DEFENCE-DEFERENT.

in defence of; to protect; to support; to vindicate; to uphold; to assert; to maintain; to fortify; to secare; to prohibit; to forbid; to maintain a place or cause against those who attack it; to repel; to keep off.

DEFENCE, de-fens', s. (defensio, Lat.) Guard; protection; security; vindication; justification; apology; resistance. In Law, the defendant's reply to the plaintiff's declaration; also, a general assertion that a plaintiff has no ground of action, which assertion is afterwards extended and maintained in the defendant's plea;-the science of defence; military skill; prohibition.-Obsolete in the last sense. In Fortification, the part that flanks another work;-v. a. to defend by fortification. Obsolete as a verb.

DEFFLY, def'fle, ad. Finely; nimbly. DEFIANCE, de-fi'ans, 8. (French.) A challenge; an invitation to fight; a challenge to make any impeachment good; disregard or contempt of danger or opposition; expression of abhorrence or contempt; a daring. DEFIATORY, de-fi'a-tur-e, a. a challenge.

Bearing defiance, or

8. (deficiens, Lat.)

defenced cities of Judah, and took them.-Isa. xxxvi. 1. DEFENCELESS, de-fens'les, a. Naked; unarmed; unguarded; not provided with defence; unprepared; impotent; unable to make resistance. DEFENCELESSLY, de-fens'les-le, ad. In an unprotected manner.

DEFENCELESSNESS, de-fens'les-nes, s. The state of being unguarded or unprotected. DEFENDABLE, de-fen'da bl, a. That may be defended.

DEFENDANT, de-fen'dant, a. Defensive; fit for defence;-8. one who defends against an assailant. In Law, the person accused or summoned into court, and who defends, denies, or opposes the demand or charge, and asserts his own right. DEFENDEMUS, def-en-de'mus, s. A word frequently used in feoffments and donations, binding the donor and his heirs to defend the donee against any attempt which may be made to lay any encambrance on the thing given other than what is imposed by the deed itself.

DEFENDER, de-fen'dur, s. One who defends or asserts any cause; a champion; one who vindicates or maintains his position; an advocate; one who defends another in a court of justice. Defender of the Faith, a title given by Pope Leo the Teath to Henry VIII., king of England, for writing against the Reformer, Martin Luther, in behalf of the Church of Rome. It is still retained by the sovereigns of England.

DEFENSATIVE, de-fen'sa-tiv, s. Guard; defence; a bandage or plaster used to secure a wound from external injury.

DEFENSIBLE, de-fen'se-bl, a. That may be defended; justifiable; right; capable of vindication. DEFENSIVE, de-fen'siv, a. (defensif, Fr.) That serves to defend; proper for defence; not offensive; in a state or posture of defence;-s. safeguard; state of defence.

DEFENSIVELY, de-fen'siv-le, ad. In a defensive manner; on the defensive.

DEFER, de-fer', v. n. (differo, Lat.) To put off; to delay to act; to pay deference or regard to ansther's opinion;-v. a. to withhold; to delay; to refer to; to leave to another's judgment and determination.

DEFERENCE, def'er-ens, &. Regard; respect; complaisance; condescension; submission to the judgment or opinion of another. DEFERENT, def'er-ent, a. That carries up and down;-. that which carries or conveys; a vessel in the human body for the conveyance of fluids. In Astronomy, a circle or oval curve, on which

DEFICIENCE, de-fish'ens,

less than is necessary; defect; failing; imperfection.

DEFICIENT, de-fish'ent, a. Failing; wanting; defective; imperfect; not having a full or adequate supply. Deficient numbers, in Arithmetic, those whose parts or multiples, added together, fall short of the integer, of which they are the parts, such is 8, its parts, 1, 2, and 4, making only 7. DEFICIENTLY, de-fish'ent-le, ad. In a defective

manner.

DEFICIT, def'e-sit, s. Want; deficiency. DEFIER, de-fi'ur, s. A challenger; one who puts at defiance danger or opposition. DEFIGURATION, de-fig-u-ra'shun, s. A change from a better to a worse form. DEFIGURE, de-figʻure, v. a. To delineate.-Obso

lete.

DEFILADING, de-fe-la'ding, s. In Fortification, that part, the object of which is to determine, (when the intended work would be commanded by eminences, within the range of fire-arms,) the directions or heights of the lines of rampart or parapet, so that the interior of the work may not be incommoded by a fire directed to it from such heights.

DEFILE, de-file', v. a. (afylan, Sax.) To make foul or impure; to make unclean or filthy; to pollute; to make legally or ritually impure; to corrupt chastity; to vitiate; to taint; to corrupt; to violate; to make guilty;-v. n. (defiler, Fr.) to march; to go off file by file.

DEFILE, de-file', s. (French.) A narrow passage or way through. which troops can pass only in file; a long narrow pass between hills, &c. DEFILED, de-fi'ld, a. part. Marched off in file; polluted; corrupted; violated; vitiated. DEFILEMENT, de-file'ment, s. The state of being defiled; the act of defiling; pollution; corruption; uncleanness; moral impurity.

DEFILER, de-fi'lur, s. One who defiles; one who

corrupts or violates; that which corrupts or taints. DEFINABLE, de-fi'na-bl, a. That may be defined; capable of definition; that may be fixed or ascertained.

DEFINABLY, de-fi'na-ble, ad. In a defining man

ner.

DEFINE, de-fine', v. a. (definio, Lat.) To give the definition; to explain a thing by its qualities and circumstances; to circumscribe; to mark the limit; to bound; to decide; to determine ;-v. n. to determine; to decide. DEFINER, de-fi'nur, s. One who explains or de

DEFINITE-DEFLUX.

fines; one who explains a thing by its qualities; one who ascertains or marks the limits of a thing. DEFINITE, defe-nit, a. (definitus, Lat.) Certain; limited; bounded; exact; precise; fixed; deterninate; s. the thing explained or defined. DEFINITELY, def'e-nit-le, ad. Precisely; in a definite manner.

DEFINITENESS, defe-nit-nes, s. Certainty; limitedness; determinateness.

DEFINITION, def-e-nish'un, s. (definitio, Lat.) A short description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word. In Logic, the explication of the essence of a thing by its kind and difference.

DEFINITIVE, de-fin'e-tiv, a. (definitivus, Lat.) Determinate; positive; express; applied to whatever terminates a process, question, &c., in opposition to provisional and interlocutory;-s. in Grammar, a word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of an appellative or common noun. DEFINITIVELY, de-fin'e-tiv-le, ad. Positively; decisively; expressly; determinately; conclusively. DEFINITIVENESS, de-fin'e- tiv-nes, s. Determi

nateness; decisiveness.

DEFIX, de-fiks', v. a. (defigo, Lat.) To fix; to fasten. Obsolete.

DEFLAGRABILITY, def-fla-gra-bil'e-te, s. Combustibility; the quality of taking fire and burning totally away.

DEFLAGRABLE, de-fla'gra-bl, a. Having the quality of wasting away wholly in fire, and leaving no residue.

DEFLAGRATE, def fla-grate, v. a. (deflagro, Lat.) To set fire to; to consume. DEFLAGRATION, def-fla-gra'shun, s. A kindling or setting fire to a substance. In Chemistry, the term is applied to sudden and rapid combustion, as when a mixture of charcoal and nitre is thrown into a red hot crucible, it burns with a sort of explosion, and is said to deflagrate.

DEFLECT, de-flekt', v. n. (deflecto, Lat.) To turn aside; to deviate from a true course or right line;

to swerve.

DEFLECTION, de-flek'shun, s. In Mathematics, a bending off; a term applied to the distance by which a curve departs from another curve, or from a straight line. It is also applied to any effect of curvature, or of continuous change of direction. DEFLEXURE, de-flek'sure, s. A bending down; a turning aside, or out of the way. DEFLORATE, defflo-rate, a. (defloratus, Lat.) In Botany, applied to a flower which has discharged its farin, pollen, or fecundating dust. DEFLORATION, def-flo-ra'shun, s. (French.) The act of deflouring; the taking away of a woman's virginity; a selection of that which is most valuable.

DEFLOUR, de-flowr', v. a. (deflorer, Fr.) To ravish; to take away a woman's chastity; to take away the beauty and grace of anything; to deprive of flowers.

DEFLOURER, de-flowr'ur, s. A ravisher; one who takes away a woman's chastity.

DEFLOW, de-flo', v. n. (defluo, Lat.) To flow or run as water.-Not used. DEFLUOUS, def'flu-ns, a. (defluus, Lat.) down; that falls off.

DEFLUX, de-fluks', s. (deflurus, Lat.)

flow.

That flows

Downward

DEFLUXION-DEFRAY.

DEFLUXION, de-fluk'shun, 8. (defluxio, Lat.) The falling or flowing of humours from a superior to an inferior part of the body, as a defluxion of the head or nose in catarrh.

DEFLY, defle, ad Dexterously; skilfully.-Obsolete.

Lo, how finely the graces can it foot
To the instrument,

They daunceu defly and singen soote
In their merriment.-Spenser.

DEFŒDATION, def-fe-da'shun, s. (defedation, old
Fr.) The act of making filthy; pollution.
DEFOLIATION, de-fo-le-a'shun, s. (de, and foliatio,
foliage, Lat.) The fall of the leaf, or shedding of
leaves; technically applied to the autumnal season,
when the leaves of trees and shrubs are shed.
DEFORCE, de-forse', v. a. (deforcer, old Fr.)
disseize and keep out of lawful possession of an
estate; to withhold the possession of an estate
from its rightful owner.

Το

DEFORCEMENT, de-forse'ment, s. The holding of lands or tenements to which another person has a right. In Scotland, a resisting of an officer in the execution of law.

DEFORCIANT, de-fore'shant, s. One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate; one against whom a fictitious action is brought in fine and recovery.

DEFORM, de-fawrm', v. a. (deformo, Lat.) To mar or injure the form; to alter that form or disposition of parts which is natural and esteemed beautiful; to disfigure; to make ugly; to render displeasing; to disgrace; to dishonour; to make ungraceful;-a. (deformis, Lat.) disfigured; of a distorted or irregular form; displeasing to the

eye.

DEFORMATION, de-for-ma'shun, s. A defacing; a disfiguring.

DEFORMED, de-fawrmd', a. part. Ugly; wanting
natural beauty; base; disgraceful.
DEFORMEDLY, de-fawr'med-le, ad.
In an ugly

manner.

Ugliness; a

One who defaces or

DEFORMEDNESS, de-fawr'med-nes, s. disagreeable or unnatural form. DEFORMER, de-fawr'mur, s. deforms. DEFORMITY, de fawr'ine-te, s. (deformitas, Lat.) Any unnatural state of the shape or form; want of that symmetry which constitutes beauty; ngliness; ill-favouredness; anything that destroys beauty, grace, or propriety; ridiculousness; irregularity; deviation from order or propriety. DEFORSER, de-for'sur, s. In Law, one that overcomes and casts out by force.-Obsolete. DEFOUL. See Defile.

To

DEFRAUD, de-frawd', v. a. (defrauda, Lat.) rob or deprive by a wile or trick; to cheat; to cozen; to deceive; to beguile; to withhold wrongfully from another what is due to him; to defeat or frustrate wrongfully.

DEFRAUDATION, de-fraw-da'shun, s. The act of defrauding; privation by fraud. DEFRAUDER, de-fraw'dur, s.

One who defrauds; one who takes from another his right by deception; a cozener; an embezzler; a peculator; a cheat. DEFRAUDMENT, de-frawd'ment, s. The act of defrauding; privation by deceit.

DEFRAY, de-fray', v. a. (defrayer, Fr.) To pay; to discharge, as cost or expense; to bear the

DEFRAYER-DEGENERATENESS.

charges of; to fill; to satisfy.-Obsolete in the

last two senses.

That nought but dire revenge his anger might defray. Spenser.

DEFEATER, de-fra'ur, s. One who pays or discharges expenses.

DEFRAYMENT, de-fra'ment, s. Payment.
DEFT, deft, a. Neat; handsome; spruce; proper;
fitting; ready; dexterous.-Seldom used."
Loud fits of laughter seiz'd the guests, to see
The limping god so deft at his new ministry.—

Dryden. DEFTER-DAR, def tar-dår, s. The book-keeper, a title given in Turkey to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his two coadjutors or deputies in the finance department.

DEFTLY, deft le, ad. Neatly; dexterously; in a skilful manner.-Obsolete.

Come, high or low,

Thyself and office deftly show.-Shaks. DEPTNESS, deft ́nes, s. Neatness; beauty.-Obsolete. DEFUNCT, de-fungkt', a. (defunctus, Lat.) Having finished the course of life; dead; deceased;-s. a dead person; one deceased. DEFUNCTION, de-fungk'shun, s. Death.-Obsolete. After defunction of King Pharamond.—Shaks. DEFY, de fi', v. a. (defier, Fr.) To dare; to provoke to combat or strife; to challenge; to offer to hazard a conflict by manifesting a contempt of opposition; to slight; to deny; to renounce ;(seldom used in the last two senses);-s. a challerge. Obsolete as a substantive.

At this the challenger, with fierce defy,
His trumpet sounds; the challeng'd makes reply.-
Dryden.

DEFTER.-See Defier.
DEGARNISH, de-gár'nish, v. a. (degarnir, Fr.) To
unfurnish; to strip of furniture, ornaments, or
apparatus; to deprive of a garrison, or troops ne-
cessary for defence.

DEGARNISHMENT, da-gar'rish-ment, 8. The act
of depriving of furniture, apparatus, or a garrison.
DEGENDER, de-jen ́dur, v. n. To degenerate.-
Obsolete.

So that next offspring of the Maker's love,
Next to himself in glorious degree,
Degendering to hate, fell from above
Through pride.-Spenser.

DEGENDERED, de-jen'durd, a. Degenerated.-Obsolete.

DEGENERACY, de-jen'er-a-se, s. A growing worse or inferior; a decline in good qualities, or a state of being less valuable; in morals, decay of virtue; a departure from the virtue of ancestors; deterioration of manners; meanness. DEGENERATE, de-jen'er-ate, v. n. (degenero, Lat.) To become worse; to decay in good qualities; to pass from a good or noble to a vicious or inferior state; to lose or suffer a diminution of valuable qualities, either in the natural or moral world;a having fallen from a perfect or good state, into a less excellent or worse state; unworthy; base; mean; corrupt; fallen from primitive or natural excellence; having lost the good qualities of the species.

DEGENERATELY, de-jen'er-ate-le, ad. In a degenerate or base manner.

DEGENERATENESS, de-jen'er-ate-nes, s. A degenerate state; a state in which the natural or

3Q

DEGENERATION-DEGREE.

primitive good qualities of the species are either decayed or lost. DEGENERATION, de-jen-er-a'shun, s. A growing worse or losing of good qualities; a deviation from the virtues of one's ancestors; a falling from a more excellent state to one of less worth, either in the natural or moral world; the thing changed from its better or primitive state. DEGENEROUS, de-jen'er-us, a. Degenerated; fallen from a state of excellence, or from the virtue and merit of ancestors; vile; base; infamous; unworthy.

DEGENEROUSLY, de-jen'er-us-le, ad. In a degenerate manner; basely; meanly. DEGLUTINATE, de-glu'te-nate, v. a. (deglutino, Lat.) To unglue; to loosen or separate substances glued together.

DEGLUTITION, deg-glu- tish'un, s. (deglutio, Lat.) The act of swallowing.

DEGRADATION, deg-gra-da'shun, s. (French.) A deprivation of dignity; dismission from office; degeneracy; baseness; diminution of strength, efficacy, or value; the act of depriving one of honour, dignity, or rank. In Painting, a lessening and obscuring of the appearance of distant objects in a landscape, that they may appear as they would do to an eye placed at a distance; diminution; reduction of altitude or magnitude. In Geology, the wearing away of rocks, beaches, banks, &c., by the action of water or other causes. DEGRADE, de-grade', v. a. (degrader, Fr.) To reduce from a higher to a lower degree or rank; to deprive one of any office or dignity, by which he loses rank in society; to reduce in estimation; to lessen the value of; to lower; to sink; to reduce in altitude or magnitude. DEGRADEMENT, de-grade'ment, s. Deprivation of dignity or office.

DEGRADINGLY, de-gra'ding-le, ad. In a degrading manner, or in a way to depreciate. DEGRAVATION, de-gra-va'shun, s. (de, and gravis, heavy, Lat.) The act of making heavy. DEGREE, de-gree', s. (degre, Fr.) Quality; rank; station; the comparative state and condition in which a thing is; a step or portion of progression; orders or classes; measure; proportion. In Genealogy, a certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of blood, as a relation in the third or fourth degree. In Geometry, a division of a circle, including a three hundred and sixtieth part of its circumference. Hence, a degree of latitude is the 360th part of the earth's surface, north or south of the equator, and a degree of longitude the same part of the surface, east or west of any given meridian. In Algebra, a term applied to equations, to distinguish the highest power of the unknown quantity; thus, if the index of that power be three or four, the equation is respectively of the third or fourth degree. In Music, an interval of sound, marked by a line on the scale. In Arithmetic, a degree consists of three figures; thus, 270, 360, compose two degrees. Also, a division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer or barometer. In colleges and universities, a mark of distinction conferred on students, as a testimony of their proficiency in arts and sciences, giving them a kind of rank, and entitling them to certain privileges. This is usually evidenced by a diploma. Degrees are conferred pro

489

DEGUELEA-DEILEPHILA.

meritis on the alumni of a college; or they are honorary tokens of respect conferred on strangers of distinguished reputation. The first degree is that of Bachelor of Arts; the second, that of Master of Arts. Honorary degrees are those of Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Laws, &c. Physicians also receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine. By degrees, step by step; gradually; by little and little; by moderate advances. Frequent drinking forms, by degrees, a confirmed habit of intemperance.' DEGUELEA, de-gu-e'le-a, s. (abridged assa-hapagara | undeguele, the Caribbean name.) A genus of plants, consisting of climbing Leguminous shrubs with white flowers: Suborder, Papilionacea. DEGUST, de-gust', v. a. (degusto, Lat.) To taste.Obsolete.

DEGUSTATION, de-gus-ta'shun, s. A tasting. DENISCE, de-his', v. n. (dehisco, Lat.) To gape. In Botany, to open as the capsules of plants. DEHISCENCE, de-his'sens, s. (dehiscens, Lat.) A gaping. In Botany, the opening of capsules; the season when capsules open; the opening of the parts of the capsules in plants, and of the cells of anthers for emitting pollen, &c.

DEHISCENT, de-his'sent, a. Gaping; opening: applied in Botany to the mode in which the anthers or the fruit burst open and discharge their

contents.

DEHONESTATE, de-hon'es-tate, v. a. To disgrace. DEHONESTATION, de-hon-es-ta'shun, s. Disgrace;

dishonour.

DEHORT, de-hawrt', v. a. (dehortor, Lat.) To dissuade; to advise to the contrary.—Seldom used. The apostles vehemently dchort us from unbelief.— Ward.

DEHORTATION, de-hawr-ta'shun, s. Dissuasion; advice or counsel against something. DEHORTATORY, de-hawr'ta-tur-e, a. Dissuading; belonging to dissuasion.

DEHORTER, de-hawr'tur, s. A dissuader; an adviser to the contrary.

DEICIDE, de'e-side, s. (deicidio, Ital.) The act of putting Jesus Christ our Saviour to death; one concerned in putting Christ to death.

DEIDAMIA, de-e-da'me-a, s. (a Mythological name for the daughter of Lycomedes, king of Scyros.) A genus of plants, consisting of climbing shrubs, natives of Madagascar.

DEIFIC, de-if ik, a. (deus, a god, and facio, I make, Lat.) Divine; relating to the gods; making divine.

DEIFICATION, de-c-fe-ka'slun, s. The act of deify

ing; the act of exalting to the rank of, or enrolling among the heathen deities. DEIFIER, de'c-fi-ur, s. One that deifies. DEIFORM, de'e-fawrm, a. (deus, and forma, form, Lat.) Like a god; of a godlike form. DEIFORMITY, de-e-fawr'ine-te, s.

deity.

Resemblance of

DEIFY, de'e-fi, v. a. To make a god of; to adore as a god; to enrol among the number of the deities; to reverence or praise as a deity; to exalt to a deity in estimation.

DEIGN, dane, v. n. (daigner, Fr.) To condescend; to think worthy; to vouchsafe;-v. a. to grant; to permit; to allow.

DEIGNING, da ning, s. A vouchsafing; a thinking worthy.

DEILEPHILA, de-e-lef'e-la, 8. (deile, evening, and

DEINOPSIS, de-e-nop'sis, s. (deinops, stern-visaged, Gr.) A genus of Coleopterous insects, belonging to the family Aleocharide, the distinguishing characteristic of which is, that the antennæ are inserted below the eyes.

DEINTEGRATE.-See Disintegrate.

DEIPAROUS, de-ip'a-rus, a. (Latin.) Bearing or bringing forth a god, an epithet applied to the Virgin Mary.

DEIPNOSOPHIST, de-ip-nos'o-fist, s. (deipnon, a feast, and sophistes, a sophist, Gr.) One of an ancient sect of philosophers who were famous for their learned conversation at meals.

DEISM, de'izm, s. (Deus, God.) Belief in the existence of a God, coupled with a denial that any of the writings professing to be revelations of His will are of divine origin; one who professes no form of religious worship, but follows the light of reason and nature as his only guides in doctrine and practice; a theist.

DEIST, de'ist, s. (deiste, Fr. deista, Ital.) One who acknowledges the existence of a God, but denies revealed religion; one who professes no form of religious belief, but takes the light of nature and reason as his only guides in doctrine and practice; a freethinker. DEISTIC, de-is'tik, DEISTICAL, de-is'te-kal,)

deism.

a. Relating to deists or to deism; embracing

DEITATE, de'e-tate, a. Made god.

DEITY, de'e-te, s. (deite, Fr.) Godhead; divinity; the nature and essence of the Supreme Being; God; the Supreme Being, or infinite self-existing Spirit; a fabulous god or goddess; a superior being supposed, by heathen nations, to exist and to preside over particular departments of natureas Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Diana, &c.; the supposed divinity of a heathen god; divine qualities.

The state of

DEJECT, de-jekt', v. a. (dejicio, Lat.) To cast down; to afflict; to grieve; to depress; to sink; to discourage; to crush; to dishearten; to change the form with grief; to make to look sad;—a. cast down; afflicted; low-spirited. DEJECTEDLY, de-jek ́ted-le, ad. In a dejected manner; sadly; heavily. DEJECTEDNESS, de-jek'ted-nes, 8. being cast down; lowness of spirits. DEJECTER, de-jek ́tur, s. One who dejects or casts Lowness of spirits; melancholy; depression of mind; weakness, as dejection of appetite;-(in the last sense unusual;) -the act of voiding the excrements, or the matter ejected.

down.

DEJECTION, de-jek'shun, s.

DELACERATION-DELEGATE.

fashionable world as synonymous with the more homely term luncheon. DELACERATION, de-las-ser-a'shun, s. (delacero, Lat.) A tearing in pieces.

DELACRYMATION, de-lak-re-ma'shun, s. (delacrysatio, Lat.) A preternatural discharge of watery humours from the eyes; waterishness of the eyes. DELACTATION, de-lak-ta'shun, s. (delactatio, Lat.) A weaning.

DELAPSATION, de-lap-sa'shun, s. A falling down. DELAPSE, de-laps', v. n. (delabor, delapsus, Lat.) To fall or slide down.

DELAPSION, de-lap'shun, s. A falling down of the uterus, anus, &c.

DELARIA, de-la're-a, s. (Delar, probably the name of some botanist.) A genus of Leguminous plants, consisting of shrubs with simple alternate leaves: Suborder, Casalpineæ.

DELATE, de-late', v. a. (delatus, Lat.) To carry; to convey;-(seldom used in the preceding senses); Try exactly the time wherein sound is delated.-Bacon. to accuse; to inform against. DELATION, de-la'shun, s. Carriage; conveyance;

seldom used in the preceding senses;) accusation; act of charging with a crime. DELATOR, de-la'tur, s. (Latin.) An accuser; an informer.

DELAY, de-la', v. a. (delai, Fr.) To defer; to put off; to hinder; to frustrate; to detain, stop, or retard the course of; to allay; to soften.-Obsolete in the last two senses;

Till time the tempest do thereof delay
With sufferaunce soft.-Spenser.

-.a. to stop; to cease from action;-s. a lingering or deferring; procrastination; inactivity; stay; stop. DELAYER, de-la'ur, s. One who defers or puts off; a lingerer.

DELAYMENT, de-laʼment, s. Hinderance; procrasGination.

DELCREDERE, del-kred'ur-e, 8. In Commerce, a name given to a commission to a factor, under which he receives an additional per centage to guarantee the solvency of purchasers. DELE, dele, v. a. (imperative of deleo, Lat.) To blot out; to erase.

DELEBLE, del'e-bl, a. (delebilis, Lat.) Capable of being effaced or blotted out.

DELECTABLE, de-lek'ta-bl, a. (delectabilis, Lat.) Delightful; highly pleasing; that gives great joy or pleasure.

DELECTABLENESs, de-lek'ta-bl-nes, s. Delightfulness; pleasantness.

DELECTABLY, de-lek'ta-ble, ad. Delightfully; pleasantly.

DELECTATION, de-lek-ta'shun, s. Great pleasure; delight.

A number of persons

DELEGACY, del'e-ga-se, s. delegated-Seldom used. DELEGATE, del'e-gate, v. a. (delego, Lat.) To send away; to send upon an embassy; to send with power to transact business; to intrust; to commit to another's jurisdiction; to appoint judges to hear and determine a particular cause;-s. a deputy; a commissioner; a vicar; a person appointed and sent by another with powers to transact business as his representative; a commissioner appointed by the crown under the great seal, to hear and determine appeals from the ecclesiastical court, hence the court of delegates is the great court of

DELEGATION-DELIBERATIVE.

appeal in all ecclesiastical causes. It is also used for the court of appeals from that of the Admiralty;-a. deputed; sent to act for or represent another.

DELEGATION, del-e-ga'shun, s. A sending away; the act of putting in commission, or of investing with authority to act for another; the appointment of a delegate; the person appointed to act for another, or for others. In Civil Law, the assignment of a debt to another, as when a debtor appoints his debtor to answer to the creditor in his place.

DELENIFICAL, de-len-if e-kal, a. Having the virtue to assuage or ease pain.

DELESSERIA, de-les-se're-a, s. (in honour of M. B. Delessert of Paris.) A genus of the Rose-tangles: Order, Ceramaceæ. DELESSERIÆ, de-les-se ́re-e, s. A suborder of the Ceramaces, in which the fronds are cellular; the coccidia enclosing closely-packed oblong granules, arising from the base, within a spherical cellular envelope which finally bursts; the tetraspores in definite heaps, or collected in sporophylls. DELETE, de-lete', v. a. (deleo, Lat.) To blot out. DELETERIOUS, del-e-te're-us, a. (deleterius, Lat.) Deadly; destructive; of a poisonous quality. DELETERY, del'e-ter-e, a. Destructive; deadly; poisonous.

DELETION, de-le'shun, s. (deletio, Lat.) The act of blotting out or erasing; destruction. DELETORY, del'e-tur-e, s. That which blots out. DELF, delf, s. (delfan, Sax.) A quarry or mine from which stone or coal is dug.-Stat. 31 Eliz. cap. 7.-Obsolete. DELFT-WARE, deft ware, DELF-WARE, delf'ware, made at Delft in Holland. DELIAC, de le-ak, s. (from Delos.) In the Arts, a kind of sculptured vase; also, beautiful bronze and silver.

8. A coarse kind of porcelain, originally

DELIBATE, del'e-bate, v. a. (delibo, Lat.) To taste; to take a sip.

DELIBATION, del-e-ba'shun, s. An essay; a taste. DELIBERATE, de-lib'ur-ate, v. n. (delibero, Lat.) To weigh in the mind; to consider and examine the reasons for and against a measure; to estimate the weight or force of arguments, or the probable results of a measure, in order to a choice or decision; to pause and consider;-v. a. to balance in the mind; to weigh; to consider;-a. circumspect; wary; advised; discreet; slow in determining; deliberation; not hasty or violent; gradual.

DELIBERATELY, de-lib'ur-ate-le, ad. Circumspectly; advisedly; warily; slowly; not rashly. DELIBERATENESS, de-lib'ur-ate-nes, s. Calm consideration; circumspection; wariness; coolness; caution.

DELIBERATION, de-lib-ur-a'shun, s. (deliberatio, Lat.) The act of deliberating; the act of weighing and sifting the reasons for and against a choice or measure; consideration; mutual discussion and examination of the reasons for and against a

measure.

DELIBERATIVE, de-lib ́ur-a-tiv, a. Pertaining to deliberation; proceeding or acting by deliberation or mutual discussion and examination; having a right or power to deliberate or discuss; apt to consider; a discourse in which a question is discussed, cr weighed and examined.

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