springboard projecting over a swimming pool, lake, etc., for use as a takeoff in diving
diving duck any of various ducks that dive for food or protection, as the redhead
diving suit a heavy, waterproof garment covering the body, worn by divers working underwater: it has a detachable helmet into which air is pumped through a hose
divining rod a forked branch or stick alleged to reveal hidden water or minerals by dipping downward when held over them by a dowser
divinity (dэ vin´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or condition of being divine 2 a divine being; a god; deity 3 a divine power, virtue, etc. 4 the study of religion; theology Æ 5 a soft, creamy kind of candy the Divinity God [ME & OFr divinite < L divinitas < divinus]
divinylbenzene (dai vai'nэl ben´zi:n', dai'-) •n. an unsaturated aromatic monomer, C6H4(CH:CH2)2, existing in three isomeric forms: used to produce special synthetic rubbers, ion-exchange resins, etc. [DI-¹ + VINYL + BENZENE]
divisible (dэ viz´э bэl) •adj. that can be divided; dividable, esp. without leaving a remainder di·vis'i·bil´i·ty •n. [ME < LL divisibilis]
division (dэ vizh´эn) •n. 1 a dividing or being divided; separation 2 a sharing or apportioning; distribution 3 a difference of opinion; disagreement 4 a separation into groups in voting 5 anything that divides; partition; boundary 6 anything separated or distinguished from the whole or from the larger unit of which it is a part; as, a) a particular section of a country, state, etc. divided off as for administration b) a particular department of a government, business, school, or other organization c) a particular rank or kind, as of students or athletes, based on achievement, age, sex, etc. d) a segment, as of the body 7 Bot. any of the major groups into which the plant kingdom is divided in some systems of classification; phylum 8 Hort. a form of plant propagation in which new plants are grown from segments detached from the parent plant 9 Math. the process of finding how many times a number (the divisor) is contained in another number (the dividend): the number of times equals the quotient 10 Mil. a major tactical or administrative unit that can act independently and is under one command; specif., a) an army unit larger than a regiment and smaller than a corps, to which various numbers and types of battalions can be attached as required b) a tactical subdivision of a naval squadron c) Mil. an air force unit of two or more combat wings SYN. PART di·vi´sion·al •adj. [ME divisioun < L divisio < divisus, pp. of dividere]
division sign (or mark) the symbol (÷), indicating that the preceding number is to be divided by the following number (Ex.: 8 ÷ 4 =2)
divisionism (-iz'эm) •n. POINTILLISM di·vi´sion·ist •n., adj.
divisive (dэ vai´siv, -ziv; also, -vis´iv) •adj. causing division; esp., causing disagreement or dissension di·vi´sive·ly •adv. di·vi´sive·ness •n. [LL divisivus]
divisor (dэ vai´zэr) •n. 1 the number or quantity by which the dividend is divided to produce the quotient 2 COMMON DIVISOR
divorce (dэ vörs´) •n. 1 legal and formal dissolution of a marriage 2 any complete separation or disunion •vt. -vorced´, -vorc´ing 1 to dissolve legally a marriage between; separate by divorce 2 to dissolve the marriage with (one's spouse) 3 to separate; disunite •vi. to get a divorce [ME & OFr < L divortium < divortere, var. of divertere, to turn different ways: see DIVERSE]
divorcé (di vör´sei', -si:'; div'ör sei´, -si:´) •n. a divorced man [Fr, orig. pp. of divorcer]
divorcée or divorcee (di vör´sei', -si:'; div'ör sei´, -si:´) •n. a divorced woman [Fr, fem. of prec.]
divorcement (dэ vörs´mэnt) •n. divorce
divot (div´эt) •n. 1 [Scot.] a thin slice of turf used as for roofing 2 Golf a lump of turf dislodged by a player's club in making a stroke [Scot dial. < ?]
divulgate (dэ vûl´geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. [Rare] DIVULGE [< L divulgatus, pp. of divulgare]
divulge (dэ vûlj´) -vulged´, -vulg´ing •vt. to make known; disclose; reveal SYN. REVEAL¹ [ME divulgen < L divulgare < di- (< dis-), apart + vulgare, to make public< vulgus, the common people: see VULGAR]
divulgence (-vûl´jэns) •n. a divulging or being divulged; disclosure Also di·vulge´ment
divulsion (dэ vûl´shэn) •n. a tearing or being torn apart; violent rending or separation [< L divulsio < divulsus, pp. of divellere, to rend asunder < di- (< dis-), apart + vellere, to pull out, pluck: see REVULSION]
divvy (div´i:) -vied, -vy·ing •vt., vi. [Slang] to share; divide (up) •n. [Slang] a division [< DIVIDE]
diwan (di: wän´) •n. DEWAN
Dixie (dik´si:) the Southern States of the U.S. collectively; Dixieland [< Dixie (earlier, Dixie's Land), title of song (1859) by Daniel D. Emmett (1815-1904), U.S. songwriter, after Dixie, orig. name of a Negro character in a minstrel play (1850)]
Dixie cup trademark for a small, paper drinking cup [d- c-] such a cup
Dixiecrat (-kræt') •n. a member of a party of Southern Democrats opposed to the civil rights platform of the Democratic Party in 1948 [prec. + (DEMO)CRAT]
Dixieland (-lænd') the South; Dixie: also Dixie Land •adj. in, of, or like a style of small-band, improvised jazz characterized by fast, ragtime tempos and a strict beat, and associated historically with early white New Orleans musicians •n. Dixieland jazz
Diyarbakir (di: yär'bä kir´) city in SE Turkey, on the Tigris: pop. 236,000
dizen (dai´zэn; also diz´эn) •vt. [Archaic] BEDIZEN [MDu disen, to put flax on a distaff < LowG diesse, bunch of flax, akin to OE dis-: see DISTAFF]
dizygotic (dai'zai gät´ik) •adj. developing from two fertilized eggs, as fraternal twins: also di·zy·gous (dai zai´gэs)
dizzy (diz´i:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. 1 having a whirling, dazed sensation; giddy; lightheaded 2 causing or likely to cause such a sensation 3 confused; bewildered 4 [Colloq.] silly; foolish; harebrained •vt. -zied, -zy·ing to make dizzy diz´zi·ly •adv. diz´zi·ness •n. [ME disi, dusi < OE dysig, foolish < IE base *dhewes-, to eddy, whirl > DEER]
DJ (di:´jei') •n. DISC JOCKEY
Djaja Peak (jä´yэ) mountain in West Irian, W New Guinea: c. 16,500 ft. (5,030 m)
Djakarta (jэ kär´tэ) alt. sp. of JAKARTA
Djawa (jä´vэ) Indonesian name of JAVA
djebel (jeb´эl) •n. JEBEL [Fr < Ar jebel]
djellaba or djellabah (jэ lä´bэ) •n. a long, loose outer garment worn in Arabic countries [Ar jallaba, contr. < jallābīya]
DJIA Dow Jones Industrial Average
Djibouti (ji bu:t´i:) 1 country in E Africa, on the Gulf of Aden: 8,500 sq. mi. (22,000 sq. km); pop. c. 430,000: see FRENCH SOMALILAND 2 its capital, a seaport: pop. 200,000 Dji·bou´ti·an (-bu:t´i: эn) •adj., n.
djinni (ji ni:´, jin´i:) pl. djinn •n. JINNI
dkg dekagram(s)
dkl dekaliter(s)
dkm dekameter(s)
DL Football defensive lineman dl 1 deciliter(s) 2 Football defensive lineman
DLit, DLitt, D.Lit., or D.Litt. Doctor of Letters (or Literature) [L Doctor Lit(t)erarum]
DLS or D.L.S. Doctor of Library Science
dm decimeter(s) DM 1 deutsche mark: also Dm 2 Doctor of Music: also D.M., DMus, or D.Mus.
DMA or D.M.A. Doctor of Musical Arts
DMD or D.M.D. Doctor of Dental Medicine
DMin or D.Min. Doctor of Ministry
DMSO a colorless liquid, (CH3)2SO, that diffuses very rapidly through the skin: used as a solvent and experimentally in medicine [d(i)m(ethyl) s(ulf)o(xide)]
DMT a natural, or synthetic, hallucinogenic drug, C12H16N2, similar to LSD in its effects, which are, however, more rapid in onset and shorter in duration [d(i)m(ethyl)t(ryptamine)]
DMZ demilitarized zone
Dn Bible Daniel
DNA (di:'en'ei´) •n. DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID
DNB Dictionary of National Biography
Dnepr (ni:´pэr; Russ dnye´pэr) river in W Russia, Belarus, & Ukraine, flowing from the Valdai Hills south and southwest into the Black Sea: 1,420 mi. (2,285 km) [Russ: see DANUBE]
Dneprodzerzhinsk (dnye'přô dzeř zhinsk´) city in SC Ukraine, on the Dnepr just west of Dnepropetrovsk: pop. 271,000
Dnepropetrovsk (-pye třôfsk´) city in SC Ukraine, on the Dnepr: pop. 1,153,000
Dnestr (ni:s´tэr; Russ dnyes´tэř) river in SW Ukraine & Moldova, flowing from the Carpathian Mountains southeast into the Black Sea: c. 850 mi. (1,370 km) [Russ: see DANUBE]
Dnieper (ni:´pэr) alt. sp. of DNEPR
Dniester (ni:s´tэr) alt. sp. of DNESTR
DO or D.O. Doctor of Osteopathy
Do or do abbrev. ditto
do¹ (du:) did, done, do·ing •vt. (du:´iŋ) 1 a) to perform (an action, etc.) {do great deeds} b) to carry out; fulfill {do what I tell you} 2 to bring to completion; finish {dinner has been done for an hour} 3 to bring about; cause; produce {it does no harm; who did this to you?} 4 to exert (efforts, etc.) {do your best} 5 to deal with as is required; attend to {do the ironing, do one's nails or hair} 6 to have as one's work or occupation; work at or on {what does he do for a living?} 7 to work out; solve {do a problem} 8 to produce or appear in (a play, etc.) {we did Hamlet} 9 to play the role of {I did Polonius} 10 to write or publish (a book), compose (a musical score), etc. 11 a) to cover (distance) {to do a mile in four minutes} b) to move along at a speed of {to do 60 miles an hour} 12 to visit as a sightseer; tour {they did England in two months} 13 to translate {to do Horace into English} 14 to give; render {to do honor to the dead} 15 to suit; be convenient to {this will do me very well} 16 [Colloq.] to cheat; swindle {you've been done} 17 [Colloq.] to serve (a jail term) 18 [Slang] to take; ingest; use {we've never done drugs} •vi. 1 to act in a specified way; behave {he does well when treated well} 2 to be active; work {do; don't merely talk} 3 to finish: used in the perfect tense [have done with dreaming] 4 to get along; fare {mother and child are doing well} 5 to be adequate or suitable; serve the purpose {the black dress will do} 6 to take place; go on {anything doing tonight?} v.aux. 1 used to give emphasis, or as a legal convention {do stay a while, do hereby enjoin} 2 used to ask a question {did you write?} 3 used to serve as part of a negative command or statement {do not go, they do not like it} 4 used to serve as a substitute verb {love me as I do (love) you} 5 used to form inverted constructions after some adverbs {little did he realize} •n. pl. do's or dos 1 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a hoax; swindle 2 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a party or social event 3 [Slang] excrement; feces {dog do} SYN. PERFORM do by to act toward or for do in 1 [Slang] to kill 2 [Colloq.] to tire out; exhaust do oneself well (or proud) to achieve success for oneself [modeled on Ger sich gütlich tun] do over [Colloq.] to redecorate do's (or dos) and don'ts [Colloq.] the things permitted or required and the things forbidden; rules and regulations do up 1 [Colloq.] to prepare 2 to wrap up; tie up; fasten 3 to arrange (the hair) so that it is off the neck and shoulders do up right [Colloq.] to do carefully or thoroughly do with to make use of; find helpful do without to get along without; dispense with have to do with 1 to be related to or connected with 2 to be associated with; deal with [ME & OE don, akin to Ger tun, OS duan < IE base *dhē-, to put, place, set > Sans dadhāmi, Gr tithenai, to place, put, L -dere (as in condere, to set down), facere, to do, make]
do² (dou) •n. Music a syllable representing the first or last tone of the diatonic scale: see SOLFEGGIO [It (< dominus, first word of a Latin hymn): used instead of earlier UT: see GAMUT]
do³ (du:) •n. [Slang] short for HAIRDO
DOA dead on arrival
doable (du:´э bэl) •adj. that can be done
dobber (dä´bэr) •n. [Dial.] the float on a fisherman's line [< Du dobber]
dobbin (däb´in) •n. a horse, esp. a plodding, patient one [< Dobbin, nickname for ROBIN, ROBERT]
dobby weave (dä´bi:) a weave with small, geometric patterns [< Dobbie, dim. of Dob, Dobbin: see DOBBIN]
Dobell's solution (dou belz´) a solution of sodium borate, sodium bicarbonate, etc., formerly used as a mouthwash [after H. B. Dobell (1828-1917), Eng physician]
Doberman pinscher (dou´bэr mэn pin´chэr, -shэr) any of a breed of large dog with erect ears, a docked tail, and a short, smooth, usually dark coat with tan markings: also called Doberman [Ger Dobermann pinscher after L. Dobermann, 19th-c. breeder + pinscher, terrier after ? Pinzgau, area in N Austria known for breeding of dogs]
Dobie (dou´bi:), J(ames) Frank 1888-1964; U.S. writer, esp. on the folklore of the Southwest
Dobos torte (dou´bous, -boush) [also d- t-] a rich cake having many thin layers of sponge cake with creamy mocha filling and a caramel glaze on top
dobra (dou´brэ) •n. the basic monetary unit of São Tomé and Príncipe: see MONEY, table [after a former Port gold coin < Port, lit., doubloon, orig., fem. of dobro, double < L duplus, DOUBLE]
Dobro (dou´brou') trademark for a type of acoustic steel guitar with an aluminum resonator, used in country music: it is played while held flat, often in the lap •n. [often d-] an instrument of this type [after Do(pera) bro(thers), who developed it (c. 1928); infl. by Czech dobro, good]
Dobruja (dou´bru jэ) region in SE Europe, on the Black Sea: divided, since 1940, between Romania & Bulgaria
dobson (däb´sэn) •n. HELLGRAMMITE [fisherman's term < ? the name Dobson]
dobsonfly (-flai') pl. -flies' •n. any of a family (Corydalidae) of large neuropteran insects whose larvae live in water: the male, in some species, develops enormous mandibles
doc abbrev. document doc (däk) •n. [Slang] doctor: often used as a general term of address like Mac, Bud, Jack, etc.
docent (dou´sэnt; also dou sent´) •n. 1 in some American universities, a teacher or lecturer not on the regular faculty 2 a tour guide and lecturer, as at a museum [Ger, earlier sp. of dozent, teacher, lecturer < L docens, prp. of docere, to teach: see DECENT]
Docetism (dou si:t´iz'эm) •n. a doctrine of certain early Christian sects, holding that Christ merely seemed to have a human body [< Gr(Ec) Dokētai, name of the sect < dokein, to seem, believe (see DOGMA) + -ISM]
docile (däs´эl; Cdn & Brit, usually dou´sail') •adj. 1 [Now Rare] easy to teach; teachable 2 easy to manage or discipline; submissive SYN. OBEDIENT doc´ile·ly •adv. do·cil·i·ty (dou sil´э ti:; often dä-) •n. [Fr < L docilis, easily taught < docere, to teach: see DECENT]
dock¹ (däk) •n. 1 a large structure or excavated basin for receiving ships, equipped with gates to keep water in or out Æ 2 a landing pier; wharf 3 the area of water between two landing piers Æ 4 a platform at which trucks or freight cars are loaded and unloaded Æ 5 a building, platform, or area for servicing aircraft •vt. 1 to bring or pilot (a ship) to or into a dock and moor it Æ 2 to join (vehicles) together in outer space •vi. 1 to come to or into a dock and moor Æ 2 to join up with another vehicle in outer space [orig., mud channel made by a vessel's bottom at low tide: hence, dock < MDu docke, channel < It doccia, conduit, canal: see DOUCHE]
dock² (däk) •n. the place where the accused stands or sits in court [< Fl docke, dok, hutch, pen, cage]
dock³ (däk) •n. any of various tall, coarse weeds (genus Rumex) of the buckwheat family, with stout taproots, small green or brown flowers, and large leaves: see SORREL¹ [ME dokke < OE docce, akin to MHG tocke, bundle, tuft]
dock4 (däk) •n. 1 the solid part of an animal's tail, excluding the hair 2 an animal's bobbed tail •vt. [ME dokken < the n.] 1 to cut off the end of (a tail, etc.); clip or bob 2 to shorten the tail of by cutting 3 to deduct a part from (wages, etc.) 4 to deduct a part from the wages of 5 to remove part of [ME dok < OE -docca or ON dockr, a short, stumpy tail, akin to prec.]
dockage¹ (däk´ij) •n. 1 the fee charged for the use of a dock 2 docking accommodations 3 the docking of ships [DOCK¹ + -AGE]
dockage² (däk´ij) •n. a cutting off or down; curtailment; deduction [DOCK4 + -AGE]
docker¹ (däk´эr) •n. LONGSHOREMAN
docker² (däk´эr) •n. a person or thing that docks
docket (däk´it) •n. 1 a summary, as of a legal proceeding, or a list of legal decisions Æ 2 a list of cases to be tried by a law court 3 any list or summary of things to be done; agenda 4 a label listing the contents of a package, directions, etc. •vt. Æ 1 to enter in a docket 2 to put a docket, or label, on; ticket [earlier doggette, abstract, register < ? It doghetta, small heraldic bend]
dockmackie (däk´mæk'i:) •n. a shrub (Viburnum acerifolium) of the honeysuckle family, with clusters of yellow-white flowers [? via Du < AmInd (Lenape) dogekumak]
dockside (däk´said') •n. the area alongside a dock
dockwalloper (-wäl'эp эr) •n. [Colloq.] LONGSHOREMAN [DOCK¹ + WALLOPER]
dockworker (-wørk'эr) •n. LONGSHOREMAN
dockyard (-yärd') •n. 1 SHIPYARD 2 Brit. term for NAVY YARD
doctor (däk´tэr) •n. 1 orig., a teacher or learned man 2 a person who holds a doctorate 3 a physician or surgeon (MD) 4 a person licensed to practice any of the healing arts, as an osteopath, dentist, veterinarian, etc. 5 [D-] a title used in addressing any person who holds a doctorate 6 a witch doctor or medicine man 7 a makeshift device, apparatus, etc., for emergency use 8 a bright-colored artificial fly used in fishing •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to try to heal; apply medicine to 2 to repair; mend 3 to make suitable or improve by altering in a certain way {to doctor the drinks with liquor} 4 to tamper with or change in order to deceive {to doctor accounts} •vi. 1 [Colloq.] to practice medicine Æ 2 [Dial.] to undergo medical treatment, take medicine, etc. doc´tor·al (-эl) •adj. [ME doctour, teacher, learned man < OFr or < L doctor, teacher < pp. of docere, to teach: see DECENT]
Doctor of Philosophy the highest doctorate awarded by a university for original research in any discipline
doctorate (-it) •n. 1 any degree at the highest level awarded by universities, either as an indication of the successful completion of academic study, as Doctor of Philosophy, or as an honorary degree and title, as Doctor of Laws: also doctor's (degree) 2 the status of doctor [ML doctoratus]
doctrinaire (däk'tri ner´) •n. a person who dogmatically seeks to apply theories regardless of the practical problems involved •adj. stubbornly adhering to a doctrine or theory SYN. DICTATORIAL doc'tri·nair´ism' •n. [Fr < doctrine, DOCTRINE]
doctrine (däk´trin) •n. 1 something taught; teachings 2 something taught as the principles or creed of a religion, political party, etc.; tenet or tenets; belief; dogma 3 a rule, theory, or principle of law Æ 4 an official statement of a nation's policy, esp. toward other nations {the Monroe Doctrine} doc´tri·nal (-tri nэl) •adj. doc´tri·nal·ly •adv. SYN.—doctrine refers to a theory based on carefully worked out principles and taught or advocated by its adherents [scientific or social doctrines]; dogma refers to a belief or doctrine that is handed down by authority as true and indisputable, and often connotes arbitrariness, arrogance, etc. [religious dogma]; tenet emphasizes the maintenance or defense, rather than the teaching, of a theory or principle [the tenets of a political party]; precept refers to an injunction or dogma intended as a rule of action or conduct [to teach by example rather than by precept] [ME < L doctrina < doctor: see DOCTOR]
docudrama (däk´yu: drä'mэ) •n. a fictionalized dramatization for television of an actual event or about real people
document (däk´yu: mэnt, -yэ-; for v., -ment') •n. 1 anything printed, written, etc. that contains information or is relied upon to record or prove something 2 anything serving as proof •vt. 1 to provide with a document or documents 2 to provide (a book, pamphlet, etc.) with documents or supporting references 3 to prove, as by reference to documents doc'u·men´tal (-ment´ªl) •adj. [ME & OFr < L documentum, lesson, example, proof < docere, to teach: see DECENT]
documentarian (däk'yu: mэn ter´i: эn, -yэ-) •n. a producer of documentaries Also doc'u·men´ta·rist
documentary (däk'yu: ment´э ri:, -yэ-) •adj. 1 consisting of, supported by, contained in, or serving as a document or documents 2 designating or of a film, TV program, etc. that dramatically shows or analyzes news events, social conditions, etc., with little or no fictionalization •n. pl. -ries a documentary film, TV show, etc.
documentation (-mэn tei´shэn, -men-) •n. 1 the supplying of documents or supporting references; use of documentary evidence 2 the documents or references thus supplied 3 the collecting, abstracting, and coding of printed or written information for future reference 4 instructions, notes, etc. for using a piece of computer hardware or software
DOD Department of Defense
dodder¹ (däd´эr) •vi. 1 to shake or tremble, as from old age 2 to be unsteady; totter [ME daderen, akin to OE dyderian, to confuse, delude, MDu doten, DOTE < IE *dheudh-, to whirl in confusion, shake (> Gr thysanos, fringe) < base *dheu-; see DULL]
dodder² (däd´эr) •n. any of a genus (Cuscuta) of parasitic plants of the morning-glory family, lacking leaves, roots, and chlorophyll, but having special suckers for drawing nourishment from the host [ME doder < Late OE dodder < same base as prec.: akin to dial. dodder, quaking-grass & Ger dotter, egg yolk]
doddered (däd´эrd) •adj. having lost its branches or top because of age, decay, etc.: said of a tree [prob. < ME dodden, to cut off; ? infl. by DODDER¹]
doddering (däd´эr iŋ) •adj. shaky, tottering, or senile
dodeca- (dou´dek'э) combining form twelve: also, before a vowel, dodec- [< Gr dōdeka, twelve < dō-, two < IE *dwō-, TWO + Gr deka, TEN]
dodecagon (dou dek´э gän', -gэn) •n. a plane figure with twelve angles and twelve sides [Gr dōdekagōnon: see DODECA- & -GON]
dodecahedron (dou'dek э hi:´drэn) pl. -drons or -dra (-drэ) •n. a solid figure with twelve plane faces: see POLYHEDRON, illus. do'dec·a·he´dral (-drэl) •adj. [Gr dōdekaedron: see DODECA- & -HEDRON]
Dodecanese (do dek'э ni:z´, -ni:s´) group of Greek islands in the Aegean, off the SW coast of Turkey: 1,028 sq. mi. (2,663 sq. km); pop. 145,000; cap. Rhodes Do·dec'a·ne´sian (-ni:´zhэn, -shэn) •adj., n.
dodecaphonic (dou'dek э fän´ik, dou dek'-) •adj. TWELVE-TONE do·dec´a·pho·nist (-fэ nist, -foun'ist) •n. do·dec´a·pho·ny (-fэ ni:, -foun'i:) or do·dec´a·pho·nism' (-fэ niz'эm, -foun'iz'эm) •n. [DODECA- + -PHON(E) + -IC]
dodge (däj) dodged, dodg´ing •vi. 1 to move or twist quickly aside; shift suddenly, as to avoid a blow 2 to use tricks, deceits, or evasions; be shifty •vt. 1 to avoid (a blow, etc.) by moving or shifting quickly aside 2 to evade (a question, charge, etc.) by trickery, cleverness, etc. 3 to avoid meeting 4 Photog. to lighten an area on (a print) to achieve a shading effect by blocking light in selected areas during an exposure, as in enlargement •n. 1 a dodging 2 a trick used in evading or cheating 3 a clever or resourceful device, plan, etc. [? akin to Scot dod, to jog: for IE base see DODDER¹]
dodgem (däj´эm) •n. an amusement-park ride consisting of small, electrically powered vehicles, whose drivers move them about erratically within an enclosed area, frequently bumping one another [prec. + (TH)EM]
dodger (-эr) •n. 1 a person who dodges 2 a tricky, dishonest person; shifty rascal 3 CORNDODGER Æ 4 a small handbill 5 Photog. a device used to lighten an area on a print by blocking light during the exposure
dodgery (-эr i:) •n. trickery, evasiveness, etc.
Dodgson (däj´sªn), Charles Lut·widge (lût´wij) See CARROLL, Lewis
dodgy (däj´i:) dodg´i·er, dodg´i·est •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] 1 tricky or evasive 2 risky or uncertain
dodo (dou´dou) pl. -dos or -does •n. 1 a large extinct bird (Raphus cucullatus) that had a hooked bill, short neck and legs, and rudimentary wings useless for flying: formerly found on Mauritius 2 a) an old-fashioned person; fogy b) [Slang] a stupid person; dullard [Port doudo, lit., foolish, stupid]