DIFFER — DILIGENCE
DIFFER, v.i. [L., to bear or move apart. See Bear.]
1. Literally, to be separate. Hence, to be unlike, dissimilar, distinct or various, in nature, condition, form or qualities; followed by from. Men differ from brutes; a statue differs from a picture; wisdom differs from folly.NWAD DIFFER.2
One star differeth from another star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15:41.NWAD DIFFER.3
2. To disagree; not to accord; to be of a contrary opinion. We are all free to differ in opinion, and sometimes our sentiments differ less than we at first suppose.NWAD DIFFER.4
3. To contend; to be at variance; to strive or debate in words; to dispute; to quarrel.NWAD DIFFER.5
Well never differ with a crowded pit.NWAD DIFFER.6
DIFFER, v.t. To cause to be different or various. A different dialect and pronunciation differs persons of divers countries. [This transitive use of the verb is not common, nor to be commended.]
DIFFERENCE, n.
1. The state of being unlike or distinct; distinction; disagreement; want of sameness; variation; dissimilarity. Difference may be total or partial, and exist in the nature and essence of things, in the form, the qualities or degrees. There is a difference in nature between animals and plants; a difference in form between the genera and species of animals; a difference of quality in paper; and a difference in degrees of heat, or of light.NWAD DIFFERENCE.2
2. The quality which distinguishes one thing from another.NWAD DIFFERENCE.3
3. Dispute; debate; contention; quarrel; controversy.NWAD DIFFERENCE.4
What was the difference? It was a contention in public.NWAD DIFFERENCE.5
4. The point in dispute; ground of controversy.NWAD DIFFERENCE.6
5. A logical distinction.NWAD DIFFERENCE.7
6. Evidences or marks of distinction.NWAD DIFFERENCE.8
The marks and differences of sovereignty.NWAD DIFFERENCE.9
7. Distinction.NWAD DIFFERENCE.10
There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek. Romans 10:12.NWAD DIFFERENCE.11
8. In mathematics, the remainder of a sum or quantity, after a lesser sum or quantity is subtracted.NWAD DIFFERENCE.12
9. In logic, an essential attribute, belonging to some species, and not found in the genus; being the idea that defines the species.NWAD DIFFERENCE.13
10. In heraldry, a certain figure added to a coat of arms, serving to distinguish one family from another, or to show how distant a younger branch is from the elder or principal branch.NWAD DIFFERENCE.14
DIFFERENCE, v.t. To cause a difference or distinction. A regular administration of justice according to fixed laws differences a civilized from a savage state.
DIFFERENT, a.
1. Distinct; separate; not the same; as, we belong to different churches or nations.NWAD DIFFERENT.2
2. Various or contrary; of various or contrary natures, forms or qualities; unlike; dissimilar; as different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence.NWAD DIFFERENT.3
DIFFERENTIAL, a. An epithet applied to an infinitely small quantity, so small as to be less than any assignable quantity. This is called a differential quantity. The differential method is applied to the doctrine of infinitesimals, or infinitely small quantities, called the arithmetic of fluxions. It consists in descending from whole quantities to their infinitely small differences, and comparing them. Hence it is called the differential calculus, or analysis of infinitesimals.
DIFFERENTLY, adv. In a different manner; variously. Men are differently affected with the same eloquence.
DIFFERING, ppr. Being unlike or distinct; disagreeing; contending.
DIFFICILE, a. [L.] Difficult; hard; scrupulous. [Not used.]
DIFFICILENESS, n. Difficulty to be persuaded. [Not used.]
DIFFICULT, a. [L., easy to be made or done; to make or do.]
1. Hard to be made, done or performed; not easy; attended with labor and pains; as, our task is difficult. It is difficult to persuade men to abandon vice. It is difficult to ascend a steep hill, or travel a bad road.NWAD DIFFICULT.2
2. Hard to be pleased; not easily wrought upon; not readily yielding; not compliant; unaccommodating; rigid; austere; not easily managed or persuaded; as a difficult man; a person of a difficult temper.NWAD DIFFICULT.3
3. Hard to be ascended as a hill, traveled as a road, or crossed as a river, etc. We say, a difficult ascent; a difficult road; a difficult river to cross; etc.NWAD DIFFICULT.4
DIFFICULTY, n. [L.]
1. Hardness to be done or accomplished; the state of any thing which renders its performance laborious or perplexing; opposed to easiness or facility; as the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of labor and difficulty.NWAD DIFFICULTY.2
2. That which is hard to be performed or surmounted. We often mistake difficulties for impossibilities. To overcome difficulties is an evidence of a great mind.NWAD DIFFICULTY.3
3. Perplexity; embarrassment of affairs; trouble; whatever renders progress or execution of designs laborious. We lie under many difficulties, by reason of bad markets, or a low state of trade.NWAD DIFFICULTY.4
4. Objection; obstacle to belief; that which cannot be easily understood, explained or believed, Men often raise difficulties concerning miracles and mysteries in religion, which candid research will remove.NWAD DIFFICULTY.5
5. In a popular sense, bodily complaints; indisposition.NWAD DIFFICULTY.6
DIFFIDE, v.i. [L., to trust.] To distrust; to have no confidence in. [Little used.]
DIFFIDENCE, n. [L., to trust. See Faith.]
1. Distrust; want of confidence; any doubt of the power, ability or disposition of others. It is said there was a general diffidence of the strength and resources of the nation, and of the sincerity of the king.NWAD DIFFIDENCE.2
2. More generally, distrust of ones self; want of confidence in our own power, competency, correctness or wisdom; a doubt respecting some personal qualification. We speak or write with diffidence, when we doubt our ability to speak or write correctly or to the satisfaction of others. The effect of diffidence is some degree of reserve, modesty, timidity or bashfulness. Hence,NWAD DIFFIDENCE.3
3. Modest reserve; a moderate degree of timidity or bashfulness; as, he addressed the audience or the prince with diffidence.NWAD DIFFIDENCE.4
DIFFIDENT, a.
1. Distrustful; wanting confidence; doubting of anothers power, disposition, sincerity or intention.NWAD DIFFIDENT.2
Be not diffident of wisdom.NWAD DIFFIDENT.3
Be diffident in dealing with strangers.NWAD DIFFIDENT.4
2. Distrustful of ones self; not confident; doubtful of ones own power or competency.NWAD DIFFIDENT.5
Distress makes the humble heart diffident.NWAD DIFFIDENT.6
3. Reserved; modest; timid; as a diffident youth.NWAD DIFFIDENT.7
DIFFIDENTLY, adv. With distrust; in a distrusting manner; modestly.
DIFFLUENCE, DIFFLUENCY, n. [L.] A flowing or falling away on all sides.
DIFFLUENT, a. Flowing away on all sides; not fixed.
DIFFORM, a. [L.]
1. Irregular in form; not uniform; anomalous; as a difform flower or corol, the parts of which do not correspond in size or proportion; so difform leaves.NWAD DIFFORM.2
2. Unlike; dissimilar.NWAD DIFFORM.3
The unequal refractions of difform rays.NWAD DIFFORM.4
DIFFORMITY, n. Irregularity of form; want of uniformity.
DIFFRANCHISE, DIFFRANCHISEMENT, [See Disfranchise, which is the word in use.]
DIFFUSE, v.t. diffuze. [L., to pour, to spread.]
1. To pour out and spread, as a fluid; to cause to flow and spread.NWAD DIFFUSE.2
The river rose and diffused its waters over the adjacent plain.NWAD DIFFUSE.3
2. To spread; to send out or extend in all directions; to disperse. Flowers diffuse their odors. The fame of Washington is diffused over Europe. The knowledge of the true God will be diffused over the earth.NWAD DIFFUSE.4
DIFFUSE, a.
1. Widely spread; dispersed.NWAD DIFFUSE.6
2. Copious; prolix; using many words; giving full descriptions; as, Livy is a diffuse writer.NWAD DIFFUSE.7
3. Copious; verbose; containing full or particular accounts; concise; as a diffuse style.NWAD DIFFUSE.8
DIFFUSED, pp. Diffuzed.
1. Spread; dispersed.NWAD DIFFUSED.2
2. Loose; flowing; wild.NWAD DIFFUSED.3
DIFFUSEDLY, adv. Diffuzedly. In a diffused manner; with wide dispersion.
DIFFUSEDNESS, n. Diffuzedness. The state of being widely spread.
DIFFUSELY, adv.
1. Widely; extensively.NWAD DIFFUSELY.2
2. Copiously; with many words; fully.NWAD DIFFUSELY.3
DIFFUSIBILITY, n. Diffuzibility. The quality of being diffusible, or capable of being spread; as the diffusibility of clay in water.
DIFFUSIBLE, a. Diffuzible. That may flow or be spread in all directions; that may be dispersed; as diffusible stimuli.
DIFFUSIBLENESS, n. s as z. Diffusibility.
DIFFUSION, n. s as z.
1. A spreading or flowing of a liquid substance or fluid, in a lateral as well as a lineal direction; as the diffusion of water; the diffusion of air or light.NWAD DIFFUSION.2
2. A spreading or scattering; dispersion; as a diffusion of dust or of seeds.NWAD DIFFUSION.3
3. A spreading; extension; propagation; as the diffusion of knowledge, or of good principles.NWAD DIFFUSION.4
4. Copiousness; exuberance, as of style. [Little used.]NWAD DIFFUSION.5
DIFFUSIVE, a. Having the quality of diffusing, or spreading by flowing, as liquid substances or fluids; or of dispersing, as minute particles. Water, air and light; dust, smoke and odors, are diffusive substances.
2. Extended; spread widely; extending in all directions; extensive; as diffusive charity or benevolence.NWAD DIFFUSIVE.2
DIFFUSIVELY, adv. Widely; extensively; every way.
DIFFUSIVENESS, n.
1. The power of diffusing, or state of being diffused; dispersion.NWAD DIFFUSIVENESS.2
2. Extension, or extensiveness; as the diffusiveness of benevolence.NWAD DIFFUSIVENESS.3
3. The quality or state of being diffuse, as an author or his style; verboseness; copisousness of words or expression.NWAD DIFFUSIVENESS.4
DIG, v.t. pret. Digger or dug; pp. Digged or dug. [G.]
1. To open and break or turn up the earth with a spade or other sharp instrument.NWAD DIG.2
Be first to dig the ground.NWAD DIG.3
2. To excavate; to form an opening in the earth by digging and removing the loose earth; as, to dig a well, a pit or a mine.NWAD DIG.4
3. To pierce or open with a snout or by other means, as swine or moles.NWAD DIG.5
4. To pierce with a pointed instrument; to thrust in.NWAD DIG.6
Still for the growing liver digged his breast.NWAD DIG.7
To dig down, is to undermine and cause to fall by digging; as, to dig down a wall.NWAD DIG.8
To dig out, or to dig from, is to obtain by digging; as, to dig coals from a mine; to dig out fossils. But the preposition is often omitted, and it is said, the men are digging coals, or digging iron ore. In such phrases, some word is understood; They are digging out ore, or digging for coals, or digging ore from the earth.NWAD DIG.9
To dig up, is to obtain something from the earth by opening it, or uncovering the thing with a spade or other instrument, or to force out from the earth by a bar; as, to dig up a stone.NWAD DIG.10
DIG, v.i.
1. To work with a spade or other piercing instrument; to do servile work.NWAD DIG.12
I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. Luke 16:3.NWAD DIG.13
2. To work in search of; to search.NWAD DIG.14
They dig for it, more than for hid treasures. Job 3:21.NWAD DIG.15
To dig in, is to pierce with a spade or other pointed instrument.NWAD DIG.16
Son of man, dig now in the wall. Ezekiel 8:8.NWAD DIG.17
To dig through, to open a passage through; to make an opening from one side to the other.NWAD DIG.18
DIGAMMA, n. [Gr., double gamma.] The name of F, most absurdly given to that letter, when first invented or used by the Eolians, on account of its figure. A letter should be named from its sound, and not from its shape. The letter is ef.
DIGAMY, n. Second marriage. [Not in use.]
DIGASTRIC, a. [Gr., belly.] Having a double belly; an epithet given to a muscle of the lower jaw.
DIGERENT, a. [L.] Digesting. [Not in use.]
DIGEST, n. [L., put in order.]
1. A collection or body of Roman laws, digested or arranged under proper titles by order of the Emperor Justinian. A pandect.NWAD DIGEST.2
2. Any collection, compilation, abridgment or summary of laws, disposed under proper heads or titles; as the digest of Comyns.NWAD DIGEST.3
DIGEST, v.t. [L., to distribute, or to dissolve; to bear, carry, or wear.]
1. To distribute into suitable classes, or under proper heads or titles; to arrange in convenient order; to dispose in due method; as, to digest the Roman laws or the common law.NWAD DIGEST.5
2. To arrange methodically in the mind; to form with due arrangement of parts; as, to digest a plan or scheme.NWAD DIGEST.6
3. To separate or dissolve in the stomach, as food; to reduce to minute parts fit to enter the lacteals and circulate; to concoct; to covert into chyme.NWAD DIGEST.7
4. In chemistry, to soften and prepare by heat; to expose to a gentle heat in a boiler or matrass, as a preparation for chemical operations.NWAD DIGEST.8
5. To bear with patience; to brook; to receive without resentment; not to reject; as, say what you will, he will digest it.NWAD DIGEST.9
6. To prepare in the mind; to dispose in a manner that shall improve the understanding and heart; to prepare for nourishing practical duties; as, to digest a discourse or sermon.NWAD DIGEST.10
7. To dispose an ulcer or wound to suppurate.NWAD DIGEST.11
8. To dissolve and prepare for manure, as plants and other substances.NWAD DIGEST.12
DIGEST, v.i.
1. To be prepared by heat.NWAD DIGEST.14
2. To suppurate; to generate laudable pus; as an ulcer or wound.NWAD DIGEST.15
3. To dissolve and be prepared for manure, as substances in compost.NWAD DIGEST.16
DIGESTED, pp. Reduced to method; arranged in due order; concocted or prepared in the stomach or by a gentle heat; received without rejection; borne; disposed for use.
DIGESTER, n.
1. He that digests or disposes in order.NWAD DIGESTER.2
2. One who digests his food.NWAD DIGESTER.3
3. A medicine or article of food that aids digestion, or strengthens the digestive power of the stomach.NWAD DIGESTER.4
4. A strong vessel contrived by Papin, in which to boil bony substances with a strong heat, and reduce them to a fluid state, or in general, to increase the solvent power of water.NWAD DIGESTER.5
DIGESTIBILITY, n. The quality of being digestible.
DIGESTIBLE, a. Capable of being digested.
DIGESTING, ppr. Arranging in due order, or under proper heads; dissolving and preparing for circulation in the stomach; softening and preparing by heat; disposing for practice; disposing to generate pus; brooking; reducing by heat to a fluid state.
DIGESTION, n. [L.]
1. The conversion of food into chyme, or the process of dissolving aliment in the stomach and preparing it for circulation and nourishment. A good digestion is essential to health.NWAD DIGESTION.2
2. In chemistry, the operation of exposing bodies to a gentle heat, to prepare them for some action on each other; or the slow action of a solvent on any substance.NWAD DIGESTION.3
3. The act of methodizing and reducing to order; the maturation of a design.NWAD DIGESTION.4
4. The process of maturing an ulcer or wound, and disposing it to generate pus; or the generation of matter.NWAD DIGESTION.5
5. The process of dissolution and preparation of substances for manure, as in compost.NWAD DIGESTION.6
DIGESTIVE, a.
1. Having the power to cause digestion in the stomach; as a digestive preparation or medicine.NWAD DIGESTIVE.2
2. Capable of softening and preparing by heat.NWAD DIGESTIVE.3
3. Methodizing; reducing to order; as digestive thought.NWAD DIGESTIVE.4
4. Causing maturation in wounds or ulcers.NWAD DIGESTIVE.5
5. Dissolving.NWAD DIGESTIVE.6
DIGESTIVE, n.
1. In medicine, any preparation or medicine which increases the tone of the stomach, and aids digestion; a stomachic; a corroborant.NWAD DIGESTIVE.8
2. In surgery, an application which ripens an ulcer or wound, or disposes it to suppurate.NWAD DIGESTIVE.9
Digestive salt, the muriate of potash.NWAD DIGESTIVE.10
DIGESTURE, n. Concoction; digestion. [Little used.]
DIGGED, pret. and pp. of dig.
DIGGER, n. One who digs; one who opens, throws up and breaks the earth; one who opens a well, pit, trench or ditch.
DIGHT, v.t. dite. [L.] To prepare; to put in order; hence, to dress, or put on; to array; to adorn. [Obsolete, or used only in poetry.]
DIGIT, n. [L., a finger, that is, a shoot; Gr.]
1. The measure of a fingers breadth, or three fourths of an inch.NWAD DIGIT.2
2. The twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon; a term used to express the quantity of an eclipse; as, an eclipse of six digits is one which hides one half of the disk.NWAD DIGIT.3
3. In arithmetic, any integer under 10; so called from counting on the fingers. Thus 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, are called digits.NWAD DIGIT.4
DIGITAL, a. [L.] Pertaining to the fingers, or to digits.
DIGITATE, DIGITATED, a. In botany, a digitate leaf is one which branches into several distinct leaflets like fingers; or when a simple, undivided petiole connects several leaflets at the end of it.
DIGLADIATE, v.t. [L.] To fence; to quarrel. [Little used.]
DIGLADIATION, n. A combat with swords; a quarrel.
DIGNIFICATION, n. [See Dignify.] The act of dignifying; exaltation; promotion.
DIGNIFIED, pp. [See Dignify.]
1. Exalted; honored; invested with dignity; as the dignified clergy.NWAD DIGNIFIED.2
2. a. Marked with dignity; noble; as dignified conduct, or manner.NWAD DIGNIFIED.3
To the great astonishment of the Jews, the manners of Jesus are familiar, yet dignified.NWAD DIGNIFIED.4
DIGNIFY, v.t. [L., worthy; to make.]
1. To invest with honor or dignity; to exalt in rank; to promote; to elevate to a high office.NWAD DIGNIFY.2
2. To honor; to make illustrious; to distinguish by some excellence, or that which gives celebrity.NWAD DIGNIFY.3
Your worth will dignify our feast.NWAD DIGNIFY.4
DIGNITARY, n. An ecclesiastic who holds a dignity, or a benefice which gives him some pre-eminence over mere priests and canons, as a bishop, dean, archdeacon, prebendary, etc.
DIGNITY, n. [L., worthy.]
1. True honor; nobleness or elevation of mind, consisting in a high sense of propriety, truth and justice, with an abhorrence of mean and sinful actions; opposed to meanness. In this sense, we speak of the dignity of mind, and dignity of sentiments. This dignity is based on moral rectitude; all vice is incompatible with true dignity of mind. The man who deliberately injures another, whether male or female, has no true dignity of soul.NWAD DIGNITY.2
2. Elevation; honorable place or rank of elevation; degree of excellence, either in estimation, or in the order of nature. Man is superior in dignity to brutes.NWAD DIGNITY.3
3. Elevation of aspect; grandeur of mein; as a man of native dignity.NWAD DIGNITY.4
4. Elevation of deportment; as dignity of manners or behavior.NWAD DIGNITY.5
5. An elevated office, civil or ecclesiastical, giving a high rank in society; advancement; preferment, or the rank attached to it. We say, a man enjoys his dignity with moderation, or without haughtiness. Among ecclesiastics, dignity is office or preferment joined with power or jurisdiction.NWAD DIGNITY.6
6. The rank or title of a nobleman.NWAD DIGNITY.7
7. In oratory, one of the three parts of elocution, consisting in the right use of tropes and figures.NWAD DIGNITY.8
8. In astrology, an advantage which a planet has on account of its being in some particular place of the zodiac, or in a particular station in respect to other planets.NWAD DIGNITY.9
9. A general maxim, or principle. [Not used.]NWAD DIGNITY.10
DIGNOTION, n. [L.] Distinguishing mark; distinction. [Not in use.]
DIGONOUS, a. [Gr., an angle.] In botany, having two angles, as a stem.
DIGRAPH, n. [Gr., to write.] A union of two vowels, of which one only is pronounced, as in head, breath.
DIGRESS, v.i. [L., to step. See Grade.]
1. Literally, to step or go from the way or road; hence, to depart or wander from the main subject, design or tenor of a discourse, argument or narration; used only of speaking or writing.NWAD DIGRESS.2
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.NWAD DIGRESS.3
2. To go out of the right way or common track; to deviate; in a literal sense. [Not now in use.]NWAD DIGRESS.4
DIGRESSING, ppr. Departing from the main subject.
DIGRESSION, n. [L.]
1. The act of digressing; a departure from the main subject under consideration; an excursion of speech or writing.NWAD DIGRESSION.2
2. The part or passage of a discourse, argument or narration, which deviates from the main subject, tenor or design, but which may have some relation to it, or be of use to it.NWAD DIGRESSION.3
3. Diviation from a regular course; as, the digression of the sun is not equal. [Little used.]NWAD DIGRESSION.4
DIGRESSIONAL, a. Pertaining to or consisting in digression; departing from the main purpose or subject.
DIGRESSIVE, a. Departing from the main subject; partaking of the nature of digression.
DIGRESSIVELY, adv. By way of digression.
DIGYN, n. [Gr., two; a female.] In botany, a plant having two pistils.
DIGYNIAN, a. Having two pistils.
DIHEDRAL, a. [Gr., supra; a seat or face.] Having two sides, as a figure.
DIHEDRON, n. [Supra.] A figure with two sides or surfaces.
DIHEXAHEDRAL, a. [di and hexahedral.] In crystalography, having the form of a hexahedral prism with trihedral summits.
DIJUDICATE, v.t. [L.] To judge or determine by censure.
DIJUDICATION, n. Judicial distinction.
DIKE, n. [G. See Dig. It is radically the same word as ditch, and this is its primary sense; but by an easy transition, it came to signify also the bank formed by digging and throwing up earth. Intrenchment is sometimes used both for a ditch and a rampart.]
1. A ditch; an excavation made in the earth by digging, of greater length than breadth, intended as a reservoir of water, a drain, or for other purpose.NWAD DIKE.2
2. A mound of earth, of stones, or of other materials, intended to prevent low lands, from being inundated by the sea or a river. The low countries of Holland are thus defended by dikes.NWAD DIKE.3
3. A vein of basalt, greenstone or other stony substance.NWAD DIKE.4
DIKE, v.t. To surround with a dike; to secure by a bank.
DIKE, v.i. To dig. [Not in use.]
DILACERATE, v.t. [L., to tear.] To tear; to rend asunder; to separate by force.
DILACERATED, pp. Torn; rent asunder.
DILACERATING, ppr. Tearing; rending in two.
DILACERATION, n. The act of rending asunder; a tearing, or rending. [In lieu of these words, lacerate, laceration, are generally used.]
DILANIATE, v.t. [L., to rend in pieces.] To tear; to rend in pieces; to mangle. [Little used.]
DILANIATION, n. A tearing in pieces.
DILAPIDATE, v.i. [L., to stone; a stone. It seems originally to have signified to pull down stone-work, or to suffer such work to fall to pieces.] To go to ruin; to fall by decay.
DILAPIDATE, v.t.
1. To pull down; to waste or destroy; to suffer to go to ruin.NWAD DILAPIDATE.3
If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony of the church--NWAD DILAPIDATE.4
2. To waste; to squander.NWAD DILAPIDATE.5
DILAPIDATED, pp. Wasted; ruined; pulled down; suffered to go to ruin.
DILAPIDATING, ppr. Wasting; pulling down; suffering to go to ruin.
DILAPIDATION, n.
1. Ecclesiastical waste; a voluntary wasting or suffering to go to decay any building in possession of an incumbent. Dilapidation is voluntary or active, when an incumbent pulls down a building; permissive or passive, when he suffers it to decay and neglects to repair it. Dilapidation extends to the waste or destruction of wood, and other property of the church.NWAD DILAPIDATION.2
2. Destruction; demolition; decay; ruin.NWAD DILAPIDATION.3
3. Peculation.NWAD DILAPIDATION.4
DILAPIDATOR, n. One who causes dilapidation.
DILATABILITY, n. [See Dilate.] The quality of admitting expansion by the elastic force of the body itself, or of another elastic substance acting upon it; opposed to contractibility.
DILATABLE, a. Capable of expansion; possessing elasticity; elastic. A bladder is dilatable by the force of air; air is dilatable by heat. It is opposed to contractible.
DILATATION, n. The act of expanding; expansion; a spreading or extending in all directions; the state of being expanded; opposed to contraction. Dilatation differs from extension, as the latter is applied to lines and surfaces; the former to bodies that spread, open or enlarge in all directions. A line or a plain is extended; a bladder, an artery, a balloon is dilated.
DILATE, v.t. [L. See Delay.]
1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; opposed to contract. The air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by rarefaction.NWAD DILATE.2
2. To enlarge; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely; as, to dilate upon the policy of a measure. In this sense, it is generally used intransitively. Spenser and Shakespeare have used it in a transitive sense; as, to dilate a theme.NWAD DILATE.3
DILATE, a. Expanded; expansive.
DILATED, pp. Expanded; distended; enlarge so as to occupy a greater space.
DILATER, n. One who enlarges; that which expands.
DILATING, ppr. Expanding; enlarging; speaking largely.
DILATOR, n. That which widens or expands; a muscle that dilates.
DILATORILY, adv. With delay; tardily.
DILATORINESS, n. [from dilatory.] The quality of being dilatory or late; lateness; slowness in motion; delay in proceeding; tardiness.
DILATORY, a. [L. See Delay and Dilate.]
1. Literally, drawing out or extending in time; hence, slow; late; tardy; applied to things; as dilatory councils or measures.NWAD DILATORY.2
2. Given to procrastination; not proceeding with diligence; making delay; slow; late; applied to persons; as a dilatory messenger. A man is dilatory, when he delays attendance, or performance of business, beyond the proper time.NWAD DILATORY.3
3. In law, intended to make delay; tending to delay; as a dilatory plea, which is designed or which tends to delay the trial of a cause.NWAD DILATORY.4
DILECTION, n. [L.] A loving.
DILEMMA, n. [Gr., a syllogism which strikes on each side; an assumption; to take.]
1. In logic, an argument equally conclusive by contrary suppositions. A young rhetorician said to an old sophist; Instruct me in pleading, and I will pay you, when I gain a cause. The master sued for the reward, and the scholar endeavored to elude the claim by a dilemma. If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the award of the judge will be against you. It I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause. The master replied: 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 you are to pay me, when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it.NWAD DILEMMA.2
2. A difficult or doubtful choice; a state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue.NWAD DILEMMA.3
A strong dilemma in a desperate case!NWAD DILEMMA.4
To act with infamy, or quit the place.NWAD DILEMMA.5
DILETTANTE, n. One who delights in promoting science or the fine arts.
DILIGENCE, n. [L., to love earnestly; to choose.]
1. Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity.NWAD DILIGENCE.2
Diligence is the philosophers stone that turns every thing to gold.NWAD DILIGENCE.3
Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10.NWAD DILIGENCE.4
2. Care; heed; heedfulness.NWAD DILIGENCE.5
Keep thy heart with all diligence. Proverbs 4:23.NWAD DILIGENCE.6
3. The name of a stage-coach, used in France.NWAD DILIGENCE.7