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distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively. His crown usurped, a distaff on the throne. Dryden. Some say the crozier, some say the distaff was too busy. Howell.

espect; ceremoniousness. I hope your modesty Will know what distance to the crown is due. Dryden. 'T is by respect and distance that authority is upheld. Atterbury.

use to swell; as, to distend a bladder, the stomach, etc. The warmth distends the chinks. Dryden.

ring a high degree of heat; as, the destructive distillation of soft coal or of wood. -- Dry distillation, the distillation of substances by themselves, or without the addition of water or of other volatile solvent; as, the dry distillation of citric acid. -- Fractional distillation. (Chem.) See under Fractional.…

paration into parts; division. [Obs.] The distinction of tragedy into acts was not known. Dryden.

ic. Not more distinguished by her purple vest, Than by the charming features of her face. Dryden. Milton has distinguished the sweetbrier and the eglantine. Nares.

One who discerns accurately the difference of things; a nice or judicious observer. Dryden.

umult; disorder; as, political distractions. Never was known a night of such distraction. Dryden.

istrust. Not distrusting my health. 2 Mac. ix. 22. To distrust the justice of your cause. Dryden. He that requireth the oath doth distrust that other. Udall. Of all afraid, Distrusting all, a wise, suspicious maid. Collins.

Several; sundry; various; more than one, but not a great number; as, divers philosophers. Also used substantively or pronominally. Divers of Antonio's creditors. Shak.

To divert; to entertain. [Obs.] Dryden.

A woman who divines. Dryden.

or the most part, archaic or poetical; as, "This just reproach their virtue does excite." Dryden. To do one's best, To do one's diligence (and the like), to exert one's self; to put forth one's best or most or most diligent efforts. "We will . . . do our best to gain their assent." Jowett (Thucyd.). -- To do one's bus…

level by pumping water out of, or letting it into, the compartments of side chambers. -- Dry dock, a dock from which the water may be shut or pumped out, especially, one in the form of a chamber having walls and floor, often of masonry and communicating with deep water, but having appliances for excluding it; -- used…

To teach; to school. [Obs.] I am finely documented by my own daughter. Dryden.

Shattered; infirm. "A laurel grew, doddered with age." Dryden.

A place fit only for dogs; a vile, mean habitation or apartment. Dryden.

A kind of woolen stuff. [Obs.] "Some doily petticoats." Dryden. A fool and a doily stuff, would now and then find days of grace, and be worn for variety. Congreve.

ion. So sure the dole, so ready at their call, They stood prepared to see the manna fall. Dryden. Heaven has in store a precious dole. Keble.

cy. Objects placed foremost ought . . . have dominion over things confused and transient. Dryden.