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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



459 words match “SCALE”

D n.
The nominal of the second tone in the model major scale (that in C), or of the fourth tone in the relative minor scale of C (that in A minor), or of the key tone in the relative minor of F.
DECIMAL n.
A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction. Circulating, or Circulatory, decimal, a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; -- called also recurring decimal, repeating decimal, a…
DELILAH n.
who betrayed him (Judges xvi.); hence, a harlot; a temptress. Other Delilahs on a smaller scale Burns met with during his Dumfries sojourn. J. C. Shairp.
DENARY a.
Containing ten; tenfold; proceeding by tens; as, the denary, or decimal, scale.
DESCENT n.
A step or remove downward in any scale of gradation; a degree in the scale of genealogy; a generation. No man living is a thousand descents removed from Adam himself. Hooker.
DESQUAMATE v.
To peel off in the form of scales; to scale off, as the skin in certain diseases.
DESQUAMATION n.
The separation or shedding of the cuticle or epidermis in the form of flakes or scales; exfoliation, as of bones.
DETAIL n.
or the body of men so selected. Detail drawing, a drawing of the full size, or on a large scale, of some part of a building, machine, etc. -- In detail, in subdivisions; part by part; item; circumstantially; with particularity.
DIAGONAL a.
, a chevron or zigzag molding. -- Diagonal rib. (Arch.) See Cross-springer. -- Diagonal scale, a scale which consists 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
DIAGRAPH n.
A drawing instrument, combining a protractor and scale.
DIAPASON n. 2 definitions
The octave, or interval which includes all the tones of the diatonic scale.
DIATONIC a.
Pertaining to the scale of eight tones, the eighth of which is the octave of the first. Diatonic scale (Mus.), a scale consisting of eight sounds with seven intervals, of which two are semitones and five are whole tones; a modern major or minor scale, as distinguished from the chromatic scale.
DIFFERENTIAL a.
ed fluid, in consequence of the different expansions of the air in the bulbs. A graduated scale is attached to one leg of the tube. -- Differential windlass, or Chinese windlass, a windlass whose barrel has two parts of different diameters. The hoisting rope winds upon one part as it unwinds from the other, and a pull…
DIMINISH v.
column, one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. -- Diminished, or Diminishing, scale, a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. Gwilt. -- Diminishing rule (Arch.), a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. -…
DIVIDING a.
ngine, a machine for graduating circles (as for astronomical instruments) or bars (as for scales); also, for spacing off and cutting teeth in wheels. -- Dividing sinker. (Knitting Mach.). See under Sinker.
DO n.
A syllable attached to the first tone of the major diatonic scale for the purpose of solmization, or solfeggio. It is the first of the seven syllables used by the Italians as manes of musical tones, and replaced, for the sake of euphony, the syllable Ut, applied to the note C. In England and America the same syllables…
DOME n.
A cupola formed on a large scale.
DOMINANT n.
The fifth tone of the scale; thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on. Dominant chord (Mus.), the chord based upon the dominant.
DORIAN a.
.), the first of the authentic church modes or tones, from D to D, resembling our D minor scale, but with the B natural. Grove.
DUODECIMAL a. 2 definitions
Proceeding in computation by twelves; expressed in the scale of twelves. -- Du`o*dec"i*mal*ly, adv.
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