Dodoma (doud´э mä') capital of Tanzania, in the central part: pop. 46,000
DOE Department of Energy Doe (dou) a name (John Doe, Jane Doe) used in law courts, legal papers, etc. to refer to any person whose name is unknown doe (dou) pl. does •n.or doe the female deer, antelope, rabbit, goat, etc.: see BUCK¹ [ME do < OE da, akin to Alemannic te < IE base *dome-, TAME]
doer (du:´эr) •n. 1 a person who does something or acts in a specified manner {a doer of good} 2 a person who gets things done
does (dûz) •vt., vi. 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of DO¹
doeskin (dou´skin') •n. 1 the skin of a female deer 2 leather made from this or, now usually, from lambskin 3 a fine, soft, smooth woolen cloth with a slight nap, used for suits, sportswear, etc.
doesn't (dûz´эnt) does not
doest (du:´ist) •vt., vi. archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of DO¹: used with thou
doeth (-iθ) •vt., vi. archaic 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of DO¹
doff (däf, döf) •vt. 1 to take off (clothes, etc.) 2 to remove or lift (one's hat), as in greeting 3 to put aside or discard [ME doffen < don of: see DO¹ & OFF]
dog (dög, däg) pl. dogs or dog •n. 1 a) a domesticated canine (Canis familiaris), raised in many breeds which are commonly kept as house pets and also used for hunting, guarding people or property, etc. b) any of various wild canines 2 the male of a canine 3 a mean, contemptible fellow 4 a prairie dog, dogfish, or other animal thought to resemble a dog 5 an andiron; firedog [< its orig. shape: cf. Fr chenet] 6 [Colloq.] a boy or man {lucky dog} Æ 7 [pl.] [Slang] feet 8 [Slang] a) an unattractive or unpopular person Æ b) an unsatisfactory thing or unsuccessful venture 9 Mech. any of several devices for holding or grappling 10 Meteorol. a) a parhelion; sundog b) a fogdog •adj. designating a family (Canidae) of meat-eating animals that includes dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and jackals •vt. dogged, dog´ging 1 to follow, hunt, or track down as a dog does Æ 2 to hold or secure with a mechanical dog •adv. very; completely: used in combination {dog-tired} [D-] Astron. the constellation Canis Major or Canis Minor a dog's age [Colloq.] a long time a dog's life a wretched existence dog in the manger a person who keeps others from using something which he is not using himself dog it [Slang] fail to exert the maximum or expected effort every dog has his day something good or lucky happens to everyone at one time or another go to the dogs [Colloq.] to deteriorate; degenerate let sleeping dogs lie to let well enough alone; not disturb things as they are for fear of something worse Æ put on the dog [Slang] to make a show of being very elegant, wealthy, etc. teach an old dog new tricks to induce a person of settled habits to adopt new methods or ideas [ME, generalized in sense < late, rare OE docga, dogga (usual hund: see HOUND¹) < ?]
dog biscuit 1 a hard biscuit containing ground bones, meat, etc., for feeding dogs Æ 2 [Slang] an army field-ration biscuit
dog collar 1 a collar to be worn by a dog 2 [Slang] CLERICAL COLLAR
dog days the hot, uncomfortable days in July and August: so called because during that period the Dog Star rises and sets with the sun
dog fennel 1 an annual weed (Anthemis cotula) of the composite family, having daisylike flower heads with white rays and yellow centers, and an offensive smell; mayweed Æ 2 a tall, annual weed (Eupatorium capillifolium) of the composite family, with finely divided leaves and a terminal cluster of tiny, rayless flower heads 3 HEATH ASTER
dog Latin incorrect or ungrammatical Latin
dog paddle a simple swimming stroke in which the body is kept nearly upright, the arms paddle, and the legs move up and down as in running
dog rose a European wild rose (Rosa canina), with pink flowers and hooked spines [transl. of the taxonomic name]
dog salmon CHUM SALMON
dog sled (or sledge) a sled (or sledge) drawn by dogs
Dog Star 1 SIRIUS 2 PROCYON
dog tag 1 an identification tag or license tag for a dog Æ 2 [Slang] a military identification tag worn about the neck
dogbane (dög´bein') •adj. designating a family (Apocynaceae, order Gentianales) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees, including frangipani and periwinkle •n. any of a genus (Apocynum) of sometimes poisonous plants of the dogbane family, with opposite, entire leaves, small white or pink flowers, and milky juice Etymology [so named because said to be poisonous to dogs]
dogberry (dög´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the berry or fruit of any of various plants, as the mountain ash and gooseberry 2 any of these plants
dogcart (dög´kärt') •n. 1 a small, light cart drawn by dogs 2 a small, light, open 19th-cent. carriage, usually with two wheels, having two seats arranged back to back: it originally had a box under the seat for a sportsman's dog
dogcatcher (-kæch'эr) •n. a local official whose work is catching and impounding stray or unlicensed animals
doge (douj) •n. the chief magistrate of either of the former republics of Venice and Genoa [It < L dux, leader < ducere, to lead: see DUCT]
dogear (dög´ir') •n. a turned-down corner of the leaf of a book •vt. to turn down the corner of (a leaf or leaves in a book) dog´eared' •adj.
dog-eat-dog (dög'i:t dög´) •adj. characterized by ruthless or savage competition
dogface (dög´feis') •n. [Slang] U.S. Army an infantryman in World War II
dogfight (dög´fait') •n. 1 a rough, violent fight between, or as between, dogs 2 Mil. combat as between fighter planes at close quarters
dogfish (dög´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es •n. 1 any of various small sharks, as a spiny dogfish or the smooth dogfish 2 BOWFIN
dogged (dög´id, däg´-) •adj. not giving in readily; persistent; stubborn SYN. STUBBORN dog´ged·ly •adv. dog´ged·ness •n. [ME < dogge, DOG]
Dogger Bank (-er) extensive sand bank in the central North Sea, between England & Denmark, submerged at a depth of 60-120 ft. (18-36 m)
doggerel (dög´эr эl) •n. 1 trivial, awkward, often satirical verse characterized by a monotonous rhythm 2 any trivial or bad poetry •adj. designating or of such verse Also dog·grel (dög´rэl) [ME dogerel (Chaucer), prob. < It doga, barrel stave, but infl. by dog as in DOG LATIN: parallel with Ger knüttelvers, lit., cudgel verse, Prov bastonnet, little stick, type of verse]
doggie bag (dög´i:) a bag supplied to a patron of a restaurant, in which may be placed leftovers, as to take home to a dog or other pet
doggish (dög´ish) •adj. 1 of or like a dog; esp., snarling or snapping 2 [Colloq.] stylish and showy dog´gish·ly •adv. dog´gish·ness •n.
doggo (dög´ou) •adv. [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] out of sight: chiefly in the phrase lie doggo, to stay hidden; lie low [< DOG + -O]
doggone (dög´gön´) •interj. damn! darn!: an exclamation used variously to express anger, irritation, surprise, pleasure, etc. •vt. -goned´, -gon´ing [Colloq.] to damn •n. [Colloq.] a damn •adj. [Colloq.] damned Also dog´goned´ [euphemism for God damn]
doggy (dög´i:) •n. a little dog: a child's word Also dog´gie, pl. -gies •adj. -gi·er, -gi·est 1 of or like a dog Æ 2 [Colloq.] stylish and showy
doghouse (dög´haus') •n. a small, roofed structure for sheltering a dog Æ in the doghouse [Slang] in disfavor
dogie (dou´gi:) •n. in the western U.S., a stray or motherless calf [< ?]
dogleg (dög´leg') •n. a sharp angle or bend like that formed by a dog's hind leg, as in a golf fairway •vi. -legged', -leg'ging to go or lie in one direction and then angle off in another •adj. of, or having the form of, a dogleg Also dog´leg'ged (-leg'id, -legd')
dogma (dög´mэ, däg´-) pl. -mas or -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. 1 a doctrine; tenet; belief 2 doctrines, tenets, or beliefs, collectively 3 a positive, arrogant assertion of opinion 4 Theol. a doctrine or body of doctrines formally and authoritatively affirmed SYN. DOCTRINE Etymology [L, an opinion, that which one believes (in LL(Ec), a decree, order) < Gr, opinion, judgment < dokein, to seem: see DECENT]
dogmatic (dög mæt´ik) •adj. 1 of or like dogma; doctrinal 2 asserted a priori or without proof 3 stating opinion in a positive or arrogant manner: also dog·mat´i·cal SYN. DICTATORIAL dog·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [L dogmaticus < Gr dogmatikos]
dogmatics (-iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of religious dogmas, esp. those of Christianity
dogmatism (dög´mэ tiz'эm, däg´-) •n. dogmatic assertion of opinion, usually without reference to evidence dog´ma·tist •n. [Fr dogmatisme < ML dogmatismus < Gr dogmatizein, to lay down a decree: see DOGMA]
dogmatize (-taiz') -tized', -tiz'ing •vi. to speak or write dogmatically •vt. to formulate or express as dogma dog´ma·tiz'er •n. [Fr dogmatiser < ML dogmatizare < Gr dogmatizein]
dognap (dög´næp') -napped' or -naped', -nap'ping or -nap'ing •vt. to steal (a dog), esp. in order to sell it to a medical research laboratory dog´nap'per or dog´nap'er •n. [DOG + (KID)NAP]
do-gooder (du:´gud'эr) •n. [Colloq.] a person who seeks to correct social ills in an idealistic, but usually impractical or superficial, way do´-good' •adj. do´-good'ing or do´-good'ism' •n.
dogrobber (dög´räb'эr) •n. [Mil. Slang] an officer's orderly [DOG + ROBBER]
dogsbody (dögz´bäd'i:) pl. -bod'ies •n. [Brit. Colloq.] a person appointed or hired to do menial work; drudge
dog's-tail (dögz´teil') •n. any of a genus (Cynosurus) of perennial grasses, esp. the crested dog's-tail (C. cristatus) with a slender spike resembling that of timothy
dogtooth (dög´tu:θ') pl. -teeth' •n. 1 a canine tooth; eyetooth 2 an ornamental molding in some medieval buildings, consisting of a series of projections often resembling petals radiating from a raised center 3 HOUNDSTOOTH CHECK
dogtooth violet Æ any of a genus (Erythronium) of small plants of the lily family, esp. an American, early spring flower (E. americanum) with two mottled leaves and a yellow flower, or a European plant (E. denscanis) with a purple or rose flower
dogtrot (dög´trät') •n. 1 a slow, easy trot, like a dog's Æ 2 [Chiefly South] a covered passageway between two parts of a building
dogwatch (dög´wäch') •n. Naut. either of the two duty periods (from 4 to 6 P.M. and from 6 to 8 P.M.) that are half the length of a normal period
dogwood (dög´wud') •adj. designating a family (Cornaceae, order Cornales) of dicotyledonous small trees and shrubs •n. 1 any of a genus (Cornus) of trees and shrubs of the dogwood family, esp. the flowering dogwood (C. florida), a small tree of the E U.S., with groups of small flowers surrounded by four large white or pink bracts 2 its hard, closegrained wood [shortened < dogberry wood, dogberry tree]
dogy (dou´gi:) pl. -gies •n. alt. sp. of DOGIE
Doha (dou´hэ) capital of Qatar, a seaport on the Persian Gulf: pop. 190,000
Dohnányi (dô´nän yi:), Er·nö (eř´në) (Ger. name Ernst von Dohnanyi) 1877-1960; Hung. composer & pianist
doily (doi´li:) pl. -lies •n. 1 a small napkin 2 a small mat, as of lace or paper, put under a dish, vase, or the like, as a decoration or to protect a surface [after a 17th-c. London draper named Doily or Doyley]
doing (du:´iŋ) •n. 1 something done; action, execution, etc.: often used in pl. 2 [pl.] [Dial.] social activities or a social event
doit (doit) •n. 1 a small, obsolete Dutch coin of little value 2 anything of trifling value [Du duit, akin to ON thveiti, a small weight of silver: for IE base see WHITTLE]
do-it-yourself (du:´it yur self´) •n. the practice of constructing, repairing, redecorating, etc. by oneself instead of hiring another to do it •adj. of, used for, or engaged in do-it-yourself do´-it-your·self´er •n.
dojo (dou´jou) pl. -jos •n. a studio or room in which martial arts are taught [Jpn]
dolabriform (dou læb´ri förm') •adj. shaped like the head of an ax, as certain leaves [< L dolabra, pickax (< dolare, to chip < IE base *del-, to cut) + -FORM]
Dolby (doul´bi:) trademark for an electronic system used, as in tape recording, to reduce unwanted noise for improved sound quality [after R. Dolby (1933- ), U.S. recording engineer]
dolce (dôl´che; E doul´chei) •adj. sweet and soft •adv. Musical Direction sweetly, softly [It, sweet]
dolce far niente (fäř nyen´te) pleasant idleness or inactivity [It, (it is) sweet doing nothing]
dolce vita (vi:´tä) an easygoing, often dissolute, way of life: usually with la (or the) [It, (the) sweet life]
doldrums (doul´drэmz, däl´-) •n.pl. 1 a) low spirits; dull, gloomy, listless feeling b) sluggishness or complete inactivity; stagnation 2 a) equatorial ocean regions noted for dead calms and light fluctuating breezes b) such calms and breezes, located between the belts of the NE and SE trade winds (compare HORSE LATITUDES) [< ? ME dul (see DULL), after TANTRUM]
dole¹ (doul) •n. 1 a giving out of money or food to those in great need; relief 2 that which is thus given out 3 anything given out sparingly 4 a form of payment by a government to the unemployed, as in England: usually preceded by the 5 [Archaic] one's destiny or lot •vt. doled, dol´ing to give sparingly or as a dole: usually with out SYN. DISTRIBUTE on the dole receiving government relief funds [ME dol < OE dal, a share, parallel to dæl: see DEAL²]
dole² (doul) •n. [Archaic] sorrow; dolor [see DOLEFUL]
doleful (doul´fэl) •adj. full of or causing sorrow or sadness; mournful; melancholy Also [Rare] dole´some SYN. SAD dole´ful·ly •adv. dole´ful·ness •n. [ME dolful < dol, grief (< OFr doel < VL dolus, grief, pain < L dolere, to suffer < IE base *del-, *dol-, to split, cut) + -ful, -FUL]
dolerite (däl´эr ait') •n. 1 a coarse, crystalline variety of basalt 2 loosely, diabase or any of various other igneous rocks whose composition cannot be analyzed without microscopic examination [Fr dolérite < Gr doleros, deceptive < dolos, deceit (for IE base see TALE): from its close resemblance to diorite]
dolichocephalic (däl'i kou'sэ fæl´ik) •adj. having a relatively long head; having a head whose width is less than 76 percent of its length from front to back: see also CEPHALIC INDEX Also dol'i·cho·ceph´a·lous (-sef´э lэs) dol'i·cho·ceph´a·ly (-sef´э li:) •n. [< Gr dolichos, long (akin to Goth tulgus, firm) + -CEPHALIC]
doll (däl, döl) •n. 1 a child's toy, puppet, marionette, etc. made to resemble a human being 2 a pretty but frivolous or silly young woman 3 a pretty child 4 [Slang] any girl or young woman 5 [Slang] any attractive or lovable person •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to dress carefully and stylishly or showily: with up [< Doll, nickname for DOROTHY]
dollar (däl´эr) •n. Æ 1 the basic monetary unit of the U.S., equal to 100 cents: symbol, $, as $1.00 2 any of the standard monetary units of various other countries, as of Australia, Barbados, Canada, etc.: see MONEY, table 3 the Mexican peso 4 a coin or piece of paper money of the value of a dollar 5 [Obs.] a Spanish coin (piece of eight) used in American Revolutionary times [LowG & Fl daler < Ger thaler (now taler), contr. < Joachimsthaler, coin made (orig. in 1519) at (St.) Joachimstal, Bohemia < (St.) Joachim + thal, tal, valley: see DALE]
dollar (cost) averaging AVERAGE (vi. 3)
dollar diplomacy 1 the policy of using the economic power or influence of a government to promote and protect in other countries the business interests of its private citizens, corporations, etc. 2 the use of economic power by a country to further foreign policy goals
dollar sign or dollar mark a symbol, $, for dollar(s)
Dollard-des-Ormeaux (Fr dô låř dei zôř mou´) town in S Quebec, Canada: suburb of Montreal: pop. 43,000
dollop (däl´эp) •n. 1 a soft mass or blob, as of some food; lump 2 a small quantity of liquid; splash, jigger, dash, etc. 3 a measure or amount {a dollop of wit} •vt. to put or give out in dollops [< ? ON dolp, small dangling ball]
dolly (däl´i:) pl. -lies •n. 1 a doll: child's word 2 a tool used to hold a rivet at one end while a head is hammered out of the other end 3 [Dial.] a stick or board for stirring, as in laundering clothes or washing ore Æ 4 any of several kinds of low, flat, wheeled frames for transporting heavy objects, as in a factory Æ 5 Film, TV a low, wheeled platform on which the camera is mounted for moving it about the set Æ -lied, -ly·ing •vi. to move a dolly forward (in), backward (out), etc. in photographing or televising the action Æ vt. to move (a camera, load, etc.) on a dolly Etymology [dim. of DOLL]
Dolly Varden (värd´ªn) 1 a dress of sheer figured muslin worn over a bright-colored petticoat Æ 2 a red-spotted trout (Salvelinus malma) found in streams west of the Rocky Mountains and in E Asia [after the character in Dickens' Barnaby Rudge]
dollybird (däl´i: børd) •n. [Brit. Colloq.] an attractive young woman
dolma (doul´mэ) pl. -mas or -mä´des (-mä´θi:z) •n. a dish consisting of a grape leaf, cabbage leaf, green pepper, etc. stuffed with rice, ground meat, chopped onions, spices, etc. and cooked
dolman (doul´mэn, däl-) pl. -mans •n. 1 a long Turkish robe 2 a woman's coat or wrap with dolman sleeves [Fr < Ger < Hung dolmany < Turk dolāmā, parade attire of the Janizaries]
dolman sleeve a kind of sleeve for a woman's coat or dress, tapering from a wide opening at the armhole to a narrow one at the wrist
dolmen (doul´mэn, däl´-) •n. a neolithic tomb or monument consisting of a large, flat stone laid across upright stones; cromlech [Fr < Bret taol, table + men, stone]
dolomite (dou´lэ mait', däl´э-) •n. 1 a common rock-forming mineral, CaMg(CO3)2, often occurring in extensive beds 2 any of several rocks similar to dolomite in composition [after Déodat de Dolomieu (1750-1801), Fr geologist]
Dolomites (dou´lэ maits', däl´э-) division of the E Alps, in N Italy: highest peak, 10,965 ft. (3,342 m): also Dolomite Alps
dolor (dou´lэr) •n. [Old Poet.] sorrow; grief [ME & OFr dolour < L dolor < dolere, to suffer: see DOLEFUL]
Dolores (dэ lör´is) a feminine name: dim. Lolita [Sp < Maria de los Dolores, lit., Mary of the sorrows]
doloroso (dô'lô rô´sô; E dou'lэ rou´sou) •adj., adv. Music with a sorrowful or plaintive quality [It]
dolorous (dou´lэr эs, däl´эr-) •adj. 1 very sorrowful or sad; mournful 2 [Archaic] painful do´lor·ous·ly •adv. [OFr dolerous < LL dolorosus: see DOLOR]
dolour (dou´lэr) •n. Brit. sp. of DOLOR
dolphin (däl´fin, döl´-) •n. 1 any of two widespread families (Platanistidae and Delphinidae) of toothed whales having high levels of intelligence and usually a beaklike snout 2 any of a percoid family (Coryphaenidae) of marine game fishes with colors that brighten and change when the fish is taken out of the water 3 Naut. a buoy, pile, or, esp., a cluster of piles for mooring a vessel [D-] the constellation Delphinus [ME dolfin < OFr dalphin < VL dalfinus, for L delphinus < Gr delphinos, gen. of delphis (< IE base *gwelbh-): so named from its shape]
dolphin striker a small spar under the bowsprit of a sailing vessel, used, together with the martingales, to brace the jib boom or flying jib boom
dolt (doult) •n. a stupid, slow-witted person; blockhead dolt´ish •adj. dolt´ish·ly •adv. dolt´ish·ness •n. [prob. < ME dolte, pp. of dullen: see DULL, vt., vi.]
Dom (däm) •n. 1 a title given to certain monks and clerics 2 a title of respect formerly given to gentlemen of Brazil and Portugal: used with the given name [Port < L dominus, a lord, master: see DOMINATE]
-dom (dэm) suffix 1 rank or position of, domain or dominion of {kingdom} 2 fact or state of being {wisdom, martyrdom} 3 a total of all who are {officialdom} [ME & OE dom, state, condition, power: see DOOM¹]
Dom Rep Dominican Republic
domain (dou mein´, dэ-) •n. 1 territory under one government or ruler; dominion 2 land belonging to one person; estate 3 supreme ownership: see also EMINENT DOMAIN, PUBLIC DOMAIN 4 field or sphere of activity or influence {the domain of science} 5 Math. a) the set of those values of an independent variable which exist for a given function b) the set of all integers, or a set of elements which can be combined in the same way as the integers 6 Physics a region in a ferromagnetic material within which the atoms are magnetically aligned: alignment of these regions results in the material being magnetized [ME domein < MFr domaine < L dominium, right of ownership, dominion < dominus, a lord: see DOMINATE]
domal (doum´эl) •adj. CACUMINAL
dome (doum) •n. 1 [Old Poet.] a mansion or stately building 2 a hemispherical roof or one formed by a series of rounded arches or vaults on a round or many-sided base; cupola 3 any dome-shaped structure or object; specif., a sports stadium covered with a dome 4 [Slang] the head 5 Geol. a) an anticlinal structure of circular or broadly elliptical form b) a form produced by a pair of corresponding planes parallel to one crystal axis but inclined to the other two •vt. domed, dom´ing 1 to cover with or as with a dome 2 to form into a dome •vi. to swell out like a dome [sense 1 < L domus, house (< IE *domu- < base *dem-, to build); others < Fr dôme < Prov doma < LL(Ec), roof, building, cathedral < Gr dōma, housetop, house, temple < same IE base: see TIMBER, DOMINATE]
domesday (du:mz´dei, doumz´-) •n. obs. var. of DOOMSDAY
Domesday Book (du:mz´dei', doumz´dei') the record of a survey of England made under William the Conqueror in 1086, listing all landowners and showing the value and extent of their holdings [said to be so named because it judged all men without bias, like the Last Judgment]
domestic (dou mes´tik, dэ-) •adj. 1 having to do with the home or housekeeping; of the house or family {domestic joys} 2 of one's own country or the country referred to {Canada's domestic affairs} 3 made or produced in the home country; native {domestic wine} 4 domesticated; tame: said of animals 5 enjoying and attentive to the home and family life •n. 1 a servant for the home, as a maid or cook 2 [pl.] native products 3 [pl.] sheets, blankets, towels, etc. do·mes´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ME < OFr domestique < L domesticus < domus: see DOME]
domestic relations court in some states, a court with jurisdiction over matters involving relations within the family or household, as between husband and wife or parent and child
domestic science HOME ECONOMICS
domesticate (dou mes´ti keit', dэ-) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to accustom to home life; make domestic 2 a) to tame (wild animals) and breed for human use b) to adapt and cultivate (wild plants) for human use c) to introduce (foreign animals or plants) into another region or country; naturalize 3 to bring (a foreign custom, word, etc.) into a region or country and make it acceptable •vi. [Archaic] to become domestic do·mes'ti·ca´tion •n. [< ML domesticatus, pp. of domesticare, to tame, live in a family < L domesticus < domus: see DOME]
domesticity (dou'mes tis´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 home life; family life 2 devotion to home and family life 3 [pl.] household affairs or duties
domical (doum´i kэl, däm´-) •adj. 1 of or like a dome 2 having a dome, domes, or domelike structure
domicile (däm´э sail', -sil; also, dou´mэ-) •n. 1 a customary dwelling place; home; residence 2 Law one's fixed place of dwelling, where one intends to reside more or less permanently •vt. -ciled', -cil'ing to establish in a domicile dom'i·cil´i·ar'y (-sil´i: er'i:) •adj. [ME domicelle < OFr domicile < L domicilium, a dwelling, home < domus: see DOME]
domiciliate (däm'э sil´i: eit'; also dou'mэ-) -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. DOMICILE dom'i·cil'i·a´tion •n.
dominance (däm´э nэns) •n. a dominating, or being dominant; control; authority Also dom´i·nan·cy
dominant (däm´э nэnt) •adj. 1 exercising authority or influence; dominating; ruling; prevailing 2 Genetics designating or relating to that one of any pair of allelic hereditary factors which, when both are present in the germ plasm, dominates over the other and appears in the organism: opposed to RECESSIVE: see MENDEL'S LAWS 3 Music of or based upon the fifth tone of a diatonic scale •n. 1 Ecol. that species of plant or animal most numerous in a community or exercising control over the other organisms by its influence upon the environment 2 Genetics a dominant character or factor 3 Music the fifth note of a diatonic scale dom´i·nant·ly •adv. SYN.—dominant refers to that which dominates or controls, or has the greatest effect [dominant characteristics in genetics]; predominant refers to that which is at the moment uppermost in importance or influence [the predominant reason for his refusal]; paramount is applied to that which ranks first in importance, authority, etc. [of paramount interest to me]; preeminent implies prominence because of surpassing excellence [the preeminent writer of his time]; preponderant implies superiority in amount, weight, power, importance, etc. [the preponderant religion of a country] [L dominans, prp. of dominari: see DOMINATE]
dominate (däm´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt., vi. 1 to rule or control by superior power or influence {to dominate a group} 2 to tower over (other things); rise high above (the surroundings, etc.) {a building that dominates the city} 3 to have foremost place in {to dominate a baseball league} dom´i·na'tive (-neit'iv) •adj. dom´i·na'tor •n. [< L dominatus, pp. of dominari, to rule < dominus, a master < *domonos < base of domus: see DOME]
domination (däm'э nei´shэn) •n. a dominating or being dominated; rule; control; ascendancy [ME dominacioun < OFr domination < L dominatio]
dominatrix (däm'i nei´triks) pl. -trix·es •n. a prostitute who specializes in subjecting her masochistic customers to bondage, the infliction of ritualistic punishments, etc.
domineer (däm'э nir´) •vi., vt. to rule (over) in a harsh or arrogant way; tyrannize; bully [Du domineren < Fr dominer < L dominari: see DOMINATE]
domineering (-iŋ) •adj. arrogant; overbearing; tyrannical SYN. MASTERFUL dom'i·neer´ing·ly •adv.
Domingo (dэ miŋ´gou), Placido (plä´si dou') 1941- ; Sp. operatic tenor
Dominic (däm´э nik) 1 a masculine name: dim. Dom; var. Dominick 2 Saint (1170-1221); Sp. priest: founder of the Dominican order: his day is Aug. 8 [ML Dominicus, lit., of the Lord: see DOMINICAL]
Dominica (däm'э ne´kэ, dэ min´i kэ) a country that is an island of the Windward group in the West Indies: a British-controlled territory from 1783 to 1978, when it became independent: a member of the Commonwealth: 290 sq. mi. (751 sq. km); pop. 74,000 Dom'i·ni´can •adj., n.
dominical (dou min´i kэl, dэ-) •adj. 1 having to do with Jesus as the Lord 2 having to do with the Lord's Day (Sunday) [ME < ML(Ec) dominicalis, of the Lord (Jesus) < LL(Ec) Dominicus, of the Lord < L, belonging to a master < dominus, a master: see DOMINATE]
dominical letter any of the first seven letters in the alphabet as used in church calendars to indicate Sundays: the letters are assigned to the first seven days of January, and the letter falling to Sunday is the arbitrary symbol for Sunday the rest of the year
Dominican (dou min´i kэn, dэ-) •adj. 1 of Saint Dominic 2 designating or of a mendicant order founded by him 3 of the Dominican Republic •n. 1 a member of a mendicant order of friars or nuns founded in 1215 by Saint Dominic 2 a native or inhabitant of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic country occupying the E part of the island of Hispaniola, in the West Indies: independent since 1844: 18,816 sq. mi. (45,734 sq. km); pop. 6,785,000; cap. Santo Domingo
Dominick (däm´э nik) a masculine name: see DOMINIC •n. DOMINIQUE
dominie (däm´э ni:; for 2, usually dou´mэ-) •n. 1 in Scotland, a schoolmaster 2 [Colloq.] any pastor or clergyman [< voc. (domine) of L dominus: see DOMINATE]
dominion (dэ min´yэn, dou-) •n. 1 rule or power to rule; sovereign authority; sovereignty 2 a governed territory or country 3 [D-] a name formerly used for certain self-governing nations of THE COMMONWEALTH (sense 2) 4 Law ownership; dominium SYN. POWER [ME dominioun < ML dominio < L dominus: see DOMINATE]
Dominion Day old name of CANADA DAY
Dominique (däm'э ni:k´) •n. any of a breed of American domestic chicken with yellow legs and gray, barred plumage [Fr, DOMINICA]
dominium (dou min´i: эm) •n. Law the right of property and its ownership and control [L: see DOMAIN]
domino (däm´э nou') pl. -noes' or -nos' •n. 1 a loose cloak or robe with wide sleeves and hood, worn with a mask at masquerades 2 a small mask, generally black, for the eyes; half mask 3 a person dressed in such a cloak or mask 4 a small, oblong piece of wood, plastic, etc. marked into halves, each half being blank or having usually from one to six dots marked on it [Fr < Sp: in reference to the blackness of the piece] 5 [pl., with sing. v.] a game played with a number of such pieces, usually 28, which the players must match according to the dots on each half [Fr & It, hooded cloak (worn by cathedral canons) < dat. of L dominus, a lord, master] Domino (däm´э nou'), Antoine, Jr. (called Fats) 1928- ; U.S. rock-and-roll pianist & composer
domino theory the theory that a certain result (domino effect) will follow a certain cause like a row of upright dominoes falling if the first is pushed; specif., the theory that if a nation becomes a Communist state, the nations nearby will also
Dominus (dou´mi: nus) the Lord [L]
Dominus vobiscum (vou bis´kum) the Lord be with you [L]
Domitian (dэ mish´эn) (L. name Titus Flavius Domitianus Augustus), A.D. 51-96; Rom. emperor (81-96)
Don (dän; Russ dôn) river in SC European Russia, flowing southward into the Sea of Azov: c. 1,200 mi. (1,930 km) [Russ: see DANUBE]
Don Cossack a member of the eastern branch of the Cossacks, living along the Don
Don Juan (dän'wän´, -hwän´; also, -ju:´эn) Sp. Legend a dissolute nobleman and seducer of women: he is the hero of many poems, plays, and operas any man who seduces women or has one love affair after another; libertine; philanderer; rake
Don Quixote (dän'ki: hout´i:, -ei; also, kwik´sэt) 1 a satirical novel by Cervantes, published in two parts (1605, 1615) 2 the hero of this novel, who tries in a chivalrous but unrealistic way to rescue the oppressed and fight evil
don¹ (dän) •n. 1 [D-] Sir; Mr.: a Spanish title of respect, used with the given name: abbrev. D {Don Pedro} 2 a Spanish nobleman or gentleman 3 a distinguished man 4 [Brit.] a head, tutor, or fellow of a college or university, esp. at Oxford or Cambridge 5 an important Mafia leader [Sp < L domnus, contr. < dominus, master: see DOMINATE]
don² (dän) donned, don´ning •vt. to put on (a garment, etc.); dress in (a certain color or material) [contr. of do on]
Dona (dô´nэ) •n. 1 Lady; Madam: a Portuguese title of respect, used with the given name 2 [d-] a Portuguese lady [Port < L: see DOÑA]
Doña (dô´nyä) •n. 1 Lady; Madam: a Spanish title of respect, used with the given name 2 [d-] a Spanish lady [Sp < L domina, mistress, lady]
Donald (dän´эld) a masculine name: dim. Don Etymology [Ir Donghal, lit., brown stranger (or ? Gael Domhnall, lit., world ruler)]
Donar (dou´när') Gmc. Myth. the god of thunder: identified with the Norse Thor [OHG: see THUNDER]
donate (dou´neit', dou neit´) -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt., vi. to give, esp. to some philanthropic or religious cause; contribute SYN. GIVE do´na'tor (-эr) •n. [back-form. < DONATION]
Donatello (dô'nä tel´lô; E dän'э tel´ou) (born Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi) c. 1386-1466; It. sculptor
donation (dou nei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of donating 2 a gift or contribution, as to a charitable organization SYN. PRESENT [ME donacioun < L donatio < donatus, pp. of donare < donum, gift < IE *donom < base *do-, give: see DATE¹]
Donatist (dän´э tist) •n. a member of a North African Christian sect formed in the 4th cent., holding extremely rigorous views concerning purity and sanctity Don´a·tism •n. [ML Donatista, after Donatus, Bishop of Casae Nigrae, founder of the sect]
donative (dän´э tiv, dou´nэ-) •n. a donation or gift [ME donatif < L donativum < donativus]
Donau (dou´nau) Ger. name of the DANUBE
Donbas or Donbass (dôn bäs´) DONETS BASIN
Doncaster (däŋ´kæs tэr, -kэs-) city in NC England, in South Yorkshire: pop. 82,000
done (dûn) •vt., vi. pp. of DO¹ •adj. 1 completed; ended 2 sufficiently cooked 3 socially acceptable done (for) [Colloq.] 1 dead, ruined, etc. 2 discarded or dismissed as a failure
donee (dou ni:´) •n. the recipient of a donation [DON(OR) + -EE¹]
Donegal (dän´э göl'; Ir dûn'э göl´) northernmost county of Ireland, in Ulster province: 1,865 sq. mi.; pop. 125,000
Donets (dэ nets´; Russ dö nyets´) river in SW Russia & Ukraine, flowing southeast into the Don: c. 650 mi. (1,050 km) [Russ: see DANUBE]
Donets Basin major industrial and coal-producing region in the lower valley of the Donets River
Donetsk (dô nyetsk´) city in SE Ukraine, in the Donets Basin: pop. 1,073,000
dong¹ (döŋ, däŋ) •n. the sound of a large bell [echoic]
dong² (däŋ) •n. the basic monetary unit of Vietnam: see MONEY, table
dong³ (döŋ) •n. [Vulgar Slang] the penis
donga (däŋ´gэ) •n. in South Africa, a gully in a veld [Afrik < Zulu udonga] Dongting lake in Hunan province, SE China: c. 1,450 sq. mi. (3,755 sq. km); during floods, over 4,000 sq. mi. (10,400 sq. km)
Donizetti (dän'э zet´i:; It dô'ni: dzet´ti:), Ga·e·ta·no (gä'e tä´nô) 1797-1848; It. composer
donjon (dûn´jэn, dän´-) •n. the heavily fortified inner tower or keep of a castle [old sp. of DUNGEON]
donkey (däŋ´ki:, döŋ´-; also, dûŋ´-) pl. -keys •n. 1 a domesticated ass: see ASS¹ 2 a person regarded as stupid, foolish, or obstinate [also earlier donky: late slang, rhyming with and patterned after MONKEY: < ? DUNCAN or < ? DUN¹]
donkey engine 1 a small steam engine, esp. one used on a ship as for lifting cargo Æ 2 a small locomotive
donkey's years [Colloq.] a very long time
donkey-work (-wørk') •n. hard work, esp. if routine or menial
Donna (dän´э; for n., It dôn´nä) a feminine name •n. 1 Lady; Madam: an Italian title of respect, used with the given name 2 [d-] an Italian lady [It < L domina, fem. of dominus: see DOMINATE]
Donne (dûn), John 1572-1631; Eng. metaphysical poet
donnée (dö nei´, dэ-) •n. the premise, intuition, complex of events, etc. used as the basis for the development of the plot in a novel, play, etc. [Fr < fem. pp. of donner, to give < L donare: see DONATION]
Donner Pass (dän´эr) mountain pass in E Calif., in the Sierra Nevada: c. 7,100 ft. (2,160 m) high [after the ill-fated Donner party who wintered there 1846-47]
donnish (dän´ish) •adj. of or like a university don don´nish·ly •adv. don´nish·ness •n.
donnybrook (dän´i: bruk') •n. [Colloq.] a rough, rowdy fight or free-for-all [< fol.]
Donnybrook Fair (dän´i: bruk') a yearly fair formerly held at Donnybrook, near Dublin, Ireland, during which there was much brawling and rowdiness
donor (dou´nэr; dou´nör', dou nör´) •n. 1 a person who donates; giver 2 one from whom blood for transfusion, tissue for grafting, etc. is taken 3 an atom that contributes a pair of electrons to another atom to form a covalent bond with it [ME & Anglo-Fr donour < L donator]
do-nothing (du:´nûθ'iŋ) •n. a person without ambition or initiative; idler •adj. showing no ambition or initiative; complacent
don't (dount) 1 do not 2 does not: in this sense now generally considered a substandard usage
donut (dou´nût') •n. colloq. sp. of DOUGHNUT
doodad (du:´dæd') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a trinket; bauble 2 any small object or device whose name is not known or is temporarily forgotten [see DOOHICKEY]
doodle (du:d´ªl) -dled, -dling •vi. 1 to move aimlessly or foolishly; dawdle Æ 2 to scribble or draw aimlessly or nervously, esp. when the attention is elsewhere; make doodles Æ 3 [Colloq.] to play music in a casual, informal way •n. Æ a mark, design, figure, etc. made in doodling doo´dler •n. [Ger dudeln, to play (the bagpipe), hence to trifle, dawdle (< Pol dudlić < dudy, a bagpipe < Turk duduk, a flute); reinforced by echoic TOOTLE & DAWDLE]
doodlebug (-bûg') •n. 1 the larva of certain ant lions: see ANT LION 2 [Colloq.] a divining rod or other device used unscientifically in trying to locate something underground [prec. + BUG¹]
doofus (du:´fэs) •n. [Slang] a stupid, foolish, or inept person [< ?]
doohickey (du:´hik'i:) •n. [Colloq.] any small object or device whose name is not known or is temporarily forgotten [fanciful extension of DO¹, as in DOODAD]
doolie (du:´li:) •n. [Colloq.] a freshman at the U.S. Air Force Academy [prob. < Gr doulos, a slave]
doom¹ (du:m) •n. 1 [Historical] a statute; decree 2 a judgment; esp., a sentence of condemnation 3 destiny; fate 4 tragic fate; ruin or death 5 Judgment Day •vt. 1 to pronounce judgment on; condemn; sentence 2 to destine to a tragic fate 3 to ordain as a penalty SYN. FATE [ME & OE dom, lit., what is laid down, decree, akin to Goth doms, judgment < IE base *dhē-: see DO¹]
doom² (du:m) •n. alt. sp. of DOUM
doomsayer (du:m´sei'эr) •n. a person disposed to predicting catastrophe, disaster, etc.
doomsday (du:mz´dei') •n. 1 JUDGMENT DAY 2 any day of reckoning 3 any catastrophic day [ME domesdai < OE domes dæg < domes, gen. of dom, DOOM¹ + DAY]
Doomsday Book (du:mz´dei') DOMESDAY BOOK
Doon (du:n) river in SW Scotland, flowing north into the Firth of Clyde: c. 30 mi. (48 km) [see DANUBE]
door (dör) •n. 1 a movable structure for opening or closing an entrance, as to a building or room, or giving access to a closet, cupboard, etc.: most doors turn on hinges, slide in grooves, or revolve on an axis 2 the room or building to which a particular door belongs {two doors down the hall} 3 any opening with a door in it; doorway 4 any way to go in or out; passage; access lay at the door of to blame (a person) for lie at one's door to be imputable or chargeable to one out of doors outside a house, building, etc.; outdoors show someone the door to ask or command someone to leave [ME dure, dor < OE duru fem. (orig., pair of doors), dor neut., akin to Ger tür, door, tor, gate < IE base *dhwer-, *dhwor-, door > L fores (pl. of foris), two-leaved door, Gr thyra, door (in pl., double door)]
door prize a prize given by lottery to one or more of those attending some public function
doorbell (dör´bel') •n. a mechanism, now usually activated by a push button at the entrance of a building or room, that rings, buzzes, etc. to alert the occupants of a visitor
do-or-die (du:´эr dai´) •adj. showing or involving a desperate effort or need to succeed
doorjamb (dör´jæm') •n. a vertical piece of wood, etc. constituting the side of a doorway Also door´post'
doorkeeper (-ki:´pэr) •n. a person guarding the entrance of a house, hotel, etc.; porter
doorknob (-näb') •n. a small knob or lever on a door, usually for releasing the latch
doorman (-mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. a person whose work is opening the door of a building for those who enter or leave, hailing taxicabs, etc.
doormat (-mæt') •n. a mat for people to wipe their shoes on before entering a house, room, etc.
doornail (-neil') •n. a large-headed nail used to decorate or strengthen some doors dead as a doornail dead beyond a doubt
doorplate (-pleit') •n. a plate on an entrance door, bearing the number, occupant's name, etc.
doorsill (-sil') •n. a length of wood, masonry, etc. along the bottom of a doorway; threshold
doorstep (-step') •n. a step that leads from an outer door to a path, lawn, etc.
doorstop (-stäp') •n. 1 a device used to hold a door open at a desired position or prevent it from closing too forcibly or slamming against a wall 2 a thin wooden strip affixed to a frame of a doorway, against which the door closes
door-to-door (-tэ dör´) •adj., adv. from one home to the next, calling on each in turn {door-to-door selling}
doorway (-wei') •n. 1 an opening in a wall that can be closed by a door; portal 2 any means of access
dooryard (-yärd') •n. a yard onto which a door of a house opens
doo-wop (du:´wäp') •n. a group singing style, esp. of the 1950's, involving a lead singer supported by a chorus, and often, instruments with a strong, rhythmic beat [< nonsense syllables sung in accompaniment]
doozy or doozie (du:´zi:) pl. -zies [Slang] anything outstanding of its kind: also doo´zer •n. Etymology [orig. var. of DAISY, later assoc. with Duesenberg (automobile) as standard of excellence]
dopa (dou´pэ) •n. an amino acid, C9H11NO4, that is converted by an enzyme in the bloodstream into dopamine: its levorotatory isomer (L-dopa) is used as a drug in treating Parkinson's disease [d(ihydr)o(xy)p(henyl)a(lanine)]
dopamine (dou´pэ mi:n', -min) •n. an amine, C8H11NO2, that is an intermediate biochemical product in the synthesis of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and melanin, and is a neurotransmitter [d(ihydr)o(xy)p(henyl) + AMINE]
dopant (doup´эnt) •n. an impurity added to a pure substance to produce a deliberate change, as with laser crystals and semiconductors: also called doping agent [fol. + -ANT]
dope (doup) •n. 1 any thick liquid or pasty substance, or other material, used to lubricate or absorb something 2 a) a dressing, varnish, or filler, as for protecting the cloth covering of airplane wings, surfaces, etc. b) any additive, as a food preservative 3 a drug used to stimulate or hinder a racehorse's performance 4 [Colloq.] any drug or narcotic, or such drugs collectively 5 [Colloq.] a slow-witted, stupid, or lethargic person 6 [Slang] a) advance information on a racehorse's condition b) any information, esp. as used for prediction 7 Photog. a developer •vt. doped, dop´ing 1 to give dope to; treat with dope 2 to drug or stupefy 3 to introduce an adulterant, additive, or impurity into (another substance) in order to produce a deliberate change dope out [Slang] to figure out or work out; solve dop´er •n. [Du doop, sauce, dip, baptism < doopen, to dip < Gmc *dup-, to be deep: see DIMPLE]
dope fiend [Slang] a drug addict
dope-sheet (doup´shi:t') •n. 1 a RACING FORM, esp. one dealing with a program of races at one track 2 [Colloq.] a printed source of information
dopester (doup´stэr) •n. [Colloq.] one who analyzes or predicts trends as in politics or sports [DOPE (OUT) + -STER]
dopey or dopy (dou´pi:) -i·er, -i·est •adj. Æ 1 [Colloq.] under the influence of a narcotic 2 mentally slow or confused; lethargic or stupid dop´i·ness •n.
doppelgänger (dôp´эl geŋ'эr) •n. the supposed ghostly double or wraith of a living person [Ger < doppel, double + gänger, goer: see GANG²]
Doppler effect (däp´lэr) the apparent change of frequency of sound waves or light waves, varying with the relative velocity of the source and the observer: if the source and observer are drawing closer together, the observed frequency is higher than the emitted frequency [after C. Doppler (1803-53), Austrian mathematician and physicist]
Doppler shift the shift in frequency, usually measured in hertz, due to the Doppler effect
Dora (dör´э) a feminine name: see DOROTHEA, THEODORA
dorado (dou rä´dou, dэ-) •n. DOLPHIN (sense 2) [D-] a S constellation between Pictor and Reticulum, containing part of the Larger Magellanic Cloud [Sp, lit., gilded, pp. of dorar < LL deaurare: see DORY²]
do-rag (du:´ræg) •n. [Slang] a cloth tied around the head to keep a process hairstyle in place; also, any bandanna worn around the head
dorbeetle (dör´bi:t´ªl) •n. 1 any of several European dung beetles 2 any beetle that flies with a buzzing sound Also dor Etymology [< ME dore (< OE dora, a beetle < IE base *dher-, to buzz > Gr thrylein, to murmur, babble) + BEETLE¹]
Dorcas (dör´kэs) Bible a woman who spent her life making clothes for the poor: Acts 9:36-41 [L < Gr Dorkas, lit., gazelle]
Dordogne (dôř dôñ´yª) river in SW France, flowing southwest to unite with the Garonne and form the Gironde estuary: c. 300 mi. (480 km)
Dordrecht (döř´dřeHt) city in SW Netherlands, on the Maas (Meuse) delta: pop. 107,000
doré (dö rei´) •adj. coated with gold or a gold color; gilded {bronze doré} [Fr: see DORY²] Doré (dô řei´), (Paul) Gus·tave (güs tåv´) 1832-83; Fr. book illustrator & painter
dorhawk (dör´hök') •n. NIGHTJAR [dor, a buzzing insect + HAWK¹: so named from eating such insects]
Dorian (dör´i: эn) •adj. DORIC •n. a native of Doris; member of one of the four main peoples of the ancient Greeks [< L Dorius < Gr Dōrios < Dōris]
Doric (dör´ik, där´-) •adj. 1 of Doris, its people, their language, or culture 2 designating or of a classical (Greek or Roman) order of architecture, distinguished by simplicity of form, esp. by fluted columns with simple capitals: see ORDER, illus. •n. 1 the Greek dialect of Doris 2 a rustic English dialect as contrasted with Standard English [L Doricus < Gr Dōrikos]
Doriden (dör´i dэn) trademark for a white, crystalline powder, C13H15NO2, used as a sedative and hypnotic
Doris (-is) 1 a feminine name 2 ancient mountainous region in what is now WC Greece: regarded as the home of the Dorians: see GREECE, map [L < Gr Dōris]
dork (dörk) •n. 1 [Vulgar Slang] the penis 2 [Slang] a person regarded as stupid, foolish, awkward, clumsy, etc. dork´y, dork´i·er, dork´i·est, •adj.
Dorking (dör´kiŋ) •n. any of a breed of domestic chicken, having a large body, short legs, and five-toed feet [after Dorking, town in Surrey, England]
dorm (dörm) •n. [Colloq.] DORMITORY
dormant (dör´mэnt) •adj. 1 sleeping 2 as if asleep; quiet; still 3 inoperative; inactive 4 Biol. a) torpid in winter; in a state of suspended animation b) live, but not actively growing 5 Heraldry lying down in a sleeping position {a lion dormant}: cf. COUCHANT SYN. LATENT dor´man·cy (-mэn si:) •n. [ME < OFr prp. of dormir < LL dormire < IE base *dre-, to sleep > Sans ni-dra, sleep]
dormer (dör´mэr) •n. 1 a window set upright in a sloping roof 2 the roofed projection in which this window is set Also dormer window [OFr dormeour < L dormitorium: see DORMITORY]
dormie or dormy (dör´mi:) •adj. Golf ahead of an opponent by as many holes as are yet to be played [< ?]
dormitory (dör´mэ tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a room, building, or part of a building with sleeping accommodations for a number of people Æ 2 a building with many rooms that provide sleeping and living accommodations for a number of people, as at college •adj. [Chiefly Brit.] designating a suburb or small town whose residents travel daily to their jobs in the city [ME dormitorie < L dormitorium, place for sleeping < dormitorius, of or for sleeping < pp. of dormire: see DORMANT]
dormouse (dör´maus') pl. -mice' (-mais') •n. any of a family (Gliridae) of small, furry-tailed, mostly tree-dwelling Old World rodents [ME dormous ? altered by folk etym. (after mous, MOUSE) < OFr dormeuse, sleepy, sluggish < dormir: see DORMANT]
dornick¹ (dör´nik) •n. a heavy damask formerly used for hangings, vestments, etc. [after Doornik, Fl name of Tournai, Belgium, where orig. made]
dornick² (dör´nik) •n. a stone or small rock [Ir dornóg, Gael doirneag < dorn, hand]
Dorothea (dör'э θi:´э, där'-) a feminine name: var. Dorothy; dim. Dolly, Doll, Dora, Dot, Dotty [L < Gr Dōrothea, lit., gift of God < dōron, gift (see DATE¹) + theos, God]
Dorothy (dör´э θi:, där´-; dör´θi:) a feminine name: see DOROTHEA
dorp (dörp) •n. [Obs.] a village [Du, akin to Ger dorf, THORP]
dorsad (dör´sæd') •adv. moving from the front of the body toward the back or posterior part [< L dorsum, the back + -AD²]
dorsal lip that part of the rim of the blastopore that lies on the future dorsal side of the embryo: in vertebrates it contains the organizer that determines the position of the future nerve cord
dorsal root the more posterior of two roots that merge to form each spinal nerve: it contains the nerve fibers that transmit sensation
dorsal¹ (dör´sэl) •adj. 1 of, on, or near the back 2 Bot. a) of or relating to the side of a leaf or other structure away from the axis; abaxial b) of or relating to the upper side of a thallus, as in liverworts or lichens dor´sal·ly •adv. [ME < ML dorsalis < L dorsualis < dorsum, the back]
dorsal² or dorsel (-sэl) •n. DOSSAL
Dorset (dör´sit) •n. any of a breed of medium-sized sheep, originally from Dorsetshire: formerly, both male and female had horns (hence the former name Dorset Horn, but today the polled variety prevails
Dorsetshire (-shir) county in SW England, on the English Channel: 1,025 sq. mi. (2,654 sq. km); pop. 618,000: also Dor´set
dorsi- (dör´si, -sэ) combining form 1 of, on, or along the back 2 DORSO- [see DORSO-]
dorsiventral (dör'si ven´trэl) •adj. 1 Bot. having both dorsal and ventral surfaces 2 Zool. DORSOVENTRAL
dorso- (dör´sou, -sэ) combining form 1 the back and 2 DORSI- [< L dorsum, the back]
dorsovelar (dör'sou vi:´lэr) Phonet. articulated with the back of the tongue touching or near the soft palate, as (k) and (ŋ) •adj. •n. a dorsovelar consonant
dorsoventral (dör'sou ven´trэl) •adj. 1 Bot. DORSIVENTRAL 2 Zool. extending from the dorsal to the ventral side
dorsum (dör´sэm) pl. -sa (-sэ) •n. 1 the back (of an animal) 2 any part corresponding to or like the back {the dorsum of the hand} [L]
Dort (dört) var. of DORDRECHT
Dortmund (dört´mэnd; Ger dôřt´munt) city in W Germany, in the valley of the Ruhr River in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 585,000
dory¹ (dör´i:) pl. -ries •n. a flat-bottomed rowboat with high, flaring sides, used chiefly in commercial fishing [AmInd (Central America) dori, duri, a dugout]
dory² (dör´i:) pl. -ries •n. JOHN DORY [ME dorre < MFr dorée, lit., gilt, fem. of doré, pp. of dorer < LL deaurare, to gild < L de-, intens. + aurare, to gild < aurum, gold: see AUROUS]
DOS (dös, däs) Comput. disk operating system
Dos Passos (dэs pæs´эs), John (Roderigo) 1896-1970; U.S. writer
dos-à-dos (dou´zэ dou´) •adv. back to back •n. pl. dos'-à-dos´ (-douz´) a movement in various folk dances, in which two dancers approach each other, pass back to back, and return to their original positions: often written do-si-do (dou´si: dou´) [Fr]
dosage (dous´ij) •n. 1 a dosing or being dosed 2 the system to be followed in taking doses, as of medicine {the prescribed dosage is ½ teaspoon every hour} 3 the amount used in a dose
dose (dous) •n. 1 exact amount of a medicine or extent of some other treatment to be given or taken at one time or at stated intervals 2 amount of a punishment or other unpleasant experience undergone at one time 3 the amount of radiation delivered to a particular area or to a given part of the body 4 [Slang] a venereal infection, esp. gonorrhea •vt. dosed, dos´ing [< the n.] 1 to give a dose or doses to 2 to give (medicine, etc.) in doses •vi. to take a dose or doses of medicine [ME < OFr < ML dosis < Gr, orig., a giving < IE base *do-, to give: see DATE¹]
dosimeter (dou sim´эt эr) •n. a device for measuring the total absorbed dose from exposure to ionizing radiation do'si·met´ric (-sэ me´trik) •adj. do·sim´e·try (-sim´э tri:) •n. [see DOSE & -METER]
doss (däs) •n. [Brit. Slang] a bed or bunk, esp. in a dosshouse •vi. [Brit. Slang] to sleep, esp. in a dosshouse [< L dorsum, the back]
dossal or dossel (däs´эl) •n. 1 [Historical] an ornamental upholstery at the back of a chair, throne, etc. 2 an ornamental cloth, as one hung behind an altar [ML dossale, var. of dorsale < dorsalis: see DORSAL¹]
dosser (däs´эr) •n. 1 PANNIER (sense 1) 2 DOSSAL [ME < OFr dossier < dos, the back: see DOSS]
dosshouse (däs´haus') •n. [Brit. Slang] a place where a night's lodging can be had very cheaply [see DOSS]
dossier (dä´si: ei', dö´-; däs´yei', dös-) •n. a collection of documents concerning a particular person or matter [Fr < dos, the back < L dorsum: so named because labeled on the back]
dossil (däs´il) •n. a plug, wad, or fold of cotton or cloth, as for a wound [ME dosel, a barrel spigot < OFr doisil < VL *duciculus, dim. < L ducere, to lead: see DUCT]
dost (dûst) archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of DO¹: used with thou (chiefly as an auxiliary) •vt., vi.
Dostoevski or Dostoyevsky (dôs'tô yef´ski:), Feo·dor Mi·khai·lo·vich (fyô´dôř mi khai´lô vich) 1821-81; Russ. novelist
DOT Department of Transportation
dot¹ (dät) •n. 1 a tiny spot, speck, or mark, esp. one made with or as with a pointed object; as, a) a point used in orthography or punctuation; specif., the mark placed above an i or j in writing or printing b) Math. a decimal point; also, a point used as a symbol of multiplication c) Music a point after a note or rest, increasing its time value by one half; also, a point put above or below a note to show that it is staccato 2 any small, round spot {polka dot} 3 Telegraphy a short sound or click, as in Morse code: cf. DASH¹ •vt. dot´ted, dot´ting 1 to mark with or as with a dot 2 to make or form with dots {a dotted line} 3 to cover with or as with dots; appear as dotlike parts in {gas stations dotted the landscape} •vi. to make a dot or dots dot one's i's and cross one's t's to be minutely correct or detailed in doing or saying something on the dot [Colloq.] at the exact time or point dot´ter •n. [OE dott, head of boil: prob. reinforced (16th c.) by Du dot, akin to Ger dütte, nipple, Du dodde, a plug, Norw, LowG dott, little heap or swelling]
dot² (döt) •n. a woman's marriage dowry do´tal •adj. [Fr < L dos (gen. dotis) < dare, to give: see DATE¹]
dotage (dout´ij) •n. 1 feeble and childish state due to old age; senility 2 a doting; foolish or excessive affection [ME < doten, DOTE]
dotard (dout´эrd) •n. a person in his or her dotage; foolish and doddering old person [ME < doten, DOTE]
dotation (dou tei´shэn) •n. an endowing or endowment [ME dotacioun < OFr dotation < ML dotatio < L dotare, to endow < dos: see DOT²]
dote (dout) dot´ed, dot´ing •vi. 1 to be foolish or weak-minded, esp. because of old age 2 to be excessively or foolishly fond: with on or upon dot´er •n. [ME doten, akin to MDu, to dote & dotten, to be insane: for IE base see DODDER¹]
doth (dûθ) •vt., vi. archaic 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of DO¹: chiefly as an auxiliary [see DOETH]
Dothan (dou´θэn) city in SE Ala.: pop. 54,000 [after Dothan, city in ancient Palestine (see Gen. 37:17)]
doting (dout´iŋ) •adj. foolishly or excessively fond dot´ing·ly •adv.
dot-matrix (dät´mei´triks) •adj. of or pertaining to a system of printing, as by certain computer printers, in which characters are formed of individual dots printed close together by means of columns of small hammers that are moved across the page
dotted swiss a type of fine, sheer, crisp fabric, as of cotton, with dots on the surface: it is used for blouses, curtains, etc.
dotterel (dät´эr эl) pl. -els or -el •n. 1 any of various plovers; esp., a European and Asian species (Eudromias morinellus) 2 [Brit. Dial.] an easy dupe [ME doterel < doten, DOTE: so called because regarded as stupid and easy to catch]
dottle or dottel (dät´ªl) •n. the tobacco residue or ashes left in the bowl of a pipe after it has been smoked [ME dotelle, irreg. var. of dosel, DOSSIL]
dotty (dät´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 covered with dots; dotted 2 [Colloq.] [< ME dotti-, sill < doten, DOTE] a) feeble; unsteady; shaky b) feeble-minded or crazy Etymology [< DOT¹ + -Y²]
Dou (dau), Ge·rard (gei´řäřt) 1613-75; Du. painter
Douai (du: ei´) city in N France: pop. 45,000: formerly sp. Dou·ay´
Douala (du: ä´lэ) seaport in Cameroon, on the Bight of Biafra: pop. 637,000
Douay Bible an English version of the Bible translated from the Latin Vulgate edition for the use of Roman Catholics: the New Testament was orig. published at Reims (1582) and the Old Testament at Douai (1609-10) Also called Douay Version
double (dûb´эl) •adj. 1 two combined; twofold; duplex 2 having two layers; folded in two 3 having two of one kind; paired; repeated {a double consonant} 4 being of two kinds; dual {a double standard} 5 having two meanings; ambiguous 6 twice as much, as many, as large, etc. {pay double fare} 7 of extra size, value, strength, or quantity 8 designed or made for two {a double bed} 9 characterized by duplicity; two-faced; deceiving {leading a double life} 10 having a tone an octave lower {double bass} 11 Bot. having more than one set of petals •adv. 1 to twice the extent or degree; twofold 2 two together; in or by pairs {to ride double} •n. 1 anything twice as much, as many, or as large as normal 2 a person or thing looking very much like another; duplicate; counterpart 3 a substitute actor or singer 4 a stand-in or substitute, as in motion pictures 5 a fold; second ply 6 a sharp turn or shift of direction 7 an evasive trick 8 [pl.] a game of tennis, handball, etc. with two players on each side Æ 9 Baseball a hit on which the batter reaches second base 10 Bridge the doubling of an opponent's bid •vt. -bled, -bling 1 to make double; make twice as much or as many; multiply by two 2 to fold; add another ply to {double the bandage} 3 to repeat or duplicate 4 to be the double of Æ 5 Baseball a) to put out (the second runner) in executing a double play b) to advance (a runner) by hitting a double 6 Bridge to increase the point value or penalty of (an opponent's bid) by saying double when it is one's turn to bid 7 Music to supply the upper or lower octave to (another part or voice) {double the tenor in brass} 8 Naut. to sail around {they doubled Cape Horn} •vi. 1 to become double; increase twofold 2 to bend or turn sharply backward {the animal doubled on its tracks} 3 to serve as a double 4 to serve an additional purpose Æ 5 [Colloq.] to double-date Æ 6 Baseball to hit a double 7 Music to play one or more instruments in addition to one's principal instrument: often with on double back 1 to fold back 2 to turn and go back in the direction from which one came Æ double in brass [Slang] to do or be capable of doing something additional to one's specialty double up 1 to fold completely; clench (one's fist) 2 to bend over, as in laughter or pain 3 to share a room, etc. with someone on (or at) the double [Colloq.] 1 in DOUBLE TIME (sense 2) 2 quickly [ME < OFr < L duplus, lit., twofold (akin to Gr diploos) < duo, TWO + -plus < IE *plo-, -fold < base *pel-, to FOLD¹]
double agent a spy employed by two rival espionage organizations
double bar two adjacent, parallel vertical lines drawn through the staff to indicate the end of a section or composition
double bass (beis) the largest and deepest-toned instrument of the violin family (orig. of the viol family), with a range of approximately three octaves
double bassoon CONTRABASSOON
double bind 1 a situation in which a person is faced with contradictory demands or expectations, so that any action taken will appear to be wrong 2 DILEMMA (sense 2) [see BIND, n. 2]
double Blackwall hitch a kind of knot: see KNOT¹, illus.
double boiler a cooking utensil consisting of two pans, one of which fits over the other: food is cooked in the upper one by water boiling in the lower
double bond Chem. the sharing of two pairs of electrons between two atoms, usually represented in structural formulas by dots or dashes, as C:C or C=C
double chin a fold of excess flesh beneath the chin
double counterpoint Music a type of counterpoint in which either part may be made the higher or the lower part
double cross 1 a new hybrid produced by crossing two existing hybrids (A X B = AB, C X D = CD, AB X CD = ABCD) 2 [Colloq.] a double-crossing; treachery
double dagger a symbol (‡) used as a reference mark; diesis Cf. DAGGER
double date [Colloq.] a social engagement shared by two couples dou´ble-date', -dat'ed, -dat'ing, •vi., vt.
double decomposition Chem. METATHESIS (sense b)
double dipping the practice of receiving compensation, benefits, etc. from two or more sources in a way regarded as unethical, as from a military pension and a government job double dipper
double dribble Basketball the illegal act either of dribbling the ball with both hands simultaneously or of resuming dribbling after having stopped
double Dutch a children's game of jump rope in which two turners swing two ropes simultaneously in a crisscross pattern for the person jumping: also double dutch, Double Dutch
double eagle a former U.S. gold coin equal to $20
double entry a system of bookkeeping in which every transaction is entered as both a debit and a credit in conformity with the underlying accounting equation which states that assets equal liabilities plus net worth dou´ble-en´try •adj.
double exposure Photog. 1 the making of two exposures on the same film or plate, either by mistake or for a composite photograph 2 such a photograph
double fault Racket Sports the act of serving twice improperly, resulting in the loss of the point, the loss of the serve, or both
double feature two full-length movies on the same program
double flat a symbol (bb) placed before a note to show that it is to be lowered two semitones
double indemnity a clause in life insurance policies providing for the payment of twice the face value of the contract in the case of accidental death
double jeopardy Law the jeopardy in which a defendant is placed by a second prosecution for the same offense or crime; prohibited by the U.S. Constitution
double mordent see MORDENT
double negative the use of two negatives in a single statement having a negative force (Ex.: I didn't hear nothing): now generally regarded as substandard
double play Baseball a single play in which two players are put out
double pneumonia pneumonia of both lungs
double refraction BIREFRINGENCE
double salt Chem. 1 a salt, as Rochelle salt, which in solution produces two different cations or anions 2 any compound regarded as a combination of two salts
double sharp a symbol (X or ##) placed before a note to show that it is to be raised two semitones
double standard a system, code, criterion, etc. applied unequally; specif., a code of behavior that is stricter for women than for men, esp. in matters of sex
double star 1 BINARY STAR 2 two stars, along the same line of sight, that look like one star, or a binary star, but actually are very distant and physically unrelated; optical double
double tackle a pulley block with two grooved wheels
double take a delayed reaction to some remark, situation, etc., in which there is at first unthinking acceptance and then startled surprise or a second glance as the real meaning or actual situation suddenly becomes clear: often used as a comic device in acting
double talk 1 ambiguous and deceptive talk 2 deliberately confusing or unintelligible talk made up of a mixture of real words and meaningless syllables
double time Æ 1 a rate of payment twice as high as usual, as for work on Sundays 2 a marching cadence of 180 three-foot steps a minute: normal cadence is 120 steps a minute 3 Music a) duple time b) twice as fast as the preceding tempo
double vision DIPLOPIA
double-barreled (-bær´эld) •adj. 1 having two barrels, esp. side by side, as a kind of shotgun 2 having two purposes 3 that can be taken in two ways; ambiguous
double-blind (-blaind´) •adj. designating or of a technique used to test objectively the effects of a drug, course of treatment, etc. in which neither the subjects nor the researchers know who is receiving the drug or the placebo until the testing ends
double-breasted (-bres´tid) •adj. overlapping so as to provide a double thickness of material across the breast, and having a double row of buttons, as a coat
double-check (-chek') •vt., vi. to check again; verify •n. the act of double-checking
double-cross (-krös') •vt. [Colloq.] to betray (a person) by doing the opposite of, or intentionally failing to do, what one has promised dou´ble-cross'er •n.
Doubleday (dûb´ªl dei'), Abner 1819-93; U.S. army officer: traditional inventor of baseball
double-dealing (dûb´эl di:l'iŋ) •n. the act of doing the opposite of what one pretends to do; duplicity; deceit dou´ble-deal´er •n.
double-decker (-dek'эr) •n. 1 any structure or vehicle with an upper deck or floor Æ 2 [Colloq.] a sandwich with two layers of filling and three slices of bread
double-digit (-dij'it) •adj. amounting to ten percent or more {double-digit inflation}
double-edged (-ejd') •adj. 1 having two cutting edges 2 applicable against, as well as for, as an argument
double-entendre (dûb'эl än tän´ drэ; du:'blön tön´drэ) •n. 1 a term with two meanings, esp. when one of them has a risqué or indecorous connotation 2 the use of such a term or terms; ambiguity [Fr (now obs.), double meaning]
double-faced (dûb´эl feist') •adj. 1 having two faces or aspects 2 having a finished nap on both sides: said of cloth 3 hypocritical; insincere; two-faced
double-header (-hed´эr) •n. 1 a train pulled by two locomotives 2 a pair of games played in succession on the same day, usually by the same two teams
double-jointed (-joint'id) •adj. having joints that permit limbs, fingers, etc. to bend at other than the usual angles
double-knit (-nit') •adj. knit with a double stitch, which gives extra thickness to the fabric
double-minded (-main'did) •adj. undecided; vacillating
double-park (-pärk') •vt., vi. to park (a vehicle) parallel to another parked alongside a curb
double-quick (-kwik´) •adj. very quick •n. a very quick marching pace; specif., DOUBLE TIME (sense 2) Æ vi., vt. to march at such a pace •adv. at this pace
double-reed (-ri:d') •adj. designating or of any of a group of woodwind instruments, as the oboe or bassoon, having two reeds that are separated by a narrow opening and vibrated against each other by the breath •n. a double-reed instrument
double-space (-speis') -spaced´, -spac´ing •vt., vi. to type (copy) so as to leave a full space between lines
doublespeak (-spi:k') •n. obscure or ambiguous language, esp. if meant to deceive [coined with DOUBLE-THINK]
double-stop (-stäp') •vi. to produce two tones simultaneously on a stringed instrument by drawing the bow over two strings at the same time •n. 1 the two tones thus produced 2 the notes showing these
doublet (dûb´lit) •n. 1 a man's closefitting jacket with or without sleeves, worn chiefly from the 14th to the 16th cent. 2 either of a pair of similar things 3 a pair; couple 4 [often pl.] a pair of thrown dice with identical sides uppermost 5 a simulated gem produced by cementing together two smaller stones, crystals, or pieces of colored glass 6 Linguis. either of two words that derive ultimately from the same source but by different processes (Ex.: regal, royal; skirt, shirt) 7 Radio dipole antenna [ME < OFr, dim. of double, orig., something folded, a kind of material: see DOUBLE]
double-team (dûb´эl ti:m') Sports to use two players to guard or block (a single opposing player) •vt. [after TEAM, n. 2]
double-think or doublethink (-θiŋk') •n. illogical or deliberately perverse thinking in terms that distort or reverse the truth to make it more acceptable [coined (1949) by George ORWELL, in 1984]
doubleton (-tэn) •n. a pair of playing cards that are the only cards of a given suit in a hand dealt to a player
double-tongue (-tûŋ') -tongued', -tongu'ing •vi. to alternate quickly and regularly the use of the tip and base of the tongue in playing a flute, trumpet, etc. to facilitate rapid articulation
double-tongued (-tûŋd') •adj. deceitful
doubletree (dûb´эl tri:') •n. a crossbar on a wagon, carriage, plow, etc., to each end of which the singletrees are attached when two horses are harnessed abreast [DOUBLE + (SINGLE)TREE]
doubloon (dэ blu:n´) •n. an obsolete Spanish gold coin [Fr doublon < Sp doblón < dobla, an old Sp gold coin < doble < L duplus, DOUBLE]
doubly (dûb´li:) •adv. 1 twice; to twice the degree or quantity 2 two at a time
doubly serrate BISERRATE: see LEAF, illus.
Doubs (du:) river in E France, flowing from the Jura Mountains generally southwest into the Saône: c. 270 mi. (435 km)
doubt (daut) •vi. 1 to be uncertain in opinion or belief; be undecided 2 to be inclined to disbelief 3 [Archaic] to hesitate •vt. 1 to be uncertain about; question; feel distrust of 2 to be inclined to disbelieve; be skeptical of 3 [Archaic] to be fearful or suspicious of •n. 1 a) a wavering of opinion or belief; lack of conviction; uncertainty b) lack of trust or confidence 2 a condition of uncertainty {the outcome was in doubt} 3 an unsettled point or matter; difficulty 4 [Obs.] apprehension or fear SYN. UNCERTAINTY beyond (or without) doubt certainly no doubt 1 certainly 2 very likely; probably doubt´a·ble •adj. doubt´er •n. doubt¿ing·ly •adv. [ME douten < OFr douter < L dubitare, to waver in opinion < dubius, DUBIOUS; -b- reintroduced, after L, in 16th c.]
doubtful (daut´fэl) •adj. 1 in doubt; not clear or definite; ambiguous 2 not clearly predictable; uncertain; unsure 3 giving rise to doubt or suspicion; questionable, as in reputation 4 feeling doubt; unsettled in opinion or belief doubt´ful·ly •adv. doubt´ful·ness •n. SYN.—doubtful implies strong uncertainty as to the probability, value, honesty, validity, etc. of something [a doubtful remedy]; dubious is less strong, suggesting merely vague suspicion or hesitancy [dubious about the future]; questionable strictly suggests only that there is some reason for doubt, but it is often used as a euphemism to imply strong suspicion, almost amounting to certainty, of immorality, dishonesty, etc. [a questionable reputation]; problematic implies only uncertainty with no suggestion of a moral question [a problematic success] —ANT. certain, sure [ME douteful]
doubting Thomas (daut´iŋ) a person who habitually doubts; chronic skeptic [after the Apostle THOMAS]
doubtless (daut´lis) •adj. [Rare] free from doubt; sure •adv. 1 without doubt; certainly 2 probably doubt´less·ly •adv. doubt´less·ness •n. [ME douteles]
douce (du:s) •adj. 1 [Obs.] pleasant or hospitable 2 [Scot.] sedate; sober [ME < OFr, fem. of douz < L dulcis: see DULCET]
douceur (du: sëř´) •n. [Obs.] 1 gentleness 2 a gratuity; tip [Fr, sweetness: see DOUCE]
douche (du:sh) •n. 1 a jet of liquid applied externally or internally to some part of the body, esp. as a bath or treatment 2 a bath or treatment of this kind 3 a device for douching •vt., vi. douched, douch´ing to apply a douche to (some part of the body, esp. the vagina) [Fr < It doccia, shower bath, orig., conduit, back-form. < doccione, water pipe < L ductio, a leading away < ductus: see DUCT]
dough (dou) •n. 1 a mixture of flour, liquid, and other ingredients, worked into a soft, thick mass for baking into bread, pastry, etc. 2 any pasty mass like this Æ 3 [Slang] money [ME < OE dag, akin to Goth daigs, Ger teig < IE base *dheiGh-, to knead, form > Gr teichos, wall, L fingere, to form]
doughboy (-boi') •n. 1 a boiled dumpling Æ 2 [Colloq.] a U.S. infantryman, esp. of World War I
doughface (-feis') •n. in the Civil War, a Northerner who sided with the South on the slavery issue [DOUGH + FACE]
doughnut (-nût') •n. a small, usually ring-shaped cake of sweetened, leavened dough, fried in deep fat
Doughty (daut´i:), C(harles) M(ontagu) 1843-1926; Eng. travel writer & poet doughty (daut´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. [Now Rare] valiant; brave dough´ti·ly •adv. dough´ti·ness •n. [ME < OE dohtig, altered < dyhtig (after dohte, pt. of dugan, to avail), akin to Ger tüchtig, fit, good, excellent < IE base *dheugh-, to press, give abundantly]
doughy (dou´i:) dough´i·er, dough´i·est •adj. of or like dough; soft, pasty, flabby, etc. dough´i·ness •n.
Douglas (dûg´lэs) capital of the Isle of Man: pop. 20,000 Douglas (dûg´lэs) 1 a masculine name: dim. Doug 2 Sir James c. 1286-1330; Scottish military leader: called Black Douglas 3 Sir James c. 1358-88; Scottish military leader 4 (George) Norman 1868-1952; Brit. novelist & essayist 5 Stephen A(rnold) 1813-61; U.S. politician: noted for his debates with Lincoln in Illinois senatorial campaign (1858) 6 William O(rville) 1898-1980; associate justice, U.S. Supreme Court (1939-75) [< Gael, lit., black stream]
Douglas fir (or spruce, pine, or hemlock) any of a genus (Pseudotsuga) of giant evergreen trees of the pine family, found in W North America and valued for their wood, esp. a popular Christmas tree (P. menziesii) [after D. Douglas (1798-1834), Scot botanist in U.S.]
Douglass (dûg´lэs), Frederick (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey) c. 1817-95; U.S. black leader, journalist, & statesman
Doukhobors (du:´kou börz') •n.pl. DUKHOBORS
doum (du:m) •n. an African palm tree (Hyphaene thebaica) bearing an edible fruit that has a taste and consistency somewhat like gingerbread; gingerbread palm [Fr < Ar dawm]
douppioni or doupioni (du:'pi: ou´ni:) •n. a thick, silk yarn of irregular ply used chiefly for suit fabrics [It doppioni, pl. of doppione, a double cocoon < doppio, double < L duplus, DOUBLE: sp. infl. by Fr doupion < It]
dour (dur, daur) •adj. 1 [Scot.] hard; stern; severe 2 [Scot.] obstinate 3 sullen; gloomy; forbidding dour´ly •adv. dour´ness •n. Etymology [ME < L durus: see DURABLE]
dourine (du ri:n´) •n. a venereal disease of horses and donkeys, caused by a protozoan (Trypanosoma equiperdum) and characterized by inflammation of the genitals and lymph nodes, and paralysis of the hind legs [Fr]
Douro (dou´řu) river flowing from NC Spain across N Portugal into the Atlantic: c. 500 mi. (800 km)
douse¹ (daus) doused, dous´ing •vt. 1 orig., to hit forcefully 2 Naut. to lower (sails) quickly 3 [Colloq.] to pull off (shoes, clothes, etc.) 4 [Colloq.] to put out (a light or fire) quickly [16th-c. slang, ? akin to MDu dossen, to beat noisily]
douse² (daus) doused, dous´ing •vt. 1 to plunge or thrust suddenly into liquid 2 to drench; pour liquid over •vi. to get immersed or drenched •n. a drenching [< ? prec.]
douse³ (dauz) doused, dous´ing •vi. DOWSE²
douzepers (du:´zэ perz') •n.pl. Fr. History the twelve great peers [ME dousse pers < OFr douze pers, lit., twelve peers]
dove¹ (dûv) •n. 1 PIGEON¹, esp. the smaller species: it is often used as a symbol of peace Æ 2 an advocate of measures in international affairs designed to avoid or reduce open hostilities: cf. HAWK¹ 3 a person regarded as gentle, innocent, or beloved dov´ish •adj. [ME douve < OE *dufe or ON dūfa, akin to Goth dūbo, Ger taube < IE *dheubh-, obscured, dark (of color) < base *dheu-: see DULL]
dove² (douv) •vi., vt. alt. pt. of DIVE
dovecote (dûv´kout', -kät') •n. a small house or box with compartments for nesting pigeons, usually on a pole Also dove´cot' (-kät') [ME douvecote: see DOVE¹ & COT²]
dovekie or dovekey (dûv´ki:) •n. a small auk (Alle alle) of the Arctic and N Atlantic coasts [DOVE¹ + -kie, key, dim. suffix]
Dover (dou´vэr) 1 seaport in Kent, SE England, on the Strait of Dover: pop. 33,000 2 capital of Del., in the central part: pop. 28,000 [after the seaport] 3 Strait (or Straits) of strait between France and England, joining the North Sea and the English Channel: narrowest point, 21 mi. (34 km)
Dover's powder (dou´vэrz) a preparation of opium, ipecac, etc., formerly used to relieve pain and induce perspiration [after T. Dover (1660-1742), Brit. physician]
dovetail (dûv´teil') •n. 1 a part or thing shaped like a dove's tail; specif., a projecting, wedge-shaped part (tenon) that fits into a corresponding cut-out space (mortise) to form an interlocking joint 2 a joint thus formed •vt. 1 to join or fasten together by means of dovetails 2 to piece together (facts, etc.) so as to make a logically connected whole •vi. to fit together closely or logically
Dow (dau), Gerard alt. sp. of Gerard DOU
Dow Jones industrial average an average, computed daily, of the current prices of thirty selected industrial stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange: also Dow (Jones) Industrials, the Dow
dowager (dau´э jэr) •n. 1 a widow with a title or property derived from her dead husband: often used in combination with the title {queen dowager, dowager duchess} 2 an elderly woman of wealth and dignity [OFr douagiere < douage, dowry < douer, to give a dowry < L dotare, to endow < dos: see DOT²]
Dowden (dau´dªn), Edward 1843-1913; Ir. critic, biographer, & Shakespearean scholar
dowdy (dau´di:) -di·er, -di·est •adj. not neat or stylish in dress or appearance; shabby •n. pl. -dies 1 a dowdy woman Æ 2 PANDOWDY dow´di·ly •adv. dow´di·ness •n. [< ME doude, an unattractive woman + -Y²]
dowel (dau´эl) •n. a short cylinder of wood, metal, etc., usually fitted into corresponding holes in two pieces to fasten them together •vt. -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling to fasten or furnish with dowels [ME doule, prob. akin to MLowG dövel, Ger döbel, a plug < IE base *dheubh-, a peg, wooden pin > DUB¹]
dower (dau´эr) •n. 1 that part of a man's property which his widow inherits for life 2 a dowry 3 a natural talent, gift, or endowment •vt. 1 to give a dower to 2 to endow (with) [ME douere < OFr douaire < ML dotarium < L dos: see DOT²]
dowitcher (dau´ich эr) pl. -ers •n.or -er a medium-sized, long-legged, long-billed snipe (genus Limnodromus) of North America and Asia [< AmInd (Iroquoian) native name]
Down (daun) district in SE Northern Ireland, in the S part of a former, much larger county also called Down
down- (daun) combining form down {downhill}
Down East [Colloq.] in or into New England, esp. Maine: also down east down'-east´er •n.
down payment an initial, partial payment on a purchase
down under [Colloq.] in or into Australia or New Zealand
down¹ (daun) •adv. 1 from a higher to a lower place; toward the ground 2 in, on, or to a lower position or level; specif., to a sitting or reclining position 3 a) in or to a place thought of as lower or below; often, specif., southward {to go down to Florida} b) out of one's hand {put it down} 4 below the horizon 5 from an earlier to a later period or person {down through the years} 6 into a low or dejected emotional condition 7 into a low or prostrate physical condition {to come down with a cold} 8 in or into an inferior position or condition {held down by harsh laws} 9 to a lower amount, value, or bulk {to come down in price} 10 a) to a less excited or active condition; into a tranquil or quiet state {to settle down} b) to a lower volume of sound {turn down the radio} 11 in a serious or earnest manner {to get down to work} 12 completely; to the full extent {loaded down} 13 in cash or when bought {five dollars down and the remainder in installments} 14 in writing; on record {take down his name} •adj. 1 descending; directed toward a lower position 2 in a lower place; on the ground 3 gone, brought, pulled, etc. down 4 dejected; discouraged 5 prostrate; ill 6 completed; finished {four down, six to go} 7 inoperative {the computer is down} 8 Sports Æ a) no longer in play (said of a football) b) trailing an opponent by a specified number of points, strokes, etc. Æ c) Baseball put out •prep. down toward, along, through, into, or upon •vt. 1 a) to put, bring, get, throw, or knock down b) to defeat, as in a game 2 to gulp or eat rapidly •vi. [Rare] to go, come, or get down •n. 1 a downward movement or depressed condition; defeat, misfortune, etc.: see UPS AND DOWNS, at UP¹ Æ 2 Football a) one of four consecutive plays in which a team, in order to keep possession of the ball, must either score or advance the ball at least ten yards b) the declaring of the ball as down, or no longer in play Æ down and out 1 Boxing knocked out 2 without money, friends, health, etc. down on [Colloq.] hostile to; angry or annoyed with down to the ground thoroughly; completely down with! overthrow! do away with!: an expression of disfavor See also phrases under BREAK, PUT, TRACK, etc. [ME doun < adune, adown < OE adune, ofdune, from the hill < a-, of-, off, from + dune, dat. of dun, hill: see DOWN³]
down² (daun) •n. 1 soft, fluffy feathers, as the outer covering on young birds or an inner layer of feathers on adult birds 2 soft, fine hair or hairy growth [ME doun < ON dūnn, akin to Goth dauns, fume < IE base *dheu-, to fly like dust, be turbid: see DULL]
down³ (daun) •n. an expanse of open, high, grassy land: usually used in pl. [ME doun < OE dun, a hill, akin to ODu duna, LowG düne, sandhill: see DUNE]
downbeat (daun´bi:t') •n. 1 a downward trend; downswing 2 Music a) the downward stroke of the conductor's hand or baton indicating the first beat of each measure b) such a beat Æ adj. [Colloq.] grimly realistic; depressing
down-bow (-bou') •n. a stroke on a violin, cello, etc. in which the bow is drawn across the strings from the frog to the tip: symbol, ##
downcast (-kæst') •adj. 1 directed downward 2 very unhappy or discouraged; sad; dejected
downdraft (-dræft') •n. a downward air current
downer (daun´эr) •n. [Slang] 1 any depressant or sedative, as a tranquilizer, barbiturate, alcoholic drink, etc. Æ 2 something depressing; esp., a depressing experience
Downey (dau´ni:) city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 91,000 [after J. G. Downey, governor of Calif., 1860-62]
downfall (daun´föl') •n. 1 a) a sudden fall, as from prosperity or power b) the cause of such a fall 2 a sudden, heavy fall, as of snow
downfallen (-föl'эn) •adj. fallen; ruined
downgrade (-greid') •n. a downward slope, esp. in a road •adj., adv. downhill; downward •vt. -grad'ed, -grad'ing 1 to demote to a less skilled job at lower pay 2 to lower in importance, value, esteem, etc. 3 to belittle on the downgrade losing status, influence, health, etc.; declining
downhaul (-höl') •n. a rope, wire, or tackle for hauling something down, as a sail
downhearted (-härt'id) •adj. in low spirits; discouraged; dejected down´heart'ed·ly •adv.
downhill (-hil´) •adv. 1 toward the bottom of a hill 2 to a poorer condition, status, etc. •adj. 1 sloping or going downward 2 without difficulty; easy 3 of or having to do with skiing downhill •n. 1 [Obs.] DESCENT (sense 4) 2 Skiing a timed competitive race downhill go downhill to decline or deteriorate
down-home (-houm´) •adj. 1 of, from, or associated with a rural, esp. Southern, area 2 having characteristics associated with rural people; simple, warm, direct, etc.
downiness (daun´i: nis) •n. the quality of being downy
Downing Street (daun´iŋ) street in Westminster, London, location of some of the principal government offices of the United Kingdom, including the official residence of the prime minister (No. 10): often used figuratively of the British government [after Sir George Downing (1623-84), who owned property there]
downlink (-liŋk') •vt. to send down (data) from a satellite •n. a communication channel used to downlink
download (-loud') •vt., vi. to load or transfer (a program, file, etc.), from a central computer to another computer or terminal
down-market (-mär'kit) •adj. [Chiefly Brit.] DOWNSCALE
downplay (daun´plei') •vt. to play down; minimize
downpour (-pör') •n. a heavy rain
downrange (-reinj´) •adv., adj. along the course away from the launching site
downright (daun´rait') •adv. 1 thoroughly; utterly 2 [Archaic] straight down •adj. 1 absolute; thoroughgoing {a downright insult} 2 straightforward; plain; frank 3 [Archaic] going straight downward [ME doun riht: see DOWN¹ & RIGHT]
downriver (-riv´эr) •adv., adj. toward the mouth of a river; with or in the current of a river
Down's syndrome (daunz) a congenital condition characterized by abnormal chromosomes, mental deficiency, a broad face, slanting eyes, a short fifth finger, etc.; Mongolism: also Down syndrome (daun) [after J. L. H. Down (1828-96), Brit physician]
Downs, the (daunz) 1 two parallel ranges of low, grassy hills (North Downs & South Downs) in SE England 2 naturally protected anchorage in the Strait of Dover, England
downscale (-skeil') •adj. designating, of, or for people who are not affluent, are relatively unstylish, etc.
downshift (daun´shift') •vi. to shift the transmission of a motor vehicle to a lower gear or arrangement
downside (-said') •n. 1 the lower side or part 2 a downward trend or financial loss, as on an investment 3 drawback or disadvantage
downsize (-saiz') -sized', -siz'ing •vt. to produce smaller models or styles of (automobiles), usually while retaining the name and features of the original
downspout (-spaut') •n. a vertical pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof gutter to ground level
downstage (daun´steij') •adv. toward the front of the stage •adj. having to do with the front of the stage
downstairs (daun´sterz´) •adv. 1 down the stairs 2 on or to a lower floor •adj. situated on a lower floor •n. a lower floor or floors
downstate (-steit') •n. that part of a State farther to the south •adj., adv. in, to, or from downstate down´stat´er
downstream (-stri:m') •adv., adj. in the direction of the current of a stream
downswing (-swiŋ') •n. 1 the downward part of a swing, as of a golf club 2 a downward trend, as in business
downthrow (-θrou') •n. Geol. that side of a fault which has moved downward relative to the other side
downtime (-taim') •n. the time during which a machine, factory, etc. is shut down for repairs or the like
down-to-earth (-tэ ørθ´) •adj. 1 realistic or practical 2 without affectation; natural, sincere, etc.
downtown (-taun') •adj., adv. of, in, like, to, or toward the lower part or main business section of a city or town •n. the downtown section of a city or town
downtrodden (-träd'ªn) •adj. 1 trampled on or down 2 oppressed; subjugated; tyrannized over
downturn (-tørn') •n. a downward trend, as in business activity
downward (daun´wэrd) •adv., adj. 1 toward a lower place, position, state, etc. 2 from an earlier to a later time Also down´wards •adv. down´ward·ly •adv. [ME dounward < OE aduneweard: see DOWN¹ & -WARD]
downwash (daun´wösh') •n. the downward deflection of air as by an airplane wing
downwind (-wind') •adv., adj. in the direction in which the wind is blowing or usually blows
downy (daun´i:) down´i·er, down´i·est •adj. 1 of or covered with soft, fine feathers or hair 2 soft and fluffy, like down
downy mildew a disease of angiosperms characterized by the appearance of whitish or downy patches of fungus on the surfaces of plant parts, caused by various fungi (family Peronosporaceae)
dowry (dau´ri:) pl. -ries •n. 1 the property that a woman brings to her husband at marriage 2 a natural talent, gift, or endowment 3 [Archaic] a widow's dower 4 [Archaic] a gift by a man to his bride [ME douerie < Anglo-Fr & OFr douarie: see DOWER]
dowse¹ (daus) dowsed, dows´ing •vt. DOUSE¹
dowse² (dauz) dowsed, dows´ing •vi. to search for a source of water or minerals by walking about with a divining rod (dowsing rod) dows´er •n. [< ?]
doxology (däks äl´э ji:) pl. -gies •n. a hymn of praise to God; specif., a) the greater doxology, which begins Gloria in excelsis Deo (glory to God in the highest) b) the lesser doxology, which begins Gloria Patri (glory to the Father) c) a hymn beginning Praise God from whom all blessings flow [ML(Ec) doxologia < Gr(Ec), a praising < doxologos, giving praise < doxa, praise, opinion < dokein, to seem (see DECENT) + -logia, -LOGY]
doxy (däk´si:) pl. dox´ies •n. [Old Slang] a woman of low morals; specif., a prostitute [< ? obs. docke, rump, or archaic Du docke, doll]
doyen (dwå yæñ´; E doi´эn, -en', -yen') •n. the senior member of a group doy·enne´ (-yen´; E, -en', -yen') •n.fem. [Fr: see DEAN]
Doyle (doil), Sir Arthur Co·nan (kou´nэn) 1859-1930; Eng. writer of popular fiction: known for his Sherlock Holmes stories
doyley or doyly (doi´li:) •n. DOILY
D'Oyly Carte , Richard see CARTE, Richard D'Oyly
doz dozen(s)
doze (douz) dozed, doz´ing •vi. to sleep lightly or fitfully; nap; be half asleep •vt. to spend (time) in dozing: usually with away •n. a light sleep; nap doze off to fall into a light sleep doz´er •n. [prob. < Scand, as in Ice (& Swed dial.) dusa: for IE base, see DIZZY]
dozen (dûz´эn) pl. -ens or, esp. after a number, -en •n. 1 a set of twelve: see also BAKER'S DOZEN 2 a large number: often used in pl. the dozens [Slang, Chiefly Black] a form of verbal play in which the participants exchange witty, ribald taunts and insults, often specif. about each other's mother doz´enth •adj. [ME dozeine < OFr dozaine < douze, twelve < L duodecim, twelve < duo, TWO + decem, TEN]
dozy (dou´zi:) doz´i·er, doz´i·est •adj. sleepy; drowsy doz´i·ly •adv. doz´i·ness •n. [see DOZE]
DP 1 dew point 2 displaced person 3 Baseball double play dp data processing
DPH or D.P.H. [Brit.] Doctor of Public Health
DPhil, DPh, D.Phil., or D.Ph. Doctor of Philosophy
DPM or D.P.M. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
dpt 1 department 2 deponent
dr 1 debit 2 debtor 3 drachma(s) 4 dram(s)
DR or D/R dead reckoning
Dr or Dr. 1 Doctor 2 Drive
drab¹ (dræb) •n. 1 a kind of cloth, esp. a yellowish-brown wool 2 a dull yellowish brown •adj. drab´ber, drab´best 1 of a dull yellowish-brown color 2 not bright or lively; dull, dreary, or monotonous drab´ly •adv. drab´ness •n. [< OFr drap, cloth < VL drappus < IE *drop- < base *der-, to skin]
drab² (dræb) •n. [Obs.] 1 a slovenly woman; slattern 2 a prostitute •vi. drabbed, drab´bing [Obs.] to fornicate with prostitutes [< the n.] [< Celt, as in Ir drabog, Gael drabag, slattern]
drabbet (dræb´it) •n. [Brit.] a coarse, unbleached linen [< DRAB¹]
drabble (dræb´эl) -bled, -bling •vt. to make wet and dirty by dragging in mud and water; draggle •vi. to become drabbled Etymology [ME drabelen, akin to (or < ?) LowG drabbeln, to walk in mud or water]
dracaena (drэ si:´nэ) •n. any of a genus (Dracaena) of tropical shrubs and trees of the agave family, including the dragon tree [ModL < LL, she-dragon < Gr drakaina, fem. of drakōn, DRAGON]
drachm (dræm) •n. 1 DRACHMA 2 DRAM [ME dragme < OFr < L drachma < Gr]
drachma (dræk´mэ) pl. -mas, -mae (-mi:), or -mai (-mai') •n. 1 an ancient Greek silver coin 2 an ancient Greek unit of weight approximately equal to the weight of this coin 3 any of several modern weights or measures: see DRAM 4 the basic monetary unit of modern Greece: see MONEY, table [L < Gr drachmē, lit., a handful < drassesthai, to grasp, take by handfuls < IE base *dergh-, to grip > TARGE]