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A form of conductor used for dividing and distributing the current to a series of electric lamps so as to maintain equal action in all. Knight. Partial differential (Math.), the differential of a function of two or more variables, when only one of the variables receives an increment. -- Total differential (Math.), the…

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.

The act of distinguishing or describing a thing, by giving its different, or specific difference; exact definition or determination.

The act of passing by osmosis through animal membranes, as in the distribution of poisons, gases, etc., through the body. Unlike absorption, diffusion may go on after death, that is, after the blood ceases to circulate.

A thrust; a punch; a poke; as, a dig in the side or the ribs. See Dig, v. t.,

To distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or application; as, to digest the laws, etc. Joining them together and digesting them into order. Blair. We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested. Shak.

A degraded tribe of California Indians; -- so called from their practice of digging roots for food.

Evil in great degree; dreadful; dismal; horrible; terrible; lamentable. Dire was the tossing, deep the groans. Milton. Gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire. Milton.

on; to mark with the name and residence of the person to whom anything is sent; to superscribe; as, to direct a letter.

Dire; dreadful; terrible; calamitous; woeful; as, a direful fiend; a direful day. -- Dire"ful*ly, adv. -- Dire"ful*ness, n.

Terribleness; horror; woefulness. Shak.

The line of motion along which a describent line or surface is carried in the genesis of any plane or solid figure; a directrix. Hutton.

res. -- Dirt eating. (a) The use of certain kinds of clay for food, existing among some tribes of Indians; geophagism. Humboldt. (b) (Med.) Same as Chthonophagia. -- Dirt pie, clay or mud molded by children in imitation of pastry. Otway (1684). -- To eat dirt, to submit in a meanly humble manner to insults; to eat h…

two. See Two, and cf. Bi-, Di-, Dia-. Dis- denotes separation, a parting from, as in distribute, disconnect; hence it often has the force of a privative and negative, as in disarm, disoblige, disagree. Also intensive, as in dissever.

efuse to confirm; to annul, as a judicial decision, by a contrary judgment of a superior tribunal.

Overthrow or annulment by the decision of a superior tribunal; as, disaffirmance of judgment.

pipe discharges water; to let fly; to give expression to; to utter; as, to discharge a horrible oath.

To describe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

d with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did . . . they disdained. Genevan Testament (Matt. xxi. 15).

Provoking disgust; offensive to the taste; exciting aversion; disgusting. That horrible and disgustful situation. Burke.