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DIFFICULT

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DIG

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Arduous, painful, crabbed, perplexed, labo- Difflugia (dif-flū'ji-a), n. A genus of infu- Diffusion (dif-fūʻzhon), n. 1. A spreading rious, unaccommodating, austere, rigid. soria, inclosed in a case formed by the co- or flowing of a liquid substance or fluid Difficult (dil'fi-kult), v. t. To make diffi- hesion of foreign bodies.

in a lateral as well as a lineal direction; cult; to impede. Their pretensions had Difform (ilif'form), a. (Fr. difforme, as if as, the diffusion of water; the diffusion of difficulted the peace.' Sir W. Temple. from a Latin adjective difformis--dif for dis, air or light. -- 2. A spreading or scattering; Difficultate + (dif'fi-kult-at), v.t. To render separate, and forma, shape ] 1. Irregular in dispersion; as, a diffusion of dust or of seeds. difficult. Cotanare.

| form; not uniform; anomalous; as, a dif 3. A spreading; extension; propagation. A Difficultly (dii'fi-kult-li), adv. Hardly; with form flower or corolla, the parts of which diffusion of knowledge which has underdifficulty

do not correspond in size or proportion; mined superstition.' Burke. -4. CopiousHe himself had been only guilty, and the other had difform leaves. --2. Unlike; dissimilar. ness; exuberance, as of style. - Diffusion of been very difficuitly prevailed on to do what he did.

The unequal refractions of difform rays. Newton. heat, a term employed to express the modes

Fielding
Difficulty (dif'fi-kul-ti), n. [Fr. difficulté; Difformity + (dif-form'i-ti), n. Irregularity

by which the equilibrium of heat is effected, L. difficultas, difficul, the old form of diffi- of form; want of uniformity.

viz. by conduction, radiation, and by convec

tion. - Diffusion of gases. When two gaseous cilis-dis, priv., and facilis, easy to be made Just as seeing or hearing are not inequalities or or done, from facio, to make or do.] 1. Harddifformities in the soul of man, but each of them

bodies which do not act chemically upon each

Clarke

powers of the whole soul. ness to be done or accomplished; the state

other are mixed together in any relative pro

portions they gradually diffuse themselves of anything which renders its performance Diffract (dif-frakt'), v.t. (L diffringo, dif. laborious or perplexing: opposed to easiness fractuin, to break in pieces--prefix dif, dis,

ihrough each other; so that after a sufficient or facility; as, the difficulty of a task or en. and frango, to break.) To break in pieces;

time has elapsed for the purpose, whatever terprise; a work of labour and difficulty. to bend from a right line; to deflect

may have been their relative densities, they 2. That which is hard to be performed or Diffraction (dif- frak'shon), n.

(See Dif.

are found intimately blended; the heavier surmounted; as, we often mistake difficulties FRACT.] 1. The act of breaking in pieces.

gas does not fall, nor does the lighter one rise. for impossibilities; to overcome dificulties 2. In optice, the peculiar modifications which

- Diffusion of liquids. When two liquids is an evidence of a great mind. light undergoes when it passes by the edge

that are capable of mixing, such as alcohol

and water, al The wise and prudent conquer difficulties by daring of an opaque body; deflection. Light, when

put in contact, they gradu.

ally diffuse one into the other in spite of the to atteinpt them.

Rerave. it meets with no obstacle, proceeds in 3. Perplexity; embarrassment of affairs ; straight lines, but if it be made to pass by

action of gravity. A mixture of alcohol and trouble; whatever perplexes, or renders pro- the boundaries of an opaque body it is turned

water occupies less space than the separate gress or execution of designs laborious. from its rectilineal course.

two liquids do, as if the molecular inter

stices of one or both of the liquids were parMore than once, in days of difficulty Remarked by Grimaldi (1665) and referred by him

tially filled by the other liquid. - Diffusion And pressure, had she sold her wares for less to a property of light which he called diffracion, Than what she gave. Tennyson.

Il'heuell

rolume, a term employed to express the dif4. Objection; cavil; obstacle to belief.

Diffractive (dif-frakt'iv), a. Causing dif- ferent disposition of gases to interchange

fraction * Raising difficulties concerning the mys: Diffranchise, Diffranchisement (dif-fran’

particles. Thus the diffusion volume of air

is 1, and that of hydrogen gas 3 83. - Diffuteries in religion.' Suift.-5. An embruilment; a serious complication likely to lead shiz, dif-fran'shiz-ment). Same as Disfran

sion apparatus, an apparatus sometimes to a quarrel; a falling out; a controversy: Diffuse (dit-füz'), v.t. pret. & pp. diffused; chise, Disfranchisement.

employed for extracting the sugar from cane

or beet-root by dissolving it out with water. a variance or quarrel. Measures for terminating all . : . difficulties.' Bancroft. ppr. diffusing. [L. diffundo, diffusum, to

- Diffusion tube, an instrument for deterSYN. Laboriousness, hardness, troublesomepour in different directions, to spread pre

mining the rate of diffusion for different ness, obstacle, impediment, obstruction, emfix dif, dis, and fundo, to pour.] 1. To pour

gases. - Sex. Extension, spread, propagation, barrassment, awkwardness, perplexity, exiout and spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow

circulation, expansion, dispersion. gency, distress, trouble, trial, objection,

and spread; as, the river rose and diffused Diffusive (lif- fus'iv), a. 1. Having the cavil. its waters over the adjacent plain.–2. To

quality of diffusing or spreading by tiowing, Diffide (dif-fid'), v.i.

as fluids, or of dispersing, as minute parti. (L. diffido -- dis, and

spread; to send out or extend in all direc-
tions.

cles. fuo, to trust. ]

'The pure delight of love by sound

Water, air, light, dust, smoke, and To distrust; to have no confidence. (Rare.)

diffused.' Wordsworth. "A central warmth odours are diffusive substances. The man diffides in his own augury diffusing bliss.' Tennyron. - Srx. To spread,

All liquid bodies are diffusive,
And doubts the gods.

Dryden.
circulate, extend, scatter, disseminate, dis-

1. Burnet. perse, publish, proclaim.

2. Extending in all directions; widely reachDiffidence (dif'fi-dens), n. (L. diffidentia, want of confidence, dijjidens, ppr. of diffido, Diffuse (dif-füs'), a. 1. Widely spread; dis

ing; extensive; as, diffusire charity or be

nevolence. to distrust-dis, priv., and fido, to trust.

persed. – 2. Copious; prolix; using many See FAITH.) 1. Distrust; want of confidence; words; verbose: said of speakers and writers

Diffusively (dif- fūs'iv - li), adv. Widely; any doubt of the power, ability, or disposior their style.

extensively; every way. The reasoning of them is sophistical and incon.

Diffusiveness (dif- füs'iv - nes), n. tion of others.

1. The To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt clusive; the style diffuse and verbose. 7. Warton,

power of diffusing or state of being diffused;

dispersion. -2. Wide reach; extensiveness; In feeble hearts. Milton. 3. In pathol applied to diseases which spread

as, the diffusiveness of benevolence.-3. The 2. More generally, distrust of one's self; widely and have no distinctively defined

quality or state of being diffuse, as an author want of confidence in our own power, com- limits, as opposed to those which are circumpetency, correctness, or wisdom; a doubt scribed.-4. In bot. spreading widely, hori

or his style; verboseness; copiousness of

words or expression. respecting some personal qualification ; zontally, and irregularly. modest reserve.

Of a beautiful and magnificent diffusireness Cicero "An Englishman's habitual Diffused (dif-füzd'), p. and a. 1. Spread;

is, beyond doubt, the most illustrious example, Blair. diffidence and awkwardness of address.' W. dispersed. Irving.

Diffused knowledge immortalizes itself.

Diffusivity (dif-fūs-iv'i-ti), n. The power Be silent always when you doubt your sense;

Sir James Mackintosh. of diffusion. And speak, though sure, with seeming diffidence. Pope.

2. Loose; flowing; wild. * Diffused attire.' Professor Loschmidt of Vienna has determined the -Bashfulness, Modesty, Diffidence. See under Shak

diffusivity, in square metres per hour, for ten pairs

of the most important gases. 7. T. Bortomley. BASHFULNESS. -SYN. Distrust, doubt, fear, Diffusedly (dif-fūz'ed-li), adv. In a diffused timidity, apprehension, hesitation.

manner; with wide dispersion; wearing one's Difluan (di'fly-an), n. A chemical compound Diffident (dif'fi-dent), a. 1. Distrustful; dress in a loose or neglectful manner.

obtained by the action of heat on alloxanic wanting confidence; doubting another's

Go not so diffusedly;

acid. It is not crystallizable, is very soluble power, disposition, sincerity, or intention. There are great ladies purpose, sir, to visit you.

in water, and possesses no acid properties. * Piety so diffident as to require a sign.' Bp.

Bean. E FI. Dig (dig), v.t. pret. & pp. digged or dug; ppr. Taylor. -2. Distrustful of one's self; not con

Diffusedness (dif-fūz'ed-nes), n. The state digging. [The origin of this word is obfident; doubtful of one's own power or comof being widely spread.

scure. Wedgwood says the root is dag (see petency; reserved; modest; timid; as, a

Diffusely (dif-fūs li), adv. 1. Widely: exten- the obsolete DAG, a dagger), and that dig diffident youth.

sively. -2. Copiously; with many words; comes through the Normn. diguer, to prick. fully

The origin is most probably seen in dike om Distress makes the humble heart diffident.

Richardson.

Diffuseness (dif-fūs'nes), n. The quality of dyke (with its softened form ditch), A. Sax. Sex. Distrustful, suspicious, hesitating,

being diffuse; specifically,in speaking or writ. dic, a dike or a ditch, dician, Dan. dige, to doubtful, modest, bashful, reserved.

ing, superfluous wordiness, arising either make a dike or a ditch.) 1. To open and Diffidently (dif'n-dent-li), adv. With dis

from undue enumeration of non-essential or break, or turn up, with a spade or other trust; in a distrusting manner; modestly.

collateral details or redundant treatment of sharp instrument. Diffind (dif-find), v.t. [L. diffindo, to cleave.] the main subject; want of due concentration

Be first to dig the ground. Dryden. To cleave in two. Bailey. (Rare.) or conciseness; prolixity.

2. To excavate; to form an opening in the Diffinitive † (dif- fin'it - iv), a. Definitive; There is the learning, and the evidence of a wide earth by digging and removing the loose determinate. Wotton.

desultory reading, as well as the diffuseness of style
that characterize his (De Quincey's) writings. Lancet.

earth; as, to dig a well, a pit, or a mine. Diffission(dif-fi'shon), n. The act of cleaving asunder. (Rare ]

His proclivity towards diffuseness was exemplified

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein. Prov, xxvi. 17. by the abundance of his preliminary matter. Difflation (lii-lla'shon), n. (From L. disflo,

3. To pierce with a pointed instrument; to

Scotsman news paper. to blow away.)

thrust in. A blowing or blasting to Diffuser (dif-füz'er), n. One who or that different parts. [Rare.) which diffuses.

Still for the growing liver digged his breast.

Dryden. Diffluence, Diffluency (dif'fly-ens, dif'fly. Diffusibility (dif-füz'i- hil"i-ti), n. The

4. To win or obtain by digging; as, to dig en-si), n. (See DIFFLUENT.] A flowing or

quality of being diffusible: capability of coals, fossils, &c.- To dig down, to under. falling away on all sides, the effect of fluid

being spread; as, the diffusibility of clay in mine and cause to fall by digging: as, to dig ity, as opposed to consistency. water.

down a wall. - To diq out, to dig from, to Ice is water congealed by the frigidity of the air, Diffusible (dif-fūz'i-bl), a. Capable of being dig up, to obtain by digging; to unearth; as, whereby it acquireth no new forin, but rather a con

spread in all directions; that may be dissistence or determination of its diffluency.

to dig coals from a mine; to dig out fossils; Sir T. Browne. persed.

to dig out a rat, a rabbit, &c. Diffluent (dif'fly-ent), a. [L. diffluens, dif. Hydrochloric acid is seven times as diffusible as Dig (dig), v.i. 1. To work with a spade or luentis, ppr. of diffluo, to flow in different sulphate of magnesia.

H. Spencer other similar instrument; to do servile directions -dis, astinder, and fluo, to flow.) Diffusibleness (dif-fūz'i-bl-nes), n. Diffusi- work. Flowing away on all sides; not fixed.

I cannot dig: to beg I am ashamed. Luke xvi. 3.

1 bility.

DIG

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DIGITIFORM

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2. To work in search of; to search.

2. To be prepared by heat.-3. To suppurate; different localities in California, Australia, Dig for it, more than for hid treasures. Job iii. 21. to generate pus, as an ulcer or wound. -- New Zealand, &c., where gold is obtained. To dig in, to pierce with a spade or other

4. To dissolve and be prepared for manure, In placer-diggings' the gold is scattered all

as substances in compost. pointed instrument; to make an excavation

through the surface dirt; in 'pocket-diggings it is Digestedly (di-jest'ed-li), adv. In a well- concentrated in one little spot; in quartz the gold in Son of man, din now in the wall. Ezek. viii. 8. arranged manner.

is in a solid continuous vein of rock, inclosed between

distinct walls of some oth r kinds of stone-and this

1. He that digests To dig through, to open a passage through; Digester (di-jester), n.

is the most laborious and expensive of all the differor disposes in order.

ent kinds of mining.

S. L. Cloneus. to ma an opening from one side to the other

We find this digester of codes, amender of laws,

(c) pl. The place where one resides or is emDig (diq), 12. 1. A thrust; a punch; a poke;

destroyer of feudality, equalizer of public burthens, ployed. (Colloq. slang ] as, a dig in the ribs. ---2. A diligent or plod

&c., permitting, if he did not perpetrate, one of the Dight (dit), v. t. pret. & pp. dight. (A. Sax.

most atrocious acts of oppression. Brougham, ding student. [United States. ]

dihtan, o. E. dighten, to set in order, to arDigamma (di-gani'ma), n. [Gr. prefix di,

2. One who digests his food, or that which range; from L. dictare, to dictate, indite, fretwice, and gamma: so called because when

assists the digestion of food, as a medicine quentative of dicere, to say. The G. dichten, written it resembled two gammas, the one

or article of food that strengthens the diges. 0.G. tichton, to write, to compose poetry set above the other, as F, the gamma being

tive power of the stomach. — 3. A strong or fiction of any kind, is of the same origin.) represented thus r.) A letter which once

close vessel, in which bones or other suli- 1. To prepare; to put in order; hence, to belonged to the alphabet of the Greeks and

stances may be subjected, usually in water dre:s or put on; to array; to adorn. [Obremained longest among the Æolians. It

or other liquid, to a temperature above solete, or used only in poetry.) was a true consonant, and appears to have

that of boiling. It is made of iron or other On his head his dreadful hat he dighl, had the force of u or v. It was attached

metal, with a screwed-down air-tight lid, in Which maketh him invisible to sight. Stenser. to several words which in the more familiar

which is a safety-valve. Into this vessel Thy sommer prowde, with daffadilies dixht. dialect had the smooth or rough breathing. animal or other substances are placed, im

Spenser. It is frequently represented in Latin by v, mersed in water, and submitted to a higher

The snorting steed in harness newly dight. when lost in the Greek synonym; thus, Gr. degree of heat than could be obtained in

3. Baillie.

2. [Scotch.) (dicht). To wipe; to clean by oinos, wine, L. rinum; Gr. oikos, a house, open vessels, by which the solvent power of

rubbing L. ticus; Gr. eido, I see, L. video the water is so increased that bones are

Burns. Digamous (dig'a-mus), a.

Let me ryke up to dight that tear. [Gr. digamos,

converted into a jelly. The safety-valve married a second time-prefix idi, and gar Digestibility (di-jest’i-bil'i-ti), n. The qualprevents the bursting of the vessel.

Digit (di'jit), n. [L. digitus, a finger; Gr.

daktylos. Root dik, to point out, as in Gr. mos, marriage.] Relating to digamy or a second marriage. ity of being digestible.

deiknymi, and L. dico.] 1. A finger. Digamyt (dig'a-mi), n. Second marriage. Digestible (di-jest'i-bl), a. Capable of being The innermost digit is often stunted or absent.

Oiren. Digastric (di-gas'trik), a. (Gr. prefix di, digested.

2. The measure of a finger's breadth or inch. and gastër, belly ! Having a double belly Digestibleness (di-jest'i-bl-nes), 1r. Quality Dijastric muscle, a double muscle, situof being digestible.

3. In astron. the twelfth part of the dia

meter of the sun or moon; a term used to ated externally between the lower jaw and Digestion (di-jest'yon), n. [L. digestio, an mastoid process, the central tendon being orderly distribution, digestion, from digero,

express the quantity of an eclipse; as, an attached to the hyoid bone.

eclipse of six digits is one which hides one-
It pulls the
digestum. See DIGEST.] 1. The conversion

half of the disk.-4. In arith, any integer
lower jaw downwards and backwards, and
of food into chyme, or the process of decom-

under 10; so called from counting on the when the jaws are shut it draws the larynx,

posing aliment in the stomach and recomand with it the pharynx, upwards in the act posing it in a new form, and thus preparing

fingers; thus, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, are

the digits. of swallowing. Digastric groove, a longi

it for circulation and nourishment. Accordtudinal depression of the mastoid process, ing to Liebig digestion is effected without Digitt (di'jit), v.t. To point at or out with

the finger. 80 called from its giving attachment to the the aid of the vital force, by a metamor

I shall never care to be digited with a 'That is he.' digastric muscle. phosis analogous to fermentation, by which a

Feltham Digenesis (di-gen'é-sis), n. (Gr. prefix di,

new arrangement of the particles is effected: Digital (di'jit-al), a. (L. digitalis, from and genesis ] In physiol. parthenogenesis

It is a chemical process regulated by vital digitu8, a finger.] Pertaining to the fingers (1hich see).

action. The gastric juice, which so greatly or to digits. Digerentt (di'jèr-ent), a. [L. digerens, ppr.

assists in digestion, is secreted by glands Digitalia (di-jit-a'li-a), n. Same as Digitalin. of digero. See DIGEST, v.1.) Digesting.

situated in the lining membrane of the Digitaliform (di-jit-a'li-formi), a. In bot. Digest (li'jest), n. (L. digestus, put in order,

stomach, which is in a state of progressive like the corolla of Digitalis. pp. of digero, digestum. See the verb.) 1. A

change, and the change or motion is propa. Digitalin, Digitaline (di'jit-a-lin, di'jit-acollection or body of Roman laws, digested

gated from this to the particles of the food lin), 11. (C25 H40018.) A vegetable alkali, or arranged under proper titles by order of

under certain conditions, such as a certain the active principle of Digitalis purpurea, the Emperor Justinian; the Pandects.

temperature, &c. The oxygen introduced or foxglove. It is white, difficult to crystal2 Any collection, compilation, abridgment

with the saliva during mastication assists in lize, inodorous, has a bitter taste, and is a or sunimary, as of laws, disposed under

the process. -2. In chem. the operation of strong poison. proper heads or titles; a coinpendium; a

exposing bodies to a gentle heat to prepare Digitaline (di'jit-a-li'nē), n. A genus of the summary; an abridgment; as, the Digest of

them for some action on each other; or the sub-kingdom Protozoa, belonging to the Comyns.

slow action of a solvent on any substance. family of infusorial animals Vorticellidre.

3. The act of methodizing and reducing to They made and recorded a sort of institute and

They commonly grow on the back of the digest of anarchy, called the rights of man. Burke. order; the maturation of a design.

minute crustaceous animals which live in

The digestion of the counsels in Sweden is made fresh water, as the common water-fea, &c., Digest (di-jest), v.t. [I.. digero, digestum,

in senate.

Sir W. Temple. covering them so completely as to make it to carry asunder, to spread - di for dis, asunder, and gero, to bear, carry, or wear.)

4. The process of maturing an ulcer or difficult for them to swim about. 1. To distribute into suitable classes, or

wound and disposing it to generate pus; or Digitalis (di-jit-å'lis), 11. [L. digitalis, perunder proper heads or titles; to arrange in

the generation of matter. --5. The process of taining to the finger, from digitus, a finger, convenient order; to dispose in due method;

dissolution and preparation of substances because the flowers are put on the fingers as, to digest the Roman laws or the common for manure, as in compost.

by children.) A genus of plants, nat. order law.--2To arrange methodically in the Digestive (di-jest'iv), a. 1. Having the Scrophulariacea, containing about twenty mind; to form with due arrangement of

power to cause digestion in the stomach; species of tall herbs, natives of Europe and

as, a digestive preparation of medicine. Western Asia. parts; to settle in one's mind; to think out;

One species, D. purpurea 2. In chem, capable of softening and pre- (the foxglove), is a common wild flower in as, to digest a plan or scheme. paring by heat.-3. Methodizing; reducing

Britain. (See FoXGLOVE.) Several other Every one hath not digested, when it is a sin to cake something for money lent, or when not.

to order. Digestive thought.' Dryden. - species are grown in gardens, as D. grandiG. Herbert.

4. In sung. causing maturation in wounds or flora, D. lutea, and D. ferruginea. 3. To separate or dissolve in the stomach, as ulcers.

Digitaria (di-jit-ā'ri-a), n. Finger-grass, a food; to separate into nutritive and innu- Digestive (di-jest'iv), n.

1. In med. any

genus of grasses characterized by the spikes tritious elements and prepare the former for preparation or medicine which increases being digitate. It is generally considered entering the circulatory system; to conthe tone of the stomach and aids digestion;

to be only a section of Panicum. One spevert into chyme. --4. In chem. to soften a stomachic; a corroborant.--2. In surg. an cies, D. humifusa, is found in the sandy and prepare by heat; to expose to a gentle application which ripens an ulcer or wound,

soils of the south of England. heat in a boiler or matrass, as a preparation or disposes it to suppurate.

Digitate, Digitated (di'jit-át, di'jit-āt-ed), for operations. -- 5. To bear with patience or Digestor (di-jest'er), n. Same as Digester. a. [L. digitatus, having fingers or toes, from with an effort; to brook; to receive without Digesture+ (di-jest'ūr), n. Digestion. digitus, a finger.) In bot, branched out into resentment; to put up with; to endure.

divisions like fingers. A digitate leaf is one And further, his majesty professed, that were he

which branches into several distinct leaf. Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st,

to invite the devil to a dinner he should have these I will digest it.

Shak.

three dishes: 1, a pig; 2, a pole of ling and mustard; lets, or in which a petiole supports several
and 3, a pipe of tobacco for digesture.

leaflets at its apex. A digitate root is one I never can digest the loss of most of Origen's

Apothegms of King James, 1669. in which the tubercles are divided into works.

Coleridge. 6. To prepare in the mind; to dispose in a Diggable (digʻga-bl), a. That may be dig- lobes like fingers, the division extending manner that shall improve the understandged.

nearly to the base of the root, as in some

plants of the genus Orchis. ing and heart; to prepare for nourishing Digger (digʻger), n. One who or that which practical duties; as, to digest a discourse or digs.

Digitatet (di'jit-át), v.t. (L. L. digito, digit. sermon.-7. In med. to dispose to suppur. Digging (digʻging), n. In mining, (a) the atum, from L. digitus. See DIGIT.) To point ate, as an ulcer or wound.-8. To dissolve

operation of freeing ore from the stratum out, as with a finger. Robinson. and prepare for manure, as plants and other

in which it lies, where every stroke of their Digitately (di'jit-at-li), adv. In a digitate substances.-9. To mature; to ripen. Well

tools turns to account; in contradistinction manner. Digitately pinnate, in bot. apdigested fruits. Jer. Taylor.

to the openings made in search of such ore, plied to digitate leaves, the leaflets of which Digest (di-jest'), v. i. 1. To undergo diges

which are called Hatches or Essay-hatches. are pinnate. tion, as food,

(6) pl. A word first used at the western Digitation (di-jit-a'shon), n. In anat, a

lead-mines in the United States, to denote division into finger-like processes. Hunger's my cook; my labour brings me meat, Which best digests when it is sauced with sweat.

places where the ore was dug. It is now , Digitiform (di'jit-i-form), a. Formed like Brome, employed almost exclusively to denote the fingers; as, a digitiforin leaf, root, &c.

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DIGITIGRADA

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Digitigrada (di'jit-i-grā-da), n. (L. digitus, 2. Elevation; honourable place or rank of Digyn (di'jin), n. [Gr. prefix di for dis,

a finger or toe, and gradior, to walk. ] The elevation; degree of excellence, either in twice, and gynē, a female.) A plant having
second tribe, in Cuvier's arrangement, of estimation or in the order of nature; as, two pistils.
Carnivora, including those animals which man is superior in dignity to brutes.-3. Ele Digynia (di-ji'ni-a), n. pl. The name given

vation of aspect; grandeur of mien; as, a by Linnæus, in his artificial system, to such
man of native dignity. Dignity of attitude.' plants as have two styles, or a single style
Dr. Caird.-4. Elevation of deportment; as, deeply cleft into two parts.
dignity of manners or behaviour.

Digynian, Digynous (di-ji'ni-an, di'jin-us),
Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,

a. Having two pistils.
In every gesture, dignity and love. Milton. Dihedral (di-he'dral), a. (Gr. prefix di for
7
5. Height; importance; rank.

dis, twice, and hedra, a seat or face.) Having

two sides, as a figure; having two plane faces,
Some habits well pursued betines

H. More.
May reach the dignity of crimes.

as a crystal.- Dihedral angle, the mutual

inclination of two intersecting planes, or the 6. An elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical,

angular space included between them. f

giving a high rank in society; advancement; Dihedron (di-hë'dron), n. A figure with two

preferment, or the rank attached to it. sides or surfaces. Digitigrada.-Hind-leg of Lion.

While dignity sinks with its own weight, the scum Dihexahedral (di-heks'a-hë"dral), a. (Gr. a, Femur or thigh, , Tibia or leg. c, Tarsus or

of mankind will na:urally rise above it. Swif?. prefix di, and E. hexahedral.) In crystal. foot d, Calx or heel.

e, Planta or sole of foot. 7. The rank or title of a nobleman.-8. One having the form of a hexahedral or six-sided 1, Digits or toes. who holds high rank; a dignitary.

prism with trihedral summits. walk on the toes only, such as the lion, tiger, These filthy dreamers ... speak evil of dignities. Diiamb, Diiambus (diți-amb, di-i-am'bus),

n. In pros. a double iambus, a foot consistcat, weasel, civet, hyena, &c.: distinguished

9. In rhet. one of the three parts of elocufrom Plantigrada or bears, which walk on

ing of two iambuses.

tion, consisting in the right use of tropes and Dijudicant (di-jū'di-kant), n. One who dithe broad palm of the foot. Digitigrade (di'jit-i-grād), n. An animal

figures. --- 10. In astrol, an advantage which judicates, determines, or decides. that walks or steps on his toes or digits, as

a planet is supposed to have on account of Dijudicate (di-jū’di-kāt), v.i pret. & pp. dithe lion, wolf, &c.

its being in some particular place of the judicated; ppr. dijudicating. (L. dijudico, Digitigrade (di'jit-i-grād), a. Walking on

zodiac, or in a particular station in respect dijudicatum, to judge between, to decide

to other planets.-11. A general maxim or by arms-prefix di for dis, intens., and judico, the toes. See the noun

principle. Digitorium (di-jit-o'ri-um), n. A small port

* The sciences concluding from to judge. ] To judge, determine, or decide. able dumb instrument used for giving

dignities, and principles known by them- The Church of Rome, when she commends unto
selves.” Sir T. Browne.

us the authority of the Church in dijudicating of strength and flexibility to the fingers for

Scriptures, seems only to speak of herself. Hales. piano playing. It is shaped like a diminu: Dignotiont (dig-nö'shon), n. [L. dignosco, tive piano, and has a key-board with five

dignotum, to distinguish-di for dis, and Dijudication (di-jū'di-kā"shon), n. Judicial keys resting on strong metal springs. Called

(gnosco) nosco, to get a knowledge of.] Dis- distinction. Glanville. also Dumb Piano. tinguishing mark; distinction.

Dikamali, Dikamalli (dik-a-mal'i), n. The

native name of a fragrant resinous gum Digitule (di'jit-ul), n. [Dim. from L. digitus.] Digonous (dī'go-nus) a. (Gr. prefix di for 1. A little finger or toe. Specifically-2. Any

dis, twice, and gònia, an angle. ] In bot. hav- which exudes from the ends of young shoots thing resembling a little finger or toe, as one ing two angles; as, a digonous stem.

of Gardenia lucida, an Indian tree. It pos

sesses a powerful fragrance, and is used in of the hairs on the tarsus of the mealy

bug. Di grado (de gra'do). [It., step by step.)

In music, moving by conjunct degrees. hospitals to keep away flies, as well as to Digitus (di'jit-us), n. [L.] In anat. a finger Digram, Digraph (di'gram, di'graf), n. [Gr.

dress wounds and open sores. or toe. Digladiate (di-glā'di-āt), v. t. [L. digladior,

prefix di for dis, twice, and grapho, to write.) Dike, Dyke (dik), n. [A. Sax. dic, D. dijk,

A union of two vowels or of two consonants, Dan. dige, all signifying a bank of earth and digladiatus, to fight for life or death-di for representing a single sound of the voice, as

a ditch dis, and gladius, a sword.] To fence; to

As the ditch is excavated and the quarrel (Rare.) ea in head, ih in path. All improper diph

bank formed by the same operation, it is Digladiation (di-glā'di-a"shon), n.

easy to understand how they are confounded
A com-

thongs, or as I have called them, digraphs.
Sheridan.

under one name. Ditch is a softened form of bat with swords; a quarrel. 'Avoid all di

this; hence also dig.] 1. A channel for water gladiations.' B. Jonson. [Rare.)

Digress (di-gres'), v.i. [L. digredior, digres

sus, to step apart or asunder-prefix di made by digging; a ditch. Diglyph (di'glif), n. [Gr. diglyphos, doubly

'Little channels indented-prefix di, and glypho, to carve. ]

twice, and gradior, to step. See GRADE.) or dikes.' Ray. Adown the crystal dykes In arch. a projecting face with two panels or

1. To step or go from the way or road; to at Camelot.' Tennyson. – 2. A mound of channels sunk in it.

go out of the right way or common track: earth, of stones, or of other materials, inDigne, t a. (Fr.) Worthy; proud; disdainin a literal sense.

tended to prevent low lands from being ful Charcer.

Moreover she beginneth to digresse in latitude,

inundated by the sea or a river; as, the low

and to diminish her motion from the morne rising. countries of Holland are defended by dikes. Dignification (dig'ni-fi-kā"shon), n. [See

Holland. 3. In geol. a vein of basalt, greenstone, or DIGNIFY.] The act of dignifying; exaltation;

2. To turn aside from the right path; to other igneous rock which has been intruded promotion. I. Walton. [Rare.) transgress; to offend.

in a melted state into rents or fissures of Dignified (dig'ni-fid), p. and a. [See DIG

Thy abundant goodness shall excuse

rocks. When a mass of the unstratified or NIFY.) 1. Exalted; honoured; invested with

This deadly blot on thy digressing son. Shak. igneous rocks, such as granite, trap, and dignity; as, the dignified clergy.

3. To depart or wander from the main subAbbots are styled dignified clerks, as having some

Fig. 1. dignity in the church.

ject, design, or tenor of a discourse, argu

Aylife. 2. Marked with dignity; noble; as, dignified

ment, or narration: used only of speaking

or writing conduct or manner.

In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room To the great astonishment of the Jews, the manners

to digress into a particular definition, as often as a of Jesus are familiar, yet dignified. Buckminster. man varies the signification of any term. Locke. 3. Stately in deportment. -SYN. Exalted,

Let the student of our history digress into whatever

other fields he will. elevated, honoured, noble, august, stately, Digressť (di-gres), n.

7. Stephens. lofty.

A digression. "A Dignify (dig'ni-fi), v.t. pret. & pp. dignified;

digress from my history.' Fuller. ppr. dignifying."[Fr. dignifer-L. dignus, Digression (di-gre'shon), n. [L. digressio,

6 worthy, and fier, a degraded form of L. ficere,

a stepping aside, from digredior, digressus. the form assumed in composition by facere,

See DIGRESS.] 1. The act of digressing; a lava, appears as if injected into a great rent to make.] 1. To invest with honour or dig.

departure from the main subject under con- in the stratified rocks, cutting across the nity; to exalt in rank; to promote; to ele

sideration; an excursion of speech or writ- strata, it forms a dike. The illustrations vate to a high office.-2. To honour; to make ing.

show lava dikes in the Val del Bove, on the illustrious; to distinguish by some excel

And there began a lang digression about the lords

slopes of Mount Etna. In fig. la a are hori

Burns. lence, or that which gives celebrity. o the creation.

zontal strata, b c dikes of lava forced through Your worth will dignify our feast.

the strata; b b are of equal breadth throughB. Fonson

2. The part or passage of a discourse, ar$ex. To exalt, elevate, prefer, advance, gument, or narration, which deviates from

Fig. 2. the main subject, tenor, or design, but honour, adorn, ennoble.

which may have some relation to it, or be Dignitary (digʻni-ta-ri), n. One who holds

of use to it.-3. Deviation from a regular an exalted rank or office; especially an

course. "The digression of the sun is not ecclesiastic who holds a dignity or a benefice

equal.' Sir T. Browne. (Rare.) Hencewhich gives him some pre-eminence over

4. Deviation from the path of virtue; transmere priests and canons, as a bishop, dean, archdeacon, prebendary, &c.

gression. Dignity (dig'ni-ti), n. (L. dignitas, worthi

Then my digression is so vile and base,

That it will live engraven in my face. Shak. ness, from dimur, worthy. From IndoEur. root dik, to point out, seen in L. dico,

5. In astron. the apparent distance of the to say; Gr. deiknumi, to bring to light, to

inferior planets Mercury and Venus from show.) 1. True honour; nobleness or eleva

the sun; elongation. tion of mind, consisting in a high sense of Digressional (di-gre'shon-al), a. Pertaining propriety, truth, and justice, with an abhor

to or consisting in digression; departing rence of mean and sinful actions: opposed

from the main purpose or subject. to meanness. In this sense we speak of the Digressive (di-gres'iv), a. Departing from dignity of mind and dignity of sentiments.

the main subject; partaking of the nature

of digression. Digressive sallies of imaginTrue dignity abides with her alone

ation.' Johnson.
Who, in the silent hour of inward thought,
Can still respect, can still revere herself

Digressively (di-gres'iv-li), adv. By way of out their entire length, and cc decrease up-
In lowliness of heart.
Wordsworth. digression.

wards. In fig. 2 the horizontal strata are

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DIKE

33

DILLING

afore you.

The qua

shown worn away by the action of the wea- *So dilate and absolute a power.' B. Jon- fulness, diligence, from diligo, to love earther, and the vertical veins of lava dd 8on.

nestly-di for dis, intens., and lego, to (marked cb in fig. 1), being harder, have Dilater (di-lāt'ér), n. One who enlarges; choose.) 1. Steady application in business resisted its effects, and consequently remain that which expands.

of any kind; constant effort to accomplish projecting in the form of walls or dikes. Dilation (di-la'shon), n. Delay.

what is undertaken; exertion of body or Dike (dik), v.t. pret. & pp. diked; ppr. diking. What construction canst thou make of our wilful mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; 1. To surround with a dike; to secure by a dilations but stubborn contempt? Bp. Hall. due attention; industry; assiduity. bank-2. To drain by one or more dikes or Dilation (di-la'shon), n. (See DILATE.) The If your diligence be not speedy, I shall be there ditehes. act of dilating; expansion; dilatation.

Shak. Diket (dik), v.i. To dig; to work as a diker

At first her eye with slow dilation roll'd

2. Care; heed; heedfulness. or ditcher.

Dry flame, she listening.

Tennyson.

Keep thy heart with all diligence. Prov. iv. 23. It were better dike and delve,

Dilative (di-låt'iv), a. Tending to dilate; And stand upon the right faith,

3. In Scots law, (a) the nature and extent of causing dilation. "Coleridge. Than know all that the Bible saith,

the attention incumbent on the parties to a And erre as some clerkes do. Gower.

Dilator (di-lát'ér), n. One who or that which contract with regard to the care of the subDilacerate (di-la'sėr-át), v.t. (L. dilacero, Dilatorily (di'la-to-ri-li), adv. In a dilatory widens or expands; a muscle that dilates.

ject matter of the contract. (6) The warto tear in pieces--prefix di for dis, asunder,

rant issued by a court for enforcing the manner; with delay; tardily. and lacero, to tear.) To tear; to rend asun

attendance of witnesses or the production Dilatoriness (di'la-to-ri-nes), n. der; to separate by force; to lacerate. Sir

of writings. (c) The process of law by which lity of being dilatory or late; lateness; slowT. Browne.

person, lands, or effects are attached on Dilaceration (di-la'sér-ā"shon), n. The act

ness in motion; delay in proceeding; tardi- execution, or in security for debt. Dili

ness. of rending asunder; a tearing or rending;

gence, Industry, Constancy. Diligence,

These lamented their dilatoriness and imperfecLaceration

earnest application to employment in which tion, or trembled at the reaction of his bigotry Dilaniate (di-la'ni-āt), v.t. (L. dilanio, to

Hallam. against themselves.

one is interested; industry, the habit of tear to pieces-prefix di for dis, asunder, Dilatory (di'la-to-ri), a. (Fr, dilatoire; L.L.

being constantly employed; diligence refers and lanio, to rend in pieces.) To tear; to

to one's present occupation, and does not dilatorius, from L. differo, dilatum. See DErend in pieces; to mangle. [Rare.) LAY.] 1. Marked with procrastination or

imply a habit; constancy denotes the power Dilaniation (di-lä'ni-a"shon), n. A tearing

to hold on in any particular course-steadidelay; slow; late; tardy: applied to things; in pieces. (Rare. ]

ness of purpose. as, dilatory measures. This dilatory sloth. Dilapidate (di-la'pi-dāt), v. i. pret. & pp. di

Diligence and accuracy are the only merits which Shak. -2. Intended to bring about delay, or

an historical writer may ascribe to himself. Gibbon. lapúlated; ppr. dilapidating. [L. dilapido, to gain time and defer decision. "His dila

Industry pays debts, but despair increases them. dilapidatum. to demolish (any structure of tory policy.' Motley.-3. Given to procras

Franklin. stones)-prefix di for dis, asunder, and latination; not proceeding with diligence;

True constancy no time, no power can move. Gray. pido, to throw stones, from lapis, lapidis, a making delay; slow; late: applied to persons; SYN. Attention, application, industry, assistone.) To fall into partial ruin; to fall by

as, a dilatory messenger; a man is dilatory duity, constancy, assiduousness, perseverdecay.

when he delays attendance, or performance ance, persistence, heed, heedfulness, care, Dilapidate (di-la'pi-dát), v.t. 1.

To pull

of business beyond the proper time.-- Dila- caution. down; to waste or destroy; to suffer to go

tory plea, in law, a plea designed or tending Diligence (de-le-zhäns), n. (Fr.) A kind of to ruin by misuse or neglect. to delay the trial of a cause. - Dilatory de

four-wheeled stage-coach. If the bishop. parson, or vicar, &c., dilapidates the jence, in Scots law, a plea offered by a de Diligencyt (di'li-jen-si), n. Diligence. Milbuildings, or culs down the timber of the patriniony

fender for breaking down the conclusions of ton. of the church

Blackstone.

the action without entering into the merits Diligent (di'li-jent), a. (L. diligens, dili2. To waste; to squander.

of the cause; and the effect of which, if sus- gentis, careful, diligent. See DILIGENCE.) Was her moderation seen in dilapidating the tained, is to absolve from the lis pendens 1. Steady in application to business; constant revenues of the church.

Bishop Hurd.

without necessarily cutting off the pursuer's in effort or exertion to accomplish what is Dilapidated (di-la'pi-dat-ed), p. and a. grounds of action. -SYN. Slow, tardy, slug- undertaken; assiduous; attentive; industri. Wasted; ruined; pulled down; suffered to gish, inactive, loitering, behindhand, back- ous; not idle or negligent. 'Diligent cultigo to ruin. 'A deserted and dilapidated ward, procrastinating.

vation of elegant literature.' Prescott. building.' Cooper.

Dilectiont (di-lek'shon), n. (L. dilectio, Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall Dilapidation (di-la'pi-dā"shon), n. 1. Ec

from diligo, dilectum. See DILIGENCE.) A

stand before kings.

Prov. xxii. 29. cles a wasting or suffering to go to decay loving; preference; choice.

2. Steadily applied; prosecuted with care any building or other property in possession

So free is Christ's dilection, that the grand condi- and constant effort; careful; assiduous; as, of an incumbent. Dilapidation is voluntary tion of our felicity is our belief.

Boyle. make diligent search. or active when an incumbent pulls down a

Dilemma (di-lem'ma), n. [Gr. dilēmma, a building; permissive or passive when he suf

The judges shall make diligent inquisition. dilemma--prefix di for dis, twice, and lem

Deut. xix. 18. fers it to decay and neglects to repair it. Dilapidation extends to the waste or de

ma, an assumption, from lambano, to take.] SYN. Active, assiduous, sedulous, laborious,

1. In logic, an argument in which the ad persevering, attentive, industrious, indefatistruction of wood and other property of the

versary is caught between two difficulties, gable, unremitting, untiring, careful. church.-2. Destruction; demolition; decay; by having two alternatives presented to him, Diligently (di'li-jent-li), adv. With steady ruin.

each of which is equally conclusive against application and care; with industry or assiBy keeping a strict account of incomes and expen- him. A young rhetorician said to an old duity; not carelessly; not negligently. ditures, a man might easily preserve an estate from duiapıdation.

Goodman.

sophist, 'Instruct me in pleading, and I will Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the

pay you when I gain a cause.' The master Lord your God. 3. Peculation. (Rare.)

Deut. vi. 17. sued for the reward, and the scholar en- Dill (dil), n. [A. Sax, dil, Sw. dill, G. dill, dill. Dilapidator (di-la'pi-dát-ér), n. One who

deavoured to elude the claim by a dilemma. Probably from its soothing qualities in dillcauses dilapidation.

'If I gain my cause I shall withhold your ing or dulling pain. Comp. Icel. dilla, to Dilata bility (di-lät'a-bil"i-ti), n.

pay, because the award of the judge will be lull a child to sleep.) An umbelliferous lity of being dilatable, or of admitting ex

against you. If I lose it I may withhold it, plant, Anethum graveolens, a native of the pansion by the elastic force of the body

because I shall not yet have gained a cause.' southern countries of Europe, the fruits, itself, or of another elastic substance acting

The master replied, If you gain your cause commonly but erroneously called seeds, of upon it: opposed to contractibility.

you must pay me, because you are to pay me which are moderately warming, pungent, Dilatable (di-lát'a-bl), a. Capable of expan

when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you and aromatic. It is cultivated as a pot or sion; possessing elasticity; elastic: opposed

must pay me, because the judge will award sweet herb in gardens, and employed medito contractible; as, a bladder is dilatable by

it.'-2. A difficult or doubtful choice; a cinally as a carminative. In appearance it the force of air; air is dilatable by heat.

state of things in which evils or obstacles resembles the fennel. Dill-seeds yield dillDilatation (di-lāt-a'shon), n. The act of

present themselves on every side, and it is water, and an essential oil, when distilled expanding; expansion; a spreading or ex- difficult to determine what course to pursue. with water. Dill-water is used as a remedy tending in all directions; the state of being expanded or distended; distention: opposed

A strong dilemma in a desperate case

in flatulency and gripes of children.

To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift. Dill (dil), v.t. (A form of to dull.) To soothe; to contraction. Dilate (di-lat), v. t. pret. & pp. dilated; ppr. -Horns of a dilemma, the conditions or

to still; to calm. [Scotch and Northern

English. ) ddating. (L. dilato, to make wider, to ex

alternatives presented to an antagonist, by Dillen (dil'en), v.t. In mining, to dress in tend, to amplify-di for dis, asunder, and

accepting either of which he is, as it were, latus, broad) i. To expand; to distend; to impaled; a difficulty of such a nature that,

sieves, as tin. enlarge or extend in all directions: opposed whatever way you turn, you are confronted

Dillenia (dil-lē'ni-a), n. [From Dillenius, a to contract; as, air dilates the lungs; air is by unpleasant consequences.

professor of botany at Oxford.] A genus of dilated by rarefaction. Dilettant, Dilettante (di-le-tant', di-le

plants, nat. order Dilleniacere, consisting of Satan alarmed, tan'tă), n. pl. Dilettanti (di-le-tan'tē). [It.

lofty forest trees, natives of tropical Asia. Collecting all his might, dilated stood, dilettante, properly the ppr. of dilettare, to

They have large leaves and showy white or Like Teneriff or Atlas, unremoved. Milton. take delight in, from L. delectare, to delight.

yellow flowers. The poon spars used in In2+ To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to See DELIGHT.) An admirer or lover of the

dian shipping are obtained from D. pentatell copiously or diffusely. fine arts; an amateur; one who pursues an

gyna. The fruit of D. speciosa is edible, but That I would all my pilgrimage dilate.

very acid.
Shak.
art desultorily and for amusement: some-

A times applied contemptuously to one who Dilleniacea (dil-lē'ni-ā"se-ė), n. pl. Sex. To expand, swell, distend, enlarge, affects a taste for, or a degree of acquain

natural order of plants belonging to polyspread out, amplify. tance with or skill in, art, which he does

petalous, albuminous exogens, nearly reDilate (di-lát'), 0.i. 1. To widen; to expand; not possess

lated to the Ranunculaceæ, from which it to swell or extend in all directions. Dilettantism (di-le-tant'izm), n.

differs in having a persistent calyx and His heart dilates and glories in his strength. lity characteristic of a dilettante; specifi

arillate seeds. Seventeen genera and about Addison, cally, in a disparaging sense, desultory or

200 species are included in the order. They 2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell affected pursuit of art, science, or literature.

are trees or shrubs, with alternate leaves, in narration; to descant: with on or upon.

found in the warmer regions of both hemi

Dilettantism, hypothesis, speculation, a kind of But still they on their ancient joys dilate.

amateur search for truth; this is the sorest sin, spheres. Crable.

Carlyle. Dilling + (dil'ing), n. A darling; a favourite. Dilate (di-lát), a. Expanded; expansive. Diligence (dili-jens), n. [L. diligentia, care- * The dilling of her mother.' Drayton.

The qua

The qua

8, go;

eh, chain; ch, Sc. loch;

j, job; 8, Fr. ton;

ng, sing;

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DILLY

34

DIMINISHED

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Whilst the birds billing,

sand, gravel, pebbles, &c., caused by cur- Dimerosomata (di'me-ro-so'ma-ta), n. pl. Each one with his dilling. Drayton. rents of water.

[Gr. di for dis, twice, meros, part, and soma, Dilly (dil'li), n. A kind of stage-coach; a Dim (dim), a. [A. Sax. dim, dark, obscure. body.) An order of Arachnida, comprising corruption of diligence.

Cog. o. Fries. dim, Icel. dimmr, dim. dimma, the true spiders, so called from the marked So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourn, glides to grow dim: Lith. tamsa, darkness; Rus. division of the body into two regions, the The Derby dilly, carrying six insides.

temnyi, dark; Skr. tamas, darkness.] 1. Not cephalothorax and abdomen. The name

F. H. Frere.
Dilly-dally (dil'li-dal-li), v.i. [See DALLY.]

seeing clearly; having the vision obscured Araneides is usually employed for the order.
and indistinct.

Dimerous (di'me-rus), a. (Gr. di for dis,
To loiter; to delay; to trifle. (Colloq.]
Dilogy (di'lo-ji), n. [Gr. di for dis, twice, and

My heart is breaking and my eyes are dim. twice, and meros, part. ] Having its parts in

Tennyson. logos, discourse. ] In rhetoric, a figure in 2. Not clearly seen; obscure; imperfectly

pairs; composed of two unrelated pieces or

parts. which a word is used in an equivocal sense; seen or discovered; faint; vague; as, a dim Dimeter (di'me-tér), a. (L., from Gr. dia speech or expression which may have two prospect; a dim recollection.

metros-di for dis, twice, and metron, a different meanings.

The intellectual power, through words and things, measure.) Having twò poetical measures. Dilucid + (di-lü’sid), a. [L. dilucidus, from

Went sounding on, a dim and perilous way. Dimeter (di'me-těr), n. A verse of two diluceo, to shine out—di for dis, distrib.,

Wordsworth.

measures. and luceo, to shine. See LUCID] Clear. Dim with the mist of years, gray flits the shade Dilucid description.' Bacon.

of power.

Byron.

Dimetric (di-met'rik), a. [Gr. di for dis, Dilucidatet (di-lū'sid-át), v.t. To make 3. Somewhat dark; dusky; not luminous;

twice, and metron, measure.] In crystal, a clear; to elucidate. as, a dim shade.

term applied to crystals whose vertical axis

is unequal to the lateral, as the square Dilucidating it with all the light which ... the

And storied windows richly dight profoundest knowledge of the sciences had empow.

Casting a dim religious light.

prism and square octahedron.

Milton. ered him to cast upon it. Sterne.

Dimication f (di-mi-kā'shon), n. [L. dimica4. Dull of apprehension; having obscure

tio, a fight, from dimico, dimicatum, to Dilucidationt (di-lü'sid-ā"shon), n. The act conceptions. The understanding is dim.' of making clear.

brandish one's weapons against the enemy, Rogers.-5. Having its lustre obscured; sulDilucidityt (di-lü-sid'i-ti), n. The quality

to fight-di for dis, and mico, to move lied; tarnished. of being dilucid or clear.

quickly in a vibrating manner.) A battle or

How is the gold become dim! Lam. iv. 1. Dilucidiyt (di-lū’sid-li), adv. Clearly. Dilu

fight; contest. "Unbrotherly dimications.' cidly and fully.' Hammond.

SYN. Obscure, dusky, dark, mysterious, in- Bp. Hall. Diluendo (di-lūen'do). In music, a mark

distinct, ill-defined,' indefinite, imperfect, Dimidiate (di-mi'di-āt), v.t. pret. & pp. diindicating a reduction of the sound. dull, sullied, tarnished.

midiated; ppr. dimidiating. [L. dimidio,

dimidiatum, to divide into halves, from Diluent (di'lū-ent), a. [L. diluens, diluentis, Dim (dim), v.t. pret. & pp. dimmed; ppr. ppr. of diluo, to wash off, to temper, to weak

dimming. To render dim; to render less dimidium, the half-di for dis, asunder, en. See DILUTE.] Making liquid or more

bright; to render less clear or distinct; to and medius, the middle.] 1. To divide into fluid; making thin; attenuating; weakenbecloud; to obscure; to tarnish or sully; to

two equal parts. -2. In her. to ing the strength of by mixture with water. becloud the understanding of; to render

represent the half of. Diluent (dilů-ent), n. 1. That which thins dull the mental powers of; as, to dim the

Dimidiate (di-mi'di-āt), a. 1. Dior attenuates; that which makes more eye; to dim the vision; to dim the pro

vided into two equal parts; spect; to dim gold.

halved. -2. In bot applied to liquid; that which weakens the strength of, as water, which mixed with wine or spirit Each passion dimmed his face. Milton.

an organ when half of it is so reduces the strength of it. -2. In med. a

The eyes that shone,

much smaller than the other substance which increases the proportion

Now dimm'd and gone,

as to appear to be missing; as, The cheerful hearts now broken. Moore.

a dimidiate leaf; also, split into of fluid in the blood. Diluents consist of water and watery liquors. Now set the sun and twilight dimm'd the ways.

two on one side, as the calypDilute (di-lūt), v.t. pret, & pp. diluted; ppr. Dimblet (dim'bl), n. (Probably another form

Cowper.

tra of some mosses. — 3. In zool.

having the organs of one side diluting. [L. diluo, dilutus-prefix di for of or connected with dimple, and signifying

of different functions from the dis, and luo, to wash. See DELUGE.] 1. To render liquid or more liquid; to make thin originally a hollow or cavity.) A bower; a

corresponding organs on the cell or retreat; a dingle.

Dimidiate Ca. other, as where those on one or more fluid: thus syrup or molasses is

lyptra. made thin or more liquid by an admixture Within a bushy dimble she doth dwell. B. Fonson.

side are male, and on the other

female. with water, and the water is said to dilute Dime (dim), n. [Fr., 0. Fr. disme; Pr. desme,

Insects, like crustaceans, are occasionally subject it. Hence-2. To weaken, as spirit or an deime; It decima, from L. decimus, the to one-sided, or dimidiate hermaphroditism. Owen. acid, by an admixture of water, which ren- tenth, from decem, ten.) A silver coin of the Dimidiation (di-mi'di-ā"shon), n. 1. The act ders the spirit or acid less concentrated. — United States of the value of ten cents; the 3. To make weak or weaker, as colour, by tenth of a dollar, or about 5d.

of halving; division into equal parts.-2. In mixture; to reduce the strength or standard Dimension (di-men'shon), n. [L. dimensio,

her. an obsolete variety of impalement

(which see) from dimetior, to measure—di for dis, and Diminish (di-min'ish), v.t. [0.Fr. demenThe chamber was dark, lest these colours should metior, to mete. See METE and MEASURE.] be diluted and weakened by the mixture of any ad

uiser; Fr. diminuer, from L diminuo, to 1. Extension in a single line or direction, as ventitious light. Sir I. Newton.

lessen -di for dis, asunder, and minuere, to length, breadth, and thickness or depth; Dilute (di-lūt'), v.i. To become attenuated

lessen Root min, in minor, less.] 1. To as, a line has one dimension or length; a or thin; as, it dilutes easily. superficies has two dimensions length and

lessen; to make less or smaller, by any Dilute (di-lūt'), a Thin; attenuated; rebreadth; and a solid has three dimensions,

means: opposed to increase and augment; duced in strength, as spirit or colour; paltry;

as, to diminish the size of a thing by conlength, breadth, and thickness or depth. poor.

traction, or by cutting off a part; to diminish The word is generally used in the plural, They had but dilute ideas of God's nature, and

a number by subtraction; to diminish the scant discoveries of his will.

Barrow.

and denotes the whole space occupied by a
body, or its capacity, size, measure; as, the

revenue by limiting commerce or reducing Dilutedly (di-lūt'ed-li), adv. In a diluted

the customs; to diminish strength or safety; dimensions of a room, or of a ship; the diform. mensions of a farm, of a kingdom, &c.

to diminish the heat of a room. —2. To lessen; Dilutedness (di-lūt'ed-nes), n. The state or

to impair; to degrade; to abase. quality of being diluted.

These as a line their long dimension drew,

I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule

Milton. Diluteness (di-lūt'nes), n. Dilutedness; Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses,

over the nations.

Ezek. xxix. 15. thinness. Wilkins.

affections, passions.

Shak. 3. To take away; to subtract: with from, Diluter (di-lūt'ér), n. He who or that which 2. Outline; shape. “In dimension, and the

and applied to the object removed.
dilutes.
Dilution (di-lū'shon), n. The act of making

shape of nature, a gracious person.' Shak. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command
3. Fig. bulk; consequence; importance; as,

you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.
thin, weak, or more liquid. Opposite to
the question is assuming great dimensions.

Deut. iv. 2. dilution is coagulation or thickening.' Ar4. In alg. a term used in the same sense as

Nothing was diminished from the safety of the buthnot.

king by the imprisonment of the duke. degree. Thus, in a simple equation, the Diluvial, Diluvian (di-lu'vi-al, di-lū'vi-an),

Sir 7. Hayward unknown quantity is of one dimension or a. (L. diluvium, a deluge, from diluo. See D1

4. In music, to lessen by a semitone, as an degree; in a quadratic equation it is of two LUTE, v.t.] 1. Pertaining to a flood or deluge,

interval. -SYN. To lessen, decrease, abate, dimensions; in a cubic equation it is of more especially to the deluge in Noah's days.

reduce, impair. three dimensions, and so on. 2. Effected or produced by a flood, or any

an equation is said to be of as many

dimen. Diminish (di-min'ish), v.i. To lessen; to beextraordinary rush of water; as, diluvial

come or appear less or smaller; as, the apsions as there are units in the index of the beds.-Diluvial formation, in geol. the name

parent size of an object diminishes as we given to the superficial deposits of gravel, Dimensioni (di-men'shon), v.i. To suit or

highest power of the unknown quantity. recede from it. clay, sand, &c., conveyed to their present proportion as to size; to make agree in mea

What judgment I had increases rather than dimit

ishes. sites by any unusual or extraordinary rush

Dryden. sure. of water. Diluvial action may result from Dimensioned (di-men'shond), a. Having

- Decrease, Diminish. See under DECREASE. heavy rains, melting of snow, submarine dimensions. [Rare except in composition.]

SYN. To lessen, decrease, dwindle, contract, earthquakes, &c. The term is now rarely Dimensity (di-men'si-ti), n. Dimension; ex- Diminishable (di-min'ish-a-bl), a. Capable

shrink, subside, abate. used by geologists, the deposits grouped

tent; capacity. under it being assigned to the post-pliocene

of being reduced in size or quality.

Of the smallest stars in sky period. See POST-PLIOCENE.

We know not the dimensity.

Diminished (di-min'isht), p. and a. Less

Howell. Diluvialist (di-lử' vi-al-ist), n. One who

ened; made smaller; reduced in size; conexplains geological phenomena by the Noa- Dimensivet

(di-mens'iv), a. That marks the

tracted; degraded. boundaries or outlines. chian deluge.

In whose sight all the stars Diluvian, a. See DILUVIAL.

Who can draw the soul's dimensive lines? Davies. Hide their diminished heads. Milton. Diluviatet (di-lü'vi-āt), v.i. To run as a Dimera (di' me-ra), n. pl. [Gr. di for dis, - Diminished arch, an arch less than a semiflood.

twice, and meros, a part.] A section of ho- circle.- Diminished bar, in joinery, the bar Diluvion (di-lū'vi-on), n. Same as Diluvium. mopterous insects, in which the tarsi are of a sash which is thinnest on its inner edge. Diluvium (di-lü'vi-um), n. [L. See DELUGE.] two-jointed, as in the aphides.

- Diminished interval, in music, an interval 1. A deluge or

inundation; an overflowing. Dimeran (di'me-ran), n. An individual of made less than minor, thus G sharp to F 2. In geol. a deposit of superficial loam, the section of insects Dimera.

natural is a diminished seventh, G to F

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