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That distributes; dealing out. Distributing past office, an office where the mails for a large district are collected to be assorted according to their destination and forwarded.

A cushioned seat, or a large, low sofa or couch; especially, one fixed to its place, and not movable.

on center; spreading apart; divergent. Diverging series (Math.), a series whose terms are larger as the series is extended; a series the sum of whose terms does not approach a finite limit when the series is extended indefinitely; -- opposed to a converging series.

A small tree of tropical America (Cæsalpinia coriaria), whose legumes contain a large proportion of tannic and gallic acid, and are used by tanners and dyers.

One of the larger districts into which a country is divided for administering military affairs.

The aquatic larva of a large neuropterous insect (Corydalus cornutus), used as bait in angling. See Hellgamite.

A large, extinct bird (Didus ineptus), formerly inhabiting the Island of Mauritius. It had short, half-fledged wings, like those of the ostrich, and a short neck and legs; -- called also dronte. It was related to the pigeons.

One of the dog days. Dogday cicada (Zoöl.), a large American cicada (C. pruinosa), which trills loudly in midsummer.

b of the Lily family (genus Erythronium). It has two shining flat leaves and commonly one large flower. [Written also dog's-tooth violet.]

The Cornus, a genus of large shrubs or small trees, the wood of which is exceedingly hard, and serviceable for many purposes.

A genus of large univalve mollusks, including the partridge shell and tun shells.

A cupola formed on a large scale.

ngland, made by order of William the Conqueror, about 1086. It consists of two volumes, a large folio and a quarto, and gives the proprietors' tenures, arable land, woodland, etc. [Written also Doomsday Book.]

A gift; a largess; a gratuity; a present. "The Romans were entertained with shows and donatives." Dryden.

boilers, extinguishing fire, etc.; -- usually an auxiliary. -- Donkey's eye (Bot.), the large round seed of the Mucuna pruriens, a tropical leguminous plant.

hly valued for the fibrous pulp of its fruit, which has the flavor of gingerbread, and is largely eaten in Egypt and Abyssinia. [Written also doum palm.]

A large European scaraboid beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius), which makes a droning noise while flying. The name is also applied to allied American species, as the June bug. Called also dorr, dorbeetle, or dorrbeetle, dorbug, dorrfly, and buzzard clock.

A large, oceanic fish of the genus Coryphæna.

One of a breed of large-bodied domestic fowls, having five toes, or the hind toe double. There are several strains, as the white, gray, and silver-gray. They are highly esteemed for the table.

A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep." Arch. Pub. Soc. -- Called also dormant tree, dorman tree, dormond, and dormer. Halliwell.