DECRASSIFY, d[=e]-kras'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make less crass.
DECREASE, de-kr[=e]s', _v.i._ to become less: to be diminished by degrees in size or power.--_v.t._ to make less: to lessen gradually.--_n._ a growing less: loss.--_adv._ DECREAS'INGLY. [O. Fr. _decrois_, a decrease--L. _descresc[)e]re_--_de_, from, _cresc[)e]re_, to grow.]
DECREE, de-kr[=e]', _n._ an order by one in authority: an edict or law: a judicial decision: a predetermined purpose.--_v.t._ to decide or determine by sentence in law: to appoint.--_v.i._ to make a decree:--_pr.p._ decree'ing; _pa.p._ decreed'.--_adjs._ DECREE'ABLE, capable of being decreed; DECR[=E]'TIVE, having the force of a decree; DEC'R[=E]TORY, DECRET[=O]'RIAL, established by a decree: determining: judicial.--DECREE NISI (L. _nisi_, unless), a decree that becomes absolute unless cause be shown to the contrary--granted esp. in divorce cases. [O. Fr. _decret_--L.
_decretum_--_decern[)e]re_, to decide.]
DECREET, de-kr[=e]t', _n._ (_Scots law_) a court judgment.
DECREMENT, dek're-ment, _n._ the act or state of decreasing: the quantity lost by decrease. [L. _decrementum_.]
DECREPIT, de-krep'it, _adj._ worn out by the infirmities of old age: in the last stage of decay.--_ns._ DECREP'ITNESS; DECREP'ITUDE, state of being decrepit or worn out with age. [L. _decrepitus_, noiseless, very old--_de_, not, _crepitus_, a noise.]
DECREPITATE, de-krep'i-t[=a]t, _v.i._ to crackle, as salts when heated.--_v.t._ to roast so as to cause a continual crackling, to calcine.--_n._ DECREPIT[=A]'TION. [L. _de_, inten., _crepit[=a]re_, to rattle much, freq. of _crep[=a]re_.]
DECRESCENT, de-kres'ent, _adj._ becoming gradually less.--_n._ (_mus._) DECRESCEN'DO = Diminuendo (q.v.). [L.]
DECRETAL, de-kr[=e]'tal, _adj._ pertaining to a decree.--_n._ a decree, esp. of the pope: a book containing decrees: spec. in _pl._ the second part of the canon law, the decrees of various popes determining points of ecclesiastical law.--_n._ DECR[=E]'TIST, in medieval universities, a student of the decretals, a student of law.--_adjs._ DECR[=E]'TIVE; DECR[=E]'TORY, pertaining to a decree, judicial. [L.
_decretalis_--_decretum_.]
DECREW, de-kr[=oo]', _v.i._ (_Spens._) to decrease. [For _decrue_--O. Fr.
_decru_, pa.p. of _decroistre_. See DECREASE.]
DECROWN, d[=e]-krown', _v.t._ to discrown. [Fr. _decouronner_, to discrown.]
DECRUSTATION, d[=e]-krus-t[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of removing a crust.
DECRY, de-kr[=i]', _v.t._ to cry down: to condemn: to censure as worthless: to blame:--_pa.p._ decried'.--_ns._ DECR[=I]'AL; DECR[=I]'ER. [Fr. _de(s)_ = L. _dis_, and _crier_, to cry. See CRY.]
DECUMAN, dek'[=u]-man, _adj._ principal, large--of waves, &c.: connected with the principal gate of a Roman camp (near which the 10th cohort of the legion was stationed).--_n._ a great wave, as every tenth wave was supposed to be. [L. _decumanus_--_decem_, ten.]
DECUMBENT, de-kum'bent, _adj._ lying down: reclining on the ground.--_ns._ DECUB[=A]'TION, DECUM'BENCE, DECUM'BENCY, the act or posture of lying down.--_adj._ DEC[=U]'BITAL--_n._ DEC[=U]'BITUS, a recumbent position, as of one sick in bed: a bed-sore.--_adv._ DECUM'BENTLY.--_n._ DECUM'BITURE, the time when a sick person takes to bed. [L. _decumbens_--_de_, down, and _cumb[)e]re_, for _cub[=a]re_, to lie.]
DECUPLE, dek'[=u]-pl, _adj._ tenfold.--_n._ a number ten times repeated.--_v.t._ to make tenfold. [Fr. _decuple_--L. _decem_, ten, and _plic[=a]re_, to fold.]
DECURION, d[=e]-k[=u]'ri-on, _n._ an officer in a Roman army over ten soldiers--a DEC'URY or DEC[=U]'RIA: any overseer of ten.--_n._ DEC[=U]'RIONATE. [L.]
DECURRENT, de-kur'ent, _adj._ running or extending downward.--_n._ DECURR'ENCY.--_adv._ DECURR'ENTLY.--_n._ DECUR'SION, a running down: a military manoeuvre or parade.--_adj._ DECUR'SIVE.--_adv._ DECUR'SIVELY. [L.
_decurrens_--_de_, down, _curr[)e]re_, _cursum_, to run.]
DECURTATE, d[=e]-kur't[=a]t, _adj._ cut short, abridged.--_v.t._ to cut short. [L. _decurt[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cut short.]
DECUSSATE, de-kus'[=a]t, _v.i._ to cross in the form of an X: to cross, as lines, &c.--_adjs._ DECUSS'ATE, -D, crossed: arranged in pairs which cross each other, like some leaves.--_adv._ DECUSS'ATELY.--_n._ DECUSS[=A]'TION.
[L. _decuss[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_decussis_, a coin of ten asses (_decem asses_) marked with X, symbol of ten.]
DEDAL, DEDALIAN. See DaeDAL.
DEDICATE, ded'i-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to set apart and consecrate to some sacred purpose: to devote wholly or chiefly: to inscribe to any one.--_adj._ devoted: (_Shak._) dedicated.--_ns._ DED'ICANT, one who dedicates; DEDICATEE (ded'i-k[=a]-t[=e]'), one to whom a thing is dedicated; DEDIC[=A]'TION, the act of dedicating: an address to a patron, prefixed to a book; DED'IC[=A]TOR, one who dedicates.--_adjs._ DEDICAT[=O]'RIAL, DED'IC[=A]TORY, of or pertaining to a dedication. [L. _dedic[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_de_, down, _dic[=e]re_, to declare.]
DEDIMUS, ded'i-mus, _n._ a writ commissioning one not a judge to act as a judge--from its first word. [L., _dedimus_, we have given, _d[)a]re_, to give.]
DEDUCE, de-d[=u]s', _v.t._ to draw from: to infer a truth or opinion from what precedes or from premises.--_ns._ DEDUCE'MENT, what is deduced; DEDUCIBIL'ITY, the quality of being deducible.--_adj._ DEDUC'IBLE, that may be deduced or inferred.--_v.t._ DEDUCT', to take from: to separate: to subtract.--_adj._ DEDUCT'IBLE.--_n._ DEDUC'TION, (1) the act of deducing: that which is deduced: the drawing of a particular truth from a general, antecedently known, as distinguished from _Induction_, rising from particular truths to a general; (2) the act of deducting: that which is deducted: abatement.--_adj._ DEDUCT'IVE, that is, or that may be, deduced from premises or accepted principles.--_adv._ DEDUCT'IVELY. [L.
_deduc[)e]re_, _deductum_--_de_, from _duc[)e]re_, _ductum_, to lead.]
DEE, d[=e], _v.i._ Scotch for _die_.
DEED, d[=e]d, _n._ something done: an act: an exploit: a legal transaction: the written evidence of it.--_adj._ DEED'FUL (_Tenn._), marked by deeds or exploits.--_adv._ DEED'ILY.--_adjs._ DEED'LESS (_Shak._), not having performed deeds; DEED'Y, industrious, active.--DEED OF SAYING (_Shak._), performance of what has been said or promised.--IN DEED, in reality. [A.S.
_daed_--_don_, to do; Ger. _that_--_thun_, to do.]
DEED, d[=e]d, a Scotch form of _indeed_.
DEEM, d[=e]m, _v.t._ or _v.i._ to judge: to think: to believe.--_n._ (_Shak._) opinion.--_ns._ DEEM'STER, DEMP'STER, one who pronounces judgment, a judge--esp. one of the two in the Isle of Man. [A.S. _deman_, to form a judgment--_dom_, doom.]
DEEP, d[=e]p, _adj._ extending far down or far from the outside: difficult to understand: secret: wise and penetrating: cunning: very still: profound: profoundly learned in a language: intense, heart-felt: sunk low: low or grave: (of a road) encumbered with mud, sand, or ruts.--_adv._ in a deep manner.--_n._ that which is deep: the sea: anything profound or incomprehensible.--_adjs._ DEEP'-BROWED, of high intellectual powers; DEEP'-DRAW'ING (of ships), requiring considerable depth to float in; DEEP'-DRAWN; DEEP'-DYED, thorough-going, extreme--in a bad sense.--_v.t._ DEEP'EN, to make deeper in any sense: to increase.--_v.i._ to become deeper.--_adjs._ DEEP'-FET (_Shak._), fetched or drawn from a depth; DEEP'-LAID.--_adv._ DEEP'LY.--_adjs._ DEEP'-MOST, deepest; DEEP'-MOUTHED, with deep voice.--_n._ DEEP'NESS.--_adjs._ DEEP'-READ, profoundly versed; DEEP'-SEA, pertaining to the deeper parts of the sea; DEEP'-SEAT'ED, firmly seated; DEEP'-TONED, having a deep tone. [A.S. _deop_; Ger. _tief_. Cf.
DIP, DIVE.]
DEER, d[=e]r, _n._ a quadruped of several species, as the stag, reindeer, &c.; in M. E., any kind of animal.--_ns._ DEER'-HAIR, heath club-rush; DEER'-HERD; DEER'-HOUND; DEER'-LICK, a spot of salt ground whither deer come to lick the earth; DEER'-MOUSE, a common name for several species of American mice--so called from their agility; DEER'-NECK, a thin, ill-shaped neck--of horses; DEER'-SKIN, the skin of the deer, or leather made therefrom; DEER'-STALK'ER; DEER'-STALK'ING, the hunting of deer by stalking, or stealing upon them unawares. [A.S. _deor_; Ger. _thier_, Dut.
_dier_; Ice. _dr_. There is no connection with Gr. _th[=e]r_, L. _fera_, a wild beast.]
DEFACE, de-f[=a]s', _v.t._ to destroy or mar the face or external appearance of, to disfigure: to obliterate.--_n._ DEFACE'MENT, act of defacing: injury to form or appearance: that which defaces.--_adv._ DEF[=A]'CINGLY. [O. Fr. _desfacer_--_des_ = L. _dis_, away, _facies_, face.]
DEFALCATE, de-fal'k[=a]t, _v.t._ to deduct a part of, of money, &c.: to embezzle money held on trust.--_ns._ DEFALC[=A]'TION, a diminution: a misappropriation of funds entrusted to one; DEF'ALC[=A]TOR, a defaulter.
[Low L. _difalc[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cut away--L. _dis-_, off, _falc[=a]re_, to cut--_falx_, _falcis_, a sickle.]
DEFAME, de-f[=a]m', _v.t._ to take away or destroy the good fame or reputation of: to speak evil of: to charge falsely.--_n._ (_Spens._) infamy.--_n._ DEFAM[=A]'TION, the act of defaming: calumny: slander.--_adv._ DEFAM'ATORILY.--_adj._ DEFAM'ATORY, containing defamation: injurious to reputation: calumnious.--_p.adj._ DEF[=A]'MING. [O. Fr.
_defamer_--L. _diffam[=a]re_--_dis_, away, _fama_, report.]
DEFAULT, de-fawlt', _n._ a fault, failing, or failure: defect: neglect to do what duty or law requires: failure to account for money entrusted to one's charge: offence.--_v.i._ to fail through neglect of duty: to fail to appear in court when called upon.--_n._ DEFAULT'ER, one who fails to appear in court, or to account for money entrusted to his care, or to settle a debt of honour.--JUDGMENT BY DEFAULT, judgment given against a person because he fails to plead or make an appearance in court. [O. Fr. _defaute_ and _default_--_de_ = L. _dis_, apart, and _faute_.]
DEFEASANCE, de-f[=e]z'ans, _n._ undoing: defeat.--_adjs._ DEFEAS'ANCED, liable to be forfeited; DEFEAS'IBLE, that may be defeated or annulled.--_n._ DEFEAS'IBLENESS.--DEED OF DEFEAS'ANCE (_Eng. law_), an instrument which defeats the operation of some other deed or estate; and that which in the same deed is called a condition, in a separate deed is a defeasance. [O. Fr. _defaisance_--_defaire_, to undo.]
DEFEAT, de-f[=e]t', _v.t._ to frustrate: to ruin.--_n._ a frustration of plans: ruin: overthrow, as of an army in battle.--_n._ DEFEAT'URE (_Spens._), defeat: disfigurement, disguise. [O. Fr. _defait_, _defaire_, to undo--L. _dis_, neg. _fac[)e]re_, to do.]
DEFECATE, def'e-k[=a]t, _v.t._ to clear from dregs or impurities: to purify from extraneous matter.--_v.i._ to void excrement.--_n._ DEFEC[=A]'TION.
[L. _defaec[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to cleanse--_de_, from, _faex_, _faecis_, dregs.]
DEFECT, de-fekt', _n._ a deficiency: a want: imperfection: blemish: fault.--_n._ DEFECTIBIL'ITY.--_adj._ DEFECT'IBLE, liable to imperfection: deficient.--_ns._ DEFEC'TION, a failure, a falling away from duty: revolt; DEFEC'TIONIST.--_adj._ DEFEC'TIVE, having defect: wanting in some necessary quality: imperfect: faulty: insufficient.--_adv._ DEFECT'IVELY.--_n._ DEFECT'IVENESS.--THE DEFECTS OF ONE'S QUALITIES, virtues carried to excess, the faults apt to accompany or flow from good qualities. [L. _defic[)e]re_, _defectum_, to fail--_de_, down, and _fac[)e]re_, to do.]
DEFENCE, de-fens', _n._ a defending: protection: vindication: (_law_) a defendant's plea.--_pa.p._ DEFENC'ED (_B._), fortified.--_adj._ DEFENCE'LESS.--_adv._ DEFENCE'LESSLY.--_n._ DEFENCE'LESSNESS. [See DEFEND.]
DEFEND, de-fend', _v.t._ to keep off anything hurtful: to guard or protect: to maintain against attack: (_obs._) to prohibit, forbid: (_law_) to resist, as a claim: to contest.--_adj._ DEFEND'ABLE, that may be defended.--_ns._ DEFEND'ANT, a defender: (_law_) a person accused or sued; DEFENDEE', one who is defended; DEFEND'ER; DEFEN'SATIVE, a protection; DEFENSIBIL'ITY.--_adjs._ DEFENS'IBLE, that may be defended; DEFENS'IVE, DEFEN'SORY, serving to defend: in a state or posture of defence.--_n._ that which defends: posture of defence.--_adv._ DEFENS'IVELY.--DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, a title borne by the sovereigns of England since Henry VIII., on whom it was conferred in 1521 for his book against Luther.--BE ON THE DEFENSIVE, to be in the position to defend one's self. [L. _defend[)e]re_, _defensum_, to ward off--_de_, off, and obs. _fend[)e]re_, to strike.]
DEFER, de-f[.e]r', _v.t._ to put off to another time: to delay:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_ns._ DEFER'MENT; DEFER'RER, a procrastinator.--DEFERRED ANNUITY (see ANNUITY); DEFERRED PAY, an allowance paid to soldiers on their discharge, or to their relations on their death; DEFERRED SHARES, shares issued by a trading company, but not entitling the holder to a full share of the profits of the company, and sometimes to none at all, until the expiration of a specified time or the occurrence of some event. [L. _differre_--_dis_, asunder, _ferre_, to bear, carry.]
DEFER, de-f[.e]r, _v.i._ to yield to the wishes or opinions of another, or to authority.--_v.t._ to submit to or lay before:--_pr.p._ defer'ring; _pa.p._ deferred'.--_n._ DEF'ERENCE, a deferring or yielding in judgment or opinion: regard: submission.--_adj._ DEF'ERENT, bearing away, carrying off.--_n._ a deferent duct (as opposed to an _afferent_ one) in the human body.--_adj._ DEFEREN'TIAL, expressing deference or respect.--_adv._ DEFEREN'TIALLY. [L. _deferre_--_de_, down, and _ferre_, to bear.]
DEFERVESCENCE, de-fer-ves'ens, _n._ abatement of heat: coolness: decrease of feverish symptoms.--Also DEFERVES'CENCY. [L. _defervesc[)e]re_, to cease boiling--_de_, down, and _fervesc[)e]re_, from _ferv[=e]re_, to boil.]
DEFEUDALISE, d[=e]-f[=u]'dal-[=i]z, _v.t._ to deprive of feudal character.