DI -abbr

  1. drill instructor

di- -comb form

  1. twice : twofold : double
    • di chromatic
  2. containing two atoms, radicals, or groups
    • di oxide

dia -abbr

  1. diameter

DIA -abbr

  1. Defense Intelligence Agency

dia- -prefix

  1. through
    • dia positive
    : across
    • dia dromous

di·a·base ['dī-ə-,bās] -n, adj

  1. diorite
  2. an altered basalt
  3. a fine-grained rock of the composition of gabbro but with an ophitic texture

di·a·be·tes [,dī-ə-'bē-tēz, -'bē-təs] -n

  1. any of various abnormal conditions characterized by the secretion and excretion of excessive amounts of urine
  2. diabetes mellitus

diabetes in·sip·i·dus [-in-'si-pə-dəs] -n

  1. a disorder of the pituitary gland characterized by intense thirst and by the excretion of large amounts of urine

diabetes mel·li·tus [-'me-lə-təs] -n

  1. a variable disorder of carbohydrate metabolism caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors and usu. characterized by inadequate secretion or utilization of insulin, by excessive urine production, by excessive amounts of sugar in the blood and urine, and by thirst, hunger, and loss of weight

di·a·bet·ic [,dī-ə-'be-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to diabetes or diabetics
  2. affected with diabetes
  3. occurring in or caused by diabetes
    • diabetic coma
  4. suitable for diabetics
    • diabetic food

diabetic -n

  1. a person affected with diabetes

di·a·be·to·gen·ic [,dī-ə-,be-tə-'je-nik, -,bē-] -adj

  1. producing diabetes

di·a·be·tol·og·ist [,dī-ə-(,)be-'tä-lə-jist, -,bē-] -n

  1. a specialist in diabetes

di·a·ble·rie [dē-'ä-blə-(,)rē, -'a-blə-] -n

  1. black magic : sorcery
  2. a representation in words or pictures of black magic or of dealings with the devil
  3. demon lore
  4. mischievous conduct or manner

di·a·bol·i·cal [,dī-ə-'bä-li-kəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the devil : devilish
    • a diabolical plot

di·ab·o·lism [dī-'a-bə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. dealings with or possession by the devil
  2. belief in or worship of devils
  3. evil character or conduct

di·ab·o·lize [-,līz] -vt

  1. to represent as or make diabolical

dia·chron·ic [,dī-ə-'krä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or dealing with phenomena (as of language or culture) as they occur or change over a period of time

di·ach·ro·ny [dī-'a-krə-nē] -n

  1. diachronic analysis
  2. change extending through time

di·ac·id [(,)dī-'a-səd] -adj

  1. able to react with two molecules of a monobasic acid or one of a dibasic acid to form a salt or ester used esp. of bases

diacid -n

  1. an acid with two acid hydrogen atoms

di·ac·o·nal [dī-'a-kə-nᵊl, dē-] -adj

  1. of or relating to a deacon or deaconess

di·ac·o·nate [-'a-kə-nət, -,nāt] -n

  1. the office or period of office of a deacon or deaconess
  2. an official body of deacons

di·a·crit·ic [,dī-ə-'kri-tik] -n

  1. a mark near or through an orthographic or phonetic character or combination of characters indicating a phonetic value different from that given the unmarked or otherwise marked element

di·a·crit·i·cal [,dī-ə-'kri-ti-kəl] -adj

  1. serving as a diacritic
  2. distinctive
    • the diacritical elements in culture -- S. F. Nadel
  3. capable of distinguishing
    • students of superior diacritical powers

di·adel·phous [,dī-ə-'del-fəs] -adj

  1. united by filaments into two fascicles used of stamens

di·a·dem ['dī-ə-,dem, -dəm] -n

  1. crown
  2. a royal headband
  3. crown
  4. something that adorns like a crown

di·ad·ro·mous [dī-'a-drə-məs] -adj

  1. migratory between salt and fresh waters

di·aer·e·sis [dī-'er-ə-səs, Brit also -'ir-] -n, adj

  1. a mark placed over a vowel to indicate that the vowel is pronounced in a separate syllable (as in naiveor Bronte)
  2. the break in a verse caused by the coincidence of the end of a foot with the end of a word

diag -abbr

  1. diagonal
  2. diagram

dia·gen·e·sis [,dī-ə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj, adv

  1. recombination or rearrangement of constituents (as of a chemical or mineral) resulting in a new product
  2. the conversion (as by compaction or chemical reaction) of sediment into rock

dia·geo·tro·pic [,dī-ə-,jē-ə-'trō-pik, -'trä-pik] -adj

  1. tending to grow at right angles to the line of gravity
    • diageotropic branches and roots

di·ag·nose ['dī-ig-,nōs, -,nōz, ,dī-ig-', -əg-] -vb, adj

  1. to recognize (as a disease) by signs and symptoms
  2. to diagnose a disease or condition in
    • diagnosed the patient
  3. to analyze the cause or nature of
    • diagnose the problem
  4. to make a diagnosis

di·ag·no·sis [,dī-ig-'nō-səs, -əg-] -n

  1. the art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms
  2. the decision reached by diagnosis
  3. a concise technical description of a taxon
  4. investigation or analysis of the cause or nature of a condition, situation, or problem
    • diagnosis of engine trouble
  5. a statement or conclusion from such an analysis

diagnosis related group -n

  1. DRG

di·ag·nos·tic [-'näs-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or used in diagnosis
    • a diagnostic tool
  2. using the methods of or yielding a diagnosis
    • diagnostic tests
  3. serving to distinguish or identify
    • a diagnostic feature

diagnostic [-(,)näs-'ti-shən] -n

  1. the art or practice of diagnosis often used in pl.
  2. a distinguishing mark

di·ag·o·nal [dī-'a-gə-nᵊl, -'ag-nəl] -adj

  1. joining two vertices of a rectilinear figure that are nonadjacent or two vertices of a polyhedral figure that are not in the same face
  2. passing through two nonadjacent edges of a polyhedron
    • a diagonal plane
  3. inclined obliquely from a reference line (as the vertical)
    • wood with a diagonal grain
  4. having diagonal markings or parts
    • a diagonal weave

diagonal -n

  1. a diagonal straight line or plane
  2. a diagonal direction
  3. a diagonal row, arrangement, or pattern
  4. something oriented in diagonal position
  5. slash

di·ag·o·nal·ize [-nə-,līz] -vt, adj, n

  1. to put (a matrix) in a form with all the nonzero elements along the diagonal from upper left to lower right

di·ag·o·nal·ly [dī-'a-gə-nə-lē, -'ag-nə-lē] -adv

  1. in a diagonal manner

diagonal matrix -n

  1. a diagonalized matrix

di·a·gram ['dī-ə-,gram] -n, adj, adv

  1. a graphic design that explains rather than represents
  2. a drawing that shows arrangement and relations (as of parts)
  3. a line drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes

diagram [-,gramd] -vt

  1. to represent by or put into the form of a diagram
    • diagram a sentence
    • diagram a football play

dia·ki·ne·sis [,dī-ə-kə-'nē-səs, -(,)kī-] -n

  1. the final stage of the meiotic prophase marked by contraction of the bivalents

di·al ['dī(-ə)l] -n

  1. the face of a sundial
  2. timepiece
  3. the graduated face of a timepiece
  4. a face upon which some measurement is registered usu. by means of graduations and a pointer
    • the thermometer dial reads 70F
  5. a device that may be operated to make electrical connections or to regulate the operation of a machine
    • a radio dial
    • a telephone dial

dial -vb, n

  1. to measure with a dial
  2. to manipulate a device (as a dial) so as to operate, regulate, or select
    • dial your favorite program
    • dial ed the wrong number
  3. call
    • dial ed the office
  4. to manipulate a dial
  5. to make a telephone call or connection
  6. dialect
  7. dialectical

di·a·lect ['dī-ə-,lekt] -n, adj, adv

  1. a regional variety of language distinguished by features of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation from other regional varieties and constituting together with them a single language
    • the Doric dialect of ancient Greek
  2. one of two or more cognate languages
    • French and Italian are Romance dialect s
  3. a variety of a language used by the members of a group
    • such dialect s as politics and advertising -- Philip Howard
  4. a variety of language whose identity is fixed by a factor other than geography (as social class)
    • spoke a rough peasant dialect
  5. register
  6. a version of a computer programming language
  7. manner or means of expressing oneself : phraseology

dialect atlas -n

  1. linguistic atlas

dialect geography -n

  1. linguistic geography

di·a·lec·tic [,dī-ə-'lek-tik] -n

  1. logic
  2. discussion and reasoning by dialogue as a method of intellectual investigation
  3. the Socratic techniques of exposing false beliefs and eliciting truth
  4. the Platonic investigation of the eternal ideas
  5. the logic of fallacy
  6. the Hegelian process of change in which a concept or its realization passes over into and is preserved and fulfilled by its opposite
  7. the critical investigation of this process
  8. development through the stages of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis in accordance with the laws of dialectical materialism
  9. the investigation of this process
  10. the theoretical application of this process esp. in the social sciences
  11. any systematic reasoning, exposition, or argument that juxtaposes opposed or contradictory ideas and usu. seeks to resolve their conflict
  12. an intellectual exchange of ideas
  13. the dialectical tension or opposition between two interacting forces or elements

di·a·lec·ti·cal [,dī-ə-'lek-ti-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or in accordance with dialectic
    • dialectical method
  2. practicing, devoted to, or employing dialectic
    • a dialectical philosopher
  3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a dialect

dialectical materialism -n

  1. the Marxist theory that maintains the material basis of a reality constantly changing in a dialectical process and the priority of matter over mind

di·a·lec·ti·cian [,dī-ə-,lek-'ti-shən] -n

  1. one who is skilled in or practices dialectic
  2. a student of dialects

di·a·lec·tol·o·gist [-'tä-lə-jist] -n

  1. a specialist in dialectology

di·a·lec·tol·o·gy [-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. the systematic study of dialect
  2. the body of data available for study of a dialect

di·al·lel ['dī-ə-,lel] -adj

  1. relating to or being the crossing of each of several individuals with two or more others in order to determine the relative genetic contribution of each parent to specific characters in the offspring

dialog box -n

  1. a window on a computer screen for choosing options or inputting information

di·a·log·ic [,dī-ə-'lä-jik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by dialogue
    • dialogic writing

di·a·lo·gist [dī-'a-lə-jist; 'dī-ə-,lȯ-gist, -,lä-] -n, adj

  1. a writer of dialogues
  2. one who participates in a dialogue

di·a·logue ['dī-ə-,lȯg, -,läg] -n

  1. a written composition in which two or more characters are represented as conversing
  2. a conversation between two or more persons
  3. a similar exchange between a person and something else (as a computer)
  4. an exchange of ideas and opinions
    • organized a series of dialogue s on human rights
  5. a discussion between representatives of parties to a conflict that is aimed at resolution
    • a constructive dialogue between loggers and environmentalists
  6. the conversational element of literary or dramatic composition
    • very little dialogue in this film
  7. a musical composition for two or more parts suggestive of a conversation

dialogue -vb

  1. to express in dialogue
  2. to take part in a dialogue
    • managers dialoguing with employees

dial tone -n

  1. a tone emitted by a telephone as a signal that the system is ready for dialing

dialup ['dī(-ə)l-,əp] -adj

  1. relating to or being a standard telephone line used for computer communications
  2. accessible via a standard telephone line
    • a dialup Internet provider

di·al·y·sate [dī-'a-lə-,zāt, -,sāt] -n

  1. the material that passes through the membrane in dialysis

di·a·lyse ['dī-ə-,līz] -vb, adj

(variant of dialyze)

  1. to subject to dialysis
  2. to undergo dialysis

di·al·y·sis [dī-'a-lə-səs] -n, adj

  1. the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
  2. such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
  3. the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein called also hemodialysis

di·a·lyze ['dī-ə-,līz] -vb, adj

  1. to subject to dialysis
  2. to undergo dialysis

di·a·lyz·er [-,lī-zər] -n

  1. an apparatus in which dialysis is carried out

diam -abbr

  1. diameter

dia·mag·net·ic [,dī-ə-mag-'ne-tik] -adj, n

  1. having a magnetic permeability less than that of a vacuum : slightly repelled by a magnet

di·a·man·te [,dē-ə-,män-'tā] -n

  1. a sparkling decoration (as of sequins) or material decorated with this
    • a gown trimmed with diamante

di·am·e·ter [dī-'a-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. a chord passing through the center of a figure or body
  2. the length of a straight line through the center of an object
  3. a unit of enlargement used with a number to indicate magnification by a lens or optical system
    • an object one millimeter wide magnified 40 diameter s appears 40 millimeters wide

di·a·met·ric [,dī-ə-'me-trik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a diameter : located at the diameter
  2. completely opposed : being at opposite extremes
    • in diametric contradiction to his claims

di·amide ['dī-ə-,mīd, dī-'a-məd] -n

  1. a compound containing two amido groups

di·amine ['dī-ə-,mēn, dī-'a-mən] -n

  1. a compound containing two amino groups

di·am·mo·ni·um phosphate [,dī-ə-'mō-nē-əm-] -n

  1. a white crystalline compound (NH 4) 2HPO 4used esp. as a fertilizer and as a fire retardant

di·a·mond ['dī-(ə-)mənd] -n

  1. native crystalline carbon that is the hardest known mineral, that is usu. nearly colorless, that when transparent and free from flaws is highly valued as a precious stone, and that is used industrially esp. as an abrasive
  2. a piece of this substance
  3. crystallized carbon produced artificially
  4. something that resembles a diamond (as in brilliance, value, or fine quality)
  5. a square or rhombus-shaped figure usu. oriented with the long diagonal vertical
  6. a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red diamond
  7. the suit comprising cards marked with diamonds
  8. a baseball infield
  9. the entire playing field

diamond -vt

  1. to adorn with or as if with diamonds
  2. of, relating to, or being a 60th or 75th anniversary or its celebration
    • diamond jubilee

di·a·mond·back ['dī-(ə-)mən(d)-,bak] -adj

  1. having marks like diamonds or lozenges on the back

diamondback moth -n

  1. a nearly cosmopolitan moth ( Plutella xylostellaof the family Plutellidae) whose larva is a pest on cruciferous plants

diamondback rattlesnake -n

  1. either of two large and deadly rattlesnakes ( Crotalus adamanteusof the southeastern U.S. and C. atroxof the south central and southwestern U.S. and Mexico) called also diamondback diamondback rattler

diamondback terrapin -n

  1. any of several terrapins (genus Malaclemys) formerly widely distributed in salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts but now much restricted

di·a·mond·if·er·ous [,dī-(ə-)mən-'di-fə-rəs] -adj

  1. containing diamonds
    • diamondiferous earth

diamond in the rough

  1. one having exceptional qualities or potential but lacking refinement or polish

Di·ana [dī-'a-nə] -n

  1. an ancient Italian goddess of the forest and of childbirth who was identified with Artemis by the Romans

di·an·thus [dī-'an(t)-thəs] -n

  1. pink

di·a·pa·son [,dī-ə-'pā-zᵊn, -sᵊn] -n

  1. a burst of sound
    • diapason s of laughter
  2. the principal foundation stop in the organ extending through the complete range of the instrument
  3. the entire compass of musical tones
  4. range, scope
    • registers the full diapason of her responses -- Mindy Aloff
  5. tuning fork
  6. a standard of pitch

dia·pause ['dī-ə-,pȯz] -n

  1. a period of physiologically enforced dormancy between periods of activity

dia·paus·ing [-,pȯ-ziŋ] -adj

  1. undergoing diapause

di·a·pe·de·sis [,dī-ə-pə-'dē-səs] -n

  1. the passage of blood cells through capillary walls into the tissues

di·a·per ['dī-pər also 'dī-ə-] -n

  1. : a fabric with a distinctive pattern:
  2. a rich silk fabric
  3. a soft usu. white linen or cotton fabric used for tablecloths or towels
  4. an allover pattern consisting of one or more small repeated units of design (as geometric figures) connecting with one another or growing out of one another with continuously flowing or straight lines
  5. a basic garment for infants consisting of a folded cloth or other absorbent material drawn up between the legs and fastened about the waist
  6. a similar garment esp. for incontinent adults

diaper [-p(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to ornament with diaper designs
  2. to put on or change the diaper of (an infant)

diaper rash -n

  1. skin irritation of the diaper-covered area of an infant esp. from exposure to feces and urinary ammonia

di·a·pha·ne·ity [(,)dī-,a-fə-'nē-ə-tē, ,dī-ə-fə-, -'nā-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being diaphanous

di·aph·a·nous [dī-'a-fə-nəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through
    • diaphanous fabrics
  2. characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal
    • painted diaphanous landscapes
  3. insubstantial, vague
    • had only a diaphanous hope of success

dia·phone ['dī-ə-,fōn] -n

  1. a fog signal similar to a siren but producing a blast of two tones

di·aph·o·rase [dī-'a-fə-,rās, -,rāz] -n

  1. a flavoprotein enzyme capable of oxidizing the reduced form of NAD

di·a·pho·re·sis [,dī-ə-fə-'rē-səs, (,)dī-,a-fə-] -n

  1. perspiration
  2. profuse perspiration artificially induced

di·a·pho·ret·ic [-'re-tik] -adj, n

  1. having the power to increase perspiration
  2. perspiring profusely

di·a·phragm ['dī-ə-,fram] -n, adj, adv

  1. a body partition of muscle and connective tissue
  2. the partition separating the chest and abdominal cavities in mammals
  3. a dividing membrane or thin partition esp. in a tube
  4. a more or less rigid partition in the body or shell of an invertebrate
  5. a transverse septum in a plant stem
  6. a device that limits the aperture of a lens or optical system
  7. a thin flexible disk (as in a microphone or loudspeaker) that vibrates when struck by sound waves or that vibrates to generate sound waves
  8. a molded cap usu. of thin rubber fitted over the uterine cervix to act as a mechanical contraceptive barrier

di·aph·y·sis [dī-'a-fə-səs] -n, adj

  1. the shaft of a long bone

di·a·pir ['dī-ə-,pir] -n, adj

  1. an anticlinal fold in which a mobile core has broken through brittle overlying rocks

dia·pos·i·tive [,dī-ə-'pä-zə-tiv, -'päz-tiv] -n

  1. a positive photographic image on transparent material (as glass or film)

di·ap·sid [dī-'ap-səd] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or including reptiles (as the crocodiles) with two pairs of temporal openings in the skull

diarchy ['dī-,är-kē] -n

(variant of dyarchy)

  1. a government in which power is vested in two rulers or authorities

di·a·rist ['dī-ə-rəst] -n

  1. one who keeps a diary

di·a·ris·tic [,dī-ə-'ris-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a diary
    • her diaristic tone

di·ar·rhea [,dī-ə-'rē-ə] -n, adj

  1. abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools
  2. excessive flow
    • verbal diarrhea

di·ar·rhoea [,dī-ə-'rē-ə] -n, adj

(variant of diarrhea)

  1. abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools
  2. excessive flow
    • verbal diarrhea

di·ar·thro·sis [,dī-är-'thrō-səs] -n

  1. articulation that permits free movement
  2. a freely movable joint

di·a·ry ['dī-(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a record of events, transactions, or observations kept daily or at frequent intervals : journal
  2. a daily record of personal activities, reflections, or feelings
  3. a book intended or used for a diary

di·as·po·ra [dī-'as-p(ə-)rə, dē-] -n, adj

  1. the settling of scattered colonies of Jews outside Palestine after the Babylonian exile
  2. the area outside Palestine settled by Jews
  3. the Jews living outside Palestine or modern Israel
  4. the movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from an established or ancestral homeland
    • the black diaspora to northern cities
  5. people settled far from their ancestral homelands
    • African diaspora
  6. the place where these people live

di·a·spore ['dī-ə-,spȯr] -n

  1. a mineral consisting of aluminum hydrogen oxide

di·a·stase ['dī-ə-,stās, -,stāz] -n

  1. amylase
  2. a mixture of amylases from malt
  3. enzyme

di·a·stat·ic [,dī-ə-'sta-tik] -adj

  1. relating to or having the properties of diastase
  2. converting starch into sugar

di·a·ste·ma [,dī-ə-'stē-mə] -n

  1. a space between teeth in a jaw

di·a·ste·reo·mer [,dī-ə-'ster-ē-ō-(,)mər, -'stir-] -n, adj

  1. a stereoisomer of a compound having two or more chiral centers that is not a mirror image of another stereoisomer of the same compound

di·as·to·le [dī-'as-tə-(,)lē] -n, adj

  1. a rhythmically recurrent expansion
  2. the dilatation of the cavities of the heart during which they fill with blood

di·as·tro·phism [dī-'as-trə-,fi-zəm] -n, adj, adv

  1. tectonism

di·a·tes·sa·ron [,dī-ə-'te-sə-rən] -n

  1. a harmony of the four Gospels edited and arranged into a single connected narrative

dia·ther·my ['dī-ə-,thər-mē] -n, adj

  1. the generation of heat in tissue by electric currents for medical or surgical purposes

di·ath·e·sis [dī-'a-thə-səs] -n, adj

  1. a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and esp. one that is abnormal or diseased

di·a·tom ['dī-ə-,täm] -n

  1. any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomaceous earth

di·a·to·ma·ceous [,dī-ə-tə-'mā-shəs, (,)dī-,a-tə-] -adj

  1. consisting of or abounding in diatoms or their siliceous remains
    • diatomaceous silica

diatomaceous earth -n

  1. a light friable siliceous material derived chiefly from diatom remains and used esp. as a filter

di·atom·ic [,dī-ə-'tä-mik] -adj

  1. consisting of two atoms : having two atoms in the molecule

di·at·o·mite [dī-'a-tə-,mīt] -n

  1. diatomaceous earth

dia·ton·ic [,dī-ə-'tä-nik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a musical scale (as a major or minor scale) comprising intervals of five whole steps and two half steps

di·a·tribe ['dī-ə-,trīb] -n

  1. a prolonged discourse
  2. a bitter and abusive speech or writing
  3. ironic or satirical criticism

di·az·e·pam [dī-'a-zə-,pam] -n

  1. a tranquilizer C 16H 13ClN 2O used esp. to relieve anxiety and tension and as a muscle relaxant

di·az·i·non [dī-'a-zi-,nän] -n

  1. a cholinesterase-inhibiting organophosphate insecticide C 12H 21N 2O 3PS

di·azo [dī-'a-(,)zō, -'ā-] -adj

  1. relating to or containing the group N 2composed of two nitrogen atoms united to a single carbon atom of an organic radical often used in combination
  2. relating to or containing diazonium often used in combination
  3. of or relating to a photograph or photocopy whose production involves the use of a coating of a diazo compound that is decomposed by exposure to light

di·a·zo·ni·um [,dī-ə-'zō-nē-əm] -n

  1. the monovalent cation N 2 that is composed of two nitrogen atoms united to carbon in an organic radical and that usu. exists in salts used in the manufacture of azo dyes

di·az·o·tize [dī-'a-zə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to convert (a compound) into a diazo compound (as a diazonium salt)

di·ba·sic [(,)dī-'bā-sik] -adj

  1. having two replaceable hydrogen atoms used of acids

dib·ber ['di-bər] -n

  1. dibble

dib·ble ['di-bəl] -n

  1. a small hand implement used to make holes in the ground for plants, seeds, or bulbs

dibble ['di-b(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to plant with a dibble
  2. to make holes in (soil) with or as if with a dibble

di·ben·zo·fu·ran [,dī-,ben-zō-'fyu̇-,ran, -fyə-'ran] -n

  1. a highly toxic chemical compound C 12H 8O that is used in chemical synthesis and as an insecticide and is a hazardous pollutant when chlorinated

dibs ['dibz] -n pl

  1. money esp. in small amounts
  2. claim, rights
    • I have dibs on that piece of cake

di·bu·tyl phthal·ate [,dī-,byü-tᵊl-'tha-,lāt] -n

  1. a colorless oily ester C 16H 22O 4used chiefly as a solvent, plasticizer, pesticide, and repellent (as for chiggers and mites)

di·cal·ci·um silicate [(,)dī-'kal-sē-əm-] -n

  1. a calcium silicate 2CaOSiO 2that is an essential ingredient of portland cement

di·cam·ba [,dī-'kam-bə] -n

  1. a systemic herbicide C 8H 6Cl 2O 3

di·car·box·yl·ic [,dī-,kär-,bäk-'si-lik] -adj

  1. containing two carboxyl groups in the molecule
    • dicarboxylic acids

di·cast ['dī-,kast, 'di-] -n

  1. an ancient Athenian performing the functions of both judge and juror at a trial

dice ['dīs] -n

  1. die
  2. a gambling game played with dice
  3. a small cubical piece (as of food)
  4. a close contest between two racing-car drivers for position during a race
  5. to cut into small cubes
    • diced onions
  6. to ornament with square markings
    • diced leather
  7. to bring by playing dice
    • dice himself into debt
  8. to lose by dicing
    • dice her money away
  9. to play games with dice
    • dice for drinks in the bar -- Malcolm Lowry
  10. to take a chance
    • the temptation to dice with death -- Newsweek

di·cen·tric [(,)dī-'sen-trik] -adj, n

  1. having two centromeres
    • a dicentric chromosome

dic·ey ['dī-sē] -adj

  1. risky, unpredictable
    • a dicey proposition
    • dicey weather

dich- -comb form

  1. in two : apart
    • dicho gamous

di·cha·sium [dī-'kā-z(h)ē-əm, -zhəm] -n

  1. a cymose inflorescence that produces two main axes

dichlor- -comb form

  1. containing two atoms of chlorine
    • dichloro ethane

di·chlo·ro·ben·zene [(,)dī-,klȯr-ə-'ben-,zēn, -(,)ben-'] -n

  1. any of three isomeric compounds C 6H 4Cl 2
  2. paradichlorobenzene

di·chlo·ro·di·flu·o·ro·meth·ane [-,dī-,flu̇r-ə-'me-,thān] -n

  1. a chlorofluoromethane CCl 2F 2

di·chlo·ro·eth·ane [(,)dī-,klȯ-rō-'e-,thān] -n

  1. a colorless toxic liquid compound C 2H 4Cl 2that is used chiefly as a solvent

di·chlor·vos [(')dī-'klȯr-,väs, -vəs] -n

  1. an organophosphorus insecticide and anthelmintic C 4H 7Cl 2O 4P used esp. in veterinary medicine called also DDVP

di·chog·a·my [dī-'kä-gə-mē] -n, adj

  1. the production of male and female reproductive elements at different times by a hermaphroditic organism in order to ensure cross-fertilization

di·chon·dra [dī-'kän-drə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Dichondra) of chiefly tropical perennial herbs of the morning glory family that includes some (esp. D. repensor its varieties) used as a ground cover and a substitute for lawn grasses in warmer parts of the U.S.

dich·otic [(,)dī-'kō-tik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or involving the presentation of a stimulus to one ear that differs in some respect (as pitch, loudness, frequency, or energy) from a stimulus presented to the other ear
    • dichotic listening

di·chot·o·mist [dī-'kä-tə-məst also də-] -n

  1. one that dichotomizes

di·chot·o·mize [-,mīz] -vb, n

  1. to divide into two parts, classes, or groups
  2. to exhibit dichotomy

di·chot·o·mous [dī-'kä-tə-məs also də-] -adj, adv, n

  1. dividing into two parts
  2. relating to, involving, or proceeding from dichotomy

dichotomous key -n

  1. a key for the identification of organisms based on a series of choices between alternative characters

di·chot·o·my [dī-'kä-tə-mē also də-] -n

  1. a division into two esp. mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities
    • the dichotomy between theory and practice
  2. the process or practice of making such a division
    • dichotomy of the population into two opposed classes
  3. the phase of the moon or an inferior planet in which half its disk appears illuminated
  4. bifurcation
  5. repeated bifurcation (as of a plant's stem)
  6. a system of branching in which the main axis forks repeatedly into two branches
  7. branching of an ancestral line into two equal diverging branches
  8. something with seemingly contradictory qualities
    • it's a dichotomy, this opulent Ritz-style luxury in a place that fronts on a boat harbor -- Jean T. Barrett

di·chro·ic [dī-'krō-ik] -adj

  1. having the property of dichroism
    • a dichroic crystal
    • a dichroic mirror
  2. dichromatic

di·chro·ism ['dī-(,)krō-,i-zəm] -n

  1. the property of some crystals and solutions of absorbing one of two plane-polarized components of transmitted light more strongly than the other
  2. the property of exhibiting different colors by reflected or transmitted light

di·chro·mat ['dī-krō-,mat, (,)dī-'] -n

  1. one affected with dichromatism

di·chro·mate [(,)dī-'krō-,māt, 'dī-krō-] -n

  1. a usu. orange to red chromium salt containing the anion Cr 2O 7 2
    • dichromate of potassium
    called also bichromate

di·chro·mat·ic [,dī-krō-'ma-tik] -adj

  1. having or exhibiting two colors
  2. of, relating to, or exhibiting dichromatism

di·chro·ma·tism [dī-'krō-mə-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. partial color blindness in which only two colors are perceptible

di·chro·scope ['dī-krə-,skōp] -n

  1. an instrument for examining crystals for dichroism

dick ['dik] -n

  1. fellow, chap
  2. penis
  3. detective

dick·cis·sel [dik-'si-səl, 'dik-,] -n

  1. a common migratory black-throated finch ( Spiza americanaof the family Cardinalidae) of the central U.S.

dick·ens ['di-kənz] -n

  1. devil, deuce

dick·er ['di-kər] -n

  1. the number or quantity of 10 esp. of hides or skins

dicker ['di-k(ə-)riŋ] -vi

  1. bargain
    • dicker ed over the price
  2. barter
  3. an act or session of bargaining

dick·ey ['di-kē] -n

  1. : any of various articles of clothing: as
  2. a man's separate or detachable shirtfront
  3. a small fabric insert worn to fill in the neckline
  4. the driver's seat in a carriage
  5. a seat at the back of a carriage or automobile

dickey bird -n

  1. a small bird

dick·head ['dik-,hed] -n

  1. a stupid or contemptible person

Dick test ['dik-] -n

  1. a test to determine susceptibility or immunity to scarlet fever by an injection of scarlet fever toxin

di·cli·nous [(,)dī-'klī-nəs] -adj

  1. having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers

di·cot ['dī-,kät] -n

  1. dicotyledon

di·cot·y·le·don [,dī-,kä-tə-'lē-dᵊn] -n, adj

  1. any of a class or subclass (Magnoliopsida or Dicotyledoneae) of angiospermous plants that produce an embryo with two cotyledons and usu. have floral organs arranged in cycles of four or five and leaves with reticulate venation

di·cou·ma·rin [(,)dī-'kü-mə-rən] -n

  1. dicumarol

di·crot·ic [dī-'krä-tik] -adj, n

  1. having a double beat
  2. being or relating to the second part of the arterial pulse occurring during diastole of the heart or of an arterial pressure recording made during the same period

dict -abbr

  1. dictionary

Dic·ta·phone ['dik-tə-,fōn] -trademark

  1. used for a dictating machine

dic·tate ['dik-,tāt, dik-'] -vb

  1. to give dictation
  2. to speak or act domineeringly : prescribe
  3. to speak or read for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record
  4. to issue as an order
  5. to impose, pronounce, or specify authoritatively
  6. to require or determine necessarily
    • injuries dictated the choice of players
  7. an authoritative rule, prescription, or injunction
  8. a ruling principle
    • according to the dictate s of your conscience
  9. a command by one in authority

dictating machine -n

  1. a machine used esp. for the recording of human speech for transcription

dic·ta·tion [dik-'tā-shən] -n

  1. prescription
  2. arbitrary command
  3. the act or manner of uttering words to be transcribed
  4. material that is dictated or transcribed
  5. the performing of music to be reproduced by a student
  6. music so reproduced

dic·ta·tor ['dik-,tā-tər, dik-'] -n

  1. a person granted absolute emergency power
  2. one appointed by the senate of ancient Rome
  3. one holding complete autocratic control
  4. one ruling absolutely and often oppressively
  5. one that dictates

dic·ta·to·ri·al [,dik-tə-'tȯr-ē-əl] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or befitting a dictator
    • dictatorial power
  2. ruled by a dictator
  3. oppressive to or arrogantly overbearing toward others

dic·ta·tor·ship [dik-'tā-tər-,ship, 'dik-,] -n

  1. the office of dictator
  2. autocratic rule, control, or leadership
  3. a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique
  4. a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated
  5. a despotic state

dic·tion ['dik-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. verbal description
  2. choice of words esp. with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness
  3. vocal expression : enunciation
  4. pronunciation and enunciation of words in singing

dic·tio·nary ['dik-shə-,ner-ē, -,ne-rē] -n

  1. a reference source in print or electronic form containing words usu. alphabetically arranged along with information about their forms, pronunciations, functions, etymologies, meanings, and syntactical and idiomatic uses
  2. a reference book listing alphabetically terms or names important to a particular subject or activity along with discussion of their meanings and applications
  3. a reference book giving for words of one language equivalents in another
  4. a computerized list (as of items of data or words) used for reference (as for information retrieval or word processing)

dic·tum ['dik-təm] -n

  1. : a noteworthy statement: as
  2. a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion
  3. an observation intended or regarded as authoritative
  4. a judge's expression of opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a case

dicty- -comb form

  1. net
    • dictyo stele
    • dictyo some

dic·tyo·some ['dik-tē-ə-,sōm] -n

  1. any of the membranous or vesicular structures making up the Golgi apparatus

dic·tyo·stele ['dik-tē-ə-,stēl, ,dik-tē-ə-'stē-lē] -n

  1. a stele in which the vascular cylinder is broken up into a longitudinal series or network of vascular strands around a central pith (as in many ferns)

di·cu·ma·rol [dī-'k(y)ü-mə-,rȯl, -,rōl] -n

  1. a crystalline compound C 19H 12O 6orig. obtained from spoiled sweet clover hay and used to delay clotting of blood esp. in preventing and treating thromboembolic disease

di·cyn·o·dont [(,)dī-'si-nō-,dänt, -'sī-] -n, adj

  1. any of a suborder (Dicynodontia) of small herbivorous therapsid reptiles with reduced dentition

did ['dü] -vb, adj

(variant of do)

  1. to bring to pass : carry out
    • do another's wishes
  2. put used chiefly in do to death
  3. perform, execute
    • do some work
    • did his duty
  4. commit
    • crimes done deliberately
  5. bring about, effect
    • trying to do good
    • do violence
  6. to give freely : pay
    • do honor to her memory
  7. to bring to an end : finish used in the past participle
    • the job is finally done
  8. to put forth : exert
    • did her best to win the race
  9. to wear out esp. by physical exertion : exhaust
    • at the end of the race they were pretty well done
  10. to attack physically : beat
  11. kill
  12. to bring into existence : produce
    • do a biography on the general
  13. used as a substitute verb esp. to avoid repetition
    • if you must make such a racket, do it somewhere else
  14. to play the role or character of
  15. mimic
  16. to behave like
    • do a Houdini and disappear
  17. to perform in or serve as producer of
    • do a play
  18. to treat unfairly
  19. cheat
    • did him out of his inheritance
  20. : to treat or deal with in any way typically with the sense of preparation or with that of care or attention:
  21. to put in order : clean
    • was do ing the kitchen
  22. wash
    • did the dishes after supper
  23. to prepare for use or consumption
  24. cook
    • like my steak done rare
  25. set, arrange
    • had her hair done
  26. to apply cosmetics to
    • wanted to do her face before the party
  27. decorate, furnish
    • did the living room in Early American
    • do over the kitchen
  28. to be engaged in the study or practice of
    • do science
  29. to work at as a vocation
    • what to do after college
  30. to pass over (as distance) : traverse
    • did 20 miles yesterday
  31. to travel at a speed of
    • do ing 55 on the turnpike
  32. tour
    • do ing 12 countries in 30 days
  33. to spend (time) in prison
    • has been do ing time in a federal penitentiary
  34. to serve out (a period of imprisonment)
    • did ten years for armed robbery
  35. to serve the needs of : suit, suffice
    • worms will do us for bait
  36. to approve esp. by custom, opinion, or propriety
    • you oughtn't to say a thing like that...it's not done -- Dorothy Sayers
  37. to treat with respect to physical comforts
    • did themselves well
  38. use
    • doesn't do drugs
  39. to have sexual intercourse with
  40. to partake of
    • let's do lunch
  41. act, behave
    • do as I say
  42. get along, fare
    • do well in school
  43. to carry on business or affairs : manage
    • we can do without your help
  44. to take place : happen
    • what's do ing across the street
  45. to come to or make an end : finish used in the past participle
  46. to be active or busy
    • let us then be up and do ing -- H. W. Longfellow
  47. to be adequate or sufficient : serve
    • half of that will do
  48. to be fitting : conform to custom or propriety
    • won't do to be late
  49. used as a substitute verb to avoid repetition
    • wanted to run and play as children do
    used esp. in British English following a modal auxiliary or perfective have
    • a great many people had died, or would do -- Bruce Chatwin
  50. used in the imperative after an imperative to add emphasis
    • be quiet do
  51. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in legal and parliamentary language
    • do hereby bequeath
    and in poetry
    • give what she did crave -- Shak.
  52. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in declarative sentences with inverted word order
    • fervently do we pray -- Abraham Lincoln
    , in interrogative sentences
    • did you hear that?
    , and in negative sentences
    • we don't know
    • don't go
  53. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses expressing emphasis
    • I do say
    • do be careful
  54. fuss, ado
  55. deed, duty
  56. a festive get-together : affair, party
  57. battle
  58. a command or entreaty to do something
    • a list of do s and don'ts
  59. cheat, swindle
  60. hairdo
  61. the first tone of the diatonic scale in solmization
  62. ditto
  63. double occupancy

di·dact ['dī-,dakt] -n

  1. a didactic person

di·dac·tic [dī-'dak-tik, də-] -adj, adv, n

  1. designed or intended to teach
  2. intended to convey instruction and information as well as pleasure and entertainment
    • didactic poetry
  3. making moral observations

di·dac·tics [-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. systematic instruction : pedagogy

di·dan·o·sine [dī-'da-nə-,sēn] -n

  1. ddI

did·dle ['di-dᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to move with short rapid motions
  2. to waste (as time) in trifling
  3. hoax, swindle
  4. to copulate with
  5. dawdle, fool
  6. fiddle, toy usu. used with with
    • diddled with the machine until it broke

did·dly ['di-dᵊl-ē, 'did-lē] -n

  1. diddly-squat

did·dlysquat [-,skwät] -n

  1. the least amount : anything at all
    • didn't know diddlysquat about sports -- Sam Toperoff

did·ger·i·doo ['di-jə-rē-,dü, ,di-jə-rē-'] -n

  1. a large bamboo or wooden trumpet of the Australian aborigines

didn't ['di-dᵊnt, -dᵊn, dial also 'dit-ᵊn(t) or 'dint]

  1. did not

di·do ['dī-(,)dō] -n

  1. a mischievous or capricious act : prank, antic often used in the phrase cut didoes
  2. something that is frivolous or showy

Di·do ['dī-(,)dō] -n

  1. a legendary queen of Carthage in Virgil's Aeneidwho kills herself when Aeneas leaves her

didst ['dü] -vb, adj

(variant of do)

  1. to bring to pass : carry out
    • do another's wishes
  2. put used chiefly in do to death
  3. perform, execute
    • do some work
    • did his duty
  4. commit
    • crimes done deliberately
  5. bring about, effect
    • trying to do good
    • do violence
  6. to give freely : pay
    • do honor to her memory
  7. to bring to an end : finish used in the past participle
    • the job is finally done
  8. to put forth : exert
    • did her best to win the race
  9. to wear out esp. by physical exertion : exhaust
    • at the end of the race they were pretty well done
  10. to attack physically : beat
  11. kill
  12. to bring into existence : produce
    • do a biography on the general
  13. used as a substitute verb esp. to avoid repetition
    • if you must make such a racket, do it somewhere else
  14. to play the role or character of
  15. mimic
  16. to behave like
    • do a Houdini and disappear
  17. to perform in or serve as producer of
    • do a play
  18. to treat unfairly
  19. cheat
    • did him out of his inheritance
  20. : to treat or deal with in any way typically with the sense of preparation or with that of care or attention:
  21. to put in order : clean
    • was do ing the kitchen
  22. wash
    • did the dishes after supper
  23. to prepare for use or consumption
  24. cook
    • like my steak done rare
  25. set, arrange
    • had her hair done
  26. to apply cosmetics to
    • wanted to do her face before the party
  27. decorate, furnish
    • did the living room in Early American
    • do over the kitchen
  28. to be engaged in the study or practice of
    • do science
  29. to work at as a vocation
    • what to do after college
  30. to pass over (as distance) : traverse
    • did 20 miles yesterday
  31. to travel at a speed of
    • do ing 55 on the turnpike
  32. tour
    • do ing 12 countries in 30 days
  33. to spend (time) in prison
    • has been do ing time in a federal penitentiary
  34. to serve out (a period of imprisonment)
    • did ten years for armed robbery
  35. to serve the needs of : suit, suffice
    • worms will do us for bait
  36. to approve esp. by custom, opinion, or propriety
    • you oughtn't to say a thing like that...it's not done -- Dorothy Sayers
  37. to treat with respect to physical comforts
    • did themselves well
  38. use
    • doesn't do drugs
  39. to have sexual intercourse with
  40. to partake of
    • let's do lunch
  41. act, behave
    • do as I say
  42. get along, fare
    • do well in school
  43. to carry on business or affairs : manage
    • we can do without your help
  44. to take place : happen
    • what's do ing across the street
  45. to come to or make an end : finish used in the past participle
  46. to be active or busy
    • let us then be up and do ing -- H. W. Longfellow
  47. to be adequate or sufficient : serve
    • half of that will do
  48. to be fitting : conform to custom or propriety
    • won't do to be late
  49. used as a substitute verb to avoid repetition
    • wanted to run and play as children do
    used esp. in British English following a modal auxiliary or perfective have
    • a great many people had died, or would do -- Bruce Chatwin
  50. used in the imperative after an imperative to add emphasis
    • be quiet do
  51. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in legal and parliamentary language
    • do hereby bequeath
    and in poetry
    • give what she did crave -- Shak.
  52. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses in declarative sentences with inverted word order
    • fervently do we pray -- Abraham Lincoln
    , in interrogative sentences
    • did you hear that?
    , and in negative sentences
    • we don't know
    • don't go
  53. used with the infinitive without to to form present and past tenses expressing emphasis
    • I do say
    • do be careful
  54. fuss, ado
  55. deed, duty
  56. a festive get-together : affair, party
  57. battle
  58. a command or entreaty to do something
    • a list of do s and don'ts
  59. cheat, swindle
  60. hairdo
  61. the first tone of the diatonic scale in solmization
  62. ditto
  63. double occupancy

di·dym·i·um [dī-'di-mē-əm] -n

  1. a mixture of rare-earth elements made up chiefly of neodymium and praseodymium and used esp. for coloring glass for optical filters

die ['dī] -vi

  1. to pass from physical life : expire
  2. to pass out of existence : cease
    • their anger died at these words
  3. to disappear or subside gradually often used with away, down, or out
    • the storm died down
  4. sink, languish
    • dying from fatigue
  5. to long keenly or desperately
    • dying to go
  6. to be overwhelmed by emotion
    • die of embarrassment
  7. to cease functioning : stop
    • the motor died
  8. to end in failure
    • the bill died in committee
  9. to become indifferent
    • die to worldly things
  10. a small cube marked on each face with from one to six spots and used usu. in pairs in various games and in gambling by being shaken and thrown to come to rest at random on a flat surface often used figuratively in expressions concerning chance or the irrevocability of a course of action
    • the die was cast
  11. dado
  12. : any of various tools or devices for imparting a desired shape, form, or finish to a material or for impressing an object or material: as
  13. the larger of a pair of cutting or shaping tools that when moved toward each other produce a desired form in or impress a desired device on an object by pressure or by a blow
  14. a device composed of a pair of such tools
  15. a hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool used for forming screw threads
  16. a mold into which molten metal or other material is forced
  17. a perforated block through which metal or plastic is drawn or extruded for shaping

die·back ['dī-,bak] -n

  1. a condition in woody plants in which peripheral parts are killed (as by parasites)

dief·fen·bach·ia [,dē-fən-'ba-kē-ə, ,di-, -'bä-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Dieffenbachia) of erect poisonous tropical American plants of the arum family having usu. variegated leaves and often grown as houseplants

diehard ['dī-,härd] -adj, n

  1. strongly or fanatically determined or devoted
    • diehard fans
  2. strongly resisting change
    • a diehard conservative

di·el ['dī-əl, -,el] -adj

  1. involving a 24-hour period that usu. includes a day and the adjoining night
    • diel fluctuations in temperature

diel·drin ['dēl-drən] -n

  1. a white crystalline persistent toxic chlorinated compound C 12H 8Cl 6O used esp. formerly as an insecticide

di·elec·tric [,dī-ə-'lek-trik] -n, adj

  1. a nonconductor of direct electric current

dielectric constant -n

  1. permittivity

dielectric heating -n

  1. the rapid and uniform heating throughout a nonconducting material by means of a high-frequency electromagnetic field

di·en·ceph·a·lon [,dī-ən-'se-fə-,län, ,dī-(,)en-, -lən] -n, adj

  1. the posterior subdivision of the forebrain

di·ene ['dī-,ēn] -n

  1. a compound containing two double bonds between carbon atoms

dieoff ['dī-,ȯf] -n

  1. a sudden sharp decline of a population of animals or plants that is not caused directly by human activity

die off ['dī-'ȯf] -vi

  1. to die sequentially either singly or in numbers so that the total number is greatly diminished

die out -vi

  1. to become extinct

dieresis [dī-'er-ə-səs, Brit also -'ir-] -n, adj

(variant of diaeresis)

  1. a mark placed over a vowel to indicate that the vowel is pronounced in a separate syllable (as in naiveor Bronte)
  2. the break in a verse caused by the coincidence of the end of a foot with the end of a word

die·sel ['dē-zəl, -səl] -n

  1. diesel engine
  2. a vehicle driven by a diesel engine
  3. diesel fuel

dieselelectric -adj

  1. of, relating to, or employing a diesel engine for driving an electric generator or for charging batteries
    • a dieselelectric locomotive
    • dieselelectric submarines

diesel engine -n

  1. an internal combustion engine in which air is compressed to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite fuel injected into the cylinder where the combustion and expansion actuate a piston

diesel fuel -n

  1. a heavy mineral oil used as fuel in diesel engines

die·sel·ing ['dē-zə-liŋ, -sə-] -n

  1. the continued operation of an internal combustion engine after the ignition is turned off

die·sel·ize ['dē-zə-,līz, -sə-] -vt, n

  1. to equip with a diesel engine or with diesel-electric locomotives

Di·es Irae [,dē-(,)ās-'ē-,rā] -n

  1. a medieval Latin hymn on the Day of Judgment sung in requiem masses

di·esis ['dī-ə-səs] -n

  1. double dagger

di·es·ter ['dī-,es-tər] -n

  1. a compound containing two ester groups

die·stock ['dī-,stäk] -n

  1. a stock to hold dies used for cutting threads

di·es·trus [(,)dī-'es-trəs] -n, adj

  1. a period of sexual quiescence that intervenes between two periods of estrus

di·et ['dī-ət] -n

  1. food and drink regularly provided or consumed
  2. habitual nourishment
  3. the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason
  4. a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight
    • going on a diet
  5. something provided or experienced repeatedly
    • a diet of Broadway shows and nightclubs -- Frederick Wyatt

diet -vt, n

  1. to cause to take food : feed
  2. to cause to eat and drink sparingly or according to prescribed rules
  3. to eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules
  4. reduced in calories
    • a diet soft drink
  5. promoting weight loss (as by depressing appetite)
    • diet pills
  6. a formal deliberative assembly of princes or estates
  7. any of various national or provincial legislatures

di·e·tary ['dī-ə-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -n

  1. the kinds and amounts of food available to or eaten by an individual, group, or population

dietary [,dī-ə-'ter-ə-lē, -'te-rə-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a diet or to the rules of a diet
    • dietary guidelines

dietary law -n

  1. any of the laws observed by Orthodox Jews that permit or prohibit certain foods

dietary supplement -n

  1. a product taken orally that contains one or more ingredients (as vitamins or amino acids) that are intended to supplement one's diet and are not considered food

di·e·tet·ic [,dī-ə-'te-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to diet
  2. adapted for use in special diets

di·e·tet·ics [-'te-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. the science or art of applying the principles of nutrition to the diet

di·ether [(,)dī-'ē-thər] -n

  1. a compound containing two atoms of oxygen with ether linkages

di·eth·yl·car·bam·a·zine [,dī-,e-thəl-kär-'ba-mə-,zēn, -zən] -n

  1. an anthelmintic administered in the form of its crystalline citrate C 10H 21N 3OC 6H 8O 7esp. to control human filariasis and large nematodes (as heartworms) in dogs and cats

di·eth·yl ether [(,)dī-,e-thəl-] -n

  1. ether

di·eth·yl·stil·bes·trol [-stil-'bes-,trȯl, -,trōl] -n

  1. a colorless crystalline synthetic compound C 18H 20O 2used as a potent estrogen but contraindicated in pregnancy for its tendency to cause cancer or birth defects in offspring called also DES stilbestrol

di·eth·yl zinc -n

  1. a volatile pyrophoric liquid compound C 4H 10Zn used esp. to catalyze polymerization and to deacidify paper

di·e·ti·tian [,dī-ə-'ti-shən] -n

  1. a specialist in dietetics

diff ['dif] -n

  1. difference

dif·fer ['di-fər] -vi

  1. to be unlike or distinct in nature, form, or characteristics
    • the law of one state differ s from that of another
  2. to change from time to time or from one instance to another : vary
    • the number of cookies in a box may differ
  3. to be of unlike or opposite opinion : disagree
    • they differ on religious matters

dif·fer·ence ['di-fərn(t)s, 'di-f(ə-)rən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being different
    • the difference between right and wrong
  2. an instance of differing in nature, form, or quality
    • noted the difference s in color and texture
  3. a characteristic that distinguishes one from another or from the average
  4. the element or factor that separates or distinguishes contrasting situations
  5. distinction or discrimination in preference
    • timing is often the difference between success and failure
  6. disagreement in opinion : dissension
  7. an instance or cause of disagreement
    • unable to settle their difference s
  8. the degree or amount by which things differ in quantity or measure
  9. remainder
  10. a significant change in or effect on a situation
    • it makes no difference to me

difference -vt

  1. differentiate, distinguish

dif·fer·ent ['di-fərnt, 'di-f(ə-)rənt] -adj, n

  1. partly or totally unlike in nature, form, or quality : dissimilar
    • could hardly be more different
    often followed by from, than, or chiefly Brit. to
    • small, neat hand, very different from the captain's tottery characters -- R. L. Stevenson
    • vastly different in size than it was twenty-five years ago -- N. M. Pusey
    • a very different situation to the...one under which we live -- Sir Winston Churchill
  2. : not the same: as
  3. distinct
    • different age groups
  4. various
    • different members of the class
  5. another
    • switched to a different TV program
  6. unusual, special
    • she was different and superior

different -adv

  1. differently

dif·fer·en·tia [,di-fə-'ren(t)-sh(ē-)ə] -n

  1. an element, feature, or factor that distinguishes one entity, state, or class from another
  2. a characteristic trait distinguishing a species from other species of the same genus

dif·fer·en·tial [,di-fə-'ren(t)-shəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a difference : distinguishing
  2. making a distinction between individuals or classes
  3. based on or resulting from a differential
  4. functioning or proceeding differently or at a different rate
  5. being, relating to, or involving a differential or differentiation
  6. relating to quantitative differences
  7. producing effects by reason of quantitative differences

differential -n

  1. the product of the derivative of a function of one variable by the increment of the independent variable
  2. a sum of products in which each product consists of a partial derivative of a given function of several variables multiplied by the corresponding increment and which contains as many products as there are independent variables in the function
  3. a difference between comparable individuals or classes
    • a price differential
  4. the amount of such a difference
  5. a drivetrain gear assembly connecting two collinear shafts or axles (as those of the rear wheels of an automobile) and permitting one shaft to revolve faster than the other
  6. a case covering such an assembly

differential calculus -n

  1. a branch of mathematics concerned chiefly with the study of the rate of change of functions with respect to their variables esp. through the use of derivatives and differentials

differential diagnosis -n

  1. the distinguishing of a disease or condition from others presenting with similar signs and symptoms

differential equation -n

  1. an equation containing differentials or derivatives of functions

differential gear -n

  1. differential

differential geometry -n

  1. a branch of mathematics using calculus to study the geometric properties of curves and surfaces

dif·fer·en·ti·ate [,dif-ə-'ren(t)-shē-,āt] -vb, n, adj

  1. to obtain the mathematical derivative of
  2. to mark or show a difference in : constitute a difference that distinguishes
  3. to develop differential characteristics in
  4. to cause differentiation of in the course of development
  5. to express the specific distinguishing quality of : discriminate
  6. to recognize or give expression to a difference
  7. to become distinct or different in character
  8. to undergo differentiation

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion [-,ren(t)-shē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of differentiating
  2. development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous
  3. modification of body parts for performance of particular functions
  4. the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent or unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function
  5. the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma

dif·fer·ent·ly ['di-fərnt-lē, 'di-f(ə-)rənt-] -adv

  1. in a different manner
  2. otherwise

differently abled -adj

  1. disabled, challenged

dif·fi·cile [,dē-fi-'sēl] -adj

  1. stubborn, unreasonable

dif·fi·cult ['di-fi-(,)kəlt] -adj, adv

  1. hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous
    • a difficult climb
  2. hard to deal with, manage, or overcome
    • a difficult child
  3. hard to understand : puzzling
    • difficult reading

dif·fi·cul·ty [-(,)kəl-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being difficult
  2. controversy, disagreement
  3. objection
  4. something difficult : impediment
  5. embarrassment, trouble usu. used in pl.

dif·fi·dence ['di-fə-dən(t)s, -fə-,den(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being diffident

dif·fi·dent [-dənt, -,dent] -adj, adv

  1. hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence
  2. distrustful
  3. reserved, unassertive

dif·fract [di-'frakt] -vt

  1. to cause to undergo diffraction

dif·frac·tion [di-'frak-shən] -n

  1. a modification which light undergoes esp. in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow openings and in which the rays appear to be deflected
  2. a similar modification of other waves (as sound waves) or of moving particles (as electrons)

diffraction grating -n

  1. grating

dif·frac·tom·e·ter [di-,frak-'tä-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for analyzing the structure of a usu. crystalline substance from the scattering pattern produced when a beam of radiation or particles (as X rays or neutrons) strikes it

dif·fuse [di-'fyüs] -adj, adv, n

  1. being at once verbose and ill-organized
    • a diffuse report from the scene of the earthquake
  2. not concentrated or localized
    • diffuse lighting
  3. to pour out and permit or cause to spread freely
  4. extend, scatter
  5. to spread thinly or wastefully
  6. to subject to diffusion
  7. to break up and distribute (incident light) by reflection
  8. to spread out or become transmitted esp. by contact
  9. to undergo diffusion

dif·fusepo·rous [di-,fyüs-'pȯr-əs] -adj

  1. having vessels more or less evenly distributed throughout an annual ring and not varying greatly in size

dif·fus·er [di-'fyü-zər] -n

  1. : one that diffuses: as
  2. a device (as a reflector) for distributing the light of a lamp evenly
  3. a screen (as of cloth or frosted glass) for softening lighting (as in photography)
  4. a device (as slats at different angles) for deflecting air from an outlet in various directions
  5. a device for reducing the velocity and increasing the static pressure of a fluid passing through a system

dif·fu·sion [di-'fyü-zhən] -n, adj

  1. the action of diffusing : the state of being diffused
  2. prolixity, diffuseness
  3. the process whereby particles of liquids, gases, or solids intermingle as the result of their spontaneous movement caused by thermal agitation and in dissolved substances move from a region of higher to one of lower concentration
  4. reflection of light by a rough reflecting surface
  5. transmission of light through a translucent material : scattering
  6. the spread of cultural elements from one area or group of people to others by contact
  7. the softening of sharp outlines in a photographic image

dif·fu·sion·ist [-'fyü-zhə-nəst] -n, adj

  1. an anthropologist who emphasizes the role of diffusion in the history of culture rather than independent invention or discovery

dif·fu·sive [di-'fyü-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending to diffuse : characterized by diffusion
    • diffusive motion of atoms

di·func·tion·al [(,)dī-'fəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a compound with two highly reactive sites in each molecule

dig ['dig] -vb

  1. to break up, turn, or loosen (as earth) with an implement
  2. to prepare the soil of
    • dig a garden
  3. to bring to the surface by digging : unearth
    • dig potatoes
  4. to bring to light or out of hiding
    • dig up facts
  5. to hollow out or form by removing earth : excavate
    • dig a hole
  6. to drive down so as to penetrate : thrust
  7. poke, prod
  8. to pay attention to : notice
    • dig that fancy hat
  9. understand, appreciate
    • couldn't dig the medical jargon
  10. like, admire
    • high school students dig short poetry -- David Burmester
  11. to turn up, loosen, or remove earth
  12. to work hard or laboriously
  13. to advance by or as if by removing or pushing aside material
  14. thrust, poke
  15. a cutting remark
  16. accommodations for living or working
  17. lodging, hotel
  18. an archaeological excavation site
  19. the excavation itself
  20. digest

dig·a·my ['di-gə-mē] -n

  1. a second marriage after the termination of the first

di·gas·tric [(,)dī-'gas-trik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being either of a pair of muscles that depress the lower jaw and raise the hyoid bone during swallowing

di·ge·net·ic [,dī-jə-'ne-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to a subclass (Digenea) of trematode worms in which sexual reproduction as an internal parasite of a vertebrate alternates with asexual reproduction in a mollusk

di·ge·ra·ti [,di-jə-'rä-(,)tē] -n pl

  1. persons well versed in computer use and technology

di·gest ['dī-,jest] -n

  1. : a summation or condensation of a body of information: as
  2. a systematic compilation of legal rules, statutes, or decisions
  3. a periodical devoted to condensed versions of previously published articles
  4. a product of digestion
  5. to distribute or arrange systematically : classify
  6. to convert (food) into absorbable form
  7. to take into the mind or memory
  8. to assimilate mentally
  9. to soften, decompose, or break down by heat and moisture or chemical action
    • DNA digest ed by restriction enzymes
  10. to extract soluble ingredients from by warming with a liquid
  11. to compress into a short summary
  12. absorb
    • the capacity of the U.S. to digest immigrants
  13. to digest food
  14. to become digested
    • foods that digest easily

di·gest·er [-'jes-tər] -n

  1. one that digests or makes a digest
  2. a vessel for digesting esp. plant or animal materials

di·gest·ibil·i·ty [-,jes-tə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the fitness of something for digestion
  2. the percentage of a foodstuff taken into the digestive tract that is absorbed into the body

di·gest·ible [-'jes-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being digested

di·ges·tif [,dē-zhes-'tēf] -n

  1. an alcoholic drink (as brandy or a liqueur) usu. taken after a meal

di·ges·tion [dī-'jes-chən, də-, -'jesh-] -n

  1. : the action, process, or power of digesting: as
  2. the process of making food absorbable by dissolving it and breaking it down into simpler chemical compounds that occurs in the living body chiefly through the action of enzymes secreted into the alimentary canal
  3. the process in sewage treatment by which organic matter in sludge is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria with the release of a burnable mixture of gases

di·ges·tive [-'jes-tiv] -n

  1. an aid to digestion esp. of food

digestive -adj, adv

  1. relating to or functioning in digestion
    • the digestive system
  2. having the power to cause or promote digestion
    • digestive enzymes

digestive gland -n

  1. a gland secreting digestive enzymes

dig·ger ['di-gər] -n

  1. one that digs
  2. a tool or machine for digging
  3. a No. American Indian (as a Paiute) who dug roots for food
  4. an Australian or New Zealand soldier

digger wasp -n

  1. a burrowing wasp
  2. any of numerous usu. solitary wasps (superfamily Sphecoidea) that dig nest burrows in the soil and provision them with insects or spiders paralyzed by stinging

dig·gings ['di-giŋz] -n pl

  1. a place of excavating esp. for ore, metals, or precious stones
  2. material dug out
  3. quarters, premises
  4. lodgings for a student

dight ['dīt] -vt

  1. dress, adorn

dig in -vt

  1. to cover or incorporate by burying
    • dig in compost
  2. to establish in a dug defensive position
    • the platoon was well dug in
  3. to establish a defensive position esp. by digging trenches
  4. to go resolutely to work
  5. to begin eating
  6. to hold stubbornly to a position
  7. to scuff the ground for better footing while batting (as in baseball)

dig·it ['di-jət] -n

  1. any of the Arabic numerals 1 to 9 and usu. the symbol 0
  2. one of the elements that combine to form numbers in a system other than the decimal system
  3. a unit of length based on the breadth of a finger and equal in English measure to inch
  4. any of the divisions in which the limbs of most vertebrates terminate, which are typically five in number but may be reduced (as in the horse), and which typically have a series of phalanges bearing a nail, claw, or hoof at the tip

dig·i·tal ['di-jə-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the fingers or toes
    • digital dexterity
  2. done with a finger
    • a digital rectal examination
  3. of, relating to, or using calculation by numerical methods or by discrete units
  4. of, relating to, or being data in the form of esp. binary digits
    • digital images
    • a digital readout
  5. of, relating to, or employing digital communications signals
    • a digital broadcast
  6. providing a readout in numerical digits
    • a digital voltmeter
  7. relating to an audio recording method in which sound waves are represented digitally (as on magnetic tape) so that in the recording wow and flutter are eliminated and background noise is reduced
  8. electronic
    • digital devices
  9. characterized by electronic and esp. computerized technology
    • the digital age

digital camera -n

  1. a camera that records images as digital data instead of on film

digital computer -n

  1. a computer that operates with numbers expressed directly as digits

dig·i·tal·in [,di-jə-'ta-lən also -'tā-] -n

  1. a white crystalline steroid glycoside C 36H 56O 14obtained from seeds esp. of the common foxglove
  2. a mixture of the glycosides of digitalis

dig·i·tal·is [-'ta-ləs also -'tā-] -n

  1. foxglove
  2. the dried powdered leaf of the common foxglove that contains glycosides which act on the heart and that is a powerful cardiotonic serving esp. to increase the force of myocardial contraction
  3. any of various cardiac glycosides (as digitalin or digoxin) that are constituents of digitalis or are derived from a related foxglove ( Digitalis lanata)

dig·i·ta·li·za·tion [,di-jə-tə-lə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. the administration of digitalis until the desired physiological adjustment is attained
  2. the bodily state so produced

dig·i·ta·lize ['di-jə-tə-,līz] -vt

  1. to subject to digitalization

dig·i·tal·ize ['di-jə-tə-,līz] -vt

  1. digitize

digital subscriber line -n

  1. a high-speed communications connection used for accessing the Internet and carrying short-range transmissions over ordinary telephone lines

digital versatile disc -n

  1. dvd

digital video disc -n

  1. dvd

dig·i·tate ['di-jə-,tāt] -adj, adv

  1. having divisions arranged like those of a bird's foot
    • digitate leaves

digiti- -comb form

  1. digit : finger
    • digiti grade

dig·i·ti·grade ['di-jə-tə-,grād] -adj

  1. walking on the digits with the posterior of the foot more or less raised

dig·i·tize ['di-jə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to convert (as data or an image) to digital form

digitizing tablet -n

  1. graphics tablet

dig·i·to·nin [,di-jə-'tō-nən] -n

  1. a steroid saponin C 56H 92O 29occurring in the leaves and seeds of the common foxglove

digi·toxi·gen·in [,di-jə-,täk-sə-'je-nən] -n

  1. a steroid lactone C 23H 34O 4obtained esp. by hydrolysis of digitoxin

digi·tox·in [,di-jə-'täk-sən] -n

  1. a poisonous cardiotonic glycoside C 41H 64O 13that is the most active constituent of digitalis
  2. a mixture of digitalis glycosides consisting chiefly of digitoxin

di·glyc·er·ide [,dī-'gli-sə-rīd] -n

  1. an ester formed from glycerol by reacting two of its hydroxyl groups with fatty acids

dig·ni·fied ['dig-nə-,fīd] -adj

  1. showing or expressing dignity

dig·ni·fy ['dig-nə-,fī] -vt

  1. to give distinction to : ennoble
  2. to confer dignity upon
  3. to give undue attention or status to
    • won't dignify that remark with a reply

dig·ni·tary ['dig-nə-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -n, adj

  1. one who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor

dig·ni·ty ['dig-nə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed
  2. high rank, office, or position
  3. a legal title of nobility or honor
  4. dignitary
  5. formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language

dig out -vt

  1. find, unearth
  2. to make hollow by digging
  3. take off

di·gox·in [di-'jäk-sən, -'gäk-] -n

  1. a poisonous cardiotonic steroid C 41H 64O 14obtained from a foxglove ( Digitalis lanata) and used esp. to treat atrial fibrillation

di·graph ['dī-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. a group of two successive letters whose phonetic value is a single sound (as eain breador ngin sing) or whose value is not the sum of a value borne by each in other occurrences (as chin chinwhere the value is t sh)
  2. a group of two successive letters
  3. ligature

di·gress [dī-'gres, də-] -vi

  1. to turn aside esp. from the main subject of attention or course of argument

di·gres·sion [-'gre-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or an instance of digressing in a discourse or other usu. organized literary work
  2. a going aside

di·gres·sive [-'gre-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by digressions
    • a digressive talk

dig up -vt

  1. find, unearth

di·he·dral [(,)dī-'hē-drəl] -n

  1. dihedral angle
  2. the angle between an aircraft supporting surface (as a wing) and a horizontal transverse line

dihedral angle -n

  1. a figure formed by two intersecting planes

di·hy·brid [(,)dī-'hī-brəd] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, involving, or being an individual or strain that is heterozygous at two genetic loci

dihydr- -comb form

  1. combined with two atoms of hydrogen
    • dihydro ergotamine

di·hy·dro·er·got·a·mine [(,)dī-,hī-drō-,ər-'gä-tə-,mēn] -n

  1. a hydrogenated derivative C 33H 37N 5O 5of ergotamine that is used in the treatment of migraine

di·hy·dro·tes·tos·ter·one [(,)dī-,hī-drō-te-'stäs-tə-,rōn] -n

  1. a biologically active metabolite C 19H 30O 2of testosterone having similar androgenic activity

dihydroxy- -comb form

  1. containing two hydroxyl groups
    • dihydroxy acetone

di·hy·droxy·ac·e·tone [,dī-hī-,dräk-sē-'a-sə-,tōn] -n

  1. a glyceraldehyde isomer C 3H 6O 3used esp. to stain the skin to simulate a tan

Di·jon mustard ['dē-,zhän-, di-'zhän-, dē-'zhōⁿ-] -n

  1. a prepared mustard made from dark mustard seeds, white wine, and spices

dikdik ['dik-,dik] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Madoqua) of small antelopes of eastern and southern Africa having an elongated snout

dike ['dīk] -n

  1. an artificial watercourse : ditch
  2. a bank usu. of earth constructed to control or confine water : levee
  3. a barrier preventing passage esp. of something undesirable
  4. a raised causeway
  5. a tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected while molten into a fissure
  6. to surround or protect with a dike
  7. to drain by a dike

(variant of dyke)

  1. lesbian

dik·tat [dik-'tät] -n

  1. a harsh settlement unilaterally imposed (as on a defeated nation)
  2. decree, order

dil -abbr

  1. dilute

Di·lan·tin [dī-'lan-tᵊn, də-] -trademark

  1. used for phenytoin

di·lap·i·date [də-'la-pə-,dāt] -vb, n

  1. to bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin
    • furniture is dilapidated by use -- Janet Flanner
  2. squander
  3. to become dilapidated

di·lap·i·dat·ed -adj

  1. decayed, deteriorated, or fallen into partial ruin esp. through neglect or misuse
    • a dilapidated old house

di·lat·an·cy [dī-'lā-tᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. the property of being dilatant

di·lat·ant [-tᵊnt] -adj

  1. increasing in viscosity and setting to a solid as a result of deformation by expansion, pressure, or agitation

di·la·ta·tion [,di-lə-'tā-shən, ,dī-] -n, adj

  1. amplification in writing or speech
  2. the condition of being stretched beyond normal dimensions esp. as a result of overwork, disease, or abnormal relaxation
    • dilatation of the heart
    • dilatation of the stomach
  3. dilation
  4. the action of expanding : the state of being expanded
  5. a dilated part or formation

di·late ['dī-,lāt, dī-'] -vb, n, adj

  1. to describe or set forth at length or in detail
  2. to enlarge or expand in bulk or extent : distend, widen
  3. to comment at length : discourse usu. used with on or upon
  4. to become wide : swell
    • the pupil of the eye dilate s and contracts

di·lat·ed -adj

  1. expanded laterally
  2. being flat and widened
    • dilated leaves
  3. expanded normally or abnormally in all dimensions

di·la·tion [dī-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the act or action of dilating : the state of being dilated : expansion, dilatation
  2. the action of stretching or enlarging an organ or part of the body

di·la·tive [dī-'lā-tiv, 'dī-,] -adj

  1. causing dilation : tending to dilate

di·la·tom·e·ter [,di-lə-'tä-mə-tər, ,dī-] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for measuring expansion

dil·a·to·ry ['di-lə-,tȯr-ē] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending or intended to cause delay
    • dilatory tactics
  2. characterized by procrastination : tardy
    • dilatory in paying bills

dil·do ['dil-(,)dō] -n

  1. an object resembling a penis used for sexual stimulation

di·lem·ma [də-'le-mə also dī-] -n, adj

  1. an argument presenting two or more equally conclusive alternatives against an opponent
  2. a usu. undesirable or unpleasant choice
    • faces this dilemma: raise interest rates and slow the economy or lower them and risk serious inflation
  3. a situation involving such a choice
    • here am I brought to a very pretty dilemma; I must commit murder or commit matrimony -- George Farquhar
  4. predicament
    • lords and bailiffs were in a terrible dilemma -- G. M. Trevelyan
  5. a problem involving a difficult choice
    • the dilemma of liberty versus order -- J. M. Burns
  6. a difficult or persistent problem
    • unemployment...the great central dilemma of our advancing technology -- August Heckscher

dil·et·tante ['di-lə-,tänt, -,tant; ,di-lə-'] -n, adj

  1. an admirer or lover of the arts
  2. a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge : dabbler

dil·i·gence ['di-lə-jən(t)s] -n

  1. persevering application : assiduity
  2. speed, haste
  3. the attention and care legally expected or required of a person (as a party to a contract)

di·li·gence ['di-lə-,zhäⁿs, 'di-lə-jən(t)s] -n

  1. stagecoach

dil·i·gent ['di-lə-jənt] -adj, adv

  1. characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking
    • a diligent worker

dill ['dil] -n, adj

  1. any of several plants of the carrot family
  2. a European herb ( Anethum graveolens) with aromatic foliage and seeds both of which are used in flavoring foods and esp. pickles
  3. the foliage of dill
  4. dill pickle

dill pickle -n

  1. a pickle seasoned with fresh dill

dill weed -n

  1. dill

dil·ly ['di-lē] -n

  1. one that is remarkable or outstanding
    • had a dilly of a storm
    • for a practical joke, that was a dilly

dil·ly bag ['di-lē-] -n

  1. an Australian mesh bag made of native fibers

dil·ly·dal·ly ['di-lē-,da-lē] -vi

  1. to waste time by loitering or delaying : dawdle

dil·ti·a·zem [dil-'tī-ə-(,)zem] -n

  1. a calcium channel blocker C 22H 26N 2O 4S used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride as a coronary vasodilator

dil·u·ent ['dil-yə-wənt, -yü-ənt] -n

  1. a diluting agent (as the vehicle in a medicinal preparation)

di·lute [dī-'lüt, də-] -vt, n, adj

  1. attenuate
  2. to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
    • diluted wine
  3. to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of by admixture
    • dilute a color
  4. to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares

dilute -adj, n

  1. weak, diluted

di·lu·tion [dī-'lü-shən, də-] -n

  1. the action of diluting : the state of being diluted
  2. something (as a solution) that is diluted
  3. a lessening of real value (as of equity) by a decrease in relative worth
  4. a decrease of per share value of common stock by an increase in the total number of shares

di·lu·vi·al [də-'lü-vē-əl, dī-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or brought about by a flood

dim ['dim] -adj, adv, n

  1. emitting or having a limited or insufficient amount of light
    • dim stars
    • a dim lamp
    • a dim hallway
  2. dull, lusterless
    • dim colors
  3. lacking pronounced, clear-cut, or vigorous quality or character
    • a dim echo of the past
  4. seen indistinctly
    • a dim outline
  5. perceived by the senses or mind indistinctly or weakly : faint
    • had only a dim notion of what was going on
  6. having little prospect of favorable result or outcome
    • a dim future
  7. characterized by an unfavorable, skeptical, or pessimistic attitude usu. used in the phrase take a dim view of
  8. not perceiving clearly and distinctly
    • dim eyes
  9. dim-witted
  10. to make dim or lusterless
  11. to reduce the light from
  12. to become dim
  13. dusk, dimness
  14. low beam
  15. dimension
  16. diminished
  17. diminuendo
  18. diminutive

dim bulb -n

  1. dimwit

dime ['dīm] -n

  1. a coin of the U.S. worth dollar
  2. a petty sum of money
  3. a Canadian 10-cent piece
  4. a packet containing 10 dollars worth of an illicit drug (as marijuana) called also dime bag

di·men·hy·dri·nate [,dī-,men-'hī-drə-,nāt] -n

  1. a crystalline antihistamine C 24H 28ClN 5O 3used esp. to prevent nausea (as in motion sickness)

dime novel -n

  1. a usu. paperback melodramatic novel
  2. one popular in the U.S. from about the mid-19th century to the early 20th often featuring a Western theme

di·men·sion [də-'men(t)-shən also dī-] -n, adj, adv

  1. measure in one direction
  2. one of three coordinates determining a position in space or four coordinates determining a position in space and time
  3. one of a group of properties whose number is necessary and sufficient to determine uniquely each element of a system of usu. mathematical entities (as an aggregate of points in real or abstract space)
    • the surface of a sphere has two dimension s
  4. a parameter or coordinate variable assigned to such a property
    • the three dimension s of momentum
  5. the number of elements in a basis of a vector space
  6. the quality of spatial extension : magnitude, size
  7. a lifelike or realistic quality
  8. the range over which or the degree to which something extends : scope usu. used in pl.
  9. one of the elements or factors making up a complete personality or entity : aspect
  10. bodily form or proportions
  11. any of the fundamental units (as of mass, length, or time) on which a derived unit is based
  12. the power of such a unit
  13. wood or stone cut to pieces of specified size
  14. a level of existence or consciousness

dimension [-'men(t)-shə-niŋ] -vt

  1. to form to the required dimensions
  2. to indicate the dimensions of (as on a drawing)

di·mer ['dī-mər] -n, adj, vt

  1. a compound formed by the union of two radicals or two molecules of a simpler compound
  2. a polymer formed from two molecules of a monomer

di·mer·cap·rol [,dī-mər-'ka-,prȯl, -,prōl] -n

  1. a compound C 3H 8OS 2developed as an antidote against lewisite and used to treat arsenic, mercury, and gold poisoning called also BAL

dimestore ['dīm-,stȯr] -adj

  1. inexpensive
    • dimestore perfume
  2. tawdry, second-rate
    • dimestore philosophy

dime store -n

  1. five-and-ten

dim·e·ter ['di-mə-tər] -n

  1. a line of verse consisting of two metrical feet or of two dipodies

di·meth·o·ate [dī-'me-thə-,wāt, -thō-,āt] -n

  1. an organophosphorous insecticide and miticide C 5H 12NO 3PS 2used esp. on crops and ornamental plants

di·meth·yl [,dī-'me-thəl] -adj

  1. containing two methyl groups in the molecule often used in combination

di·meth·yl·hy·dra·zine [,dī-,me-thəl-'hī-drə-,zēn] -n

  1. either of two flammable corrosive isomeric liquids C 2H 8N 2which are methylated derivatives of hydrazine and of which one is used as a rocket fuel

di·meth·yl·ni·tro·sa·mine [-nī-'trō-sə-,mēn] -n

  1. a carcinogenic nitrosamine C 2H 6N 2O that occurs esp. in tobacco smoke

dimethyl sulfoxide -n

  1. a compound C 2H 6SO obtained as a by-product in wood-pulp manufacture and used as a solvent and in medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent called also DMSO

di·meth·yl·tryp·ta·mine [-'trip-tə-,mēn] -n

  1. a naturally occurring or easily synthesized hallucinogenic drug C 12H 16N 2that is chemically similar to but shorter acting than psilocybin called also DMT

dimin -abbr

  1. diminuendo

di·min·ish [də-'mi-nish] -vb, adj, n

  1. to make less or cause to appear less
    • diminish an army's strength
  2. to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle
    • diminish a rival's accomplishments
  3. to cause to taper
  4. to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle
  5. taper

di·min·ished -adj

  1. made one half step less than perfect or minor
    • a diminished fifth

diminishing returns -n pl

  1. a rate of yield that beyond a certain point fails to increase in proportion to additional investments of labor or capital
  2. benefits that beyond a certain point fail to increase in proportion to extended efforts

di·min·u·en·do [də-,min-yə-'wen-(,)dō, -yü-'en- also -,mi-nə-'] -adv or adj, n

  1. decrescendo

dim·i·nu·tion [,di-mə-'nü-shən also -'nyü-] -n

  1. the act, process, or an instance of diminishing : decrease

di·min·u·tive [də-'mi-nyə-tiv] -n

  1. a diminutive word, affix, or name
  2. a diminutive individual

diminutive -adj, adv, n

  1. indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible used of affixes (as -ette, -kin, -ling ) and of words formed with them (as kitchenette, manikin, duckling ), of clipped forms (as Jim ), and of altered forms (as Peggy )
  2. exceptionally or notably small : tiny
    • a diminutive performer

dim·i·ty ['di-mə-tē] -n

  1. a sheer usu. corded cotton fabric of plain weave in checks or stripes

DIMM -abbr

  1. dual in-line memory module

dim·mer ['di-mər] -n

  1. a device for regulating the intensity of an electric lighting unit
  2. low beam

di·mor·phic [(,)dī-'mȯr-fik] -adj

  1. dimorphous
  2. occurring in two distinct forms
    • dimorphic leaves
    • sexually dimorphic coloration in birds
  3. combining qualities of two kinds of individuals in one

di·mor·phism [-,fi-zəm] -n

  1. : the condition or property of being dimorphic or dimorphous: as
  2. the existence of two different forms (as of color or size) of a species esp. in the same population
    • sexual dimorphism
  3. the existence of a part (as leaves of a plant) in two different forms

di·mor·phous [(,)dī-'mȯr-fəs] -adj

  1. crystallizing in two different forms
  2. dimorphic

dim·out ['dim-,au̇t] -n

  1. a restriction limiting the use or showing of lights at night esp. during the threat of an air raid
  2. a condition of partial darkness produced by this restriction

dim·ple ['dim-pəl] -n, adj

  1. a slight natural indentation in the surface of some part of the human body
  2. a depression or indentation on a surface (as of a golf ball)

dimple [-p(ə-)liŋ] -vb

  1. to mark with dimples
  2. to exhibit or form dimples

dim sum ['dim-'səm] -n

  1. traditional Chinese food consisting of a variety of items (as steamed or fried dumplings, pieces of cooked chicken, and rice balls) served in small portions

dim·wit ['dim-,wit] -n

  1. a stupid or mentally slow person

dimwit·ted [-'wi-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. not mentally bright : stupid

din ['din] -n

  1. a loud continued noise
  2. a welter of discordant sounds
  3. a situation or condition resembling a din
  4. to make a loud noise
  5. to assail with loud continued noise
  6. to impress by insistent repetition often used with into
    • lessons dinned into us as children
  7. dinar

DIN -abbr

  1. German Industrial Standards

di·nar [di-'när, 'dē-,] -n

  1. a gold coin formerly used in countries of southwest Asia and north Africa
  2. see rial at

dine ['dīn] -vb

  1. to take dinner often used with on
    • dine on pasta
  2. to give a dinner to
    • wined her and dined her
  3. dinner

dine out -vi

  1. to eat a meal away from home

din·er ['dī-nər] -n

  1. a person who dines (as in a restaurant)
  2. dining car
  3. a restaurant usu. resembling a dining car in shape

din·erout [,dī-nər-'au̇t] -n

  1. a person who dines out

di·nette [dī-'net] -n

  1. a small space usu. off a kitchen used for informal dining
  2. furniture for such a space

ding ['diŋ] -vb

  1. to dwell on with tiresome repetition
    • keeps ding ing it into him that the less he smokes the better -- Samuel Butler 1902
  2. to make a ringing sound : clang
  3. to speak with tiresome reiteration
  4. an instance of minor surface damage (as a dent)
  5. to cause minor surface damage to
    • ding a car door

dingaling ['diŋ-ə-,liŋ] -n

  1. nitwit, kook

ding·bat ['diŋ-,bat] -n

  1. a typographical symbol or ornament (as *, , or )
  2. nitwit, kook

dingdong ['diŋ-,dȯŋ, -,däŋ] -n

  1. the ringing sound produced by repeated strokes esp. on a bell
  2. nitwit, kook
  3. to make a ding-dong sound
  4. to repeat a sound or action tediously or insistently
  5. marked by a rapid exchange or alternation (as of blows)
    • a dingdong battle

dinge ['dinj] -n

  1. the condition of being dingy

ding·er ['diŋ-ər] -n

  1. home run

din·ghy ['diŋ-ē, -gē] -n

  1. an East Indian rowboat or sailboat
  2. a small boat carried on or towed behind a larger boat as a tender or a lifeboat
  3. a small sailboat
  4. a rubber life raft

din·gle ['diŋ-gəl] -n

  1. a small wooded valley : dell

din·go ['diŋ-(,)gō] -n

  1. a wild dog ( Canis dingo) of Australia having a tan or reddish coat that is often considered a subspecies ( C. familiaris dingo) of the domestic dog

din·gus ['diŋ-(g)əs] -n

  1. doodad

din·gy ['din-jē] -adj, adv, n

  1. dirty, unclean
  2. shabby, squalid

dining car -n

  1. a railroad car in which meals are served

dining room -n

  1. a room used for eating meals

di·ni·tro [(,)dī-'nī-trō] -adj

  1. containing two nitro groups often used in combination

di·ni·tro·ben·zene [(,)dī-,nī-trō-'ben-,zēn, -(,)ben-'] -n

  1. any of three isomeric toxic compounds C 6H 4(NO 2) 2

di·ni·tro·phe·nol [-'fē-,nōl, -fi-'] -n

  1. any of six isomeric crystalline compounds C 6H 4N 2O 5some of whose derivatives are pesticides

dink ['diŋk] -n

  1. dinghy
  2. drop shot
  3. nitwit, jerk, nerd
  4. a couple with two incomes and no children
  5. a member of such a couple

Din·ka ['diŋ-kə] -n

  1. a member of a pastoral people of the Nile Valley in south central Sudan
  2. the Nilotic language of the Dinkas

din·key ['diŋ-kē] -n

  1. a small locomotive

din·kum ['diŋ-kəm] -adj

  1. authentic, genuine often used with fair
    • I was fair dinkum about my interest in their culture -- Percy Trezise

dinkum -adv

  1. truly, honestly often used with fair often used interjectionally

din·ky ['diŋ-kē] -adj

  1. overly or unattractively small
    • drives a dinky little car
  2. attractively small : cute

din·ner ['di-nər] -n, adj

  1. the principal meal of the day
  2. a formal feast or banquet
  3. table d'hote
  4. the food prepared for a dinner
    • eat your dinner
  5. a packaged meal usu. for quick preparation
    • warmed up a frozen dinner

dinner jacket [-'ja-kə-təd] -n, adj

  1. a jacket for formal evening wear

dinner theater -n

  1. a restaurant in which a play is presented after the meal is over

din·ner·time ['di-nər-,tīm] -n

  1. the customary time for dinner

din·ner·ware [-,wer] -n

  1. tableware other than flatware

di·no ['dī-(,)nō] -n

  1. dinosaur
  2. dinosaur

di·no·fla·gel·late [,dī-nō-'fla-jə-lət, -,lāt; -flə-'je-lət] -n

  1. any of an order (Dinoflagellata) of chiefly marine planktonic usu. solitary unicellular phytoflagellates that include luminescent forms, forms important in marine food chains, and forms causing red tide

di·no·saur ['dī-nə-,sȯr] -n, adj

  1. any of a group (Dinosauria) of extinct often very large chiefly terrestrial carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles of the Mesozoic era
  2. any of various large extinct reptiles (as ichthyosaurs) other than the true dinosaurs
  3. one that is impractically large, out-of-date, or obsolete

dint ['dint] -n

  1. blow, stroke
  2. force, power
  3. dent
  4. to make a dent in
  5. to impress or drive in with force

di·nu·cle·o·tide [(,)dī-'n(y)ü-klē-ə-,tīd] -n

  1. a nucleotide consisting of two units each composed of a phosphate, a pentose, and a nitrogen base

di·oc·e·san [dī-'ä-sə-sən also 'dī-ə-,sē-sᵊn] -n

  1. a bishop having jurisdiction over a diocese

di·o·cese ['dī-ə-səs, -,sēs, -,sēz] -n, adj

  1. the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop

di·ode ['dī-,ōd] -n

  1. an electronic device that has two electrodes or terminals and is used esp. as a rectifier

di·oe·cious [(,)dī-'ē-shəs] -adj, n

  1. having male reproductive organs in one individual and female in another
  2. having staminate and pistillate flowers borne on different individuals

di·ol ['dī-,ōl, -,ȯl] -n

  1. a compound containing two hydroxyl groups

di·ole·fin [dī-'ō-lə-fən] -n

  1. diene

Di·o·me·des [,dī-ə-'mē-dēz] -n

  1. one of the Greek heroes of the Trojan War

Di·o·ny·sia [,dī-ə-'ni-zhē-ə, -'nē-, -shē-, -zē-, -sē-] -n pl

  1. ancient Greek festival observances held in seasonal cycles in honor of Dionysus
  2. such observances marked by dramatic performances

Di·o·ny·si·ac [-'ni-zhē-,ak, -'nē-, -shē-, -zē-, -sē-] -adj, n

  1. dionysian

Di·o·ny·sian [-'ni-zhē-ən, -'nē-, -shē-, -zē-, -sē-; -zhən, -shən] -adj

  1. of or relating to Dionysius
  2. of or relating to the theological writings once mistakenly attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite
  3. devoted to the worship of Dionysus
  4. characteristic of Dionysus or the cult of worship of Dionysus
  5. being of a frenzied or orgiastic character

Di·o·ny·sus [,dī-ə-'nī-səs, -'nē-] -n

  1. bacchus

Di·o·phan·tine equation [,dī-ə-'fan-,tīn-, -'fan-tᵊn-] -n

  1. an indeterminate polynomial equation which has integral coefficients and for which it is required to find all integral solutions

di·op·side [dī-'äp-,sīd] -n, adj

  1. a green to white mineral that consists of pyroxene containing little or no aluminum

di·op·ter [dī-'äp-tər, 'dī-,äp-] -n

  1. a unit of measurement of the refractive power of lenses equal to the reciprocal of the focal length in meters

di·op·tric [dī-'äp-trik] -adj

  1. refractive
  2. assisting vision by refracting and focusing light

di·ora·ma [,dī-ə-'ra-mə, -'rä-] -n, adj

  1. a scenic representation in which a partly translucent painting is seen from a distance through an opening
  2. a scenic representation in which sculptured figures and lifelike details are displayed usu. in miniature so as to blend indistinguishably with a realistic painted background
  3. a life-size exhibit (as of a wildlife specimen or scene) with realistic natural surroundings and a painted background

di·o·rite ['dī-ə-,rīt] -n, adj

  1. a granular crystalline igneous rock commonly of acid plagioclase and hornblende, pyroxene, or biotite

Di·os·cu·ri [,dī-əs-'kyu̇r-,ī, dī-'äs-kyə-,rī] -n pl

  1. the twins Castor and Pollux reunited as stars in the sky by Zeus after Castor's death and regarded as patrons of athletes and sailors

di·ox·ane [dī-'äk-,sān] -n

  1. a flammable toxic liquid diether C 4H 8O 2used esp. as a solvent

di·ox·ide [(,)dī-'äk-,sīd] -n

  1. an oxide (as carbon dioxide) containing two atoms of oxygen in the molecule

di·ox·in [(,)dī-'äk-sən] -n

  1. any of several persistent toxic heterocyclic hydrocarbons that occur esp. as by-products of various industrial processes (as pesticide manufacture and paper making) and waste incineration
  2. tcdd

dip ['dip] -vb, adj

  1. to plunge or immerse momentarily or partially under the surface (as of a liquid) so as to moisten, cool, or coat
    • dip candles
  2. to thrust in a way to suggest immersion
  3. to immerse (as a sheep or dog) in an antiseptic or parasiticidal solution
  4. to lift a portion of by reaching below the surface with something shaped to hold liquid : ladle
  5. to take a portion of (snuff)
  6. involve
  7. mortgage
  8. to lower and then raise again
    • dip a flag in salute
  9. dim
  10. to plunge into a liquid and quickly emerge
  11. to immerse something into a processing liquid or finishing material
  12. to suddenly drop down or out of sight
  13. to drop suddenly before climbing
  14. to decline or decrease moderately and usu. temporarily
    • prices dipped
  15. to lower the body momentarily esp. as part of an athletic or dancing motion
  16. to withdraw a part of the contents of something by or as if by reaching down inside it used with into
    • dipped into his pocket for change
    • dipped into the family's savings
  17. to examine or read something casually or superficially used with into
    • dip into a book
  18. to incline downward from the plane of the horizon
  19. an act of dipping
  20. a brief plunge into the water for sport or exercise
    • a quick dip in the pool
  21. : inclination downward:
  22. pitch
  23. a sharp downward course : drop
    • a dip in popularity
  24. the angle that a stratum or similar geological feature makes with a horizontal plane
  25. the angle formed with the horizon by a magnetic needle free to rotate in the vertical plane
  26. hollow, depression
    • a dip in the road
  27. something obtained by or used in dipping
    • a dip of ice cream
    • a dip of snuff
  28. a sauce or soft mixture into which food may be dipped
    • bean dip
  29. a liquid preparation for the dipping of something
  30. an insecticide or parasiticide for the dipping of animals
    • a sheep dip
  31. pickpocket
  32. a stupid or unsophisticated person
  33. diploma

DIP -abbr

  1. dual in-line package; dual in-line packaging

di·pep·ti·dase [dī-'pep-tə-,dās, -,dāz] -n

  1. any of various enzymes that hydrolyze dipeptides but not polypeptides

di·pep·tide [(,)dī-'pep-,tīd] -n

  1. a peptide that yields two molecules of amino acid on hydrolysis

di·pha·sic [(,)dī-'fā-zik] -adj

  1. having two phases

di·phen·hy·dra·mine [,dī-,fen-'hī-drə-,mēn] -n

  1. an antihistamine C 17H 21NO used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride

di·phe·nyl·amine [(,)dī-,fe-nᵊl-ə-'mēn, -,fē-, -nᵊl-'a-mən] -n

  1. a crystalline pleasant-smelling compound (C 6H 5) 2NH used chiefly in the manufacture of dyes and as an indicator

di·phe·nyl·hy·dan·to·in [-hī-'dan-tə-wən] -n

  1. phenytoin

di·phos·gene [(,)dī-'fäz-,jēn] -n

  1. a liquid compound C 2Cl 4O 2used as a poison gas in World War I

di·phos·phate [(,)dī-'fäs-,fāt] -n

  1. a phosphate containing two phosphate groups

di·phos·pho·gly·cer·ic acid [(,)dī-'fäs-fō-gli-,ser-ik-] -n

  1. a diphosphate of glyceric acid that is an important intermediate in photosynthesis and in glycolysis and fermentation

di·phos·pho·pyr·i·dine nucleotide [-,pir-ə-,dēn-] -n

  1. nad

diph·the·ria [dif-'thir-ē-ə, ÷dip-] -n, adj

  1. an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane esp. in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium ( Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system

diph·the·roid ['dif-thə-,rȯid] -adj

  1. resembling diphtheria

diphtheroid -n

  1. a bacterium (esp. genus Corynebacterium) that resembles the bacterium of diphtheria but does not produce diphtheria toxin

diph·thong ['dif-,thȯŋ, 'dip-] -n, adj

  1. a gliding monosyllabic speech sound (as the vowel combination at the end of toy) that starts at or near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves to or toward the position of another
  2. digraph
  3. the ligature or

diph·thong·ize ['dif-,thȯŋ-,īz, 'dip-] -vb, n

  1. to change into a diphthong
  2. to pronounce as a diphthong

diphy- -comb form

  1. double : bipartite
    • diphy odont

di·phy·let·ic [,dī-fī-'le-tik] -adj

  1. derived from two lines of evolutionary descent
    • diphyletic hadrosaurs

di·phy·odont [(,)dī-'fī-ə-,dänt] -adj

  1. marked by the successive development of deciduous and permanent sets of teeth

dipl- -comb form

  1. double : twofold
    • dipl opia
  2. diploid
    • diplo phase

di·ple·gia [dī-'plē-j(ē-)ə] -n

  1. paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body

dip·lo·blas·tic [,dip-lō-'blas-tik] -adj

  1. having two germ layers used of an embryo or lower invertebrate that lacks a true mesoderm

dip·lo·coc·cus [-'kä-kəs] -n

  1. any of various encapsulated bacteria (as Streptococcus pneumoniae,a common cause of pneumonia) that usu. occur in pairs and that were formerly grouped in a single taxon (genus Diplococcus) but are now all assigned to other genera

di·plod·o·cus [də-'plä-də-kəs, dī-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Diplodocus) of large herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs of the late Jurassic known from remains found in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah

dip·loe ['di-plə-,wē, -plō-,ē] -n, adj

  1. cancellous bony tissue between the external and internal layers of the skull

dip·loid ['di-,plȯid] -adj, n

  1. having two haploid sets of homologous chromosomes
    • diploid somatic cells

diploid -n

  1. a single cell, individual, or generation characterized by the diploid chromosome number

di·plo·ma [də-'plō-mə] -n

  1. an official or state document : charter
  2. a writing usu. under seal conferring some honor or privilege
  3. a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution

di·plo·ma·cy [də-'plō-mə-sē] -n

  1. the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations
  2. skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility : tact

diploma mill -n

  1. a usu. unregulated institution of higher education granting degrees with few or no academic requirements

dip·lo·mat ['di-plə-,mat] -n

  1. one employed or skilled in diplomacy

dip·lo·mate ['di-plə-,māt] -n

  1. a person who holds a diploma
  2. a physician qualified to practice in a medical specialty by advanced training and experience in the specialty followed by passing an intensive examination by a national board of senior specialists

dip·lo·mat·ic [,di-plə-'ma-tik] -adj, adv

  1. paleographic
  2. exactly reproducing the original
    • a diplomatic edition
  3. of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats
    • diplomatic relations
  4. employing tact and conciliation esp. in situations of stress

di·plo·ma·tist [də-'plō-mə-tist] -n

  1. diplomat

dip·lo·phase ['di-plə-,fāz] -n

  1. a diploid phase in a life cycle

dip·lo·pia [di-'plō-pē-ə] -n, adj

  1. a disorder of vision in which two images of a single object are seen (as from unequal action of the eye muscles) called also double vision

dip·lo·pod ['di-plə-,päd] -n

  1. millipede

dip·lo·tene ['di-plə-,tēn] -n, adj

  1. a stage of meiotic prophase which follows the pachytene and during which the paired homologous chromosomes begin to separate and chiasmata become visible

dip net ['dip-,net] -n, vt

  1. a bag net with a handle that is used esp. to scoop fish from the water

dip·no·an ['dip-nə-wən, -nō-ən] -n

  1. lungfish

dip·o·dy ['di-pə-dē] -n, adj

  1. a prosodic unit or measure of two feet

di·pole ['dī-,pōl] -n, adj

  1. a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated esp. by a small distance
  2. a body or system (as a molecule) having such charges or poles
  3. a radio antenna consisting of two horizontal rods in line with each other with their ends slightly separated

dipole moment -n

  1. the moment produced by a magnetic or electric dipole
  2. the product of the distance between the two poles and the magnitude of either pole

dip·per ['di-pər] -n

  1. : one that dips: as
  2. a worker who dips articles
  3. something (as a long-handled cup) used for dipping
  4. pickpocket
  5. any of a genus ( Cinclusand esp. C. cinclusof the Old World and C. mexicanusof No. America) of birds that comprise an oscine family (Cinclidae) and include individuals that wade and dive into swift mountain streams in search of food called also water ouzel
  6. : a group of stars that resembles a dipper: as
  7. big dipper
  8. little dipper

dip·py ['di-pē] -adj, n

  1. foolish

dip·shit ['dip-,shit] -n

  1. a stupid or incompetent person

dip·so ['dip-(,)sō] -n

  1. one affected with dipsomania

dip·so·ma·nia [,dip-sə-'mā-nē-ə, -nyə] -n, adj

  1. an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors

dip·stick ['dip-,stik] -n

  1. a graduated rod for indicating depth (as of oil in a crankcase)
  2. nitwit
  3. a chemically sensitive strip of paper used to identify one or more constituents (as glucose or protein) of urine by immersion

dip·ter·an ['dip-tə-rən] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a fly (sense 2a)

dip·tero·carp ['dip-tə-rō-,kärp] -n

  1. any of a family (Dipterocarpaceae) of tall hardwood tropical trees chiefly of southeastern Asia that have a 2-winged fruit and are the source of valuable timber, aromatic oils, and resins
  2. a tree of the type genus ( Dipterocarpus)

dip·tych ['dip-(,)tik] -n

  1. a 2-leaved hinged tablet folding together to protect writing on its waxed surfaces
  2. a picture or series of pictures (as an altarpiece) painted or carved on two hinged tablets
  3. a work made up of two matching parts

di·quat ['dī-,kwät] -n

  1. a powerful herbicide and plant desiccant C 12H 12Br 2N 2used esp. to control aquatic weeds and to desiccate aerial plant parts (as of potatoes) before harvesting

dir -abbr

  1. direction
  2. director

di·ram [di-'ram] -n

  1. see somoni at

dir·dum ['dir-dəm, 'dər-] -n

  1. blame

dire ['dī(-ə)r] -adj, adv, n

  1. exciting horror
    • dire suffering
  2. dismal, oppressive
    • dire days
  3. warning of disaster
    • a dire forecast
  4. desperately urgent
    • dire need
  5. extreme
    • dire poverty

di·rect [də-'rekt, dī-] -vb

  1. to write (a letter) to a person
  2. to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient
  3. to impart orally
  4. to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability
    • arguments direct ed at the emotions
  5. to regulate the activities or course of
  6. to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of
    • direct a project
  7. to dominate and determine the course of
  8. to train and lead performances of
    • direct a movie
  9. to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course
    • X-rays direct ed through the body
  10. to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course
    • direct the nozzle down
  11. to request or enjoin with authority
    • the judge direct ed the jury to acquit
  12. to show or point out the way for
    • signs direct ing us to the entrance
  13. to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure
  14. to act as director

direct -adj

  1. having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde
  2. stemming immediately from a source
    • direct result
  3. being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal
    • direct ancestor
  4. having no compromising or impairing element
    • a direct insult
  5. proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : straight
    • a direct line
  6. proceeding by the shortest way
    • the direct route
  7. natural, straightforward
    • a direct manner
  8. marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence
    • making direct observations of nature
  9. effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives
    • direct democracy
  10. consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
    • a direct quotation
  11. characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship
    • direct evidence
  12. capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant
  13. : in a direct way: as
  14. from point to point without deviation : by the shortest way
    • flew direct to Miami
  15. from the source without interruption or diversion
    • the writer must take his material direct from life -- Douglas Stewart
  16. without an intervening agency or step
    • buy direct from the manufacturer

direct action -n

  1. action that seeks to achieve an end directly and by the most immediately effective means (as boycott or strike)

direct broadcast satellite -n

  1. a television broadcasting system in which satellite transmissions are received by a dish antenna at the viewing location (as a home)

direct current -n

  1. an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value abbr. DC

direct deposit -n

  1. a method of payment in which money is transferred to the payee's account without the use of checks or cash

di·rect·ed [də-'rek-təd, dī-] -adj, n

  1. subject to supervision or regulation
    • a directed reading program for students
  2. having a positive or negative sense
    • directed line segment

direct examination -n

  1. the first examination of a witness by the party calling the witness

di·rec·tion [də-'rek-shən, dī-] -n, adj

  1. guidance or supervision of action or conduct : management
  2. superscription
  3. an explicit instruction : order
  4. assistance in pointing out the proper route usu. used in pl.
    • asked for direction s to the beach
  5. the line or course on which something is moving or is aimed to move or along which something is pointing or facing
  6. directorate
  7. a channel or direct course of thought or action
  8. tendency, trend
  9. a guiding, governing, or motivating purpose
  10. the art and technique of directing an orchestra, band, or a show (as for stage or screen)
  11. a word, phrase, or sign indicating the appropriate tempo, mood, or intensity of a passage or movement in music

di·rec·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, n

  1. : of, relating to, or indicating direction in space:
  2. suitable for detecting the direction from which radio signals come or for sending out radio signals in one direction only
    • a directional antenna
  3. operating most effectively in a particular direction
    • a directional microphone
  4. relating to direction or guidance esp. of thought or effort

direction angle -n

  1. an angle made by a given line with an axis of reference
  2. such an angle made by a straight line with the three axes of a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system usu. used in pl.

direction cosine -n

  1. any of the cosines of the three angles between a directed line in space and the positive direction of the axes of a rectangular Cartesian coordinate system usu. used in pl.

direction finder -n

  1. a radio receiving device for determining the direction of incoming radio waves that typically consists of a coil antenna rotating freely on a vertical axis

di·rec·tive [də-'rek-tiv, dī-] -adj

  1. serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence
  2. serving to point direction
  3. directional
  4. of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client

directive -n

  1. something that serves to direct, guide, and usu. impel toward an action or goal
  2. an authoritative instrument issued by a high-level body or official

di·rec·tiv·i·ty [də-,rek-'ti-və-tē, (,)dī-] -n

  1. the property of being directional

direct lighting -n

  1. lighting in which the greater part of the light goes directly from the source to the area lit

di·rect·ly [də-'rek(t)-lē, dī-, in sense 2 esp də-'rek-lē or 'drek-lē] -adv

  1. in a direct manner
    • directly relevant
    • the road runs directly east and west
  2. in immediate physical contact
  3. in the manner of direct variation
  4. without delay : immediately
    • the second game followed directly after the first
  5. in a little while : shortly
    • we'll be leaving directly
  6. immediately after : as soon as
    • directly I received it I rang up the shipping company -- F. W. Crofts

directly proportional -adj

  1. related by direct variation

direct mail -n

  1. printed matter (as circulars) prepared for soliciting business or contributions and mailed directly to individuals

direct marketing -n

  1. marketing by means of direct communication with consumers (as through catalogs and telemarketing)

di·rect·ness [də-'rek(t)-nəs, dī-] -n

  1. the character of being accurate in course or aim
  2. strict pertinence : straightforwardness
    • her directness was disarming -- Robin Cook

direct object -n

  1. a word or phrase denoting the goal or the result of the action of a verb

Di·rec·toire [dē-(,)rek-'twä(r), -'rek-,] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or imitative of the style of clothing, furniture, or decoration prevalent in France during the period of the Directory

di·rec·tor [də-'rek-tər, dī-] -n

  1. : one who directs: as
  2. the head of an organized group or administrative unit (as a bureau or school)
  3. one of a group of persons entrusted with the overall direction of a corporate enterprise
  4. a person who supervises the production of a show (as for stage or screen) usu. with responsibility for action, lighting, music, and rehearsals
  5. conductor

di·rec·tor·ate [də-'rek-t(ə-)rət, dī-] -n

  1. the office of director
  2. a board of directors (as of a corporation)
  3. membership on a board of directors
  4. an executive staff (as of a department)

di·rec·to·ri·al [də-,rek-'tȯr-ē-əl, (,)dī-] -adj

  1. serving to direct
  2. of or relating to a director or to theatrical or motion-picture direction
  3. of, relating to, or administered by a directory

director's chair -n

  1. a lightweight folding armchair with a back and seat usu. of cotton duck

director's cut -n

  1. a version of a motion picture that is edited according to the director's wishes and that usu. includes scenes cut from the version created for general distribution

di·rec·to·ry [də-'rek-t(ə-)rē, dī-] -adj

  1. serving to direct
  2. providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory -n

  1. a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances
  2. an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)
  3. a body of directors
  4. folder

direct primary -n

  1. a primary in which nominations of candidates for office are made by direct vote

direct product -n

  1. cartesian product
  2. a group that is the Cartesian product of two other groups

di·rectre·sponse [də-'rekt-ri-'spän(t)s, dī-] -adj

  1. of or relating to direct marketing
    • directresponse advertising

di·rec·tress [də-'rek-trəs, dī-] -n

  1. a woman who is a director

di·rec·trice [də-,rek-'trēs] -n

  1. directress

di·rec·trix [-'rek-triks] -n

  1. directress
  2. a fixed curve with which a generatrix maintains a given relationship in generating a geometric figure
  3. a straight line the distance to which from any point of a conic section is in fixed ratio to the distance from the same point to a focus

direct sum -n

  1. cartesian product

direct tax -n

  1. a tax exacted directly from the taxpayer

direct variation -n

  1. mathematical relationship between two variables that can be expressed by an equation in which one variable is equal to a constant times the other
  2. an equation or function expressing direct variation

dire·ful ['dī(-ə)r-fəl] -adj, adv

  1. dreadful
    • direful war began again -- Charles Dickens
  2. ominous

dire wolf -n

  1. a large extinct wolflike mammal ( Canis dirus) known from Pleistocene deposits of No. America

dirge ['dərj] -n, adj

  1. a song or hymn of grief or lamentation
  2. one intended to accompany funeral or memorial rites
  3. a slow, solemn, and mournful piece of music
  4. something (as a poem) that has the qualities of a dirge

dir·ham ['dir-həm] -n

  1. see dinar, riyal at

di·ri·gi·ble ['dir-ə-jə-bəl, də-'ri-jə-] -adj

  1. capable of being steered

dirigible -n

  1. airship

di·ri·gisme [di-ri-'zhi-zᵊm, dē-rē-'zhēs-mᵊ] -n, adj

  1. economic planning and control by the state

dirk ['dərk] -n

  1. a long straight-bladed dagger
  2. to stab with a dirk

dirl ['dir(-ə)l, 'dərl] -vi

  1. tremble, quiver

dirndl ['dərn-dᵊl] -n

  1. a dress style with tight bodice, short sleeves, low neck, and gathered skirt
  2. a full skirt with a tight waistband

dirt ['dərt] -n

  1. excrement
  2. a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)
  3. something worthless
  4. a contemptible person
    • treated me like dirt
  5. loose or packed soil or sand : earth
    • a mound of dirt
    • a dirt road
  6. an abject or filthy state : squalor
    • living in dirt
  7. corruption, chicanery
    • vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government
  8. licentiousness of language or theme
  9. scandalous or malicious gossip
    • spreading dirt about his ex-wife
  10. embarrassing or incriminating information
    • trying to dig up dirt on her political rivals

dirt·bag ['dərt-,bag] -n

  1. a dirty, unkempt, or contemptible person

dirt bike -n

  1. a usu. lightweight motorcycle designed for operation on unpaved surfaces

dirt cheap -adj or adv

  1. exceedingly cheap

dirt farmer -n

  1. a farmer who earns a living by farming the land esp. without the help of hired hands or tenants

dirtpoor ['dərt-'pu̇r] -adj

  1. suffering extreme poverty

dirty ['dər-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. not clean or pure
    • dirty clothes
  2. likely to befoul or defile with dirt
    • dirty jobs
  3. contaminated with infecting organisms
    • dirty wounds
  4. containing impurities
    • dirty coal
  5. : morally unclean or corrupt: as
  6. indecent, vulgar
    • dirty jokes
    • a dirty movie
  7. dishonorable, base
    • a dirty trick
  8. unsportsmanlike
    • dirty players
  9. acquired by disreputable or illegal means : ill-gotten
    • dirty money
  10. disagreeable, distasteful, or objectionable but usu. necessary (as in achieving a desired result)
    • hired a thug to do their dirty work
  11. abominable, hateful
    • war is a dirty business
  12. highly regrettable
    • a dirty shame
  13. likely to cause disgrace or scandal
    • dirty little secrets
  14. foggy, stormy
    • dirty weather
  15. not clear and bright : dullish
    • dirty blond
  16. characterized by a husky, rasping, or raw tonal quality
    • dirty trumpet tones
  17. conveying ill-natured resentment
    • gave him a dirty look
  18. : in a dirty manner: as
  19. deceptively, underhandedly
    • fight dirty
  20. indecently
    • talk dirty
  21. to make dirty
  22. to stain with dishonor : sully
  23. to debase by distorting the real nature of
  24. to become soiled

dirty bomb -n

  1. a bomb designed to release radioactive material

dirty laundry -n

  1. private matters whose public exposure brings distress and embarrassment called also dirty linen

dirty old man -n

  1. a lecherous older man

dirty pool -n

  1. underhanded or unsportsmanlike conduct

dirty rice -n

  1. a Cajun dish of white rice cooked with chopped or ground giblets

dirty tricks -n pl, n

  1. underhanded stratagems for obtaining secret information about or sabotaging an enemy or for discrediting an opponent (as in politics)

dirty word -n

  1. a word, expression, or idea that is disagreeable or unpopular in a particular frame of reference

dis ['dis] -vt

  1. to treat with disrespect or contempt : insult
  2. to find fault with : criticize
  3. a disparaging remark or act : insult
    • was meant as a tribute, not a dis -- Vibe
  4. disrespect
  5. discharge
  6. discount
  7. distance

Dis ['dis] -n

  1. the Roman god of the underworld

dis- -prefix

  1. do the opposite of
    • dis establish
  2. deprive of (a specified quality, rank, or object)
    • dis franchise
  3. exclude or expel from
    • dis bar
  4. opposite or absence of
    • dis union
    • dis affection
  5. not
    • dis agreeable
  6. completely
    • dis annul
  7. dys-
    • dis function

dis·abil·i·ty [,dis-ə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the condition of being disabled
  2. inability to pursue an occupation because of a physical or mental impairment
  3. a program providing financial support to one affected by disability
    • went on disability after the injury
  4. lack of legal qualification to do something
  5. a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage

dis·able [dis-'ā-bəl, diz-'ā-] -vt, n

  1. to deprive of legal right, qualification, or capacity
  2. to make incapable or ineffective
  3. to deprive of physical, moral, or intellectual strength

disabled -adj

  1. incapacitated by illness or injury
  2. physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity esp. in relation to employment or education

dis·abuse [,dis-ə-'byüz] -vt

  1. to free from error, fallacy, or misconception

di·sac·cha·ri·dase [(,)dī-'sa-kə-rə-,dās, -,dāz] -n

  1. an enzyme (as maltase or lactase) that hydrolyzes disaccharides

di·sac·cha·ride [(,)dī-'sa-kə-,rīd] -n

  1. any of a class of sugars (as sucrose) that yields on hydrolysis two monosaccharide molecules

dis·ac·cord [,dis-ə-'kȯrd] -vi, n

  1. clash, disagree

dis·ac·cus·tom [,dis-ə-'kəs-təm] -vt

  1. to free from a habit

dis·ad·van·tage [,dis-əd-'van-tij] -n

  1. loss or damage esp. to reputation, credit, or finances : detriment
    • the deal worked to their disadvantage
  2. an unfavorable, inferior, or prejudicial condition
    • we were at a disadvantage
  3. a quality or circumstance that makes achievement unusually difficult : handicap
    • his lack of formal schooling was a serious disadvantage

disadvantage -vt

  1. to place at a disadvantage : harm

dis·ad·van·taged [-tijd] -adj, n

  1. lacking in the basic resources or conditions (as standard housing, medical and educational facilities, and civil rights) believed to be necessary for an equal position in society

dis·ad·van·ta·geous [(,)dis-,ad-,van-'tā-jəs, -vən-] -adj, adv, n

  1. constituting a disadvantage
  2. derogatory, disparaging

dis·af·fect [,dis-ə-'fekt] -vt, n

  1. to alienate the affection or loyalty of
  2. to fill with discontent and unrest

dis·af·fect·ed -adj

  1. discontented and resentful esp. against authority : rebellious
    • disaffected youth

dis·af·fil·i·ate [,dis-ə-'fi-lē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. disassociate
  2. to terminate an affiliation

dis·af·firm [,dis-ə-'fərm] -vt, n

  1. to refuse to confirm : annul, repudiate
  2. contradict

dis·ag·gre·gate [(,)dis-'a-gri-,gāt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to separate into component parts
    • disaggregate sandstone
    • disaggregate demographic data
  2. to break up or apart
    • the molecules of a gel disaggregate to form a sol

dis·agree [,dis-ə-'grē] -vi

  1. to fail to agree
    • the two accounts disagree
  2. to differ in opinion
    • he disagreed with me on every topic
  3. to cause discomfort or distress
    • fried foods disagree with me

dis·agree·able [-ə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. causing discomfort : unpleasant, offensive
    • a disagreeable odor
  2. marked by ill temper : peevish
    • a disagreeable person

dis·agree·ment [,dis-ə-'grē-mənt] -n

  1. the act of disagreeing
  2. the state of being at variance : disparity
  3. quarrel

dis·al·low [,dis-ə-'lau̇] -vt, n

  1. to deny the force, truth, or validity of
  2. to refuse to allow

dis·am·big·u·ate [,dis-am-'bi-gyə-,wāt, -gyü-,āt] -vt, n

  1. to establish a single semantic or grammatical interpretation for

dis·an·nul [,dis-ə-'nəl] -vt

  1. annul, cancel

dis·ap·pear [,dis-ə-'pir] -vi, n

  1. to pass from view
  2. to cease to be : pass out of existence or notice
  3. to cause the disappearance of

dis·ap·point [,dis-ə-'pȯint] -vb

  1. to fail to meet the expectation or hope of : frustrate
    • the team disappoint ed its fans
  2. to cause disappointment
    • where the show disappoint s most is in the work of the younger generation -- John Ashbery

dis·ap·point·ed [-'pȯin-təd] -adj, adv

  1. defeated in expectation or hope
  2. not adequately equipped

dis·ap·point·ing [-'pȯin-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. failing to meet expectations
    • a disappointing meal

dis·ap·point·ment [,dis-ə-'pȯint-mənt] -n

  1. the act or an instance of disappointing : the state or emotion of being disappointed
  2. one that disappoints
    • he's a disappointment to his parents

dis·ap·pro·ba·tion [(,)dis-,a-prə-'bā-shən] -n

  1. the act or state of disapproving : the state of being disapproved : condemnation

dis·ap·prov·al [,dis-ə-'prü-vəl] -n

  1. disapprobation, censure

dis·ap·prove [-'prüv] -vt, n, adv

  1. to pass unfavorable judgment on
  2. to refuse approval to : reject
  3. to feel or express disapproval

dis·arm [dis-'ärm, diz-, 'dis-,ärm] -vb, n

  1. to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile
    • disarm ed criticism by admitting her errors
  2. to win over
  3. to divest of arms
    • disarm captured troops
  4. to deprive of a means of attack or defense
    • disarm a ship
  5. to make harmless
    • disarm a bomb
  6. to lay aside arms
  7. to give up or reduce armed forces

dis·arm·ing [-'är-miŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. allaying criticism or hostility : ingratiating
    • a disarming smile

dis·ar·range [,dis-ə-'rānj] -vt, n

  1. to disturb the arrangement or order of
    • hair disarranged by the wind

dis·ar·ray [,dis-ə-'rā] -n

  1. a lack of order or sequence : confusion, disorder
    • the room was in disarray
  2. disorderly dress : dishabille

disarray -vt

  1. to throw into disorder
  2. undress

dis·ar·tic·u·late [,dis-är-'ti-kyə-,lāt] -vi, n

  1. to become disjointed
  2. disjoint

dis·as·sem·ble [,dis-ə-'sem-bəl] -vt, n

  1. to take apart
    • disassemble a watch
  2. to come apart
    • the frame disassemble s into sections
  3. disperse, scatter
    • the crowd began to disassemble

dis·as·so·ci·ate [,dis-ə-'sō-sē-,āt, -shē-] -vt, n

  1. to detach from association : dissociate

di·sas·ter [di-'zas-tər, -'sas-] -n

  1. an unfavorable aspect of a planet or star
  2. a sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, or destruction
  3. a sudden or great misfortune or failure
    • the party was a disaster

disaster area -n

  1. an area officially declared to be the scene of an emergency created by a disaster and therefore qualified to receive certain types of governmental aid (as emergency loans and relief supplies)

di·sas·trous [di-'zas-trəs also -'sas-] -adj, adv

  1. attended by or causing suffering or disaster : calamitous
    • a disastrous flood
  2. terrible, horrendous
    • a disastrous score

dis·avow [,dis-ə-'vau̇] -vt, adj, n

  1. to deny responsibility for : repudiate
  2. to refuse to acknowledge or accept : disclaim
    • party leaders disavow ed him

dis·band [dis-'band] -vb, n

  1. to break up the organization of : dissolve
  2. to break up as an organization : disperse

dis·bar [dis-'bär] -vt, n

  1. to expel from the bar or the legal profession : deprive (an attorney) of legal status and privileges

dis·be·lief [,dis-bə-'lēf] -n

  1. the act of disbelieving : mental rejection of something as untrue

dis·be·lieve [-'lēv] -vt, n

  1. to hold not worthy of belief : not believe
  2. to withhold or reject belief

dis·ben·e·fit [(,)dis-'be-nə-fit] -n

  1. something disadvantageous or objectionable : drawback

dis·bud [(,)dis-'bəd] -vt

  1. to thin out flower buds in order to improve the quality of bloom of
  2. to dehorn (cattle) by destroying the undeveloped horn bud

dis·bur·den [(,)dis-'bər-dᵊn] -vt, n

  1. to rid of a burden
    • disburden a pack animal
  2. unburden
    • disburden your conscience
  3. unload
    • disburden ed their merchandise in the town square
  4. discharge
    • the vessels disburden ed at the dock

dis·burse [dis-'bərs] -vt, n

  1. to pay out : expend esp. from a fund
    • disburse money
  2. to make a payment in settlement of
    • disburse a bill
  3. distribute

dis·burse·ment [-'bərs-mənt] -n

  1. the act of disbursing
  2. funds paid out

disc ['disk] -n, adj

(variant of disk)

  1. the seemingly flat figure of a celestial body
    • the solar disk
  2. discus
  3. any of various rounded and flattened animal anatomical structures
  4. intervertebral disk
  5. the central part of the flower head of a typical composite made up of closely packed tubular flowers
  6. : a thin circular object: as
  7. a phonograph record
  8. a round flat plate coated with a magnetic substance on which data for a computer is stored
  9. : optical disk: as
  10. videodisc
  11. cd
  12. one of the concave circular steel tools with sharpened edge making up the working part of a disc harrow or plow
  13. an implement employing such tools
  14. to cultivate with an implement (as a harrow or plow) that turns and loosens the soil with a series of discs

disc- -comb form

  1. disk
    • disc oid
  2. phonograph record
    • disco phile

dis·calced [(,)dis-'kalst] -adj

  1. unshod, barefoot
    • discalced friars

discant ['des-,kant] -n

(variant of descant)

  1. a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor
  2. the art of composing or improvising contrapuntal part music
  3. the music so composed or improvised
  4. soprano, treble
  5. a superimposed counterpoint to a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the sopranos
  6. discourse or comment on a theme
  7. to sing or play a descant
  8. sing
  9. comment, discourse

dis·card [dis-'kärd, 'dis-,] -vt, adj, n

  1. to get rid of esp. as useless or unwanted
    • a pile of discard ed tires
  2. to remove (a playing card) from one's hand
  3. to play (any card except a trump) from a suit different from the one led
  4. to discard a playing card
  5. the act of discarding in a card game
  6. a card discarded
  7. one that is cast off or rejected

dis·car·nate [dis-'kär-nət, -,nāt] -adj

  1. having no physical body : incorporeal

disc brake -n

  1. a brake that operates by the action of a frictional material pressed against the sides of a rotating disc by a caliper

dis·cern [di-'sərn, -'zərn] -vb, n, adj, adv

  1. to detect with the eyes
    • discern ed a figure approaching through the fog
  2. to detect with senses other than vision
    • discern ed a strange odor
  3. to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate
    • discern right from wrong
  4. to come to know or recognize mentally
    • unable to discern his motives
  5. to see or understand the difference

dis·cern·ing [-'sər-niŋ-lē, -'zər-] -adj, adv

  1. showing insight and understanding : discriminating
    • a discerning critic

dis·cern·ment [di-'sərn-mənt, -'zərn-] -n

  1. the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning
  2. an act of discerning

dis·charge [dis-'chärj, 'dis-,] -vb, adj, n

  1. : to relieve of a charge, load, or burden:
  2. unload
    • discharge a cargo ship
  3. to release from an obligation
  4. to release electrical energy from (as a battery or capacitor) by a discharge
  5. to let or put off
    • discharge passengers
    • discharge cargo
  6. shoot
    • discharge an arrow
  7. to release from confinement, custody, or care
    • discharge a prisoner
    • discharge a patient
  8. to give outlet or vent to : emit
    • discharge emotions
  9. to dismiss from employment
  10. to release from service or duty
    • discharge a soldier
  11. to get rid of (as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate action (as payment)
  12. to set aside : annul
  13. to order (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill in order to bring it before the house for action
  14. to bear and distribute (as the weight of a wall above an opening)
  15. to bleach out or remove (color or dye) in dyeing and printing textiles
  16. to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon return
  17. to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden
  18. to release electrical energy by a discharge
  19. go off, fire used of a gun
  20. spread, run
    • some dyes discharge
  21. to pour forth fluid or other contents
  22. the act of relieving of something that oppresses : release
  23. something that discharges or releases
  24. a certification of release or payment
  25. the state of being discharged or relieved
  26. the act of discharging or unloading
  27. legal release from confinement
  28. a firing off
  29. a flowing or issuing out
    • a discharge of spores
  30. a rate of flow
  31. something that is emitted
    • a purulent discharge
  32. the act of removing an obligation or liability
  33. release or dismissal esp. from an office or employment
  34. complete separation from military service
  35. the equalization of a difference of electric potential between two points
  36. the conversion of the chemical energy of a battery into electrical energy

discharge lamp -n

  1. an electric lamp in which an enclosed gas or vapor glows or causes a phosphor coating on the lamp's inner surface to glow

discharge tube -n

  1. an electron tube which contains gas or vapor at low pressure and through which conduction takes place when a high voltage is applied

dis·ci·form ['di-sə-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. round or oval in shape

dis·ci·ple [di-'sī-pəl] -n

  1. : one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as
  2. one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts
  3. a convinced adherent of a school or individual
  4. a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the U.S. in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usu. baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity

dis·ci·plin·able [,di-sə-'pli-nə-bəl; 'di-sə-pli-] -adj

  1. docile, teachable
  2. subject to or deserving discipline
    • a disciplinable offense

dis·ci·pli·nar·i·an [,di-sə-plə-'ner-ē-ən] -n, adj

  1. one who disciplines or enforces order

dis·ci·plin·ary ['di-sə-plə-,ner-ē, esp Brit ,di-sə-'pli-nə-rē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to discipline
    • disciplinary problems
  2. designed to correct or punish breaches of discipline
    • took disciplinary action
  3. of or relating to a particular field of study
    • disciplinary specialization

dis·ci·pline ['di-sə-plən] -n, adj

  1. punishment
  2. instruction
  3. a field of study
  4. training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
  5. control gained by enforcing obedience or order
  6. orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior
  7. self-control
  8. a rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity

discipline -vt, n

  1. to punish or penalize for the sake of discipline
  2. to train or develop by instruction and exercise esp. in self-control
  3. to bring (a group) under control
    • discipline troops
  4. to impose order upon
    • serious writers discipline and refine their writing styles

dis·ci·plined -adj

  1. marked by or possessing discipline
    • a disciplined mind

disc jockey -n

  1. an announcer of a radio show of popular recorded music
  2. one who plays recorded music for dancing at a nightclub or party

dis·claim [dis-'klām] -vb

  1. to make a disclaimer
  2. to disavow all part or share
  3. to utter denial
  4. to renounce a legal claim to
  5. deny, disavow
    • disclaim ed any knowledge of the contents of the letter

dis·claim·er [-'klā-mər] -n

  1. a denial or disavowal of legal claim : relinquishment of or formal refusal to accept an interest or estate
  2. a writing that embodies a legal disclaimer
  3. denial, disavowal
  4. repudiation

dis·cla·ma·tion [,dis-klə-'mā-shən] -n

  1. renunciation, disavowal

dis·cli·max [(,)dis-'klī-,maks] -n

  1. a relatively stable ecological community often including kinds of organisms foreign to the region and displacing the climax because of disturbance esp. by humans

dis·close [dis-'klōz] -vt, n

  1. to open up
  2. to expose to view
  3. hatch
  4. to make known or public
    • demands that politicians disclose the sources of their income

disclose -n

  1. disclosure

dis·clos·ing [-'klō-ziŋ] -adj

  1. being or using an agent (as a tablet or liquid) that contains a usu. red dye that stains dental plaque

dis·clo·sure [dis-'klō-zhər] -n

  1. the act or an instance of disclosing : exposure
  2. something disclosed : revelation

dis·co ['dis-(,)kō] -n

  1. a nightclub for dancing to live and recorded music
  2. popular dance music characterized by hypnotic rhythm, repetitive lyrics, and electronically produced sounds

disco -vi

  1. to dance to disco music

dis·cog·ra·pher [dis-'kä-grə-fər] -n

  1. a person who compiles discographies

dis·cog·ra·phy [-fē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a descriptive list of recordings by category, composer, performer, or date of release
  2. the history of recorded music

dis·coid ['dis-,kȯid] -adj

  1. : relating to or having a disk: as
  2. situated in the floral disk
    • discoid florets
  3. having only disk flowers
    • a discoid flower head
  4. flat and circular like a disc

dis·coi·dal [dis-'kȯi-dᵊl] -adj

  1. of, resembling, or producing a disk

discoidal cleavage -n

  1. meroblastic cleavage in which a disk of cells is produced at the animal pole of the zygote (as in bird eggs)

dis·col·or [(,)dis-'kə-lər] -vb

  1. to alter or change the hue or color of
  2. to change color esp. for the worse

dis·col·or·ation [(,)dis-,kə-lə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the act of discoloring : the state of being discolored
  2. a discolored spot or formation : stain

dis·com·bob·u·late [,dis-kəm-'bä-b(y)ə-,lāt] -vt, n

  1. upset, confuse
    • inventing cool new ways to discombobulate the old order -- Kurt Andersen

dis·com·fit [dis-'kəm(p)-fət, esp Southern ,dis-kəm-'fit] -vt, adv

  1. to defeat in battle
  2. to frustrate the plans of : thwart
  3. to put into a state of perplexity and embarrassment : disconcert

discomfit -n

  1. discomfiture

dis·com·fi·ture [dis-'kəm(p)-fə-,chu̇r, -chər, esp Southern -,t(y)u̇r] -n

  1. the act of discomfiting : the state of being discomfited

dis·com·fort [dis-'kəm(p)-fərt] -vt, adj

  1. dismay
  2. to make uncomfortable or uneasy

discomfort -n

  1. distress, grief
  2. mental or physical uneasiness : annoyance

dis·com·mend [,dis-kə-'mend] -vt

  1. disapprove, disparage
  2. to cause to be viewed unfavorably

dis·com·mode [,dis-kə-'mōd] -vt

  1. to cause inconvenience to : trouble

dis·com·pose [,dis-kəm-'pōz] -vt, n

  1. to destroy the composure of
  2. to disturb the order of

dis·con·cert [,dis-kən-'sərt] -vt, adj, adv, n

  1. to throw into confusion
  2. to disturb the composure of

dis·con·firm [,dis-kən-'fərm] -vt, n

  1. to deny or refute the validity of

dis·con·for·mi·ty [,dis-kən-'fȯr-mə-tē] -n

  1. nonconformity
  2. a break in a sequence of sedimentary rocks all of which have approximately the same dip

dis·con·nect [,dis-kə-'nekt] -vt, n

  1. to sever the connection of or between
  2. dissociate
    • are disconnect ed from meaningful relationships
  3. to terminate a connection
  4. to become detached or withdrawn
    • disconnect s into dark moods

disconnect -n

  1. a lack of or a break in connection, consistency, or agreement
    • a huge disconnect...between the nation's capital and the rest of the country -- R. J. Samuelson

dis·con·nect·ed -adj, adv, n

  1. not connected : separate
  2. incoherent
    • a disconnected narrative

dis·con·so·late [dis-'kän(t)-sə-lət] -adj, adv, n

  1. cheerless
    • a clutch of disconsolate houses -- D. H. Lawrence
  2. dejected, downcast
    • the team returned disconsolate from three losses

dis·con·tent [,dis-kən-'tent] -adj

  1. discontented

discontent -n

  1. : lack of contentment:
  2. a sense of grievance : dissatisfaction
    • the winter of our discontent -- Shak.
  3. restless aspiration for improvement
  4. to make discontented
  5. one who is discontented : malcontent

dis·con·tent·ed [,dis-kən-'ten-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. dissatisfied, malcontent

dis·con·tinu·ance [,dis-kən-'tin-yə-wən(t)s, -yü-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the act or an instance of discontinuing
  2. the interruption or termination of a legal action by the plaintiff's not continuing it

dis·con·tin·ue [,dis-kən-'tin-(,)yü] -vb, n

  1. to break the continuity of : cease to operate, administer, use, produce, or take
  2. to abandon or terminate by a legal discontinuance
  3. to come to an end

dis·con·ti·nu·ity [(,)dis-,kän-tə-'nü-ə-tē, -'nyü-] -n

  1. lack of continuity or cohesion
  2. gap
  3. the property of being not mathematically continuous
    • a point of discontinuity
  4. an instance of being not mathematically continuous
  5. a value of an independent variable at which a function is not continuous

dis·con·tin·u·ous [,dis-kən-'tin-yə-wəs, -yü-əs] -adj, adv

  1. not continuous
    • a discontinuous series of events
  2. not continued : discrete
    • discontinuous features of terrain
  3. lacking sequence or coherence
  4. having one or more mathematical discontinuities used of a variable or a function

dis·co·phile ['dis-kə-,fī(-ə)l] -n

  1. one who studies and collects phonograph records or CDs

dis·cord ['dis-,kȯrd] -n

  1. lack of agreement or harmony (as between persons, things, or ideas)
  2. active quarreling or conflict resulting from discord among persons or factions : strife
  3. a combination of musical sounds that strikes the ear harshly
  4. dissonance
  5. a harsh or unpleasant sound
  6. disagree, clash

dis·cor·dance [dis-'kȯr-dᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. the state or an instance of being discordant
  2. dissonance

dis·cor·dan·cy [-dᵊn-sē] -n

  1. discordance

dis·cor·dant [-dᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. being at variance : disagreeing
    • discordant opinions
  2. quarrelsome
    • a discordant family
  3. relating to a discord
    • a discordant tone

dis·co·theque ['dis-kə-,tek, ,dis-kə-'] -n

  1. disco

dis·count ['dis-,kau̇nt] -n

  1. : a reduction made from the gross amount or value of something: as
  2. a reduction made from a regular or list price
  3. a proportionate deduction from a debt account usu. made for cash or prompt payment
  4. a deduction made for interest in advancing money upon or purchasing a bill or note not due
  5. the act or practice of discounting
  6. a deduction taken or allowance made
  7. to make a deduction from usu. for cash or prompt payment
    • a discount ed price
  8. to sell or offer for sale at a discount
    • discount ing last year's model
  9. to lend money on after deducting the discount
  10. to leave out of account : disregard
  11. to minimize the importance of
    • shouldn't discount his contributions
  12. to make allowance for bias or exaggeration in
  13. to view with doubt
    • discount a rumor
  14. to take into account (as a future event) in present calculations
  15. to give or make discounts
  16. selling goods or services at a discount
    • discount stores
    • a discount broker
    • discount airlines
  17. offered or sold at a discount
    • discount tickets
  18. reflecting a discount
    • discount prices

dis·count·able [dis-'kau̇n-tə-bəl, 'dis-,] -adj

  1. set apart for discounting
    • within the discountable period
  2. subject to being discounted
    • a discountable note

dis·coun·te·nance [dis-'kau̇n-tə-nən(t)s, -'kau̇nt-nən(t)s] -vt

  1. abash, disconcert
  2. to look with disfavor on : discourage by evidence of disapproval
    • discountenanced all bellicose statements

discountenance -n

  1. disapprobation, disfavor

discount rate -n

  1. the interest on an annual basis deducted in advance on a loan
  2. the charge levied by a central bank for advances and rediscounts

dis·cour·age [dis-'kər-ij, -'kə-rij] -vt, adj, n, adv

  1. to deprive of courage or confidence : dishearten
    • was discouraged by repeated failure
  2. to hinder by disfavoring
    • trying to discourage absenteeism
  3. to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something
    • tried to discourage her from going

dis·cour·age·ment [-mənt] -n

  1. the act of discouraging : the state of being discouraged
  2. something that discourages

dis·course ['dis-,kȯrs, dis-'] -n

  1. the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality
  2. verbal interchange of ideas
  3. conversation
  4. formal and orderly and usu. extended expression of thought on a subject
  5. connected speech or writing
  6. a linguistic unit (as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence
  7. social familiarity
  8. a mode of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experience that is rooted in language and its concrete contexts (as history or institutions)
    • critical discourse
  9. to express oneself esp. in oral discourse
  10. talk, converse
  11. to give forth : utter

discourse analysis -n

  1. the study of linguistic relations and structures in discourse

dis·cour·te·ous [(,)dis-'kər-tē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking courtesy : rude

dis·cour·te·sy [-'kər-tə-sē] -n

  1. rudeness
  2. a rude act

dis·cov·er [dis-'kə-vər] -vb, adj, n

  1. to make known or visible : expose
  2. display
  3. to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find
    • discover the solution
  4. find out
    • discover ed he was out of gas
  5. to make a discovery

Discoverers' Day -n

  1. columbus day

dis·cov·ery [dis-'kə-v(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the act or process of discovering
  2. disclosure
  3. display
  4. exploration
  5. something discovered
  6. the usu. pretrial disclosure of pertinent facts or documents by one or both parties to a legal action or proceeding

Discovery Day -n

  1. columbus day

dis·cred·it [(,)dis-'kre-dət] -vt

  1. to refuse to accept as true or accurate : disbelieve
    • discredit a rumor
  2. to cause disbelief in the accuracy or authority of
    • a discredit ed theory
  3. to deprive of good repute : disgrace
    • personal attacks meant to discredit his opponent

discredit -n

  1. loss of credit or reputation
    • I knew stories to the discredit of England -- W. B. Yeats
  2. lack or loss of belief or confidence : doubt
    • contradictions cast discredit on his testimony

dis·cred·it·able [-tə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. injurious to reputation : disgraceful
    • discreditable conduct

dis·creet [di-'skrēt] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or showing discernment or good judgment in conduct and esp. in speech : prudent
  2. capable of preserving prudent silence
  3. unpretentious, modest
    • the warmth and discreet elegance of a civilized home -- Joseph Wechsberg
  4. unobtrusive, unnoticeable
    • followed at a discreet distance

dis·crep·an·cy [dis-'kre-pən-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being discrepant
  2. an instance of being discrepant

dis·crep·ant [-pənt] -adj, adv

  1. being at variance : disagreeing
    • widely discrepant conclusions

dis·crete [dis-'krēt, 'dis-,] -adj, adv, n

  1. constituting a separate entity : individually distinct
    • several discrete sections
  2. consisting of distinct or unconnected elements : noncontinuous
  3. taking on or having a finite or countably infinite number of values
    • discrete probabilities
    • a discrete random variable

dis·cre·tion [dis-'kre-shən] -n

  1. the quality of being discreet : circumspection
  2. cautious reserve in speech
  3. ability to make responsible decisions
  4. individual choice or judgment
    • left the decision to his discretion
  5. power of free decision or latitude of choice within certain legal bounds
    • reached the age of discretion
  6. the result of separating or distinguishing

dis·cre·tion·ary [-'kre-shə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. left to discretion : exercised at one's own discretion
  2. available for discretionary use
    • discretionary purchasing power

discretionary account -n

  1. a security or commodity market account in which an agent (as a broker) is given power of attorney so as to be able to make independent decisions and buy and sell for the principal's account

dis·crim·i·na·bil·i·ty [-,kri-mə-nə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality of being discriminable
  2. the ability to discriminate

dis·crim·i·na·ble [dis-'kri-mə-nə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. capable of being discriminated

dis·crim·i·nant [-'kri-mə-nənt] -n

  1. a mathematical expression providing a criterion for the behavior of another more complicated expression, relation, or set of relations

discriminant function -n

  1. a function of a set of variables that is evaluated for samples of events or objects and used as an aid in discriminating between or classifying them

dis·crim·i·nate [dis-'kri-mə-,nāt] -vb

  1. to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of
  2. distinguish, differentiate
    • discriminate hundreds of colors
  3. to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences
  4. to distinguish from another like object
  5. to make a distinction
    • discriminate among historical sources
  6. to use good judgment
  7. to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit
    • discriminate in favor of your friends
    • discriminate against a certain nationality

dis·crim·i·nat·ing [-,nā-tiŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. making a distinction : distinguishing
    • a discriminating mark
  2. : marked by discrimination:
  3. discerning, judicious
    • discriminating buyers
  4. discriminatory
    • accused of discriminating practices

dis·crim·i·na·tion [dis-,kri-mə-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of discriminating
  2. the process by which two stimuli differing in some aspect are responded to differently
  3. the quality or power of finely distinguishing
  4. the act, practice, or an instance of discriminating categorically rather than individually
  5. prejudiced or prejudicial outlook, action, or treatment
    • racial discrimination

dis·crim·i·na·tive [dis-'kri-mə-,nā-tiv, -'kri-mə-nət-] -adj

  1. making distinctions
  2. discriminatory

dis·crim·i·na·tor [dis-'kri-mə-,nā-tər] -n

  1. one that discriminates
  2. a circuit that can be adjusted to accept or reject signals of different characteristics (as amplitude or frequency)

dis·crim·i·na·to·ry [dis-'kri-mə-nə-,tȯr-ē, -'krim-nə-] -adj, adv

  1. discriminative
  2. applying or favoring discrimination in treatment

dis·cur·sive [dis-'kər-siv] -adj, adv, n

  1. moving from topic to topic without order : rambling
  2. proceeding coherently from topic to topic
  3. marked by analytical reasoning
  4. of or relating to discourse
    • discursive practices

dis·cus ['dis-kəs] -n

  1. a heavy disk (as of wood or plastic) that is thicker in the center than at the perimeter and that is hurled for distance as a track-and-field event
  2. the event

dis·cuss [di-'skəs] -vt, adj, n

  1. dispel
  2. to investigate by reasoning or argument
  3. to present in detail for examination or consideration
    • discuss ed plans for the party
  4. to talk about
  5. declare

dis·cus·sant [di-'skə-sᵊnt] -n

  1. one who takes part in a formal discussion or symposium

dis·cus·sion [di-'skə-shən] -n

  1. consideration of a question in open and usu. informal debate
  2. a formal treatment of a topic in speech or writing

dis·dain [dis-'dān] -n

  1. a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : scorn

disdain -vt

  1. to look on with scorn
    • disdain ed him as a coward
  2. to refuse or abstain from because of disdain
    • disdain ed to answer their questions
  3. to treat as beneath one's notice or dignity

dis·dain·ful [-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of or expressing disdain

dis·ease [di-'zēz] -n, adj

  1. trouble
  2. a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms : sickness, malady
  3. a harmful development (as in a social institution)

dis·econ·o·my [,dis-i-'kä-nə-mē] -n

  1. a lack of economy
  2. a factor responsible for an increase in cost

dis·em·bark [,dis-əm-'bärk] -vb, n

  1. to remove to shore from a ship
  2. to go ashore out of a ship
  3. to get out of a vehicle or craft

dis·em·bar·rass [,dis-əm-'bar-əs] -vt

  1. to free (as oneself) from something troublesome or superfluous

dis·em·body [,dis-əm-'bä-dē] -vt

  1. to divest of a body, of corporeal existence, or of reality

dis·em·bogue [,dis-im-'bōg] -vb

  1. to flow or come forth from or as if from a channel
  2. to pour out from or as if from a container

dis·em·bow·el [,dis-əm-'bau̇(-ə)l] -vt, n

  1. to take out the bowels of : eviscerate
  2. to remove the substance of
    • a program disembowel ed by spending cuts

dis·em·pow·er [,dis-im-'pau̇(-ə)r] -vt, n

  1. to deprive of power, authority, or influence : make weak, ineffectual, or unimportant

dis·en·chant [,dis-in-'chant] -vt, n, adj, adv

  1. to free from illusion

dis·en·chant·ed [-'chan-təd] -adj

  1. disappointed, dissatisfied

dis·en·cum·ber [,dis-ᵊn-'kəm-bər] -vt

  1. to free from encumbrance : disburden

dis·en·dow [,dis-in-'dau̇] -vt, n

  1. to strip of endowment

dis·en·fran·chise [,dis-in-'fran-,chīz] -vt, n

  1. to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity
  2. to deprive of the right to vote

dis·en·gage [,dis-ᵊn-'gāj] -vb, n

  1. to release from something that engages or involves
  2. to release or detach oneself : withdraw

dis·en·gaged [-'gājd] -adj

  1. detached
    • a disengaged observer

dis·en·tail [,dis-in-'tāl] -vt

  1. to free from entail

dis·en·tan·gle [,dis-in-'taŋ-gəl] -vt, n

  1. to free from entanglement : unravel
  2. to become disentangled

dis·en·thrall [,dis-in-'thrȯl] -vt

  1. to free from bondage : liberate

dis·en·tit·le [,dis-in-'tī-tᵊl] -vt

  1. to deprive of title, claim, or right

dis·equil·i·brate [,dis-i-'kwi-lə-,brāt] -vt, n

  1. to put out of balance

dis·equi·lib·ri·um [(,)dis-,ē-kwə-'li-brē-əm, -,e-kwə-] -n

  1. loss or lack of equilibrium

dis·es·tab·lish [,dis-ə-'stab-lish] -vt, n

  1. to deprive of an established status
  2. to deprive of the status and privileges of an established church

dis·es·tab·lish·men·tar·i·an [-,stab-lish-,men-'ter-ē-ən, -mən-] -n, adj

  1. one who opposes an established order

dis·es·teem [,dis-ə-'stēm] -vt

  1. to regard with disfavor

disesteem -n

  1. disfavor, disrepute

di·seuse [dē-'züz, -'zœz] -n

  1. a woman who is a skilled and usu. professional reciter

dis·fa·vor [(,)dis-'fā-vər] -n

  1. disapproval, dislike
    • practices looked upon with disfavor
  2. the state or fact of being no longer favored
    • fell into disfavor
  3. disadvantage

disfavor -vt

  1. to withhold or withdraw favor from

dis·fig·ure [dis-'fi-gyər, esp Brit -'fi-gər] -vt, n

  1. to impair (as in beauty) by deep and persistent injuries
    • a face disfigured by smallpox
  2. disguise

dis·fran·chise [(,)dis-'fran-,chīz] -vt, n

  1. disenfranchise

dis·frock [(,)dis-'fräk] -vt

  1. defrock

disfunction [(,)dis-'fəŋ(k)-shən] -n, adj

(variant of dysfunction)

  1. impaired or abnormal functioning
    • gastrointestinal dysfunction
  2. abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group
    • family dysfunction

dis·fur·nish [(,)dis-'fər-nish] -vt, n

  1. to make destitute of possessions : divest

dis·gorge [(,)dis-'gȯrj] -vb

  1. to discharge by the throat and mouth : vomit
  2. to discharge or let go of rapidly or forcefully
    • the train disgorged its passengers
  3. to give up on request or under pressure
    • refused to disgorge his ill-gotten gains
  4. to discharge the contents of (as the stomach)
  5. to discharge contents
    • where the river disgorge s into the sea

dis·grace [di-'skrās, dis-'grās] -vt, n

  1. to humiliate by a superior showing
  2. to be a source of shame to
    • your actions disgraced the family
  3. to cause to lose favor or standing
    • was disgraced by the hint of scandal

disgrace -n

  1. the condition of one fallen from grace or honor
  2. loss of grace, favor, or honor
  3. a source of shame
    • your manners are a disgrace
    • he's a disgrace to the profession

dis·grace·ful [-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. bringing or involving disgrace
    • disgraceful conduct

dis·grun·tle [dis-'grən-tᵊl] -vt, n

  1. to make ill-humored or discontented usu. used as a participial adjective
    • they were a very disgruntled crew -- Flannery O'Connor

dis·guise [də-'skīz, dis-'gīz also diz-] -vt, adv, n

  1. to change the customary dress or appearance of
  2. to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed identity
  3. disfigure
  4. to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal
    • unable to disguise his true feelings

disguise -n

  1. apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's
  2. the act of disguising
  3. form misrepresenting the true nature of something
    • blessings in disguise
  4. an artificial manner : pretense
    • threw off all disguise

dis·gust [di-'skəst, dis-'gəst also diz-] -n

  1. marked aversion aroused by something highly distasteful : repugnance

disgust -vb, adj, adv

  1. to provoke to loathing, repugnance, or aversion : be offensive to
  2. to cause (one) to lose an interest or intention
  3. to cause disgust

dis·gust·ful [-fəl] -adj, adv

  1. provoking disgust
  2. full of or accompanied by disgust

dis·gust·ing [di-'skəs-tiŋ-lē, dis-'gəs- also diz-] -adj, adv

  1. causing disgust

dish ['dish] -n

  1. a more or less concave vessel from which food is served
  2. the contents of a dish
    • a dish of strawberries
  3. food prepared in a particular way
  4. something one particularly enjoys : cup of tea
  5. any of various shallow concave vessels
  6. anything shallowly concave
  7. a directional receiver having a concave usu. parabolic reflector
  8. one used as a microwave or radar antenna
  9. the state of being concave or the degree of concavity
  10. something that is favored
    • entertainment that is just his dish
  11. an attractive or sexy person
  12. gossip
    • the latest dish
  13. to put (as food for serving) into a dish often used with up
  14. present usu. used with up
  15. to make concave like a dish
  16. to disclose or discuss esp. publicly
    • dish the dirt
  17. to pass (a basketball) to a teammate often used with off
  18. gossip
  19. to disclose private or personal information
  20. to pass a basketball to a teammate often used with off

dis·ha·bille [,dis-ə-'bēl, -'bil] -n

  1. negligee
  2. the state of being dressed in a casual or careless style
  3. a deliberately careless or casual manner

dis·har·mo·ni·ous [,dis-(,)här-'mō-nē-əs] -adj

  1. lacking in harmony

dis·har·mo·nize [(,)dis-'här-mə-,nīz] -vt

  1. to make disharmonious

dis·har·mo·ny [-nē] -n, adj

  1. lack of harmony : discord

dish·cloth ['dish-,klȯth] -n

  1. a cloth for washing dishes

dish·clout ['dish-,klau̇t] -n

  1. dishcloth

dish·dasha [,dish-'dä-shə] -n

  1. a long usu. white robe traditionally worn by men in the Middle East

dis·heart·en [(,)dis-'här-tᵊn] -vt, adv, n

  1. to cause to lose spirit or morale

dished ['disht] -adj

  1. curved in : concave

di·shev·el [di-'shev-əl] -vt, n

  1. to throw into disorder or disarray

di·shev·eled -adj

  1. marked by disorder or disarray
    • disheveled hair

dis·hon·est [(,)dis-'ä-nəst also (,)diz-] -adj, adv

  1. shameful, unchaste
  2. characterized by lack of truth, honesty, or trustworthiness : unfair, deceptive

dis·hon·es·ty [-nə-stē] -n

  1. lack of honesty or integrity : disposition to defraud or deceive
  2. a dishonest act : fraud

dis·hon·or [(,)dis-'ä-nər also (,)diz-] -n

  1. lack or loss of honor or reputation
  2. the state of one who has lost honor or prestige : shame
    • has brought dishonor on his family
  3. a cause of disgrace
  4. the nonpayment or nonacceptance of commercial paper by the party on whom it is drawn

dishonor -vt

  1. to treat in a degrading manner
  2. to bring shame on
  3. to refuse to accept or pay (as a bill or check)

dis·hon·or·able [(,)dis-'ä-nə-rə-bəl, -'ä-nər-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. lacking honor : shameful
    • dishonorable conduct
  2. not honored

dish out -vt

  1. to give or dispense freely
    • dish out gifts
    • dish out advice
    • dish out punishment

dish·pan ['dish-,pan] -n

  1. a large flat-bottomed pan used for washing dishes

dishpan hands -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a condition of dryness, redness, and scaling of the hands that results typically from repeated exposure to, sensitivity to, or overuse of cleaning materials (as detergents) used esp. in housework

dish·rag ['dish-,rag] -n

  1. dishcloth

dish·ware ['dish-,wer] -n

  1. tableware (as of china) used in serving food

dish·wash·er [-,wȯ-shər, -,wä-] -n

  1. a worker employed to wash dishes
  2. a machine for washing dishes

dish·wa·ter [-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. water in which dishes have been or are to be washed

dishy ['di-shē] -adj

  1. attractive, good-looking
  2. characterized by, full of, or given to gossip or disclosure
    • a dishy biography

dis·il·lu·sion [,dis-ə-'lü-zhən] -n

  1. the condition of being disenchanted

disillusion [-'lü-zhə-niŋ] -vt, n

  1. to free from illusion
  2. to cause to lose naive faith and trust

disillusioned -adj

  1. disappointed, dissatisfied

dis·in·cen·tive [,dis-in-'sen-tiv] -n

  1. deterrent

dis·in·cli·na·tion [(,)dis-,in-klə-'nā-shən, -,siŋ-] -n

  1. a preference for avoiding something : slight aversion

dis·in·cline [,dis-in-'klīn] -vt

  1. to make unwilling

dis·in·clined -adj

  1. unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval

dis·in·fect [,dis-in-'fekt] -vt, n

  1. to free from infection esp. by destroying harmful microorganisms
  2. cleanse

dis·in·fec·tant [-'fek-tənt] -n

  1. an agent that frees from infection
  2. a chemical that destroys vegetative forms of harmful microorganisms (as bacteria and fungi) esp. on inanimate objects but that may be less effective in destroying spores

dis·in·fest [,dis-in-'fest] -vt, n

  1. to rid of small animal pests (as insects or rodents)

dis·in·fla·tion [,dis-in-'flā-shən] -n, adj

  1. a reversal of inflationary pressures

dis·in·for·ma·tion [(,)dis-,in-fər-'mā-shən] -n

  1. false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth

dis·in·gen·u·ous [,dis-in-'jen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs-] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking in candor
  2. giving a false appearance of simple frankness : calculating

dis·in·her·it [,dis-in-'her-ət, -'he-rət] -vt, n

  1. to prevent deliberately from inheriting something (as by making a will)
  2. to deprive of natural or human rights or of previously held special privileges

dis·in·hi·bi·tion [(,)dis-,in-(h)ə-'bi-shən] -n, vt

  1. loss or reduction of an inhibition (as by the action of interfering stimuli or events)
    • disinhibition of a reflex
    • disinhibition of violent tendencies

dis·in·te·grate [(,)dis-'in-tə-,grāt] -vt, n, adj

  1. to break or decompose into constituent elements, parts, or small particles
  2. to destroy the unity or integrity of
  3. to break or separate into constituent elements or parts
  4. to lose unity or integrity by or as if by breaking into parts
  5. to undergo a change in composition
    • an atomic nucleus that disintegrate s because of radioactivity

dis·in·ter [,dis-in-'tər] -vt, n

  1. to take out of the grave or tomb
  2. to bring back into awareness or prominence
  3. to bring to light : unearth

dis·in·ter·est [(,)dis-'in-trəst; -'in-tə-,rest, -tə-rəst, -tərst; -'in-,trest] -vt

  1. to cause to regard something with no interest or concern

disinterest -n

  1. disinterestedness
  2. lack of interest : indifference

dis·in·ter·est·ed [-təd] -adj, adv

  1. not having the mind or feelings engaged : not interested
    • telling them in a disinterested voice -- Tom Wicker
    • disinterested in women -- J. A. Brussel
  2. no longer interested
    • husband and wife become disinterested in each other -- T. I. Rubin
  3. free from selfish motive or interest : unbiased
    • a disinterested decision
    • disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of real civilization -- G. M. Trevelyan

dis·in·ter·est·ed·ness [-təd-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being objective or impartial

dis·in·ter·me·di·a·tion [,dis-,in-tər-,mē-dē-'ā-shən] -n, vb

  1. the diversion of savings from accounts with low fixed interest rates to direct investment in high-yielding instruments
  2. the elimination of an intermediary in a transaction between two parties

dis·in·tox·i·cate [,dis-in-'täk-sə-,kāt] -vt, n

  1. detoxify

dis·in·vest [(,)dis-in-'vest] -vi

  1. to reduce or eliminate capital investment (as in an industry or area)

dis·in·vest·ment [,dis-in-'ves(t)-mənt] -n

  1. consumption of capital
  2. the withdrawing of investment

dis·in·vite [(,)dis-in-'vīt] -vt

  1. to withdraw an invitation to

dis·join [(,)dis-'jȯin] -vb

  1. to end the joining of
  2. to become detached

dis·joint [-'jȯint] -adj

  1. disjointed
  2. having no elements in common
    • disjoint mathematical sets

disjoint -vt

  1. to disturb the orderly structure or arrangement of
  2. to take apart at the joints
  3. to come apart at the joints

dis·joint·ed [-'jȯin-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. being thrown out of orderly function
    • a disjointed society
  2. lacking coherence or orderly sequence
    • an incomplete and disjointed history
  3. separated at or as if at the joint

dis·junct [dis-'jəŋ(k)t] -adj

  1. : marked by separation of or from usu. contiguous parts or individuals: as
  2. discontinuous
  3. relating to melodic progression by intervals larger than a major second
  4. any of the alternatives that make up a logical disjunction
  5. an adverb or adverbial (as luckilyin Luckily we had an extra set or in shortin In short, there is nothing we can do) that is loosely connected to a sentence and conveys the speaker's or writer's comment on its content, truth, or manner

dis·junc·tion [dis-'jəŋ(k)-shən] -n

  1. a sharp cleavage : disunion, separation
    • the disjunction between theory and practice
  2. : a compound sentence in logic formed by joining two simple statements by or:
  3. inclusive disjunction
  4. exclusive disjunction

dis·junc·tive [-'jəŋ(k)-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, being, or forming a logical disjunction
  2. expressing an alternative or opposition between the meanings of the words connected
    • the disjunctive conjunction or
  3. expressed by mutually exclusive alternatives joined by or
    • disjunctive pleading
  4. marked by breaks or disunity
    • a disjunctive narrative sequence
  5. stressed and not attached to the verb as an enclitic or proclitic

disjunctive -n

  1. a disjunctive conjunction

dis·junc·ture [-'jəŋ(k)-chər] -n

  1. disjunction

disk ['disk] -n, adj

  1. the seemingly flat figure of a celestial body
    • the solar disk
  2. discus
  3. any of various rounded and flattened animal anatomical structures
  4. intervertebral disk
  5. the central part of the flower head of a typical composite made up of closely packed tubular flowers
  6. : a thin circular object: as
  7. a phonograph record
  8. a round flat plate coated with a magnetic substance on which data for a computer is stored
  9. : optical disk: as
  10. videodisc
  11. cd
  12. one of the concave circular steel tools with sharpened edge making up the working part of a disc harrow or plow
  13. an implement employing such tools
  14. to cultivate with an implement (as a harrow or plow) that turns and loosens the soil with a series of discs

disk drive -n

  1. a device for reading and writing data on a magnetic disk

dis·kette [,dis-'ket] -n

  1. floppy disk

disk flower -n

  1. one of the tubular flowers in the disk of a composite plant called also disk floret

disk jockey -n

(variant of disc jockey)

  1. an announcer of a radio show of popular recorded music
  2. one who plays recorded music for dancing at a nightclub or party

dis·lik·able [(,)dis-'lī-kə-bəl] -adj

  1. easy to dislike

dis·like [(,)dis-'līk, 'dis-,] -n

  1. a feeling of aversion or disapproval
  2. discord

dislike -vt, n

  1. to regard with dislike : disapprove
  2. displease
  3. to show aversion to

dis·limn [(,)dis-'lim] -vb

  1. dim

dis·lo·cate ['dis-lō-,kāt, -lə-; (,)dis-'lō-] -vt

  1. to put out of place
  2. to displace (a bone) from normal connections with another bone
  3. to force a change in the usual status, relationship, or order of : disrupt

dis·lo·ca·tion [,dis-(,)lō-'kā-shən, -lə-] -n

  1. : the act of dislocating : the state of being dislocated: as
  2. displacement of one or more bones at a joint : luxation
  3. a discontinuity in the otherwise normal lattice structure of a crystal
  4. disruption of an established order

dis·lodge [(,)dis-'läj] -vb, n

  1. to drive from a position of hiding, defense, or advantage
  2. to force out of a secure or settled position
    • dislodged the rock with a shovel
  3. to leave a place previously occupied

dis·loy·al [(,)dis-'lȯi(-ə)l] -adj, adv

  1. lacking in loyalty
  2. showing an absence of allegiance, devotion, obligation, faith, or support
    • his disloyal refusal to help his friend

dis·loy·al·ty [-'lȯi(-ə)l-tē] -n

  1. lack of loyalty

dis·mal ['diz-məl] -adj, adv, n

  1. disastrous, dreadful
  2. showing or causing gloom or depression
  3. lacking merit : particularly bad
    • a dismal performance

dis·man·tle [(,)dis-'man-tᵊl] -vt, n

  1. to take to pieces
  2. to destroy the integrity or functioning of
  3. to strip of dress or covering : divest
  4. to strip of furniture and equipment

dis·mast [(,)dis-'mast] -vt

  1. to remove or break off the mast of

dis·may [dis-'mā, diz-] -vt, adv

  1. to cause to lose courage or resolution (as because of alarm or fear)
    • must not let ourselves be dismay ed by the task before us
  2. upset, perturb
    • were dismay ed by the condition of the building

dismay -n

  1. sudden loss of courage or resolution from alarm or fear
  2. sudden disappointment
  3. perturbation

disme ['dīm] -n

  1. a U.S. 10-cent coin struck in 1792

dis·mem·ber [(,)dis-'mem-bər] -vt, n

  1. to cut off or disjoin the limbs, members, or parts of
  2. to break up or tear into pieces

dis·miss [dis-'mis] -vt, n, adj, adv

  1. to permit or cause to leave
    • dismiss ed the visitors
  2. to remove from position or service : discharge
    • dismiss ed the thievish servant
  3. to reject serious consideration of
    • dismiss ed the thought
  4. to put out of judicial consideration
    • dismiss ed all charges

dis·miss·al [-'mi-səl] -n

  1. the act of dismissing : the fact or state of being dismissed

dis·mount [(,)dis-'mau̇nt] -vb

  1. to throw down or remove from a mount or an elevated position
  2. unhorse
  3. disassemble
  4. descend
  5. to alight from an elevated position (as on a horse)
  6. to get out of an enclosed craft or vehicle

dismount -n

  1. the act of dismounting

Dis·ney·esque [,diz-nē-'esk] -adj

  1. resembling or suggestive of the films, television productions, or amusement parks made by Walt Disney or his organization

Dis·ney·fi·ca·tion [,diz-nē-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the transformation (as of something real or unsettling) into carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an environment with similar qualities
    • the Disneyfication of a downtown

dis·obe·di·ence [,dis-ə-'bē-dē-ən(t)s, -ō-'bē-] -n

  1. refusal or neglect to obey

dis·obe·di·ent [-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. refusing or neglecting to obey

dis·obey [,dis-ə-'bā, -ō-] -vb, n

  1. to be disobedient
  2. to fail to obey

dis·oblige [,dis-ə-'blīj] -vt

  1. to go counter to the wishes of
  2. inconvenience

di·so·di·um phosphate [(,)dī-'sō-dē-əm-] -n

  1. a sodium phosphate Na 2HPO 4

di·so·mic [(,)dī-'sō-mik] -adj

  1. having one or more chromosomes present in two copies
    • the disomic state is normal in humans

dis·or·der [(,)dis-'ȯr-dər, (,)diz-] -vt

  1. to disturb the order of
  2. to disturb the regular or normal functions of

disorder -n

  1. lack of order
    • clothes in disorder
  2. breach of the peace or public order
    • troubled times marked by social disorder s
  3. an abnormal physical or mental condition
    • a liver disorder
    • a personality disorder

dis·or·dered -adj, adv, n

  1. morally reprehensible
  2. unruly
  3. marked by disorder
    • a disordered room
  4. not functioning in a normal orderly healthy way
    • a disordered mind

dis·or·der·ly [-'ȯrd-ər-lē] -adv

  1. in a disorderly manner

disorderly -adj, n

  1. engaged in conduct offensive to public order
    • charged with being drunk and disorderly
  2. characterized by disorder
    • a disorderly pile of clothes

disorderly conduct -n

  1. a petty offense chiefly against public order and decency that falls short of an indictable misdemeanor

disorderly house -n

  1. bordello

dis·or·ga·nize [(,)dis-'ȯr-gə-,nīz] -vt, n

  1. to destroy or interrupt the orderly structure or function of

dis·or·ga·nized [-,nīzd] -adj

  1. lacking coherence, system, or central guiding agency : not organized
    • disorganized work habits

dis·ori·ent [(,)dis-'ȯr-ē-,ent] -vt

  1. to cause to lose bearings : displace from normal position or relationship
  2. to cause to lose the sense of time, place, or identity
  3. confuse

dis·ori·en·tate [-ē-ən-,tāt, -ē-,en-] -vt, n

  1. disorient

dis·own [(,)dis-'ōn] -vt, n

  1. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own
  2. to repudiate any connection or identification with
  3. to deny the validity or authority of

disp -abbr

  1. dispensary

dis·par·age [di-'sper-ij, -'spa-rij] -vt, n, adj, adv

  1. to lower in rank or reputation : degrade
  2. to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about

dis·pa·rate ['dis-p(ə-)rət, di-'sper-ət, -'spa-rət] -adj, adv, n

  1. containing or made up of fundamentally different and often incongruous elements
  2. markedly distinct in quality or character

dis·part [(,)dis-'pärt] -vb

  1. separate, divide

dis·pas·sion [(,)dis-'pa-shən] -n

  1. absence of passion : coolness

dis·pas·sion·ate [-sh(ə-)nət] -adj, adv, n

  1. not influenced by strong feeling
  2. not affected by personal or emotional involvement
    • a dispassionate critic
    • a dispassionate approach to an issue

dis·patch [di-'spach] -vb, n

  1. to send off or away with promptness or speed
  2. to send off on official business
  3. to kill with quick efficiency
  4. deprive
  5. to dispose of (as a task) rapidly or efficiently
  6. defeat
  7. to make haste : hurry
  8. a message sent with speed
  9. an important official message sent by a diplomatic, military, or naval officer
  10. a news item filed by a correspondent
  11. : the act of dispatching: as
  12. dismissal
  13. the act of killing
  14. prompt settlement (as of an item of business)
  15. quick riddance
  16. a sending off : shipment
  17. promptness and efficiency in performance or transmission
    • done with dispatch

dispatch case -n

  1. a case for carrying papers

dis·pel [di-'spel] -vt

  1. to drive away by or as if by scattering : dissipate
    • dispel a rumor

dis·pens·able [di-'spen(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being dispensed with

dis·pen·sa·ry [di-'spen(t)s-(ə-)rē] -n

  1. a place where medicine or medical or dental treatment is dispensed

dis·pen·sa·tion [,dis-pən-'sā-shən, -,pen-] -n, adj

  1. a general state or ordering of things
  2. a system of revealed commands and promises regulating human affairs
  3. a particular arrangement or provision esp. of providence or nature
  4. an exemption from a law or from an impediment, vow, or oath
  5. a formal authorization
  6. the act of dispensing
  7. something dispensed or distributed

dis·pen·sa·to·ry [di-'spen(t)-sə-,tȯr-ē] -n

  1. a medicinal formulary

dis·pense [di-'spen(t)s] -vb

  1. to deal out in portions
  2. administer
    • dispense justice
  3. to give dispensation to : exempt
  4. to prepare and distribute (medication)
  5. to grant dispensation

dis·pens·er [-'spen(t)-sər] -n

  1. : one that dispenses: as
  2. a container that extrudes, sprays, or feeds out in convenient units
  3. a usu. mechanical device for vending merchandise

dis·peo·ple [(,)dis-'pē-pəl] -vt

  1. depopulate

dis·pers·al [di-'spər-səl] -n

  1. the act or result of dispersing
  2. the process or result of the spreading of organisms from one place to another

dis·per·sant [di-'spər-sənt] -n, adj

  1. a dispersing agent
  2. a substance for promoting the formation and stabilization of a dispersion of one substance in another

dis·perse [di-'spərs] -vb, adv, n, adj

  1. to cause to break up
    • police dispersed the crowd
  2. to cause to become spread widely
  3. to cause to evaporate or vanish
    • sunlight dispersing the mist
  4. : to spread or distribute from a fixed or constant source: as
  5. disseminate
  6. to subject (as light) to dispersion
  7. to distribute (as fine particles) more or less evenly throughout a medium
  8. to break up in random fashion
    • the crowd dispersed on request
  9. to become dispersed
  10. dissipate, vanish
    • the fog dispersed toward morning

dis·per·sion [di-'spər-zhən, -shən] -n

  1. diaspora
  2. the act or process of dispersing : the state of being dispersed
  3. the scattering of the values of a frequency distribution from an average
  4. the separation of light into colors by refraction or diffraction with formation of a spectrum
  5. the separation of radiation into components in accordance with some varying characteristic (as energy)
  6. a dispersed substance
  7. a system consisting of a dispersed substance and the medium in which it is dispersed : colloid

dis·per·sive [-'spər-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. of or relating to dispersion
    • a dispersive medium
    • the dispersive power of a lens
  2. tending to disperse

dis·per·soid [-'spər-,sȯid] -n

  1. finely divided particles of one substance dispersed in another

dis·pir·it [(,)dis-'pir-ət, -'pi-rət] -vt, adj, adv, n

  1. to deprive of morale or enthusiasm

dis·pit·eous [di-'spi-tē-əs] -adj

  1. cruel

dis·place [(,)dis-'plās, di-'splās] -vt, adj

  1. to remove from the usual or proper place
  2. to expel or force to flee from home or homeland
    • displaced persons
  3. to remove from an office, status, or job
  4. to drive out : banish
  5. to move physically out of position
    • a floating object displace s water
  6. to take the place of (as in a chemical reaction) : supplant

dis·place·ment [(,)dis-'plā-smənt, di-'splā-] -n

  1. the act or process of displacing : the state of being displaced
  2. the volume or weight of a fluid (as water) displaced by a floating body (as a ship) of equal weight
  3. the difference between the initial position of something (as a body or geometric figure) and any later position
  4. the volume displaced by a piston (as in a pump or an engine) in a single stroke
  5. the total volume so displaced by all the pistons in an internal combustion engine (as in an automobile)
  6. the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its original object (as an idea or person) to another
  7. the substitution of another form of behavior for what is usual or expected esp. when the usual response is nonadaptive called also displacement activity displacement behavior

dis·plant [dis-'plant] -vt

  1. displace, remove
  2. supplant

dis·play [di-'splā] -vb, adj

  1. to put or spread before the view
    • display the flag
  2. to make evident
    • display ed great skill
  3. to exhibit ostentatiously
    • liked to display his erudition
  4. descry
  5. show off
  6. to make a breeding display
    • penguins display ed and copulated

display -n

  1. a setting or presentation of something in open view
    • a fireworks display
  2. a clear sign or evidence : exhibition
    • a display of courage
  3. ostentatious show
  4. type, composition, or printing designed to catch the eye
  5. an eye-catching arrangement by which something is exhibited
    • a display of artifacts
    often used with on
    • her early paintings are currently on display
  6. an electronic device (as a cathode-ray tube) that presents information in visual form
  7. the visual information
  8. a pattern of behavior exhibited esp. by male birds in the breeding season

dis·please [(,)dis-'plēz] -vb

  1. to incur the disapproval or dislike of esp. by annoying
    • their gossip displease s her
  2. to be offensive to
    • abstract art displease s him
  3. to give displeasure
    • behavior calculated to displease

dis·plea·sure [(,)dis-'ple-zhər, -'plā-] -n

  1. the feeling of one that is displeased : disfavor
  2. discomfort, unhappiness
  3. offense, injury

dis·plode [di-'splōd] -vb, n

  1. explode

dis·port [di-'spȯrt] -n

  1. sport, pastime

disport [-mənt] -vb, n

  1. divert, amuse
  2. display
  3. to amuse oneself in light or lively fashion : frolic

dis·pos·able [di-'spō-zə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. subject to or available for disposal
  2. remaining to an individual after deduction of taxes and necessary living expenses
    • disposable income
  3. designed to be used once and then thrown away
    • disposable diapers

disposable -n

  1. something that is disposable

dis·pos·al [di-'spō-zəl] -n

  1. the power or authority to dispose or make use of as one chooses
    • the car was at my disposal
  2. : the act or process of disposing: as
  3. orderly placement or distribution
  4. regulation, administration
  5. the act or action of presenting or bestowing something
    • disposal of favors
  6. systematic destruction
  7. destruction or transformation of garbage
  8. a device used to reduce waste matter (as by grinding)

dis·pose [di-'spōz] -vb, n

  1. to give a tendency to : incline
    • faulty diet dispose s one to sickness
  2. to put in place : set in readiness : arrange
    • disposing troops for withdrawal
  3. regulate
  4. bestow
  5. to settle a matter finally
  6. to come to terms

dispose -n

  1. disposal
  2. disposition
  3. demeanor

dis·po·si·tion [,dis-pə-'zi-shən] -n, adj

  1. : the act or the power of disposing or the state of being disposed: as
  2. administration, control
  3. final arrangement : settlement
    • the disposition of the case
  4. transfer to the care or possession of another
  5. the power of such transferal
  6. orderly arrangement
  7. prevailing tendency, mood, or inclination
  8. temperamental makeup
  9. the tendency of something to act in a certain manner under given circumstances

dis·pos·i·tive [di-'spä-zə-tiv] -adj

  1. directed toward or effecting disposition (as of a case)
    • dispositive evidence

dis·pos·sess [,dis-pə-'zes also -'ses] -vt, n

  1. to put out of possession or occupancy
    • dispossess ed the nobles of their land

dis·pos·sessed [-'zest also -'sest] -adj

  1. deprived of homes, possessions, and security

dis·po·sure [di-'spō-zhər] -n

  1. disposal, disposition

dis·praise [(,)dis-'prāz] -vt, n, adv

  1. to comment on with disapproval or censure

dispread [di-'spred] -vt

  1. to spread abroad or out

dis·prize [(,)dis-'prīz] -vt

  1. undervalue, scorn

dis·proof [(,)dis-'prüf] -n

  1. the action of disproving
  2. evidence that disproves

dis·pro·por·tion [,dis-prə-'pȯr-shən] -n, adj

  1. lack of proportion, symmetry, or proper relation : disparity
  2. an instance of such disparity

disproportion -vt

  1. to make out of proportion : mismatch

dis·pro·por·tion·ate [-sh(ə-)nət] -adj, adv

  1. being out of proportion
    • a disproportionate share

dis·pro·por·tion·ation [-,pȯr-shə-'nā-shən] -n, vi

  1. the transformation of a substance into two or more dissimilar substances usu. by simultaneous oxidation and reduction

dis·prove [(,)dis-'prüv] -vt, adj

  1. to prove to be false or wrong : refute
    • disprove a theory

dis·pu·tant [di-'spyü-tᵊnt, 'dis-pyə-tənt] -n

  1. one that is engaged in a dispute

dis·pu·ta·tion [,dis-pyə-'tā-shən] -n

  1. the action of disputing : verbal controversy
    • continuous disputation between them
    • ideological disputation s
  2. an academic exercise in oral defense of a thesis by formal logic

dis·pu·ta·tious [-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. inclined to dispute
  2. marked by disputation
  3. provoking debate : controversial

dis·pute [di-'spyüt] -vb, adj, adv, n

  1. to engage in argument : debate
  2. to argue irritably or with irritating persistence
  3. to make the subject of disputation
    • legislators hotly disputed the bill
  4. to call into question
    • her honesty was never disputed
  5. to struggle against : oppose
    • disputed the advance of the invaders
  6. to contend over
    • both sides disputed the bridgehead
  7. verbal controversy : debate
  8. quarrel
  9. physical combat

dis·qual·i·fi·ca·tion [(,)dis-,kwä-lə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. something that disqualifies or incapacitates
  2. the act of disqualifying : the state of being disqualified
    • disqualification from office

dis·qual·i·fy [(,)dis-'kwä-lə-,fī] -vt

  1. to deprive of the required qualities, properties, or conditions : make unfit
  2. to deprive of a power, right, or privilege
  3. to make ineligible for a prize or for further competition because of violations of the rules

dis·quan·ti·ty [(,)dis-'kwän-(t)ə-tē] -vt

  1. diminish, lessen

dis·qui·et [(,)dis-'kwī-ət] -vt, adj, adv

  1. to take away the peace or tranquillity of : disturb, alarm

disquiet -n

  1. lack of peace or tranquillity : anxiety
  2. uneasy, disquieted

dis·qui·etude [(,)dis-'kwī-ə-,t(y)üd] -n

  1. anxiety, agitation

dis·qui·si·tion [,dis-kwə-'zi-shən] -n

  1. a formal inquiry into or discussion of a subject : discourse

dis·rate [(,)dis-'rāt] -vt

  1. to reduce in rank : demote

dis·re·gard [,dis-ri-'gärd] -vt

  1. to pay no attention to : treat as unworthy of regard or notice

disregard [-fəl] -n, adj

  1. the act of disregarding : the state of being disregarded : neglect

dis·re·lat·ed [,dis-ri-'lā-təd] -adj

  1. not related

dis·re·la·tion [-'lā-shən] -n

  1. lack of a fitting or proportionate connection or relationship

dis·rel·ish [(,)dis-'re-lish] -vt

  1. to find unpalatable or distasteful

disrelish -n

  1. lack of relish : distaste, dislike

dis·re·mem·ber [,dis-ri-'mem-bər] -vt

  1. forget

dis·re·pair [,dis-ri-'per] -n

  1. the state of being in need of repair
    • a building fallen into disrepair

dis·rep·u·ta·ble [(,)dis-'re-pyə-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. not reputable

dis·re·pute [,dis-ri-'pyüt] -n

  1. lack or decline of good reputation : a state of being held in low esteem

dis·re·spect [,dis-ri-'spekt] -vt

  1. to have disrespect for
  2. to show or express disrespect or contempt for : insult, dis
    • disrespect ed the officer

disrespect [-fəl] -n, adj, adv

  1. lack of respect

dis·re·spect·able [,dis-ri-'spek-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. not respectable

dis·robe [(,)dis-'rōb] -vb

  1. to take off one's clothing
  2. to strip of clothing or covering

dis·rupt [dis-'rəpt] -vt, n, adj, adv

  1. to break apart : rupture
  2. to throw into disorder
    • agitators trying to disrupt the meeting
  3. to interrupt the normal course or unity of

diss ['dis] -vt

(variant of dis)

  1. to treat with disrespect or contempt : insult
  2. to find fault with : criticize
  3. a disparaging remark or act : insult
    • was meant as a tribute, not a dis -- Vibe
  4. disrespect
  5. discharge
  6. discount
  7. distance

dis·sat·is·fac·tion [(,)di(s)-,sa-təs-'fak-shən] -n

  1. the quality or state of being dissatisfied : discontent

dis·sat·is·fac·to·ry [-'fak-t(ə-)rē] -adj

  1. causing dissatisfaction

dis·sat·is·fied [(,)di(s)-'sa-təs-,fīd] -adj

  1. expressing or showing lack of satisfaction : not pleased or satisfied
    • dissatisfied customers
    • dissatisfied with his response

dis·sat·is·fy [-,fī] -vt

  1. to fail to satisfy : displease

dis·save [(,)di(s)-'sāv] -vi

  1. to use savings for current expenses

dis·seat [(,)di(s)-'sēt] -vt

  1. unseat

dis·sect [dī-'sekt also di-, 'dī-,] -vb, n

  1. to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (as an animal) for scientific examination
  2. to analyze and interpret minutely
    • dissect a problem
  3. to make a dissection

dis·sect·ed [-'sek-təd] -adj

  1. cut deeply into fine lobes
    • a dissected leaf
  2. divided into hills and ridges (as by gorges)
    • a dissected plateau

dis·sect·ing microscope [-tiŋ-] -n

  1. a low-magnification stereomicroscope used esp. in examining or dissecting biological specimens

dis·sec·tion [dī-'sek-shən also di-, 'dī-,] -n

  1. the act or process of dissecting : the state of being dissected
  2. an anatomical specimen prepared by dissecting

dis·seise [(,)di(s)-'sēz] -vt, n

  1. to deprive esp. wrongfully of seisin : dispossess

dis·sei·sin [-'sē-zᵊn] -n

  1. the act of disseising : the state of being disseised

dis·sem·ble [di-'sem-bəl] -vb, n

  1. to hide under a false appearance
  2. to put on the appearance of : simulate
  3. to put on a false appearance : conceal facts, intentions, or feelings under some pretense

dis·sem·i·nate [di-'se-mə-,nāt] -vt, n

  1. to spread abroad as though sowing seed
    • disseminate ideas
  2. to disperse throughout

disseminated -adj

  1. widely dispersed in a tissue, organ, or the entire body
    • disseminated gonococcal disease

dis·sem·i·nule [di-'sem-ə-,nyül] -n

  1. a part or organ (as a seed or spore) of a plant that ensures propagation

dis·sen·sion [di-'sen(t)-shən] -n

  1. disagreement
  2. partisan and contentious quarreling

dis·sen·sus [(,)di(s)-'sen(t)-səs] -n

  1. difference of opinion

dis·sent [di-'sent] -vi

  1. to withhold assent
  2. to differ in opinion

dissent -n

  1. : difference of opinion
    • heard voices of dissent at the meeting
    : as
  2. religious nonconformity
  3. a justice's nonconcurrence with a decision of the majority called also dissenting opinion
  4. political opposition to a government or its policies
    • attempts to suppress domestic dissent

dis·sent·er [di-'sen-tər] -n

  1. one that dissents
  2. an English Nonconformist

dis·sen·tient [di-'sen(t)-sh(ē-)ənt] -adj, n

  1. expressing dissent

dis·sent·ing [di-'sen-tiŋ] -adj

  1. of or relating to the English Nonconformists
    • a dissenting church
    • dissenting merchants

dis·sen·tious [di-'sen(t)-shəs] -adj

  1. characterized by dissension or dissent

dis·sep·i·ment [di-'se-pə-mənt] -n

  1. a dividing tissue : septum

dis·sert [di-'sərt] -vi

  1. to speak or write at length

dis·ser·tate ['di-sər-,tāt] -vi, n

  1. dissert
  2. to write a dissertation

dis·ser·ta·tion [,di-sər-'tā-shən] -n, adj

  1. an extended usu. written treatment of a subject
  2. one submitted for a doctorate

dis·serve [(,)di(s)-'sərv] -vt

  1. to serve badly or falsely : harm

dis·ser·vice [(,)di(s)-'sər-vəs] -n

  1. ill service : harm
  2. an unhelpful, unkind, or harmful act
    • misinformation that does a disservice to readers

dis·ser·vice·able [di(s)-'sər-və-sə-bəl] -adj

  1. counterproductive

dis·sev·er [di-'se-vər] -vb, n

  1. sever, separate
  2. to come apart : disunite

dis·si·dence ['di-sə-dən(t)s] -n

  1. dissent, disagreement
    • political dissidence

dis·si·dent [-dənt] -adj, n

  1. disagreeing esp. with an established religious or political system, organization, or belief

dis·sim·i·lar [(,)di(s)-'si-mə-lər, -'sim-lər] -adj, n, adv

  1. unlike
    • people with dissimilar backgrounds

dis·sim·i·late [(,)di-'si-mə-,lāt] -vi, adj

  1. to undergo dissimilation

dis·sim·i·la·tion [(,)di-,si-mə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the change or omission of one of two identical or closely related sounds in a word

dis·si·mil·i·tude [,di(s)-sə-'mi-lə-,tüd, -,tyüd] -n

  1. lack of resemblance

dis·sim·u·late [(,)di-'sim-yə-,lāt] -vb, n

  1. to hide under a false appearance
    • smiled to dissimulate her urgency -- Alice Glenday
  2. dissemble

dis·si·pate ['di-sə-,pāt] -vb, n

  1. to break up and drive off (as a crowd)
  2. to cause to spread thin or scatter and gradually vanish
    • one's sympathy is eventually dissipated -- Andrew Feinberg
  3. to lose (as heat or electricity) irrecoverably
  4. to spend or use up wastefully or foolishly
    • dissipated the family fortune in reckless business ventures
  5. to break up and scatter or vanish
    • the clouds soon dissipated
    • the team's early momentum has dissipated
  6. to be extravagant or dissolute in the pursuit of pleasure
  7. to drink to excess

dissipated -adj, adv, n

  1. given to or marked by dissipation : dissolute

dis·si·pa·tion [,di-sə-'pā-shən] -n

  1. : the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated:
  2. dispersion, diffusion
  3. dissolution, disintegration
  4. wasteful expenditure
  5. intemperate living
  6. excessive drinking
  7. an act of self-indulgence
  8. one that is not harmful : amusement

dis·si·pa·tive ['di-sə-,pā-tiv] -adj

  1. relating to dissipation esp. of heat

dis·so·cia·ble [(,)di-'sō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl, -sē-ə-] -adj, n

  1. separable

dis·so·cial [(,)di(s)-'sō-shəl] -adj

  1. unsocial, selfish

dis·so·ci·ate [(,)di-'sō-shē-,āt, -sē-] -vb

  1. to separate from association or union with another
    • attempts to dissociate herself from her past
  2. disunite
  3. to subject to chemical dissociation
  4. to undergo dissociation
  5. to mutate esp. reversibly

dis·so·ci·a·tion [(,)di-,sō-sē-'ā-shən, -shē-] -n, adj

  1. : the act or process of dissociating : the state of being dissociated: as
  2. the process by which a chemical combination breaks up into simpler constituents
  3. one that results from the action of energy (as heat) on a gas or of a solvent on a dissolved substance
  4. the separation of whole segments of the personality (as in multiple personality disorder) or of discrete mental processes (as in the schizophrenias) from the mainstream of consciousness or of behavior
  5. the property inherent in some biological stocks (as of certain bacteria) of differentiating into two or more distinct and relatively permanent strains
  6. such a strain

dissociative identity disorder -n

  1. multiple personality disorder

dis·sol·u·ble [di-'säl-yə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being dissolved or disintegrated

dis·so·lute ['di-sə-,lüt, -lət] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking restraint
  2. marked by indulgence in things (as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices
    • the dissolute and degrading aspects of human nature -- Wallace Fowlie

dis·so·lu·tion [,di-sə-'lü-shən] -n

  1. : the act or process of dissolving: as
  2. separation into component parts
  3. decay, disintegration
  4. death
  5. termination or destruction by breaking down, disrupting, or dispersing
    • the dissolution of the republic
  6. the dissolving of an assembly or organization
  7. liquefaction
  8. a dissolute act or practice

dis·solve [di-'zälv, -'zȯlv also -'zäv or -'zȯv] -vb, adj, n or adj, n

  1. to cause to disperse or disappear : destroy
    • do not dissolve and deface the laws of charity -- Francis Bacon
  2. to separate into component parts : disintegrate
  3. to bring to an end : terminate
    • dissolve parliament
  4. annul
    • dissolve an injunction
  5. to cause to pass into solution
    • dissolve sugar in water
  6. melt, liquefy
  7. to cause to be emotionally moved
  8. to cause to fade in or out in a dissolve
  9. detach, loosen
  10. to clear up
    • dissolve a problem
  11. to become dissipated or decomposed
  12. break up, disperse
  13. to fade away
  14. to become fluid : melt
  15. to pass into solution
  16. to be overcome emotionally
    • dissolved into tears
  17. to resolve itself as if by dissolution
    • hate dissolved into fear
  18. to change by a dissolve
    • the scene dissolve s to a Victorian parlor

dissolve -n

  1. a gradual superimposing of one motion-picture or television shot upon another on a screen

dis·so·nance ['di-sə-nən(t)s] -n

  1. lack of agreement
  2. inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one's actions and one's beliefs
  3. an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement
  4. a mingling of discordant sounds
  5. a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord

dis·so·nant [-nənt] -adj, adv

  1. marked by dissonance : discordant
  2. incongruous
  3. harmonically unresolved

dis·suade [di-'swād] -vt, n

  1. to advise (a person) against something
  2. to advise against (an action)
  3. to turn from something by persuasion
    • unable to dissuade him from going

dis·sua·sion [di-'swā-zhən] -n

  1. the action of dissuading

dis·sua·sive [di-'swā-siv, -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending to dissuade
    • a dissuasive effect

dissyllable ['dī-,si-lə-bəl, (,)dī-'sil-; 'di-,sil-, (,)di(s)-'sil-] -n, adj

(variant of disyllable)

  1. a linguistic form consisting of two syllables

dis·sym·me·try [(,)di(s)-'si-mə-trē] -n, adj

  1. the absence of or the lack of symmetry

dist -abbr

  1. distance
  2. district

dis·taff ['dis-,taf] -n

  1. a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning
  2. woman's work or domain
  3. the female branch or side of a family

distaff -adj

  1. maternal
    • the distaff side of the family
  2. female
    • distaff executives

dis·tain [dis-'tān] -vt

  1. stain
  2. dishonor

dis·tal ['dis-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. situated away from the point of attachment or origin or a central point esp. of the body
  2. of, relating to, or being the surface of a tooth that is next to the tooth behind it or that is farthest from the middle of the front of the jaw

distal convoluted tubule -n

  1. the convoluted portion of the vertebrate nephron that lies between the loop of Henle and the nonsecretory part of the nephron and that is concerned esp. with the concentration of urine

dis·tance ['dis-tən(t)s] -n

  1. discord
  2. separation in time
  3. the degree or amount of separation between two points, lines, surfaces, or objects
  4. an extent of area or an advance along a route measured linearly
  5. an extent of space measured other than linearly
    • within walking distance
  6. an extent of advance from a beginning
  7. expanse
  8. length of a race or contest
    • won at all distance s
  9. the full length (as of a prizefight or ball game)
  10. a long race
    • distance training
  11. : the quality or state of being distant: as
  12. spatial remoteness
  13. personal and esp. emotional separation
  14. reserve, coldness
  15. difference, disparity
  16. a distant point or region
  17. aesthetic distance
  18. capacity to observe dispassionately

distance -vt

  1. to place or keep at a distance
    • able to distance themselves from the tragedy
    • distance s herself from her coworkers
  2. to leave far behind : outstrip
    • easily distanced the other candidates in the race
  3. taking place via electronic media linking instructors and students who are not together in a classroom
    • distance learning
    • distance education

dis·tant ['dis-tənt] -adj, adv, n

  1. separated in space : away
    • a mile distant
  2. situated at a great distance : far-off
    • a distant galaxy
  3. separated by a great distance from each other : far apart
  4. far behind
    • finished a distant third
  5. separated in a relationship other than spatial
    • a distant cousin
    • the distant past
  6. different in kind
    • from two very distant backgrounds
  7. reserved or aloof in personal relationship : cold
    • was distant and distracted
  8. going a long distance
    • distant voyages
  9. concerned with remote things
    • distant thoughts

dis·taste [(,)dis-'tāst] -vt

  1. to feel aversion to
  2. offend, displease
  3. to have an offensive taste

distaste -n

  1. dislike of food or drink
  2. aversion, disinclination
    • a distaste for opera
  3. annoyance, discomfort

dis·taste·ful [(,)dis-'tāst-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. objectionable because offensive to one's personal taste : unpleasant, disagreeable
    • found the job distasteful
    • a shady, distasteful character
  2. objectionable because in poor taste, inappropriate, or unethical
    • a harmless stroking...but it seems oddly distasteful in retrospect -- Richard Sandza et al.
  3. unpleasant to the taste
    • distasteful unripe fruit

dis·tel·fink ['dish-tᵊl-,fiŋk, 'dis-] -n

  1. a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch design motif in the form of a stylized bird

dis·tem·per [dis-'tem-pər] -vt

  1. to throw out of order
  2. derange, unsettle

distemper [-p(ə-)rət] -n, adj

  1. bad humor or temper
  2. : a disordered or abnormal bodily state esp. of quadruped mammals: as
  3. a highly contagious virus disease of canines and esp. of dogs that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Canine distemper virus) and is marked by fever, leukopenia, and respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms called also canine distemper
  4. strangles
  5. panleukopenia
  6. ailment, disorder
    • vice and folly are situated not in human nature...but in distemper s of intellect -- George Stade
  7. a process of painting in which the pigments are mixed with an emulsion of egg yolk, with size, or with white of egg as a vehicle and which is used for painting scenery and murals
  8. the paint or the prepared ground used in the distemper process
  9. a painting done in distemper
  10. any of various water-based paints
  11. to paint in or with distemper

dis·tem·per·a·ture [di-'stem-p(ə-)rə-,chu̇r, -pə(r)-, -chər, chiefly Southern -,t(y)u̇(ə)r] -n

  1. a disordered condition

dis·tend [di-'stend] -vb

  1. extend
  2. to enlarge from internal pressure : swell
  3. to become expanded

dis·ten·si·ble [-'sten(t)-sə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being distended

dis·ten·sion [di-'sten(t)-shən] -n

  1. the act of distending or the state of being distended esp. unduly or abnormally

dis·tich ['dis-(,)tik] -n

  1. a strophic unit of two lines

dis·ti·chous ['dis-ti-kəs] -adj

  1. disposed in two vertical rows
    • distichous leaves

dis·till [di-'stil] -vb

  1. to let fall, exude, or precipitate in drops or in a wet mist
  2. to subject to or transform by distillation
    • distill molasses into rum
  3. to obtain by or as if by distillation
    • distill whiskey
    • able to distill humor from personal loss
  4. to extract the essence of : concentrate
  5. to fall or materialize in drops or in a fine moisture
  6. to appear slowly or in small quantities at a time
  7. to undergo distillation
  8. to perform distillation

dis·til·late ['dis-tə-,lāt, -lət; di-'sti-lət] -n

  1. a liquid product condensed from vapor during distillation
  2. something concentrated or extracted as if by distilling

dis·til·la·tion [,dis-tə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation
  2. a process like distillation
    • gradual distillation of the truth
  3. an instance of such distilling
  4. something distilled : distillate

dis·till·er [di-'sti-lər] -n

  1. one that distills esp. alcoholic liquors

dis·till·ery [di-'sti-lə-rē, -'stil-rē] -n

  1. the works where distilling (as of alcoholic liquors) is done

dis·tinct [di-'stiŋ(k)t] -adj, adv, n

  1. distinguishable to the eye or mind as discrete : separate
    • a distinct cultural group
    • teaching as distinct from research
  2. presenting a clear unmistakable impression
    • a neat distinct handwriting
  3. notably decorated
  4. notable
    • a distinct contribution to scholarship
  5. readily and unmistakably apprehended
    • a distinct possibility of snow
    • a distinct British accent

dis·tinc·tion [di-'stiŋ(k)-shən] -n

  1. division
  2. class
  3. the distinguishing of a difference
    • without distinction as to race, sex, or religion
  4. the difference distinguished
    • the distinction between imply and infer
  5. something that distinguishes
    • regional distinction s
  6. the quality or state of being distinguishable
    • no distinction of facial features in the twins
  7. the quality or state of being distinguished or worthy
    • a politician of some distinction
  8. special honor or recognition
    • took a law degree with distinction
    • won many distinction s
  9. an accomplishment that sets one apart
    • the distinction of being the oldest to win the title

dis·tinc·tive [di-'stiŋ(k)-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. serving to distinguish
    • the distinctive flight of the crane
  2. having or giving style or distinction
    • a distinctive table setting
  3. capable of making a segment of utterance different in meaning as well as in sound from an otherwise identical utterance

dis·tin·gue [,dēs-,taŋ-'gā, (,)dis-; di-'staŋ-,] -adj

  1. distinguished esp. in manner or bearing

dis·tin·guish [di-'stiŋ-(g)wish] -vb, n, adj, adv

  1. to perceive a difference in : mentally separate
    • so alike they could not be distinguish ed
  2. to mark as separate or different
    • a policy that distinguish es him from other candidates
  3. to separate into kinds, classes, or categories
    • distinguish words by their part of speech
  4. to give prominence or distinction to
    • distinguish ed themselves in music
  5. characterize
    • recipes distinguish ed by simplicity
  6. discern
    • distinguish ed a light in the distance
  7. to single out : take special notice of
  8. to perceive a difference
    • distinguish between right and wrong

dis·tin·guished [-(g)wisht] -adj

  1. marked by eminence, distinction, or excellence
    • distinguished leadership
  2. befitting an eminent person
    • a distinguished setting

Distinguished Conduct Medal -n

  1. a British military decoration awarded for distinguished conduct in the field

Distinguished Flying Cross -n

  1. a British military decoration awarded for acts of gallantry when flying in operations against an enemy
  2. a U.S. military decoration awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight

Distinguished Service Cross -n

  1. a British military decoration awarded for distinguished service against the enemy
  2. a U.S. Army decoration awarded for extraordinary heroism during operations against an armed enemy

Distinguished Service Medal -n

  1. a British military decoration awarded for distinguished conduct in war
  2. a U.S. military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a wartime duty of great responsibility

Distinguished Service Order -n

  1. a British military decoration awarded for special services in action

dis·tort [di-'stȯrt] -vb, n

  1. to twist out of the true meaning or proportion
    • distort ed the facts
  2. to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition
    • a face distort ed by pain
  3. to cause to be perceived unnaturally
    • the new lights distort ed colors
  4. pervert
    • distort justice
  5. to become distorted
  6. to cause a twisting from the true, natural, or normal

dis·tor·tion [di-'stȯr-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of distorting
  2. : the quality or state of being distorted : a product of distorting: as
  3. a lack of proportionality in an image resulting from defects in the optical system
  4. falsified reproduction of an audio or video signal caused by change in the wave form of the original signal

distr -abbr

  1. distribute; distribution

dis·tract [di-'strakt, 'dis-,trakt] -adj

  1. insane, mad
  2. to turn aside : divert
    • refused to be distract ed from her purpose
  3. to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time
    • was distract ed by a sudden noise
  4. to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives

dis·tract·ed -adj, adv

  1. mentally confused, troubled, or remote
  2. maddened or deranged esp. by grief or anxiety

dis·trac·tion [di-'strak-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of distracting or the state of being distracted
  2. mental confusion
    • driven to distraction
  3. something that distracts
  4. amusement
    • a harmless distraction

dis·train [di-'strān] -vb, adj, n

  1. to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress
  2. to seize by distress
  3. to levy a distress

dis·traint [di-'strānt] -n

  1. the act or action of distraining

dis·trait [di-'strā] -adj

  1. apprehensively divided or withdrawn in attention : distracted

dis·traite [di-'strāt] -adj

  1. distrait used esp. of women

dis·traught [di-'strȯt] -adj, adv

  1. agitated with doubt or mental conflict or pain
    • distraught mourners
  2. mentally deranged : crazed
    • as if thou wert distraught and mad with terror -- Shak.

dis·tress [di-'stres] -n

  1. seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seized
  2. something that is distrained
  3. pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : trouble
    • gastric distress
  4. a painful situation : misfortune
  5. a state of danger or desperate need
    • a ship in distress

distress [-'stre-siŋ-lē] -vt, adv

  1. to subject to great strain or difficulties
    • homes distress ed by poverty
  2. to force or overcome by inflicting pain
  3. to cause to worry or be troubled : upset
    • don't let the news distress you
  4. to mar (as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect of age
    • a distress ed table
  5. offered for sale at a loss
    • distress merchandise
  6. involving distress goods
    • a distress sale

dis·tress·ed [-'strest] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or experiencing economic decline or difficulty
    • federal grants for distressed cities

dis·tress·ful [di-'stres-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. causing distress : full of distress

dis·trib·u·tary [di-'stri-byə-,ter-ē, -,te-rē] -n

  1. a river branch flowing away from the main stream

dis·trib·ute [di-'stri-byüt also -byət Brit also 'dis-tri-,byüt] -vb, n

  1. to divide among several or many : apportion
    • distribute expenses
  2. to spread out so as to cover something : scatter
  3. to give out or deliver esp. to members of a group
    • distribute newspapers
    • distribute leaflets
  4. to place or position so as to be properly apportioned over or throughout an area
    • 200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot frame
  5. to use (a term) so as to convey information about every member of the class named
    • the proposition all men are mortal distribute s man but not mortal
  6. to divide or separate esp. into kinds
  7. to return the units of (as typeset matter) to storage
  8. to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributive
  9. to be mathematically distributive
    • multiplication distribute s over addition

distributed -adj

  1. characterized by a statistical distribution of a particular kind
    • a normally distributed random variable
  2. of, relating to, or being a computer network in which at least some of the processing is done by the individual workstations and information is shared by and often stored at the workstations

dis·tri·bu·tion [,dis-trə-'byü-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or process of distributing
  2. the apportionment by a court of the personal property of an intestate
  3. the position, arrangement, or frequency of occurrence (as of the members of a group) over an area or throughout a space or unit of time
  4. the natural geographic range of an organism
  5. : something distributed: as
  6. a sum of money withdrawn from a fund (as a retirement fund) and given to the beneficiary or holder of the fund
  7. dividend
  8. frequency distribution
  9. probability function
  10. probability density function
  11. the pattern of branching and termination of a ramifying structure (as a nerve)
  12. the marketing or merchandising of commodities

distribution function -n

  1. cumulative distribution function

dis·trib·u·tive [di-'stri-byü-tiv, -byə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. : of or relating to distribution: as
  2. dealing a proper share to each of a group
  3. diffusing more or less evenly
  4. referring singly and without exception to the members of a group
    • each, either, and none are distributive
  5. being an operation (as multiplication in a(b c) ab ac) that produces the same result when operating on the whole mathematical expression as when operating on each part and collecting the results
  6. being or relating to a rule or property concerning a distributive operation
    • the distributive property of multiplication with respect to addition

dis·trib·u·tor [di-'stri-byü-tər, -byə-] -n

  1. one that distributes
  2. one that markets a commodity
  3. wholesaler
  4. an apparatus for directing the secondary current from the induction coil to the various spark plugs of an engine in their proper firing order

dis·trict ['dis-(,)trikt] -n

  1. a territorial division (as for administrative or electoral purposes)
  2. the basic administrative unit for local government in Northern Ireland
  3. an area, region, or section with a distinguishing character
    • a shopping district

district -vt

  1. to divide or organize into districts

district attorney -n

  1. the prosecuting officer of a judicial district

district court -n

  1. a trial court that has jurisdiction over certain cases within a specific judicial district

dis·trust [(,)dis-'trəst] -n

  1. the lack or absence of trust

distrust -vt

  1. to have no trust or confidence in

dis·trust·ful [-'trəs(t)-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. having or showing distrust

dis·turb [di-'stərb] -vb, n, adv

  1. to interfere with : interrupt
    • disturb ing the flow of traffic
  2. to alter the position or arrangement of
    • the items on her desk had been disturb ed
  3. to upset the natural and esp. the ecological balance or relations of
    • wetlands disturb ed by development
  4. to destroy the tranquillity or composure of
    • the noisy lawnmower disturb ed their sleep
  5. to throw into disorder
  6. alarm
  7. to put to inconvenience
    • sorry to disturb you at such a late hour
  8. to cause disturbance

dis·tur·bance [di-'stər-bən(t)s] -n

  1. the act of disturbing : the state of being disturbed
  2. a local variation from the average or normal wind conditions

dis·turbed -adj

  1. showing symptoms of emotional illness
    • disturbed children
    • disturbed behavior

di·sub·sti·tut·ed [(,)dī-'səb-stə-,tü-təd, -,tyü-] -adj

  1. having two substituent atoms or groups in a molecule

di·sul·fide [(,)dī-'səl-,fīd] -n

  1. a compound containing two atoms of sulfur combined with an element or radical
  2. an organic compound containing the divalent group SS composed of two sulfur atoms

di·sul·fi·ram [dī-'səl-fə-,ram] -n

  1. a compound C 10H 20N 2S 4that causes a severe physiological reaction to alcohol and is used esp. in the treatment of alcoholism

di·sul·fo·ton [dī-'səl-fə-,tän] -n

  1. a toxic organophosphorus systemic insecticide C 8H 19O 2PS 3

dis·union [(,)dis-'yü-nyən, dish-] -n

  1. the termination of union : separation
  2. disunity

dis·unite [(,)dis-yü-'nīt, -yə-, dish-] -vt

  1. divide, separate

dis·uni·ty [(,)dis-'yü-nə-tē, dish-] -n

  1. lack of unity
  2. dissension

dis·use [(,)dis-'yüz, dish-] -vt

  1. to discontinue the use or practice of
  2. cessation of use or practice

dis·used [-'yüzd] -adj

  1. no longer used or occupied : abandoned
    • disused buildings

dis·util·i·ty [(,)dis-yü-'ti-lə-tē, -yə-, dish-] -n

  1. the state or fact of being counterproductive

dis·val·ue [(,)dis-'val-(,)yü] -vt

  1. undervalue, depreciate
  2. to consider of little value

disvalue -n

  1. disregard, disesteem
  2. a negative value

di·syl·la·ble ['dī-,si-lə-bəl, (,)dī-'sil-; 'di-,sil-, (,)di(s)-'sil-] -n, adj

  1. a linguistic form consisting of two syllables

dit ['dit] -n

  1. a dot in radio or telegraphic code

ditch ['dich] -n

  1. a long narrow excavation dug in the earth (as for drainage)
  2. to enclose with a ditch
  3. to dig a ditch in
  4. to make a forced landing of (an airplane) on water
  5. to get rid of : discard
    • ditch an old car
  6. to end association with : leave
    • ditch ed school
    • his girlfriend ditch ed him
  7. to dig a ditch
  8. to crash-land at sea

ditch·dig·ger [-,di-gər] -n

  1. one that digs ditches
  2. one employed at menial and usu. hard physical labor

dite ['dīt] -n

  1. mite, bit

dith·er ['di-thər] -vi, n

  1. shiver, tremble
  2. to act nervously or indecisively : vacillate

dither ['di-thə-rē] -n, adj

  1. a highly nervous, excited, or agitated state : excitement, confusion

di·thio·car·ba·mate [,dī-,thī-ō-'kär-bə-,māt] -n

  1. any of several sulfur analogs of the carbamates including some used as fungicides

dith·y·ramb ['di-thi-,ram(b)] -n, adj, adv

  1. a usu. short poem in an inspired wild irregular strain
  2. a statement or writing in an exalted or enthusiastic vein

di·tran·si·tive [,dī-'tran(t)-sə-tiv, -'tran-zə-] -adj, n

  1. able to take both a direct and an indirect object
    • a ditransitive verb

dit·ta·ny ['di-tə-nē] -n

  1. a pink-flowered mint ( Origanum dictamnus) that is native to Crete
  2. a No. American mint ( Cunila origanoides) having purplish or white flowers

dit·to ['di-(,)tō] -n

  1. a thing mentioned previously or above used to avoid repeating a word often symbolized by inverted commas or apostrophes
  2. a ditto mark

ditto -adj

  1. having the same characteristics : similar
  2. as before or aforesaid : in the same manner
  3. to repeat the action or statement of
  4. to copy (as printed matter) on a duplicator

dit·ty ['di-tē] -n

  1. an esp. simple and unaffected song

ditty bag -n

  1. a bag used esp. by sailors to hold small articles (as needles and thread)

ditty box -n

  1. a box used for the same purpose as a ditty bag

ditz ['dits] -n

  1. a ditzy person

dit·zy ['dit-sē] -adj, n

  1. eccentrically silly, giddy, or inane : dizzy

di·ure·sis [,dī-yə-'rē-səs] -n

  1. an increased excretion of urine

di·uret·ic [,dī-yə-'re-tik] -adj, n, adv

  1. tending to increase the excretion of urine
    • diuretic drugs

di·ur·nal [dī-'ər-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. recurring every day
    • diurnal tasks
  2. having a daily cycle
    • diurnal tides
  3. of, relating to, or occurring in the daytime
    • the city's diurnal noises
  4. active chiefly in the daytime
    • diurnal animals
  5. opening during the day and closing at night
    • diurnal flowers

diurnal -n

  1. diary, daybook
  2. journal

di·u·ron ['dī-yə-,rän] -n

  1. a persistent herbicide C 9H 10Cl 2N 2O used esp. to control annual weeds

div -abbr

  1. divided
  2. dividend
  3. division
  4. divorced

di·va ['dē-və] -n

  1. prima donna
  2. prima donna
  3. a usu. glamorous and successful female performer or personality
    • a fashion diva
  4. a popular female singer
    • pop diva s

di·va·gate ['dī-və-,gāt, 'di-] -vi, n

  1. to wander or stray from a course or subject : diverge, digress

di·va·lent [(,)dī-'vā-lənt] -adj

  1. having a chemical valence of two
  2. bonded to two other atoms or groups

di·van [di-'van, 'dī-,van, esp in senses 1, 2, & 4 also di-'vän, dī-'van] -n

  1. the privy council of the Ottoman Empire
  2. council
  3. a council chamber
  4. a large couch usu. without back or arms often designed for use as a bed
  5. a collection of poems in Persian or Arabic usu. by one author

di·var·i·cate [dī-'ver-ə-,kāt, də, -'va-rə-] -vt

  1. to spread apart : branch off : diverge

di·var·i·ca·tion [(,)dī-,ver-ə-'kā-shən, də-, -,va-rə-] -n

  1. the action, process, or fact of divaricating
  2. a divergence of opinion

dive ['dīv] -vb

  1. to plunge into water intentionally and esp. headfirst
  2. to execute a dive
  3. submerge
    • the submarine dived
  4. to come or drop down precipitously : plunge
    • the temperature is diving
  5. to plunge one's hand into something
  6. to descend in a dive
  7. to plunge into some matter or activity
    • she dove into her studies
  8. to plunge or dash for some place
    • diving for cover
  9. to lunge esp. in order to seize something
    • dove for the ball
  10. to thrust into something
  11. to cause to dive
    • dive a submarine
  12. : the act or an instance of diving: as
  13. a plunge into water executed in a prescribed manner
  14. a submerging of a submarine
  15. a steep descent of an airplane at greater than the maximum horizontal speed
  16. a sharp decline
  17. a shabby and disreputable establishment (as a bar or nightclub)
  18. a faked knockout usu. used in the phrase take a dive
  19. an offensive play in football in which the ballcarrier plunges into the line for short yardage

divebomb ['dīv-,bäm] -vt, n

  1. to bomb from an airplane by making a steep dive toward the target before releasing the bomb

div·er ['dī-vər] -n

  1. one that dives
  2. a person who stays underwater for long periods by having air supplied from the surface or by carrying a supply of compressed air
  3. any of various birds that obtain food by diving in water
  4. loon

di·verge [də-'vərj, dī-] -vb

  1. to move or extend in different directions from a common point : draw apart
    • diverging roads
  2. to become or be different in character or form : differ in opinion
  3. to turn aside from a path or course : deviate
  4. to be mathematically divergent
  5. deflect

di·ver·gence [-'vər-jən(t)s] -n

  1. a drawing apart (as of lines extending from a common center)
  2. difference, disagreement
  3. the acquisition of dissimilar characters by related organisms in unlike environments
  4. a deviation from a course or standard
  5. the condition of being mathematically divergent

di·ver·gen·cy [-jən(t)-sē] -n

  1. divergence

di·ver·gent [-jənt] -adj, adv

  1. diverging from each other
    • divergent paths
  2. differing from each other or from a standard
    • the divergent interests of capital and labor
  3. relating to or being an infinite sequence that does not have a limit or an infinite series whose partial sums do not have a limit
  4. causing divergence of rays
    • a divergent lens

di·vers ['dī-vərz] -adj

  1. various

divers -pron, pl in constr

  1. an indefinite number more than one
    • with divers of the leaves torn and stitched across -- Charles Dickens

di·verse [dī-'vərs, də-', 'dī-,] -adj, adv, n

  1. differing from one another : unlike
    • people with diverse interests
  2. composed of distinct or unlike elements or qualities
    • a diverse population

di·ver·si·fy [də-'vər-sə-,fī, dī-] -vb, n

  1. to make diverse : give variety to
    • diversify a course of study
  2. to balance (as an investment portfolio) defensively by dividing funds among securities of different industries or of different classes
  3. to increase the variety of the products of
    • diversify a business
  4. to produce variety
  5. to engage in varied operations

di·ver·sion [də-'vər-zhən, dī-, -shən] -n

  1. the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use : deviation
    • bad weather forced the diversion of several flights
  2. something that diverts or amuses : pastime
  3. an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation
  4. a temporary traffic detour

di·ver·sion·ary [də-'vər-zhə-,ner-ē, dī-, -shə-] -adj

  1. tending to draw attention away from the principal concern : being a diversion

di·ver·sion·ist [-zhə-nəst, -shə-] -n

  1. one engaged in diversionary activities
  2. one characterized by political deviation

di·ver·si·ty [də-'vər-sə-tē, dī-] -n

  1. the condition of being diverse : variety
  2. the inclusion of diverse people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization
    • programs intended to promote diversity in schools
  3. an instance of being diverse
    • a diversity of opinion

di·vert [də-'vərt, dī-] -vb

  1. to turn aside : deviate
    • studied law but divert ed to diplomacy
  2. to turn from one course or use to another : deflect
    • divert traffic to a side street
  3. distract
    • trying to divert her attention
  4. to give pleasure to esp. by distracting the attention from what burdens or distresses

di·ver·tic·u·li·tis [,dī-vər-,ti-kyə-'lī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of a diverticulum

di·ver·tic·u·lo·sis [,dī-vər-,ti-kyə-'lō-səs] -n

  1. an intestinal disorder characterized by the presence of many diverticula

di·ver·tic·u·lum [,dī-vər-'ti-kyə-ləm] -n, adj

  1. an abnormal pouch or sac opening from a hollow organ (as the intestine or bladder)
  2. a pocket or closed branch opening off a main passage

di·ver·ti·men·to [di-,vər-tə-'men-(,)tō, -,ver-] -n

  1. an instrumental chamber work in several movements usu. light in character
  2. divertissement

di·vert·ing [də-'vər-tiŋ, dī-] -adj, adv

  1. providing amusement or entertainment
    • a diverting evening

di·ver·tisse·ment [di-'vər-təs-mənt, -təz-, F dē-ver-tē-smäⁿ] -n

  1. a dance sequence or short ballet usu. used as an interlude
  2. divertimento
  3. diversion, entertainment

Di·ves ['dī-(,)vēz] -n

  1. a rich man

di·vest [dī-'vest, də-] -vt, n

  1. to deprive or dispossess esp. of property, authority, or title
  2. to undress or strip esp. of clothing, ornament, or equipment
  3. rid, free
  4. to take away from a person

di·ves·ti·ture [dī-'ves-tə-,chu̇r, -chər, də-, chiefly Southern -t(y)u̇(ə)r] -n

  1. the act of divesting
  2. the compulsory transfer of title or disposal of interests (as stock in a corporation) upon government order

di·vide [də-'vīd] -vb, adj

  1. to separate into two or more parts, areas, or groups
    • divide the city into wards
  2. to separate into classes, categories, or divisions
    • divide history into epochs
  3. cleave, part
    • a ship dividing the waves
  4. to separate into portions and give out in shares : distribute
    • divide profits
  5. to possess, enjoy, or make use of in common
    • divide the blame
  6. apportion
    • divide s her time between the office and home
  7. to cause to be separate, distinct, or apart from one another
    • fields divided by stone walls
  8. to separate into opposing sides or parties
    • the issues that divide us
  9. to cause (a parliamentary body) to vote by division
  10. to subject (a number or quantity) to the operation of finding how many times it contains another number or quantity
    • divide 42 by 14
  11. to be used as a divisor with respect to (a dividend)
    • 4 divide s 16 evenly
  12. to use as a divisor used with into
    • divide 14 into 42
  13. to perform mathematical division
  14. to undergo replication, multiplication, fission, or separation into parts
  15. to branch out
  16. to become separated or disunited esp. in opinion or interest

divide -n

  1. an act of dividing
  2. a dividing ridge between drainage areas
  3. a point or line of division or disagreement

divided [də-'vī-dəd-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. separated into parts or pieces
  2. cut into distinct parts by incisions extending to the base or to the midrib
  3. having a barrier (as a guardrail) to separate lanes of traffic going in opposite directions
    • a divided highway
  4. disagreeing with each other : disunited
  5. directed or moved toward conflicting interests, states, or objects
    • divided loyalties
  6. separated by distance
    • familiar objects from which she had never dreamed of being divided -- James Joyce

div·i·dend ['di-və-,dend, -dənd] -n, adj

  1. : an individual share of something distributed: as
  2. a share in a pro rata distribution (as of profits) to stockholders
  3. a share of surplus allocated to a policyholder in a participating insurance policy
  4. a resultant return or reward
    • our efforts are finally paying dividend s
  5. bonus
  6. a number to be divided
  7. a sum or fund to be divided and distributed

di·vid·er [də-'vī-dər] -n

  1. one that divides
  2. an instrument for measuring or marking (as in dividing lines)
  3. something serving as a partition between separate spaces or areas
    • a highway divider

di·vidi·vi [,dē-vē-'dē-vē, ,di-vē-'di-vē] -n

  1. a small tropical American tree ( Caesalpinia coriaria) of the legume family with twisted astringent pods that contain a large proportion of tannin

div·i·na·tion [,di-və-'nā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usu. by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers
  2. unusual insight : intuitive perception

di·vine [də-'vīn] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God or a god
    • divine love
  2. being a deity
    • the divine Savior
  3. directed to a deity
    • divine worship
  4. supremely good : superb
    • the pie was divine
  5. heavenly, godlike

divine -n

  1. clergyman
  2. theologian
  3. to discover by intuition or insight : infer
    • divine the truth
  4. to discover or locate (as water or minerals underground) usu. by means of a divining rod
  5. to practice divination : prophesy
  6. to perceive intuitively

Divine Liturgy -n

  1. the eucharistic rite of Eastern churches

Divine Office -n

  1. the office for the canonical hours of prayer that priests and religious say daily

di·vin·er [də-'vī-nər] -n

  1. a person who practices divination : soothsayer
  2. a person who divines the location of water or minerals

divine right -n

  1. the right of a sovereign to rule as set forth by the theory of government that holds that a monarch receives the right to rule directly from God and not from the people

divine service -n

  1. a service of Christian worship
  2. such a service that is not sacramental in character

diving beetle -n

  1. any of various predatory aquatic beetles (family Dytiscidae) that breathe while submerged using air trapped under their elytra

diving bell -n

  1. a diving apparatus consisting of a container open only at the bottom and supplied with compressed air by a hose

diving board -n

  1. springboard

diving duck -n

  1. any of various ducks (as a bufflehead) that frequent deep waters and obtain their food by diving

diving suit -n

  1. a waterproof suit with a removable helmet that is worn by a diver who is supplied with air pumped through a tube

divining rod -n

  1. a forked rod believed to indicate the presence of water or minerals esp. by dipping downward when held over a vein

di·vin·i·ty [də-'vi-nə-tē] -n

  1. theology
  2. the quality or state of being divine
  3. : a divine being: as
  4. god
  5. god
  6. goddess
  7. fudge made of whipped egg whites, sugar, and nuts

divinity school -n

  1. a professional school having a religious curriculum esp. for ministerial candidates

di·vis·i·ble [də-'vi-zə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being divided
    • a number divisible by 3

di·vi·sion [də-'vi-zhən] -n, adj

  1. the act or process of dividing : the state of being divided
  2. the act, process, or an instance of distributing among a number : distribution
  3. a method of arranging or disposing (as troops)
  4. one of the parts or groupings into which a whole is divided or is divisible
  5. the condition or an instance of being divided in opinion or interest : disagreement, disunity
    • exploited the division s between the two countries
  6. something that divides, separates, or marks off
  7. the act, process, or an instance of separating or keeping apart : separation
  8. the mathematical operation of dividing something
  9. a self-contained major military unit capable of independent action
  10. a tactical military unit composed of headquarters and usu. three to five brigades
  11. the basic naval administrative unit
  12. a tactical subdivision of a squadron of ships
  13. a unit of the U.S. Air Force higher than a wing and lower than an air force
  14. a portion of a territorial unit marked off for a particular purpose (as administrative or judicial functions)
  15. an administrative or operating unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization
  16. the physical separation into different lobbies of the members of a parliamentary body voting for and against a question
  17. plant propagation by dividing parts and planting segments capable of producing roots and shoots
  18. a group of organisms forming part of a larger group
  19. a primary category of the plant kingdom in biological taxonomy that is typically equivalent to a phylum
  20. a competitive class or category (as in boxing or wrestling)

di·vi·sion·ism [-'vi-zhə-,ni-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. pointillism

division of labor

  1. the breakdown of labor into its components and their distribution among different persons, groups, or machines to increase productive efficiency

division sign -n

  1. the symbol used to indicate division
  2. the slash / used to indicate a fraction

di·vi·sive [də-'vī-siv also -'vi- or -ziv] -adj, adv, n

  1. creating disunity or dissension
    • a divisive issue

di·vi·sor [də-'vī-zər] -n

  1. the number by which a dividend is divided

di·vorce [də-'vȯrs also dī-] -n

  1. the action or an instance of legally dissolving a marriage
  2. separation, severance
    • divorce of the secular and the spiritual

divorce [-'vȯr-smənt] -vb, n

  1. to end marriage with (one's spouse) by divorce
    • she divorced her husband
  2. to dissolve the marriage contract between
    • they were divorced last year
  3. to make or keep separate : separate
    • divorce church from state
  4. to obtain a divorce

di·vor·ce [də-,vȯr-'sā, -'sē, -'vȯr-,] -n

  1. a divorced man

di·vor·cee [də-,vȯr-'sā, -'sē, -'vȯr-,] -n

  1. a divorced woman

div·ot ['di-vət] -n

  1. a square of turf or sod
  2. a loose piece of turf (as one dug from a golf fairway in making a shot)

di·vulge [də-'vəlj, dī-] -vt, n

  1. to make public : proclaim
  2. to make known (as a confidence or secret)

div·vy ['di-vē] -vt

  1. divide, share usu. used with up

Dix·ie ['dik-sē] -trademark

  1. used for a paper cup

Dix·ie·crat [-,krat] -n, adj

  1. a dissident Southern Democrat
  2. a supporter of a 1948 presidential ticket opposing the civil rights stand of the Democrats

Dix·ie·land [-,land] -n

  1. jazz music in duple time usu. played by a small band and characterized by ensemble and solo improvisation

DIY [,dē-(,)ī-'wī] -n

  1. do-it-yourself

di·zen ['dī-zᵊn, 'di-] -vt

  1. bedizen

di·zy·got·ic [,dī-(,)zī-'gä-tik] -adj

  1. fraternal

diz·zy ['di-zē] -adj, adv, n

  1. foolish, silly
  2. having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall
  3. mentally confused
  4. causing giddiness or mental confusion
    • dizzy heights
  5. caused by or marked by giddiness
  6. extremely rapid
    • prices climbing at a dizzy rate

dizzy [-zē-iŋ-lē] -vt, adv

  1. to make dizzy or giddy
  2. bewilder
    • disasters that dizzy the mind