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To offend; to disgust; to displease. [Obs.] He thought in no policy to distaste the English or Irish by a course of reformation, but sought to please them. Sir J. Davies.

Offensive; displeasing to the feelings; disagreeable; as, a distasteful truth. Distasteful answer, and sometimes unfriendly actions. Milton.

Not identical; different; individual. To offend, and judge, are distinct offices. Shak.

rable estimation; as, a man of distinction. Your country's own means of distinction and defense. D. Webster.

ade in the earth by digging, particularly a trench for draining wet land, for guarding or fencing inclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a moat or a fosse.

tract containing agreements one of which can be separated from the other. -- Divisible offense (Law), an offense containing a lesser offense in one of a greater grade, so that on the latter there can be an acquittal, while on the former there can be a conviction. -- Di*vis"i*ble*ness, n. -- Di*vis"i*bly, adv.…

itious lessee acting as plaintiff in the common-law action of ejectment, the fictitious defendant being usually denominated Richard Roe. Hence, a fictitious name for a party, real or fictitious, to any action or proceeding.

A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

To administer a stimulant to (a horse) to increase his speed. It is a serious offense against the laws of racing. [Race-track Slang]

To deafen with noise. [Obs.] Halliwell.

Hence: A garment made of very thick cloth, that can defend against storm and cold; also, the cloth itself; fearnaught.

Gum, starch, and the like, used in stiffening or finishing silk, linen, and other fabrics.

To tincture with something offensive or injurious. Drugged as oft, With hatefullest disrelish writhed their jaws. Milton.

llust. of Capstan. Drumhead court-martial (Mil.), a summary court-martial called to try offenses on the battlefield or the line of march, when, sometimes, a drumhead has to do service as a writing table.

re husbands. Halliwell. -- Dumb cane (Bot.), a west Indian plant of the Arum family (Dieffenbachia seguina), which, when chewed, causes the tongue to swell, and destroys temporarily the power of speech. -- Dumb crambo. See under crambo. -- Dumb show. (a) Formerly, a part of a dramatic representation, shown in pantom…

Beaten; hence, blunted. [Obs.] Fencer's swords . . . having the edge dunted. Fuller.

In indictments, the union of two incompatible offenses. Wharton.

r by actual or threatened physical violence, to incur a civil liability or to commit an offense.

ckly rind, containing a soft, cream-colored pulp, of a most delicious flavor and a very offensive odor. The seeds are roasted and eaten like chestnuts.

A piece of wood set between two studs, posts, etc., to stiffen and support them.