Search the Dictionary

scribing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination.

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

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

extension; dissemination; circulation; dispersion. A diffusion of knowledge which has undermined superstition. Burke.

er, how great a lubber doth yet wear pearls. Robynson (More's Utopia). To dig down, to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall. -- To dig from, out of, out, or up, to get out or obtain by digging; as, to dig coal from or out of a mine; to dig out fossils; to dig up a tree. The preposition is oft…

One of the terminal divisions of a limb appendage; a finger or toe. The ruminants have the "cloven foot," i. e., two hoofed digits on each foot. Owen.

To make a judicial decision; to decide; to determine. [R.] Hales.

s in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position. A strong dilemma in a desperate case! To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift. Horns of a dilemma, alternatives, each of wh…

anifoldness with which the fundamental units of time, length, and mass are involved in determining the units of other physical quantities. Thus, since the unit of velocity varies directly as the unit of length and inversely as the unit of time, the dimensions of velocity are said to be length ÷ time; the dimensions of…

Diophantus, the Greek writer on algebra. Diophantine analysis (Alg.), that branch of indeterminate analysis which has for its object the discovery of rational values that satisfy given equations containing squares or cubes; as, for example, to find values of x and y which make x2 + y2 an exact square.…

An instrument for determining the time of apparent noon. It consists of two mirrors and a plane glass disposed in the form of a prism, so that, by the reflections of the sun's rays from their surfaces, two images are presented to the eye, moving in opposite directions, and coinciding at the instant the sun's center is…

Characterizing the ovum when it has two primary germinal layers.

The science of diplomas, or the art of deciphering ancient writings, and determining their age, authenticity, etc.; paleography.

To determine the direction or course of; to cause to go on in a particular manner; to order in the way to a certain end; to regulate; to govern; as, to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army. I will direct their work in truth. Is. lxi. 8.

a point in another line moves, or which in any way governs the motion of the point and determines the position of the curve generated by it; the line along which the generatrix moves in generating a surface.

or disaster; very unfortunate; calamitous; ill-fated; as, a disastrous day; a disastrous termination of an undertaking. Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances. Shak. -- Dis*as"trous*ly, adv. -- Dis*as"trous*ness, n.

a circular structure either in plants or animals; as, a blood disc, a germinal disc, etc. Same as Disk.

The termination of an action in practice by the voluntary act of the plaintiff; an entry on the record that the plaintiff discontinues his action.

A circular structure either in plants or animals; as, a blood disk; germinal disk, etc.

Power or authority to dispose of, determine the condition of, control, etc., especially in the phrase at, or in, the disposal of. The sole and absolute disposal of him an his concerns. South.