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An instrument, formerly much used for showing the time of day from the shadow of a style or gnomon on a graduated arc or surface; esp., a sundial; but there are lunar and astral dials. The style or gnomon is usually parallel to the earth's axis, but the dial plate may be either horizontal or vertical.…

Allowing light to pass through, as porcelain; translucent or transparent; pellucid; clear. Another cloud in the region of them, light enough to be fantastic and diaphanous. Landor.

Growing in pairs or twins.

A blowing apart or away. [Obs.] Bailey.

A flowing off on all sides; fluidity. [R.]

Flowing apart or off; dissolving; not fixed. [R.] Bailey.

Spread abroad; dispersed; loose; flowing; diffuse. It grew to be a widely diffused opinion. Hawthorne. -- Dif*fus"ed*ly, adv. -- Dif*fus"ed*ness, n.

Capable of flowing or spreading in all directions; that may be diffused.

Having the quality of diffusing; capable of spreading every way by flowing; spreading widely; widely reaching; copious; diffuse. "A plentiful and diffusive perfume." Hare.

A deposit of superficial loam, sand, gravel, stones, etc., caused by former action of flowing waters, or the melting of glacial ice.

A current flowing in one direction only; -- distinguished from alternating current. When steady and not pulsating a direct current is often called a continuous current.

Having power to direct; tending to direct, guide, or govern; showing the way. Hooker. The precepts directive of our practice in relation to God. Barrow.

The act of disallowing; refusal to admit or permit; rejection.

The act of disavowing, disclaiming, or disowning; rejection and denial. An earnest disavowal of fear often proceeds from fear. Richardson.

A flowing or issuing out; emission; vent; evacuation; also, that which is discharged or emitted; as, a rapid discharge of water from the pipe. The hemorrhage being stopped, the next occurrence is a thin serous discharge. S. Sharp.

A disavowing or disowning. Bp. Hall.

Union of musical sounds which strikes the ear harshly or disagreeably, owing to the incommensurability of the vibrations which they produce; want of musical concord or harmony; a chord demanding resolution into a concord. For a discord itself is but a harshness of divers sounds mBacon. Apple of discord. See under Apple…

The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open; showing; as, the discovery of a plot.

Showing want of respect; disrespectful. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

The act of giving or bestowing; a grant. After donation there an absolute change and alienation of the property of the thing given. South.