Search the Dictionary

The division of a piece of timber made by sawing; a board or plank; particularly, a board or plank of fir or pine above seven inches in width, and exceeding six feet in length. If narrower than this, it is called a batten; if shorter, a deal end.

A devoting or setting aside for any particular purpose; as, a dedication of lands to public use.

One who fails to perform a duty; a delinquent; particularly, one who fails to account for public money intrusted to his care; a peculator; a defalcator.

efinite article. Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See Definitive, n. -- Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate. -- Law of definite propor…

A gradual deterioration, from natural causes, of any class of animals or plants or any particular or organs; hereditary degradation of type.

State as indicated by sum of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a2b2c is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown…

The act of killing a being of a divine nature; particularly, the putting to death of Jesus Christ. [R.] Earth profaned, yet blessed, with deicide. Prior.

t; one of the seven artificial motions of a horse, in which he raises his fore legs in a particular manner.

A printing and a writing paper of particular sizes. See under Paper.

k or projection in cornices, a number of which are ranged in an ornamental band; -- used particularly in the Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite orders.

To comment freely; to discourse with fullness and particularity; to discourse at large. A virtuous man should be pleased to find people descanting on his actions. Addison.

To pass from the more general or important to the particular or less important matters to be considered.

A minute portion; one of the small parts; a particular; an item; - - used chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a scheme or transaction. The details of the campaign in Italy. Motley.

A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as, a determination of blood to the head.

Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces, particularly at night. Her tears fell with the dews at even. Tennyson.

e glass silvered to prevent absorption of radiant heat; -- called also, according to the particular shape, Dewar bulb, Dewar tube, etc.

A conversation between two or more persons; particularly, a formal conservation in theatrical performances or in scholastic exercises.

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

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

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.