Search the Dictionary

Having the vertical diameter shorter than the horizontal or transverse; -- said of the bodies of animals, or of parts of the bodies.

One who discourses on the skin and its diseases; one versed in dermatology.

ward the south. -- Descending node (Astron.), that point in a planet's orbit where it intersects the ecliptic in passing southward. -- Descending series (Math.), a series in which each term is numerically smaller than the preceding one; also, a series arranged according to descending powers of a quantity.…

hing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.

described by a moving right line, and such that consecutive positions of the generator intersect each other. Hence, the surface can be developed into a plane.

A curved formed by the consecutive intersections of rays of light refracted through a lens.

The tendency of organs (as roots) of plants to assume a position oblique or transverse to a direction towards the center of the earth.

ts of a set of parallel lines, with other lines crossing them obliquely, so that their intersections furnish smaller subdivisions of the unit of measure than could be conveniently marked on a plain scale. -- Diagonal stratification. (Geol.) Same as Cross bedding, under Cross, a.

One versed in dialectics; a logician; a reasoner.

Meeting and intersecting, as lines; not parallel; -- opposed to parallel. [Obs.] Ash.

As remote as possible, as if at the opposite end of a diameter; directly adverse.

The dorsal transverse, or tubercular, process of a vertebra. See Vertebra.

Having two of the intersections between the three axes oblique. See Crystallization.

ard to do or to understand; that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires skill perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the difficulties of a science; difficulties in theology. They lie under some difficulties by reason of the emperor's displeasure. Addis…

out; widely spread; not restrained; copious; full; esp., of style, opposed to concise or terse; verbose; prolix; as, a diffuse style; a diffuse writer. A diffuse and various knowledge of divine and human things. Milton.

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.

summit of a crystal. Dihedral angle, the angular space contained between planes which intersect. It is measured by the angle made by any two lines at right angles to the two planes.

Interested and persevering application; devoted and painstaking effort to accomplish what is undertaken; assiduity in service. That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in; and the best of me is diligence. Shak.

Diligence; care; persevering endeavor. [Obs.] Milton.

Interestedly and perseveringly attentive; steady and earnest in application to a subject or pursuit; assiduous; industrious. Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before kings. Prov. xxii. 29. Diligent cultivation of elegant literature. Prescott.