Directness - Disafforest

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Directness (?), n. The quality of being direct; straightness; straightforwardness; immediateness.
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Direct nomination. (Political Science) The nomination or designation of candidates for public office by direct popular vote rather than through the action of a convention or body of elected nominating representatives or delegates. The term is applied both to the nomination of candidates without any nominating convention, and, loosely, to the nomination effected, as in the case of candidates for president or senator of the United States, by the election of nominating representatives pledged or instructed to vote for certain candidates dssignated by popular vote.
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Directoire style (?). (Dressmaking) A style of dress prevalent at the time of the French Directory, characterized by great extravagance of design and imitating the Greek and Roman costumes.
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Director (?), n. [Cf. F. directeur.] 1. One who, or that which, directs; one who regulates, guides, or orders; a manager or superintendent.
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In all affairs thou sole director. Swift.
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2. One of a body of persons appointed to manage the affairs of a company or corporation; as, the directors of a bank, insurance company, or railroad company.
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What made directors cheat in South-Sea year? Pope.
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3. (Mech.) A part of a machine or instrument which directs its motion or action.
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4. (Surg.) A slender grooved instrument upon which a knife is made to slide when it is wished to limit the extent of motion of the latter, or prevent its injuring the parts beneath.
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Directorate (?), n. [Cf. F. directorat.] The office of director; also, a body of directors taken jointly.
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Directorial (?), a. [Cf. F. directorial.] 1. Having the quality of a director, or authoritative guide; directive.
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2. Pertaining to: director or directory; specifically, relating to the Directory of France under the first republic. See , 3.
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Whoever goes to the directorial presence under this passport. Burke.
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Directorship (?), n. The condition or office of a director; directorate.
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Directory (?), a. [L. directorius.] Containing directions; enjoining; instructing; directorial.
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Directory, n.; pl. Directories (�). 1. A collection or body of directions, rules, or ordinances; esp., a book of directions for the conduct of worship; as, the Directory used by the nonconformists instead of the Prayer Book.
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2. A book containing the names and residences of the inhabitants of any place, or of classes of them; an address book; as, a business directory.
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3. [Cf. F. directoire.] A body of directors; board of management; especially, a committee which held executive power in France under the first republic.
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4. Direction; guide. [R.] Whitlock.
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Direct primary. (Political Science) A primary by which direct nominations of candidates for office are made.
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Directress, n. A woman who directs. Bp. Hurd.
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Directrix (?), n.; pl. E. Directrixes (�), L. (�). 1. A directress. [R.] Jer. Taylor.
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2. (Geom.) (a) A line along which a point in another line moves, or which in any way governs the motion of the point and determines the position of the curve generated by it; the line along which the generatrix moves in generating a surface. (b) A straight line so situated with respect to a conic section that the distance of any point of the curve from it has a constant ratio to the distance of the same point from the focus.
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Direful (?), a. [Dire + -ful.] Dire; dreadful; terrible; calamitous; woeful; as, a direful fiend; a direful day. -- Direfully, adv. -- Direfulness, n.
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Direly, adv. In a dire manner. Drayton.
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Dirempt (?; 215), a. [L. diremptus, p. p. of dirimere to take apart, separate; di- = dis- + emere to buy, orig., to take.] Divided; separated. [Obs.] Stow.
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Dirempt, v. t. To separate by force; to tear apart. [Obs.] Holinshed.
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Diremption (?), n. [L. diremptio.] A tearing apart; violent separation. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Direness (?), n. [Dire- + -ness.] Terribleness; horror; woefulness. Shak.
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Direption (?), n. [L. direptio, fr. diripere to tear asunder, plunder; di- = dis- + rapere to seize and carry off.] The act of plundering, despoiling, or snatching away. [R.] Speed.
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Direptitious (?), a. Characterized by direption. [R.] Encyc. Dict.
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Direptitiously, adv. With plundering violence; by violent injustice. [R.] Strype.
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Dirge (?), n. [Contraction of Lat. dirige, direct thou (imperative of dirigere), the first word of a funeral hymn (Lat. transl. of Psalm v. 8) beginning, “Dirige, Domine, in conspectu tuo vitam meam.” See , a., and cf. .] A piece of music of a mournful character, to accompany funeral rites; a funeral hymn.
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The raven croaked, and hollow shrieks of owls
Sung dirges at her funeral. Ford.
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Dirgeful (?), a. Funereal; moaning.
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Soothed sadly by the dirgeful wind. Coleridge.
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Dirige (?), n. [L. See .] A service for the dead, in the Roman Catholic Church, being the first antiphon of Matins for the dead, of which Dirige is the first word; a dirge.
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Evensongs and placebo and dirige. Wyclif.
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Resort, I pray you, unto my sepulture
To sing my dirige with great devotion. Lamentation of Mary Magdalene.
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Dirigent (?), a. [L. dirigens, p. pr. of dirigere. See , a.] Directing. Baxter.
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Dirigent, n. (Geom.) 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.
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Dirigible (?), a. Capable of being directed; steerable; as, a dirigible balloon.
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dirigisme (?), n. [L. dirigere to direct.] The practice or inclination to direct (activities) by a central authority; as, the linguistic dirigisme of prescriptivists clashes with the modern tendency toward acceptance of multiculturalism. See also .
[PJC]

dirigiste (?), a. [L. dirigere to direct.] Directed by a central authority; as, a dirigiste economy; with respect to economics, opposed to free-market. See also .
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Diriment (?), a. [L. dirimens, p. pr. of dirimere. See .] (Law) Absolute.
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Coloq. Diriment impediment (R. C. Ch.), an impediment that nullifies marriage.
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Dirk (?), n. [Ir. duirc.] A kind of dagger or poniard; -- formerly much used by the Scottish Highlander.
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Coloq. Dirk knife , a clasp knife having a large, dirklike blade.
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Dirk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dirked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dirking.] To stab with a dirk. Sir W. Scott.
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Dirk, a. [See , a.] Dark. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Dirk, v. t. To darken. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Dirkness, n. Darkness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Dirl (?), v. i. & t. [Cf. , .] To thrill; to vibrate; to penetrate. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
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Dirt (dẽrt), n. [OE. drit; kin to Icel. drit excrement, drīta to dung, OD. drijten to dung, AS. gedrītan.] 1. Any foul of filthy substance, as excrement, mud, dust, etc.; whatever, adhering to anything, renders it foul or unclean; earth; as, a wagonload of dirt.
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Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. Is. lvii. 20.
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2. Meanness; sordidness.
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Honors . . . thrown away upon dirt and infamy. Melmoth.
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3. In placer mining, earth, gravel, etc., before washing.
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Coloq. Dirt bed (Geom.), a layer of clayey earth forming a stratum in a geological formation. Dirt beds are common among the coal measures. -- Coloq. Dirt eating . (a) The use of certain kinds of clay for food, existing among some tribes of Indians; geophagism. Humboldt. (b) (Med.) Same as . -- Coloq. Dirt pie , clay or mud molded by children in imitation of pastry. Otway (1684). -- Coloq. To eat dirt , to submit in a meanly humble manner to insults; to eat humble pie.
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Dirt, v. t. To make foul of filthy; to dirty. Swift.
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dirt-cheap adj. costing much less than standard price; as, the store went out of business and sold their remaining stock for dirt-cheap prices.
Syn. -- bargain-priced, cut-rate, cut-price.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Dirtily (?), adv. In a dirty manner; foully; nastily; filthily; meanly; sordidly.
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Dirtiness, n. The state of being dirty; filthiness; foulness; nastiness; baseness; sordidness.
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Dirty (?), a. [Compar. Dirtier (?); superl. Dirtiest.] 1. Defiled with dirt; foul; nasty; filthy; not clean or pure; serving to defile; as, dirty hands; dirty water; a dirty white. Spenser.
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2. Sullied; clouded; -- applied to color. Locke.
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3. Sordid; base; groveling; as, a dirty fellow.
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The creature's at his dirty work again. Pope.
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4. Sleety; gusty; stormy; as, dirty weather.
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Storms of wind, clouds of dust, an angry, dirty sea. M. Arnold.

Syn. -- Nasty; filthy; foul. See .
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Dirty, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dirtied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dirtying.] 1. To foul; to make filthy; to soil; as, to dirty the clothes or hands.
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2. To tarnish; to sully; to scandalize; -- said of reputation, character, etc.
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dirtying n. the act of soiling something.
Syn. -- soiling, soilure.
[WordNet 1.5]

Diruption (?), n. [L. diruptio, fr. dirumpere. See , a.] Disruption.
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dis- (?; 258) 1. A prefix from the Latin, whence F. dés, or sometimes dé-, dis-. The Latin dis-appears as di-before b, d, g, l, m, n, r, v, becomes dif-before f, and either dis-or di- before j. It is from the same root as bis twice, and duo, E. two. See , and cf. , , . 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.
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☞ Walker's rule of pronouncing this prefix is, that the s ought always to be pronounced like z, when the next syllable is accented and begins with “a flat mute [b, d, v, g, z], a liquid [l, m, n, r], or a vowel; as, disable, disease, disorder, disuse, disband, disdain, disgrace, disvalue, disjoin, dislike, dislodge, dismay, dismember, dismiss, dismount, disnatured, disrank, disrelish, disrobe.” Dr. Webster's example in disapproving of Walker's rule and pronouncing dis-as diz in only one (disease) of the above words, is followed by recent orthoëpists. See , , and the other words, beginning with dis-, in this Dictionary.
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2. A prefix from Gr. dis- twice. See .
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Dis (?), prop. n. [L.] The god Pluto, god of the underworld; also called Dis Pater. Shak.
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dis v. t. [shortened from disrespect.] [imp. & p. p. dissed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. dissing (?).] to treat in a disrespectful manner; to insult, disparage or belittle. [slang]
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disa n. any orchid of the genus Disa, a genus of beautiful orchids with dark green leaves and usually hooded flowers; -- they are much prized as emblematic flowers in their native regions.
[WordNet 1.5]

disability (?), n.; pl. Disabilities (�). 1. State of being disabled; deprivation or want of ability; absence of competent physical, intellectual, or moral power, means, fitness, and the like.
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Grossest faults, or disabilities to perform what was covenanted. Milton.
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Chatham refused to see him, pleading his disability. Bancroft.
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2. Want of legal qualification to do a thing; legal incapacity or incompetency.
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The disabilities of idiocy, infancy, and coverture. Abbott.

Syn. -- Weakness; inability; incompetence; impotence; incapacity; incompetency; disqualification. -- , . Inability is an inherent want of power to perform the thing in question; disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a disability of holding his estate; and one who is made a judge, of deciding in his own case. A man may decline an office on account of his inability to discharge its duties; he may refuse to accept a trust or employment on account of some disability prevents him from entering into such engagements.
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Disable (?), a. Lacking ability; unable. [Obs.] “Our disable and unactive force.” Daniel.
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Disable (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disabled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disabling (?).] 1. To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force, vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to impair.
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A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure disables him. Jer. Taylor.
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And had performed it, if my known offense
Had not disabled me. Milton.
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I have disabled mine estate. Shak.
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2. (Law) To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable.
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An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and disables his children to inherit. Blackstone.
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3. To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue. [Obs.] “He disabled my judgment.” Shak.

Syn. -- To weaken; unfit; disqualify; incapacitate.
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disabled adj. 1. injured so as to be unable to function; as, disabled veterans.
Syn. -- hors de combat, out of action.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

2. unable to function at normal capacity.
Syn. -- handicapped, incapacitated.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Disablement (?), n. Deprivation of ability; incapacity. Bacon.
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disabling adj. 1. causing or having caused disability; rendering disabled; as, disabling injury.
Syn. -- crippling, incapacitating.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. depriving of legal right; rendering legally disqualified; as, certain disabling restrictions disqualified him for citizenship. enabling
Syn. -- disqualifying.
[WordNet 1.5]

disabuse (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disabused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disabusing.] [Pref. dis- + abuse; cf. F. désabuser.] To set free from mistakes; to undeceive; to disengage from fallacy or deception; to set right; -- often used with of; as, to disabuse one of his illusions.
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To undeceive and disabuse the people. South.
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If men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves or artifice, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. J. Adams.
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disaccommodate (?), v. t. [Pref. dis- + accommodate.] To put to inconvenience; to incommode. [R.] Bp. Warburton.
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Disaccommodation (?), n. A state of being unaccommodated or unsuited. [R.] Sir M. Hale.
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Disaccord (?), v. i. [Cf. F. désaccorder to cause discord.] To refuse to assent. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Disaccord, n. Disagreement. Pop. Sci. Monthly.
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Disaccordant (?), a. Not accordant. Fabyan.
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Disaccustom (?), v. t. [Cf. F. désaccoutumer.] To destroy the force of habit in; to wean from a custom. Johnson.
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Disacidify (?), v. t. To free from acid.
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Disacknowledge (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disacknowledged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Disacknowledging.] To refuse to acknowledge; to deny; to disown. [Obs.] South.
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Disacquaint (?), v. t. [Pref. dis- + acquaint: cf. OF. desacointier.] To render unacquainted; to make unfamiliar. [Obs.]
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While my sick heart
With dismal smart
Is disacquainted never. Herrick.
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Disacquaintance (?), n. Neglect of disuse of familiarity, or familiar acquaintance. [Obs.] South.
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Disacryl (?), n. [Pref. dis- (Gr. dis- twice) + acrolein + -yl.] (Chem.) A white amorphous substance obtained as a polymeric modification of acrolein.
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Disadorn (?), v. t. To deprive of ornaments. Congreve.
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Disadvance (?; 61), v. t. & i. [Pref. dis- + advance: cf. OF. desavancier.] To draw back, or cause to draw back. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Disadvantage (?; 48, 61), n. [Cf. F. désavantage.] 1. Deprivation of advantage; unfavorable or prejudicial quality, condition, circumstance, or the like; that which hinders success, or causes loss or injury.
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I was brought here under the disadvantage of being unknown by sight to any of you. Burke.
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Abandoned by their great patron, the faction henceforward acted at disadvantage. Palfrey.
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2. Loss; detriment; hindrance; prejudice to interest, fame, credit, profit, or other good.
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They would throw a construction on his conduct, to his disadvantage before the public. Bancroft.

Syn. -- Detriment; injury; hurt; loss; damage.
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Disadvantage, v. t. [Cf. F. désavantager.] To injure the interest of; to be detrimental to.
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Disadvantageable (?), a. Injurious; disadvantageous. [Obs.] Bacon.
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Disadvantageous (?), a. [Cf. F. désavantageux.] Attended with disadvantage; unfavorable to success or prosperity; inconvenient; prejudicial; -- opposed to advantageous; as, the situation of an army is disadvantageous for attack or defense.
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Even in the disadvantageous position in which he had been placed, he gave clear indications of future excellence. Prescott.

-- Disadvantageously, adv. -- Disadvantageousness, n.
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Disadventure (?; 135), n. [Pref. dis- + adventure: cf. OF. desaventure.] Misfortune; mishap. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh.
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Disadventurous (?), a. Unprosperous; unfortunate. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Disadvise (?), v. t. To advise against; to dissuade from. [R.] Boyle.
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Disaffect (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disaffected; p. pr. & vb. n. Disaffecting.] 1. To alienate or diminish the affection of; to make unfriendly or less friendly; to fill with discontent and unfriendliness.
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They had attempted to disaffect and discontent his majesty's late army. Clarendon.
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2. To disturb the functions of; to disorder.
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It disaffects the bowels. Hammond.
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3. To lack affection for; to be alienated from, or indisposed toward; to dislike. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Disaffected, a. Alienated in feeling; not wholly loyal. J. H. Newman. -- Disaffectedly, adv. -- Disaffectedness, n.
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Disaffection (?), n. 1. State of being disaffected; alienation or want of affection or good will, esp. toward those in authority; unfriendliness; dislike.
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In the making laws, princes must have regard to . . . the affections and disaffections of the people. Jer. Taylor.
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2. Disorder; bad constitution. [R.] Wiseman.

Syn. -- Dislike; disgust; discontent; unfriendliness; alienation; disloyalty; hostility.
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Disaffectionate (?), a. Not disposed to affection; unfriendly; disaffected. [R.] Blount.
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Disaffirm (?), v. t. 1. To assert the contrary of; to contradict; to deny; -- said of that which has been asserted.
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2. (Law) To refuse to confirm; to annul, as a judicial decision, by a contrary judgment of a superior tribunal.
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Disaffirmance (?), n. 1. The act of disaffirming; denial; negation.
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2. (Law) Overthrow or annulment by the decision of a superior tribunal; as, disaffirmance of judgment.
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Disaffirmation (?), n. The act of disaffirming; negation; refutation.
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Disafforest (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Disafforested; p. pr. & vb. n. Disafforesting.] [Pref. dis- + afforest: cf. OF. desaforester.] (Eng. Law) To reduce from the privileges of a forest to the state of common ground; to exempt from forest laws.
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By charter 9 Henry III. many forests were disafforested. Blackstone.
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