Decidable De·cid"a·ble adjective Capable of being decided; determinable.

Decide De·cide" transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Decided ; present participle & verbal noun Deciding .] [ Latin decīdere ; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; probably akin to English shed , v.: confer French décider . Confer Decision .] 1. To cut off; to separate. [ Obsolete]

Our seat denies us traffic here;
The sea, too near, decides us from the rest.

Fuller.

2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.

So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

1 Kings xx. 40.

The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then.

Shak.

Decide De·cide" intransitive verb To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant.

Who shall decide , when doctors disagree?

Pope.

Decided De·cid"ed adjective 1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage. "A more decided taste for science." Prescott.

2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose; fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion or purpose.

Syn. -- Decided , Decisive . We call a thing decisive when it has the power or quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak of it as decided when it is so fully settled as to leave no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is one about which there is no question; a decisive victory is one which ends the contest. Decisive is applied only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a decisive decree, a decisive judgment. Decided is applied equally to persons and things. Thus we speak of a man as decided in his whole of conduct; and as having a decided disgust, or a decided reluctance, to certain measures. "A politic caution, a guarded circumspection, were among the ruling principles of our forefathers in their most decided conduct." Burke. "The sentences of superior judges are final, decisive , and irrevocable. Blackstone.

Decidedly De·cid"ed·ly adverb In a decided manner; indisputably; clearly; thoroughly.

Decidement De·cide"ment noun Means of forming a decision. [ Obsolete] Beau. & Fl.

Decidence Dec"i·dence noun [ Latin decidens falling off.] A falling off. [ R.] Sir T. Browne.

Decider De·cid"er noun One who decides.

Decidua De·cid"u·a noun [ New Latin , from Latin deciduus . See Deciduous .] (Anat.) The inner layer of the wall of the uterus, which envelops the embryo, forms a part of the placenta, and is discharged with it.

Deciduata De·cid`u·a"ta noun plural [ New Latin ] (Zoology) A group of Mammalia in which a decidua is thrown off with, or after, the fetus, as in the human species.

Deciduate De·cid"u·ate adjective (Anat.) Possessed of, or characterized by, a decidua.

Deciduity Dec`i·du"i·ty noun Deciduousness. [ R.]

Deciduous De·cid"u·ous adjective [ Latin deciduus , from dec...dere to fall off; de- + cadere to fall. See Chance .] (Biol.) Falling off, or subject to fall or be shed, at a certain season, or a certain stage or interval of growth, as leaves (except of evergreens) in autumn, or as parts of animals, such as hair, teeth, antlers, etc.; also, shedding leaves or parts at certain seasons, stages, or intervals; as, deciduous trees; the deciduous membrane.

Deciduousness De·cid"u·ous·ness noun The quality or state of being deciduous.

Decigram, Decigramme Dec"i·gram, Dec"i·gramme noun [ French décigramme ; prefix déci- tenth (fr. Latin decimus ) + gramme .] A weight in the metric system; one tenth of a gram, equal to 1.5432 grains avoirdupois.

Decil, Decile Dec"il, Dec"ile noun [ French décil , from Latin decem ten... confer Italian decile .] (Astrol.) An aspect or position of two planets, when they are distant from each other a tenth part of the zodiac, or 36°.

Deciliter, Decilitre Dec"i·li`ter, Dec"i·li`tre noun [ French décilitre ; prefix déci- tenth (L. decimus ) + litre . See Liter .] A measure of capacity or volume in the metric system; one tenth of a liter, equal to 6.1022 cubic inches, or 3.38 fluid ounces.

Decillion De·cil"lion noun [ Latin decem ten + the ending of million .] According to the English notation, a million involved to the tenth power, or a unit with sixty ciphers annexed; according to the French and American notation, a thousand involved to the eleventh power, or a unit with thirty-three ciphers annexed. [ See the Note under Numeration .]

Decillionth De·cil"lionth adjective Pertaining to a decillion, or to the quotient of unity divided by a decillion.

Decillionth De·cil"lionth noun (a) The quotient of unity divided by a decillion. (b) One of a decillion equal parts.

Decimal Dec"i·mal adjective [ French décimal (cf. Late Latin decimalis ), from Latin decimus tenth, from decem ten. See Ten , and confer Dime .] Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage.

Decimal arithmetic , the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens. -- Decimal fraction , a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as &frac2x10;, &fract25x100;, and is usually not expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as .2, .25. -- Decimal point , a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.

Decimal Dec"i·mal noun A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction.

Circulating , or Circulatory , decimal , a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; - - called also recurring decimal , repeating decimal , and repetend .

Decimalism Dec"i·mal·ism noun The system of a decimal currency, decimal weights, measures, etc.

Decimalize Dec"i·mal·ize transitive verb To reduce to a decimal system; as, to decimalize the currency. -- Dec`i*mal*i*za"tion noun

Decimally Dec"i·mal·ly adverb By tens; by means of decimals.

Decimate Dec"i·mate transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Decimated ; present participle & verbal noun Decimating .] [ Latin decimatus , past participle of decimare to decimate (in senses 1 & 2), from decimus tenth. See Decimal .] 1. To take the tenth part of; to tithe. Johnson.

2. To select by lot and punish with death every tenth man of; as, to decimate a regiment as a punishment for mutiny. Macaulay.

3. To destroy a considerable part of; as, to decimate an army in battle; to decimate a people by disease.

Decimation Dec`i·ma"tion noun [ Latin decimatio : confer French décimation .] 1. A tithing. [ Obsolete] State Trials (1630).

2. A selection of every tenth person by lot, as for punishment. Shak.

3. The destruction of any large proportion, as of people by pestilence or war. Milman.

Decimator Dec"i·ma`tor noun [ Confer Late Latin decimator .] One who decimates. South.

Décime Dé`cime" noun [ French] A French coin, the tenth part of a franc, equal to about two cents.

Decimeter, Decimetre Dec"i·me`ter, Dec"i·me`tre noun [ French décimètre ; prefix déci- tenth (fr. Latin decimus ) + mètre . See Meter .] A measure of length in the metric system; one tenth of a meter, equal to 3.937 inches.

Decimosexto Dec`i·mo·sex"to noun [ Prop., in sixteenth; from Latin decimus tenth + sextus sixth.] A book consisting of sheets, each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of book; - - usually written 16mo or 16°.

Decimosexto Dec`i·mo·sex"to adjective Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; as, a decimosexto form, book, leaf, size.

Decine De"cine noun [ From Latin decem ten.] (Chemistry) One of the higher hydrocarbons, C10H15, of the acetylene series; -- called also decenylene .

Decipher De·ci"pher transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Deciphered ; present participle & verbal noun Deciphering .] [ Prefix de- + cipher . Formed in imitation of French déchiffrer . See Cipher .] 1. To translate from secret characters or ciphers into intelligible terms; as, to decipher a letter written in secret characters.

2. To find out, so as to be able to make known the meaning of; to make out or read, as words badly written or partly obliterated; to detect; to reveal; to unfold.

3. To stamp; to detect; to discover. [ R.]

You are both deciphered , . . .
For villains.

Shak.

Decipherable De·ci"pher·a·ble adjective Capable of being deciphered; as, old writings not decipherable .

Decipherer De·ci"pher·er noun One who deciphers.

Decipheress De·ci"pher·ess noun A woman who deciphers.

Decipherment De·ci"pher·ment noun The act of deciphering.

Decipiency De·cip"i·en·cy noun [ Latin decipiens , present participle of decipere . See Deceive .] State of being deceived; hallucination. [ Obsolete] Sir T. Browne.

Decipium De·cip"i·um noun [ New Latin , from Latin decipere to deceive.] (Chemistry) A supposed rare element, said to be associated with cerium, yttrium, etc., in the mineral samarskite, and more recently called samarium . Symbol Dp. See Samarium .

Decision De·ci"sion noun [ Latin decisio , from decīdere , decisum : confer French décision . See Decide .] 1. Cutting off; division; detachment of a part. [ Obsolete] Bp. Pearson.

2. The act of deciding; act of settling or terminating, as a controversy, by giving judgment on the matter at issue; determination, as of a question or doubt; settlement; conclusion.

The decision of some dispute.

Atterbury.

3. An account or report of a conclusion, especially of a legal adjudication or judicial determination of a question or cause; as, a decision of arbitrators; a decision of the Supreme Court.

4. The quality of being decided; prompt and fixed determination; unwavering firmness; as, to manifest great decision .

Syn. -- Decision , Determination , Resolution . Each of these words has two meanings, one implying the act of deciding, determining, or resolving; and the other a habit of mind as to doing. It is in the last sense that the words are here compared. Decision is a cutting short . It implies that several courses of action have been presented to the mind, and that the choice is now finally made. It supposes, therefore, a union of promptitude and energy. Determination is the natural consequence of decision. It is the settling of a thing with a fixed purpose to adhere. Resolution is the necessary result in a mind which is characterized by firmness. It is a spirit which scatters (resolves) all doubt, and is ready to face danger or suffering in carrying out one's determinations. Martin Luther was equally distinguished for his prompt decision , his steadfast determination , and his inflexible resolution .

Decisive De·ci·sive adjective [ Confer French décisif . See Decision .] 1. Having the power or quality of deciding a question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive , irrevocable doom." Bates. " Decisive campaign." Macaulay. " Decisive proof." Hallam.

2. Marked by promptness and decision.

A noble instance of this attribute of the decisive character.

J. Foster.

Syn. -- Decided; positive; conclusive. See Decided .

-- De*ci"sive*ly , adverb -- De*ci"sive*ness , noun

Decisory De·ci"so·ry adjective [ Confer French décisoire . See Decision .] Able to decide or determine; having a tendency to decide. [ R.]

Decistere Dec"i·stere noun [ French décistère ; prefix déci- tenth (fr. Latin decimus ) + stère a stere.] (Metric System) The tenth part of the stere or cubic meter, equal to 3.531 cubic feet. See Stere .

Decitizenize De·cit"i·zen·ize transitive verb To deprive of the rights of citizenship. [ R.]

We have no law -- as the French have -- to decitizenize a citizen.

Edw. Bates.

Decivilize De·civ"i·lize transitive verb To reduce from civilization to a savage state. [ R.] Blackwood's Mag.

Deck Deck transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Decked ; present participle & verbal noun Decking .] [ Dutch dekken to cover; akin to English thatch . See Thatch .] 1. To cover; to overspread.

To deck with clouds the uncolored sky.

Milton.

2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to embellish.

Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency.

Job xl. 10.

And deck my body in gay ornaments.

Shak.

The dew with spangles decked the ground.

Dryden.

3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel.

Deck Deck noun [ Dutch dek . See Deck , v. ] 1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks.

» The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one.

Berth deck (Navy) , a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. -- Boiler deck (River Steamers) , the deck on which the boilers are placed. -- Flush deck , any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. -- Gun deck (Navy) , a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck , the lower, the lower gun deck ; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck . -- Half-deck , that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. -- Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.) , the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. -- Orlop deck , the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. -- Poop deck , the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. -- Quarter-deck , the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. -- Spar deck . (a) Same as the upper deck. (b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck. -- Upper deck , the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.

2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.

4. A pack or set of playing cards.

The king was slyly fingered from the deck .

Shak.

5. A heap or store. [ Obsolete]

Who . . . hath such trinkets
Ready in the deck .

Massinger.

Between decks . See under Between . -- Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering) , a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge , which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders. -- Deck curb (Architecture) , a curb supporting a deck in roof construction. -- Deck floor (Architecture) , a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony. -- Deck hand , a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft. -- Deck molding (Architecture) , the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof. -- Deck roof (Architecture) , a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls. -- Deck transom (Shipbuilding) , the transom into which the deck is framed. -- To clear the decks (Nautical) , to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action. -- To sweep the deck (Card Playing) , to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them.

Deck Deck noun (Aëronautics) A main aëroplane surface, esp. of a biplane or multiplane.

Deckel Deck"el noun (Paper Making) Same as Deckle .

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
You are here: Webster > Letter D > Page 16 of 135.
« Previous ¦8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ¦ Next »