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The act of giving or disposing of real estate by will; -- sometimes improperly applied to a bequest of personal estate.

having the property of turning the plane of polarized light to the right; as, dextrotartaric acid.

Pertaining to, or possessing the properties of, a species of caustic curves formed by refraction. See Caustic surface, under Caustic.

That branch of natural philosophy which treats of the properties of sound as affected by passing through different mediums; -- called also diaphonics. See the Note under Acoustics.

The science which treats of diamagnetic phenomena, and of the properties of diamagnetic bodies.

Relating to diastase; having the properties of diastase; effecting the conversion of starch into sugar. The influence of acids and alkalies on the diastatic action of saliva. Lauder Brunton.

The property of transmitting radiant heat; the quality of being diathermous. Melloni.

Having the property of transmitting radiant heat; diathermal; - - opposed to athermanous.

The property or condition of being dibasic.

Having the property of dichroism; as, a dichroic crystal.

The property of presenting different colors by transmitted light, when viewed in two different directions, the colors being unlike in the direction of unlike or unequal axes.

kitchen in which diet is prepared for invalids; a charitable establishment that provides proper food for the sick poor.

To express the specific difference of; to describe the properties of (a thing) whereby it is differenced from another of the same class; to discriminate. Earle.

f a grating of fine lines or bars. Remarked by Grimaldi (1665), and referred by him to a property of light which he called diffraction. Whewell. Diffraction grating. (Optics) See under Grating. -- Diffraction spectrum. (Optics) See under Spectrum.

which is digested; especially, that which is worked over, classified, and arranged under proper heads or titles; esp. (Law),

Ecclesiastical waste; impairing of church property by an incumbent, through neglect or by intention. The business of dilapidations came on between our bishop and the Archibishop of York. Strype.

Having the property of dimorphism; dimorphous.

he district in which a bishop exercises his ecclesiastical authority. [Frequently, but improperly, spelt diocess.]

of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; -- called a proper diphthong.

an uncontrollable craving (often periodic) for drink, esp. for alcoholic liquors; also improperly used to denote acute and chronic alcoholism.