Search the Dictionary

Any substance, as bismuth, glass, phosphorous, etc., which in a field of magnetic force is differently affected from the ordinary magnetic bodies, as iron; that is, which tends to take a position at right angles to the lines of magnetic force, and is repelled by either pole of the magnet.

ion, sphere, cube, etc., and terminated by the opposite boundaries; a straight line which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in a curve.

meter; diametrical. Diametral curve, Diametral surface (Geom.), any line or surface which bisects a system of parallel chords drawn in a curve or surface. -- Diametral planes (Crystal.), planes in which two of the axes lie.

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.

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

ugh neglect; to destroy the fairness and good condition of; -- said of a building. If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony. Blackstone.

mbent, through neglect or by intention. The business of dilapidations came on between our bishop and the Archibishop of York. Strype.

her jurisdiction; granting leave to depart. Letters dimissory (Eccl.), letters given by a bishop dismissing a person who is removing into another diocese, and recommending him for reception there. Hook.

A bishop, viewed in relation to his diocese; as, the diocesan of New York.

The circuit or extent of a bishop's jurisdiction; the district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical authority. [Frequently, but improperly, spelt diocess.]

r, v, becomes dif- before f, and either dis- or di- before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo, E. two. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Di-, Dia-. Dis- denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute, disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also…

An interval of two octaves, or a fifteenth; -- called also bisdiapason.

ome time the strata on all sides of the globe were dislocated. Woodward. And thus the archbishop's see, dislocated or out of joint for a time, was by the hands of his holiness set right again. Fuller.

hur containing two atoms of sulphur in each molecule; -- formerly called disulphuret. Cf. Bisulphide.

ilest and most worthless part of anything; as, the dregs of society. We, the dregs and rubbish of mankind. Dryden.

ighest order of nobility after princes and princesses of the royal blood and the four archbishops of England and Ireland.

mplaint in the nature of an appeal from the ordinary to his immediate superior, as from a bishop to an archbishop. Mozley & W. -- Duplex telegraphy, a system of telegraphy for sending two messages over the same wire simultaneously. -- Duplex watch, one with a duplex escapement.

ordination and to keep their wives afterward, but not to marry a second time, selects its bishops from the monastic clergy only, recognizes the offices of bishop, priest, and deacon as the three necessary degrees of orders, venerates relics and icons, and has an elaborate ritual.

t which concerns the whole church; as, an ecumenical council. [Written also .] Ecumenical Bishop, a title assumed by the popes. -- Ecumenical council. See under Council.

acraments; as, a traveling elder. Presiding elder (Meth. Ch.), an elder commissioned by a bishop to have the oversight of the churches and preachers in a certain district. -- Ruling elder, a lay presbyter or member of a Presbyterian church session. Schaff.