diddly (did´li:) •n. [Slang] anything, a very small amount, etc.: usually in a negative construction [didn't know diddly about] •adj. [Slang] worthless, mediocre, etc. Also sp. did´dley

diddly squat [Slang] DIDDLY (n.) did´dly-squat´ •adj.

Diderot (di:´dэ rou'; Fr di: dřou´), Denis 1713-84; Fr. encyclopedist & philosopher

didn't (did´ªnt) did not

dido (dai´dou) pl. -does •n.or -dos [Colloq.] a mischievous or foolish action; caper cut (up) didoes [Colloq.] to behave in mischievous or silly way [< ? fol., from the story that Dido, on purchasing as much land as might be covered with the hide of a bull, ordered the hide cut into thin strips, with which she surrounded a large area] Dido (dai´dou) Rom. Myth. founder and queen of Carthage: in the Aeneid she falls in love with Aeneas and kills herself when he leaves her [L < Gr Didō]

Didrikson (did´rik sªn), Mildred (Babe) (married name Zaharias) 1913-56; U.S. athlete in many sports

didst (didst) archaic 2d pers. sing., past indic., of DO¹ Used with thou

didy (dai´di:) pl. -dies DIAPER (sense 2) Also di´die •n. [< nursery alteration of DIAPER]

didymium (dai dim´i: эm) •n. 1 a rare metal, formerly considered an element but later found to be a mixture of rare-earth elements neodymium and praseodymium: symbol, Di: the name is still used for naming oxides and salts 2 any commercial mixture of rare-earth elements found in monazite sand [ModL: so named (1841) by C. G. Mosander (see LANTHANUM) < Gr didymos, twin (because assoc. with lanthanum) + -IUM]

didymous (did´э mэs) •adj. Biol. growing in pairs; twin [< Gr didymos, twin, double < dyo, TWO]

Didymus (did´э mэs) see THOMAS (the apostle)

didynamous (dai din´э mэs) •adj. of or having four stamens occurring in pairs of unequal length [< ModL didynamia, coined (1735) by LINNAEUS < Gr di- (see DI-¹) + dynamis, power (see DYNAMIC), for a former class of plants, in reference to the two stamens of greater length + -OUS]

die casting 1 the process of making a casting by forcing molten metal into a metallic mold, or die, under great pressure 2 a casting so made die caster

die¹ (dai) died, dy´ing •vi. 1 to stop living; become dead 2 to suffer the agony of death or an agony regarded as like it 3 a) to cease existing; end b) to stop functioning 4 to lose force or activity; become weak, faint, unimportant, etc. 5 to fade or wither away 6 to become alien or indifferent (to), as if dead 7 to pine away, as with desire 8 [Colloq.] to wish with extreme intensity; yearn {she's dying to learn the secret} 9 Theol. to suffer spiritual death die away to become weaker and cease gradually: also die down die back to wither to the roots or woody part: also die down die hard to cling to life, a cause, etc.; resist to the last die off to die one by one until all are gone die out to go out of existence SYN.—die is the basic, simple, direct word meaning to stop living or to become dead; decease, expire, and pass away (see PASS², vi. 7) are all euphemisms, decease being also the legal term, expire meaning literally to breathe one's last breath, and pass away suggesting a coming to an end; perish implies death by a violent means or under difficult circumstances [ME dien < ON deyja < IE base *dheu-, to pass away, become senseless > OS doian, to die, OE dead, OHG tot, dead]

die² (dai) pl. for 1 & 2, dice (dais); for 3 & 4, dies (daiz) •n. 1 a small, marked cube used in games of chance: see also DICE 2 any small cube resembling this 3 Archit. a dado of a pedestal 4 Mech. any of various tools or devices, originally cubical in form, for molding, stamping, cutting, or shaping; specif., a) a piece of engraved metal used for stamping money, medals, etc. b) the stationary part of a machine for shaping or punching holes in sheet metal, etc.; matrix (distinguished from PUNCH¹) c) the punch and matrix as a unit d) a tool used for cutting threads, as of screws or bolts e) a piece of metal with a hole through it, used in drawing wire, extruding rods, etc. •vt. died, die´ing to mold, stamp, cut, or shape with a die the die is cast the irrevocable decision has been made [transl. of L jacta est alea, ascribed to Caesar at the Rubicon] [ME de (pl. dis) < OFr de < VL *datum, orig. neut of L datus: see DATE¹]

dieback (dai´bæk') •n. a disease of vascular plants characterized by a dying backward from the tip of twigs and branches and caused by parasites, insufficient moisture, etc.

dieffenbachia (di:f'эn bæk´i: э) •n. any of a genus (Dieffenbachia) of tropical plants of the arum family, with thick, fleshy jointed stems and large leaves, dark green and often splashed with white: grown as house plants, though poisonous [ModL, after Ernst Dieffenbach (1811-55), 19th-c. Ger botanist + -ia, -IA]

Diego Garcia (di: ei´gou gär si:´э) chief island of the Chagos Archipelago, British Indian Ocean Territory: 17 sq. mi. (44 sq. km)

die-hard or diehard (dai´härd') •adj. extremely stubborn in resistance; unwilling to give in •n. a stubborn or resistant person, esp. an extreme conservative

dieldrin (di:l´drin) •n. a highly toxic, long-lasting insecticide, C12H8OCl6, restricted by law to nonagricultural use [Diel(s-Al)d(e)r (reaction) + -IN¹]

dielectric (dai'i lek´trik) •n. a material, as rubber, glass, etc., or a medium, as a vacuum, gas, etc., that does not conduct electricity and that can sustain an electric field: dielectrics are used in capacitors, between adjacent wires in a cable, etc. •adj. having the properties or function of a dielectric [DI(A)- + ELECTRIC: so called because it permits the passage of the lines of force of an electrostatic field but does not conduct the current]

dielectric heating the heating of dielectric materials by subjecting them to a high-frequency, alternating electric field, used in the bonding, drying, etc. of materials, as plastics and plywoods

Diels (di:lz; Ger di:ls), Otto (Paul Hermann) 1876-1954; Ger. organic chemist

Dien Bien Phu (dyen' byen' fu:´) village in NW Vietnam: besieged & captured by Vietminh forces (1954), marking the end of French occupation of Indochina

diencephalon (dai'эn sef´э län', -lэn) •n. the posterior end of the forebrain, including the thalami and hypothalamus di'en·ce'phal´ic (-sэ'fæl´ik) •adj. [ModL < DIA- + ENCEPHALON]

Dieppe (di: ep´) city in N France, on the English Channel: pop. 35,000

dieresis (dai er´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 the separation of two consecutive vowels, esp. of a diphthong, into two syllables 2 a mark (¨) placed over the second of two consecutive vowels to show that it is pronounced in a separate syllable: the dieresis is now usually replaced by a hyphen (reënter, re-enter) or simply omitted (cooperate, naive) The mark is also used, as in this dictionary, to show a certain pronunciation of a vowel (ä, ë, ö, ü): cf. UMLAUT 3 Prosody a slight break or pause in a line of verse, resulting when the end of a metric foot coincides with the end of a word di·e·ret·ic (dai'э ret´ik) •adj. [LL diaeresis < Gr diairesis, division < diairein, to divide, separate < dia-, apart + hairein, to take: see HERESY]

Dies Irae (di:´ez' ir´ei) a medieval Latin hymn about Judgment Day, beginning Dies Irae [L, Day of Wrath]

dies non (dai´i:z' nän') Law a day on which courts are not in session, as a legal holiday [L dies non (juridicus), not a (court) day]

diesel (di:´zэl, -sэl) •n. [often D-] 1 a type of internal-combustion engine that burns fuel oil: the ignition is brought about by heat resulting from air compression, instead of by an electric spark as in a gasoline engine: also diesel engine (or motor) 2 a locomotive, truck, etc. powered by such an engine •vi. to continue to run after the ignition is turned off: said of an internal-combustion engine [after R. Diesel (1858-1913), Ger inventor]

diesinker (dai´siŋk'эr) •n. a person or machine that makes dies used in stamping or shaping die´sink'ing •n.

diesis (dai´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. DOUBLE DAGGER [L < Gr < diienai, to send through < dia-, through + hienai, to send: see JET¹]

diestock (dai´stäk') •n. a frame to hold dies for cutting threads on water pipes, screws, bolts, etc.

diestrus (dai es´trэs) •n. the interval between periods of sexual heat in female mammals di·es´trous (-trэs) •adj. [ModL < DIA- + ESTRUS]

diet¹ (dai´эt) •n. 1 a) what a person or animal usually eats and drinks; daily fare b) figuratively, what a person regularly reads, listens to, does, etc. 2 a special or limited selection of food and drink, chosen or prescribed to promote health or a gain or loss of weight •vi., vt. to eat or cause to eat special or limited food, esp. for losing weight [ME dieten < ML dietare] di´et·er •n. [ME diete < OFr < ML dieta, diet, daily food allowance (meaning infl. by fol.) < L diaeta < Gr diaita, way of life, regimen < dia-, through + root of aisa, fate < IE *aito-, share < base *ai-, to give, allot]

diet² (dai´эt) •n. 1 [Scot.] a day's session of an assembly 2 a formal assembly, as formerly of princes, electors, etc. of the Holy Roman Empire 3 in some countries, a national or local legislative assembly [ME diete < OFr < ML dieta < L dies, day: see DEITY]

dietary (dai´э ter'i:) pl. -ies •n. 1 a system of diet 2 daily food allowance or ration •adj. 1 of diet 2 of a dietary [ME dietarie < ML dietarium]

dietetic (dai'э tet´ik) •adj. of, relating to, or designed for a particular diet of food and drink Also di'e·tet´i·cal di'e·tet´i·cal·ly •adv. [L diaeteticus < Gr diaitētikos]

dietetics (-iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of the kinds and quantities of food needed for health

diethyl carbinol (dai eθ´эl) a colorless, liquid isomer of amyl alcohol, (CH3CH2)2CHOH, used in drugs and as a solvent

diethyl ether (dai eθ´эl) ETHER (sense 4)

diethylbarbituric acid (dai eθ'эl bär'bэ tyur´ik, -tur´-) BARBITAL

diethylstilbestrol (-stil bes´tröl', -troul') •n. a synthetic estrogen, C18H20O2, used as a substitute for natural estrogens: a probable carcinogen now banned by the FDA as a food supplement for fattening cattle: abbrev. DES [diethyl- (< DI-¹ + ETHYL) + STILBESTROL]

dietitian (dai'э tish´эn) •n. an expert in dietetics; specialist in planning meals or diets Also [Now Rare] di'e·ti´cian

Dietrich (di:´trik, -triH), Mar·le·ne (mär lei´nэ, -li:´nэ) (adoptive name Maria Magdalena von Losch, born Maria Magdalena Dietrich) c. 1901-92: U.S. motion-picture actress, born in Germany

Dieu et mon droit (dyö ei mouñ dřwä) God and my right: motto of British royalty [Fr]

dif- (dif) prefix DIS-: used before f

differ (dif´эr) •vi. 1 to be unlike; be not the same: often with from 2 to be of opposite or unlike opinions; disagree 3 [Archaic] to quarrel (with) [ME differen < OFr differer < L differre, to carry apart, differ < dis-, apart + ferre, to bring, BEAR¹]

difference (dif´эr эns, dif´rэns; often dif´эrns) •n. 1 condition, quality, fact, or instance of being different 2 the way in which people or things are different; esp., a determining point or factor that makes for a distinct change or contrast 3 a) the state of holding a differing opinion; disagreement b) the point at issue; point of disagreement 4 a dispute; quarrel 5 a discrimination or distinction in preference 6 a significant effect on or change in a situation 7 Math. the amount by which one quantity differs from another; remainder left after subtraction •vt. -enced', -enc'ing [Rare] to distinguish as or make different (it's the) same difference [Slang] there is no difference make a difference 1 to have an effect; matter 2 to change the outlook or situation make no difference to have no effect; not matter split the difference 1 to share the remainder equally 2 to make a compromise what's the difference? [Colloq.] what does it matter? [ME < OFr < L differentia < differens, prp. of differre: see DIFFER]

different (dif´эr эnt, dif´rэnt; often dif´эrnt) •adj. 1 not alike; dissimilar: with from, or, esp. colloquially, than, and, in Brit. usage, to 2 not the same; distinct; separate; other 3 various 4 unlike most others; unusual dif´fer·ent·ly •adv. dif´fer·ent·ness •n. SYN.—different, applied to things that are not alike, implies individuality [three different doctors] or contrast [the twins wore different hats]; diverse more emphatically sets apart the things referred to, suggesting a conspicuous difference [diverse interests]; divergent suggests a branching off in different directions with an ever-widening distance between, and stresses irreconcilability [divergent schools of thought]; distinct, as applied to two or more things, stresses that each has a different identity and is unmistakably separate from the others, whether or not they are similar in kind, class, etc. [charged with two distinct offenses]; dissimilar stresses absence of similarity in appearance, properties, or nature [dissimilar techniques]; disparate implies essential or thoroughgoing difference, often stressing an absence of any relationship between things [disparate concepts]; various emphasizes the number and diversity of kinds, types, etc. [various gifts] —ANT. alike, similar [ME < OFr < L differens: see DIFFERENCE]

differentia (dif'эr en´shi: э, -shэ) pl. -ti·ae' (-shi i:') •n. Logic a distinguishing characteristic, esp. one that distinguishes one species from another of the same genus

differentiable (-shi: э bэl, -shэ bэl) •adj. 1 open to differentiation 2 Math. designating or of a function which has a derivative at the point in question

differential (dif'эr en´shэl) •adj. 1 of, showing, or depending on a difference or differences {differential rates} 2 constituting or making a specific difference; distinguishing {differential qualities} 3 producing differing effects or results, as by the use of differing components {a differential gear} 4 Math. of or involving differentials •n. 1 a differentiating amount, degree, factor, etc. {differentials in salary} 2 Math. a) an infinitesimal difference between two consecutive values of a variable quantity b) the derivative of a function multiplied by a small increment of the independent variable 3 Mech. a differential gear dif'fer·en´tial·ly •adv. [ML differentialis < L differentia: see DIFFERENCE]

differential calculus Math. the branch of mathematics dealing with derivatives and their applications: cf. INTEGRAL CALCULUS

differential coefficient DERIVATIVE (n. 4)

differential compaction Geol. the compaction of porous sediments deposited on an uneven surface so that a nearly horizontal upper layer partially reproduces the underlying topographical features as a result of the greater compression of the thick deposits over the lowlands in comparison with the thinner ones over the heights

differential equation Math. any equation containing a derivative: such an equation is called an ordinary differential equation if it has only one independent variable and a partial differential equation if it has more than one independent variable

differential gear (or gearing) a certain arrangement of gears (epicyclic train) connecting two axles in the same line and dividing the driving force between them, but allowing one axle to turn faster than the other: it is used in the driving axles of automobiles to permit a difference in axle speeds when making turns

differential windlass a windlass with two drums of different diameters providing a mechanical advantage

differentiate (dif'эr en´shi: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. 1 to constitute a difference in or between 2 to make unlike; develop specialized differences in 3 to perceive or express the difference in; distinguish between; discriminate 4 Math. to work out the differential or derivative of (a function) •vi. 1 to become different or differentiated; develop new characteristics 2 to perceive or express a difference 3 Biol. to undergo differentiation SYN. DISTINGUISH [< ML differentiatus, pp. of differentiare < L differentia: see DIFFERENCE]

differentiation (-en'shi: ei´shэn) •n. 1 a differentiating or being differentiated 2 Biol. the modification of tissues, organs, etc. in structure or function as the result of an increase in specialization 3 Math. the working out of the differential or derivative

difficile (dif'э si:l´, di:'fi:-) •adj. hard or difficult; esp., hard to deal with, please, etc. [MFr < L difficilis, difficult: reintroduced < Fr]

difficult (dif´i kûlt', -kэlt) •adj. 1 hard to do, make, manage, understand, etc.; involving trouble or requiring extra effort, skill, or thought 2 hard to satisfy, persuade, please, etc. SYN. HARD dif´fi·cult'ly •adv. [ME, back-form. < fol.]

difficulty (dif´i kûl'ti:, -kэl'-) pl. -ties •n. 1 the condition or fact of being difficult 2 something that is difficult, as a hard problem or an obstacle or objection 3 trouble, distress, etc., or a cause of this 4 a disagreement or quarrel in difficulties in distress, esp. financially SYN.—difficulty is applied to anything hard to contend with, without restriction as to nature, intensity, etc. [a slight difficulty, great difficulty]; hardship, stronger in connotation, suggests suffering, privation, or trouble that is extremely hard to bear [the hardships of poverty]; rigor suggests severe hardship but further connotes that it is imposed by external, impersonal circumstances beyond one's control [the rigors of winter]; vicissitude, a bookish word, suggests a difficulty that is likely to occur in the course of something, often one inherent in a situation [the vicissitudes of political life] [ME & OFr difficulte < L difficultas < difficilis, difficult < dis-, not + facilis, easy: see FACILE]

diffidence (dif´э dэns) •n. lack of confidence in oneself, marked by hesitation in asserting oneself; shyness [ME < L diffidentia < diffidens, prp. of diffidere, to distrust < dis-, not + fidere, to trust: see FAITH]

diffident (-dэnt) •adj. full of diffidence; lacking self-confidence; timid; shy SYN. SHY¹ dif´fi·dent·ly •adv. [L diffidens: see DIFFIDENCE]

diffract (di frækt´) •vt. to subject to diffraction [< L diffractus, pp. of diffringere, to break in pieces < dis-, apart + frangere, BREAK]

diffraction (di fræk´shэn) •n. the spreading of a wave motion, as light, as it passes an obstacle and expands into the region that is behind the obstacle and hence not directly exposed to the incoming waves dif·frac´tive (-tiv) •adj. dif·frac´tive·ly •adv. [ML diffractio < L diffractus: see DIFFRACT]

diffraction grating Optics a plate of glass or polished metal ruled with a series of very close, equidistant, parallel lines, used to produce a spectrum by the diffraction of reflected or transmitted light

diffuse (di fyu:s´; for v., -fyu:z´) •adj. 1 spread out or dispersed; not concentrated 2 using more words than are needed; long-winded; wordy •vt., vi. -fused´, -fus´ing 1 to pour, spread out, or disperse in every direction; spread or scatter widely 2 Physics to mix by diffusion, as gases, liquids, etc. SYN. WORDY dif·fuse´ly •adv. dif·fuse´ness •n. [ME < L diffusus, pp. of diffundere, to pour in different directions < dis-, apart + fundere, to pour: see FOUND²]

diffuser or diffusor (di fyu:´zэr) •n. a person or thing that diffuses, as a device for distributing light evenly

diffusible (di fyu:´zэ bэl) •adj. that can be diffused dif·fus'i·bil´i·ty •n.

diffusion (di fyu:´zhэn) •n. 1 a diffusing or being diffused; specif., a) a dissemination, as of news, cultures, etc. b) a scattering of light rays, as by reflection; also, the dispersion and softening of light, as by passage through frosted glass c) an intermingling of the molecules of liquids, gases, etc. 2 wordiness; diffuseness [ME diffusioun < L diffusio]

diffusive (di fyu:´siv) •adj. 1 tending to diffuse 2 characterized by diffusion 3 diffuse dif·fu´sive·ly •adv. dif·fu´sive·ness •n. [ML diffusivus]

dig (dig) dug, dig´ging •vt. 1 to break and turn up or remove (ground, etc.) with a spade or other tool, or with hands, claws, snout, etc. 2 to make (a hole, cellar, one's way, etc.) by or as by doing this 3 to uncover and get from the ground or another surface in this way {to dig potatoes, to dig a nail out of a board} Æ 4 to find out, as by careful study or investigation; unearth: usually with up or out {to dig out the truth} 5 to thrust, jab, or prod {to dig an elbow into someone's ribs} Æ 6 [Slang] a) to understand b) to approve of or like c) to notice; look at {dig that shirt!} •vi. 1 to dig the ground or any surface 2 to make a way by or as by digging (through, into, under) Æ 3 [Colloq.] to work or study hard •n. 1 the act of digging 2 [Colloq.] a thrust, poke, nudge, etc. 3 [Colloq.] a sarcastic comment; taunt; gibe 4 an archaeological excavation or its site 5 [pl.] [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] living quarters; lodgings dig in 1 to dig trenches or foxholes for cover 2 to entrench oneself 3 [Colloq.] a) to begin to work intensively b) to begin eating dig into 1 to penetrate by or as by digging 2 [Colloq.] to work hard at [ME diggen < Anglo-Fr *diguer < OFr digue, dike < Du dijk: see DIKE¹] dig abbrev. digest

digamma (dai gæm´э) •n. the sixth letter F of the early Greek alphabet, derived from the Semitic vav and having the sound of the English w: it was replaced in the Latin alphabet by F [Gr < di-, two + gamma: so called because it resembles two gammas (Γ) in form]

digamy (dig´э mi:) •n. a second legal marriage; marriage after the death or divorce of the first spouse dig´a·mous •adj. [LL & Gr digamia: see DI-¹ & -GAMY]

digastric (dai gæs´trik) •adj. designating or of a muscle that bellies out from both sides of its tendon, esp. such a muscle in the neck that helps to lower the jaw and indirectly moves the tongue [ModL digastricus < Gr di-, two + gastēr, belly: see GASTRO-]

digenesis (dai jen´э sis) •n. Biol. successive reproduction by two processes, sexual in one generation and asexual in the next di·ge·net·ic (dai jэ net´ik) •adj. [ModL: see DI-¹ & GENESIS]

digest (dai´jest'; for v. di jest´, dai-) •n. 1 a condensed but comprehensive account of a body of information; summary or synopsis, as of scientific, legal, or literary material 2 a book, periodical, etc. consisting chiefly of such summaries or synopses or of articles condensed from other publications 3 [D-] [often pl.] Rom. Law the Pandects of the Emperor Justinian •vt. [ME digesten < L digestus: see the n.] 1 a) to arrange or classify systematically, usually in condensed form b) to condense (a piece of writing) by briefly summarizing its contents 2 to change (food), esp. in the mouth, stomach, and intestines by the action of gastric and intestinal juices, enzymes, and bacteria, into a form that can be absorbed by the body 3 to aid the digestion of (food) 4 to think over and absorb 5 to soften, disintegrate, etc. by the use of heat, usually together with water or other liquid •vi. 1 to be digested 2 to digest food SYN. ABRIDGMENT [ME < L digesta (in LL, a collection of writings), orig. pl. of digestus, pp. of digerere, to separate, explain < di-, apart + gerere, to bear, carry]

digester (di jes´tэr, dai-) •n. 1 a person who makes a digest 2 a heavy metal container in which substances are heated or cooked to soften them or extract soluble elements from them 3 AUTOCLAVE

digestible (-tэ bэl) •adj. that can be digested di·gest'i·bil´i·ty •n. di·gest´i·bly •adv. [ME < OFr < LL digestibilis]

digestif (di: zhes ti:f´) •n. a digestive aid; esp., an after-dinner drink, as brandy

digestion (di jes´chэn, dai-) •n. 1 the act or process of digesting food 2 the ability to digest food 3 the absorption of ideas 4 decomposition of sewage by bacteria [ME digestioun < OFr digestion < L digestio]

digestive (-tiv) •adj. of, for, or aiding digestion •n. any substance or drink that aids digestion di·ges´tive·ly •adv. di·ges´tive·ness •n. [ME & OFr digestif < L digestivus]

digged (digd) •vt., vi. archaic pt. & pp. of DIG

digger (dig´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that digs; specif., any tool or machine for digging 2 [D-] a member of any of several tribes of Indians in the SW U.S. who dug roots for food 3 DIGGER WASP 4 [D-] [Slang] an Australian or New Zealander, esp. one who is a soldier

digger wasp any of various wasps from several families, that lay eggs on caterpillars, spiders, etc. that they have paralyzed and buried in nests dug in the ground

diggings (dig´iŋz, -inz) •n.pl. 1 materials dug out 2 [often with sing. v.] a place where digging or mining, esp. gold mining, is carried on 3 [Slang] orig., a gold miner's camp; hence, one's lodging or quarters

dight (dait) dight or dight´ed, dight´ing •vt. [Archaic] 1 to adorn 2 to equip [ME dihten < OE dihtan, to arrange, dispose, make < L dictare, to say: see DICTATE]

digit (dij´it) •n. 1 a finger or toe 2 a unit of linear measure equal to ¾ inch, based on the breadth of a finger 3 any numeral from 0 to 9: so called because originally counted on the fingers [ME < L digitus, a finger, toe, inch < IE base *deik-, to show, point > L dicere, to say: see DICTION]

digital (dij´i tэl, -itªl) •adj. 1 of, like, or constituting a digit, esp. a finger 2 having digits 3 performed with a finger 4 using numbers that are digits to represent all the variables involved in calculation 5 using a row of digits, rather than numbers on a dial, to provide numerical information {a digital watch, a digital thermometer}: cf. ANALOG (sense 4) 6 of or by means of a digital computer 7 designating or of a recording technique in which sounds or images are converted into groups of electronic bits and stored on a magnetic medium: the groups of bits are read electronically, as by a laser beam, for reproduction •n. 1 a finger 2 a key played with a finger, as on the piano dig´i·tal·ly •adv. [ME < L digitalis]

digital audio tape an audio cassette tape recorded using digital recording techniques, resulting in sound that is virtually free of distortion

digital computer a computer for processing data represented by discrete, localized physical signals, as the presence or absence of an electric current: the most commonly used kind of computer: cf. ANALOG COMPUTER

digitalin (dij'i tæl´in; also, -tei´lin) •n. a poisonous, crystalline glycoside, C36H56O14, obtained from the seed of the digitalis [< fol. + -IN¹]

digitalis (dij'i tæl´is; also, -tei´lis) •n. 1 any of a genus (Digitalis) of plants of the figwort family, with long spikes of thimblelike flowers: see FOXGLOVE 2 the dried leaves of the purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) 3 a medicine made from these leaves, used as a heart stimulant [ModL, foxglove < L digitalis, belonging to the finger < digitus, a finger, DIGIT: so named (1542) by L. Fuchs (see FUCHSIA), from its thimblelike flowers, after the Ger name fingerhut, thimble]

digitalize (dij´i tэl aiz', -itªl-) -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to treat with sufficient digitalis drugs to achieve the desired therapeutic effect dig'i·tal·i·za´tion •n.

digitate (dij´i teit') •adj. 1 having separate fingers or toes 2 like a digit; fingerlike 3 Bot. having fingerlike divisions, as some compound leaves: see LEAF, illus. Also dig´i·tat'ed dig´i·tate'ly •adv. dig'i·ta´tion •n. [L digitatus: see DIGIT]

digiti- (dij´i ti, -tэ) combining form of the fingers or toes {digitigrade} [Fr < L digitus, DIGIT]

digitiform (dij´i tэ förm') •adj. shaped like a finger

digitigrade (-greid') •adj. walking on the toes with the heels not touching the ground, as cats, dogs, or horses •n. any animal that walks in this manner [Fr: see DIGITI- & -GRADE]

digitize (dij´i taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vt. to translate analog data into digital data

digitoxin (dij'i täk´sin) •n. a glycoside, C41H64O13, extracted from digitalis leaves, like digitalis in physiological action, but more potent [DIGI(TALIS) + TOXIN]

diglot (dai´glät') •adj. bilingual •n. a bilingual edition of a book [Gr diglōttos, speaking two languages < di-, two + glōtta, glossa, the tongue: see GLOSS²]

dignified (dig´nэ faid') •adj. having or showing dignity or stateliness dig´ni·fi'ed'ly (-fai'id li:, -faid'-) •adv.

dignify (dig´nэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to give dignity to; make worthy of esteem; honor, exalt, or ennoble 2 to make seem worthy or noble, as by giving a high-sounding name to {to dignify cowardice by calling it prudence} [ME dignifien < OFr dignifier < ML dignificare < L dignus, worthy + -ficare < facere, to make, DO¹]

dignitary (dig´nэ ter'i:) pl. -tar'ies •n. a person holding a high, dignified position or office •adj. of or like a dignitary [< L dignitas, dignity + -ARY]

dignity (dig´nэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being worthy of esteem or honor; worthiness 2 high repute; honor 3 the degree of worth, repute, or honor 4 a high position, rank, or title 5 loftiness of appearance or manner; stateliness 6 proper pride and self-respect 7 [Archaic] a dignitary SYN. DECORUM [ME & OFr dignite < L dignitas, worth, merit < dignus, worthy < IE base *dek-, to receive, be fitting > DÉCOR, DOCILE]

digoxin (dij äks´эn) •n. a white, crystalline, purified form of digitalis, C41H64O14, used to improve the heart's pumping action

digraph (dai´græf') •n. a combination of two letters functioning as a unit to represent one sound (Ex.: read, bread, chin, graphic) di·graph´ic •adj. di·graph´i·cal·ly •adv. [DI-¹ + -GRAPH]

digress (di gres´, dai-) •vi. to turn aside; esp., to depart temporarily from the main subject in talking or writing; ramble SYN. DEVIATE [< L digressus, pp. of digredi, to go apart < dis-, apart + gradi, to go, step: see GRADE]

digression (-gresh´эn) •n. an act or instance of digressing; a wandering from the main subject in talking or writing di·gres´sion·al •adj. Etymology [ME < L digressio]

digressive (-gres´iv) •adj. digressing or given to digression di·gres´sive·ly •adv. di·gres´sive·ness •n.

dihedral (dai hi:´drэl) •adj. 1 having or formed by two intersecting plane faces {a dihedral angle} 2 a) having wings that form a dihedral angle with each other, as some airplanes b) being inclined to each other at a dihedral angle (said of airplane wing pairs) •n. 1 a dihedral angle 2 the acute angle, normally upward, between the wings of certain airplanes, designed to improve lateral stability [< DI-¹ + Gr hedra, a seat, base + -AL]

dihybrid (dai hai´brid) •n. Genetics an offspring of parents differing from one another in two pairs of alleles [DI-¹ + HYBRID]

Dijon (di: zhouñ´) city in EC France: pop. 146,000

Dijon mustard a seasoning of mild mustard paste, usually blended with white wine [after prec., where orig. made]

dik-dik (dik´dik') •n. any of several very small antelopes (genera Madoqua and Rhynchotragus) found in E Africa [< the Ethiopian native name]

dike¹ (daik) •n. 1 [Now Brit. Dial.] a) a ditch or watercourse b) the bank of earth thrown up in digging a ditch 2 an embankment or dam made to prevent flooding by the sea or by a river 3 a protective barrier or obstacle 4 [Scot.] a low dividing wall of earth or stone 5 [Archaic] a raised causeway 6 Geol. igneous rock that solidified as a tabular body in a more or less vertical fissure •vt. diked, dik´ing 1 to provide, protect, or enclose with a dike or dikes 2 to drain by a ditch [ME < OE dic & ON diki, akin to DITCH, Du dijk, Ger deich < IE base *dhēigw-, *dhīgw-, to pierce, fasten > L figere, FIX]

dike² (daik) •n. alt. sp. of DYKE² dik´ey •adj.

diktat (dik tät´) •n. an authoritarian decree, order, or policy [Ger]

dil Pharmacy dilute or dissolve [L dilue]

Dilantin (dai læn´tin, di-) trademark for a drug, C15H11N2O2Na, used in the treatment of epileptic attacks In full Dilantin Sodium [< di(pheny)l(hyd)ant(o)in]

dilapidate (dэ læp´э deit') -dat'ed, -dat'ing •vi., vt. to become or cause to become partially ruined and in need of repairs, as through neglect [< L dilapidatus, pp. of dilapidare, to squander, demolish < dis-, apart + lapidare, to throw stones at < lapis, a stone: see LAPIDARY]

dilapidated (-id) •adj. falling to pieces or into disrepair; broken down; shabby and neglected

dilapidation (dэ læp'э dei´shэn) •n. 1 a dilapidating or becoming dilapidated 2 a dilapidated condition SYN. RUIN [ME dilapidacioun < LL dilapidatio]

dilatant (dai leit´ªnt, dэ-) •adj. 1 dilating or tending to dilate 2 expanding in bulk when the shape is changed: said of masses of certain granular substances 3 becoming solid, or setting, under pressure, as certain colloidal solutions: the inverse of THIXOTROPY •n. a thing that can dilate di·lat´an·cy •n. [L dilatans, prp. of dilatare: see DILATE]

dilatation (dil'э tei´shэn, dail'э-) •n. 1 DILATION 2 Med. the state of enlargement of an organ, cavity, duct, or opening of the body beyond normal size: compare DILATION dil'a·ta´tion·al •adj. [ME dilatacioun < OFr dilatation < LL dilatatio]

dilate (dai´leit'; dai leit´, dэ-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to make wider or larger; cause to expand or swell; stretch •vi. 1 to become wider or larger; swell 2 to speak or write in detail (on or upon a subject) SYN. EXPAND di·lat'a·bil´i·ty •n. di·lat´a·ble •adj. di·lat´ive •adj. [ME dilaten < L dilatare < dis-, apart + latus, wide: see LATERAL]

dilation (dai lei´shэn, di-) •n. 1 a dilating or being dilated: compare DILATATION 2 a dilated part

dilatometer (dil'э täm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring volume changes in order to determine the transition points between phases

dilator (dai´leit'эr; dai leit´-, dэ-) •n. a person or thing that dilates; specif., a) any muscle that dilates a part of the body b) a surgical instrument for dilating an opening, wound, etc.

dilatory (dil´э tör'i:) •adj. 1 causing or tending to cause delay; meant to gain time, defer action, etc. 2 inclined to delay; slow or late in doing things dil´a·to'ri·ly •adv. dil´a·to'ri·ness •n. [ME dilatorie < LL dilatorius < L dilator, dilatory person < dilatus, pp. of differre, DEFER¹]

Dilaudid (dai löd´эd, di-; -lö´did) trademark for an addictive, narcotic painkiller, C17H20ClNO3, that is stronger than morphine

dildo (dil´dou) pl. -dos or -does a device of rubber, etc., shaped like an erect penis and used as a sexual stimulater Also spelled dil´doe •n. [< ? It diletto, delight]

dilemma (di lem´э; also dai-) •n. 1 an argument necessitating a choice between equally unfavorable or disagreeable alternatives 2 any situation in which one must choose between unpleasant alternatives 3 any serious problem SYN. PREDICAMENT dil·em·mat·ic (dil'э mæt´ik) •adj. [LL < LGr(Ec) dilēmma < di-, two + lēmma, proposition: see LEMMA¹]

dilettante (dil'э tænt´, -tæn´ti:; dil´э tænt'; dil'э tänt´, -tän´ti:; dil´э tänt') pl. -tantes´ or -tan´ti' (-tai', -ti:) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a person who loves the fine arts 2 a person who follows an art or science only for amusement and in a superficial way; dabbler •adj. of or characteristic of a dilettante SYN. AESTHETE, AMATEUR dil'et·tant´ish (-tænt´ish, -tänt´-) •adj. dil·et·tant·ism (dil'э tænt´iz'эm, -tänt´-) or dil'et·tan´te·ism' (-tæn´ti: iz'эm, -tænt´iz'-, -tän´ti: iz эm, -tänt´iz'-) •n. [It < prp. of dilettare, to delight < L delectare, to charm, DELIGHT]

Dili (dil´i:) city in E Timor, Indonesia: before 1975, capital of Portuguese Timor: pop. 60,000

diligence¹ (dil´э jэns) •n. 1 the quality of being diligent; constant, careful effort; perseverance 2 [Obs.] speed; haste 3 Law the degree of attention or care expected of a person in a given situation [ME < OFr < L diligentia < diligens, prp. of diligere, to esteem highly, select < di-, apart + legere, to choose, collect: see LOGIC]

diligence² (dil´э jэns; Fr di: li: zhäñs´) •n. a public stagecoach, esp. as formerly used in France [Fr < carrosse de diligence, lit., coach of diligence, i.e., fast coach < faire diligence, to hurry]

diligent (dil´э jэnt) •adj. 1 persevering and careful in work; industrious 2 done with careful, steady effort; painstaking SYN. BUSY dil´i·gent·ly •adv. [ME < OFr < L diligens: see DILIGENCE¹]

dill (dil) •n. 1 any of a genus (Anethum) of plants of the umbel family, esp. a European herb (A. graveolens) with bitter seeds and aromatic leaves, used to flavor pickles, soups, etc. 2 the seeds or leaves 3 DILL PICKLE [ME & OE dile, akin to OS dille, OHG tilli]

dill pickle a cucumber pickle flavored with dill

dilly (dil´i:) pl. -lies •n. [Slang] a surprising or remarkable person, thing, event, etc. [orig. adj., prob. altered & contr. < DEL(IGHTFUL) + -Y²]

dillydally (dil´i: dæl'i:) -lied, -ly·ing •vi. to waste time in hesitation or vacillation; loiter or dawdle [redupl. of DALLY]

Dilthey (dil´tei), Wilhelm 1833-1911; Ger. philosopher

diluent (dil´yu: эnt) •adj. diluting •n. a diluting substance [L diluens, prp. of diluere]

dilute (di lu:t´, dai-) -lut´ed, -lut´ing •vt. 1 to thin down or weaken as by mixing with water or other liquid 2 to change or weaken (in brilliance, force, effect, etc.) by mixing with something else •vi. to become diluted •adj. diluted di·lute´ness •n. di·lut´er or di·lu´tor •n. [< L dilutus, pp. of diluere, to wash away < dis-, off, from + luere, var. of lavare, to LAVE¹]

dilution (-lu:´shэn) •n. 1 a diluting or being diluted 2 something diluted

diluvial (di lu:´vi: эl) •adj. 1 of or caused by a flood, esp. the Deluge 2 of debris left by a flood or glacier Also di·lu´vi·an [LL diluvialis < L diluvium: see DILUVIUM]

diluvium (-эm) pl. -vi·ums or -vi·a (-э) •n. Geol. old term for glacial drift, specif. as believed to have resulted from a great flood, esp. the Biblical Deluge [L, a deluge < diluere: see DILUTE]

dim (dim) dim´mer, dim´mest •adj. 1 not bright; somewhat dark 2 not clear or distinct in character; lacking definition, distinction, strength, etc. 3 without luster; dull 4 not clearly seen, heard, perceived, or understood; vague 5 not clearly seeing, hearing, understanding, etc. 6 not likely to turn out well {dim prospects} 7 [Colloq.] lacking intelligence; stupid •vt. dimmed, dim´ming 1 to make dim 2 to make seem dim, as by comparison 3 to turn (headlights) down by switching from high to low beam •vi. to grow dim •n. 1 [Archaic] dim light; dimness; dusk 2 [pl.] headlights on a low-beam setting SYN. DARK take a dim view of to view skeptically, pessimistically, etc. dim´ly •adv. dim´ness •n. Etymology [ME < OE, akin to ON dimmr, dark < IE base *dhem-, to be dusty, misty > DAMP, Ger dunkel, dark] dim abbrev. 1 dimension 2 diminutive dim (dim) dim´mer, dim´mest •adj. 1 not bright; somewhat dark 2 not clear or distinct in character; lacking definition, distinction, strength, etc. 3 without luster; dull 4 not clearly seen, heard, perceived, or understood; vague 5 not clearly seeing, hearing, understanding, etc. 6 not likely to turn out well {dim prospects} 7 [Colloq.] lacking intelligence; stupid •vt. dimmed, dim´ming 1 to make dim 2 to make seem dim, as by comparison 3 to turn (headlights) down by switching from high to low beam •vi. to grow dim •n. 1 [Archaic] dim light; dimness; dusk 2 [pl.] headlights on a low-beam setting SYN. DARK take a dim view of to view skeptically, pessimistically, etc. dim´ly •adv. dim´ness •n. Etymology [ME < OE, akin to ON dimmr, dark < IE base *dhem-, to be dusty, misty > DAMP, Ger dunkel, dark]

dim sum (dim´ sûm´, -sum´) 1 a small casing of dough filled variously with minced meat, vegetables, etc. and steamed or fried 2 a variety of these and similar delicacies served as a light meal [Chin]

DiMaggio (dэ mä´ji: ou', -mæj´i: ou'), Joseph (Paul) (called Joe) 1914- ; U.S. baseball player

Dimashq (di: mäshk´) Ar. name of DAMASCUS

dime (daim) •n. Æ a coin of the U.S. and of Canada equal to ten cents; tenth of a dollar: the U.S. dime is made of cupronickel Æ a dime a dozen [Colloq.] abundant and easily obtained; cheap Æ on a dime [Colloq.] at an exact point or within very narrow limits [ME < OFr disme, tithe, tenth < L decima (pars), tenth (part), fem. of decimus < decem, TEN]

dime novel a hack paperback novel of a type popular in the later 19th and early 20th cent., usually sensational or melodramatic and originally costing a dime

dime store FIVE-AND-TEN-CENT STORE

dimenhydrinate (dai'men hai´drэ neit') •n. a crystalline solid, C24H28ClN5O3, used to control nausea and vomiting, as in motion sickness [< dime(thyl) + (diphen)hydr(am)in(e) + -ATE²]

dimension (dэ men´shэn; also dai-) •n. 1 any measurable extent, as length, width, depth, etc.: see also FOURTH DIMENSION 2 [pl.] measurements in length and width, and often depth 3 [often pl.] a) extent, size, or degree b) scope or importance 4 the nature and relationship of the units entering into some physical quantity {the dimension for speed is length divided by time} 5 [often pl.] [Obs.] bodily form 6 Math. a number, usually an integer, representing the geometric dimensions of some physical or abstract system •adj. designating lumber, stone, etc. cut to specified dimensions •vt. to shape to or mark with specified dimensions: usually in past participle di·men´sion·less •adj. [ME dimensioun < L dimensio, a measuring < dimensus, pp. of dimetiri, to measure off < dis-, off, from + metiri, to MEASURE]

dimensional (-shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of dimension or dimensions 2 having (a specified number of) dimensions {a three-dimensional figure} di·men'sion·al´i·ty (-æl´э ti:) •n. di·men´sion·al·ly •adv.

dimer (dai´mэr) •n. a compound formed by the combination of two identical molecules or monomers di·mer´ic (-mer´ik) •adj. [DI-¹ + (POLY)MER]

dimerous (dim´эr эs) •adj. having two parts; specif., a) having two members in each whorl (said of flowers) b) having two-jointed tarsi (said of insects) Etymology [ModL dimerus: see DI-¹ & -MEROUS]

dimeter (dim´э tэr) •n. 1 a line of verse containing two metrical feet 2 verse consisting of dimeters •adj. having two metrical feet [LL < Gr dimetros < di-, two + metron, a MEASURE]

dimethyl (dai meθ´эl) •adj. containing two methyl radicals

dimethyl sulfoxide (sûlf äk´said) DMSO

dimidiate (di mid´i: eit', dai-) •adj. 1 halved 2 Biol. having only one half developed 3 Bot. split on one side, as the calyptra of mosses •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing [Archaic] to halve [< L dimidiatus, pp. of dimidiare, to divide into halves < dimidium, a half < dis-, apart, from + medius, MID¹]

dimin diminutive

diminish (dэ min´ish) •vt. 1 to make, or make seem, smaller; reduce in size, degree, importance, etc.; lessen 2 Archit. to cause to taper 3 Music to reduce (a perfect or a minor interval) by a half step •vi. 1 to become smaller or less 2 Archit. to taper SYN. DECREASE di·min´ish·a·ble •adj. [ME diminishen, a blend of diminuen, to reduce (< OFr diminuer < L diminuere, var. of deminuere < de-, from + minuere, to lessen < minus, small) & minishen, to make smaller < OFr menusier < VL *minutiare < L minutus, MINUTE²]

diminished (-isht) •adj. 1 made smaller; lessened; reduced 2 Music lessened by a half step: said of intervals or of chords formed with such an interval

diminishing returns (-ish iŋ) Econ. the proportionately smaller increase in productivity observed after a certain point in the increase of capital, labor, etc.

diminuendo (dэ min'yu: en´dou) pl. -dos •adj., adv., n. DECRESCENDO [It < diminuere: see DIMINISH]

diminution (dim'э nu:´shэn, -nyu:´-) •n. 1 a diminishing or being diminished; lessening; decrease 2 Music variation of a theme by shortening, usually halving, the time value of the notes: cf. AUGMENTATION [ME < OFr < L deminutio]

diminutive (dэ min´yu: tiv, -yэ-) •adj. 1 much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny 2 Gram. expressing smallness or diminution {a diminutive suffix or name} •n. 1 a very small person or thing 2 a) a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin) b) such a suffix SYN. SMALL di·min´u·tive·ly •adv. di·min´u·tive·ness •n. [ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, DIMINISH]

dimity (dim´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. a thin, corded or patterned cotton cloth [ME demit < ML dimitum < MGr dimitos, double-threaded < dis-, TWO + mitos, a thread: cf. TWILL]

dimmer (dim´эr) •n. a device, as a rheostat, for dimming an electric light or set of lights

dimorphism (dai mör´fiz'эm) •n. 1 Bot. the state of having two different kinds of leaves, flowers, stamens, etc. on the same plant or in the same species 2 Mineralogy the property of crystallizing in two forms 3 Zool. the occurrence of two types of individuals in the same species, distinct in coloring, size, etc. di·mor´phic (-fik) or di·mor´phous (-fэs) •adj. [< Gr dimorphos, having two forms (< di-, two + morphē, form) + -ISM]

dimout (dim´aut') •n. a dimming or reduction of the night lighting, as in a city, to make it less easily visible, as to enemy aircraft; incomplete blackout

dimple (dim´pэl) •n. 1 a small, natural hollow on the surface of the body, as on the cheek or chin 2 any little hollow, as on water •vt. -pled, -pling to make dimples in •vi. to show or form dimples dim´ply (-pli:) •adj. [ME dimpel, akin to MHG tumpfel, Ger tümpel, deep hole in water < nasalized var. of Gmc *dup-, to be deep < IE base *dheub-, *dheup-, hollow, deep > DEEP, DIP]

dimwit (dim´wit') •n. [Slang] a stupid person; simpleton dim´wit'ted •adj. dim´wit'ted·ly •adv. dim´wit'ted·ness •n.

din (din) •n. a loud, continuous noise; confused clamor or uproar •vt. dinned, din´ning 1 to beset with a din 2 to repeat insistently or noisily {to din an idea into one's ears} •vi. to make a din SYN. NOISE [ME dine < OE dyne, akin to ON dynr < IE base *dhwen-, *dhun-, to sound, boom > Sans dhvani-, sound, noise, word]

Dinah (dai´nэ) a feminine name [Heb dīnāh, lit., judged]

dinar (di när´) •n. 1 the basic monetary unit of: a) Algeria b) Bahrain c) Bosnia and Herzegovina d) Croatia e) Iraq f) Jordan g) Kuwait h) Libya i) Tunisia a) Yugoslavia: see MONEY, table 2 a monetary unit of Iran, equal to ¹/100 of a rial [Ar dīnār < LGr dēnarion < L denarius: see DENARIUS]

Dinaric Alps (di nær´ik) range of the E Alps, along the Adriatic coast of Croatia, Yugoslavia, & N Albania: highest peak, c. 8,800 ft. (2,680 m)

din-din (din´din') •n. [Colloq.] dinner: orig., a child's word

dindle (din´dэl, din´эl) -dled, -dling •vt., vi. [Scot. or North Eng.] to tingle or vibrate, as with or from a loud sound [ME dindelen, prob. < dine (see DIN), with intrusive -d- and freq. suffix]

d'Indy (dæñ di:´), (Paul Marie Théodore) Vin·cent (Fr væñ säñ´) 1851-1931; Fr. composer

dine (dain) dined, din´ing •vi. to eat dinner •vt. to provide a dinner for, or entertain at dinner •n. [Obs.] dinner dine on to eat a meal including {to dine on shrimp} dine out to eat dinner away from home [ME dinen < OFr disner < VL *disjejunare < L dis-, away + LL jejunare, to fast < L jejunus, hungry]

diner (dain´эr) •n. 1 a person eating dinner Æ 2 DINING CAR Æ 3 a small restaurant built to look like a dining car Æ 4 a small restaurant with a counter along one side and booths on the other

dineric (dai ner´ik) •adj. Physics constituting, or having to do with, the surface of contact of two immiscible liquids in a container [< DI-¹ + < LGr nēron, nēros, water + -IC]

dinero (di ner´ou) •n. [Southwest Colloq.] money [Sp < L denarius, DENARIUS]

Dinesen (di:´nэ sэn, din´э-), I·sak (i:´säk) (pseud. of Karen Christence Dinesen, Baroness Blixen-Finecke) 1885-1962; Dan. author

dinette (dai net´) •n. 1 an alcove or small, partitioned space used as a dining room 2 a set of table and chairs for such a space [see DINE & -ETTE]

ding (diŋ) •vi. 1 to make a sound like that of a bell; ring 2 [Slang] to strike; hit •vt. 1 to make ring 2 [Colloq.] to repeat insistently or tiresomely; din •n. 1 the sound of a bell 2 [Slang] a small dent 3 [Slang] short for DING-A-LING [ME dingen, to strike, beat < Scand (as in ON dengja, to hammer): see DINT]

ding-a-ling (diŋ´э liŋ') •n. [Slang] a crazy, stupid, or eccentric person [< the ringing in the head of a punch-drunk boxer]

dingbat (diŋ´bæt') •n. 1 [Old Colloq.] a stone, stick, or other object suitable for throwing 2 [Colloq.] Printing any of various decorative marks, as at the beginning of a paragraph 3 [Slang] a foolish or erratic person [< DING, in obs. sense to fling + BAT¹]

ding-dong (diŋ´döŋ', -däng') •n. 1 the sound of a bell being rung Æ 2 [Slang] DING-A-LING •adj. [Colloq.] carried out, as a contest or fight, with continual, successive changes in the lead or advantage; vigorously contested •vi. to sound with a ding-dong •vt. to impress by repeating [echoic]

dinghy (diŋ´gi:, diŋ´i:) pl. -ghies •n. 1 orig., a rowboat used on the rivers of India 2 a small boat carried on a ship 3 a small boat used as a tender as to a yacht 4 a small, single-masted racing boat 5 an inflatable life raft Also sp. din´gey [Hindi dīngi]

dingle (diŋ´gэl) •n. a small, deep, wooded valley; dell [ME dingel, abyss, deep hollow, prob. akin to OE ding, dungeon: ult. < IE base *dhengh-, to press, cover: see DUNG]

dingo (diŋ´gou) pl. -goes •n. the Australian wild dog (Canis dingo), usually tawny in color, with short, pointed ears and a bushy tail [native name]

dingus (diŋ´эs) •n. [Colloq.] any device; contrivance; gadget: humorous substitute for a name temporarily forgotten or not known [Du dinges (or Ger dings), thingumabob, orig. gen. of ding, THING]

dingy (din´ji:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 dirty-colored; not bright or clean; grimy 2 dismal; shabby din´gi·ly •adv. din´gi·ness •n. [orig. dial. var. of DUNGY]

dining car a railroad car equipped to serve meals to passengers

dining room a room where meals are eaten

dinitro- (dai nai´trou, -trэ) combining form having two nitro groups per molecule {dinitrobenzene}

dinitrobenzene (dai nai'trou ben´zi:n') •n. any of three isomeric compounds, C6H4(NO2)2, formed by the reaction of nitric acid and benzene or nitrobenzene: used in dyes, organic synthesis, etc.

dink (diŋk) •n. Tennis DROP SHOT

Dinka (diŋ´kä, -kэ) •n. 1 a member of a group of Sudanic Negroid tribes living in S Sudan (the country) 2 the language of the Dinkas, a branch of the Chari-Nile subfamily

dinkey (diŋ´ki:) •n. Æ a small locomotive for hauling cars, shunting, etc. in a railroad yard [prob. < DINKY]

dinkum (diŋ´kэm) •adj. [Austral. Slang] genuine; true •n. [Austral. Slang] the truth [< dial. (Lincolnshire), a fair share of work < ?]

dinky (diŋ´ki:) -i·er, -i·est •adj. [Colloq.] small and unimportant; of no consequence pl. -kies DINKEY •n. [< Scot dink, finely dressed, trim]

dinner (din´эr) •n. 1 the chief meal of the day, whether eaten in the evening or about noon 2 a banquet in honor of some person or event 3 a complete meal at a set price with no course omitted; table d'hôte [ME diner < OFr disner, inf. used as n.: see DINE]

dinner jacket a tuxedo jacket

dinner ring a woman's ring set with a large stone or group of stones, worn on formal occasions

dinner theater a restaurant at which a play, musical, etc. is presented while or after dinner is served

dinnerware (-wer') •n. plates, cups, saucers, etc., collectively

dino- (dai´nou, -nэ) combining form terrible, dreadful {dinosaur} [< Gr deinos, terrible: see DIRE]

dinoflagellate (dai'nou flæj´э lit, -leit') •n. any of a class (Dinophyceae) of single-celled algae (division Chromophycota), mainly marine and often with a cellulose shell: some species are luminescent, and some cause the red tides that are extremely toxic to marine life: also classified in a class (Dinoflagellata) of protozoans [< ModL Dinoflagellata < Gr dinos, rotation (< IE base *deye-, to swing, whirl > OIr dīan, swift) + ModL flagellum (see FLAGELLUM) + -ata, L, neut. pl. of -atus: see -ATE¹]

dinosaur (dai´nэ sör') •n. 1 any of two orders (Ornithischia or Saurischia) of extinct, mostly land-dwelling, four-limbed reptiles of the Mesozoic Era, including some c. 30 m (98.4 ft.) long: the flesh-eaters usually walked on their hind limbs, the plant-eaters on all fours 2 someone or something thought of as being old-fashioned, outmoded, resistant to change, etc. di'no·sau´ri·an (-sör´i: эn) •adj. [DINO- + -SAUR]

dinothere (dai´nou θir', -nэ-) •n. any of a genus (Dinotherium, order Proboscidea) of extinct elephantlike mammals of the Miocene Epoch with tusks curving downward from the lower jaw [< DINO- + Gr thēr, wild beast: see FIERCE]

dint (dint) •n. 1 force; exertion: now chiefly in by dint of 2 a dent 3 [Archaic] a blow •vt. 1 to dent 2 to drive in with force [ME < OE dynt < IE base *dhen-, to strike > DING]

Dinwiddie (din wid´i:, din´wid i:), Robert 1693-1770; Brit. lieutenant governor of Va. (1751-58)

dioc diocesan

diocesan (dai äs´э sэn, -zэn) •adj. of a diocese •n. the bishop of a diocese [ME < ML diocesanus]

diocese (dai´э sis, -si:s', -si:z') •n. the district under a bishop's jurisdiction [ME & OFr diocise < L diocesis, district, government (in LL(Ec), diocese) < Gr dioikēsis, administration < dioikein, to keep house < dia-, through + oikos, a house: see ECO-]

Diocletian (dai'э kli:´shэn) (L. name Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus) A.D. 245-313; Rom. emperor (284-305)

diode (dai´oud') •n. 1 a) an electron tube of the high-vacuum type with a cold anode and a heated cathode, used as a rectifier of alternating current, a demodulator, etc. b) a low-pressure, gas-filled electron tube used as a rectifier 2 a semiconductor device used in a similar manner [DI-¹ + -ODE¹]

dioecious (dai i:´shэs) •adj. Biol. having the male reproductive organs in one individual and the female organs in another; having separate sexes di·oe´cious·ly •adv. di·oe´cism' (-siz'эm) •n. [< DI-¹ + Gr oikos, a house (see ECO-) + -OUS]

Diogenes (dai äj´э ni:z') c. 412-c. 323 B.C.; Gr. Cynic philosopher: noted for his asceticism

Diomede Islands (dai´э med') two islands in the Bering Strait, between Siberia & Alaska; Big Diomede, Russia (Russ. name Ratmanov) & Little Diomede, U.S.: U.S.-Russia boundary passes between them [so named by BERING, who discovered them (1728) on St. Diomede's Day (August 16)]

Diomedes (dai'э mi:´di:z') Gr. Legend a Greek warrior at the siege of Troy, who helps Odysseus steal the statue of Athena Also Di´o·med' (-med') or Di´o·mede' (-mi:d')

Dione (dai ou´ni:) a satellite of Saturn, sharing an orbit with a smaller satellite (Dione B)

Dionysia (dai'э nish´i: э, -nish´э; -nis´i: э, -niz´-) •n.pl. any of the various Greek festivals in honor of Dionysus, esp. those at Athens from which the Greek drama originated [L < Gr Dionysia (hiera), (rites) of Dionysus]

Dionysiac (-nis´i: æk', -niz´-) •adj. 1 of Dionysus or the Dionysia 2 DIONYSIAN (sense 2) [L Dionysiacus < Gr Dionysiakos]

Dionysian (-nish´эn; -nis´i: эn, -niz´-) •adj. 1 Dionysiac 2 of the orgiastic nature of the Dionysia; wild, frenzied, and sensuous: distinguished from APOLLONIAN 3 of any of several historical figures named Dionysus

Dionysius (-nish´эs, -nis´i: эs, -nai´si: эs) 1 c. 430-367 B.C.; Gr. tyrant of ancient Syracuse (405-367): called the Elder 2 c. 395-c. 340 B.C.; Gr. tyrant of Syracuse (367-356; 347-343): son of Dionysius the Elder: called the Younger

Dionysius Exiguus (ig zig´yu wэs, -sig´-) 6th cent. A.D.; Rom. monk & Christian theologian, born in Scythia: believed to have introduced the current system of numbering years on the basis of the Christian Era

Dionysius of Halicarnassus fl. 1st cent. B.C.; Gr. critic & historian in Rome

Dionysus or Dionysos (dai'э nai´sэs) Gr. Myth. the god of wine and revelry: identified with the Roman Bacchus [L < Gr Dionysos]

diopside (dai äp´said', -sid) •n. Mineralogy a kind of pyroxene, usually greenish [Fr < di- (see DI-²) + Gr opsis, appearance, sight (< ōps, EYE); assoc. in meaning with Gr diopsis, transparency < dia-, through + opsis, sight]

dioptase (dai äp´teis') •n. a hydrous silicate of copper which occurs as green, glassy prisms [Fr < Gr dia-, through + optazein, to see < optos, visible < ops, EYE]

diopter or dioptre (dai äp´tэr) •n. a unit of measure of the power of a lens, equal to the power of a lens with a focal length of one meter di·op´tral •adj. [Fr dioptre < L dioptra < Gr instrument for leveling, etc. < dia-, through + base of opsis, sight < ops, EYE]

dioptometer (dai'äp täm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for testing the refraction of the eye di'op·tom´e·try •n. [DI-² + OPTOMETER]

dioptric (dai äp´trik) •adj. 1 of optical lenses or the method of numbering them according to their refractive powers; dioptral 2 of dioptrics; refractive 3 helping the sight by refractive correction Also di·op´tri·cal [Gr dioptrikos, relating to the DIOPTER]

dioptrics (-triks') •n.pl. [with sing. v.] [Archaic] the branch of optics dealing with the refraction of light through lenses [< prec.]

Dior (di: ör´; Fr di: ôř), Chris·tian (kris´chэn; Fr kři:s tyäñ´) 1905-57; Fr. couturier

diorama (dai'э ræm´э, -räm´-) •n. 1 a picture painted on a set of transparent cloth curtains and looked at through a small opening 2 a miniature scene, wholly or partially three-dimensional, depicting figures in a naturalistic setting 3 a museum display of a preserved or reconstructed specimen, as of wildlife in a simulation of its habitat di'o·ram´ic •adj. [DI(A)- + (PAN)ORAMA]

diorite (dai´э rait') •n. a dark-gray or greenish igneous rock, consisting chiefly of feldspar and hornblende [Fr < Gr diorizein, to divide < dia-, through + horizein, to separate: see HORIZON]

Dioscuri (dai'äs kyur´ai') Gr. Myth. Castor and Pollux, twin sons of LEDA [Gr Dioskouroi < Dios (gen. of Zeus) + kouroi, pl. of kouros, boy, son]

diosgenin (dai'эz jen´in; dai äz´jэ nin') •n. a steroid, C27H42O3, found in yams and used to synthesize various hormones, as progesterone

dioxane (dai äks´ein') •n. a colorless, liquid ether, C4H8O2, prepared from ethylene oxide or glycol and used as a solvent for fats, etc. and in cosmetics, deodorants, etc. [DI-¹ + OX- + -ANE]

dioxide (dai äks´aid', -id) •n. an oxide containing two atoms of oxygen per molecule

dioxin (dai äks´in) •n. any of a family of heterocyclic hydrocarbons; esp., any of a number of isomers of a highly toxic chlorinated teratogen, TCDD, that occurs as an impurity in some herbicides and defoliants, including trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a component of Agent Orange [DI-¹ + OX- + -IN¹]

Dip Diploma dip (dip) dipped or •vt. occas. dipt, dip´ping 1 to put into or under liquid for a moment and then quickly take out; immerse 2 to dye in this way 3 to clean (sheep or hogs) by bathing in disinfectant 4 to make (a candle) by putting a wick repeatedly in melted tallow or wax 5 to coat, plate, or galvanize by immersion 6 to get or take out by, or as if by, scooping up with a container, the hand, etc. 7 to lower and immediately raise again {dip the flag in salute} Æ 8 to put (snuff) on the gums, as with a snuff stick •vi. 1 to plunge into a liquid and quickly come out 2 to sink or seem to sink suddenly {the sun dips into the ocean} 3 to undergo a slight, usually temporary decline {sales dipped in May} 4 to slope down 5 to lower a container, the hand, etc. into liquid, a receptacle, etc., esp. in order to take something out: often figurative {to dip into one's savings} 6 to read here and there in a book, etc., or inquire into a subject superficially 7 Aeron. to drop suddenly before climbing •n. 1 a dipping or being dipped 2 a) a brief plunge into water or other liquid b) a brief swim 3 a liquid into which something is dipped, as for dyeing 4 whatever is removed by or used in dipping 5 a candle made by dipping 6 a) a downward slope or inclination b) the amount of this 7 a slight hollow 8 a short downward plunge, as of an airplane 9 a) a sweet, liquid sauce for desserts Æ b) a variously flavored, thick, creamy sauce, in which crackers, etc. are dipped to be eaten as appetizers 10 [Slang] a pickpocket 11 Geol., Mining the downward inclination of a stratum or vein, with reference to a horizontal plane 12 Gym. the act of lowering oneself between parallel bars by bending the arms until the chin reaches the bar level, and then raising oneself by straightening the arms 13 Physics a) the deviation of a dip needle from the horizontal b) the amount of such deviation 14 Surveying the angular amount by which the horizon is below eye level [ME dippen < OE dyppan, to immerse < Gmc *dup-, to be deep: see DIMPLE]

dip needle a freely rotating, magnetized needle used to indicate the direction of the earth's magnetism: it is horizontal at the magnetic equator (aclinic line) but vertical at the magnetic poles

dipetalous (dai pet´ªl эs) •adj. BIPETALOUS

diphase (dai´feiz') •adj. having two phases Also di·pha´sic (-fei´zik)

diphenyl (dai fen´эl, -fi:n´-) •n. a crystalline compound (C6H5)2, with a pleasant odor, used to preserve fruit, as a heat-transfer agent, etc.

diphenyl- (dai fen´эl, -fi:n´-) combining form containing two phenyl groups in each molecule

diphenylamine (dai fen'эl э mi:n´, -fi:n'-; -æm´i:n', -in) •n. a colorless, crystalline chemical compound, (C6H5)2NH, used as a stabilizer of explosives and propellants, as a test for nitric acid, and in making dyes [DIPHENYL + AMINE]

diphosgene (dai fäs´ji:n') •n. a poisonous, liquid compound, ClCO2CCl3, related to phosgene and used as a lung-irritant gas in chemical warfare

diphtheria (dif θir´i: э; widely dip-) •n. an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) and characterized by weakness, high fever, the formation in the air passages of a tough, membranelike obstruction to breathing, and the production of a potent neurotoxin diph·the´ri·al •adj. [ModL < Fr diphtherie (so named (1855) by A. Trousseau (1801-67), Fr physician, replacing earlier diphthérite, first used (1821) by P. Bretonneau (1778-1862), Fr physician) < Gr diphthera, leather < dephein, to tan hides < IE base *deph-, to knead, stamp > Arm topel, to strike]

diphtheritic (dif'θэ rit´ik) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or like diphtheria 2 having diphtheria Also diph·ther·ic (dif θer´ik) [< earlier Fr diphthérite (see DIPHTHERIA) + -IC]

diphthong (dif´θöŋ; often dip´-) •n. 1 Phonet. a complex vowel sound made by gliding continuously from the position for one vowel to that for another within the same syllable, as (au) in down; (ai), IPA [aI], in ride; (oi) in boy; (ou), IPA [oU], in boat 2 Printing either of the ligatures æ or œ, pronounced as diphthongs in classical Latin diph·thon´gal (-θöŋ´gэl, -эl) •adj. [ME diptonge < LL diphthongus < Gr diphthongos < di-, two + phthongos, voice, sound < phthengesthai, to utter]

diphthongize (-gaiz', -aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to pronounce (a simple vowel) as a diphthong •vi. to become a diphthong diph'thong'i·za´tion •n.

diphycercal (dif'i sør´kэl) •adj. designating, of, or having a tail fin in which the upper and lower lobes taper symmetrically to a point to which the spinal column extends [< Gr diphyēs, twofold (< di-, DI-¹ + phyein, to bear, bring forth: see BE) + kerkos, tail + -AL]

diphyletic (dai'fai let´ik) •adj. having two ancestral lines of descent

diphyllous (dai fil´эs) •adj. having two leaves or sepals

diphyodont (dif´i: ou dänt') •adj. developing two consecutive sets of teeth, as most mammals [< Gr diphyēs (see DIPHYCERCAL) + -ODONT]

dipl diplomatic

diplegia (dai pli:´ji: э, -jэ) •n. paralysis of similar parts on both sides of the body

diplex (dai´pleks') •adj. using a single circuit or transmission link for the simultaneous transmission or reception of two signals [altered (after DI-¹) < DUPLEX]

diplo- (dip´lou, -lэ) combining form two, double, twin {diplococcus} Also, before a vowel, dipl- (dipl) [< Gr diploos < di-, DI-¹ + IE *-plo-, -fold: see DOUBLE]

diploblastic (dip'lou blæs´tik, -lэ-) •adj. Zool. of or pertaining to a body with only two cellular layers, the ectoderm and the endoderm

diplococcus (-käk´эs) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. any of a group of parasitic, spherical bacteria occurring in pairs, as the pneumococcus that causes lobar pneumonia dip'lo·coc´cal (-kä´kэl) or dip'lo·coc´cic (-käk´sik) •adj.

diplodocus (dip läd´э kэs, -lou´dэ-) •n. any of a genus (Diplodocus) of huge, plant-eating sauropod dinosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods [ModL < DIPLO- + Gr dokos, main supporting beam: coined (1878) by O.C. Marsh (1831-1899), U.S. paleontologist]

diploe (dip´lou i:') •n. the spongy bone between the two dense inner and outer layers of the skull bones di·plo·ic (di plou´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr diploē, lit., a fold, doubling < diploos, DOUBLE]

diploid (dip´loid') •adj. 1 twofold or double 2 Biol. having twice the number of chromosomes normally occurring in a mature germ cell: most somatic cells are diploid •n. a diploid cell dip·loi´dy (-loi´di:) •n. [DIPL(O)- + -OID]

diploma (dэ plou´mэ) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. 1 an official state document or historical document; charter 2 a certificate conferring honors, privileges, etc. 3 a certificate issued to a student by a school, college, or university, indicating graduation or the conferring of a degree [L, state letter of recommendation < Gr diplōma, folded letter < diploun, to double < diploos, DOUBLE]

diploma mill [Colloq.] an unaccredited school or college that grants relatively worthless diplomas, as for a fee

diplomacy (dэ plou´mэ si:) •n. 1 the conducting of relations between nations, as in building up trade, making treaties, etc. 2 skill in doing this 3 skill in dealing with people; tact SYN. TACT [Fr diplomatie < diplomate: see DIPLOMAT]

diplomat (dip´lэ mæt') •n. 1 a representative of a government who conducts relations with the governments of other nations; person whose career or profession is diplomacy 2 a person skilled in dealing with other people; tactful person Also di·plo·ma·tist (dэ plou´mэ tist) [Fr diplomate, back-form. < diplomatique (after nouns ending in -ate, as aristocrate), DIPLOMATIC]

diplomate (dip´lэ meit') •n. a doctor who is certified as a specialist by an examining board in a particular branch of medicine [DIPLOM(A) + -ATE²]

diplomatic (dip'lэ mæt´ik) •adj. 1 a) of old official documents b) designating or of a copy or edition exactly reproducing such a document 2 of or connected with diplomacy 3 tactful and adroit in dealing with people SYN. SUAVE dip'lo·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [Fr diplomatique < ModL diplomaticus < L diploma (gen. diplomatis), DIPLOMA]

diplomatic immunity exemption from local taxation, court action, etc. in a foreign country, granted by international law to all members of a diplomatic service, their families, etc.

diplont (dip´länt') •n. an animal or plant whose somatic nuclei are diploid [< DIPL(O)- + -ont, a cell, organism (< Gr ontos: see ONTO-)]

diplopia (dip lou´pi: э) •n. a vision disorder in which a single object appears double; double vision dip·lop´ic (-läp´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr diploos, double + ōps (gen. ōpos); akin to ops, EYE]

diplopod (dip´lou päd') •n. MILLIPEDE [< ModL Diplopoda, name of the class: see DIPLO- & -POD]

diplosis (di plou´sis, dai-) •n. doubling of the number of chromosomes through the fusion of two haploid sets in the union of gametes, resulting in the formation of the somatic chromosome number [ModL < Gr diplōsis, a doubling]

dipnoan (dip´nou эn, dip nou´-) •adj. of various fishes that can respire by lungs as well as by gills •n. a dipnoan fish [< Gr dipnoos, double-breathed < DI-¹ + pnoē, breath (see PNEUMA) + -AN]

dipody (dip´э di:) pl. -dies •n. Prosody a metrical unit consisting of two feet di·pod·ic (dai päd´ik) •adj. [LL dipodia < Gr < di-, twice + pous (gen. podos), FOOT]

dipole (dai´poul') •n. 1 Physics any system having two equal but opposite electric charges or magnetic poles separated by a very small distance 2 Chem. a polar molecule in which the centers of positive and negative charge are separated 3 a radio or television antenna that is a single linear conductor (commonly equal in length to one half the wavelength at the frequency employed) separated at the center as by a transmission line feed: in full dipole antenna di·po´lar (-pou´lэr) •adj.

dipper (dip´эr) •n. 1 a person whose work is dipping something in liquid Æ 2 a long-handled cup or similar container for dipping 3 any of a family (Cinclidae) of passerine birds living near swift streams in which they wade and dive in search of insects, larvae, etc.; water ouzel [D-] see BIG DIPPER, LITTLE DIPPER dip´per·ful', pl. -fuls', •n.

dippy (dip´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. [Slang] foolish, eccentric, or crazy

dipropellant (dai'prou pel´эnt) •n. BIPROPELLANT

dipso (dip´sou) •n. [Slang] a dipsomaniac

dipsomania (dip'sэ mei´ni: э, -mein´yэ) •n. an abnormal and insatiable craving for alcoholic drink dip'so·ma´ni·ac' (-æk') •n. dip'so·ma·ni´a·cal (-mэ nai´э kэl) •adj. [ModL < Gr dipsa, thirst + -MANIA]

dipstick (dip´stik') •n. a graduated metal rod for measuring the depth of a substance in its container, as of oil in a crankcase

dipt (dipt) •vt., vi. occas. pt. & pp. of DIP

dipteral (dip´tэr эl) •adj. Archit. surrounded by a double row of columns

dipteran (dip´tэr эn) •n. any of a large order (Diptera) of insects, including the true flies, mosquitoes, and gnats, having one pair of functional, membranous wings and usually a vestigial second pair used as a balancing organ [< ModL Diptera < neut. pl. of Gr dipteros: see DIPTEROUS]

dipterous (dip´tэr эs) •adj. 1 having two wings, as some insects, or two winglike appendages, as some seeds 2 of the dipterans [ModL dipterus < Gr dipteros: see DI-¹ & PTERO- & -OUS]

diptych (dip´tik') •n. 1 an ancient writing tablet made up of a hinged pair of wooden or ivory pieces folding to protect the inner waxed writing surfaces 2 a picture painted or carved on two hinged tablets 3 anything consisting of two parallel or contrasting parts [LL diptycha, writing tablet of two leaves < Gr, neut. pl. of diptychos, folded < di-, twice + ptychē, a fold < ptyssein, to fold]

dir director

Dirac (di ræk´), Paul Adrien Maurice 1902-84; Eng. mathematician & nuclear physicist

dirdum (dir´dэm, dør´-) •n. [Scot. or North Eng.] an uproar, as of censure [ME durdom < Celt, as in Ir deardan, tempest, Welsh dwrdd, noise < IE base *dor-d-, echoic]

dire (dair) dir´er, dir´est •adj. 1 arousing terror or causing extreme distress; dreadful; terrible 2 calling for quick action; urgent {a dire need} dire´ly •adv. dire´ness •n. [L dirus, fearful < IE base *dwei-, to fear > Gr deimos, panic]

Dire Dawa (dir'id э wä´) city in E Ethiopia: pop. 98,000: also written Di're·da·wa´

direct (dэ rekt´; also dai-) •adj. 1 by the shortest way, without turning or stopping; not roundabout; not interrupted; straight {a direct route} 2 honest and to the point; straightforward; frank {a direct answer} 3 with nothing or no one between; immediate; close, firsthand, or personal {direct contact, direct knowledge} 4 in an unbroken line of descent; lineal 5 exact; complete; absolute {the direct opposite} 6 in the exact words of the speaker {a direct quotation} 7 not needing a mordant: said of certain dyes 8 by or of action of the people through popular vote instead of through representatives or delegates 9 Astron. from west to east: opposed to RETROGRADE 10 Math. designating or of a relation between variables in which one increases or decreases with the other {a direct proportion}: opposed to INVERSE •vt. 1 to manage the affairs, course, or action of; guide; conduct; regulate 2 to order or command with authority 3 to turn or point (a person or thing) toward an object or goal; aim; head 4 to tell (a person) the way to a place 5 to address (words, remarks, etc.) to a specific person or persons, or in a specific direction 6 to write the name and address on (a letter, etc.) 7 a) to plan the action and effects of (a play, motion picture, etc.) and to supervise and instruct (the actors and technicians) in the carrying out of such a plan b) to rehearse and conduct the performance of (a choir, band, etc.) •vi. 1 to give directions; make a practice of directing 2 to be a director, as of a group of performers •adv. in a direct manner; directly SYN. CONDUCT, COMMAND di·rect´ness •n. [ME < L directus, pp. of dirigere, to lay straight, direct < di-, apart, from + regere, to keep straight, rule: see REGAL]

direct action action aimed directly at achieving an objective; esp., the use of strikes, demonstrations, civil disobedience, etc. in disputes or struggles for rights

direct current an electric current flowing in one direction

direct mail advertisements, solicitations, etc. mailed directly to a large number of individuals

direct object Gram. the word or words denoting the thing or person that receives the action of a transitive verb; goal or result of a verbal action (Ex.: ball in he hit the ball)

direct primary election a preliminary election at which candidates for public office are chosen by direct vote of the people instead of by delegates at a convention: in closed primary elections voters must declare party affiliation and may vote only for candidates of their party

direct tax a tax levied directly on the person by whom it is to be paid, as an income tax or estate tax

directed (dэ rek´tid; also dai-) •adj. indicated either as being positive or negative, as a number or angle, or as having an assigned direction, as a segment or vector

direction (dэ rek´shэn; also dai-) •n. 1 the act of directing; management; supervision 2 [usually pl.] instructions for doing, operating, using, preparing, etc. 3 an authoritative order or command 4 the point toward which something faces or the line along which something moves or lies {north, up, forward, and left are directions} 5 an aspect, line of development, way, trend, etc. {research in new directions} 6 Theater a) the director's plan for achieving certain effects, as of acting, lighting, etc. b) the instructions for this to the actors and others 7 Music a) a word, phrase, or sign showing how a note, passage, etc. is to be played b) the work or art of directing a choir, band, etc. [ME direccioun < L directio]

direction finder a device for finding out the direction from which radio waves or signals are coming, as a loop antenna that can be rotated freely on a vertical axis

directional (-shэ nэl) •adj. 1 of, aimed at, or indicating (a specific) direction 2 designed for radiating or receiving radio signals most effectively in one or more particular directions {a directional antenna} 3 designed to pick up or send out sound most efficiently in one direction di·rec'tion·al´i·ty (-næl´э ti:) •n. di·rec´tion·al·ly •adv.

directive (dэ rek´tiv; also dai-) •adj. 1 directing; tending or intended to direct 2 indicating direction •n. a general instruction or order issued authoritatively

directly (dэ rekt´li:; also dai-) •adv. 1 in a direct way or line; straight 2 with nothing or no one between {directly responsible} 3 exactly; completely {directly opposite} 4 a) instantly; right away b) fairly soon; shortly conj. [Chiefly Brit.] as soon as

Directoire (di:'rek twär´) •n. an executive body of five men in the First Republic in France, given office Oct. 27, 1795, and ousted Nov. 9, 1799 •adj. of or characteristic of the simple, neoclassic lines of the period of the Directoire: said of furniture, dress, etc. [Fr < ML directorium: see DIRECTORY]

director (di rek´tэr; also dai-) •n. a person or thing that directs or controls; specif., a) the head of a project, bureau, school, etc.; supervisor b) a member of a board chosen to direct the affairs of a corporation or institution Æ c) a person who directs a play, motion picture, etc. d) Music a conductor di·rec´tor·ship' •n. Æ di·rec´tress (-tris) or di·rec'trice´ (-tri:s´) Æ n.fem. [Anglo-Fr directour < LL director]

directorate (-it) •n. 1 the position of director 2 a board of directors

directorial (dai'rek tör´i: эl, dэ rek'-) •adj. 1 of a director or directorate 2 of directing or management

director's chair a lightweight folding armchair, usually a wooden or metal frame with a canvas back and seat [from its use on the set by motion-picture directors]

directory (dэ rek´tэ ri:; also dai-) •adj. directing, guiding, or advising •n. pl. -ries [ML directorium < LL directorius] 1 a book of directions, as for church service 2 a book listing the names, addresses, etc. of a specific group of persons {a telephone directory} 3 a directorate 4 [D-] DIRECTOIRE [LL directorius]

directrix (dэ rek´triks; also dai-) pl. -trix´es or -tri·ces (dai'rek trai´si:z) •n. 1 [Rare] a woman director 2 Geom. a) a fixed line associated with a conic section and its focus and eccentricity (see PARABOLA, illus.) b) the curve that bounds the base of a cone or cylinder

direful (dair´fэl) •adj. dreadful; terrible dire´ful·ly •adv.

dirge (dørj) •n. 1 a funeral hymn 2 a slow, sad song, poem, or musical composition expressing grief or mourning; lament [ME < L dirige, imper. of dirigere, to DIRECT, the first word of an antiphon (Psalm 5:8) in the Office for the Burial of the Dead]

dirham (dir hæm´) •n. 1 the basic monetary unit of: a) Morocco b) the United Arab Emirates: see MONEY, table 2 a monetary unit of Libya or Qatar, equal to ¹/1000 of a dinar & ¹/100 of a riyal, respectively Etymology [Ar < L drachma, DRACHMA]

dirigible (dir´э jэ bэl, dэ rij´э-) •adj. that can be directed or steered •n. an airship; esp., a zeppelin [ML dirigibilis: see DIRECT & -IBLE]

dirigisme (di: ři: zhi:s´mª) •n. government control or intervention, esp. in business activity or the economy di·ri·giste´ (-zhest´) •adj. [Fr]

diriment (dir´э mэnt) •adj. invalidating; nullifying: chiefly in R.C.Ch. diriment impediment, an obstacle invalidating an attempted marriage [< L dirimens, prp. of dirimere, to interrupt < dis-, apart + emere, to take: see REDEEM]

dirk (dørk) •n. a long, straight dagger •vt. to stab with a dirk [so spelled by Dr. Johnson; earlier dork, durk < ?]

dirl (dirl, dørl) •vt., vi. [Scot. or North Eng.] to vibrate or tingle [var. of Scot thirl, to pierce < ME thirlen, thrillen: see THRILL]

dirndl (dørn´dэl) •n. 1 a kind of dress with a full skirt, gathered waist, and closefitting bodice 2 a full skirt with a gathered waist: also dirndl skirt [Ger dirndl(kleid), orig., (peasant) girl's (dress), dial. dim. of dirne, maid, girl < OHG diorna, servant girl, akin to OE theow, servant, slave]

dirt (dørt) •n. 1 any unclean or soiling matter, as mud, dust, dung, trash, etc.; filth 2 earth or garden soil 3 anything common, filthy, or contemptible 4 dirtiness, nastiness, corruption, etc. Æ 5 obscene writing, speech, etc.; pornography Æ 6 malicious talk or gossip Æ 7 Gold Mining the gravel, soil, etc. from which gold is separated by washing or panning •adj. Æ having a surface of compacted earth {a dirt road} Æ do someone dirt [Slang] to do harm to someone, as by deception or malicious gossip hit the dirt [Slang] to drop to the ground [ME, by metathesis < drit < ON drita, excrement, akin to OE dritan, to excrete < IE base *dher- (see DARK) > L forire, defecate]

dirt bike an off-road motorbike with special tires, large fenders, etc.

dirt farmer [Colloq.] a farmer who works his own land

dirt-cheap (-chi:p´) •adj., adv. [Colloq.] as cheap as dirt; very inexpensive(ly)

dirty (dørt´i:) dirt´i·er, dirt´i·est •adj. 1 soiled or soiling with dirt; unclean 2 causing one to be soiled with dirt {a dirty occupation} 3 grayish, muddy, or clouded {a dirty green} 4 obscene; pornographic {dirty jokes} 5 given to lechery or lustful thoughts; prurient {a dirty mind, dirty old man} 6 disagreeable or contemptible; mean; nasty {a dirty coward} 7 unfair; dishonest; unsportsmanlike {a dirty player} 8 unkind; malicious or malevolent {dirty remarks} Æ 9 producing much fallout: said of nuclear weapons 10 revealing anger or irritation {a dirty look} 11 squally; rough {dirty weather} Æ 12 [Slang] rasping, reedy, rough, etc. in tone {a dirty trumpet} •vt., vi. dirt´ied, dirt´y·ing to make or become dirty; soil; tarnish; stain a dirty shame a very unfortunate circumstance dirt´i·ly •adv. dirt´i·ness •n. SYN.—dirty is applied to that which is covered or filled with any kind of dirt and is the broadest of these terms [a dirty face, a dirty room]; soiled generally suggests the presence of superficial dirt in an amount sufficient to impair cleanness or freshness [a soiled shirt]; grimy suggests soot or granular dirt deposited on or ingrained in a surface [a miner with a grimy face]; filthy is applied to that which is disgustingly dirty [filthy as a pigpen]; foul implies extreme filth that is grossly offensive or loathsome because of its stench, putridity, or corruption [foul air] —ANT. clean [ME dritti]

dirty linen (or laundry) secrets or private problems, esp. those that could cause gossip

dirty pool [Slang] the use of unfair or dishonest tactics

dirty tricks [Colloq.] unethical or illegal tactics, specif., such tactics used to discredit, harass, etc. one's political opponents

dirty word 1 an obscene or coarse word 2 any word or phrase considered unpleasant or offensive in a specific place or context

dis 1 discount 2 distance Dis (dis) 1 the god of the lower world; Pluto 2 the lower world; Hades [L, contr. < dives, rich, transl. of Gr Ploutōn, PLUTO]

dis- (dis; in some words, diz) prefix 1 forming verbs a) away, apart {dismiss, disperse} b) deprive of, expel from {disfrock, disbar} c) cause to be the opposite of {disable} d) fail, cease, refuse to {dissatisfy, disappear, disallow} e) do the opposite of {disjoin, disintegrate}: also used as an intensive [disannul] 2 forming adjectives not, UN-, the opposite of {dishonest, dissatisfied, displeasing} 3 forming nouns opposite of, lack of {disease, disunion} In words of Latin origin it becomes di- before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, or v; and dif- before f Etymology [< ME or OFr or L; OFr des- < L dis- < IE *dis- (< *dwis-, twice, in two < base *dwi-: see BI-¹) > OE te-, OHG zi-, Goth dis-]

disability (dis'э bil´э ti:, dis´-) pl. -ties •n. 1 a disabled condition 2 that which disables, as an illness, injury, or physical handicap 3 a legal disqualification or incapacity 4 something that restricts; limitation; disadvantage

disability clause a clause in an insurance contract entitling a policyholder who becomes permanently disabled to cease premium payments without loss of life insurance, and sometimes to receive a specified indemnity

disable (dis ei´bэl, dis´-) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 to make unable, unfit, or ineffective; cripple; incapacitate 2 to make legally incapable; disqualify legally SYN. MAIM dis·a´ble·ment •n.

disabuse (dis'э byu:z´) -bused´, -bus´ing •vt. to rid of false ideas; undeceive

disaccharide (dai sæk´э raid') •n. any of a group of sugars with a common formula, C12H22O11, as sucrose, maltose, and lactose, which on hydrolysis yield two monosaccharides: see OLIGOSACCHARIDE

disaccord (dis'э körd´) •vi. to refuse to agree; disagree •n. lack of accord; discord; disagreement [ME disacorden < OFr desacorder: see DIS- & ACCORD]

disaccredit (dis'э kred´it, dis´-) •vt. to cause to be no longer accredited or authorized

disaccustom (dis'э kûs´tэm, dis´-) •vt. to cause to be no longer accustomed (to something); rid of a habit [OFr desacostumer: see DIS- & ACCUSTOM]

disadvantage (dis'эd vænt´ij) •n. 1 an unfavorable situation or circumstance; drawback; handicap 2 loss or injury, as to reputation or credit; detriment •vt. -taged, -tag´ing to act to the disadvantage of at a disadvantage in an unfavorable situation (for doing something) [ME disavauntage < OFr desavantage: see DIS- & ADVANTAGE]

disadvantaged (-ijd) •adj. deprived of a decent standard of living, education, etc. by poverty and a lack of opportunity; underprivileged

disadvantageous (dis'æd'vэn tei´jэs) •adj. causing or characterized by disadvantage; unfavorable; adverse; detrimental dis'ad'van·ta´geous·ly •adv.

disaffect (dis'э fekt´) •vt. to cause to lose affection for; make unfriendly, discontented, or disloyal, esp. toward the government dis'af·fect´ed •adj. dis'af·fec´tion •n.

disaffiliate (dis'э fil´i: eit', dis´-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. to end an affiliation (with) dis'af·fil'i·a´tion •n.

disaffirm (dis'э førm´, dis´-) •vt. 1 to deny or contradict (a former statement) 2 Law a) to refuse to abide by (a contract, agreement, etc.); repudiate b) to reverse or set aside (a former decision) dis'af·firm´ance or dis'af'fir·ma´tion (-æf'эr mei´shэn) •n.

disafforest (dis'э för´ist, dis´e för'-) •vt. Eng. Law to reduce from the legal status of a forest to that of ordinary land [ML disafforestare: see DIS- & AFFOREST]

disagree (dis'э gri:´) -greed´, -gree´ing •vi. 1 to fail to agree; be different; differ 2 to differ in opinion; often, specif., to quarrel or dispute 3 to be harmful or give distress or discomfort: followed by with {apples disagree with me} [LME disagre < OFr desagreer: see DIS- & AGREE]

disagreeable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 not to one's taste; unpleasant; offensive 2 hard to get along with; quarrelsome dis'a·gree´a·ble·ness •n. dis'a·gree´a·bly •adv. [ME disagreable < OFr desagreable: see DISAGREE & -ABLE]

disagreement (dis'э gri:´mэnt) •n. 1 refusal to agree or comply 2 failure to agree; difference; incongruity; discrepancy {a disagreement between accounts} 3 difference of opinion 4 a quarrel or dispute

disallow (dis'э lau´) •vt. to refuse to allow; reject as untrue, invalid, or illegal dis'al·low´ance •n. [ME disalouen < Anglo-Fr desalouer, to blame, disapprove of: see DIS- & ALLOW]

disambiguate (dis'æm big´yu: weit') pl. -at'ed or -at'ing Linguis. to remove the ambiguity from (an ambiguous utterance or form) •vt. dis'am·big'u·a´tion •n.

disannul (dis'э nûl´) •vt. to cancel completely; annul

disappear (dis'э pir´) •vi. 1 to cease to be seen; go out of sight 2 to cease being; go out of existence, use, etc.; become lost or extinct •vt. to cause to pass out of sight or existence SYN. VANISH dis'ap·pear´ance •n. [ME disaperen: see DIS- & APPEAR]

disappoint (dis'э point´) •vt. 1 to fail to satisfy the hopes or expectations of; leave unsatisfied 2 to undo or frustrate (a plan, intention, etc.); balk; thwart dis'ap·point´ing·ly •adv. [ME disapointen < OFr desapointer: see DIS- & APPOINT]

disappointment (-mэnt) •n. 1 a disappointing or being disappointed 2 a person or thing that disappoints

disapprobation (dis'æp'rэ bei´shэn) •n. disapproval

disapproval (dis'э pru:´vэl) •n. 1 failure or refusal to approve; rejection 2 unfavorable opinion; condemnation

disapprove (dis'э pru:v´) -proved´, -prov´ing •vt. 1 to have or express an unfavorable opinion of; consider (something) wrong; condemn 2 to refuse to approve; reject •vi. to have or express disapproval (of) dis'ap·prov´ing·ly •adv.

disarm (dis ärm´, dis´-) •vt. 1 to take away weapons or armaments from 2 to deprive of the ability to hurt; make harmless 3 to overcome the hostility of; make friendly •vi. 1 to lay down arms 2 to reduce or do away with armed forces and armaments [ME disarmen < OFr desarmer: see DIS- & ARM²]

disarmament (-är´mэ mэnt) •n. 1 the act of disarming 2 the reduction of armed forces and armaments, as to a limitation set by treaty

disarming (-ärm´iŋ) •adj. 1 removing or allaying suspicions, fears, or hostility 2 making friendly or agreeable; ingratiating dis·arm´ing·ly •adv.

disarrange (dis'э reinj´, dis´э reinj') -ranged´, -rang´ing •vt. to undo the order or arrangement of; make less neat; disorder dis'ar·range´ment •n.

disarray (dis'э rei´) •vt. 1 to throw into disorder or confusion; upset 2 [Archaic] to undress •n. [ME disarai < OFr desarroi] 1 an untidy condition; disorder; confusion 2 a state of disorderly or insufficient dress SYN. CONFUSION [ME disaraien < OFr desareer: see DIS- & ARRAY]

disarticulate (dis'är tik´yu: leit', dis´-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. to separate at the joints; disjoint •vi. to become disjointed dis'ar·tic'u·la´tion •n.

disassemble (dis'э sem´bэl, dis´э sem'-) -bled, -bling •vt. Æ to take apart Æ dis'as·sem´bly (-bli:) •n.

disassociate (dis'э sou´shi: eit', -si:-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to sever association with; separate; disassociate dis'as·so'ci·a´tion •n.

disaster (di zæs´tэr, -zäs´-; also dis æs´-, -äs´-) •n. any happening that causes great harm or damage; serious or sudden misfortune; calamity SYN.—disaster implies great or sudden misfortune that results in loss of life, property, etc. or that is ruinous to an undertaking; calamity suggests a grave misfortune that brings deep distress or sorrow to an individual or to the people at large; catastrophe is specifically applied to a disastrous end or outcome; cataclysm suggests a great upheaval, esp. a political or social one, that causes sudden and violent change with attending distress, suffering, etc. [OFr desastre < It disastro < L dis- + astrum < Gr astron (see ASTRAL), star: from astrological notions: cf. ILL-STARRED]

disastrous (-trэs) •adj. of the nature of a disaster; causing great harm, damage, grief, etc.; calamitous dis·as´trous·ly •adv. [Fr désastreux]

disavow (dis'э vau´) •vt. to deny any knowledge or approval of, or responsibility for; disclaim; disown dis'a·vow´al •n. [ME disavouen < OFr desavoer: see DIS- & AVOW]

disband (dis bænd´) •vt. 1 to break up (an association or organization) 2 to dismiss (a military force) from service •vi. to cease to exist or function as an organization; scatter; disperse dis·band´ment •n. [MFr desbander: see DIS- & BAND¹]

disbar (dis bär´, dis´-) -barred´, -bar´ring •vt. to expel (a lawyer) from the bar; deprive of the right to practice law SYN. EXCLUDE dis·bar´ment •n.

disbelief (dis'bэ li:f´, dis´bэ li:f') •n. refusal to believe; absence of belief SYN. UNBELIEF

disbelieve (dis'bэ li:v´, dis´-) -lieved´, -liev´ing •vt. to refuse to believe; reject as untrue •vi. to refuse to believe (in) dis'be·liev´er •n.

disburden (dis børd´ªn, dis´-) •vt. 1 to relieve of a burden or of anything burdensome 2 to get rid of (a burden); unload •vi. to get rid of a burden dis·bur´den·ment •n.

disburse (dis børs´) -bursed´, -burs´ing •vt. to pay out; expend dis·burs´a·ble •adj. dis·burs´er •n. Etymology [OFr desbourser < des-, DIS- + bourse, borse, purse: see DIS- & BOURSE]

disbursement (-børs´mэnt) •n. 1 the act of disbursing 2 money disbursed; expenditure

disc abbrev. 1 discount 2 discovered disc (disk) •n. 1 DISK 2 a phonograph record Æ 3 any of the sharp, circular blades on a disc harrow 4 Biol. any disk-shaped part or structure

disc brake a brake, as on an automobile, that functions by causing two friction pads to press on either side of a disc rotating along with the wheel

disc harrow a harrow with sharp, revolving circular blades used to break up the soil for sowing: see HARROW¹, illus.

disc jockey a person who conducts a radio program of recorded music, interspersed with talk, commercials, etc., or one who plays recorded music at a disco

discalced (dis kælst´) •adj. barefooted, as members of certain religious orders [< L discalceatus, unshod < dis-, not + calceatus, a sandal, shoe < pp. of calceare, to provide with shoes < calceus, a shoe: see CALCEIFORM]

discant (dis´kænt'; for v. dis´kænt' or dis kænt´) •n., vi. DESCANT

discard (dis kärd´; for n. dis´kärd') •vt. 1 Card Games a) to remove (a card or cards) from one's hand b) to play (a card not a trump and not in the suit led) when holding no cards in the suit led 2 to throw away, abandon, or get rid of as no longer valuable or useful •vi. Card Games to make a discard •n. 1 a discarding or being discarded 2 something discarded 3 Card Games the card or cards discarded [OFr descarter, prob. < des- + carte: see DIS- & CARD¹]

discern (di zørn´, -sørn´) •vt. 1 to separate (a thing) mentally from another or others; recognize as separate or different 2 to perceive or recognize; make out clearly •vi. to perceive or recognize the difference dis·cern´i·ble •adj. dis·cern´i·bly •adv. SYN.—discern implies a making out or recognizing of something visually or mentally [to discern one's motives]; perceive implies recognition by means of any of the senses, and, with reference to mental apprehension, often implies keen understanding or insight [to perceive a change in attitude]; distinguish, in this connection, implies a perceiving clearly or distinctly by sight, hearing, etc. [he distinguished the voices of men down the hall]; observe and notice both connote some measure of attentiveness and usually suggest use of the sense of sight [to observe an eclipse, to notice a sign] [ME discernen < OFr discerner < L discernere < dis-, apart + cernere, to separate: see HARVEST]

discerning (-iŋ) •adj. having or showing good judgment or understanding; astute dis·cern´ing·ly •adv.

discernment (-mэnt) •n. 1 an act or instance of discerning 2 the power of discerning; keen perception or judgment; insight; acumen

discharge (dis chärj´; also, & for n., usually dis´chärj') -charged´, -charg´ing •vt. 1 to relieve of or release from something that burdens or confines; specif., a) to remove the cargo of (a ship); unload b) to release the charge of (a gun); fire c) to release (a soldier, jury, etc.) from duty d) to dismiss (a special committee) after it has reported to the legislature of which it is a part e) to dismiss from employment f) to release (a prisoner) from jail, (a defendant) from suspicion, (a patient) as cured, (a debtor or bankrupt) from obligations, etc. 2 to release or remove (that by which one is burdened or confined); specif., a) to unload (a cargo) b) to shoot (a projectile) c) to remove (dye) from cloth 3 to relieve oneself or itself of (a burden, load, etc.); specif., a) to throw off; send forth; emit {to discharge pus} b) to get rid of; acquit oneself of; pay (a debt) or perform (a duty) 4 Archit. a) to relieve (a wall, etc.) of excess pressure by distribution of weight b) to distribute (weight) evenly over a supporting part Æ 5 Elec. to remove stored energy from (a battery or capacitor) •vi. 1 to get rid of a burden, load, etc. 2 to be released or thrown off 3 to fire; go off: said of a gun, etc. 4 to emit waste matter: said of a wound, etc. 5 to run: said of a dye 6 to lose or give off a stored electrical charge •n. [OFr descharge < the v.] 1 a discharging or being discharged 2 that which discharges, as a legal order for release, a certificate of dismissal from military service, etc. 3 that which is discharged, as pus from a sore 4 a flow of electric current across a gap, as in a spark or arc SYN. FREE dis·charge´a·ble •adj. dis·charg´er •n. [ME dischargen < OFr descharger < VL *discarricare, to unload < L dis-, from + carrus, wagon, CAR]

discharge tube a device in which a gas or metal vapor conducting an electric discharge is the source of light, as in a mercury-vapor lamp

disciple (di sai´pэl) •n. 1 a pupil or follower of any teacher or school of religion, learning, art, etc. 2 an early follower of Jesus, esp. one of the Apostles 3 [D-] a member of the Disciples of Christ SYN. FOLLOWER dis·ci´ple·ship' •n. [ME < OFr desciple & OE discipul, both < L discipulus, learner, in LL(Ec), a disciple of Jesus < *discipere, to comprehend < dis-, apart + capere, to hold (see HAVE): infl. by discere, to learn]

Disciples of Christ a Protestant denomination, founded c. 1809 by Alexander Campbell, that makes the Bible the only basis for faith and practice, and baptizes by immersion

disciplinarian (dis'э pli ner´i: эn) •n. a person who believes in or enforces strict discipline

disciplinary (dis´э pli ner'i:; Brit dis´i plin'э ri) •adj. 1 of or having to do with discipline 2 that enforces discipline by punishing or correcting

discipline (dis´э plin', -plэn) •n. 1 a branch of knowledge or learning 2 a) training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency b) strict control to enforce obedience 3 the result of such training or control; specif., a) self-control or orderly conduct b) acceptance of or submission to authority and control 4 a system of rules, as for a church or monastic order 5 treatment that corrects or punishes •vt. -plined', -plin'ing 1 to subject to discipline; train; control 2 to punish SYN. PUNISH dis´ci·plin'a·ble •adj. dis´ci·plin'al •adj. dis´ci·plin'er •n. [ME < OFr descepline < L disciplina < discipulus: see DISCIPLE]

disclaim (dis kleim´) •vt. 1 to give up or renounce any claim to or connection with 2 to refuse to acknowledge or admit; deny; repudiate •vi. to make a disclaimer [ME disclaimen < Anglo-Fr desclamer: see DIS- & CLAIM]

disclaimer (-эr) •n. 1 a disclaiming; denial or renunciation, as of a claim, title, etc. 2 a refusal to accept responsibility; disavowal [Anglo-Fr desclamer, inf. used as n.]

disclamation (dis'klэ mei´shэn) •n. an act of disclaiming; renunciation; repudiation

disclimax (dis klai´mæks') •n. Ecol. a climax community disrupted and changed by continuous disturbance, esp. by humans or domestic animals

disclose (dis klouz´) -closed´, -clos´ing •vt. 1 to bring into view; uncover 2 to reveal; make known, as in revealing (plaque, deposits, etc.) in the mouth SYN. REVEAL¹ dis·clos´er •n. [ME disclosen < base of OFr desclore: see DIS- & CLOSE²]

disclosure (-klou´zhэr) •n. 1 a disclosing or being disclosed 2 a thing disclosed; revelation

disco (dis´kou) •n. 1 pl. -cos a nightclub or public place for dancing to recorded music played by a disc jockey 2 a kind of popular dance music with elements of soul music, a strong Latin American beat, and simple and repetitious lyrics, usually accompanied by pulsating lights, etc. •adj. of discos, the music played there, etc. •vi. -coed, -co·ing to dance at a disco [shortened < DISCOTHÈQUE]

disco- (dis´kou, -kэ) combining form 1 disk-shaped; discoid 2 phonograph record {discography} [< L discus, DISCUS]

discography (dis käg´rэ fi:) pl. -phies •n. 1 the systematic cataloging of phonograph records 2 a list of the recordings of a particular performer, composer, composition, etc. dis·cog´ra·pher •n. [prec. + (BIBLIO)GRAPHY]

discoid (dis´koid') •adj. 1 shaped like a disk 2 Bot. lacking ray flowers and having only tubular florets, as the inner part of a composite flower head Also dis·coi´dal •n. anything shaped like a disk [LL discoides < Gr diskoeidēs, disk-shaped < diskos, a disk + -eides, -OID]

discolor (dis kûl´эr) •vt., vi. to change in color as by fading, streaking, or staining [ME discolouren < OFr descolourer < ML discolorare < L discolor, of another color: see DIS- & COLOR]

discoloration (dis kûl'э rei´shэn, dis'kûl эr ei´-) •n. 1 a discoloring or being discolored 2 a discolored spot or mark

discolour (-kûl´эr) •vt., vi. Brit. sp. of DISCOLOR

discombobulate (dis'kem bäb´yэ leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. [Colloq.] to upset the composure of; disconcert dis'com·bob'u·la´tion •n. [whimsical alteration and extension, prob. of fol.]

discomfit (dis kûm´fit) •vt. 1 orig., to defeat; overthrow; put to flight 2 to frustrate the plans or expectations of 3 to make uneasy; disconcert SYN. EMBARRASS [ME discomfiten < OFr desconfit, pp. of desconfire < VL *disconficere < L dis- + conficere: see CONFECT]

discomfiture (-fi chэr) •n. a discomfiting or being discomfited; frustration, confusion, etc. [ME < OFr desconfiture]

discomfort (dis kûm´fэrt, dis´-) •n. 1 lack of comfort; uneasiness; inconvenience 2 anything causing this •vt. to cause discomfort to; distress [ME < OFr desconfort < desconforter, to discourage: see DIS- & COMFORT]

discomfortable (-fэrt э bэl) •adj. [Archaic] causing discomfort [ME < OFr desconfortable]

discommend (dis'kэ mend´) •vt. [Rare] to express disapproval of

discommode (dis'kэ moud´) -mod´ed, -mod´ing •vt. to cause bother to; inconvenience [< DIS- + L commodare, to make suitable: see ACCOMMODATE]

discommodity (-mäd´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. [Archaic] inconvenience; disadvantage

discompose (dis'kэm pouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to disturb the calm or poise of; fluster; disconcert 2 [Now Rare] to disturb the order of; disarrange SYN. DISTURB dis'com·po´sure (-pou´zhэr) •n.

disconcert (dis'kэn sørt´) •vt. 1 to frustrate (plans, etc.) 2 to upset the composure of; embarrass; confuse SYN. EMBARRASS dis'con·cert´ing •adj. dis'con·cert´ing·ly •adv. [OFr desconcerter: see DIS- & CONCERT]

disconfirm (dis'kэn førm´) •vt. to declare (a theory, proposition, etc.) to be invalid dis·con'fir·ma´tion (-kän'fэr mei´shэn) •n.

disconformity (dis'kэn förm´э ti:, dis´-) •n. 1 [Archaic] lack of conformity 2 Geol. an unconformity separating parallel strata [ML disconformitas: see DIS- & CONFORMITY]

disconnect (dis'kэ nekt´, dis´kэ nekt') •vt. to break or undo the connection of; separate, detach, unplug, etc. dis'con·nec´tion •n.

disconnected (-kэ nekt´id) •adj. 1 separated, detached, unplugged, etc. 2 broken up into unrelated parts; incoherent dis'con·nect´ed·ly •adv. dis'con·nect´ed·ness •n.

disconsolate (dis kän´sэ lit, dis´-) •adj. 1 so unhappy that nothing will comfort; inconsolable; dejected 2 causing or suggesting dejection; cheerless dis·con´so·late·ly •adv. dis·con´so·late·ness or dis'con·so·la´tion (-lei´shэn) •n. [ME < ML disconsolatus < L dis- + consolatus, pp. of consolari: see DIS- & CONSOLE¹]

discontent (dis'kэn tent´, dis´-) •adj. DISCONTENTED •n. lack of contentment; dissatisfaction; restless desire for something more or different Also dis'con·tent´ment •vt. to make discontented [ME]

discontented (-id) •adj. not contented; wanting something more or different dis'con·tent´ed·ly •adv.

discontinuance (dis'kэn tin´yu: эns) •n. 1 a stopping or being stopped; cessation or interruption 2 Law the stopping of a legal action prior to trial, either voluntarily by the plaintiff or by order of the court [ME < Anglo-Fr: see DISCONTINUE & -ANCE]

discontinuation (-tin'yu: ei´shэn) •n. DISCONTINUANCE (sense 1) [Fr < ML discontinuatio]

discontinue (dis'kэn tin´yu:, dis´-) -ued, -u·ing •vt. 1 to stop using, doing, etc.; cease; give up 2 Law to effect a discontinuance of (a suit) •vi. to stop; end SYN. STOP [ME discontinuen < OFr discontinuer < ML discontinuare: see DIS- & CONTINUE]

discontinuity (dis'kän tэ nu:´э ti:, -nyu:´-; dis´-) pl. -ties •n. 1 lack of continuity or logical sequence 2 a gap or break 3 Math. a value of the independent variable x of a mathematical function f(x) at which this function is not continuous [ML discontinuitas: see DISCONTINUE & -ITY]

discontinuous (dis'kэn tin´yu: эs, dis´-) •adj. not continuous; broken up by interruptions or gaps; intermittent dis'con·tin´u·ous·ly •adv.

discophile (dis´kou fail', -kэ-) •n. an expert on, or collector of, phonograph records

discord (dis´körd'; for v., usually dis körd´) •n. 1 lack of concord; disagreement; dissension; conflict 2 a harsh or confused noise, as the sound of battle; clash; din 3 Music a lack of harmony in tones sounded together; inharmonious combination of tones; dissonance •vi. to disagree; clash SYN.—discord denotes disagreement or lack of concord and may imply quarreling between persons, clashing qualities in things, dissonance in sound, etc.; strife stresses the struggle to win out where there is a conflict or disagreement; contention suggests verbal strife as expressed in argument, controversy, dispute, etc.; dissension implies difference of opinion, usually suggesting contention between opposing groups in a body —ANT. harmony, agreement [ME < OFr descorde < L discordia < discors (gen. discordis), discordant < dis-, apart + cor, HEART]

discordant (dis körd´ªnt) •adj. 1 not in accord; disagreeing; conflicting 2 not in harmony; dissonant; clashing dis·cord´ance or dis·cord´an·cy •n. dis·cord´ant·ly •adv. [ME discordaunt < OFr descordant, prp. of descorder: see DISCORD]

discothèque (dis´kэ tek') •n. DISCO (n. 1) [Fr < disque, disk, record (< L discus: see DISCUS) + (biblio)thèque, library < L bibliotheca: see BIBLIOTHECA]

discount (dis´kaunt'; for v., also dis kaunt´) •n. 1 a) a reduction from a usual or list price b) a deduction from a debt, allowed for paying promptly or in cash 2 the interest deducted in advance by one who buys, or lends money on, a bill of exchange, promissory note, etc. 3 the rate of interest charged for discounting a bill, note, etc.: also called discount rate 4 a discounting, as of a bill, note, etc. •vt. 1 to pay or receive the present value of (a bill of exchange, promissory note, etc.), minus a deduction to cover interest for the purchaser 2 to deduct an amount or percent from (a bill, price, etc.) 3 to sell at less than the regular price 4 a) to take (a story, statement, opinion, etc.) at less than face value, allowing for exaggeration, bias, etc. b) to disbelieve or disregard entirely; set aside as inaccurate or irrelevant 5 to lessen the effect of by anticipating; reckon with in advance •vi. to lend or sell with discounts at a discount 1 below the regular price; below face value 2 worth little; unwanted and easily obtained Etymology [< OFr desconter, to count off < ML discomputare: see DIS- & COMPUTE]

discount house (or store) a retail store that sells its goods for less than the regular or list prices

discountenance (dis kaunt´ªn эns) -nanced, -nanc·ing •vt. 1 to make ashamed or embarrassed; disconcert 2 to refuse approval or support to; discourage [DIS- + COUNTENANCE]

discounter (dis´kaun tэr) •n. one that discounts; specif., DISCOUNT HOUSE

discourage (di skør´ij) -aged, -ag·ing •vt. 1 to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten 2 to advise or persuade (a person) to refrain 3 to prevent or try to prevent by disapproving or raising objections or obstacles •vi. to become discouraged [ME discoragen < OFr descoragier: see DIS- & COURAGE]

discouragement (-mэnt) •n. 1 a discouraging 2 the fact, state, or feeling of being discouraged 3 anything that discourages [OFr descoragement]

discouraging (-iŋ) •adj. that discourages; disheartening; depressing dis·cour´ag·ing·ly •adv.

discourse (dis´körs'; also, & for v. usually, dis körs´) •n. 1 communication of ideas, information, etc., esp. by talking; conversation 2 a long and formal treatment of a subject, in speech or writing; lecture; treatise; dissertation 3 [Archaic] ability to reason; rationality •vi. -coursed´, -cours´ing 1 to carry on conversation; talk; confer 2 to speak or write (on or upon a subject) formally and at some length •vt. [Archaic] to utter or tell SYN. SPEAK dis·cours´er •n. [ME & OFr discours < L discursus, discourse < pp. of discurrere, to run to and fro < dis-, from, apart + currere, to run: see CURRENT]

discourteous (dis kør´ti: эs) •adj. not courteous; impolite; rude; ill-mannered SYN. RUDE dis·cour´te·ous·ly •adv. dis·cour´te·ous·ness •n.

discourtesy (dis kørt´э si:) •n. 1 lack of courtesy; impoliteness; bad manners; rudeness 2 pl. -sies a rude or impolite act or remark

discover (di skûv´эr) •vt. 1 to be the first to find out, see, or know about 2 to find out; learn of the existence of; realize 3 to be the first nonnative person to find, come to, or see (a continent, river, etc.) 4 to bring to prominence; make famous 5 a) [Now Rare] to reveal; disclose; expose b) [Archaic] to uncover SYN. LEARN dis·cov´er·a·ble •adj. dis·cov´er·er •n. [ME discoveren < OFr descovrir < LL discooperire, to discover, reveal: see DIS- & COVER]

discovert (dis kûv´эrt) •adj. Law having no husband: said of a spinster, widow, or divorcée dis·cov´er·ture (-эr chэr) •n. [ME < OFr descovert, lit., not covered, hence not protected: see DIS- & COVER]

discovery (di skûv´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 the act of discovering 2 anything discovered 3 [Archaic] the act of revealing; disclosure 4 Law any pretrial procedures, as the taking of depositions, for compelling the disclosure of pertinent factual information

Discovery Day COLUMBUS DAY

discredit (dis kred´it) •vt. 1 to reject as untrue; disbelieve 2 to show or be a reason for disbelief or distrust; cast doubt on 3 to damage the credit or reputation of; disgrace •n. 1 absence or loss of belief or trust; disbelief; doubt 2 damage to one's reputation; loss of respect or status; disgrace; dishonor 3 something that causes disgrace or loss of status

discreditable (-э bэl) •adj. damaging to one's reputation or status; disgraceful dis·cred´it·a·bly •adv.

discreet (di skri:t´) •adj. careful about what one says or does; prudent; esp., keeping silent or preserving confidences when necessary SYN. CAREFUL dis·creet´ly •adv. dis·creet´ness •n. [ME & OFr discret < L discretus, pp. of discernere: see DISCERN]

discrepancy (di skrep´эn si:) pl. -cies •n. lack of agreement, or an instance of this; difference; inconsistency [ME discrepauns < OFr discrepance < L discrepantia < discrepans, prp. of discrepare, to sound differently < dis-, from + crepare, to rattle: see CRAVEN]

discrepant (di skrep´эnt; also dis´krэ pэnt) •adj. lacking agreement; differing; at variance; inconsistent dis·crep´ant·ly •adv. [ME discrepante < L discrepans]

discrete (di skri:t´) •adj. 1 separate and distinct; not attached to others; unrelated 2 made up of distinct parts; discontinuous 3 designating or of an electronic circuit having separate transistors, resistors, etc. dis·crete´ly •adv. dis·crete´ness •n. [ME discret: see DISCREET]

discretion (di skresh´эn) •n. 1 the freedom or authority to make decisions and choices; power to judge or act 2 the quality of being discreet, or careful about what one does and says; prudence 3 [Archaic] the action or power of discerning; judgment at one's discretion as one wishes [ME discrecioun < OFr discrecion < L discretio, separation (in LL, discernment) < discretus: see DISCREET]

discretionary (-er'i:) •adj. left to one's discretion; regulated by one's own choice Also dis·cre´tion·al

discriminable (di skrim´э nэ bэl) •adj. that can be discriminated or distinguished

discriminant (-nэnt) •n. Math. an expression whose value or sign is used to classify functions

discriminate (di skrim´i neit'; for adj., -nit) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt. 1 to constitute a difference between; differentiate 2 to recognize the difference between; distinguish •vi. 1 to see the difference (between things); distinguish 2 to be discerning 3 to make distinctions in treatment; show partiality (in favor of) or prejudice (against) •adj. involving discrimination; distinguishing carefully SYN. DISTINGUISH [< L discriminatus, pp. of discriminare, to divide, distinguish < discrimen, division, distinction < discernere: see DISCERN]

discriminating (-neit'iŋ) •adj. 1 that discriminates; distinguishing 2 able to make or see fine distinctions; discerning 3 DISCRIMINATORY

discrimination (di skrim'i nei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of discriminating, or distinguishing differences 2 the ability to make or perceive distinctions; perception; discernment 3 a showing of partiality or prejudice in treatment; specif., action or policies directed against the welfare of minority groups [L discriminatio]

discriminative (-neit'iv, -nэ tiv) •adj. 1 making fine distinctions; discerning 2 characterized by or showing partiality or prejudice; discriminatory

discriminator (di skrim´i neit'эr) •n. 1 one that discriminates 2 Radio a circuit for demodulating frequency-modulated or phase-modulated carrier waves

discriminatory (-nэ tör'i:) •adj. 1 practicing discrimination, or showing prejudice 2 discriminating, or distinguishing

discursive (-kør´siv) •adj. 1 wandering from one topic to another; skimming over many apparently unconnected subjects; rambling; desultory; digressive 2 based on the conscious use of reasoning rather than on intuition dis·cur´sive·ly •adv. dis·cur´sive·ness •n. [ML discursivus < L discursus: see DISCOURSE]

discus (dis´kэs) pl. dis´cus·es or dis·ci (dis´ai') •n. 1 a heavy disk of metal and wood, thrown for distance as a test of strength and skill 2 the throwing of the discus as a field event in track and field meets: in full discus throw [L < Gr diskos < base of dikein, to throw, akin to deiknynai, to show, point out: see DICTION]

discuss (di skûs´) •vt. 1 [Obs.] to disperse; dispel 2 to talk or write about; take up in conversation or in a discourse; consider and argue the pros and cons of dis·cuss´a·ble or dis·cuss´i·ble •adj. dis·cuss´er •n. SYN.—discuss implies a talking about something in a deliberative fashion, with varying opinions offered constructively and usually amicably, so as to settle an issue, decide on a course of action, etc.; argue implies the citing of reasons or evidence to support or refute an assertion, belief, proposition, etc.; debate implies a formal argument, usually on public questions, in contests between opposing groups; dispute implies argument in which there is a clash of opposing opinions, often presented in an angry or heated manner [ME discussen, to examine, scatter < L discussus, pp. of discutere, to strike asunder, scatter < dis-, apart + quatere, to shake, beat: see QUASH²]

discussant (-эnt) •n. a person taking part in an organized discussion

discussion (di skûsh´эn) •n. the act of discussing; talk or writing in which the pros and cons or various aspects of a subject are considered under discussion being discussed [ME discussioun < LL discussio]

disdain (dis dein´) •vt. to regard or treat as unworthy or beneath one's dignity; specif., to refuse or reject with aloof contempt or scorn •n. the feeling, attitude, or expression of disdaining; aloof contempt or scorn SYN. DESPISE [ME disdeinen < OFr desdaignier < VL *disdignare, for LL dedignare < L dedignari < dis-, DIS- + dignari: see DEIGN]

disdainful (-fэl) •adj. feeling or expressing disdain; scornful and aloof SYN. PROUD dis·dain´ful·ly •adv. dis·dain´ful·ness •n.

disease (di zi:z´) •n. 1 any departure from health; illness in general 2 a particular destructive process in an organ or organism, with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms; specif., an illness; ailment 3 any harmful or destructive condition, as of society •vt. -eased´, -eas´ing to cause disease in; infect or derange: usually in pp. [ME disesen < OFr desaaisier < the n.] dis·eased´ •adj. SYN.—disease may apply generally to any deviation of the body from its normal or healthy state, or it may refer to a particular disorder with a specific cause and characteristic symptoms; affection refers to a disorder of a specific organ or part [an affection of the spleen]; malady usually refers to a deep-seated chronic disease, frequently one that is ultimately fatal; ailment refers to a chronic, annoying disorder of whatever degree of seriousness [the minor ailments of the aged] [ME disese, inconvenience, trouble, sickness < OFr desaise, discomfort < des-, DIS- + aise, EASE]

disembark (dis'im bärk´, dis´im bærk') •vt. to unload (passengers or goods) from a ship, aircraft, etc. •vi. to go ashore from a ship or leave an aircraft or other means of transportation dis·em·bar·ka·tion (dis'em bär kei´shэn, dis em'-) •n. [Fr désembarquer: see DIS- & EMBARK]

disembarrass (dis'im bær´эs) •vt. to rid or relieve of something embarrassing, annoying, entangling, perplexing, or burdensome

disembody (dis'im bäd´i:, dis´im bäd'i:) -bod´ied, -bod´y·ing •vt. to free from bodily existence; make incorporeal dis'em·bod´ied •adj. dis'em·bod´i·ment •n.

disembogue (dis'im boug´) -bogued´, -bogu´ing •vt., vi. to pour out (its waters) at the mouth; empty (itself): said esp. of a stream, river, etc. [Sp desembocar, to come out of the mouth of a river or haven < des- (L dis-), apart + embocar, to enter by the mouth < L in, in + bucca, cheek: see BUCCAL]

disembowel (dis'im bau´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vt. to take out the bowels, or entrails, of; eviscerate dis'em·bow´el·ment •n.

disemployed (dis'im ploid´) •adj. out of work, esp. because of lack of skill, training, or education, rather than because work is unavailable dis'em·ploy´ment •n.

disenable (dis'in ei´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. to cause to become unable or incapable; prevent or disable

disenchant (dis'in chænt´) •vt. 1 to set free from an enchantment or illusion 2 DISILLUSION (sense 2) dis'en·chant´ment •n. [Fr désenchanter: see DIS- & ENCHANT]

disencumber (dis'in kûm´bэr) •vt. to relieve of a burden; free from a hindrance or annoyance [OFr desencombrer: see DIS- & ENCUMBER]

disendow (dis'in dau´) •vt. to deprive of endowment dis'en·dow´ment •n.

disenfranchise (dis'in fræn´chaiz') -chised', -chis'ing •vt. DISFRANCHISE dis'en·fran´chise·ment (-chiz mэnt) •n.

disengage (dis'in geij´) -gaged´, -gag´ing •vt. to release or loosen from something that binds, holds, entangles, or interlocks; unfasten; detach; disentangle; free •vi. to release oneself or itself; become disengaged [OFr desengagier: see DIS- & ENGAGE]

disengaged (-in geijd´) •adj. 1 having no engagements; at leisure 2 set loose; detached 3 not in gear