Digne - Dilettante

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Digne (?), a. [F., fr. L. dignus. See .] 1. Worthy; honorable; deserving. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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2. Suitable; adequate; fit. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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3. Haughty; disdainful. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Dignification (?), n. [See .] The act of dignifying; exaltation.
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Dignified (?), a. Marked with dignity; stately; as, a dignified judge.
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dignify (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dignified (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dignifying.] [OF. dignifier, fr. LL. dignificare; L. dignus worthy + ficare (in comp.), facere to make. See , and .] To invest with dignity or honor; to make illustrious; to give distinction to; to exalt in rank; to honor.
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Your worth will dignify our feast. B. Jonson.

Syn. -- To exalt; elevate; prefer; advance; honor; illustrate; adorn; ennoble.
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dignifying adj. serving to make dignified.
Syn. -- ennobling.
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dignitary (?), n.; pl. dignitaries (#). [Cf. F. dignitaire, fr. L. dignitas.] One who possesses exalted rank or holds a position of dignity or honor; especially, one who holds an ecclesiastical rank above that of a parochial priest or clergyman.
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Dignity (?), n.; pl. Dignities (#). [OE. dignete, dignite, OF. digneté, dignité, F. dignité, fr. L. dignitas, from dignus worthy. See , .] 1. The state of being worthy or honorable; elevation of mind or character; true worth; excellence.
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2. Elevation; grandeur.
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The dignity of this act was worth the audience of kings. Shak.
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3. Elevated rank; honorable station; high office, political or ecclesiastical; degree of excellence; preferment; exaltation. Macaulay.
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And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Esth. vi. 3.
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Reuben, thou art my firstborn, . . . the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. Gen. xlix. 3.
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4. Quality suited to inspire respect or reverence; loftiness and grace; impressiveness; stateliness; -- said of mien, manner, style, etc.
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A letter written with singular energy and dignity of thought and language. Macaulay.
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5. One holding high rank; a dignitary.
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These filthy dreamers . . . speak evil of dignities. Jude. 8.
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6. Fundamental principle; axiom; maxim. [Obs.]
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Sciences concluding from dignities, and principles known by themselves. Sir T. Browne.

Syn. -- See .
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Coloq. To stand upon one's dignity , to have or to affect a high notion of one's own rank, privilege, or character.
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They did not stand upon their dignity, nor give their minds to being or to seeming as elegant and as fine as anybody else. R. G. White.
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Dignotion (?), n. [L. dignoscere to distinguish; di- = dis- + gnoscere, noscere, to learn to know.] Distinguishing mark; diagnostic. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
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Digonous (?), a. [Gr. � = � double + � an angle.] Having two angles. Smart.
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digoxin (?), n. (Chem.) a steroid glycoside, one of the cardiotonic chemical substances which is extracted from the foxglove. It is a white, crystalline substance (C41H64O14), and is a 3-substituted triglucoside of a steroid, related structurally to digitalin and digitoxin. It is used as a cardiotonic for treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure. Chemically it is (3β,5β,12β)-3-[(O-2,6-Dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-O-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-12,14-dihydroxy-card-20(22)-enolide. The related compounds and are also extracted from the foxglove (Digitalis lanata and Digitalis purpurea). The class of steroid glycosides having cardiotonic properties are refered to as the cardiac glycosides. MI11

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Digram (?), n. [Gr. di- = dis- twice + � letter.] A digraph.
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Digraph (?), n. [Gr. di- = dis- twice + � a writing, � to write.] Two signs or characters combined to express a single articulated sound; as ea in head, or th in bath.
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Digraphic (?), a. Of or pertaining to a digraph. H. Sweet.
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Digress (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Digressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Digressing.] [L. digressus, p. p. of digredi to go apart, to deviate; di- = dis- + gradi to step, walk. See .] 1. To step or turn aside; to deviate; to swerve; especially, to turn aside from the main subject of attention, or course of argument, in writing or speaking.
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Moreover she beginneth to digress in latitude. Holland.
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In the pursuit of an argument there is hardly room to digress into a particular definition as often as a man varies the signification of any term. Locke.
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2. To turn aside from the right path; to transgress; to offend. [R.]
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Thy abundant goodness shall excuse
This deadly blot on thy digressing son. Shak.
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Digress, n. Digression. [Obs.] Fuller.
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Digression (?), n. [L. digressio: cf. F. digression.] 1. The act of digressing or deviating, esp. from the main subject of a discourse; hence, a part of a discourse deviating from its main design or subject.
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The digressions I can not excuse otherwise, than by the confidence that no man will read them. Sir W. Temple.
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2. A turning aside from the right path; transgression; offense. [R.]
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Then my digression is so vile, so base,
That it will live engraven in my face. Shak.
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3. (Anat.) The elongation, or angular distance from the sun; -- said chiefly of the inferior planets. [R.]
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Digressional (?), a. Pertaining to, or having the character of, a digression; departing from the main purpose or subject. T. Warton.
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Digressive (?), a. [Cf. F. digressif.] Departing from the main subject; partaking of the nature of digression. Johnson.
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Digressively, adv. By way of digression.
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digs n. same as . [Coll.]
Syn. -- diggings, domiciliation, lodgings, pad.
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Digue (?), n. [F. See .] A bank; a dike. [Obs.] Sir W. Temple.
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Digynia (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. di- = dis- twice + � a woman, a female.] (Bot.) A Linnæan order of plants having two styles.

{ Digynian (?), Digynous (?), } a. [Cf. F. digyne.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Digynia; having two styles.
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Dihedral (?), a. [Gr. di- = dis- twice + � a seat, bottom, base, fr. � to sit. Cf. .] 1. Having two plane faces; as, the dihedral summit of a crystal.
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2. Of a kite or an aëroplane, having wings that make with one another a dihedral angle, esp. when the angle between the upper sides is less than 180°.
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3. (Aëronautics) Of wing pairs, inclined at an upward angle to each other.
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Coloq. Dihedral angle , the angular space contained between planes which intersect. It is measured by the angle made by any two lines at right angles to the two planes.
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Dihedron (?), n. [See .] A figure with two sides or surfaces. Buchanan.
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Dihexagonal (?), a. [Pref. di- + hexagonal.] (a) Consisting of two hexagonal parts united; thus, a dihexagonal pyramid is composed of two hexagonal pyramids placed base to base. (b) Having twelve similar faces; as, a dihexagonal prism.
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Diiamb (?), n. A diiambus.
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Diiambus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. �; di- = dis- twice + �. See .] (Pros.) A double iambus; a foot consisting of two iambuses (� � � �).
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Diiodide (?; 104), n. [Pref. di- + iodine.] (Chem.) A compound of a binary type containing two atoms of iodine; -- called also biniodide.
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diiodotyrosine, di-iodotyrosine n. (Chem., Med.) a chemical substance consisting of tyrosine with two hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring replaced by iodine atoms. The isomer 3,5-diiodotyrosine is an inhibitor of thyroid function.
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Diisatogen (?), n. [Pref. di- + isatine + -gen.] (Chem.) A red crystalline nitrogenous substance of artificial production, which by reduction passes directly to indigo.
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Dijudicant (?), n. [L. dijudicans, p. pr.] One who dijudicates. [R.] Wood.
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Dijudicate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dijudicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dijucating (?).] [L. dijudicatus, p. p. of dijudicare to decide; di- = dis- + judicare to judge.] To make a judicial decision; to decide; to determine. [R.] Hales.
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Dijudication (?), n. [L. dijudicatio.] The act of dijudicating; judgment. [R.] Cockeram.
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Dika (?), n. [Native West African name.] A kind of food, made from the almondlike seeds of the Irvingia Barteri, much used by natives of the west coast of Africa; -- called also dika bread.
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Dike (dī), n. [OE. dic, dike, diche, ditch, AS. dīc dike, ditch; akin to D. dijk dike, G. deich, and prob. teich pond, Icel. dīki dike, ditch, Dan. dige; perh. akin to Gr. tei^chos (for qei^chos) wall, and even E. dough; or perh. to Gr. ti^fos pool, marsh. Cf. .] 1. A ditch; a channel for water made by digging.
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Little channels or dikes cut to every bed. Ray.
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2. An embankment to prevent inundations; a levee.
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Dikes that the hands of the farmers had raised . . .
Shut out the turbulent tides. Longfellow.
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3. A wall of turf or stone. [Scot.]
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4. (Geol.) A wall-like mass of mineral matter, usually an intrusion of igneous rocks, filling up rents or fissures in the original strata.
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Dike, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Diked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Diking.] [OE. diken, dichen, AS. dīcian to dike. See .] 1. To surround or protect with a dike or dry bank; to secure with a bank.
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2. To drain by a dike or ditch.
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Dike, v. i. To work as a ditcher; to dig. [Obs.]
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He would thresh and thereto dike and delve. Chaucer.
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Diker (?), n. 1. A ditcher. Piers Plowman.
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2. One who builds stone walls; usually, one who builds them without lime. [Scot.]
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Dilacerate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dilacerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dilacerating (?).] [L. dilaceratus, p. p. of dilacerare to tear apart; di- = dis- + lacerare to tear.] To rend asunder; to tear to pieces. Sir T. Browne.
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Dilaceration (?), n. [L. dilaceratio: cf. F. dilacération.] The act of rending asunder. Arbuthnot.
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Dilaniate (?), v. t. [L. dilaniatus, p. p. of dilaniare to dilacerate; di- = dis- + laniare to tear to pieces.] To rend in pieces; to tear. [R.] Howell.
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Dilaniation (?), n. A rending or tearing in pieces; dilaceration. [R.]
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Dilapidate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dilapidated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dilapidating (?).] [L. dilapidare to scatter like stones; di- = dis- + lapidare to throw stones, fr. lapis a stone. See .] 1. To bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin, by misuse or through neglect; to destroy the fairness and good condition of; -- said of a building.
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If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony. Blackstone.
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2. To impair by waste and abuse; to squander.
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The patrimony of the bishopric of Oxon was much dilapidated. Wood.
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Dilapidate, v. i. To get out of repair; to fall into partial ruin; to become decayed; as, the church was suffered to dilapidate. Johnson.
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Dilapidated (?), a. Decayed; fallen into partial ruin; injured by bad usage or neglect.
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A deserted and dilapidated buildings. Cooper.
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Dilapidation (?), n. [L. dilapidatio: cf. F. dilapidation.] 1. The act of dilapidating, or the state of being dilapidated, reduced to decay, partially ruined, or squandered.
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Tell the people that are relived by the dilapidation of their public estate. Burke.
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2. Ecclesiastical waste; impairing of church property by an incumbent, through neglect or by intention.
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The business of dilapidations came on between our bishop and the Archibishop of York. Strype.
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3. (Law) The pulling down of a building, or suffering it to fall or be in a state of decay. Burrill.
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Dilapidator (?), n. [Cf. F. dilapidateur.] One who causes dilapidation. Strype.
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Dilatability (?), n. [Cf. F. dilatabilité.] The quality of being dilatable, or admitting expansion; -- opposed to contractibility. Ray.
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Dilatable (?), a. [Cf. F. dilatable.] Capable of expansion; that may be dilated; -- opposed to contractible; as, the lungs are dilatable by the force of air; air is dilatable by heat.
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Dilatation (?), n. [OE. dilatacioun, F. dilatation, L. dilatatio, fr. dilatare. See , and cf. 2d .] 1. Prolixity; diffuse discourse. [Obs.] “What needeth greater dilatation?” Chaucer.
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2. The act of dilating; expansion; an enlarging on al� sides; the state of being dilated; dilation.
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3. (Anat.) A dilation or enlargement of a canal or other organ.
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Dilatator (?), n. [NL. Cf. L. dilatator a propagator.] (Anat.) A muscle which dilates any part; a dilator.
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Dilate (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dilated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dilating (?).] [L. dilatare; either fr. di- = dis- + latus wide, not the same word as latus, used as p. p. of ferre to bear (see ); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differre to separate (see , , , and cf. ): cf. F. dilater.] 1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to contract; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by increase of heat.
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2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely. [R.]
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Do me the favor to dilate at full
What hath befallen of them and thee till now. Shak.

Syn. -- To expand; swell; distend; enlarge; spread out; amplify; expatiate.
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Dilate, v. i. 1. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions.
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His heart dilates and glories in his strength. Addison.
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2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; -- with on or upon.
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But still on their ancient joys dilate. Crabbe.
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Dilate, a. Extensive; expanded. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
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Dilated, a. 1. Expanded; enlarged. Shak.
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2. (Bot.) Widening into a lamina or into lateral winglike appendages.
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3. (Zoöl.) Having the margin wide and spreading.
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Dilatedly, adv. In a dilated manner. Feltham.
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Dilater (?), n. One who, or that which, dilates, expands, or enlarges.
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Dilation (?), n. [L. dilatio. See .] Delay. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Dilation, n. [From dilate, v., cf. , .] The act of dilating, or the state of being dilated; expansion; dilatation. Mrs. Browning.
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At first her eye with slow dilation rolled. Tennyson.
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A gigantic dilation of the hateful figure. Dickens.
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Dilative (?), a. Causing dilation; tending to dilate, on enlarge; expansive. Coleridge.
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Dilatometer (?), n. [Dilate + -meter.] (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the dilatation or expansion of a substance, especially of a fluid.
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Dilator (?), n. [See .] 1. One who, or that which, widens or expands.
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2. (Anat.) A muscle that dilates any part.
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3. (Med.) An instrument for expanding a part; as, a urethral dilator.
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Dilatorily (?), adv. With delay; tardily.
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Dilatoriness, n. The quality of being dilatory; lateness; slowness; tardiness; sluggishness.
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Dilatory (?), a. [L. dilatorius, fr. dilator a delayer, fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differe to defer, delay: cf. F. dilatoire. See , , .] 1. Inclined to defer or put off what ought to be done at once; given the procrastination; delaying; procrastinating; loitering; as, a dilatory servant.
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2. Marked by procrastination or delay; tardy; slow; sluggish; -- said of actions or measures.
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Alva, as usual, brought his dilatory policy to bear upon his adversary. Motley.
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Coloq. Dilatory plea (Law), a plea designed to create delay in the trial of a cause, generally founded upon some matter not connected with the merits of the case.

Syn. -- Slow; delaying; sluggish; inactive; loitering; behindhand; backward; procrastinating. See .
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dildo (dĭld�), n. A burden in popular songs. [Obs.]
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Delicate burthens of dildos and fadings. Shak.
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Dildo, n. (Bot.) A columnar cactaceous plant of the West Indies (Cereus Swartzii).
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dildo (dĭld�), n. a device shaped like an erect penis, used by some women for sexual stimulation. [Slang]
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Dilection (?), n. [L. dilectio: dilection. See .] Love; choice. [Obs.] T. Martin.
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Dilemma (?), n. [L. dilemma, Gr. �; di- = dis- twice + � to take. See .] 1. (Logic) An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses.
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☞ The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to elude his claim by a dilemma. “If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the judge's award will be against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause.” “On the contrary,” says the master, “if you gain your cause, you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it.” Johnson.
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2. A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position.
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A strong dilemma in a desperate case!
To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift.
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Coloq. Horns of a dilemma , alternatives, each of which is equally difficult of encountering.
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Dilettant (?), a. Of or pertaining to dilettanteism; amateur; as, dilettant speculation. Carlyle.
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Dilettant (?), n. A dilettante.
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Though few art lovers can be connoisseurs, many are dilettants. Fairholt.
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Dilettante (?), n.; pl. Dilettanti (#). [It., prop. p. pr. of dillettare to take delight in, fr. L. delectare to delight. See , v. t.] An admirer or lover of the fine arts; popularly, an amateur; especially, one who follows an art or a branch of knowledge, desultorily, or for amusement only.
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