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f courteously refusing; act of declining; a declinature; refusal; as, the declension of a nomination.

tituency to act as its representative in a convention; as, a delegate to a convention for nominating officers, or for forming or altering a constitution. [U.S.] Court of delegates, formerly, the great court of appeal from the archbishops' courts and also from the court of admiralty. It is now abolished, and the privy c…

Of or pertaining to delusions; as, delusional monomania.

lso demi.] He was elected into Magdalen College as a demy; a term by which that society denominates those elsewhere called "scholars," young men who partake of the founder's benefaction, and succeed in their order to vacant fellowships. Johnson.

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.

Pertaining to, or exhibiting the phenomena of, diamagnetism; taking, or being of a nature to take, a position at right angles to the lines of magnetic force. See Paramagnetic. Diamagnetic attraction. See under Attraction.

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

The doctrine or the phenomena of the transmission of radiant heat. Nichol.

um that transmits the electric force by a process different from conduction, as in the phenomena of induction; a nonconductor. separating a body electrified by induction, from the electrifying body.

d equally upon the same products imported from different countries. -- Differential galvanometer (Elec.), a galvanometer having two coils or circuits, usually equal, through which currents passing in opposite directions are measured by the difference of their effect upon the needle. -- Differential gearing, a train o…

Irregular in form; -- opposed to uniform; anomalous; hence, unlike; dissimilar; as, to difform corolla, the parts of which do not correspond in size or proportion; difform leaves. The unequal refractions of difform rays. Sir I. Newton.

One who explains geological phenomena by the Noachian deluge. Lyell.

A primary by which direct nominations of candidates for office are made.

To deprive of buds or shoots, as for training, or economizing the vital strength of a tree.

The rate of interest charged in discounting. At a discount, below par, or below the nominal value; hence, colloquially, out of favor; poorly esteemed; depreciated. -- Bank discount, a sum equal to the interest at a given rate on the principal (face) of a bill or note from the time of discounting until it become due.…

The state of being dishonored, or covered with shame; dishonor; shame; ignominy. To tumble down thy husband and thyself From top of honor to disgrace's feet Shak.

Lack of honor; disgrace; ignominy; shame; reproach. It was not meet for us to see the king's dishonor. Ezra iv. 14. His honor rooted in dishonor stood. Tennyson.

Disturbance of the functions of the animal economy of the soul; sickness; derangement. "Disorder in the body." Locke.

esp., a place where the poor can obtain medical advice and medicines gratuitously or at a nominal price.

a system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy; as, the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations. Neither are God's methods or intentions different in his dispensations to each private man. Rogers.