Chapter CXXV: Conclusion: Con*clu"sion, n. Etym: F., fr. L. conclusio. See Conclude (34)

Defn: A partition in any compartment, for various purposes. Diaphragm pump, one in which a flexible diaphragm takes the place of a piston.

DIAPHRAGMATIC Di`a*phrag*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. diaphragmatique.]

Defn: Pertaining to a diaphragm; as, diaphragmatic respiration; the diaphragmatic arteries and nerves.

DIAPHYSIS Di*aph"y*sis, n. Etym: [Gr.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: An abnormal prolongation of the axis of inflorescence.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The shaft, or main part, of a bone, which is first ossified.

DIAPNOIC Di`ap*no"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. diapnoïque.] (Med.)

Defn: Slightly increasing an insensible perspiration; mildly diaphoretic. -- n.

Defn: A gentle diaphoretic.

DIAPOPHYSICAL Di*ap`o*phys"ic*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to a diapophysis.

DIAPOPHYSIS Di`a*poph"y*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Dia-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.)

Defn: The dorsal transverse, or tubercular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra.

DIARCHY Di"arch*y, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A form of government in which the supreme power is vested in two persons.

DIARIAL; DIARIAN Di*a"ri*al, Di*a"ri*an, a. Etym: [See Diary.]

Defn: Pertaining to a diary; daily.

DIARIST Di"a*rist, n.

Defn: One who keeps a diary.

DIARRHEA; DIARRHOEA Di`ar*rhe"a, Di`ar*rhoe"a, n. Etym: [L. diarrhoea, Gr. stream. See Stream.] (Med.)

Defn: A morbidly frequent and profuse discharge of loose or fluid evacuations from the intestines, without tenesmus; a purging or looseness of the bowels; a flux.

DIARRHEAL; DIARRHOEAL Di`ar*rhe"al, Di`ar*rhoe"al a. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to diarrhea; like diarrhea.

DIARRHETIC; DIARRHOETIC Di`ar*rhet"ic, Di`ar*rhoet"ic, a. (Med.)

Defn: Producing diarrhea, or a purging.

DIARTHRODIAL Di`ar*thro"di*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Relating to diarthrosis, or movable articulations.

DIARTHROSIS Di`ar*thro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: A form of articulation which admits of considerable motion; a complete joint; abarticulation. See Articulation.

DIARY Di"a*ry, n.; pl. Diaries. Etym: [L. diarium, fr. dies day. See Deity.]

Defn: A register of daily events or transactions; a daily record; a journal; a blank book dated for the record of daily memoranda; as, a diary of the weather; a physician's diary.

DIARY Di"a*ry, a.

Defn: lasting for one day; as, a diary fever. [Obs.] "Diary ague." Bacon.

DIASPORA Di*as"po*ra, n. [Gr. . See Diaspore.] Lit., "Dispersion." -- applied collectively: (a) To those Jews who, after the Exile, were scattered through the Old World, and afterwards to Jewish Christians living among heathen. Cf. James i.1. (b) By extension, to Christians isolated from their own communion, as among the Moravians to those living, usually as missionaries, outside of the parent congregation.

DIASPORE Di"a*spore, n. Etym: [From Gr. diaspore.] (Min.)

Defn: A hydrate of alumina, often occurring in white lamellar masses with brilliant pearly luster; -- so named on account of its decrepitating when heated before the blowpipe.

DIASTASE Di"a*stase, n. Etym: [Gr. diastase. Cf. Diastasis.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A soluble, nitrogenous ferment, capable of converting starch and dextrin into sugar.

Note: The name is more particularly applied to that ferment formed during the germination of grain, as in the malting of barley; but it is also occasionally used to designate the amylolytic ferment contained in animal fluids, as in the saliva.

DIASTASIC Di`a*sta"sic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or consisting of, diastase; as, diastasic ferment.

DIASTASIS Di*as"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Diastase.] (Surg.)

Defn: A forcible of bones without fracture.

DIASTATIC Di`a*stat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Diastase.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: Relating to diastase; having the properties of diastase; effecting the conversion of starch into sugar. The influence of acids and alkalies on the diastatic action of saliva. Lauder Brunton.

DIASTEM Di"a*stem, n. Etym: [L. diastema, Gr. diastème.] (a) Intervening space; interval. (b) (Anc. Mus.) An interval.

DIASTEMA Di`a*ste"ma, n. Etym: [L. See Diastem.] (Anat.)

Defn: A vacant space, or gap, esp. between teeth in a jaw.

DIASTER Di*as"ter, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: A double star; -- applied to the nucleus of a cell, when, during cell division, the loops of the nuclear network separate into two groups, preparatory to the formation of two daughter nuclei. See Karyokinesis.

DIASTOLE Di*as"to*le, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Physiol.)

Defn: The rhythmical expansion or dilatation of the heart and arteries; -- correlative to systole, or contraction.

2. (Gram.)

Defn: A figure by which a syllable naturally short is made long.

DIASTOLIC Di`as*tol"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to diastole.

DIASTYLE Di"a*style, n. Etym: [L. diastylus, Gr. diastyle.] (Arch.)

Defn: See under Intercolumniation.

DIATESSARON Di`a*tes"sa*ron, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Anc. Mus.)

Defn: The interval of a fourth.

2. (Theol.)

Defn: A continuous narrative arranged from the first four books of the New Testament.

3. An electuary compounded of four medicines.

DIATHERMAL Di`a*ther"mal, a. Etym: [Gr. Diathermous.]

Defn: Freely permeable by radiant heat.

DIATHERMANCY; DIATHERMANEITY Di`a*ther"man*cy, Di`a*ther`ma*ne"i*ty, n. Etym: [See Diathermanous.]

Defn: The property of transmitting radiant heat; the quality of being diathermous. Melloni.

DIATHERMANISM Di`a*ther"ma*nism, n.

Defn: The doctrine or the phenomena of the transmission of radiant heat. Nichol.

DIATHERMANOUS Di`a*ther"ma*nous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having the property of transmitting radiant heat; diathermal; - - opposed to athermanous.

DIATHERMIC Di`a*ther"mic, a.

Defn: Affording a free passage to heat; as, diathermic substances. Melloni.

DIATHERMOMETER Di`a*ther*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter. See Diathermal.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for examining the thermal resistance or heat- conducting power of liquids.

DIATHERMOUS Di`a*ther"mous, a.

Defn: Same as Diathermal.

DIATHESIS Di*ath"e*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Bodily condition or constitution, esp. a morbid habit which predisposes to a particular disease, or class of diseases.

DIATHETIC Di`a*thet"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or dependent on, a diathesis or special constitution of the body; as, diathetic disease.

DIATOM Di"a*tom, n. Etym: [Gr. Diatomous.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: One of the Diatomaceæ, a family of minute unicellular Algæ having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariæ, but this word is not in general use.

2. A particle or atom endowed with the vital principle. The individual is nothing. He is no more than the diatom, the bit of protoplasm. Mrs. E. Lynn Linton.

DIATOMIC Di`a*tom"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. di- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Containing two atoms. (b) Having two replaceable atoms or radicals.

DIATOMOUS Di*at"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. Diatom.] (Min.)

Defn: Having a single, distinct, diagonal cleavage; -- said of crystals. Mohs.

DIATONIC Di`a*ton"ic, a. Etym: [L. diatonicus, diatonus, Gr. diatonique. See Tone.] (Mus.)

Defn: Pertaining to the scale of eight tones, the eighth of which is the octave of the first. Diatonic scale (Mus.), a scale consisting of eight sounds with seven intervals, of which two are semitones and five are whole tones; a modern major or minor scale, as distinguished from the chromatic scale.

DIATONICALLY Di`a*ton"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a diatonic manner.

DIATRIBE Di"a*tribe, n. Etym: [L. diatriba a learned discussion, Gr. terere, F. trite: cf. F. diatribe.]

Defn: A prolonged or exhaustive discussion; especially, an acrimonious or invective harangue; a strain of abusive or railing language; a philippic. The ephemeral diatribe of a faction. John Morley.

DIATRIBIST Di*at"ri*bist, n.

Defn: One who makes a diatribe or diatribes.

DIATRYMA Di`a*try"ma, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct eocene bird from New Mexico, larger than the ostrich.

DIAZEUCTIC; DIAZEUTIC Di`a*zeuc"tic, Di`a*zeu"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anc. Mus.)

Defn: Disjoining two fourths; as, the diazeutic tone, which, like that from F to G in modern music, lay between two fourths, and, being joined to either, made a fifth. [Obs.]

DIAZO- Di*az"o- (. Etym: [Pref. di- + azo-] (Chem.)

Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively), meaning pertaining to, or derived from, a series of compounds containing a radical of two nitrogen atoms, united usually to an aromatic radical; as, diazo- benzene, C6H5.N2.OH.

Note: Diazo compounds are in general unstable, but are of great importance in recent organic chemistry. They are obtained by a partial reduction of the salts of certain amido compounds. Diazo reactions (Chem.), a series of reactions whereby diazo compounds are employed in substitution. These reactions are of great importance in organic chemistry.

DIAZOTIZE Di*az"o*tize, v. t. (Chem.)

Defn: To subject to such reactions or processes that diazo compounds, or their derivatives, shall be produced by chemical exchange or substitution.

DIB Dib, v. i.

Defn: To dip. [Prov. Eng.] Walton.

DIB Dib, n.

1. One of the small bones in the knee joints of sheep uniting the bones above and below the joints.

2. pl.

Defn: A child's game, played with dib bones.

DIBASIC Di*ba"sic, a. Etym: [Pref. di- + basic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Having two acid hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by basic atoms or radicals, in forming salts; bibasic; -- said of acids, as oxalic or sulphuric acids. Cf. Diacid, Bibasic.

Note: In the case of certain acids dibasic and divalent are not synonymous; as, tartaric acid is tetravalent and dibasic, lactic acid is divalent but monobasic.

DIBASICITY Di`ba*sic"i*ty, n. (Chem.)

Defn: The property or condition of being dibasic.

DIBBER Dib"ber, n.

Defn: A dibble. Halliwell.

DIBBLE Dib"ble, n. Etym: [See Dibble, v. i.]

Defn: A pointed implement used to make holes in the ground in which no set out plants or to plant seeds.

DIBBLE Dib"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dibbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Dibbling.] Etym: [Freq. of Prov. E. dib, for dip to thrust in. See Dip.]

Defn: To dib or dip frequently, as in angling. Walton.

DIBBLE Dib"ble, v. t.

1. To plant with a dibble; to make holes in (soil) with a dibble, for planting.

2. To make holes or indentations in, as if with a dibble. The clayey soil around it was dibbled thick at the time by the tiny hoofs of sheep. H. Miller.

DIBBLER Dib"bler, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, dibbles, or makes holes in the ground for seed.

DIBRANCHIATA Di*bran`chi*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of cephalopods which includes those with two gills, an apparatus for emitting an inky fluid, and either eight or ten cephalic arms bearing suckers or hooks, as the octopi and squids. See Cephalopoda.

DIBRANCHIATE Di*bran"chi*ate, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having two gills. -- n.

Defn: One of the Dibranchiata.

DIBS Dibs, n.

Defn: A sweet preparation or treacle of grape juice, much used in the East. Johnston.

DIBSTONE Dib"stone` (; 110), n.

Defn: A pebble used in a child's game called dibstones. Locke.

DIBUTYL Di*bu"tyl, n. Etym: [Pref. di- + butyl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A liquid hydrocarbon, C8H18, of the marsh-gas series, being one of several octanes, and consisting of two butyl radicals. Cf. Octane.

DICACIOUS Di*ca"cious, a. Etym: [L. dicax, dicacis, fr. dicere to say.]

Defn: Talkative; pert; saucy. [Obs.]

DICACITY Di*cac"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. dicacitas: cf. F. dicacité. See Dicacious.]

Defn: Pertness; sauciness. [Obs.]

DICALCIC Di*cal"cic, a. Etym: [Pref. di- + calcic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Having two atoms or equivalents of calcium to the molecule.

DICARBONIC Di`car*bon"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. di- + carbonic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Containing two carbon residues, or two carboxyl or radicals; as, oxalic acid is a dicarbonic acid.

DICAST Di"cast, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A functionary in ancient Athens answering nearly to the modern juryman.

DICASTERY Di*cas"ter*y, n. Etym: [Gr. Dicast.]

Defn: A court of justice; judgment hall. [R.] J. S. Mill.

DICE Dice, n.; pl. of Die.

Defn: Small cubes used in gaming or in determining by chance; also, the game played with dice. See Die, n. Dice coal, a kind of coal easily splitting into cubical fragments. Brande & C.

DICE Dice, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Diced; p. pr. & vb. n. Dicing.]

1. To play games with dice. I . . . diced not above seven times a week. Shak.

2. To ornament with squares, diamonds, or cubes.

DICEBOX Dice"box`, n.

Defn: A box from which dice are thrown in gaming. Thackeray.

DICENTRA Di*cen"tra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of herbaceous plants, with racemes of two-spurred or heart-shaped flowers, including the Dutchman's breeches, and the more showy Bleeding heart (D. spectabilis). [Corruptly written dielytra.]

DICEPHALOUS Di*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having two heads on one body; double-headed.

DICER Di"cer, n.

Defn: A player at dice; a dice player; a gamester. As false as dicers' oaths. Shak.

DICH Dich, v. i.

Defn: To ditch. [Obs.]

DICHASTIC Di*chas"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: Capable of subdividing spontaneously.

DICHLAMYDEOUS Di`chla*myd"e*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Having two coverings, a calyx and in corolla.

DICHLORIDE Di*chlo"ride, n. Etym: [Pref. di- + chloride.] (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Bichloride.

DICHOGAMOUS Di*chog"a*mous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Manifesting dichogamy.

DICHOGAMY Di*chog"a*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The condition of certain species of plants, in which the stamens and pistil do not mature simultaneously, so that these plants can never fertilize themselves.

DICHOTOMIST Di*chot"o*mist, n.

Defn: One who dichotomizes. Bacon.

DICHOTOMIZE Di*chot"o*mize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dichotomized; p. pr. & vb. n. Dichotomizing.] Etym: [See Dichotomous.]

1. To cut into two parts; to part into two divisions; to divide into pairs; to bisect. [R.] The apostolical benediction dichotomizes all good things into grace and peace. Bp. Hall.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: To exhibit as a half disk. See Dichotomy,

3. "[The moon] was dichotomized." Whewell.

DICHOTOMIZE Di*chot"o*mize, v. i.

Defn: To separate into two parts; to branch dichotomously; to become dichotomous.

DICHOTOMOUS Di*chot"o*mous, a. Etym: [L. dichotomos, Gr.

Defn: Regularly dividing by pairs from bottom to top; as, a dichotomous stem. -- Di*chot"o*mous*ly, adv.

DICHOTOMY Di*chot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. dichotomie. See Dichotomous.]

1. A cutting in two; a division. A general breach or dichotomy with their church. Sir T. Browne.

2. Division or distribution of genera into two species; division into two subordinate parts.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: That phase of the moon in which it appears bisected, or shows only half its disk, as at the quadratures.

4. (Biol.)

Defn: Successive division and subdivision, as of a stem of a plant or a vein of the body, into two parts as it proceeds from its origin; successive bifurcation.

5. The place where a stem or vein is forked.

6. (Logic)

Defn: Division into two; especially, the division of a class into two subclasses opposed to each other by contradiction, as the division of the term man into white and not white.

DICHROIC Di*chro"ic, a. Etym: [See Dichroism.]

Defn: Having the property of dichroism; as, a dichroic crystal.

DICHROISCOPE Di*chro"i*scope, n.

Defn: Same as Dichroscope.

DICHROISM Di"chro*ism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Opt.)

Defn: The property of presenting different colors by transmitted light, when viewed in two different directions, the colors being unlike in the direction of unlike or unequal axes.

DICHROITE Di"chro*ite, n. Etym: [See Dichroism.] (Min.)

Defn: Iolite; -- so called from its presenting two different colors when viewed in two different directions. See Iolite.

DICHROITIC Di`chro*it"ic, a.

Defn: Dichroic.

DICHROMATE Di*chro"mate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of chromic acid containing two equivalents of the acid radical to one of the base; -- called also bichromate.

DICHROMATIC Di`chro*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. di- + chromatic: cf. Gr.

1. Having or exhibiting two colors.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having two color varieties, or two phases differing in color, independently of age or sex, as in certain birds and insects.

DICHROMATISM Di*chro"ma*tism, n.

Defn: The state of being dichromatic.

DICHROMIC Di*chro"mic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Furnishing or giving two colors; -- said of defective vision, in which all the compound colors are resolvable into two elements instead of three. Sir J. Herschel.

DICHROOUS Di"chro*ous, a.

Defn: Dichroic.

DICHROSCOPE Di"chro*scope, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: An instrument for examining the dichroism of crystals.

DICHROSCOPIC Di`chro*scop"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to the dichroscope, or to observations with it.

DICING Di"cing, n.

1. An ornamenting in squares or cubes.

2. Gambling with dice. J. R. Green.

DICKCISSEL Dick*cis"sel, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The American black-throated bunting (Spiza Americana).

DICKENS Dick"ens, n. or interj. Etym: [Perh. a contr. of the dim. devilkins.]

Defn: The devil. [A vulgar euphemism.] I can not tell what the dickens his name is. Shak.

DICKER Dick"er, n. Etym: [Also daker, dakir; akin to Icel. dekr, Dan. deger, G. decher; all prob. from LL. dacra, dacrum, the number ten, akin to L. decuria a division consisting of ten, fr. decem ten. See Ten.]

1. The number or quantity of ten, particularly ten hides or skins; a dakir; as, a dicker of gloves. [Obs.] A dicker of cowhides. Heywood.

2. A chaffering, barter, or exchange, of small wares; as, to make a dicker. [U.S.] For peddling dicker, not for honest sales. Whittier.

DICKER Dick"er, v. i. & t.

Defn: To negotiate a dicker; to barter. [U.S.] "Ready to dicker. and to swap." Cooper.

DICKEY; DICKY Dick"ey, Dick"y, n.

1. A seat behind a carriage, for a servant.

2. A false shirt front or bosom.

3. A gentleman's shirt collar. [Local, U. S.]

DICLINIC Di*clin"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Crystallog.)

Defn: Having two of the intersections between the three axes oblique. See Crystallization.

DICLINOUS Dic"li*nous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers. Gray.

DICOCCOUS Di*coc"cous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Composed pf two coherent, one-seeded carpels; as, a dicoccous capsule.

DICOTYLEDON Di*cot`y*le"don, n. Etym: [Pref. di- + cotyledon.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant whose seeds divide into two seed lobes, or cotyledons, in germinating.

DICOTYLEDONOUS Di*cot`y*le"don*ous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having two cotyledons or seed lobes; as, a dicotyledonous plant.

DICROTAL; DICROTOUS Di"cro*tal, Di"cro*tous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Dicrotic.

DICROTIC Di*crot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.) (a) Of or pertaining to dicrotism; as, a dicrotic pulse. (b) Of or pertaining to the second expansion of the artery in the dicrotic pulse; as, the dicrotic wave.

DICROTISM Di"cro*tism, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: A condition in which there are two beats or waves of the arterial pulse to each beat of the heart.

DICTA Dic"ta, n. pl. Etym: [L.]

Defn: See Dictum.

DICTAGRAPH Dic"ta*graph.

Defn: Var. of Dictograph.

DICTAMEN Dic*ta"men, n. Etym: [LL., fr. dictare to dictate.]

Defn: A dictation or dictate. [R.] Falkland.

DICTAMNUS Dic*tam"nus, n. Etym: [L. See Dittany.] (Bot.)

Defn: A suffrutescent, D. Fraxinella (the only species), with strong perfume and showy flowers. The volatile oil of the leaves is highly inflammable.

DICTAPHONE Dic"ta*phone, n. [Dictate + -phone, as in telephone.]

Defn: A form of phonographic recorder and reproducer adapted for use in dictation, as in business.

DICTATE Dic"tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dictating.] Etym: [L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight.]

1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. The mind which dictated the Iliad. Wayland. Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. Macaulay.

2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops. Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed. Watts.

Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish.

DICTATE Dic"tate, v. i.

1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign. Macaulay.

2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate. Bacon.

DICTATE Dic"tate, n. Etym: [L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t.]

Defn: A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel. I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior.

Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition.

DICTATION Dic*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. dictatio.]

1. The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing; also that which is dictated. It affords security against the dictation of laws. Paley.

2. The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictatio.

DICTATOR Dic*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L.]

1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims authoritatively for the direction of others. Locke.

2. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power. Invested with the authority of a dictator, nay, of a pope, over our language. Macaulay.

DICTATORIAL Dic`ta*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. dictatorial.]

1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving.

2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n.

DICTATORIAN Dic`ta*to"ri*an, a.

Defn: Dictatorial. [Obs.]

DICTATORSHIP Dic*ta"tor*ship, n.

Defn: The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power.

DICTATORY Dic"ta*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. dictatorius.]

Defn: Dogmatical; overbearing; dictatorial. Milton.

DICTATRESS Dic*ta"tress, n.

Defn: A woman who dictates or commands. Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen. Byron.

DICTATRIX Dic*ta"trix, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A dictatress.

DICTATURE Dic*ta"ture, n. Etym: [L. dictatura: cf. F. dictature.]

Defn: Office of a dictator; dictatorship. [R.] Bacon.

DICTION Dic"tion, n. Etym: [L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach, token: cf. F. diction. See Teach, and cf. Benison, Dedicate, Index, Judge, Preach, Vengeance.]

Defn: Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems. His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of prophetic grandeur. De Quincey.

Syn. -- Diction, Style, Phraseology. Style relates both to language and thought; diction, to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the higher graces of composition; his diction was varied and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless and cumbersome. "Diction is a general term applicable alike to a single sentence or a connected composition. Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused disposition of words, or an improper application of them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of composition, which mark the genius and talent of the writer, are what is comprehended under the name of style." Crabb.

DICTIONALRIAN Dic`tion*al"ri*an, n.

Defn: A lexicographer. [R.]

DICTIONARY Dic"tion*a*ry, n.; pl. Dictionaries. Etym: [Cf. F. dictionnaire. See Diction.]

1. A book containing the words of a language, arranged alphabetically, with explanations of their meanings; a lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook. I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary. Johnson.

2. Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany; a biographical dictionary.

DICTOGRAPH Dic"to*graph, n. [L. dictum a thing said + E. -graph.]

Defn: A telephonic instrument for office or other similar use, having a sound-magnifying device enabling the ordinary mouthpiece to be dispensed with. Much use has been made of it for overhearing, or for recording, conversations for the purpose of obtaining evidence for use in litigation.

The makers of this instrument spell it dictograph.

DICTUM Dic"tum, n.; pl. L. Dicta, E. Dictums. Etym: [L., neuter of dictus, p. p. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Ditto.]

1. An authoritative statement; a dogmatic saying; an apothegm. A class of critical dicta everywhere current. M. Arnold.

2. (Law) (a) A judicial opinion expressed by judges on points that do not necessarily arise in the case, and are not involved in it. (b) (French Law) The report of a judgment made by one of the judges who has given it. Bouvier. (c) An arbitrament or award.

DICTYOGEN Dic*ty"o*gen, n. Etym: [Gr. -gen.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant with netveined leaves, and monocotyledonous embryos, belonging to the class Dictyogenæ, proposed by Lindley for the orders Dioscoreaceæ, Smilaceæ, Trilliaceæ, etc.

DICYANIDE Di*cy"a*nide, n. Etym: [Pref. di- + cyanogen.] (Chem.)

Defn: A compound of a binary type containing two cyanogen groups or radicals; -- called also bicyanide.

DICYEMATA Di`cy*e"ma*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of worms parasitic in cephalopods. They are remarkable for the extreme simplicity of their structure. The embryo exists in two forms.

DICYEMID Di`cy*e"mid, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or belonging to the Dicyemata. -- n.

Defn: One of the Dicyemata.

DICYNODONT Di*cyn"o*dont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: One of a group of extinct reptiles having the jaws armed with a horny beak, as in turtles, and in the genus Dicynodon, supporting also a pair of powerful tusks. Their remains are found in triassic strata of South Africa and India.

DID Did, imp.

Defn: of Do.

DIDACTIC; DIDACTICAL Di*dac"tic, Di*dac"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. docere to teach: cf. F. didactique. See Docile.]

Defn: Fitted or intended to teach; conveying instruction; preceptive; instructive; teaching some moral lesson; as, didactic essays. "Didactical writings." Jer. Taylor. The finest didactic poem in any language. Macaulay.

DIDACTIC Di*dac"tic, n.

Defn: A treatise on teaching or education. [Obs.] Milton.

DIDACTICALLY Di*dac"tic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a didactic manner.

DIDACTICISM Di*dac"ti*cism, n.

Defn: The didactic method or system.

DIDACTICITY Di`dac*tic"i*ty, n.

Defn: Aptitude for teaching. Hare.

DIDACTICS Di*dac"tics, n.

Defn: The art or science of teaching.

DIDACTYL Di*dac"tyl, n. Etym: [Gr. didactyle.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An animal having only two digits.

DIDACTYLOUS Di*dac"tyl*ous, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having only two digits; two-toed.

DIDAL Di"dal, n.

Defn: A kind of triangular spade. [Obs.]

DIDAPPER Di"dap`per, n. Etym: [For divedapper. See Dive, Dap, Dip, and cf. Dabchick.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Dabchick.

DIDASCALAR Di*das"ca*lar, a.

Defn: Didascalic. [R.]

DIDASCALIC Di`das*cal"ic, a. Etym: [L. didascalius, Gr. didascalique.]

Defn: Didactic; preceptive. [R.] Prior.

DIDDLE Did"dle, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Daddle.]

Defn: To totter, as a child in walking. [Obs.] Quarles.

DIDDLE Did"dle, v. t. Etym: [Perh. from AS. dyderian to deceive, the letter r being changed to l.]

Defn: To cheat or overreach. [Colloq.] Beaconsfield.

DIDDLER Did"dler, n.

Defn: A cheat. [Colloq.] Jeremy Diddler, a character in a play by James Kenney, entitled "Raising the wind." The name is applied to any needy, tricky, constant borrower; a confidence man.

DIDELPHIA Di*del"phi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The subclass of Mammalia which includes the marsupials. See Marsupialia.

DIDELPHIAN Di*del"phi*an, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or relating to the Didelphia. -- n.

Defn: One of the Didelphia.

DIDELPHIC Di*del"phic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the uterus double; of or pertaining to the Didelphia.

DIDELPHID Di*del"phid, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Didelphic.

DIDELPHID Di*del"phid, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A marsupial animal.

DIDELPHOUS Di*del"phous, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Didelphic.

DIDELPHOUS Di*del"phous, n. Etym: [NL. See Didelphia.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Formerly, any marsupial; but the term is now restricted to an American genus which includes the opossums, of which there are many species. See Opossum. [Written also Didelphis.] See Illustration in Appendix. Cuvier.

DIDELPHYC Di*del"phyc, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Didelphic.

DIDELPHYS Di*del"phys, n. [NL. See Didelphia.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Formerly, any marsupial; but the term is now restricted to an American genus which includes the opossums, of which there are many species. See Opossum. [Written also Didelphis.] See Illustration in Appendix. Cuvier.

DIDINE Di"dine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to the genus Didus, or the dodo.

DIDO Di"do, n.; pl. Didos (.

Defn: A shrewd trick; an antic; a caper. To cut a dido, to play a trick; to cut a caper; -- perhaps so called from the trick of Dido, who having bought so much land as a hide would cover, is said to have cut it into thin strips long enough to inclose a spot for a citadel.

DIDONIA Di*do"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL. So called in allusion to the classical story of Dido and the bull's hide.] (Geom.)

Defn: The curve which on a given surface and with a given perimeter contains the greatest area. Tait.

DIDRACHM; DIDRACHMA Di"drachm, Di*drach"ma, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A two-drachma piece; an ancient Greek silver coin, worth nearly forty cents.

DIDST Didst

Defn: , the 2d pers. sing. imp. of Do.

DIDUCEMENT Di*duce"ment, n.

Defn: Diduction; separation into distinct parts. Bacon.

DIDUCTION Di*duc"tion, n. Etym: [L. diductio, fr. diducere, diductum, to draw apart; di- = dis- + ducere to lead, draw.]

Defn: The act of drawing apart; separation.

DIDYM Di"dym, n. (Chem.)

Defn: See Didymium.

DIDYMIUM Di*dym"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: A rare metallic substance usually associated with the metal cerium; -- hence its name. It was formerly supposed to be an element, but has since been found to consist of two simpler elementary substances, neodymium and praseodymium. See Neodymium, and Praseodymium.

DIDYMOUS Did"y*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Growing in pairs or twins.

DIDYNAMIA Did`y*na"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A Linnæan class of plants having four stamens disposed in pairs of unequal length.

DIDYNAMIAN Did`y*na"mi*an, a.

Defn: Didynamous.

DIDYNAMOUS Di*dyn"a*mous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Didynamia; containing four stamens disposed in pairs of unequal length.

DIE Die, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Died; p. pr. & vb. n. Dying.] Etym: [OE. deyen, dien, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. deyja; akin to Dan. döe, Sw. dö, Goth. diwan (cf. Goth. afd to harass), OFries. d to kill, OS. doian to die, OHG. touwen, OSlav. daviti to choke, Lith. dovyti to torment. Cf. Dead, Death.]

1. To pass from an animate to a lifeless state; to cease to live; to suffer a total and irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead; to expire; to perish; -- said of animals and vegetables; often with of, by, with, from, and rarely for, before the cause or occasion of death; as, to die of disease or hardships; to die by fire or the sword; to die with horror at the thought. To die by the roadside of grief and hunger. Macaulay. She will die from want of care. Tennyson.

2. To suffer death; to lose life. In due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom. v. 6.

3. To perish in any manner; to cease; to become lost or extinct; to be extinguished. Letting the secret die within his own breast. Spectator. Great deeds can not die. Tennyson.

4. To sink; to faint; to pine; to languish, with weakness, discouragement, love, etc. His heart died within, and he became as a stone. 1 Sam. xxv. 37. The young men acknowledged, in love letters, that they died for Rebecca. Tatler.

5. To become indifferent; to cease to be subject; as, to die to pleasure or to sin.

6. To recede and grow fainter; to become imperceptible; to vanish; -- often with out or away. Blemishes may die away and disappear amidst the brightness. Spectator.

7. (Arch.)

Defn: To disappear gradually in another surface, as where moldings are lost in a sloped or curved face.

8. To become vapid, flat, or spiritless, as liquor. To die in the last ditch, to fight till death; to die rather than surrender. "There is one certain way," replied the Prince [William of Orange] " by which I can be sure never to see my country's ruin, -- I will die in the last ditch." Hume (Hist. of Eng. ). -- To die out, to cease gradually; as, the prejudice has died out.

Syn. -- To expire; decease; perish; depart; vanish.

DIE Die, n.; pl. in 1 and (usually) in 2, Dice (dis); in 4 & 5, Dies (diz). Etym: [OE. dee, die, F. dé, fr. L. datus given, thrown, p. p. of dare to give, throw. See Date a point of time.]

1. A small cube, marked on its faces with spots from one to six, and used in playing games by being shaken in a box and thrown from it. See Dice.

2. Any small cubical or square body. Words . . . pasted upon little flat tablets or dies. Watts.

3. That which is, or might be, determined, by a throw of the die; hazard; chance. Such is the die of war. Spenser.

4. (Arch.)

Defn: That part of a pedestal included between base and cornice; the dado.

5. (Mach.) (a) A metal or plate (often one of a pair) so cut or shaped as to give a certain desired form to, or impress any desired device on, an object or surface, by pressure or by a blow; used in forging metals, coining, striking up sheet metal, etc. (b) A perforated block, commonly of hardened steel used in connection with a punch, for punching holes, as through plates, or blanks from plates, or for forming cups or capsules, as from sheet metal, by drawing. (c) A hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool, made in one piece or composed of several parts, for forming screw threads on bolts, etc.; one of the separate parts which make up such a tool. Cutting die (Mech.), a thin, deep steel frame, sharpened to a cutting edge, for cutting out articles from leather, cloth, paper, etc. -- The die is cast, the hazard must be run; the step is taken, and it is too late to draw back; the last chance is taken.

DIECIAN; DIECIOUS Di*e"cian, a., Di*e"cious, a. (Bot.)

Defn: See Dioecian, and Dioecious.

DIEDRAL Di*e"dral, a.

Defn: The same as Dihedral.

DIEGESIS Di`e*ge"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

Defn: A narrative or history; a recital or relation.

DIELECTRIC Di`e*lec"tric, n. Etym: [Pref. dia- + electric.] (Elec.)

Defn: Any substance or medium that transmits the electric force by a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of induction; a nonconductor. separating a body electrified by induction, from the electrifying body.

DIELYTRA Di*el"y*tra, n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Dicentra.

DIENCEPHALON Di`en*ceph"a*lon, n. Etym: [NL. See Dia-, and Encephalon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The interbrain or thalamencephalon; -- sometimes abbreviated to dien. See Thalamencephalon.

DIERESIS Di*er"e*sis, n. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: Same as Diæresis.

DIESEL ENGINE; DIESEL MOTOR Die"sel en`gine or mo`tor. [After Dr. Rudolf Diesel, of Munich, the inventor.]

Defn: A type of internal-combustion engine in which the air drawn in by the suction stroke is so highly compressed that the heat generated ignites the fuel (usually crude oil), the fuel being automatically sprayed into the cylinder under pressure. The Diesel engine has a very high thermal efficiency.

DIESINKER Die"sink`er, n.

Defn: An engraver of dies for stamping coins, medals, etc.

DIESINKING Die"sink`ing, n.

Defn: The process of engraving dies.

DIES IRAE Di"es I"ræ.

Defn: Day of wrath; -- the name and beginning of a famous mediæval Latin hymn on the Last Judgment.

DIESIS Di"e*sis, n.; pl. Dieses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A small interval, less than any in actual practice, but used in the mathematical calculation of intervals.

2. (Print.)

Defn: The mark ||; -- called also double dagger.

DIES JURIDICUS Di"es ju*rid"i*cus; pl. Dies juridici. Etym: [L.] (Law)

Defn: A court day.

DIES NON Di"es non". Etym: [L. dies non juridicus.] (Law)

Defn: A day on which courts are not held, as Sunday or any legal holiday.

DIESTOCK Die"stock`, n.

Defn: A stock to hold the dies used for cutting screws.

DIET Di"et, n. Etym: [F. diète, L. diaeta, fr. Gr.

1. Course of living or nourishment; what is eaten and drunk habitually; food; victuals; fare. "No inconvenient diet." Milton.

2. A course of food selected with reference to a particular state of health; prescribed allowance of food; regimen prescribed. To fast like one that takes diet. Shak. Diet kitchen, a kitchen in which diet is prepared for invalids; a charitable establishment that provides proper food for the sick poor.

DIET Di"et, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dieted; p. pr. & vb. n. Dieting.]

1. To cause to take food; to feed. [R.] Shak.

2. To cause to eat and drink sparingly, or by prescribed rules; to regulate medicinally the food of. She diets him with fasting every day. Spenser.

DIET Di"et, v. i.

1. To eat; to take one's meals. [Obs.] Let him . . . diet in such places, where there is good company of the nation, where he traveleth. Bacon.

2. To eat according to prescribed rules; to ear sparingly; as, the doctor says he must diet.

DIET Di"et, n. Etym: [F. diète, LL. dieta, diaeta, an assembly, a day's journey; the same word as diet course of living, but with the sense changed by L. dies day: cf. G. tag dayReichstag.]

Defn: A legislative or administrative assembly in Germany, Poland, and some other countries of Europe; a deliberative convention; a council; as, the Diet of Worms, held in 1521.

DIETARIAN Di`e*ta"ri*an, n.

Defn: One who lives in accordance with prescribed rules for diet; a dieter.

DIETARY Di"et*a*ry, a.

Defn: Pertaining to diet, or to the rules of diet.

DIETARY Di"et*a*ry, n.; pl. Dietaries (.

Defn: A rule of diet; a fixed allowance of food, as in workhouse, prison, etc.

DIETER Di"et*er, n.

Defn: One who diets; one who prescribes, or who partakes of, food, according to hygienic rules.

DIETETIC; DIETETICAL Di`e*tet"ic, Di`e*tet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. diététique. See Diet.]

Defn: Of or performance to diet, or to the rules for regulating the kind and quantity of food to be eaten.

DIETETICALLY Di`e*tet"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a dietetical manner.

DIETETICS Di`e*tet"ics, n.

Defn: That part of the medical or hygienic art which relates to diet or food; rules for diet. To suppose that the whole of dietetics lies in determining whether or not bread is more nutritive than potatoes. H. Spencer.

DIETETIST Di`e*tet"ist, n.

Defn: A physician who applies the rules of dietetics to the cure of diseases. Dunglison.

DIETHYLAMINE Di*eth`yl*am"ine, n. Etym: [Pref. di- + ethylamine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A colorless, volatile, alkaline liquid, NH(C2H5)2, having a strong fishy odor resembling that of herring or sardines. Cf. Methylamine.

DIETIC Di*et"ic, a.

Defn: Dietetic.

DIETICAL Di*et"ic*al, a.

Defn: Dietetic. [R.] Ferrand.

DIETINE Di"et*ine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. diétine.]

Defn: A subordinate or local assembly; a diet of inferior rank.

DIETIST; DIETITIAN Di"et*ist, Di`e*ti"tian, n.

Defn: One skilled in dietetics. [R.]

DIFFAME Dif*fame`, n. Etym: [See Defame.]

Defn: Evil name; bad reputation; defamation. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DIFFARREATION Dif*far`re*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. diffarreatio; dif- = farreum a spelt cake. See Confarreation.]

Defn: A form of divorce, among the ancient Romans, in which a cake was used. See Confarreation.

DIFFER Dif"fer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Differed; p. pr. & vb. n. Differing.] Etym: [L. differre; dif- = dis- + ferre to bear, carry: cf. F. différer. See 1st Bear, and cf. Defer, Delay.]

1. To be or stand apart; to disagree; to be unlike; to be distinguished; -- with from. One star differeth from another star in glory. 1 Cor. xv. 41. Minds differ, as rivers differ. Macaulay.

2. To be of unlike or opposite opinion; to disagree in sentiment; -- often with from or with.

3. To have a difference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend. We 'll never differ with a crowded pit. Rowe.

Syn. -- To vary; disagree; dissent; dispute; contend; oppose; wrangle. -- To Differ with, Differ from. Both differ from and aiffer with are used in reference to opinions; as, "I differ from you or with you in that opinion."" In all other cases, expressing simple unlikeness, differ from is used; as, these two persons or things differ entirely from each other. Severely punished, not for differing from us in opinion, but for committing a nuisance. Macaulay. Davidson, whom on a former occasion we quoted, to differ from him. M. Arnold. Much as I differ from him concerning an essential part of the historic basis of religion. Gladstone. I differ with the honorable gentleman on that point. Brougham. If the honorable gentleman differs with me on that subject, I differ as heartily with him, and shall always rejoice to differ. Canning.

DIFFER Dif"fer, v. t.

Defn: To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance. [R.] But something 'ts that differs thee and me. Cowley.

DIFFERENCE Dif"fer*ence, n. Etym: [F. différence, L. differentia.]

1. The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty Differencies of administration, but the same Lord. 1 Cor. xii. 5.

2. Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. What was the difference It was a contention in public. Shak. Away therefore went I with the constable, leaving the old warden and the young constable to compose their difference as they could. T. Ellwood.

3. That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ;; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute. The marks and differences of sovereignty. Davies.

4. Choice; preference. [Obs.] That now be chooseth with vile difference To be a beast, and lack intelligence. Spenser.

5. (Her.)

Defn: An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.

6. (Logic)

Defn: The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.

7. (Math.)

Defn: The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other. Ascensional difference. See under Ascensional.

Syn. -- Distinction; dissimilarity; dissimilitude; variation; diversity; variety; contrariety; disagreement; variance; contest; contention; dispute; controversy; debate; quarrel; wrangle; strife.

DIFFERENCE Dif"fer*ence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Differenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Differencing.]

Defn: To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish. Thou mayest difference gods from men. Chapman. Kings, in receiving justice and undergoing trial, are not differenced from the meanest subject. Milton. So completely differenced by their separate and individual characters that we at once acknowledge them as distinct persons. Sir W. Scott.

DIFFERENT Dif"fer*ent, a. Etym: [L. differens, -entis, p. pr. of differre: cf. F. différent.]

1. Distinct; separate; not the same; other. "Five different churches." Addison.

2. Of various or contrary nature, form, or quality; partially or totally unlike; dissimilar; as, different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence. Men are as different from each other, as the regions in which they are born are different. Dryden.

Note: Different is properly followed by from. Different to, for different from, is a common English colloquialism. Different than is quite inadmissible.

DIFFERENTIA Dif`fer*en"ti*a, n.; pl. Differentiæ. Etym: [L. See Difference.] (Logic)

Defn: The formal or distinguishing part of the essence of a species; the characteristic attribute of a species; specific difference.

DIFFERENTIAL Dif`fer*en"tial, a. Etym: [Cf. F. différentiel.]

1. Relating to or indicating a difference; creating a difference; discriminating; special; as, differential characteristics; differential duties; a differential rate. For whom he produced differential favors. Motley.

2. (Math.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a differential, or to differentials.

3. (Mech.)

Defn: Relating to differences of motion or leverage; producing effects by such differences; said of mechanism. Differential calculus. (Math.) See under Calculus. -- Differential coefficient, the limit of the ratio of the increment of a function of a variable to the increment of the variable itself, when these increments are made indefinitely small. -- Differential coupling, a form of slip coupling used in light machinery to regulate at pleasure the velocity of the connected shaft. -- Differential duties (Polit. Econ.), duties which are not imposed equally upon the same products imported from different countries. -- Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect upon the needle. -- Differential gearing, a train of toothed wheels, usually an epicyclic train, so arranged as to constitute a differential motion. -- Differential motion, a mechanism in which a simple differential combination produces such a change of motion or force as would, with ordinary compound arrangements, require a considerable train of parts. It is used for overcoming great resistance or producing very slow or very rapid motion. -- Differential pulley. (Mach.) (a) A portable hoisting apparatus, the same in principle as the differential windlass. (b) A hoisting pulley to which power is applied through a differential gearing. -- Differential screw, a compound screw by which a motion is produced equal to the difference of the motions of the component screws. -- Differential thermometer, a thermometer usually with a U-shaped tube terminating in two air bulbs, and containing a colored liquid, used for indicating the difference between the temperatures to which the two bulbs are exposed, by the change of position of the colored fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. -- Differential windlass, or Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pulley sustaining the weight to be lifted hangs in the bight of the rope. It is an ancient example of a differential motion.

DIFFERENTIAL Dif`fer*en"tial, n.

1. (Math.)

Defn: An increment, usually an indefinitely small one, which is given to a variable quantity.

Note: According to the more modern writers upon the differential and integral calculus, if two or more quantities are dependent on each other, and subject to increments of value, their differentials need not be small, but are any quantities whose ratios to each other are the limits to which the ratios of the increments approximate, as these increments are reduced nearer and nearer to zero.

2. A small difference in rates which competing railroad lines, in establishing a common tariff, allow one of their number to make, in order to get a fair share of the business. The lower rate is called a differential rate. Differentials are also sometimes granted to cities.

3. (Elec.) (a) One of two coils of conducting wire so related to one another or to a magnet or armature common to both, that one coil produces polar action contrary to that of the other. (b) A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all. Knight. Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. -- Total differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when each of the variables receives an increment. The total differential of the function is the sum of all the partial differentials.

DIFFERENTIALLY Dif`fer*en"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: In the way of differentiation.

DIFFERENTIATE Dif`fer*en"ti*ate, v. t.

1. To distinguish or mark by a specific difference; to effect a difference in, as regards classification; to develop differential characteristics in; to specialize; to desynonymize. The word then was differentiated into the two forms then and than. Earle. Two or more of the forms assumed by the same original word become differentiated in signification. Dr. Murray.

2. To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. Earle.

3. (Math.)

Defn: To obtain the differential, or differential coefficient, of; as, to differentiate an algebraic expression, or an equation.

DIFFERENTIATE Dif`fer*en"ti*ate, v. i. (Biol.)

Defn: To acquire a distinct and separate character. Huxley.

DIFFERENTIATION Dif`fer*en`ti*a"tion, n.

1. The act of differentiating. Further investigation of the Sanskrit may lead to differentiation of the meaning of such of these roots as are real roots. J. Peile.

2. (Logic)

Defn: The act of distinguishing or describing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: The gradual formation or production of organs or parts by a process of evolution or development, as when the seed develops the root and the stem, the initial stem develops the leaf, branches, and flower buds; or in animal life, when the germ evolves the digestive and other organs and members, or when the animals as they advance in organization acquire special organs for specific purposes.

4. (Metaph.)

Defn: The supposed act or tendency in being of every kind, whether organic or inorganic, to assume or produce a more complex structure or functions.

DIFFERENTIATOR Dif`fer*en"ti*a`tor, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, differentiates.

DIFFERENTLY Dif"fer*ent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a different manner; variously.

DIFFERINGLY Dif"fer*ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a differing or different manner. Boyle.

DIFFICILE Dif"fi*cile, a. Etym: [L. difficilis: cf. F. difficile. See Difficult.]

Defn: Difficult; hard to manage; stubborn. [Obs.] -- Dif"fi*cile*ness, n. [Obs.] Bacon.

DIFFICILITATE Dif`fi*cil"i*tate, v. t.

Defn: To make difficult. [Obs.] W. Montagu.

DIFFICULT Dif"fi*cult, a. Etym: [From Difficulty.]

1. Hard to do or to make; beset with difficulty; attended with labor, trouble, or pains; not easy; arduous.

Note: Difficult implies the notion that considerable mental effort or skill is required, or that obstacles are to be overcome which call for sagacity and skill in the agent; as, a difficult task; hard work is not always difficult work; a difficult operation in surgery; a difficult passage in an author. There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, and difficult world, alone. Hawthorne.

2. Hard to manage or to please; not easily wrought upon; austere; stubborn; as, a difficult person.

Syn. -- Arduous; painful; crabbed; perplexed; laborious; unaccommodating; troublesome. See Arduous.

DIFFICULT Dif"fi*cult, v. t.

Defn: To render difficult; to impede; to perplex. [R.] Sir W. Temple.

DIFFICULTATE Dif"fi*cult*ate, v. t.

Defn: To render difficult; to difficilitate. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

DIFFICULTLY Dif"fi*cult*ly, adv.

Defn: With difficulty. Cowper.

DIFFICULTNESS Dif"fi*cult*ness, n.

Defn: Difficulty. [R.] Golding.

DIFFICULTY Dif"fi*cul*ty, n.; pl. Difficulties. Etym: [L. difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- + facilis easy: cf. F. difficulté. See Facile.]

1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do; hardness; arduousness; -- opposed to easiness or facility; as, the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of difficulty. Not being able to promote them [the interests of life] on account of the difficulty of the region. James Byrne.

2. Something difficult; a thing hard to do or to understand; that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires skill perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the difficulties of a science; difficulties in theology. They lie under some difficulties by reason of the emperor's displeasure. Addison.

3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an objection; a cavil. Measures for terminating all local difficulties. Bancroft.

4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties. In days of difficulty and pressure. Tennyson.

Syn. -- Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment; perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial; objection; cavil. See Impediment.

DIFFIDE Dif*fide", v. i. Etym: [L. diffidere. See Diffident.]

Defn: To be distrustful. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

DIFFIDENCE Dif"fi*dence, n. Etym: [L. diffidentia.]

1. The state of being diffident; distrust; want of confidence; doubt of the power, ability, or disposition of others. [Archaic] That affliction grew heavy upon me, and weighed me down even to a diffidence of God's mercy. Donne.

2. Distrust of one's self or one's own powers; lack of self-reliance; modesty; modest reserve; bashfulness. It is good to speak on such questions with diffidence. Macaulay. An Englishman's habitual diffidence and awkwardness of adress. W. Irving.

Syn. -- Humility; bashfulness; distrust; suspicion; doubt; fear; timidity; apprehension; hesitation. See Humility, and Bashfulness.

DIFFIDENCY Dif"fi*den*cy, n.

Defn: See Diffidence. [Obs.]

DIFFIDENT Dif"fi*dent, a. Etym: [L. diffidens, -entis, p. pr. of diffidere; dif- = dis + fidere to trust; akin to fides faith. See Faith, and cf. Defy.]

1. Wanting confidence in others; distrustful. [Archaic] You were always extremely diffident of their success. Melmoth.

2. Wanting confidence in one's self; distrustful of one's own powers; not self-reliant; timid; modest; bashful; characterized by modest reserve. The diffident maidens, Folding their hands in prayer. Longfellow.

Syn. -- Distrustful; suspicious; hesitating; doubtful; modest; bashful; lowly; reserved.

DIFFIDENTLY Dif"fi*dent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a diffident manner. To stand diffidently against each other with their thoughts in battle array. Hobbes.

DIFFIND Dif*find, v. t. Etym: [L. diffindere, diffissum; dif- = findere to split.]

Defn: To split. [Obs.] Bailey.

DIFFINE Dif*fine", v. t.

Defn: To define. [Obs.] Chaucer.

DIFFINITIVE Dif*fin"i*tive, a. Etym: [For definitive.]

Defn: Definitive; determinate; final. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

DIFFISSION Dif*fis"sion, n. Etym: [See Diffind.]

Defn: Act of cleaving or splitting. [R.] Bailey.

DIFFLATION Dif*fla"tion, n. Etym: [LL. difflatio, fr. L. difflare, difflatum, to disperse by blowing.]

Defn: A blowing apart or away. [Obs.] Bailey.

DIFFLUENCE; DIFFLUENCY Dif"flu*ence, Dif"flu*en*cy, n.

Defn: A flowing off on all sides; fluidity. [R.]

DIFFLUENT Dif"flu*ent, a. Etym: [L. diffluens, p. pr. of diffluere to flow off; dif- = dis- + fluere to flow.]

Defn: Flowing apart or off; dissolving; not fixed. [R.] Bailey.

DIFFORM Dif"form`, a. Etym: [Cf. F. difforme, fr. L. dif- = dis- + forma form. Cf. Deform.]

Defn: Irregular in form; -- opposed to uniform; anomalous; hence, unlike; dissimilar; as, to difform corolla, the parts of which do not correspond in size or proportion; difform leaves. The unequal refractions of difform rays. Sir I. Newton.

DIFFORMITY Dif*form"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. difformité. See Difform, Deformity.]

Defn: Irregularity of form; diversity of form; want of uniformity. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

DIFFRACT Dif*fract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diffracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Diffracting.] Etym: [L. diffractus, p. p. of diffringere to break in pieces; dif- = dis- + frangere to break. See Fracture.]

Defn: To break or separate into parts; to deflect, or decompose by deflection, a

DIFFRACTION Dif*frac"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. diffraction.] (Opt.)

Defn: The deflection and decomposition of light in passing by the edges of opaque bodies or through narrow slits, causing the appearance of parallel bands or fringes of prismatic colors, as by the action of a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.

DIFFRACTIVE Dif*frac"tive, a.

Defn: That produces diffraction.

DIFFRANCHISE; DIFFRANCHISEMENT Dif*fran"chise, Dif*fran"chise*ment.

Defn: See Disfranchise, Disfranchisement.

DIFFUSATE Dif*fus"ate, n. (Chem.)