DIBASIC, d[=i]-b[=a]'sik, _adj._ having two bases: of acids, with two atoms of hydrogen replaceable by a base or bases. [Gr. _di-_, two, and _basic_.]
DIBBLE, dib'l, _n._ a pointed tool used for making holes to put seed or plants in--also DIBB'ER.--_v.t._ DIBB'LE, to plant with a dibble.--_v.i._ to make holes: to dip, as in angling.--_n._ DIBB'LER. [Freq. of _dib_, a form of _dab_.]
DIBRANCHIATA, d[=i]-brang-ki-[=a]'ta, _n._ one of the two orders of cephalopoda, having two gills.--_adj._ DIBRAN'CHIATE. [Gr._ di-_, two, _branchia_, gills.]
DICACITY, dik-as'i-ti, _n._ raillery, pert speech.--_adj._ DIC[=A]'CIOUS.
[L. _dicax_, sarcastic.]
DICAST, DIKAST, d[=i]'kast, _n._ one of the 6000 Athenians annually chosen to act as judges.--_n._ DICAS'TERY, their court. [Gr. _dikast[=e]s_, _dik[=e]_, justice.]
DICATALECTIC, d[=i]-kat-a-lek'tik, _adj._ doubly catalectic, both at the middle and end of the verse. [Gr. _di-_, double. See CATALECTIC.]
DICE, _pl._ of DIE, 2 (q.v.).--_v.i._ to play with dice.
DICE-COAL, d[=i]s'-k[=o]l, _n._ a kind of coal which readily splits into cubical pieces.
DICENTRA, d[=i]-sen'tra, _n._ a genus of plants including the flower Bleeding-heart (_D. spectabilis_).--Also DIEL'YTRA. [Gr. _di-_, double, _kentron_, a point.]
DICEPHALOUS, d[=i]-sef'a-lus, _adj._ two-headed. [Gr. _dikephalos_--_di-_, double, _kephal[=e]_, a head.]
DICHASTASIS, d[=i]-kas'ta-sis, _n._ spontaneous subdivision.--_adj._ DICHAS'TIC. [Gr.]
DICHLAMYDEOUS, d[=i]-kla-mid'[=e]-us, _adj._ having both a calyx and a corolla.
DICHOGAMY, d[=i]-kog'a-mi, _n._ an arrangement for preventing the self-fertilisation of hermaphrodite flowers, the stamens and stigmas ripening at different times.--_adj._ DICHOG'AMOUS. [Gr. _dicha_, in two, _gamos_, marriage.]
DICHORD, d[=i]'kord, _n._ an ancient two-stringed lute.
DICHOTOMY, d[=i]-kot'o-mi, _n._ a division into two parts.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ DICHOT'OMISE.--_adj._ DICHOT'OMOUS.--_adv._ DICHOT'OMOUSLY. [Gr., from _dicha_, in two, and _temnein_, to cut.]
DICHROISM, d[=i]'kr[=o]-izm, _n._ the property of showing different colours when viewed in different directions exhibited by doubly refracting crystals.--_adjs._ DICHR[=O]'IC, DICHROIS'TIC.--_n._ D[=I]'CHROSCOPE, an instrument for testing the dichroism of crystals.--_adj._ DICHROSCOP'IC.
DICHROMATISM, d[=i]-kr[=o]'ma-tizm, _n._ (_zool._) the quality of presenting, in different individuals, two different colours or systems of colouration.--_adj._ DICHROMAT'IC.
DICHROMISM, d[=i]-kr[=o]'mizm, _n._ an inability to distinguish more than two of the primary colours.--_adj._ DICHR[=O]'MIC.
DICHT, diht, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to wipe.
DICK, dik, _n._ (_slang_) fine words, for _Dictionary_: for _Declaration_, as 'to take one's dick,' and prob. 'up to dick' = excellent, also properly.
DICKENS, dik'enz, _n._ the deuce, the devil, as in 'What the dickens.'--PLAY THE DICKENS WITH, to play the deuce with. [For _devil_, confused with _Dickon_ = Richard.]
DICKER, dik'[.e]r, _n._ (_Amer._) petty trade by barter, &c.--_v.i._ to haggle. [Prob. the obs. _dicker_, the number ten, esp. of hides or skins.]
DICKEY, DICKY, dik'i, _n._ a leathern apron for a gig, &c.: the driver's seat in a carriage: a seat for servants at the back of a carriage: a false shirt-front. [Perh. from _dick_, a prov. Eng. word for a leathern apron; Prob. Dut. _dek_, a cover.]
DICKY, DICKEY, dik'i, _n._ (_East Anglian_) an ass.--_n._ DICK'Y-BIRD, a small bird. [From _Dick_, familiar of Richard--like _Jack_, in jackass.]
DICLINIC, d[=i]-klin'ik, _adj._ (_crystal._) having two of the intersections of the axes oblique.--Also D[=I]'CLINATE, D[=I]'CLINOUS.
DICLINOUS, d[=i]'kli-nus, _adj._ having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers.--_n._ D[=I]'CLINISM. [Gr. _di-_, asunder, and _klin[=e]_, a bed.]
DICOCCOUS, d[=i]-kok'us, _adj._ (_bot._) formed of two cocci.
DICOELOUS, d[=i]-s[=e]'lus, _adj._ cupped or hollowed at both ends.
DICOTYLEDON, d[=i]-kot-i-l[=e]'don, _n._ a plant having two seed-lobes.--_adj._ DICOTYL[=E]'DONOUS. [Gr. _di-_, two, and _cotyledon_.]
DICROTIC, d[=i]-krot'ik, _adj._ double-beating--also D[=I]'CROTOUS.--_n._ D[=I]'CROTISM. [Gr., _di-_, two, _krotos_, beat.]
DICTATE, dik't[=a]t, _v.t._ to tell another what to say or write: to communicate with authority: to point out: to command--(_arch._ DICT).--_n._ an order, rule, or direction: impulse.--_ns._ DICT[=A]'TION, act, art, or practice of dictating: overbearing command; DICT[=A]'TOR, one invested for a time with absolute authority--originally an extraordinary Roman magistrate:--_fem._ DICT[=A]'TRESS, DICT[=A]TRIX.--_adj._ DICTAT[=O]'RIAL, like a dictator: absolute: authoritative.--_adv._ DICTAT[=O]'RIALLY.--_ns._ DICT[=A]'TORSHIP, DIC'TATURE.--_adj._ DIC'TATORY. [L. _dict[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_dic[)e]re_, to say.]
DICTION, dik'shun, _n._ a saying or speaking: manner of speaking or expressing: choice of words: style. [L., from _dic[)e]re_, _dictum_, to say.]
DICTIONARY, dik'shun-a-ri, _n._ a book containing the words of a language alphabetically arranged, with their meanings, etymology, &c.: a lexicon: a work containing information on any department of knowledge, alphabetically arranged. [Low L. _dictionarium_. See DICTION.]
DICTUM, dik'tum, _n._ something said: a saying: an authoritative saying:--_pl._ DIC'TA. [L.]
DICTYOGEN, dik'ti-o-jen, _n._ a plant with net-veined leaves. [Gr.
_diktyon_, a net; _-gen[=e]s_, producing.]
DICYNODONT, di-sin'o-dont, _n._ an extinct reptile, allied to tortoises on one hand and mammals on the other. [Formed from Gr. _di-_, two, _cy[=o]n_, dog, and _odous_, _odontos_, tooth.]
DID, did, DIDST, didst, _pa.t._ of DO.
DIDACHE, did'a-k[=e], _n._ the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (see under APOSTLE). [Gr., 'teaching.']
DIDACTIC, -AL, di-dak'tik, -al, _adj._ fitted or intended to teach: instructive: perceptive.--_adv._ DIDAC'TICALLY.--_n._ DIDAC'TICISM.--_n.pl._ DIDACTICS, the art or science of teaching. [Gr.
_didaktikos_--_didaskein_, to teach; akin to L. _doc-[=e]re_, _disc-[)e]re_.]
DIDACTYL, d[=i]-dak'til, _adj._ having only two digits--also DIDAC'TYLOUS.--_n._ DIDAC'TYL, an animal with two toes only on each foot.
DIDAPPER, did'ap-[.e]r, _n._ a water-bird that is constantly dipping or diving under water--also called the _Dabchick_. [A compound of _dive_ and _dapper_ (which is a variant of _dipper_). See DIP and DIVE.]
DIDASCALIC, did-as-kal'ik, _adj._ didactic.
DIDDER, did'[.e]r, _v.i._ (_prov._) to shake.
DIDDLE, did'l, _v.t._ to cajole, swindle.--_n._ DIDD'LER.
DIDECAHEDRAL, d[=i]-dek-a-h[=e]'dral, _adj._ (_crystal._), having five planes on each extremity.
DIDELPHIA, d[=i]-del'fi-a, _n.pl._ the marsupialia, or marsupial implacental mammals, one of the three sub-classes of Mammalia.--_adjs._ DIDEL'PHIAN, DIDEL'PHIC. [Gr. _di-_, double, _delphys_, womb.]
DIDO, d[=i]'d[=o], _n._ (_slang_) an antic caper.--CUT UP DIDOES, to behave in an extravagant way.
DIDODECAHEDRAL, d[=i]-do-dek-a-h[=e]'dral, _adj._ of a six-sided-prism, truncated on the lateral edges, and acuminated on the extremities with six planes.
DIDRACHMA, d[=i]-drak'ma, _n._ a double drachma.